Daily Ponderings: I Will Fulfill My Promises While They Are in the Flesh

2 Nephi 10:17

For I will fulfil my promises which I have made unto the children of men, that I will do unto them while they are in the flesh

Peace and joy are meant for me today, right now. All I have to do is ask.

TFHW: Sent a Message

12-30-22
Added Whitney Woolf to TFH Council
Texted TFH Council
Went to the temple for an endowment session
Watched Narnia:LWW with family
Picked up Kopps for family

Daily Ponderings: The Promises of the Lord

2 Nephi 10:9

Yea, the kings of the Gentiles shall be nursing fathers unto them, and their queens shall become nursing mothers; wherefore, the promises of the Lord are great unto the Gentiles, for he hath spoken it, and who can dispute?

He has promised me to give me whatever I ask for. This is an empowering belief, which, if I embrace it, will give me all the peace, power, and courage I need.

TFHW: Zootopia!

12-29-22
Went to the zoo with family

Daily Ponderings: Declare Unto You

2 Nephi 9:54

And now, my brethren, I would speak unto you more; but on the morrow I will declare unto you the remainder of my words. Amen.

I should do my best to listen to Him at all times. As I continue to practice, it becomes easier for me to recognize His voice.

Not Better, But Different

From Robert L. Backman's October 1980 "To the Young Men of the Church"

"...you are different from other boys and young men - not better but different - because you have been blessed with the gospel of Jesus Christ and the priesthood of God. Because he has given you so much, he expects you to live beyond your friends and associates who do not have the light of the gospel..."

This also implies that everyone is also "not worse, but different"

Still, it doesn't obviate the questions "better for what? worse by what standard? And is that standard appropriate?"

TFHW: Visiting Holy Places

12-28-22
Went to temple for baptisms with youth
Visited Roger and Betty

Daily Ponderings: Those That Worship

2 Nephi 9:37

Yea, wo unto those that worship idols, for the devil of all devils delighteth in them.

I should declare Him to be good and choose to become more like Him

TFHW: Merry Christmas!

12-27-22
Got up at 3am to prep Santa presents
Had Christmas with family
Prepared to go to temple to help with youth baptisms
Arranged to visit Roger & Betty

Daily Ponderings: Having Perfect Faith in the Holy One of Israel

2 Nephi 9:23

And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.

I can look at the lives and ministries of Christ and His disciples, and extract any number of empowering beliefs. The more I extract, the more power I have.

Daily Ponderings: He Delivereth His Saints

2 Nephi 9:19

O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.

No matter my situation, He can help me. He will always fill me with His peace.

TFHW: With Family

12-26-22
Made calzones
Shoveled the sidewalk for Joshua's return
Emailed Shandra
Listened in on Michael's missionary call

Daily Ponderings: Loose Thyself from the Bands

2 Nephi 8:25

Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

If I notice that the adversary is tryiong to bind me with anger or fear, I should immediately ask Him to free me by filling me with His peace.

TFHW: Christmas Activity

12-25-22
Emailed Patty
Looked at my Family History fan chart
Emailed family history chart to Erik and Derrick
Got questions book back from Pr. Woolf, who now has a book answering those questions from his mother - and soon his father.
Emailed Tom
Emailed Roy
Texted Roger
Emailed Shandra
Texted Sarah

Daily Ponderings: Awake, Awake, Stand Up

2 Nephi 8:17

Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury—thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling wrung out

I should seek His peace and be who I am.

TFHW: Happy Holidays

12-24-22
Texted TFH Committee
Decorated gingerbread cookies
Played 3 handed cribbage
Midnight open-heart conversation
Sent Christmas email to siblings

Daily Ponderings: Who Art Thou, That Thou Shouldst Be Afraid?

2 Nephi 8:12

I am he; yea, I am he that comforteth you. Behold, who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of man, who shall die, and of the son of man, who shall be made like unto grass?

Because of Him, I never need to cradle fear in the palm of my hand. I can give it to Him and let Him replace it with peace.

Daily Ponderings: Put on Strength

2 Nephi 8:9

Awake, awake! Put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in the ancient days. Art thou not he that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?

If I need strength to accomplish something, I can ask Him for it after seeking peace

TFHW: Togetherness

12-23-22
Went shopping in Arctic weather
Picked Ryan up at the airport
Played Sorry with family

Daily Ponderings: Walk in the Light

2 Nephi 7:11

Behold all ye that kindle fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks which ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand—ye shall lie down in sorrow.

I should seek His light. I will know I am following His light as I feel His peace.

TFHW: Christmas Is Coming

12-22-22
Helped wrap presents
Helped Ryan deal with cancelled flight

Constant Guidance

From James E. Faust's October 1980 "These I Will Make My Leaders":

"They should seek for the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit"

Not daily, not hourly, CONSTANT.

This is what having a prayer in my heart means

But constant doesn't mean continuous, because I have other things that require my attention. It means that as long as I am willing and worthy, he will be there when I need Him.

Many Emotions for the Unrighteous, But Not Joy

From Russell M. Nelson's October 2016 "Joy and Spiritual Survival"

"The unrighteous may experience any number of emotions and sensations, but they will never experience joy!"

I don't think I understand joy. I think maybe it's the act of reflecting on a moment of happiness and knowing that you deserve it.

Joy is triggered by color, movement and symmetry, and abundance, because these are the signs of current life, current health, and the future ability to survive. I'm alive, I'm healthy, I have resources.

Knowing that I deserve that happiness means knowing that my actions align with my values without contradiction.

Being Worthy to Have the Holy Ghost

From Russell M. Nelson's October 2016 "Joy and Spiritual Survival"

"...being worthy to have the Holy Ghost"

How? By asking for His peace. The Holy Ghost comes with it, and joy follows.

Daily Ponderings: I Know That I Shall Not Be Ashamed

2 Nephi 7:7

For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

If I turn my fear and anger over to Him at their first appearance, He can replace them with peace and kindness.

TFHW: Journey

12-21-22
Drove home through downtown Chicago; enjoyed Christmas trees in apartment windows

Daily Ponderings: When Ye Are Weary, He Waketh

2 Nephi 7:4

The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season unto thee, O house of Israel. When ye are weary he waketh morning by morning. He waketh mine ear to hear as the learned.

He can give me the power I need to do what I need to do.

TFHW: Release the Burden

12-20-22
Took Popum's tomato cages
Went to country club with the Lloyds

Focus on Joy

From Russell M. Nelson's October 2016 "Joy and Spiritual Survival"

"...focusing on joy brings God's power into our lives."

The empowering belief that joy is possible, and that I am worthy to experience it.

Daily Ponderings: The Waters Are Dried Up, and They Die Because of Thirst

2 Nephi 7:2

Wherefore, when I came, there was no man; when I called, yea, there was none to answer. O house of Israel, is my hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make their rivers a wilderness and their fish to stink because the waters are dried up, and they die because of thirst.

My only drink is peace and kindness. Fear and anger are salt water that looks clear and fresh, but only redoubles thirst

Daily Ponderings: For Your Iniquities Have Ye Sold Yourselves

2 Nephi 7:1

Yea, for thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever? For thus saith the Lord: Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement? To whom have I put thee away, or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Yea, to whom have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

I can pursue short term solutions that collapse, or I can pursue the only solutions that I know with certainty, from experience, that will work every time I'm willing to let go of fear and anger and pursue them.

My reaction to fear and anger should be puzzlement and curiosity, for I know that they are alien; followed by a return to the peace and kindness that are normal and common to me. They are my base and my home.

Daily Ponderings: Thy Savior and Thy Redeemer

2 Nephi 6:18

And I will feed them that oppress thee, with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine; and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

I should live according to truth and reach out to others only in kindness. There is no other path to joy. I've tried other things. They don't work. Anger doesn't bring joy. Fear doesn't bring joy. The only way forward is His peace, which is the root of kindness, and therefore of joy. Joy is the only reasonable pursuit.

TFHW: Round and Round

12-19-22
Cut out covenant spiral for Kitten to show Julianna
Attended Julianna's and Asher's b-day party

Author and Finisher

From Russell M. Nelson's October 2016 "Joy and Spiritual Survival"

"...Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith"

Jesus designed me with the ability to act on empowering beliefs. The He gave me the scriptures, which are full of empowering beliefs to act on.

To Bring Joy

From Russell M. Nelson's October 2016 "Joy and Spiritual Survival"

"...to bring joy to the people of the world..."

It starts with peace, and manifests as kindness. Joy is the consequence

Focus on the Plan

From Russell M. Nelson's October 2016 "Joy and Spiritual Survival"

"When the focus of our lives is on God's plan of salvation..."

The truth, so we can feel peace and kindness and power.

Happy Under Every Circumstance

From Russell M. Nelson's October 2016 "Joy and Spiritual Survival"

"Saints can be happy under every circumstance"

This is the empowering belief

Not a Complaint Was Heard

From Russell M. Nelson's October 2016 "Joy and Spiritual Survival"

"...Not a complaint was heard..."

The key to joy is, first - to not murmur

Claim the Joy

From Russell M. Nelson's October 2016 "Joy and Spiritual Survival"

"...claim the joy that Heavenly Father has in store for us..."

I am entitled to joy, but I have to take the initiative to claim it.

He Chose the Word Joy

From Russell M. Nelson's October 2016 "Joy and Spiritual Survival"

"Of all the words he could have used to describe the nature and purpose of our lives here in mortality, he chose the word joy!"

Joy is the purpose. Not happiness, not cheerfulness, not getting by - joy.

Daily Ponderings: The Covenant People of the Lord

2 Nephi 6:13

Wherefore, they that fight against Zion and the covenant people of the Lord shall lick up the dust of their feet; and the people of the Lord shall not be ashamed. For the people of the Lord are they who wait for him; for they still wait for the coming of the Messiah.

If I seek for Him, He will give me peace

TFHW: Good Use of Time

12-18-22
Attended church with extended family
Decorated gingerbread cookies

Daily Ponderings: Thou Shalt Know That I Am the Lord

2 Nephi 6:7

And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their faces towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

I should keep a prayer in my heart and feel for the connecting touch of the Spirit

TFHW: What's Right in Front of Me

12-17-22
Proofread Kitten's letter on TFHW to the Mission Presidency
Texted TFH Council to let them know I put their names on the temple prayer roll
Took Joshua birding

Daily Ponderings: Which He Spake

2 Nephi 6:1

The words of Jacob, the brother of Nephi, which he spake unto the people of Nephi:

I should speak that which adds value for the listener

TFHW: Customer Service

12-16-22
Emailed Tom
Called Verizon
Went shopping for apples and soymilk

Daily Ponderings: It Sufficeth Me to Say

2 Nephi 5:34

And it sufficeth me to say that forty years had passed away, and we had already had wars and contentions with our brethren.

I should say my words of gratitude succinctly and directly.

TFHW: Road Warrior

12-15-22
Drove to Alabama

Daily Ponderings: The Lord Spake It, and It Was Done

2 Nephi 5:23

And cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth with their seed; for they shall be cursed even with the same cursing. And the Lord spake it, and it was done.

I should acknowledge and embrace His promptings, and seek His peace before following them.

TFHW: The One Who's Here

12-14-22
Helped Joshua with homework
Sent Christmas email to family

Daily Ponderings: According to That Which Is Written

2 Nephi 5:12

And I, Nephi, had also brought the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass; and also the ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord, according to that which is written.

I should listen for the guidance I receive while reading the scriptures.

TFHW: Being There

12-13-22
Rescheduled nose doctor to attend Kitten's Zoom class

Daily Ponderings: My Voice Shall Forever Ascend up Unto Thee

2 Nephi 4:35

Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

I should realize that I struggle more than I think I do, and I shold ask for His help to feel peace and kindness.

TFHW: Movie Review

12-12-22
Sent email to Tom
Held FHE
Texted Sarah
Emailed Mike Berry about his friend and FamilySearch

Limited Omniscience

God is omniscient. That means He knows everything. For me, knowing everything means to know everything in my head, not everything in the universe. The Holy Ghost is the aspect of God that gives me full access to everything in my head.

Daily Ponderings: Waxed Bold in Mighty Prayer

2 Nephi 4:24

And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.

I should keep seeking peace, even if it's been hard

TFHW: Fixxer-Upper

12-11-22
Improved place names (US)

Daily Ponderings: Rejoice!... I Will Praise Thee Forever

2 Nephi 4:30

Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

Pattern interrupt - if I'm stuck in a sour place where I don't feel like being kind, I act kind and the peace and kindness that are at the root of joy will come.

Daily Ponderings: He Hath Heard

2 Nephi 4:23

And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

He hears and will answer my prayers. Peace is always part of that answer.

TFHW: Party Time

12-10-22
Set up, attended, cleaned up Christmas party with family

Daily Ponderings: The Spirit of the Lord That Was in Him

2 Nephi 4:12

And it came to pass after my father, Lehi, had spoken unto all his household, according to the feelings of his heart and the Spirit of the Lord which was in him, he waxed old. And it came to pass that he died, and was buried.

I should continually strive to keep the Spirit in my heart by feeling His peace.

TFHW: Pitching In

12-9-22
Helped Kitten decorate for party

Daily Ponderings: Wherefore Hearken

2 Nephi 3:25

And now, blessed art thou, Joseph. Behold, thou art little; wherefore hearken unto the words of thy brother, Nephi, and it shall be done unto thee even according to the words which I have spoken. Remember the words of thy dying father. Amen.

I should listen to His voice in all things. Peace is how I keep my ears open

TFHW: Repairman

12-8-22
Fixed smashed birdhouse
Helped Kitten with party

Daily Ponderings: I Will Give Power Unto Him

1 Nephi 3:17

And the Lord hath said: I will raise up a Moses; and I will give power unto him in a rod; and I will give judgment unto him in writing. Yet I will not loose his tongue, that he shall speak much, for I will not make him mighty in speaking. But I will write unto him my law, by the finger of mine own hand; and I will make a spokesman for him.

If I need power to accompany a kind work, He will give it to me if I ask.

TFHW: Substitute

12-7-22
Helped Joshua with homework

Faith in Jesus Christ

Faith = acting on an empowering belief in the face of an uncertain outcome.

With Jesus Christ, the empowering belief is that He knows me, He loves me, and He wants to help me if I ask.

Daily Ponderings: He Shall Be Great

2 Nephi 3:9

And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel.

I can become great if I start by trying to feel His peace

Moving, Dynamic, Vitalizing Force

From Dallin H. Oaks December 2015 "Observing Christmas":

"The real Christmas comes to him who has taken Christ into his life as a moving, dynamic, vitalizing force."

Christ, like faith, is a verb. It's something I do.

Whom We Seek

From Dallin H. Oaks December 2015 "Observing Christmas":

"This is the Jesus whom we seek."

Actively seeking to model Jesus can make my life better

Massive, Uncomprehending Indifference

From Dallin H. Oaks December 2015 "Observing Christmas":

"The first Christmas in the Middle East was met with massive, uncomprehending indifference."

Mostly, no one cares - until I show them how it might be able to make their lives better.

Witness of What You Worship

From Dallin H. Oaks December 2015 "Observing Christmas":

"We must not forget our worshipping and witnessing the Savior of all mankind"

Part of the power He gives to me is the courage to state - kindly - the things I believe.

Pause, and Choose Better

From Dallin H. Oaks December 2015 "Observing Christmas":

"He taught them to love their enemies and bless them that cursed them, do good to them that hated them, and pray for them that despitefully used them and persecuted them"

He teaches me to claim the power that lies between stimulus and response, and to always be able choose my response deliberately, despite my natural reactions and inclinations.

What He Taught, What He Didn't Teach

From Dallin H. Oaks December 2015 "Observing Christmas":

"What did Jesus teach the people of His day? And what did He not teach?"

There were many things that would've benefitted me short term. He only taught what would help me long term. He doesn't fix my circumstances, He gives me the tools to fix myself so that I can change my own circumstances.

TFHW: Supportive

12-6-22
Attended Kitten's class on the Christmas Devotional
Made dinner
Emailed siblings about Christmas traditions

Daily Ponderings: I Have Chosen the Good Part

2 Nephi 2:30

I have spoken these few words unto you all, my sons, in the last days of my probation; and I have chosen the good part, according to the words of the prophet. And I have none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls. Amen.

I should do kind things for myself and seek His peace

When I feel sad or afraid, I should focus on the physical sensations to quell the racing thoughts, instead of trying to control the thoughts directly.

TFHW: Valuable Lesson

12-5-22
Had FHE
Did indexing

Daily Ponderings: According to the Commandments

2 Nephi 2:21

And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord God gave unto the children of men. For he gave commandment that all men must repent; for he showed unto all men that they were lost, because of the transgression of their parents.

I should hear and obey His commandments, not a few

The first is to partake of His peace.

The Answer to Why

The answer to the "why" questions that I ask God is always "because I love you perfectly". It's up to me to figure out why that's true. There's always a reason why someone who loves me perfectly would put me through this trial. Something I need to learn, or change, or become. I can trust that that's true, until I can look back on the trial and see what the blessing is.

TFHW: What Would YOU Say?

12-4-22
Talked to Ward Council about TFHW
Got Whitney's texting number so I can add her to the TFH Council
Talked to President Woolf about the questions for old family members I loaned him
Put Evonne Maas's daughter, Angela McKay, on the temple prayer roll.

---

Went to St. Lucia celebration at a Lutheran church
Did indexing

Daily Ponderings: An Opposition in All Things

2 Nephi 2:11

For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

Peace opposes suffering. I should seek to embrace the things that oppose darkness and sadness - light and joy

TFHW: Arkansas Is Better Now

12-3-22
Improved place names: Arkansas (mostly)
Texted TFH Council
Held family prayer when everyone was sad
Worked on ward Christmas party together

Daily Ponderings: The Lord Hath Consecrated This Land

2 Nephi 1:32

Wherefore, if ye shall keep the commandments of the Lord, the Lord hath consecrated this land for the security of thy seed with the seed of my son.

He has richly blessed my life. As I continually seek His peace, I will be aware of and thankful for his blessings.

TFHW: The Water's Fine

12-2-22
Did baptisms at the temple
Attended "Christmas Carol" play

Daily Ponderings: He Hath Sought the Glory of God

2 Nephi 1:25

And I exceedingly fear and tremble because of you, lest he shall suffer again; for behold, ye have accused him that he sought power and authority over you; but I know that he hath not sought for power nor authority over you, but he hath sought the glory of God, and your own eternal welfare.

I should seek for His transformational power, and I think that will come through seeking His peace. About all things, in all circumstances, including through fear and fatigue, sadness and despair.

Daily Ponderings: Be Men, and Be Determined

2 Nephi 1:21

And now that my soul might have joy in you, and that my heart might leave this world with gladness because of you, that I might not be brought down with grief and sorrow to the grave, arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity;

I should be courageously resolute in feeling His peacce while making progress.

Do Our Part Anyway

From Spencer W. Kimball's October 1980 "Families Can Be Eternal":

"...if the supporting network of institutions does not function adequately, then we will do our part anyway."

Easier

I always thing He's going to ask me to do something hard, but sometimes doing it right means it's easier than I thought it would be.

TFHW: Vital Preparation

12-1-22
Prepared names for baptism

Daily Ponderings: The Lands of Their Possessions

2 Nephi 1:11

Yea, he will bring other nations unto them, and he will give unto them power, and he will take away from them the lands of their possessions, and he will cause them to be scattered and smitten.

I should be grateful for, and treat with reverence, that which He has given me.

TFHW: A Friend Indeed

11-30-22
Asked Kitten to hold me
Told Kitten about Br. Berry's request
Reminded Kitten that she needs to write a monthly report
Fixed rickrack tree
Prayed with Kitten twice