[I could not deny it]

 

[pray for our nations, for our leaders]

As the world continues to be in commotion, I treasure wise words from wise people. I need these reminders. We all do.

"The Savior taught us to not limit who we pray for. He said, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

On the cross... He practiced what He taught when He prayed, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

Sincerely praying for those who may be considered our enemies demonstrates our belief that God can change our hearts and the hearts of others.

...Prayer will lift us and draw us together as individuals, as families... and as a world. Prayer will influence scientists and help them toward discoveries of vaccines and medications that will end this pandemic. Prayer will comfort those who have lost a loved one. It will guide us in knowing what to do for our own personal protection.

...How great is the power of prayer.

...Let us remember and appreciate the power of prayer."

M. Russell Ballard (an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

October 2020

You can listen to his talk here: link to the talk

Prayer has been a source of strength and inspiration to me. If you have let your faith falter or have forgotten how to communicate with your Father in Heaven, I invite you to exercise some faith and see for yourself the power of a sincere, honest, from the heart prayer. I promise you that God listens and He will communicate with you in return. Finding quiet times to listen, searching the scriptures, doing good for others will aid in hearing that communication. Love you all!

 

[more coloring pages]

 

[coloring pages]

 

Today I had fun making coloring pages. 

Hope someone will enjoy these.

[perfect in Christ]

-382,997,219 + infinity = infinity

-72,385 + infinity = infinity

-9,416 + infinity = infinity

56,397 + infinity = infinity

471 + infinity = infinity

etc.

The older I get, the more I realize how weak I am by myself. Grace is needed in order to become strong.

(I asked my youth Sunday School class to pick one quote from the week's reading and make something with that quote. I tend to doodle flowers.)

#givethanks

I'm grateful for a living prophet who knows exactly what the world needs right now. I'm grateful for #givethanks and how it helped so many people to stop thinking about problems and to focus on gratitude for blessings instead. The world is full of good things and good people. Even during a pandemic. We find what we focus on. 

President Nelson's #givethanks video

President Nelson's prayer for the world:

Our Father in Heaven, as fellow passengers on Thy planet Earth, we humbly pray unto Thee.  We thank Thee for life and all that sustains life. We thank Thee for the beauties of the earth, for order in the universe, the planets, stars, and all things of eternal significance. We thank Thee for Thy laws that protect and guide us. We thank Thee for Thy mercy and loving watch care. We thank Thee for our families and loved ones, who fill our lives with joy.

We are grateful for all who are striving to combat the COVID pandemic. Please bless them with protection and inspiration. Wilt Thou help us end this virus that has plagued so many of Thy children.

We thank Thee for the leaders of nations and others who strive to lift us. We pray for relief from political strife. Wilt Thou bless us with a healing spirit that unites us despite our differences. 

Wilt Thou also help us repent from selfishness, unkindness, pride and prejudice of any kind, so that we can better serve and love one another as brothers and sisters, and as Thy grateful children. We love Thee, our dear Father, and pray for Thy blessings upon us, in the name of Thy Beloved son, Jesus Christ, amen.

[LOVE MERCY]

One of my favorite talks in the recent General Conference was Elder Dale G. Renlund's talk. I thought it was a very humble way to address some of the issues that affect our society at the moment. If only more people believed in mercy and being kind... These are personal qualities I'm striving to develop. I have improved much over the years but there is still a long way to go. It's nice to recognize some growth in myself though. Little by little, we all can improve and do better. There's hope even for me.

Elder Renlund was a cardiologist before he was called to be an Apostle. This story really touched my heart:

"Always dealing honorably with others is part of loving mercy. Consider a conversation I overheard decades ago in the emergency department of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States. A patient, Mr. Jackson, was a courteous, pleasant man who was well known to the hospital staff. He had previously been hospitalized multiple times for the treatment of alcohol-related diseases. On this occasion, Mr. Jackson returned to the hospital for symptoms that would be diagnosed as inflammation of the pancreas caused by alcohol consumption.

Toward the end of his shift, Dr. Cohen, a hardworking and admired physician, evaluated Mr. Jackson and determined that hospitalization was warranted. Dr. Cohen assigned Dr. Jones, the physician next up in rotation, to admit Mr. Jackson and oversee his treatment.

Dr. Jones had attended a prestigious medical school and was just beginning her postgraduate studies. This grueling training was often associated with sleep deprivation, which likely contributed to Dr. Jones’s negative response. Confronted with her fifth admission of the night, she complained loudly to Dr. Cohen. She felt it was unfair that she would have to spend many hours caring for Mr. Jackson, because his predicament was, after all, self-inflicted.

Dr. Cohen’s emphatic response was spoken in almost a whisper. He said, “Dr. Jones, you became a physician to care for people and work to heal them. You didn’t become a physician to judge them. If you don’t understand the difference, you have no right to train at this institution.” Following this correction, Dr. Jones diligently cared for Mr. Jackson during the hospitalization.

Mr. Jackson has since died. Both Dr. Jones and Dr. Cohen have had stellar careers. But at a critical moment in her training, Dr. Jones needed to be reminded to do justly, to love mercy, and to care for Mr. Jackson without being judgmental.

Over the years, I have benefited from that reminder."

(read the full talk here)