Answers to Prayers and Goals Update

Answers to prayers can be funny things. Why is that you ask? They are funny things because they always seem to come in ways that we never expect. Sometimes they don't come as fast as we expect them to and we get frustrated. Sometimes they are not the answers we want to hear but they are indeed answers. Lastly, sometimes answers come in a way that is so totally unexpected that you are left speechless and with a feeling of awe. The last is the one which I have been noticing lately. I have been struggling with my new church calling and prayed about the best way to approach this and what to do that would be the best. I felt like I had got an answer and was struck with inspiration. I went to church confident and happy. Things did not go very well at all that week. In fact I came home and was almost in tears. How could this be? I had inspiration. I knew this is what I was supposed to do. Then why did I feel like such a failure? I persevered and went forward with the inspiration that I had. The next week I went and lo and behold things went really well. Extraordinary well. I thought how could this be? The next week the same. Now I have a feeling of awe. The Lord knew that things would work out even when I had doubts. It is a pretty good feeling. Now that I have had this experience it has helped me have hope and faith for the other areas in my life where I struggle. I have been struggling with a few things for a while and sometimes out of the clear blue I read a blog or talk to someone and the light goes off in my head. This is an answer to my prayer for help and strength and guidance. I have had several of these things happen lately and it has helped me to know that Heavenly Father knows and loves me. He is sending me messages of hope and love. It is truly awe inspiring.

Now for the goal updates. Things are going really well. We are halfway done with the month of January and have already met some of our goals. My hubby and I went to the temple last week and it was wonderful. I am so glad to be able to feel the spirit in that special place. It really it such a blessing. I have also been doing pretty well with the exercising. I feel myself getting stronger every day. I haven't done so well with my scripture study but I am trying. It is a challenge to sit down, read, and understand the scriptures. I often let myself get distracted. It is a work in progress. That is how things are going so far this month. I hope that everyone else is doing well with their goals. Things can be hard sometimes. Motivation is not always easy but the end result is worth it! This is a quote I found that was by President Gordon B. Hinckley about growth:

I come to you tonight with a plea that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we try to 'accentuate the positive.' I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort. Now I am not asking that all criticism be silenced. Growth comes of correction. Strength comes of repentence. Wise is the man or woman who can acknowledge mistakes pointed out by others and change his or her course. "What I am suggesting is that you turn from the negativism that so permeates our modern society and look for the remarkable good among those with whom you associate, that we speak of one another's virtues more than we speak of one another's faults, that optimism replace pessimism, that or faith exceed our fears. When I was a young man and was prone to speak critically, my wise father would say: 'Cynics do not contribute. Skeptics do not create. Doubters do not achieve.' "

Thankful

As I was sitting and reflecting today I was thinking about all the things in life that I wish we had and how much easier things would be. Then I had a thought. Why can't I be thankful for what I have right now? This is how my life is right now and I could sit here and wish some things were better or I could be happy with everything I have right here right now. My husband has a good job, we have a nice apartment, food to eat, clothes to wear, and each other. What more could we really need? We have been really blessed to get what we have. Not everyone is as blessed as we are. This year I am going to be happy and more thankful for all that I have been blessed with!

Goals Support Group

I was chatting with my friend Amanda last night and she made a great suggestion. She suggested that since we have some of the same goals for this year that we could help support each other to keep our goals. I thought that this was a great idea and wanted to expand this to anyone. If any of the readers of this blog would like to form some type of goals support group just let me know. It is a whole lot easier to reach your goals with support and that is exactly what friends are for. There won't be pressure to do anything in a certain time period. Just friends helping each other. If any of you would like to do this or have suggestions just let me know.

New Year Goals

This time of year is always a time of reflection and change for me. For the new year I (Briana) have decided to make some new year goals. I don't really like to use the word resolutions because it seems people use the word for something that they don't intend to do. I prefer to use the word goal so I am more likely to do it. Some of the things that I would like to do this year are: get in better shape, do more scripture study, go to the temple at least once a month with the hubby, keep in better touch with friends, and learn how to sew. This list seems a little bit daunting to me. I struggle with confidence in myself so setting goals and accomplishing them is hard for me. Luckily for me I have a wonderful husband who always believes in and encourages me. This year is going to be a good one for goals and I am excited to see what happens!