Personal Progress

In our Church the girls age 12-18 have the opportunity to work on something called Personal Progress. I talked about this before (but I can't find it, but if you're interested you can learn more here), so I won't go into too much detail. It's now been opened up to all women in the church, and I had decided that I wanted to go through this program again, but I never did anything with it. I figure now is a pretty good time for me to do it, because I need to grow in so many areas. I'm starting with Faith. I'm going to be focusing on Prayer for a while, and increasing my Faith through regular and meaningful communication with my Father in Heaven.I was taught a lot about this over the weekend, and I'm eager to keep it up.

Today I'm leaving you with a song...enjoy!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!  
that calls me from a world of care,  
and bids me at my Father's throne  
make all my wants and wishes known.  
In seasons of distress and grief,  
my soul has often found relief,  
and oft escaped the tempter's snare  
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!


Sweet hour of prayer!
sweet hour of prayer!  
thy wings shall my petition bear  
to him whose truth and faithfulness  
engage the waiting soul to bless.  
And since he bids me seek his face, 
believe his word, and trust his grace,  
I'll cast on him my every care,  
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Have The Best Day!!!

Get Comfortable

...Because this is a long one...

First I want to thank you all for the incredible comments you left me. They are appreciated more than I can express. I'm so thankful for all the amazing friends I've been blessed with.

I wish I felt like I was in a place to share more in depth what I'm thinking right now, but I just can't. I'm still dealing with some nausea, and some occasional dizziness, but nothing else has really changed, and I'm still not ready to test. I guess I'll just keep on going like this.

I do have some things I want to share though. Last night was so good for me. My ward had (I think it's called Week Night Relief Society Meeting) but I'm going to call it the meeting formerly known as Enrichment Night. Because I think I'm clever. hehehe. It was combined with the Young Women of our ward.***

We learned about the new Personal Progress Program. The program isn't new, but there have been some really wonderful changes made to it that were being shared with us last night. This program is a mixture of experiences and goals and projects that are all designed around 8 Values:

Faith
Diving Nature
Individual Worth
Knowledge
Choice & Accountability
Good Works
Integrity
And finally, Virtue.

Virtue wasn't added to this list until the last few years. It wasn't one of the values I required to really study while I was in Young Women. I mean I learned about it and how important it was, but...it wasn't part of the requirements I completed in order to earn my first Medallion.
Just so you know...This is not the one I earned. This isn't even the new version after mine. It's the new version's new version. Yeah. I'm old.

How incredible is that list? For young girls to be learning of these thins at this time of theri lives...wow!! So inspired!!! LOVE it!!!

One of the changes made was that It's no longer an award available to only the 12-18 yr old girls. it's available to any woman who wants to earn it. We were all challenged as Women to earn this award. Either again or for the first time. I am so excited about this!!! I am so excited for the opportunity to bring myself and my family closer to our Savior. I'm so excited to be able to stretch and push myself in the direction I need to be moving anyway!! It probably sounds weird that I am so excited to do this, but I really am. I know it will bring My Heavenly Father and My Savior to the forefront of my mind and keep them more apart of my daily life. It's an opportunity for me to remember who I need to be, and get closer to being her. And maybe I'll get some of that Balm of Gilead in the process. I hear it's good stuff.

As the closing song to our meeting we sang Walk Tall You're A Daughter of God. I vaguely remember this song, but It's been a very long time, so it was like hearing it for the first time. I'd like to share the words with you... And I hope they help you to feel how much the Lord loves you a little more strongly today.

Right now I have a prayer deep within my heart,
A prayer for each of you there is a special part.
That you remember who you are and him who lives above.
Please seek for him and live his way; You'll feel his love.

(chorus)
Walk tall, you're a daughter, a child of God,
Be strong and remember who you are,
Try to understand, you're part of his great plan.
He's closer than you know, Reach up; he'll take your hand.

Long before the time you can remember,
Our Father held you in his arms so tender.
Those loving arms released you as he sent you down to earth.
He said, "My child, I love you. Don't forget your great worth."

(chorus)
Walk tall, you're a daughter, a child of God,
Be strong and remember who you are,
Try to understand, you're part of his great plan.
He's closer than you know, Reach up; he'll take your hand.

This life on earth we knew would not be easy.
At times we lose our way his path we may not see.
But remember always that you are not alone.
He'll take your hand, He loves you! He will guide you home.

(chorus)
Walk tall, you're a daughter, a child of God,
Be strong and remember who you are,
Try to understand, you're part of his great plan.
He's closer than you know, Reach up; he'll take your hand

I was not the only one crying while we sang this last night. It was so beautiful to hear a group of strong and faithful women joined together in songs of praise and worship. It was really powerful and I'm so glad I went!!

Afterwards I was able to spend some time visiting with someone I care for a great deal about something she has been going through. I'm grateful for the composure I was able to maintain during that time. I (as you know) was on thin ice with my emotions. But I was able to express sorrow and love with only welling up a few times. I am grateful that she would allow me to be there for her during this time, and I hope and pray that something I said or did was able to help her feel some peace. I love you, and I'm always here for you Darlin'!!

I also wanted to let you guys know of something I saw today...It's kind of scary!!! I saw THIS on MSN this morning...so...maybe pass the word around...

I hope you're all feeling happy today!!!


***The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints is a world wide organization. Meaning it is the same in every country and every place on Earth. In this Gospel we have several Auxiliaries. For children we have Primary. When Boys and Girl turn 12 they advance to the Young Women, and Young Men Program. Boys are taught about the Priesthood and prepare to serve an honorable Mission to help others come closer to Christ. Young women learn a lot of things. They learn the importance of education, and Family. They are taught about how to be close to the spirit and close to their Heavenly Father. They are taught how to be a righteous Mother. When These young women turn 18 they are able to advance to an organization called Relief Society. Which is the largest woman's organization in the entire world. And we do exactly what the name describes. We offer relief. I've come to know that this relief can reach literally the entire world, or it might reach all the way to my heart. I'm grateful to be a part of this organization and I am grateful for the opportunities it has given me to serve others.