My Prayers Have Changed

A lot has happened since May 28, 2011.   And, yet, I realized that the #1 lesson learned from that experience was not recorded.   As I lay in the hospital room, my baby in NICU and I being interrupted by a plethora of nurses, I was overcome with tiredness.  I began to pray that I would be able to "not be tired."  As I did so the thought came to me, "You are praying for the wrong thing," and I knew I needed to pray for strength to endure the tiredness that was inevitable in my situation. This mini-lesson has had the most impact on me for the past 8 months (has it been that long already!?), and one that has forever changed the way I pray and the way in which I trust the Lord.

I post this youtube video more for the story she tells before the song than the actual song (though the lyrics and music of this song are beautifully haunting).  Listen to the story.  Listen to the song.  And as you do so, think about what you are really praying for.  Think about who God needs you to be.  And think about putting your trust in Him.   Enjoy!

Core Phase: A Time for Personal Spiritual Moments

One question I have been pondering lately with regards to Core Phase is:  Will my children follow correct principles without me hovering over them?  Then something happened this morning that gave me a boost of confidence. 

In stake conference this last weekend our stake president challenged us to create a place where we can have personal spiritual experiences. I've decided to really watch for more of these moments in my life as well as in the lives of my children. I'd like to share a story from this morning that made me think, 'Yay! Something really is sinking in." I have one daughter who has some authority issues. She hates to be told what to do or to have things not her way. Throughout the last year or so we've really been working on this. Several times I've taken her to her room and we've both prayed together that her heart would be softened (idea from Raising a Family to the Lord by Gene R. Cook). Well, yesterday was again "one of those days" where she had decided to make everyone else miserable. I was not as patient this time and put her in her room wanting her never to come out again (please tell me I'm not the only one with these feelings sometimes!). After awhile I went in there and she was very open to changing and talking about it (usually she's not interested in me at alll after one of her outbursts). Well, this morning for devotional we were talking about the President Hinckley's six "be's". When we got to "Be Prayerful" my daughter told me that yesterday morning when she was angry she said a prayer. I thought to myself, "WOW! Prayer works!" because I'd been wondering how she'd changed so quickly yesterday. My next thought was, "Yay! My daughter had a personal spiritual moment." The #1 way I think we can help our children to go through teh Core Phase is by taking that time to teach and to love, even when our schedule tells us otherwise. :-)