Everyone has struggles and trials....

Just because I joined the LDS Church does not mean that my life has been always smooth ever since. I have had my share of temptations like everyone, have made some wrong choices, and had periods of inactivity from attendance. I struggled for a few years after baptism with not going to meetings for awhile. Part of it was that I lacked a strong enough testimony in the beginning to keep me strong. I knew the Church was true, but I didn’t have the support of family members to lean on to keep me focused on what I needed to be doing to continue to change for the good. And my spouse was not active in the Church, nor living as he should, which made it difficult for me, a new member. He had been a member all his life, but just not active. But as the years went on, I corrected things and my testimony grew stronger as I grew in knowledge and understanding, and my faith increased and blessings flowed.

Monday nights are always Family Home Evening nights...

We gather as a family on Monday evenings and spend time together learning about the gospel and each other. We begin by singing a Church song chosen by an assigned family member, followed by someone assigned to offer a prayer for the Lord’s spirit to be with us during this time and to help us. Then the person, who has been assigned to give the lesson, presents it. The lesson can be on anything gospel related or on a topic that helps us to be better, kinder people as we follow the Savior. After the lesson, another family member is in charge of some sort of an activity, which can be going for a walk to the park, playing a wii game, doing a craft, or whatever. Then after the activity another family member has been assigned the refreshment. After this, we close the evening with Family Prayer before sending the little ones off to bed. Each week we rotate the assignments for Family Home Evening between all family members, so we each have a turn at everything. This is a very special family time…and is held universally throughout the whole Church so that every Monday night, we know that millions of other LDS families throughout the world are holding theirs, also. What a blessing this has been for our family, as we come together and are able to feel the Lord’s spirit in attendance with us as we learn of the things He would have us learn that will strengthen us as individuals and as a family unit.

Inching my way along...

After baptism, the Church likes to settle you in gradually by offering you a calling (inspirationally asking a member if they would accept a Ward position to help the Ward function as it should). Callings in the Church helps a person to grow spiritually and to serve others. Generally, for new members, that means teaching a Primary class (for the young children.) So, I was asked to be the assistant secretary in the Primary. It was a very easy calling, as I remember, and I enjoyed learning about how the Ward Primary is organized and functions. Callings are like volunteering for something...no pay, but tons of wonderful blessings.