Things I've Learned of Late

I don't often write about my religious beliefs on my blog, but this needs to change.  I should not be ashamed of what I know is true.  If people have the right to proclaim their atheist views, don't I deserve the right to share my beliefs without being shunned or lambasted?  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the beacon by which I try to live my life.  So, here is a post that I feel strongly about.  Please don't stop reading here.  No matter what you believe, there is truth in what I have to say.

We all have trials.  That's no secret.  If you didn't think life was meant to be hard, then I'm here to give you a rude wake-up call.  It is easy to forget why tough times are imperative to our development.  As I was listening to comments made in Church yesterday, one, in particular, stood out to me.  Elder Holland has said:

"Every experience can become a redemptive experience if we remain bonded to our Father in Heaven through it. These difficult lessons teach us that man’s extremity is God’s opportunity, and if we will be humble and faithful, if we will be believing and not curse God for our problems, He can turn the unfair and inhumane and debilitating prisons of our lives into temples—or at least into a circumstance that can bring comfort and revelation, divine companionship and peace."

The hardest, most devastating events can become sacred monuments in our lives if we but remain hand-in-hand with our Father.

I am guilty of leaning unto "mine own understanding" and believing that I need to separate myself from God to find myself.  It is just the opposite that is needed in times of tribulation. This is my rude wake-up call.

If I had only realized this eternal truth, I could be in such a higher place than I am now.  I feel this is the case for many of us.  Heavenly Father gives us so many opportunities to grow and become better people.  If we took every chance God gave us and learned what God wanted us to learn from it, wouldn't we all be in such a better place and mindset?

On a simpler note, Riley is doing well.  :)  There are many things that he does that make me take a step back from the craziness of life, and just smile.  Whenever I take him outside, even if just for a few minutes, he loves to find a "souvenir" to bring in with him.  His favorites are leaves, sticks, and "helicopter" seeds.  He'll carry them in his mouth and try to climb up the stairs with them.  He has yet to master both at the same time.  But hey, he just learned how to go up and down the stairs.  In the morning he loves to cuddle right next to me and mimic the position I am in.  If I'm on my back sleeping, I wake up to see him on his back right next to me.  This morning I was sleeping on my side.  So was he.  He also is learning that if he throws himself at the make-shift gate we created for him in just the right way, he can escape.  He literally escaped 5 times in less than an hour yesterday.  His signature move is to hop like a bunny.  When he gets excited he'll hop around the room.  My dad loves to tell him, "You're not a bunny!"  

Here's the latest picture I have of the growing pup--

Hopefully he'll win the cute pet contest I entered him in.  ;)