Pathway Progress

         I have not updated my blog in a while.  Okay, almost 3 years.  Many things have happened, we’ve been blessed to have another beautiful little girl, and we are in Arizona, and we are very happy.  One other new item is that I am going back to school.  I chose to use the pathway program through the LDS church education system, and part of my class is to write about what I am learning, and share it on a website or a blog for others to read.  If you would like more information feel free to contact me!

This week in my religion class we are reading in 1^st Nephi chapters 15-22.  There is a lot that happens in those chapters, and it helped me tremendously to use the institute student manual, but here is what I took from this week’s readings.  In 1^st Nephi chapter 19: 21-24 Nephi explains why he is writing and recording all of these things of a spiritual nature.  He is writing to his people in an effort to persuade them to follow Christ, and remember Him.

         In verse 23 Nephi says after trying to persuade his people to believe in Christ WHY he is reading them the books of Moses and Isaiah.  

         “For I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.”

This is the meat and potatoes of what I learned from the readings this week.  I am not supposed to go through the motions of reading and robotically recite what I read.  I am meant to read, and then think how this can help me in my life.  I am to ponder on the things that I have read, and learn from them.  Whether that be following a righteous example, or a cautionary tale about Laman and Lemuel, and how to avoid their downfall. I think the thing that I loved most about this is something I wasn’t expecting.  Later in chapter 20 Nephi talks about the ‘furnace of afflictions’.  I loved his example of how he had suffered many tribulations and afflictions, and yet still through all of it he expressed his gratitude to the Lord for the things he did have.  If we liken these scriptures to ourselves, the way I see it is this:
Nephi went through some hard stuff.  I have been through some hard stuff.  I know everyone has.  If I apply Nephi’s example to my life I gain an understanding of a few things:

1.    I am not alone in going through hard things.  I don’t need to feel alone.  My Savior is there for me always, AND there is a pretty awesome dude in the scriptures who would get it too.

2.   An attitude of gratitude can literally CHANGE my perspective on what I am going through, and even if I can’t make sense of why in that moment, I know that through the furnace of my afflictions I will be made stronger if I rely on my Heavenly Father. 

3.   The more obedient and faithful I am during times of trials will bring peace and comfort in those difficult moments.  

 I hope the insights I've had in my own life have helped you in some way.  I know this life is hard, but we don't need to go it alone.  Negativity drives away the spirit, and even in hard times, He is there to help us though. I know that this is true.  My Savior has been there for me in my darkest hours, and I feel His love for me every day.  I know you can too.

I am really excited to share what I have been learning.  Pathway is an inspired program that four weeks in I can already see amazing progress in my own life.  I wasn’t expecting it, but I am so grateful for it.

Love-

Rachael

Here's what our brood looks like lately.