The Power of the Priesthood

This week has been brutal at work. I don't want to go into details, but some fellow co-workers did some things which hurt/affected me deeply. I really struggled with this, and all these pregnancy hormones didn't help either! I talked and talked to my husband about it. He, knowing me so well, listened and gave me some great advice. He helped me see this situation in a different way, and see my coworkers as human, capable of making mistakes. After hours of talking and crying, I finally started to feel better enough to go to sleep.

Before we went to bed, I asked T if he would give me a priesthood blessing before I left for school the next day. The following morning, I was feeling A LOT better. So good, in fact, I almost didn't wake him up. However, I also felt like I should show the Lord my obedience, even though I felt like I didn't need it. T gave me a really beautiful blessing, and he definitely said some things I NEEDED to hear before I walked out my door that morning.

It became clear I needed that blessing on this particular day because something equally frustrating and stressful happened. I feel like if T hadn't given me that blessing, I might have a.) quit on the spot, b.)had a total meltdown, c.)made a total fool of myself or d.) all of the above. Thanks to my husband's blessing, I was able to receive the comfort I truly needed.

I'm going to conclude with some words from President James E. Faust in the October 2004 issue of the Liahona.

"A priesthood blessing is sacred. It can be a holy and inspired statement of our wants and needs. If we are in tune spiritually, we can receive a confirming witness of the truth of the promised blessings. Priesthood blessings can help us in the small and great decisions of our lives. If, through our priesthood blessings, we could perceive [see] only a small part of the person God intends us to be, we would lose our fear and never doubt again."

Yet again, my testimony has been strengthened in the power of the priesthood, and how necessary I need it in my life.

Organize Yourselves

My husband and I teach the 15-17 year olds in Sunday School. This week, we were discussing the Saints preparing themselves for their trek to Salt Lake (section 136 in D&C contains instructions for them as what they needed to do). One of the verses we talked about struck me:

2) Let all the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and those who journey with them, be organized into companies, with a covenant and promise to keep all the commandments and statutes of the Lord our God.

Along with reading this section, we were trying to figure out how we could apply it to our own journeys in life. I was struggling with how to relate to it, and my husband said, "Companies then are wards and stakes today." This made me think about the organization of this glorious church.

This brought me back to something my dad told me years ago. I was traveling to Russia to teach English, meeting my teaching group in Moscow, and making several layovers in various countries all by myself beforehand. I was a little nervous because my layovers were quite short, and I wasn't sure I would be able to make all the takeoffs. My dad told me, "If you miss any of your flights, and get stuck in one country, all you have to do is call me. I will locate the nearest bishop in that area, and you will be taken care of until you can get on the next flight."

How lucky are we, as members of the church, to know we will be taken care of no matter where we are in the entire world? I know if I was ever in trouble or in an emergency, there would be someone I could call in my local ward or stake to help me in a moment's notice. I've had those moments from time to time in my life, and I'm sure I'm not alone. It's one more testament, this church is true, and the way it was organized in the very beginning was truly inspired.

The Power of Service

This week, I've been in a terrible mood. I'm tired, cranky, and I need a break! I work with these kids all day long, and sometimes it feels like they may looking at me, but are not really listening. Fortunately, I don't take my horrible mood out on my students. Unfortunately, I do save all that awfulness for my husband. T has some major patience, and I'm sure with the pregnancy AND this job, it's being tested. When I get home, I just want to collapse on the couch, not think about anything, and bascially be alone(those kids have no sense of personal space).

Today, I came home in particularly sour mood. I not only wanted to be alone, but I wanted to be rude to T as well. T being confused (as he usually has been these past month since I've been pregnant) took me by the hand to our bedroom and we had a nice long talk. It made me feel a little better, but I was feeling pretty crummy.

I started to think about things from his point of view. He just wants to make me happy, and no matter what he does, he always the bad guy. I began to feel sorry for him, and embarrassed for my own behavior. It was then I decided he deserved something nice. So, I made him dinner. I just wanted to show him how much I love and appreciate him.

After we ate, I feel literally a hundred times better! It was like someone had lifted a weight from my shoulders. It was then I started to realize the power of service in our lives. I have been taught all my life to serve those around you selflessly. I had also learned the phrase, 'if you are feeling depressed, serve someone'. I knew this was all true, and I had seen this principle played out my life before, but I really needed the reminder.

In the Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee; Chapter 14 it says: "Happiness comes from unselfish service. And happy homes are only those where there is a daily striving to make sacrifices for each other’s happiness." Today, the Lord certainly revealed this principle to me! I've decided I'm going to do something nice for T everyday, no matter how small. It will make everything in mine (and hopefully his) life better!

The Empowerment of Humility

Today was quite the rushed day at school! I had bus duty in the morning, so I didn't really have time to prepare for the upcoming day. The day was already off to a slow start, and there were TONS of things I needed to do to start any lesson, and the kids were getting restless. I was not in too happy a mood. We were about ready to practice their multiplication facts when the door opened.

A man walked in, holding a giant box. He handed me the box, and simply said, "Oscar". Oscar is of one of my kids, so I presumed it was for Oscar and the man was his dad or guardian and he simply didn't speak English. Upon further examination of the box, I noticed a post-it attached to it. It read: To: Mrs. Isom From: Oscar.

I looked at Oscar and said, "Is this for me?" This sweet little boy simply nodded. The box was full of school supplies! Last week, I had sent a 'wish list' out to all the parents. My list was very simple. It was about 10 items or so, and all of them cost less than a dollar at Wal-Mart. Our school community is so impoverished, and I'd be lucky to get anything at all. It had already been a week, and no one and brought in anything from the list, which didn't surprise me. So, when Oscar's dad came in with that both of supplies, I was blown away.

The kids were so excited, too! They wanted me to show them every item in the box, and after every item, there was a resounding, "Whoa!" coming from the class. They were so grateful, they wanted to give Oscar a round of applause for bringing it in. Now, keep in mind, I'm sure all the supplies didn't cost no more than $10 altogether, but the way they wanted to show their gratitude(we're making thank-you cards tomorrow for Oscar's family), it was truly humbling.

It made me think of humility, and how my kids are an example to me of being grateful for everything I have been given. I looked up on the LDS website, and searched the word 'humility', and came up with this amazing talk by Richard C. Edgley in the November 2003 issue of the Liahona.

In it he says, "Humility and gratitude are truly the twin characteristics of happiness. In the kingdom of God, greatness begins with humility and submissiveness."

I thought about this quote a lot. I think sometimes, we as human beings think, "If I only bought this, than I would be happy." We, as members of the church are brought up to believe real happiness comes from love, family, Jesus Christ, and the relationships we build here on Earth. I have never thought humility brought happiness, and now I find myself suddenly jealous of my students. They have learned humility at such a young age, and that will help them throughout their whole lives, and in some ways, they will be happier. I love how anyone can teach you something, even if your job is to teach them.

The Atonement Sundae

Here's the part where I introduce myself, just like everyone else. My name is Jackie Isom, and I live in Phoenix, Arizona. My husband and I actually met on our mission in San Antonio Texas, and once we got home, were married shortly after. In our case, when you know, you know. I am currently teaching 5th grade, and T is working on getting his nursing certificate. We like to think of ourselves as still in our newlywed phase, but I'm thinking things might change just a little bit; we're having a baby who's due in January. You'd think since I served my mission in San Antonio, Texas, I'd know Tricia that way. In reality, we're cousins! Every time my family would travel to Utah, I'd spent a lot of time at Trish's house because my brothers and sister were around the same age as her siblings. We even went to EFY together; that was a very special summer memory for me. Tricia and I have a very large extended family, but I have always felt she was one of the closest cousins I had! I feel like her and I have a lot in common. It's just lucky coincidence she nows lives in my old mission!

In church this week, the speaker described this beautiful analogy I had never heard before, and I felt it was something I needed to hear this week. She was talking about relationships compared to making a sundae. She described a servant/master relationship would create the sundae in a way that the servant would put all the scoops of ice cream and toppings on themselves. The servant would basically do all the work, and the master would put the cherry on top and take all the credit for making it. In a friend relationship, the sundae is created together. Both parties build the sundae, doing equal parts of the work.

In our relationship with the Savior, He does ALL the work. He scoops all the ice cream, and creates all the toppings. He even puts toppings on there we've never heard of, and are more glorious than we ever thought possible. Only then does he give us the spoon and asks us to partake.

Sometimes I feel like I'm so alone, so isolated, as we all do at times. During those times, it's important to remember He already did all the work. All I need to do is bask in all the wonderful blessings I've received because of His sacrifice. He's made so many things possible for all of us, and we are asked to do so little in return.

When facing the adversity, we need to remember the delicious gift we've been given by our loving Heavenly Father.

The Worth of Souls

Forgive me. My day is Thursday, and I'm well aware today is Saturday. Sorry!

Our home teachers came over last week, and we discussed President Monson's talk in the latest Enisgn. He used this wonderful analogy (he is so good at them!) about sugar beets, and how if they bounced out of the truck, the farmer would stop and pick up every single one. He likened this to all of us; to our Heavenly Father, we are just as valuable as the next person.

Our home teacher went on to tell us about a seminar he once attended. In this seminar, they explained the importance of seeing people as people instead of as objects. They went on to say if people did so, there would be less violence and more patience.

I thought about this and how true this is. I began to look back to all the jobs I've had. When there was a conflict at work, (a customer tipped me badly, someone was rude to me, or that kid just won't settle down!) things DID run smoother when I tried to remember these people are people with emotions, feelings, and bad days, just like me.

I then thought about my husband and family, and all the conflicts we've had over the years. I thought about the times I lashed out at them, and the times they lashed out on me. They might have been resolved much less painfully had we both remembered we are all people.

I then thought about my Heavenly Father, and all the times I've probably disappointed or saddened Him. He has never forgotten me, he has never forgotten my worth, and he has always seen me as a person with feelings, thoughts, and fears. What an example to have!

As the school year starts again, I am preparing myself physically and mentally. I am buying all the neccessary supplies, I'm rearranging the desks and chairs, and I'm planning out the curriculum. This lesson, I believe has helped me prepare spiritually. I will strive to see these kids as sons and daughters of God, who are just as valuable and worthy as anyone else.

Scars of Love

A woman told this story in sacrament meeting, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I checked it out, and it is not true. So, I like to think of it as a parable.

Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother - in the house was looking out the window - saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could.

Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal and, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn't let go."

The woman speaking likened this story to how we should be as desperate in our attempt to follow the Lord's way. Since hearing this story, I have asked myself questions I pose to the rest of you.

Do I understand the urgency of the time I live in? Do I hold on to my values in the same dire manner? What can I do to be stronger than the alligator griping onto my salvation? How can I create a home where my children can be well equipped with what they need to fight for their own values?

Isn't it funny how all the answers to these questions fall amidst the same answers we hear every week? Isn't it also funny how we still need to hear it as much as possible?