"Not Too Far From Here"

Two weeks ago I went to Women's Conference at BYU. The theme was "Scatter Sunshine" and I felt very strongly that I need to get out and serve others more. The last year and a half I have been very focused on my own family. Now I feel like I need to be doing something more. I have always remembered the advice my dad gave me when I was in my first year of college and was having a rough time. I wrote him an email complaining about things and his response was not what I expected. I expected some sympathy and maybe a little encouragement in the form of "You can do it!" But what I got was exactly what I needed. He said "Go out and serve someone!" You know what...it works. The more we forget ourselves the happier we can be.

Here is a song called "Not Too Far From Here" by Dallyn Vail Bayles. It expresses my feelings and desires so well.

Somebody's down to their last dime

Somebody's running out of time

Not too far from here

Somebody's got nowhere else to go

Somebody needs a little hope

Not too far from here

And I may not know their name

But I'm praying just the same

That you'll use me, Lord, to wipe away a tear

'Cause somebody's crying

Not too far from here

Somebody's troubled and confused

Somebody's got nothing left to lose

Not too far from here

Somebody's forgotten how to trust

And somebody's dying for love

Not too far from here

It may be a stranger's face

But I'm praying for Your grace

To move in me and take away the fear

'Cause somebody's hurting

Not too far from here

Help me, Lord, not to turn away from pain

Help me not to rest while those around me weep

Give me Your strength and compassion

When somebody finds the road of life too steep

Somebody's troubled and confused

Somebody's got nothing left to lose

Not too far from here

Somebody's forgotten how to trust

And somebody's dying for love

Not too far from here

Now I'm letting down my guard

And I'm opening my heart

help me speak Your love to ev'ry needful ear

Someone is waiting

Not too far from here

Someone is waiting

Not too far from here

Teaching vs. Punishment

So I was reading in Alma 31 the other day and I came across the scripture about how the preaching of the word of God has a greater power than does the sword and it struck me that it could be the same with parenting. If we teach our children the principles of the gospel, it will have a much greater effect than trying to teach our kids by punishing them. (Especially with physical punishment) Just a thought I had.

Parenting and the Book of Mormon

I have struggled for many years in finding a way to study the scriptures. I could read them cover to cover and have tried a few different ways of studing but none of them ever seem to stick. But I think I have found my answer. Since I have somewhat recently become a mother to two children I decided that I wanted to find out more about parenting. What better place to study than from the scriptures. So...I got myself a little notebook and I began reading the Book of Mormon. Everytime I cmoe across something that has anything to do with parents or children I write down in my notebook what I learned. When I'm done I should have a notebook filled with ways that I can be a better parent. I am so excited that I found a way to study the scriptures that I can get excited about. I just have to pick a topic that I am passionate about and start reading.