When my seasonal job ended in January last year I took the time to relish what I had before I worked. I enjoyed being with the kids and going to their events. It was great. We enjoyed the summer together, went on a few vacations and just enjoyed each other's company. Once they started school again I went looking for part time jobs. I found a great job at the school district where I was working as a sub. I worked as a parapro and as a child nutrition (CN) server. In October of last year I was asked to take a long term sub position as a CN server. I enjoyed the hours so I said sure. I go to work at 8:15 get done at 9:15 then start again at 10:30-1 every day. I was still able to be home when the kids got home from school. It was perfect. Well, a week later I had a visit from one of the CN managers. She flat out said, if I want this job it's mine. So with much thought and conversation with my husband, we decided yes, it was just what we needed. So I must have done a good enough job because I was hired back this year. It's great.
Like I said earlier I started college courses this year. I've been so excited to start I can hardly contain myself. Since I graduated high school in June then married in July I didn't really think about college. But I've always known I've wanted to go. BYU-I has this amazing opportunity called Pathway for LDS members to start a college. The Pathway program allows us to take 15 credits for the year at an affordable rate. So with lots of pondering and praying my husband and I decided that now is the time that I can return to school. So here I am! Writing one of my assignments in my blog! How great is that!
So we were asked to write about what we learned this week. I have to say that one thing that stuck out to me was the murmuring and the quotes that I learned along with it. Here are some examples of what I have read, 1 Nephi 2:11&12 "for behold they did murmur, and thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father...and they did murmur because they knew not..." 3:5 "And now, behold thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing..." 3:31 "...Laman and Lemuel again began to murmur..."4:4 "...they continued to murmur..." Six times in the first four chapters! You hear how these brothers complained six different times! In a quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland he says "No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse." This is so true! What is the purpose of whining (or murmuring)? What good does it do for us? If we do something that is not good, or doesn't help anyone then why do it? He then quoted Orson F. Whitney, "The spirit of the gospel is optimistic, it trusts in God and looks on the bright side of things. The opposite or pessimistic spirit drags men down and away from God. looks on the dark side, murmurs, complains and is slow to obedience." What better way to feel of the spirit then to be optimistic and look on the brighter side of things? You'll notice that some of these scriptures have other words to them. I added them on purpose. You'll see that it says something like "it is a hard thing," "because they knew not." Life isn't easy all the time. We may not know all the answers. But staying firm with the faith will keep us on the straight and narrow path towards our goal. Living with Heavenly Father again. I know I will always try to see the good in others, see the brighter side, and try my hardest to keep His spirit with me always.
I am so thankful for the gospel in my life and the knowledge that Heavenly Father is always there for me. And loves me for the person that I am.
With love,
Nini V.
