Mark and I have revamped our idea on being 'active' in our church. We both have two callings. Mark is the Financial Clerk and Elders Quarm Secretary. I'm the CTR6 teacher and a Member of the Homemaking Comity. I don't like to share much about myself to people that don't really know well but here is goes. Two weeks ago I was asked to give a talk in sacrament meeting this is the talk below. Don't feel like you have to read it. Some people were asking what it was about. I'm not good at putting it into summary so here is goes.
Service: A Christ Centered Concept
During His ministry on earth, Jesus Christ, spent His time serving and helping others. True disciples of Jesus Christ do likewise. The Savior said, “ By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”(John13:35)
About a month ago I was super frustrated. I didn't feel like I belonged anywhere. Mark and I keep to ourselves a lot. We enjoy being just with our family. I felt such an urgency for this to change. Church was going to be starting at 9 soon and the days of 1:00 church we almost over. We could hardly wait. As I sat to think about actually going to sacrament meeting, Sunday school and Relief Society I got nervous. I realized that I have not been in a really long time. When My husband and I got married we lived across the U.S. I was here and he was in Utah. Few people know that we did get Married in the Salt Lake Temple on our forth date. It was 2 months after was were married that we came to the Kettering Ward. A Few years later we we were expecting our twins after a difficult pregnancy we had Logan and Lola. This past February we had our baby, Bridger Jaxon. Because of all the things going on in our lives with my difficult pregnancies I don't think I have sat in all the meeting I was supposed to due to the fact that diapers needed to be changed or babies needed to eat. I was always doing something. The urgency came to me when I realized this. I needed to be part of the Kettering Ward... Not just having my name on the roster with other members. I needed to feel like I was doing something. Mark and I talked about this, we decided that we were at that point going to make an effort to DO MORE. I was unprepared for this. The next week Mark and I were asked to give prayers in sacrament meeting. I was horrified. I really dislike getting in front of people. I stubble on my words and I feel very uncomfortable. This was something that Mark and I talked about. What did I get myself into??? Later I was asked to Sub in Primary, that one was easy I liked that one. Last Sunday Mark got a phone call to teach in Priesthood in two weeks. I laughed I found it to be very funny because I know that he doesn't like to teach. As I laughed to myself about this think that it would be a great growing experience for him, the phone rang. I picked it up it was the Bishop, all of a sudden my body tensed up. My Fear! I was asked to speak here today. I told Mark and he laughed, he said “That's what you get for laughing at me!”.
The topic like I said earlier is Service : a Christ Centered Concept.
Spencer W. Kimball, “Small Acts of Service,” Ensign, Dec 1974, 2
In these days of selfishness, what is the most important contribution we can make? Our prophet answers … When I was stake president in Arizona, I was the highest authority in that immediate area, and consequently, there came to me a never-ending line of people with problems. As I struggled for proper answers to them, I found that by general conference time, I was almost mentally and spiritually exhausted. I felt like a sponge that had been squeezed until it was dry and vacuum-like. Then, we would come to Salt Lake to conference and, after the many sessions here, I would return to Arizona still like the sponge, but one that was heavy with wetness and was dripping.
I have learned that it is by serving that we learn how to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves. In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus, that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves. (See Matt. 10:39.)
Not only do we “find” ourselves in terms of acknowledging guidance in our lives, but the more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls. We become more significant individuals as we serve others. We become more substantive as we serve others—indeed, it is easier to “find” ourselves because there is so much more of us to find!
George MacDonald observed that “it is by loving and not by being loved that one can come nearest to the soul of another.” (George MacDonald Anthology, Geoffrey Bles, London, 1970.) Of course, we all need to be loved, but we must be giving and not always receiving if we want to have wholeness in our lives and a reinforced sense of purpose.
Me;
One day I wasn't feeling like I was doing my role as a mother very well. I was rushing around making beds going through in my head what had to be done that day. I rushed around getting all this done and was getting frustrated with my self I felt I would take 2 steps forward and 3 back. I could tell it was going to be a very long day. I felt over stretched. I was rushing to make breakfast for the kids, Mark was already at work and I was going to skip breakfast because I had so much to do. As I put the twins eggs and cheese and bagels on their plates I rushed back to the kitchen to clean the mess up. I heard crying. I huffed back to the dinning room to see what was so wrong. My daughter needed a hug. I hugged her. All of a sudden I slowed down. I could see what was really important. I asked her what was the matter. She said that we needed Prayer. All those meal that I tried to get the twins to fold their arms and say their prays I felt like It wasn't working, that maybe I was not teaching them what they really needed to be learning. My heart melted, I could feel my eyes swell with tears. I was really teaching my children how to understand the importance of prayer through my service to them. As I said the pray for them. The giggled like they always do. Repeating the words after mine. I said amen and so did they. I gave them each a hug and got myself a plate for breakfast and ate with them.
One day I wasn't feeling like I was doing my role as a mother very well. I was rushing around making beds going through in my head what had to be done that day. I rushed around getting all this done and was getting frustrated with my self I felt I would take 2 steps forward and 3 back. I could tell it was going to be a very long day. I felt over stretched. I was rushing to make breakfast for the kids, Mark was already at work and I was going to skip breakfast because I had so much to do. As I put the twins eggs and cheese and bagels on their plates I rushed back to the kitchen to clean the mess up. I heard crying. I huffed back to the dinning room to see what was so wrong. My daughter needed a hug. I hugged her. All of a sudden I slowed down. I could see what was really important. I asked her what was the matter. She said that we needed Prayer. All those meal that I tried to get the twins to fold their arms and say their prays I felt like It wasn't working, that maybe I was not teaching them what they really needed to be learning. My heart melted, I could feel my eyes swell with tears. I was really teaching my children how to understand the importance of prayer through my service to them. As I said the pray for them. The giggled like they always do. Repeating the words after mine. I said amen and so did they. I gave them each a hug and got myself a plate for breakfast and ate with them.
Elder Russell C. Taylor said;
I can say unashamedly, I rejoice in the service of God. My experience teaches that the highest goodness attainable is a life of unselfish service to mankind. The Master said, “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matt. 23:11.)
It has been wisely said, “Service is the rent we pay for our own room on earth.” We should know that the rent is due on a daily basis and know that the receipt is never stamped “paid in full,” because the rent, service in God’s kingdom, is again due today and due tomorrow.
Some mistakenly think that a commitment to service comes after a great spiritual experience. This is like the man who is cold, standing before the stove, and saying, “Give me heat, and then I will put in some wood.” The joy and blessings of service follow the rendering of service. The missionary who renders eighteen months of faithful missionary service then has a lifetime to think about it, while perfecting a life of service to others. Some would want and expect the windows of heaven to open before they pay their tithing, even though the prophet Malachi so plainly teaches:
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse … and prove me now … saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Mal. 3:10; italics added.)
There comes a time in the life of all people when they must certify with their actions what they believe. Jesus said of his own life, “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” (Matt. 20:28.)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie has so eloquently taught us that service is essential to salvation. I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do. Progress is not created by contented people. It is up to us, you and me, to be uncomfortable in complacency, to refrain from being spectators, and to be players in the game of life. The Lord has chosen His people to perform a mighty work. Our home teaching, our visiting teaching should be more than going; it should be doing with Christian love. It can be done; you can each do your portion of the work because you desire it.
Fathers and mothers, with your strength of example you will influence your sons and daughters for eternity with examples of loving, uncomplaining service far more convincingly by doing than only by saying. Show your children a life of love for them by a life of love and service to the Church and to our Father’s children in spiritual need.
Close Quote.
Service is Doing and Participating. The only way to enjoy yourself in this life is to learn yourself. The only way to learn yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
Service should never be expected. But when it is offered we should not deny someone the blessings of service.
For me this is a hard one! I'm a person that I feel that I should do everything in my own home. It;s hard for me to ask for help.
When I was pregnant with Bridger I was so uncomfortable, I had health concerns and I was extremely exhausted. Mark's Mom planned to come and help with with the twins the last week of my pregnancy and the first few weeks with the babies. It was hard for me to let go and have things done another way but I greatly appreciated it.
Many know that I talk about My baby being colicky. No one ever seems to sees this. It usually happens when I need to get stuff done around the house. A Sister in the ward who had gone through this offered my help I had a very hard time saying yes. She gladly came to my house held my baby (who decided to sleep in her arms) while I cleaned my house getting ready for family to visit from out of town. I was grateful, and she expressed that she was grateful for the opportunity to help me out.
It is a true struggle to serve family and serve in the church. I have noticed in my own family that when I stay busy in callings and helping others at church and in extended family that it doesn't take me away from my family but it brings us closer together.
Christ's life was based on Service. As we strive to be more like him we can't help but to serve others.
Bare testimony and close.
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