Today I feel unreasonably and unusually happy... I don't know if it's because of the absolutely gorgeous weather here in San Francisco the last few days...or perhaps the fact that I have had a few days off for Thanksgiving which has allowed me to both sleep in AND go outside and enjoy the weather a bit... But in any case, I am feeling happy. :-)
I also feel like God has been answering some of my questions lately about how to proceed in the coming days/weeks/months ahead. I don't know everything I am going to do, but I feel like I know what I do and don't need to worry about these next few weeks before the end of the semester, anyway.
I have been thinking about fasting and prayer the past few days. I have gotten several blessings before (for those of you who don't know what that is, it's where someone who holds the priesthood lays their hands on your head and says things they feel inspired to bless you with, or sometimes counsel you about, or just encourage/comfort you). If the priesthood holder is listening to the Spirit then their words can be very helpful, and the things God would like you to hear or understand. I have received a lot of comfort and guidance in my life from these blessings I have gotten. I usually try to write everything down I remember from them after I get them. Then I can look back later and remember what they said and often their words help me with other situations in my life, as well. I probably ask for a blessing at least once or twice a year...when I am feeling particularly in need... or confused, or sick, or sad.
Anyway, I was just reading one of the blessings I got from my Bishop, Donald Fletcher, last year...which said that when I need to make an important decision, to fast and pray and the answer would be made clear to me. I have felt like I needed some answers lately, so I decided to go ahead and fast earlier this week. When I fast I usually don't eat for just two meals...skipping breakfast and lunch and then I eat dinner. So earlier this week I did that one day. I do feel like answers to my questions will often come more quickly or more clearly when I fast... which was the same that happened for me this week. The feelings I get about decisions I am worried about feel more clear, and I can be more certain about what is right.
So today I am feeling so grateful for so many things. I am grateful for blessings, and all the wisdom and comfort and guidance they have brought into my life. I am grateful to have specific things I can do...such as fasting, to increase my spiritual sensitivity when I am in need of guidance. I am grateful to God, for my existence. I am so grateful to be alive.
I was looking online for some blessing pictures and I found so many... Here is a mini-collage of them:
I also feel like God has been answering some of my questions lately about how to proceed in the coming days/weeks/months ahead. I don't know everything I am going to do, but I feel like I know what I do and don't need to worry about these next few weeks before the end of the semester, anyway.
I have been thinking about fasting and prayer the past few days. I have gotten several blessings before (for those of you who don't know what that is, it's where someone who holds the priesthood lays their hands on your head and says things they feel inspired to bless you with, or sometimes counsel you about, or just encourage/comfort you). If the priesthood holder is listening to the Spirit then their words can be very helpful, and the things God would like you to hear or understand. I have received a lot of comfort and guidance in my life from these blessings I have gotten. I usually try to write everything down I remember from them after I get them. Then I can look back later and remember what they said and often their words help me with other situations in my life, as well. I probably ask for a blessing at least once or twice a year...when I am feeling particularly in need... or confused, or sick, or sad.
Anyway, I was just reading one of the blessings I got from my Bishop, Donald Fletcher, last year...which said that when I need to make an important decision, to fast and pray and the answer would be made clear to me. I have felt like I needed some answers lately, so I decided to go ahead and fast earlier this week. When I fast I usually don't eat for just two meals...skipping breakfast and lunch and then I eat dinner. So earlier this week I did that one day. I do feel like answers to my questions will often come more quickly or more clearly when I fast... which was the same that happened for me this week. The feelings I get about decisions I am worried about feel more clear, and I can be more certain about what is right.
So today I am feeling so grateful for so many things. I am grateful for blessings, and all the wisdom and comfort and guidance they have brought into my life. I am grateful to have specific things I can do...such as fasting, to increase my spiritual sensitivity when I am in need of guidance. I am grateful to God, for my existence. I am so grateful to be alive.
I was looking online for some blessing pictures and I found so many... Here is a mini-collage of them:
Baby blessing!
Jesus blessing children.
At home.
Jesus.
Healing the blind man.
More babies!
Another stained glass version.
In church.
Blessing the sick.
And me. Hehe. :-)
