Andy's Birthday!

Andy finally hit the big 30 on Friday!

Happy birthday!

Convicted

When I hear the word convicted, plea bargins and prison sentences come to mind. However, now that I live in the south, listen exclusively to Christian music on the radio, and have watched several movies written and produced by people of faith, I have been introduced to other possible definitions of the word "conviction". The problem is that I still couldn't put my finger on what people meant when they said they were "convicted" or had that "conviction."

In Elder's Quorum today, the lesson was from chapter 12 in Teaching of the Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson. The first section of that lesson contained a quote from Joseph Smith when he appeared to Brigham Young that caught my attention. He said: 

"Tell the people to be humble and faithful, and be sure to keep the spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach you what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it." ...

So now, not only are people of other faiths talking about conviction or being convicted, but now Prophet of the Restoration was, too. I had to know what this was all about. I talked to Emily, and she found the perfect definition online.

"Conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit where a person is able to see himself as God sees him: guilty, defiled, and totally unable to save himself (John 16:8).  Conviction functions differently for the Christian and non-christian. For the non-christian, conviction reveals sinfulness, guilt, and brings fear of God's righteous judgement. Whereas, conviction in the believer brings an awareness of sin and results in repentance, confession and cleansing. 

Theologically, conviction is produced by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8), the Gospel (Acts 2:37), conscience (Rom. 2:15), and the Law (James 2:9). Conviction of sin brings man to the cross and shows the need for forgiveness." (https://carm.org/dictionary-conviction)

This definition helped me to understand 1) what people were talking about, and 2) how I have been "convicted" in my own life. I know that it has been through the Spirit, and those put in my life by a loving Heavenly Father that have helped me to come this knowledge, and I am grateful to say that I am "convicted". Are you?

Wake up

This week was full of good news and positive changes for me and my family. Also full of good information. I learned that children will not wake up to a smoke alarm going off despite what their parents believe. This has been proven in study after study.

Children, at a younge age assume nothing bad can happen in their home so their fear sensors shut down in their sleep.

Are we at times like children? Does the warning bell of the Lords prophet sound and I am unable to wake up? Do I assume that nothing bad can happen while I am in God's service?

As we approach General Conference may we all take time to develop the desire and ability to hear and accept the messages God has prepared for us.

An only child

So Fi is glad she is still an only child. Girl just got an awesome present from her parents :) This thing is massive next to her.If I stand it up it goes to my shoulders. Fi is in heaven and can't stop giving it "huggies". I was even more proud when she gave her daddy a hug and said thank you all on her own since he was the one to get it for her and put it in the cart with her. It still amazes how quick a toddler can learn and how important consistency is when teaching her.