Give Your Problems to the Lord --by Amy Jarvis

I had heard the phrase “give your problems to the Lord” at home and from church teachers and probably even friends growing up. I had read about King Lamoni's father in the Book of Mormon (Alma 22:18) saying he would “give away all his sins to know” God, but that sounded too easy in my ignorant mind. Of COURSE you would “give up” your SINS (things that make you 'feel bad' is how I interpreted sin), what's difficult to “give up” is stuff you LIKE! Little did I know that sins are most often things you “like” and it IS difficult to “give them away” to the Lord! Going back to my original thought, I did not realize until embarrassingly late in life just how easy it is to “give away” problems and sins to the Lord (and how willing He is to accept them)!



It all came about from supreme frustration. I had been praying for the Lord to “soften the heart” of someone else. I knew it was wrong to pray for Heavenly Father to change someone, but it seems like praying for a little heart-softening is all right! I had received counsel from a few people I know (and Dr. Phil) that the only person I could change was me, but I was fine, it was this OTHER person who needed to “get with the program”! So, there was a day when finally, I had “had it”! This person was NOT doing what I thought should be done, and I was NOT going to stand for it any longer! There was a blow-up altercation between us, and I removed myself from the situation, more furious than I had ever been in my life! I could not talk to the person I was so incensed with (at least not to be able to get MY point across, which was the only argument worth considering, of course!) and I couldn't talk to anyone else, either. Or so it seemed. It took this extreme situation for my stubbornness to yield enough so that I would finally hit my knees to pray! I decided I was going to let my Father in heaven “have it”! At this time, it wasn't “giving my sins” to him (that I recognized), it was making sure He knew what I really thought about Him not going along with my musings of what should happen! If He wasn't going to require this other person to acknowledge how “right” I was, I was going to demand that He listen and validate my feelings! And guess what? He DID! I wasn't vexed with God, I was irritated with someone else, so I started telling Heavenly Father all of the things that I wasn't able to tell the object of my annoyance. I poured out all of my ruminations and shouted (yes, literally) everything I had been wanting to wail for months, maybe even for years. And what did my Heavenly Father do? He whispered, “Tell me more”. So I did. I told Him why I was so exasperated and I told Him all the reasons I had to be upset and I told Him I didn't know what to do to let go of my hurt and rage towards this person. Then the thought clearly came to my mind: “Give it away. Your pain. Your anger. Give it to me.” All I could do after having this impression was plead, “Lord, wilt thou take it?” And He did! My anger melted away instantly. I felt immense peace. I knew beyond a doubt that I was the one that had needed to change, I was the one that needed a “softened heart” and, thanks to my Heavenly Father, I did change! Why did it take me so long to go to Him? I suppose it was because since I was already conscious of the fact that Heavenly Father knows me, I didn't need to say it! I assumed he was aware of everything I was going through and was just making me suffer! In reality, I was making myself suffer, because I wasn't asking Him for help! He was there ready and willing and hoping to help me, I was just being too bullheaded to ask for assistance! It was so simple, and so profound. I have never again felt enraged like that. I have, however, felt God’s love for me, and acceptance of me, many times since. I know that I am in charge of my own happiness (and my own feelings). I know that God will not “change” anybody but those who request that He change them. Maybe most importantly, I know that my Heavenly Father loves me, and he let me feel of his love when I needed it most. When I believed I truly had nobody I could talk to, He allowed me to comprehend that I was wrong! He is ALWAYS willing to listen to ANYTHING we have to say, no matter how “bad” we think it might be (believe me, I was not telling Him “complimentary” things about one of his other children). Best of all, I felt no “judgment”! All I felt was peace, love, and acceptance, another wonderful lesson to me that that same “love and acceptance” was something I should be imparting to all of God's children. And that is how I learned what it is to “give my problems (and sins) to the Lord”.

A Community of Service --By Bruce Jackson

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated, "Respectful and sincere interfaith service not only builds our communities, but also enables us to collectively and individually grow in our love of God and His children."

The New Covenant Church food bank and distribution center is a quiet place for much of the week. The church congregation reverently attend Sunday and mid-week services and activities. The church building and grounds are pleasant and well kept. Unless you were told, you might not realize that twice a month the food distribution center becomes a whirl wind of activity.

On those days, the first thing you see are eighteen wheelers pulling in and starting to unload case after case of fruits, vegetables, canned goods, and staples: beans, rice, pasta, and bread. It is urgent work; the portion for our area must be quickly unloaded so that trucks can travel on to help other communities.

By 2 pm, additional people arrive to start separating and unwrapping the cases. The work space quickly transitions into a high-speed assembly line. Pastor Mike Greene and his congregation have developed an efficient and effective way to sort, box, and distribute the food. But it is still go, go, go until the last customer has received the help they need.

Pastor Greene says that Apache County is one of the ‘food insecure’ counties in the nation. Many people do not know if they will have food to meet their family’s needs.  Pastor Greene tells of many children who come with their families to the center, and of their delight and their parent’s gratitude.

In the past two months I have been able to join in the work at the center. I was delighted to find the spirit of cooperation and friendship there. Everyone is welcome to come and join in the work. More volunteers are needed. The center distributes the food on the first and third Tuesday of each month. It is best to arrive at 2 pm, and the work is typically complete by 4:30.

A good warm feeling comes from pitching in and helping others. You will be glad that you were there.

A Thanksgiving Miracle-- by Tawnya Pulsipher

Have you ever asked yourself why me? What have I done to deserve this….This is a question I continue to ask myself.

On Sunday November 19th 2017 we left our home after our Sunday meetings and headed to Mesa… my husband had a surgery scheduled for Monday November 20th in Tucson, AZ. We woke up early the next day and headed to Tucson for surgery… all went well and we drove back to Mesa for the night. Tuesday November 21st we drove to Kanab, UT for the night. Wednesday morning continued our travels to our destination Escalante, Utah to spend Thanksgiving with my father and my other mother; Keith and Linda Carter.

We unpacked and settled in for the weekend, catching up into the night. I put the frozen Turkey in the bath tub filled with cold water and ice and went to bed. Early Thursday November 23rd 2017 Thanksgiving morning we began cooking the feast, Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, salad, green bean casserole, yams and cranberry sauce. Plus Pies: Pumpkin, Cherry, Chocolate, Lemon, and my favorite Pecan. Throughout the day I paused to count my blessings and I went for a stroll up the road behind Dad's house now the Escalante Petrified State Park as I reflected on my many blessings. My mind flooding with wonderful childhood memories with Dad… I miss my Dad he isn’t there anymore mentally he has checked out to Alzheimer’s.

Fast forward to Sunday November 26th 2017 approximately 4pm we return home to the Town of Friendly Neighbors St. Johns, AZ. When I walked into our home through the back door into the kitchen I felt warmth and could smell gas… I turned to the right and to my surprise I was shocked to see flames on our gas stove burner and the pan on top of the flames that I had used to make my husband a fried egg sandwich just prior to leaving town one week ago… I walked over to the stove and there no more than an inch away from the flame laid a paper plate on top of the stove. My eyes wide with the feeling of horror rushing through me, how could I have been so stupid? Our home could have burnt to the ground while we were away. As my mind registered what I was witnessing… I picked up the paper plate turned the burner off as my thoughts started reflecting on a prayer.

I recalled kneeling in prayer in our living room before we left town the week before and asking for Heavenly Angels to surround and protect our home while we were going to be away… overwhelmed with emotion tears running down my face… I walked into the living room and stopped, dropped, kneeled and prayed expressing gratitude that our house was still standing “A Thanksgiving Miracle”.

I have a testimony of the power of prayer and that heavenly angels surround us and bless our lives. I believe our loved ones on the other side of the veil are our heavenly angels and oft times are the ones assigned to answer our prayers. God is in the details of our lives this I testify. Do Miracles cease to happen…? I say Nay!

I am eternally grateful our home is still standing and wonder why me? What did I do to deserve this… when sadly so many tragedies happen daily.

Joy and Trials

Two weeks ago, while sitting in my classroom, I received a text that I'd been waiting for all morning.  It was Sydney, letting me know that she and Ryder had just found out that they would be having a baby girl, due in the first part of June.  I announced the news to my 3rd hour class, telling them that they knew the information even before my sisters.  They responded with genuine enthusiasm that characterizes these 7th graders.  Quickly forwarding the text, I shared the exciting news with the rest of my family.

Just as soon as I pushed "send" my phone rang.  Seeing that it was Ryan, I stepped outside, expecting to hear him calling to celebrate the great news.  Instead, his voice was subdued, "Have you heard about my mom?"  He proceeded to explain that she had been admitted to the ICU with kidney failure along with a host of other problems due to an infection.  While talking to Ryan, my phone rang again.  It was Denis, my father-in-law.  Asking him what I could do, he replied, "Get on your knees and start praying."

Gathering myself, I went back into my classroom with distressing thoughts running though my mind.  And yet, I was greeted with the warmth, joy and optimism that youth possess.  They didn't know anything about the difficult phone calls I had taken, but their spirits lifted mine.  I was overwhelmed with love and gratitude for the young people that I get to associate with each day.

Over the following weeks, I have often thought of the immediate juxtaposition of these two very opposite experiences.  Joy and sorrow bounced back and forth almost simultaneously.  The excitement of welcoming a new girl into our family was balanced by the very real fear that we may be losing an integral part of our lives.  Difficult visits to the hospital were followed by laughing playtime with our Chandler grandkids.  As family members met at Carol's bedside there were tears but there was also laughter as we shared thoughts, memories and emotions.  Tender feelings of love were expressed where normally they had been kept closeted.  Personally, I felt a greater commitment to express and show my loved to those around me, before I missed my chance altogether.  And then a few days ago-jubilation!- as doctors successfully removed Carol's breathing tube and pronounced slow but steady progress toward recovery.

In 2009, President Monson said, "Though storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our heart…My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not.  Be of good cheer.  The future is as bright as your faith."

Later, President Nelson taught in the October 2016 Conference, "Joy is powerful, and focusing on joy brings power into our lives.  As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, "who for the joy that set before him endured the cross."  Think of that!  in order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy! … If we focus on the joy that will come to us, or to those we loved, what can we endure that presently seems overwhelming, painful, scary, unfair or simply impossible?"

So why did I receive good and bad news at precisely the same time?  For me, it has been a reminder of the beauty and the power of the Plan of Happiness.  We are sent to this earth to experience joy as well as tribulation.  While the trials may often seem to overshadow the cheer, we can find peace and happiness in all situations.  It will be there.  I'm certain of that.