A Grateful Heart

 "Happiness is a grateful heart" is written on a bookmark I keep in my scriptures.  I love that!  It  is so very true.  Today I was lucky enough to attend the Firetrail Ward primary program and was so grateful for the words and songs that were shared.  I don't think it's possible not to be happy listening to sweet little children share gospel truths and sing their  hearts out while waving to family and friends and sometimes dancing around.  It was adorable!  The Holy Ghost confirmed the truthfulness of what they shared and I am so grateful to know that Heavenly Father loves me, my family can be together forever, and living the gospel is what really brings happiness. 

     It sounds so simple...Although all of that is true, life often seems hard and frustrating! So many things are pulling us in different directions we can feel overwhelmed and underappreciated.  Trials weigh us down and it's hard to look around and see all of our blessings.  Maybe we can all try something new.  The next time feelings of despair, anger, hurt, sadness or whatever negative emotion bombards us, let us be grateful.  Remember something good in life.  The sunshine, your child's giggle, a sweet word from a friend, your spouse who helped out in some everyday way, anything!  When we are grateful we find happiness.  Burdens are lightened and life just seems easier.  Make the choice to be grateful, express thanks to Heavenly Father and those around you and enjoy the blessings of a happy heart!

     Here's a poem that sums it up much better than I ever could:

                 Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something

For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations

Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge

Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary

Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are

also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles

and they can become your blessings.

Author Unknown

Lauri Ferguson

Arlington Stake Primary

2nd Counselor

Motivate and Inspire

    Every year as the kids head back to school I always love to see their excitement!  Sure they may grumble a little about having to go back to school and sit around and learn all day but really anyone can see that they are actually looking forward to it!  Days filled with friends, structure, new ideas and opportunities.  The teachers generally are sweet, welcoming and patiently listen and answer them.

     As I watched and pondered the whole back to school process I realized that as a parent, neighbor, friend and leader to those around me, I need to step it up!  All of us as teachers have so many opportunities to motivate and inspire.   Sometimes it's easy to fall into the same old routine and think that what we say or do doesn't make much of a difference.  I promise you, it does!! Get excited about something, think of a new way to teach it.  Be silly, make a game, laugh at yourself, laugh with others, have fun...be like a child.  Children have a beautiful talent for making any activity fun.  They don't care how they look, who's watching, if it's performed exactly as imagined, they are more concerned of figuring out ways to accomplish the task, how they can involve their friends and find joy in the process. 

     I challenge everyone, myself included, to find a way to get those around us excited abut the gospel!  Show the children that the scriptures are an amazing tool to help us find answers to our questions and learn about some really cool people.  Teach them how our Heavenly Father is there, waiting for us to come to Him and strengthen our relationship.  Help them know that He will answer our prayers and give us strength in times of trials, always...  Sometimes we just have to humble ourselves and ask for that help.  Let us be patient and loving as the Savior always is with us.  And remember that we are never alone, we are all in this together and we can strengthen and help those around us by letting our light shine.  Be sweet, be kind, have fun, rely on Heavenly Father and relax...you've got this.  You're making a difference to those around you and it is appreciated!!!

Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance...

Alma 36:3...Whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.

Lauri Ferguson

Arlington Stake Primary

2nd Counselor

Five Reasons

Today, I thought about five reasons why I love my calling!   

I love my calling because…

1.     I get to learn!  My calling requires me to study the scriptures, manuals, conference addresses, trainings and more.  To fulfill my calling, I must study and learn. 

2.     Because I am so busy!  I am asked to do many things and go to many places and to do it cheerfully!  I learn to rely on Him. I learn to be happy about it, too!

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.”  Philippians 4:13"for God loveth a cheerful giver."  2 Corinthians 9:7

3.     I have to do things I don’t want to do!  My talents and experiences grow.  I overcome my fears and anxieties.  I learn more about myself and become a better person as I do the things I really would rather not do. I become a better servant for the Lord.

“I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, Over mountain or plain or sea;

I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord, I’ll be what you want me to be.”

            -Hymn #270

4.     It leads me to the temple.  As I learn of the gospel and give cheerful service, my heart turns to the Lord.  It makes me want to go to the Temple more often.

5.     I have been humbled. The more I understand through study, the more I give through service, the more I learn through doing hard things, the more I attend the temple, the more I understand what an honor it truly is to teach and serve the little children.  I am humbled by Heavenly Father’s confidence in me that He wants me, imperfect and flawed, to serve His children.

“No greater responsibility can rest upon man than to be a teacher of God’s children.”    

                           -Teaching, No Greater Call Lesson 1

Elise Simbeck

Arlington Stake Primary

First Counselor