Our Stake Conference yesterday was awesome. Our theme was Small and Simple Things. These are the talks that made the most impact on me.
Sacrament meeting - bring a notebook to write down one word or phrase or draw a picture of what they were talking about or an action item. Can include scripture reference, GC talk, insight or thought.
Scripture reading - 1 minute. Act it out, read a verse each, find a meaningful word, why is this in there?
FHE - Three things; everyone has to be there, announce that it is FHE and have a treat. It does not have to have a spiritual nod every time. You need to spend time.
Kindness - Do It. Zip it if you can't say something nice. Turn your thoughts to how you could improve someone else's day. Serve silently (do it without them knowing).
Quiet Missionary Work - Make it about having people know a little more about you. Example: When a mom at school asks what you did over the weekend include that you spent three hours at church, or that you taught a lesson during Sunday School, or you volunteered in nursery or gave a talk. You don't need to embellish to start, that will come. Be who you are by sharing something that is a big part of your life.
I love our Stake President. He really has some awesome ideas and thoughts on gaining a testimony of your own. He told the following story (my edited version) that really got my attention as a runner.
"My FIL is a marathon runner. He has run a marathon at each decade marker and on other occasions to celebrate or mark significant things in his life. When I was training for my first marathon many years ago I went to him for advice. "What do I need to do to be successful and finish the race?", I asked. My FIL looked at me and said, "Nothing new.". "What?". "Nothing new.". I was confused but he went on. Don't buy new shoes, or socks or shorts or even a new shirt. Everything you use should be things you have been training in for at least a month You don't want anything new that may impede your progress. You need the familiar, the things you have used before that have made training successful. I took his advice and finished my race under my estimated time. I was successful because I used what I had used before. Our journey in the gospel should be similar to this. As children we are given the basics and we add to our knowledge and understanding but the basics remain; the Atonement, our Covenants, our Love of the Lord, the Scriptures (there may have been others but I can't remember them). If we can keep those small and simple things within sight we will not stray from the Gospel. These things are not new. They have been and are the foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. These things will always help you progress. As with a marathon runner, you put one foot in front of the other for 26.2 miles until you cross that finish line. Then will our Lord and Savior say unto you, "Well done, good and faithful servant.... enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Matthew 25:21
