A bit of learning

Since my last post a bit has happened on both fronts of "being" and "finding". Let me essplain.

"Being": Again, while reading my scriptures on the trax... side note: I JUST realized this whole not having a car thing (my car broke down the first week of January), which has caused me to ride said trax a lot, has also given me an opportunity to be read my scriptures more while on the train. So maybe, just maybe, it's a blessing to have a broken car!

Ok, back to what I was getting to. I came across a verse of scripture that hit me in regards to where I want to be in life. Here goes...

2 Ne. 26:31

31 But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish.

My though process: I have debt that I really REALLY want to be paid off!!! I've recently realized that it could be a lot worse, but it still causes me stress, and I don't like it. I want to be financially successful, I want to be able to start a business if I want to without the worry of debt deterring me. I would prefer not having to live paycheck to paycheck which is what I've been doing since moving back to Salt Lake in the summer of '08. In 2009, I made almost 1/2 as much as I made in 2007 working full time in Tucson. Now I know why 2009 seemed a little harder than the year before. It was!

I am plugging right here, right now though: TITHING! 10%, that's how I survived last year. I had shelter over my head, food to eat, and my bills got paid. I know it's because the Lord blesses those who have done what He's asked. I went without a lot of wants, but hey, looking back now, I can't complain. I think I'm a better person for it. I've perfected my pasta sauce, tortillas, and wheat bread recipes because of it. Oh yeah, and I had multiple, Multiple, MULTIPLE experiences in being humbled. It was hard! I've realized though, what in life that is worth anything isn't hard? I still would prefer not being poor, just to clarify. haha.

My thought on the scripture verse though went something like this... "Wow, I really do think a lot about money!" I think about what I have to buy, what I can't buy, what bills I need to pay, what bills I can't pay right away, and how I can get more money.

So I ask(ed) myself, am I laboring for money or am I laboring for Zion?

I was looking up some scriptures on the subject of laboring and found this to be very applicable too:

2 Ne. 9: 51

51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.

Zion! Zion is what I want to be laboring for! I don't want to be "spending" for that which is of no worth, nor laboring for that which cannot satisfy. I want to be pure in heart, I want to help build a place where the pure in heart can live, I want to be one heart and one mind with the Lord.

I have a long way to go, but I can see the path ahead of me. I know that by following the Holy One of Israel and feasting upon His Word, His Work, and His Glory that my soul will delight in fatness! Yay for fatness! I'm not sure I ever thought I would say that. ;) Seriously though, I'm so glad the path is in view!

Now onto "Finding": Over the last two months, I've had a desire to ADVENTURE! By adventure I mean, try new things that I haven't done before, things physically, mentally, and spiritually. These things may be out of my comfort zone, but I'm challenging myself to do them anyway. I want to experience life, live it, love it and find JOY in every aspect of it!

I totally took ballroom dance lessons! I let people in my bubble of physical comfort! There was also a mental thing I had to overcome with trying something new in front of people, but that's another post. Those of you who don't know me that well (or at all) need to understand that I don't like people touching me. We'll have to delve into the psychological reasons for this later, but I think it might have something to do with a certain sister who will remain nameless who would always pinch me. You know who you are! haha. I did however learn... I actually don't have of a problem with it like I thought I did. I'm thinking I just don't like people coming up to me and pinching me. So, folks no pinching!

I've decided to go on what I like to call Temple Adventures! I have a goal to go to every Temple in Utah and do an Endowment Session. Starting from the newest to the oldest. There are 13 Temples so it will take 6 1/2 months with me going every two weeks. So far, the Oquirrh Mountain and Draper Temples can be checked off the list. This weekend I'll be going to Vernal! I'm soooo excited! I LOVE the Temple!!! I find such peace in the Temple and have an insight there that I don't have anywhere else. With this whole "findin' my ore" adventure I'll be needing extra insight and peace. I can't knock trax though, revelation keeps coming there too. lol.

I've heard insanity defined as doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results. So I've decided that if what I was doing before wasn't working in findin' my ore, that I would do something different so I wouldn't go insane.

I like a guy. I'm thinking I'm looking for the right type of ore. He's a good guy. His smile makes me smile! He's smart, he's nice, he does his home teaching and goes to the Temple regularly. We'll see if my pursuing actually yields any return. The more metal in the ore, the easier it is to find ya know. It shines! And boy do I like shiny things! I'm going to try something different this time and go after the shiny things instead of waiting for the shiny things to find me.

I'll let ya know how it goes. *wink* *wink*