Amber - Christmas: Final week

 Since this week is Christmas I have decided to drop the extras and just do the same goals as I was.  I know I'm definitely insane.  I just haven't the energy to try a new thing and still focus on Christmas.  Here they are:

1. Set these goals as my intentions for the day and make this part of my morning routine. (in the past this has been an extra thing on top of my routine)

2. Visualize the thing I'm working towards, this is becoming part of my energy work for the day.

3. I exercise at some point in the day, preferably early morning (depends on bedtime).

4. 8:30 I say my repentance prayer.

5. I make a plan and prepare for the next day.

6. Bed at 10:00.

Monday:

*  I read a chapter in 2 Nephi about the birth of Christ and his life.  It was very pretty and helped me keep the focus on Christ.  That is the purpose of this holiday in the first place.  I'm so grateful that we have a plan and a way to return from where we came.  I was watching a youtube influencer do Vlogmas.  If you don't know this is filming themselves doing Christmas things for the month of December.  I was wanting to get some ideas of things to do with Grandma and I found a few.  However the girl filming had just started getting into religion but couldn't understand how people can be sure of themselves.  She doesn't believe anyone can actually know spiritual truths as a fact and that is what was troubling her.  Everyone has a different spiritual experience and comes to know a higher power in their own way so how can someone claim their way is better.  I was wondering how I would explain that and other things to someone like that.  Someone who believed in everything yet nothing.  It really comes down to whether you actually believe what you are reading in the scriptures or if it is just all symbolic.  If it is a fact that there is a real being who is our God then in order to have faith in that being then there must be solid truths that you base that belief on.  If everything goes then nothing is stable, you can trust nothing.  The fact is that there is a God and I can know that, I can also know that what he says is true and will last.  I can trust him and I can say that this is the right way and that other ways aren't.  God has provided a way to know these things for ourselves and we don't need to prove them by physical means.  If we did we wouldn't need faith.  I know some things for certain because of my experiences and the testimony of the Holy Ghost and because of that I can have faith that everything else God has said is true even if I don't understand fully now.

• I didn't do any goals today.  Mom and Dad came and we spent the day preparing for them, cleaning the couches, playing games, and had several other visitors.

Tuesday:

* I read a talk today about being recommended to the Lord.  My favorite phrase was "peace of conscience".  Knowing you are worthy to attend the temple and that you are doing your best will bring you peace.  It is when you are living in a way that you know is contrary to God's commandments that you feel distressed, unhappy, and uncomfortable.

• Today I didn't do any goals again, I was busy decorating and helping grandma.  Mom and Lydia made chocolates for about 12 hours.

Wednesday:

* I was so busy today that I didn't read!  We went to the party in Springville and I was busy the whole morning getting ready.  Then we got home and had to get everyone settled and things put away and well I went to bed at around 1 or so and was too tired to read.

• Also didn't do any goals

Thursday:

*It is Christmas Eve and I read from a random section but it was good.  Part of what I read was about how the Nephites forsook all of their sins and did serve God with all diligence day and night.  I would like my life to be more like that.  I would like to pursue activities and hobbies that are also serving God.  Knowing that what you are spending your time on is something that God wants you to do makes me feel at peace.

• No goals

Friday:

* Christmas Day!  I read some random scriptures but didn't get anything notable from it.  It was early and I was too excited for the present opening.

• Also no goals again.  I'm super tired and getting sick from eating all this candy/treats.

Saturday:

* I failed to write for a couple of days and have forgotten what I read, though I know I read something.

• Again no goals at all.  I stayed up again, I really need better sleep but it has been fun having everyone here.

Sunday:

* I read a talk by Elder Oaks called "Love Your Enemies".  My favorite part is the quote from Joseph Smith which reads "love begets love".  I've always tried to encourage this in myself and have seen it work in my life.  It is seriously powerful, like magic.  Love softens hearts and creates friendships, even when you are drastically different and have opposing beliefs.  I also liked what Elder Oaks said about this country.  We can have a national identity and multiculturalism but only if we also have constitutional patriotism.  

• Today I attempted to do some goals but my plans didn't work out and I didn't succeed at any of them.

Next week is new so I hope to improve my score then.  Hope your Christmas was wonderful.