Amber - very gradual

 This goal is coming though it is so slow that sometimes I don't see it.  I like my change for last week.  I'm going to keep doing it.  This week will be a little different and might be more of a maintenance week.  I'm going to be with Kiley for a couple days or so but if I can keep from staying up any later than usual on Wednesday and Thursday then I will call it a huge triumph.  Here are the goals below.

Goals:

• Alarm at 9:30 - wrap it up and go get ready for bed.
• Bed at 10 pm
• Rise at 7 am (alarm included)
• Have an activity every day that I look forward to having time to do.

Monday:

* My thought today is from section 49 verse 17.  Here it is talking about marriage being ordained of God and the earth being created for us to fill it.  Verse 17 says "And that it might be filled with the measure of man, according to his creation before the world was made."  This is specifically talking about having children and families but I'm taking it further.  I'm not at the point of creating children but I am always creating something.  I love to make things, it brings me joy.  The world should be filled with people because that is what it is for but it should also be filled with beautiful and interesting things.  All have their own talents and interests that can contribute to filling the world with good things that bring people joy.

• I woke up a little after 7 so not too bad.  I'm getting closer to 7 than 8 more often than not.
• I didn't do any making stuff today, well I finished up the family history stuff and did a little prep work for my next project but only in between when I had time.
• I failed. I wasn't to bed until after 2.

Tuesday:

* I couldn't find a thought and got too busy to search longer.  I was quite busy all morning and then Aubrey came though I did read.

• I woke up after 8.
• I did get my tablet weaving all set up even though Aubrey was here so I am pleased.
• Though I did go to bed at midnight, but right before bed I couldn't resist and had to do a little bit of weaving and I'm super excited to work more on it.  However, this week is busy until Friday so I might not get much else done on it.

Wednesday:

* This most recent conference President Nelson said that last year and taught him some lessons the he already knew but have been written on his heart in new and instructive ways.  This is one way we can learn when we think we already know it.  I have had that experience with scripture study.  We have been told to read our scriptures and we will get blessings.  We have been told to hold to the iron rod because that will keep us safe from the mists of darkness.  I have had experiences in the past that have taught me that the scriptures are for me, that I can find answers to daily struggles and every kind of question.  I've felt the effect of not reading my scriptures and the difference when I do.  I've seen the value of study over just reading the scriptures.  I've read them really fast and I've read them one verse at a time.  I've taken notes and I've studied for multiple different classes and lessons and talks.  Yet since doing this way of studying and sharing what I learn I've gained a greater understanding to some of those things I already knew.  I've been more excited and grateful for the scriptures because they give me peace and direction and I learn new things and they help me with my struggles in very specific ways on a near daily basis.  The scripture that says we learn line upon line and precept upon precept is true even when you are a prophet.  There is always more we can get and always more room to grow.

• I woke up about 7:30.
• I did do a tiny bit of weaving but had to leave off to go to Springville.
• Alas I have failed, I was up to around one talking with Aimee and Kiley so not what I hoped.  Though the talking was fun and it was the last few hours to spend with Aimee.  It happened without even trying, suddenly it was late and I needed to sleep.

Thursday:

* I found a thought in D&C 50:11, the phrase is “Let us reason even as a man reasoneth one with another face to face.” This is God speaking to the elders of the church but it is applicable to us. God wishes to talk to each of us and we can do it as comfortably as talking to one of our friends. When you have a good friend they know where you are coming from and understand what you say and you do the same for them. God is our friend, he knows us best and he wants us to be able to come to him with anything and to receive help and answers from him. The best way to hear those answers is to listen with the spirit. The more we become proficient at listening for and following the direction we receive the better our communication with God.

• I got up at around 8 or so.
• I spent nearly the whole day today shopping with Kiley.  Ok so we were about 6 hours shopping and the rest of the time was food, shopping with Mom, and playing with Jayden.  We were successful in our shopping adventure and Kiley found a few items for her preferred wardrobe.
• I went to bed before 11 today, much better though we were exhausted so that helped.

Friday:

* I really like verse 25, which says “I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you;” I'm ignoring what the “it” is and focusing on the truth. This is a principle that truth can chase the darkness out of your life. The more truth we have and allow into our lives then the clearer it is for us to see what is darkness and deception and what is from God. Living this way will allow us to take the things out of our lives that are not contributing to truth and to our eternal future. Sometimes I get stressed about that because I'm afraid I'll have to give up things I like to do but always in the long run it has been worth it. You can know if it is of God if it edifies and brings light. Also sometimes I don't know how to get rid of some things in my life but verse 35 says that by giving heed to and doing the things you have received you will have power to overcome all things that are not of God.

• I woke up at about 8 again.
• I tried to get some stuff done but I was shopping and traveling home and unpacking and helping Grandma and then I fell asleep on the bed and then it was evening and I was really tired and wanted to go back to sleep.
• I was likely going to sleep soon but Chase wanted to play tonight and Chad too so we played until after one.  This week has been one big step backwards as far as my sleeping goes.

Saturday:

* Come follow me had me focus on teaching and learning. Still in section 50 and I found a few things I could do better as a learner and why I should do it that way. Verse 21 says that he that hears the word by the Spirit receives it by one who preached by the Spirit. I've become lax in my receiving by the spirit when others are involved. I'm great at my personal study but I used to be really good at getting things from lessons and talks and other things. You see when someone teaches by the spirit they are teaching what you need to hear right now because the Lord knows what you need right now and he will give it to you through the spirit, regardless of what the teacher is actually saying. In the past I could pretty much find something every time I listened to a talk at church, even when it was super boring. Sometimes I'd miss it when it was really short because I didn't get my mind into it at the start but that was my fault.  So we are to prepare to listen spiritually as much as the teacher is to prepare and teach by the spirit. In fact verses 19-20 say that he that receives the truth but not by the spirit then it is not of God. You cannot know things of God with your natural eyes, it comes by the spirit first and then it makes sense in other ways. Without the spirit you are only seeing a part of the picture and you won't know the whole truth until you see the whole picture. Then how can you judge and decide on only half truths?  Everything important makes sense when you use your spiritual eyes.

• I woke up late of course, about 8 but I'm still excited about today because I have things to do!
• I worked on my belt today, it is rather exciting to take pieces of string and twist them together and it becomes something totally different.
• I went to bed at about 11 today.  Better than the rest of the week.

Sunday:

* I did actually read a little bit today but I wanted to share from section 50 again.  This time it is a repeat but on a personal-applies-right-now-thing-I-should-do level.  It is also appropriate because it has to do with my goals here.  I've thought a lot more about the last part of my friday thought.  I have this problem which is that I'm trying to get to the temple but I don't seem to be able to fix it completely.  However, this scripture says that if I do what I've received I can overcome.  The thing I've been told is to go to bed and get up on time.  I've been half-heartedly trying, sometimes even with more effort but not as if it is the most important thing in my life.  Which is exactly what it is right now because that is what I've been told to do by he who knows how to overcome my troubles.  Why have I not been trying harder?  Probably because it is hard so I'm up for doing some hard things and next week I'm going to bed on time.  I've set two alarms, one for time to wrap up and the other for put it down now and go to bed.  If it doesn't work this next week I'm going to do more of a routine (if I get approval from above of course because that's been one of my major mistakes in the past).  We will see but I have a good feeling.

• I woke up at around 8 or so.
• I did work on my belt and I also did some more on the family history missions.  I completed the first mission and started the second.  Here is a couple pictures of my belt in progress.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• I went to bed in between 10-11.  I was so excited to keep going even though I was also struggling to keep my eyes open.

Next week is here so see you then.