Amber

 I am not sure what this week will be like.  Last night I was feeling sick and since I spent the last two nights before in the same space as a very sick Addy then I may have caught something.  However, I don't really feel it when I woke up, this means nothing of course except that it may not get bad or I may not have caught it.  Either way I think I now have an extra reason to get some good sleep at a healthy hour.

Goals:

• Alarm at 9:00- wrap it up and go get ready for bed.
• Alarm at 9:30- time to put it down now and go do the routine.
• Routine includes electronic free time, cleaning up last minute things, saying a prayer, getting dressed, washing my face, and either mediating or yoga or something really relaxing.
• Bed at 10 pm

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Rise Time	8:10	6:54	7:30	?	7
Bed Time	12:30	12:30	12	10:30

Monday:

* My study today produced a small thought from section 70.  I did actually read on the reunion but found it impossible to get anything from it so I have repeated this chapter and found something.  The Lord speaks of stewardships and how he has given certain individuals responsibilities.  Verse 4 says "And an account of this stewardship will I require of them in the day of judgment."  If I would think of any calling with this in mind I'm sure I would do a better job.  I'm currently not great at my ministering to my assigned sisters.  I make a small attempt but it isn't as good as I know how.  In addition to that we are stewards over our bodies, we are to take care of them and will be held accountable if we don't.  There are many other ways we are stewards and just remembering that the Lord gave us these to take care of and do our part can help keep our sight on what matters and thus fulfill those responsibilities.

• Nothing much today except that I have been watching downton abbey and I can't seem to go to sleep.  I am almost finished, just on the last season so it will be over soon.  All the same tomorrow I hope to go to bed earlier than I did tonight.

Tuesday:

* Today's thought is about knowledge and wisdom from God.  D&C 71:6 says "For unto him that receiveth it shall be given more abundantly, even power."  This could be applied to anything really but I'll stick with the knowledge today.  The key here is to receive and according to Alma 12:9-11 that includes heed and diligence on our part as well as meekness, a soft heart, repentance, and keeping the commandments.  It also says that he who does this shall know the mysteries of God until he knows them in full.  I've often thought that I don't need to know everything right now and I'm happy knowing the things I do know.  Understanding them better was the main goal.  However, I've been gaining knowledge and wisdom as I've been focusing on improving my scripture study and other spiritual aspects of my life in the last year or so and I am very grateful for the new knowledge and I wouldn't want to be without it now.  If everything I still have to know is as exciting and life changing as the stuff I've been learning then I have changed my mind.  I need to learn it all, though definitely at a comfortable pace for me.

• Didn't do it again today but I did actually stop before I wanted to so that is something.

Wednesday:

* I did not really find anything special today.  I will just share my favorite quote from the talk I read.  It was from Elder Andersen about "The Personal Journey of a Child of God".  It was a good reminder to recognize that each child who is born is on their own personal spiritual journey to gain a body, experience life, and return to God.  Keeping that in mind when dealing with every person on this earth can help you understand and have compassion.  It can also help you not be too wrapped up in the world or be too hard on yourself.  He says "your own personal journey as a child of God did not begin for you as the first flow of earth's air came rushing into your lungs, and it will not end when you take your last breath of mortality."  There is a purpose to this life and we have a past and a future beyond it.

Thursday:

* My thought is quite tiny today as was the chapter for the day.  Section 73 is but 6 verses but a part of it stuck good.  It speaks of the fact that the Lord has given them assignments, then he gives them more and says "let this be a pattern unto the elders until further knowledge, even as it is written."  I like the word pattern, it makes me think of what I am supposed to be doing and how I should keep doing it over and over until I'm told otherwise.  Often I try to find a better way but if I'm instructed through the spirit to do something a certain way then it is the best way already.  This means I need to actually do it until I'm told otherwise. 

• I am tired today and feeling a bit sick and maybe a bit down.  Grandma has been very anxious today and more difficult than usual.  I had to pull out the roku and do music and the spoken word in order to take a shower.

Friday:

* In the talk by Elder Mutombo called "Ye Shall Be Free", he speaks of many being in darkness but as they learn of Christ and his gospel they have light.  The more we follow Christ the more light and knowledge we have.  It becomes easier to discern the darkness and the lies the adversary puts into the world.  In addition to that "When we choose to follow Christ, we choose to be changed."  We are changed by accepting Christ as our captain and "we will be asking, as Paul did, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?""  We put our trust in him and then we do as he asks, this is the price to pay if we want the light he offers but it is also the reward.  He knows what is best for us but he also knows what we like and enjoy and he will offer and direct us to both.

Saturday:

* Section 75 the Lord gives instruction to several groups of elders and then at the end gives them promises if they are faithful.  These are all blessings we can receive by being faithful.

• Laden with many sheaves
• crowned with honor
• glory
• immortality
• eternal life
• God will be with them to the end
• overcome all things
• lifted up at the last day
• filled with joy and gladness
• prayers answered
• shall know what to do by the comforter