Do you have room?

It's Easter time! 

Each year I learn more about the real reason for this season.  This year I have made it a priority to focus on the Savior and strive to understand his sacrifice more fully.  I feel that I usually get sentimental and emotional for one moment and then the next all I'm thinking about it my Cadburry eggs and the ham and funeral potatoes in the oven.  As good as those things are the thing that is truly important is the sacrifice of our elder brother and Redeemer, even Jesus Christ.  I have a few quick thoughts I have come to throughout my study of his life during this last week.

First, if you haven't read this talk by President Monson stop reading this and study it.
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/he-is-risen?lang=eng


Now that you have read this talk think with me for a moment.  The Savior was born in a stable.  He was surrounded by dirty animals.  His bed was a manager which google defines as "A long open box or trough for horses or cattle to eat from."  He was scourged  whipped, betrayed by his friends, doubted, conspired against, and beat.  Name something you are struggling with or suffering from and the Lord of Hosts has been there.  He knows.  He understands.  After his death he was even laid in a borrowed tomb.  From His birth there was never a place for the Savior to call his own.  He was rejected by his own people.  Do we do the same?  

One of my favorite songs  at Christmas time is "Do you have room for the Savior?"  At this joyous Easter time where we proudly declare that the "Christ the Lord is Risen Today," "He lives!" and "I know the my Redeemer Lives" can we seek to incorporate these beliefs into our very being.  Can we find room in our hearts and daily lives for the Savior.  Can we seek to follow his spirit, serve and uplift others, study his words, and be more like him in all that we do?  Can we seek to engrave his countenance upon our own?  I believe if we do so the Easter season will truly begin to come alive and form a much deeper meaning for us.  I know I have been moved as I put the Savior first in my day by studying his words.  When I do so I am touched and strengthened.  I  renew my sense of hope and optimism. 

Seek the Savior and learn of him.  He is my rock and my salvation.  I cannot express my love, reverance, respect, admiration, and gratitude regarding his sacrifice, example, and continual outpouring of love in my behalf.  I love my Savior and know that His gospel is restored on this earth today.  

I know that my Redeemer lives.

Why?

My blog used to be so exciting, what happened?

Oh.  I got married...and started school.  

Too bad I love both of the preceding things and therefore believe they constitute a pretty good reason for the "lameness" of my blog for the past several months.  

Let's talk about being married.  

I love it.  I know that everyone says this but, I have thee best husband in the entire world.  Really.  He is the best.  He is super patient.  Not just normal patient, but like he never EVER gets mad kind of patient.  He always asks how he can help.  He asks about my day.  He makes me feel better when I am overwhelmingly stressed.  He is incredibly optimistic.  He is such an example to me.  AND....he is my absolute best friend.  Everybody wants to know about married life.  I promise there aren't any crazy secrets.  We just eat a lot of bad food and watch a lot of stupid, but funny, YouTube clips.  It's the life.  

Let's talk about school.  

Well, its my sixth semester and the end of my junior year.  Wait, let's say that again.  It is the end of my JUNIOR year.  What???  I still feel like a little freshman and the end seems an eternity away.  I love school though.  This semester has been incredibly challenging.  I have been learning so many things.  But I love it.  Learning is the absolute best thing in the world.  Things are finally starting to connect and become more applicable to what I actually want to do in life.  I have been stretching my abilities to a new level.  But throughout all the stretching the one thing I am beyond impressed with is my improvement.  I wish I could take credit for this but I owe it all to my Heavenly Father.  I am increasingly impressed and surprised by His infinite mercy and desire to assist me.  When I pray diligently He works legitimate miracles in my life.  Just last week I was nowhere near prepared for a test and I just pleaded to magnify the abilities that I already possessed.  I believe He did much more.  Why?  I'm still not sure.  He knows me better than I know myself but I am continually impressed by the miracles he can bring about in my performance.  Again today I took a test that I knew the information for but still felt overwhelming inadequate for.  He helped to calm my nerves by sending my best friend Raschelle across my path right before.  He helped me to be optimistic.  He cleared my mind.  He helped me focus.  Why?  Why does the Lord help me?  Why does He help you?  I wish I knew the exact reason.  What I do know is that He loves us more than we can ever imagine.  He desires and yearns to bless us.  What a magnificent hope this idea brings me.  I know I don't deserve half of what he gives me.  He blesses us one hundred fold.  Ah! It is just so inspiring.  I wish I could do the same.  Wouldn't it be great if we could think that way of others?  We could see the good in them and then seek to magnify that good, encourage it, inspire it, and uplift it.  Wow.  Take a second to imagine that.  Sounds divine.  Perhaps if I say it publicly I will be more diligent in seeing it through.  I want to make this my goal.  I know I will be happier and perhaps be able to repay Heavenly Father for all He does, and I'm sure will continue to do, for me.  

from mckensiesmith.blogspot.com

(: