It's been forever!

It has been WAY too long since I've written on my blog. I have lots of pictures of my bridals, wedding, and reception posted on Facebook (so become my Facebook friend!).

It has been so long that I am not even going to think about trying to catch up with life, but I will just say that I have a wonderful husband and I am very happy we got married.

I've been thinking a lot about putting priorities first. So...even though I have a massive to do list, I need to study my scriptures!

I wanted to look up some of my favorite scriptures on charity.

1 Corinthians 8:1- "Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth." The footnote for edifieth says "buildeth up." I like building in contrast to puffing. Building seems much more lasting, and much more unifying. A question to ask myself, "Am I puffing myself up or building us up?" Charity is not about me.

1 Corinthians 13- This is the phenomenal chapter that could be many days study just by itself. I like verse 5, "seeketh not her own." The footnote to that is, obviously, selfishness. This is a hard concept for me at times, especially as life changes. Is there a point when you need to be selfish to take care of yourself? Is that being selfish? I am always amazed when I meet people who "seek not her (or his) own" and are so concerned about people around them. I'd love to be more like that (while not neglecting what Heavenly Father has given me...). It is complicated, for sure.
Verse 7 always lifts me as it reminds me that charity "beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." That verse makes me think about so many people who have suffered and endured so much and still have charity (of course, the Savior is the ultimate example of that. He is Perfect in His Charity).

1 Peter 4:8- Peter teaches, right after a chapter about marriage and redemption and brotherhood, that "above things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover a multitude of sins." I'm sure we would be much slower to judge and much quicker to forgive if we have charity. I'm sure other people's charity has covered my multitude of sins many times!

2 Nephi 26:30- "and except they have charity they were nothing." Wow...that pretty much says it all. What was important that I did today? Did I have charity? If not, then not of it was very important after all.

Moroni 7:47- "But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him." And the next verse teaches us how to get charity- by praying to the Father to be filled with that Love. That's how we can know if we are true followers of Christ...if we have Charity. And Charity is what makes us like him. Someday I hope I can get there....

Moroni 10:21 To continue that thought, "and except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God..."

So I guess I better get there!

and finally, click for a great Visiting Teaching Message about Charity.

and there are many, many more, but that's as far as I'll get tonight.