Week 1: Things Do Not Change; We Change

This week, I began my change! I have begun my 30 days of exercise!

Allen and I had a fantastic conversation on our way to Sportsman's Warehouse. A different story, yes, but I have to say, I've never been to this place before! Only with Allen...and I love it! Anyways, our conversation was about the paths that life takes us and the temptation to compare ours with those of others. I had a lot to say, which surprised me, because I feel I've really thought a bit this week about who I am and what I want out of life.

One of the things that came to mind in this conversation were the words of President Eyring at this last week's General Conference. He spoke about praying for a huge trial in his life so that God could test his courage. He said that he probably shouldn't have done that...but goes on to talk about building strong foundations in life to help us face the trials we are given. Here are two excerpts I really liked (think of setting exercise goals as you read these):

1. You and I have faith that the way to rise through and above trials is to believe that there is a “balm in Gilead”⁴ and that the Lord has promised, “I will not … forsake thee.”⁵ That is what President Thomas S. Monson has taught us to help us and those we serve in what seem lonely and overwhelming trials.⁶But President Monson has also wisely taught that a foundation of faith in the reality of those promises takes time to build. You may have seen the need for that foundation, as I have, at the bedside of someone ready to give up the fight to endure to the end. If the foundation of faith is not embedded in our hearts, the power to endure will crumble.

His mention of seeing the foundation in a person who is close to ending their lives reminded me of Dad. He had such strength even as he was getting weaker and weaker. I know the promise that being with his family again sustained him. He always talked of his beautiful family to whoever of the nurses and doctors would listen. The foundation of faith was embedded in his heart, and his power to endure did not crumble.

2. One of the keys to an enduring faith is to judge correctly the curing time required. That is why I was unwise to pray so soon in my life for higher mountains to climb and greater tests.
That curing does not come automatically through the passage of time, but it does take time. Getting older does not do it alone. It is serving God and others persistently with full heart and soul that turns testimony of truth into unbreakable spiritual strength.

I have realized, on this goal to change the things in my life, that I need to rely on the Lord in order to change. The stronger my faith in His promises, the stronger my ability will be. The "balm in Gilead" I'm relying on will come in my hard mornings when I don't want to wake up, or when I'm frustrated because I couldn't get out to exercise due to making dinner, cranky baby, meetings or whatnot. Prayer will be my "pep-talk".

I also must serve God and other with full heart and soul for my testimony to be turned in spiritual strength. I will now set another goal in tandem with my exercise goal--I will seek to serve others more even as I exercise more.