This is a poem/ rhyme that I came up with last night.
"Wisdom where art thou" or something fun like that
Where once great wisdom filled my head,
now there is a hole instead...
By Jennifer Goff =D
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Friday, August 3, 2007
Wisdom teeth, and One set of footprints
I don't like pain, but when you are feeling it, the only thing to do is endure it (sometimes with the help of vitamins or even medication if it's that serious). My dad has told me that I have a high tolerance for pain, which surprised me. But, he reasoned that my sticking it out and just enduring it is my pain tolerance level, which makes sense to me.
Well, with not liking pain, I don't enjoy going to the dentist either. Before my sister left on her mission for The church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints, she had to get her wisdom teeth taken out. Her experience - which wasn't an ideal one; what with the teeth being under the bones and rotated and all- impressed on my mind a horror at the idea of ever having mine taken out. I fairly recently had one wisdom tooth come through which caused temporary swelling and pain, yet I did not choose to go to the dentist- the idea of which mortified me-. Well, a few days ago I found out that I, along with 3 of my other siblings, was scheduled for a cleaning, x-rays and a check-up on Thursday starting at 8. I accepted reality and I knew I would just have to endure it, it wasn't like I could choose out. And so I didn't make myself too sick over it and I believe I prayed and then I choose to go with my little sister for the first time slot. She went first and I second. I thought they might mention my one wisdom tooth and I was praying for my will (no cavities, etc.) if it was in accordance with Gods will. Well they did notice my one wisdom tooth coming in and then when the actually dentist was doing the exam, I was informed that all my wisdom teeth would have to come out- to my regret and sickening in the stomach-. With their busy schedule and mine (BYU Education week and College coming up) I left the office with an appointment to return at 12:30 that day and get all four removed. Throughout this I was praying, exercising faith, etc. but, I recognized that it was Gods will as it became official and so I tried to except it.
My dad, sister and I went to Wal-mart so we could get my prescriptions filled that I would need for it. I was near tears and opted to stay in the car while they went in. Right after they left, I started crying and praying. It was a struggle, a struggle to have faith and not fear, etc.
Recently I have been reading in Mosiah in the Book of Mormon (part of my scriptures). In the Book of Mosiah, the story of a man named Alma, and his people is told. The part of their story that I want to illustrate here, took place during about 160 B.C. to 120 B.C somewhere on the American continent. Alma was a priest of the wicked king Noah (not to be confused with Noah and the arch ;D ) in about 160 B.C. . Alma heard and believed the words of a prophet who was sent form God to call the people to repentance and teach them of Jesus Christ and His words. He had to flee for his life because the king cast him out and then sent his guards to kill him. God protected Alma and the guards did not capture him. He hid and wrote the words of God, about Jesus Christ, etc. that the prophet, Abinadi had spoken, and he repented of his sins. Then he went about privately teaching Abinadi's words. God gave him the authority to baptize and he started Gods church in that land. Eventually the king found out and sent his army to destroy them, but God warned Alma and so he and the righteous people took their possessions and fled from the king and were spared. They eventually stopped and started their new life, they soon prospered and became wealthy and numerous. Years later their enemies were lost in the wilderness and stumbled upon them. As they saw the armies of their enemy coming they feared, but their leaders urged them to pray and have faith. So they prayed that their lives would be spared. Their enemies being more numerous then they, took power of them and subjected them to bondage, in which they had heavy burdens placed upon their backs, but their lives were speared.
They exercised faith, patients and continued to call on God. Because of this He lightened there burdens, even to the extent that they could not feel them and then as they continued to be patient, faithful, cheerful submissive to Gods will and to pray to God, in this the trial of their faith; He delivered them out of bondage. They were lead to their brethren in a close land and were able to join them, and there the church and people of God continued to prosper.
In this the trial of my faith, I was striving to have faith, but I really wanted to be able to bear this trial cheerfully; like they had borne theirs! A little bit later after we got my prescription I had my dad drop me off at institute. I was late, and shortly after I arrived I became aware that the chapter in the study guide that they where covering was on trials; "All these things will be for thy experience." This made me happy because I knew God was aware of the trial I was then facing. I had an inward struggle and strengthening of faith as the class went on. While sitting there I felt fairly strong, but when I even thought of going to the dentists office, I had doubt and fear again and felt sick. I at one point determined that what I needed to do was to envision going to the dentist with the attitude and faith that I desired to have when I went, or in other words I envisioned experiencing it in the way that I wanted to; Cheerfully, with faith, with God and one of my parents at my side. By envisioning the out come that I desired, my mind apparently was at peace and I put that behind me. As I went home, I became cheerful and was able to go to the dentist in good spirits. Before I went I had my dad give me a fathers blessing. While there I saw Gods hand in blessing me in many ways. I, like Alma and his people, experienced God lightening my burden to the extent that I could not feel it/ the little that I did feel, I was strengthen so that it didn't really seem like any thing at all to me! All along I had a core peace and calmness about me, even before I went to Institute. After they were taken out, and even during their removal, I felt so blessed by God, that I was truly thankful for His will and that I got my wisdom teeth taken out! It seems like no big deal, but I know that, that is only because I had faith in God and He sustained me in my trial!!!
Always turn to God. He is there. He loves you; He cares, hears and will answer your prayers in the best way for you. Accept His will, for He does all things for your good.
There is a poem I like that illustrates how God carries us in our time of trial, just as He did for me this past week.
Footprints in the sand:
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”
The Lord replied,
“The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you.”
Mary Stevenson
JEG =D
Well, with not liking pain, I don't enjoy going to the dentist either. Before my sister left on her mission for The church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints, she had to get her wisdom teeth taken out. Her experience - which wasn't an ideal one; what with the teeth being under the bones and rotated and all- impressed on my mind a horror at the idea of ever having mine taken out. I fairly recently had one wisdom tooth come through which caused temporary swelling and pain, yet I did not choose to go to the dentist- the idea of which mortified me-. Well, a few days ago I found out that I, along with 3 of my other siblings, was scheduled for a cleaning, x-rays and a check-up on Thursday starting at 8. I accepted reality and I knew I would just have to endure it, it wasn't like I could choose out. And so I didn't make myself too sick over it and I believe I prayed and then I choose to go with my little sister for the first time slot. She went first and I second. I thought they might mention my one wisdom tooth and I was praying for my will (no cavities, etc.) if it was in accordance with Gods will. Well they did notice my one wisdom tooth coming in and then when the actually dentist was doing the exam, I was informed that all my wisdom teeth would have to come out- to my regret and sickening in the stomach-. With their busy schedule and mine (BYU Education week and College coming up) I left the office with an appointment to return at 12:30 that day and get all four removed. Throughout this I was praying, exercising faith, etc. but, I recognized that it was Gods will as it became official and so I tried to except it.
My dad, sister and I went to Wal-mart so we could get my prescriptions filled that I would need for it. I was near tears and opted to stay in the car while they went in. Right after they left, I started crying and praying. It was a struggle, a struggle to have faith and not fear, etc.
Recently I have been reading in Mosiah in the Book of Mormon (part of my scriptures). In the Book of Mosiah, the story of a man named Alma, and his people is told. The part of their story that I want to illustrate here, took place during about 160 B.C. to 120 B.C somewhere on the American continent. Alma was a priest of the wicked king Noah (not to be confused with Noah and the arch ;D ) in about 160 B.C. . Alma heard and believed the words of a prophet who was sent form God to call the people to repentance and teach them of Jesus Christ and His words. He had to flee for his life because the king cast him out and then sent his guards to kill him. God protected Alma and the guards did not capture him. He hid and wrote the words of God, about Jesus Christ, etc. that the prophet, Abinadi had spoken, and he repented of his sins. Then he went about privately teaching Abinadi's words. God gave him the authority to baptize and he started Gods church in that land. Eventually the king found out and sent his army to destroy them, but God warned Alma and so he and the righteous people took their possessions and fled from the king and were spared. They eventually stopped and started their new life, they soon prospered and became wealthy and numerous. Years later their enemies were lost in the wilderness and stumbled upon them. As they saw the armies of their enemy coming they feared, but their leaders urged them to pray and have faith. So they prayed that their lives would be spared. Their enemies being more numerous then they, took power of them and subjected them to bondage, in which they had heavy burdens placed upon their backs, but their lives were speared.
They exercised faith, patients and continued to call on God. Because of this He lightened there burdens, even to the extent that they could not feel them and then as they continued to be patient, faithful, cheerful submissive to Gods will and to pray to God, in this the trial of their faith; He delivered them out of bondage. They were lead to their brethren in a close land and were able to join them, and there the church and people of God continued to prosper.
In this the trial of my faith, I was striving to have faith, but I really wanted to be able to bear this trial cheerfully; like they had borne theirs! A little bit later after we got my prescription I had my dad drop me off at institute. I was late, and shortly after I arrived I became aware that the chapter in the study guide that they where covering was on trials; "All these things will be for thy experience." This made me happy because I knew God was aware of the trial I was then facing. I had an inward struggle and strengthening of faith as the class went on. While sitting there I felt fairly strong, but when I even thought of going to the dentists office, I had doubt and fear again and felt sick. I at one point determined that what I needed to do was to envision going to the dentist with the attitude and faith that I desired to have when I went, or in other words I envisioned experiencing it in the way that I wanted to; Cheerfully, with faith, with God and one of my parents at my side. By envisioning the out come that I desired, my mind apparently was at peace and I put that behind me. As I went home, I became cheerful and was able to go to the dentist in good spirits. Before I went I had my dad give me a fathers blessing. While there I saw Gods hand in blessing me in many ways. I, like Alma and his people, experienced God lightening my burden to the extent that I could not feel it/ the little that I did feel, I was strengthen so that it didn't really seem like any thing at all to me! All along I had a core peace and calmness about me, even before I went to Institute. After they were taken out, and even during their removal, I felt so blessed by God, that I was truly thankful for His will and that I got my wisdom teeth taken out! It seems like no big deal, but I know that, that is only because I had faith in God and He sustained me in my trial!!!
Always turn to God. He is there. He loves you; He cares, hears and will answer your prayers in the best way for you. Accept His will, for He does all things for your good.
There is a poem I like that illustrates how God carries us in our time of trial, just as He did for me this past week.
Footprints in the sand:
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”
The Lord replied,
“The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you.”
Mary Stevenson
JEG =D
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