It's hard to believe a whole year has gone by! We had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed it completely. I don't know that I would change a thing. I feel so blessed to be able to say that.
This was Zach's favorite gift from me. :)
This was Zach's favorite gift from me. :)
So, we had a special church meeting yesterday in place of our regular block and combined with two other wards that share our building. It was a meeting on the addiction recovery program.
Zach and I were both surprised to find that we really enjoyed this meeting and sincerely felt the Spirit. The addiction recovery program is inspired. One thing I learned about it is that it really helps those who are struggling with addiction to apply the Atonement and support them through the whole process. What a beautiful, beautiful thing.
Some of the things I pulled from this meeting are these:
*more people suffer from addictions than we realize. a lot more.
*we have no idea the amount of pain and suffering they feel as a result of their addictions.
*people fear your judgments and choose to hide their faults because of that fear, therefore they continue to suffer instead of look for help.
*some people might not realize they are addicted.
*addictions are more than pornography, drugs or alcohol. it also includes, video gaming, overeating, Facebook and other forms of social media.
*because we have literally, no clue what others are going through, we should love them and choose to believe that they are doing their best. be kind. be compassionate.
*i need to understand the atonement better. i realized i am living without much of the peace and strength that i could have if i applied it better.
There was a question and answer period at the end of the meeting. I was touched by the sincere honesty in the questions that were asked. There is a very poignant Spirit present when people are honest.
Many of the temptations we face can turn into addictions if we are not careful to safeguard ourselves. There was one question yesterday that was a concerned father of daughters, he wondered what he could do to help them. THIS talk came to mind. If you are like me and would like to do a good job of talking to your kids about moral cleanliness before the time of decision, THIS is a great talk.
As some people were talking yesterday I remembered the story of Ammon in the Book of Mormon. He came into a very wicked situation. Many of us might find ourselves surrounded by those who need our help, they need to know of Christ and how He can help them. Ammon's example is perfect. He began by serving. He won their hearts, he earned their trust and then he taught them.
I feel like this is a wonderful example for parents to children of all ages, especially teenagers. They need to know of your love for them. They have to be able to trust you. Then you'll be able to teach and possibly lead them to help.
Ammon's example also really applies to our marriages as well.
One of the speakers yesterday was a recovering addict of pornography. He had been married 7 years before he told his wife.
I can only imagine to a small degree how she must have felt. She turned out to be a lot like Ammon. She wanted to help and be a strength to her husband as he turned from his addiction and changed his ways.
I chose to write about this today because I was very surprised by the statistics they shared. I am sure this will help someone. I hope that if you or someone you know that is struggling with ANY type of addiction will follow THIS LINK TO ARP. All of us need help. All of us need the atonement. All of us need the love and support of loved ones.
The New Year is the perfect time to take steps toward change.
The New Year is the perfect time to take steps toward safeguarding yourself.
The New Year is the perfect time to set a goal to learn more about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
I believe with all my heart that the devil wants us to feel hopeless and that happiness and peace are out of reach. Choose hope. Choose to help others. Choose hope in Christ. He loves YOU! Things can be better in time.
"Believe in miracles. I have seen so many. They came when every indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost." -Elder Holland
Happy New Year!
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