Learning Through Service

This blog post is coming from my homework...

What? Did I just say homework? YES.
 

In my Learning Through Service class (which I highly recommend), we were assigned to creatively present our philosophy of service and how it has changed throughout the duration of the class. I decided to make a Thought book containing my favorite quotes, thoughts, and service experiences as I have been learning. It's nothing fancy or anything, but as I was making it, my thoughts turned to Christ. 
     Among the many things I have learned concerning service, it all ties back to Christ. Christ is the ultimate example, as He serves perfectly. We serve to become like Christ, right? Right. But honestly, all we can do is learn through service and, as President Gordon B. Hinckley so beautifully stated, "Try a little harder to be a little better"(https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/04/we-have-a-work-to-do?lang=eng).
   If our goal is to become like Him, what better way than by following His example of service? I'm so grateful for the insights I've had from this class and for all I was taught. The things I've learned have become Divine Signatures in my daily life! So I'd like to share a few of my favorite parts from my Thought book to sum up what I've learned for you, wahoo!

• "Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day."
  -D&C 4:2
• The Savior is perfect at serving in all four ways. As we consistently try to be better, we can become better at serving with our heart, might, mind, and strength.
• As we pursue our dreams and reach our potential, we are more able to help others and change the world. Education is important, everyone!
• "Without Thomas Edison we would have no light bulbs, recorded music, or hundreds of other inventions. Yet his goal was not to sacrifice for others, but to pursue and prove his passionately held ideas, no matter what others wanted of him. Do we really wish that he had dedicated himself to "citizen service," perhaps by collecting donations to buy candles for the poor?"-David Harriman, "Public Service and Private Misery"
• "Real charity is not something you give away; It is something that you acquire and make part of yourself...Charity is expecting the best of each other."
  -Marvin J. Ashton
• "One sees in Peter an individual who used his chances to learn, to grow, and to follow by faith in great adventures that otherwise he would never have undertaken."
  -Elder Maxwell, "A More Excellent Way" 
• Sacrifice: To make it to the Lord. To give something up to the Lord.
• Elder Oaks, "Why Do We Serve?"
• Earthly Reward
• Good Companionship
• Fear of Punishment
• Duty
• Hope of an Eternal Reward
• CHARITY
• "...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass."
  -Alma 37:6
• "If you focus on deficiencies, you aren't helping one bit."
  -Bill Hulterstrom, President and CEO of United Way of Utah County
• "In serving others you will find yourself."
  -President Spencer W. Kimball 

Have a great week! :)

Love,
Rebecca Sharlene

Lookie, I'm startin a blog! "O Remember, Remember"

     Elder Eyring's talk "O Remember, Remember" has had a major impact on my life. During the summer of 2013, I taught a Relief Society lesson based on this talk. It's true. The teacher always learns so much more than the audience...at least I do! This talk is definitely a Divine Signature, showing me how I can improve.

     I learned so much from preparing for this lesson, and I've been trying to apply it to my life- one way is through starting this blog. Go read this talk! https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/o-remember-remember

     I've always been interested in trying to see the Lord's hand in my life. I remember as a young girl, my grandmother came over to my house and was visiting with my mom about a wonderful book she was reading titled Divine Signatures: The Confirming Hand of God by Gerald N. Lund. I can't even say I've read this book, but I heard the description of the hand of God being called a "Divine Signature" and I've loved it ever since. Little did they know they had such an impact from a small conversation. :) Looking for God's hand in my life has greatly strengthened my testimony concerning the love of God and His influence in my daily life. I have been able to come to know and understand more fully my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

     This is why I've started blogging! I'm not expecting to be great at it. I'm only hoping to somehow lift someone through my testimony and be an instrument in His hands.

Alma 17:11

"...Go forth...and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls." 

So! My goal is to dedicate my blog to sharing the experiences I have where I notice God's hand in my life- whether that be through sharing some instances where I've noticed Him, a happy thought, a fun experience I'm thankful for, something new I've learned, or my testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.