May 26, 2014

Wanted to share what I read today during studies :)!! Love you

"Have you ever wondered what language we all spoke when we lived in thepresence of God? I have strong suspicions that it was German, though I suppose no one knows for sure. But I do know that in our premortal life we learned firsthand, from the Father of our spirits, a universal language—one that has the power to overcome emotional, physical, and spiritualbarriers.

That language is the pure love of Jesus Christ.

It is the most powerful language in the world.

The love of Christ is not a pretend love. It is not a greeting-card love. It is not the kind of love that is praised in popular music and movies.

This love brings about real change of character. It can penetrate hatred and dissolve envy. It can heal resentment and quench the fires ofbitterness. It can work miracles.

We received our “first lessons”⁹ in this language of love as spirits in God’spresence, and here on earth we have opportunities to practice it andbecome fluent. You can know if you are learning this language of love by evaluating what motivates your thoughts and actions.

When your primary thoughts are focused on how things will benefit you,your motivations may be selfish and shallow. That is not the language you want to learn.

But when your primary thoughts and behaviors are focused on serving God and others—when you truly desire to bless and lift up those around you—then the power of the pure love of Christ can work in your heart and life.That is the language you want to learn.

As you become fluent in this language and use it in your interactions with others, they will recognize something in you that may awaken in them along-hidden feeling to search for the right way on the journey back to their heavenly home. After all, the language of love is their true native language too.

This deep and abiding influence is a language that reaches to the very soul. It is a language of understanding, a language of service, a languageof lifting and rejoicing and comforting.

Learn to use the universal language of Christ’s love." President Uchtdorf "Your Wonderful Journey Home" 

May 12, 2014

Family and Friends!

Hope all you grandmas, moms, future moms had a wonderful Mother's Day!

It is the highest noblest calling. Grateful for each of you and your examples. If you haven't watched the video about motherhood, you can pull it up on my Facebook or go to motherhood.mormon.org. "It was, and is and will always be mom."

This morning during my studies I was reading 'Love—the Essence of the Gospel,' By President Monson. It was an amazing talk. Loved how it applied to something a friend emailed to me today. We all have fears in our lives but in 1 John 4 it teaches us that perfect love casteth out all fear. A fear of mine is having regrets and President Monson talks about keeping the first and great commandment and about regrets of not being kind to others. He says, "We cannot truly love God if we

do not love our fellow travelers on this mortal journey. Likewise, we cannot fully love our fellowmen if we do not love God, the Father of us all... Usually our love will be shown in our day-to-day interactions one with another. All important will be our ability to

recognize someone’s need and then to respond. I have always cherished the sentiment expressed in the short poem:

I have wept in the night

For the shortness of sight

That to somebody’s need made me blind;

But I never have yet

Felt a tinge of regret

For being a little too kind."

We will never regret being too kind. We all can be a little kinder, extend our helping hand a little further and lift those who are unable to stand on their own. I desire to be His hands in all that I do by remembering that LOVE should always be the motive. Think about how you can be Christ's hands.

Love you all so much!

Sister Hancock