|
|
August 27, 2003 --
|
|
And those sons of the people of Ammon, of whom I have so highly spoken, are with me in the city of Manti; and the Lord has supported them, yea, and kept them from falling by the sword, insomuch that even one soul has not been slain. But behold, they have received many wounds; nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come.
Alma 58:39-40
|
|
I wonder sometimes how often I miss opportunities. Have you ever had a strong feeling to do something, put it off, then never had the chance to do it again? Yesterday, I really felt that I ought to shake hands with the woman who started my exit paperwork for the Art Institute, but I didn't, and now it's starting to seem like I won't get another chance to do so. On the other hand, I may have to make such an opportunity, because who knows why I felt the prompt? Maybe it ill cause her to remember me at some future date, which will become very useful for some reason...
Once again, I've found myself worrying when I didn't have to. I anticipated that my end-of-month bills were going to amount to about $50-100 more than my end-of-month paycheck, and would likely be more than I had left in my bank account as well. Today, I found out differently; the largest bill, my final payment to Art Institute, is significantly smaller than I had expected. I've been paying a monthly rate; the cost of all three years (after grants and loans), averaged out over 36 months. Now I only have to worry about the rest of the quarter, and it turns out that because of the uneven distribution of loans, I don't owe $220 for the quarter -- I owe $3. Just one more reminder that I am on the path the Lord wants me to be on.
I've also noticed that the day that I destroyed my credit card and began the transfer process, all the projects that I've been struggling with became easy. I still have until tomorrow to turn in three posters, but I had them done yesterday. The printed copies are in my hands and ready to be mounted and presented. My sketchbook for my drawing class went from scribbles to work that my instructor takes a little extra time to tell me how much she likes my style and methods -- but it only took me about a half-hour to do. The stress has gone out of the work, and best of all, I feel more sensitive to the Spirit.
I modified my new approach to scripture study, however. I will continue to read according to my old mission schedule, but I am looking for specific principles, information, and answers to problems in my life. On Sundays, I can take a little extra time to study those principles that are especially important to me. I've been especially grateful for this as it has led me to once again read the account of the Stripling Warriors, which I can never read without having to fight back tears. Their faith and devotion to the Lord and their families has been a source of inspiration to me for some time. I invite all of you to read it: Alma 53:10-24; 56; 57; and 58.
|