This week has been very busy. I wrapped it up by speaking at a women's conference that raises money to help those in Savannah, Georgia, with breast cancer awareness and treatment. They help women in their community who may not have the opportunity to receive the care they need. I love meeting wonderful people in these communities, reaching out, and helping others in need. It was a fantastic event, and I feel blessed to have been part of it.
In my speech, I spoke about lessons I've learned throughout my life. One of the most important principles I learned from my parents was getting back up. There are no failures in life; there are just lessons. From those lessons, we hopefully gain knowledge and wisdom. God provided us with our Savior, Jesus Christ, because He knew we might get sidetracked, take detours, and make mistakes. Our loving Father in Heaven gave us this eternal gift so we can repent, learn, and get back on the road home to Him. God also can't take away other people's agency or free will. So when they make bad choices that affect our lives negatively, our Savior is there for us to place our burdens, sorrow, and pain for help and healing. Life is a journey that requires growth, which comes line upon line, precept upon precept, experience after experience, and that growth requires us to make choices. Hopefully, those choices change what might make us bitter into something that makes us better! This can only happen when we look upward towards our God for help and strength.
Have a beautiful sabbath day, and always remember how much I love you!!!
Marie's Sunday Message
September 10, 2017
On Saturday night at the Flamingo Las Vegas, our hearts were filled with gratitude as we celebrated our 9th season. But today, hearts are heavy as we watch the effects of #HurricaneIrma wreaking havoc in the Caribbean, Florida, and surrounding areas. On behalf of D&M and staff, our thoughts and prayers are with the Irma victims as they deal with this devastating storm that is turning lives into shambles. Join us as there is strength in praying in numbers.
I've never really experienced the devastation of a hurricane. Still, I do know what it's like to lose everything, including prized possessions, passed down from Mother to Daughter for four generations in my family. Being my Mother's only daughter, my heart mourned when my house fire in Utah engulfed all those precious belongings along with their memories. Although extremely sad, it taught me a great lesson... we really can't take anything with us when we pass away.
The things of this world will eventually decay and return to the earth (dust and moth). What IS lasting are the relationships we make and cherish and the character we build through life's joys and sorrows. This life is a journey, and if we keep moving forward with faith in Christ, He will stand by us, direct us, and teach us what really matters, heal our hearts when needed, and buoy us up amidst the storms. Because of Him, we can be made better, not bitter!
While watching the news yesterday, a woman's reaction to her devastating losses in Texas really moved me. "Well, they are just things, and thank heavens God will help us rebuild," she told a reporter. Her humble, positive attitude of faith made me tear up for all those who have lost nearly everything and are struggling to start over. What's so amazing is that through our trials, God can help REBUILD US! I've learned His mercy and grace are infinite, and to accept all with humility and gratitude is the key to His love and wisdom. We are nothing without Him.
Still, God asks us to be prepared. What would you try to save if you were given a moment's notice to evacuate your home? Do you have food and supplies you could grab on a moment's notice to hold you over or keep you alive should disaster strike? Will you have what your family needs until first responders can access or rescue you? These are questions that could be life-changing.
As a child, I enjoyed watching my parents stock up on extra food items and emergency supplies as they could afford them. With 9 kids (8 of them hungry boys), I knew it was a wise move. I learned from my Mother's example never to trust Mother Nature. I try to have extra food items in my home that I update and rotate. But the one item I feel you can never have enough of in reserve is faith. Faith, to me, is having a positive attitude that God can and will deliver us from any disaster or trial.
"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand..." (Daniel 3:17)
Calamities can strike anytime, but if we are prepared, we shall not fear. If authorities instruct us to evacuate or the Spirit prompts us to move to all types of higher ground, hopefully, we will listen. I believe God can spare our lives and help us prepare for, endure, and ride out the storm of any trial that may beseech us and give us strength to rebuild again.
Prepare for the worst and pray for the best. Don't let rainy days and Mondays get you down, and be safe! Like my sweet mom counseled me, "Remember, when a disaster strikes, it's way too late to prepare, so start now!" She was wise!!!
#HappySunday!
#HisDay #foodstorage #emergencypreparedness #survivingnaturaldisasters #saveforarainyday