THE LETTER "P"

Alrighty, if you were to ask one of my mission companions, they would tell you about my personal struggle with "P's."  "I'm paralyzed!!" was a common phrase used at really inconvenient times.  Sometimes those inconvenient times turned into perfectly problematic days and/or weeks.  Sadly, life is not always sunshine, rainbows, and pretty little ponies.  We all have those days or weeks when anything that could go wrong, will go wrong.  We might feel like the entire universe is against us.  Nothing seems to be going right.  We feel stuck, unmotivated, disappointed, impatient, and just plain ole peeved with people, and the world.  I think we all know that these days or weeks come from no good place, or person. But hey, you win some, and you lose some.  If you are anything like me, you are probably peeved with the plethora of P words I am using. #dealwithit.

On a more serious note, some of the most Powerful Principles come from the letter "P".  Prayer, Priority, Preparation, Power, Peace, Productivity, Patience,  Passion, Progress, and Planning are a few examples. This past week has just been one of those weeks for me. However, Heavenly Father always seems to make his presence known, and sends tender mercies my way.  Prayer, and Preparation have been themes in this crazy week. 

Prayer is one thing that I, personally, cannot function without. The gift of Prayer is just that... a gift.  It is how we commune with our heavenly father.  Heavenly Father is anxiously waiting for us to speak to him.  He cares about what is going on in our lives; he probably already knows, but wants to hear it directly from us. In my studies this week I was reminded of some of the precious truths about prayer.  The bible dictionary puts it perfectly. "As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings." Something that i really loved doing on the mission was to pray in solitary, or private places. When i did this, my relationship with the savior, and our father in heaven was strengthened.  I could almost physically feel of their love for me, and the people i prayed for.  I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. He loves us.  We are His children. He knows our struggles as well as fears, and understands our doubts. But there is nothing too complicated in life that a humble prayer cannot fix.  

Preparation is another principle that was very present in my week.  The still, small, voice has whispered to me time and time again this week that Preparation is the key to success. Towards the last months of my mission I had a phrase that i stated quite often.   "Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance." This week, the spirit has changed this phrase to the following: " Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance."  If we are not prepared, we cannot progress.  Popper Preparation shows our Father in Heaven where our Priorities are. The gospel, and our conversion to it should ALWAYS be our first Priority.  This shows that we are willing to sacrifice worldly things, or even our personal time, to spend time with our loving father in heaven and learn precious truths through the gift of the spirit. Alma 34:32 " For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." Benjamin Franklin says it best, and says: "When we fail to prepare, we are preparing to fail." Preparation is such an eternal principle.  There is so much wisdom in Preparation.  So don't be a procrastinator like me! :)  Do as President Hinckley says: " Work hard, say your prayers, do your best, and the lord will take care of the rest."  

Have a blessed week y'all!!!