Don't forget how great you are!

Announcements: Don't forget your Visiting Teaching Conference if signed up for this Thursday, January 8th. It will be awesome.

Hymn 227: There's Sunshine in my Soul Today

Forget Me Not - by President Uchtdorf (click there to listen to it)

Sister Jensen did a great job ringing in the new year with President Uchtdorf's conference talk. I know that I need frequent reminders of the things that she discussed in Relief Society. Here they are!

1. Be patient with yourself

 Don't compare your weaknesses to someone's strength. President Uchtdorf said, "And yet we spend so much time and energy comparing ourselves to others—usually comparing our weaknesses to their strengths. This drives us to create expectations for ourselves that are impossible to meet. As a result, we never celebrate our good efforts because they seem to be less than what someone else does. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. It’s wonderful that you have strengths.

And it is part of your mortal experience that you do have weaknesses. God wants to help us to eventually turn all of our weaknesses into strengths, but He knows that this is a long-term goal. He wants us to become perfect, and if we stay on the path of discipleship, one day we will. It’s OK that you’re not quite there yet. Keep working on it, but stop punishing yourself. "

"Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself."  I love that!

2. Some sacrifices are better than others

He also said, "An acceptable sacrifice is when we give up something good for something of far greater worth. Giving up a little sleep to help a child who is having a nightmare is a good sacrifice. We all know this. Staying up all night, jeopardizing our own health, to make the perfect accessory for a daughter’s Sunday outfit may not be such a good sacrifice.

Dedicating some of our time to studying the scriptures or preparing to teach a lesson is a good sacrifice. Spending many hours stitching the title of the lesson into homemade pot holders for each member of your class perhaps may not be."

As Sis Jensen talked about sacrifices, my mind wandered to a conference by Dallin H Oaks. It is "Good, Better, Best." -He said, "As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best. Even though a particular choice is more costly, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all." He said that we have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families. We can't have it all as much as we try.  Here is the link to his talk. 

3. Be happy now

President Uchtdorf mentioned the golden ticket from Charlie and Chocolate Factory. He said, "n this classic children’s story, people all over the world desperately yearn to find a golden ticket. Some feel that their entire future happiness depends on whether or not a golden ticket falls into their hands. In their anxiousness, people begin to forget the simple joy they used to find in a candy bar. The candy bar itself becomes an utter disappointment if it does not contain a golden ticket.

So many people today are waiting for their own golden ticket—the ticket that they believe holds the key to the happiness they have always dreamed about. For some, the golden ticket may be a perfect marriage; for others, a magazine-cover home or perhaps freedom from stress or worry."

4. The "why" of the gospel

Sometimes we forget the "WHY" of the gospel with all of the responsibilities and duties of the church. He says that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not an obligation; it is a pathway, marked by our loving Father in Heaven, leading to happiness and peace in this life and glory and inexpressible fulfillment in the life to come. The gospel is a light that penetrates mortality and illuminates the way before us.

5. The Lord loves you

HEAVENLY FATHER loves you!!!!! He knows your name. He knows your wishes and dreams. He goes on to say thank you for who you are. Thank you for the countless acts of love and service you offer up to so many. Thank you for all that you will yet do to bring the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ to families, to the Church, to your communities, and to the nations of the world.

Hymn 241: Count Your Many Blessings