ASK in Faith - Believing Ye Shall Receive...

I'm so happy to have time to write before going to church this morning! :)

After a month with some really rough moments (mixed no doubt with many wonderful joys as well!), I have had a few of the sweetest most peaceful days... I feel so good! :D I'm learning so much and am so excited about this new year!

I was reading a couple of blog posts a moment ago when I noticed things are changing and improving faster than I realized. Here are a few things worth noting...

A LOT HAS CHANGED in my home over the past couple of years. I am by nature, an idealist. And there were some things that I really didn't like about my life in a major way! But for many years I didn't realize the power I have to make my life what I want it to be. I have been learning (in layers) that I make my life the way it is - and I have the power to change it if I want to.

Perhaps that is part of the reason I was so frustrated off and on last month. Because ever since we started this business I have seen how this business (so far) has NOT BORN FRUIT DURING THE WINTER months; and though I "tried" I still did not adequately prepare. I was angry at myself for it, and I was angry at my husband. I had to do a lot of praying for forgiveness for being so frustrated and angry, and for help to forgive myself...

Anyhow, I realized I sometimes spend time being frustrated, when what I need to do is pray... Whether I need help with following the Savior (like needing help to forgive), help with knowing something, or help with acquiring needs etc., the following scripture applies:

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Matt 7:7-12

I don't think I've done enough asking in my life. Giving has always been easy for me. Receiving has always been a challenge. I suppose this is why I have seldom asked... Perhaps by choosing to "ASK" I am also choosing to "RECEIVE."

I learned that another thing I failed to do for many years was ASK the Lord specifically for what I want or need. I learned that I need to be really specific.

For example, for many years I have had only furniture that people have given to me. I am thankful, but honestly, none of it lasted long - or it was so out dated I cringed to look at it and none of it was my style. So, after I saw the photos taken in my house on Halloween night - I CRINGED AGAIN as I acknowledged that the furniture in my home said NOTHING about me, and I couldn't stand it. So I finally decided to go and choose couches for myself. Though I had very little money, I didn't worry about that. I just prayed for Heavenly Father to help me find couches that I could afford and love; and I firmly believed that what I asked for was good, and He would surely help me to accomplish this.

I had already looked at used stores for couches a million times before, but never with prayer and faith like I did this time. But this time I prayed in faith and knew that I would find couches, somewhere, somehow, and I would be able to afford them.

Within a week a friend called and asked if I wanted to go shopping at used stores with her. She and I had never gone together before, so I didn't know what possessed her to call and ask but I wasn't about to turn her down! We went to a used store - and there it was - a couch I loved for only $35.00. I bought it. Then we went to another used store - and there it was - another couch I loved even more than the one I purchased for only $35.00. I bought it, too! I also bought a little pink old fashioned chair to go with them for only $20. I finally had my old fashioned furniture (the couches were the same style, too!), and all of it combined cost less than $100.00! I didn't realize how near broke we were, and I'm glad I didn't know. :o I'm so thankful for my new/used furniture! :D

All I had to do was ASK IN FAITH, BELIEVING THAT I WOULD RECEIVE; and of course, act on that belief to let it happen (I used to act by way of looking for furniture, but not pray/ask for it)...

"Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you."

Moroni 7:26

19 "Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;
20 "And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you."

3 Nephi 18:19-20

When it comes to wanting wisdom, here is another great scripture:

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 1:5-8

Another scripture which has helped me to improve in the way of praying is this one:

"'But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint"… (2 Nephi 32:9)

I wrote my thoughts about these last two scriptures in a blog post I wrote in October.

Other blessings have come into my life in the past couple of years as my faith has begun to grow and I have begun asking. The process is so simple. And yet, I am still learning to make it a part of my way of life. As this occurred to me I have added "ASK" to my list of word possibilities to focus on this year. I'm really excited about making this a solid way of being! :D

As I have spent the past few days looking back over my life - I have seen wonderful changes in my life and have been filled with gratitude as I contemplate just how wonderful and amazing my life really is!

One thing I desired to change is getting this old home of ours worked on and maintained. Little by little we have been making small improvements - especially since the time that I decided to create garden beds out back (when we have more money we will make bigger changes). I realize these scriptures I mentioned were about asking the Father, however, on the subject simply of asking something of anyone - one thing I have ASKed of my husband, is that he take one day each week to do a little maintenance in our home (this is on our weekly schedule - as spoken of in my Living with Purpose blog post). Some weeks it just doesn't happen due to holidays and other unavoidable interruptions; but despite the times when it doesn't happen, the increase in accomplishments with this change in our schedule has been dramatic. I really love watching this become more natural and habitual for Miles! Yesterday he worked on building shelves for me in the storage room. When I realized what he was doing I went in there to "help." I like to be there to give him ideas on how it can be done, and we both really love working together. I can hardly wait to get in there and put things away once the shelf is finished! :)

A NEW PRAYER: This year I will ask the lord to help me to list and know everything I needed to do to be prepared for the coming winter, and that He open the way for us to prepare. I pray for us to have additional income sources which will not interfere with (and even enhance)  homeschooling; and that we will pay our bills on time every month of the year...

I look forward to saving money for another family vacation - and not only camping near by (which, by the way I do love). I look forward to visiting extended family again with my family. :) And I thank the Lord in advance for these bounteous coming blessings. :)

Now, if I can remember the things I learned and put my knowledge into action - I should experience much less frustration and a great deal more productivity! ;)

Have a great day!
Corine :D