Last week we visited the Temple of Leah in the mountains near Cebu City. In 2012, Mr. Adarna commissioned the temple to be built in honor of his wife Leah whom he adored. The structure includes  columns, sculptures, a grand staircase, rooms of collected items, a large bronze statue of Leah, and an breathtaking view.

The display included an amazing and unusual portrait of Leah made from butterfly wings.

I love art! When visiting Lakeview Gardens on Saturday, I saw tile and rock work I admired. The sign hanging outside of the gardens was made using beautiful green and white tile.

There is a cement bench to sit on made from colorful tiles and white sea shells (See two pictures below). 

Even the driveway was finished in an artsy way with circular rock patterns. Who took the time to lay the pattern of those rocks? I don't think I have ever seen art on the floor of a parking spot before, but it was beautiful.

Matthew and I have to be careful about what we do for missionaries, because word gets around and they post pictures and look at each other's pictures. We love doing things for them, but we need to be fair and cautious, so we are sometimes secretive. 

But once in awhile a situation presents itself and I cave. On Sunday night, these two marvelous sisters were studying scriptures on the temple grounds. They can do that because they live close by. Matthew was traveling home from a meeting and I was taking a Sunday night stroll and saw them. We visited and I offered to make them a fruit smoothie which they were grateful for. I love these two because they have both overcome challenging situations at home, and yet they glow. They are valiant and determined. 

It is the talking with individuals that I enjoy the most. 

 

One of the missionaries made a great comment at zone conference last week. He shared with us that as he leaves his apartment each day, he says to himself, "Don't forget your hat!" H-A-T stands for humble and teachable. Don't forget to be humble and teachable. Don't forget that there is a lot to learn today. Go with it. Take it as it comes. It's going to be a great day!

 

"It [The Book of Mormon] has been for me a rod of safety for my soul, 

a transcendent and penetrating light of revelation, an illumination 

of the path I must walk when mists of darkness come. The Book 

of Mormon is the conduit. The power is in Christ. We cling to this book, His book, to cling to Him."

(Matthew S. Holland, "The Path and Power for Your Promised Land," BYU Devotional)

I was strengthened by the testimony of the Book of Mormon that Elder Matthew Holland offered in this devotional. I will add my witness to his, that the reading of the Book of Mormon has led me closer to Christ, and has brought light and power into my life.

 

When St. Francis of Assisi was asked what he would do if he were suddenly to learn that he would die at sunset that day he answered, "I would finish hoeing my garden." I have wondered what he meant by that reply, and this is what I think. Some people worry about the future or wonder if what they are doing really matters because something might happen to knock their work down or destroy their happiness, but they (we) need to go on hoeing and not stop. It is good to concentrate on the tasks at hand today. We cannot control the future, but we have great agency in the gift of today and how it plays out. There is meaning and purpose in what we do each day, and through our tasks we are building character.

Dorothy Van Doren wrote: "The task is still here--the house to build, the book to write, the examination to prepare for. However dark it seems today, we shall meet life better if we have fulfilled the present to the best of our ability. Today is still ours, along with the obligation to live it to the full."

 

I saw this piece by YongSong Kim titled "Lord of Prayer" in the January Friend Magazine. I am in admiration of the way Mr. Kim blended colors, his portrayal of anguish, the radiating light, Christ's clasped hands, and His bowed head. This is beautiful to me. 

 

I did something I have not done for a while. I read a book! Besides Preach My Gospel, Come Follow Me and the scriptures, I have not ventured far in my gospel study these past six months, but I enjoyed this book by Elder Ucthdorf and felt uplifted. Not only is he an optimistic person, but he teaches hope and optimism in a great way. 

Hope is not knowledge, but rather the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to us. It is confidence that if we live according to God’s laws and the words of His prophets now, we will receive desired blessings in the future—even “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (Doctrine and Covenants 59:23). It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance (pg. 18).

We hope in Jesus Christ, in the goodness of God, in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, in the knowledge that prayers are heard and answered. Because God has been faithful and kept His promises in the past, we can hope with confidence that God will keep His promises to us in the present and in the future. In times of distress, we can hold tightly to the hope that things will work together for our good (pgs. 19, 20).

The reason these words rang true with me is that I have seen evidence of God being faithful and keeping His promises in my life. Over and over again, I lean on God and ask for His support and I am delivered. I trust that He will keep His promises in the present and future too. I know my prayers are heard, and that God showers us with blessings as seek to draw near to Him.

 

"It has seemed to me that each year one should pause to take stock of himself, to ask: Where am I going? What am I becoming? What do I wish to do and become? Most people whom I encountered were without purpose, people who had given themselves no goal.  The first goal need not be the final one, for a sailing ship sails first by one wind, then another. the point is that it is always going somewhere, proceeding toward a final destination" (Louis L'Amour in The Walking Drum).

January has been a time of reflection for me. What do I want to have happen this year? I am busy and I am trying to do good things, but am I becoming what God wants me to be? Doing is different than becoming. A mission is good at softening one's heart, or should I say cracking it open. "God," I plead, "tell me how I can change and improve. Help me with this, and with this." I wonder sometimes if my rough spots really can be smoothed. Not on my own, that's for sure, but with the grace of Jesus Christ I can change.

 

Filling the Lamp 

by Rosemary Noble Palmer

A drop at a time.
One thought at at a time.
One good deed at a time.
One prayer, one smile.
One scripture memorized and applied in daily life.
One Church meeting attended, Spirit felt.
One time sticking up for the downtrodden.
One obedient act.
One honest friend made.
One day lived joyously.
One courageous choice.
One duty done well and promptly.
One chore finished without complaint or reminder.
One inspiring song heard, book read.
One mistake fixed.
One offense forgiven.
One grateful expression.
One kindness shown.
One recollection of divine worth that transforms.
One hug given.
Each drop of oil, small,
Together fill the lamp
Just one drop at a time.