Monday, June 25, 2012

Doors and Windows

Open 'em up...  That's what I usually say.

In this heat and humidity, keep them closed so that the air conditioning can work.

Metaphorically speaking, however, I have been closing a lot of doors for better windows lately, and I can't say that I mind so much.  It was a pretty common occurrence for me to say "Things will slow down when summer comes."  It was also pretty common for me to say "Yes" to everything.  All of that is changing.  For the first month, life was pretty crazy, but now, there is a definite period of scheduling and  peace.

The girls are headed off to camp today.  Then 3 weeks at their dad's.  I have a standard routine at "work" and another at home.  It's hard to believe that school is only 8 weeks away.  The summer has just flown by.  I am grateful for the peace the Lord has given, and for the blessings He sends each day.

Have a beautiful week!

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Youth Conference 2012 - Arise and Shine Forth

Wednesday night, after having Hailey pack her bags for her first ever Youth Conference, I drove the girls to see Hunger Games (again).

The phone rang.

"Sister Binkley, could you help as a group leader for Youth Conference...  you know...  in 12 hours?"

Yep.  I can.

I made arrangements for Kate to spend a night with grandma, called DJ to make sure it was okay with him, and then started packing.

Changing plans like this is not usually smooth sailing for me, but...  this time, it was cake.

The Lord had this in mind all along.

I still cannot think of the weekend with out the spiritual upliftment draining from my eyes.  The youth with whom I worked are valiant spirits.  They are loving, kind and know the gospel.  They know their Heavenly Father loves them, and they know how to pass that love onto others around them.  (The stripling penguins are superheros!)

I know that to be true because they did more for me than I ever could have done for them.

At testimony meeting today, I shared:

The fourth verse of "I Feel My Savior's Love" - 
I'll share my Savior's love by serving other's freely.  
In serving I am blessed.  
In giving I receive.  


He knows I will follow Him.  
Give all my life to Him. 
I feel my Savior's love, 
the love he freely gives me.


I know that the youth with whom I worked, I, myself, and all those served in Lincoln NE this weekend are children of a loving Heavenly Father.  He is there for us.  He sent us Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, to show us how to live, by serving others - every minute of every day.  He sacrificed His life so that we may return to live with our Heavenly Father again.  I know that Joseph Smith restored the gospel to the earth, and brought forth the Book of Mormon, and that Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's mouthpiece on earth today.  The principles they teach within the gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are true.

This weekend's experience truly reinforced to me how grateful I am for the knowledge of the truth and the comraderie of the gospel.  I am so grateful for my Savior!