Albany NY Week 61 – Begin Your Own Inspiration/Spirit Journal

“Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.”

I could study Alma 32 my whole life! It is one of my favorite chapters of all time! It just makes so much sense. It has really helped me understand how faith works and how the Holy Spirit works! Everyday we strive to develop greater faith and greater understanding of the Spirit.

This week has been eye-opening and full of growth! It has been amazing to see peoples progression and to see so many wonderful people coming into our life! Laurie and Aaliyah, Tony, John and Charity are our most solid people at this point! They are really wanting this in their life and coming along! We have also seen Clifford (cliff-dog) making changes in his life! Sister Smith felt inspired to share a talk called “Walk With Me” during one of our lessons and committed him to read it. This Sunday, one of the speakers spoke on that very talk and we turned in the pew and looked back at Clifford with these grins on our faces and he just smiled and shook his head! So cool! It was all about the priesthood. As we sat with him last night on the curb and talked, he said God was trying to send him a message and he felt like the speaker was talking to him! He wants to move forward to receive the priesthood and finally go to the temple!!! I love that man! We also tracted into this couple that’s living together. They met at a stake dance when they were teenagers and left the church shortly after graduation. They are now in their late 20s! They allowed us to come in their home and we just fell in love with them instantly! They had some really negative experiences with the church growing up and still disagree with a lot. But they were willing to try praying together :’) And they went and grabbed their QUAD during the lesson!!! (Their scriptures.. they were turquoise! They don’t even make those anymore but they were spectacular). And they said they’d start reading together too and set up a time next week to take us out to Thai :)) Also, Diana (a less active lady) was the happiest we’d ever seen her this week (becasue she’s been reading Jesus the Christ 😉 And she gave us little sprout seeds! I LOVE THEM! They are so beautiful. I now have a little garden! I have onions, tomatoes, sprouts and apples growing in the window.

Onion plant- So I found an old onion in the fridge the week I got here and noticed a little sprout growing out of it. I planted it and now its about 6 inches high! It taught me that new life and opportunities can spring forth from that which has passed.

Tomato plants- I took the seeds from a tomato and now I have several little plants growing! The other day, I put them on the counter and at the end of the day, they were all leaning towards the sun! They taught me that I too need to lean towards the Son of God, who gives me life!

Apple seeds- Just planted them a couple days ago, they aren’t growing yet! But they teach me about faith and potential. We should always be planting seeds of faith throughout our lives, hoping they will become something more! We cannot always see immediate results of our efforts, but one day we will!

Sprouts- All I had to do was add water and they grow beautifully! They shed off their outside shells and take root! They taught me that I need the living water, my Savior, to become more. I also learned that I need to let go of the carnal, and natural man to grow spiritual roots!

We can learn so much from natures patterns and recognize those patterns in our own lives! We can grow and develop spiritually through recognizing and acting on the spirit! I have recently started a journal for spiritual impressions and inspiration that I named ‘spirit journal’. It has been a huge blessing to me already! I receive inspiration more frequently and clearly since I have written it down and acted upon it!

This week, I encourage each of you to begin your own inspiration/spirit journal! Listen, record, and act on the impressions of the Holy Ghost in your life each day! I promise that as you do, you will grow spiritually and learn from the spiritual seeds springing up inside your soul! You will also bless others by your fruits and bring them closer to the light of Gods Son. Keep growing and drinking of Living water each day! We are all little spiritual sprouts and have great potential with such a tall, beautiful, mighty, Giant Sequoia as our Father!