You know those moments when you think to yourself, "How is this possible?" Well, those moments for me have increased in frequency over time. These last few weeks have been no exception as I've...
been awe-struck (again!!) by the vibrant, fall colors,
watched the sun rise,
the wind blow,
and then the sun set
(all of which remind me of this Primary song:
Then there was the realization that my colleague could take over my working life with the click of a button...
and then actually experiencing what that's like when she decided to wield such power. :)
Then there was the discovery of a lost sewing needle in the couch,
which led to discovering such a thing as custom-length bandaids (these things are sweet!).
Thank you Kirsti. :)
Thank you Kirsti. :)
(This could be the inspiration of for an entire blog post dedicated to my poor feet. They bear the marks of many an adventure.)
I also received the results from the Gallaudet interpreting assessment/screening/exam I took over the summer. I passed! (Really--how is that possible?!) :) This means I'm now qualified to work at Gallaudet as one of their in-house interpreters. Pretty awesome. Really.
What was equally awesome (and timely), was...
teaching a crash-course class on interpreting for members of the women's organization I'm a part of (the Relief Society: http://mormon.org/faq/relief-society). In preparing for the class, I had this recurring thought come to mind: the key to successful interpreting is to lead with what you know.
As we listed out what they already know about what will be said during the church services, they were amazed to discover that what they know far outweighs what they don't (yet) know.
This thought came as I was reflecting on two messages that have left an indelible impression on my soul. The first was given by Jeffrey R. Holland in May. He said, in effect, that when we have questions about our beliefs, we should stand the ground we've already gained and that we should lead with what we know, rather than leading with our doubts:
"When problems come and questions arise, do not start your quest for faith by saying how much you do not have, leading as it were with your 'unbelief.' That is like trying to stuff a turkey through the beak! Let me be clear on this point: I am not asking you to pretend to faith you do not have. I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have. Sometimes we act as if an honest declaration of doubt is a higher manifestation of moral courage than is an honest declaration of faith. It is not! So let us all remember the clear message of this scriptural account [Mark 9:14-24]: Be as candid about your questions as you need to be; life is full of them on one subject or another. But if you and your family want to be healed, don’t let those questions stand in the way of faith working its miracle."
The second is from Deiter F. Uchtdorf, given just last weekend. He said:
"Some might ask, 'But what about my doubts?'
It’s natural to have questions—the acorn of honest inquiry has often sprouted and matured into a great oak of understanding. There are few members of the Church who, at one time or another, have not wrestled with serious or sensitive questions. One of the purposes of the Church is to nurture and cultivate the seed of faith—even in the sometimes sandy soil of doubt and uncertainty. Faith is to hope for things which are not seen but which are true.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters—my dear friends—please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."
There is an appropriate place and time for questioning what we don't (yet) know: after we establish what it is we already know. So, when questions like 'how is this possible?' arise,
lead with what you know!
lead with what you know!
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