Happy New Year!

My challenge to you is to give yourself time today to "be still" and listen to Heavenly Father. Ask Him a question! :) 

"Choose to converse with your Father in Heaven often. Make time every day to share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that concerns you. He is interested in the most important as well as the most mundane facets of your life. Share with Him your full range of feelings and experiences.

Because He respects your agency, Father in Heaven will never force you to pray to Him. But as you exercise that agency and include Him in every aspect of your daily life, your heart will begin to fill with peace, buoyant peace. That peace will focus an eternal light on your struggles. It will help you to manage those challenges from an eternal perspective." -Elder Richard G. Scott 

This new years was the best, most memorable I've ever had! President Porter gave us a packet of talks to read and questions to ask ourselves for a self-evaluation. :) It was awesome to take some time to read my patriarchal blessing and reflect on the vision Heavenly Father has helped me to create. 

What's your vision for your life?

In 100 years from now, what will I care about?

What do you want your life to be like when you're 50?

What will be important to you then?

What do you want your marriage to be like?

What kind of home do you want your children to be raised in? Describe the activities, the feeling and the tone of the home you desire.

What do you want your relationship with God to be like?

What do you need to do now to strengthen that relationship?

When you go home, what kind of woman do you want your family to see that you have become? 

What kind of woman do you need to become in order for this to be a reality?

                                

It was awesome to step back and think about what He  has planned for me. :) It's easy to get down on yourself, but thinking of how He sees you is ennobling. 

"Our Heavenly Father sees our real potential. He knows things about us that we do not know ourselves. He prompts us during our lifetime to fulfill the measure of our creation, to live a good life, and to return to His presence . . . 

Another regret of those who knew they were dying may be somewhat surprising. They wished they had let themselves be happier.

So often we get caught up in the illusion that there is something just beyond our reach that would bring us happiness: a better family situation, a better financial situation, or the end of a challenging trial.

The older we get, the more we look back and realize that external circumstances don’t really matter or determine our happiness.

We do matter. We determine our happiness.

You and I are ultimately in charge of our own happiness. " -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I love you all and I hope that you have a wonderful day and spectacular week! :)  Remember who you are! :)

Love,

Sister Lewis

205 Sycamore Ln. #62

South Lebanon, OH 45065

P.S. Does anyone know what this fruit is? We found it at Kroger. It smells like a lemon and looks like an octopus. 

P.P.S. Can't believe it. 2 months left. I'm finishing it strong!!

 Strange Fruit