Happy Friday!

I've probably posted this before--it's one of my favorites. Oh, well! 

Happy Friday!

This Way or That Way

[photo by janet isn't real via Compfight]

"So you are the focus of two conflicting patterns trying to influence you in your life, trying to have you go this way or that way. You are the one who makes the decision...On one hand, you have inspiration from the Holy Ghost, and, on the other hand, you have what President Ezra Taft Benson called 'sinspiration' from the angels of the devil. They are with you all of the time."

-Elder Boyd K. Packer, "The Instrument of Your Mind and the Foundation of Your Character"

Happy Friday!

[image via We Love to Illustrate]

I know that it's not fall yet, but it's close enough, right? Right!

I don't know if I've ever linked to We Love to Illustrate before, but if not, I should have. I love it. Give 'em a visit--they have lots of free (and adorable) printables by children's illustrators. You're welcome.

All That Appears Wrong

[photo by Grant MacDonald via Compfight]

"Most of the heartache, pain, and suffering we would not choose today. But we did choose. We chose when we could see the complete plan. We chose when we had a clear vision of the Savior's rescue of us. And if our faith and understanding were as clear today as it was when we first made that choice, I believe we would choose again.

"Therefore, perhaps the challenge is to have the kind of faith during the hard times that we exercised when we first chose. The kind of faith that turns questioning and even anger into acknowledging the power, blessings, and hope that can come only from Him who is the source of all power, blessings, and hope. The kind of faith that brings the knowledge and assurances that all that we experience is part of the gospel plan and that for the righteous, all that appears wrong will eventually be made right. The peace and understanding to endure with dignity and clarity of purpose can be the sweet reward. This kind of faith can help us to see the good, even when life's path seems to be layered only with thorns, thistles, and craggy rocks."

-Bishop Richard C. Edgley, "For Thy Good"

Happy Friday!

[via 9gag.]

Refueling, Regeneration, Encouragement, Hope

“It would be nice if life were so calm and consistent that we never had occasion to feel discouraged or depleted. If there were no tribulation in our lives, no difficult or taxing circumstances that consumed our spiritual and emotional capital, we would have little need for any restoration to our soul. But life isn’t calm or consistent, and we all face times that drain us of strength. Fatigue is a debilitating fact for all of us. We all get tired. This is why we all need sleep, we all need a break from our routines, we all need a vacation, however brief or inexpensive it might be.

"Certainly this is the reason God ordained a Sabbath. Rabbi Harold S. Kushner has written regarding Exodus 31:17: 'In six days the Lord made heaven and earth and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.' He notes that in Hebrew, the verbs that translate 'rest' and 'refreshed' are shavat, meaning He stopped (from which the word Sabbath comes) and yinafash, meaning literally He got his soul back.

"If God needs rest and refreshing, needs to 'get His soul back' (if only symbolically and as an example for us), then surely we do as well. Every one of us needs refueling, regeneration, encouragement, hope. Fortunately, God has structured life in ways that we can get these if we will.”

-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

My Work and My Glory

"For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

-Moses 1:39