living waters.

i am absolutely overflowing. this morning as i finished reading the last talk from april's general conference, i felt an overwhelming gratitude for these living waters. this is the first time i have ever really made a study of the general conference ensign, and i am so grateful for the way it has brought the spirit into my life and for the things that i have learned about myself and about my loving God in the process. i felt a tinge of sadness as i turned the last page, but it was instantly replaced by the excitement and serendipity that, lucky me, conference is just around the corner. and then i remembered to check and see if the relief society messages from last weekend had been transcribed yet (since i missed it), and voila... lucky me again.
as i read through president uchtdorf's words, i could not contain my emotion. his words seemed to speak directly to my soul and fill me with such hope and peace. Just a few gems:

To me it appears that our splendid sisters sometimes undervalue their abilities—they focus on what is lacking or imperfect rather than what has been accomplished and who they really are.

this is a major problem of mine. why is it so easy to focus on the negative rather than glory in the good? why am i so quick to recognize others' talents and strengths, but the first to devalue my own?

In speaking about creativity and creation:
You might say, “I’m not the creative type. When I sing, I’m always half a tone above or below the note. I cannot draw a line without a ruler. And the only practical use for my homemade bread is as a paperweight or as a doorstop.” If that is how you feel, think again, and remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it—your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination. But to what end were we created? We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fullness of joy. Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness.

i love this thought... we are literally daughters (and sons) of the most creative being in the universe. how cool is that? AND - we really were created to be happy. wow.


“When you find yourselves a little gloomy, look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the Lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated.” In today’s world of pop psychology, junk TV, and feel-good self-help manuals, this advice may seem counterintuitive. We are sometimes told that the answer to our ills is to look inward, to indulge ourselves, to spend first and pay later, and to satisfy our own desires even at the expense of those around us. While there are times when it is prudent to look first to our own needs, in the long run it doesn’t lead to lasting happiness. I believe that as you immerse yourselves in the work of our Father—as you create beauty and as you are compassionate to others—God will encircle you in the arms of His love. Discouragement, inadequacy, and weariness will give way to a life of meaning, grace, and fulfillment.

i know that this is true. lately i have been trying to go a little more outside of myself and it always makes me realize the blessings that i do have and the joy that comes from service.

As spirit daughters of our Heavenly Father, happiness is your heritage.

TRUE AGAIN! we are meant to be happy, and there is no reason to live in any other way.

i am so grateful for these words that have truly filled me, and i look forward with much anticipation and faith to this weekend. happy conference!