Balaam & Balak

I really need to do a better job at recording my spiritual impressions or thoughts in my life.  Today I taught Gospel Doctrine on Balaam and Balak.  Basically Balaam was a pretty amazing, streadfast prophet of God.  Balak was the King of the Moabites who felt threatened by the Israelites.  He asked Balaam to curse the Israelites.

At first Balaam didn't curse them.  But with time and the lure of riches, prestige and honor got Balak got Balam to consider it.  The Lord said no to going and no again.  The third time he told him he could go but wasn't pleased.

How often do we not listen to the answer from the Lord and yet through asking and asking and asking some more get an answer that is suitable or pleasing to us?  The Lord always wants our life to go the absolute best it can.  It made me realize how I need to make sure I am not only listening to Him but also trusting that he knows what is best.

So Balaam continues on his journey and the donkey sees an angel that blocks his way.  Balaam doesn't see it and he gets mad at the donkey for not obeying.  Finally the donkey needs to talk to him to tell him about the angel.  Balaam was too focused on his own desires that he couldn't even see an angel.  It took his donkey talking to him for him to finally be humbled and realize that even if he were to curse Israel, the Lord was the only one who could curse or bless.  His disobedience or cursing, even as a prophet, would not have overruled the Lord's will.

The angel tells him to continue onward but to only say the things that the Lord wants.  So Balaam continues on and instead of putting a curse on Israel he blesses them.  It seems like all is going well, he has been humbled and everything is working out.

However, he continues to hang around Balak and of course with time he succombs the lures of wealth and prestige.  Only to realize that the Lord really is over all and Balaam is killed by the Midianites.

So many great lessons!  We talked about tithing and how sometimes we think that instead of paying tithing we should get that car or something else we need.  I thought a lot about my jobs.  I thought about when I interviewed for a medical sales job and got the job but knew that it wasn't right.  When I prayed about it, I knew it wasn't right.  I prayed that the Lord would take care of it.  I gave my work every opportunity to rescind the offer but they didn't.  Why?  I needed to learn to sacrifice.  I needed to learn the importance of free agency.  If the Lord didn't give me the opportunity to follow the Spirit and not take the job, no matter what enticing offerings they gave me, I would never have fully appreciated how he blessed me in the years to come.  He blessed me with an amazing profession and job at the Aquabears.  He blessed me to be a part of so many kids lives.  He blessed Danny with numerous amazing jobs.  He blessed me with a profession that had a great work/life balance as I was having all my kids.

And now I find myself in the same situation.  After last season, I knew that my time with Dana Hills was coming to an end.  I didn't know why or when but I knew that it was.  It was a job I love, am good at and have fun.  It pays well and it incorporates my kids lives into the job perfectly, but I knew that it wasn't right.

I finally made the decision to write a resignation letter for next year and as soon as I did it was like all the weight on my shoulders was lifted.  I was able to fully enjoy and appreciate my last year there and look forward with excitement what the future has in store.  I am still not totally certain what that is but I do know that it will all work out. 

I keep feeling to be like Nephi in building a ship so that is what I am doing.  I formulate a plan adn then I pray and see what doors open up and what doors don't.  I have my plan for my business.  I don't know what will transpire but I do know that with time a marvelous, amazing plan will come to pass that I am so excited about.  I know the Lord has prepared the perfect plan for me and my family.

There have been several impressions I have received for months that have led up to this point.  Listening to conference there was a talk about growth.  It made me excited to hear about trying new things and getting out of our comfort zone to grow.  I realized that I have done everything I can to grow Dana Hills into what I wanted it to become.

I organized the Spirit Squad to help in the water.  I organized the Otter pup program to be organized and actually swimming instead of just being held.  The first year I was told it was totally organized and efficient only to realize that it was a program that really had never gotten any attention.  We organized it but also were able to set forth a plan for the second year.  Now in year 3 it is a really well run program.  It is so fun to see something evolve and become well run through organization and training. That is what I love to do.

When Danny bought his practice in Walnut Creek, Scott was swimming in Walnut Creek, Kira was doing gym in Concord and part of my thought we would eventually move out there.  It has been something I have prayed about for probably a year.  There are good things about Walnut Creek and there are good things about Brentwood.  Ultimately, I knew that Brentwood was where we should be.  I happened to try out Black Diamond for Kira which has been the best fit and now we are going to find swimming out here which I know will all work out.  Danny's business is great out here.  The location of our home and schools can't be beat.  It is amazing how when you listen to the Lord, you know it will all work out and I am seeing that little by little.