Today is the last day of Scout Camp at Tifie. It’s been fun. Dallin, Cooper, Ryan, Jace and Miah showed up along with Clair and I and Scott V. (who came for a day to help) and Grant E. (who also came to sub for me to start.
Dallin earned Lifesaving, Swimming, Snorkeling, and Rock Climbing and just finished Pioneering.
Cooper earned Lifesaving, Swimming, Snorkeling and Rock Climbing.
Ryan earned Wilderness Survival, Pioneering, Wood Carving and maybe one other.
Jace earned Wilderness Survival and Wood Carving and maybe one other.
Not sure if Miah actually completed any of them.
I had a really fun time learning how to carve wood. I feel this could be a new hobby for me in place of my addiction.
I’m grateful for a new day. I’m grateful that Becky emailed me last night and shared how she was feeling and why. I replied with this email:
I’m grateful to have an honest relationship today.
I’m grateful Beck has been so patient and resilient in her own recovery.
I’m grateful she still loves me despite my terrible, terrible choices.
I look forward to seeing she and the kids tomorrow.
I’ve been reading talks each night from the recent conference. I’ve read three or four so far:
- Is Not This the Fast That I Have Chosen?
- The Plan of Happiness
- We’ll Ascend Together
- Why Marriage and Family Matter – Everywhere in the World
I decided to start at the beginning of the Saturday session and just mark stuff that stands out to me.
Here are some of the things I’ve marked so far:
Our Heavenly Father wishes to bless His children spiritually and temporally. He understands each of their needs, their pains, and their hopes.
This reminds me of my patriarchal blessing. I also like that it says that he understands our needs, pains and hopes. This is very applicable to where I am today. I’m grateful that He is there and does understand me. I’m also grateful He understands Becky so well too.
When we offer succor to anyone, the Savior feels it as if we reached out to succor Him.
I really like this scripture and how it applies to my life today too:
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
Fasting is something I can do more, especially more meaningfully.
Fasting isn’t just about food – it’s a tangible way to show that I’m willing to submit my will to God’s and give of myself to others, both spiritually and temporally via offerings.
President Kimball said:
Rich promises are made by the Lord to those who fast and assist the needy. … Inspiration and spiritual guidance will come with righteousness and closeness to our Heavenly Father.
Closeness to our Heavenly Father – that’s connection and that’s one of the main issues I have to surrender to God in order to live in recovery one day at a time.
…fasting and prayers would lead to a blessing from God for someone in need.
This makes me want to teach the kids about the fast and how we can apply it to our lives. Maybe, for the kids, they don’t have to fast for the entire 24 hour period, but they can learn the meaning of the fast and as they grow, they can start applying it.
If [we] live the principle often enough…[we] will have the spiritual blessing of power to receive inspiration and greater capacity to resist temptation.
I won’t have time to go over all the other talks right now, but it has been uplifting to read and think about how the words of the prophets and apostles apply to me today.
This is interesting about the fast as well:
We do not know all the reasons why Jesus Christ went into the wilderness to fast and to pray. But we know at least one of the effects: the Savior completely resisted Satan’s temptations to misuse His divine power.
Even Christ fasted to help him resist Satan’s temptations and surrender his will to God’s.
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward.
Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.
I miss Becky and the kids so much. I hope Madi’s swimming ear is ok. She had to go to urgent care to get medicine I guess.
I look forward to seeing them tomorrow and giving them all a huge hug.
I love my family so much and can’t believe I put our lives in such danger via my selfish acts. I’m grateful that today I feel how bad of a decision that was and that I never want to get close to those boundaries again.
I’m grateful that today I’m willing to do whatever I can to rid my life of addiction and live in recovery one day at a time. I look forward to getting back to meetings and working on sponsorship with my new sponsee, Spencer.
I am glad I came to Scout Camp and was able to be a part of the boy’s progress in Scouting.
Hasta luego!
Nate
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