Slow, but sure start

So, my daughter, Lauren, is pretty amazing. I am impressed that she has the courage to put her new year's resolutions online for the world to see. I guess I've never been that committed to make it that public. This year, though, I did tell my friend, Joy, my goals. We made a mutual commitment to improve our scripture study. Thank heavens I have to account to her each week!

My scripture study is going well. I have never been good at daily stuff, but I am improving a lot! And when I study now I am really studying instead of just reading words (which is what I do a lot.) This week I read about Mary's visit by Gabriel telling her she is going to be the mother of Christ. Her response was "behold he handmaiden of he Lord, be it unto me according to thy will." It reminded me of several incidents in the scriptures where people were visited by a messenger telling them about a calling/ assignment/ mission. They all answer similarly, but with the words "Here am I." In Hebrew there is a word that means "here am I, I will do whatever is your will." The word is "hinani." I learned it in my Isaiah class. The concept of being willing to do whatever the Lord needs me to do is the ultimate discipleship, or supreme humility. I'm still working on it, but I feel that the more I learn, the more I understand what is required of me. I had fun finding lots of examples in the scriptures, Samuel, Isaiah, Jacob, Paul, etc. Then todays lesson in RS in Lauren's ward was about sacrifice. Fits right in.