Celebrating 3 years of Living Waters ~

Three years ago today I started my Living Waters blog. My purpose was to share my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, share precious family moments, and just musings from me. I have loved writing posts. I have learned a lot about writing but plan to continue to improve. I have enjoyed sharing many aspects of my religious beliefs. There have been some wonderful family events and other special moments that I have tried to capture. Sometimes, it has been fun to write about what interests me at the time; which included thoughts on politics, religious principles, love, marriage, and family. It has been such a joy to write what I am passionate about.
Most of all I have enjoyed the opportunity of making new friends on my blog. I have been enlightened, challenged, spiritually uplifted and amused as I have read your posts. I have laughed and cried over many of your entries. I have actually met and had lunch with two of you; one from California and one from northern Utah. Many of you have become my good friends through follwing each others posts. I would love meet each one of you in person someday. Thank you for blessing my life with a glimpse into your lives. Just know that I love you all and will always be near to pray for you when in need and rejoice with you in  moments of joy. Blessings and hugs to all who follow my blog.

When I started this blog I had just read a book entitled: "The woman At The Well by Emily Freeman" with painting by Simon Dewey. This book had a profound impact on me. As I read the scriptures that was the premise for this book, I became overwhelmed with the thought; "How Thirsty Am I". I determined that my soul was indeed very thirsty for the words of Christ. I wanted to develop a closer relationship with Him. I desire to keep my cup full of Living Water.
Emily Freeman in her book stated: "These latter days are a time of great spiritual thirst. Many in the world are searching, often intensely, for a source of refreshment that will quench their yearning for meaning and direction in their lives. They crave a cool, satisfying drink of insight and knowledge that will soothe their parched souls. Their spirits cry out for life-sustaining experiences of peace and calm to nourish and enliven their withering hearts."
The following words from Christ in John 4:14 are profound: "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

As Bruce C. Haven, in an article entitled "Beauty for Ashes: The Atonement of Jesus Christ;" said the following: "Coming closer to Christ is not an event, but a process...We will find that he is not only aware of our limitations, but that he will in due course compensate for them, 'after all we can do.'....He can save us in our inadequacies as well as from them. A sense of falling short or falling down is not only natural, but essential to the mortal experience. But, after all we can do, the Atonement can fill that which is empty, straighten our bent parts, and make strong that which is weak." (Ensign, April 1990, pg. 8, 13)
Take a moment to read the sweet scriptures found In John 4: 5-29. Ponder on this interchange between the Savior and the woman from Samaria. He knew her; though she did not know him. Christ does know each of us. He knows us by name. He loves us enough that He gave His life for us that we might live now to learn of Him and then someday be with him eternally. Come draw the water from the well and partake of His eternal living water.

 

Reflections by Emily Freeman~

Have you ever yearned for happiness?

Are there places in your heart that are empty or filled with doubt?

Is there something that you long for that the world cannot satisby?

Have you ever felt inadequate?

Are there days when you wonder if you have anything to offer?

Have you ever wished there were someone who really knew you?

Have you let the Savior begin to help you recognize your weaknesses?

What are you willing to give up to know Christ

Have you placed your burdens at his feet?

When the healing comes, do you remember to rejoice?

What are you certain of about Christ?

What do you know of Christ?

Where is the well that you visit daily?

How thirsty are you?

 

Take a moment and ponder on these thoughts then fill your own waterpot with Living Water~