Marcie's Flowered Curtains: Down Into Our Hearts (Ward Newsletter

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Down Into Our Hearts (Ward Newsletter - February 2011)

In February, our thoughts naturally focus on the affairs of the heart. Turning for a moment, away from the Hallmark connotations, I want to explore the more spiritual interactions of the heart.

Doctrine and Covenants 59:5 reads, "Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, saying thus: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him."

What does it mean to love the Lord with all our heart, might, mind and strength? To answer this, we must first address the fact that "love" indicates that an action of some sort must be taken, for love does not conjure up images of passive behavior. Thus the second part of this scripture in which we are counseled to "serve him". Just how DO we serve Him? Verse 6 goes on to explain that we are to "love thy neighbor as thyself."

On the other hand, we are also taught that we will be judged by what is in our hearts, right? This may imply that no action is needed. Elder Marvin J. Ashton said, "When the Lord measures an individual, He does not take a tape measure around the person’s head to determine his mental capacity, nor his chest to determine his manliness, but He measures the heart as an indicator of the person’s capacity and potential to bless others. " (Hmmm...to "bless others"!)

He goes on to say, "Why the heart? Because the heart is a synonym for one’s entire makeup...The measure of our hearts is the measure of our total performance. As used by the Lord, the “heart” of a person describes his effort to better self, or others, or the conditions he confronts. (General Conference, Oct 1988) Again, effort takes action and to bless not only ourselves, but others.

One of my favorite comments by President Elder B. Eyring is the following: Speaking here of our dear Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, he said, "When I was responsible for teaching the gospel to our youth in our seminary programs across the world, he (the Prophet) had said, tapping his forefinger on my chest, “Hal, why don’t you do better in getting the gospel down into their hearts?”He knew that only when it was down in their hearts, as it was in his, would they be strong enough and brave enough to qualify for eternal life. He loved young people. He knew their weaknesses and the fierce opposition which they would face.

President Hinckley knew that God will steel and fortify us all as we choose to take the gospel down into our hearts. And he knew that the choice was made by consecrating all we are and have to follow the Master. (Ensign March 2008)

I believe that for us to truly love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, might, mind and strength we too must do better in getting the gospel down into our hearts and the hearts of our children, that God might steel and fortify us as we consecrate all we are and all we have to follow the Master. Then and only then can we fully understand the will of the Lord and how we can better serve Him, through our service to others.

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About Me

I was born in San Pedro, CA to a Greek immigrant father and a mother who was first generation Greek, American born. They are two of my greatest heroes, and I express gratitude to them for not only giving me life, but for the incredible sacrifices they made for their daughters. I am proud of my heritage, but I "am not a hyphenated anything!" I am an AMERICAN.

I grew up in Long Beach, CA and was a proud "jackrabbit" at Long Beach Poly High. (Skit, skat, how 'bout that!) I graduated with my Associates from Long Beach City College. My transcript was sent to Cal State Long Beach, but I married the summer before entering, and worked to help my husband finish his education after his return from deployment to Germany. We divorced and my biggest regret in life is not returning to finish mine.

I married Paul in 1980, and helped raise his daughters who are now married with children. From the girls, we have five grandsons and one great-grandson.

Together, we have two awesome miracle sons, a precious daughter-in-law, an adorable grandson, and an angel granddaughter.

I have four sisters that are part of my heart and soul, despite our differences: Mary, Irene, Nicoletta, and Angeline. From them, I have twelve wonderful nieces and nephews, and numerous (32 and counting) grand-nieces and nephews!

After leaving Long Beach, we lived in Fallbrook, CA for seventeen years before moving to Orem, UT. I love the mountains, but I dearly miss the ocean.

My church is my life. You will see it reflected in my writings, my testimony of the Gospel, and my deep love for my Heavenly Father, my Savior and the Holy Ghost.

A Tribute to Joni Mitchell and Days Gone By

Teenage years are often the best years of your life but they can often be tumultuous times as well. Loosing Dad at the onset of my junior year was bad enough but then Mom had to venture out and go to work. Angie, my youngest sister and I often comment on how when Dad died, we lost our mom as well. These were lonely and very reflective days. I often found solace in my sanctuary...my bedroom. I painted the walls of my room a bright and sunny yellow, purchased navy blue curtains with bright colorful flowers, and spent hours listening to the sounds of Joni Mitchell and others on my "turn-table". I was so proud that I purchased these items with my own, hard-earned money! Joni Mitchell's songs reached deep into my searching soul and I totally connected with many of her lyrics. When I discovered the song "Marcie" on a newly purchase album "Song to a Seagul", I was quite excited. Marcie was not a common name back then at all and the words, for many personal reasons, felt like they were written just for me. So therein lies my tribute to Joni Mitchell...and days gone by.