Thoughts on Faith and Pics without a Point

Casey and I have been reading Lectures on Faith together recently. It's not a very lengthy book, and you could easily read it in one sitting, but we are taking it one lecture at a time - nice and slow. We did Lecture First 2-3 wks. ago now, but the principles I learned have just been harping on me.

Kaiya and Addi at it again ... It looks all cute, like they're going to give each other high-5s ... nope, they were going for the slap, simultaneously. But let's act like it's a high-5 moment just so we can say, "Aw, how cute!"

You see, I view faith as a gift. Some people are born with faith - it was given them from the womb. Others learn and obtain faith through confirmations of the Spirit that either precede and/or follow good works, eternal truths, edifying thoughts, etc. I am of the latter category. My mother and husband, the two people with whom I have spent the majority of my waking hours in life, are of the former variety. Thankfully, Case has been patient enough to explain to me - in simplistic terms that would likely bore a child - exactly what faith is.

If I were an advertising executive for Dawn dish soap, I would snag this photo in a second and couple it with a catchy "vitameatavegeman" type slogan, "... and it's so tasty too!" But I'm not, so I'll just put it on my blog.

To me faith has always been this mystical, undefinable, intangible amoeba sort of principle of the Gospel, which so happens to be the FIRST principle, so it was always somewhat frustrating to me that I couldn't grasp the concept of having faith. If I have faith the size of a grain of mustard seed I can move a mountain? How? Why? If ye have faith ye can do all things .... does that mean if I fail at something I am faithless? "Fear cannot coexist in the minds of man alongside faith. One or the other must leave, faith or doubt and fear." (can't remember the sayer of this quote off the top of my head) So if I have fear, do I lack faith? If I doubt, does that mean the faith never existed, or is it simply wavering - or is the wavering a sign of no faith? You see how my overly-analytical mind was approaching the topic. Really, I was getting nowhere.

Addi giving Baby hugs. (I was counting 1 ... 2 ... 3, hence the pursed lips - I took the picture on 2 because when I would say 3 Addi would get all excited and jump up). I have 2 weeks 2 days until my due date. I still want to paint the crib, scrub the house down (every nook and cranny), get curtains up (right now we're using beach towels), shampoo the rugs, organize the under-the-bed storage space, clean the Addi messes out of the infant car seat, rearrange the computer room, set-up a sleeping space for my mother-in-law (we're so excited that she's coming!), and I'm sure there's more, but isn't this enough to qualify me as officially "nesting"?

I understand now that faith is a two-part principle: belief and action. Every single action is preceded by faith or a belief that the end result desired of that actions will follow said action. Like a diet and exercise plan - you have faith in A) the fact that you have the ability to have a more svelte body (the belief) and B) eating healthy and exercising on a regular basis will lead you to your desired svelteness (the action). Faith. So simple.

I'm way excited for our new addition, except for one thing. I'm going to miss all of my one-on-one time with Addi. She's my little buddy and I'm so scared/sad that we won't get to hang out as much. She gets me all bubbly like yeast in warm water. I love my Addi.

I still get lost in the mystique of it all though. The spiritual, performing miracles side of faith. I've witnessed miracles - both your getting well more quickly than expected as well as the really sacred ones that you quietly cherish in the fleshy tables of your heart. I understand how these strengthen your faith, I understand why faith is needed to have such miracles - but if the miracle doesn't occur does that speak less of the faith of those involved? Of course the answer is no because faith doesn't alter the course and will of God, and if you're seeking a miracle that isn't conducive with God's plan for you or those involved, said miracle will not be granted. Which means faith requires that we have a clear understanding of God and his will for us, otherwise we will not be granted our end desires. Is that right?

And this is how I've been feeling lately ... when Addi sleeps, I sleep. Fuzzy hair and all. This was right after the beach, all sandy and salty, but if I would have taken the time to shower before I slept, I might not have gotten to sleep. So this is me: sandy, salty, and sleepy - three dwarfs rolled into one.

Faith. First principle of the gospel. Addi gets it better than I do.