The Atonement

Well, even though I went to bed at 8:30 w/ Autumn last night, I didn’t stay asleep for long. I was up about every 30 minutes b/c I had food poisoning!!! I HATE throwing up, and will avoid it at all costs, but I threw up at least 5 times. It burned too, b/c we had spaghetti for dinner and the acid from the tomatoes was not my friend. It was MISERABLE to have liquids coming out at both ends at both times. The toilet and trash can were my best friends all night & early morning long! I haven’t been this sick in a really long time.

Mom & Dad texted this picture this morning b/c they went to see “Music & The Spoken Word” at the tabernacle on Temple Square.

  Mom & Dad were walking into the Visitor’s Center as this sister missionary was walking out. The reason this is significant is b/c this is Sis. Rodriguez who they met in Spain, b/c she was in Nate & Riannon’s ward! Talk about a super small world!!!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this picture of Mom & Dad in front of the Christus statue at the Visitor’s Center.

When I finally got up at 9:00 this morning, I was feeling better than the middle of the night, but I was only feeling about 50% of my normal self. However I couldn’t miss church today b/c I was teaching, so I had Nick give me a blessing.

I dropped Autumn off at our friend’s house and went to ward council at 11:30. I was in charge of the spiritual thought, and since I was teaching about the Atonement in Young Women’s anyways, I used this handout. I read Alma 7:11 & 12 (see below), and talked about how the Atonement is not only just for cleansing us from sin & bringing about the resurrection. It’s also meant to be used every single day … not just at the end of our lives.

Alma 7:11 & 12 “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”

In Young Women’s we were all combined in the gym and I went through the 2 parts of the Atonement (spiritual death & physical death). Then at the end we talked about the ENABLING power of the Atonement & how to use it every day. Along w/ the handout I gave them each a few pieces of “EXTRA” brand gum b/c we need the EXTRA help of the Atonement. It was spearmint flavor and I tied that in even more by saying that the “spear” in the Savior’s side was “mint” to be part of His suffering for us.

I told the girls & leaders that if they would text me or email me every single day this week how the Atonement helped them in some way, then I would make them their own pan of brownies OR take them out for a half price Sonic shake. I’m really hoping that most of them will take me up on the offer, because that will help them focus on the Atonement all week.

After church we came home and I took a nap until I had to go to BYD (Bishop’s Youth Discussion) at 7:00. Nick stayed home w/ Autumn so I could go. I’m thankful that I was able to go to church and teach and that I didn’t feel like throwing up. The upside of having food poisoning is that I only had Gatorade for the past 24 hours and that I lost 8 pounds. LOL!