Comments on: “…All These Things Give Thee Experience and Shall Be for Thy Good.” — Doctrine and Covenants 122:7 http://segullah.org/daily-special/%e2%80%9c%e2%80%a6all-these-things-give-thee-experience-and-shall-be-for-thy-good%e2%80%9d-doctrine-and-covenants-1227/ Mormon women blogging about the peculiar and the treasured Tue, 22 May 2012 23:05:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Andrea R. http://segullah.org/daily-special/%e2%80%9c%e2%80%a6all-these-things-give-thee-experience-and-shall-be-for-thy-good%e2%80%9d-doctrine-and-covenants-1227/#comment-111927 Andrea R. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:19:13 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1340#comment-111927 Julie, We went to the pediatrician last week and he described the same thing as you. Since then, he's had another one. My oldest son has severe brain damage and seizures, so the first time it happened to my youngest, it really scared us. Now that we know what it is, it's a little easier to deal with, but still not fun. I think kids are supposed to grow out of it by about age 4 or 5. Julie,
We went to the pediatrician last week and he described the same thing as you. Since then, he’s had another one. My oldest son has severe brain damage and seizures, so the first time it happened to my youngest, it really scared us. Now that we know what it is, it’s a little easier to deal with, but still not fun. I think kids are supposed to grow out of it by about age 4 or 5.

]]> By: Julie http://segullah.org/daily-special/%e2%80%9c%e2%80%a6all-these-things-give-thee-experience-and-shall-be-for-thy-good%e2%80%9d-doctrine-and-covenants-1227/#comment-111905 Julie Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:08:37 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1340#comment-111905 What happened to your little boy happens to my twins. Its called: Reflex anoxic seizures (here in England anyway). Usually they bump their head (like from falling off a couch), scream and then can't get their breath back, they faint, then their brain restarts their breathing after a moment. Its a very terrifying feeling watching their eyes roll back and feeling like they are dying. (my twins don't shake though). It happens less and less now that they know how to walk but it still happens. Eventually they will grow out of it I hope! What happened to your little boy happens to my twins. Its called: Reflex anoxic seizures (here in England anyway). Usually they bump their head (like from falling off a couch), scream and then can’t get their breath back, they faint, then their brain restarts their breathing after a moment. Its a very terrifying feeling watching their eyes roll back and feeling like they are dying. (my twins don’t shake though). It happens less and less now that they know how to walk but it still happens. Eventually they will grow out of it I hope!

]]> By: Rachelle http://segullah.org/daily-special/%e2%80%9c%e2%80%a6all-these-things-give-thee-experience-and-shall-be-for-thy-good%e2%80%9d-doctrine-and-covenants-1227/#comment-111877 Rachelle Mon, 27 Oct 2008 03:30:45 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1340#comment-111877 Last year I was diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism. My body was producing too much calcium and without surgery some of my organs could shut down. It was awful being sick, it was frustrating being hooked up to IVs three times a week for three weeks. But during those times when I could not move or leave to take care of my family, I realized that what I really wanted in life was to be a mother. I really wanted to care for my family. I stopped seeing motherhood as a martyrdom (most of the time) and I started seeing it as an opportunity and a blessing that I wanted to live and experience to its fullest. I am grateful for the epiphany this trial brought me. Now when days are hard I remember that of all the jobs I have wanted in this life, this is the one that counts the most to me, this is the job my Heavenly Father gave me. Last year I was diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism. My body was producing too much calcium and without surgery some of my organs could shut down. It was awful being sick, it was frustrating being hooked up to IVs three times a week for three weeks. But during those times when I could not move or leave to take care of my family, I realized that what I really wanted in life was to be a mother. I really wanted to care for my family. I stopped seeing motherhood as a martyrdom (most of the time) and I started seeing it as an opportunity and a blessing that I wanted to live and experience to its fullest. I am grateful for the epiphany this trial brought me. Now when days are hard I remember that of all the jobs I have wanted in this life, this is the one that counts the most to me, this is the job my Heavenly Father gave me.

]]> By: m&m http://segullah.org/daily-special/%e2%80%9c%e2%80%a6all-these-things-give-thee-experience-and-shall-be-for-thy-good%e2%80%9d-doctrine-and-covenants-1227/#comment-111339 m&m Fri, 24 Oct 2008 06:49:24 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1340#comment-111339 jendoop, Your comment made me think about something that has been on my mind lately. I think someday we will be astonished at how interconnected our lives and experiences were, and how much that interconnectedness contributed to our growth and spiritual journey. jendoop,
Your comment made me think about something that has been on my mind lately. I think someday we will be astonished at how interconnected our lives and experiences were, and how much that interconnectedness contributed to our growth and spiritual journey.

]]> By: jendoop http://segullah.org/daily-special/%e2%80%9c%e2%80%a6all-these-things-give-thee-experience-and-shall-be-for-thy-good%e2%80%9d-doctrine-and-covenants-1227/#comment-111200 jendoop Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:18:50 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1340#comment-111200 Recently I have really struggled with being happy amidst my trials. From conference talks and other sources I know that "WHY?" is not an appropriate question but sometimes you just want to know that the horrid things you go through have a purpose. Because I am a mere (wo)man I don't know how or why God does specific things. I want mercy, understanding and confirmation every step of the way but that is not how this works. The counsel from the scriptures to humbly submit as a child submits to his father seems unreachable. That said I know that trials I've had in the past have made me a better servant of my Heavenly Father. Infertility issues makes my empathy for others in a similar situation palpable. After having a difficult childhood I found those experiences invaluable while serving as the YW pres in an inner-city branch. Candidly, I wonder if the pain I suffered in those experiences was really worth the small services I gave. Just as the writer of this post I'm sure would rather have two healthy children and deal with an isolated seizure like someone who was a stranger to ERs. We can see small blessings from our experiences but it's not equal to the sum of the trials. It is difficult to connect the dots because you never truly know the impact of your service. Those type of answers and clarity are only available after this life is over. "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Cor 13:12) It is part of living a life of faith, knowing that somehow it will be made right and perfect but not knowing how. Recently I have really struggled with being happy amidst my trials. From conference talks and other sources I know that “WHY?” is not an appropriate question but sometimes you just want to know that the horrid things you go through have a purpose. Because I am a mere (wo)man I don’t know how or why God does specific things. I want mercy, understanding and confirmation every step of the way but that is not how this works. The counsel from the scriptures to humbly submit as a child submits to his father seems unreachable.

That said I know that trials I’ve had in the past have made me a better servant of my Heavenly Father. Infertility issues makes my empathy for others in a similar situation palpable. After having a difficult childhood I found those experiences invaluable while serving as the YW pres in an inner-city branch.

Candidly, I wonder if the pain I suffered in those experiences was really worth the small services I gave. Just as the writer of this post I’m sure would rather have two healthy children and deal with an isolated seizure like someone who was a stranger to ERs. We can see small blessings from our experiences but it’s not equal to the sum of the trials.

It is difficult to connect the dots because you never truly know the impact of your service. Those type of answers and clarity are only available after this life is over. “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Cor 13:12) It is part of living a life of faith, knowing that somehow it will be made right and perfect but not knowing how.

]]> By: dalene http://segullah.org/daily-special/%e2%80%9c%e2%80%a6all-these-things-give-thee-experience-and-shall-be-for-thy-good%e2%80%9d-doctrine-and-covenants-1227/#comment-111183 dalene Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:31:48 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1340#comment-111183 One of the things that has been most interesting to me as I have gotten older is how many times I've been able to take something from some of my most difficult challenges and use it to help someone else as they've later gone through something similar. I agree that is definitely something better discovered after the fact rather than right in the middle of something awful. One of the things that has been most interesting to me as I have gotten older is how many times I’ve been able to take something from some of my most difficult challenges and use it to help someone else as they’ve later gone through something similar.

I agree that is definitely something better discovered after the fact rather than right in the middle of something awful.

]]> By: Andrea R. http://segullah.org/daily-special/%e2%80%9c%e2%80%a6all-these-things-give-thee-experience-and-shall-be-for-thy-good%e2%80%9d-doctrine-and-covenants-1227/#comment-111174 Andrea R. Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:25:09 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1340#comment-111174 M&M, I think it's hard for anyone while they're going through a serious trial to think "What is there to learn from this?" In my personal experience, trying to find answers like that in the moment just makes me angry -- my thoughts are more along the lines of "Why are you doing this to me??" I know I haven't learned all the lessons I need to learn from my experiences, but I do know that in the future, maybe YEARS down the road, I will figure those things out and maybe use my experience to benefit someone else. For right now, I'm just trying to survive the experience. M&M, I think it’s hard for anyone while they’re going through a serious trial to think “What is there to learn from this?” In my personal experience, trying to find answers like that in the moment just makes me angry — my thoughts are more along the lines of “Why are you doing this to me??” I know I haven’t learned all the lessons I need to learn from my experiences, but I do know that in the future, maybe YEARS down the road, I will figure those things out and maybe use my experience to benefit someone else. For right now, I’m just trying to survive the experience.

]]> By: m&m http://segullah.org/daily-special/%e2%80%9c%e2%80%a6all-these-things-give-thee-experience-and-shall-be-for-thy-good%e2%80%9d-doctrine-and-covenants-1227/#comment-111103 m&m Thu, 23 Oct 2008 01:06:00 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1340#comment-111103 I confess that I go through phases with this. Today is not one of my strong days. I'm lying in bed with a stomach bug thinking, "What is there to learn from this?" I'm a wimp today. But when I have a better perspective, I really do know that we really are here to learn by experience...for other experiences in mortality and also for our eternal progression. I confess that I go through phases with this. Today is not one of my strong days. I’m lying in bed with a stomach bug thinking, “What is there to learn from this?” I’m a wimp today.

But when I have a better perspective, I really do know that we really are here to learn by experience…for other experiences in mortality and also for our eternal progression.

]]> By: Andrea R. http://segullah.org/daily-special/%e2%80%9c%e2%80%a6all-these-things-give-thee-experience-and-shall-be-for-thy-good%e2%80%9d-doctrine-and-covenants-1227/#comment-111079 Andrea R. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:54:03 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1340#comment-111079 Thank you all for your kind comments. I remember when it was all over, along with the relief that nothing serious was wrong, was a feeling of PROFOUND gratitude. I was so grateful for what I had seen and experienced with my older son and the small sense of peace that came from being in a place that I had been before. Of course, I was terrified for what might have been wrong with my youngest, but knowing what to expect and not being afraid of the tests that were being done on him was very helpful. Thank you all for your kind comments. I remember when it was all over, along with the relief that nothing serious was wrong, was a feeling of PROFOUND gratitude. I was so grateful for what I had seen and experienced with my older son and the small sense of peace that came from being in a place that I had been before. Of course, I was terrified for what might have been wrong with my youngest, but knowing what to expect and not being afraid of the tests that were being done on him was very helpful.

]]> By: wendy http://segullah.org/daily-special/%e2%80%9c%e2%80%a6all-these-things-give-thee-experience-and-shall-be-for-thy-good%e2%80%9d-doctrine-and-covenants-1227/#comment-111060 wendy Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:16:12 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1340#comment-111060 Wow, Andrea. I remember your other post, also beautifully written. I love your honesty and your willingness to be grateful for how the challenges helped with this situation. The scripture you reference has rarely been of comfort to me. I prefer 2 Nephi 2:2, " . . . he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain." When I received a certain calling in college, I remember having a strong impression that many of my challenges had prepared me for it. And then came the further understanding that I would have to go through more challenges to grow further. I really didn't like that answer. I don't have any specific things in mind right now, but I do believe in the principle and have seen it more than once in my life. Wow, Andrea. I remember your other post, also beautifully written. I love your honesty and your willingness to be grateful for how the challenges helped with this situation.

The scripture you reference has rarely been of comfort to me. I prefer 2 Nephi 2:2, ” . . . he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.”

When I received a certain calling in college, I remember having a strong impression that many of my challenges had prepared me for it. And then came the further understanding that I would have to go through more challenges to grow further. I really didn’t like that answer. I don’t have any specific things in mind right now, but I do believe in the principle and have seen it more than once in my life.

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