What I'm Reading Lately

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I read all of these books really fast! I'm so proud of myself. I have a goal to read 50 books by the end of the year, and as of today, I'm at 43 books! I'm running a bit behind schedule but that's alright! :) My original goal was 20 books so I'd say reading 23 books over that is pretty great!!

I have been listening to 90% of these books on audio. I never really liked audiobooks because I always found myself getting distracted and having missed the last minute or so of the book. But I'm allowed to listen to them at work so I just squeeze them in when I can and it's been so nice!

I've been using the Deseret Bookshelf PLUS app on my iPod (the one on my cell phone isn't working right now) and I think they're beta-testing a desktop app! It will be so awesome! Anyway, I really love this app. Having access to these books for only $6.99 a month is really a deal!

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• Finding Inner Peace by Brent L. Top, Wendy C. Top — This was a fantastic read! Short book. I loved the consistent reminder that I don't have to be perfect. I just need to keep doing my best. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Joy In the Covenant by Julie B. Beck — Wow! What an amazing book!! I really loved chapter 8. It was so good! I will probably read this again (which is something I never do) just because it was full of so much that I want to listen to again. I really loved how Sister Beck threw in life examples and experiences but she would always return the focus onto the covenants we make and their importance in our lives. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Saints: The Standard Truth by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LDS Church History Department — Wow! This book was phenomenal!! I loved every single page. I really liked they added events like when plural marriage was introduced and the surrounding events. I feel like this really opens up the opportunity to learn about church history events that many people believe The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hid from its members. I don't believe that. I can't wait for volume 2!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• The Holy Invitation: Understanding Your Sacred Endowment by Anthony Sweat — This is one of the books that everyone needs to have a copy of on their bookshelf. I really enjoy learning about the Temple Endowment even though I was endowed five years ago. I love the scriptural references as well as modern-day references. Quick read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Led By Divine Design by Ronald A. Rasband — Great book! My favorite quote, "Not all that the Lord ask of us is a result of how strong we are, how faithful we are, or what we may know." - It's a great book and shares insight on the plan that God has for us and how things don't just happen in our lives, but that we are led by God. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Faith Is Not Blind by Bruce C. Hafen and Marie K. Hafen — WOW!!!! Just wow…. this is one of the most amazing books I've ever read. This is definitely for someone who is struggling with their faith or may know someone who is. It's even for those who aren't struggling with their faith. It has so many amazing points and I just simply cannot put into words how incredible this book is. I feel like it brought me comfort for the struggles even I have as an active member and all I could think about were those that could benefit from this book. I listened to the audio through Deseret Bookshelf PLUS and it was a quick read too!! Oh so incredible. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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If you enjoyed any of these books, comment down below what you thought of them!

The Act of Forgiving

Salt Lake Temple 2016 © Ashley Ziegler

Did you watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional this past Sunday? It was wonderful! I really loved it and all of the simple, yet powerful messages shared! I thought that each message was my favorite and then I heard the next and it became a favorite. I ended up loving them all!

When President Nelson got up to speak, I wasn't expecting him to give an answer to a prayer that I had two months ago, during General Conference. I received my answer then but I think the Lord wanted to send the answer again. I was really surprised and wasn't expecting to hear his message but it was just what my heart needed.

I struggle with forgiveness. Mostly because my physical body can't figure out how to forgive in a way that my mind is asking it too. Does that make sense? For some reason, I feel like forgiveness is a physical thing and so I struggle with doing anything about forgiveness.

Forgiveness can be a really uneasy subject for most, and can actually turn conversations south. I really want to forgive in my life. I am really tired of carrying around hurt and angry feelings. It's only affecting me right? Not the other person? So why then, is it so stinkin' hard to do? How do you go on in life as if nothing ever happened?

One phrase from President Nelson's talk that spoke to me was this,

"Through His infinite Atonement, you can forgive those who have hurt you and who may never accept responsibility for their cruelty to you."

 That is where my issue with forgiveness lies. Accepting the apology you're never going to get. It's like a thorn stuck in your side that's been there for a very long time and you think it's time to pull it out but you just can't bring yourself to do it because it is going to be so painful. But you know it will make everything so much better once you finally do.

So how do I do this? How do I forgive and let go? How do I let my Savior's healing power, pull out this thorn stuck in my side? How do I go on with my life "as if nothing ever happened"? These are the questions I'm sincerely seeking answers for and I hope and pray that I can feel of God's love for me and that as hard as the act of forgiving is, I can actually do it with his help. I pray that His love will heal me from the hurt and anger that I feel.

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Is there someone in your life that is needing your forgiveness or someone that you are seeking forgiveness from? What is the act of forgiving like in your life and how are you able to apply our Savior's Atonement in your life?

Prepare a Way

So remember how I last posted about "coming back" to my blog and how I had wonderful plans for more posts and how that hasn't happened!?!?

Ya, me neither.

I am currently working full-time (temporarily) and it has taken up a lot of my time and with the holiday season starting, I have lost all track of time. But I'm here to share this with you.

I've changed the name of my blog. I didn't really have a specific name for it because I'm always switching things up that sticking with a creative name for my blog never works out for me. But I felt like with this kind of a blog, I needed some structure in the name instead of just my first name.

When I first began reading the Book of Mormon after President Nelson invited the women of the Church to read it between conference and the end of the year, I noticed a certain phrase stuck out to me in a few verses more than others. I've read this phrase quite often in my life but I've never done much with the thought.

If you've read this post, then you'll know that I've felt inspired to start a faith-based blog because I'm very passionate about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and what we believe. I feel like this specific phrase ties in just perfectly with that blog post and those feelings I shared. I even share the same scripture at the bottom of the post... which I'm just now realizing.

"...prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." - 1 Nephi 3:7

 When I read this verse, the thought that instantly comes to mind every single time is, prepare a way for the Lord. Prepare a way for him to come to this earth again. Prepare a way for him to cross the paths of those who need him. Prepare a way for him to share his light and love with those I come in contact with. Prepare a way for him, that He and our Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost, may accomplish the thing which our Heavenly Father "hath commandeth them."

Hopefully, that doesn't feel too deep but that is why the phrase has stuck out to me so many times and with such a strong feeling. I'm not saying that I, Ashley, have been called JUST MYSELF, to share the goodness of the gospel Because I'm not. I'm not saying that I've seen an angel or God himself and that they told me to start this blog and share these things. I'm not going in that direction AT ALL. If anything, it won't be your typical here's-an-fhe-lesson-idea-handout,-resources-and-recipe-for-a-treat kind of blog. This is more just sharing with you why I've decided to change the name of my blog to Prepare A Way.

My mission and hopes and dream, is that by using this blog to share my testimony or feelings/experiences about the gospel in a lifestyle way, that I'm preparing a way for the Spirit to enter the lives of those who read this blog. That they may leave knowing and feeling that God loves them and he only wants them to be happy. I'm really excited about this name change and feel so much better about it than just having my first name as the blog title. Hopefully I can get things a bit more structured and organized and looking pretty. I hope you love the name as well!

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DISCLAIMER: This blog is in no way affiliated or run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All opinions are my own. I will not share anything that goes against doctrine, nor will I post anything without further researching the topic before sharing.