Let this teaching enter into your heart and soul

I could not sleep last night because my mind would not stop after all the things I was taught. I am finding ways to let what I learned continue to enter into my mind and soul to create a true change of heart. As I allow myself to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost my heart will be as clay in the Lord's hand.

So how do I plan to allow the spirit to work within me the way the Lord desires it to? I thought about this last night a lot. I know it is going to be through much prayer. I must be asking Heavenly Father throughout the day to help me or this will be impossible. I can not truly change without constant counsel with Him. I must also continue to focused study of the words of the prophets and my patriarchal blessing OFTEN. This really is a big cycle though because if I am hearkening unto the promptings of the Holy Ghost these things will be part of His direction. 

I can learn by example of the great people that surround me in my life and their abilities to truly listen to the spirit and heed promptings. One person that has had a great influence on me is Sister Winn. She is continuously listening to the spirit throughout the day. In all of her many roles in life (mother, wife, daughter, ect.) she is not acting on her own will and thoughts. She acts according to her promptings. Someone else who has truly inspired me and had a great impression on me in the ability to listen to the spirit is Paul. In every thing he does he is listening to the spirit. He is slow to speak in any conversations concerning any topic because he is pondering and listening. He is not someone of haste because he truly seeks to do everything in accordance not to his own will or desires, but to the will of God. I am humbled to know him and to have had an opportunity to learn from his example.

I am so excited to become a more devoted disciple of Christ. I do not know why this is such a "light bulb" time for me. I have known and been taught it is important to listen to the spirit. And to an extent I have. But I guess it is has brought a great feeling of freedom and peace to my heart, soul and mind that I do not have to stress every day. Goal making does not have to be such a stressful and disappointing experience that I have made it out to be in my life. I simply have to live under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. The gospel truly is so simple. We make it so much more complicated. It is pure and simple truths that lead us back to our Heavenly Father. It does not have to be a constant battle in the mind. 

I am so grateful for the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost that I have been blessed with. I am greatly humbled by Jesus Christ's atonement and the power it truly can have in my life if I only allow its influence to encompass my life, even from moment to moment. God is truly great and merciful. 

I say these things in the name of the Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.