Laborers in the Vineyard

Elder Holland's General Conference talk "Laborers in the Vineyard" really struck me, particularly when he said:

Then this piercing question to anyone then or now who needs to hear it: “Why should you be jealous because I choose to be kind?”

Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those.

Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment! To say nothing of the chagrin in the end, when we find that God really is both just and merciful, giving to all who stand with Him “all that he hath,”² as the scripture says. So lesson number one from the Lord’s vineyard: coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live.

When I heard that, I immediately thought of Etsy. I ashamedly admit I have had some envious feelings. Elder Holland opened my eyes to see that I am not diminished when someone else is added upon and that I should not be jealous because Heavenly Father chooses to be kind. Instead, I should rejoice when someone experiences success and be grateful when Heavenly Father blesses me in other areas.

Another thought that came to mind is bitterness I have been harboring for years toward another person's success. The person received a scholarship I greatly desired, and instead of being grateful for the still extremely generous scholarship I did win, I cried because I didn't beat her, or at least get the same prize. The past fews years I've realized how blessed my husband and I are not to have student debts, and this talk made me realize even more how ungrateful I've been all these years for the financial blessings and college education I did receive.

I hope that if any of you have bitter feelings as I did that you will let them go through the Atonement of Christ and replace them with joy for your brothers' and sisters' blessings from a generous and loving Heavenly Father.

Captain's Message: Mountains to Climb

Image by SimplySalBoutique on Etsy

Taken from a General Conference called "Mountains to Climb" by Henry B. Eyring in April 2012:

“….Many of you are now passing through physical, mental, and emotional trials that could cause you to cry out as did one great and faithful servant of God I knew well. His nurse heard him exclaim from his bed of pain, “When I have tried all my life to be good, why has this happened to me?”

You know how the Lord answered that question for the Prophet Joseph Smith in his prison cell:

“And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

“The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

“Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.”

….If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it. And with prophets revealing to us our place in the plan of salvation, we can live with perfect hope and a feeling of peace. We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord’s service because we never are. We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up. And He always keeps His word.”

Best Wishes,

Rachelle

Captain's Message: You Matter to Him

Maybe Matilda - PDF Crochet Pattern on Etsy

Well team, here is a long overdue Captain's Message. I asked for ideas in team chat about Conference talks that lifted you up - You Matter to Him, by Dieter F. Uchtdorf was suggested and I really, really loved it. Here is a selection from the talk:

"....No matter where you live, no matter how humble your circumstances, how meager your employment, how limited your abilities, how ordinary your appearance, or how little your calling in the Church may appear to you, you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you. He knows your humble heart and your acts of love and kindness. Together, they form a lasting testimony of your fidelity and faith.
….please understand that what you see and experience now is not what forever will be. You will not feel loneliness, sorrow, pain, or discouragement forever. We have the faithful promise of God that He will neither forget nor forsake those who incline their hearts to Him. Have hope and faith in that promise. Learn to love your Heavenly Father and become His disciple in word and in deed."

I really encourage you to read the whole talk here; it is wonderful!

Enjoy the rest of your Holidays - I will do one more Captain's Message before 2012!

- Rachelle

Captain's Message: Of Things That Matter Most

Eternal Round, Textured Logan Temple Portrait, by lighttotheworld on Etsy

Recently the Etsy team page discussions have centered around balance in life and time management. There is no easy answer to the question, "How do I achieve balance in life?" It does help to start with a good spiritual foundation when approaching the solution to this - and other - life questions. For more wisdom I turned to remarks from Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor of the First Presidency, in his talk titled, "Of Things That Matter Most" given in the October 2010 General Conference.

"If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.

My dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most. Let us be mindful of the foundational precepts our Heavenly Father has given to His children that will establish the basis of a rich and fruitful mortal life with promises of eternal happiness. They will teach us to do “all these things … in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that [we] should run faster than [we have] strength. [But] it is expedient that [we] should be diligent, [and] thereby … win the prize.”

Brothers and sisters, diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world. That is why “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, … that [we] may know to what source [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins.” In the complexity, confusion, and rush of modern living, this is the 'more excellent way'."

I encourage you to read the entire message, found here.

Perhaps it is important for you to honestly evaluate your spiritual foundation before you create a schedule. Decide what your priorities are before you create a schedule so it may reflect those priorities. And don't forget to periodically re-evaluate your priorities and schedule, especially in the beginning of implementing any structure or changes! It is my hope that your spiritual foundation will allow you all to find the "balance" you seek.

Best Wishes,

Rachelle

Captain's Message: Despite Adversity, Be of Good Cheer

Source: PlumStreetPrints on Etsy

The Church website features a small page titled "Despite Adversity, Be of Good Cheer," featuring quotes by the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Here is a selection from Elder Robert D. Hales:

“In the school of mortality, the tutor is often pain and tribulation, but the lessons are meant to refine and bless us and strengthen us, not to destroy us,” Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles says. “There is nothing that we are enduring that Jesus does not understand, and He waits for us to go to our Heavenly Father in prayer. I testify that if we will be obedient and if we are diligent, our prayers will be answered, our problems will diminish, our fears will dissipate, light will come upon us, the darkness of despair will be dispersed, and we will be close to the Lord and feel of His love and of the comfort of the Holy Ghost."

I hope that when you read this short message you will feel the Spirit confirm the truth. It is so vital to know that Jesus understands everything we experience, and that our Heavenly Father is waiting for us to communicate with Him through prayer. They love us unconditionally and want our growth and happiness.

Please read the Church website page, "Despite Adversity, Be of Good Cheer." Be uplifted and have a wonderful week!

- Rachelle

Captain's Message: The Virtue of Kindness

Image from persimmonandpink on Etsy: 5x7 giclee print

As I have settled into my new role as the Captain of the LDS Etsy Team, I have been thinking about what is needed to do to organize things. Some “house-keeping” needs to be done for the team (and will always need to be maintained!) With a team so large and diverse, it can be overwhelming to identify a direction or purpose. Luckily, I have other Team Leaders to help me, and through speaking with them and personal thought, I feel compelled to share this message which is about the Church, but I also feel applies to the Team:

“The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father.

Each one of us will travel a different road during this life. Each progresses at a different rate. Temptations that trouble your brother may not challenge you at all. Strengths that you possess may seem impossible to another.

Never look down on those who are less perfect than you. Don’t be upset because someone can’t sew as well as you, can’t throw as well as you, can’t row or hoe as well as you.

We are all children of our Heavenly Father. And we are here with the same purpose: to learn to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

One way you can measure your value in the kingdom of God is to ask, “How well am I doing in helping others reach their potential? Do I support others in the Church, or do I criticize them?”

If you are criticizing others, you are weakening the Church. If you are building others, you are building the kingdom of God. As Heavenly Father is kind, we also should be kind to others.”

-From “The Virtue of Kindness” by Joseph B. Wirthlin, April 2005 Conference

This message is important; I would like our Etsy team to encourage and build one another with kindness. I would like for us to be a source of strength, comfort, and knowledge for one another. This sort of caring environment will improve our entire Etsy experience, which is my ultimate hope. Please remember that we all travel this road at different speeds and in different ways, but that we ultimately are in this together to help one another.

- Rachelle Sharp, LDS Etsy Team Captain