Hilary Weeks participated in a digital fireside on Sunday, July 19th. I "just happened" to watch it on August 31st, the evening of my 25th anniversary.
God reached me in a powerful way that evening. I took these notes:
- Tip #1: Take inventory and present to the Lord what you have to offer, even if it seems small and insignificant.
John 6:9-14 ~
9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
* This note was typed in the margins from a previous study: Offer what you have and are to God and ask Him to make more of you, so that you can do more and offer more to others.
* Focus on Christ, rather than the problems that seem impossible to overcome. His yoke brings peace, settled feelings, and comfort. (Note from earlier that day during "Don't Miss This" video while studying Alma 31:32.)
- Tip #2: Create stillness. Fresh starts, refreshment, and renewal come from quiet moments with God.
1 Samuel 9:27 ~ . . . stand thou still a while that I may shew thee the word of God.
Psalm 46:10 ~ Be still and know that I am God . . .
She quoted from this BYU devotional address by Jeffrey R. Holland in her digital fireside (it is also found in the March 2000 Ensign).
"With any major decision there are cautions and considerations to make, but once there has been illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now.
Don’t give up when the pressure mounts. Certainly don’t give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. Face your doubts. Master your fears. “Cast not away therefore your confidence.”
Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you."
* I have never had such hateful thoughts about myself as I have during these two months that I've been trying to write this book. (They came from the "being who is bent on the destructions of [my] happiness.")
- I texted Hilary the next day on September 1st:
It happened again. I came across your July digital fireside last night.
It was just what I needed to hear. I miraculously wrote the rough draft of my book in five weeks and have spent the last two weeks making revisions on parts one and two. I have three parts to go and
I was discouraged. (It ended up being about 300 double spaced pages, which is 200 pages longer than I had planned.)
Your encouragement from Elder Holland to "stay the course" came at just the right moment.
- I sent this email to Hilary on Friday, September 11, 2020:
I apologize for being so familiar with you by texting.
I wrote to let you know I was removing you from my contacts about four years ago, but you immediately texted back that I should add you back in.
I texted a year ago to ask if I could use your lyrics if I wrote a book about my journey (because people kept telling me I needed to and I had NO idea how).
I wouldn't even have a journey if it wasn't for your music. (I know that sounds dramatic, but it's true.) You texted back that it would be an honor to have your lyrics included.
Then on July 10th of this year, I was finally given the inspiration to write the book. I finished the first draft on August 18th and have been editing ever since—literally during every waking hour.
That is a miracle, so I know there is some purpose for it.
I guess I was inspired to ask you again about the lyrics, so I could find out that I need to re-think the whole thing. There may not be a published book after all.
Can you please just tell me what the rule is? What am I even allowed to include?
Thank you for being so, so kind and patient with me through the years.
- She replied on the evening of Sunday, September 13, 2020 (after I had my mini "nervous breakdown," quit coaching, and decided to quit writing the book):
I was out of town over the weekend so I didn’t check my email! Rebecca is going to look into what the information might need to be for the songs.
I just wanted to send you a note and tell you not to get frustrated and to hang in there! What you are doing is important! You can finish this and see it through! I KNOW you can.
I’m sure the adversary would like nothing more than to see you quit right now. He knows you’ll continue to bless lives with this book and so he would love to see you get discouraged!
He does that to me every time I write music. It is a sneaky and lame tactic.
Stay positive and believe in yourself! You got this!!!! You are amazing!!!! Keep praying and taking the final steps. Just like on your walks!!
- My reply the next morning:
Thank you for taking the time to send this uplifting and encouraging reply, Hilary.
It means more than you know. I appreciate all of Rebecca's behind-the-scenes work as well. I will follow the rules on whatever both of you decide.
(They ended up giving me permission the following Sunday to use the full lyrics of 30+ songs, like I had originally planned—after I had completely given up.)
No comments:
Post a Comment