Plans...

I know I haven't posted in a while... partly because I got busy, and partly because I was embarrassed that I hadn't studied... but now is the time to repent.

I'm writing this post from the car on the way home from our weekend trip to Overton, NV... We went to see my brother-in-law's baptism. It was a wonderful trip with lots of family, and it was a beautiful baptism.

My post tonight, however, is not about the ordinance of baptism. It's about a previous promise to post my thoughts on planning!

As Peach and I drive, I like to ask him lots of questions. I don't really like the silence, and I think it's a great time to talk because there really aren't that many distractions. Mostly, I like to ask him about our future together, what he would like to accomplish, and what are PLANS are...
It reminds me of the closing line of one of my favorite movies, "Dan in Real Life"... at the end of an article Dan writes about plans... he says "Instead of telling our young people to plan ahead, we should tell them to plan to be surprised".
I have found that that's about how it goes. We can make our plans, but the Lord has a plan for us... and sometimes, no matter how much we want something, or how hard we've worked for it, our plans go out the window. The beauty of this though is that the Lord's plans are always far better than anything we could have imagined or accomplished alone.

Anyway, to continue with my study on plans... I find the best chapter to encourage planning is Abraham Chapter 4.
When I was in high school, I always just read this chapter as a good scripture about the creation. But then on my mission, we were taught this chapter as we were learning about the importance of plans. Right in the "chapter summary"...
The Gods plan the creation of the earth and all life thereon—Their plans for the six days of creation are set forth.
It makes it worth it to ask such questions as... Do I plan that effectively? Is planning that important in my life? and How can I plan better?

The thing I like the most about these plans is the order... they put first things first.
That's something we can learn from. What is my highest priority each day? What is the first thing I dedicate my time to?

The second thing I notice about these plans is the faith they have that everything will work out as stated... and as we know... they did.
I learn from that the need to include the Spirit in my plan making... Each night I should plan out the next day so that I ensure that my time is used properly. I ought to pray before I plan so that the spirit can guide me. This way, I can be a better instrument in the Lord's hands as well. If there is someone in the ward that needs help, I am more inclined to receive the inspiration and have the time to help if I include the Spirit.

The third thing I notice is the reliability of the Lord. He does what he says he will do. The earth was created... in order. We were given the opportunity to come to the earth, to gain bodies, and to have this terrestrial experience in order that we might be tested and return to our Heavenly Father. Am I as reliable? Do I follow through?

I think the last verse sums up well these three points
And the Gods said: We will do everything that we have said, (Point No. 3) and organize them (Point No. 1); and behold, they shall be very obedient. (Point No. 2) And it came to pass that it was from evening until morning they called night; and it came to pass that it was from morning until evening that they called day; and they numbered the asixth time.

Anyway... it is worth studying...
We're home now, so I need to unload the car... and get planning for tomorrow!