Breathing through one nostril is for sure one of the most obnoxious minor inconveniences to exist. ⁣

I suddenly waxed very poetic and thought about all the times that I had walked around with two functioning nostrils, and hadn’t even appreciated them for the blessings they were. ⁣

I feel like I get this way every time I have a cold. ⁣

And yet, when I’m perfectly healthy, I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned in prayer any gratitude for functioning nostrils. ⁣

And I think that’s the real secret to success with gratitude. ⁣

Maybe I really should practice being filled with gratitude every day that I wake up with two functioning nostrils! ⁣

That wouldn’t necessarily bring me more blessings in my life. ⁣

But by thinking of the health and full function of various body parts, I start to realize just how many blessings I really have. ⁣

It’s not only the vain repetitions that I sometimes utter in prayer. ⁣⁣

It’s not just: family, house, and “all my many blessings”. ⁣

In D&C 78:19, the Lord reminds the saints that:⁣

“He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; ⁣

“and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.”⁣

I don’t know that this necessarily means that being grateful GIVES me infinitely more blessings. ⁣

Maybe it’s really that there are an infinite number of things to be grateful for, and when I open my eyes to see that, then I’ve added that many blessings to my list. ⁣

I want to see hundreds and hundreds of things around me, and feel that gratitude. ⁣

Not necessarily for a list to mention in my prayers. ⁣

But so that I can allow my attitude of gratitude to fill my soul and point me to the One who makes it all possible.

“Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.” – Thomas S. Monson  

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Functioning nostrils first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I had a really tough time after I had my first baby. ⁣

I’m a pretty independent person who takes a lot of pride in getting stuff done. ⁣

And suddenly I was on maternity leave from teaching with this brand new little infant who just needed me all the time. ⁣

It seemed like my life as I knew it was over. ⁣

And the adversary sure wanted me to believe that. ⁣

This will never change. It will never get better. ⁣

But the adversary has always used this tactic. ⁣

When the saints in Missouri needed some guidance from church leaders, they were asked to meet and counsel together.

Because otherwise…⁣

“Satan seeketh to turn their hearts away from the truth, that they become blinded and understand not the things which are prepared for them.” (D&C 78:10⁣)

They would be blinded and not understand the things that have been prepared for them in their future. ⁣

The future is filled with unimaginable blessings. ⁣

Babies grow up. ⁣

People move. ⁣

Jobs change. ⁣

Family dynamics and responsibilities shift. ⁣

But even if that reminder doesn’t seem like a “blessing”, the next life will bring us the greatest blessings of all. ⁣

Our future is glorious. We have so many blessings coming our way. We are loved beyond belief. ⁣

And the adversary doesn’t want us to remember that at all. ⁣

Luckily, I had some friends and mentors give me a glimpse of these changes when I had my little newborn, and I was quickly able to see that things DO get better. In fact, they change every single day with kids!⁣

But still, the adversary works on his message. ⁣

Because he knows that if we understand what is really waiting for us in the future, we will be unstoppable. ⁣

Satan wants us to pick his team and forget that the fight has already been won.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Satan’s most effective lie first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

It had been a few days since dishes had been done, and for some reason, everything seemed to have multiplied. ⁣

There were stacks of random things on the counters, the sink was piled high, and the stove was covered in pots and pans, too. ⁣

I kept looking around. ⁣

I didn’t even know where to start. ⁣

I felt overwhelmed.⁣

I kept pulling my phone out to find the perfect podcast to listen to while I cleaned.

And then I remembered I wanted to eat some snacks before I started.⁣

And then someone texted they would come over in a half hour.

This was it– I HAD to get this kitchen clean. ⁣

Finally, I had the thought: ⁣

“Just start! It doesn’t matter where you begin!” ⁣

I picked up the piece of junk mail nearest to me and threw it away. ⁣

Then I noticed the other junk mail on the other counter and grabbed that. ⁣

Pretty quickly, it snowballed into me getting to work, and I was able to tackle the kitchen pretty well before the friend arrived. ⁣

Section 80 in the Doctrine and Covenants can often be written off as “one of those mission call sections”. ⁣

Stephen Burnett asked for a revelation, and the Lord gave him a call.⁣

But there was one element of this mission call that made me laugh a bit. ⁣

In verse 3, the Lord tells Stephen:⁣

“Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss.”⁣

IT MATTERETH NOT, FOR YE CANNOT GO AMISS. ⁣

In other words: ⁣

There’s literally SO much missionary work to get done– just go somewhere and start, and you’ll be good.⁣

How many times have I waited to be prompted on who exactly I should serve?!

Which new family I should try to help feel more welcome in our ward?

How exactly I can serve a ministering sister?

I’ve prayed for specific promptings on what to do for each of those. ⁣

(Which I don’t think is bad, in and of itself!)⁣

But meanwhile, the Lord is probably lovingly looking at me and saying:⁣

“Oh Cali, just do SOMETHING! ⁣

“There is so much work. ⁣

“You cannot go amiss.”

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

Where to even start… 

The post Where to even start…  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Everyone was excited at first!

Mixing and stirring and pouring is fun.

But that excitement soon turned to boredom.

Listening to directions and putting away ingredients is not fun.

Eventually, I was all alone.

I put the pan in the oven.

When I took the pan out, the kids came running to my side immediately.

“I want to eat them! I want to eat them!”

I had to laugh as the story of The Little Red Hen popped into my head.

In this story, the little red hen decides to make some bread, but all her barnyard friends say, “Not I,” when she asks for help.

As soon as the bread is finished and the smell fills the air, though, she has a long line of people who would like to help eat that bread.

I, of course, still let my kids eat some of the brownies.

But I think it is interesting that the Lord reminded many of the early Church leaders:

“If you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you.” (D&C 78:7)

In other words, if we want the reward, we need to put in the work.

Are we just dreaming of our mansions above?

Or are we waking up and doing something good?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post “Not I!” first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.