As we worked through “what came next” on a series of different patterns, I noticed how many of the kids worked very differently. ⁣

Some of the kids would try and figure out the color patterns on their own. ⁣

(Sometimes they were right; other times they were very wrong.)⁣

And other kids wanted to wait and see what the answer was before they colored in their pattern. ⁣

(“Wait, what’s the answer? What color should I use?”)⁣

These two approaches are pretty universal, right?⁣

Sometimes we have questions and problems, and we do our best to find a solution. ⁣

Other times, we have questions and problems, and we wait for the answer to come to us before we move forward. ⁣

Guess which approach always leads to the best learning?!

When we do our best to do the work and find an answer, whether it is right or wrong, we learn infinitely more than when we just wait to be told the right answer. ⁣

Abraham’s servant is such a perfect and sweet example of this. ⁣

Tasked with finding a wife for Isaac, the servant came up with a plan and presented it to the Lord. ⁣

“And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.” (Genesis 24:14) ⁣

The servant came up with a possible solution.

It doesn’t matter so much if it was a “good” plan or the “right” plan as much as the fact that he came up with something.

The Lord can always work with something.

This servant chose to at least come up with the plan, which is where the most learning and growth happens. ⁣

It’s so tempting to want to sit around, waiting to be inspired or told to do the right things. ⁣

Who should I serve? How should I simplify my life? What can I do to teach my family the gospel?⁣

It takes a lot of faith to make plans and move forward.

But moving forward, right or wrong or in between, is where we learn.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Preschool patterns  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I had a friend say this recently when I did some service for them during a rough time. ⁣

But it wasn’t hard work for me, honestly. ⁣

I love this friend, I wanted to make their burden lighter, and I even felt like I hadn’t done enough. ⁣

But… I can also think of other times when I’ve served out of obligation or assignment, and it sure has felt like a burden to me. ⁣

My “service” becomes another thing added to my to-do list. ⁣

I think Jacob can teach us a lesson about what the difference is between these two scenarios. ⁣

He loved Rachel. ⁣

So when her father requested Jacob work 7 years for her hand:⁣

“Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.” (Genesis 29:20)⁣

Love. ⁣

I think love is the difference. ⁣

Have you noticed this? ⁣

When I focus on how much I love my kids, the service I do for them seems much lighter— not even like service! I’m just helping them out. ⁣

When I focus on how much I love my husband, I want to serve him and make his life much easier because I find joy in it. ⁣

When I’m filled with love for people in my community, I have a natural desire to serve them and make their burdens lighter.

Love makes service a joy!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Love and service  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Women who are named and who do things and work to draw closer to the Lord. ⁣

The Old Testament is a unique book of scriptures because we get quite a few beautiful, powerful examples of righteous women. ⁣

I have loved studying Rebekah this week. ⁣

She gives me so many attributes to look up to, and one that I want to mention is found in Genesis 25:22. ⁣

Rebekah was finally pregnant, after years of dealing with infertility. ⁣

But she was pregnant with twins, and she could feel the struggle of these two babies within her womb as she carried them. ⁣

And so what did she do? ⁣

“She went to inquire of the Lord”. (Genesis 25:22)⁣

I love this powerful yet simple reminder from Rebekah that when we have questions, we can take them straight to the Lord. ⁣

I can relate to Rebekah a lot right now. In my personal life, I have some questions about what the future may look like.

We can ask, and then we can receive answers.⁣

It’s a beautiful yet simple pattern.

Have you inquired of the Lord recently?

“Please believe how very much your loving Heavenly Father wants to bless you. But… we must ask for His help.” – J. Devn Cornish

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Rebekah’s example  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I couldn’t wait!

Until the process started and I realized that we’d have to basically live upstairs with small children for the week.

The upstairs hallway was lined with snacks, drinks, toys, my laptop, puzzles, games, garbage bags… anything I could think of. ⁣

(Because of course it was also super rainy and cold for those days, so park visits were suddenly out of the question.)⁣

EVERYTHING WAS A MESS. ⁣

Upstairs, downstairs, the garage that had basically become a temporary storage unit for everything… all of it. ⁣

I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard plenty of times that it’s easier to feel the Spirit in clean and orderly places than messy ones. ⁣

This was the thought running through my mind one evening as I sat, exhausted, and looked at the chaos. ⁣

I just wanted a clean home where I could feel peace! ⁣

“Heavenly Father,” I pleaded. “There’s no way I can get this house clean right now.” ⁣

Almost immediately, I was filled with this calming peace. ⁣

I felt a strong spiritual presence, and I felt like everything was okay. ⁣

Here’s what I know: ⁣

God doesn’t wait until our house or our room is clean until He speaks to us. ⁣

When we see Jacob wandering in a wilderness and making a pillow out of stones, this is where the Lord visits him and blesses him with great power. ⁣

And Jacob’s response? “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.” (Genesis 28:16). ⁣

The Lord is wherever His righteous people are, whether they are sleeping on stones, or whether their house is covered in dust, crumbs, and toys. ⁣

The Lord can be anywhere, as long as we take a moment to look for Him.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Can you feel the Spirit in a messy home? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.