Like… no exaggeration.

Ever since I was young, she would pick out the coolest clothes, the latest trendy toys, or the accessories and books I needed for birthdays or Christmas.

I didn’t realize until I got older that not all grandmas were that spot-on with giving gifts.

But this is a talent that mine is blessed with!

And the thing is, she is that good at giving gifts to EVERYONE.

Everyone thinks she knows them the best, because she knows the best gifts to give.

And she always includes a box of See’s Chocolates, which can make anyone happy.

I’ve learned that giving a good gift requires thoughtfulness, good planning, and solid execution.

It can be a fun way to express your love for someone!

But honestly, it also shows a lot of sacrifice on the part of the gift-giver to make it happen.

I think it is so sweet that Jesus makes this connection between giving good gifts and receiving the Spirit. He teaches:

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:13)

In other words, “You think you are good at giving gifts? Imagine how much better Heavenly Father is at giving you the Holy Ghost!”

The Holy Ghost is the ultimate gift, fulfilling whatever role we need Him to fulfill at any time.

What an AMAZINGLY perfect gift we have been given.

And God allows this gift to bless us at exactly the right times and in exactly the right ways.

I’m grateful for amazing earthly examples that I have of kind, thoughtful gift-givers.

And I am grateful for my Heavenly Father’s powerful ability to know what I need and to make sure it happens.

The best gift-giver of all, giving the best gift of all.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post My grandma’s gifts first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Every few months, I have a crazy work week where I need to use every single spare minute working.

And that includes sacrificing a lot of sleep.

Last week was one of those weeks.

I usually dread them.

But last week, I tried something different.

I tried intentionally inviting Jesus’ “rest” into my life at the same exact time that I was getting very little physical rest.

And it was…

Life-changing.

I got all my work done, as I usually do during that crazy week.

But I felt calm. I found more creative ways than usual to get work done. My kids napped more often. My husband was able to support me even more than usual.

I felt… peace.

The work wasn’t gone.

But I felt this joy and relief that came WHILE I was still working and staying up late.

I knew we would be studying this scripture this week, so I kept focusing on it, each time learning something new:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Do you labor?

Are you heavy laden with burdens?

Then learn of Jesus.

Read His teachings. Immerse yourself in the scriptures. Remember Him as constantly as your mortal mind can handle.

Now, a crazy work week is more of a trivial example.

I’ve had many more times in my life where the burdens have felt like too much, and I had no guarantee that they’d be over in a week.

Some are still going on right now.

But my little case study last week has given me greater resolve:

Jesus won’t always take away our burdens.

But He will give us relief. He will give us peace and joy in unexpected ways.

He can give us rest.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Finding rest, even with no sleep first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Questions were flying everywhere!

“Well, does it count if I text them one month, as long as I see them in person the next month?”

“What if my person only wants to talk on the phone?”

“Ugh, I’m so confused on what ‘counts’ as a visit now!”

Isn’t life sometimes easier when someone tells you exactly what to do?

Although the strict rules that the Pharisees followed may seem like a burden…

These rules were likely comforting to them.

They just memorized the rules, checked all the boxes, and that was it!

They were officially good people because they checked all the boxes.

But Jesus was trying to teach them a higher and more sincere way of living the gospel.

He shared the same message that my sweet Relief Society president was trying to teach the women in our class that Sunday morning.

The Savior, speaking about the Sabbath day as an example, said:

“Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.” (Matthew 12:12)

My exasperated Relief Society president echoed the same message that morning: “Just do good things! Everything counts! Stop thinking so much about it!”

Just do good things!

Stop stressing about all the rules!

Whether it’s worrying about if an activity is appropriate for the Sabbath day,

Or if something “counts” as service,

Or if that was okay for scripture study for the day,

Turning to the Savior’s simple advice can help us stay focused on what matters most.

Just do good things!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Just do good things!  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.