I love looking at all the styles and sizes and colors and backyards as they build!

But there are a few SUPER nice neighborhoods being built that I drove by the other day.

Every house seems to be a mansion.

The exterior walls are trendy white with dramatic black accents.

Raw wood beams.

Pools and pool houses.

Beautifully green landscapes that are in contrast to the brown desert.

HGTV’s dream.

And mine, too.

As I drive past, I picture the “someday”.

Wouldn’t it be so nice to live there?

To have room for everything and more? To throw all the parties and host the receptions? To have “made it”?

But every time my mind starts to go there…

I like to try something.

Do I want that black and white house, or do I want to be in the temple more?

I want the temple. 100%.

It changes my perspective immediately.

“How often are we so focused on pursuing the so-called good life that we lose sight of eternal life?” -Sheri Dew

Maybe we’ll be in a starter home our whole lives, but we’ll be so dang happy and serve the Lord every chance we get.

Maybe we’ll have to even downsize.

Or maybe that black and white mansion will become a (distant) reality!

In the end, it doesn’t matter nearly as much as where my heart is.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

Sometimes my brain needs a little reminder that my heart is on Jesus.

And if my heart is on Jesus, then my real goals and treasures in life become much more clear!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The black and white mansion  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

It’s something I preach in almost every post on this account, video I record, and resource that I create.

And I totally stand behind what I say.

Our lives are busy, and I think it’s so important to figure out how to make everything fit.

But also…

This gospel is everything.

It can’t be entirely summed up into little tips and tricks.

It is big.

And heavy.

And important. So, so important.

The Lord taught the Saints in D&C Section 43 the message that they were to solemnly deliver to the whole world. And then in verses 34-35:

“Treasure these things up in your hearts, and let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds.

“Be sober. Keep all my commandments.”

We are asked to ponder about the eternities.

To treasure up these eternal truths in our hearts.

To be sober and serious in keeping all of the commandments.

This is real. This is serious.

This “Plan of Salvation” that we draw cute pictures and diagrams of is actually intense and powerful and everything.

And yet… it’s so difficult to find time to just ponder on that.

To sit still and let my mind wander on things of the eternities.

But it is so essential.

It centers me.

I’m reminded WHY I’m doing all this.

Why I’m coming up with the little tips and tricks, the cute sayings, the quick references, the applicable stories.

It’s all so real.

So… maybe let your mind go there right now.

Use this time reading my post as your moment to reflect.

What is this all about? Why are you doing the things that you are doing?

What does God have in store for you?

What will meeting your Savior be like?

How do you want to live your life? Where do you plan on being after you pass on? Who do you hope is there with you?

What will your future, your ETERNAL future, be?

Ponder. Treasure. Let these rest upon your mind.

Perspective. Purpose.

And then move forward with faith.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The solemnities of eternity first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.