Ah-ha's, Awakenings, and Applications

Leann and Melissa talk about the power of little rays of light, how choosing Christ’s light makes a difference in our lives, and how we can emulate that light. Ponder Questions:Am I seeing the rays?How can I bring more light into my life?Am I seeing the good?What can I do to bring back the light?Am I seeking enough light to illuminate all that is available?What am I going to do to seek the rays when I am in the dark?Can you recognize the difference when the Spirit leaves?Am I prepared for the rocks that can show up on my path?Am I choosing light or dark?Whose side am I on?Do my eyes smile?Does love come through my eyes? Invitation:Ask yourself: “After Christmas is over, how do I continue to feel and shine the light of Christ on others?” References:"Pillars and Rays," Alexander Dushku, April 2024 General Conference“Light Cleaveth unto Light,” Timothy J. Dyches, April 2021 General Conference“Light of Christ,” Topics and Questions, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"Choose the Light," Vern P. Stanfill, October 2015 General ConferenceTitle quote is from "A Compensatory Spiritual Power for the Righteous," Neil L. Andersen, BYU Devotional, BYU Speeches, August 18, 2015“Voices of the Restoration #10 • Liberty Jail • Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat • Oct 20-26 • Come Follow Me,” followHIM Podcast, Oct 20, 2025“Light,” Ted. E Brewerton, October 1991 General ConferenceMatthew 5:15, 3 Nephi 12:14-16John 6:67 Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoEWe are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce.

Leann and Melissa discuss letting the Lord lead us through difficult times and the importance of being a peacemaker.  Ponder Questions:Why am I so fearful?Where is my faith?Am I choosing peace?Am I letting go of control?Am I a peacemaker?Am I a builder or a destroyer?Am I noticing the good in others? Invitation:Study how to show faith and seek for greater peace.  References:"Peace, Be Still,” Lisa L. Harkness, October 2020 General Conference "A Pattern for Peace," W. Christopher Waddell, April 2016 General Conference "The Path to Peace and Joy," Richard G. Scott,  April 2000 General Conference“Alma 13-16 Part 1 • Eva Witesman • June 24 - 30 • Come Follow Me,” followHim Podcast, June 19, 2024"Go Forward in Faith," Russell M. Nelson, April 2020 General Conference Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoEWe are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce.

Melissa and Leann talk about “includedness” and how to share authentic belonging and kindness with others to make sure no one is alone.  Ponder Questions:How am I including others in our gatherings?How can I reach out so others feel included?How am I building relationships?What is keeping me from Christ?Am I accepting the call to gather scattered Israel?Who do I know who is feeling alone?Am I finding authentic connection with others?How do people feel after they have been with me? Invitation:Pray to know how to talk to others.Look for ways to use your gifts to include others.Include others in whatever you are doing. References:“‘Follow Me,’” Joseph B. Wirthlin, April 2002 General Conference"No One Sits Alone," Gerrit W. Gong, October 2025 General Conference Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoEWe are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce.

Leann and Melissa discuss ways to simplify this upcoming holiday season by reprioritizing your favorite parts of the holiday, being willing to say no, and focusing on Christ. Ponder Questions:How do I find Christ in Christmas?What kind of a holiday do I want to create?What is the most important to me?Am I living in gratitude?How can I love and serve others?How much time do I have to give?What causes me stress during the holiday season?Where am I going overboard?Am I letting guilt in?What “shoulds” am I letting in?What expectations do I have?Am I taking time for myself?Who am I celebrating?Is it time to change some traditions?How can I simplify?Who needs my service?What would Christ be doing?Where am I needed?Am I letting go of expectations? Invitation:Take some time to write down your focus and what you want to create this holiday season. Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh0r5hkYIMni7s1GcP-PZJK_AGTHMjZoEWe are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce.

Leann and Melissa discuss rejoicing in and building both spiritual and temporal abundance, ways to move out of a scarcity mindset, and embracing our limitless potential as children of God. Ponder Questions:How is abundance showing up in my life?How am I cultivating abundance?What do I consider abundance?What areas am I abundant in?How is scarcity showing up in my life?How do I add to what is already out there?Am I letting my ego get in the way?What do I have to share?Am I being generous?Am I giving from the heart?Am I putting labels on others?Am I limiting myself?Am I a scooper or a scraper?How can I be limitless?What do I want to be more abundant in?Am I savoring the good?What are my excuses?What am I missing out on in the gospel when I am focusing on the things of the world?Where do I need to improve to create more abundance?Do I have an abundant heart?How am I cultivating that spark within me? Invitation:Think about the areas of your life you are lacking in abundance.  Savor the areas where you are abundant and show gratitude. References:“How To Cultivate an Abundance Mindset,” Ingrid Fetell Lee, aestheticsofjoy.com “The Abundant Life,” Joseph B. Wirthlin, April 2006 General ConferenceTitle quote is from D&C 104:17 “What is Abundance?”, Andy Hayes, Plum Deluxe blog, plumdeluxe.com  Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast where we share quotes, affirmations, questions and clips from that week’s episode throughout the week. You can also find us on YouTube.We are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese, David and Bruce.

Leann and Melissa expand the definition of ministering to include neighbors and communities as they discuss following promptings and showing love through simple, consistent ways. Ponder Questions:Am I ministering to someone each day?Do I understand the true reason for ministering?Do the people I minister to feel ministered to?Do the people I minister to feel comfortable enough to ask for my help because of the relationship that we have?Am I ministering to the people I see who have a need?Am I expanding my ministering to all people?Am I available and listening to act on promptings to minister to others?Am I acting right away when I receive a prompting?Am I leaving the world behind?Am I expanding my capacity to serve?Do I show my gratitude when others serve me?What more can I do?What is my ultimate goal?Am I praying for others struggling on the other side of the world?Am I judging or loving?Do I have a willing heart?Do I see the vision of ministering, and am I allowing my heart to change? Invitation:Find a way to minister to someone every day.Pray to know whom you can serve today.Look for ways to make an impact on someone else’s life. References:Title quote from the hymn “Have I Done Any Good?”, Will L. Thompson, Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"Ministering,” Gerrit W. Gong, April 2023 General Conference"Ministering as the Savior Does," Jean B. Bingham, April 2018 General ConferenceD&C 101:7-8"Sisters’ Participation in the Gathering of Israel,” Russell M. Nelson, October 2018 General Conference  Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast, where we will share quotes, ponder questions, affirmations and an invitation from that week’s episode throughout the week.We are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese and David.

Melissa, Leann and Erin continue to discuss the importance of listening to your body and ways to release old emotions and patterns to facilitate personal healing. Erin walks Melissa and Leann through some breathwork exercises.  Ponder Questions:Am I thanking my body for the messages it is giving me?Am I stuck in my head?Am I leading with my heart?Am I living in alignment with what I know?How is holding this emotion serving me?  Am I willing to release? Invitation:Do the mini session that is included towards the end of the episode. Connect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast, where we will share quotes, ponder questions, affirmations and an invitation from that week’s episode throughout the week.We are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese and David.

Erin, a trauma-informed breathwork facilitator, joins Melissa and Leann to talk about the importance of the breath and how it allows you to reconnect with your body and move forward with God. Ponder Questions:What is it I want to let go of, and what do I want to receive?Am I intentionally finding my breath?Am I intentionally breathing?Am I aware of what my body is saying? Invitation:Notice your breath throughout the day.References:Jin Shin Jyutsu, jsjinc.net/index.phpPause Breathwork, pausebreathwork.comReflections Inside and Out With Laurel Dawn Huston, reflections-inside-and-out-laurel-huston.square.siteConnect With Us: awakenings@googlegroups.comIf you have any comments, questions or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. You can also find us on Instagram at @awakeningspodcast, where we will share quotes, ponder questions, affirmations and an invitation from that week’s episode throughout the week.We are grateful for our production team: Ben, Sydney, Kinzie, Lyndee, Analese and David.