Once there was a snowman, snowman, snowman.....

Ok so this post will have nothing to do with snowman! Awkward! But I did catch your attention. When I was a little girl, I loved singing that song. I would rock out to it as I danced beautifully! It made me so happy to imitate a snowman. Something so small really did make me so cheerful. I love how little children naturally find joy in almost every situation. Whether it is ending up covered in their dinner or demanding to have every blanket in the house wrapped around them at bedtime, they find the little ways that bring them joy. We must do the same! We must decide to be happy. Now. Not in a year or in a month. Now! And we must decide to allow ourselves to be happy.
I love when Elder Holland said, "We should honor the Savior’s declaration to “be of good cheer." (Indeed, it seems to me we may be more guilty of breaking that commandment than almost any other!)" (The Tongue of Angels) What an incredible commandment we have to be of good cheer! Our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ did not spend time, talents, power and love to create a world and us to just be miserable. They created it for the ultimate joy and happiness to be given to us.
However, it is a choice. We must choose to look at the positives and blessings of our lives. We must count our blessings as the hymn says. I would like to take some time and list just a few things that help me to choose happiness.

• My dearest niece who I love and cherish! She makes me so so so happy!
• My support and love from my family! They help me to choose to be happy!
• Chocolate... Enough said
• Singing out loud in front of the world (preferably in the rain while dancing)
• Seeing someone recognize that God and Christ love them
• Music that is fun and helps me think of my Savior
• Counting to 10 when I am learning lessons in patience
• Crawling into a warm bed and falling asleep instantly
• Laughing with friends at the odd circumstances we are in

All of these things help me to choose to be happy! What makes you happy?

Get out of the twilight zone..... no wait the COMFORT zone!

Today and yesterday we had the opportunity to move into a new apartment! We are moving into a members basement. It is a beautiful place to live and we are really excited! It is a lot of work though! From packing, cleaning, packing some more, cleaning some more, then unpacking, cleaning, unpacking, shopping.. ect. You get the point! It can take a lot to move apartments. We are excited for the change but with it comes some unwanted consequences like leaving our dear roommates. The more I thought about the changes and the work put into it, it reminded me a lot about life. Often times we are given opportunities to change and we are excited and motivated but we still have moments where we want to stay behind. The benefit of staying behind is comfort. The benefit of moving on is increased ability to progress.

Staying in our comfort zones is the best way to mediocrity and laziness. Someone told me once that the gospel is to give the afflicted comfort, and the comfortable affliction. How true! We need to step out of our comfort zone and experience the change and progression God has in store for us. It will not be easy. It will be painful. In the end, it will be worth it. Elder Ritchie, a senior Elder in our mission, told us that the only way out of our comfort zones is through goals. How amazing is it then that our Heavenly Father will give us very new situations where we must set new goals. In this new apartment our goal is to keep it clean! As well as being able to redefine ourselves as missionaries. In every aspect of change we can use it to push us out of our comfort zones and into progression.

Sister Elaine S. Dalton shared her thoughts on change and comfort zones as well.

"We must be willing to change, to make transitions, to repent. From everything I read in the scriptures, I don’t think the Lord likes us to be in a comfort zone. He repeatedly takes his choicest servants out of their comfort zones and challenges them by their circumstances, their trials, and their opportunities to become more and to do more.In order to do this, we must be willing to move out of our comfort zones—to change. And that change can happen today . . .When you make a transition, you are never alone. Our Heavenly Father knows exactly where you are, and He will be with you. As you make some transitions, and they’re difficult, you can pray to Him. He will even send His angels to be with you. He will lead you to a place better than you can comprehend."

I am so grateful for the opportunity to leave my comfort zone and improve. I am still nervous but it will be a wonderful journey! Don't be afraid to step out of the comfort zone.

Long-suffering... now that doesn't sound like too much fun!

My first transfer as a missionary, my mission president asked me to study long-suffering. I was really not too excited about that assignment and wondered what it was prophesying of. 3 months later at our next interview President told me he had something really exciting for me to study... Long-suffering! At this point I was a little upset! I was not ready for a mission that meant long-suffering all the time! Yet again this last week President once again asked me to study long-suffering. I must have not learned enough! While I am still a little disgruntled at the idea of this continuation of studies, I thought I would share some of my thoughts!

The first thing I though was very interesting is how intertwined long-suffering is with the attribute of charity. We are told that Charity is long-suffering. Charity is able to continue onwards with love and joy by having patience with the faults of others. It helps us to be able to acknowledge others faults without using them against them or judging them. It is how we continue on in relationships without going crazy! It is also how Christ was able to love all those around Him. Timothy 1: 16 teaches us "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." 
Christ showed us the ultimate patten of long-suffering by working with us. Elder Holland demonstrated this idea by saying, "Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we."Long-suffering is about allowing others to progress and change at their own rate why still loving them for their faults.

The other connection with long-suffering is found in Galatians when it tells the fruits of the spirit. Long-suffering is one of them! One way we can know if we have the spirit is by the way we can endure and progress through our trials. It is also required when we are awaiting guidance or peace. Without such a virtue this life would be far too long with far too few answers.

Long-suffering is truly a blessing we can have that will help us to be able to make it through this life. It will help us not only endure but endure well. So, inregards to my Mission Presidents advice, I will strive to develop a longer and more prolonged ability to endure and produce patience in my time here.

I was lied to!!

A couple weeks ago my sister training leader asked me how I would describe my mission in one word. I responded, "Hard." She then went on to describe all the wonderful times we have on our mission, how much they help us grow and how much fun we can have! She asked me again "so now how would you describe your mission?" "HARD!" I responded calmly:) It is true. Missions are hard! So very very hard!
When I would ask others about their missions I always heard the most inspiring and joyful answers. I began to believe that missions were always wonderful and exciting. It never crossed my mind how exhausting and troublesome missions were. I was very much lied to! I also now realize how grateful I am that missions are hard! I would not lean near as much if my mission was easy. It reminds me of a quote by Elder Jeffery R. Holland

Anyone who does any kind of missionary work will have occasion to ask, Why is this so hard? Why doesn’t it go better? Why can’t our success be more rapid? Why aren’t there more people joining the Church? It is the truth. We believe in angels. We trust in miracles. Why don’t people just flock to the font? Why isn’t the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font?

You will have occasion to ask those questions. I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries and mission leaders have to take at least a step or two toward the summit of Calvary. (Missionary Work and the Atonement)

For anyone who is venturing off to become a missionary or who is wondering who those missionaries are, just know that being a missionary is hard! But it allows us to come closer to our Savior and to understand just a small piece of His suffering. I love being a missionary and having the opportunity to grow in such a concentrated time frame. I love my Savior and I love His work.

Nobody said anything about having to jump out of the boat!

Today we had the amazing opportunity to visit with the one and only S. Gifford Nielson. If anyone of you were watching the October general conference then !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! might give you a hint to who he is! It was a phenomenal conference and a wonderful opportunity to learn more about my purpose as a missionary. The thing I loved most though was when we were told we needed to get out of the boat! No but really! Our assistants shared a great lesson that I want to share with ya'll.
Do you remember the story of Peter and his ability to walk on water?(Matthew 14:29) I have always loved this story. The elders talked about how Christ commanded the apostles to get in the boat and travel across the waters. It was a good thing to be in the boat and to be traveling in the right direction. The miracle however did not happen until Peter choose to step out of the boat. That act of faith alone is what allowed him to see a miracle. He walked on water! I don't know about you all but I need miracles everyday to keep me going. We need that power of God in our lives. Well this story tells us how to receive it! No I'm not saying you should go jump into the ocean and start walking, but examine where in your life you need miracles and then find the "boat" you can step out of. It really does take that step.

When becoming a disturber and annoyer is a good thing... I am all in!

I am a red head. Or in otherwise know as a ginger. Let's just say that I have a bit of a temper and I am very nosy. I have been called annoying in my past and maybe a little in my present as well! I remember when I was a little girl I would always tag along with my sister. In fact, when we would play card games with her friends, we would all cheat just so she wouldn't win. I was a typical little sister. Back then being annoying was classified as a bad thing. What I read today however says otherwise! I was reading in the Joseph Smith History where he says,

"it seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?" (JSH 1:20)

 Becoming an annoyer and disturber is a good thing! If, of course, it is towards the proper things. Joseph Smith and all of the other prophets are wonderful examples of how to be an annoyer to Satan and his plans. Each of us can be annoyers as we work to become more like our Savior. I thought a lot about Joseph Smith and how he was this disturber and here are just a few examples I thought of.

• He sought God's will and only God's will
• He had diligent scripture study and prayer
• He stood up for the beliefs he had
• He brought the restored gospel to hundreds!
• He brought others closer to Christ

In simple ways he thwarted the plans of Satan. It also reminds me of a scripture found in the Book of Mormon. It is talking about the prophet Moroni and the man he was.

"Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men."

We can thwart the plans and designs of Satan and have fun while doing it! Let us each become disturbers, annoyers and hell shakers!

The ER and the snow = Christ?

This week has been a disaster!! We have had so many trials and crazy adventures. What started out as a wonderful Sunday ended in a trip to the ER and snow day, after snow day, after snow day! What in the world! It was one of those weeks where I did not feel much like a missionary. I was frustrated with the way this week came about and the little work we were able to complete. That is until I came across the scripture in 3 Nephi18: 7 which says ". . . And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you." 

When I read that scripture I thought about how even those moments we were able to still remember Christ and be an example of Him. Here are just a few examples!

While the nurse was drawing blood from my wrist I was able to talk about prayer! We had a great exchange about how through prayer God can really help us through anything. Even having a needle stabbed in your wrist.

While we were in the ER we were able to demonstrate patience as we sat for 3 hours. We were laughing and smiling and helping everyone who worked there have a more relaxing work shift.

When the fireman came to check out our apartment we were able to give them some laughs and smiles. They may have enjoyed that a little too much!

Throughout our snow days we were able to help each other through personal trials and through boredom. We even created Plan of Salvation visuals and started reading Jesus the Christ!

Most importantly throughout all of the crazy we were able to always have fun and receive strength through Christ.

Often Christ is apart of our daily lives whether we realize it or not. If we can simply recognize His love for each of us then we can always remember Him and always have His spirit to be with us.

Become the Miracle!

Throughout the New Testaments we read of the Savior's miracles. He heals the blind, the lame, and the leper. He forgives sins and He brakes the band of death. He allows us to see the miracles that can happen through His love and power. There is another type of miracle that can happen within each of us. We ourselves can become the miracle.

In a very real way, we already are miracles! We have a functioning body that allows us to progress. We have a beating heart that allows us to live and a personality that allows us to have fun! Another miracle that can occur is when we allow the Savior to change our hearts. That is when we become a true disciple of Christ. That is when we allow the power of Christ's love to turn us into miracles!

The Bible dictionary tells us that miracles are "the natural results of the Messiah’s presence among men" As we come closer to the Savoir we naturally become a miracle. We are able to feel His presence and His love. We can begin to trust Christ more fully and have the faith that not only He can change us, but that He wants to. We do this by immersing ourselves in the scriptures, attending church, and prayer. It also requires us to return to Him and repent. We must take those steps to come closer to Him before He can heal us (3 Nephi 9: 13).

Another way that we become a miracle is wanting to be changed. If we are stubborn and set in our ways, He cannot come in and force us to change. I think of when I was a little girl and I had a beautiful flower girl dress. I wore it all the time! I wanted to wear it whenever possible and no matter what I was doing. My mom could not get me to change what I was wearing, even if it was not suitable for certain activities. In a very real way we can apply this to our stubbornness when it comes to sin. Too often we are too stubborn to allow Christ to come and cleanse us and change our hearts.

I know that we can become miracles through our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that if we allow Him, He will say, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you" (Ezekiel 36:26).

To see more of Christ's miracles portrayed visit : The Bible Videos

Consecration... The ultimate gift.

I have been talked to and talked to about what consecration is on my mission. Some say it is giving up everything for God. Some say it is becoming one with God's will. While both of these are correct, my favorite definition demonstrates the difference from consecration and sacrifice. Sacrifice is giving up everything in order to serve God. Consecration is giving to God. When we are consecrated we are giving God our all. We are allowing Him to take our fears, doubts, trials and afflictions and mold them into the creation He needs us to be. We are literally putting ourselves in His hands. We cannot expect this action to be easy or painless. It is subjecting our desires and motives to His. That is hard! It will take concerted effort and extreme self control. When accomplished, it allows us to become the rock solid disciple that God needs us to be.
This is a life long pursuit. No one can be perfect at it today but we can try a little harder. Lately, I have had this take a huge part of my life. I am on a mission to serve God, but I have always seen it as sacrificing so much to be here. I saw it as giving up my time to become a missionary. With trials and gloomy choices, I have had to realize I needed to not only give up this time but truly give it to God. I needed to give my all to whatever His will is for me. With that step into the darkness, I am now able to be much happier as I give my all knowing this is God's will for me.
While I was in the Missionary Training Center, my teacher told us that this life is really about spending all our time, energy and emotion in building God's kingdom. As we do this God is building our kingdom into something much more elaborate and extraordinary then we could have ever guessed. That is amazing! God loves us that much that He wants to build and create our kingdoms but He can't do it as well if we are in the way.
An apostle of the Lord said, 

Another cosmic fact: only by aligning our wills with God’s is full happiness to be found. Anything less results in a lesser portion (see Alma 12:10–11). The Lord will work with us even if, at first, we “can no more than desire” but are willing to “give place for a portion of [His] words” (Alma 32:27). A small foothold is all He needs! But we must desire and provide it.

"So many of us are kept from eventual consecration because we mistakenly think that, somehow, by letting our will be swallowed up in the will of God, we lose our individuality (see Mosiah 15:7). What we are really worried about, of course, is not giving up self, but selfish things—like our roles, our time, our preeminence, and our possessions. No wonder we are instructed by the Savior to lose ourselves (see Luke 9:24). He is only asking us to lose the old self in order to find the new self. It is not a question of one’s losing identity but of finding his true identity!" (Swoallowed Up in the Will of the Father by Neal A Maxwell)

Those are some amazing blessings! We will find full happiness as we seek to become truly consecrated and we will find our true identity! As Neal A Maxwell also said "Consecration thus constitutes the only unconditional surrender which is also a total victory!"
Let us be like our Savoir Jesus Christ and say " nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." (Luke 22:42)

The B Word.... Baptism!

As a Christian I am very familiar with the story of Christ's baptism. He sought out John the Baptist and He was baptized to "fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15) I also know that Jesus Christ has commanded us all to be baptized to receive a remission of sins. Today when I was reading in the Pearl of Great Price I was amazed at another account of baptism. The baptism of Adam. Yes, Adam as in Adam and Eve. Even the first man alive was baptized! Christ taught Adam some important truths that make baptism so much more powerful.

"Ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water , and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory;

For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified." (Moses 6: 59-60)

 I love the break down of why the water, spirit, and blood are so important. When we are baptized by immersion it is to show our willingness to obey the commandments of God, when we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost we receive the remission of our sins, and when we are cleansed by the power of the Atonement we are then sanctified. It is a process! It takes time and hard work to become the clean disciples of Christ we need to be, but baptism in the first step to receiving all of the blessings God has in store for us.
Elder Robert D Hales, an Apostle for the Lord has said,

Entering into the kingdom of God is so important that Jesus was baptized to show us “the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which [we] should enter” . . . 

Born of a mortal mother, Jesus was baptized to fulfill His Father’s commandment that sons and daughters of God should be baptized. He set the example for all of us to humble ourselves before our Heavenly Father. We are all welcome to come into the waters of baptism. He was baptized to witness to His Father that He would be obedient in keeping His commandments. He was baptized to show us that we should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (see 2 Ne. 31:4–9).

As we follow the example of Jesus, we, too, demonstrate that we will repent and be obedient in keeping the commandments of our Father in Heaven. We humble ourselves with a broken heart and a contrite spirit as we recognize our sins and seek forgiveness of our trespasses (see 3 Ne. 9:20). We covenant that we are willing to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ and always remember Him. (The Covenant of Baptism: To Be in the kingdom and of the kingdom)

I know that as we are baptized with the proper authority and permission from God that we can become sanctified and cleansed. I am grateful for my opportunity to be baptized and to come closer to my Savior!

Grace... dun dun dun!!!

Ok, so I have been thinking a lot about grace lately. The word and definition have been so confused and incomplete. I love the Bible dictionary definition that says,

"The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ . . . It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power."

Grace is the way that Christ helps us in our everyday tasks. It is how he helps us to become more like Him. It is also how he helps us to have joy in the journey!

When I was reading the Book of Mormon the other day I was struck with a verse in Helaman that says "And may God grant, in his great fulness, that men might be brought unto repentance and good works, that they might be restored unto grace for grace, according to their works." (Helaman 12:24)
I was interested by the way that Helaman teaches us that we must be restored to grace for grace. I realized that in order to receive that help and enabling power from Christ we must be in a position to receive that help. We receive grace through the Holy Ghost and if we are in situations where the Holy Ghost cannot be, we can not receive that help. For example, if I am stuck out here in Virginia with a flat tire I cannot call my dad to receive help. (Unfortunately!) In the same way if we are not repenting and doing good works our Father in Heaven cannot help us because we will not let Him.

In order to receive the grace of Jesus Christ we must accept Him and His means of help. We must allow Him to change us by being obedient to His commandments. I know this is true and that it can change our lives. 

Check this out for another wonderful talk on grace! His Grace is Sufficient by Brad Wilcox

Communication with the Almighty!

Prayer. What a gift! The All Powerful, All Knowing, Miraculous Maker of the Universe commands us, miniscule creatures, to talk to Him... Daily! Now why in the world would He do that?! Well that answer come from knowing who we are and our relationship to God. He is our Father. The Father of our Spirits, who knows and loves us perfectly. The Bible Dictionary tell us, "As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part." So prayer is really a way to talk to our Father.

My Dad!

I remember when I went away to college my dad would have killed me if I didn't call him AT LEAST once a day! After all I was his little girl! In the same way we are God's children and He hates being away from us. He knew that we needed this time away to learn and grow but He still wants to hear from us daily! Now that is what I call love.
The hardest thing about prayer is what Moroni says is praying with a sincere heart and real intent, having faith in Christ. (Moroni 10:4) We must pray in such a way that we are really seeking for a relationship with God and that we will do whatever He tells us to. If we ask for an answer and then won't act upon that answer, He won't give it to us. We must be willing to follow His guidance. That for me has been one of the hardest things to do. Let me share an experience.
Recently I have had to ponder where I need to apply for college. I have truly sought for the answer from Heavenly Father and received my answer! I immediately applied for school and we will see how it goes! In contrast when I was applying for school when I was in high school I was set on going to a certain university. While I asked for guidance, I was not willing to change my answer so Heavenly Father allowed me to decide where to go. While I loved that university and the experience was necessary, I now recognize that that was a decision made on my own and not through the spirit.
I know that prayer is the way we can speak to our Father in Heaven, receive answers and peace, and a commandment to build a relationship with Him. When we pray we are getting to know God and in turn He can show how much he knows and loves us.

John Smith... no wait Joseph Smith! That one guy who did something!

On my mission one of the most frequently asked questions is who is John Smith and why is he important? So I'm going to say it loud and clear so everyone can hear! Joseph Smith is a prophet of God who was called to restore Christ's church again on the Earth! That was pretty bold, right? It is true! His story is one of the most humbling experiences and proof that God still talks to His children.
Joseph Smith was a humble boy who, at the age of 14, was concerned about what church he should join. When I was 14 I was way more concerned about my glasses then my spiritual welfare, but he was a boy who wanted to know God's will and so he sought for it. He studied the scriptures and came across James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Joseph Smith pondered and applied this into his life. He offered a humble prayer and what occurred has changed the history of mankind. In his own words,

I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! (Jospeh Smith History 1: 16-17).

Joseph Smith saw our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. They spoke with him and they counseled him to not join any of the churches. Joseph Smith went on in his life to restore the true Church of Christ and to bring back the lost truths of the gospel. 
Of course, the fear is there if this is a false prophet, but scripture tells us that by his "fruits ye shall know them" (Matt 7:20). The fruit of Joseph Smith is the Book of Mormon and the worldwide church known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. One latter prophet John Taylor said,

"Joseph Smith, the prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth . . . He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood." (Doctrine and Covenants 135: 3)

I invite everyone to learn more about the prophet Joseph Smith and his remarkable miraculous story. Learn of the humble boy who became the spokesperson for the Lord in these latter days. Then act as he and ask of God.

#josephsmith 

Becoming a Mom??

A couple months ago our mission president asked us if we would each set a vision for ourselves for
the end of our missions. We were to prayerfully set a vision, goal, and plan for how we wanted to to become who God wanted us to become. As I prayed and pondered what kept coming to my mind was that everything I was learning on my mission was preparing me to become a mom. I recognized that this was my goal in life. I just want to become the best mom I could! As I set my vision I realized I had the best examples in my life! My mom, sisters, aunts and grandmas. They have all taught me the ways of becoming wonderful moms. Here are just a few of those examples:

My mom, some of her sisters and my Grandma!

1. My mom was always so supportive of my extracurricular activities. I had hundreds of performances and she came to every one of them! She always helped me to become a better performer and a better student.
2. My mom allowed me to use my agency and grow on my own. I have always been an individual and my mom was the best and teaching by example and then allowing me to discover the truth on my own.
3. Family always came first in my home. No matter what stresses or other problems arise, our family always was the top priority to my mom.
4. My aunts taught me that it is important to ALWAYS have chocolate on hand! This is key to a happy family.
5. My mom, sister and grandmas have always shown me the importance of hard work.  They have all worked hard to help support their families and to show to their children the importance of it.
6. My sister always made sure my niece had the most fun possible! Whether from painting outside without clothing on, to singing jingle bells to her favorite aunt:)
7. My family has always been the best at sharing their testimonies of the gospel and the blessings that come from it. That has helped me the most to grow my own testimony.

 The Sista's

 

There are so many other ways my family has shown me how to become a great mom. One day (in the far far future) I will have the opportunity to hopefully show my future daughter what it is all about too!
I am so grateful that the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us how to be with our families forever! It allows us to develop lasting family relationships that will last for the eternities. Without my family I would be a disaster! I am so grateful for them!

#familiesareforever #familytheproclamationtotheworld

Lay hold upon the word of God

Today when I was reading in Helaman I came across a scripture that I have always loved! Helaman 3: 29-30. It says

Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked—

And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out.

What an incredible promise! If we lay hold upon the word of God we will be lead to the right hand of God! Now that is a end that we all want. I was struck by that idea of laying hold upon the word of God and what it really meant. I know we are commanded to read the scriptures daily and apply them, but is that all it means to lay hold? As I pondered I was struck by how important it is to make the word of God apart of you. To study, know and live the word is key to being able to lay claim on the blessings found in it. Laying hold is grasping firmly and never letting go. It is the same way with our testimonies. We need to grasp hold to the things we know and live for them. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the key to ending at the right hand of God and the only way to have that key is to engulf yourself in the very source of it. I know that by laying hold of the word of God we can receive greater knowledge, a sense of peace and healing. (Jacob 2:8).  I am so grateful for the scriptures that teach us of this word and how to apply it. I am also grateful for a living prophet who speaks for God today and gives us His most recent word. I know that through living the word of God we can lay claim on those blessings found in Helaman. 

Resolutions!

New Years Resolutions!  New year resolutions are amazing ways to start fresh today. The world today uses resolutions as a way to set vague goals that may or may not come true. Resolutions are also seen as a way to better oneself when it comes to the worldly statuses of life. What a better way to use this fresh clean year then to work towards becoming more Christlike. Resolutions are an amazing opportunity to change and become more like our Savior Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven. As I set my resolutions this year I thought of what my mission president suggested "go to the mount" as Nephi did (1 Nephi 18:3) to find out from God (who already knows what you need to accomplish) what your goals should be. Nephi "went to the mount oft" and received miraculous direction, unrealistic direction, direction that blessed him throughout the eternities. Don't settle for mediocrity. Dare to be great" (President Riggs).
We can each set goals that will increase our ability to be a disciple of Christ and return home to our Father in Heaven.
Here are some of my new year resolutions for 2014:
~ Study a Christlike attribute every month and set goals to improve in that attribute.
~ Learn to receive, recognize and act upon impressions from the Holy Ghost
~ Become a better daughter and sister - learn to serve selflessly for the better of my family

What are some of your resolutions?

Christmas.. a little late.. oops!

I know this is a little past the Christmas season but lets be real we should be thinking about Christ year round so it works! This year when I was reading the story of Christ's birth I was once again struck by the faithfulness and loyalty of Mary. She was a young woman who was innocent and believed in God. She had no doubt that God could bless her. When the angel Gabriel came to her to tell her she would become the mother of the Son of God her responsive was, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word" (Luke 1: 38). She did not doubt or voice concern, instead she accepted the calling and allowed us to see how we should also accept the will of the Lord. We are all His servants and will forever be indebted to Him. If we understand that we will understand the necessity and the ability we all have to follow the will of the Lord.
I also loved later in the chapter when Mary says "my soul does magnify the Lord" (Luke 1: 46). Mary understood that her actions and her very spirit could magnify our Savior. She could be the example and leader that He needed her to be. And she was just that! I wish I could take just an hour and observe Mary. I would observe how she taught, spoke, thought, and how she worshiped her God. She does exemplify the way we should all magnify our Lord.
I am so grateful for Mary and her faithfulness that allowed her to become the mother of my Savior! I won't lie I am grateful that I did not have such a trial placed upon me. I am grateful for the example she showed to me of how to magnify our Lord.

The Book of Mormon!

Alrighty listen up ya'll! I have to stop these posts to tell you about the incredible blessing of the Book of Mormon! It blows my mind that Heavenly Father loves us enough to give us so much of His word. He does loves us and the Book of Mormon proves that. There is power in this book. It applies to every situation in our life. It transforms us into the people Heavenly Father needs us to be. It has changed my life. It has turned me from someone who struggled even knowing God was there to someone who stands as a representative of Him. It has changed me from a typical annoying teenager into an optimistic happy individual who is confident. It allows me to become sanctified and purified and it can do the same for you. If you have not read this incredible book, DO IT! Now. Not tomorrow but today! It is the very word of God brought forth to strengthen us today and you can know that for yourself! There is a promise in the Book of Mormon that says:

 3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, and having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

I know that by following this promise you can know the truth of the Book of Mormon!
It is true. It is blue. It can transform you!
#BookofMormon