All Children of God

I think its fascinating to learn about people. To hear their life stories. To learn about their desires, their joys, their sorrow, and their disappointments. No matter who the person is they have struggles but they also have joys. I love seeing God's hand in the life of others. We are his children and he loves us. 

Elder Orson F. Whitney wrote: “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. … It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire.”

We have hard times in our life. And so does everyone else. But the Savior suffered for each of us. Alma prophesied that “he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and … he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. …“That his bowels may be filled with mercy, … that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”

During our hard times let us not forget others. Everyone has hard times. Reach out and help someone else. "As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit." Dieter F. Uchtdorf

If you want to to hear about peoples lives and how their faith in Jesus Christ helps them click here.

Tennessee Rain

Rainy days come... There are many hard things that happen just because we are alive. 

Today it rained. Not just a little rain either.  Just from walking to my car was was soaking wet. When I got in all I wanted to do was go back out and dance in the rain. So that is what I did. The rain felt so good coming down and splashing into the puddles. All my worries and cares went away. I was happy enjoying the rain. 

You've heard someone say either "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, Its about dancing in the rain." or something similar to it. But how are we suppose to dance in the storms of our lives? 

In my life when I'm having a "rainy day" I think of something that brings me happiness. Sometimes I look around and see the beauties of the earth. Sometimes I think of my family. And sometimes I think about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because it only through Jesus Christ that we can have true lasting happiness.

In the Book of Mormon Ammon was watching the king's sheep. They were scattered. As a result all of the servants that were watching would be killed. 

Ammon responded by saying "My brethren, be of good cheer and let us go in search of the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back unto the place of water; and thus we will preserve the flocks unto the king and he will not slay us" (Alma 17:31)

When his very life was at risk he said, "Be of good cheer." If Ammon was able to be of good cheer when his life was at risk surely we can be of good cheer no matter what is happening in our lives.  

Lost?

Yesterday I was driving and I was lost! I was trying to find an address but what I had didn't match anything on that street. I said a prayer for guidance. After a little while someone came to mind that might be able to help me. I called her and she was able to look up the address. The address that I had was incomplete. After receiving the rest of the address we were able to go straight to our destination. 


This is like our life. Do we have the sufficient information to get us to our destination, of eternal life? Or are we wondering around. You might even be like me and not even realize you don't have all the information that you need. I know that the Book of Mormon tells us the way to go to be able to return to our Heavenly Father.


"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Fahter: ye shall have eternal life. 
And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end." (2 Nephi 31:20-21)

I know that it may be scary to read The Book of Mormon, but I promise you that if you do with an open mind it can bless your life. It is the missing information of the address. It will lead you back to your heavenly home.

 Get a free copy of the Book of Mormon and find our for yourself that it is true.

Marriage.... Forever

Dear Staci-       

I got your wedding announcement  in the mail yesterday, very cute! I am so happy for you and Marc. What an exciting adventure you have ahead of you.... Marriage. How lucky you are to be getting married not only for time but also for eternity in the temple. 

Lots of Love,

-Katie 

I know I have talked about temples before, but I am just so very grateful for them. I am grateful that in them families can be bound together by priesthood authority. What a great blessing it is to have the this priesthood restored to the earth. To have the same power that Jesus Christ had while he was here on this earth once more. And that through this priesthood authority families can be bound together... FOREVER! 


"Brethren and sisters, material possessions and honors of the world do not endure. But your union as wife, husband, and family can. The only duration of family life that satisfies the loftiest longings of the human soul is forever. No sacrifice is too great to have the blessings of an eternal marriage. To qualify, one needs only to deny oneself of ungodliness and honor the ordinances of the temple. By making and keeping sacred temple covenants, we evidence our love for God, for our companion, and our real regard for our posterity—even those yet unborn. Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life."

Russell M. Nelson, "Set in Order Thy House," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 71

Change of Heart

My mom went to girls camp (Church camp for girls 12-18) the other night. She was speaking on "Seek after a mighty change of heart."
"When King Benjamin finished his remarkable address in the Land of Zarahemla, the people all cried with one voice that they believed his words. They knew of a surety that his promises of redemption were true, because, said they, 'the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent … has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually' (Mosiah 5:2)." President Ezra Taft Benson  How great it is to have this mighty change of heart to have such a strong desire to turn away from sin and turn to God. 

December 2007

As I thought about this mighty change of hear I thought about Mariska, my cousin's little girl. Misky was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Since then she has had different surgeries and even a heart transplant. She has truly had a change of heart. But it wasn't just as simple as just the surgery itself but its an on going challenge. A year after her transplant her body was rejecting the new heart. But luckily its able to be treated.

year after heart transplant

Just as Misky's change of heart can't just be left neither can our spiritual change of heart be left without constant reminder of our desire to follow Jesus Christ. Misky has to take medicine and go to the hospital for check ups. For us to keep our change of heart we must read the scriptures, and pray everyday. Each week we must attend church where we can worship and be uplifted and edified. Doing these things take time. But it is worth it! 

Articles:

A Mighty Change of Heart

Preserving the Heart's Mighty Change

Fishers of Men

I received a package from home everything had to do with fish, or fishing. Kind of an interesting package you might think. It had a lot more meaning to it than just treats and letters from home.


And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. Matthew 4:18-22



Right now I'm a missionary. A fisher of men. I spend my days talking to people and helping them come unto Christ. Just as Peter, Andrew, James, and John chose to follow Christ when invited to become fishers of men so have I.  

My call came a little different than the apostles that were fishing. It came in the form of a letter in a big white envelop. My call was to serve as a missionary in the Tennessee Nashville area. I listened to that call and left my "nets." Or rather my family, friends, school, hobbies, and other things that I enjoyed. 

I am so grateful that I chose to follow Christ and become of fisher of men. I love seeing people's lives change as they make the choice to follow Christ. 

My Mom

"Mothers and daughters play a critical role in helping each other explore their infinite possibilities.”

—Elder M. Russell Ballard

 I love my mom and am so grateful for her. She is such a great example to me. Right now I live miles and miles away from her, but I still remember the lessons I've learned from my mom. She taught me how to sew, cook, do housework but most of all she taught me in the ways of the Lord. She taught me how to be Christlike, she taught me how important it is to reach out and to love everyone. My mom doesn't just teach me these things but she lives them. She is such a good example to me. 

 

You may not be a mom, but there is always someone watching, someone learning from your example. Are you being a good example? 

"My New Life"

I watched a clip on youtube of a couple that was in a near fatal plane crash. Christian suffered burns on 35% of his body  and Stephanie had burns over 83% of her body.

Since then she has had many many struggles. But she has kept her faith. I am amazed at all she has gone though. She could react so many different ways. But she draws closer to our Heavenly Father and her family.

Hearing about Stephanie and Christian it made me think of this quote by Elder Dieter F. Utchdorf  "It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life's story will develop."

Their reaction to adversity is remarkable. Not only did they keep their faith but it was made stronger. How do you react to adversity. Do you draw nearer to God? Or do you get angry and push Him away.

God is there for us no matter what our struggles our, but the choice is up to us how we want to deal with it.

"Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith. Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people." Mosiah 23:21-22

I Know That My Reedemer Lives

"I know that my Redeemer lives." What a simple phrase that is so powerful. I am so grateful that I know that. Truly this line has brought me so much comfort and joy in my life.

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth Job 19:25

During the hard trials of Job he took comfort in knowing that his redemeer lives. This has helped me get through hard times in my life. And I know that it can help you get through whatever hard things you are going through in your life.


With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift up my voice in testimony as a special witness and declare that God does live. Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Redeemer; He is our Mediator with the Father. He it was who died on the cross to atone for our sins. He became the firstfruits of the Resurrection. Because He died, all shall live again. “Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives!’”  May the whole world know it and live by that knowledge, I humbly pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior, amen. -President Thomas S. Monson

I am so grateful for our Savior who broke the bands of death. I am grateful that Christ broke the bands of death that we might be able to live again. What comfort and joy this give to me. You can have this comfort and joy as well.

mormon.org

exhausted... but happy

I'm exhausted... I've been walking all day to see people. But they aren't home... It is hot so no one else is really out side except for that guy in the red truck that got pulled over. This past week I have been walking a lot. It hadn't been too bad, but I think I've just about hit my limit. I don't know how much farther I can go. Its more than just physical exhaustion. I think I could handle it if it was. But I'm also mentally and emotional exhausted as well.

Even though I am so tired. I am grateful to be a missionary. I am grateful that I've walked just about every street in the city of Gallatin. It makes me happy to give people to opportunity to hear about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how it has been restored. I will gladly be exhausted and worn out knowing that someone has found eternal happiness through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the same church that Christ established. That it has been restored. I know that it will bring you happiness in your life. Because it has brought me so much happiness in my life. Even when I'm walking all day long I am happy. I am happy for this great message I have to share. Find out how you can have this happiness. mormon.org