Gifts

Today is my birthday. I have a great few days celebrating my birthday. People have been so kind to take me to eat and give me gifts. They have all been so nice and it has made me so very happy. It makes me think back to the best gift I have ever received. The gift of the Holy Ghost.

"When you were confirmed a member of the Church, you received the right to the companionship of the Holy Ghost. He can help you make good choices. When challenged or tempted, you do not need to feel alone. Remember that prayer is the passport to spiritual power." 

     -Thomas S. Monson

I have been so grateful for this gift in my life. But just like receiving a present you can't just be given it but you truly have to receive it. Its easy to think how you would receive a present... you open it. But how do you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? Elder David A. Bednar teaches how we can receive this gift. "Let me suggest that we need to (1) sincerely desire to receive the Holy Ghost, (2) appropriately invite the Holy Ghost into our lives, and (3) faithfully obey God's commandments."

I know that we first need to come unto Christ and be baptized. Christ said, "He that is baptized in my name, to him will I give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do." (2 Nephi 31:12) Then once we have been given the Holy Ghost we must do the things that Elder Bednar taught that we might me able to have this gift more part of our lives. I know it will bless your life, it has mine!

"Following baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there comes a second ordinance: 'Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost' (Articles of Faith 1:4)
That sweet, quiet voice of inspiration comes more as a feeling than it does a sound. Pure intelligence can be spoken into the mind. The Holy Ghost communicates with our spirits through the mind more than through the physical senses. This guidance comes as thoughts, as feelings through promptings and impressions. We may feel the words of spiritual communication more than hear them and see with spiritual rather than with mortal eyes."

      -Boyd K. Packer

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is our Savior, our Redeemer. He gave His life for us.... that through Him we might have eternal life. When Christ performed the atonement he took upon Him our pains, afflictions, temptations, sickness in order to be able to know how to help us. (see Alma 7:11-12)

 I love this talk by Elder Holland because it helps me to remember that Our Savior and what he went through.

I love what he says at the end. Read it and as you do think about it. Think how you can apply it to your life.

"May we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear. May we stand by Jesus Christ "at all time and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death," for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone." -Elder Holland

By reading this talk it gives me courage. Courage to do what is right to follow Jesus Christ and His perfect example. It helps me want to do better. I hope your feel the same way!

Our belief in Jesus Christ is so important. We must have faith! But I know that when we have true faith in Jesus Christ we will want to act. We will want to be the best that we can. I know that as we strive to do the things that our Savior has asked and to follow Him we will be happier. We will have more joy in our life.

My Dad

"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families." 

-The Family: A Proclamation to the World

 

One of my earliest memories war probably when I was around 3 it is sitting on my dad's lap while he took off my earnings. I love this memory!  I love how he would have me come and sit on his lap as he would carefully take-out my earnings. It truly shows my dads love.

When I was little I loved when my dad would come home from work. When it got time for him to come home I would go hide. When I heard him come in I would yell for him to come find me. I'm sure he knew right where I was when I yelled but he played around and I thought I was such a good hider.

I love these and many many more memories I have with my dad. I am grateful for the time that he took out of his life to talk to me and teach me. I still remember and apply many of the things he taught me.

One of the most important things that we can learn from our fathers is to learn Jesus Christ. In the Book of Mormon there are many examples of fathers who taught of Jesus Christ. The first verse in the Book of Mormon says, "I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father." Later a man name Enos says, "Behold, it came to pass that I Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man-- for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord-- and blessed be the name of my God for it"

Just as these men are grateful to their fathers for being taught in the ways of the Lord so am I. I am grateful for my father who taught me about Jesus Christ. He taught by example and with love, which I will ever be grateful for.

"Let us reflect gratitude for our fathers. Father... is ever willing to sacrifice his own comfort for that of his children. Daily he toils to provide the necessities of live, never complaining, ever concerned for the well-being of his family. This love for children, this desire to see them well and happy, is a constant time of change."
-Thomas S. Monson

Thank You Dad! I Love You!

Click Here to get a free Book of Mormon to learn more about Jesus Christ

Hudson the Hippo

I was over at a lady's house from my church yesterday. She sells library books and she let Sister Anderson and I each pick out a book. Sister Anderson found a book called "Hudson the Hippo." She showed it to me because my nephew's name is Hudson. I thought it was funny so I decided to get that book.

This book is about learning to control angry feelings. Hudson wakes up in a bad mood and wants everyone else to feel bad too. In the end when Hudson learns to control his feelings, he has a much nicer day with his friends.

This isn't just a good thing for Hudson the Hippo to learn to control is anger, or even the kids that will read this book. But it is something that each of us must learn.  In the talk "The Case Against Anger" Burton C. Kelly said, "instead of blaming events or the people around us for our anger, we should remember that no one else can 'make' us angry. We make ourselves angry."

How can we stop from being angry? President Hinckley gave us council on how in his talk "Slow to Anger." At the end of his talk he said. "I plead with you to control your tempers, to put a smile upon your faces, which will erase anger; speak out with words of love and peace, appreciation, and respect." He continued by saying, "If you will do this, your lives will be without regret. Your marriages and family relationships will be preserved. You will be much happier. You will do greater good. You will feel a sense of peace that will be wonderful." What a wonderful blessing we can receive if we can learn what Hudson the Hippo learned, which is to control our anger.

Miracle of Christ

Yesterday Sister Anderson and I received a phone call from the Zone Leaders. They said that for zone conference (on Friday) we needed to have a musical number and that they found a really great duet. Since Sister Anderson and I are the only Sisters in our zone they asked us if we sang. Sister Anderson said she didn't and I said I sing in the shower. Well I guess that was enough because now I get to sing for zone conference.... kinda scary!

Singing is something I've always wanted to do. But I have always been too afraid to even try. I love singing in choirs but I have never sung with so few people.

The song that we are singing is called "How Great is the Miracle". I am so grateful for this miracle... the miracle of Christ and His atonement. I am grateful that through Him we can be made whole. I am not some amazing experienced singer but I am grateful that I have an opportunity to sing about the miracle of Christ. I pray for a miracle as a sing about His miracle.

 In Ether 12:27 it says, "for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." I know this is true. I know that He will help me as I am humble and have faith. I also know that He will help you with your weaknesses.

Hungry?...I am.

I love bread. Good bread. Homemade bread. And right now that sounds so good! I am hungry and a warm piece of homemade bread would be so good! 

How often are we just simply focus on our physical needs. (Like being hungry...) It is easy to recognize when we are hungry, thirsty, tired etc. But it is so much harder to always remember to meet our spiritual needs. In John we learn, "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you" (John 6:27).

I remember one summer I went to a youth camp. I was having a lot fun but it wasn't a very spirtual environment. The were many kids who wanted to "rebel" and as they continued to misbehave their actions drove the spirit away. I remember feeling such a need for spiritual strength. My soul hungered just as Enos' had in the Book of Mormon. When we had free time I was invited to hang out with some girls but I realized this need I had to be spiritually fed so instead I went back to the cabin and pulled out my Book of Mormon and read. 

Just as we must feed our bodies everyday we also must feed our spirits. We partake of the "Bread of Life" by studying the scriptures and praying everyday and going to church each week. I know this is how I have stayed strong and spiritually nourished.

***

I once saw a church sign that said:

"without the bread of life you are toast"

I think it might be my favorite church sign.

A Text of Strength

I went to bed last night not feeling very good. I woke up and I still felt sick. I took medicine which helped but I still felt so weak. As I was thinking about how I'm going to have the strength I need for today I got a text. It said "Alma 26:12". This scripture says:

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of my self, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."

How perfect that was to hear. I know that God will give me the strength I need whether  it is physical, emotional, or spiritual strength that I need. I know that our savior will give you strength as well, as you turn to Him. He loves you! And he wants to help you!

Why don't you do you?

I came across a blog the lady shared a story... in her story she wore color contacts. Someone asked her, "Why don't you do you?"
Her response was "What?"
He then said "Why are you pretending to be someone you're not? You don't need to change the color of your eyes."

How many times in our life are we trying to be someone else? Whether it is the color of our eyes our size or our other features.

In an address to young women (but can be applied to everyone) Elder Holland said the following: "Please be more accepting of yourselves, including your body shape and style, with a little less longing to look like someone else. We are all different. Some are tall, and some are short. Some are round, and some are thin. And almost everyone at some time or other want to be something they are not! But as one adviser to teenage girls said: 'You can't live your life worrying that the world is staring at you. When you let people's opinions make you self-conscious you give away your power. ...The key to feeling [confident] is to always listen to your inner self-- [the real you.]' ...We should all be as fit as we can be-- that's good Word of Wisdom doctrine. That means eating right and exercising and helping our bodies function at their optimum strength. We could probably all do better in that regard. But I speak here of optimum health; there is no universal optimum size."

We need to be happy to be us! We are children of God our bodies are temples. We need to treat them with love and respect. We need to our love and accept ourselves.

Now I say along with the man that gave the advice... "Why don't you do you?" I know that as we accept ourselves we will be happier.

Reflection

The other day I was looking into my mirror, It was kind of a hard day. As I was looking at myself I thought of the song Reflection from Mulan.

Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me? 

Why is my reflection someone I don't know?

Some how I can not hide,

Who I am, though I've tried.

When will my reflection show who I am inside? 

When will my reflection show who I am inside?

As I continued to look into the mirror another song came to mind. Its a song that I have song ever since I was little. It is I am a Child of God.

I am a child of God,

And He has sent me here.

Has given me an earthly home,

With parents kind and dear. 

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,

Help me find the way. 

Teach me all that I must do, 

To live with him some day

What a wonderful thing that is to know who I am. That I am a child of God... and so are you. Yes, things are hard but we have our loving Heavenly Father to help us. He will give us the strength that we need as we turn to him. He loves you!

Lessons learned from a Hill

The other day I was driving up a hill on a little road. As I was going up another car was coming down. There really wasn't enough room for us both. The hill was on one side and a cliff with trees on the other. Luckily we both went slow and we were able to squeeze past each other.

I was pretty shaken up by the time we reached the top. So when I saw a place to pull off I stopped and we got out. Look at the view!

Isn't that just like life. We make these climbs. But when we reach the top and look back on our lives the view is great. Our challenges, our climbs make us better.

I came across this quote today... "If your are not in the process of becoming the person you want to be, you are automatically engaged in becoming the person you don't want to be." -Dale Carnegie
Are you climbing up the hill to become better?

The next lesson I learned from this little adventure is to stay on the path. When we got to the top. I could tell there was going to be a beautiful view. So I walked over to it... Later my ankle started to hurt and itch and  I realized that I had chiggers. I remember when I was first on my mission they told us that it was easy to avoid chiggers. You just have to stay on the path.

What afflictions are we causing in our lives because we leave that straight and narrow path?
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