Saved for the last days

As most of you know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints announced that young men in all countries can now go on a mission at the age of 18 after graduating high school and that young women may go on missions at 19.

I had the huge blessing to be in the conference center this morning when President Monson made this announcement.  The shock was huge, but even better, the feeling around us was HEAVENLY.  The spirit was strong, testifying that this change is what God wants.  I have never in my life had so many goosebumps.

I sat there next to my brother Ben.  He is 14.  He is a huge example to me.  This is his first year in seminary.  Every single day he is so excited to share with me what he has learned and he often shares his testimony of the principles of this church.  His testimony is simple but super pure and strong.  Much stronger than mine was at his age and most of the young men I grew up with.

These "children" are strong.  They know things that I am still trying to grasp.  These valiant young men and young women are going to bring forth a huge conversion on this earth.  I can't wait to see this valiant army of missionaries go out and serve the Lord.

Who knows.  Maybe this will help open up China!

I love General Conference, and I can't wait to hear all the amazing things the Lord has prepared for us to learn.

Sunday Moments

Waking up and laying in bed with time to just think.
Having time to try out different hair styles with sister.
Driving to church listening to great music.
Relief society lessons that make you laugh and cry.
Amazing moments during sacrament meeting.
A bishopric that can't go a whole meeting without laughing or making faces at us.
Linger Longers (Nauvoo Tacos today)
Catching him watching you.
Laughter with the family.
Cat naps.
Watching Pride and Prejudice with the sister.
Making playdoh.
Driving with the windows down, singing with the friends.
Party time with the group.
Deep girl conversations about life.
Silly girl pranks.
A cozy bed.
The spirit.
Testimonies.
Love.

Family

No matter who you are or what faith you are these messages apply to everyone!

I am His Daughter

As a Little Child

Times are Changing...

I am approaching the end of a chapter in my life.  This has been a long and exciting chapter.  I have grown a lot and experienced every kind of emotion.  I have become a different person.

I am excited, scared, nervous, and thankful to start a new chapter.  I thought I would be more sad about the end of this one, but I'm not.  Don't get me wrong.  I am sad to not be with those I love in Logan as often, but something inside tells me that this isn't goodbye, its see ya soon!  There are new people Heavenly Father has waiting for me to bring me new things.  I am excited to see what the next chapter of my life brings.

Peace is an amazing feeling.  It is something I take for granted.  I am blessed to be given peace that gives me courage to face this changing life.

I invite you to come along with me and enjoy the ride.  Lets see what Heavenly Father has in store for us now!

In the mean time here is a reminder of who we are and why we are here!

Words for Sunday

The doctrine taught in this song brings me a lot of comfort and understanding. Sometimes life gets hard and I begin to lose hope and then I remember these words:

Learn of Me

Janice Kapp Perry

I walk today along the path of life.

No more a child protected from the strife.

Now I must face whatever foes may comes

And fight with strength until the battle's one.

I trembling fear the task is far to great,

On every side the Tempter lies in wait.

What can I do? I plead to Him above,

Then hear Him speak these gentle words of love:

Learn of me and listen to my words,

Walk in the meekness of my light

And I will give you peace,

My love will never cease,

For I am Jesus Christ.

When I was yet a child so clean and pure,

I doubted not and knew God's love was sure.

I knew He lived for every bird and tree,

By breath and leaf, were witnesses to me.

But now the world would fill my mind with doubt,

And so my soul, in search of truth cries out.

How may I know? I plead to Him above

Then I recall these gentle words of love:

Learn of me and listen to my words,

Walk in the meekness of my light

And I will give you peace,

My love will never cease,

For I am Jesus Christ.

My life is blessed to have His sacred word,

To feel His love and know my prayers are heard.

With in my soul his light has found a place,

It leads the way as I receive His grace.

The peace I feel, my joy in sacred things,

Surpasses all the world could ever bring.

With humble heart I take a valiant stand.

I will obey this gentle sweet command:

Learn of me and listen to my words,

Walk in the meekness of my light

And I shall give you peace,

My love will never cease,

For I am Jesus Christ.

Jesus teaching Mary and Martha

Infinite Power of Hope

"Hope teaches that there is reason to rejoice even when all seems dark around us.  No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations. 

Never give in.

Never surrender.

Never allow despair to overcome your spirit.

For the love of the Son of God pierces all darkness, softens all sorrow and gladdens every heart"

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I have a hard time never giving in and never allowing despair to overcome me.  This message reminds me that I should have hope and that my life is never hard enough to forget hope.  The Son of God has given me reason to hope!

Thankfulness:

• craft nights
• my laptop
• Aggie athletics
• neck massages
• modge podge
• meat
• girl venting
• silent Sunday mornings
• SNOW
• photography
• umbrellas
• rain puddles
• clinicals
• caring mentors
• car heaters
• Mormon Messages

Forget-Me-Not

This past weekend has been one of the best I have had for a long time.  It wasn't because I spent lots of time playing and being involved with Aggie activities, it was because I watched the General Relief Society meeting and also taught relief society in my ward.  Focusing on the gospel makes my life so much better.


So basically I was reminded a lot of the things in my life that need focus.  I was reminded what it means to be a virtuous woman in God's kingdom and that I need to cling to relief society.  I need to have more charity that is focused around the pure love of Christ.  I must cleave to my covenants and I will find joy and protection.  


The most amazing part of this meeting was President Uchtdorf's message.  He used the symbol of a forget-me-not flower to represent the things we as women in the church need to always remember.  
1. Forget not to be patient with myself (this is the hardest thing for me)
2. Forget not a good sacrifice or a foolish one
3. Forget not to be happy now
4. Forget not the why of the gospel
5. Forget not that the Lord love me
One thing President Uchtdorf said that really touched me was that we are closer to heaven then we suppose.


The messages from this meeting make me so exciting for the upcoming general conference.  I feel like I learn so much from the talks given at this time and I feel I will find a lot of comfort listening to the words of the prophets this coming weekend. 

Life Lessons on a Sunday!!

1. Hymns sung in Spanish are so amazing.  There is just something about knowing that all people all over the world, no matter what language they speak, can participate in worship of our Savior and Heavenly Father.
2. Girls wearing big ugly glasses without lenses make no sense...
3. Stephanie cries while watching Mulan.  I guess it is a pretty touching movie...
4. Cheap rings from Walmart turn your finger green.
5. Sleeping on the couch hurts.
6. I have the best parents on this earth!!
7. Don't jump ship!
8. Things that bring happiness:
          Circumstance (10%)
          Thoughts and Attitudes (45%)
          Choices (45%)
So 90% of our happiness is caused by things I control.  I resolve to be happy much more often now.
9. Stumbling blocks can sometimes be stepping stones.
10. No matter how dumb my love situation is Megan's is worse...(I love you Meg)

Final words of wisdom:

I wish I was a glowworm

A glowworms never glum

Cause how you can be grumpy 

when the sun shines out your bum? 

Sundays make me so happy!

Sunday.  This day is what gets me through the tough weeks.  I love when my day is devoted to focusing on my savior Jesus Christ.  I have decided I want to strive to give everyday a better "Sunday" feeling.


My day started off with going to the institute to listen to my good friends Chris and Kenny speak.  I love them both and they both said some great things that have really impressed me.  I then came home to a wonderful breakfast made by the boys downstairs.  You know you are loved when your neighbors make you breakfast just because.  Going to church always makes life easier.  We had a fantastic lesson about genealogy and we focused a lot on the temple and the ordinances done there.  It makes me so excited for the time when I get to participate in those temple ordinances.  


After church a group of us went to an assisted living center and sang hymns to the residents there.  I love the opportunity I have to share my testimony to these people through singing.  We may not sound like the Tabernacle Choir but we are just as passionate.  There are so many residents there that I truly have come to love.  Many of them have hard trials to deal with everyday but they always have a smile for us.  


Tonight we had a CES fireside.  Elder and Sister Oaks spoke.  I love that I can have answers to questions so easily as long as I take the time to listen.  Of course no CES fireside is complete without mention of dating and marriage.  This time Sister Oaks gave us insight in how to make our lives better as single young adults to prepare for the time when we do get married.


My Sundays are never complete without some time spent with my best friend Davin.  I am so grateful I have such amazing friends who always know exactly what to say when I need it.  So many people have made my Sunday so amazing.  You know who you are!!