When I smile I think of Him

The best comment anyone can give me is "you have a beautiful smile!" Because the story that follows this complement ...

Ever sense I can remember I was trying to keep up with my brothers. One day while on vacation in Southern Utah I was doing just that, trying to keep up with the boys. We flew around the camp ground on our bikes invisible to any obstical that stood in our way. I was having the time of my life as I costed at top speed down a gravel hill when I realized that I needed to turn at the bottom and I was nearly there! I slammed on my brakes, and attempted to turn. Doing so propelled my off my bike face first into the gravel road. After attempting to make me half presentable to my parents my brothers brought me back to the camper. My face was cut up and my parents weren't sure what to do. I was young at this time and didn't pay too much attention to their conversation but it was a debate of whether to take me to a doctor or not... Looking back on it I'm sure it involved many different aspects, my safety being first, money, time, insurance, a trustable doctor, and the list could go on... But eventually they determined that I would be okay with a few band aids some ice and pain meds. They were right I made it through just fine.... But years latter the impact from that crash presented itself again, my teeth had been distorted and I needed new front teeth. Thankfully my father works as a dentist so after x-rays I spent hours in a dental chair with him at my side fixing the problem I had caused many years earlier.

Each time I think of this story it reminds me of another father I know, our Heavenly Father. Don't we too try to keep up with the world? Flying around campgrounds we find ourselves in scary situations that often lead us to get hurt. When we do, we pick ourselves up and try to look half presentable before The Lord. When we come to Him and present the cuts He gives us the options followed by much discussion between Him and us about what is best and what we want. Finally a destination is made and all is well... But often times years latter we find ourselves in a situation due to that very accident from before, our tendency is to panic, beat ourselves up and say that we will never be good enough. Can I tell you something? We are in good hands! Our Father is a healer of all wounds no matter how old of new they may be. So wherever you may be when you are newly crashed or dealing with pains from early crazy rides look to The Healer, our Father, sit in His chair with Him at your side and trust the work He is doing.

And when all is said and done you will have a brand new smile and love when people complement it because the story you know and the reminder of you Fathers love 

Who I Want To Be

Have you been able to slowly watch the Lord work more effectively in your life as you've humbled yourself this last week? While studying I found a talk entitled "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten" I was Particularly moved by Elder Christoffersons statement " I would like to speak of one particular attitude and practice we need to adopt if we are to meet out heavenly Father's high expectations. It is this: willingly to accept and even seek correction." I think that we often accept correction when it comes our way but we don't take the time to plead with God for more correction from Him. Think for a moment how different your life would be if you sought Gods will for you daily and followed it... this is something that I want to implement more in my life, I want to truly be humble enough to seek Gods correction and guidance without Him putting me in situations where I need it. How will you more fully and willingly seek Gods correction in your life?

I know as we seek for Gods help He will allow our live to become something greater than we have planned. I know we can each become the person we long to be as we look to the Lord and ask for His help :)

Being With You

While studying about patience this week I prayed for Gods help.... And He gave me many opportunities to do so. One moment was sitting in the car for 30 minutes at a complete standstill due to an accident. The words of my mother ran through my mind as I sat with my companion and two ward members, when I was young we and we were out and about if we ran into heavy traffic she would look at me, smile and say "now I get to spend more time with my pretty princess!" What a perfect example of patience, and for that whole half an hour we were able to talk, get to know one another more and set a plan for helping a young lady come to church. Patience is more than simply waiting it is learning and growing and enjoying every moment we have between her and our destination.

This week we begin our study of humility! One conference talk that will help us start off this week is about how we view others and how we can uplift and strengthen through humility :) here's the link, let me know what you learn!

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/see-others-as-they-may-become?lang=eng

Never Give Up!

What have you come to discover that you know as you have studied about knowledge?

I realized that the simple truths I over look are a deep knowledge of my Father in Heaven and His love for me. I know that He sent His son to this earth, to suffer, die and be resurrected so that I can live with Him again! This knowledge helps me everyday as I face what life gives me.

Now we are blessed to begin patience!

When we are patient we are able to wait through all the that is given us. God does have a plan for each of us, He longs to bless us.... but sometimes we have to wait... and wait ... and wait... and then finally see God work in our lives. :)

This video is a reminder that when we wait patiently God will give us blessings. (we will get two marshmallows!)

https://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages#continue-in-patience

What Do I Know?

Have you ever thought about what you really know? There's so much that we learn and much that we forget instantly after having learned it... but learning and knowing seem to be different. Think about if for a second, what are somethings that you KNOW?
This week we will be learning about knowledge together. I love the scripture in Proverbs 18:15 "The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge" while studying this week let us look for ways to become wise, by gaining a knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
To start us off we can read what a prophet says he has come to know :) Here's the link!
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/04/the-things-of-which-i-know?lang=eng

Returning To Virtue

When looking at the world we are horrified at all the filth that is in the media and in the lives of all around us. We may even at times become discouraged thinking that we and those we love are distended to be a part of this world..... This week we are studying about a Christ like attribute that will change this problem in our lives, it will allow us to over come the world, Virtue! Sister Elaine S. Dalton saw this problem in the world of losing our moral footing and in 2008 called for "a return to virtue" in this great call she invites all to make a personal training program, she says:
"What can each of us do to begin our return to virtue? The course and the training program will be unique to each of us. I have derived my personal training program from instructions found in the scriptures" (A Return to Virtue)
As we return to virtue we will see the joy that come from living lives full of goodness and hope. This week as you study virtue make a training program for yourself. :)

For the full talk:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/a-return-to-virtue?lang=eng

Lasting Love

Have you felt Christ's love working through you this week as you've studied Charity? Being guided to move by the love or our Savior is deep and leaves a lasting impression on you and those who's lives you touch. We each have the want to serve and love. Continue to colt invade that Charity and feel the Savior reach out through you. There is a conference talk by an apostle named President Henry B. Eyring tilted "the caregiver" in his words you will find peace and know how you can better build and move on Christ's love.

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/11/the-caregiver?lang=eng

Christ's Love

This week we have the great opportunity of studying about Charity, I started this morning and love this simple declaration “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.” (Moroni 7:47) Charity is Christ's love that we have the privileged of feeling and understanding for ourselves! This will be a remarkable week as we together learn to feel and understand how Christ loves each and every person :) 

Hope Moves Us

While studying Hope this week I have come to understand that it means trusting in God, especially when things get hard! It means turning to Him and having enough faith in His promises. This video is a great reminder that we must put our hope in action by searching a believing that all will be made right ;)

link to full talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/the-infinite-power-of-hope?lang=eng

Faith to Hope

Are you feeling closer to your Savior through faith?
This week we will move from faith to hope, this two attributes are closely linked and are often hard to tell apart. This week I hope to take what I have learned about faith and connect it to hope then to understand how faith and hope together can move me closer to Christ.
There is never a better time to study of hope than at Easter time! At Easter we are filled with the hope of the winter turning to summer and or death turning to life through the resurrection of Jesus the Christ :)
"And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise." (Moroni 7:41)

Understanding Faith

I have come to better understand faith this week! The scripture that impacted me the most as I read was Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." As I read this I came to realize that faith is not a blind believing but but a hope filled understanding that there is something more from what we have seen and experienced :) we can better understand the things that we see and experience as we exercise our faith and follow God :)
What stood out to you as you studied faith?

Nine weeks closer to Christ

My favorite holiday is only 9 weeks away! EASTER :)
There is so much about Easter that points us to our Savior and reminds us of His love! Just like Christmas many of the traditions that we have lead us to think of Christ at the Easter season. This year i will be focusing more on Christ then on the gifts and Easter eggs. And I invite you to join me :)

Each week we will study one of the characteristics which Christ has and apply that characteristic in our lives. We will begin this week with Faith! As we study we will look for scriptures about faith, share them with one another and grow in our understanding of how to increase and utilize faith in our lives :)
Together we can learn and grow closer to Christ! I know that with this invitation we will
become more like our Savior and feel an increase of His Atoning love!

Let us do as Christ invites "thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me." (Luke 18:22)

Happy Valentines day

Who will you spend this special day with?
How many times will you tell them you love them today?
How will you show it?
I'm sure it'll be a great evening.... but what about when it's over? This can be the start of something great! It is only the beginning of you showing your love more, to God, and to all around you!
Happy Valentines day! Let this be the start of something more ;) Show your love more often!

Choosing Love :)

The love holiday is almost here! I am so excited! We went shopping for gifts for people we love yesterday. I have been trying my hardest to show others that God loves them and give God a wonderful Valentines gift! How is your Valentine to God going?

Just a few days ago I saw this quote and thought that it fits our lives wonderfully. We all choose what we love.. people, objects, foods and most important we choose whether or not we love God and our faith! I know this quote is talking about a relationship, but for a moment think of it talking about your relationship with God!  WE each choose to love God... but do we love our choice? Do you wake up each morning loving that you've chosen God? or has that love faded? has life dulled that childlike love and trust?

Gods love for us never fails or dulls, he has said "how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings" (Luke 13:34) I wants to gather us and love us forever, no matter the circumstances! Should we not do the same?

With Valentines day quickly approaching, begin to again love your choice of loving God. Find a moment a right down why you love God, allow yourself to feel that love and trust! For He loves you! :)

He Loved First

Happy February! The month of love has begun :) 

I fell in love with my first scripture about 10 years ago. I had always loved reading and enjoyed the scriptures but one day reading in the bible a verse captured my attention, then confused me, then captivated me and finally helped me love my Savior more than I ever had before. The verse is simple really, but holds much. It's perfect to start off February with!
"We love Him, because He first loved us!" (1 John 4:19) Once I understood what this scripture said I sat down and thought of why I do love my Savior, and it all leads me back to His love!
Why do you love Him?

Send A Valentine To God!

Have you shown someone that you love them?
Now let us show God! I was thinking about it... At Christmas we give Christ presents by doing different things, why don't we give God a Valentine this year? After all who deserves an expression of love more then our creator?
That was the easy part to figure out, but then what to give God for valentines day? He doesn't need clothes or toys or food or money ..... To be quite honest I thought He didn't need anything... But just as I began to think this I thought of His words came to my mind "I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40) then I understood.  God himself doesn't need anything, but He needs us to help His children. Each day I walk around and see others that need food and shelter, or that need a smile and someone to talk with. God needs us to give Him a valentine this year by showing His children love!
What is your Valentine to God?

                           

Sunshine and Shadow

When of the questions I get most often when I talk of God love is "if God really loved us, why would He allow bad things to happen?" Followed by a slew of examples of pain and suffering in the world. I even find myself asking this same question, when times are hard or huge calamities strike my heart seems to scream "how could a loving God allow this?"
This question can be answered in so many ways to show that god really does exist and love us. The one that I find the most beautiful is that Gods "work and geology is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man!" (Moses 1:39) God does not want to hurt us but to help us.
Just as a teacher doesn't give you a hard assignment to make your life terrible and make it so you can't do anything, but a teachers wants you to grow and learn and understand. God is the same, He is the prefect teacher who allows all things so that we may continue to learn and grow.
I am not suggesting that God creates all the heart ache I'm the world or that He enjoys it, but rather that in His infinite love and understanding He allows all things to happen. He lets us have days that seem impossible to get throughout, and days that seem to good to be true, all because He love us!
I pray that as you face life with all the rainy days and the sunshine that you will feel God near guiding you and showing you His love :)

Here comes valentines day!

A present was set on the table in front of each of us, I was so excited! The gift bag was as big as I was! We were then given permission to open the gift, we all pulled out cards, stuffed animals and candy! We spent the rest of the evening together as a family, eating a great dinner, watching a movie, playing games, and simply talking :)

This is how my valentines day has always been, something simple and a day to remember those who I love, especially my family!

With a new year begun the next holiday to come is Valentines day. Most people go out with their significant other and enjoy a lovely evening, or sit at hope wishing such a holiday never existed..... I have always loved valentines day!
I remember going out with the family and opening up valentines gifts from my parents. As valentines day start to roll around think about those people who surround you and your love for them. Then do something to show that love :)

With In The Crowd

Our families favorite run away was California! We would spend every free few days down at the beach, in the New Port Temple and of course at 'The Happiest Place On Earth!' Disneyland!!
I love pretending like am 5 again and simply enjoying life. I get to wear Minnie Mouse ears and be with my family and eat as many Churros as I can fit in my stomach! And of course see my favorite princesses, ride through fictional lands AND spend all day surrounded by thousands of strangers! The park is always packed with people from 2 weeks old to 100. They come in all sizes and colors, from all nationalities and back rounds. For most people this is the only down side to Disneyland, and for me it was as well for a long time, until one day my dad said something.
We were standing in line for a ride, I don't remember which one, but the wait was long. The family laughed and chatted about one thing to the next, we probably touched the statues along the way, tossed pennies in fountains and were rather loud and wild! Then my dad in amazement looked at us and said "isn't it amazing to think about all of these people, and know that God knows and loves each of them?" And the long conversation began of how God knows all that we go through and takes care of each of us.
Now when I'm in a crowd of people I think of that simple conversation. I always begin to wonder how it all works, and each time I do I feel Gods love and am reminded that He can do anything! Remember that God knows and loves you! Even with the millions of others who surround us, He knows each of us individually and personally!
Next time you stand in a crowd of people take a moment to think about Gods love and feel that He truly cares for His children :)

The Year Begins!

Yeah y'all! New we've all began out the year right... Haha hopefully you haven't giving into the sugar eating and sleeping in yet ;)

As I've been thinking of past years and setting goals I've been reminded of the miracles I've witnessed in my life. Just this morning I struggled to read a sentence as was reminded of the blessing I've received to be able to read. I thought of the long days standing in strange positions and holding books upside down in an attempt to read through an entire page. I often became overwhelmed and thought that I would never read. Many times I even thought of giving up... But the world requires reading to do everything! So I spent many hours studying, trying and PRAYING!!!
Finally I could read a page of text in about 20 minutes :) this was a huge victory for me, but homework still took all night and I wanted to be better. Knowing that I could do it I went to the internet and read more of ways others had overcome the same struggle, we found me a tutor and it started to become easier.
I got to the point where I could read! ... Or to me I could read, I was still half as fast as the slowest kid in class and I had to read everything more than once. But I made it and I was perfect with where I had gotten :)
I thought that would be the end for the rest of my life. Then.... One day the miracle happened. I was asked to read allowed to test my reading as I was studying to serve my mission. Confident in knowing that I'd be slow and half to stop I read the few paragraphs of scripture nearly perfectly! And sense that day just a few months ago I can read the same as anyone else. Every once and a while I wonder if this will continue after my mission but I remember that it doesn't really matter.

Because what does matter is what I've learned!
We all have things that we struggle with physically, spiritually and mentally. We try and try and try again, and all too often we feel as though it's impossible and that we should give up. But we keep trying because we need to. Then comes the miracle ... As we try as hard as we can, do all we can and involve The Lord what "seems difficult becomes possible, and that which seems only possible becomes habit!"
Whatever you are struggling with, whatever goal you want to reach this year involve God and keep trying and you will witness a miracle!

Happy New Year! :)

I love how we are given the opportunity to begin a new. It is through our Savior that this is possible. There are so many things that I wish to never look back on, mistakes I've made, when I didn't do my best and every time I've fallen short. At the start of each new year we make new goals and leave old habits behind us, we move on to a better future :) this year as you make new goals don't look back, the excitement of the new year will fade out fast but continue to move forward!  Let us each day kneel and ask God to help us be better. Each week as we partake of the sacrament let us move forward with understanding of our Saviors love and the promise that we can move forward. And with that promise ever real and present don't look back! This year we will move to a magnificent future :) with our Savior as our guide!