Forever Changed ;)

   This past year, 2014, has definitely been one of the greatest and most memorable years of my life!  I've had the incredible opportunity to be a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this entire year and I've loved every single second of it!! I'm so grateful for all the amazing people I've met, will continue to meet and for how much my testimony of this gospel has grown! This one year has changed my life more than I can ever put into words, and I can never thank everyone enough who's been a part of it! I cried making this video, because my heart is so full with love for the people in it.  Thank you, and if you're not in the video, thank you also, because sometimes the things that mean the most aren't captured by my camera(: Love you all! Here is to the New Year! Let's make it count! ;D

 Make Time Count, Count the Miracles! :)

Spirit of Christmas ;)

“When we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the Spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ Spirit. It will block out all the distractions around us which can diminish Christmas and swallow up its true meaning." While the Christmas season is typically a time for looking back and celebrating the birth of our Lord, it seems to me that it should also be a time of looking to the future. Let us look forward. Let us prepare for that blessed day when He will come again. Let us be as wise as those ancients who watched for His coming. As His disciples, let us have in our hearts and minds the words of John: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Sometimes it is difficult to find those peaceful moments that are so important during Christmas time. It’s in those moments that we remember our Savior Jesus Christ, and we grow closer to Him. I am so grateful to be a witness of Him this holiday season and to spread what brings me the most happiness. We each have the wonderful opportunity to be His angels in spreading glad tidings of great joy to all of His children. How can we celebrate the true reason for this holiday season?
‪#‎Heisthegift‬
‪#‎sharethegift‬
‪#‎tistheseason‬
‪#‎KeepChristinChristmas‬

Wonderful time of the year!

This Christmas, let us have our hearts drawn towards the Savior for He is our true source of comfort, peace and joy!

Preparing for Christmas

When we prepare for Christmas by pondering its real meaning, we prepare to experience the Christ and His message.
President Dieter F Uchtdorf shared three ways that we can prepare:
1.Rejoice in the Savior’s birth.
2.Ponder the Savior’s influence in our lives today.
3.Look steadfastly for the Savior’s coming.
By doing these things and looking for the good in the season, “we can see this time of year with new eyes—perhaps even with the eyes of a child.” Then, he said, perhaps our hearts, like the Grinch’s heart, will change as we look beyond the worldly aspect of Christmas and come to understand and refocus on the true meaning of Christmas. 

#Heisthegift

Thanking God for the rain!

This is my Grandma! My grandma has always been so supportive in everything that I do. She would come to my graduations, band concerts, athletic events, and even piano recitals. She has shared so many stories with me whether it was about Santa Claus falling out of an airplane or about her family and how much she loved them. She has been such an example to me! Ever since I could remember, every time she saw me, she would say, "Wow...have you been on the stretch rack this week? Well, whatever you are doing, it's working!"

I love my Grandma so much! Thank you Grandma for always loving me, encouraging me and believing in me. I am so blessed and lucky to have a grandma like you to look up to! ‪#‎MeetMyGrandmother‬

Temple As Our Beacon

There is no place in the world where I feel closer to the Lord than in one of His holy temples. In the temple, the precious plan of God is taught. It is in the temple that eternal covenants are made. The temple lifts us, exalts us, stands as a beacon for all to see, and points us toward celestial glory. It is the house of God. The temple is for families, one of the greatest treasures we have in mortality. As we touch the temple and love the temple, our lives will reflect our faith. As we go to the holy house, as we remember the covenants we make therein, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation. The temple provides purpose for our lives. It brings peace to our souls—not the peace provided by men but the peace promised by the Son of God when He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Receiving my call

A year ago today I received my call to serve as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. What an amazing day filled with emotion and love for the calling I received. My life is forever changed because of my mission. What a blessing it is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with such amazing people in North Carolina!

Child of Light

The summer before my senior year of high school, I was blessed with the opportunity to travel with the USA Junior Olympic volleyball team in Brazil. One morning, (unexpectedly) our coaches woke us up and said there is somewhere we need to be today. After a three hour bus ride, we arrived in a desolate town, where we saw a group of children bundled together. Our coach stood at the head of the bus and said something I have never forgotten. "Today, we have the opportunity to make a difference. As you look out your window, you see children of all ages anxiously waiting to meet you. These children are a part of an orphanage with the youngest being four months old and the eldest 13. Right here, right now, we have the privilege to share with them something that we love. They look up to you, so let's give them something they will cherish for the rest of their lives."

Those kids stole my heart! As children of light, we have the obligation of making this world a holier and happier place for our having lived in it. Heavenly Father relies on our influence to help bring all of His children home to Him. We should become an influence for good wherever we go (see 1 Timothy 4:12). May we continually let our light—His light, which is in us—shine.

“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

“And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.”
(Matthew 18:1-6)

You are 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 someday."

What a wonderful song that is! And what a great truth it teaches! You have an earthly father. I hope you love him and that you are obedient to him. But you have another father. That is your Father in Heaven. He is the Father of your spirit, just as your earthly father is the father of your body. And it is just as important to love and to obey your Father in Heaven as it is to love and obey your earthly father.

If you really know that you are a child of God, you will also know that He expects much of you, His child. He will expect you to follow His teachings and the teachings of His dear Son, Jesus. He will expect you to be generous and kind to others. He will be happy if you remember the less fortunate in your prayers to Him. He will watch over you and guide you and protect you. He will bless you in your schoolwork.

Never forget that you really are a child of God! Who has inherited something of His divine nature, one whom He loves and desires to help and bless. I pray that our Heavenly Father will bless you. May He smile with favor upon you. May you walk in His paths and follow His teachings. May you ever be prayerful unto Him, praying always in the name of His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. May each of us resolve to always follow Him in faith. May life be kind to you, for you are indeed a child of God, worthy and deserving of His love and blessing.

Sharing the BEST 18 months with my sister :)

A year ago my sister started her journey as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and I joined her a couple months later. What a blessing it is to be serving together in such a great work of the Lord! This is an opportunity of a lifetime to build the kingdom of God on earth. I am honored to have been called to be a representative of Jesus Christ and sharing the best 18 months with my sister. :)
"The young man or woman who closes the door behind them, who draws the curtains, and there in silence pleads with God for help, should first pour out his soul in gratitude for health, for friends, for loved ones, for the gospel, for the manifestations of God's existence. They should first count their many blessings and name them one by one.”

Blessings of the Temple

Thirty-one years ago, my parents made a decision that changed my family forever! They were sealed together in the Ogden Temple in April of 1983! I am so grateful to them and for their example to me.
Jesus Christ gave power to His disciples... to seal families together forever when He said, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19).
Family members who accept the Atonement of Jesus Christ and follow His example can be together forever through sacred ordinances performed in God’s holy temples. These ordinances seal a husband and wife together for all eternity and children to their parents as an eternal family.

"I have a family here on earth.
They are so good to me.
I want to share my life with them through all eternity.

While I am in my early years,
I'll prepare most carefully,
So I can marry in God's temple for eternity.

Families can be together forever
Through Heavenly Father's plan.
I always want to be with my own family,
And the Lord has shown me how I can.
The Lord has shown me how I can."

Daughter of a King

My Story by Kaity Whitcomb

Verse One:
When I was a little girl I read fairy tales and wondered if they could happen 
to me now I see this is my once upon a time I am a daughter of a king. And 
with every choice that I make I write the next page~

Chorus:
I don't know, all the twists and the turns but my journey is clear. I'm a child of 
infinite worth. There's a reason I'm here. I'll follow the path that's before me, 
this is  my story.

Verse Two:
There are days when it seems the road infront me is falling apart and I can't
 find my way. But I learned how to rely on the burning light that I have within 
me. and I find faith to move forward til I can see just where it leads.

Chorus~

Through every chapter, my father's love helps me know who I am.
Not everafter's a beautiful part of his bigger plan.

Chorus~

Oh~ This is my story~

Tender Mercies

Yes, we can even in the hardest of times find happiness in the midst of the trial of our faith. The Lord manifests Himself to us through His tender mercies, which we find along the road of happiness. We see with increased clarity His hand in our lives. Happiness is a condition of the soul. This joyous state comes as a result of righteous living. I know that He lives and that He continually calls at our door. He has restored His Church and the fulness of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

After the struggles of the long journey to the promised land and after 30 years of faithful efforts to keep the commandments of God, the untiring prophet Nephi of the Book of Mormon summarized the history of his people by saying, “And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.”

The Prophet Joseph Smith stated, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.” 

The Tender Mercies of the Lord

Light of Christ

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3701964025001
 
It is part of our own condition as mortal beings to sometimes feel as though we are completely and utterly surrounded by darkness. We might have lost a loved one; a child might have strayed; we might have received a troubling medical diagnosis; we might have employment challenges and be burdened by doubts or fears; or we might feel alone or unloved.

But even though we may feel lost in the midst of our current circumstances, God promises the hope of His light. He promises to illuminate the way before us and show us the way out of darkness. I have felt that healing in my own life and it comes when we move away from the darkness that seems to engulf us and walk towards the hope of a brighter light. The light of God not only blesses my own life but forever blesses the lives of many, many others as we share it. God’s light is real. It is available to all! It is within reaching distance. "It has the power to soften the sting of the deepest wound. It can be a healing balm for the loneliness and sickness of our souls. In the furrows of despair, it can plant the seeds of a brighter hope. It can enlighten the deepest valleys of sorrow. It can illuminate the path before us and lead us through the darkest night into the promise of a new dawn." Through this everlasting light, we are then lead home to God, the very one who gave us the light of faith, the light of charity, and the light of hope. Open your heart to Him. As you walk toward the hope of God’s light, you will discover the compassion, love, and goodness of a loving Heavenly Father, in whom there is no darkness at all.:)

Gift of the Atonement

I speak today to those who may be lost and are searching for that lower light to help guide them back. “[Jesus Christ] is the light and the life of the world.”⁶ As we fix our gaze on His teachings, we will be guided to the harbor of spiritual safety. That is what Latter-day Saints do around the world. That is the Light we offer to those who are in darkness and have lost their way. "Wherever our members and missionaries may go, our message is one of faith and hope in the Savior Jesus Christ."
 

The Atonement, By President Boyd K. Packer


Rescued by Christ Mormon Message

Change of Heart

Can ye feel so now?

"In one of the most profound verses in all of scripture, Alma proclaims, “If ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” It is not surprising that some in the Church believe they can’t answer Alma’s question with a resounding yes. They do not “feel so now.” They feel they are in a spiritual drought. Others are angry, hurt, or disillusioned. If these descriptions apply to you, it is important to evaluate why you cannot “feel so now.”
Brothers and Sisters, we must have that determination to serve our Father in Heaven until the very end! No matter the cost! He desires us to to "feel so now" of the love that He has for you and for each and every one of His children. God has not, He will not and will NEVER fail us! Through His love and mercy of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we have hope and strength to prepare now for the eternities to come.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/can-ye-feel-so-now?lang=eng#d

Can Ye Feel So Now? - general-conference

Some in the Church believe they can’t answer Alma’s question with a resounding yes. They do not “feel so now.”

Starfish Story

Just like in this story, we too can make a difference.  Be thankful for all the small successes in your home, your family relationships, your education and livelihood, your Church participation and personal improvement.These successes may seem tiny to you and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him. Our journey toward perfection is long, but we can find wonder and delight in even the tiniest steps in that journey. :)

Terror, Triumph and Wedding Feast by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

" God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you to not simply to face the future ( that sounds pretty grim and stoic) ; He expects you to embrace and shape the future -- to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities.

God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe."

-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland 

Jesus Christ IS The Way!

We had the privilege this past week to hear from Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge and truly received great direction and love through the Spirit that he brought as he spoke about the Doctrine of Christ. This talk is one that I have chosen to read recently and have pondered on. I would invite you to ponder the words which have been spoken so eloquently for yourself. I know that you will feel of that same love and direction that we too felt amongst his presence.






http://media2.ldscdn.org/assets/general-conference/october-2008-general-conference/2008-10-2050-elder-lawrence-e-corbridge-360p-eng.mp4?download=true

To My Hero

"Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos (Sister-Michele Arave), knowing my father that he is 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." (Enos 1:1)

Everyone has a hero, particularly when we are young. When we choose heroes, we begin to copy, consciously or unconsciously, what we admire most in them. Today, I would like to talk to you about my hero. My Dad is my hero. He is a man who constantly helped others, even at great personal sacrifice. The service he offers makes a big difference in other people’s lives. I had many sports heroes all growing up, but none of them compare to my Dad. I am so grateful for my Dad and for the wonderful example he is to me. He has been there for me through thick and thin, and has loved me through it all. He always pushed me to be the very best I can be. He came to every sporting event no matter what state or country it was in, to every dance routine, to every piano recital no matter how much I practiced, and to every graduation. He taught me how to dribble a ball, ride a bike, jump start a car, be a friend and to never give up no matter what. My Dad has always pushed me to fulfill my dreams and has been right there every step of the way! He has taught me to love as our Heavenly Father and Savior loves, with all my heart, without fail, and the importance of Him in my everyday life. I know it is because of him that I am who I am today. It was his example and his love of the Savior that made me want to know my Heavenly Father  even more. I can't thank Heavenly Father

enough for blessing me with such a great and amazing Dad! Happy Fathers Day to you Dad! I love you! :)

Families Are Eternal

Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, each of us can become clean and the burden of our rebellion will be lifted.


https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/personal-strength-through-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng#watch=video

Endings Are Not Our Destiny

Temples have always symbolized in the presence of the Lord. "Let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them." saith the Lord. "And there I will meet thee, and I will commune with thee" (Ex. 25:8, 22). There is a closeness to God that comes through consistent worship in the House of the Lord. We can come to know Him and welcome," at home," in His house.
With temples in so many places around the world, more of us will have them nearby to remind us of Christ and His sacrifice for us. The simple presence of a temple should serve as a reminder of covenants we have made, the need for integrity, and the fact that God is never far away. -Elder Maxwell and Elder Uchtdorf

I know that I have been blessed by attending the temple and have definitely felt the presence of the Lord there. He has truly given me experiences in the temple that will never leave my memory, because they are that special to me. He has in fact answered prayers for me in the temple, and I know He can do the same for you. Plan a day today to walk into those sacred doors and come closer to your Beloved Father in Heaven who love you. Endings are not our destiny, only everlasting beginnings, which the temple reminds us of.