What Shall We Give?

So this last week has been great! A lot of people have been asking if it is hard to be away from family at Christmas time. While I love you all dearly, it has amazed me how wonderful this Christmas has been so far. It is so nice to be away from all of the commercial distractions and just be able to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

There have been so many people giving us little gifts and packages. As missionaries, we move around so much, we can't take much with us. So, it has been so much fun to look around to see who needs uplifting and a sign of care. While I have not been physically with my earthly family, I have rarely felt so close to my Elder Brother, my Savior, Jesus Christ and to our Heavenly Father as I have this Christmas.

Monday, Sister Asay and I organized a group of missionaries to go caroling at a nursing home. It was such an amazing experience. During our singing, I felt inspired to go around and talk to each person individually. There was one woman in particular that I met. Her name is Gene. She was so appreciative of our visit that she began to cry as she expressed her thanks. It was such a blessing to be able to see how our influence affected another soul so greatly. We went back to see her on Friday and plan to make our visits a regular occurrence. If you ever need upliftment in your life, go and help someone else.

This last week, I have been thinking about a scene from a movie called The Restoration. In it, there is a scene where Joseph Smith and some others are helping an older woman with some things. She says to Joseph, "It is awfully kind of you to help, but I still don't agree with your religion." Joseph stops, looks at her and just says, "Ma'am, that is my religion." Lately, I have been trying to be better at living that religion. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is patterned after the way He lived His life: losing Himself in the service of others.

As we celebrate Christmas this year, I hope you will join with me in remembering the true meaning of Christmas.

Don't forget that as fun as Santa Clause is, he is also a representation of the Savior. He is meant to remind us of the gifts that Christ has given us; thereby, prompting us to give good gifts to others.

I love you and your Savior, Jesus Christ loves you. May you always find joy in the service of others. <3

Divine Image

In the looking glass, I see
Something very strange

It seems quite clear to me

There's been a mighty change.

The longer that I peer, I find

That it's not me I see;

Is it only in my mind

That Christ stares back at me?

Am I really that divine?

Am I made in His image?

I blink and see the eyes are mine,

But the light in them is His.

The Ups and Downs

Just like every other week, there are ups and downs.

The Ups

The highlight of the week was probably the baptism that we had on Saturday. She was so happy, she was glowing. Everything about her just seemed radiant! I felt overwhelmed with joy just looking at her. I am so privileged to get to know her. She has strengthened me in so many ways.

The Downs

One of the biggest challenges of last week was probably just feeling down. Sometimes I just get those times where I find myself sad and it takes me a while to realize that it is because I miss my mom. She passed away last July.

Even when it is hard, I take comfort in studying the Plan of Salvation and knowing that she is with my two siblings that passed away, that she is resting from all her health problems, and that she is learning to appreciate the wonderful woman that she is. I look forward to getting to go to the temple at the end of this transfer. I can always feel her closer when I am in the temple. It has always been one of my favorite places; no matter what is going on in life, I walk into the temple and know that I am home.

Choose This Day

Often we get so busy with life that we forget to take some time to think. We may forget who we are, what truly brings us joy, or what it is we stand for. We may get caught up and choose to procrastinate things.

I know I had a period of time where I procrastinated making a big change in my life. I knew it was important, but it was too hard to do all at once -- or so I thought.

Eventually, I was brought low. I realized I had to make a choice in my life and I had to make it then.

Why wait? It will be so much easier to "Choose This Day."

Well, what are you waiting for?

A Loaf of Bread

Sometimes, it can be hard to feel so disconnected from the outside world. Especially when you have a tendency to worry about things...

One time, I was having a praticularly hard time. I felt alone. I confided in my companion some of my feelings, but that didn't make it go away. I prayed and prayed for the strength I needed. I asked for help trusting in the Lord and His promises. I asked for the peace and assurance from knowing that I was still important.

Nothing significant happened for a few days. I found some peace, but I still had to struggle.

Then, we went to the mission home to pick up some supplies. I was astonished to find that there was a package waiting for me. I thought it was from an old roommate, but upon examining the return address, I found I was mistaken.

It was from a family that I had never met. They were from my companion's home town, yet she did not even know them all that well.

I found inside the package some of my favorite things. Things that Sister Ward did not even know that I liked. Plus, she claimed to have no idea why they would have written me. Inside there was a simple note thanking me for my service and wishing me well.

That experience reminded me of a talk by President Monson.

I know that the Lord answers prayers and that each and every one of you matter to Him.

Lost and Found

Still searching for my path,
I fall upon the ground.
I'm sitting in the dirt
With thistles all around.

I stay there and I cry,
"Well, this must be my place;
The path, it may be grand,
But I'm a different case."

Just as I'm giving up,
Oh, I begin to see,
Brushing past the weeds,
A man has come for me!

I show to him my broken leg,
And he vows to carry me
We travel to the end of day,
With sweat across his brow.

Finally, we reach the gate
And my family's waiting there
O, I fall before my guide.
And wash his feet with my tears;

Unworthy of His love.
He lifts me up from in the dust,
And whispers in my ear,
"You were worth it, every step."

The Family

"THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities."-The Family: A Proclaimation to the World

In My Life

Some people may not deem me qualified to speak on this subject because I do not yet have children of my own. I know that I cannot speak as a parent; however, I can speak as a child.

These are things I remember from my early childhood.

Founded Upon the Teachings of Christ

1. I know that the happiest times of my childhood occurred when the gospel of Christ was taught in my home. 
2. I remember gathering as a family every Monday night to spend time together, to laugh together, and to learn together. 
3. On Sundays, we would come home from church to the smell of Mother's roast filling the house. Everyone helped to prepare for dinner. Even the little ones.

Faith, Prayer, Repentance

1. From my amazing mother, I learned the principles of faith, prayer, and repentance. 
2. As a 9 year old, getting up at 5 AM to have family prayer and scripture study before the older kids went off to early morning seminary was not my favorite thing in the world. (Some people may know how long it takes me to get out of bed in the morning.) 
3. However, I look back on that time with fondness. 
4. That time spent together helped me grow closer to my family and feel more secure.
5. It was something I could count on, just like Sunday dinner.

Forgiveness

1. We were also regularly taught to love and care for each other. 
2. When one person was hurt during a game, as often happens in a family of twelve, even if it was an accident, we had to apologize to and forgive each other. 
3. We had to mean it when we apologized.
4. If we said sorry in a mean way, we had to come back later to apologize again.

One time, I had been sent to my room for hitting my sister. I sat on my bed angrily justifying my actions. "She did it first. It's not fair!" I repeated over and over. Then, my eye caught the set of scriptures lying by my pillow. They had been a gift from my grandmother to celebrate my baptism. I did not want to let go of anger, but was getting bored in my room. I picked them up and began to read. I turned to Doctrine and Covenants 64:9-10. It read,

"Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men." 

This scripture was exactly what I needed to hear. To this day, I still keep a bookmark at that page of scripture. It has given me strength in times of trouble and helped me find greater peace as I let go of anger towards others.

The Gardener

Sometimes we may wonder how a loving Heavenly Father could let so many things happen in our lives that tear us down. How could He let me hurt so much? How could I be denied such righteous desires?

As a missionary, this is a question I have heard time and time again. I think the secret to understanding why is faith. We must have the faith that God knows what we need better than we do. He knows what we can handle and has a plan for us.

This is something I have truly gained a testimony of over the years. Every hardship I have endured has somehow been able to bless my life and sometimes the lives of those around me. Because of certain trials and hardships, I have been blessed with empathy and understanding towards others.

This Mormon Message has brought so much strength and comfort to me over the last year. I pray that you may find the same peace.

"... And above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?"
Doctrine and Covenants 122:7-8

Welcome!!!

So, a little about me:

• I'm 20 years old.
• I'm from Escondido, CA
• I'm currently a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Not only will this blog chronicle my adventures in the wonderful state of Montana, I hope that it will also be a place of inspiring and uplifting thoughts and messages.

Often, life gets hard. Things are discouraging. Responsibilities are overwhelming.

When this happens, remember one thing: You are never in this alone.

God did not put you here to fail. He wants you to succeed. He is one of your biggest supporters. He has given everything for you.

So, when you are overwhelmed, turn to Him. He will give to you the strength you need to accomplish all that He asks of you. Nephi, a prophet in the Book of Mormon knew this and testified that, "the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them" (1 Nephi 3:7).

I know that we can do all we need when we put our strength in the Lord.

Don't forget to pray.