No robot's here

crazy?

I have been told many things about my personality.... among these are crazy, excited, giddy, loud, quiet, random, funny, hyper, weird and many others. I am so blessed to be my own person! I love being myself and not falling into the robot mentality of trying to be something that I am not. That way of living is not fun. But as crazy as I may be I still focus in on what Jesus Christ wants me to do and try to become more like Him.

weird?

God created all of His Children different! He loves each of us and made each of us so unique.Why should we all act the same? So many people think that because you are a Mormon, or because you are a Christian that you need to act or think or become a certain way. That is contrary to our Heavenly Father's plan. He has given us agency to become who we want. "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man." 2 Nephi 2:27. Although we have the freedom to choose, we must choose to follow Jesus Christ, then and only then will we have eternal life.

We are all different. There are no robot's as we choose to follow Jesus Chirst. But if we follow Satan then we are held captive and he pulls our strings. Remember that you are loved and that you are very unique. God loves you and is very aware of you and what you need.  "For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself..." Deuteronomy 14:2. Dont be afraid to shine. We werent sent here to become robots!

Crazy?

Random and excited?

Baptism

When I was 8 I was baptized by my Dad. It wasn't a huge deal, but to me it was something very special. I can still remember how nervous I was. How excited my family was and the spirit that filled the chapel as the service progressed. I did not understand right then all that it would mean to me later in life. But as I have grown older and studied the scriptures for myself I have come to understand the roll of baptism and why it is so important!

Since being a missionary and helping others to feel this wonderful Spirit it has brought me such great joy!  I have had the wonderful opportunity to witness many people come unto Christ by receiving this precious gift. I love to share in these tender moments with everyone that has accepted the invitation from our Savior "...follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do." 2 Nephi 31:12. In Verse 5 Nephi being the bold and loving man that he is asks a profound question "...if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!"

Why would the Perfect man need to be baptized? Nephi lets us see just how important it is that we are baptized in his simple way. Baptism is the saving ordinance that allows us to enter the Kingdom of our Father. But baptism by any authority wont work. We MUST be baptized by the proper authority of God. Jesus Christ also set the example of this, He walked miles and miles to be baptized of John the Baptist.

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be ^abaptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, ^aSuffer it to be so now: for thus it ^bbecometh us to ^cfulfil all ^drighteousness. Then he suffered him." Matthew 3: 13-15.

My dear Brothers and Sisters, If you have not been baptized by the Proper Authority of God I invite you to do so now! Do NOT procrastinate the day of your repentance. The Authority is only found in Jesus Christs Church! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints IS HIS CHURCH! I promise you that if you pray and make the life changing decision to enter the waters, and be cleansed from your sin, that you will never regret it. I would give anything to help you get there. I would work and pray and fight for you to have the feelings of love and joy that come from following the example of Jesus Christ!

blinded from the truth



Moments after our wreck.



A few months ago I was serving in an area where my companion and I had to ride bikes everyday. It was fun... At first I was so excited. Screaming my screams of joy and riding as fast as I could. I thought that nothing could drag me down. But soon after I got set into a routine. I took no thought for extra dangers around me and I would just go where I needed to go.On one particular night I learned an important lesson. I was so focused on where we were going and what I wanted to accomplish that it was almost like I had blinders on... I turned into my companions bike, almost got away but was drug back in by our tangled handle bars. She bailed off and I was left with both bikes. I soon flew over my handle bars and landed under the bikes.  I was lucky to have

come away with only a baby bruise.

What does this have to do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? A lot actually. Sometimes it seems like we are just walking around in our own little worlds with blinders on. In some cases it can be a good thing. It may save us from the evils of the world and the destruction that can drag us down. But only some are lucky to come away with little bruises. I would like to talk about the blinders that shield us from knowing the truth. These blinders can also drag us down. Tangled in lies and deceit can only harm us. If we just take those blinders off and open our hearts then we can learn the truth of all things.  "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Moroni 10:5

President Gordon B. Hinckley shared an experience of a family who took off their blinders:

"Thirty years ago David Castañeda; his wife, Tomasa; and their children lived on a dry, little, run-down ranch near Torreón. They owned 30 chickens, two pigs, and one thin horse. They walked in poverty. Then the missionaries called on them. Sister Castañeda said, 'The elders took the blinders from our eyes and brought light into our lives. We knew nothing of Jesus Christ. We knew nothing of God until they came.'"

Not only those who do not know of Jesus Christ have blinders on. Those of us that have a strong faith in Christ can also have blinders on that can harm us. This is also referred to as a "soft heart" if we have a soft heart then we are open to the promptings of the spirit. If we focus more on Jesus Christ and living with Him again, than our next appointment, or our next fishing trip, then we won't fall. We can not fail! If he is part of our lives every step of every day. As we remove those things that distract us from what matters most, as we become humble then we will be more open to listening and obeying the promptings of the Spirit. As we listen to the still small voice of the Spirit we will find all truth, and be lead to a greater understanding of Jesus Christ our Heavely Father and their plan for each of us.

Riding around blind is not fun. There will come a time when you will crash and fall. You might not fly over a set of handle bars, but it may be just as scary. Allow the Spirit to come into your heart. Allow the Spirit to teach you and to help you know more about the True Church of Jesus Christ. I know that when I have been the most humble is when I have learned the most. That is when the Spirit is able to come in and teach me. I am not on my own agenda but on the Lord's.

A humble prayer... A changed world

I would like to share a story with you that is very dear to my heart. It may sound familiar to you, it may not, but it is a true story! A story that is brilliant and that changed the world!

There was a boy. A 14 year old boy, who read the Bible and loved Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. He wanted to follow them and do as they directed. He wanted to be baptized as the scriptures counciled him to do. He was confused with all the religions. He didn't know where he needed to go to receive this saving ordinance. So he followed the advice of James "if any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God..." On a quite morning he went into a grove of trees. A place where he could be alone and pray to the only one who knows all truth.

As he prayed. The  most amazing experience happened to him. 

He said of this experience "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. . . When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

This boy's name was Joesph Smith. He did not know the magnitude his simple prayer would have on the rest of the world. But in those tender moments the world was changed forever. Through Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ restored His gospel to the earth once again.

"Oh how lovely was the morning."

I love this story. I love the effect it has on my life. I am thankful that Joseph Smith prayed that morning. I am thankful that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father appeared to him. I know that this is true! I have prayed about it. The Spirit of God has come upon me to tell me that it is true. I pray that you will also come to know for yourself that this is true. Let it change your life!

Pie and Ice Cream

Following the Lord, Jesus Christ can be just as easy as eating delcious pie and ice cream.

How many times does Jesus Christ tell us to do something that seems so easy? Something that we can see the end result of and know that it will bless us? Then how often do we go and do that easy task? Most of the time, because we can see the result it is easy for us! That doesn't take as much faith as doing something that we can not see the result. That is when we are tried and tested and when we really have to rely on faith and the Holy Ghost to help us through it.

In the October 2010 conference President Henry B. Erying gave a wonderful talk titled  "Trust in the Lord, Then Go and Do." In this talk he says, "You show your trust in Him when you listen with the intent to learn and repent and then you go and do whatever He asks. If you trust God enough to listen for His message in every sermon, song, and prayer... you will find it. And if you then go and do what He would have you do, your power to trust Him will grow, and in time you will be overwhelmed with gratitude to find that He has come to trust you."

When I was praying to know if I should come on a mission I didn't know if I would be able to leave everything and everyone behind. It was hard!! I didnt know if I really could do it or not. For a split second I thought of staying home. But I trusted in the Lord. I didnt know how it would turn out but here I am. Serving in the BEST mission in the world with the BEST people in the world. I love it so much and I love teaching people. I have grown to love everything that I do. I could not see the blessings a year ago when I was preparing to come. But now.. Only now that I trusted and jumped in feet first can I have my pie and ice cream and enjoy all the blessings that come with it! Trusting in Jesus Christ is the best and nothing else compares to those feelings you have when you look back and notice that you might have been walking blind but he was holding your hand the entire way. I am thankful for Him. I love Him and I would do anything that He asked me to do. Depending on if I liked it or not. I want to follow Him with exactness! 



Two powerful and true testimonies that Christ lives!
That He is our Savior!!



Today I finished reading 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. I love Nephi! I love the Book of Mormon. It just makes me so excited to share it with everyone. Nephi is so bold and straight to the point. Why shouldn't he be? He knows the truth!

He tells us in verse 4 that "...the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good..." then he continues in verse 5 "And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the truth..." This is the truth! What he is telling us and teaching us is the truth! I know it and I cannot, and will not, ever deny it! The Book of Mormon is true! It IS in fact the Word of God. It teaches plainly what we need to know to gain eternal life. If we believe in Jesus Christ then we will believe in the Book of Mormon. Nephi testifies of this in verse 10 "...hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good." There is NO way around the Book of Mormon! It is the truth and it teaches so clearly.

I know that I testify of the Book of Mormon regularly. But how can I not? When I read from it I feel the Spirit. It motivates me to teach more about it and to bear my humble testimony that it is true. Nephi says that when Christ comes again He will "show unto you, with power and great glory that these are his words" (2 Nephi 33:11) I know it and I want everyone else to feel the truthfulness of it as well. I want all you of to feel the impact that it can have on your life if you read from it daily and make it a part of who you are. Read it!  Love it and find out for yourself that it is true. Jeffery R. Holland  boldly said "If anyone is foolish enough or misled enough to reject 531 pages of a heretofore unknown text teeming with literary and Semitic complexity without honestly attempting to account for the origin of those pages—especially without accounting for their powerful witness of Jesus Christ and the profound spiritual impact that witness has had on what is now tens of millions of readers—if that is the case, then such a person, elect or otherwise, has been deceived; and if he or she leaves this Church, it must be done by crawling over or under or around the Book of Mormon to make that exit." Be not deceived! Do not take anyone's word for it. Come to know that it is true for yourself!

Lifes ups and downs.

Life is a roller coaster of emotions! Do you agree? I sure do. It seems that one day can be so different from the day before. And sometimes all at once it might even feel like someone has come in with an invisible bat and hit us in the back of the knees. So what shall we do while we are down?  Pray... seek the Lord to help us overcome the trials we are faced with. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf once said, "To strengthen our relationship with God we need some meaningful time alone with Him." As we strengthen this relationship we will have the extra faith and courage that it takes to overcome anything.

Life is not always daisies and roses. I wish! I, like all of you, have my moments of trial and pain. It is not fun. When I take the extra time to get to know my Father in Heaven better it makes these pains seem very small.

Have you ever sat and just looked at the world that is around you? The ocean or the trees, really just pondered them? I have. While I do it makes me feel so little. Like I am just this little spec in the whole grand scheme of things. But as I study from the Book of Mormon and the Bible, as I have meaningful prayers and really seek guidance from our loving Father, I feel so big and so loved. I come to really understand that He knows me... Sister Surtees. He knows me better than anyone else. He knows how I work, He knows how I act and react, how I feel. He knows where I have been, what I have done and where I can be if I follow Him and His son Jesus Christ. Not only does He know these things and many more for me, but for you as well. We can really get lost in the moment and lost in the world when we step back and remember God. Truly and honestly remember Him and what He has given us, then it makes the moments of weakness and pain just seem to vanish. As we do this, shall we heed the council of our dear living Prophet Thomas S. Monson "Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey"

My mother would always tell us as we left the house, "remember who you are, where you came from and where you are going." I am a Daughter of God. I lived with my Father in Heaven before I came to this earth. He has given me trails to help me grow. He has allowed me to make my own choices and to decide for myself whom I will follow. If I am worthy, if I do all I can here, if I endure my trails with faith, I will one day live with Father again. I am very thankful for my roller coaster days, weeks and tough moments. Because in these moments, they humble me. I am brought back to the rememberance of my Father and all that Has has done for me.

The Devil Cheateth

Here's to another powerful reading of the Book of Mormon.

As I read today I just couldn't help but imagine what Nephi saw.  How strong he must have been to see the things he saw. Think about seeing 2,000 or more years into the future... can you picture it? Do you think you could even make it up? No! I don't think anyone in their right mind would even try. Nephi saw this time, our day and many many other things. How thankful I am for his obedience in writing the things down which he saw.

Lets review a few of the things that I read that really stuck out to me. 2 Nephi 28:19-22

 In verse 21 Nephi says... "and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell." Let's read that one more time.. with emphasis added.. "and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell." Carefully Brothers and Sisters. That is how the Devil gets us! Carefully! He is tricky! Do not whatever you do, DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE HIM! If we just slip up one little time, he has all the more influence to come in with one other little thing. Until it is too late and we are in way deeper then we ever expected!

The Devil lies. Nephi saw the imapct he would have on our hearts today. Gordon B. Hinckley a modern day prophet also saw the impact Satan is having on God's Children. He too talks about the scripture that I shared above. "Those are interesting and descriptive words—'leadeth them away carefully down to hell,' and 'he whispereth in their ears.' How descriptive of the seductive and beguiling ways of the purveyors of filth and violence and evil."

We are lead away little by little. Let us all make a promise to ourselves that we will fight against the Devil and his evil ways. Live for Heavenly Father and strive to become like His Son Jesus Christ. As we do this, Satan will be cast out of our hearts little... by little.

 

As the Spirit Teaches

It was one of those mornings as I was studying that I was excited about everything. When that happens I just start giggling and squealing and jumping all over the place. Sometimes I'm afraid my companion will throw something at me. But when I felt the Spirit testify to me over and over, I cant hold it in. I just want to scream it from the roof tops! "The Book of Mormon is true! Its really true!" The Spirit teaches us and touches our hearts in different ways and we all act upon it in different ways. This excitement is one way that the Spirit touches my heart.

So why was I so excited? Because I learned so much and I gained a stronger deeper love for the Book of Mormon and the stories/ Prophets filled on its pages! I feel so blessed to have it a part of my life every time I open it and read from it. Today I was reading in 2 Nephi 25. I love Nephi! He is such a great example of faith and courage! In this chapter he is so thrilling. My heart was just racing and hungering for more and more. He says at least 4 times that he is writting these things with plainess so that we can not misunderstand them. He talks over and over about Jesus Christ. "behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved." (verse 20) There is no other way! Why would a Book that testifies so deeply and profoundly of Jesus Christ be false!? It wouldn't! That is why the Book is true! That is why Nephi testifies in his own way over and over about Jesus Christ. That is why my heart yearned to learn more. Because I felt the Spirit testify to me that what Nephi was talking about was true! I felt the Spirit teach me more about Jesus Christ. When something "...inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God" Moroni 7:13.   

Read 2 Nephi 25, ponder it and love it! I know that if you do so you will feel the love of Jesus Christ. You may even feel that urge to get up and scream from the roof tops just like I did!

Charity- the pure love of Christ.

I am so filled with love I could burst. I love my missionary work, I love the people that I work so close with and I love my Savior, Jesus Christ more then anything. This kind of love is motivating, is exciting and makes me feel extreme joy beyond measure. Being filled with this kind of love is Charity. Am I perfect? NO! I could use so much more Charity in my life. But what I have helps me do what I do. I strive everyday to have more. So what is Charity? Moroni 7:45 says:  "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." Doesnt that sound delightful? 

Elder Marvin J. Ashton beautifully observed: “Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.”

I must warn you that trying to have this love comes with concequences! All things we do have concequences. This love is motivating, is thrilling and in all you truly desire the salvation of souls. This love promts you to act, to teach to love even more and to become like Jesus Christ. This love is pure and clean and earth shaking. I have learned to let my love grow. I have seen so many people that I love choose to accept the message of the Restoration. I have seen so many of these same people that I love chose to reject what they have learned is true. But I would go through the heartbreak, the emotional rollercoasters, the tears and the sorrow everyday, to share that one tender moment where the Spirit comes to bear witness of the truth. In that moment, everyone involved can feel the power of God. In those moments the love in the room is breathtaking and overwhelming. How much better is the spirit that follows when we chose to accept and act upon what we feel. I would go through the pain and the tears everyday just to see one of my Brothers or Sisters accept and learn for themselves the joy that comes after baptism. I have never in my life felt greater love then I have on my mission. I love more than words, the peace that fills the room at the baptism of someone who has chosen to follow the example of Jesus Christ. This is His church and this is the only way back to live with Him!

Temples

Today I just wanted to share a video of one of my favorite places in the world! There is no place like the Temple. I love the beauty and the peace and all the other blessings that come from being worthy to enter the Temple! Temples are not secret, they are Sacred and very special. I pray we all will live worthily to enter the Temple!

Faith in our Savior Jesus Christ

What exactly does it mean to have faith. Ether 12:6 says that ^"faith is things which are hoped for and not seen." So we hope for Jesus Christ to carry us through our troubles and our tears but we do not actually see Him carry us. That makes sense. In Preach my Gospel, a guide for missionary work, it says that faith means we have full trust in Jesus Christ and we are confident that He loves us. We trust in Him enough to live His commandments and follow what He has asked us to do, no matter how hard we may think it is.

Why then is it so hard to have faith sometimes. All we need to do it believe that Jesus Christ will help us and act on what He teaches. That seems easy enough. But we all know that it can be difficult. Having faith is the easy part. Doing the rest is where it can be hard. Shall we all be like Nephi! His faith was so strong that he never second guessed anything he was told to do. "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know 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 like Nephi know that we would never be given commandments that we wouldn't be able to follow. Lets all make a commitment to rise to a higher degree of obedience. I know in doing so that our faith in the Savior Jesus Christ will grow more and more each day. I know that the only way I get through my day is to follow my Savior and to have faith in Him. That is where it all begins and that is what will get us through. I know with all my heart that He loves me! I have felt His love all around me and in the sweetest moment its almost as if He wraps His arms gentle arms around me to comfort me. I know He lives. I have full confidence that His work will continue despite if we chose to act and follow Him or not. Let us follow Him and not be left behind!

Families are Forever!

Me and 2 of my Brothers right before I left to serve
as a missionary.

Isn't it such a blessing to know that if we do all that we can to live with our Father in Heaven again that we will also be with our families? I am so thankful for this. Today I just learned that I have a new niece. She is the closest thing in our family to our Father in Heaven. She just came from Him. I am thankful to know where she came from, where she is going and what she is doing here. Not only her but I know all of these things for myself. I know that I lived with Father in Heaven, that He knew me and that He still knows me. This knowledge comes from knowing about the Plan of Salvation, or the Plan of Happiness. I know that He has a plan for each of us and that He knows each of us. Knowing this makes going through my struggles and challenges so much easier, although they are still hard. I am grateful for an amazing family that I am blessed to be a part of. I am thankful for each of them that help me to be who I am today. That push me to become better and that love me.