the search is over!

There was once a time in my life that I didn't know what I wanted. I was selfish. I was not happy.  I did what I wanted to do. I was just stubborn. I thought I knew better and I thought that I had things figured out. When I finished school when I started what I thought was my "dream job" I realized that something was missing. Now don't take me the wrong way. I always went to church and followed Jesus Christ but I still felt like there was something more.

I needed to find out what was missing. I needed to feel like I had a place in my own life. I humbled myself and I turned to my Heavenly Father, this time in sincere prayer. I pleaded with Him and sought for direction. It came in a way that I didn't expect. I learned that I was to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was excited and nervous. I didn't know how everything would work out but I trusted in the Lord.

 Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught, “We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.”

As I prepared to serve a mission. I couldn't believe the place I was beinging to feel in my life. I had clear direction and I felt like I knew exactly what was needed of me. I had given up good opportunities and growth for better growth and a stronger testimony.

This exact experience may or may not happen to you. But I know that if you are missing something... anything in your life that you can and will find it if you seek Heavenly Father.  He will help you! I have been so blessed. I am the happiest when I serve my Father. I know that this is the only way to true happiness. I love my mission and treasue every moment that I have.

 If you ask in sincere prayer for direction and help in your life you will receive it! Jesus Christ taught "Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;  And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you." (3 Nephi 18:19-20)
Ask our Father in the name of Jesus Christ, you will be answered!

"...our relationship with God is most sacred and vital. We are His spirit children. He is our Father. He desires our happiness. As we seek Him, as we learn of His Son, Jesus Christ, as we open our hearts to the influence of the Holy Spirit, our lives become more stable and secure. We experience greater peace, joy, and fulfillment as we give our best to live according to God’s eternal plan and keep His commandments." Presidnet Dieter F. Ucthdorf

I share these things with you because I know that they are true! The promises of having greater peace, joy, and fulfillment are real! I feel them every single day, and I want you to feel the same.

tender mercies

As we were studying this morning we got a phone call telling us to walk outside and look at the sun rising behind the trees near our apartment. What a beautiful sight! The clouds were covering the clear blue sky, light broke through in 2 or 3 sections sending rays of sunlight streaming down to the waking world below. My first thought was how beautiful it was. I stood there in aw thinking of all the wonderful things that our Heavenly Father has created. In those small moments as I watched, silently thinking of the Father, I felt love. A tender mercy of His overwhelming love! What perfect timing it was!

 David A Bednar said "I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often, the Lord’s timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them."

He goes on to explain what a tender mercy is. "I have reflected repeatedly upon the phrase 'the tender mercies of the Lord.' Through personal study, observation, pondering, and prayer, I believe I have come to better understand that the Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ."

Each and everyday we are blessed with tender mercies from our Father. He loves us and he wants us to feel His love. I know that as you look for these moments that they will mean more to you. I know that you will feel His love. I have felt these tender mercies in many ways. It is an overwhelming and capturing feeling.

I am so grateful for my Father in Heaven. He is very aware of each of my needs and my desires. He is aware of my pains and my struggles. In the very moment when he sends that tender mercy, I feel on top of the world. Everything disappears and I am filled with His love!

a spiritual gps

Ever driven around in a car with a GPS? The little device stuck to the dash and the picture of a map dominating the screen. Roads going every direction, but highlighted just for your convenience the very way you need to go to reach your desired destination? A little voice clear as day telling you "in 200 yards turn right.... turn right." As persistent as they may be they are very useful.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a Spiritual GPS? A voice clear as day telling you "In 25 days take the new job." Luckily we do. We are so blessed to have the scriptures and Prayer. There isn't a literal screen with a highlighted path, but we have an internal map, our destination is set and we have the desire to live with our Father in Heaven again. We wont hear the voice clear as day, but when we hear it, or feel it we will not be able to deny it! "...but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul—" Helaman 5:30 

Whatever our destination we still have the choice to stay on the highlighted path or to stray. When driving around the GPS warns you of the turn ahead. It allows you plenty of time to slow down. Think about your next move and then follow through. When you miss the turn a kind "Make a U turn" is recommended.
If you go to far without making that U turn then it has to make an alternative route. Sometimes this new path is tricky, muddy, complicated and longer then imagined. In turn making us irritated, upset and confused.

Have you ever heard the warning voice of the Lord? A soft voice or feeling, giving you plenty of time to step back, slow down and think of the concequences? He allows plenty of time. He warns you and prompts you of your turn, of your next move, as you seek Him is prayer and desire His help.

When we miss our turn, we are prompted to make a "U" turn. We can stop whatever is taking our mind off the straight and narrow path. We can leave it be and step back into the highlighted and desired road. If we do not, The new path can be tricky, sticky and cause pain and confusion. If we are not careful it can cause more work, take longer and have greater consiquences.  Elder Jeffery R. Holland said "But there is an answer to this challenge... Whoever you are and whatever you have done, you can be forgiven." You can step back on the path. You can allow the Atonement of Jesus Christ to heal you.

If you have gone past your "U" turn. Do not give up! Step up and become clean through Jesus Christ. Allow His healing hands to lift you off your knees and to clear your mind of the pain of sin. I urge you to repent. To turn your life over to our Father in Heaven and to become perfected through His son Jesus Christ. He has the power and the love to heal you. It is not too late.  "Listen to him who is the ^aadvocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—" D&C 45:3 

The next time you hear the warning voice of the Lord. LISTEN! Stay close to the path and do not stray. On the highlighted path you will find Happiness.

real love

Love. A funny 4 letter word that seems to be used in lots of situations, by lots of different people. Whats the difference in just saying it and really feeling it?  How do we turn that "saying" into a feeling that runs deep and rich through our veins, pulsing every time we even think about it? Love that grows stronger and stronger every single day?

When I think of this kind of love I think of my Savior Jesus Christ. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 This is the love that I strive for every single day.  When we strive to love as Christ loved. Endless blessings and joy are fitted into our everyday lives, and we turn a love into something greater.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf  said "When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden."

 Even better I think then receiving love is giving love. When we understand Christ's love we desire greater love for others around us. When you give it away it seems to return ten times as stronger. Years ago I found a quote in a chocolate wrapper that said "When two hearts race, both win." This statement is true! I have many experiences with this.

I am so grateful that my Father in Heaven loves me and knows me and just what I need. Without Him I wouldn't be able to love at all. I pray for it daily and desire all those around me to feel the love of Christ through one of His weak servents. I have had some rough moments. He has never left me alone. He places people in my life that help me feel this rich love and that allow me to share my love with them. Seeing those the Father has placed in my path has helped me to feel a love stronger then I ever imagined possible.

"Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk." President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

May we go forward with greater love. I have felt this love countless times in the last few days. It gives me the power to move on, to keep my chin held high and to fight against the adversary. It motivates me to fight stronger and work harder. How thankful I am for the love of others and the love of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.

service

I love hard work! I love when I am able to serve my brothers and sisters. Yesterday we had the privilege of helping a family cut a bunch of wood. It was an excellent opportunity to work hard and bring them some of God's service.

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Mosiah 2:17

“It is only when we love God and Christ with all of our hearts, souls, and minds that we are able to share this love with our neighbors,” says Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. And we demonstrate that love “through acts of kindness and service—the way that the Savior would love and serve all of us if He were among us today.”

I know that as we serve those around us our love for each other, Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father grow so much stronger. Thomas S. Monson said “Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives,"

Serve someone around you today. Look for an opportunity to put someone above yourself and remember when you serve them you are serving God. On the reverse side.... accept service from someone around you. Allow them to "grow and flourish."

Go get lost in some hard work! The memories that will follow will be unforgettable! The love that will grow will be undeniable.





One of the many loads we helped cut.









starving..

Have you ever been hungry? Imagine a time when you were "starving." Maybe you are now. In these moments I think of all the things that I could be eating. Craving all sorts of delicious and wonderful things. The more my stomach grumbles the more I want. I start to become antsy and fish through my purse or bag for anything that will hold me over till I can really eat what I want. Have you felt this way? Then when you finally sit down in front of the meal you have been dreaming about you don’t know where to start. You just want to eat it all at once. You can’t stop... it is all just so good to you. Your mouth and stomach are grateful for the nourishment.

Some people say that my favorite phrase it "I'm starving!" But it is true. Not only physically but spiritually starving.

Have you ever been spiritually hungry? I believe its the best hunger there is. I start craving all sorts of things. Knowledge of my Father in Heaven, a sense of who I am. I crave the precious companionship of the Holy Ghost, I crave the teachings of there Book of Mormon and so many other things. When I start to "crave" the true teaching of Jesus Christ I feel as if I can never get enough. I start digging, in prayer and study to find my answers. I sit down with books and teachings in front of me and I can not seem to soak it up as fast as I would like. I yearn for more and more, and I never become full. I am  for a bit then I start asking more questions and feel a desire to know even more. I just cant stop!

President Gordon B. Hinkley said "There is hunger in the land, and a genuine thirst—a great hunger for the word of the Lord and an unsatisfied thirst for things of the Spirit. I am satisfied that the world is starved for spiritual food."

I am STARVING! I want the word of the Lord and I am thirsting for righteousness. (Matthew 5:6)
I know that the more we study. The more we really seek the truth it will be unfolded to us. I know that if we just ask God He will satisfy the hunger pains we have, and allow us to know the truth. There is so much to learn! We are never done! We must learn all that we can. If we focus on learning all we can now, we will be able to carry it with us into the here after. "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection." D&C 130:18.

If you are starving, if you are craving the truth, or even more knowledge about our Savior Jesus Christ. Then come unto Him! There is satisfaction and joy in learning. Your Spirit will be grateful for the nourishment that it receives. Never go a day hungry.

bits and pieces

Better late then never I guess.. It has taken me awhile to post anything. I have so many things I would love to talk about and share with you all. But lets start small shall we!

General Conference was this past week. It was Excellent. General Conference happens every 6 months and we have the privilege of hearing a living Prophet of God speak. Along with the Apostles and many other people. This is such a special time. This past conference was a spiritual boost and helped me gain a stronger relationship with my Father is Heaven. He really is there and He is aware of us and all that we need and all we go through. I have never felt it so strong or understood it so deeply.

Here are some of the highlights from the notes I took. These are somethings that stood out to me.

"Great Power can come from memorizing scriptures." -Richard G Scott 

"Do the right thing at the right time without Delay." -Jose L. Alonso  

"The outcome is not in question! Lucifer will lose!" - Boyd K. Packer

 "Compared to God man is nothing. But we are everything to God." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Where is your faith?" -Neil L. Anderson

"Time flies on wings of lightning." - Ian S. Ardern

"Let us be as quick to kneel as we are to txt." -Ian S. Ardern

"We must look up and step up then we will cheer up." -Carl B. Cook

"Whatever cost of Forgiveness is swallowed up in forgiveness."  -D. Todd Christofferson

"I plead with you to drink deeply and often from its [The Book of Mormon] pages." -Henry B. Eyring

"When He does not answer [a prayer], its often here a little and there a little." -Robert D. Hales

"Together with the Bible it [The Book of Mormon] brings us to 'One Lord, One Faith, one Baptism.' " -Tad R. Callister

"There is only one Church by Divine command that bears the name of Jesus Chirst." - M. Russell Ballard

"I urge you to gain a deeper relationship with our Father." -Thomas S. Monson

"The Laws of God remain constant." -Thomas S. Monson

"He makes the Terms and we agree." -Russel M. Nelson

"When you think of all the things Christ has done, shouldn't you be at Church worshiping Him?" - Dallin H. Oaks

"Where is your Ultimate Loyalty?" -Dallin H. Oaks

"look how far we have come. Take a deep breath then start uphill one step at a time." Matthew O. Richardson

"It is never too hard or too late to make correct choices." -Randall K. Bennett

"We must not only say our prayer but live them." -J. Devn Cornish

"Great blessings come to those that are faithful."-Quentin L. Cook

"The saviors Atonement provides life boats for everyone." -Quentin L. Cook

"We are all here because we love the Lord." -Thomas S. Monson

 I urge you to watch the messages that were so inspired by the Spirit. There is a lot of love and time that was put into them so that we could feel something from it. The Spirit of God will be all around as you watch and listen with an open heart. I know that the men and women that spoke this past weekend are called of God and that they truly are who they say they are. I love them and I am grateful that we have them in our lives. The things that I shared are only a fraction of the things that were spoken and I know there is a lot more to learn!