turtle time

Sometimes we feel that we need to rush rush rush! We feel as if we always need something to do, to say, somewhere to go. This isn't truly making us happy is it? A few weeks ago as we rushed off to somehere we needed to be I just happened to spot a silly little turtle trying to cross the road. We stopped our dash and slowed down a little to enjoy the little things. As I continue to refelct on this I just keep learning so much from my slow and steady turtle friend. "Slow and steady" really does win the race.

In a recent talk by President Dieter F Uchtdorf he talked about what matters most. "...we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most." 

One of my favorite stories from the Book of Mormon is about the people of Ammon, called the Anti-Nehpi-Lehi's. They are a great example of remembering what matters most! They made special promises with God and received a mighty change of heart. Before this they loved war, but after, they buried their weapons of war, promising to not take them up again for any reason. "...they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin" (Alma 24:19)

"Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most." (President Uchtdorf)

Our dear Prophet Thomas S. Monson asked us "What is important and what is trivial?" I invite you to look into your life and ask yourself this question. As we slow down and focus on what matters most I know that we will not miss the little things. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass!

prayers of soy milk

Recently I have decided that I was going to switch to drinking Soy milk. Bad idea without trying it first! It is not very good. This morning right before eating my breakfast I prayed to Heavenly Father to make it taste better, and what do ya know it was a lot better then my first try. Prayers no matter how silly we think they are sometimes or how small are something special to our Heavnely Father. He answers our prayers because He loves us!

The great Book of Mormon prophet Nephi shares loads of experiences from his life on receiving answers to prayers. In 1 Nephi 2:16 he say's "having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father..." I like Nephi didn't receive what I wanted just by sitting back and expecting Heavenly Father to just give it to me. We both prayed and asked for the things that we desired.

We need to not be afraid to ask our Heavenly Father for the things that we need, want, or desire. If He didnt want to help us, hear our cries, our stories and all about our lives... He wouldnt have taught us about prayer. President Henry B. Eyring stated "Every child of God can commune in prayer with Him." We are ALL children of God!

Prayer is how we ask.. and most often prayers are answered through other people. We have a special opportunity to hear from the Prophet and Apostles this weekend at General Conference. I have recently been reminded to "Think of questions [I] want answered during general conference. Write them down and pray to know the answers." (President Barry, mission president) 

I know that if we pray and seek for the answers we desire that we will receive them. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf promised blessings of receiving answers to these prays and said "Answers to your specific prayers may come directly from a particular talk or from a specific phrase. At other times answers may come in a seemingly unrelated word, phrase, or song. A heart filled with gratitude for the blessings of life and an earnest desire to hear and follow the words of counsel will prepare the way for personal revelation."

Prepare now! Ask for help direction, comfort whatever it may be. You will receive these answers as you watch conference this weekend with an open heart.

a self-reliant people

In the October 2011 General Conference President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave a talk on being more self reliant. In this talk he shared a story that really made an impact on my heart. The story follows..

"In 1941 the Gila River overflowed and flooded the Duncan Valley in Arizona. A young stake president by the name of Spencer W. Kimball met with his counselors, assessed the damage, and sent a telegram to Salt Lake City asking for a large sum of money. Instead of sending money, President Heber J. Grant sent three men: Henry D. Moyle, Marion G. Romney, and Harold B. Lee. They visited with President Kimball and taught him an important lesson: “This isn’t a program of ‘give me,’” they said. “This is a program of ‘self-help.’”

As I have studied the teachings of the Savior through the scriptures I see the importance of being self reliant. Sure times get hard and things trials are all around us but if you weren't taught how to fish and only given fish... how will you ever get through these moments of stress? When we learn the these principles now, we will be more able to help ourselves later.

Robert D. Hales said “Our challenges, including those we create by our own decisions, are part of our test in mortality. Let me assure you that your situation is not beyond the reach of our Savior. Through Him, every struggle can be for our experience and our good (see D&C 122:7). Each temptation we overcome is to strengthen us, not destroy us. The Lord will never allow us to suffer beyond what we can endure (see 1 Corinthians 10:13).”

I am grateful that my parents have taught me the importance of hard work and self-reliance. I am grateful for my Savior who taught the people to be self-reliant. I know that this is the way to help us progress. Our Father in Heaven loves us and although He wants us to be more independent He will never allow us to fall.

The Lord has provided many helps and resources as we seek to be more independent. Go to http://www.lds.org/topic/self-reliance/index.html, or http://www.providentliving.org/  and learn more.

oh deer

Thanksgiving morning we were part of a "special moving team." We were asked to help a member move one of his deer from one pen to another. Our job, in moving this sleeping doe, was to hold her head so that it wouldn't hit anything. Silly me let it slip right out of my hands. Luckily she was still OK. She was sound asleep and snoring like a baby. After we had her on the stretcher, we moved her from one pen to the next, while she lay there with no resistance.

I couldn't help but realize how easy and simple it was to help her into a better situation. She wasn't in danger, she wasn't harmed but we knew where she would be happier. Sure she may have struggled for a little while but once the "dart" set in, she was submissive and ready to be helped. Often times we are not this submissive. We may not be in harm, we may not be in danger but our Father in Heaven knows where we will be happier. Once we let the "dart" of humility set into our hearts then we allow Him to help us.

The Scriptures remind us over and over to be "...humble, and be submissive and gentle..." (Alma 7:13)

"I once owned a pen that I loved to use during my career as an airline captain. By simply turning the shaft, I could choose one of four colors. The pen did not complain when I wanted to use red ink instead of blue. ...With greatest reliability it performed every task I needed, no matter how important or insignificant. It was always ready to serve." (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

I have seen in my own life how being submissive and humble brings about greater blessings. As I have been ready to serve and given up my will and selfish wants for the greater happiness of my brothers and sisters I have seen my Savior's love in everything that I do. I have felt the blessings pour down from Heaven. We may not want to admit that we are being prideful, we may not want to say that we are doing what we want. But we need to step back and see if we are allowing our Savior to hold our heads and our Father in Heaven to move us to a happier place in this world. "Life is hard, but the Gospel is easy." (President Barry)

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.

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.