miracles and band aid's

I have recently been reminded of the greatness and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We sat in a lesson with a mom while her bouncy 2 year old rummaged through my purse next to me. Suddenly she noticed something on my face, pointed it out so graciously, popped off the couch and ran down the hall. Returning moments later pulling my face down to her and placing an angry birds band aid over the "boo-boo."

What a tender heart, she wanted to make sure I was feeling better and taken care of. Much like our Savior Jesus Christ. He heals us inside and out. I am reminded of a testimony from a missionary that was so powerfully given. "How grateful I am for a Big Brother that can fix anything." Band aid or not He is there with open arms waiting for us to reach out to Him.

One of my favorite stories from the Bible is the story of the woman who knew if she could just touch His clothes that she would be healed. "And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that ^avirtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?" Of all those people around and touching Him, He knew the ONE! "And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy ^afaith hath made thee whole; go in ^bpeace, and be whole of thy plague." (Mark 5:29-34) I find so much power in this simple testimony of such a great woman. It brings warm rays of love into my heart each time I read about her faith.

I know that my Savior lives. He knows just what we need and He will make us whole. What a beautiful gift. It was not free. He had to suffer and bleed in order to know how to heal us. He loves us so much that even when it was tough He couldn't turn away from the will of the Father. He knew that without his sacrifice we wouldn't have anyone to place a "band aid" over our "boo-boo's." Be that one that He says so lovingly to "thy ^afaith hath made thee whole; go in ^bpeace"

an inspired book

Recently I had the opportunity to see an old cherished friend. Someone that I love and care for very deeply. We learned together and we grew together. But this last visit just wasn't the same as they used to be. Heart broken and teary eyes I walked away wishing I could do more.

So what happened? What changed? When once we used to be so close and feel the warmth of the Spirit running deep in our veins. The answer is simple and so profound. She stopped reading the Book of Mormon. One of the biggest life changing events in our lives. Reading from it changes our lives just as much as letting it collect dust on our shelf's does. Elder David A. Bednar said "Regular reading of and talking about the Book of Mormon invite the power to resist temptation and to produce feelings of love within our families." I would be scared to see what would happen if I set my copy aside, the blessings that come from reading it can come from no other source. That is a promise given by the Prophet Joseph Smith, quoted in the introduction of the Book of Mormon. “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

Dearest readers I know that the Book of Mormon is true. With it I am never in the dark. I will never stop soaking up the Spirit that just seems to ooze off its pages. I will defend and stand right next to this truly inspired work forever. "I testify that one cannot come to full faith in this latter-day work—and thereby find the fullest measure of peace and comfort in these, our times—until he or she embraces the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it testifies." (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland) It was written for our day and our lives. It is the word of God!

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!

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.

a cherished brother

I grew up with 5 brothers. I love them all very much. They picked on me and teased me but it made me strong. They joked with me and rescued me from my dark scary room. They even rushed me to the hospital when I cracked open my chin or took care of me when I had surgery. They did many wonderful things. They showed me their love. Through all of these memories I have one brother holds a dear place in my heart, but I do not play favorites. This brother did a whole lot more for me than jet me off to the hospital, or drive me to school every morning. This brother felt my pain and suffered with me through everything I have felt.

We shall call Him "...Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (2 Nephi 19:6) I have turned to Him in the deepest of sorrow and in the happiest of times. He was there for me each step of the way, holding my hand, calming my troubled heart and helping me feel the peace of His love.

My other brothers, my sister, even my parents they never left my side. But they were there in a different way. Sometimes I would get frustrated with them saying "you dont understand" or "you don't know how I feel." With my dear Brother Jesus Christ I am never tempted to even say this. He does know. He felt it and He knows how to help me through it. While he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemone He felt each pain, each harsh word that cut to my heart. He felt the tears and the temptations that I felt. The sorrow I have when I sin... He felt greater things then I can ever imagine becuase He "...came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Matt 20:28)

I have never needed Him as much as I need Him now. I have never felt the power of what He did strong as I feel it when I read from the Book of Mormon. We are all so blessed to have the opportunity to know him. To feel of His true and everlasting love. The kind of love that can and will carry us through it all. Look to him, He has the joy, the peace and the comfort that you have been searching for.

becoming strong

There comes a time in every ones life when we must decide who it is that we are going to be. This is a very defining and crucial point in any one's life. Sometimes it comes and goes and we don't know it. Sometimes it comes and stays for longer than we would like, and sometimes it comes more then once.

So how do we stay strong through this time and choose the right path? Elder Per G. Malm talks about becoming filled from the inside out, "Just as a young tree grows bit by bit into a sturdy tree, so we can grow step by step in our capacity to be solid and filled from the inside out, in contrast to the hollow tree. It is through the healing Atonement of Jesus Christ that we may have the strength to stand tall and strong and to have our souls be filled—with light, understanding, joy, and love."

If we start living in accordance to God's will then we are becoming strong from the inside out. We need to read our scriptures and seek the understanding and learning that can fill our hearts as we study them. We need to pray to our Father and plead with Him to help us to know what path He needs us to follow. There are loads of other things that I could ramble on about, but it is so simple. Choose now who you will follow and DO NOT EVER look back!  "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." (2 Nephi 2:27)

If we choose NOW to follow our dearest elder Brother and Savior, Jesus Christ, then when we get to that point in our lives the choice will come naturally. If we are strong from the inside out we will look back and see that in that moment we followed Him, we did not let our eyes become unfocused. 

Lets all stand tall and strong. So that we will not falter and fall into the temptations of the evil one. Jesus Christ is always there for you. He will NEVER let you down. He has walked the very path that you have gone down and knows what is ahead. We must not follow Him will a "hollow" heart. Fill your heart with His love. The choice is yours. Become what He knows you can become!

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!

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!

We are never alone

     This morning I read a talk titled "Because of your faith."  Elder Jeffery R Holland is so powerful and bold as he speaks. I felt so much love and realized once again that we really are not alone. Not alone spiritually or physically. There are so many people around the world that love us so much and pray for us, not only members of Jesus Christ's Church but Christians as a whole.

      Elder Holland says, "In whatever country you live, however young or inadequate you feel, or however aged or limited you see yourself as being, I testify you are individually loved of God, you are central to the meaning of His work, and you are cherished and prayed for by the presiding officers of His Church."
        "My thanks to all you wonderful members of the Church—and legions of good people not of our faith—for proving every day of your life that the pure love of Christ “never faileth.”

     We are loved, individually and collectively. We are known on a level no human mind can imagine and cared for each and everyday.  How thankful I am to know that I am never alone. That there are people all over the world and in the Heavens above that love me and that are watching out for me and praying for me daily. Without that love and support surely I would be lost. With that love, I can do all things.