my thrill ride

Missions are like roller coasters. You stand in line for hours, only to spend what seems like seconds flying through loops and twists at mind blowing speeds. When you are just really beginning to enjoy it the ride slows to a sudden stop and you are sent walking into the next adventure that awaits.

For the last 18 months I have worked, prayed, fought, bled, cried, laughed, hurt and felt much joy. Almost like my own personal thrill ride. It has been the best experience for my life, I have changed and grown more than I ever imagined.

I left my family, my career, and everything I loved to sacrifice such a short amount of time serving in the Vinyard for my Lord. Now once again, I am leaving my family, my career and everything I love and returing home. But I could not be happier! I could not be filled with more joy, because I KNOW that this is what my Father in Heaven wants for me at this time! I am happy to follow Him to wherever and whatever He expects of me. I would never do anything that would pull me away from following Him!

I have been blessed to witness so many wonderful miracles! But I have also had my share of the hard. Ups, and down's and twists and turns; see my thrill ride?  "Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people...yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land." (Alma 26:36)

There is not better place to be than right where the Lord would have me to be. I am grateful for each experience that I have had and each moment that helped my testimony grow! The people, the experiences, the Spirit I have felt will never leave my heart! Each memory has been etched so deep into my soul. "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."(Alma 26:12) I will praise His name Forever, because in His strength I was able to accomplish the great task that was placed in front of me 18 short months ago.

following Him

Tender mercy from the Lord! Seeing this mother waddling across the road with her flock in tow. Just as these little babies followed their mother off to safety we too should follow our Savior Jesus Christ into safety. 

 Just merely having faith in Jesus Christ is not enough. We must pattern our lives around His and become like Him!  " 'Come, follow me,' the Savior said. Then let us in his footsteps tread, For thus alone can we be one With God’s own loved, begotten Son." (Come Follow Me.)  So where do we start?! What do we do?

 "The restored gospel enables you to become like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The Savior has shown the way. He has set the perfect example, and He commands us to become as He is (see 3 Nephi 27:27). Learn of Him and seek to incorporate His attributes into your life." (Preach My Gospel chapter 6)

He has many attributes that make Him unique and set Him apart. Among these are patience, charity and love, humility, diligence, hope, virtue, and many many others. It may seem like we can not become perfect in all of these aspects, but I know there is a way. The Lord would not command us to do things He didn't think we would be able to do.  As we pray for, seek out, learn about and apply each of these attributes we will indeed become more like our Savior.  We must not give up hope! We must not think its too hard, but remember that we "develop His attributes one action and decision at a time." (Preach my Gospel chapter 6)

broken liahona

Normally a Liahona is supposed to help someone get to where they are wanting to go. Yesterday my Liahona broke... causing the reverse of helping! Right in the middle of the road my bike chain snapped, almost sending me to the pavement, as cars were wizzing right up to me. I scrambled out of the road luckily not injured laughing at myself and my silliness.

In the Book of Mormon Lehi and his family find a "round ball of curious workmanship...within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness." The Lord provided them with their own ancient day GPS, or in other words a Liahona. Nephi observed however that "...the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them...And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things."(1 Nephi 16:10,28-29)

The Lord will always provide a way for our escape, whether from a semi-busy road, or from the falling city Jerusalem. By faith in Jesus Christ and diligence in keeping His commandments we are helped. We must do our part to recieve the promised blessings of Eternal life with our Heavenly Father and His Divine Son. "...for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (2 Nephi 25:23)

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!

I needed hymn

A few weeks ago as we sat in an appointment I could tell there was something wrong with my teaching companion Sister McCracken. We had just sang to our dear friend so I told my companion to tell me what was bothering her using titles and first lines of the hymns only. It took a moment and to my surprise she did a great job. I understood what was wrong and we were able to move on with the lesson we were teaching.

Just last week I had another interesting and powerful experience with the hymns. I sat in yet another appointment being poked and tested again. My poor little mind began to be frightened and my nerves started to jitter me around a little. Immediately without thinking I began to sing one of my favorite hymns. "I need thee ev’ry hour, Most gracious Lord. No tender voice like thine Can peace afford.  I need thee, oh, I need thee; Ev’ry hour I need thee! Oh, bless me now, my Savior; I come to thee!" (I Need Thee Every Hour) With each word slipping through my scared little lips the nerves vanished and the tense pain of the appointment crawled away.  With my eyes closed and focusing on the spirit of the song another song instantly came into my mind and overwhelmed me with so much peace. "Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous... omnipotent hand."(How Firm a Foundation)

From this small and simple experience my testimony in Jesus Christ once again grew to a whole new level. I was scared and felt alone yet I knew He was with me. I am so thankful for His promise to His people in John 14:18 "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" I know that day that Jesus Christ the Son of God came to me to comfort me! It was almost like He was singing right back to me. He knew I needed Him and He ran to my side. I am forever grateful for the love He has for me His unworthy servant.