The future is bright. It really is! I can't wait for what's going to happen in the next few years of my life. Sometimes life gets discouraging and we wonder if things will ever look up. We make mistakes, encounter disappointments and frustrations, and we have to deal with stress, fear, and anxiety. Such is mortal life. But as Elder Uchtdorf taught, "What is now is not what forever will be." In the end, everything will be made right and eternity will be glorious, far beyond our comprehension. Look at where Elder Holland was and what was in his future. Imagine what might be, what WILL be, in yours!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Good Things to Come
I love Elder Holland's talk entitled "Good Things to Come." There's been a video made that illustrates his story as he narrates it.
The future is bright. It really is! I can't wait for what's going to happen in the next few years of my life. Sometimes life gets discouraging and we wonder if things will ever look up. We make mistakes, encounter disappointments and frustrations, and we have to deal with stress, fear, and anxiety. Such is mortal life. But as Elder Uchtdorf taught, "What is now is not what forever will be." In the end, everything will be made right and eternity will be glorious, far beyond our comprehension. Look at where Elder Holland was and what was in his future. Imagine what might be, what WILL be, in yours!
The future is bright. It really is! I can't wait for what's going to happen in the next few years of my life. Sometimes life gets discouraging and we wonder if things will ever look up. We make mistakes, encounter disappointments and frustrations, and we have to deal with stress, fear, and anxiety. Such is mortal life. But as Elder Uchtdorf taught, "What is now is not what forever will be." In the end, everything will be made right and eternity will be glorious, far beyond our comprehension. Look at where Elder Holland was and what was in his future. Imagine what might be, what WILL be, in yours!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Almost There
Spring Break is next week!!! Actually, it's only 4 days away (maybe even more like 3 1/2). Woohoo!!!! I just need to survive two midterms. I'm not too worried about History, but for Music Theory I have to identify songs from way back when by listening to them, and I don't feel very prepared yet. I think I'll do okay on the writing portion. But then on Friday I'm going to Las Vegas with one of my best friends, no my VERY best friend in the entire world, Dallin Kimber. We're like twins, but he goes to BYU and I'm at Snow, so we don't see each other very much anymore. But we're going to go see BYU play in the WCC basketball tournament this weekend! We're staying with my grandparents and it's going to be a blast! I can't wait! Almost there, almost there.......
I'm almost also to a mission!! I'm very, very close to having my papers finished. I just hope everything was filled out correctly. If so, I should only have my interviews left and then I'll get my call soon after that. I'm so excited!!!
Also, if you haven't heard, my mom has a novel coming out very soon. You should go check out her blog and be part of the three week celebration she's having! Go check it out: http://notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com/
I'm almost also to a mission!! I'm very, very close to having my papers finished. I just hope everything was filled out correctly. If so, I should only have my interviews left and then I'll get my call soon after that. I'm so excited!!!
Also, if you haven't heard, my mom has a novel coming out very soon. You should go check out her blog and be part of the three week celebration she's having! Go check it out: http://notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Valentine's Day
I meant to post this last night, but forgot. Sorry for being late.
Anyway, on the evening of February 13th, I thought to myself, "Oh, it's Valentine's Day tomorrow. Woohoo." (With much enthusiasm! Not.) It can be easy to feel lonely on Valentine's Day, even when you're determined to stay single before your mission. I wasn't exactly looking forward to Valentine's Day and doing my best to forget about it.
As I walked down the hall to my room, I noticed a small plate of cookies in front of my door. "Are those for me or my roommate," I asked myself. Then I saw my door. I stopped with a stunned smile on my face. It was covered in hearts, some of which spelled my name, and also one that said, "We love you!" I have no idea who did it, but I began to realize: I may not have a significant other, but I have friends who care about me. My spirits began to lift. It was a good start to Valentine's.
The next day I woke up still feeling uplifted by the anonymous gift. And a fantastic day ensued.
You know those people that you're kind of friends with, but aren't close to? When you see each other around campus, sometimes you say hi and sometimes you don't. It felt like all those people were saying hi to me. I even had some people that I didn't know saying hi to me, even complimenting me. I felt like I was getting smiles and compliments all day long!
Random girl giving out valentines by the bell tower: "Here comes someone with a nice smile!"
Random black guy in the badger den: "Hey man, I like your hair. I like the way it curls."
Melissa Lechner: "Who wouldn't like you?"
Those are just a few. I was on top of the world. And it wasn't anything big that got me there. It was lots of little things. So many people simply chose to smile and say hi to me, and a few even went so far as to give me a compliment. I felt so loved this Valentine's Day. I didn't have a girl, or chocolates, or flowers, or anything like that. I was simply shown that people care about me. I think Valentine's Day should be more focused on things like that. A few people influenced me and I in turn was smiling and saying hello. Who knows? Maybe I had an effect on someone. I really believe small service like this can have a chain reaction.
We can all spread a little love every day with simple acts like smiling and saying hello. We're all children of God, we're all here for the same purpose, and we all have infinite worth. Let's remember that and do what we can to lift up our brothers and sisters. I love you guys!
Anyway, on the evening of February 13th, I thought to myself, "Oh, it's Valentine's Day tomorrow. Woohoo." (With much enthusiasm! Not.) It can be easy to feel lonely on Valentine's Day, even when you're determined to stay single before your mission. I wasn't exactly looking forward to Valentine's Day and doing my best to forget about it.
As I walked down the hall to my room, I noticed a small plate of cookies in front of my door. "Are those for me or my roommate," I asked myself. Then I saw my door. I stopped with a stunned smile on my face. It was covered in hearts, some of which spelled my name, and also one that said, "We love you!" I have no idea who did it, but I began to realize: I may not have a significant other, but I have friends who care about me. My spirits began to lift. It was a good start to Valentine's.
The next day I woke up still feeling uplifted by the anonymous gift. And a fantastic day ensued.
You know those people that you're kind of friends with, but aren't close to? When you see each other around campus, sometimes you say hi and sometimes you don't. It felt like all those people were saying hi to me. I even had some people that I didn't know saying hi to me, even complimenting me. I felt like I was getting smiles and compliments all day long!
Random girl giving out valentines by the bell tower: "Here comes someone with a nice smile!"
Random black guy in the badger den: "Hey man, I like your hair. I like the way it curls."
Melissa Lechner: "Who wouldn't like you?"
Those are just a few. I was on top of the world. And it wasn't anything big that got me there. It was lots of little things. So many people simply chose to smile and say hi to me, and a few even went so far as to give me a compliment. I felt so loved this Valentine's Day. I didn't have a girl, or chocolates, or flowers, or anything like that. I was simply shown that people care about me. I think Valentine's Day should be more focused on things like that. A few people influenced me and I in turn was smiling and saying hello. Who knows? Maybe I had an effect on someone. I really believe small service like this can have a chain reaction.
We can all spread a little love every day with simple acts like smiling and saying hello. We're all children of God, we're all here for the same purpose, and we all have infinite worth. Let's remember that and do what we can to lift up our brothers and sisters. I love you guys!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The Power of the Atonement
I have the most exciting news I've ever had to give.
I started my mission papers on Monday.
I can't believe my mission is so close! I'm so excited to go serve and share the gospel. These last few weeks have been some of the best of my life. I've read my scriptures every single morning without fail. I've prayed not only every morning and night, but throughout the day. I'm constantly checking myself and making sure I can feel the Spirit. When I encounter a disappointment, a fear, or stress of any kind I immediately turn to my God. And if He doesn't immediately help me, I keep doing my best and try to learn what I can from my experience until I once again hear His voice and feel His presence. He's always trying to teach me and help me grow. I feel the Spirit so often and so strong as I continually try to align my life with God's will. I feel His love more clearly than I've ever felt it before.
I know that the power of the atonement is very real and is very powerful. I went to the temple for the first time in over a year yesterday morning. I'm preparing to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and am filling out my mission papers. I feel completely clean. When asked if I believe I will reach the Celestial Kingdom I can answer with a resounding, "Yes!" And it's not because of me. It's not because I'm special or better than anyone else. It's because I've allowed Christ's atonement to become a part of my everyday life. I am in tune with the Savior. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phillipians 4:13). Nothing is too hard for Him and nothing is too hard for me when I'm seeking His help. I love my Savior and everything He has done for me! I can't wait to dedicate two years of my life to serving Him and sharing His gospel!
I started my mission papers on Monday.
I can't believe my mission is so close! I'm so excited to go serve and share the gospel. These last few weeks have been some of the best of my life. I've read my scriptures every single morning without fail. I've prayed not only every morning and night, but throughout the day. I'm constantly checking myself and making sure I can feel the Spirit. When I encounter a disappointment, a fear, or stress of any kind I immediately turn to my God. And if He doesn't immediately help me, I keep doing my best and try to learn what I can from my experience until I once again hear His voice and feel His presence. He's always trying to teach me and help me grow. I feel the Spirit so often and so strong as I continually try to align my life with God's will. I feel His love more clearly than I've ever felt it before.
I know that the power of the atonement is very real and is very powerful. I went to the temple for the first time in over a year yesterday morning. I'm preparing to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and am filling out my mission papers. I feel completely clean. When asked if I believe I will reach the Celestial Kingdom I can answer with a resounding, "Yes!" And it's not because of me. It's not because I'm special or better than anyone else. It's because I've allowed Christ's atonement to become a part of my everyday life. I am in tune with the Savior. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phillipians 4:13). Nothing is too hard for Him and nothing is too hard for me when I'm seeking His help. I love my Savior and everything He has done for me! I can't wait to dedicate two years of my life to serving Him and sharing His gospel!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)