I will make weak things become strong unto you

How does your appearance make you feel?

Does it make you feel good when you look nice?

I think we all can feel a little better when we look nice. I do. But then a series of events caused a medical condition that over the course of several months left me with large ugly scars on both my shins.

They aren't pretty. But they do look better now than they did 3 years ago, that's for sure.

But even still, I choose not to let it stop me. I don't hide because something about me is different. I don't let the flaws on my legs stop me from living my life.

I shouldn't let any of my flaws stop me or create a negative view of myself. Scars don't mean someone is a bad person. It means we are living life and learning.

I have lots of other flaws too, ones that I recognize and am trying to work through, but might not be as easily seen. We all have things we struggle with. Part of learning compassion is learning that everyone has something that isn't quite strong yet.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27)

I don’t understand fully how a weakness could be made into a strength. But the Lord says it can be done, so I believe Him, and I'm working on understanding how that works.

I heard on a podcast recently weaknesses being described in a way I hadn't thought about before:

"Our weaknesses are only our strengths overused." (Jody Moore)

Isn't that eye opening? I also love the work of Carol Tuttle and I believe her when she talks about how our weaknesses are actually our strengths. I am a perfectionist. No, I am thorough! I am lazy. No, I have a relaxed nature! I always put my foot in my mouth. No, I am capable of speaking up.

When we view ourselves in a positive light, it is beautiful and freeing.

I believe growth comes from love. Love yourself and allow yourself to grow. God loves us and gently encourages us to be better, not the opposite.

I'm grateful for my hope in Christ and the reality of His resurrection, which opened the way for the rest of us to gain this same resurrection, the unifying and perfecting of our body and spirit for the rest of eternity, flawless and good.

Our flaws, imperfections, weaknesses don't have to define us. We can still dance with ugly scars on our legs. We can still do our work on the earth though we may stumble and sometimes fall. Life is learning how to get back up again and keep trying. With Christ we can, and heal in the process.

The Pull of the World vs. The Pull of Christ

Do you ever get the feeling that the world is constantly trying to convince you that you need more of this or that?

There are so many products and services and opportunities in our faces every day. How do we deal with it? How can we get over the feeling that we never have enough?

"[E]very day we see allurements of one kind or another that tell us what we have is not enough. Someone or something is forever telling us we need to be more handsome or more wealthy, more applauded or more admired than we see ourselves as being. We are told we haven’t collected enough possessions or gone to enough fun places. We are bombarded with the message that on the world’s scale of things we have been weighed in the balance and found wanting." 

- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (The Other Prodigal)

Well, enough is enough.

"You may want to conduct what I’ll call a “personal council.” After praying, spend some time alone. Think about what is ahead. Ask yourself: “What areas of my life do I want to strengthen so that I can strengthen others? Where do I want to be a year from now? two years from now? What choices do I need to make to get there?” Just remember, you are a pilot, and you are in charge. I testify that as you come to yourself, your Heavenly Father will come to you. By the comforting hand of His Holy Spirit, He will help you along." 

- Elder Robert D. Hales (Meeting the Challenges of Today's World)

I'm choosing to look past the constant ads and plugs and compelling arguments that I need this thing or to do this to be happy. I can be happy right now. I can choose to be content with the way my life is and not need to give in to the constant push that I need more. Because I don't.

"Recently, a young filmmaker said he felt he was part of a “generation of prodigals”—a generation “looking for hope and joy and fulfillment, but looking in all the wrong places and in the wrong ways." 

- Elder Robert D. Hales (Meeting the Challenges of Today's World)

Sometimes I think I'll be more happy if I can take more dance classes or be in more choirs or revisit various things I loved to do in college, or take a lot of time to learn a new skill. But for me, the time is not now for most of those things. Right now my time is more importantly spent building up and loving my husband and kids, fulfilling my calling at church and as a visiting teacher, and becoming a better version of myself.

"The world is incessantly pulled by a flood of enticing and seductive voices.

"Overcoming the world is trusting in the one voice that warns, comforts, enlightens, and brings peace “not as the world giveth.” 

- Elder Neil L. Andersen (Overcoming the World)

Maybe there are things I want to do or need to do, and those can be good and worthy goals and things to do. But what I don't want is something distracting me from what is most important:

My faith in God.

My family.

My well-being.

"If the love we feel for the Savior and what He did for us is greater than the energy we give to weaknesses, self-doubts, or bad habits, then He will help us overcome the things which cause suffering in our lives. He saves us from ourselves. 

"Let me reemphasize: if the pull of the world is stronger than the faith and trust we have in the Savior, then the pull of the world will prevail every time. If we choose to focus on our negative thoughts and doubt our worth instead of clinging to the Savior, it becomes more difficult to feel the impressions of the Holy Ghost."

 - Sister Joy D. Jones (Value Beyond Measure)

It's definitely not easy to push out the constant voices that say I need or need to do more more more. Doing new things or revisiting old things are fun ideas for me. But I'm also leaning what my limits are and what things can be big distractions if I'm not careful.

"What Is Hard? Each of us may have a different opinion about what is hard. ...

"There are those who find it hard “to be content with [what] the Lord hath allotted unto [them]” (Alma 29:3). ...

"Regardless of the issue, hard can be good for those who will move forward with faith and trust the Lord and His plan. ...

"His example truly is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Only by following that example can we find “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23)." 

- Elder Stanley G. Ellis (Do We Trust Him? Hard Is Good)

I'm so grateful for my relationship with our Father in Heaven who created us and desires for us to return to live with Him and receive all that He hath, who knows me personally and answers the pleadings of my soul. Christ is our abundance and with Him we have all we need.

“Come unto me all ye ends of the earth,” He pleads, and buy milk without money and honey without price. All are privileged, the one like unto the other. Walk peacefully. Walk confidently. Walk without fear and without envy. Be reassured of Heavenly Father’s abundance to you always." 

- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (The Other Prodigal)

To Be a Humble Follower of Christ

I was reading in the scriptures this morning about how there will be many people who will have gone astray from the Lord's way because of pride and wickedness, etc, and came across this short phrase:

"...because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ..."

I was humbled by this statement.  Just last night I was thinking about how I wish I could have and could still spend more time in the musical theatre scene, and was getting a little consumed in the thought.  "I chose a different life -- that of a wife and mother."  I told myself, "My choice was the one I was supposed to make...  And I'm happy about it...  Right?"  I wasn't completely convinced last night, though I knew I was right.  But coming across this verse in my scripture study confirmed to me again that I was on the right path.

The family is central to God's great Plan of Happiness.  And it's called that because it's our road map to happiness in this life and in the next.  The world tells us to put ourselves first, and do whatever we want.  I've put Jesus Christ at the center of my life instead, and have found the greatest happiness in having and being a part of a family.  I love my family!  I love my husband and my son.  I love being a wife.  I love being a mother.  I knew there would be sacrifices I would have to make.  But I knew they would be worth it.  I may not have a ton of extra time on my hands to explore interests like participating in musical theatre, becoming a professional photographer, or website and graphic designer, learning to be a seamstress or expert crafter, or even having my house completely organized.  But my family is happy and healthy, my house is functional, and we're on the Lord's path to eternal life and exaltation.  What more could I need or even want?

Isn't it amazing how you seem to always hear what you need to when you're letting the Lord speak to you through the scriptures?

Losing Someone (Come unto Him)

There’s lots of room for regret in life, isn’t there. It seems that no matter what we do it will never be enough. And the truth is that it isn’t. But that is why the Atonement of Jesus Christ is so beautiful. But I feel guilty that I need it. I feel like I should be better. I know I can be better, there are plenty of things I can improve -- but I know although I may be my best self I will still fall short. And that is when Christ buoys us up, if we let Him.

It’s important to realize the important things in life, the way to spend our time -- with people and not with things. It wouldn’t be possible to spend all our time visiting the people we love, although we would jump at the opportunity to do so. But we have other responsibilities in life too. We can spend as many short amounts of time with the people we love and we will still look back and wish we could have done more. And still we look back and think, “Was it enough? Could I have done more? Should I have done more? Did they wish I would have done more?” We learn our lessons the hard way in life, and it’s tough, some times are tougher than others. But even though this is the case, I find there is a ray of sunshine through all the gloom. We cannot forget Christ, even in our darkest moments. It is because of Him that we truly can and will live again, and will be able to live with those we love forever. This life is only a test, a time for us to learn lessons the hard way, the way we wanted and needed it to be, so we could truly learn so we could become like God and receive everything He has. I guess part of this lesson learning is learning about hope, which comes because of Christ, that we can prevail through anything together with Him, and also learning that we really need Him. We can’t progress without Him, in this life or the next. His Atonement allows us to repent, to break the chains of sin and guilt and any affliction, and also the chains and sting of death. Because death does sting, it hurts when someone you love passes away from this life, but because of Christ’s Atonement, which includes His death and Resurrection, this life that we know on earth is not the end. It is a beautiful thing to think about the next life. We don’t know much about it, but we do know some things -- especially we know that it exists, that we will continue to exist, but in a different way. And eventually we will all be resurrected and we will live in the way we were meant to live. On Earth, our mortal bodies, our earthly homes for our spirits, become frail. But our spirits remain active and alive, wishing to do all that we want to do, but can’t because our mortal bodies limit us. Death seems to be a free-ing of self -- no more restrictions, no more pain, no more sorrow. It is a good thing, it is a happy thing. Yet we mourn because we are stuck in this life, on earth, without those we love who have passed on. But I believe they don’t mourn, but are awaiting us to join them once again.

How do you deal with death? I think that’s a question everyone asks themselves. I’m sure everyone has their own way. I guess this is part of mine.

How do I let the Atonement work in my life in dealing with this regret and guilt? I don’t know how it works, but I do know that it does work. The trick I guess is figuring out how to use it, how to give it all to Him. Christ has suffered all things for us already, so we won’t be tied down in all our pain and suffering and shortcomings, but that we can be free. Not so everything negative is taken away from us, but so we can know that everything will be okay, that this isn’t the end and we should and can keep trying to do better. Christ’s Atonement allows us to move forward, even though things in life sometimes get us down, and sometimes hold us back. It doesn’t take all the pain away, and it doesn’t remove our memories, but it is the door we can pass through to the next chapter or phase in our lives -- We can look back and remember and learn from our past without having to be held captive by it, and also we are able to look forward with a ‘brightness of hope.’ It is because of this we are able to feel real joy in our lives. I think this is at least part of the reason why people often comment about how people who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or the nickname for our religion - Mormons) are “always happy,” or something to that effect. It’s because of the knowledge of the Atonement. Anyone can have the same hope and joy. It’s in one’s belief and use of Christ’s Atonement that it is made possible.

It's OK to cry. It's OK to feel sad. We just shouldn't let it hold us back.

The Atonement of Christ and faith in Christ are directly and inseparably related. When we have faith in Him, we are having faith and believing in everything He did for us -- in His Atonement. Let Christ work in your life. Let Him in. He stands at the door and knocks, His arms are stretched out, He is waiting for you. Come unto Him.

Jesus Speaks Today -- Through His Authorized Servants

What an incredible morning so far.  Messages have been shared from some of the Lord's appointed and authorized servants, the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  What a wonderful opportunity.

Some announcements were made this morning, one of which was that a Temple will be built in Tucson, Arizona!  I have been wishing for some time to be able to just live in the same city as a temple.  I can't wait for it's construction and to be able to attend the temple and feel of the amazing Spirit there much more often.

So far from the messages shared this morning I am feeling a renewed dedication to Jesus Christ and to more fully living His Gospel.  What a wonderful feeling.

Christ's Gospel brings me the most real happiness and peace in my life I have ever felt, no matter the circumstances and situations that surround me.  Nothing compares to the happiness and peace Christ offers if we receive it.

All are invited to come and feel of it's goodness.

You can watch General Conference live or afterward online:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference

Some of the topics talked about in this morning's session:

• "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" -- Book of Mormon, Alma 5:26
  
• How to feel the Spirit, or Holy Ghost, more fully
  
• Being an example of Christ by the way we live
  
• Gain more knowledge -- of secular and spiritual things
  
• Obedience and submission to God
  
• The Temple should be the focal point in our lives
  
• Holy Ghost and acting on his promptings
  
• Little children do not need baptism
  
• Life after death
  
• Missionary service and efforts
  
• Christ's original organization of His church, the Great Apostasy, and the Restoration of Christ's original church
  
• Purpose of life
  
• "You have seen our missionaries, you may have ignored them, you should listen to them, they will help you"
  
• Spend time doing what matters most -- spending time with those we love, dedicating ourselves to God and His Gospel
  
• Find joy in the journey
  
• "Good intentions are not enough, we must do"
  
• Be more happy now -- We determine our happiness
  
• "Look less with your eyes and more with your heart"
  
• "I pray we will not wait until we are ready to die before we truly learn to live."

Watch and learn -- Your life will be blessed -- You will feel uplifted --
Christ speaks today, through His authorized servants.  This is who they are:
Jesus leads us through His Prophet

God is the Same - We Can Still Know

We are all trying to do the best we can in this life.  We are ever trying to understand God and how we can best follow Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world whom He has sent.

With so many opinions out there, it can be difficult to figure out what we should believe.  Some believe the notion that we as mere humans can't and won't ever know in this life exactly how God wants us to follow Him.

I believe with all my heart, might, mind, and strength that God DOES speak to His children on the earth (all of us) and that we CAN know what He wants us to do.

The Holy Ghost, or Spirit, is how we can know.  He is the third member of the Godhead.  It is His role to be a witness of truth.

"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." - Acts 5:32 

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth" - John 16:13 

"But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." - 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 

"...the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls." - Jacob 4:13

An ancient prophet named Moroni in approx. A.D. 421 declared that if we pray to God to know of truth, He will reveal that it is true by the power of the Holy Ghost:

"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 

"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. 

"And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.

"And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost" 

(Book of Mormon, Moroni 10:4-7)

Another ancient prophet, Nephi, around 600 B.C. also testified of this:

"For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round." 

(Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 10:19)

"For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do." 

(Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 32:5)

Interesting that he says that this principle, which was true in ancient times, will continue to apply and be true in times to come.  Today is included in that "times to come."  How fortunate are we that God is unchanging and continues to reveal truth to us, through His prophets and through the Holy Ghost, so we don't have to wander this life in confusion!

In a revelation given through a modern day prophet, Joseph Smith, in 1831 the Lord also affirmed:

"And again, verily I say unto you, O inhabitants of the earth: I the Lord am willing to make these things known unto all flesh... 

"...For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever." 

(Doctrine & Covenants 1:34, 39)

I also believe that God is the same today, yesterday, and forever, which is to say that He does not change.

• "But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." - Psalms 102:27
  
• "For I am the Lord, I change not" - Malachi 3:6
  
• "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." - Hebrews 13:8
  
• "For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him." - 1 Nephi 10:18
  
• "For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?" - Mormon 9:9
  
• "...for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever." - Moroni 10:7
  
• "And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that all these gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of men." - Moroni 10:19
  
• "Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old;
  "Thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever." - Doctrine & Covenants 20:11-12
  
• "Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever." - Doctrine & Covenants 35:1
  
• "From eternity to eternity he is the same, and his years never fail." - Doctrine & Covenants 76:4
  
• "And God spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name; for I am without beginning of days or end of years; and is not this endless?
  "And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands, but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease." - Moses 1:3-4

In a world where everything seems to be constantly changing, I am grateful that God has a hold on things.  I know that He will guide us to truth and will reveal His way to us through the Spirit if we truly want to know, will act on the answer He gives, and ask Him.  I'm grateful to know that He will always give us guidance if we seek it, be solid and stable and unchanging, and can provide safety and security and stability in our lives if we put our trust in Him.

Mormons Believe in Jesus Christ

Yes, it's true!  I believe the same Jesus Christ as you, the very Jesus Christ of the New Testament.  I believe He atoned for our sins and afflictions and died on the cross and rose the third day as a resurrected and glorified being.  He is the center of my testimony, my belief, my marriage, my actions, my life, my very being and existence.

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." -- 2 Nephi 25:26

He has not left us alone.  He has not left us to confusion or to fend for ourselves.  He has re-established the fullness of His gospel in these latter-days.  He speaks today through His chosen prophet.  President Thomas S. Monson is His mouthpiece for the world at this time today.

The whole purpose of His life was to save ours.  I am so full of gratitude for all He has done for all of us, and for me.  I could not be who I am without Him.  I would not know happiness without Him, or without the knowledge of the purpose of life.  He makes everything possible.  "Oh sweet, the joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives!"

The Heavens are Not Closed

Henry B Eyring, President Thomas S Monson, Dieter  F Uchtdorf

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." - Amos 3:7

The Heavens are not closed, but are open!  God is available to each of us and directs His people through prophets in these latter days just as He always has in the past.  We are considered God's people when we choose to obey Him and follow His way.  Just as God has called prophets to lead His people in the days of Adam, Moses, John the Baptist, Nephi, Joseph Smith and others, He does so now.  He directs and speaks to His people on earth through His prophets.

"As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:" - Luke 1:70

A prophet:

-is a man called by God to be His representative on earth
-speaks for God, is His mouthpiece, and when he does it is as if God is speaking
-is a special witness of Christ and testifies of His divinity
-teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ
-teaches truth
-interprets the word of God
-calls the unrighteous to repentance
-receives revelations and directions from the Lord for our benefit
-may see into the future and foretell coming events so the world may be warned
-is always chosen by God
-is called through proper priesthood authority

"We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof." - Articles of Faith 1:15

"Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion." - Doctrine and Covenants 132:8

There is a prophet living on the earth today.  He is the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This chosen prophet has the right to receive revelation for the entire Church, and is the only person on earth who can.  The Lord said, "There is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred" (Doctrine and Covenants 132:7).  The prophet also holds the "keys of the kingdom" which means he has the authority to direct the entire Church and kingdom of God on earth, including the administration of priesthood ordinances.

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." - Matthew 16:19

Twice a year the Church has a General Conference where the prophet of God and the counselors of the First Presidency and the members of the Quorum of the Twelve, who are also prophets, seers, and revelators, and other general authorities of the Church speak to the entire membership of the Church worldwide to give counsel relevant to our lives today.  In addition to all Church members, all people of all ages all around the world are invited to watch and listen.

"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." - Doctrine and Covenants 1:38

The Lord speaks through His prophets to His people.  It was this way in Bible times, it was this way in Book of Mormon times, and it is this way now.  I invite all who are willing to listen to the voice of the Lord through His prophet, Thomas S. Monson, His mouthpiece for the world at this time, to watch and listen to the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this coming weekend.  The messages given and music shared are inspiring and uplifting and help us feel the Holy Spirit and be directed by Him in our lives.  I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's mouthpiece for the earth today, and that he speaks for Him.  I know that as we listen to and follow the counsel he gives us we will be immensely blessed in our lives and we will know the way to true and lasting happiness.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Conference website

An invitation to "Come listen" this weekend - Mormon Messages

References:
mentioned scriptures
Gospel Principles manual Chapter 9

13 True Things About Mormons

1.  Mormons are Christians.

2.  We believe in and worship Jesus the Christ spoken of in the Holy Bible and that He is the Son of God.

3.  The name "Mormon" is a nickname because of our belief in the Book of Mormon as additional scripture.

4.  The name of the church Mormons belong to is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

5.  We absolutely believe the Bible to be true and the word of God, as long as it is translated correctly.

6.  We believe that the Book of Mormon is also the word of God and is additional scripture written by Christ's people in the Americas and is a second witness of Jesus that He is the Christ.

7.  Joseph Smith was the first prophet of God in this last dispensation, or these latter-days, or this time when the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will not ever again be taken away from the earth.

8.  God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith as he was praying in a grove of trees about which church he should join.  They instructed him to join none of them and told him that the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be restored through him.

9.  We revere and respect and look up to Joseph Smith because of everything he has done and endured for the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

10.  We make sacred covenants in holy temples, and we perform these ordinances by proxy for those who have died without receiving them -- and they then have the opportunity to accept them or decline.

11.  We believe life does not end at the grave but that because of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection we are able to be resurrected (spirit and body reunited in a perfected form) and to live eternally.

12.  We believe that Jesus Christ suffered and atoned for our sins and that because of this we have the ability to repent and to come closer to God and to be able to be granted into His presence after this life.

13.  We believe families can be together forever, but only by being sealed together by someone who has God's authority on earth (the priesthood) in His holy temples.

Learn more here.

Does God have time for me?

I hear this certain commercial on the radio every once in a while and it just kills me every time I hear it.  The girl is asking things like, "Doesn't God have more important things to worry about my life and my worries?"  I really wish people wouldn't think this way, but there are so many who do.  The thing that makes me the most sad is that if someone has to ask that question, they don't understand what the whole point of life is.  God is the Father of our spirits, and His work and glory is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."  His whole purpose is to help us make it back to Him to live with him and our loved ones forever.  He isn't up in the sky somewhere making the tides roll in and the wind blow and just watching us live our lives for entertainment.  He is listening to us and trying to prod us in the right directions and answering our pleadings.  We are His first priority!  And He provided a Savior for us, His Only Begotten Son in the flesh, even Jesus Christ, to come to the earth and show us the way to be able to return to our Father in heaven, and He suffered on our behalf so we would be able to do so.  Because if He did not, we would have no way to repent and be washed clean of and turn away from our sins, and since no unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God we would be cast out forever, for eternity.  But He DID suffer and die and was resurrected for US, so we could have a way to overcome the natural man or evil in us and become saints and be able to be permitted into God's presence after this life.

God hears our prayers.  And He answers them.  Most often He answers in ways we don't expect.  He knows us, and He loves us.  He has provided this beautiful and resourceful earth to live on.  He has created these magnificent bodies of flesh and blood for our spirits to be housed in while we live our earthly lives.  He wants us all to make ourselves worthy so we can return to live with Him after this life on earth.  He has provided the way -- Jesus Christ.  We have to give the only thing we have to give, since everything we have been given has been by the hand of God -- and that is our will.  He has given us the ability to choose; and to be the most happy and to gain the most blessings and to be closest to God, we must choose Him and live His way.

So, does God have time for you?  The answer is yes.  His hand is always extended to you; He is just waiting for you to reach back to Him. 

Learn more.

Immortality

I read earlier today that a scientist in the UK predicts that in about 20 years we will be able to make ourselves immortal.  He says that technology and our knowledge of the human body is accelerating at a rate that if it stays steady, we will be able to stop ageing and even reverse it.

I understand the desire for humans to live forever.  But I don't want to live forever in these conditions.  I want to die eventually, when I've finished everything I've come here to do and learn.  There is so much more, and better things waiting for us on the other side.  Death is a part of life.  And after death we will be resurrected (the reuniting of the body and spirit) and live in a much better way!  This wanting to live forever suspectedly comes from not understanding what happens after we die.  I'm grateful that I have that knowledge and that I don't have to wonder or be scared or nervous about it.  I know my purpose in life because I know my purpose after this life.  The ability that I have to be with God and my family forever through sealings (not just "'til death do us part") in God's holy temple brings me so much joy!  I know that we will live forever, and not only that but live forever in such great happiness and peace and joy if we do the things that are required of us by God.  There is a way, and Jesus Christ is that Way.  He has restored His church, the same as in the days when he walked the earth.  We don't have to live in confusion.  Our Heavenly Father (we are His spirit children!) is not a God of confusion, but clarity.  He has laid out for us what we should and need to do, and as long as we do those things we can achieve the highest degree of glory and happiness and live there with God and our families forever.  Because He died and was resurrected, Jesus Christ has opened the reality that we will all be resurrected also and have immortality - everyone who ever has come or will come to the earth.  But only those who obey His commandments (all of them, including the commandments He gives to us through His prophets in these modern days) will be granted everlasting life; salvation (a personal matter), and exaltation (a family matter).  We have so much potential!  His arms are ever extended to each of us.  I hope and pray that we will rise up to the call and take up our cross and follow Him, our Savior who has done so very much for us, to whom I am forever indebted and grateful.

Daughter of a King

Disney castle

Doesn't pretty much every little girl wish she was a princess and live in a castle with a handsome prince happily ever after?

Well I've got some news for you aspiring princesses out there --

You ARE a princess!

God is our King and our Heavenly Father, and we are His daughters, His princesses.  We have the opportunity to inherit all He has!  If we live faithful to the commandments our Savior Jesus Christ has given us to live by, and make and keep sacred covenants (or promises, or contracts with God) through sacred ordinances such as baptism by immersion into Christ's church, and receiving our endowment in the temple, and being sealed to our families for time AND eternity in the holy temple of God, we will be counted worthy before our Heavenly Father at the last day and we will be granted glorious blessings!  There are mansions awaiting us in our Heavenly Father's great kingdom where we can live for eternity in peace and joy with Him and the Savior and our families.

Salt Lake City temple

Such marvelous and wonderful blessings await us.  Heavenly Father has offered us so much.  But we must do our part.  Our "happily ever after" doesn't come all at once, and it doesn't happen by our own standards.  We must learn truth and stick to it, and live by it each day.  We must enter into the holy temple of God and make sacred covenants with Him, so we are better equipped to fight off the adversary in our lives and rise triumphant through our trials.  Though it doesn't end there.  It takes hard work every day to keep doing the right thing and to stay on the right, the straight and narrow, path.  But even though our Father in Heaven meant for us to be tried on the earth to test our faithfulness, He also had and has the intention of us to have joy!  Our "happily ever after" can being now.  And following the Savior and making covenants or promises with God that we will try to live up to our divine potential is how we can make that happen for ourselves.  Life is such a wonderful and beautiful thing!  This earth is so glorious and beautiful.  It was created for our benefit and also our enjoyment, that we might have joy!  We never would have been able to learn and know what joy feels like had we not come to earth to experience sorrow.  There must be an opposite in all things so we may know the difference between each and so we may know what joy and happiness is and feels like.

We have divine potential.  Potential to inherit mansions and glory and kingdoms.  Potential to live in happiness and joy throughout all eternity.  I am grateful for this knowledge I have of my divine potential and the purpose of this life on Earth.  I'm grateful for the Savior, Jesus Christ who has made it all possible.  I believe in Him, and I know He lives and visits the earth and leads His church on the earth today, which is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This happiness and joy and understanding we all seek for in life comes by obeying all of His commandments and making sacred covenants with Him.

You ARE a princess, a daughter of a King.  And you CAN live in a castle with your handsome prince,

happily ever after.

Learn more.

Stress Relief?

A lot of people say that exercise, and lots specifically say running, is what helps them de-stress.  I'm not sure if this particular practice is a stress-reliever or stress-inducer for me.  I guess I'm just not very good at pushing myself through pain.  Soccer practices were never my favorite, all that running and having to be faster than others or a specific time.  Killed me!  I hated it.  Yeah it made/makes me be more in shape, and yeah I probably feel good afterwards, but I just have a really hard time being in the middle of it.  Also, exercise - I guess I'm not so fantastic at getting myself motivated to do it.  I'm trying to be better, and I'm getting there.  But mornings are probably the worst.  And ironically my ideal time to work out (and could be a whole other post discussing that).  If I can stay inside and work out it's usually better.  But trying to get me to get up early and go outside and run?  I can't say that it's easy.  Our new apartment complex has a nice work out facility AND a tennis court AND a racquetball court, and I am determined to do better!  Once we get there.

I think my personal stress relief is sleep.  If you know me at all, you probably know that I enjoy my sleep.  I like the mornings but don't really see much of them.  I'm working on that too.  Baby steps.  So, sleep = stress relief?  I don't know if that really is true, but if I didn't get much sleep the previous night and I find myself alone in my quiet apartment in the middle of the day, the couch is very inviting, and I will probably give in.  This also could be a-whole-nother subject...  I don't pop awake when it's morning-time (I'm not sure many people do? Hopefully I'm not alone in this...) but I also don't have great will power to make myself awake.  My warm and comfy bed is oh so VERY inviting.  It doesn't help that Adam covers the window with a thick blanket, which = no sunlight, and likes all sorts of fans blowing making it chilly up in here.  But on the other hand, if I sleep too much I'm quite susceptible to feeling guilty for doing so.  Which could = some stress.  Hmm.

I really need to learn to lead a stress-free life.  It makes life more enjoyable for me and everyone else around me, and I also worry about my ulcerative colitis acting up when I'm pregnant.  Stress = flare ups.  Example: planning a wedding.  I think I do pretty okay most of the time, but like I just mentioned, I tend to, I guess you could call it stress, when I sleep in and skip my shower to avoid taking another hour or more to get ready and then add a half hour to that to get to work.  I'm lucky though to have a loving boss who doesn't mind what hours I come in to work as long as I get my work done.  She's a good mom, I mean boss.  :D  I just don't want to put any future babies in any sort of harm with any sort of medication I may have to take if I have a flare up while pregnant or breast feeding.

So here's to being stress-free!  Wish me luck on finding my relief-outlet.  Thanks in advance.

I Believe in God

I believe there is a God, and that we have a specific purpose for being here on the earth.  That God is our Heavenly Father, the father and creator of our spirits.  He desires our happiness.  He has given us laws and ordinances to live by so we can be happy and not be subject to the devil.  We lived with our Heavenly Father before we came to earth.  And He wants for us to return to live with Him again.  But we have our choice, our agency to choose which path we want to follow.  "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  That "great Mediator of all men" is the Savior, even Jesus Christ.  I believe in Him, and know that He came into the world to show us the way and to sacrifice Himself to atone for our sins so we can have the ability to repent and come back to the path of light and truth, and also that he died on the cross and rose again as a resurrected being to break the bands of death that we might have eternal life also.  The Savior is our Advocate with the Father.  He will plead our case before Him when we meet at our judgement, if we have lived our lives righteously and strived to walk in the path of the Savior.  We have the opportunity, if we choose to live well, to gain not only eternal life, but salvation and exaltation, through the great Mediator.  We can receive all of God's glory and knowledge and power if we live worthy to receive it.  How marvelous and wonderful are these blessings!  Our Father in heaven and His Only Begotten Son of the flesh, our older brother, love us so much to give us this great opportunity and these remarkable blessings!  Their love is evident all around us, in every creation from His hand.

I know that this is true because of the witness borne to me by the Holy Ghost, and you can have that same witness if you desire it.

This I Testify

Today is what we call Fast Sunday, for the wonderful opportunity we have to fast (at least) once a month for the blessings of God to be more abundantly poured out upon us for the improvement of our lives.

Today we have what we call Testimony Meeting along with our Sacrament Meeting this first Sunday of the month (and each month) where the pulpit is opened to any member of the congregation to come up and bear testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and the true-ness of His Gospel which has been restored to the earth.

I know that Jesus Christ came to the earth, son of Mary and our Heavenly Father, and lived a perfect life so He could atone for our sins, that we may be able to repent so we can become clean and perfected through Him and His blood so we could be able and worthy to return to live with our Father in Heaven again.  I know we (all of us who have ever been or ever will be here on the earth) lived with our Heavenly Father, who created our spirits, and Jesus also, who is our older brother as one of Heavenly Father's spirit children.  I know that our Heavenly Father presented a plan to us, which we rejoiced to be able to take part in, which was for us to come to earth and receive bodies and to overcome trials and struggles that we might know and understand happiness by also knowing sadness and pain, so we could gain knowledge of good and evil and become like our Heavenly Father in all of these ways, so that we could return to live with Him for eternity and that He would grant us all the blessings and power that He has if we lived righteously on earth.  I know that the Bible is the word of God, as long as it is translated correctly.  I know the Book of Mormon is also the word of God and completes the Gospel of Jesus Christ alongside the Bible and modern revelation from our prophets today in this last dispensation.  I know that Joseph Smith saw God, our Heavenly Father, and also Jesus Christ when he was just 14 years old, and that through him They restored the Gospel to the earth once more, with the power of the priesthood being restored.  I know that Christ established His church on the earth when he walked with men, and that the priesthood was gone from the earth as He and all of His apostles faced death.  There was a time of apostasy when the fullness of Christ's Gospel was not found on the earth, as was prophisied by prophets in the Bible.  But with Joseph Smith, there has been a restoring of the very fullness of the Gospel that was on the earth when Jesus was also here.  I know that because of Joseph Smith and his dilligence and trust in the Lord, Jesus was able to restore His church on the earth once more.  And from that restoration we again have living prophets on the earth who converse with God and lead His people as He would if He were here.  I know that we can receive light and truth if we truly seek it and desire to act on the answers we receive.  I know that God is an almighty and powerful God, and He is also a loving God, who loves us so dearly and desires for us to be happy and to return to live with Him after our life here on the earth.  I know that prayer is a sacred opportunity to converse with our Heavenly Father, and I know that He listens and answers.  The scriptures, which are teachings and writings of the prophets, are for us in our day to guide us to the path of righteousness to be able to be granted exhaltation with Heavenly Father.  The words of modern day prophets are just as important to heed as those found in the scriptures.  How blessed we are that God has not ceased to reveal things to His people!  We live in a time of turmoil, but peace can be found all around us if we receive the greater light we are offered with the fullness of the Gospel.  I am so grateful for temples and for the priesthood so we can be sealed to our familes forever and so we can take the necessary steps and to pass through each gate necessary to be granted that eternal happiness we seek.  I know all these things to be truth because the Holy Ghost has witnessed it to me.  And you can have that same witness if you desire.

Learn more.

Happiness is...

Listening.

I've found that as I listen to the little voice inside of me, no matter how difficult it may be, I am happy.

The little voice might tell me to not eat any more of the donuts or Almond Joy's that are in my desk, or to stop checking and re-checking my e-mail and Facebook and instead get a little more work done, or to put the dishes away, or to make dinner, or to read a book, or to study the scriptures, or to write in my journal, or to go to bed...  All of these things are things the little voice tells me I should do instead of sitting around and being lazy.  Basically I find that I'm happy when I stop putting off the more important things I keep meaning to do.  I guess they have a name for this sort of thing - prioritizing.  (And not being lazy!)  And not only that, but putting less important things behind more important things.  A talk comes to mind, Elder Dallin H. Oaks' "Good, Better, Best" from the October 2007 General Conference.  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's "Of Things That Matter Most" from October 2010 General Conference is also a goodie on this matter.  This is something we could all benefit from I'm sure!  I know I have.  I'm trying to be better at listening.  And even though it's hard sometimes, I find greater happiness in doing instead of doing nothing.

Gotta love the amazing gift of the Holy Ghost.  I would be so lost without Him.

"Set backs" help us enjoy life

When I go to visit my GI doc I can't help but notice the "live your life" aroma that fills the place.  All the magazines have pictures on them of people with huge smiles on their faces, usually doing some fun-looking activity, and usually there is water or green grass in the background.  Today it made me think about the fact that we all have something that "sets us back" in our lives.  It could be a various medical issue, like Ulcerative Colitis like me, or a various emotional issue, or a various family issue, or whatever.  Whatever it is, it has the potential to bring us down and cause us to potentially not be happy about our lives.  As I continued to ponder on this I thought about those people in the pictures who look like they are really enjoying their surroundings and the varies titles of the magazines such as "Living with Crohn's Disease."  I believe that having problems, especially ones that are somehow or at some point life-threatening, helps us look more at our surroundings and have greater realization of our many blessings and the great beauties of the earth.  Each one of us has something that we deal with, but what a blessing it is to have that challenge to push through!  Yes, some days are more difficult than others, but it's the accomplishment of making it through each day and each trying period that can be that rising sun for us, and the motivation to push and make it through another.



Isn't life wonderful?  :)



So I'm feeling quite relieved after visiting with the doc today.  I was worried that whatever medication we ended up putting me on may be a cause for potential harm on a potential child in the future.  The medication they are trying to get me approved for (it's FDA approved for Crohn's disease, which is similar to Ulcerative Colitis, and a number of other things, but conveniently NOT for UC... yet) is called Cimzia.  The good news is that although there aren't extensive tests done on pregnant women, there have been no traces of the drug in the bloodstream of children whose mother was on Cimzia.  They believe that the drug does not cross the placenta, so the baby stays safe and drug-free.  The only problem, however, is that my insurance is denying my usage of this drug (stupid) probably because it hasn't been officially stated by FDA that it is okay for UC patients.  My doc is going to do another appeal, we'll see how that goes.  He told me though that he just found out about a study regarding UC and Cimzia and I may be eligible to participate...  That would be great!  Another plus of that would be that I wouldn't have to pay for it at all!  Hopefully one of these two options work out.  If not...  we'll just keep trying.  I'm currently on a steroid called Prednisone (which at this high dosage makes my face break out and puff up) which is only temporary, and we need to get me off of it.  This drug ain't a good one for long-term.  We're cutting my dosage in half now, thank goodness, now that my UC is under control.  So I need this in the mean time while we try to get this Cimzia thing worked out.  I feel bad and weird asking, but, prayers are always appreciated.

"It is my prayer and my blessing that when you look at your reflection you will be able to see beyond your imperfections and self doubts and recognize who you truly are, glorious sons and daughters of almighty God."

~ President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Consult not your fears but your hopes and dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what is still possible for you to do."

Remembering Derek, especially today.

Today marks the day when my cousin Derek passed away from cancer last year.  He was 31 years old.  We miss him.  I miss him.  I regret being so far away.  He was a good cousin.  We were buds.  I could have been better.  I hope I was good enough.  You live and you learn.

I'm grateful to know of the Plan of Salvation, Heavenly Father's eternal plan for us to return to Him.  My gratitude is full toward the Savior who with the Atonement made it possible for us to be able to return to live with our Heavenly Father through repentance.  I'm glad to know that this life isn't the end, and that there is purpose for our being here on the earth.  And what a beautiful earth He has made for us!  We have been blessed with so much.

Life certainly is precious, and sacred.  Nothing should be taken for granted.  Each of us deserves love and respect just like any son or daughter of a king.  Which is precisely what each of us is.  God is our Father, we here on earth are his spirit children, and oh the divine potential we possess!  Let us strive to live up to it each day!  Oh how grateful I am to the Savior who makes up for the rest when my best isn't enough.

I think I've finally found my happy place

It's really hard to find the words to say sometimes.  Converting feelings into words isn't so easy!

I feel like I've been filled with such great joy in the last little while, something I've been lacking for too long.  Funny how things happen and then you realize that it's an answer to your prayers!  Heavenly Father DOES hear us and he DOES answer us, in His own way and time, which seems most of the time to be something different than what we think it will be.  But it is always good, and better I'm sure!  Adam and I made our monthly visit to the Temple last night.  It is so beautiful.  I had a wonderful experience there, as always.

Looks like my camera lens needs a cleaning.  Annndd maybe next time we'll take the picture during the day so our faces aren't blurry! (dang it)


ON THE MENU!  Chicken Pillows!  These are so yummy.  I love them so much!  I forgot to take a picture of the masterpiece the night of the dinner so I captured the goodness in left-over form (which is just as tasty, don't be fooled!).

And then when I ate it for dinner the next day I took the opportunity to get the true feel of the meal on film.

This picture was actually taken before I heated it up...  But I guess you would never know the difference if I hadn't told you!  Oh well.  Just imagine it hot.  Yummm.  :)

The recipe goes as follows (makes 8 pillows):

For the pillows:

In a bowl, combine a cup or two of cooked shredded or cubed chicken* with an 8 ounce package of cream cheese (which you can leave out on the counter for a while or stick in the microwave to soften it up for easier mixing) and a cup of shredded cheese (I use cheddar but I guess you can use whatever kind you want, depending on the taste you're going for!).  Mix it good.  You can add some garlic salt and pepper for extra taste if desired.

Using one can of crescent roll dough, separate into the already perforated triangles.  Lightly smash each triangle out a little bit as to stretch them out a little, but not too much, you don't want them to rip!  Place a spoonful of your chicken/cheese mixture on each triangle and stretch the remaining dough over the mixture to cover it up and make into a "pillow."  Dip each pillow first in some melted butter or margarine and second in bread crumbs (I like Italian flavored bread crumbs, just sayin').

On a cookie sheet lined with foil and sprayed with non-stick spray, place your pillows!  Stick it in the oven, pre-heated to 350 degrees, for 15 or so minutes.  They should be brown on the outside when they are done!

*The way I cook the chicken is by cutting it up into small (but not too small) pieces and putting it in a pot of water on the stove: bring to a boil then turn down to a low heat for 15-20 minutes.  Season the water with salt and pepper or whatever -- I like to use garlic salt and lemon & pepper seasoning salt.  (Extra tip:  Save this broth you just made to use in the gravy!)

For the gravy:

You can use one or two cans of Cream of Chicken Soup.  Only add half a can of water (or milk!) for each can of soup you use.  A yummy tip is to use the broth made from cooking the chicken as your water for the gravy.  Heat up and serve over pillows!

Enjoy!


Relief Society broadcast tonight!  So excited!


A few quotes for your enjoyment:

"Lack of forgiveness is like injecting yourself with poison and waiting for the other person to die."

(I don't know who said this)

"Just like everything in this gospel, it's never about skill, it's about obedience.  Because if we are obedient, God can do anything he needs with us, but he can't work through the disobedient."

-Elder Weslin Pullen, missionary of the Lord Jesus Christ currently serving and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of the Philippines-

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

Walt Disney

Today I feel very blessed...

...because I am.

There are so many things to be grateful for!

1. My job.  The fact that I HAVE a job in this economy is great to begin with.  But I have such a wonderful job!  I feel silly when I say I work for my mom but she is the best employer.  Good pay, flexible hours, fun, convenient.  I am so blessed!

2. My husband.  He is so wonderful!  He is so good to me.  I can tell he just loves me so much.  He is a good, hard-working person and I am proud to help put him through school (with my great job that I'm blessed with!) so he can be a successful businessman as an architect and support our family.

3. The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  What an amazing gift.  Life just makes sense (for the most part) and I know what great things lie ahead.  The Savior helps me so much through all the walks of life, I couldn't ask for a better Friend.  I would be so lost without Him and His Gospel.  I'm so grateful to know who I am, that I am  divine and a daughter of God and that my soul is of GREAT worth, and that the blessings which await the faithful after this life are so incredible that I can't even imagine how wonderful it will be.  Having this knowledge gives me so much peace and joy.  Every day is special.  What a wonderful life!

4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The organization of the Church is such a great blessing!  It makes available so many wonderful things.  The support system from the Prophet up top down to the ward families, which includes home and visiting teachers, is so small thing.  There are always so many people around you that love you and are willing to help out no matter where in the world you are.

5. My family.  Every family has their dysfunctions, but when it comes down to it I know they are there for me when I need some back-up.  And I know deep down they really do love me.  Isn't that just great?

Of course these are in no order of rank.

I have a good life.  :)

"Let us be no more tossed to and fro by every worldly wind and doctrine of man (see Ephesians 4:14). We declare to the world that the heavens are open and the truth of God's eternal plan has again been made known to mankind. We live in the dispensation of the fulness of times. We live in a day when we have the witness through the scriptures of the great plan the Lord has given to His children from the beginning of time down to this present and last dispensation. The evidence is well documented; we are not left alone to wander through mortality without knowing of the master plan which the Lord has designed for His children. He has bound Himself by solemn covenant to give us the blessings of heaven according to our obedience to His law. Oh, remember, remember that these things are true, for the Lord God has revealed these eternal truths unto us."

- Elder L. Tom Perry -