We Can Do All Things

Lately, there has been two things really on my mind. They are both actually kind of related to each other in a way if you really think about it. I just recently received a calling that is most definately not in my comfort zone. It's not something huge or anything, but for me I like perfection. I may have some OCD in my also which may be a possiblity as to why I find this calling a little difficult at times. I don't like mistakes. With these thoughts on my mind came the other thoughts about how we are constantly pushed out off our comfort zones. BUT, we are not pushed as far out as we may think we are in the moment. The scripture in 1 Corinthians 10: 13 came to my mind.

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

 Now, why would I mention a scripture that has to do with temptation when I am talking about callings and being out of our comfort zone. Well, here it is. I thought of this scripture in this way. The Lord will not have me do anything that I am not able to bear. It could be my calling, or it seriously be anything else in my live that at the moment seems too hard. The end of the scripture says 'make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.' That is to me is one of the most important parts of this scripture. Everything that we are asked to do in this life, our Heavenly Father believes that we are able to do it! He does not give us anything that we are not able to accomplish. However; this does mean that we DO need to ASk for HIS help!! Nothing is too hard for the Lord. :) We can do all things! A quote that a friend had that I saw said this...'There is no growth in the comfort zone. And there is not comfort in the growth zone.'

The second thing on my mind is callings, and the importance of them. As I said before I did just receive a calling. Yes, it is one that I am not comfortable with. In fact I was talking to a friend and (jokingly) asked if you could take back a calling. Don't worry, I promise I was joking. It did make me think thought about it more. When I was called in to meet with the bishopric member I seriously already knew what it was about. When he extended the calling to me I told him I would accept the calling even though it will be one that will require a lot of growth on my part. I also mentioned that I knew when he called what the meeting was about. He said well then we know that is is what is right and what is meant to be. It made me really think about that statement. We all have callings that we love and callings that we struggle with that require a lot of growth on our part. The last two semesters of college I was a sunday school teacher for Gospel Doctrine. I Loved It!! I was so thankful for the opportunity that I was given to teach my class and to learn and grow from them. With my new calling I am actually, even though it still is a struggle, am thankful for it. It gives me the means and the reason to practice and develop more my talents. Bottom line is that calling are given to each person for a reason. We may not understand why at the time or in the moment, but every time if we take a step back and look at it we will discover one of the many purposes as to why we are given that calling. :)

We Are All Advocates!

Today in church one of the speakers turned to Doctrine and Covenants section 110. I decided to turn to it and follow along with him. As I did so I looked on the other page and read verse 4 in section 110. It reads, "I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father." I started thinking about the last part where is says, 'I am your advocate with the Father.' In this section the Lord appears through visions to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to accept the Kirtland Temple as his house. The Lord, Jesus Christ tell us that he is our 'advocate' with the Father. This got me thinking about how we are all advocates. Aren't we all an advocate in at least one way, if not more? I would say yes, and hope that we all are. So, what is the definition of advocacy? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary says that advocacy is the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal. Now, think about what you are an advocate for. What should you be an advocate for or you should be advocating? These are some things that came to my mind as I thought about this question; I am an advocate for children, families, eternal marriage between a man and a women, and I am an advocate for the gospel. There are many more but these are just a few that I put down. The next question I'm quessing would be how are or can we be advocates? This can be as simple as living what you believe, keeping your standards high, being an example to others, and can go as big as developing public organizations to help advocate and raise awareness. Start small and go from there. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we are are all to be advocates for the church. Some are set apart especially for this purpose. They would be those missionaries who are set apart to serve full time missions. However, we are told countless times that ever member is a missionary! Being a missionary is being an advocate for the gospel and the Lord. Share what you have to offer. It is too special to keep to ourselves. Others need and want to hear and listen to what we have to offer them. It is important that we advocate for what we believe in. If its advocating for children, families, eternal marriage between a man and a women, and the gospel we ALL need to make sure that we are doing our part to help advocate these purposes.

Peace Yo! :)










P.S. A song that has just been stuck in my head for awhile goes along great with this. It is called 'Dirty Dishes' by Scotty McCreery. (yes, those of you who know me know I don't really like country but this song is just too good!)

Here is a link to the song with the lyrics. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSNwrHY_Loo

I Finally Did It!!

I know that it is a little late, but I graduated college!! I am offically a college graduate now! I'm pretty excited about that. It hasn't really hit me just yet though. I'm not sure when exactly it will happen, but I'm sure it. Possibly when I don't have to go back to school in April or when I get my diploma in the mail. It will happen though!!

I Love To See The Temple

I had the wonderful opportunity to go to the temple this morning with my ward. I needed to be there at 5:30 a.m. I won't lie to you. I was contemplating if I should go or not because it was early in the morning, I had homework that needed to be done so I was up late. I was having this internal battle in my mind all last night wondering if I should go or not. The question actually is not should I go, its do I want to go, especially so early in the morning. After choosing to go I can't believe that it was such a hard choice for me to make last night. I should never think do I want to go to the temple. I should be thinking, I have the opportunity to attend the temple with my ward, or at other times, when do I have time to go to the temple. I had such an amazing experience while I was in there today. I realized that that is where I needed to be, that I miss the temple, and that I should NEVER have the thought is my mind 'should I go.' The temple is such a wonderful place, it truly is the House of the Lord. While I was waiting in the chapel the temple president asked if he could sit by me. Of course I told him yes. Although we did not speak much to each other I felt blessed to be sitting next to the president of one of the Lord's temples. He is such a wonderful man who is truly called of God.

Through out my life I have had many wonderful and amazing opportunities that involve the temple. I have experienced the ground breaking, open house, and dedication of the Billings, Montana temple. I also was able to help with the preparing/building of this temple. That temple means so much to me. It was the first temple that I was able to do baptisms in.

The Rexburg temple also has a place in my heart. I was able to witnesses it being built throughout the years and also attend its open house. I have done many baptisms there and have had many wonderful experiences within its walls. It is a beautiful building.

Patience is Vital

Lately there have just been some things in my life that are bothering, frustrating, and confusing me. It drives me insane! I went to devotional yesterday and boy was it amazing! Sister Gee spoke about patience. Perfect timing for what I needed in my life right now! :) I seriously think that one of my constant and ongoing trials is for me to learn patience. I just cannot get it apparently.
Here are some of the key points that I got out of Sister Gee's devotional. Patience is the key to developing a Christ-like life. I love that. It also means that I have a lot of work to do, but it is possible. She also said that we need to put our desires on hold and submit to Heavenly Father's timing. I believe that this is probably the hardest part for me. I believe that it is true with all my heart! However, it is one of the hardest things to do because we all, especially me, get lost in what we want at that moment in time, and what we think is best for us. Putting your trust in Him can help solve all these bothering, frustrating, and confusing things in my life. One other thing that was said was that we need to learn to accept changes in our plan. This I feel goes a long with putting our desires on hold and submitting to His timing. Being able to change our plans helps us be more able to submit to His timing.
I would strongly suggest for all to listne to this devotional talk. It is wonderful, enlightening, and help anyone with situations and problems in their lives that they are facing. It is called, 'Patience: A Process of Perfection' by: Sister Suzette Gee

Here is the link to go to it. :D
https://web.byui.edu/devotionalsandspeeches/speeches.aspx

Peace!

The Power of Prayer

Recently my testimony of prayer has grown so much! My stake at school set a goal for us to try and have morning and night prayers. Night prayers are easier than morning prayers for me. I'm not a morning person, if you know me well or have lived with me you most likely know this already. So morning prayers have always been struggle for me to accomplish. Ever since one of the goals for the stake is to say morning prayers, I wanted to try and do better at it. I can certainly testify that every morning when I say those morning prayers, even if its just when I literally roll off my bed, which is most of the time, I can feel the difference in my day. I love the opportunity that I have to talk to my Heavenly Father and that He is always there and willing to listen. I love prayer! What a wonderful gift it is!

I love life

Sorry, I don't think there is sound for some reason.