101 goals in 1001 Days

I just thought I would let ya'll know what I am up to these days. (Lol, I like using the work ya'll.) anyway, pretty much my life is still work and school. I will get my Associates Degree in April and then.... wait for it... I will be going on a MISSION!!!!!!!! now don't get ahead of yourself by asking where because I haven't started my papers yet... but I will be soon, hopefully. Right now I am also working on 101 goals in 1001 days. Brianna, my cousin, introduced this to me. I have 101 preset goals to complete in 1001 days, or 2.75 years. It is actually quite fun so far, some of my goals will be a little bit challenging though, taking me out of my comfort zone. This will be good for me. I found this a good opportunity to do the things I have always wanted to do, get more organized, and most of all become a better person. I am looking forward to completing this challenge. I started this challenge on Monday November 16, 2009 and will finish 1001 days later on Monday, August 12, 2012. I have made a journal where I will keep track of my progress, but I may just write about some of them right here on this blog...(that is not a promise)

TTYL

My Talk; A Season For Angels

I was asked to speak on the talk “A Season For Angels” by Elder Bateman. As I was reading this talk I couldn’t help but think of what a wonderful kickoff this is to this Christmas season. No black Friday or finding the best deals on un-needed things to start off. This was a great opportunity for me to study the true meaning of Christmas. Our Savior. Just preparing this talk helped me remember, because I think we tend to forget, the true meaning of Christmas. So, I am grateful for this opportunity to study and speak about this talk, even though I am scared out of my mind to be up here.

He starts by saying, At the beginning of each Christmas season, our thoughts turn to the birth of the Savior. For believers, Christ’s birth and death are the two greatest events in the history of the earth or, for that matter, eternity. It is almost an anomaly that in the untold years the universe ahs existed, its two greatest events occurred within a 33-year span in a vassal nation on a small planet the Lord calls His “footstool.”

Christmas carols are a special feature of the season. They bring feelings of joy to our hearts as they describe the events and significance of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is interesting to note that many Christmas hymns speak of angels. This is because the biblical record contains numerous accounts of heavenly beings speaking to mortals before and at the time of His birth. Not only is the story of the Savior’s birth replete with heavenly messengers, but heavenly beings were also present at significant events throughout his life.

(Holland) When the time for the Savior’s advent was at hand, an angel was sent to announce to Mary that she was to be the mother of the Son of God. Then a host of angels was commissioned to sing on the night the baby Jesus was born. Shortly thereafter an angel would announce to Joseph that the newborn baby was in danger and that this little family must flee to Egypt for safety. When it was safe to return, an angel conveyed that information to the family and the three returned to the land of their heritage. From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children. Time in this setting does not allow even a cursory examination for the scriptures or our own latter-day history, which are so filled with accounts of angels ministering to those on earth, but it is rich doctrine and rich history.

The birth of Jesus Christ was extraordinary in that it involved the condescension of both the Father and the Son. The Father condescended in sending His Son’ the Savior condescended in taking upon Himself a mortal body and offering Himself as a sacrifice for sin. Is it any wonder that angels were assigned to declare the Savior’s birth?

Moroni taught that angels play a special role in the early stages of a new dispensation. In Moroni 7:31-32 (Open Scriptures)

As I was reading this talk, I kept thinking about the talk by Elder Holland given in the October 2008 General Conference. I’m sure many of you remember this talk. This talk is called “The Ministry of Angels.” As we have seen throughout the scriptures for thousands of years, God has sent angels, in special times of need. He sent his divine messengers, to bless His children, to reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near. They taught them the meaning of their sacrifice and the atoning role of the promised Redeemer who was to come. Elder Holland says, “I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself. Matthew records in his gospel that after Satan had tempted Christ in the wilderness “Angels came and ministered unto him.” Even the Son of God, a God Himself, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality.” I love that. That Even the son of God, a God Himself, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality.

Elder Holland goes on saying, “But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with-- here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, (his case), one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind.” I have had many angels in my life. Angels that have done exactly what Moroni taught about the angels role. Declaring the word of Christ, Helping me have faith in Christ. Helping me understand and know my role as a daughter of God, and let me know that I can also be an angel to someone else. These angels in my life really do have the love of God, in kindness and devotion. They know their purpose.

Elder Bateman ends his talk by asking, “What is the lesson for us today as we enter a new Christmas season? Who will minister to those in need? Who are the angels that will prepare the way for His return? I have noticed that during the early stages of a dispensation, angelic ministers come from the other side of the veil, but as time elapses and the number of faithful members increases, more is expected of those in mortality. For example, when a new country is opened to the gospel, missionaries learn that many have been prepared in miraculous ways to receive the gospel, and miracles occur with some frequency to advance the work. Once a core of members is established, however, the Lord’s assistance changes as He provides opportunities for the members to become the miracle workers.” He provides opportunities for the members to become the miracle workers. I love that. There are opportunities all around us to make miracles happen. Some simple deed that you do may not seem like a miracle, but to someone else it is.

Barbara Thompson, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency says “We need to rescue all that is the finest down deep inside of us so that as daughters,(And sons), of God we can do our part to build the kingdom of God. We will have help to do this. As Joseph declared, if you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates”

So if we live righteously and do our part, we will have the help of angels to build the kingdom of God. And then by doing this, we, ourselves, will be angels to someone else. Let us bear one another’s burdens, mourn with those who mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and thus keep the covenants which we have made.

What are you going to do this Christmas season? How are you going to bless someone’s life by being an angel to them? Miracles during this Christmas season require our faith and works. May we be reminded once again of our promise to bear one another’s burdens, to mourn with those who mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places. I love the last sentence of this talk, which is Elder Bateman’s testimony. He says, “I bear witness that Christmas is a season for angels. As they ministered to the Savior and others in the meridian of time, may we, as angels of mercy, minister to other families and to those in need in the fullness of times so that the Lord’s work may move forward.

I just want to add my testimony to his of how grateful I am for this church. And for the knowledge I have. I know the Lord works through other people to help us return to Him. I am so grateful for the angels in my life who have helped me simply just get through. I know that Heavenly Father will never leave us alone. He knows our needs and He knows how to help us we just need to ask in faith. I know that I can pray to Him wherever and whenever and He will listen. I know that families can be together forever and I am so grateful for that knowledge because my family has truly been there when I need them. They have been some of my most cherished angels. I know that the Atonement is a reality and that Christ suffered for our sins so that we could live with Him again.

Party In The USA

So on Tuesday we decided to go up the canyon and have a photo shoot at South Fork. It is BEAU-TI-FUL up there right now! After the photo shoot, we were bored so decided to create a music video. Brianna put it all together for us and now it is on youtube. You need to watch it because it is pretty cute! The neighbor kids also wanted to be in the movie. click HERE to watch :D ENJOY!

Oh the beauty of fall

I absolutely LOVE fall! It is by far my favorite season of the year. I love the changing colors, the cooler weather, the smell, and even down to the feeling of fall. It just makes me happy! I was not excited to hear that it is going to snow today. That kinda makes me sad. I hope the Beautiful colors are still here once the snow is past and gone.

My Testimony

I had a very powerful learning experience this last monday where I learned the importance of prayer. and so the story begins. I was driving to Highland for FHE and since I don't live at Raintree anymore, I didn't have anyone to go with so I decided to drive myself. I was all alone. I thought I knew the way because I had been there before. I had never driven there myself though. As I was driving there, I got off of the wrong exit, got stuck in traffic, lots of construction and detours. I was totally lost, but thought that if I kept driving, I would get familiar with something and be able to find my way. I dept driving, and got even more lost to the point I didn't even know how to get to the freeway. I will be honest, I have never felt so lost in my life, and I was scared. As I was driving, I called my dad and told him I was lost. I told him what I saw and what I was driving past. He told me to keep driving and where I should go. He was pretty sure he know where I was. I followed his directions and they brought me to Thanksgiving point. Thankfully, my dad was coming home from work and his next exit was the one by Thanksgiving Point. We met there and he told me exactly how to get to where everything was familiar to me, and where I would be able to find my way. If I hadn't called my dad, he would not have known to help me.

If I ever feel lost, I cannot just expect Heavenly Father to help me. I need to ask for His help. He isn't going to force His help on me because we have our agency. But if I ask for His help, He will gladly give it to me. If I am lost, He will find me. He knows where I am and He knows how to get me to my end destination. I just need to follow His exact directions. And If I mess up, or get lost again, He will still be there for me, and He will still help me get back on the right path and find my way. I am so grateful for that little experience that helped me reallize how important my relationship should be with my Heavenly Father. I think he gave me that experience to show me that He is wating for me. He is ready to listen and answer me if I will just talk with Him.

I have also been thinking a lot about Satan, and the power he has over us. I found this story which hit me how hard Satan is working on all of us, and how his plan really is working. Even on me.

Satan's Worldwide Convention

Satan called a worldwide convention.

In his opening address to his evil angels, Satan said, "We can't keep the Christians from going to church. We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can't even keep them from forming an intimate, abiding relationship experience in Christ. If they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.

So, let them go to their churches; let them have their conservative lifestyles, but steal their time, so they can't gain that relationship with Jesus Christ. This is what I want you to do, angels. Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!" "How shall we do this?" shouted his angels. "Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered. "Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford empty lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their family fragments, soon, their home will offer no escape from the pressures of work!

"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ. Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.

"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogues, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes. Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines so the husbands will believe that external beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. Ha! That will fragment those families quickly!

"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted, disquieted and unprepared for the coming week. Don't let them go out in nature to reflect on God's wonders. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts and movies instead. Keep them busy, busy, busy! And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and unsettled emotions.

"Go ahead, let them be involved in soul winning; but crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause. It will work! It will work!"

It was quite a convention. The evil angels went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get more busy and more rushed, going here and there.

Satan knows he can't keep me from going to church, or from doing what is good, but he knows that if he fills my life with good stuff, that I will forget the essentials fo the Gospel,. I see it almost everyday with reading the Book of Mormon. I get to "busy" with other "good" things, but forget the "essential" things. This has made me more and more about wanting to do the essential things first, and then I will have time for the good things. Everything will fall in to place.

I know that Satan is real, but I also know that Jesus Christ is real. I am so grateful for the knowledge that through Christ, I can progress every single day. If I fall short, Christ is there to make up the rest. I know that I can follow Christ, He is calling to me to follow him. If It is too hard for me to follow him, he will stand by me; if he isn't standing by me or in front of me, I know that he is behind me, pushing me, giving me encouragement. And if he isn't there, during my hardest times, he will be there carrying me. He loves me. I know he does. I can feel his love from the people He has put in my life. I know that the people I know, and the people in my life are here to help me, to remember, and to know of the love of our Savior. It is just a taste of His love. I can't even comprehend the love He has for each and every one of us. Enough love that he would die for us and for all of our sins, and sorrows. He knows EXACTLY what we are going through. He can help us through it. Always!

There is so much more I can say. My heart if SO full today. So full of gratitude.

One Year...

Today is the one year mark of the passing of a woman I love dearly. My Grandma Joy. She lived for her family, especially her grandchildren. It's amazing how even though she is gone, I am still learning things from her. From her example. Her positive attitude no matter the situation. Her love for EVERYONE she met. And the smile that was glued to her face. There are some days when I am having a horrible day, and I just think, "how would Grandma handle this?" I immediately change my attitude to the attitude she would have; always looking on the positive side of things. It will all work out. I miss her SO SO SO much and wish she could be here right now seeing everyone grow up and acheive many great things, but at the same time, I know she is where she belongs. I know she is doing much good in Heaven with her sweet Jim. And I am sure she is right here with us, watching us all grow and progress, cheering us on.

I am so grateful for the knowledge that Families Can Be Together Forever. It gives me that little extra push to do a little more, and be a little better so that I can be with the ones I love FOREVER.

I love and Miss you Grandma Joy.

Sundays Food For Thought

"When I was a young man in high school, one of my passions was American football. I played middle linebacker. The coach worked the team hard, teaching us the basics. We practiced until the skills became natural and automatic. During one play against our biggest rival, I had an experience that has helped me over the years. We were on defense. I knew my assigned opponent, and as the play unfolded, he moved to my right into the line of scrimmage. There was a lot of noise from players and fans. I reacted as the coach had taught us and followed my man into the line, not knowing if he had the ball. To my surprise, I felt the ball partially in my hands. I gave it a tug, but my opponent didn’t let go. As we tugged back and forth, amid all the noise I heard a voice yelling, “Packer, tackle him!” That was enough to bring me to my senses, so I dropped him on the spot. I have wondered how I heard that voice above all the other noise. I had become acquainted with the voice of the coach during the practices, and I had learned to trust it. I knew that what he taught worked."

-Elder Allan F. Packer-

I have been thinking a lot about prayer lately and how I can make my prayers more sincere. I love this story and how much it symbolizes prayer and our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Our Heavenly Father has worked us hard and has taught us the basics. Our rival is Satan, and we know how to beat him. Even with all the noise of the world. We need to remember what we have been taught. I love how Packer was acquainted to the voice of the coach and he heard him above all the noise of the crowd and he trusted it. I have been working on my relationship with my Father in Heaven and have started to begin seeing his hand in my life, and hearing his promptings. It is because I have practiced with him, and now recognize and trust what he tells me or asks me to do. I am so grateful for prayer and for the promptings I get and continue to progress and get better at my personal prayers.