Blessed...

To start off, the most important thing I can say is this... I have the greatest friends in the world. The last few days I've realized how important it is to be close to people who have strong faith in The Gospel. I've learned life lessons through their testimonies and have found a greater love for my Savior by their doings. The quote, "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care" really rings true for me this week. I have so much to say, and really don't know how to say everything at this time. I guess I can do this, and bear you my testimony. I don't know that I've yet done this on my blog, but here it is-

I have testimony of this Restored Gospel. I have the strongest love for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and for all that He has done for me. The perfect example He has set for me is something that I reflect on time and time again. I know that the only real way to find happiness in life is to follow Him and to strive to become as He is. I know and understand that it's our choice to do so, all He can do is simple invite. I have a testimony of the Atonement. It's not until you're at the lowest points in your life that you begin to understand the great love that the Lord has for you. I would not be able to go throughout my day without the knowledge and understanding of Chirst's sacrifice. It brings me comfort to know that He suffered all things that I go through. He lives and He knows and loves all of us individually. I'm forever thankful.

I have a testimony of Eternal Families. I love my family so much. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of them and what they have done for me. My testimony was first planted by my wonderful parents, who love the Lord and have devoted their lives to the Gospel. It's because of them and the things that they taught me in my youth, that I have had the opportunity to become the man I am today. I love them so much, and I'm so grateful to be able to live with them forever. The blessing of my family is something that will never end. The rest of my family is much the same as my parents, they are wonderful people who strive to live more like our Savior. I know that because of the sealing power of the Priesthood we can all live together in the eternities.

I too have a testimony of friends, Good and Bad. I know that as we surround ourselves with people who strive to live the Gospel, we can find in our own testimonies growth. The things that I've learned from my friends' examples and knowledge has been life changing in my life and will never be forgotten. I have some of the greatest friends. I've been blessed. I know that those people we surround ourselves with, are who we become like. It's happened to me in both scenarios, good and bad.

I have a testimony of the power of The Book of Mormon, the reality of The Restoration, and  magnificent calling of The Prophet, Joseph Smith. I know that The Book of Mormon is scripture, and that it can change your life, like mine, if you but let it. The power and goodness of this book is something that I have recently been touched by, and that has changed my life forever. I know that its true, and will forever defend my love for it. I am grateful for the Restoration of the Gospel and Joseph Smith's hand in so doing. I know that many scriptures were fulfilled because of his heroic courage. I know that because of him we are able to again be blessed by the fullness of The Gospel in which Jesus Christ taught.

I'm truly grateful for the time I have had to be a missionary. I love this Gospel so much and I would give anything to help someone receive these things that I hold so dear to my heart. I would be so selfish if I didn't share the things that I've been taught in my life. I'm forever grateful for my "Missionaries" (Mom & Dad, Family, and Friends) who taught me about the Gospel by their examples and through their testimonies.  I know that these things that I have written are in fact true. I hope that in someway your testimony of the Lord, Jesus Christ has been strengthened upon reading these words. I love him greatly, and I thank our Heavenly Father each day for the blessing of this Gospel.

One Year...

So yesterday was official one year mark.. In many ways this was both a day of rejoicing and sadness. In one way it was great to look back and to feel like I've accomplished something in a year, but in another way It means my time as a missionary is going by way to fast. I have to say that in a year's time I've grown more spiritually, mentally, and emotionally then I have ever in my life. I feel like a totally different person. I've figured out the things that really matter most to me in my life. Another missionary did a post about her halfway point and I loved it, so I'll use her idea to fully express myself.

-1 year of many hard goodbyes and many wonderful hellos
-1 year of excitement, nerves, faith, love and determination
-1 year of searing Tennessee summers, and freezing winters
-1 year of waking up at 6:30 and getting in at 9:00
-1 year of relying completely on God
-1 year of much scripture study and prayer
-1 year of leaving old friends and making new ones
-1 year of listening to Mormon Tabernacle Choir
-1 year of ironing a shirt every morning
-1 year of finding myself by losing myself in this work

-1 year of teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ
-1 year of crazy southern food :)
-1 year of letter from family and friends... (SOMETIMES)
- 1 year of tears of both joy and sorrow
- 1 year of missing holiday traditions
- 1 year of being apart of the greatest work in the world!! :)

it makes you... you. :)

I've been thinking the last couple of days of the effects of attitude.  I found this quote online today, and it reeeally made me think for a little while.

It reads,

"Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same." I find this to be so true, and if we really want joy in our lives, we simply have to choose to have it. In 2 Nephi 2:25, it says, "....Men are, that they might have JOY." I know this verse of scripture and this quote to be so true, we have to work to be happy. :)

One of my best friends posted this on her blog wall, and it just hit my heart. I had already been thinking about this topic, and then with this story, I decided this week is going to be great & filled with nothing but positive attitude! :) haha Here is the post:

John  is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, 'If I were any better, I would be twins!'

He was a natural motivator.

If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, 'I don't get it!

You can't be a positive person all of the time How do you do it?'

He replied, 'Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or ... you can choose to be in a bad mood

I choose to be in a good mood.'

Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.

Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or... I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.

'Yeah, right, it's not that easy,' I protested.

'Yes, it is,' he said. 'Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood.

You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life.'

I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.

After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.

I saw him about six months after the accident.

When I asked him how he was, he replied, 'If I were any better, I'd be twins..Wanna see my scars?'

I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

'The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,' he replied. 'Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live.'

'Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?' I asked

He continued, '..the paramedics were great.

They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action.'

'What did you do?' I asked.

'Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,' said John. 'She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity''

Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'

He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude... I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.

Attitude, after all, is everything .

After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.



Words... Of Wisdom :)

It was battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
Hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
"Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"

"Three dollars once, three dollars twice,
Going for three". . . but no!
From the room far back a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet,
As sweet as an angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its bow.
"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand.
What changed its worth?" Swift came the reply:
"The touch of the Master's hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin.

A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on,
He's going once, and going twice -
He's going - and almost gone!
But the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd,
Never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the MASTER'S hand.

..... 13!!!!

 A picture of your favorite band or artist

So right now... I love listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! As missionaries we only do things that invite the Holy Spirit. I must say that music is one of those things that invites it to be with us.

 I've really grown a love for the choir while on my mission. They have loads of songs that are sung beautifully, and even a few of those "Heart Hitters" (if you know what I mean). One of my favorites is "Where Love is". A few weeks ago I posted some of the lyrics on my facebook wall, but here are the rest of them. 

Where love is, there God is also.
Where love is, we want to be.
Guide us, his truths to follow;
Help us obey him faithfully.
Where love is, there God is also.
We think of him rev’rently.
Teach us to pray, to talk with him above
And know that he will guide us with his love.

The comfort of loving arms around us,
A song that makes us want to sing,
The happiness we feel when love has found us,
’Tis love we get when love we bring.

Where love is, there God is also.
And with him we want to be.
Show us the way and guide us tenderly
That we may dwell with him eternally

These lyrics are great! I hope that you feel the same great feeling reading them, that I did! In the For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet, it tell us this,

“Music is an important and powerful part of life. It can be an influence for good that helps you draw closer to Heavenly Father. However, it can also be used for wicked purposes. Unworthy music may seem harmless, but it can have evil effects on your mind and spirit.

“Choose carefully the music you listen to. Pay attention to how you feel when you are listening. Don’t listen to music that drives away the Spirit, encourages immorality, glorifies violence, uses foul or offensive language, or promotes Satanism or other evil practices”

.......?

Day 10 

A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.

I think I'll change this to,

A Picture of the person(s) you do the greatest things with.

 

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in ea

rth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:18-20)

It would have to be my missionary companions.

“Ye shall go forth in the power of my

Spirit, preaching my gospel, two by
two” (D&C 42:6)

A picture of your most treasured item

As soon as I read today's blog pic. I instantly thought of this scripture, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Before I came on my mission, things of the world were some of my greatest treasures. My car, clothes, sunglasses, watches, or my phone were way at the top of this list.

Since I've grown up and figured out what really matters in this life I have to say that my Family & Friends are my "Most Treasured Item" One of my Favorite quotes, hanging on my wall in my room at home, is this...

"The Best Things in Life.. Aren't Things."

I hope that I can, "But lay up for MYSELF treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal" so that I can be with them forever!!

Check out this talk by President Thomas S. Monson,  "In Search of Treasure"



"Never be afraid to sit awhile and think." ~Lorraine Hansberry

Today, I was looking through some art and found this beautiful and magnificent painting.

In this small, yet powerful piece of art, we find the light of hope in the darkest of our trials.

  

Through the Atonement, we are able to be free from not just our sins, but from our pains, afflictions, temptations, and sicknesses! We find this in Alma 7:11-12.

 "11-And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12-And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities."

Click RIGHT HERE to find more info. about Christ!!

I find so much joy in thinking about this concept. Often times we, as Disciples of Christ (in our MANY denominations), lose sight of the main thing that binds us all together, and that is the LOVE that our Redeemer has for us. :) So right now, I ask that you stop and think of what Christ's suffering in the Garden means to you. I hope that it brings you the same JOY it did me!! :) I would love to hear your thoughts on this!! So leave some comments! :)

ENJOY!!...The Little Things!

I looked around today and thought of all the "Little" things that mean the world to me, and that bring me JOY. I found that I often always concentrate on the big things and lose sight Of Things that Matter Most!!

Some of my "Little Things" include:



My Awesome Parents and Brother!!



My Church!

More Family!! :)





Tennessee Sunsets





Being a Missionary!!



Playing ANY type of Sports

Hangin with my BUDDIES!!

Observing the beautiful outdoors!!

 

Missionary Mail

Some of the other things that I love are: Spending time with my family, shopping with my mom, singing at the top of my lungs with my friends, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, laying on the floor- Just to ponder, doing service for someone, excercing till I drop :), being a nurse and helping people,  and just being myself! :) I love doing so many "Little" things, and it's those things that bring me the greatest joy in life!!

WOW!! :)

I was always excited to go to the Holy Temple. When I was in my teenage years I was able to go the Manti Temple numerous times to do Baptisms for the Dead.  This had to be one of the greatest blessing. I have never in my life felt the Spirit of the Lord so strong, until I was within the temples walls.Then when I was a little older, I was able to go and recieve my Endowment in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. It was a very awesome experience!  One day... (in the distant future :)) I look forward to going to the Temple with my wife, to be sealed for time and all eternity together. Temples bring us so much joy, becuase they enable us to feel the Spirit of the Lord in our lives, and to be with the ones we love forever and always. :)

The following lyrics are from a Primary song and goes as followed:

 

I love to see the temple.
I’m going there someday

To feel the Holy Spirit,
To listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God,
A place of love and beauty.
I’ll prepare myself while I am young;
This is my sacred duty.

 I love to see the temple.

I’ll go inside someday.

 I’ll cov’nant with my Father;

I’ll promise to obey

For the temple is a holy place

 

 Where we are sealed together.

As a child of God, I’ve learned this truth:

A fam’ly is forever.

President Thomas S. Monson said this in the latest General Conference, "Why are so many willing to give so much in order to receive the blessings of the temple? Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings. There are never too many miles to travel, too many obstacles to overcome, or too much discomfort to endure. They understand that the saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort."

"Quotation, n.: The act of repeating erroneously the words of another."

I decided today to make a post with a lot of my favorite quotes. I would love for everyone to find their favorite quote and add it to the end!! This should be pretty cool if a lot of people participate!!! :)

“Light tomorrow with today.”

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

“Make each day your masterpiece.”

-John Wooden

“Face your Future with Faith”

 “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

 “It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are.”

–E.E. Cummings

"In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance."

-Elder Uchtdorf

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

–Eleanor Roosevelt

 “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do”

--Marianne Williamson, A Return To Love

“The greatest achievement was at first, and for a time, but a dream.”

-Napoleon Hill

The standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame. But the truth of God will go forth, boldly, nobly and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the great Jehovah shall say, ”The work is done”.

-Joseph Smith

“The best dreams happen when you’re awake.”

-Cherie Gilderbloom

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

-Mahatma Gandhi

“Start living now. Stop saving the good china for that special occasion. Stop withholding your love until that special person materializes. Every day you are alive is a special occasion. Every minute, every breath, is a gift from God.”

-Mary Manin Morrissey

“The best is yet to be.”

-Robert Browning

“Never, never, never give up.”

-Winston Churchill

“Our greatest glory is not in never failing but in rising up every time we fail.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Realize that true happiness lies within you.”

-Lucian

“Don’t count the days, make the days count.”

-Muhammad Ali

“Love all. Serve all. Help ever. Hurt never.”

-Author Unknown

“Dance as though no one is watching you, Love as though you have never been hurt before, Sing as though no one can hear you, Live as though heaven is on earth.”

-Souza.

“You will find, as you look back upon your life, that the moments when you really lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.”

-Henry Drummond

“Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.”

-Abraham Lincoln

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”

-Robert F. Kennedy

“Fear Not. Be of Good Cheer. For your Future is as Bright as your Faith.”

                -President Thomas S. Monson

"When I am Baptized"

What a wonderful day Saturday was!!  I was able to spend a lot of my day with this wonderful family, and I’m so grateful for their goodness, faith, and their uplifting spirits!!!

So for the last 3 months, we as missionaries have been going to their home and teaching them about The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout this process their faith has grown as well as ours. It’s been such a pleasure for me to be a part of their family and I’ve enjoyed seeing their testimonies strengthen.

 The time came when they decided that they wanted to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. As the service began we started by singing, “When I am Baptized.” The chorus goes like this,

” I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain,

 I want to be the best I can, to live with God Again.”

 That day they entered into the water with their father, Jason (who holds the Priesthood Authority of God), and they were baptized (the exact same way Christ was). The Spirit was so strong as he pulled them out and gave each of them a hug, and as they demonstrated their faith, by their works. I so look forward to the day when this wonderful family will enter into the Holy Temple and be sealed together for time and for all eternity. :)

What a blessing it was for me to be a part of their special day! I love you guys!!   

Together...Is a Wonderful Place to be!!

Well I have to start out the beginning of this post by saying; I love my family so much. They mean everything to me, and "YES", this too is where I find the most joy!! I have had a poll going for about a week now, and it seems that I'm not the only one that thinks Family is one of the greatest sources of finding joy. The post before this one is a video that talks about Families being Forever. This is one of the greatest blessings we find in the gospel! :) YAY!! haha SO a little bit about my family.. This picture was taken over a year and a half ago! My parents, David & Laurie, are on the back row. My father is an electrical engineer and my mother is self employed, running Letters from Home Vinyl Lettering & Decor. I am so blessed to have been raised by goodly parents, and in a home where The Gospel Principals are taught. My Sister (Amber), her husband (Mike), and their daughter are such a beautiful family within our own. My sister is an Elementary Teacher, and my Brother-in-law is currently finishing up his schooling! He will graduate soon!! My little brother (Dillon) is such a cool kid! He enjoys playing sports and being with his friends! I love my family more than anything else. These are the greatest people ever and I’m so blessed to have them in my life FOREVER!!