When Writing My Missionary Friends Became More than Just an E-Mail

When I first started e-mailing my friends on their missions starting over a year ago I thought it was because they needed that support while they were out serving. And while that's still part of the reason I do it each week, it's become more than that. Each week I hear about their trials, successes, and experiences and my testimony is strengthened. I feel the spirit through the words they type.

I've heard those stories about how missionaries leave and their families were blessed while they served. But I never thought it extended to their friends! Every Monday I'm uplifted by their words and just a little bit more is added to my testimony.

A year ago my testimony wasn't this strong, I wasn't the same person. And I owe part of that to my friends serving missions.

If you're not writing a missionary regularly, you should be. Trust me on this one.

Six Months of General Conference Study

I wait with baited breath to get my copy of the General Conference issue of the Ensign so I can mark it up like crazy! But as I wait, I read a few articles online.
lds.org had a great article on lds.org that gave 8 tips on family study, so I applied it to my single self. ;)

• Read the talk and summarize it in your own words.
• Ask a question and spend some time finding that answer to that question.
• Ask, "How can this apply to my life?" Write it down. 
• Select a sentence from the talk and post it somewhere in your house for the week. 
• Consider memorizing a quote that really stood out to you.

Keep a journal of all of these thoughts and quotes!

My mom still has Conference Ensigns from a long time ago with her notes in them. It's really fun to go back and look through them!

Happy Studying!

The Truth About Happiness

Happiness is one of things that people are always in search of.

It might be that dream job that they have always wanted. The new Prada shoes in the window at the shop on Main St. It could be to meet "the one". Many think, "Oh, I'll be happy when..." 

Why not be happy now?

"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness."

-Charles Spurgeon

Happiness isn't determined by some one else. My dad didn't call me this morning and tell me that I would be happy today. I made that decision on my own. Only I can control my own happiness.

"I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition."  

-Martha Washington

CHOOSE to be happy. Of course things about our lives aren't perfect. Nothing will be. You may not be where you thought you were going to be. You might have family that causes problems. These may be influential in your life but no matter what you can be HAPPY. 

"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."-Abraham Lincoln

How I Prepared Myself To Hear the Prophet's Words This Weekend

My missionary friend, Elder Augustus, challenged me in his email this week to come up with questions and pray to have them answered during conference.

"CHALLENGE TIME. Pray and think of questions you want answered, and write them down at the top of your notes for conference. Watch them get answers. "

I thought about it for a few days and had a hard time coming up with questions.

I won't share my specific questions but I will share how I came up with them. 

Like I said I thought about it for a long time. I had no idea what to ask. I even thought, "Oh I don't have any questions." Nope! I actually came up with 8! 

First, read past conference talks. Read a few you that you forgot were given and ponder what they say in them. Is there something you don't fully understand from their talk? Write it down. 

Second, read your patriarchal blessing. This is the one that actually gave me most insight on what questions I wanted answered. Identify the counsel, warnings, and "stand out phrases". Use those to help you understand what you should be prepared for and then ask how to become prepared for that specific event. 
You might also try and identify a major theme in your blessing and study that. Then come up with questions you have about that subject. 

Third, pray. Pray to have a remembrance of some questions that you had over the past 6 months. The Lord will answer your prayers and bring to your remembrance past events and words that were said that inspired a question. 

After you have written down some questions pray that they might be answered. Pray before each session that you might hear what you need to hear. 

Lastly, as you listen TAKE NOTES. Don't just take notes of the words being said over the pulpit, but take note of the words being said to JUST YOU. Write down your feelings and impressions during each session.

The Man You Really SHOULD Marry.

 Someone who puts God before me.
       I was sitting in YSA one Sunday listening to this boy give a talk about marriage and dating. You know, the YSA usual. To be honest the whole time I was sitting there thinking, "Really, another freaking talk on marriage?! I hear these all the time." But then something he said stood out to me, "A woman should be so close to God that a Man has to go through him to get her." It should apply the other way around, too. This is going to sound weird but I don't want a guy who puts me before his scripture study or prayers. In all honesty I should come second to his relationship with Heavenly Father because a guy who put's Heavenly Father's will first will always make right choices.

“As we got closer to marriage, I felt completely confident that Gordon loved me. But I also knew somehow that I would never come first with him. I knew I was going to be second in his life and that the Lord was going to be first. And that was okay. It seemed to me that if you understood the gospel and the purpose of our being here, you would want a husband who put the Lord first.” 
― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Ladies, at the top of your list should be someone who spiritually makes you better. You shouldn't have to drag him away from his sports center to go to church. You shouldn't have to plan FHE around his gaming time with his buddies.
Those lists you made as a young women really do matter. Don't settle for someone because you think no one else will come around.
Now, obviously, we've all got weaknesses, and your husband will. But marry someone who is willing to overcome those with you.
Overall, seek your Heavenly Father's approval in your choice. He knows above all others who you should marry.

     
     

Marjorie Pay Hinckley's Words of Wisdom

I was reading a book with a compilation of stories from Marjorie Pay Hinkley's (Gordon B. Hinkley's wife) life a little over 6 months ago. I loved every single story she had in there! She was truly a remarkable woman!

Well, I came across a quote of her's on LDS Living and decided to look up some more of her quotes because you know, I don't have homework to do ;)

Here are some of my favorites:

This is seriously my new life motto:

“The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache.” 
― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

“Think about your particular assignment at this time in your life. It may be to get an education, it may be to rear children, it may be to be a grandparent, it may be to care for an relieve the suffering of someone you love, it may be to do a job in the most excellent way possible, it may be to support someone who has a difficult assignment of their own. Our assignments are varied and they change from time to time. Don't take them lightly. Give them your full heart and energy. Do them with enthusiasm. Do whatever you have to do this week with your whole heart and soul. To do less than this will leave you with an empty feeling.” 
― Marjorie Pay Hinckley, Small and Simple Things

HAhaha ok this one is the bomb:

“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow what a ride!” 
― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

“Develop some intellectual curiosity. If you have it, you will never be bored. If you haven't, cultivate it, hold fast to it. Never let it go. To the intellectually curious, the world will always be full of magic, full of wonder. You will be interesting to your friends, to your spouse, and a joy to your children. You will be alive to all the wonderful possibilities of this world.” 
― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

And one last amazing quote:

“I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.” 
― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Enos 1:27

I attended the temple this morning and while waiting I read this scripture:

27 And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen.


"Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father." 

The Lord has a place for you in the mansions of his Father. But you must come unto Christ in order to live with him again. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love each one of us with a love that does not end. They desperately want each of us to come back to live with them. 

Come unto Christ and be perfected in him. For he is the only way that we can return to live with Heavenly Father.

I Pledge

I was recently reading a talk by President Gordon B. Hinkley that was addressed to the men. In this talk he told a story about some young men who signed a pledge. The last paragraph in this pledge said: 
“Be it known that whatever the risks, whatever the temptations, whatever the state of the world around us, as our forefathers were faithful, so we will be. Like those who have gone before, we will turn away from self-aggrandizement and set aside personal gain in order to build a peaceful society, governed by God."
I loved the pledge. It talked a lot about priesthood and callings. You can read the full pledge here.

So I thought I would write up my own pledge patterned after it:

Be it known unto all the I am a  Latter-Day Saint. I bear a testimony of Jesus Christ and of his divinity. I pledge my allegiance to the values and commandments of his church. For without him I would not have salvation or eternal life. 

On this day I pledge to become converted to the gospel. I pledge to study my scriptures daily. I pledge to talk to my Heavenly Father often and listen for his still small voice. I will pray for the strength to obey in times of great temptation. I will strive with all my heart to follow the example of my Savior, Jesus Christ. 

I am of the covenant. I will prepare myself to enter the temple worthily with someone I love to be sealed for time and all eternity. 

I pledge to raise my children in the church. I pledge to do my best as they grow to bring them up unto the Lord. 

Whatever the risks, whatever the temptations, whatever the state of the world around me, I will be faithful. At all times and in all things I will be true to my pledge.

DO YOU PLEDGE?

I Have A Life That's Good

Sittin' here tonight,

By the fire light,

it reminds me I already have more than I should.

I don't need fame, no one to know my name,

at the end of the day,

Lord I pray, I have a life that's good.

Two arms around me, heaven to ground me,

and a family that always calls me home,

Four wheels to get there, enough love to share

and a sweet sweet sweet song

At the end of the day,

Lord I pray ,

I have a life that's good.

Sometimes I'm hard on me,

When dreams don't come easy,

I wanna look back and say,

I did all that I could,

Yeah at the end of the day, Lord I pray,

I have a life that's good.

Two arms around me, heaven to ground me,

and a family that always calls me home,

Four wheels to get there, enough love to share

and a sweet sweet sweet song

at the end of the day, Lord I pray

I have a life that's good

4 Tools for More Peace in Your Life

Based on a talk given by Richard G. Scott. Make the Exercise of Your Faith Your First Priority, October 2014. Link at the bottom of the post.

There is opposition in all things. If we didn't have turmoil in our lives we wouldn't know what peace feels like. If we didn't have sadness, we wouldn't know what happiness and joy feel like. In order to have each of these feelings we must feel the opposite also. If we didn't they would all be nonexistent.
Even I need to improve on this aspect. Something I try to do is talk to him like he is my best friend. Tell him everything. And let him respond to you through the Holy Ghost and Scripture Study. 

1. PRAYER

“Make time every day to share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that concerns you. He is interested in the most important as well as the most mundane facets of your life. Share with Him your full range of feelings and experiences.”

    “We talk to God through prayer. He most often communicates back to us through His written word.”

“Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it!"

       

      Put GOD FIRST in your life and you will feel happiness no matter what is going on. 

2. SCRIPTURE STUDY

Adam and Eve in the garden were not able to feel any of these. But after the fall, it was made possible that we could feel happiness, joy, pain, sadness, etc.

We must live in a world where there is so much sadness and turmoil. But with our agency we can feel peace and happiness while we are surrounded with all of this.

These four steps have brought happiness and much peace in my life. If you do each of these you can feel peace and happiness.


“Our Father in Heaven has given us tools to help us come unto Christ and exercise faith in His Atonement. When these tools become fundamental habits, they provide the easiest way to find peace in the challenges of mortality.”

      

      3. FHE

        

         FHE with your family should be a priority before anything else. If you are single, go to it in your singles branch or even have your own little FHE. Find a way, no matter your circumstances. 

         “At last April’s conference, Sister Linda S. Reeves boldly declared: “I must testify of the blessings of daily scripture study and prayer and weekly family home evening. These are the very practices that help take away stress, give direction to our lives, and add protection to our homes.”

        This can be obtained in any circumstance. 

      4. TEMPLE ATTENDANCE

       “The temple is one of the best places to come to understand the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Seek Him there.”

        The temple is the best place to go when you are in search for peace, guidance, or learning. There is no other place on earth that is that close to heaven. Attend very often. 

         

   “When we are consistently praying morning and night, studying our scriptures daily, having weekly family home evening, and attending the temple regularly, we are actively responding to His invitation to “come unto Him.” The more we develop these habits, the more anxious is Satan to harm us but the less is his ability to do so. Through the use of these tools, we exercise our agency to accept the full gifts of His atoning sacrifice.”

        See the talk here.