Justice, Grace, Mercy, and possibly Nemo.

Hello!!!

So I'm trying to get back into the swing of posting more often again.... haha :) Thankfully when its to cold to go out and work it gives me lots of time to think about what I can post! :)

I had another brilliant thought in the midst of my Atonement study this morning. I find it funny how one can know and have a understanding of something through out a life time, but until one takes the time to ponder, pray, and seek deeper understanding does it really hit home.

So that's kind of what happened this morning.

I read Mosiah 13:28 which says, 

 "28 And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses."

This scripture blew me away this morning. I have thought a lot about the laws of Justice, Grace, and Mercy throughout my mission and have really tried to obtain a better understanding of them. This verse pulled everything together for me. 

Without a law with a fixed punishment, we cannot have the law of justice. If there was no justice or no law it would be following closer to Satan's plan, we wouldn't have any choices to make. 

By the laws of justice we cannot make it to live with our Heavenly Father again. This is because of the fallen world that we live in. It is impossible for us, on our own to earn  or work our way back. "You just can't Nemo!" (haha sorry) 

BUT thankfully because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ we have not only the possibility, but the ability as well to receive forgiveness and strength; the affects of both mercy and grace. 

If it was not for the Atonement there would be NO way for us to overcome the affects of our fallen state. 

I am SOOO incredibly grateful for the Atonement and for everything that we are able to obtain because of it. There is nothing that we have or can receive, excepting through it. 

I know the power of the Atonement is real. We are blessed to be able to access it through prayers of faith. 

The Plan

Hi-ya!!

So I had a different post that I was going to do..... but then it wasn't working out. So now yous get this one... haha :)

So the Canada Winnipeg Mission has been doing a fairly intense and in depth study of the Atonement of Jesus Christ lately. I have LOOOOVVVEDD it! It has been so so so so wonderful to learn more about the differing aspects of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

One of my favourite talks that we've read with it is The Master Healer by Carole M. Stephens. I especially enjoyed the connection she drew between the Doctrine of Christ and the Atonement. 

She said, "As we increase our understanding of the doctrine of Christ, we soon discover that we are developing a deeper understanding of “the great plan of happiness.” We also recognize that our Savior, Jesus Christ, is at the very heart of the plan.

When we learn how to apply the doctrine of Christ to our individual circumstances, our love for our Savior grows." 

It is so amazing to see how much LOVE can grow within ourselves when we strive to live the gospel and follow the example that Christ set for us. 

A few months back Elder Keetch, of the Seventy, came and visited the mission. It was glorious!! One of the things he talked about was drawing nearer to our Heavenly Father and to Christ.
He mentioned how we draw nearer to God by praying and literally speaking with Him. While we draw nearer to Christ by being like Him. 

I have really been able to find that by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ I have come  nearer to my Savior. I have learned how to use the Atonement and have truly felt the love that Christ has for each and every one of us. 

It is true that the center of God's great and eternal plan for us is Jesus Christ. He should not just be the center of the plan but the center of our lives and WHO we become. 

Scriptures, Lion King, and Christmas

Hi-ya!!! :)

So I've been trying to think about what to share on here today and I was drawn back a personal study that I am doing currently, and also a favouite quote from The Lion King movie.... haha :)

I have been studying the things that God has commanded us to remember in the Book of Mormon. The many promises and commandments that He has given us.
The Lion King quote is "Simba, Remember who you are."

There are a lot of things that we are suppose to remember in life, like our name, birthday, locker number and combination, phone number, favourite food (for password questions.....it's a struggle) and the list can go on and on.
Elder Holland taught us about one of the most important things that we need to remember,

With all the packages and wrappings, treats and cocoa, and traveling and cooking; it gets easy to let things slide. We say we will remember it, but how often is it just remembered on Christmas Eve right before sending the kids off to bed (even though we all know they don't actually sleep). 

There is so much more to remembering than a few crazy last minutes. 

We can only TRULY Remember the reason for the season, IF we work hard at it every single day. 

Check out Mormon.org for some ideas on how you can #LIGHTtheWORLD and Remember Him! :) 

Christmas Round 2!

Hi-ya!!! 

So its kind of been forever since I've blogged and I apologize! But life has been crazy with lots of super fun road trips and meetings. Its been a wonderful couple of weeks! :) 

So to just go at things, I just have to say that I LOVE CHRISTMAS!! Literally everything about it!! It is one of my favourite times of the year. 

There is so much to do, making goodies, wrapping presents, visiting family, and the like. 

I think what has made me love Christmas even more is the time that I've had to be able to spend Christmas as a missionary. 

It is an incredible experience to be able to share the message of our Saviour Jesus Christ each day of the year, but there is something so powerful about being able to do it during the Christmas season. 

And it is because the message that we truly share is that to us:

 A Saviour was born. A Saviour lived. A Saviour died. And A Saviour lives again. 

Jesus Christ is our Saviour and He did so many things for us. One of the most incredible things that He did was in establishing His church so that we would know what to look for and how to recognize Him.

I testify that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His church, it is God's church, once again established on the earth. 

This Christmas take the time to share not only the gift of our Saviour Jesus Christ, but also the continual gifts that He gives us through the restored gospel. 

Happiness and Service

Hey, Hey!

So, I have been studying a lot of different things in the past little while. Happiness and Joy keep coming up in my studies!
What? Why would that be? Missionaries are suppose to be serious... ;) haha Well we are, when we are suppose to be, but I have never associated with a happier group of people. Its amazing. I was reading the other day a talk given by one of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles President Russell M. Nelson titled "Ask the Missionaries! They can Help You!" While reading this talk, which you can access HERE, I got a bit freaked out. Because I'm a missionary and I would freak out trying to answer some of the questions he gives.
And then I really started thinking about it.

And this is why missionaries are such a happy and crazy group to be with.

Every question, trial, or problem we face in life can be resolved with a greater understanding of God's plan for us, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and especially the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

 Missionaries are blessed to be able to answer so many of the questions in life, because they spend SO much time learning and studying those key doctrines. The understand the quote above and how individuals can change through Jesus Christ.

There is sooo much negativity in the world. With the world wide day of service coming up on DECEMBER 1 2016 Lets take the time to make the world a happier place and put a smile on those we meet. :) 

For more information and ideas check out Mormon.org/christmas 

P-p-prep-aration

Hi-ya!!

So today's post is a little bit of deeper self refection, and I hope it comes out the way I want it to. So please bear with me. :)

So imagine with me:

You are driving in the car with your friends have a wonderful time. You are currently on your way up to a 3 night camping trip.

Life is exciting!!!

And then it happens.

You round the corner, not speeding, but going just slightly to fast; screech, crash, and screams are heard. The back end of the car runs into the barrier, keeping the car from going off the cliff.
Your friend, who is driving, regains control of the car and pulls over to the side of the road.

You pause. Your heart is beating faster than it ever has before. You look around at your friends in tears, everyone is shaken, but ok.

You and your friends survived, but how do you feel? What thoughts would you have? 

As I have pondered this I have had a couple of thoughts, the main one being, would I have been prepared? 

If I had been called upon at that moment to meet my Father in Heaven, would I have been ready? I was pondering today a question that the prophet Alma, the younger poses, " 26 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?"

Do we do all we can to follow the example of our Saviour, Jesus Christ? In doing all we can do, we are able to be so incredibly blessed. There are so many good things coming to us. It is a difficult journey, but with continued faith it is all able to work out, with and in the Lord's timing. 

We can be prepared, we can do it. But it starts with a seed of faith. 

Are you Ready? 

Reasons for Hope

Hi there!!! :)

So the last couple of weeks, my companion and I have had some interesting encounters with several individuals. Many times over this scripture has come into my mind; 1 Peter 3:15

"15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

This scripture has come to mean a lot to me. Especially as I am sharing the gospel each and every day. 

We have to be ready and prepared to show and share what we believe. One night while my companion and I were walking a man stopped us, to talk, which rarely happens! It was a miracle! We were really able to help him and brighten his day. When we called and talked with him a couple of days later, he said that things had really changed around for him. 

Well, a HUGE miracle occurred! Last night again while we were walking around and talking with people, we met the same man! He said something very touching, "If you ever wonder if what you do matters or changes people, know that it helped to change me." 

In the smallest of ways, with the simplest of testimonies we are able to stand as witnesses and disciples of our Saviour, Jesus Christ and help lift our brothers and sisters around us. 

It is your turn to take a stand and to give the reason for your hope.