Hind Sight; Its Always 20/20

Hey Again!!
Sorry if it is super cliche to post about, but bear with me.
As I've been reflecting on this past year and all of the wonderful and crazy things that have happened I have been so amazed!!
As I have reflected this year I have been so incredibly amazed at the shear number of blessings I have received, whether in people I've met, the places I've been, or the things I have done. I have really been able to see God's hand in my life throughout this past year.
One of the greatest blessings I received this year was the opportunity I had to live in Middleton, Idaho for the 6 months leading up to my mission.
When my parents told me they were moving to Middleton I didn't think much of it. It wouldn't be bothering me much as I figured I would come home from school in July and leave on my mission in August or September so I wouldn't be there for very long.
As it turns out, I moved there in April and was there until September.
But I have never felt more loved. It was so incredible to feel so much love from people so quickly.
Similarly, as I have been out on my mission my wonderful trainer Sister Stevenett has shown me such an out pouring of love. And now that we have been transferred away from each other I have really been able to see it.
God truly knows what it is that we need. And who it is that we need in our life. He knew that I needed to be in Middleton to prepare for my mission, and He knew that I needed Sister Stevenett when I got into the field.
I testify that He knows you by name, and He knows the situation you are in. And if you trust in His arm and His will, He will bless you so greatly.

Merry Christmas!!

Hey Y'all!!
I wanted to get one more post in before Christmas, so bear with me!!!
If you haven't been able to tell from my other posts, or even just by knowing me, Christmas is truly one of my most favourite times of the year. Second, only to Easter.
These two times of the year are so incredibly magical. Most everyone is focused in on their Saviour, Jesus Christ. People are kinder, more humble, and just all around more Christlike.
But the trouble is always after. The big question as the New Year begins is: How can I keep this feeling all year round?
It truly is so hard to keep the same feelings of love and kindness to our fellow men, when we are out soaking up the sun in July.
But it shouldn't be.
I propose a way that we can keep the spirit and love of Christmas with us year round:
1. Get a picture of Christ,
2. Put it somewhere you will see it everyday,
3. Place a jar with a pad of paper and a pen nearby,
4. EVERYDAY before you go to bed write down one thing you either saw or did that reminded you of the Saviour.

I know that doing this will help you keep the spirit of Christmas with you as you make focusing on Christ a priority in your life. We should never be far from the Spirit we feel when we think of our Saviour.
Remember: it is not about the presents, but His Presence.
I hope you have a safe and Merry Christmas, and may you keep that Spirit with you always.

Miracles!

Hi ya!!
So I've been thinking about miracles and how we can see them in our lives.
There have been so many miracles that have happened throughout time, and it is always so wonderful to hear the stories and have my faith strengthened through them. There are some of the well known ones; Christ's birth being a major one.
Why is it that it seems that miracles have stopped? 
Does God just not love His children as much now?
Are we lacking in the faith?
The answer to all of these questions is NO!!!
Miracles are most certainly still happening, and they are happening because God does still love His children. That is something that will never change.

Now the faith question is a little bit trickier. While the answer is no we are not lacking in faith, it is more about who and what it is that we place our faith in.
I know that miracles still happen today. I am here because of them. I am serving a mission as a witness of the miracles I have seen in my life. I know that God loves each and everyone of His children and He will bless us according to our faith and obedience to His commandments.
So this Christmas season, and always, let us focus on the wondrous miracle of our Saviour's birth. And learn to recognize the miracles in our lives everyday.
#ASaviorIsBorn Mormon.org/Christmas

Tradition!!

Hi Again!!!
So I've been thinking a lot about this wonderful holiday season that is upon us and the different traditions that come with that.
Christmas time is one of my most favourite times of the year. Everyone is so full of love and goodness toward everyone else. It really is magical.
In my family, I love some of the traditions that we keep. At a young age I was reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. In the traditions we keep, we try to keep our focus on the spiritual things rather than the material.
So I have a simple request on this fine December day; look at your families, and those that you love.
Now take a moment and think of the last time you thought of the true meaning of Christmas, of your Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Between the hustle and bustle of holiday crowds we sometimes crowd out the true reason for this wonderful season.
Your Saviour and mine came in peace and simplicity. And with simple and peaceful traditions we can remember Him not only now, in this time of celebration, but everyday of the year.

CPR!!

Hey Y'all!!!
So my dear sweet companion, Sister Stevenett, and I have been talking about what I should post about.
Something that we talk and teach a lot about is what we call CPR. No, not like the doctors. Unlike that CPR, which is for your physical body; this CPR is for your spirit.
Whenever we see someone fall away from the church or their testimony it is because they are forgetting one of the three things within CPR. Without the basics or the fundamentals we will never become masters at anything.
So if you haven't figured it out yet, CPR stands for: Church, Pray, and Read.
Church attendance is so crucial. There is a great friendship and strength that comes from attending church. The most important thing though, is being able to partake of the sacrament and remember the sacrifice of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Pray. How easy is that? And yet sometimes it is just so hard. But it shouldn't be. All it is, is us talking with our Father in Heaven. He just wants to know how you are doing. He loves you so much!!
Read! One of the greatest ways that God will speaks to us is through the scriptures. By reading the words of the prophets we are able to learn God's plan for us.
I know that when we do these things that we are greatly blessed. We will find answers to our prayers, guidance, and peace. As we read in the book of Alma 37:6 " 6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." As we change our attitudes from these things being something that we have to do and a chore to complete; into an attitude of something that we want to do and we crave, greater blessings will come. 

The Prince of PEACE!!

Hey There!!
I'm super happy to be back on the blog this week.
I've been trying to think about what to post this week and I finally think I figured it out.
There is a lot of chaos in the world today, and if you don't believe me, go watch the news. As such people everywhere are searching for peace.
Why is it that people crave peace so much? Is it simply because the world is full of chaos? Or are there other reasons?
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, "Many voices from the world in which we live tell us we should live at a frantic pace. There is always more to do and more to accomplish. Yet deep inside each of us is a need to have a place of refuge where peace and serenity prevail, a place where we can reset, regroup, and reenergize to prepare for future pressures."
Where is the world can we find this place that he talks about? This place of refuge? This place of peace? 
I would like to suggest that we can find it anywhere. Look around where you are at, right now. Where are you? Are you sitting at home? Or maybe at work? You could be at school? Or maybe you are on your way somewhere? 
Take a moment, pause, listen to what is going on around you. Think about the holiday season that is coming. Why do we even have this season? Think of the reason of this season. 
Jesus Christ. Our Saviour and Redeemer. The King of Kings. The Lord of Lords. The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, 2 Nephi 19:6)
I testify that through Christ we can find the peace we are all searching for. And it does not matter where we are, we can make each place a place of peace.
Merry Christmas!! (Check out this site for a wonderful Christmas video!!)
https://www.mormon.org/christmas