“Life by the yard is hard; by the inch it’s a cinch. Decisions Determine Destiny.” -President Thomas S. Monson
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
An end to 2014.
Tuesday I may have lost my Grandma for a short time, but I gained a stronger testimony of prayer. Monday night I pleaded with my Father in Heaven that He would take my grandma. I let go of my will and accepted His. That's when I realized that my Grandpa Tony needed her again and all those who passed before her. I knew it was her time to go, and I was finally okay with it.
Christ went through Gethsemane so that I could be happy. The One Perfect Man that ever walked this earth suffered and hurt so I wouldn't have to. And I didn't have to, not when I let Him in.
Losing someone that means so much in your life can be heart breaking and it was for a minute. Then I got down on my knees and begged to know His will. If you ask, He will answer. I soon came to realize that it was BEST for her to go Home. This trial would be a lot harder if it wasn't for the tender mercies of my Lord. This trial has brought me love, comfort, answers, motivation, and a deeper testimony on the Plan of Salvation, prayer, and families.
My grandma was so proud that I made the decision to serve a mission. I cannot wait to honor her with that decision and hopefully my service will help her come unto Christ one day.
Tuesday night I had to say another "See you later" but this one isn't the same "See you later". Jade Accountius was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ Tuesday.
It was hard telling her "See you later" but she is going to bring other's to Christ. She is about to change thousands of people lives.
Jade is a role model for me and one of my best friends. She is going to be one STELLER missionary. See you in 2 1/2 years Sister A. Love you.
This year I have a resolution I will keep. I will prepare and I will being my mission. I will help other's come unto Christ and I will build my relationship with my Savior and Father in Heaven. 2015 is the year for many, many life changing decisions and I am so excited for the adventure it will bring.
"Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever. That is a New Year’s resolution I ask you to keep." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Thursday, November 27, 2014
What am I Thankful for?
On this Thanksgiving Day I am grateful for so many things, here's a few:
Book of Mormon
mission prep
fuzzy socks
pictures
cameras
leaves
trees
water
family history
ancestors
temples
temple work
modern technology
lotion
snow
rain
hot tubs
underwear
hot coco
sweaters
scarfs
swimming pools
missionaries
doctor
mascara
journals
BYU
cars
elephants
watches
airplanes
belts
boys
babies
genetics
biology
Spanish
prophets
ChapStick
bacon
cardigans
glasses
efy
young women's
4th ward
3rd ward
old people
music
pianos
popsicles
shoes
But a lot of those things are material items but there are a few things that if I lost I could not replace fully:
The Holy Ghost- the Holy Ghost is one of my best friends, He knows me completely and He always wants to be with me no matter what and I am the only one that make Him leave. He is my Comforter, my Map, the good feelings I get when I am unsure of a decision I've made.
Joseph Smith- He is the start of Restoration. He had the courage to ask what was right when everyone else didn't believe he could find the answer. He had the faith that there was something better for him, for the world. He had faith that Father in Heaven would answer him. He took the persecution that was thrown at him so I could have the Gospel I need.
The Plan of Salvation- The Plan: Without this plan I would be a complete mess I wouldn't have the faith to go on. I wouldn't have a path for my life and I wouldn't feel as if someone cared but because my Father cares enough for me He made a plan for Me.
Family- My family is my life. The opportunity I have to be with them for eternity is the best thing I could ever ask for. They are the people I love most in this world and because of the Plan I can see them again and eventually for eternity. I am grateful for my future family. They motivate me to be the best person I can be to prepare for them. They motivate me to keep going and I am excited to one day have them for eternity.
Last but definitely not least. My Savior, Jesus Christ.- Christ is the perfect example. He died for us because He loves us. He died because His Father asked Him to and He loved Him enough to give His life for us. He is there always. He suffered for me. So I can have another chance. He gave me the world and the opportunity to overcome the weaknesses that I have. He gave me the opportunity to be the Best Me!
Happy Thanksgiving Friends and Family!
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Soon it will be me.
Jade got her mission call today. She's going to Little Rock, Arkansas. I couldn't be more proud of someone as I am tonight. I love Jade so much. She'll be AMAZING and I will miss her like crazy! I'm so excited for you!
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Lost in the right direction.
Applying to college.
Deciding what I want to be when I "grow" up.
Preparing for my mission.
Going to school.
Having a few callings.
Working.
And trying to be the best me I can be.
All these things can be overwhelming. I don't know what with 99% of all the choices I have to make within the next 10 months. I don't know where I have to go to college. I don't know where I am serving my mission. I don't know if I want to be a nurse or doctor. I don't know what is coming for me in the future. But I do know that if I do the things that will prepare me to go to college, to go on a mission, to get married in the temple to a worthy priesthood holder, to have children and to ultimately return to Heavenly Father then I will be able to make the choices and decisions that seem so hard to make at this point in my life.
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge Him and HE shall direct thy paths."- Proverbs 3:5-6
Trusting Him, seeking His will, and striving to do the things He has asked you to do will lead you to the path and the plan He has in store for you. Heavenly Father knows exactly what our personal plan is for established it. He knows exactly what we can handle and what we will be blessed with because of our decision to try and He will help us on this journey and path that He has laid down for us.
1 Nephi 4:6-7
And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.
Nevertheless I went forth.
Do what you can, don't beat yourself up over what you don't know, keep trying, and keep going forth.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Especially For Me 2014
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Moving on but never forgetting.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Because of Girl's Camp
1st year: Scared, confused, 12 year-old little girl goes to a strange place full of people that might make fun of her. There she has three ycl's that will never know how much they changed her life. Without them she didn't know who she was, why she should keep going, or what her goals were in life. Without them she would have felt completely alone in this strange place. But because of them she was able to see herself as her Heavenly Father saw her because those three YCL's reached out and loved her. Kaprena Worth, Hilari Hatch (Palmer), and Bekah have changed my life.
2nd year:
Now 13 and wanting to go on the trek with everyone else. But knowing she can't and should go to Girl's Camp. At girl's camp she learns what fulfilling your calling really meant. The Camp director, whom had her legs amputated, still showed up for some of the camp. She showed her dedication, love, and diligence as she fulfilled the calling she was assigned to do.
3rd year:
One year later at the age of 14, she is tols we will be having the niece of a lady in our ward come to camp with us. We are going to collect rocks with this girl Rusti, she is the happiest, funniest, and most loving girl I've met in a while. Who knew she would end up telling me her life story and we'd become best friends soon after that.
4th year:
15 and so excited for the 4th year hike. Not knowing what to expect but knowing it will be amazing. While on this hike a young girl, Joy Worth (Kaprena's sister), is kind of falling behind. So we wait for her and chat and have a ball. We end up at that camp we were waiting to get to all day! We get there, set up camp, eat then head to a stream. We then make a music video to Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson. We, later that night, go into the cabin there and talk about everything. And how the stars in the sky relate to the Salt Lake Temple. The next day we start back for the cars. We go as fast as possible with Joy still struggling in the back. I don't remember much from that week but I remember the week after that very clearly. I was on Facebook and I look at Joy's page, a picture showed she was at the doctor's office so I asked Hope (her sister) how Joy was doing. That is when I knew something was wrong, Hope soon told me Joy was diagnosed with Leukemia. My heart was crushed. I called all the 4th years and we made a plan to get together and do something for her. So that is what we did. Without this year of camp I wouldn't have met Miss Joy Worth.
Ycl year one:
Now 16 and excited to be a Ycl! I am assigned to be over 3rd years. Not much was learned from this year except that we are not alone, ever. I learned how to deal with people that want it their way and argue the whole time and people who depend on you the whole time. This year I was assigned to the Spanish Branch girls and 2nd ward girls. This year is when I met met Tasha, Joy's sister. Tasha is the sweetest, funniest, most loving girl I've met. She is so strong in the gospel and I look up to her so much for that. I also met Elsie. Elsie is going to be an eternal friend. She loves deeply, speaks softly and feels the spirit like how I wish I felt it. These girls are eternal friends and sisters.
Ycl year two (Final year of camp):
17 and inadequate for the calling they gave me. This year they have put me in the same position as the girls that changed my life. They have asked me to be a ycl over 1st years. 12 year old insecure, scared little girls. I accept the call with honor but scared to death. While preparing, I feel completely alone in knowing what to do and planning the devotionals. I plan, pray and fast.
Day one: we prepare for our girls coming the next day. Joy, Shani Murphy, Rachel Coleman and I go to do archery and we end up growing closer while breaking 4 arrows. We also go zip lining. Joy and I decide to be tent mates. That night Joy and I talk a lot about her cancer journey and my heart becomes humbled. I know that working with Cancer children is what I want to do later in life.
Day two:
I meet my girls, and pray that I'll be ok. I instantly fall in love with these girls and I couldn't be more grateful for them. My ward ends up breaking a picnic table while taking a picture as a ward. That night there was a silent fireside is posted on the blog
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_U_Lp5fF17M
This fireside I learned that no matter what reach out to those you may be frightened to reach out to. Love more, and love better. Melinda Wilkins then wrote me a letter that is saved. I cannot wait to live up to the things that she said I was doing now.
Day three: Today is the day for skits!! This day Joy worked with Kayla Farnsworth, Emilee Herman and me to learn how to dance for the tweener that we put on. That was the most fun I've had in a long time! I grew sooo close to Emilee, Kayla and Joy because of this and I wouldn't change it for the world.
Day four: today is the day I jumped off a cliff with my best friends. I learned from this activity that no matter how scary life my be sometimes, no matter how much you don't want to take that next step, no matter what you have to trust that Heavenly Father is in control. There will be leaders and friends to cheer you on, comfort and motivate you, if you pick good ones. There will be the Gospel to keep you planted and tied to the right path (the rope) but you need to build your own testimony strong so you don't fall (Clip). You'll have the Holy Ghost at the bottom telling you where to put your feet, how to position yourself, to encourage and direct you (guy at the bottom). But you overall have to move your own feet. No one else makes the decision to trust, to listen, or to move your feet. Heavenly Father has given you everything you need, now you decide if you'll conquer your fears or not.
Day Five:
Day five was emotional it being the last day of camp... camp has taught me so much. It has taught me how to be a leader, it has taught me who I am, it taught me how to love unconditionally and it has taught me how to serve. Watching my YCL's and becoming a YCL I've seen how a leader acts, how they love and how they serve. To be a leader you must know how to love, without love nothing else will work out. Camp has shown me that I am a daughter of God. I am a Princess. It has shown me that because I am His daughter I have a purpose, I have a plan, I have a reason to keep fighting this daily battle between good and evil. Camp had taught me how to love. At camp I was able to see these girls as our Father sees them. That makes you just love them. No matter who they are, no matter their background, or where they are in life, I just love them with all my heart. And with that love you serve, you teach them about Christ, you teach them how to be strong, you teach them how to tie a knot, they teach you Spanish, you help them with tiny things, you just simply love them.
I cannot express the love I feel for the girls at camp. They have taught me how to love everyone no matter what. I will never ever be able to repay these girls on what they taught me.
Pictures:
My ward 4th and 3rd
My girls
Bobbleheads
Kayla, Joy, Emilee, and I
Repelling.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Don't ever give up. Try your faith.
Monday, May 19, 2014
My Hope on the Horizon
Honestly.. no I wasn't and I'm not okay. But I know, I know without a doubt in my mind that Heavenly Father has far greater plans than I do for my future. Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." If I had to lean on what I know, and what I think will happen I would be scared to death. I don't know at all what is suppose to happen, but I know He knows and that's all I can lean right now.
Ether 12:6 "And now, I, Moroni, would speak these things; faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." I know Heavenly Father loves me and I know He has the perfect plan for me. That is why I put my faith in Him. That is why I turn to him in every fear, insecurity, heartbreak and pain I have. I don't know it all but He does. He knows what's going to happen in my life, He knows exactly what I need for my BEST life. I don't know, at all, but He does. Thank goodness because life would be extremely frightening if He didn't. He knows. He's MY Father and He loves me more than I will ever know. I have a Savior who knows exactly how I feel, He knows exactly how to help me and He knows exactly what my plan is. These trials may seem unbearable, heartbreaking, and scary but they don't have to be, because they have prepared the PERFECT way for me to return to their grasp. I honestly miss my Heavenly Father, I know I was there with Him before this earth because I know that the love he has for me hasn't just arrived when I was here 17 years but it's much much deeper than that. I cannot wait for the day where my Father and Savior can hold me one day, to say "I told you it turns out good", I cannot wait to hug them and know all of with was worth it. Only through my Savior, Jesus Christ, can I be happy, I can be forgiven and I can become one day perfect. Jesus Christ is my hope and my light even when it's foggy and you feel like you can only see two steps ahead of you, know he holds that light, He knows where you're going and He knows exactly how to get you there. He is MY Hope on the Horizon.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
What the bullies don't see
The bullies don't see that they are tearing him to pieces.
The bullies don't see him come home crying nearly everyday.
The bullies don't see him worry every morning what he looks like so he's cool enough for them.
The bullies don't see him cry himself to sleep because he has to go to school the next day.
The bullies don't hear him beg his mother not to go to school.
The bullies don't know how hard he tries.
The bullies don't know.
It breaks my heart to see him live this life of pain. It breaks my heart to see my baby brother so afraid to go school. It kills me that the teachers don't do anything about it. It kills me to see them not see the reason behind him acting out.
But it brings me comfort to know he can turn to the Lord and find peace and comfort. The Lord will always be there, but in the meantime love. "May we realize just how much we need each other, and may we all love one another better."- By Bonne L. Oscarson
People may not remember what you say but they will remember how you made them feel. Remember that you do not know what others are going through. You don't know how you're impacting someone's life, so love better. Because when you simply love someone you can change their life.