Sunrise

"The Savior's Resurrection assures all of us that someday we, too, will follow Him and experience our own resurrection. What peace, what comfort this great gift is which comes through the loving grace of Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind."

M. Russell Ballard, "The Atonement and the Value of One Soul," Ensign, May 2004, 84

Every Easter Sunday morning growing up my family would wake up early and go watch the sunrise to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For me Easter wasn't about the Easter bunny and egg hunts, it was about remembering that Jesus Christ made it possible for all of us to be resurrected again. Before Jesus Christ was resurrected, he suffered and atoned for our sins making it possible for us to repent of our sins. Its only through Jesus Christ that we can be cleansed and dwell in the presence of God. (2 Nephi 2:8)

"From the majestic world of spirits we enter the grand stage of life to prove ourselves obedient to all things commanded of God. During mortality we grow from helpless infancy to inquiring childhood and then to reflective maturity. We experience joy and sorrow, fulfillment and disappointment, success and failure. We taste the sweet, yet sample the bitter. This is mortality.

"Then to each life comes the experience known as death. None is exempt. All must pass its portals.

"To most, there is something sinister and mysterious about this unwelcome visitor called death. Perhaps it is a fear of the unknown which causes many to dread its coming. . . .

". . . [The Savior's] words to the grieving Martha and to His disciples today bring comfort to us:

" 'I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
“And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26)

Thomas S. Monson, "Mrs. Patton--the Story Continues," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 22 23

 I know that we are God's children and he loves us! Because our Heavenly Father loves us we can pray to Him and that somehow He hears and answers the prayers of His children. I want you to know that I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God, that He is my Savior. I know that only through Jesus Christ can we be cleansed and return to live in the presence of our Heavenly Father again. (2 Nephi 2:8) I know that Jesus Christ was ressurected making it possible for us to be, and that gives me comfort to know that when someone experience physical death, that it's not the end. I know that I will see that person again. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

I love my family!

The Family is Central to God's Plan!

This is my family. I am the youngest of 8 kids. All my siblings besides one is married. There are now 13 grand kids and one on the way! I love my family very much! I am so grateful for my family and all that they have done for me. I love having such a big family. Growing up there was always something to do! My parents raised us in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so grateful for that because we were taught such great values. We were taught to love everyone, and to serve them because we are all God's children. We were taught that God is our Heavenly Father and that He loves us and that we could always turn to Him for help. I was taught from a young age about Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made for us, so that we could repent and be worthy to live in the presence of our Heavenly Father again! My parents taught us the importance of families. We spent a lot of time together as a family. We would go camping almost every weekend together. We had a night set apart to learn about God and Jesus Christ and to play games together to help strengthen our faith and our relationship as a family! I am so grateful for my parents and all that they have done for me and my family. I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I know that families are important to God and that He has a plan for us here on earth that we can follow and one day return to live with Him and our families for eternity. I love my family and I miss them, but I am so happy that I can focus on serving my Heavenly Father and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with other families to bring them the happiness that God can give us!

“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7

Children of God

I know God called Joseph Smith as a prophet. I know that through Joseph Smith the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. I know that Joseph Smith translated The Book of Mormon with the help of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, because I have prayed about it with real intent and asked God if it was, and I recieved the answer from God that it is TRUE! I know that there is a living prophet call of God on earth today. His Name is Thomas Monson. I know that he has the authority to act in the name of God. I know that God is my Heavenly Father, and that he loves me and each one of his children. I believe that we are all his children. I  know that Jesus Christ atoned for my sins and died for me to make it possible for me to repent of my sins and be able to return to live with my Heavenly Father again! Jesus Chirst is my Savior! I love My Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ! 

Why wear a helmet when riding a bike?

I rode my bike the other day and I forgot how much I like riding bikes. This time though I had to wear a helmet, which I didn't like very much. Helmets are annoying and they make me look funny. Growing up I was always suppose to wear a helmet when I rode my bike, but I never did because I thought it was one of those rules, like many others, was pointless. It wasn't until I got older and maybe a little wiser that I realize the rule was there for a reason. It was there to protect you from getting hurt.

We all have rules in life either at home from our parents, at school from the teachers, or even at work. Sometimes they are annoy and sometimes we feel they are just putting restrictions on what we can and can't do. Usually we don't like them because we don't really understand why we have them. Usually they are there for a reason and if we knew the reason we are much more likely to follow them.

I think about God's commandments and why we have them. Growing up I tried my best to follow them and my friends always told me that they just restricted me from having fun, but I knew why God gave us commandments so I strived my best to follow them but I wasn't always perfect at following them. So I know from experiences of when I was following them I was a lot happier than when I was NOT following them. Sometimes I do not understand the some of the commandments but I do know why they are there and that is because we are God's Children, He is our Heavenly Father, He loves us and wants to protect us. Also by Him giving us commandments and by us following them we know we can return to live in our Heavenly Father's presence again. God doesn't expect us to be perfect, but He does expect us to to strive to do our best. And when we make a mistake, we can repent, and learn from it.

I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and the love he has for me to help me be able to return to him by giving me commandments. I love my Heavenly Father. I know it is hard sometimes to follow His commandments, but I do know he doesn't give us a commandment without preparing a way for us to accomplish it. (1 Nephi 3:7) I know that God gives us commandments because he loves us! I know that as we obey them we will be blessed!

Grasshoppers and Hot Chocolate

The other day when I was at Walmart with my 2 missionary companions I saw grasshopper cookies.I got really excited and started telling them about how I eat them.


First I make hot chocolate, then I take the cookies and bite a little off each end. I then take the cookie and drink the hot chocolate through it, and then put the whole cookie in my mouth and the cookie then just melts in my mouth. It is really good. My one companion thought that it was crazy. I just kept telling her that once she tries it she will find out for herself that it's good. She didn't believe me. Sure enough though when we got home we tried it and she loved it! Then the next day she was trying to convince someone else how good it really was!


 I kind of relate this to my life right now. I spend all my time sharing what I believe to people. A lot of people think right away my religion is crazy because of what other people have said, but they haven't experience it themselves. I know I can't force anyone to believe what I do. That isn't what I am trying to do. I know that my beliefs have helped me overcome many challenges and brought me a lot of happiness in my life. I just want other people to be able to experience the happiness I have in my life. So it's just like the grasshopper cookies and hot chocolate, it seems weird at first until you experience it yourself. I share what I believe with anyone that is willing to listen and then I ask them to experience it themselves by reading scriptures such as The Book of Mormon or The Bible, attending church, keeping God's commandments, and praying to God and asking Him if the things I teach and the Book of Mormon are true. I want everyone to know what I know for themselves because to me its the greatest thing in my life.

The things I love to do

Here are some of my favorite things to do!

Spending time with my family



Watching Tv or specifically the superbowl

 

Hanging out with my friends

 

Target shooting



Camping

 I haven't done any of those things for a little over a month.

The reason being is because I made  decision to give them all up and serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints.

Yes it is a sacrifice to not be able to see my family and friends and do those things I love, but I love my Heavenly Father and His son, My Savior, Jesus Christ. My sacrifices don't even compared to the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us.

Jesus suffered and was crucified for the sins of the world, giving each of God’s children the gift of repentance and forgiveness.

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

Here is favorite hymn that desribes how I feel:

I Stand All Amazed

1. I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

[Chorus]
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

2. I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

3. I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

I know that Jesus Christ died and atoned for me so I could repent and be forgiven for my sins so I can return back to the presence of my Heavenly Father. I know that there is no other way than through Jesus Christ. I know that the Gospel of Christ has been restored and is on the earth today. I love my Heavenly Father and His son, my Savior, Jesus Christ.