On Your Knees

I've been working as a CNA since last May and I absolutely love the residents that I get to work with! They are so funny, and a lot of the ones that I work with are SO in tune with the Spirit it's AMAZING!! Just last night I walked into a lady's room to check on her, and she was in her pajamas and down on her knees! She is an older lady, and doesn't move well, so I thought she had fallen!!! It scared me, so I called her name, and she just glanced up and said, "SHHH!! I'm saying my prayers!!" Then looked back down. It was great! I let her finish, then helped her up, and talked with her for a while.  She told me that ever since the day she got married, (in 1947), she and her husband prayed ON THEIR KNEES EVERY NIGHT!!!! They NEVER missed a single night! On every vacation, every stressful night, even on nights when they were fighting! And even though he's gone now, she said she feels him with her whenever she prays on her knees! Isn't that SO COOL?! I know sometimes I forget to say my prayers at night until I'm already in bed, and here is this inspiring lady who is really sick, already has plenty of knee problems, but still she gets down on her knees every night!! I just love it! This experience really strengthened my testimony of prayer and how truly important it is! WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO TALK TO OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN ANYTIME WE WANT TO! He will never put us on hold, or be too busy to listen to us. Talk to Him as often as you can, because when we don't He misses us! I know that though prayer we can call upon our Father with any question or struggle and HE WILL BE THERE!!! always. If you are new to this blog and have any questions about what I believe, feel free to ask! I love the questions!!! Good Night everyone! Don't forget to put on your smile tomorrow!!

So Will Christ!!

I already did my long post for the night, but I didn't want to go to sleep without giving an invitation!  If anyone reading this, has any questions about my religion, what I believe, or even my favorite color, FEEL FREE TO ASK!! I love to get feedback and answer anything that I can!! Thank you!

Also, this girl, Al Fox, is incredible!  If you haven't already, follow her blog, watch her videos, and be inspired by her message!!

"Hard times will consistently be there, but so will Christ!"

-Al Fox

When Life Gives You Garbage...

HOLY SMOKES!  Has it really been almost two months since my last post!? I apologize to anyone reading this, but with this new year, comes new goals and I have quite the list!

1. Finish the Book of Mormon before I leave on my mission (in July)

2. Study the Preach My Gospel manual EVERY MORNING before I leave my room.

3. Talk to somebody about what I believe at least once a month.

4. POST MORE ON THE BLOG

5. Pray EVERY night and morning and truly come to know my Heavenly Father.

6.  See others as Christ sees them!!

This last month has been a rough spot in my life.  As soon as I made the official decision to go on a mission, it seemed that Satan threw everything he had at me.  I had more temptations with things I never have before, problems with obedience, unnecessary stress, opposition, and trials left and right!  I have felt completely alone.  I felt like I was letting down my Heavenly Father, and that the damage was done.  I could feel myself getting deeper into spiritual trouble!  This new year has been a great opportunity to start fresh and remember why I am a member of this church, and what my purpose is as a latter-day-saint, future missionary, and daughter of God.

Anyone that knows me well will tell you that I am a BIG nerd when it comes to musicals!  I love to sing and act and I ESPECIALLY love to go and see shows, no matter the quality.  A few years ago, I went to see a show with a friend, and there was one song that really hit me at the time.  It was in no way a church related show, but I found myself taking this particular song in a spiritual sense.  The song is called "Come Out of the Dumpster", sung by a girl comforting her friend who is, well, currently and literally inside of a dumpster.  One line in particular says:

"When Life gives you garbage, you use it to CLIMB!"

This garbage in my life, this stress, and opposition can be used to make me stronger and to raise me to new heights that I haven't reached yet.  All I can do is thank my Heavenly Father for the experiences that He is giving me.  I can pray for understanding and an eternal perspective through my trials.  I can remember who I am as a Daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me beyond what I can imagine! He gives me my trials because He KNOWS what I can accomplish!!

"And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along.  The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours."

 -D&C 78:18

This scripture is another reason I'm deciding to start fresh!  To me, it is saying that I can be forgiven for anything.  I'm not expected to "bear all things".  My Heavenly Father doesn't expect me to be perfect now.  He wants my best, and if my best isn't pleasing me, at least I can know that I am pleasing my Father in Heaven.

"So you're out of the dumpster, was that so hard after all?  It was only a dumpster, and from here it looks so small."

I can't wait until the day when I can look back at my life and the things that are "so important" now will just be little stumbling blocks.  I know that my Heavenly Father loves me personally as His very own daughter.  I know that He wants nothing less than the best for me.  I love this gospel with all of my heart! It is changing my life everyday! Happy New Year, and Happy New YOU!!!