Life is a Sea

"Life is a sea upon which the proud are humbled, the shirker is exposed, and the leader is revealed."

-Thomas S. Monson

I don't really have any words to go along with this quote, I think it says everything its self. Just something for you to think about, which one are you? The proud one, the shirker, or the leader? Which one do you want to be?

Dayton's Leg's

The church website, lds.org, is absolutely amazing! If you have yet to check it out, you have to. The videos and messages they have just touch your heart. There is another video I would like to share with you all today called Dayton's Legs. I don't think words are needed to explain it, just watch it with an open heart.

http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng&query=dayton's+legs#daytons-legs

Wow, has it really been that long...

Hello Everyone!

I don't even know how many people even read this, but I am so sorry for the huge break from by posts!  I have been extremely busy, which is nothing new to many of you I'm sure. But still just the same, I am very sorry. I am going to get caught up on all of the days I missed and keep up much better from this time on.

Thanks for your patience!

Trust in the Lord

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths."

-Proverbs 3:5-6

This is one of my absolute favorite scriptures and I turn to it often to receive comfort and reassurance. I don't have much to say about this scripture because it feels to me that every time I read it, I get something different out of it. So I will leave it up to you to read it for yourself and take from it what you need at this time and I promise that you will receive the guidance and comfort that you need if you read it will an open, humble heart.

There is a Way Back

"If you are lonely, please know you can find comfort. If you are discouraged, please know you can find hope. If you are poor in spirit, please know you can be strengthened. If you feel you are broken, please know you can be mended."

-Jeffrey R. Holland

There is no sin, no trial, no mistake that you can not move on from and be whole once again. We all make mistakes, we all feel down, and we all have bad times. There is no reason to stay that way though. Even though we may feel there is no going back, there always is. Satan is telling you that you cannot get back because he does not want you to be happy, he wants you to be miserable like he is.

Heavenly Father has created an amazing plan that allows us to come back to him and be whole again. He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die for each of us so that we could repent, be forgiven of our sins and be able to live with Heavenly Father again someday. There is no reason why we need to be carrying our burdens around with us. Christ has already taken care of us mistakes, all we need to do is repent and come back to Him.

Celestial Goal

"For a celestial reward, it is absolutely essential that we remain faithful to the end. There is nothing in the Church that is directed toward the telestial or terrestrial kingdoms. For us it is a celestial goal every step of the way."

-Jeffrey R. Holland

The whole purpose of our lives here is to become more like our Savior Jesus Christ and eventually get back to him and be able to live with our Heavenly Father again. If that is our goal, then we should settle for nothing less than celestial things. We should not spend our time doing things that will not help us get to our eternal home. We need to remain focused every second of the day and be constantly moving forward towards our goal. The church is one amazing way that will help keep us moving forward.

Just like Elder Holland said, the Church is only directed us towards the celestial kingdom, so if we stay with the Church there is no way that we can get anywhere, but the celestial kingdom, our eternal home.

Adversity

"Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way. Our loving Heavenly Father has set us in a world filled with challenges and trials as that we, through opposition, can learn wisdom, become stronger, and experience joy."

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Just like is says in 2 Nephi 2:11, we need to have opposition in all things. That can sound a little disheartening, but if you think about it, how are we suppose to know what happiness is if we have never felt sad? How are we suppose to know what's good, if we have never seen bad?

I know in my own life that the things I grow and learn the most from are my trials and opposition. If you really have gone to the bottom or seen the bad, then you know and appreciate the good and joy so much more. I don't mean that we have to hit rock bottom in order to be happy, but I do believe that we need to feel some pain before we can be truly happy and feeling true joy, in my opinion, makes the pain all worth it.

Service

Here is another little video. This is so cute, but I also feel like it has such a great and important message that we all can work at being a little better at. Enjoy!

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/christmas?lang=eng&id=2011-12-001-the-coat#2011-12-001-the-coat

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
-Matthew 25:40

Who We Really Are Becoming

"The Lord know who we really are, what we really think, what we really do, and who we are really becoming."

-David A. Bednar

Heavenly Father knows everything about us. He is just like any other father. He knows what we like, what our favorite food is and what our favorite thing to do is. Heavenly Father is no different, except that He has the power to look beyond the present moment. He can see where we came from, how we have grown and how far we will continue to grow. Ultimately, He knows what we can become so He is helping guide our choices to help us become what we what to be and what He knows we can be.

The Little Things

"Give me a young women who loves home and family, who reads and ponders the scriptures daily, who has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon... Give me a young women who has maintained her personal purity, who will not settle for less than a temple marriage, and I will give you a young women who will perform miracles for the Lord now and throughout eternity."

-Ezra Taft Benson

I feel this is not just for young women, but young men as well. I know that if we do the little things like praying, reading the scriptures and keep strengthening our testimony that we will be able to be instruments in the Lord hands to help people who may have gotten a little lost in their crazy world. If we stay on the path ourselves and are constantly moving forward and doing what's right, I know that we can have a huge impact on others for good.

That is one of my goals for this life besides getting married and having a family, is to know that I helped someone else and made an impact on their life in helping them get back to their heavenly home. If I knew that I helped someone and made a difference in their life, I would be one happy girl.

"You Were Born to Be a Queen"

https://lds.org/youth/video/deep-beauty?lang=eng

I could not figure out how to directly get the video on my blog, but the link should hopefully work.

I don't have a whole lot to say about this video because I feel the Spirit will tell you what you need to hear much better than I could ever say in words, so enjoy!

We Are Never Alone

“May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe, and if we must stand alone in the process, may we do so courageously, strengthened by the knowledge that in reality we are never alone when we stand with our Father in Heaven."

-Thomas S. Monson

We are truly ever alone. Heavenly Father is always there to help and guide us. Even admit the stress and frustrations of life, Heavenly Father is always there, holding out His hand, waiting for us. We don't have to go through this life alone- were weren't meant to. He wants to help us and He will, all we have to do is reach out and take His hand.

Have Courage

"My earnest prayer is that you will have the courage required to refrain from judging others, the courage to be chaste and virtuous, and the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness. As you do so, you will be 'an example of the believers,' and your life will be filled with love and peace and joy."

-Thomas S. Monson

It can be hard to not just judge others, as I'm sure you all know. I find myself judging others, even when I don't realize it. But when we judge others, we don't even give them a chance to share themselves with us, we shut them out and lose an opportunity to learn from someone else.

We need to hold true to our standards in a world where it seems anything goes. We need to be the example for others because there are many people out there who don't know what they are doing wrong. They are not as blessed as we are to have the gospel in their lives. It is our job and responsibility to share this joyous gospel with them and show them the correct way.

It could mean giving a Book of Mormon or inviting someone to church, but most of the time it is in the unsaid things we do that make the most difference and leave the biggest impression on people.

We need to be the example in a world that is drifting far off the path and leading people astray. It will be hard, but I know if we act as we know we should and do what we are suppose to, we will have lives filled with joy and service.

We Sow Our Thoughts, We Reap Our Actions

"We sow our thoughts, and we reap our actions; we sow our actions and we reap out habits; we sow our habits and we reap out characters; and we reap our destiny."

-David O. McKay

I know this may seem like a silly idea, but the it is true that if we think something we are more likely to act on that thought, those actions then become habits and our habits shape who we become. Because of this, it is so important that we watch what we think. We need to be filling our minds with good thoughts, which means listening to clean music, reading the best books and watching clean movies and television. It may seem like a repeated idea that we hear often, but it is only because it is so important, so I urge all of us, myself included, to watch what we put into our minds and the thoughts that we have because of it.

The Spirit

"We should endeavor to discern when we 'withdraw [ourselves] from the spirit of the Lord...' [and] attend to and learn from the choices and influence that separate us from the Holy Spirit."

-David A. Bednar

The Spirit is such an important part of our lives and needs to be, especially in the world we live in today. There is so much evil in the world that is disguised to be good. We need to have the Spirit to know what it good and what is not.

If there is something in your life that is not good and does not bring the Spirit, get rid of it right now. Even if you have done wrong in the past, you can change. Everyone makes mistakes and has to repent, it is part of living and being human. The important thing is that you do repent and keep moving on the path towards Heavenly Father.

If we live with the Spirit and live worthy to have it in our lives I know that we will be happier and we will be blessed.

Do Your Very Best

"I have been quoted as saying, 'Do the best you can.' But I want to emphasize that it be the very best. We are too prone to be satisfied with mediocre performance. We are capable of doing so much better."

-Gordon B. Hinckley

We as human beings underestimate ourselves and others in what we are able to accomplish. We are able to do so much! Even at times that we think we cannot do anything, I am almost sure that there is something you can do, even if it small, it can make a huge difference in someone else's life.

What is the point of putting time into something if it is not our best? Time is a precious gift that we need to use to our full advantage and for the best things. Don't spend time doing things half way when you could spend one more minute and make it your best.

We can do amazing things with Christ and Heavenly Father helping us and if we strive to try or best to give our best, I know that we will be blessed.

Developing Christ-Like Attributes

"The cultivation of Christlike qualities is a demanding and relentless task- it is not for the seasonal worker or for those who will not stretch themselves, again and again."

-Spencer W. Kimball

Developing Christlike attributes like charity, long suffering and obedience can be hard and a daunting task at times. As you develop those qualities though, you become more like the person that you want to be- more like Christ. Developing Christ-like qualities is not something you can do in one day or over night, they require work and diligence to really implement those qualities in your lives. I know that as well all strive to develop Christ-like qualities that we will be happier and come closer to our Beloved Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

I am a Child of God

" I would charge you to say again and again to yourselves... 'I am a daughter of God' and by so doing begin today to live closer to those ideals which will make your life happier and more fruitful because of an awakened realization of who you are."

-Harold B. Lee

We are all precious sons and daughters of God. He is our Father and He loves us all so dearly. There is such power in those words, "I am a daughter (or son) of God". We are all magnificent beings created in His image. We are truly royal and blessed. If we live with the knowledge that we are royal and are a child of God, I know that our actions, thoughts and behavior will change for the better. We are all children of God and I know if we live that way our lives will be happier and more joyful.

He Loves Each of Us

"Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He heard your prayers. He is your Heavenly Father, and surely He matches with His own the tears His children shed."

-Jeffrey R. Holland

I know that Heavenly Father is always there for each of His children. Even if we don't always feel His presence or know He is there, I know He is. He loves each of His children so much and He wants more than anything for us to come back to Him. He wants us to be comforted and cared for. Just like any earthly parent, He does not want to see any of His children suffering and He is going to do anything in His power to ease our burdens and make our lives happier and more joyful.

He is All-Knowing

"God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been as he does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go."

-Jeffrey R. Holland

Heavenly Father has the power to see past what we are now and into what we can become if we stay with Him and listen and obey to His commands. He is all-knowing and knows the best way to help us through our trials and tribulations. If we just stick with Him through all of our stresses and heartache I knows that Heavenly Father will take care of you. He will never give up on any of His children. He wants us all to come back home to Him.

He is Cheering Us On

"No one of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another. I testify that He loves each of us- insecurities, anxieties, poor self-image, and all. He doesn't measure our talents or our looks; He doesn't measure our professions or our possessions. He cheers on every runner, calling out that the race is against sin, not against each other."

-Jeffrey R. Holland

Heavenly Father loves all of us equally and unconditionally. He truly does cheer on each of us in running our race to get back home to Him. He does not want to leave any of His children behind in this world. He loves us each perfectly despite all of the imperfections that the worlds looks at and judges. He has the power to look beyond what we were before and what we are now and see what we can become. He wants us each to succeed and He will be there with us each step of the was cheering us on.

Enjoy the Little Things

"If we constantly focus on the stones in our mortal path, we will almost surely miss the beautiful flower or cool stream provided by a loving Father who outlined our journey."

-Jeffrey R. Holland

We cannot always be thinking about our path and what we are suppose to be doing so much that we miss the little things that are put there for us. We are here for a purpose and to do a great work, but we also are here for ourselves and to enjoy this adventure so we cannot take for granted the little things that Heavenly Father has placed in our lives for us. We need to take advantage of this great blessing we have to be living on this earth at this time and enjoy the life that we have been given.

You Were Preserved for this Time

"One of the greatest challenges is to overcome the feeling that we are unimportant, that we are not special and unique. Do you think for a moment that Heavenly Father would have sent one of His children to this earth by accident, without the possibility of a significant work to perform?... My dear friends, you are a royal generation. You were preserved to come to the earth in this time for a special purpose. Not just a few of you, but all of you. There are things for each of you to do that no one else can do as well as you. If you will let Him, I testify that our Father in Heaven will walk with you through the journey of life and inspire you to know your special purpose here."

-Bishop H. Burke Peterson

I don't really know what else I can add to this already wonderful, amazing quote, but I know this is all true. I know that we are all here each with a specific purpose that only we ourselves can do. Isn't that amazing to think? We each have a mission here on earth, a specific task that only we can accomplish.

We each have a purpose and a reason for being here now on earth, so never let anyone tell you otherwise or make yourself believe that you are not. You are a choice spirit reserved for this time and you are going to accomplish great things.

The Lord is My Light

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

-Psalms 27:1

This is one my favorite verses in the Old Testament. I go back to this versus often when I need comfort. It gives me strength when I am going through a hard time to know that there really is nothing to fear. The Lord is always there so there is nothing to be afraid of.

I worry alot about so many different things, but this gives me the knowledge that I don't need to worry about anything. If I am keeping the commandments and doing what the Lord wants then I know that he will always be with me and if the Lord is with me, then nothing can go wrong.

This is not always an easy thing to accept, but I know that if we live with the Lord by our side we really do have nothing to fear and if you do feel like you do have something to fear, just pray to the Lord and I know that he will take that fear from you and leave you with a peace that you cannot receive from anywhere else.

The One

He can make the ocean dry
He can stay the setting sun
Creator of the earth and sky
He is the One

He can tame the raging wind
Make the mountains tremble
Master of miracles
He is the One

Chorus:
He is the One who carves my heart
Into a smoother stone
He is the One who gives me strength
When I am too weak to move on
He's everything I need
Mighty power and holy peace
He is the One

He can calm a restless soul
He will save a fallen stranger
A refuge where my heart can go
He is the One

He offers me saving grace
In a world that offers none
And I will live to sing His praise
He sees me for what I can become

Chorus

This song is from the 2011 efy Believe Hope Endure program. I absolutely love this song and it always brings me strength and comfort when I am going through a hard time. Heavenly Father is always there for all of us and He is waiting to reach out to us. When we have trials and tribulations and feel like we can do nothing else He has the power to reach down to us and pick up the pieces and make everything okay. He has that amazing power and He is willing to share that with us if we let Him. If we let Him into our lives I know that our lives will change for the better and that we will be better people. There is no better place to be in life than with the Lord by our side.

Trust in the Lord

"The simple secret is: put your trust in the Lord, do your best, then leave the rest to him."

-Joseph B. Wirthlin

I love this quote and I come back to it often because it bring great comfort to me. When we are having hard, stressful, difficult, or worried times all we have to do it go to the Lord. If we go to him with a humble heart and ask him to help us, as long as we try our best, He will be there making it happen if it is in His will for us.

I know from experiences in my own life that this is true. This year in school I am taking AP United States History and for the class I needed to do a debate. It was me one other person for 40 minutes debating in front of the class. I was really worried about this because I wanted to do well, but public speaking is not one of my specialties. So after I had tried my best with researching and studying, I went to the Lord and asked Him to help me to not be worried and to help me do my best and it worked. The day of my debate, I was nervous, but I had no last minute doubts or concerns. I did my debate and everything went as well as expected. I did not win, but I went in with the attitude that I did my absolute best and that's all that mattered. The Lord made up for those moments when I did not know what to say and He gave me the comfort throughout the day and the days leading up to it when I was nervous or worried.

I know that if you go to the Lord, He will help you with anything that you need, be it school, church, work or anything else. He wants to help us and is willing to, we just need to make sure that we do our part first and He will never let us down.

The Final Summons

"May we live so that when that final summons is heard, we may have no serious regrets, no unfinished business."

-Thomas S. Monson

We cannot wait to do things until we have time or we want to do them, especially when it comes to the gospel with repenting, serving others and missionary work. We do not have forever to do these things. The time is drawing nearer when that day will come and Christ will return, but we have to be prepared for that day. We have to repent and try our best to be doing what's right, because no one knows when it will happen.

When the Lord comes again it will be a joyous, wonderful time for those who did prepare and a sad time for those who didn't. Don't you want to be happy and excited that Christ has returned? You don't want to be dwelling on the things you did not do when that day comes. We should all be preparing now in everything we do for that wonderful day when Christ will return, all will be filled with peace and joy and we will be able to share it with those we love.

Attitude of Gradtitude

"We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the ream of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts and attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."

-President Thomas S. Monson

Gratitude is such an important thing to have. We have all been given so much and are so blessed and we need to be grateful. Heavenly Father blesses us daily and we need show that we care about the blessings that we have been given. It can be hard to think about all of the things that we don't have rather than the things we do have, but I know that when we show our gratitude it makes Heavenly Father glad to see that we are grateful for the things we have.

It can be hard to be positive about everything, especially if it is something that you do not like. I have found though that if I go into a situation with a positive attitude, regardless of the thoughts I have had or things I have heard previously, I am more likely to be able to get through the hard times and enjoy them more than I would have thought I could. If you start out with a negative attitude, it is going to be really hard to get rid of that feeling. So even if it is not something you enjoy, you might as well start out positive and I guarantee that you will have a better experience than if you started out negative.

Prayers

"The prayers of people are almost always answered by the actions of others."

-President Thomas S. Monson

This quote is so simple, but profound which is why it is one of my favorite's and I know from my own experiences as well that it is true. Sometimes when you feel like you should do something and you don't really know why, you are could answering some one's prayer. Even in the little things you do, that may not seem very big or important to you can be such a difference in someone else's life.

Because we are the answers to other's prayers we need to make sure that we are always listening to the Spirit and remaining worthy to listen to the Spirit so that we don't miss an opportunity to help someone. The Spirit will tell us how we can help and serve others in the best way because Heavenly Father knows what they need most.

We can make such an impact on other's lives, more than we even know. We have the power to do amazing things and if we listen to the Spirit and serve others we can be part of a great change or a positive difference in some one's life.

The Finest Generation

"You are of the finest generation that has come to earth. You have prepared yourself well in the premortal existence and have been selected to come forth in this singularly important time in the unfolding of Father in Heaven's plan."

-Richard G. Scott

I love this quote! Whenever I am having a hard time I read this and it reaffirms to me that I am here for a purpose. We all have a purpose for why we are here. Even though it can be difficult to see it at times, we are all here for a reason and we all have a specific mission that only we can do.

On the flip side, reading this can also bring an extra layer of pressure. When it says "you are of the finest generation" and "you have been selected" it makes me think that I have this huge mission to accomplish here on earth and if I don't do it correctly or completely, then I will feel like I have failed. The wonderful part of Heavenly Father's plan is that we are never alone and he will help us complete our mission. He knows that we can do it, even if we may not be able to see it in ourselves.

We all have a purpose for being here that only you can do. We have been prepared for this time so we can complete our mission and return to Heavenly Father. When we need help or have lost sight of our goal, all we need to do is turn to Him and he will be there ready to help us. He wants us to succeed.

Your Father in Heaven Knows You

"You are literally a spirit daughter [or son] of heavenly parents with a divine nature and an eternal destiny... Your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him."

-Jeffrey R. Holland

Heavenly Father knows us each personally. He is our father- our heavenly father. Just as a mother or father here on earth would know their children's names, the things they like and dislike, our Heavenly Father is the same way. He knows each of our names, He knows what we like and what we don't. He knows what is hard for us, what our dreams are and so on. He knows us more than we can possibly imagine.

When we are having a hard time and think that there is no on who knows what we are going through, we're wrong. Heavenly Father knows us perfectly. Sometimes a mom or dad may forget what our favorite food is or favorite color, but Heavenly Father does not forget anything. Even the little things that we may think are silly.

Because He knows us so well, we can go to Him with any problem or struggle we are having and He knows exactly what we need and how to best help us, all we need to do it ask and He will be right there waiting. Never be afraid to ask for something that you may think is silly or unimportant, because if it is important to you, it is important to Him and he will help you. He never leaves any of us alone. He does not forget any of His children. He loves you.

Realize Your Full Potential

"With all my capacity I encourage you to discover who you really are. I invite you to look beyond the daily routine of life. I urge you to discern through the Spirit your divinely given capacities. I exhort you to prayerfully make worthy choices that will lead you to realize your full potential."

"Realize your full potential... God loves you. I testify that as you seek His help, He will guide you to fulfill your worthy dreams."

-Elder Richard G. Scott

As a new year begins I hope we can all make worthy goals that will help us achieve our ultimate goal- to return to live with Heavenly Father again. I know that Heavenly Father truly will help us if we reach out to Him. It does not matter how silly it may seem, if it is important to us, it is important to Him. He loves us and wants to help us. We are so special to Him and truly are His sons and daughters.

I hope as we start this new year we can all work towards becoming better examples of truth and discovering our full potential. We can do all things with Christ by our side.

This year holds so many possibilities. I hope that we will work towards becoming the best that we can be and becoming more like our Savior Jesus Christ and if we do this, I know that this year will be filled with joy, happiness and peace.

Welcome Welcome!

Hello Everyone! As the new year was approaching I thought it would be a fun idea to create my own blog and post a quote, scripture or just a thought everyday. In doing this I hope to strengthen my testimony, but help uplift others aswell. I hope that I can help others through this blog as the year progresses.

Hopefully I can keep this up throughout the whole year. 1 day down 364 to go! :)