YOU Are a Child of God.

You... YES YOU -are a child of God.

I've been learning a lot of valuable lessons in the deepest effect possible that has helped me realize the very nature of god, who we are and what we can become. The greatest lesson I've been learning is our time here on earth is precious and that we literally are sons and daughters of God. The Lord has been blessed me with a lot of trials some that others have experienced that I have been able to see through their eyes while I told their hand. Other trials have literally been when I was in the very flames of satan. Through each of these I've seen the hand of God in my life. This is the beauty of life. Our savior is aware of what we can handle and what we must go through to know who we are and know who he is, to better appreciate the foundation of life, the atonement.

This weekend I had a scare as one of my close friends/residents decided to overdose. Through the events that took place all within 6 hours of going to hospital, etc I was shocked at the effect it would have on her best friend and her. I didn't know how to comfort or how to take in all that was going on. When I sat there staring at my friend in the hospital bed the spirit hit me very strong and one word came to mind, pray. I prayed my hardest for comfort for the friends around her and for the health of my friend. I prayed that she would realize who she is and just prayed that we would all get through it. As I finished the prayer I looked up and wiped the tears from my eyes. My eyes turned to my friends frail body in the bed and I noticed that she started to speak. She started to talk a lot to her friends around her, she started to regain consciousness. The first lesson I learned that day was the power of prayer. Through the remainder of the weekend and the events that followed I realized her actions had a huge effect on her friends around her. I realized she didn't know the effects it would have and I realized how much the lord loves us. As she was released from the hospital and came into my room I sat her down and spoke boldly.

"The Lord loves you. You are a daughter of God." The rest of what I spoke about is history. The fine and minor details of the story seep into the cracks as I think about the main lesson that was being taught during this whole experience. You are a child of God. What does that mean?? The very beauty of the Gospel is that we are children of our heavenly father. Christ himself knows what its like when a person thinks sucicidal thoughts. He knows what it's like to be hooked up to IVs. He knows the thoughts and pains that a friend goes through watching their friend laying helplessly in a hospital bed. The atonement is real. It is only through the atonement that we can realize who we are and what we can become. Our Savior has great faith and courage in us. We need to do our part and believe in ourselves.

Sometimes we are put through the refiner's fire so that we may appreciate the savior's hand in our life. Through this whole experience I have also realized that EVERY soul is great in the sight of God. Without him we are nothing. With him we are everything. The atonement is real and we can become like our savior someday, only through him. Whatever that takes, we will be able to someday be like him. The idea of this is POWERFUL! ....WHAT A WEEKEND!!!

I Hope They Call Me On A Mission

For those who aren't aware yet, I'm getting ready to go on a mission!

This semester has been extremely hard for me only because I was focusing on mission papers more than my school and work. I'm afraid I didn't try my best this term but, I think the end results will be well worth it when I open my mailbox in a few weeks and see my call waiting for me!

About a 4 years ago upon praying about a serious relationship I received a strong desire to serve in the Lord's kingdom and becoming a missionary instead. As the years have passed my desire has grown even stronger. One year ago I prayed about leaving Utah to go home and start preparing for a mission, the Lord however had other goals in mind. I instead went to LDSBC and when Christmas came I thought a mission was the next thing to do. However once again the Lord had other plans in mind. The Lord saw fit for me to learn the importance of his time. Over the next semester I fear I've become my worst enemy, Prideful and stubborn. I wanted to serve so bad and wasn't paying attention to the Lord's timing. I was focusing on my own timing in life. During an adventurous semester I went home for a weekend and received a blessing from my grandfather. The blessing was powerful and encouraging inviting me to have the spirit in my life and to continue to endure. I started to live my life in Salt Lake. When the semester came to an end I was so lost of what to do next. Over a lot of moving within the next 3 months I found myself in Hawaii! Not sure about my major or if a mission was even in the picture anymore. I decided to seriously consider my options that were ahead. I prayed and fasted and started thinking mission thoughts again.

One Sunday as my brother laid his hands on my head the spirit worked within my heart, and even into my tears. I began to rejoice as if I heard the voice of the Lord saying "my dear and faithful servant" the spirit worked so powerfully within me, now was my time to start preparing for a mission. Oh the power of priesthood! I will never forget that blessing, the spirit that I felt. Little did I know that Satan also began to develop plans of his own. My brother gave me a warning to my decision as he said satan would work hard on me for the next couple weeks. Soon I found out that would be an understatement!

For the last few weeks I've been working earnestly to get paperwork done. Once again I have been tested with the "lord's timing" and the trial of patience. When I get on my knees to pray I feel comforted. When I exclaim to others that I will be serving a full time mission the spirit fills my heart. I know that the Lord is aware of me. I know that the Satan is trying his hardest to keep me from spreading the work that needs to be done. But, I also know that no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing.

I have received my answer to serve the Lord and I anxiously look forward to entering the mission field. It will be a tough next few months as I anxiously leave for my mission but I know that it will be of most rewarding to me.
My current status?? I finished my mission papers! I spoke with my bishop on sunday and he will then forward his recommendation to my stake president. I will then meet with my stake president and he will submit my mission papers to church headquarters. I wrote him an e-mail yesterday and he said after my mission papers are submitted it should take up to 10-14 days to receive my mission call. I hope that that means I'll be receiving my mission call by the end of the month or at the beginning of October!

Please pray for me that the next few months go smoothly for me as I will continue to pray for you. I will let everyone know my mission call soon! :)