America: The Great Nation of Division

Ok, let's talk football. I am not a fan of football. Correction: I am not a fan of football fans.I have seen fights and arguments between people over who is the better team. Now, I am not a perfect person and I love a good row. The kind that you can go at it a couple hours and finish it up with a good "It doesn't really matter."  I am all for supporting teams, but when do you draw the line. Awhile back my sister, Mrs. Organized, was telling about how she needed to figure out what to wear to work the nest day. She lived in Oregon and the two football teams were playing against each other. She told me how she couldn't wear this color and that color. I think mostly it was so that no one thought she was supporting any team, let alone picking sides.

I am the kind of girl who will wear a Michigan sweatshirt in Columbus, the home to the Buckeye's, just to bug the people around me. Why? Because I think it's ridiculous that they are bugged. What does it matter what I think, even if it's just that I am cold and the only sweatshirt I have happens to have Michigan on it. Please stop offering me duct tap. I didn't ask them to change their minds. I am not saying that anyone is better than anyone.

It causes division. People who support different teams are enemies. Even if it's just for football season (let's face it football never ends). The separation is there. Here is the thing, people want people to be one their side, but at the same time they want others to never see it their way. They want the argument. They want to be right, to be better than someone else.

So what does this have to with the Gospel? I will get to that, just wait a bit longer.

Well, the football thing was just to warm you up for the real thing. Election day. Recap on how elections go. A bunch of men with some women thrown in the mix arguing about who is better. And to make it all the more exciting, the media has to step in twisting words and telling lies. It's like two parents fighting over a kid.

I never talk politics outside of my family. I will never be the one to hand out flyers, put signs out on my lawn, or give weekly updates on Facebook about my opinions. Here it is everyone: I voted for Romney. I bet not many people are surprised. Now before you start saying that I was just voting for a fellow Mormon, save your breath, because I made a choice and no matter what my reasons you have no right to dictate my actions. Further more you have no right to judge me on my actions. I return I have no right to judge you and yours, either. Not that we won't, because we will. Hopefully both of us will get over it. Do I hate Obama or anyone else who was running? No.

I understand why we have the party system and all that jazz, yet I still strongly dislike it. I just see it as a road block in progression. See how I used the word "progression"? What do I want to progress to? Well, here is where I get all spiritual.

Moses 7:18 (Scripture Mastery to all who know what I am talking about!)

 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of bone heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.

Here is my list of some divisions: politics, football (sports), money, intelligence, social class, skin color (yeah, there is still racism), religion/beliefs, fashion, sexuality, and so much more. This is a short list of the reasons we choose to divide ourselves. That scripture is my goal. This is at the root of why I don't like football and politics. I feel that some people think that during times like these they have the leave of absence to be be mean and judgmental of others. Well, they don't. Sadly I have seen lots of people of my own faith say some unwanted things. Now I am not saying that we should all be the same. There is a difference between division and difference.

Here is my advice. Take it or leave it. Put it under a car and run it over. Vote for who you believe will be a good leader and then pray for whoever is elected.

While we wage these wars with each other on who is right there are people out there who need our help. People who don't get help because they are on the other side of the divide. I don't believe that the Government is the answer, I believe it's the communities and the people who need to step it up and reach out, pick up, give, lend, help, or whatever needs to be done. No matter who or where.

I want to live in Zion and I know that is a ways off, but in the mean time I would like to live in the UNITED States of America.

NOTE: I wrote this at an early hour so please forgive any randomness and errors that might have popped up.

Personal Progress #2 (We All Have a Little More To Do)

As a I mentioned before- I am done with Personal Progress! Actually I'm not even in Young Womens anymore. I don't know what I expected. Maybe I thought I would just suddenly feel like an adult. Yeah, unfortunately being legally an adult means nothing. I still have so much to learn! I don't feel ready to take on the world and have a job, pay taxes, deal with people on my own (can't just threaten them with my mom anymore), and pay my own way. I know I am not the only one who doesn't feel ready, so I am not alone in that aspect. Plus, I still have my family who are willing to help me along the way!


WE all have a little more learning to do - a little more "growing" up. That's why Personal Progress never ends. The Personal Progress is like the kick-in-the-butt to get you moving for the rest of your life.


On that note let us start on value #2- Divine Nature! 




di·vine [dih-vahyn]  adjective, di·vin·er,di·vin·est, noun, verb, di·vined, di·vin·ing.
adjective
1. of or pertaining to a god, especially the Supreme Being.
2. addressed, appropriated, or devoted to God  or a god;religious; sacred: divine worship.
3. proceeding from God  or a god: divine laws.
4. godlike; characteristic of or befitting a deity: divinemagnanimity.
5. heavenly; celestial: the divine kingdom.




In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we believe that we are all sons and daughters of Heavenly Father and because of that we have inherited divine qualities-

2 Peter 1:1-4   

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

And to even go further than that -

Moroni 7:45

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

We have the divine potential to have all these qualities. Potential, meaning - we have to put the first foot forward. It is hard work to have these things. Being kind, having patience, having brotherly kindess! Those are hard things to learn and instill into ones life, but it's not not doable. Believe me when I say that life is so much better when you do. When I make an effort to make divine qualities a part of my life I feel Heavenly Father's presence. The Holy Ghost touches my heart and I know that I am doing the right things. 


There little wars being fought everywhere. Wars against our good natures and bad ones. Since we have free agency we have so many choices to make and paths to choose. The natural man, which is all things against God, is what keeps us away from our Heavenly Father. It is an enemy to God because if his "work and [his] glory is to bring to pass that immortality and eternal life of man" then it is what's stopping us from achieving our divine potential. 


I know that if we instill divine qualities in our lives than we will win the war against Satan! 


NOTE: Let us give thanks for Blogger's auto save, because my computer is doing funky things and I thought I lost everything!    

Never To Forget

Today I got my first adult church calling! I had given myself a cut off date to stop going to the Young Women's meetings, because if I didn't I knew I would never stop going. Now I have the great opportunity of teaching the Sunbeam class with my good friend, Matilda. It's going to be a new experience, but I am ready for it. Even though I am leaving the Young Womens I know that I will always need the lessons learned from it. Though I am an "adult" I will always carry my Strength of Youth and Personal Progress with me.

Unlike High School I wasn't eager to leave. With High School I was counting the days until graduation, making summer plans (working), and was just ready to never again walk the hallways of my school. This was different. Though High School has given me a foundation in a working and technical knowledge the church Young Womens program has given me much more. The knowledge that god loves me, my divine nature, how to have true benevolence, how to love, teach, be worthy to enter into the temple, and so much more. These are the lessons I will never forget.

Young Womens is why I am strong person. I know that even when faced with the hardships of life I can always trust in the Lord!

I always remember the awesome youth I have spent the last six years of my life with. I will remember the lessons I've learned from them and my leaders. I have been so blessed to have the leaders I have had.

I will miss laughing,  crying, singing, learning, dancing, and just being weird with them. They are my family and they are never to forget!

[insert cute picture of us that I currently don't have.]

The Best Two Years

It's a guest! This is my brother Jonathan who recently returned from a two year mission for my church!

Durn near forgot to write this for my sister! (yes, yes, he did)
I served a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from March 2010 – March 2012. I was privileged to serve in San Bernardino California, which at first was a big disappointment. My ancestry hails from the Islands of Samoa and the Far East country of China. My father served in South Korea. Anyone for bets on where I wanted to go? Points in SoCal’s favor = My uncle served there 30+ years ago. Not a whole lot to take pride, but I eventually got excited about going. There was just one slight problem………. I didn’t have a testimony of my own. That’s not to say I didn’t believe that Christ is our Savior or that the Book of Mormon is scripture, but as for knowing without a doubt? Nada, zilch, zero. Let me give you a mental picture: We will compare a testimony to a length, let’s say Inches. Now “knowing with a surety” is somewhere around a yard, so 36 inches. My testimony was hanging around 10- 12 inches. Just enough to stay in the game, but nowhere near where it should be.

So of to the Missionary Training Center I go with this noticeable lack of testimony stature. Amazing feelings of the Spirit there, especially when I participated in the choir. If you care to, read Alma 32 and see what Alma tells us about how faith is like a seed. Well that is exactly what I was feeling as I learned how to be a servant of the Lord! As the time to go to our respective mission fields neared we were doing an activity that involved us asking what we term “Questions of the Soul”, you know like “Will I be with my family in the next life?” and ”Does God know me personally?”. Our opposite number would sit back, listen to the Holy Ghost for a minute or two, open up the scriptures, and answer the question. What I asked is very personal to me, so I won’t share it, but let me say that it was worded in such a vague manner so that Elder Seeley wouldn’t know what I was talking about. When he answered, it was with the power and authority of one speaking with the Holy Spirit, and knowing exactly what I was talking about and how to answer it with the Book of Mormon. I had also been touched earlier by Elder Jackson’s account of how he went hunting and took a copy of the Book of Mormon and prayed for himself to know if it was true. I realized at that moment that I had never put forth my own honest effort to ask God if it was true and that I couldn’t go to the people of San B to share this wonderful message and not really be sure of it myself.

If you think I’m to the part where I proclaim that I went to a secluded point and prayed in great earnestness and received a knowledge of these things and went forth and preached mightily to the ghettos and slums and converted hundreds, nay, even thousands, then you are in for a big letdown. I did pray about and get an answer, but my testimony still had plenty of growing to do.

Among many things learned is that 1) when the Lord wants you in a new area it’s rather useless to be petulant about it, and I got moved a lot. Gradually came the realization that the Lord knows all things (Duh!) and would know better than I (retard) where I would be most needed. 2) It’s easier to follow the rule book than to emulate the Savior’s example. There are some who believe that paramount above all other things is Obedience, with a thought process that if you do not follow the white handbook to a T then you are a bad missionary. Really people? Jesus didn’t follow the rule the rule book to a T either, instead following a higher standard, and that is what we are called as saints to do! So this is the path I chose, although not even close to being so successful. 3) And one of the most important! No matter the pain and the shame that comes of it, repenting is always worth it! I have, since I can remember, always

had a problem with ‘fessing up to whatever wrong I had accomplished and making it right. Yet I saw the people I taught do exactly that and describe to me the joy and the freedom it gave them to know that they were clean. That same feeling I wanted for so long. I still have a problem making right my mistakes, but I still shoulder on in the hopes that soon, I will conquer my personal pride.

A mission is not just about the people that you serve and teach. It is also a journey of self-discovery and evolution of talents you already possess. I worked at a BSA summer camp for several years before going on a mission, and so had a good set of teaching skills already. Although that’s what I based my teaching style off of, I always sought ways to improve and progress them so that I could be as good as the Lord saw me to be. You also find out that your character grows immensely. I had this epiphany near the end of my mission when one of the brethren from the Ward I was serving in used this example during a Youth Education seminar. He had the blank outlines of flags and explained that in Medieval times knights would have on their shields and standards what they thought best reflected or represented them. Things such as a Lion to show bravery, books to show that they were scholarly, or maybe a fife or lute to show musical talent. At any rate, as I mentally drew my own I looked back on my life and saw how I had grown. An Elder that had come out with me shared this comment learned from someone he looked up to. He remarked about how his mentor had counseled him to find simple powerful statements to explain points of the gospel that we teach, such as “Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration” or “Jesus Christ lives!”. He then wondered about himself and how his life, if summarized in a simple statement, would say. That got to me, having never thought about it, and I began to wonder the same thing. Would it say “Jonathan followed the Savior’s example”, “Jonathan was ever faithful”, or “Jonathan loved as the Savior would”? I don’t have the answer to that question at this time, nor will I in this world. Not until I make my accounting before my Heavenly Father firmly hoping that I have the Savior image engraved in my countenance.

Let me end with what I think my sister was actually asking for, which is my testimony. While it has taken its share of lickings and beatings, grown large only to shrink again, and ultimately grown from the seed that had lain dormant for so long, my testimony stands strong today. I know my Savior lives and is there for me when I fall with love that I cannot comprehend the depths of. I have learned that one of the greatest ways to love like our Redeemer is to serve those around us, “My life is like my shoes, meant to be worn out in the service of others”. Heavenly Father looks after us just waiting for the opportunity to bless us at every turn, if we would just follow as he commands. He has never left us to be alone and has never denied anyone the right to be redeemed by our Savior and become clean. I say again that it is worth all the perceived pain to become clean.

The world in its vain logic cannot even come close to comprehending why we serve, preferring its party line of “it’s all about you”. It does its best to pander to our vanity by saying “Why look at what you’ve done! You’ve accomplished so much because you are so amazing and you don’t need any one else.” But it is about so much more than us. Many people we taught also gained their own testimonies and have grown as children of our Heavenly Father. We are never alone so long as there are saints around us “Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you.” D&C 6:32. This is our story and theirs. For we were missionaries once, and young.
One day, if we prove worthy, we will be able to greet our brothers and sisters in the presence of the Father, joining hands and singing the words of that old Negro spiritual “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty we are free at last!”

Faith

I finished Personal Progress! It's been an amazing journey through young womens!

I am going to start going through the values and writing about the and I will just start and the beginning (which is also the end).

Me last project was the one for faith, which happens to be this blog. I would just like to say "thank you" to all those reading my blog and letting me share with you my testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Putting down in words my thoughts and feelings has brought great clarity to my life. Thank you for supporting me.

I sang a song today....yay... Everyone told me I did well, but still. I love singing, but I definitely sing better in the shower. That's not really what I wanted to talk about. The song I sang was all about how Christ is there for you. You never have to be alone and be afraid, because he is always there. You can always be strong.

Now let's be honest- who is ever strong all the time? Well, I'm not. (Three thumbs up for you guys who are!)

It's a hard thing to be strong in the church, school, sports, pretty much anything. It's hard not to be afraid. Let's face it- life is hard. Even when it seems that you are doing everything right bad things still happen, but that is life and we can't stop it. All we can do is deal with what we are given.

INTERRUPTION: That's even hard! It is so easy to slip up. It's so easy to make the wrong choice. Someone recently said that making mistakes is only human. Which is correct, but remember this - being human may be the reason, but it should never be the excuse. We should never do something that we know is bad and be all "Well, I am only human". That's not how I feel that it should work.

I'm getting ready for college. Things are so not turning out how I wanted them to. I'm struggling with the fact that it's probably never going to be the way I planned it to go. I have felt closer to my heavenly father through these times because of it. I have prayed that even though it's not according to little old me, that it will turn out good in the end. Even though in this moment I feel like a feather in the wind I know that at some point that I will land exactly where I need to be.

Be as Little Children

This is "I want to brag about me family" post. :)

I currently have six nieces: (in age order) Lara (5), Lilli (5), Vivi(3), Gracie(3), Kaelyn(2), and Mariella (10mths). I would like to share with you what they have taught me over the years.

Lara- (This story was told to me by my brother-in-law) At the breakfast table Lara and my brother-in-law were just talking when the conversation came to the subject of her younger sister, Vivi. Lara then told her dad "You know what? I love Vivi". Reed then asked her why she loved Vivi. This is haw she answered "I don't know. Sometimes she really bugs me, but I just love her."

I just loved that story! Why do we need a reason to love somebody? Why can't we just love them? Isn't that a good enough reason?

Lilli- Lilli is my niece who has down syndrome. She is the most loving and excited kid ever! She always is excited to see you and is ready with a hug. Everybody loves Lilli! Whenever I see her she has the biggest smile on her face! You can't be in a bad mood around her. She is one of the oldest nieces and has been around quit a few babies. She is a very high energy child, but when she is around babies she is so gentle. She will be so still when she's holding one and she'll give them soft kisses on the head.

Lilli has taught me how to love life. To love those around me and not to be controlled by prejudices.

Vivi-  For Vivi I have to use her curiosity. She is constantly checking things out and asking questions, which mostly consist of "why?". I watched Vivi over the summer a few years ago. She was all over the place all at one time. She is one of those kids who are always getting into trouble. She is a little girl with some attitude. She will not let anyone boss her around. Which is something we all need to learn-- when  to speak up and say "no".

Gracie- Now Gracie monster is full of energy! She is very petite, but has the spirit of a horse-porky pine-bear cub. Gracie is very sweet. She will ask you, after she has just finished jumping on you, if your ok. When she sits on someones lap she likes to play with their earlobes. It's relaxing when she doesn't use her nails. She also does this thing where she takes your face in her two hands and gets up real close and starts whispering sweet nothings to you.

Kaelyn- She is very smart. She is always showing and telling me things that she has learned. Her vocabulary is pretty big for only being two. She sometimes acts much older then she is, but is quick to remind you she is only two. She is starting to learn the concepts of choices. Her mom always gives her choices and she loves it. Even though it may not matter which choice she makes it's very important to know that you have that power.

Mariella- Mariella is the newest niece and I have not been able to spend as much time with her. When I do see her she always wants to be with her mommy (go figure). She is very dependent of her mother right now. IT makes me realize how dependent I am still on my parents, both my earthly parents and heavenly parents.

All my nieces have taught me various lessons that I will never forget. I just can't wait until they are old enough to read this for themselves and just maybe they will be an example to themselves.

For My Real Hero I Will Rise

Happy Easter! I love Easter, don't you? My life has been getting hectic and stressful of late. Sunday has always been welcome in my schedule, but this Easter was very special. Having a day that is focused on the resurrection and atonement of Jesus Christ brings clarity to my life. I am able to look at my life and see if what I am doing, on a daily basis, is worthy of Christ and his sacrifice. It always brings me peace.


Easter is a time for joy! Singing is one way that I feel the spirit and that joy. It is also one of the best ways I have found to praise the  Lord when I can't find my own words.


Some of my sibs and I sang this is church. It is not the best quality, but it is still a very sweet song. With this song I would like you to make a list of your heroes. Everyone you have ever looked up to. See if Christ makes it on your list. I find myself forgetting the one person who always loves me no matter what, understands my pain and my joy. 

This song was shown to me by my best friends mom and I fell in love with it! In the latest General Conference Dallin H. Oaks said:


 "Prior to the rededication of one of our temples, a Christian minister asked President Gordon B. Hinckley why it did not contain any representation of the cross, the most common symbol of the Christian faith. President Hinckley replied that the symbols of our Christian faith are “the lives of our people.” Truly, our lives of service and sacrifice are the most appropriate expressions of our commitment to serve the Master and our fellowmen."

You can see from these two very different songs that it doesn't matter the quality of the song or the singers. Any song can touch your heart and be a testimony of Christ if you let it be. 

Sunday was also a special day because I finished the Book of Mormon. At the end of the Book of Mormon I found this scripture. Moroni 10: 32-33

"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot."

Remember Christ and bring him into your lives. Without him we are nothing. We owe him everything and can never show enough gratitude for it.

I know that Jesus is our Savior, that he atoned for our sins. He loves us and is waiting to take us in his arms. I know that he knows us personally. I cannot describe the happiness I feel when the spirit testifies to me that he was, is, and always will be.

"She needs to sort out her priorities" - RON WEASLY

I have missed the mark two weeks in a row. I had this grandiose plan. It was going to be cool. I was going to have a guest writer. Something I learned this week is that not everyone has the same priorities as I do and if they choose to play games that is there choice.

This last weekend was General Conference. It was amazing! I have plans to share my deeper thoughts (ha! I know didn't know I had those) about it later. For now I would like to share a random mixture of thoughts about priorities and some of the ones I have made.

I have made it a priority in my life to share my testimony of the gospel. I chose this blog as a way to share that with the world, even though few read this. Sometime I loose sight of my priorities and a slip up, but we all do that sometimes. It's one of the reasons I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have a firm testimony that the atonement has give us the chance to repent of ALL our sins and short comings. I know that one day I can be made perfect and live with him. That is if I can keep my priorities straight.

I find myself looking at others all the time and judging what they are doing. I always complain about how my siblings aren't doing all the right things at all the right time. As I said before, who are we to judge?

As President Uchtdorf just spoke this weekend "The moment we judge someone else we condemn ourselves, for no one is without sin." or something to that affect. :)

I chalenge you to look at your life and see who and what you are putting first.

Beams and Windows

Late...again. At first I was going to tell you all to blame my sister, but due to the fact that it's been three days since she didn't tell us to pack--making it so I had to rush pack during the time I would write this post-- I can no longer hold it against her. That time period has past by and now I have to take responsibility. Darn it. 

I did did start writing this Monday, but nothing was really coming to me. I sat down Tuesday couldn't think of anything. So here we are at Wednesday and I think I might have something. 

Last night my mom drug me to this thing called the "Lindy Fix". Pretty much a social dance, but for swing dance. At first I didn't really want to go, but after we got there I got to meet a lot of great people. Side note-- I love dancing with guys who are great leaders! Even if you're a beginner, if your partner can lead well then you can dance like a pro!

I love dancing! I am not the best. Ask my sisters about my flailing I do in the kitchen. It's probably not what you would call "dancing".  I know it, but I still do it. I do it because I love it.

There are so many things that I like doing that I am not particularly good at. I hate it ( I know. I always seem to say that) when people say something that makes me not want to do it anymore. Like when I sing and someone tells me I just changed keys or I am flat. It makes me not want to do it anymore. Well, for a minute at least and then I decide I don't care what they think or say. 

Is is crazy how quick we are to judge. I know it's to easy to judge the people who do bad things like drink and smoke, but it's not just that. We judge the people who dance funny, sing of key, draws stick figures, wears outdated clothes, sweats, are awkward.  At church dances when I'm sitting down  (A lot of people tell me that me that I am lame for sitting down at all. It may be true, but I see it as a senior right) I like watching people. I see it all. I see the kids (I'm 18. I can call them kids.) who are more awkward then most and just do their thing. Dancing in the middle of the room dancing like they don't care and then their are the ones not dancing looking at them pointing, talking. I confess I have been one of those people talking behind their hand. It's horrible. 

When I saw those kids making fun of the other kid I was thinking about how bad they were being. Then I realized that I had a beam in my eye.

Why do we do that? How can we sit around making fun of perfectly lovely people. I have found out that its because of our own insecurities. Our fear of our shortfalls. We don't like the feeling of being less so we pass it on to somebody else. I have found that after I judge someone I have to put my foot in my mouth after I truly meet them. Most of the people we judge are really nice people who just want friends. Even if people act in a wrong way, we don't know what they have gone through or their situation.

 "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the the Lord looketh on the heart." ~ 1 Samuel 16:7

I know that Heavenly Father loves everyone. I know it's hard not to judge. It is very much human nature to judge. We need to work on our own problems before we go criticizing others. When we're perfect that's when we can have a say so.
 

When will we except everyone as children of God? When will we look to everyone with love? Well, I certainly hope that day is near.

A Light Among the Nations

I have been thinking a lot lately about our standards as a church (if you don't know what I am talking about you can find it here in the "For the Strength of Youth).

Most if not all of you should know that the youth theme for this year is "Arise and Shine Forth". This is taken from the scripture from Doctrine and Covenants 115:5

"Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy 

light may be a standard for the nations."

Today we had a lesson on this scripture and so I thought it would be good to share some things that I heard today that confirmed my testimony on the subject.

This is how I break this scripture down:

ALL- This is to and about everyone!! Not just the few. You need to take the responsibility upon yourself and not leave it for others to do.

ARISE-This ain't happening over night. You have to stand up and get to it!

SHINE FORTH- Don't keep that special light inside you. You can show it through your actions. You don't have to do a big service project (not that it hurts to) to show your light, sometimes it just takes a smile.

STANDARD-Decide what your standards are. Are you going to choose the standards the lord has given you? If you don't than your light isn't going to shine very much. 

NATION- People will notice and you may not realize, but your a virus. I mean that in a good way. Well, I guess you could be a bad one two. The way we act will influence the people around us. If we're being the good kind of virus than we could spread out light everywhere just by infecting one person. 

You could not peg me as a Mormon girls who just does what she's told like a mindless puppet. I have hate it when people way that the youth in our church say that we are blind followers. I have questioned the standards and found my life is 109% when I am keeping them high. Questioning things is good when you do it in the right way. If it wasn't for Joseph Smith's questions we wouldn't have the gospel. We are taught to question and test the word of God. That's how we gain our testimonies. When we pray and study for the answers we want and we will get them. Sometimes not when we want it, when we need it.

We have standards to protect us and also to make us stronger. "For the Strength of Youth" has it's name for a reason. When we are keeping the standards we are protecting our spirit, but also our physical bodies. I hear so many of our standards being proved right by science. My young leader told us once that it was proven that if a guy sees a girls legs higher than the knee than they are more likely to think of things higher. Don't make me spell it out for you, because you should know where I am getting at. If that's not a reason to be modest I don't know what is. 

My advice for the day is to read the standards in the "For the Strength of Youth" and do a assessment of your life.  Find your weak areas and make a plan for how your going to change. I have done this exact thing and my life has been so much better. It was well worth getting rid of that one song, that one shirt, and that one word. Keep your standers high don't let the world rub off on you!

We need to be that light, that standard. If we are not willing, than who is?

Take the Advantage

One of the most  memorable Young Womens lesson from when I was a Beehive was when our leader put a simple but beautiful cake on a table that had a a clean white cloth on it in front of the class. She had the cake propped up on in a way that showed it off without tipping it. It was the last class before going home so of course that made it even more enticing. She then cut a small piece out of it and gave it to one of the older young women. Our leader had her describe the cake to everyone. We wanted that cake. She then proceeded to dump it in the trash and put dish soap on it the make sure we didn't try and sneak any (the trash bag was clean so it wouldn't have been that gross...). I am pretty sure this made on the girls start to cry. Cruel. But this is the point she wanted to get across-- This is what it would be like if we didn't go to the temple and receive the blessings that would come from doing so. This wasn't even one of those time where they have a back up cake... we were cakeless.
Point taken.

This week the youth in my ward have the opportunity to go the the temple to do baptisms for the dead. I am so thankful that  youth have the chance to go to the temple and do work there. Notice that I use words like "opportunity" and "chance". It's something that we have to choose. No one can make us be worthy to go to the temple. We have to choose to keep the standards, to keep the law of chastity, to follow the word of wisdom, to be honest with our fellow being, and to live according to the gospel. We choose.

Salt Lake City Temple

Heavenly Father has blessed with many things to help us get a head start-- TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM! The temple is one of the most important and sacred. Every time I go there my testimony is strengthened .

When I was younger I had this idea that the temple was just a place that you get married in. Boy, was I wrong. The temple is a place you make covenants that you can't anywhere else. It's where you receive your endowments and many other blessings that isn't otherwise available to us. I don't think we can fully comprehend the greatness of it until we go ourselves and maybe not even then.

I love hearing about the stories about temples. Like how angels were on the roof of the Kirtland temple at it's dedication. My dad was in the choir for the dedication of the temple in our area. He told us that while he was singing he knew he wasn't getting the notes right when behind him he heard someone singing with him. No one was there where the was coming from. He knew it was an angels singing with the choir. I know it. It's so amazing to me that something on this earth can be so holy that angels will come down and join in the thanksgiving of the wonderful blessing that the temple is. I truly know that it is the Lord's House.

That is why we need to be worthy to go and receive the blessings that our Heavenly Father is so ready to give us. If you're not, get your act together! Don't just throw it away.

Behind every hard thing is a blessing

Ack! I am so sorry guys! two whole days late!  I am dependent on a very unreliable satellite. Also, all computers seem to be against me right at the moment. Even though I did not meet my deadline, I think it was for the best. Don't you just love it when something bad happens and a day later you find out that it was a blessing in disguise? Well, I do. This is one of those times. While I was writing my blog for this week (before my internet failed me) I just wasn't feeling it. I knew what I was writing was good, but it didn't feel right. I had an epiphany this morning during seminary and then I knew what I should write.

One of my favorite story in the Old Testament is the one about Job. Job was a righteous man who had everything taken away from him. People, even his friends, started to say that he had done something evil and that he had sinned. The thing is that he never blamed or turned away from the Lord. It's a beautiful story. I recommend you read it.


I often ask my self why bad things happen to me, and complain that life just ain't fair sometimes. Then I have to hit myself over the head because 1)I really don't have it bad and it's selfish to be thinking about myself 2)Bad things happen all the time to everyone. Trials are just a part of life. A good friend wrote to me that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. Ahhh, truer words were never spoken. We have the great opportunity to grow and learn through our trials. I have many a time been able to strengthen my testimony of the gospel and of Jesus Christ because of the rough patches in life.


In Alma 30:44 Alma said, “All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator” 


Even the not so welcome stuff in life proves that there is a God. Some people don't see it that way and blame God for everything (Or just deny that there is a God or anything like it). Look at it this way-- we have been given free angency. If Heavenly Father stopped every bad thing then he would be taking away someone's free agency.

 
 When ever I find myself in a "pity me" mood I like to read this scripture--

Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-10

" My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.

 Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job."

During this time the early saints were going through many afflictions that we couldn't even imagine going through. I often wonder if I had lived back then with the testimony I have now, would it be strong enough? If what they were going through wasn't as bad as Job, think how easy we have it! The life here on earth is such a small moment in the eternal perspective. 


Having this knowledge has helped me get through some frustrating times and I know it can help you too. You just have to accept the love offered to you by Heavenly Father.


P.S. I am hoping that soon I will have access to a camera, so I can add pictures!

Be Beautiful

I do not mean that you should take a shower, curl your hair, put make up on, and dress up nor do I mean that there it something about you that you need to change. Quite the contrary (not saying that showers are not welcome). I want to remind you all that you are beloved children of our Heavenly Father. 


There are many definitions of a "beautiful girl", but let me share with you mine.


A beautiful girl is one who: is confident, holds her standards high, seeks to be an example through action, is not afraid of the world's judgment, knows her worth, and smiles.


Now that is not my complete thought, but I think it's enough for you to get the idea. 


Be confident in who you are. I am a little wacky. I make dolphin noises. Nuf' said. I was/am kinda shy. I never let new people know that side of me until I knew that they could deal with it. Now I let them see it at the get go. When you are confident you have this shield around you that makes all negative things bounce off of you. It's great!


One of the best ways to show your standards on the outside is to dress modestly. I am so strict on my modest clothing. I don't care if it's just a little itty bitty to short, I will not wear it. I have seen a lot of girls my age bend these rules ever so slightly and after awhile that little bit becomes a foot. The way I think of it is that until the prophet tells us that the standards have changed it is still very important that we are stay true. Don't even try to tell me that there isn't cute clothes that are modest because I know that you know better.


Okay, I am a girl. I like boys. I am no way boy crazy but I would like to think that there's a guy out there that's just meant for me. I have a fairy tale complex. I am at the age that it is almost embarrassing that I haven't dated more than the wee bit that I have. Let me tell you how much I'm not embarrassed. Because I know my worth I know that I don't have to settle for less. (Please note that there is a difference between knowing your worth and stuck up.) I know that there is many young men in my area who are worthy young men, but they have not crossed my path. I also would rather have more friends than boyfriends. This doesn't  just apply to boys, but to everything in life. Don't settle for less than you are worth and never let anyone tell you otherwise!


I am currently the oldest young women in my ward. Let me tall ya', I have not seen more beautiful girls than in our church. I have also met girls from outside the church that hold similar standards that let Christ's light shine through. They are all shining examples of what I want to be and I only hope that I am to them as they are for me. I know that when you are doing right than you are letting your light shine. Even when your not physically lifting the corners of your mouth people will be able to see your smile through your eyes. 


"There is no more beautiful sight than a young woman who glows with the light of the Spirit, who is confident and courageous because she is virtuous." -ELAINE S. DALTON

Also I would like to invite you to read this talk by Jeffery R. Holland from the 2011 October general conference- We Are All Enlisted. Even though it was for the priesthood, we young women can still learn from it!


P.S. Hopefully in the near future I will be able to arrange my thoughts in a more organized manner. Until then, please muddle through with me.

The support

Yesterday I received one of the best birthday presents ever! My best friend wanted to do something amazing for my 18th birthday, so she got people that I know to write me a note with advice for adulthood. She put the notes in a binder and it is something I am going to treasure for my whole life.

I could not have made it to where I am today without the love and support of these people. It is because of their strong testimonies that I have been able to have my grow. I have been able to learn through their examples how to live my life, to be the best person I can be and to live life to it's fullest. Even though some of the things are things that I shouldn't do, they have let me learn from their own experiences making it so I don't have to fall to know. I cannot stress enough how important it is to fill your lives with these kinds of people. They are the ones we keep you on track with their love and support. 

In the notes I received most of them counselled me to keep my testimony strong and to always remember my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that me greatest support is from my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. "You are never alone when you have faith in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father", I know that is so true. Whenever I feel like I have no one else to turn to I know that if I pray to feel his love that he will give it to me.

I often feel overwhelmed by the things bombarded at me at school. The temptations and pressure put on teenagers is unfair and unwelcome. It is so hard to keep to my standards at times. I want to stay worthy to be able to receive the blessings from Heavenly Father, but sometimes I wonder how long it will take me to break. Everything must at some point, right? Not exactly. I know it feels like it would be so much easier to succumb to worlds standards, but the farther we stray the more we will be placed in captivity. 

I have made some choices that I am ashamed of. Even though they might not be so bad to cause my eternal damnation I knew they were not with the standards the Lord has set for me. I could feel my personal freedom slipping away as I made those bad choices and let peer pressure get to me. Because of the examples of the people a surrounded myself with I knew that I could turn to Heavenly Father for forgiveness and peace. 

I have been blessed with the support of my friends, Young Womens leaders, bishop, and family. I know that that the Lord has put these people in my life so that they could strengthen me. 

Helaman 5:12

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer,

 who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; 

that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, 

yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, 

it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo,

 because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, 

a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

P.S. I am new to this blogging thing, so if anyone has tips or questions please leave a comment!

INTRODUCTION

Hello! My name is Kimmi and this is my blog. I am starting this blog for my Personal Progress Faith project. If you don't know what that is let me explain. 


I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Young Women's group is for girls from ages 12-18. We have a program called Personal Progress. For Personal Progress we study and learn about eight different values:   

Faith

Divine Nature 

Individual Worth

    Knowledge

Choice and Accountability 

Good Works

Integrity

and Virtue

 For each value we complete six different experiences. After we complete those experiences for each value, we do a ten hour project. This is very much like the Scout program for guys. 


The reason I'm starting this blog is to finish my Faith project. I must admit that this project has caused me some woe. I have been tossing around ideas for this project for about a year now. But now I have found something that will stick. At first I was reluctant to take on the big task of keeping up with a blog --and it seems like everyone and their sister has one-- but upon reading this month's New Era (Our church magazine for youth) I decided it was a good choice. The theme  was how to use technology wisely. One of the ways is sharing your testimony and the truths about the church. The thing about the internet is that you can put anything out there. It doesn't have to be true or right, it can be ANYTHING. Much of that "anything" is negative. There is so much gossip out there that has no proof to back it up. Even if it's something that is true we shouldn't be degrading people for enjoyment. This is my way of showing the positive aspects of life. Showing that there it light at the end of the tunnel (Yay for cliches!). 


Another purpose is that I want to share how I am able to live in a crazy world, yet still keep my standards high. I know what it's like to be a young woman in the world. I have not been sheltered from all the horrific things. I know the challenges, fears, and temptations that girls my age face. I am not saying that I have been through it all or even that I can imagine what some girls go through. I just want you to know that I am normal. I have lived a somewhat normal life. I don't walk around thinking that everything is all daisies and butterflies. I know what's out there. 


I would like you to read my posts with an opened mind and heart, and please do not judge my lack of writing skills.