His Sacred Name - An Easter Declaration

Well I know it's not Easter yet. But it is close.

And in T minus 1 week when it really is Easter I will be driving 8 hours to Seattle from Bosie.

But this is what I will be contemplating during that time.

Happy Early Easter!

GC-Day Two

I love General Conference.

The Sunday Session was incredible.

I love that the church is concerned about the temporal welfare of man. The welfare program that is now in its 75th year of existence had to have been inspired because it is amazing how it is run. It has helped so many people in a variety of ways. I am amazed by what it has accomplished thus far.

I am thankful for temples. I am thankful that inside the temple family relationships can be made eternal.

I am thankful I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I am thankful that conference talks are written through personal revelation. And when we listen by the spirit some words can be especially for us, in answer to our prayers.

I am thankful for Elder Richard G. Scotts talk. He loves his wife. He is a perfect example of pure love, righteous love, true love.

I love General Conference.

GC-Day One

I love General Conference.

So much.

Some of my favorite things about GC include...

*Sister Stevens talk about little children. How they are the first to love. The first to forgive. And how we can learn so much from their example. Also I love that Todd and Katie were two little examples in her talk because Todd and Katie were both here :)

*I love the idea of a Day of Service that President Eyring was talking about.

*I love Elder Cooks talk about women. Motherhood- Economic Compensation=No Eternal Significance= Absolutely. I will forever be thankful to my mother for her sacrifice to be home with us especially when we were young.

*I loved that President Samuelson got to speak because he is the BYU president so it was pretty neat. His voice is also the greatest thing ever.

*I also thought it was very interesting that President Packer said that when we refer to the church we should refer to it as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

*I love that there will be three new temples.

* I love that there are 14 million members-and this is only the beginning.

*I love general conference.

*I love that we still have two more sessions to go.

One more thing. I love the two hour break in between sessions. Today we played an intense game of volleyball out in the sunshine. I love spring.

Spring Break 2010.

Maddie Bo. A perfect picture.

Come What May & Love It

The way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life.

I have learned that life takes you places you never think you will go.

In whatever happens, learning to love what comes is key.

What Matters Most

Happy Sunday Afternoon.

This is probably my favorite mormon message of all time.

I love it so much. Probably because I get so caught up in life so easily. There are always a million things I could do, should do, want to do, ect. Finding a balance can be so hard. And learning what matters most can also prove difficult. I feel like these college years of my life are a particularly selfish time. I am in college, in my own classes, figuring out what I want to major in. I love my friends but in the end what I do is a lot about me. It has been a transition point where I am taking charge of my own life. It is a starting point of a new direction, figuring out what I want for the rest of my life. I feel selfish at college sometimes, because in the end I have to figure out what is best for me. With that background this mormon message has taught me a lot about not getting caught up in myself. Each time I watch it I realize that this time in my life is not what I had previously considered it to be. I did not make this journey to this point in my life alone. Countless people have helped me to reach where I am today. Countless people help me everyday to continue to pursue a path that I want make this journey on. What I do is a result of their love, because they have learned what matters most. They have learned service, they have learned love, and they have been able to show that to me.

Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.

I believe that. I love that idea. And this day and everyday I am trying to learn to incorporate that lesson into my life.

A Sunday Thought Directly From My Heart

Here is a little Sunday thought for you.

It comes in the form of a story of a occurrence that happened last night.

We have been planning a hike to the hot springs for about a week now. Up until yesterday we were going to leave here around four. Yesterday we decided to leave around 6:30p.m. Only one person had experienced this hike before so we didn't really know what we were getting ourselves into. We got onto the trail around 7:00p.m. After about 20 or 25 minutes we made it to the half way point. It was kind of strange that we were only half way there I thought. But we all kept going. Another 20 minutes had passed and we started to hear crickets. A sure sign of darkness. But we continues on. 5 or 10 minutes later we finally made it to our destination. We wanted to get out and play around in the water but we were all (especially Ash and I) a little apprehensive about the darkness. We thought we would have some time. So we explored and enjoyed for about 15 minutes. Then I started to get nervous. The darkness was setting in fast. We said we should leave so everyone began to get ready. Slowly. Slowly but surely I guess. Ash and I were very anxious by this point and began the trek home. Within 10 minutes darkness had fallen upon us. With only one flashlight to the 7 people that surrounded it we were far from prepared. I lead the way out. There were points under the trees that were completely pitch dark. The trail curved along a short but steep ledge. It was also a rocky path full of ups and downs. How we made it off that trail safe and sound 40 minutes later is nothing but a miracle to me. I was sending up many prayers during our stupid excursion. And I know that we were blessed.

I never want to hike in the dark again. But I know there is safety and protection through Heavenly Hands when we come upon unplanned and unsafe situations. I am thankful for that knowledge and truth.

A Sunday Thought Directly From the Doctrine and Covenants.

"Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

Doctrine and Covenants 123:17

On this Sunday afternoon while reading through a churchy book I came across this scripture.

I am nervous to start college up again. I am nervous about teachers and classes. I am nervous about new roommates, new wards, new bishops, new friends. I feel much more calm than last year, but this year will be a completely new experience. New means that I don't know what will happen or what challenges and joys and I will encounter. To me that is a little scary.

So this Sunday thought was a perfect for me. It brought me peace. It gave me knowledge. I know I can only do those things that lie in my power. And if I do them, I also know that when my power in not sufficient, I will not be left alone.

Ten Things I've Learned Freshman Year #2

The Church Is True

It's as simple as that.

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

And it is true.

That is a knowledge I treasure.