Flashback!

Today's post is a flash back to almost one year ago. I was on a date with one of my best friends in the whole world. David took me horseback riding and we went up the canyon. It was FREEZING. I remember the peaceful moments that were there on the mountain side. I loved being in nature and having solitude. I was able to really enjoy God's creations around me.

How much time do we take to slow down and enjoy nature? How much time do we really spend in God's creations. I invite each of you reading this, to stop for a minute at least and just enjoy nature with no distractions, and thank God for all that you see.

Rain

"How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?" -Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Grateful in Any Circumstances

Yesterday we had a fabulous day in the rain. As we traveled and tried to figure out what the Lord wanted us to do, we kept running into all these crazy mis-haps that we had to fix in the rain! Not going to lie, we were really excited to dance in the rain at the beginning, but being forced to do certain things in the rain takes away from the excitement.

It wasn't until later that night, when Sister Jacobson and I realized that the rain and all the trials we went through were part of God's plan so that we could end up right where we needed to be by the end of the night.

We were grumpy during the day, but as we realized that we missed the good things happening through the day because of our attitude, so we changed it immediately. We should have thanked God continually for the rain we were receiving, not just afterwards looking back.

It is hard to think in the moment of the good things, but they are always there. I know that as each of us strive to look for the good things in life during the hard times, that we will be able to see God's hand in our lives. God never abandons us. He will never leave us alone. He loves each one of us.

Testimony

Last night during a lesson I had an epiphany, (sudden realization of great truth) and I realized how much I love the Gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We were watching the Restoration video, (here is a link: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2008-06-01-the-restoration?lang=eng) and afterwards we were talking about how Joseph Smith went through all that he did so that we could have the blessings of the Gospel today. He laid down his life because of his testimony and faith. It really made me think would I die for this church?

I can absolutely say without a shadow of doubt, that I would die for this church. If someone made me chose between my life and this gospel, I would choose the gospel. I know that this church is true. I  know that God loves us, and it might be hard, and we will have challenges, but I know that we can have eternal life. We can have that eternal happiness!

I know that Joseph Smith was called of God. I know that he translated the Book of Mormon. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet today. I know that Jesus Christ suffered for all of our sins and our pains and afflictions. I know that we can each be forgiven for all of our sins. I know that we can be with our families for all eternity. I know that God hears and answers each one of our prayers. I know that he loves us.

I would easily lay down my mortal life for God. I would give up anything to have the knowledge that I have. That is why I am here on a mission right now. I love this gospel so much and I want to share it with all of my brothers and sisters so that we can all have eternal happiness together.

Below is a picture a dear friend of mine, Michelle Belnap, took and edited. She has permission from the artist to use his painting of Christ. The quote is very true of me. I belong to the Lord. I would lay down my life for Him and His gospel.

September 20th. Priesthood Power is REAL!!!!!

Last night was such a special night for me and so many others around me. I woke up in the morning and had my contacts in and washed my face and my contact went behind my eye. I tried everything that I could to get it out and it just wasn't working. I finally went to Urgent Care and they said that I had to go to the Emergency Room because they have the tools needed. it was about 5:30 when this happened and Josh Zimlinghaus was getting baptized at 7! So We decided we would go to the E.R. afterwards and I would just deal with the pain.

We got to the church and about 30 minutes before the Baptism started I asked the Elders, (boy missionaries), if they would give me a priesthood blessing. (The priesthood is the authority of God, and so by getting a blessing with the priesthood, It is basically a blessing from God. See: https://www.lds.org/topics/priesthood-blessing?lang=eng ) It was absolutely from God and I know for a fact that the priesthood power is real. In my blessing it was said that through the baptism I wouldn't feel the pain, and when I went to the E.R. later that they would be able to get it out of my eye. As soon as I walked out of the room, the swelling and redness in my eye went away. For the whole Baptism I didn't feel any pain in my eye. I was able to focus on the incredible things that unfolded.

Below is a picture of Josh and his dear sweet family.

Josh and his family are going to be an eternal family one day. They will be able to live in the presence of God and Jesus Christ and will be together with their oldest deceased son Jonah. That is the power and truthfulness of the Gospel. We can be together forever. We can be with those we love. I know it is possible through the priesthood of God.

My dad was going in for a very big surgery about 5 months ago. I wasn't sure if he was going to live, but I knew that no matter what happened, God gave us a plan of happiness so that we are able to live with our families for eternity. I knew that even if I didn't see him again in this life, I will get to in the next life. I have the promise because of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know that I have this promise because of the priesthood of God.

After the Baptism, I followed the counsel of my blessing and I went to the emergency room. I went right back to the room and my darling companion gave me chips and Mt. Dew while we waited. (She didn't know this, but I was wanting a Mt. Dew all day. Sometimes you just get those cravings for your favorite soda you know?) Anyways, the doctor came back and put a Morgan Lens in my eye. It is basically a super hard plastic contact and it has an IV connected and it puts saline in my eye for about 15 minutes. It did flood out the contact eventually! :) (I love the technology God gave us.) The pictures below are of me before and during this painful event.

Because of the priesthood power of God, we are able to be baptized. We are able to be sealed to our families for eternity and we are able to be healed and comforted. I saw the priesthood work miracles in my life and the lives of those around me last night, and many other times in my life. It is truly incredible how true this Gospel is. I know without a doubt that this is the True church of Christ. I know that priesthood power is real.

Jesus

Jesus Christ in one of my very favorite people ever. He has done so much for each of us. I know that he loves each one of us so much that he gave his life for us! He suffered everything that He did so that we can have eternal life and be with Him, God and our families for eternity! Jesus Christ suffered not only for our sins, but for all the pains and afflictions we have; for all of our weaknesses He has been through it all. If no one else is there for us, Christ is. I know that He lives and love each one of us. I know that through Him and His gospel we have the ability to return to God. We will never be alone. We never need to fear with Him on our side. With Him, All things are possible.

Above is a picture of his hands. Even when he was going through all that he was, his hands were still ready to receive more. He will never leave us. He will never close his arms that encircle us. We all will make mistakes, but because He did all that He did, we are able to be forgiven and try again.

Tender Mercies

In 1 Nephi 1:20, the last part of that verse says, "But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom He hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance."

I love that verse. God will make us mighty and one of the ways that we will gain that might, is by being able to see the tender mercies he gives us. I have seen in my life the tender mercies surrounding me. When I think of them I truly gain a sense of belonging and love from God. When I feel that divine love and guidance it gives me power to overcome the adversary.

Below is a Mormon Message on Tender Mercies

Here is a talk by Elder Bednar about tender mercies: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/the-tender-mercies-of-the-lord?lang=eng