The purpose of me writing this blog is to put my thoughts and impressions down in a place so I can help others come closer to Christ. My deepest desire for every person who reads this, is that they will have a desire of their own to take a step closer, no matter how big or small, to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I love smiling and laughing. I love being happy! Who doesn't? It is such a blessing that we have the ability to feel joy! Below is a video of a talk that Thomas S. Monson gave about finding joy in the journey!
We all have struggles and challenges that may weigh on out hearts and bring us down. But as much pain and sorrow we may feel, we are able to see the equal amount of joy. We know happiness and joy because we know sorrow. Because of the Fall of Adam and Eve, we feel pain. BUT we also get to feel joy! It can be hard to look on the bright side of life, but it is so so worth it! Find different things that will help you turn your frown upside down! For me telling jokes, making faces, dancing all foolish, singing songs, reading scriptures and praying can change my mood instantly from sad to happy!
One of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon is in Alma chapter 26. The Lamanites were bad people and were doing awful things. Alma and his brethren really wanted to do something about it. So instead of going up to war against the Lamanites, they went to teach them about Jesus Christ and call them to repentance. They were at the point of utter despair and were about to turn back, but the Lord said to them in verse 27, "Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success." When they relied on God and were patience with all their trials, they were blessed and were able to bring the souls to Jesus Christ. They were able to feel that amazing feeling of seeing someone embrace the goodness and mercy of Jesus. How much joy must they have felt?! They struggled and were killed, but as they put their trust in God, they were able to see miracles and have that ultimate joy! As they were faithful they were able to see joy! It reminds of a quote by Henry B. Eyring:
When we are faithful we are GUARANTEED joy! Maybe we won't see ultimate joy in this life if we are perfectly faithful, but I KNOW without a doubt that we will get to have forever in our eternal lives.
I just want to say that I love finding the joy in life. I love smiling and laughing. If you can find the humor in something LAUGH! Try your hardest to be happy. Smiles are contagious and will make others happy too! That is a big service to others. I love the song don't worry be happy. Remember that if you do your best, Jesus gon' work it out.
Make a face and smile!
Be a dork with your mom with food!
If you are stuck in the hospital, SMILE! It won't last for eternity!
My Daddy is my hero. He is the best example to me of what a true man is. He has loved and supported me through everything. I have put him through hell and back and he has never once abandoned me. He loves and supports my brothers. He loves my mommy and treats her like a queen. He has taught me how to communicate with love and respect. I could go on and on with everything that he has taught me, but I just want to share a few of my favorite memories of my dad and a few lessons I have learned.
My daddy is one of the smartest people I have ever met. I remember how much it used to drive me crazy because I would come home with a knew piece of knowledge and share it with him, but he already knew it! I am still amazed at just how much he knows. He always has a desire to learn more. (What a nerd!)
My dad has a unique sense of humor. I love messing with him when ever I can! I loved being able to paint his nails as a kid while he was asleep. There was this one time when my mom and I did it and he went to the gym to go swimming for exercise and forgot that his toe nails were painted! He came home and told us about that awkward experience for him. Oh how funny it was! He loves to tease me too. I love that he taught me how to have a sense of humor in life, because it makes it so much more enjoyable!
My papa has shown me how to work hard. I have always admired what a hard worker he is. Before I was born my papa started his own business and worked hard that now he has a thriving business with many employees and a lot of success. Even through all of his success, he has stayed humble. He doesn't boast of his own success, but rather has charity for all those around him. One time my dad and I went to my nana's home and were helping her fix her swamp cooler. I was on the roof with him and he had me stay up there and help him the whole time. I was hot and bored but he taught me that we needed to get the job done and do it good. So we worked hard and afterwards my nana asked us to help her with her garden, so my dad said yes of course! So we did her garden for her. After many hours in the heat we finally left and on the drive home, my dad said to me, "Don't you feel good now?" My reward for working hard was the amazing feeling I felt afterwards. I love to feel that now, so I work hard now because I know it is worth it.
This is a picture of my Dad working hard to restore Granddaddy's gun:
A favorite memory I have of my dad is when we were both sick and we were laying in his bed and he watched what ever movie I wanted to watch. Well this is when Twilight came out and I was in love with it. So my dear sweet dad, bless his heart, watched all the movies with me. He hated every last second of it, but he was willing to watch it for me. My dad has always been willing to do anything for his family. I have always cherished the time that my dad was willing to spend with me one on one. Family is one of the most important things to me.
I love my dad and everything that he has done for me. I am so grateful for the dad I have in this life. He is the best example of a true man and father that I could ever ask for.
Below is a video that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints came out with about our earthly father and our Heavenly Father. I love my Father in heaven and I love my earthly father.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY Y'ALL
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Below is one of my favorite pictures of Jesus Christ. It is done by Greg Olsen.
I love this picture because it truly shows that Christ is so compassionate about everything that surrounds him. I like to think of myself as one of the little birdies on the branch. Jesus is reaching out to me with such love and gentleness. He is not scary and we shouldn't be scared of him. He is loving and kind and wants us to rely on him for everything.
I love the caption at the bottom of the picture. None are forgotten by God. Sometimes we can feel as though God abandoned us. HE NEVER HAS AND NEVER WILL. I know this for a fact. Through everything I have been through God has always been there. I may not have seen it in the moment, but when I look back I can see that he was there and supported me 100% through it all.
Just like your parents love you, God is our Heavenly parent and loves us. Just like you love your brother, Jesus Christ loves us. Now we aren't perfect and neither is our love, but Jesus's love is perfect. So imagine how much love he must have for us, His brothers and sisters. He is perfect. He knows everything we have gone through and is there for us. How incredible of a promise that is!
I love Jesus Christ and I know that he loves me too. I know that he loves everyone of us. He is the greatest example there has ever been. Because of Him, we can return to live with God again. We can be forgiven of all our sins. We learn how to live better lives. Through Jesus Christ we obtain ultimate happiness.
If you don't know if God is there for you, then pray right now and sincerely ask! He will answer you.
