Continue In Patience

A few thoughts thrown into blog form:

This morning I read through one of my favorite talks given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Here's a highlight and a thought from it.

Patience is more than just waiting.

"Patience requires actively working toward worthwhile goals and not getting discouraged when results don't appear instantly or without effort."

Isn't it interesting that we call servers at restaurants waiters? I think it's kind of funny how the word "wait" has two meanings. One is kind of lazy, just delaying action until a desired thing happens and the other is selflessly helping others.

We can wait for the Lord or we can wait on him

Yeah, ok, silly picture right? I was a server for a summer and if there was a picture of me I would have used it. But most of those days I was sweaty and greasy from running around like crazy. We'll just pretend I looked like Barbie while I worked.

Where Do You Find Your JOY?

Happiness is:

A bottle of Mexican Coca Cola!

A snack size jar of Nutella!

Umm...probably not the best mottos in the world. Those things sure make us happy but its an instant gratification, something that we can only enjoy in the very moment we are tasting the sugar rush!

For the past 4 months I've cut out almost all of the things that I thought made me happy so that I can have a full force dedication to missionary work. That means no movies, dating, quilting, crafting, countless hours on the internet, late nights or phone calls home to my mommy at the end of the day. I was worried that I would just find myself curled up in a ball at the end of each day crying about how miserable life was. I'm here to tell you that my fears were not a premonition of what was to come. In fact I'm more happy now than I have been in the past year of my life, maybe the happiest I've been in my ENTIRE life!

Seems pretty ridiculous that cutting out things that brought me joy lead me to so much happiness now. That's because I haven't told you what I replaced those things with! I spend 2 hours every morning studying the scriptures, one hour by myself and one hour with my companion Sister Joy Valentine. I then spend the entire rest of the day (minus 2 hours for lunch and dinner) teaching people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

So yes, there is a little bit of irony that this post talks about Joy and that is the name of my current companion but she's a constant reminder to me of real delight in living each day! My happiness that I thrive on comes from living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and following God's commandments!

Sunshine Sunday

Things that made me happy today:

*Braids*

No, this isn't me. But it sure is wonderful to braid my hair like this the night before so I don't have to worry about doing my hair when we run out the door to church at 8am!

*Men's MoTab CD*

Oooh their cover of Billy Joel's Lullaby is my new favorite song. We were listening to it as we drove home last night and I was just looking out the window at the beautiful moon and enjoying the perfect moment.

*2 Nephi 31:20*

I gave a short talk today during Sacrament meeting based off of this verse. Then when I went to class with the young women and we read it again! Must have been inspired ;)

*Wearing my Anthropologie dress*

No picture. But oh have happy a pretty dress can make you feel!

*Little girls laughs*

*

Cara and Autumn were just laughing up a storm today and oh how a girly giggle is just the sweetest sound ever!

*Talking about Eternal Families in Sunday school*

*

Someday I will be married for eternity in a Temple of the Lord. Talking about the blessing of an eternal marriage in Gospel Principles class today got me so excited for when that time will come for me!



Stretch!

I put post-it notes everywhere! When Sister Warwood and I go to visit someone and they aren't home we always leave a sticky on the door with a little message. We also love inviting people to read passages of scripture and we'll write them on sticky notes. This website Things We Forget always gives me a little inspiration and its like an internet sticky!

*

I like this one because we have been talking about enduring to the end a lot in our companionship study. I set big goals and have my sights set on big things because I know some day I can make it! My super big ulitmate whole reason for living goal is to return to live with God some day!

Everyone can have that goal and everyone has the potential to make it! Leave me a comment with your address and I'll send you a real sticky note reminder of your divine worth!

I love y'all!

Peace, Be Still

What does the word busy mean?

I could be a nerd and post some dictionary definition, but I would rather have you think about what makes you busy in life. What do you do all day? Work, take the kids to school/dance/ball games, make dinner, go to meetings, clean the house, doctor's appointments, grocery shop...the list goes on and on, and is pretty much the same for everyone right?

"I'm too busy" is an excuse I hear so often. Well stop, lets think about this. We each have control over our schedules right? I think that being too busy is a cop-out for not having a prioritized day.

Would you want to face the Savior at Judgment day and say "Sorry Jesus, I was just too busy to make time for you"

*

I plan on not letting that be my story.

Making life changes is so hard. We're a habit loving people! I think the most effective way to make changes is to set a goal. And make it a big one. Then break down what you're going to have to do each day to get yourself to that goal. A marathon runner doesn't succeed by running 26 miles every day but by setting goals for a run each day and building upon those miles.

I'm going to cut the word busy out of my vocabulary.  I am going to list the things that are most important in my week and plan out specific times to do those things, like reading my scriptures every morning and visit with people that I am teaching every day. Then I can fill in my time with the less urgent things like visiting with active members of the Church. If you want to do something you can make the time to do it.

I urge anyone who reads this to evaluate how you use your time in a day. Are you devoting time to doing the things the Lord requires? How about a scripture for some motivation?

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.

Moroni 10:32

I will offer up an idea, a suggestion on how to begin this process today. Our days are hectic. Drink a glass of water. Ah! Refreshing! Now sit back and go to this website and listen to "Master The Tempest is Raging."

*

I love this song so much and how it takes a story from the Bible and makes it so applicable to us today. I often feel overcome in by waves of trial and it is turning to Christ that I know I can accomplish my goals in spite of everything else that is pressing. Enjoy the calm spirit that comes from the uplifting song, then get up and go!

Loving Prayer

I am so excited about the response that I have gotten about this blog so far! In a few lessons that my companion Sister Warwood and I taught I stopped and thought to myself, "wait, didn't I just write about this topic on my blog?" It's awesome to see how the preparation I do in my own study is exactly what I need to share with people later in the day.

Sister Nestman asked me a great question about my post on prayer.
"What do you think was the key turning point for having your prayers go from a duty to a loving conversation?"

*

My understanding of God's commandments changed when I realized that perfect obedience isn't just about doing what I'm told, its the attitude that matters as well. Growing up I was always a "why" questioner. I didn't do things until I knew how it would benefit me or what the importance was. I'm sure I drove my parents crazy. The good thing is that I usually did what I was asked. It's after doing things that are asked of us that we recognize the importance. Like showering.

Um yes. I was a disgusting child and I hated taking showers. I'm pretty sure my parents would take us to the beach because that was the only time I felt gross enough to want a shower. But as I grew up and realized the wonderful blessing of cleanliness in my life (ie., people would actually talk to me because I wasn't stinky and dirty) that I enjoyed getting clean and ready in the morning.

Following God's commandments works pretty much the same way. When I told myself as a 13 year old that I was going to pray before I went to bed each night it was because I knew I was supposed to. It was the way I knew I could start good habits. I don't remember the first time I received and answer to a prayer, but I do know that when I really poured my heart out to God and entrusted the deepest feelings of my heart to Him that I felt His presence in my life. I knew I wasn't alone.
That recognition that I was praying to get to know the feeling of the Holy Ghost and to let the Lord know that I wanted His help is what led me to love and cherish the time that I spend to pray.

Has anyone else had experiences with prayer that they would like to share?

If you want to find out more about prayer, check out this website!

Pray Often

In the past 4 weeks I have learned the immeasurable importance of prayer.

*

I have always understood that prayer is a connection between myself and God but I think as I've used it in the past it has been out of duty rather than love. In 8th grade I started a habit of praying before I went to bed each night and I wouldn't let my tired body fall into bed until I had at least said a tiny prayer of thanks for the day. I formed a habit of always kneeling at night to pray, but I don't think I was really communicating with the Lord.

As a missionary we are given guidelines for our day and before every meeting or planning session and in every lesson we pray. Prayer establishes a connection between us and God. It is how we build our relationship with Him.  How can we expect to know someone if we don't take the time to talk with them?

My relationship with my Heavenly Father has been strengthened as I come to realize just how much I need the Lord's guidance in my life each day. The words "pray often" no longer mean each night and morning and before most meals. Every time I think "hmmm... maybe I should pray about this" I do. I know that as I continue to heed to those sweet promptings that the Lord will trust me and I will come closer to Him.