Woman

A Woman: An adult human female,

a female worker or employee,

a wife, girlfriend, or lover. –definition from Google.

A Woman: An adult female person,

a daughter, of God. –definition from LDS scriptures.

Which definition do you prefer?

While reading the New Testament,

I was once again surprised at how Christ refers to his mother,

“Woman, behold thy son!” –John 19:26

If I referred to my mom like that…

Well we wont share what would happen.

Is Christ disrespectful towards women?

The answer is an ecstatic NO!

Christ defended women.

Whether it was his mom or a woman living in adultery,

He referred to them as Woman,

and this is because He saw them as they really are,

daughters of God.

In today’s world being called a woman is offensive,

Because it’s sexist,

Disrespectful,

And rude!

When did this change happen?

Christ knew what the word mean to him,

And we all need to follow His example.

A Woman is not only a lover, coworker, or employee,

but a daughter of God.

Never forget your identity or the identity of the women around you.

Don’t let the world change it into something to be ashamed of.

Woman: a daughter of God.

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Why is God not blessing me when I'm doing what's right?

Joseph and Mary’s story in the New Testament is one of trust and love.

and most importantly it’s about their complete devotion to their Heavenly Father.

Joseph was betrothed to Mary when Mary conceived.

Joseph knew it wasn’t his baby, then who’s?

His wife claimed that it was Heavenly Father’s son,

and that he would be God’s only Begotten Son.

If it wasn’t for Joseph’s spiritual sensitivity,

and devotion to God,

do you think he would have trusted this “excuse.”

Because of the whisperings of the Holy Spirit,

he could trust in his Heavenly Father.

As much of a blessing as it was to Mary to have Joseph on her side,

everyone else didn’t react the same.

The night of Jesus’s birth, Mary found there was no room in the inn.

Sitting through my New Testament class,

I learned something that brought on much more of a meaning to that statement.

The translation for inn came from the Hebrew word Katalyma.

That word is used multiple other times for simply a guest chamber.

We’re talking about an upstairs room in a house.

It wasn’t a hotel that wouldn’t take them, it was their kin and friends.

Mary was despised because of her situation.

Despised by everyone except Joseph.

Mary’s story is a great example of the fact that those who stand with God,

don’t always have everything in this world.

“Mary… a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel.” -Alma 7:10

Even though she was a precious and chosen vessel,

and was chosen to be the mother of the Son of God,

she still didn’t have everything in the world one could wish for.

She didn’t even have a room to give birth in.

We tend to feel forgotten or forsaken by God when things don’t go well.

I would invite you to think to Mary’s example

and realize even the people God describes as a “precious and chosen vessel”

still don’t have the riches of the world.

God knows how we can return to Him,

He knows the best people we can be.

We need to trust Him.

As we go through the trials and tribulations,

it’s important to remember to do as Mary did,

and not forget these events.

But rather,

“[Keep] all these things, and [ponder] them in [your] heart.” –Luke 2:19

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Your Mission, If You Choose to Accept it...

Your mission, if you chose to accept it…

What would your mission be?

My first reaction, taking down a secret organization

that’s about to release a nuclear bomb.

How cool of a party story would that be?

On a more serious note,

We each do have a mission.

Luckily after reading our mission,

the message didn’t burst into flames.

We can study and read our mission all we want:

In the Holy Bible and additional scripture we have received.

Do you know your mission?

Do you know that we already chose to “accept” our mission,

before we even came to earth?

We are to become like Heavenly Father,

and return to him

with as many of our brothers and sisters as we can.

We were in Heaven with our Father

and we saw what an evil world it was.

Yet we still chose to come.

We still accepted our mission.

Heavenly Father does not leave us alone,

take the example of Moses talking to God.

 Put yourself in his shoes.

As God was speaking to Moses he said the following,

“I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name…

And, behold, thou art my son.” –Moses 1:3-4

We are His son.

What do son’s do?

They try to become the best parts of their father.

That is exactly what we are doing, becoming like Him.

All commandments and guidance form the spirit leads towards that simple goal,

becoming like Him.

However it doesn’t end there,

as we do become like him,

we will have a natural inclination to bring our brothers and sisters,

with us.

Look into your own life and begin changing,

then look around and love others,

because that is what He would do.

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The End.

Well, the time has come...

my mission is coming to an end.

It's not something that's horrible really,

just a big change.

Don't get me wrong,

I am going to miss New York a LOT!

I mean I even bought this shirt

just because I am going to miss it so much!

I don't know what I'd do without these two years.

I don't know what I would do without meeting

all of the incredible people that I met!

They have taught me lessons that will bless me

for the rest of my life!

This isn't my quote but I love it, 

"Your call is less about geography and more about the relationships."

-Elder Hamula

It's SO TRUE.

Think about the millions of lessons you have learned 

from those around you.

And if you haven't learned millions of them

then you better start getting to know more people!

I know God will always give us what we need 

to be happy in this life when we follow Him.

I know because I chose to give him these last two years

He has made me happier than I have ever been.

Ever. 

If you are one of the many that made my mission what it is,

THANK YOU!

While I may not be able to keep in touch with all of you in this life,

we'll definitely talk in the afterlife. 

So until then, God Speed!

May you see His hand in your life every day

and make those choices so you can come to know Him,

and His son, your Savior, 

more and more each day.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

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The Universal Valentine

Whether I like it or not my mission is coming to a close.

With just about three and a half weeks left

I've been thinking a lot back on my mission

and am coming to realize what truly has mattered to me.

The People.

From a green meal on my first Monday at the Owen's,

to attending the open house for the now Elder Steven Cordon,

to sharing meals with friends,

to training Elder Van Wagenen.

It has always been the people that have made it so special.

I know that my mission call was less about the geography

and more about the relationships.

It's the moments I spent one-on-one

with those who were in desperate need of Christ's grace.

It's the moments that I saw Christ's grace

work miracles in others lives.

It was the moments when I didn't know if I could continue on

and then His love and mercy were manifest through

an inspired person who knew Him as their savior. 

It's those moments that brought me to know

that Christ is truly our savior.

It was the moment when a man turned his life around

and found himself worthy to be sealed to his now wife.

It was the moment when a man bound by addiction

broke free and thanked his Savior for the power to do so.

When we realize how much we need Him

He shows us how much He loves us.

Whether you have a valentine or not

you know someone loves you.

You have the best valentine anyone could ask for.

Look for it in those you love.

Look for it in those who will reach out to you today.

and most importantly,

Show it to those who may have forgotten this perfect valentine:

that is given to all of us,

personally.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

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A Warm Shower or Freezing Rain?

January and raining, never thought it would happen in New York!

It wasn't quite as wonderful as I thought it would be.

The temperature just above freezing it was raining

and cold. 

We spent the morning hauling logs outside 

and my companion quickly found out his jacket wasn't waterproof. 

The warm shower was more welcoming than ever before.

Sitting on the couch I was sad to say that neither of us

were very excited to get out in the rain again and knock on doors.

However knowing that we were on the Lord's time

we put our jackets on and headed out. 

Trying to look through the darkness and rain

we couldn't find the address we were looking for. 

A little discouraged and wanting to just talk to someone

I pulled the car over and parked in front of the nearest house.

We knocked on the door and lo and behold,

the man answering the door takes a Book of Mormon

and agrees to have us return to talk about it.

You know how grateful we were?

We got back in the car and started cheering and fist pumping!

Then of course we took the reverent moment

to give a prayer of thanks to Him who led us there.

Are you in that freezing rain?

It gets pretty cold.

Or are you singing and taking your time

in the warm steamy shower?

If we spend life in our comfort zone,

and not putting ourselves out there to help others

and to challenge ourselves,

we could very well turn into raisins under the warm water.

When you step out into that freezing rain

That miracle will come.

And as President Uchtdorf says,

"It will be glorious."

Think of a way you stay inside the warm shower

and make a change today to get out in that freezing rain!

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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My Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

This is my second Christmas away from home!

It's easier than the first,

but I definitely still miss my family.

As I'm thinking about you and your travels later this month,

I can't help but not want to pack your bag with more gifts.

Make Rudolph's load a little lighter, you know?

This year my letter to you will be the top 10 gifts I've already received

and am very thankful for.

10. My Warm Socks- Winter is a lot more bearable when I can keep my feet warm. I'm sure you feel my pain flying through the skies on Christmas eve right?

9. Music! It invites the spirit like nothing else! Especially the spirit of CHRISTmas.

8. Scarf- The hand crocheted scarf is the perfect length to wrap around my head five times, once again makes winter that much easier! Plus It reminds me of the special elf that made it for me!

7. My iPad- Not only do I get to #sharethegift online but it also let's me save time on p-day and email at the laundromat. :D

6. Chance to serve a mission- Nothing that I've done has changed me for the better as much as this has. I wouldn't trade it for the world!

5. The Scriptures- they have carried me and redirected me when I needed it the most in my life. I don't know where I'd be without them.

4. Friends- Once again, don't know where I would be without those great influences around me.

3. Family- They mean the world to me. Each person has taught me lesson after lesson. I know that no matter what happens I have a group of people I can rely on and know they love me.

2. The Holy Ghost- I know what is true and where I need to go. It's like a compass that guides me and shows me the way. It testifies of God's love for me and for those around me, it allows me to be clean from my mistakes and be sanctified!

1. Jesus Christ- He is the Gift. My whole life revolves around His Atonement and I know that through Him I can return to live with my Heavenly Father again. Because of Him my life has a purpose! I know I can live with my family for eternity.

That is what I'm thankful for!

Oh and Santa?

Would you do us a favor?

Put one of these in everybody's stocking in Western New York,

I'm sure the elves will be able to help you make copies.

Thanks!!! :D

-Elder Bruner

ps. Here's the picture for this year! Thought I forgot about it didn't yah?

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