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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All about the Outlook

Recently I just got moved to a different area.

As missionaries we have the chance of getting moved every six weeks,

but usually stay in one place for about 6 months.

Moving and saying goodbyes are the hardest part.

I have always had a pretty hard time moving for many reasons.

A missionary told me that the only thing I could do

was think positively and excitedly about this change.

I decided that is exactly what I was going to do!

And what a difference it made!

Now to my next story,

I promise they'll connect in the end. :)

With the new move, came a new companion: Elder McCarl.

Recently we saw this coming:

This was my reaction:

and this was his:

In case you can't tell,

that's pure excitement on his face!

He's from Florida and has NEVER seen snow.

I couldn't help but smile when he realized snow

was just frozen water!

Every morning we check to see if there's enough snow outside

to build his first snowman.

I have never loved winter this much.

Why?

because it's all about the outlook.

We determine whether it's a good day.

A day filled with chances to grow

or hard times that merely give you the chance

to act in self-pity.

YOU make the choice.

So make the choice today!

DO IT!

And enjoy the winters of life! :D

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
 

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Forgiving Yourself

Having the tendency to dwell on mistakes,

tear yourself up over them,

and then wave a white flag in defeat,

will never lead you to improving.

Think of Peter.

He denied knowing and walking with Christ.

He denied faithfully standing by his side

He denied all of this three times.

"And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he

had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice."

I can't even imagine what it would have been like to be in Peter's shoes. 

Making a mistake I can barely handle my earthly father's "look"

let alone the loving, understanding, majestic, disapproving look upon my mistake

of Him who suffered all of our sins and has an understanding of each of us perfectly.  

I can imagine my reaction being much like Peter's:

 

"And Peter went out, and wept bitterly."

 

Imagine if Peter gave up.

 

If he tore himself apart in worldly sorrow, throwing up the white flag,

 

instead of becoming a tool in God's hand through Godly sorrow.

 

Think of the miracles that would have gone undone!

Think of how much of the Bible we wouldn't have today.

Don't tear yourself up.

Counsel with God,

Allow His Son's grace to work inside of you,

and continue to be the instrument He wants you to be.

Don't let Satan win.

#wearthewinningjersey

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

 

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Cool People and Spiritual Moments

Recently we had the cool experience of meeting the one and only...

JJ!

Yeah, he's a big guy, I know!

When we first met him we were walking down the street

and he called us over from his car,

a Crown Victoria that was lifted and had 24 inch rims.

You can imagine how excited we were to get over there!

From then, for the next few weeks, he brought us out to dinner

and even went with us to visit someone we knew in the hospital!

Why is he here in New York?

He's an NFL football player who plays for the Buffalo Bills.

In his free time, the one day a week, he comes out with us.

We asked him why?

Because he wants his family at home to be blessed.

Who, pretty soon, is going to be sealed to him for all time and eternity.

Here's a man who is living a lifestyle that many American's dream of

and who's most important part of life is his family and religion.

Last night he met us in Palmyra on the temple grounds.

 

 

He quickly took out his phone and took pictures of the temple while there was still sunlight.

 

We then took the time to walk through the sacred grove.

 

As we walked in he said,

 

"I know you guys get to come here all the time, but it really feels special here."

 

The gospel of Jesus Christ truly is restored on the earth today.

 

And I can testify, along with JJ,

 

that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in that grove.

 

No matter what lifestyle we live

 

we can find happiness in the comfort of our families,

 

in the comfort of the scriptures,

 

and especially in the comfort of our Savior Jesus Christ.

 



JJ is a man who knows who his savior is.

 

And you can tell by how happy he is.

 

Seek Happiness!!!

 

And share the goodness.

 

Christ is at the head of His church on the earth today.

 

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

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Carbon to Diamonds

I reached a point a week ago,

Where I felt that I've finally figured out how to be happy and content

and to enjoy life with ease and LOVE what I do!

I remember having the distinct thought of,

The next challenge is coming.

Shortly after that another whilrwind hit me

and continues to blow!

Why when I was so happy would God allow the boat of my life to be rocked again?

The Holy Ghost brought to rememberance two things:

1. Christ calms the storms of life. 

The natural man in us relies on Christ less when we feel content.

True happiness comes when we rely on Christ every minute of the day

and treat his gospel as a lifestyle and not just a hospital.

I can testify that we come closer to Christ in the storms of life

than any other time.

It's those sacred moments that we spend pleading for his help and counsel,

and trust that He has suffered all pains and afflictions,

when we feel His divine embrace and love.



2. We go through trials to become who God wants us to be.

 My mom gave me this scripture marker when I was in High School.

It's always been with my Bible.

When we go through the pressures and trials of life,

God gives us experiences so we can grow to be celestial beings.

The key to this whole life is allowing Him to do so.

You have a Heavenly Father that is allowing you to grow and learn.

"Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, …
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand." -How Firm a Foundation

 
He is with us and always aware of us.

Seek his divine guidance and strength

and find calm amidst the storms of life.

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Look Not Behind Thee

Elder Holland gave a talk at BYU and it was exactly what I needed to hear:

"Try to benefit from a proper view of what has gone before,

I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone, nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays,

however good those yesterdays may have been.

The past is to be learned from but not lived in.

We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes." -Elder Holland

This quote hit me and I realized I had been dwelling on days that are now gone

I would never be able to go back!

But how I wished I could.

I didn't have to forget it and give it up completely,

I could still find the Joy and Love from those memories!

Realizing the Joy I felt, I wouldn't trade those memories for anything!

I was holding on to those memories and not realizing,

that I was missing the ones that were happening right in front of me!

"And when we have learned what we need to learn

and have brought with us the best that we have experienced,

then we look ahead,

we remember that faith is always pointed toward the future." -Elder Holland

The future is incredible.

Look forward to it and find joy!

I can testify that Christ gave us the miracle of being able to be forgiven

not for us to mourn and dwell on the events of the past,

but to look towards the future with hope and faith.

Look FORWARD.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

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Feeling the Spirit-Through the Priesthood

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have the blessing of holding the Priesthood.

What's the Priesthood?

Priesthood: the power and authority that God gives to man to act in all things necessary for the salvation of God’s children.

It is the power that God gives for us, his children, to do all things necessary for salvation.

Jamie (name has been changed) is somebody who hasn't heard of the Priesthood before.

She recently needed help painting her house.

She was blessed to get ahold of four missionaries to come help her.

Coincidence? of course not.

While painting she shared something with us.

She told us that she was starting new treatments soon in hope of improving her health.

The concern was very apparent as we were told what she would be going through.

We relayed to her the fact of the restoration of the priesthood,

the eternal truth of her divinity as a daughter of God,

knowledge of the awareness that Christ has in all of our lives,

and the profound non-coincidental event that brought us into her life right at this time.

Something stirred,

we could see her comforted as the Holy Ghost bore truth of what we taught.

The sister missionaries continued to teach her and we received a call that she wanted a Priesthood blessing.

Excited we hurried over to her house.

As I layed my hands upon her head and spoke the words that I knew Heavenly Father was putting there,

I couldn't help but feel the spirit stir inside of me.

Concluding, "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen,"

I took a step back and watched as tears streamed from her eyes.

She knew that the priesthood was working miracles in her.

She knew that her Father in Heaven loved her dearly.

She knew that He was reaching out to her once more.

Miracles happen every day.

Our Heavenly Father is a God of miracles.

Just like in time of old he continues to miraculously bless our lives.

He knows you.

and He works in your life daily.

I know this to be true.

Christ truly is your Savior, He is the only way to salvation.

And the only way back to our Heavenly Father's presence to live with Him for eternity.

Seek the  Priesthood in your life and I promise the Spirit will fill you abundantly,

and most importantly,

tell you of the simple truths that make life as Joyous as God meant it to be.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

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Take it One Step Further

The ward I am serving in now just came out with a ward mission plan,

It's something I had heard but as always the refresher was great!

If you are comfertable with smiling at someone, take it one step further and say hello.

If you are willing to say hello then take it one step further and ask how their day is.

With this fresh in my mind I took it to heart and decided to try it myself as a missionary.

I recently had a minor surgery which lasted from when I entered the hospital at 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

I had plenty of time to talk to the nurses that were working with me :D

I made it a point to at least mention that I was a missionary and really get to know them a little bit also.

The first nurse was thrilled and mentioned that I made her day that she was able to talk to another "brother in Jesus."

The second nurse went forward to ask about my missionary service and told me all about her garden at home!

My anesthesiologist, as I woke up, mentioned that now she knows what we're all about the next time we knock on her door she'll let us in!

Not sure if that was caused by something I said while I was out, or awake... :D

I left at the end of the day a little dazed but really thrilled at what the day turned into.

We simply need to take it one step further and we will have the world unfold in front of us.

There are some really cool people around us.

Those that are starting gardens!

Those that have a strong belief in Christ and are thrilled to talk to others with the same belief!

We'll never be able to talk to everyone around us,

but we can always take it one step further.

Think about how you can take it one step further,

then do it!!!

The nurse that was with me the whole time came back before she left and shook my hand and thanked me for being so kind.

We don't know the affect we have on people until we try.

Smile, then take it one step further.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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The Red Square

As missionaries we play basketball all the time.

And when I say all the time,

I mean every free moment that we could possibly play,

we play basketball.

At one point there was a missionary who became frustrated because they couldn't play quite up to what they wanted.

They never seemed to be able to win!

I watched as they practiced shooting the ball over and over again and improving,

but slowly.

Walking up to them I pointed out the red square above the basket.

Relaying how that can be used to aim to make the ball in the basket,

they were surprised and tried using it.

They then made 10+ shots without missing.

A couple of weeks later the missionary was able to beat the rest of the missionaries

and come out on top!

The goal they had set was accomplished!

How many times do we find ourselves frustrated at the lack of improvement?

Do we find ourselves trying time and time again to better ourselves,

but only to find the ball continuing to  miss the basket?

That square behind the hoop is the key to improving and accomplishing our goal.

Heavenly Father has given us this square!

We are blessed to be here on this earth at a time when Prophets of God have been called once again!

Just a recently we were able to hear from the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson,

and from Twelve Apostles of the Lord!

I am here to tell you that the secret to being happy and improving this life,

is listening to the prophets that are on the earth today.

God loves his children and once again speaks through his messengers, just like in Biblical times.

Read their messages

and find the red square and your key to reaching your goals.

I can testify that Christ lives!

Their is a special spirit this time of year as we near the time when He rose from the tomb,

and lived again so that we all can overcome death and come unto Him.

He is the Christ

and the Son of God.

I close in his name, Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Family. Isn't it about, time?

With the new iPad's I have been able to watch the old commercials that used to air with the catchy tagline: "Family. Isn't it about, time?"

Here are some of my favorite ones:

God has blessed us with families here on earth to bring us joy!

When a family is centered on Christ that is when true happiness is found.

I have had the opportunity to grow up in a family with parents that constantly worked on having our family centered on our Savior. 

Was it always easy?

Were we always perfect at reading scriptures every day?

Did we have a perfect record of prayers as a family?

Never were we perfect!

But I can testify that when we tried our hardest we came together and the spirit of love was felt more than ever before.

The atonement of Jesus Christ can heal anything as we allow it and use it in our lives.

A family that prays together, stays together.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

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Step into the Wilderness

Often when we follow the counsel of The Lord,

we will have to tarry in the wilderness before we find our promised land.

This pattern is shown time and time again.

Lehi was promised a great land,

and he tarried 8+ years in the wilderness before he arrived.

The Israelites were promised a great land,

and they tarried in the wilderness for 40 years before they arrived.

Blessings and answers almost always come line upon line, precept upon precept.

There was a change that I was earnestly trying to make in my life.

No matter how hard I tried I seemed to always fall short.

Amid my frustration a challenge was extended to me to read the Book of Mormon 20 minutes a day.

Grudgingly I accepted the challenge not know the affects it was going to have.

I soon found myself lost in the stories and teachings of the prophets.















On my knees I sought for an answer once again to know of the truth of the Book.

My heart was once again touched and my testimony strengthened.

All during strength came to me.

I was happier.

My life was simpler.

The relationship with those around me grew

I was able to become more Christlike,

and in the end, I made the change, that seemed impossible to
accomplish not long before.

The Book of Mormon has power.

We will be blessed as we search and ponder it's teachings.

The blessings and answers will not come until we take that step of faith,

step into the wilderness and the unknown,

take the chance and trust in God,

and receive that witness from your Heavenly Father of the truth of it's power.

I know and testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.

It was translated by a prophet called of God

and we have a prophet on the earth today.

It will bless your life in ways that seemed impossible

The Book will change who you are.

Take the step of faith,

and read it.

And most importantly,

Pray about it.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Vestibulitis

I couldn't help but cry in frustration as we drove away from yet another doctor's appointment with questions unanswered.

For nearly two months I had been nauseous and dizzy enough to keep me out of school and laying down with little to no energy.

I had become discouraged.

Missing school and being house ridden was taking it's toll.

Hopping from doctor to doctor, medication to medication, the problem continued and the questions remained unanswered.

Then the miracles began.

My dad happened to have a connection to a doctor that was willing to see me on such short notice.

The doctor worked in a pretty prestigious hospital and it was a miracle she had the time to see me.

We baked them a plate of cookies as a small token of our gratitude.

Within 10 minutes she diagnosed my problem.

Vestibulitis.

The treatment was to attend physical therapy sessions.

A physical therapist who happened to just get through schooling for treating vestibulitis, happened to live in my home town.

The exercises were simply looking at the ceiling, then at the floor, ceiling, floor.

At first my attitude was a bit skeptical, but I did what I was told.

I remember after my first session I went home and passed out from exhaustion.

Those simple movements were the beginning of my journey back to health.

Soon I was able to read the math board again without nausea occurring.

I was able to do the work that was missed and catch up well enough to pass that semester.

All throughout I was blessed with inspired teachers that were willing to work with me at home

and inspired people to lift my spirits.

I think back to that car ride leaving the doctors office and that feeling of despair.

When we go through trials that seem never ending it's hard to see the light that is illuminating our way.

However, after the trial, we often look back with joy and see we were led every step of the way.

Our Heavenly Father's hand is in every detail.


Every encouraging letter.

Every smile.

Every ray of sunlight.











He will not forget you,

If you will not forget him.

There is never an excuse to forget our Father in Heaven.

There is never any trial or mistake that we can make that causes us to not be worthy to get down on our knees and seek his comfort.

Seek for his love!

He is the perfect Father.

In the name of His son, who overcame all trials and sorrows, even Jesus Christ, Amen.

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People in our lives

It's great how the Lord put's us with people for a reason.

We all are unique and each were made differently.

Think about how many people have lived on this earth and will still live, none of them are the same!

Think about how many people you interact with compared to the insanely huge number of total people who will live on this earth.

You are meant to be with those around you.

It's part of God's divine plan!

His Plan of Happiness includes all of us.

We are happy because we learn to love those around us and they learn to love us!

Charity is Joy!

I have been so blessed to spend the last 6 weeks with such incredible missionaries!!

They have taught me so much and brought me so much joy!

I wouldn't be the missionary or person I am right now without knowing them.

God prepared all of us to be in Canandaigua at that time.

Now I go to Lancaster and know that I will grow and find a unique joy that I can find nowhere else!

God is great and loves us enough to put us exactly where we need to be.

Ask him why you are where you are and why your with the people your with.

It's definitely not coincidence :)

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

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Eternal Families

My second day in Canandaigua I met a recent convert and he touched me with his testimony. I leaned over to my companion and mentioned that we should really try to teach his mom.

6 months later:

And what even was more miraculous:

 

 

The recent convert, her son, baptized her.

 

The whole journey has been miracle after miracle and the many missionaries that brought them through the sites on tours and the many who met them in serving knows of the incredible miracles.

 

The joy they felt was overwhelming. Her son just kept telling her how proud he was of her.

 

There was an experience a few months ago when we were at their house teaching them a lesson when her son get's a guitar out and tells her she should play for us.

 

She began playing songs that she had sung to her son while he was growing up. His face lit up as he sung along with her.

 

Families are ordained of God.

 

The truth that Families are not only ordained of God but are also meant for eternity hit me harder than it ever had before.

 

They are the basic and most important unit.

 

They are so important that God has provided a way that we can live with them for eternity.

 

I have seen the miracles of a righteous family not only in this family but in my own too.

 

As my mission continues, it becomes more and more obvious that I would not be here if it wasn't for my family.

 

I know that we have a Heavenly Father and a Brother, Jesus Christ, who made the sacrifice for all of us.

 

Look towards your family and learn how to strengthen your own.

 

Pray to know what you can do to make your family more of what God meant it to be.

 

Have the influence on your children/spouse that will last into the eternities.

 

He will always strengthen us to serve his children, seek his love and grace.

 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 



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Famine in our Lives

The most memorable moment in the MTC was that first evening.

They had 50+ missionaries all in one classroom teaching one person. We all have had been missionaries for only a few hours and we were expected to work together to teach a person the Gospel of Christ that we have a testimony of.

I didn't know what to say.

I grew up living this gospel and I honestly could not come up with an answer to this person's questions.

I wouldn't say I was discouraged that night, because I knew the Lord would strengthen me, but I definitely realized I had a long way to go.

I realized how much of a famine in my life I had to overcome to help those in my mission.

Now don't get me wrong, my parents taught me extremely well and I graduated from seminary, I had all the scripture mastery references memorized, I did my homework, but I still was missing something.

It really hit me hard when I was reading in Genesis and the plea of the people to Egypt for the want of food, "Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate." Genesis 47:19

 They knew how much of a famine they were in. They realized how little they were without food I realized that night in the MTC how little I was without the spirit.

They wanted to give of their lives and all they posses to recieve that food they needed to live. That night I wanted to give of everything to have the spirit so I can help those I know i'm going to grow to love.

When I'm becoming frustrated I find myself reflecting on this humbling experience.

We are all in a famine and the only way we can quench our hunger is to bring the spirit more fully in our lives.

The gospel of Jesus Christ isn't just for Salvation after this life but rather strength and happiness during this life also.

Realize how much of a famine you are in, allow the hunger to grow in you, and then feed the hunger.

As you do this you will feel joy.

"The Lord gives us His Holy Spirit in this life as a foretaste of the joy of eternal life." -Bible Dictionary 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Fast Sunday Miracle

Once a month the LDS church has fast Sunday, in which we don't eat or drink for 24 hours or two meals.

As a kid I tended to dread fast Sundays because of the torturous pantry that would taunt me all day.

However being out on a mission it has changed my view quite dramatically.

This last Sunday was fast Sunday and I made it a point, the night before, to kneel down and begin my fast with a true heart and a reason to fast. With those I'm fasting for in mind I went to sleep that night.

I woke up and used the extra hours in the morning to study a few verses.

Dinner time was beginning to loom over us as we realized our meal appointment that night canceled.

Our stomachs weren't looking forward to our own cooking, we kept a bright outlook and moved on with faith!

As we were talking to people after church we had someone walk up to us and tell us that that morning she had put dinner in the crockpot and for some reason not known to her she put the whole bag of chicken in!

She found out that all six of us missionaries were without a dinner appointment and invited us over for dinner!

She truly was inspired!

My favorite part about this whole experience is not only did I enjoy fasting today as it brought me closer to my Heavenly Father, but he also blessed me with a tender mercy to not have to suffer through my own cooking!

Our loving Father in heaven is pleased when we follow him with a true heart and honestly seek after him.

He want us to be happy! and will bless us in little ways to show that he's there and wants you to feel his love.

Seek his love and honestly follow what he asks of you.

With a sincere heart and contrite spirit.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Manner of Happiness

I know I've already posted a blog post about happiness, but I found a scripture that really brought out a whole new point that I just couldn't help but share!

"And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness." 2 Nephi 5:27

They were happy! Who likes to be happy? I guess the real question is who doesn't like to be happy??

I absolutely love being happy, pretty much the best thing ever.

Earlier in the chapter it described what the manner of happiness is. It boils down to four steps. I related it to myself and here's how all four steps brought me happiness:

1.Hearken unto his words.
      Before I came on a mission my professor in college challenged us to read the Book of Mormon for 20 minutes every day. I took the challenge and only missed one day the whole semester. It is the reason why I am on a mission. It is the reason I had the strength to leave my family and walk into the MTC on March 13. Without it, I would not have had the faith. It is the reason why I am happy today and every day.

2.Keep the Commandments
      Looking back and going through elementary and high school I always was the happiest when I was obedient to my parents, both on heaven and on earth. Now on my own I have many "darn, mom was right" moments that make me appreciate the lesson's I have learned on the importance of obedience. Always hearken to the counsel from your father above.

3.Work
      Someone told me growing up that a blank mind is a blank stage that the devil can put on any act that he desires. However when we keep the stage full, he has no time to put on his acts. Out here on a mission we fill every single hour of every single day with plans. I learned that the best way to get over something hard, is to work at it! or just simply work!

4.Kept the temple in their sights
      I had the privilege of working in the temple right before I came out on my mission. Once a week I would spend all of my morning working in the temple. I found I had more strength than I ever had to fight against the onslaughts of the evil one. Now on a mission I can't attend as often, but as I do I find my view shift daily to  become more Christlike and to truly feel an enduring conversion to a happier way of living. The temple is sacred and special, as you allow it to change your schedule, it will change your life!

The devil wants us to be miserable, don't allow him to win. When we think of the power he truly has compared to the power our loving Heavenly Father has, he's rather pathetic.

Don't let him deceive you, look towards the light.

Always ask yourself, am I happy?

Because we're meant to be.

In the name of the one who brings everlasting Joy to my life, Jesus Christ, Amen.

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The 9 Mile Bike Rides

Being blessed with a truck in our area has been great, and I didn't really appreciate it until I didn't have it anymore!

We had to take the truck in to the shop and were told that it would take all day. Not having anybody nearby to give us a ride on such short notice, we broke out the bikes and helmets and went on our way.

A little geography lesson on the Canandaigua area, at the moment we live 9 miles outside of our area, the truck shop is about half way between the city and our apartment. The ride to our area wasn't too demanding and we were able to bike around the town the rest of the day going to the appointments we had.

The day ended and that dreaded ride loomed ahead of us. Neither of us were physically built as bikers and our thighs felt the day's worth of biking, the nine miles home was achievable, but seemed a very daunting task.

We stopped at the church for one final drink of water before we set out on the ride back home, just as we did a member drove up and walked in to the building with us.

He proceeded to ask for a blessing and didn't see it as chance that we both came to the building at the same time.

We gave him a priesthood blessing and he was extremely grateful. While talking after he found out of our bike ride that we had ahead of us, he immediately grabbed our bikes. threw them in the back of his vehicle and gave us a ride home.

We all have those 9-mile bike rides ahead of us, we have faith that the Lord will strengthen us, and that we will be able to do whatever lies ahead.

This life is not easy, nor is it extremely hard, if we have an eternal perspective.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:29

He has provided a way to endure to the end with joy! After this experience I fell down on my knees and prayed with a heart full of thanks. I once again received a strong prompting that the Lord really does loves his children and blesses us with tender mercies in our lives every single day. I know He lives and knows each one of our needs. He wont always take afflictions away, but every once in a while he blesses us with taking those 9-mile bike rides, and making them a bit easier.

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Happiness: A Decision

Recently I had a quite an interesting day as a missionary!

We attended zone conference which is about a 25 mile drive and then we returned home. It wasn't until I walked in to the apartment that I realized we didn't have our phone, and that I left it under a tree back at zone conference. We drove all the way back and used 50 more miles just because I didn't remember the phone.

We helped a family with service that night in which I shattered a light bulb and then proceeded to sweep it all up.

Washed out the truck bed before we hauled things for a member in which we sprayed mud all over our white shirts and ties.

And finally we had clean checks the next morning so I had the opportunity to clean the toilet right before I called it a night.

Sounded like a pretty happy day, right?

Well let me tell you, It was an AWESOME day!

Looking back it made no sense why it was such a great day and as I thought of it more, I realized something.

The 3 hours we spent in the truck were some great times to talk to Elder Ipson and get to know each other just a little bit better! It also was a great opportunity to listen to uplifting music and really invite the spirit.

The family was very grateful for our help, even with the 10 cent broken light bulb.

We looked absolutely ridiculous at our meal appointment looking like Dalmatians from the mud and there was nothing I could do but laugh!

"For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves." (Doctrine & Covenants 58:28)

"We are agents to act, not objects to be acted upon." -Elder Bednar

YOU make the outcome. Choose to act, take charge of your life, and stop allowing excuses for your bad days. Bad days will come, but every bad day is given so we can grow. Don't complain, Grow.

All things are possible through our Savior Jesus Christ and his atonement.

In His name I close, Amen. 

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It's the Little Things...

One of my favorite questions to ask people is how they became converted unto Christ!

Everybody has a unique way that God worked in their life to bring them unto him.

Reading this morning, I came across the conversion story of none other than Alma the younger himself! Alma Chapter 36.

Alma has quite the incredible conversion story filled with angels and miracles. However when we hear him tell his son his story we see what really converted him.

"While I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ..." (36:17)

The Angel reminded him and confounded him in his sins, amongst the suffering he remembered one of his father's teachings from the past.

As we read on we see this changed everything for him.

"Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me... I could remember my pains no more... And oh, what joy as exceeding as my pain!" (36:19-20)

His pain was turned into joy and he was converted unto Christ!

His conversion was purely based on his father's teachings in the past. Did his father think that his teaching helped his son when he shared it? His son sure didn't change at that time! However down the road it made all the difference.

As we come across people always be looking for times to help others and to go about doing good.

You may not see the affect of it now, but who knows what affect it will have on their lives in the future.

Let the light of Christ shine through you and the way you live!

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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