Sunday, January 25, 2015

God loves you, and He loves us all, so show people He cares by serving them.

God loves you. He loves you so much. I know it. I know it. He is our Creator, and He is our Father, and He loves us. He knows your name. He knows your story. He knows your heart. You can't hide anything from Him. He wants you to know that you can come back to Him anytime. It doesn't matter what you've done, if you desire change, you can come back to Him. He loves you so much and wants you to return to Him. That is why He gave us His Son, Jesus Christ. So that by and through Christ we can get back onto the path to our Heavenly Father. By following His example and serving others, we can become closer to our Heavenly Father. The mutual theme this year is "O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve Him with all your heart, might, mind and strength" (D&C 4:2), and today we talked about service. Service is just being kind. It's being a friend. It is noticing when others need help and acting quickly to help them out. It is talking to someone if they need it or listening if they just need to talk. It is reaching out to people who don't have many friends. Service is being like Christ. He never turned anyone away to help and bless them, even when He was tired. He has always been there when we've needed Him. 

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Tender Mercies.

I'm getting sick, which isn't the most pleasant feeling in the world. Luckily I don't have school tomorrow so I can sleep in a bit and get some needed rest, as well as do some homework and get some practice in.

We learned about tender mercies in Sunday School today. Story time: I don't like Snickers candy bars--I don't like nuts, and the ones in Snickers bars bother my throat--but apparently I haven't made it clear enough to my friends because as part of my Christmas gift, she gave me a bag of mini snickers. I didn't have the heart to tell her I don't like snickers--who would do that? Open a gift and say, "Actually, I don't like snickers. Thanks for the thought"? Not me--but they're so little and cute I could barely taste the nuts. What a tender mercy. Usually when I eat the fun size snickers--I will not pass up an opportunity for chocolate. I usually suck the chocolate off the nuts--the nuts bother my throat. But with the minis, I could barely taste them through all of the chocolate. So that was a tender mercy from God. I'm so thankful for tender mercies! They are the little things in your day that make you feel loved and feel like you are not alone. Some days I just feel so out-of-place, but then Heavenly Father sends me little things that remind me that He is there and He loves me. And, as I've said before, it's the little things that matter and make you feel loved. I felt so loved today because, even though I'm sick, I was able to go to church and feel His love and learn what He needed me to learn. I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father and I am so thankful for tender mercies. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Be His Hands.

So today in seminary we had our seminary conference, which is run by the students. We are the speakers and musical numbers. I absolutely loved the fact that even though none of them were given a topic, they all spoke on similar things. The musical numbers were awesome! I performed last and only got to do one verse, but I did quite well considering how nervous I was! I performed Joseph Smith's First Prayer to the tune of Come Thou Fount. It's my most favorite arrangement ever! Maybe I'll record myself singing it one time and post it on here.

I'm so grateful for the messages that were shared today! Messages about service, Christlike love, life, and depression. The talk on depression gave me insight as to what depression is exactly and how to deal with it. And the topic of service (which was the starting message) basically came full circle. Just be there for those with depression. Just talk to them, or listen, or hold their hand. Be whatever they need. Being full of Christlike love means you emulate His example—do what He did. He served people, and loved them. Though He is Lord of All, He was born in a stable, and cared for all people. He helped all people. Since He is no longer on the Earth, we can be His hands. We can serve Him by serving those around us. Be what they need. Heed the promptings of the Spirit. Feel like you need to compliment someone? Do it! They may be having body image issues. Feel like you need to give someone a certain present? Do it! You never know what following the promptings can do for someone else. Be totally and completely aware of what's around you. Actions speak louder than words, and the small things are what counts. People feel genuinely loved if you remember their name! If you remember something they mentioned once about their weekend activities, or their family, they feel loved, and listened to, and important. All because you paid attention. So please, take heed and pay attention. You never know: a small thing can have a big impact.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Christ and His Atonement are always there for us.

Today we learned about the Atonement. I'm so, so grateful for the Atonement. Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without the Atonement. It's helped me in so many ways...when I've done something wrong, when I've felt alone, when I've felt lost, when I get hurt, when I've felt sad...Christ (and His Atonement) has always been there for me, and I'm so thankful. I'm thankful that He didn't just suffer for my sins, He suffered for my pains, my afflictions, when I've had to deal with death—He suffered for all of that. He's the only one who knows EXACTLY how I feel. I mean, sure, people who have been through similar situations can kind of sympathize. Also those who have gone through the deaths that I have have felt as sad as I did, surely, but we all went through it differently, and He is the only one who knows exactly how we dealt with it, and I'm grateful that I'm not the only one who knows what I go through in life. There are times when I am extremely disappointed in myself and I feel really bad but I know that He is right there, waiting for me to make things right. Even when I don't deserve it. Even when I was so, so stupid and I did something so, so wrong and I definitely didn't deserve to be forgiven, He was (and is) right there—waiting for me to forgive myself so I can move on with my life. I know there are times when we don't feel worthy, but we need to repent. We need to change—change our heart, and our actions, and our circumstances. We sometimes try to, but we can't do it alone, which is why Heavenly Father gave us His Son, Jesus Christ. So we don't have to do it alone. We never have to do it alone. It's so hard to do it alone, so please turn to Him. He loves you so much. 

Sunday, January 4, 2015

How we can know Heavenly Father.

Today in Young Women's we learned how to come to know Heavenly Father. First, let me ask you something. Think of someone you know really well. What are some of the qualities they have that help you, or make you love them?

Here's a list of some of the things we thought of:
Believes in me
Loves me
Cares for me
Trusts me//two-way trust
Food
Unconditional love
Friendship
Fun
Kind
Someone to look up to
Motivates me to be a better person
Always there
Listens to me
Helps me

One other question I have is this: Do you know the difference between knowing of someone, and knowing someone? Knowing of someone is knowing the basics. Their name. Their hobbies. Knowing someone is knowing them personally. Knowing why their favorite color is green. Knowing that they are allergic to peanut butter. Knowing why they like the things they do. Knowing them for who they are. Heavenly Father knows us personally. That list of characteristics up there? Heavenly Father has a lot of them. He cares for us. He believes in us. He knows our likes, our dislikes. He knows our hobbies. He knows our hearts. He knows everything about us. How much do we really know Him, though? In order to get to know Him, we can read the scriptures and pray. Spend time with Him. In order to get to know someone, we have to spend time with them. So spend time with your Heavenly Father. Get to know Him. It's never too late. He's waiting for you, and His arms are open. 

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Listening to good music inspires me.

I've discovered this new station, FM 107.5, and they play Christian music all the time!! So, for one of my New Year's resolutions, I've decided to try and listen to this station (or any of the church music on my iPod) as often as I possibly can because good music inspires me to be good—partly because music is my language, and partly because good music is just so good!—and so I'm hoping that not only will this help me get rid of some of my bad habits, it will help me keep up with my scripture study and prayer habits. I have also asked Heavenly Father to help me. I challenge you to try something like it! Doesn't have to be music related, but I urge you to pray to Heavenly Father to help you decide what you want/need to do to try and keep your New Year's resolutions.