Walk by faith.

I'm grateful for my Savior. For the blessings He gives not only me, but my loved ones. For the prayers He answers. For the people He puts in my life. For the peace and comfort He brings. For the love He gives me. For the opportunities I am given to better myself. But most of all, I'm grateful for the sacrifice that He gave–His own life–and for the peace and knowledge that comes from knowing that I can repent, and live with my family forever, because of Him. 💜

I learned a lot of amazing things in church today but I want to address a different topic today. 

I was looking on LDS.org for something to talk about, and I decided to look up a talk by President Gordon B. Hinckley for a couple of reasons: one is that in Relief Society this year, we are focusing on lessons from his life and I'm enjoying it so far; two is that the anniversary of his departure from this world in 2008 was the other day; and three is that my birthday is tomorrow and he was a wonderful prophet and I loved him dearly and wanted to dedicate a post to him in his memory.

The talk that I picked of his is entitled "We Walk by Faith", from the April conference in 2002. First things first, it reminds me of the song "I Walk By Faith" by Janice Kapp Perry, which is one of my absolute favorites. You can listen to it here [I hope that link works! If it doesn't, you can find it on Spotify under the album "I Walk By Faith" (2010). I recommend the whole album, by the way. All the songs are based on one of the young women's values. The original album from 1986 is good too. :)]. 

Continuing with the topic, President Hinckley relates a little analogy that I liked. He says, "In the process of conversion, the investigator of the Church hears a little. He may read a little. He does not, he cannot, comprehend the wonder of it all. But if he is earnest in his search, if he is willing to get on his knees and pray about it, the Spirit touches his heart, perhaps ever so lightly. It points him in the right direction. He sees a little of what he has never seen before. And with faith, whether it be recognized or not, he takes a few guarded steps. Then another, brighter vista opens before him." I loved this analogy of conversion and faith. Step by step, little by little–that's how our conversion goes. We follow the commandments, read our scriptures and pray–we use our faith, and by our faith we grow, little by little. 

In Doctrine and Covenants 50:23-24, the Lord says, “That which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness. That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." God doesn't give to us all at once, and we don't gain a testimony all at once. Much like the growth of a baby, it comes little by little and you only notice its growth when you compare it to a previous testimony. Though I will say that you aren't always able to tell for yourself if your testimony has grown by comparison, but you can tell by how you feel.

I highly recommend reading this talk! It was very enlightening and also a little humbling. I know that as we walk by faith, we will be blessed, little by little, and we can be edified little by little. Our conversion and blessings will come as we rely on, have faith in, and trust our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I know They love us, and I know that there isn't anything that They wouldn't do for us. I know that you can trust your Heavenly Father and your Savior with your life. They love you so much and want you to be able to return to live with them again. I love you and am so grateful for you. I hope you have a very wonderful week!

Xoxo
Mattie

"Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

Something I have been thinking about lately is "alone time". Mainly because I feel like I've had a lot of it recently, but also because I'm never alone. Not really. I always have my Savior, and the Spirit, as my companion. Sometimes, even when I'm surrounded by friends, I feel alone or left out...it's not on purpose, it just happens. But these moments are great because I get to watch my friends talk and laugh and have fun and it makes me smile. I love watching them enjoy themselves. It gives me a chance to just live in the moment for awhile, and to just be. I'm glad when it happens because it's often when I needed to take a step back and gather myself together. I'm grateful for my Savior, and for His love and mercy in my life. He is always there and He knows what I need and when.

I LOVED sacrament meeting today! Brother and Sister Durfey spoke to us and I heard so much that I needed to hear. They're super great and so sweet and I love them. Here's a few of my favorite things that were said:
-Sin robs you of peace. It takes the Spirit away.
-God will put you where you need to be.
-The sooner you stop comparing your life to others', the sooner you will have peace in your life.
-It does not matter what you do, it matters who you are.
-Living the gospel makes it possible to live a life without regrets. (Sister Durfey said that even if it turns out that this gospel is wrong, she won't care, because living the gospel has made her a better person).
-If you can serve every day, it will make you happier (I already knew this one ;) )
~Our trials and challenges are made for us–to help us change, and become stronger, and test us.
~Satan uses doubt as a tool to distract us.
~Heavenly Father loves you and will never abandon you.

In Relief Society we talked about cultivating an attitude of happiness and a spirit of optimism, and here are a few things we talked about that can help:

1) Rather than dwell on our problems, we can let a spirit of thanksgiving guide and bless us.
• 2 Nephi 5:27: And it came to pass that we lived after a manner of happiness (emphasis added). They lived in such a way that happiness could come, even in times of trials or challenges.
• Let your problems be. Admit that they are, and they're hard, but let them be. Don't focus on them.
• If you're worrying, or have anxiety about things, you're not trusting the Lord. Put more trust in Him–things will work out.
• Recognize that God is there. 

2) The gospel of Jesus Christ gives us a reason for gladness.
• Try to look at things with an eternal perspective, and ask yourself if this is important or relevant to your eternal salvation. If the answer is no, let it go.
• Enjoy and endure life. President Hinckley said, "Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured." But we do have to endure to the end, don't forget. Heavenly Father loves us and has a plan for us that is going on, but it's not over yet.

3) With knowledge that we are all children of God, we can stand a little taller, rise a little higher, and be a little better.
• Have faith. We're all learning and growing.
• We have the capacity to be and do more than we are.
• Focus on who you are, regardless of where you are in life.

I'm not going to lie, being positive and optimistic all the time can be hard sometimes. Sometimes I'm not, and that's okay. But you have a choice to either be positive and optimistic most or all the time, or to be negative and pessimistic most or all of the time. It is your decision. But it will affect your life either way. In choosing to be positive/optimistic, you will see the better side of life, despite challenges and trials that may come your way. You will have the opportunity to see and recognize all the tender mercies. In choosing to be negative/pessimistic, you will have a hard time seeing all the good in your life. You will not be able to see or recognize the tender mercies in your life. That is not what life is all about! Life is supposed to include happy parts–fun outings with friends, family game nights, going on a date, having a relaxing night in. Life is supposed to encompass both ends of the spectrum, and it's not supposed to just be a ball of negative happenings.

I know that it's hard sometimes to look on the bright side of things. It's hard to be happy sometimes. That's okay. It's important to try, though sometimes you won't be able to look on the bright side or be happy, and that is okay. We're not perfect, and our lives aren't, either. But as you try to be optimistic, I know that you will be blessed. You can also ask your Heavenly Father for help to be optimistic. He loves you and wants you to be happy. Remember that you are loved and that things will get better in time–I promise. <3

Xoxo
Mattie

Faith in the future = hope for the future.

This past week school started again, and I wasn't quite sure how it was going to go. But I was feeling very grateful as the week went on. I had a lot a things that worked out really well and I'm glad they helped make the first week of school less stressful. I know that as long as I focus, and work hard, and remember to turn to my Savior when I need to, that everything will be okay. I've got high hopes for this semester and am so excited for this new year and semester.

Our stake Relief Society president was at church today, and she said a few remarks in sacrament meeting. One thing she said that I loved was that "Jesus Christ provides hope in an ever-darkening world."

In addition to that, Clarissa said something at the end of her lesson that I really liked: "We are a light in the world. We can be a light in the darkness, but also in the light" (Something like that).

I'm grateful for the light that Jesus Christ is in my life, and I'm grateful for the lights that my family and friends are in my life. I hope that I can be a light in someone else's life.

One last thought before I go–Haylie in sacrament meeting talked about faith, and how faith is always pointed towards the future. She shared this poem and I loved the last stanza, telling you to put your fears, dreams, doubts, etc. in Christ's hands because it depends whose hands it's in. Moroni 7:42 says, "Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope." If you have faith in the future, you have hope for the future.

Xoxo
Mattie

Finding your way.

School starts tomorrow! I also start my job tomorrow. This is going to be a busy week figuring things out, but I think I'll be okay. :)

I'm so grateful for my Savior. As one of my New Year's Resolutions, I want to try to consciously think of Him and focus on Him, and this past week has been hard, and sometimes I've failed, but it's been a great experience as I've been able to think about Him more and involve Him more in my life. I am very blessed to have my Savior in my life and I am full of love and gratitude towards Him and towards my Father in Heaven. Every day I am given the chance to start anew, and for that I am so grateful. I am who I am today–and I am where I am today–because of my Savior.

Finding my own way has never been easy. In fact, I'm still searching. I've had personal struggles that have been hard to overcome, and I've had things that have gotten in the way of me being able to do what I want to or need to do. But always I have had my Savior, and my Heavenly Father, and my family and friends. Having people to turn to in my life has always been a blessing. And when I don't know if I can turn to someone, I always have my Savior.

Facing a new year with new challenges is always a puzzle, but I am confident that we can do it! We all have our challenges and struggles, but I know that there are things that we can overcome–with the Savior's help–that will help us change in this new year and make it easier to overcome other challenges. It can make it easier for you to find your way. I know that whatever you want from this new year, you can achieve it with His help.

Xoxo
Mattie

Happy New Year! Hope you have a bright new year! :)

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a fun and safe night! And I hope you left 2016 behind you–2016 was so yesterday. ;)

On a more serious note, I'm grateful for what was spoken on in sacrament meeting today. I learned some new things about setting goals, such as:
-Setting goals brings out the best in us
-We shouldn't wait for the perfect time to set goals because there is no perfect time.
-Goals give us purpose

I also learned some new tips for setting goals:
-Start now
-Keep an eternal perspective
-Find what works for you
-Accept that you will fail (maybe not all the time, but you will fail)
-No matter how many times you fail, remember that Heavenly Father is proud of you for trying.

I'm so excited for this new year–we're learning from the life of President Gordon B. Hinckley in Relief Society this year and I can't wait! I love(d) President Hinckley and am so excited to learn from and about him in this upcoming year.

As this new year is beginning, I have some New Year's Resolutions, as I'm sure we all have, on my mind that I'm hoping will help me become a better and different person. One of the main ones I have this year is to try and consciously focus on my Savior every week. I'm hoping that this will help guide my attitude towards life to be more positive. I know that there are some personal things I have to work on and trying to consciously focus on my Savior should help. The first couple weeks will probably be the hardest, but as I continue to focus and make it a habit, it will become easier. I'm grateful for my Savior and for each and every opportunity I have to change and become a better person. I'm hoping that 2017 will be a great refreshing year. And who knows–maybe I'll jump out of my comfort zone a bit. :)

I hope you all take some time today and this week to ponder what you want to work on in this new year. Don't forget to pray and ask Heavenly Father for help if you need it–I promise that He wants to help you become who you were meant to become this year. I love you and wish you a wonderful and amazing new year! :)

Xoxo
Mattie