Whatever He promises to you will happen in time.

You only get one life. You only get once chance to live. Are you going to waste it waiting for opportunities? Or are you going to make your own opportunities? Are you going to take chances, make mistakes, get messy? Are you going to try out for the job or audition for the part? Or are you going to wait for them to come to you? Are you going to take charge of your own life? Or are you going to let your life take charge of you?

I've been thinking a lot this week about the future. Mainly because I have no idea what I want to do with the rest of my life. But also because the whole idea of the future is odd, because it's equal parts intriguing and terrifying. It's intriguing because there are so many possibilities. It's terrifying because there are so many possibilities and I don't know which ones are going to happen, or when. However, as I was reading in 1 Nephi 3 this week, verses 7 and 16 stood out to me. 

Verse 7 is the one in which Nephi states that he knows "the Lord giveth no commandment unto to the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." I love this scripture because it's a reminder to me that whatever God has commanded me to do, He will prepare the way. And whatever He has promised me...will come in time. 

Verse 16 says, "let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord". As we keep His commandments, He will bless us. And previously kept commandments make way for other commandments to be kept, and for other blessings to be given to us. 

Heavenly Father knows us. He really does. He loves us so much. He knows what we want. He knows what hurts us. He knows what makes us happy. He knows what helps us through our difficult times. He knows the best things for us. He wants what is best for us, but He also knows and realizes that we have our agency. So He doesn't make us do anything we don't want to do—He won't make us do anything we don't want to do. 

God blesses us and works in mysterious ways. It's hard not to jump ahead in the story sometimes, but we have to let it play out. Because sometimes it's not meant to go the way we want it to go. Sometimes it's meant to go in a different direction to help us get to the right storyline, the right path, and heading in the right direction. There's a lot that we don't know, and there's a lot that we can't control. So we just have to accept that. It's hard sometimes, but once you come to that understanding, and you are ready to move forward in your life with faith...then everything just starts to make sense, and fall into place. And sometimes you'll get a roller coaster of "Yes, this makes sense", "Um, what just happened?" "Oh, I see now", etc. And that's okay. Life isn't easy. It's not all puppies and rainbows. Sometimes there are thorns. 

One thing that I want is I want God to let me know that He understands me–that He knows what I'm going through, and He knows how I feel. I know that He does, but sometimes I just don't feel it. And I have been hoping and praying this week to feel it. And there were a couple instances, looking back, that I know He answered my prayer. I hope that I can see more answers in the upcoming weeks. 

I love my Heavenly Father so much. I am so thankful for all that He does for me. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to work at Bear Lake this summer. I know that there are things here I have to learn, or experience, and I know that I am going to grow this summer. I know that all of my coworkers are meant to be in my life right now. I'm so glad to call them my friends and I hope that we will have many more amazing adventures this summer. 

God loves you very much, and He is watching out for you every day. He knows what you are going through and He will help you through it if you ask Him.

I found this quote: "The struggle you're in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow."  I really liked that. Everything we go through is helping prepare us for tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. Let it boost you up, and strengthen you. You'll be able to do many amazing things. I promise. 

I hope you have a great week!! I'm so excited! This next weekend I get to go home for the Fourth of July!! I'm so excited!! It'll be nice to be home for a couple of days! 

Xoxo

Mattie

Keeping on the path; and Defending the Family Proclamation.

Yes, I did post yesterday. But it's Sunday–I can't forget my weekly Sunday posts. :)

Today, I learned a lot about a lot of different things in Sacrament meeting:

• It doesn't matter where you are, it matters where you are going.
• Go back to the basics–we need to have a strong foundation, which means we need to keep working on it.
• Look towards the end/your goal. Set your sights towards your goal, for then you can focus on how to get there.
• When we feel alone, we are not, for Christ is always with us.
• Look to God. As we focus on the Savior, He won't allow us to sink.

In Relief Society, we talked about Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson's talk entitled, "Defenders of the Family Proclamation". One thing I highlighted was "If it is the Lord's plan, it should also be our plan!"

She talked about three principles that "are especially in need of steadfast defenders":

1) Marriage between a man and a woman. In today's world, the very definition of family is being torn apart! Marriage is between a man and a woman, for that is the way that God intended and created us to be. No laws, public criticism, or anything will change what the Lord has declared to be right.

2) The divine roles of mothers and fathers. Sister Jones had someone read a quote that I thought was truly inspired: "There is no one way to be a good mother." I love that. You do what is best for your family. It is different for everyone. Being a mother or a father is a divine role, and it is such an important one. You are the ones who teach your children of our Heavenly Father's plan. It is important for them to be reared in love and righteousness.

One cannot remember mother and forget God.
~President Thomas S. Monson

3) The last principle is the sanctity of the home. "We should 'make our homes' places of order, refuge, holiness, and safety." She said, "Let us defend the home as a place which is second only to the temple in holiness." Our homes should be a place of love and righteousness. As the definition of family is being torn apart, so are homes. It is important for children to have a real home to go to–one that is full of love, righteousness, and happy family members.

Today was my last Sunday in the ward. What a great way to end this chapter in my life!! I'm super nervous for school but I'm really excited to be moving on!! So glad that I always have my Savior to turn to. <3