Because of Him.

Happy Easter! I know that my Redeemer lives! I know that Jesus Christ lived, died, and was resurrected to save us all. I am grateful for the reminder that life does not end after death...because of Him.

I am grateful for the knowledge and testimony I have that He lives. So grateful for the chances I have to share my testimony with others. I was able to sing "One by One" in sacrament meeting today and I hope and pray that I really brought the Spirit to the meeting. I know that we are all ministered to one by one, and I know that we will all be able to live again because of Him. I am so grateful that I will be able to see my family and friends who have passed away again someday.

I am grateful for the example of my Savior–throughout His ministry, as well as during His last week here on Earth. He showed so much love and compassion for those who wanted to follow Him. He healed the sick and afflicted, and He loved His followers. But He also showed love for those who wanted to crucify Him...and that is the biggest example of all. He endured all He did because He knew that we needed Him. He was the only one who could do it, and He did it for us. He loved us, and He loved His Father so much, that He was willing to do the Father's will so that we could all have the opportunity to return to live with Heavenly Father and be saved. Jesus Christ knew that not everyone would take advantage of His sacrifice, but He did it for them anyway because He still loved them.

I am grateful for His sacrifice, and for His love for me. I am grateful that He is always there to help me, and that He sends angels here on Earth to be with me, and to love me, and to help me recognize that I am not alone, that I am not unloved, and that I am blessed. I am grateful that He understands what I am going through, and that He is always there to catch me when I fall.

I am grateful for the chance that I have to try and try and try and try again and again and again...because of Him. I am grateful for the chance I have to be with my loved ones again...because of Him. I am grateful for the chance that I have to grow closer to my Father in Heaven...because of Him. I am grateful for the chance I have to learn how to have faith...because of Him. I am grateful for the chance I have to live with my family forever...because of Him.

This is from 2012 but is a reminder of how much we have grown.
I love my siblings so much and am so grateful
for each of their personalities and what
they bring to our family. 

Heavenly Father knows what He is doing. I can't imagine my life without my brothers and sisters, and I am so grateful for them. I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father has a bigger plan for me. My life isn't always exactly what I want it to be...but I know that it is always what it needs to be.

Happy Easter, friends. "He is not here, for He is risen!"

Xoxo
Mattie

Happy Easter Conference!

Happy Easter! And happy General Conference weekend!! It's been an amazing weekend!! I've learned so much and I have a lot to work on and I am SO excited!! I've been feeling very motivated lately, which is FANTASTIC! I hope it will last the next three weeks as I finish up this semester!

I am so thankful for my Savior, who died and was resurrected so that I could live again. I am so thankful that I can be with my family forever. I went home for today's sessions of conference and I had a blast with my family, especially little brothers! I love them so much and am so grateful for them! They have my whole heart and they're all I need in my life right now.

General Conference was AMAZING!!! We got two new apostles–Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Elder Ulisses S. Soares. I am so excited! They have spoken in conference before and I really loved their talks. We are going to be getting 7 new temples!! I am so excited!! They're going to be all over the world–except for the one in Layton, UT. Though, technically it is still a part of 'all over the world'. Anyway, there's going to be one in India and Russia!! That's awesome!! The home/visiting teaching programs are being reorganized–we are now calling it 'ministering' and there's going to be a little bit of revamping. I'm super excited for that! :)

There were so many amazing and wonderful lessons that I have learned this weekend, but one of my most favorite overall messages was: Love one another–including yourself. That is something that I have been struggling with a lot lately, but I'm working on it. Another message that I got was about forgiveness, including forgiving yourself, which is also something that I struggle with.

Lately I have realized that I have a lot about myself that I have to focus on working on, and even though I had a less-than-ideal way of getting that message, I am really grateful for it. So, I am trying to focus on me right now. Focusing on my spiritual studies, my scholarly studies, and turning outwards. I am trying to focus on doing, and being, and living.

I can't wait till the conference talks are all transcripts online! I am so excited to be able to learn from them more in the upcoming months! I am going to try and work on some things and I am excited to make these changes in my life.

God is our Father. He knows exactly what we need to hear. He knows what we need to do to change. He has given us the Holy Ghost as a companion to help us learn and grow, as well as to help us minister to those around us. I am so grateful for the revelations that I received this weekend, and I am so thankful for the opportunities that God gives me to change. He has given me so many second chances...I am so thankful that He loves me so much and that He wants to help me change. I can't wait to start!

I am so blessed! It's been a wonderful conference weekend, and having conference fall on Easter Sunday is always a blessing! I am so thankful for the wonderful example of my Savior, and for His sacrifice and love! I am blessed beyond measure and I am so excited to be able to focus my life in the right direction, and show Him that He didn't make a mistake with me.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend and that you have an amazing week! :)

Xoxo
Mattie