You have a greater impact than you know.

I never realized what an impact I had/have on my friends/family/acquaintances. So, yesterday in seminary we had a seminary conference with everyone who had seminary that class period. At the end of the fabulous conference, they opened it up to us, the congregation. I listened to several of the testimonies, and my heart started pounding out of my chest; I was sure my friend beside me and in front of me could hear me. They couldn't, obviously, but I thought they could because it was so loud and I could feel it throughout my whole body. Anyway, I got up. And although I''m sure no one else noticed, I started and ended my talk with lines from songs. I started it with, "You are a light on hill. You cannot be hidden." That is from a song called "Light on a Hill." Anyway, after that, I don't remember exactly what I talked about, but I brushed up on my rough spot two years ago, and how I turned to my Savior and the Bishop, and they helped me get through it, and I knew that I wouldn't have been able to do it alone. I closed with the line, "With Him we can." I can't remember what song it is from, but I know it is by Mercy River, so if you want to find it, just look that line up with their name. Also, after the closing prayer, my friend thanked me for sharing my testimony. And later when I was waiting to get picked up, one of the seminary teachers said that I did a good job. And I never realized what an impact I had on those around me until then. I never consciously realized it, I mean. I guess underneath I knew, but I hadn't ever realized it. But yes. You have more of an impact than you know. Please be brave and smart. Someone may need something you say, but if you're not brave and you don't say it, they will never be able to get it from you or anyone else ever again.

Conference.

Today we had a seminary Morningside. Sister Elaine S. Dalton spoke to us. She spoke of how special we are, and how she calls us the stripling warriors of this day and age. She talked a lot about your worth, and I'm so glad I was able to go. It was a great testimony builder to me, and a great self-esteem booster, too. I love Sister Dalton and I'm going to miss her as the young women's president, but I'm glad for all the technology we have so that I can watch/listen/reread  all her talks. I'm so excited for conference this weekend!! I can't wait to hear what our leaders have prepared for us. I love all the big "bags" (events) of spiritual-ness that we get every so often. General Conference every six months, girls' camp and youth conference every summer, and the occasional "Oh my goodness gracious, this event was such a big testimony builder to me!" Because, honestly, sometimes my spiritual bag drains. But these events help lift it and strengthen it, and when I look back on them, I remember how I felt and how it helped me, and I'm so thankful for them. 

Music can uplift you.

There are so many uplifting and spiritual songs that I love to listen to on Sunday, or even when I'm feeling a little sad or when I need a pick-me-up. I usually listen to FM 100.3, and they always play Soft Sunday Sounds. They play many spiritual songs that I have never heard before even though I listen every week, and they play many songs that they play every week or every other week. Some spiritual/gospel artists that are popular that I love are Jenny Philips, Hilary Weeks, Cherie Call, Tyler Castleton, Amy Grant, Mindy Gledhill, David Archuleta, Fernando Ortega, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and many, many others that escape my mind at the moment. Some songs that play that I love are I Will Rise, Be Still My Soul, Better Than a Hallelujah, When I Sing, I Know Jesus Loves Me, and many, many more. But they all make me feel so, so good, and they really bring a spirit to my room that I just LOVE. It comes every Sunday when I listen to it, and I need it every week, I really do. I love to feel this spirit that it brings. It's a spirit of peace, and reverence, and knowledge. These songs bring more knowledge to my mind; they bring things to my mind that I sometimes have never thought before. I love the messages the songs bring, and I love that this station also plays/shares little clips from some General Conference talks. This station is my absolute favorite, and I love the peace it brings to me on Sundays.