The Lord has a plan.

So I tried out for the talent show on Wednesday. Today I found that I didn't make it. And that's okay; there's always next year and I guess that there must be something else I need to do. Today I also tried out for choir for next year and I really hope I get in! The choir teacher said I sounded beautiful and she asked me when I have orchestra, so...*crosses fingers* I hope I got in!! If not, well...I'll be in dismay, and I may cry, but life goes on. I must be needed somewhere else if I don't get in. Also, just as a side note, I've had several friends say that they're sure that I'll get in because I have a good/great voice/talent, so I really hope they're right about me getting in! I tried out for two choirs; I'd be pleased with either. I know The Lord has a plan for me, and if the talent show (and choir) aren't in it, I can't wait to see what is!!!

Today is a special day.

Hello, nonexistent followers who may one day be actual real-live people. Today, seventeen years ago, a most wonderful, spunky, funny, beautiful daughter of God came to this world. Her name was Mattie Ruth Radke. Yep, folks, that's right. Today is my birthday!! I'm seventeen. I have learned so, so, so much in the past seventeen years about who I am as a person, who I am as a daughter of God, and who I want to be. I am so thankful for the example of my Saviour, Jesus Christ, and for everything He and my Heavenly Father have done for me. I am so thankful for all of the people in my life who are great examples to me and who have taught me so much about life, and living, and all the fun stuff that is weird and random. I'm so thankful for all the people who put up with me and pretend to understand what I'm talking about. :) I'm so thankful for the opportunity I have to communicate with people and spread the gospel. I'm thankful that I'm always so happy. Love you all! 

Love,

Mattie-Who-Is-Now-Seventeen :)

He reaches and teaches through you.

I am super excited for my auditions tomorrow, but also really nervous! My throat kind of hurts so I'm gonna take a water bottle to school tomorrow. I have been getting lots of positive, uplifting "You can do it!"s, "You'll be awesome!"s, "You're going to be amazing!"s, etc. from everyone and I know that that is Heavenly Father's way of telling me that I can do this and I'm amazing. Heavenly Father reaches and teaches us through other people, and I am so thankful for that. I love people being that for me and I love being that for other people. 

You need to be.

"Face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility" (President Thomas S. Monson). I LOVE this! Be courageous in times of trouble; be strong and stand firmly in holy places. Be cheerful in disappointing times; be an example of the believers. Be humble when triumphant. Remember, you are loved even if you fail.

Seminary.

I love seminary. It's a place where I can go during the week and learn about the gospel and have a break from school. It's a place where I can go during the week to learn more about my Saviour. It's a place where I can go during the week to learn more about what I can do to help me and help those around me. Seminary is one of my safe havens, and I am so grateful for it. Since I started seminary in ninth grade, it has made a big impact on my life and it has changed me for good. I am so grateful for all of the seminary teachers that I have had and their time and preparation. I have had many life questions answered in seminary and I have felt the spirit so many times. Seminary is one of the places that I feel the most safe and I am so thankful for that. 

If you just believe.

If you just believe, you can be an example. If you just believe, you will know that you are loved. If you just believe, you will know that you are a child of God. If you just believe, you will know that you are a daughter or son of a king. If you just believe, you can make it. If you just believe, you can be like Jesus Christ. If you just serve, you will be like Jesus Christ. 

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.