First Vacation

I am failing at this blog thing! But nonetheless I will continue to strive to be better. This summer has been great. I finally got to go on an actual vacation! Brooklyn's first vacation. Where did we go? Well we went to Utah of course. This was an amazing trip. We stayed with a family friend. Which we were so grateful for. We saw 14 temples total on our trip.

Day 1: We stopped at Boise Idaho temple. Stretched our legs and of course pictures. Then We went to Brigham City. Went to where we were staying. Then we went to Ogden and Bountiful. That night, Brooklyn had a seizure. It was scary. I have never seen her have one. This was her second one. I am so grateful that We were with a friend that helped me through it. We went to the ER and then got home around 2 am.

Day 2: We met with one of the Sister missionaries sister. She is so nice. Reminded me a lot of her sister. Brooklyn warmed up to her real fast. It was great. After that we went to Jordan River (which was under construction ), Oqurrih Mountain, and Draper (also under construction). Then we met the other sister missionary family for lunch. They were so great! It was a great experience to meet families of those that are serving in my area. I am so close to those sisters and meeting their families brought me even closer. Then we finished the day with Salt Lake Temple. One of my favorites. It is an amazing temple and to think took like 40 years to build!

Day 3: We went to Logan Temple and met up with one of the sisters who served in my area. It was so great spending time with her! We then drove up to Idaho Falls Temple (also under construction) and met up with another sister whom served in my area and her husband. I just love them! I missed her so much!

Day 4: We went to Church and then just rested. We went for a walk, watched some shows about Thomas S. Monson and others.

Day 5: We went to Mount Timpanogos, Provo City and Provo. We got lunch and helped someone who was buying things for her apartment and her card wasn't working. It was so great to help. This is something we all can do. We met with yet another sister who served in my area! It was so much fun seeing her. Brooklyn decided it would be fun to fall into the fountain while at the Provo Temple. She didn't hit her head, which was so lucky, but she had some bruises on her legs. Then she sat on our friend and it looked like she had an accident haha! So then Brooklyn had to sit on her leg so it didn't look like that.

Day 6: We went to Temple Square. If you have not yet had the opportunity to go here you should make the time. It is amazing. So many things to do. The spirit is so strong.  We also saw the This Is The Place Heritage Park.

Day 7: We went back to visit the families we saw on day 2. We left Brooklyn with one family while we went and did some scripture study at Oqurrih Mountain. Then we went to Payson. Payson is gorgeous! We then went back to Provo City. This temple is so beautiful. I wish we stayed later there. But it was getting late. We went back to Oqurrih Mountain and took some photos when all the lights were on.

Day 8: We left to come home. :(

I miss Utah so much. It was amazing there. 14 Temples seen! WOW!!! We have only 4 more to see in Utah.... well 5 once Cedar City is finished being built.

I wanted to take Brooklyn to all these temples because I know the spirit is so strong on the grounds. The spirit is the one who teaches us. I can teach Brooklyn many things, but I am not sure what she retains because she cannot tell me. But I know the spirit taught her. Her favorite part, I'm sure, were the fountains and Angel Moroni.

There was still a few individuals I would have love to see again, but time got the best of us. I am hoping to plan another trip in the near future and plan on seeing them at that point! and then some!

I ask that you go and visit a temple. The grounds are so pretty and let alone the Temple its self. The spirit is so strong. If you are looking for guidance or answers, come to the temple. You may not be able to go inside but you can walk around, sit and think. Its a great place for peace and comfort.

3 Nephi 17:2-3 I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am 
                           commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time. 
                         Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said,
                         and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your 
                        minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again.




     
                              

It's been awhile!

It has been awhile since writing on my blog! I have been so caught up in life. I have been busy with work, my daughter and going out with the missionaries that I kinda forgot I had a blog! My bad! I am going to get better! 

I have been going out with the missionaries quite a bit lately and I love it! Being able to share the gospel is amazing! I am now sharing it anyway I can. I know how much it has changed my life. It's brought me peace and happiness. There was a time a week or so ago, where I finished a lesson with the sisters and then on my way home I ran into the elders and went with them to talk to someone in the apartments standing there. We ended up teaching the Restoration. It was amazing! You could see the spirit reaching out to him. You could see his eyes change.

I also went to a couple of the Mission Devotionals. These are so good! It's where the new members of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints bare their testimony on how they came to know that Christ's original Church is back on the earth. There are also videos and short messages that the Missionaries give. Oh and amazing music sung by the Missionaries! There is a Mission Devotional every month and I encourage you all to go to one if they are available in your area. If not, then I encourage you to go to a local Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints service on the first Sunday of the month. This is also a day where all members can bare their testimonies. 


I have finished reading the Book Of Mormon for the first time! Took me about a year--this is with skipping days :O ! I know I skipped, I can definitely feel a difference between the days I do read and I don't. 

I want to talk about The Book Of Mormon. There are many people that say bad things about it. So I want to explain The Book Of Mormon a bit more. 

The Book Of Mormon is ancient records of the people on the ancient Americas. Just like the people in Jerusalem- they had prophets to help guide the people and testify of Christ- so did the Americas. 

It is another Testament of Jesus Christ. The Old testament and new Testament also testify of Christ, before and while he was here. We read all of them  together.

I was talking to my sister and we were discussing the fact that people put down the Book Of Mormon a lot. They say that its wrong, that Joseph Smith wrote it. No he did not. He translated the Book Of Mormon by the power of God. 

I'm not sure why people hate on "Mormons" as much as they do. We do not put down other religions. They say we are not Christians. We are "The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints" we are christian. We believe in Christ. 

I encourage all of you to read the Book Of Mormon. There is a promise in the introduction that If you read the Book Of Mormon and ponder in your hearts the message it contains and then ask of God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the holy ghost. 

I KNOW that the Book Of Mormon is true. I know Christ's original church he established while he was on the earth, has been brought back. 

What would you do if you knew that Christ's church was back on the earth today? 

 

In honor of Fast Sunday:

Today marks the first Sunday of the month. Fast Sunday! Every first Sunday of each Month, we have Fast/testimony meeting. We had had 2 general authority of the Seventy come to Sacrament meeting today. The congregation only had about 20 minutes to bare their testimonies, to be able to leave time for the general authorities to bare theirs. I was going to go bare mine, which never happens because I do not like talking in front of LOTS of people. So I thought what a great BLOG especially since I haven't done one in awhile!

It is almost coming up on a year of my choice to go back to church. During this year, my life has changed DRASTICALLY. I have met some amazing women that have helped change my life. I know that this Gospel, this church, The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints, is true. This is Christ ONE TRUE CHURCH. I know that Joseph Smith saw The Father and Christ in the grove. He restored the Gospel and translated The Book Of Mormon. Christ died for us to be able to live again. HE LIVES!

I know that God hears our prayers. He answers our prayers. He wants to hear from us, to bless us. He is an amazing Loving Father.

I know he has a plan for us. To be able to live with him again. This Plan of Salvation is amazing. I know that if we choose to follow Christ and keep the commandments and covenants, we will be able to live with him again.

I love my family. I feel comfort in knowing that I can be with them not in just this life but the next life. To be able to be sealed for ETERNITY is amazing. I know that families are important.

I know that the decision to go back to church and become truly converted to the Gospel, has made me a better person. I have changed so much. I have people see a difference in me. I love to share the Gospel. To help others come to know for themselves that it is true.

I know that have God and Christ in my life, and to pray and read often it helps guide me in the direction I should go. I know that if you ask to be guided and council with him he will answer and guide you.

I know that HE LIVES!  I know that The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints is HIS CHURCH! I know he hears us. He is waiting for us to come unto him. To make the CHOICE to follow him. I know that my life is better having Christ in my life. I cannot wait to continue my journey and finding my Eternal Companion to share my journey with! In the name Jesus Christ AMEN.

Been thinking

I been thinking a lot lately about how I would love to have served a Mission. Sometimes I think about what if I stayed on the path.... cannot change it now, but I get sad and upset sometimes, especially lately that I did not go on one. And yes I can always go on one when I'm older but its not the same. I short of feel like I let the Lord down. I know that I was at a different place at the time. I mean, where would the Lord want me to go?

Sometimes I wish there was a rewind button and go back into time. but then I wouldn't have had the experiences I had. Those experiences helped me grow. It gave me TONS of trials that helped me become stronger temporal and spiritual.

For now, I am excited that I am a ward missionary so that I can go out with the Sisters and teach about the restored gospel.

It's not the same thing, but it's what I can do and I know the Lord is glad I'm serving him. I love talking about the Gospel and want everyone to hear it!

2 Corinthians 2:12 Futhermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord.

Moroni 7:33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.

Been awhile.... :D

Well it's been awhile since my last blog. I have been doing alright. Been kinda crazy. Between doctor appointments, therapy appointments, working.... so crazy! I have however had many opportunities to go out with the missionaries! I love being able to go out with them to teach about the Gospel. There has been some miracles that I witnessed. It's amazing to see prayers answered, whether it's my own prayers or others!

There is just something amazing about how the spirit testifies to people. When I was doing a church tour with the Sister Missionaries, we could see the spirit touch people with just the paintings in the halls. I just love it!

They asked why there are no crosses in our buildings. I know that is a question a lot of people ask. The cross is important-he died for us- then he was resurrected. We focus on that he LIVES. He lives today and we are waiting for his second coming.

I just love the opportunities to go out and testify to others about the gospel of Jesus Christ and his TRUE Church. I'm so thankful for all of the missionaries throughout the world who devote 18 months to 2 years of their lives to the Lord.

And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice. ALMA 42:15

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. MATTHEW 3:1-2

The Gospel Restored

This week has gone well. I have been reading "Increase In Learning" by David A. Bednar. So far its amazing. I have also been taking subjects each day to study. Now, seeing as you can learn a lot about one subject, so I can probably take one subject and week and dive deeper but since this is the first time I'm doing this, I want to start small.

This week one of my topics I studied was the RESTORATION.

When Jesus Christ was on this earth, He taught his Gospel. He had his 12 apostles. Before the Savior's death, He have his Apostles authority to teach his gospel and perform the ordinances of salvation, and establish His Church in the world.

Then the Apostles got killed and the priesthood was taken from the earth. This was a time of darkness. Some people wanted to continue learning but didn't remember everything that was taught so they made a church with what they remembered. Or some started churches and left out what they didn't like. That is why there are so many churches. But no churches were the TRUE GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST.

In 1820, Joseph Smith wanted to know what church to join. He turned to the scriptures for answers. James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given." He then decided to ask God. So he went to a grove of trees and knelt in prayer. He described this experience:
           "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended
            gradually until it fell upon me...When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose
            brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake
            unto me, calling me by name, and said, pointing at the other- This is My Beloved Son. Hear
            Him!"

The Father and His Son told him not to join any of the churches for they were all wrong.

Years later Joseph Smith became a Prophet of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. He restored the Priesthood to the world again.

Joseph Smith was directed by a heavenly messenger named Moroni where the Gold plates were. These gold plates were translated by the power of God. The Book Of Mormon is a record of ancient inhabitants of the Americas.

Christ's original church has been restored and we are guided by Prophets who are called of God.

Now, this is a lot of information! I know there are people out there that do not believe that Joesph Smith was a prophet. They also have a hard time believing we have a prophet on the earth. I ask that you do as James 1:5 says, And ask god if Joseph Smith was a prophet. Ask him if the book of Mormon is true. If you do this, with a sincere heart, and really mean it. The Holy Spirit will testify to you.

Now this is just a little tid bit of the Restoration. I encourage you to learn more-- meet with missionaries, read the Book Of Mormon, attend church.

You can always learn more. We must continue learning and draw closer to Christ.

We must remember Christ and get to know him. How do we do this? Just like you would a friend. Spend time with him! As we do this we will continue on our journey towards Christ.

I hope that this week you all will find out for yourself the truths. Continue to seek, ponder and pray.

"Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified b the reception of the Holy Ghost" 3 Nephi 27:20

NEW YEAR - NEW CHALLENGES

Good-bye 2015....... HELLO 2016!

I cannot believe that we are already in January. 2015 went by so fast. It was a great year though. My highlights from 2015 are:
    * went back to church in June - making this decision changed my life for the better. I became truly
       converted. I know that the Book Of Mormon is true! It changed my life- it will change yours!
    * I got my patriarchal Blessing - amazing!!!
    * quit my job, got a new one- this was a hard decision. But I couldn't choose between my daughter
       and church. They are both important to me. My new job is much better environment. I also can
       go part-time and still make enough to get by :D
    * I got my temple recommend and went to the Temple for the first time!!!! This was an exciting
       day for me. I also got to share this day with my sister. I am so happy she decided to make
       changes for herself and go back to church.
    * My daughter has done a lot of growing-development wise. I love watching her grow and learn
       new things. There are some challenges of course- motherhood is always challenging- but I know
       that she will continue to learn at her own pace and that's okay with me!
    * I made some amazing new friends. They will always be in my life and I am forever grateful for
       them! I mean, they all live in difference states, and I don't get to see them, but I talk to them and I
       know I will see them!

2016 will be amazing!

I know I will continue to grow my testimony in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Things I want to do this year are:
    * Go to Temple Square - this is will amazing! I love the Salt Lake City Temple. It is gorgeous! I
       mean all the temples are gorgeous but Salt Lake is my fave!
    * Go to General Conference - I watched it for the first time ever back in October of last year, and it
       was amazing! I want to go to at least one session!
    * Go to the Sacred Grove - I hear that you can really feel the spirit here. I know that Joseph Smith
       saw God and Christ when he prayed to ask which church to join.
    * Go to at least 6 different temples - going to the different temples will be amazing!
    * Save money - this one will be hard for me. But I know that it is a must!
    * Take a vacation to Disneyland - my daughter will love it! I haven't been in YEARS!
    * Visit my two friends in Idaho and Utah.
    * Meet my future husband - maybe lol I can only hope. I want that eternal family. :D
    * Declutter my life - keep what's important
    * Pray - I do pray, but I need to be more consistent
    * Study/read the scriptures -  I can always do better at this!
    * Read more spiritual books - David A. Bednar  has amazing books (well they are probably
       amazing) I just started reading his Increase In Learning
    * Simplify my life - there is a book called "Simplify" by Carolyn J. Rasmus that I got for my
       birthday and there are 7 ways to simplify your life. I want to apply these to my life
    * Keep the Sabbath day holy - still hard one for me...... but I can only get better right?
    * FHE - every Monday

Those are just some of my goals for the new year! Yes a lot of them are Spiritual. I know that once I get my life more together and more in tune with the Gospel- that everything else will fall into place. I will still have challenges and trials, but I know through Christ I will get through them and grow.

My hope for all of you is to continue your Journey back to Christ - or START!! Meet with the missionaries, come to church, read the Book Of Mormon, or talk with members. I know that if you just Christ in, your life will be more filling!

"And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you." 3 Nephi 18:16
"And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended not." John 1:5