Got Confidence?

Alright- I have hinted this a little bit but, today I am going to talk a little bit about something I really struggle with-

I am extremely shy.

There you have it. I might be able to type a lot online but, it has always been extremely hard for me to talk to people, especially strangers. Obviously, that makes mission life difficult when you mostly only talk to people that are strangers. 

"Confidence" from my brother

Recently, however, I was re-reading a letter I received from my brother (who is now on a mission) from a few months ago. At the end of the letter he brought up one of his favorite topics (as many of his friends from high school would agree to) and that is-

confidence.

After sharing Doctrine and Covenants 121:45 that says, "Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven," my brother said that truly confident people:

1. Take a stand not because they think they are always right but because they are not afraid to be wrong

2. They listen 10x more than they speak

3. They freely ask for help

4. They don't put down other people

5. They only seek approval from the people who really matter. They only seek the Lord's approval, that's all that matters. 

As I was reading those points, it made me realize that I do not have to be super outgoing to be a super successful missionary but, just try my best to have confidence and rely on the Holy Ghost to lead and guide me. 

Everyone can have strength from God as long as you are willing  to try a little more to be a little better. 

Victory... Miracle of the Day

Awhile ago, I had a friend suggest looking for your "Victory of the Day" or something you accomplished every day. It is a great way to feel accomplished when sometimes things do not go the way we wanted. Maybe you did not get the laundry done, or did not finish that book you wanted to, or any number of things but, we can look for what we did do. Maybe we washed all the dishes in the sink or we took out some huge bush out of the yard, or maybe we simply sorted that laundry. I know when I look for the positive I feel better about my day and know, maybe I did not finish what I wanted to but, I did get done something else.

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Today, however, I would like to take that one step further. I would like to talk about looking for a "Miracle of the Day." Maybe there was a rainbow when we felt like no one was there to help. Maybe we found a scripture that answered our question. Maybe we heard from a friend that we thought we would never hear from again. Whatever it may be, it can help us see the hand of God in our life and help us draw closer to Him.

Around Christmas, we, as missionaries, were encouraged to do this. I decided "why not?" So, each night, I would write one miracle I had seen in my life and it made me really appreciate what I had. It helped me see, more clearly, that God loves me individually. I also was able to see how much he loved those around me one by one.

I can promise you, if you look for a "Miracle of the Day," you will see God's hand in your life and be more grateful for what you have. You will have more peace and feel the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, more, leading you through your path. God loves us so much and wants the best for us but, we need to show Him we want to follow His will. Just try it. Start tonight and reflect on when you saw God's hand in your life today.

The Answer Key

Today I would like to talk about one of my favorite books. It is, oddly enough, a nonfiction book. Usually my favorite books deal with fairies and dragons and adventure in a land far, far, away but, this one is different. It takes place in the America's many years ago. It begins in 600 B.C. and ends about 1000 years later. It tells the stories of war heroes and people who completely change their life around. It tells of families that leave their homes and enter ships without light because of a dream. It can be related to our day by the struggles people have with their families and friends, being picked on for their beliefs, or when people tell lies about another person.

What is this book you ask? I will tell you. It is...

The Book of Mormon:

Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Like the Bible, it has the words of prophets that testify of Jesus Christ and tell of their lives in a way we can relate to. It begins with a family in Jerusalem that, during the reign of Zedekiah (a king during the time that the Jews were carried into Babylon), leaves because the father, Lehi, has a dream of Jerusalem being destroyed for their wickedness. They travel in the wilderness with a set of scriptures and build a boat to carry them across the seas to the American Continent. There, they experience lots of hardships within their family which leads to two separate groups: the Nephites and the Lamanites. These two groups constantly switch sides of who is righteous (or the "good guys") and who is wicked (the "bad guys"). Much later, after Christ's death in Jerusalem, He comes to visit the Americas and teaches them His gospel and how they can be saved. These same teachings were taught while Christ was ministering among the Jews. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. However, like the Jews, there comes a time when people reject the teaching of Christ and many things are lost or corrupted but, prophets continued to write the truth that make up the pages of this book. And I won't spoil the ending. You will have to read it yourself and find out if you believe it is true!

Each time I read this book, it has a different story to tell. Before my mission, it was all about my family and related to that. Now, as a missionary, it is all about missionary work and the people I am teaching. The words do not change but, the meaning, and how you read them, changes every time. This book has touched my life numberless times and has helped me become who I am. I'd love to invite all of you to read it and look for how it can apply to you and how you can increase your relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. You can get a free copy here! 

Questions? Go above to my facebook page and shoot me a message or, you can comment below and I will try to help answer any questions the best I can. You can also go to mormon.org or lds.org for more answers. 

Family: A Forever Concept

What does your family mean to you? What is so great about families? Today, as a zone [area of the mission], we talked about The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Each time I read this document, something else stands out. There are so many answers to questions about hot topics in today's world. It tells us about where we came from, the role of the family, gender roles, and how we can find happiness in this life. It's not a super long document so, I would like to invite you all to read it and, to make it easier, here it is:

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WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of t he Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Chrsit of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

ALL HUMAN BEINGS- male and female- are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

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IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.


THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

WE DECLARE that means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and its importance in God's eternal plan.

HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives- mothers and fathers- will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of live and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, father and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

my family

WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

-First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, read September 23rd, 1995

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I am so grateful for this document and the knowledge it gives me that my family is eternal. Even though I am in Ogden, Utah and my brother will soon be in Brazil, we will be united with our family again. There is a saying that says that missionaries are people who leave their family for a short time so that other families can be together forever. I know that families can be forever and that they are ordained of God. I know this document, although read in 1995, is applicable today. It was written by a prophet of God as revelation to help us. God does speak to His children today, through personal revelation and through prophets. If we heed their council, we will be blessed. 

Thanks Mommy!

This morning, I was watching a few Mormon Messages and I happened to click on "Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God" by Jeffery R. Holland. I had watched the video before but, I found myself near tears from gratitude for what my mom has done for me. (my father as well but, this video focuses on mothers)

I would like to invite you to watch it and think of your mom, grandma, foster-mom, step-mom, woman leader, whoever it may be that has given so much to help you be who you are.

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How many times do we forget to say, "thank you," to those around us. Did you thank you mom (or other woman you look up to) when she washed your clothes or dishes? When she helped you with your homework? or paid you a compliment? I know there were many times I did not thank my mom for what she did and, being away from home, I realize how grateful I am for all she has done. 

On a similar note, how often do we thank God for what we have been given? God gives us so many blessings every day and He wants to hear from us. Through prayer, we can thank Him for those blessings and ask Him for the things we need. Prayer is a simple communication with God that allows us to align our will to His. (See BD: Prayer) For those who have never prayed before, there are four simple steps you can follow:

Steps to Prayer:

1. Address our Heavenly Father (ex: Dear Heavenly Father)

2. Thank God for the blessings you have (ex: I thank thee for...)

3. Ask for the things you need (ex: I ask thee for...)

4. End with the phrase: "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

I know that when we are more grateful with others, and especially our Heavenly Father, we feel more at peace and feel the hand of the Lord in our lives more. 

Never Ending Valentine

I usually am not a huge fan of Valentine's day because it just seems like a day for card & candy companies to make money and over-done "I love you." But, this year, I see it a little different. So many people are alone or feel like no one cares but, as a missionary, I get to help people feel the love of God. What could be better than that?

edited photo by Chelsey Fisher

God loves all of us unconditionally. No matter what we do, we can always turn back to Him and feel His peace. In the New Testament, Christ promised to send us the comforter, or the Holy Ghost. As long as we seek it, we will receive it.

For anyone who feels they have fallen too far to feel God's love, pray. Pray to feel God's love or to know how He feels about you. I know He will answer your prayer and help you to find peace. If you do not receive an answer right away, just keep praying, daily. Read the scriptures. We can always return to God's loving arms. He is never changing. He will always love us. Always. I know that to be true because I have felt that love over and over again. Just try it. Find out for yourself. He loves you.

Elementary Miracle

Today I had the opportunity to help translate at an elementary school. At first, I was super nervous because I do not feel eloquent in Spanish when it is not about the church but, I arrived and was asked to go to a certain classroom so, I headed over there. When I arrived, the teacher said that they did not need my help and directed me two doors down to help someone else.

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Luckily, I was able to help with translating and that helped me feel better. But, the main miracle for me was being able to talk with this teacher about all sorts of things. We talked about church and about being teachers. (I even picked their brain a little since that is my major.)

I felt so happy. 

Earlier that day, I was feeling stressed out because we are encouraged to talk with EVERYONE and, for a shy girl, that is really hard. Even after all the practices and the scriptures or quotes, I just feel worse about myself. But, this experience helped me see this in a different light. True, it is important to talk with everyone about Christ or God so all have the opportunity to accept Him but, everyone is different. This talk I had with this teacher led me to feel so much joy. I walked away from that elementary school feeling so happy and just smiling non-stop. Even when our lesson canceled, I still just felt so excited about life. This conversation had combined several things I love (elementary education, teaching, religion, etc) and we both left feeling happier. Sometimes it is hard to talk about our personal lives or talk about things we hold dear with complete strangers but, when we do it with love and respect, both can come out edified and rejoice in what they had. As says Doctrine & Covenants 50:22.

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I know people are placed in our path for a reason. They may not believe the same as we do or even accept what we hold dear but, I know we can come out feeling better about what be believe and maybe even realize we believe it more than we know. I also know when we need it, God will put things in our paths to help us turn to Him and find peace. That is what happened to me. When I was stressed and did not know how to keep working hard, he let me be myself and talk to someone a little bit about what I believe without feeling pressure.

Windows of the Soul

The other day, during personal study, I became interested in the meaning of eyes in the scriptures. Some refer to them as the light of the body and how you can tell how a person is by the light in their eyes.

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Why is that? 

Our minds usually refer to intelligence, our hearts to emotions, but, our eyes for our type of being? Could it be because they change with how much light is in the room? The more light, the smaller they are to take in less and the less light the larger they are to take in as much as possible? Or, is it because it is through them we see? We can see color, see things happen, see the world around us. Or how people's eyes are different, as people are also different?

I do not know the answer but, I do know that sight is a very interesting thing. Alma 32:21 teaches us that, "faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." (emphasis added)

my photo

In 2 Kings 6:17, Elisha prays to God and asks him to, "open his eyes, that he may see." Then, after granting his request, "he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."

How interesting it is that we long to see all but, God asks us to have faith which is not to see but, believe. However, it can be hard. Many ask for miracles before they will believe something is true but, that is not how God teaches us. Ether 12:6 says, "dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (emphasis added)

How can we have more faith? Or be more patient to have faith? We can read the scriptures, study the words or Christ, trust in Him, pray to God for help, etc. Everyone is different but, God knows us and can help us have more faith in Him to follow His will. All we need to do is, "ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7)

I know God lives and will help us follow Him and trust in His will. I know because I have gone to Him when I do not know where to turn and He has guided me. I know He will do the same for you.

My Healer

Today marks almost one year of my aunt's passing. A few weeks ago, I wrote out my experience and today, I would like to share it with all of you. It tells of hope and how, through Christ, we can find peace. Not saying it's easy to lose a loved one but, we can keep moving forward. My heart is with my uncle and cousins, and other family members today. I know families are forever and that God watches over His children.

Greg Olsen

"My Healer"
By: Chelsey Fisher

I grew up with a lot of family nearby. We spent a lot of time together. However, when I left for college, I left that family behind and spent time with another part. To have a time of peace, I joined choir. One night, while curling my hair and doing my make-up for a concert, I received a call from my mom. What she had to tell me shocked me.

My aunt had cancer.

Not just the starts of it but, a return of her old cancer which was worse than before. Immediately, the words of one of our choir pieces came to mind. "Where can I turn for peace?..."

All was in the Lord's hands but, I continually prayed for my aunt and waited the end of the semester to see her again. However, that was my will.

That next fast Sunday, as a family, we fasted for her. As I was sitting in Sacrament meeting, listening to testimonies, my thoughts turned to my aunt and uncle and their two little children. Before I knew it, I was at the front testifying of eternal families.

Greg Olsen

After leaving church, I pulled out my phone to see a text from my mom telling me my dear aunt had passed away about the time I was sharing my testimony. I was stunned. As we entered the apartment, I told my roommate about what had happened and  broke down sobbing. The things I had just testified faltered in my mind. Were they real? Would I really see my aunt again?

My family that was nearby could not fully understand how I  felt and neither could my family gathered at home. I felt completely alone and that no one could help me. As I pondered the strain of events, the things of my youth came to mind and I prayed and played music about my Savior, Jesus Christ. I felt at peace.

When I think of my aunt and the family still here on earth, I shed a tear for the loss but, I can not testify that I know God lives. I know families can be together forever. I know Jesus Christ knows exactly how we feel because He has been there. I know God answers prayers and that, through Christ, we can be healed. He healed my broken heart. He can heal you too.