A Year of Change

Wow! It has been a long time since I have written on here! Mission life just gets way too crazy! Well, today, I hit a year on my mission and all I can think is "where did the time go?" because really, "time flies when you're having fun!" and "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are in the service of your God." Today, we did some service of cleaning up/painting a parking garage. As we cleaned up the dust and garbage, it made me think of repentance. [I know- missionary thoughts. haha] It can be really hard at times and you may not feel your little sweeping is really making much of a difference but, with the help of God, and others when necessary, all is possible and things can change. When we are forced to change, we usually are not very happy about it but, when we change because we want to be what God wants us to, miracles can happen. The longer I am out, the more I realize how we all have things to improve on and some take more time than others. Whether those things be repenting of sins or just becoming better or a combination of the two, we all need our Savior, Jesus Christ, to help us become that better person. I know I still have a long way to go to be who God wants me to but, little by little, sweep by sweep, and with His love, I can change and so can you.

Blessings Come

Today, after our District Meeting, I came to the realization that I only have about 6 months left as a full-time missionary. I have very few transfers and one of those will be helping at the Ogden Temple open house. In conclusion, I am running out of time. Before my mission, I had all these plans and ideas but, a lot I am still working on and realizing I have a long ways to go.

Upon reflecting on this, I went into the bathroom and looked into the mirror. I felt like a new person was looking back. Not the same young girl from a year or two ago. As I reflected on that thought, I realized how many blessings have come into my life. For example, I feel I finally have the kind of relationship I wanted with my parents and siblings, I feel I finally have started to get to know one of my uncles, and I have heard so many wonderful things that have happened to other family members. Yes, a mission is really hard but, I would not give it up for anything. A quote I once heard comes to mind, "A mission isn't the best time of your life but, the best for your life." I feel so blessed and cannot wait to see what the next six months hold for me.

For people going through struggles, look upon the progress that has been made and remember there is still time to go. We will not become perfect over night but, little by little we can become the person God wants us to be. We just need to trust in Him and His timing.

Peace will Come

Everyone has trials and problems. They are a part of life we usually do not choose. How we respond to those problems, however, is our choice.

Recently, I have been having my own personal problems and just could not figure out how to overcome them. I would pray but, I felt the parts about my struggles were hitting the ceiling and coming back to me. But, I kept praying to find peace. This morning, that peace finally came.

I have been reading a talk from General Conference almost every day so, during my personal study, I opened up to the next talk, "Grateful in Any Circumstance," by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. As I began to read, I knew the answer had finally come.

Uchtdorf says, "Being grateful in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges. This is not a gratitude of the lips but of the soul. It is a gratitude that heals the heart and expands the mind."

Some times it can be hard to be grateful when things do not go the way we wish but, as Uchtdorf said, "How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?"

I know I am guilty of that. When I am in the midst of a trial, I focus on the problem, rather than thanking God for the chance to become better or stronger. What would happen if we had an "attitude of gratitude?" I think it would help so much in overcoming our problems and focusing on the blessings we do have before becoming depressed because of what we do not.

This thought process led me to think about what I am grateful for- being able to receive answers to prayer, a loving God who cares about me personally, my family and their support, opportunity to be a missionary, good health, music that brings peace, opportunity to meet new people, charity, letters on a cloudy day, the beauty around me, and so much more but, I do not have time to write it all.

Try thinking of what you can be grateful for or how to find gratitude during times of trial. I know it will help because it has helped me.