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)

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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.

Your Influence

We never know what kind of influence, or impression, we leave with people.

This past week, I received a letter from home with a paper my "baby" brother wrote about his name. I smiled as I read it and thought about how much he had learned in such a short time. Then, I got to a paragraph that talked about his nicknames. He mentioned that his favorite was the one I had given him. I almost began to cry. I was so touched by his words. When I had made that nickname, I did not think it would mean much to him and when he wrote his paper, he did not know how much it would mean to me. Think what would have happened if, instead of a nickname, I had been mean and always called him "annoying?" Then what would have happened? Who knows.

Words are more powerful than we realize. Are we using them for good or are we using them for evil?

edited picture by Chelsey Fisher

James 3:6-12 says-

"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity... For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing... Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh..."

How can we tame our tongue to speak good things to help others, rather than hurt them?

Another scripture I read this morning is in Proverbs 15:1 that reads, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." 

Are we careful with our words? Is there someone we need to apologize to? How can we help those around us draw closer to Christ by our words? 

The answer is up to you.

Changes for the Better - Cambios nos ayuda a ser mejores

Today we moved from our little apartment and this led me to reflect on how often changes occur in my life. As I was growing up, changes were my least favorite things but, now after experiencing so many, I have now come to enjoy them. Yes, they have their challenges but, they also give us a breath of fresh air and an opportunity to try new things and start over. Some of the main changes I have had in my life have been moving, high school, college, and serving a mission. All of these, at the time, were extremely hard to deal with and hard to leave old things behind but, now, I look back and see that those experiences are the reason I am who I am. I am so grateful for those trials I experienced and for the people I have met who have helped me become a better person. I still have a long way to go but, I also have plenty of more changes to happen to help me shape into who I need to be.

edited picture by Chelsey Fisher

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Hoy nos cambiamos de nuestro apartamento y esto me ayudó a reflecionar en los cambios de mi vida. Cuando era una niña, no me gustaba los cambios pero ahora, los me gusta. Sí, son difíciles pero también podemos tratar nuevas cosas o tratar otra vez. Unos de mis cambios habían secundaria, universidad, y serviendo una misión. Todas de estas cosas, en el momento, fueron muy difíciles para cambiar y dejar cosas atrás pero ahora puedo mirar atrás y ver que esas experiences son la razón porque yo soy quien yo soy. Estoy muy agradecida por esos desafíos y las personas quienes he conocido para ayudarme a ser mejor. Todavía tengo mucho más para hacer pero tengo muchos más cambios también.