Gratitude in the Rainstorm

This morning I was reading a talk by Jon Bytheway entitled "Five Scriptures that will Help You Get Through Almost Anything." As I was reading, a quote stood out to me that I would like to share. He said,

"How many times has someone prayed that 'we might get home in safety,' and we actually did? How many traffic accidents has He [God] helped you avoid? How many times has He inspired you to do something that saved someone from injury? We will never know in this life." 

This quote  made me reflect  on my own life as of right now. Yesterday, I got bit by a dog as we were walking. It began to bleed so we went to visit a home of a member (who happened to be home) and then, I had to go to the clinic to get some antibiotics. In the moment, I was pretty annoyed and upset at this dog and how we were not able to do anything else until my finger was taken care of. As I thought about this quote with that situation I realized things were probably way better than they could have been. I only received two little punctures rather than losing a finger. The member was home and able to take care of cleaning it well. And I was first in line at the clinic so I was able to be taken care of quickly. At first glance, I could have lost the chance to learn and be grateful for the blessings I did receive and the safety I did have.

How often do we quickly judge a situation without taking a second look at it? Or, as Dieter F. Uchtdorf said in General Conference,

"How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?" (for whole talk see here) 

What would happen if we looked at things differently and were grateful for the blessings and trials we do have?

Easter Countdown

Yes, I am a day late but, better late than never! Right? I hope so... Anyway, I was reading the Liahona [church magazine] and came across an AWESOME Easter activity for families here! It has a cute cut-out Easter count down (page found here) and scriptures/songs to count down this wonderful holiday of celebrating Christ's resurrection. I'd love to invite you all to try it out! I started this morning (doing day 1 & 2) and I am really excited. It's just a short, simple way to remember the reason for this season. Because of Christ, we are able to be cleansed and return to live with God again. Why not take some time to honor Him?

When I Was Baptized

While reading the talk by Henry B. Eyring from the General Woman's Meeting, a quote stuck out and made me start thinking. He said,

"A number of you were baptized recently... Others were baptized long ago,... No two of us will have the same memories of the day when we made that sacred baptismal covenant." 

Now, I was baptized at 8 years old, which feels like a long time ago to me. Sometimes I struggle to remember the details of that day. However, upon reading that quote, I reflected on what I do remember and felt impressed to record it here:

October 21st, 2000-
I remember going to fill the font at this stake center with my daddy. We got hungry so we took a trip to Wendy's to eat. I think I got chicken nuggets and a frosty but, that may just be what I want right now. I don't remember what we talked about but, I remember feeling special having time alone with Daddy and how he bought me food at Wendy's.

Then, upon returning to the church, we found my family gathered and ready to take pictures. So, I put on my white pants/shirt (the same my mom had worn at her baptism). Then, we took pictures. I remember feeling very privileged to be wearing what my mom wore in the same place my dad was baptized. 

I do not remember the talks or even being baptized but, I do remember when I got confirmed [received the Gift of the Holy Ghost]. My dad, uncles, and grandpas gathered around as I sat on a metal chair. I do not remember what was said but, I remember how heavy all those hands were and trying really hard to sit still so they could not tell I was struggling to sit up straight. I also remember feeling so loved and important by my family. I knew I was doing the right thing. 

My next memory is back at my old house on Cresent Lane. I was opening my birthday gifts and I had just opened the one from my parents- my very own set of scriptures with notes on the inside. I felt like I had been given a great treasure. I wanted to guard them (and the notes from my parents) forever.

Even though I do not remember everything, I know my baptism was an important event and an act of faith. I am so grateful for the memories I do have and the blessings I have received since. They mean more than the world to me.

We Have Our Differences But, We are a Family - Tenemos nuestros diferencias pero somos una familia

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to listen/watch the General Women's Broadcast in a chapel with women from the area. (If you missed it, you can watch it here!)

lds.org

Before it started, I was super excited but, I had no idea what to expect. As it began, I began to reflect on women in the church that I know and then, I thought about my sisters and mom. That was when it really hit me and I realized how amazing this conference was. Women from all over the world were crossing barriers of differences to all learn more about Christ and how to be better. The spirit was so strong as I, time and time again, felt so strongly the importance of this meeting.

I feel so blessed as a woman of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to have such wonderful leaders and to be able to use my talents to help others come closer unto God. No matter what our differences are, we can all come closer to God.
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El Domingo, tuve la oportunidad de escuchar y mirar la Conferencia General de las mujeres en una capilla con otras mujeres del área. (Si no pudo verlo, podría verlo aquí!)

lds.org

Antes de que empezara yo estaba muy emocionada pero no sabía lo que iba a pasar. Cuando empezó, yo empecé a pensar en las mujeres de la iglesia quienes conozco y depués, pensé en mis hermanas y mi mamá. Al pensar en eso, me di cuenta de la importancía de esta conferencia. Mujeres de todo el mundo estaban cruzando barreras y diferencias para aprender más de Cristo y ser mejores. El Espíritu estaba muy fuerte y siempre sentí la importancía de esta reunión.

Me siento muy bendecida de ser una mujer de La iglesia de Jesucristo de los santos de los últimos días y tener líderes maravillosas y poder usar mis talentos para ayudar a otras personas acercarse a Dios. No importa las diferencias, todos nosotros podemos acercarnos a Dios.

The Potential You are Meant to Live

Recently I have been thinking of a few friends of mine who have been making a few changes in the lives. At first, the changes made me so happy because they were coming closer to God and making their lives better. Then, something switched and I feel I'm losing my friends again. It is so hard to watch people struggle and not be able to help them or change their lives for them.

As I was reflecting on how God, no matter what we do, loves us so much. I was led to a quote by Jeffrey R. Holland that says, "If something is buried in the past, leave it buried...Such dwelling on past lives, including past mistakes, is just not right!" (for whole talk go here)

Change is hard. I will not deny that. I have my own things I am trying to change. But, I know that they are possible through the Atonement [when Christ suffered, died and was resurrected for our us] of Jesus Christ.

There is a Mormon Message I love entitled, Your Potential, Your Privileges, that talks about a man who lives below his privileges. When, we let Christ help us, we can fully take advantage of what life has to offer and return to live with Him and our Father in Heaven again. I know that to be true and I hope you can come to realize that too.

General Conference Again - Conferencia General otra vez

It's here!!!! General Conference is once again here. After six months of waiting, it's time to hear the words of a modern day prophet! lds.org says, "All members of the Church are invited to participate in the 184th Annual General Conference of the Church, which will convene in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6, 2014, with general sessions each day at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. mountain daylight time (MDT), and the general priesthood meeting on Saturday, April 5, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. MDT."

lds.org

Please come and join in listening to the words of God given to a living prophet! You won't be disappointed!

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Está aquí!!! Conferencia General está aquí otra vez. Después de seis meses de espera, es tiempo para escuchar las palabras de un profeta moderno! lds.org dice, "Todos los miembros de la Iglesia están invitados a participar en la Conferencia General Semestral N   184 de la Iglesia, que tendrá lugar en el Centro de Conferencias en Salt Lake City, Utah, el sábado 5 y el domingo 6 de abril de 2014, con sesiones generales cada día a las 10:00  y las 14:00 h, hora de Salt Lake City, Utah. La reunión general del sacerdocio se llevará a cabo en el Centro de Conferencias el sábado 5 de abril de 2014, a las 18:00 h." 

Por favor, vengan y reúnanse con nosotros al escuchar las palabras de Dios que son dados por un profeta viviente! No se decepcionarán!

A Recipe for Forgiveness

Yesterday I received an email from an awesome Institute [church class] teacher I had before my mission. In it, he included a talk by Madison U. Sowell to BYU entitled, "On Measuring Flour and Forgiveness." I decided to print it out so I could read it this morning and WOW! It was a really great talk! It made me want to be better and forgive quicker and more fully. Near the end of his speech, he included a poem by Marguerite Stewart, entitled, "Forgiveness Flour." This poem hit me the most out of the talk so I would like to share it with all of you. Here it is:

When I went to the door, at the whisper of knocking,

I saw Simeon Gantner's daughter, Kathleen, standing

There, in her shawl and her shame, sent to ask

"Forgiveness Flour" for her bread. "Forgiveness Flour," 

We call it in our corner. If one has erred, one 

Is sent to ask for flour of his neighbors. If they loan it

To him, that means he can stay, but if they refuse, he had 

Best take himself off. I look at Kathleen...

What a jewel of a daughter, though not much like her

Father, more's the pity. "I'll give you flour," I

Said, and went to measure it. Measuring was the rub.

If I gave too much, neighbors would think I made sin

Easy, but if I gave too little, they would label me 

"Close." While I stood measuring, Joel, my husband

Came in from the mill, a great bag of flour on his 

Shoulder, and seeing her there, shrinking in the 

Doorway, he tossed the bag at her feet. "Here, take

All of it." And so she had flour for many loaves,

While I stood measuring.

lds.org

How often do we think more than we should about forgiveness? Of course, consequences must be taken care of but, we can not be fully forgiven if we will not forgive. I know when I fully forgive, I feel better. I feel at peace and that I am not weighed down by that grudge. When we forgive, we let it go so that the person who we are upset with, and even more so, we are made to feel lifted up. 

I'd love to invite you all to read that talk. It is a little long but, every word was worth it. It really makes you think of if you have fully forgiven those around you, and also, if you have forgiven yourself. Because God will always be ready to forgive us.