Don't Judge, Clean Your Windows!

I thought this video was adorable, and also so true!

As a a future missionary, or even just as a decent human being, I think it is important to rememver not to judge others, because our views really are often skewed by our own windows. Our perspective isn't always the absolute truth, and when we allow our windows to skew the way we perceive others we miss out on opportunities and friendships that could have strengthened and benefited us. We don't know what others are going through and we don't see the whole picture. We need to remember that we are all children of God and that he's got the cleanest windows of us all, because no unclean thing can dwell with him. We are in no place to judge, we should love as God does.

Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.

Faith

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately. My mission papers are in, and I'm expecting a call in about three weeks. It's crazy how real it is becoming and I'm so excited to go. I wasn't sure that I was supposed to. I prayed and prayed and prayed and never felt that I had an answer, but I knew I wanted to. It wasn't that I hadn't made the decision either. I very firmly told God that I would love to meet someone and get married, and that that was the only thing that would potentially stop me, unless he had another way of keeping me from going, but that I wanted to serve a mission, and that I was going to, and that if he had a problem with that, he'd better let me know. Haha. Needless to say, I was rather stubborn. Regardless, I wanted to be sure that I was doing what the Lord wanted me to, and not just what I wanted to. Silly right? Why would the Lord not want me to serve a mission? I just know I have this tendency to believe that I am right, and I fail to see the full picture, and I don't always listen to others and their advice. I certainly didn't want that to happen between me and God so I repeatedly prayed for confirmation that this was the right decision, and then eventually I just gave up and decided to have faith that the Lord would let me know if it wasn't. Since I was praying and doing all I could, I certainly wasn't going to make the wrong choice, and just get away with it. Anyway, I now know that I am supposed to go on a mission. Without a doubt. It's not even just a "if I want to" thing for me. I think it is for a lot of girls. I believe that God has a plan for us. And I believe that that is in the plan for some of us, but I don't think that every girl is either meant to serve a mission, or not. I think that it truly is just a choice for some. But for me, this is what I am meant to do, and sometimes I struggle with that. Wondering why on earth I, of all people, am supposed to go on a mission when I am so inadequate. But then, I guess we all are. That's just one way I know the church is true. Because missionaries don't convert people. The truth does, the spirit does, God does, Christ does, but we don't. We are just instruments in his hands to help people find the things that really will convert them. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me this confirmation. He didn't have to, because I was going to go anyway. But it makes a lot of things, a lot easier.

 I had this crazy experience, that started last year. And I can't go into too much detail because it's not just my story to tell. But I was praying, and working hard to be where I needed to be and someone stepped into my life. And I knew they were supposed to be there, but I didn't know why. And I knew I was going on a mission, so I knew it wasn't going to be anything serious. But I couldn't make any sense of it. No matter how hard I tried. And I prayed and prayed and prayed. And I followed promptings. And I did everything in my power to understand, and I tried my very best to do what I was supposed to. And I got hurt. Nothing unmanageable. Nothing terrible. Don't worry about me, I'm okay. My point is not to tell you how badly I got hurt.  I was hurt because of the outcome of the situation. I lost someone I cared about very much, and I didn't understand why they had to come into my life when we both knew it was only going to hurt me in the end. And I wish I could tell you that I understand now, but I don't. And there was more pain, because of the fact that I had tried so hard to do what was right and to understand, but got hurt anyway. I had prayed and listened, and trusted and communicated and done things that were hard and that scared me, and it didn't matter. I still got hurt. And still, I cannot understand.

So why am I telling you all of this? Well... I don't believe that everything always happens as it is supposed to. I don't believe that the Lord WANTS us to go through every trial we go through. I believe that he knows what we can handle though. And that sometimes, we are the victims of other people's misuse of agency. Sometimes we are hurt when it is not our fault. Sometimes we experience things that do not make sense, and that we do not understand, and even that we do not deserve. I believe he is there for us, I believe that he will help us to turn our trials into learning experiences if we let him. I believe that the Atonement is there not only to free us from our sins, after we do all we can, but also to help us heal when we were hurt by situations that were not our fault and that we cannot fix. But it's our choice, and we have to choose to let him help us. It's easy to be angry, or bitter when we do not understand, but I promise you that those emotions only intensify pain and confusion. They do not help you to heal, and they do not bring balance to any injustice. Sometimes the only thing we can do, is take it to the Lord, let go, and move on. We have to have faith that he still has a plan for us, and that the Atonement can heal all of our wounds, and fix the damage that we cannot.
It is not easy to let go of something that you cannot understand. Especially when we are so use to asking questions and getting answers, we are constantly learning and understanding and our Church is full of revelation. It is hands down the hardest thing I have ever had to do. And there are days when I have to let go over and over again, and there are weeks when I feel that it's all behind me. I just have to roll with the punches. So how do I find so much joy and happiness in life, while coping with that kind of pain and confusion?

I set it aside, and look to what really matters. I know for a fact that it is God's plan. And somehow that helps me cope. My comfort does not come from answers, but from knowing that whatever happened, did not hinder my progress. It hurt me, but it didn't stop me, it did not change my life in the grand scheme of things, I am still exactly where I need to be. I mean, look! I'm going on a mission. What hurt me wasn't what was supposed to happen, but I will not be punished for that. It was not my mistake, just because it hurt me, doesn't mean it was my fault. Just because it went wrong, doesn't mean my life went wrong. My life is mine, and as long as I am living it right, no one can ever change that.  I am still on the right path, this is what is important and I am going to be okay.

I know this Church is true. I know who I am. I know I am a child of God, and I am enough for Him. And he will make me enough for anyone when I put my life in His hands. That is all that really matters. Say what you will. I will love you anyway, and you will not stop me, you will not hurt me. I'm enough. I am great. I am going on a mission and I am going to do great things.

-Kaeli
Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.

Moms Are Missionaries Too

This topic has been bugging my brain now for over a week, so I think it's time that I finally write something!

I grew up in the gospel, and both my mother and my father are Return Missionaries. From the time I was little both of them encouraged me to prepare to serve a mission. I grew up with the knowledge of just how important sister missionaries are. Over the years, I fasted and prayed and readily prepared myself to serve a full-time mission like my mother had. My plan was flawless, and I was determined.

Then my life took an unexpected turn. I met an amazing return missionary. He was charming, handsome and different from any other young man I had dated. And he asked me to marry him. But what about a mission?

After much fasting and prayer, I knew with my whole heart that marrying Tyler was the right thing for me. He had come into my life at the right time, and this was the plan Heavenly Father had for me. My amazing parents supported me 100%. So at the age of 18, I married my Prince Charming in the Bountiful Temple.

So now that Kaeli is preparing to serve her mission, I couldn't help but wonder if all that preparing I did as a youth had gone to waste. Sure, I can serve a mission with my husband when we are older, but what about all that life in between?

On Mother's Day I was reading in my scriptures about the Strippling Warriors. And how their mothers taught them. That really got me thinking. There are so many amazing examples through history about amazing mothers and how they taught their children the gospel. I know that my own mother used and still uses skills that she learned on her mission in her home every day. My mother-in-law raised three wonderful young men who have all faithfully served missions and have amazing testimonies!

Children come into this world so innocent and fresh from Heaven. But over time they will forget where they came from. They will forget who they are and why they are here. Just like the people that Kaeli is going to teach! With my own little one on the way, I pray every day that I will be able to know what to do, know what to say, know what to teach, and that I will have the Lord with me every step of the way. This is my mission. I have received my call. Now is the time to prepare and learn. And I know that someday Kaeli will make an amazing mother because of all the wonderful things she has done now, and the things that she will do on her mission! Here is a big THANK YOU to all the sister missionaries who have served, are currently serving, and those who will serve! And THANK YOU to all the mothers out there, who are missionaries every day of their lives! You all are building God's kingdom. Don't forget that!
~Avery

Beautiful Heartbreak

Things happen. Life happens. The good and the bad... It's hard to say exactly why some of us go through the things that we do. But know that our trials are personal. They were made just for us. To learn and to grow. We were sent here to become like our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. So when these heartbreaks DO happen (and they will... it's different for all of us) we need to remember that this is our chance. This is our time to truly become what we are meant to be.

Because each heartbreak is different, it is up to us to choose what to do with it. We can hide it, and let it become rotten and bitter. Or we can choose to turn it into something truly beautiful.
~Avery

If You Ever Feel unloved

If you ever feel unloved... I have a suggestion.
So this may sound ridiculous and a little too optimistic but, have you ever tried to give people the benefit of the doubt, even when you didn't want to? You have to be a little creative, think of any possible way their negative actions could have been well intended. I'm not suggesting you assume this of everyone's actions, constantly. In fact what I'm suggesting isn't exactly the same as the point I've just presented. What I'm suggesting, is that you stop and think about what people do for you. Ask yourself "did they have to do that?" and a lot of times, the answer is no. Now it may be a simple thing, it may even be something that should just be common courtesy, but do you realize that anytime someone does something they don't have to do for you they are probably thinking more of you than they are of themselves. Anytime they say something they don't have to say they are probably being sincere and saying it because they love you! Now I know maybe I'm a bit of an extremist in my thinking this way. Maybe every little action isn't other people's way of showing they love me. But what if we all stopped and noticed those little things that people do that they don't have to do. I think we'd all realize that we aren't as unnoticed, unappreciated, un-cared for and unloved as we occasionally talk ourselves into believing.
Call me a sappy, cheesy girl, you can even go so far as to call me a hopeless romantic, because we all know it's true. I am. But when I started looking for those little things, I was almost brought to tears by the love I felt all around me.
The moral of the story? Sometimes believing the best of people is believing the truth. Sometimes counting all the little things is what makes you smile the most. And sometimes we should be feeling all kinds of love that we don't even notice.
Keep that in mind. And remember that you are never ever alone. If you ever feel unloved, hit your knees and pray. Ask your Heavenly Father if He loves you. He will answer you. And it will be a "yes" every time. No maybes. He loves us all. Always.

-Kaeli
Oh, and P.S. I LOVE YOU. That's why I wrote this for you.

Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.

Life is Like a Song

An experience I wrote about August 10th 2011

I thought it needed to be shared! It's about a year old, but still true :)

Yes. Sometimes life is like an inspiring song, and I am about to tell you why.

Today I was working at Subway. I had just finished making two sandwiches as the customers behind the two I was working with started a conversation with the lady I was about to ring up. She was standing with her little girl, ready to purchase two sandwiches when the man behind her began to thank her for something. She smiled and said "It happened to me last week too, and I thought of you guys!" they smiled and she turned to pay for her sandwiches when the man stepped up to the register and said "We'd like to pay for their sandwiches." and Handed me a 20 dollar bill. Their total was $10.71, I took the twenty, smiling and wondering exactly what had happened, but in no time at all the whole story came out. It turns out the man and wife in line behind the woman I was ringing up had lost a wallet (with lots of important information) at subway the week before, and my customer had found it and returned it to them. Then the woman had lost her own wallet, and realized how panicked the people she had helped must have felt. I was so touched by the fact that the man would pay for their sandwiches that day. It was a great reminder that helping others tends to pay us right back, and we can never do too much for someone else. 10.71 may not sound like a lot of money, but I'm not sure it would be easy for me to pull it out of my wallet for someone. Watching the exchange today though, I wanted to do something nice for someone else. It's a chain of love. Just like the song.

What were the chances of all those people being right there, at the same time? I think maybe it wasn't all just coincidental.

And it was a lot like this song. http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/Clay+Walker/The+Chain+Of+Love--157425964 go check it out. Such a good song.

It was all an inspiring experience. I wanted to share it with you, I hope you enjoyed it too.
Love you all!
-Kaeli

Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.

Always Smile

At work the other day (night actually, it was around 10:00 pm), I was trying to get everything done. I was in back doing dishes when I figured I'd better go check and make sure no one was in line. We have a bell that people can ring for service, but sometimes people don't see it. So I walked out and a man was standing in line.
"Oh, Hello, sorry I didn't know you were out here." I said smiling as I put my gloves on.
"I was beginning to wonder if anyone worked here at all!" He snapped.
I was a little surprised. Sometimes people are irritated, but it's usually not a big deal. They calm down pretty quick when I start talking to them.
"Well, I do." I smiled. "We have a bell here." I said pointing to the sign, it was turned a little sideways and harder to see than usual. "Looks like somebody bumped it, sorry." I readjusted the bell, still smiling.
"Well that won't do me any good if I can't see it." He wasn't getting any happier.
"I know." I said "What can I start for you tonight?"
"A sandwich." he said. I was pretty sure he was trying to be difficult. I was determined to make this guy happy before I was done with his sandwich.
"Okay." I smiled and replied as cheerfully as possible. "What kind of bread do you want?"
"Italian herb and cheese."
"Is it a footlong?"
"Well, yes." He stated as if I should have known.
"Okay, what kind of sandwich is it."
"I want an italian." he muttered.
"A Spicy Italian or the Italian BMT?" I asked.
"A SPICY!"
"Would you like it toasted?"
"Well I don't want a cold sandwich."
"Okay. What kind of cheese?"
"Pepperjack."
"okay does this look okay?" I asked.
"Yeah now just throw it in the toaster."
Another man got in line. I put the first guy's sandwich in the toaster.
"Hello, what can I start for you?" I said
"I'd like an Italian BMT on Italian Herb and Cheese bread, provolone cheese, toasted."
"Is it a footlong?"
"Yes."
I make his sandwich as quickly as possible so I can have it ready when the first one is done toasting. The toaster goes off and I switch the sandwiches out. While the second guy's is toasting I ask the first guy what he wants on his sandwich. "What kind of sauce would you like on this?"
"No sauce."
"Okay, what kind of vegetables?" The man rolls his eyes.
"Put some mayo on it." I pull out the mayo and do one line and start to pull my hand back for another.
"That's plenty of mayo. I didn't say tons."
"okay." I smile and speak as nicely as possible. "What kind of vegetables would you like?"
"Lettuce"
I grab lettuce.
"That's way too much. Pull some of that off."
"Okay, now what."
"I'll tell you what I want on my sandwich, okay!?"
"Alright." I say, still smiling. I'm making absolutely zero progress with this guy and I'm not sure what else to do. I just can't make him happy and I'm starting to worry that I'll get to the end of the line and he'll want me to remake his sandwich or something.
"Onions."
I put the normal amount of onions on.
"More."
I put more on.
"Olives."
I put olives on it.
"I'm paying for this sandwich. Not you. Put some more olives on there. You're not the one paying for this."
I put more olives on his sandwich.
"Anything else?"
"Salt and pepper, oil and vinegar."
I put those on quickly too.
"Does that look good?"
"It'll do. Wrap it up now."
So I cut it in half and wrap it up.
"Do you want any chips drinks or cookies with this?"
"Now why would I want any of that?"
"I don't know." I smile. "Just checking. Your total is five thirty-five."
He runs his card.
"Would you like your receipt?"
"No, I don't want that. And I didn't want extra meat or cheese on my sandwich either, but you never asked."
"I'm sorry, you're sure you didn't want anything else?"
"Yeah, why would I want anything else?"
"Okay, well have a good night." I smile as big as possible.
He looks at me, turns around and walks out.
I glove up again and go back to making the Italian BMT for my second customer. He's super nice, but keeps going on about the way the jerk in front of him had just treated me.
"I would have smacked him. His dad would beat him dead if he saw him talking to you that way. That's just not right. You deserve more respect than that."
"Well thank you." I said.
"Really, it's just respect. You're making him a sandwich he shouldn't be talking to you that way!"
"Well, sometimes people get that way." I shrugged.
"Oh don't you be okay with that. That's not okay."
"No, it's not. But this is my job, and all I have to do is make sandwiches. I don't have to like people, I just have to make their sandwiches."
"You don't come to work to be treated like that though."
"Well, there's nothing I can do about it. And it's over with now."
"Nothing you can do about it, but you shouldn't ever have to put up with that."
I finish making his sandwich.
"Well, I sure hope you have a better night from here on out."
"Don't you worry about me. I'm not going to let one customer ruin my night." I smile.
"You've got tough skin." He smiled. He paid for his sandwich and left.
I realized something though. I really wasn't letting that guy ruin my night. I don't know if I've ever been treated so poorly at work. But he came in for a sandwich just like everyone else, and all I had to do was make it. And I did. And I smiled the whole time. Being happy is always a choice, regardless of the circumstances and as long as I choose to smile, no one can ruin my day for me.
I've slowly been learning that, and working on it, but that experience just proved to me exactly how much control I have over how I feel. So in any situation, I can just smile, and be patient. I don't have to like everyone, but I can make their sandwiches, and I can do it with a smile on my face, because I know, that right behind them in line, is someone who will wish me a goodnight and tell me I deserve to be treated better, and those are the people who keep me believing. Smile. Always smile because you are a child of God.

The Worth of Souls is Great

People say that, when they look up at the sky, they feel smaller just thinking about all the light-years between them and the stars. Something about looking out into space makes everything else seem so much bigger. I guess physically, it's true. I'm hardly a grain of sand in the big picture. I'll never be able to travel from the sleeping bag in my back yard, to the middle of Orion. Even if I could, I'd never survive the foreign atmosphere, the unearthly temperatures, I'd be entirely out of place. This should make me feel insignificant. That's what everyone keeps telling me. In the grand scheme of things each of us is worthless, useless. Nothing. From my perspective, though, they're all wrong. Maybe I use a different lens, maybe my telescope isn't "standard" and maybe science scoffs at my understanding of the world, "life, the universe and everything."
When I look out into the night sky, I don't feel smaller, or less significant. I don't even equal a tenth of a grain of sand, in size, compared to everything else out there. The sun is 1.3 million times the size of the planet I live on. Nothing revolves around earth. It would take over 23 years for me to travel to Pluto, and that's nowhere near the end of this infinite universe. Clearly, I should feel small, right?

No. I shouldn't, and I don't. Because just like everything else out there, I'm here! I fit somewhere in all of this. I am a part of it. I am part of something that is so big, it's incomprehensible. I may only be a small part of it, but doesn't that make me significant somehow? I was allowed to be here. I was given the gift to live and breathe on this planet, in this universe. I get to look up into the sky and see the beauty of the night, of the darkness. I can look out into space and see back in time. It's amazing, it's mind-boggling. Does it make you stop and think? What is all of this here for? What am I here for? Why am I here? Because I am part of something else. Something so much bigger than anyone can grasp with their finite human minds. It's paradoxical, I guess, but the more I start to think about everything that I can't quite wrap my mind around, the more all the little things, and even the big things, start to make sense. Because I know that I am a child of God. And He has sent me here.

Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.

Book of Mormon Update

Hey everyone! Is anyone reading along with me in the Book of Mormon? I'm trying to get through it ALL again before I leave. I hit 2nd Nephi today, I don't work for the next two days so hopefully I'll be heading into Alma by Wednesday. I know I am reading more than a chapter or two a day, because I REALLY want to get through it again. But it's not hard guys. I promise. So I'd love it if anyone wanted to join me.

If not, what have you been reading? Share how the scriptures have blessed your life.

Have a great story? Let me know, I'll post it, or make you an author so you YOU can post it.

I'm realizing that Nephi is AMAZING. His faith was absolutely unshakable. And that is what I want. He wrote:

"If God had commanded me to do all things, I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, "be thou earth," it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done." 

I think he has an amazing amount of faith. He knows that God can work through him to accomplish anything, and that faith is what makes us all capable of what we thought was impossible.

Also, the Book of Mormon testifies of Christ and His atonement. That is what it is about. That is what this Gospel is about. I never can quite find words to express what I feel when it comes to my Savior and His sacrifice for me. So hopefully, my testimonies will somehow express what my words do not. I will never stop trying though. I know that my Savior lives and loves me. He died for me, for my sins. For your sins. But not just for our sins. He suffered for us so that we could have comfort in our trials, that we could have company in our moments of pain and so that when no one on earth could possibly understand what we are going through, He can. So that when we have done all that we can do, and suffered all that we must suffer to learn or grow, or simply all that we can handle on our own, He can take our pain, He can give us peace. I know this, with all my heart and mind. I love my Savior and everything that He has done for me. He has made it possible for me to return to my Heavenly Father, who loves me more than anyone else ever can. He has provided me the way back home to everlasting, eternal life and happiness. And I can never say enough about that. But I know this. I know He suffered and died for me and for all of you because He loves us. No matter what. And we can always repent and come back to Him. He is ALWAYS there. I know this because I know that the Book of Mormon is true. And that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this Church is true, that it leads us to Christ, who is the only way to our Heavenly Father, who loves us more than we can ever comprehend and who wants to give us eternal life and happiness. I write this testimony, in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

 Love you all. Thanks for following!

-Kaeli

Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.

Mouths of Babes

Have you seen this? It's amazing how much our little ones know from watching us and going to church! Some are so sweet and innocent and others are so funny! How can we help the children around us learn more about the gospel? After all, they are our future missionaries and leaders of the church!
Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.

What are you carrying in your purse?

The above is a video that happens to be one of my personal favorites. Think about it! You can tell a lot about a woman by what is in her purse. Kind of like how you can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she dresses! It is an outward statement of in inner commitment. It amazes me how they could tell so much about the young woman just by what she carried with her every day.

When I was in high school I always carried around a pocket sized Book of Mormon. I carried it for several reasons. It was the first copy I had ever finished cover to cover, and it was marked beyond belief. I felt comfort having it with me. It had certain messages marked that were there to comfort me in times of need. It sure came in handy in seminary when the boy next to me would always claim, "I forgot my scriptures!"

One day I was in my chemistry class, preparing for a test later in the week. For a brief moment I felt I needed to pull out my little pocket sized Book of Mormon and read a little. I sat at the very front of the classroom and really didn't want to make a scene. Carefully, I reached in my bag and pulled it out slowly. Then, like an expert teen at hiding a cellphone sized book, I opened it to a random page and began to read. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see a young man. I knew who he was. Everyone did. He was a football player. Large in stature and very cute. He had never talked to me before. Bottom line - he was "cool" and I was "not." And what happened next surprised me even more.

"Hey," he said "Um... Is that scripture?" He motioned to my precious book. I nodded.
"Can I see it?" I nodded again. I handed him my book. What would he do with it? What would he want with it? I watched carefully as he gently flipped through the pages I had so tenderly marked. Each one had touched my heart, and I was afraid he would do something to it.

After a few minutes of looking and reading, he looked up at me. I will never forget what words came out of his mouth next.
"Can I keep this?" I stared, unsure if I had heard right. KEEP it? He WANTED my old, worn, five dollar copy of the Book of Mormon? My thoughts began to race. This could turn into something awesome! Something out of the New Era! But as I stared at my precious copy that I had come to love so much, I felt a conflict arise. I had promised that kid next to me in seminary that he could use it. So I quickly came up with a plan.
"Actually, I am going to need it," I said "but I can get you your own copy if you would like."
"Really... My very own? A new one?"
"Of course."
"No, you don't have to do that."
"It's no trouble. I know just where to get them and they aren't expensive."
"Sure." He handed back my copy and then started throwing paper wads at the girl sitting behind him.

After school I called my dad. I loved that I could call him for things like this. I told him what had happened and he was on his way to Deseret Industries before I was finished. The next day we were in class, I was shaking. Terrified. What if the boy had changed his mind? Was I too late? Had I made a mistake in not giving him my copy? After all, I could always get another. My heart began to sink. I wanted to cry. I had failed. All through the class I held the new copy in my trembling fingers, trying to decide what to do. Finally, on my way out of class I had a burst of courage. Better get it over with! I chased him into the halls calling his name. He turned and looked at me, confusion in his eyes. My heart sank again. I was too late. But I already had his attention.
"I... Um... I... Got this for you." I held out the new copy. He took it and stared at it for a few moments. I held my breath. Would he reject it? I prayed for forgiveness for not giving him my copy when he asked. How selfish!!!
"Thanks, Avery. I didn't think you'd really get me one. Thank you." He smiled and walked away. Well! That went better than I thought. A few weeks later school ended and I was caught up in my usual summertime activities and had completely forgotten about the whole thing.

About a year later I was on Facebook when I came across a picture of a girl I knew from school. She was smiling and had her arm around a boy. He was smiling too. He was dressed in a white baptism gown with a picture of Christ being baptized on the wall behind them. It was the boy from my Chemistry class. The picture was titled, "So proud of you, Chris!!!"

You never know when the things you carry might come in handy. It's an outward statement of an inner commitment. What do you carry in your purse? Or better yet, what are you carrying in your spiritual purse? Would they be the same? Are you carrying your testimony? Your light of Christ?

Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.

Questions

Hello everyone! It's Kaeli!
So I am starting the Book of Mormon again.  I read 11 chapters in an hour tonight, I can't believe how addictive it gets. So if anyone wants to join me, and read along, I am in chapter 11 and this is day 1 :) It will only take you an hour to catch up. Or less, I'm kind of a cross-reference fanatic, and I constantly read the footnotes and cross references and make notes, so really, it probably doesn't take that long to read 11 chapters.  Anyways, I just thought I'd share one of the things I learned from my reading tonight.

In 1 Nephi chapter three, Nephi is writing about going back for the plates with his brothers, Laman, Lemuel and Sam. Laban has the plates (the books of Moses and some genealogy) and the Lord tells Nephi's father that his sons need to go back for them. At this point they know that Jerusalem is going to be destroyed and that Laban is a wicked man, who will try to kill them when they go to get the plates. Those of us who have read the Book of Mormon are pretty familiar with this part, I'm sure. We sing songs about it in primary and we've been told the story over and over, and those of you who aren't so familiar, don't worry, we can all use the reminder, and it will be an exciting story for you!

So Laman and Lemuel smite their brothers with a rod and don't want to do what they are supposed to because they are afraid of being killed. An angel comes. Yes, an angel comes and tells them not to smite their brothers and to go get the plates.As soon as the angel leaves they begin to complain again:

 31 And after the angel had departed, Laman and Lemuel again began to ^amurmur, saying: How is it possible that the Lord will deliver Laban into our hands? Behold, he is a mighty man, and he can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty; then why not us?

But in chapter four, verse 1 we see Nephi's response:

 1 And it came to pass that I spake unto my brethren, saying: Let us go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be ^afaithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why not ^bmightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands?

In the margins of my scriptures there are notes I wrote from seminary class in high school... 7 years ago. Next to verse 31 it reads "Question = first step to murmuring."  Murmuring is basically (the expression of) a doubtful and negative attitude, and is typically a symptom of a lack of faith. Which I think is why I wrote in the connection between questions and murmuring, I'm sure that there was a lesson about this at some point, although I don't really recall it.  but if we look closely at what we just read, I think we can find a different, and better connection for "questions" I think that questions simply demonstrate our faith, or our lack of faith.
Nephi didn't seem to be lacking faith, or murmuring, but he still asked questions. Look at the difference though. Laman and Lemuel ask "How is it possible that the Lord will deliver Laban into our hands?" they believe that Laban's strength makes him more powerful than the Power of God and it is easy to see their doubt and feelings of defeat. But Nephi's question is filled with faith and conviction when he asks "The lord is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea or even his tens of thousands?" Showing that all things are possible through God.

So what?

Well, how often in life do we find ourselves asking the wrong questions? Everyone has questions. Lots of them. Sometimes we even have doubts, and that's okay, as long as we remember to ask the right questions. And sometimes we really, really want answers. Or sometimes we just ask them to complain, or sometimes we ask them to show our faith, like Nephi did. Sometimes we use questions to teach and sometimes we use them to learn. Whatever we do with them, questions are a powerful thing, and it's more than okay to  have them. I think we should be careful about the questions we ask, though.
I mean, just stop to think, how much more could we accomplish if we stopped asking questions like, "What should I do?" and started asking questions like "What can you help me to do, what would you like me to do, what would you like to help me do?" What would happen if we stopped asking for answers and started asking for opportunities? I mean, I still suggest that we constantly pray for guidance and direction in our lives, but there are other questions to be asked as well, and choices that we must make. There are certainly questions that we want answers to, need answers to and deserve answers to. And I believe that when we remain faithful, ALL of our questions will someday be answered, because after our trials, the Lord will not just give us what we deserve, he will give us more, because he loves us, and if we remain faithful he can give us blessings we never imagined.

My point is, don't give up. Ever. You will get your answers. Just keep asking the right kind of questions, the ones that help you to build your strength and bear your testimony.

No matter what your religious beliefs are, I hope that you know that the Lord loves you and that he wants to answer your questions, and your prayers, and if you have faith and try your best to live righteously, he will. I promise, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 -Kaeli

Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.

Monica's Story

This is the story, and testimony of my friend Monica. She is such an inspiration to me, and I knew she'd have something good to say! This is worth your time.

I never really realized that one day this gospel would mean more to me than anything else on earth. I Honestly never saw myself coming back to the church, because at one time my heart was as hard as a rock, and I was as blind as a bat. How could I, at one time, not be able to see how much happiness this gospel brings into peoples lives? How, at one time, did I stop believing in something so true? I let the things of the world take something so amazing to me and make me think nothing of it. I began to sin and do things that completely sucked the happiness out of my life, and made the "light" in my eyes disappear. After three and a half years of being so unhappy, I began to pray daily to my heavenly father that I would find happiness again. After a year and four months of praying for happiness I had the strongest impression to go back to the church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints and repent to my bishop and then I would find happiness. Still being so stubborn I chose to ignore this feeling, but continued to pray for happiness. The answer I got from my heavenly father was only the same. I decided it was time to listen and to do as my heavenly father commanded. After going back to church and talking with my bishop I never felt such a relief. Why did something this easy to do, take me so long? I feel like I am living a whole new life. I have now remembered who I am and what I am supposed to do on this earth. We are not just here to experience worldly things. I was lost for 5 years, but now I am back. I have the light in my eyes once again. I am so grateful to have gone through what I did because now I know that there is NO OTHER way to live than to stay close to our Heavenly Father. I know that we all lived before we came to earth, to be tested, become stronger and return to our back to our heavenly father. I know that we can have eternal life. I know that we can live forever and ever with our families and our loved ones. As I started going back to church WITH AN OPEN HEART I felt and saw a change in my life completely. I became so much happier, so much more independent, so much more pleasant to be around. I know that life is not easy. I know that it is so easy to be tempted with the sinful things of this world, But you have to be strong. You have to remember who you are and what you stand for at all places at all times. Never lower your standards for anyone. I know that the atonement is real. I have experienced it and used it in my life. I am so thankful for it, If it was not for the atonement I would not be where I am today. I am so thankful for prayer, I know that with it you can communicate with our Heavenly Father. I know that he hears and answers. Please remember who you are. You are a child of God and Our heavenly father loves you. If you keep his commandments and do what is right I know that he will bless you. Do not allow the light in your eyes be burnt out, to realize how much this gospel means to you. Be a good example to those around you & stick up for what you believe in. People do watch you. After 5 months of coming back to the church a non member friend said to me "You are just so happy now." A month later he told me that seeing the changes in my life and watching others he started to study the Book of Mormon and that their was no doubt in his mind that it was true and that he wanted to be baptized. He started to meet with the missionaries and was baptized on Feb 4, 2012. This gospel WILL change a hardened heart. If you pray & read the Book of Mormon daily it will be harder to be tempted with the sinful things of this world!
REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU STAND FOR IN ALL PLACES, ALL TIMES AND ALL THINGS.
-Monica Millett

I went to high school with Monica, but I've never known her super well. She ended up in my college ward though, and her example has been so inspiring. Isn't it amazing that just her example led her friend to want to be baptized?

Thanks to everyone for reading, I hope you enjoyed it.
And thank you Monica, for sharing such an uplifting, inspiring message :)

Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.

Your Day for a Mission

Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.

Mission Scripture

I think I found my missionary scripture, it's from the Book of Mormon:

 7 And I do this for a ^awise ^bpurpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord ^cknoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he ^dworketh in me to do according to his ^ewill.

 8 And my ^aprayer to God is concerning my brethren, that they may once again come to the knowledge of God, yea, the redemption of Christ; that they may once again be a ^bdelightsome people.

Book of Mormon, Words of Mormon 7-8

I like this scripture. It's talking about why Mormon abridges the plates of Nephi, but I think these verses apply to all of us, as missionaries. We don't always know why things happen the way they do, and we do not know know everything, but this is the Lord's Church, and he knows all things, and through him all things are possible. When we live our lives in obedience, we are blessed with his Spirit and his presence in our lives and he is able to work within us to accomplish his will. When we are able to accept his will as our own, great things become possible and we can teach others and bring them to Christ, through this Gospel. And that is where happiness is found, that is how we can all become, once again, a "delightsome people."

Remember to smile, because you are a child of God.

Does the Light of Christ Shine in Your Eyes?

Yes, it does! If you let it.

I may not always notice it, but it's there. A friend of mine, at work, said "You can always pick a Christian out of crowd of people, and you can always pick a Mormon out of a crowd of Christians." And maybe I don't always see it, but other people do. At work last night, a man came through. This was my missionary experience for that day:

Customer: You know, you are always so happy and cheerful, every time I come in. And you do a good job, with a smile on your face.
Me: well thank you!
Customer: You are a person of faith aren't you?
Me: yes, I am! :)
Customer: I knew it! I bet you're a Latter Day Saint, huh?
Me: yes, I am! :)
Customer: I thought so. I'm not, but I'm learing about it. I believe it because of that priesthood thing. That's how it should be.
Me: It sure is.
Customer: I can tell you believe it, it just shines out of you! What a blessing.

At the end of the line, I rang him up and he said "You know a saying I heard once? It went..." he paused for a moment to remember. "You're not just a pretty face, you are a blessing. And you know, it's true. There's something better in you. And people can see it."

That man, made my night!

Do you have any similar experiences? What do you think about the light that shines through? Please comment and let me know!

I think this video kinda goes right along with it:

And, smile, you are a child of God!