What if finding the right way to go in life was this easy?!

I sure do wish that it was this easy sometimes, but I've come to find out it isn't. With a new year ahead of us I'm sure MANY of us want to improve our lives and hopefully find that right path so we can become successful in our lives! So what do we do so we can? Well a wise man named M. Russel Ballard once said, 

"I am so thoroughly convinced that if we don’t set goals in our life and learn how to master the techniques of living to reach our goals, we can reach a ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we reached but a small part of our potential. When one learns to master the principles of setting a goal, he will then be able to make a great difference in the results he attains in this life"

Let's not just make New Year resolutions, but let's make goals and plans throughout the year that will stretch and make us work to reach our potential nad become successful!

What's in your present?!

Christmas time is filled with excitement, anticipation, holiday cheer, food, family and of course presents! I remember many sleepless Christmas Eve nights anticipating what I would wake up and find in the morning underneath the tree for me! Was it a new bike? A brand new football? The newest ipod? Or maybe even a puppy!

My mind was always cluttered with what I was going to get for Christmas. I had made sure everyone around me knew what I wanted so my wish list wasn't forgotten! I'm sure you could relate too ;)

Well what if we were to open our gifts this year and they were empty? Would we look like this child?!

Or would we smile knowing we gave others everything we could and didn't need anything in return?

I know we can get caught up in everything WE want for Christmas, but this year let's see what others around us stand in need of and forget ourselves for once! It's better to give than receive :)

A gift given is a gift that will always be remembered :)

REFLECTION!

I was thinking the other day about our reflections. We see our reflections all the time as we pass a mirror, a car window, off some glass, all over the place! Sometimes we like what we see, other times maybe we don't like what we see. One thing for sure though is that others see us no matter what! Others see how we feel, if we're motivated, what we look like, whether we're happy or not, excited, tired, busy, hurt and everything else. So how can we make sure that we have a good reflection all the time?

 "..watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives.."

-Mosiah 4:30

Let's make sure all we do reflects our faith in Jesus Christ and love for him! Take that leap of faith each day to do what is right! May the Lord be our guide in all that we do and may we reach great heights with His assistance :)

And for those of us who don't like what we're doing right now, let's wash our face and change our attitude and our actions to inspire, lift and encourage ourselves and those around us! Let others see how our lives reflect our love for the Lord!

Have a lot on your mind?

In today's society we have more than enough to think about and do. We have so many activities, meetings, and appointments to make. Work to be done, kids to take care of, parties to attend and decisions to make. You may wonder at the end of the day, "WOW! Where did the day go?"  

So what do we do when are schedules are hectic and we have too much to do? We cannot confuse ourselves and think that merely being busy means being productive. We need to take a step back and review what we are doing and what's most important.

"We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families."

-Dallin H. Oaks

"Time marches swiftly forward to the tick of the clock. Today would be a good day, while the clock of mortality ticks, to review what we are doing to prepare to meet God."

-Ian S. Ardern

Let us each make the commitment today to do those things that will strengthen our relationship with God and our families. The things that are MOST important in our lives!

Feel Out Of Place?

Have you ever been lost and you didn't know where you were going?

Involved in something and felt that you weren't important or appreciated?

How about not understanding something and feeling like you're the ONLY one who doesn't get it?

Maybe you want to know why you're here and what you're supposed to be doing?

Well I think we've ALL been in a situation similiar to this one! If you haven't I give it up to you!

We get ourselves so worked up sometimes about things, that sometimes are not that important. This scripture came to mind as I was thinking about times I was in some of these situations...

"Be still and know that I am God."

Psalms 46:10

When life gets crazy and we feel alone, remember that God is in control. That he is mindful of our lives. He knows us personally. I have felt his love and presence in my life and as a representative of Jesus Christ, I KNOW he can help you as well. Count your blessings today and look to Him for help :)

Remember,
Jesus Loves You
SMILE :D

Did you get a boo boo?

I was pondering back on the days when I had my knee surgery almost 3 years ago now. It left scars for sure, and I look at these scars often. I thought about what my scars mean to me. They mean very many different things to me. They remind me of the effort and hard work I had to put in to become fully healed. They remind me of the love and service that was provided to me. They remind me of the determintaion to change my circumstances. They remind me to remain positive. They remind me that God answers my prayers at all times. They remind me that I'm in constant need of help from the Lord!

I'm sure each of us have been scraped, cut or bruised, whether visible or internal, that have turned into scars. Each represent and remind us of different things. May I remind you of someone who is greater than each of us who has scars as well. That person is Jesus Christ. I wondered what his scars remind him of and ran across this scripture....

"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."

    - Isaiah 49:16

May we remember that Christ is aware of each of our lives! That he loves and cares about us! He is mindful of each of lives and the struggles we are enduring. Remember to look for the tender mercies of the Lord in every thing we do. May God bless each of you :)

Bacon Anyone?

So I was told from this young boy the other day,

"No bacon is bad for you when the healthier choice is a donut!"

Take a look at these 2 pictures and decide for yourself which you think is better?!

What did you decide? Is bacon really healthier than a donut? I'm not here to tell you because I'm no health nutritionist, but I do KNOW that bacon has some protein in it! It has GOT to be healthier than a donut for you! Right?

Well sometimes our decisions are between many good things, that either decision could be good for us! If that's the case, I believe Elder Dallin H. Oaks says it best!

"We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families."

So back to the decision between bacon or a donut. Maybe the BEST choice would be neither. The better choice could be a whole grain waffle with fruit and a nice glass of orange juice! :)

The choice is up to you to choose in your own life. Our decisions are often more meaningful than our breakfast meal, but may I encourage each of you to make the BEST decisions and always choose the right!

Box of chocolates anyone?

I was reading in the Bible the other morning and came across this scripture and it caught me by surprise!

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

Romans 5:3-5

Well I compared this to the famous quote, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get!"

I think life is truly that way. We really never know what life holds for our future. Sometimes we have it all figured out, other times we have no idea. Maybe we think we have it figured out and then the tables turn, like thinking you have the caramel filled chocolate and biting into it and realizing you just ate your least favorite, cherry filled :/ So what do we do when we eat a chocolate that maybe we didn't like or was too bitter or caused us to not want any more?

Well we keep going! Not necessarily to keep eating chocolates, but we move on with faith and hope for something better! We press forward and know that whatever lies in store for us will be better. That you will enjoy and learn something from it. So be sure you eat all the chocolates and know if you don't really like one, that there is always a better one waiting for you! :)

Hole in One

Well I received an email from my dad this week and I've been thinking alot about what he said,

 "I was thinking the other day when I was playing golf that what seems to bring back most amateurs is that one shot out of 100 that looked and felt perfect!"

I believe he is right, because I know that's the reason I continue to play golf is because of that one shot, one putt or one par for the hole! I think we can apply this in each of our lives. Sometimes there are things that we do where we feel the same way! Maybe it's that one act of service we did that drives us to continue to serve others. Maybe it's that one time we worked hard for something and achieved it! Maybe that one recipe that turned out perfect. The one answered phone call you made. Maybe a decision you felt was perfect!

There are many things that keep us going, and sometimes we only have to feel or experience it once to have a desire to continue feel that same way again! I've had many instances of this relating it to the gospel. The one prayer that God answered that keeps me praying. The one time I read the scriptures and felt is was written just for me. The one time someone taught me something about the gospel I did not know and many many more!

If you're discouraged or disappointed, remember that one time when you felt what you were doing was right and press forward with faith :)

Buckin' Hay

Have you ever bucked hay before?! I did it for the first time last week and again just the other day! Don't know how I lived in a cowboy state and NEVER bucked hay! Probably because I grew up in the city.

As I bucked I wondered how in the world they got all this grass cut and put into these perfectly tied bales?! It blew my mind! I could not figure it out as to how they were made and didn't believe they did it all by hand. I had this whole process made up in my head how they would cut it and rake it and then go around and tie it up by hand in nice little rectangle bales! Boy was I wrong!

All it took was for me, after coming up with this long complicated process in my head, was to ask the one in charge, "How do yall get them so nice and perfect?" Then she explained the process and the equipment used and made it seem so simple!

I think the same is with the gospel of Jesus Christ! Sometimes we make things so complicated and hard to understand. The gospel is so simple though even a child can understand it! We have to ask questions and be willing to be taught in order to learn and understand more :) 

I hope if any that read this have questions, that you will be willing to ask them and hopefully I will be able to answer them for you! 

LAVA CAKE!

 The famous, Chili's Chocolate Chip Molten Lave Cake, Here it is!

This is one of my all-time favorite desserts! It is a chocolate chip cake with a melted hot fudge center, a scoop of ice cream and hardening chocolate on top with Hershey syrup drizzled on top the entire dessert. Just thinkin' about it makes me hungry!

There are 2 reasons I love this dessert so much. The first is because It's just SO good :) The second, is because I have numerous memories with my little sister while eating this treat! Whenever she would have a bad day, needed to talk, or just wanted to get out of the house, she would come to me and say, "Lava cake time Justin?!" I would ALWAYS agree and never turned it down!

 Over the years, I can't tell you how many of these I've eaten and some times how long we stayed and talked and had to leave because they were closing! I loved these moments, because it allowed me to be a big brother and take interest in my sister's life and how I could help her! It created a friendship and bond that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Families are essential to God's great plan for each of us! Successful families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. I invite each of you to take time out of you busy lives and do something with your family this week. You will be surprised how much closer you will grow with one another when you spend time laughing, playing and enjoying each others company!

I LOVE MY FAMILY!

John Wayne!

So we had a wonderful dinner the other night, and I got to meet someone really special. The one and only John Wayne!

You're probably thinking about the famous western cowboy, but I'm talking about a gold fish. Yes a goldfish named John Wayne. Not just any ordinary goldfish though! I learned John Wayne was the lone survivor in this pond from the past winter here in Bozeman, Montana! It survived the entire winter and is still going strong! Trapped under a sheet of frozen ice for months with I'm sure little food and a freezing cold environment! How did he do it?! Psh I have no idea, but I know he is still alive! haha

I think we each are like John Wayne the goldfish! All of us in our lives have hard times. Times where we feel trapped under the surface with no way out. A busy schedule that doesn't allow us to escape from the world. Situations or accidents that affect us, but that we don't have control over. Sometimes we feel alone. Maybe we're confused and don't know what we're really doing or where we are headed.

Each person has personal challenges and concerns. No matter what they are though the Savior and His teachings—the gospel—will help you. It will enable you to improve the quality of your lives. It will help you deal with the problems and challenges that we all face in life.

I hope that each of us can learn a lesson from John Wayne the goldfish and become stronger than we were yesterday. To face our difficulties and trials with faith and rely on the Lord for strength! To perservere and be courageous when times are hard. To face adversity with a smile and a cheerful heart. It's my prayer that if we do, when we look back, these experiences were the greatest moments of growth and development. That we gained a personal relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ! We will cherish them for the lessons learned and how they made us who we are today!

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Philippians 4:13

Orange Rolls!

This morning I had the BEST homemade orange rolls I've bad in a LONGGG time. Actually the first in 8 months! Boy have I missed eating orange rolls! This one was big, warm, icing running down the side, made from homemade dough and lots of sugar :) If you didn't know before, I LOVE food :) It's almost like my best friend and probably explains why I look the way I do! ha

While I was devouring this orange roll, I thought about other things I love in life that bring me happiness and just can't get enough of. I thought of my family and the relationships I have with them. I thought of other missionaries that I love to be around and work with. I thought of working hard and doing service. Making other people SMILE :) Achieving a goal and many many other things I can't get enough of!

Then I thought, "Do I love my Heavenly Father as much as I love these things? Do I pray like I don't pray enough? Do I follow his commandments with exact obedience? Do I go to church and read my scriptures like I won't be able to tomorrow? Boy did I realize that I need to reallign my life and make sure my will is in line with God's will!

Matthew 6:33

'But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

I know when we put the things that matter most first and seek to have a relationship with God, all other things will fall into place!

Go Sister GO!

Number 1...

 Number 2!

 

Last weekend my younger sister graduated!! I've been so excited and proud of her :) Not only did she graduate, but she graduated a full year early! I remember the day when she came in my room and said, "Justin I want to graduate early like you did! Can you help me figure a way to do it?" If I remember right the first thing I did was chuckle, and replied, "I will, but it won't be easy! You will have to dedicate yourself and keep on truckin' even when you have a rough day." She was more than willing and I could tell the desire she had to accomplish the goal she now wished to conquer! 

Just because we graduate, achieve or accomplish something doesn't quite mean that life is all good and we don't have to worry about anything else. I came to that realization after I graduated! haha I thought life would be so much easier and a breeze til' I realized I now had new challenges and obstacles to overcome and things to accomplish! I'm so happy for all the things I've been able to learn and accomplish in my life and get so excited when I see my family and younger siblings do the same!

As you can see in both pictures, our parents are right by our sides! I'm so grateful for them and the examples they have been to us and the unending support they've provided us throughout our lives!

Our family motto is... 

Parr's Never Quit!

and we strive to live by that each day of our lives!

"I never said it would be easy. I said that it would be worth it!"

DID YOU KNOW?

Sometimes I have questions that I have NO idea what the answer is. Or I have an answer, but it doesn't make sense to me? I'm sure you've been in the same spot too! Sometimes I want to know the exact solution to a problem, or why something has happened to me or someone else. Why this and why that. I tend to find when I ask "why" I usually don't receive an answer to those questions or prayers and it frustrates me! I read a scripture this morning that enlightened me on why I don't receive those answers I look for when I want to know why....

"..believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend."

     -Mosiah 4:9

I felt that we don't HAVE to know "why" behind everything. Often times the Lord wants us to learn and ask different questions like, What can I learn from this experience? What significance does this play in my life? What lesson should be learned from the trial I'm in now? What changes could I make to align my life in better harmony with Christ's teachings?

When change our questions from "why" and look for what he wants us to learn, do, experience, etc we will begin to receive answers to our deepest thoughts, desires and prayers :) I know I have in my life and I know you can as well!

Can't Get Rid Of That "Pop up" ?

Have you ever had "pop up" on your computer and you just "X" it off your screen. Then a few moments later it pops back up? Then again and again and it just keeps driving you crazy? You keep on closing it and it just keeps on coming back? To the point it's just overwhelming? Did you feel like there was no way you were ever going to get rid of it and be able to not worry about it coming back?

Well "pop ups" are just like sins or things we do in our life. Where at times we want to get rid of them and stop or change our actions, but it just seems too hard. We keep slipping up and continue to fall into the same trap over and over again. Feeling that there is no way to overcome whatever it is that we are doing wrong or rid ourselves of the feeling of guilt and shame we have from our actions. You're not alone! I've been there too!

Just like "pop ups" you have to have the knowledge of how to change the settings on your computer to stop them from popping up instead of continually closing the "pop up" allowing it to pop back up later! The same is with our sins and faults. We can't just keep saying, "Man I wish I wouldn't do that anymore." or "I'll do my best to not do it tomorrow, today is the last time." That is the same as just closing the "pop up." The process by which we can change our actions forever and stop doing the things we wish we wouldn't is called REPENTANCE!

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered for all of our sins, faults, imperfections and short comings in order to help us repent! When we repent we have a true desire to change and rely on Christ's atonement for strength and help in the process to change! Sometimes it takes time and it isn't easy, but when we repent the correct way, those "pop ups" that once drove us crazy will no longer be there! We can be cleansed from our sins and be freed from our guilt and shame!

I know that repentance is real because I've used it in my own life many times! I have been cleansed of wrongs in the past and continue to use repentance every day of my life! I encourage all who read this to take a step back and look at your life and see what changes you can make to follow our Savior, Jesus Christ, more fully :)

Who Do You Want To Be?

"Be grateful, be smart, be clean, be true, be humble, be prayerful."
-Gordon B. Hinckley 

BE the individual that God knows you can BE! Life is like a puzzle! You learn one step or piece at a time. Through trails, adversity, goals, achievements, accomplishments, obstacles and so forth you come to know yourself and become who you truly want to be! You gain personality, character, integrity and a sense of being. Put each piece of the puzzle together and you will see how wonderful God has helped you become! You are truly a child of God :)

 

 

Baby Steps

Alma 28:30

"For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more.."

 

In life we think sometimes we must know everything at once, change our entire lifestyle or be able to fix something all at once. I know I've thought and felt that way many of times before in my life! I thought I was right too...but then I realized that it doesn't work that way. Some things may, but usually they don't. Christ, under the direction of God, did not make everything in one day, rather over a period of 6 days. A doctor doesn't know how to diagnose every illness the first day of medical school. A football team isn't perfect in every play before they start the season. A mom doesn't know everything that is required before she has her first child. A dog can't learn every trick in one day (if your dog can, please come teach mine!) 

 

Life takes patience and perseverance! Life is a learning experience! Take each day like it's your last and learn all you can! Take life one step at a time!

 

Got Strength?

 "I can do ALL things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

-Phillipians 4:13

Sometimes in life we doubt. Give up hope. Let ourselves down. Feel overwhelmed. Don't think we're good enough. Lack Motivation. Can't do anything.

In our Heavenly Father's eyes these are all wrong thoughts and impressions. He loves us and He sent His Son Jesus Christ to experience life in such a way that he can help each of us in EVERY aspect of our lives! If we seek him we will happily find him :) He is our strength when we are weak!

I know that through Christ ALL things are possible!

The Real Straight and Narrow

So all throughout life we hear the the way to heaven is straight and narrow. We must not leave this path or else we cannot return. This is true! Some fail to mention, though the path is straight, it DOES NOT mean that it is flat. Whoever thought that the straight and narrow was flat is sadly mistaken. 

The real straight and narrow has many ups and downs, potholes, quicksand, obstacles, low branches and even a few gaps you must jump! It's not always easy, but always possible!

One of my favorite quotes...

“One’s life cannot be both faith-filled and stress-free. Therefore, how can you and I really expect to glide naively through life, as if to say, ‘Lord, give me experience, but not grief, not sorrow, not pain, not opposition, not betrayal, and certainly not to be forsaken. Keep from me, Lord, all those experiences which made Thee what Thou art! Then let me come and dwell with Thee and fully share Thy joy!’ Real faith is required to endure this necessary but painful developmental process.”

-Neal A. Maxwell

All along the path there is one thing for certain, Jesus Christ is right by your side coaching and encouraging you along the way! You are NEVER alone and He NEVER will leave you in the dark! He led the way from the beginning and is there to help and guide you on YOUR path back to God! He knows and loves you. He knows how you feel. Turn to Him for help in your rough times and trials and always remember to SMILE :)

 

Leap With Faith!

 

“Life’s problems wouldn’t be called ‘hurdles’ if there wasn’t a way to get over them.”

 In my life and I'm sure in yours as well you can look back on life and remember a time when you struggled. When you were weak. When you fell short of the mark. When life was overwhelming, burdensome and difficult. When you thought all was lost, almost to the brink of giving up. We ALL have those moments in our lives. 

What you must understand is that they are part of life! No way around, over, under. The only way is THROUGH them!

We learn from the scriptures that through adversity - trails, troubles, and distress - man can have many experiences that lead to spiritual growth and eternal progress by turning to the Lord. 

"If they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet"  D&C 29:39

"[We] taste the bitter, that [we] may know to prize the good."  Moses 6:55

The gospel of Jesus Christ provides perspective in life. A perspective to realize just for a moment, in the time of your pain, sorrow and suffering that it will all be alright! That someone greater than you, Jesus Christ, went through everything you would experience in life just so he would know how you feel! In doing so He he has provided a way for you to overcome and find success in your trials! Have faith in that! He tells us that,

"All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." D&C 122:5-8 

When we understand and recognize that our trails are for but a small moment and that they will be for our benefit, we look for lessons to be learned and experience to be gained. We no longer look at them as a punishment or torture, but rather an opportunity to learn and gain experience for the future. To rely on our Savior's love and guidance in our lives and to smile in times of hardship :)

If you have time please read this story!

http://lds.org/new-era/1973/01/the-currant-bush?lang=eng

 

A Time to Rejoice!

The message of the resurrection of Christ brings hope and joy to all in this world! 

That we too may live again as he lives today! 

“In our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning: ‘He is not here: for he is risen.’” 

“As one of His special witnesses on earth today, this glorious Easter Sunday, I declare that this is true, in His sacred name—even the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior—amen.”
—President Thomas S. Monson

Smile :D

"Today, give a stranger one of your smiles.  It might be the only sunshine he sees all day."

Charity!

 "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
-Mohandas Gandhi

 Serving others is priceless! The joy and happiness that comes from helping others is a feeling that can't be felt in any other way! Find a way to serve someone and lift their burdens today and everyday after too! Everybody needs a little help sometimes :)

We must be like the young jedi (a child of God) and ward off temptation with our lightsaber (our testimony).  Satan is cunning and has many sly tatics to lead us astray and off the path of righteousness! May we BE strong in our knowledge of the saving power of Jesus Christ and DO all we can to strive to follow his commandments and stay clean of temptation and sin!

Stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places!

DO the things that will INSPIRE you to BECOME the person you DESIRE to be!

Joyful Celebration!

 I found out this week my great grandfather passed away :/ With this news it made reflect on all the memories we shared together and his great spirit! It also allowed me to recognize and appreciate the time we have in this life. To take each day like it's your last! Although sad and depressing it may be, I am able to find peace, comfort and joy with the knowledge of the gospel. I am able to joyfully celebrate his life and all that he was able to accomplish :) As Job once asked in the Old Testament, "If a man die, may he live again?" The answer is YES!! Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, He overcame death and was resurrected, for the very purpose and reason that we may live again as Christ lives today and have the opportunity to live with God again! I'm so grateful for what the Savior did for each of us and especially the knowledge of God's plan for each one of us in the plan of salvation. That I know the purpose of this life and what is to come after :) I know for a surety that I will be able to see him again! He is at rest from his worldly cares and in the presence of God! I love you Papa!

"We live to die and die to live AGAIN!"

Choose the Right

 

 

"If we choose the wrong road, we choose the wrong destination."
— Dallin H. Oaks

 

Many choices we make today, will lead us to the life we will live for the rest of our lives. Whether it's a major decision of career, school, place to live or the small choices in life that will shape our character. Such as being honest, working hard and being charitable. We have the right to make our own choices, right or wrong. Since we have that right we are then responsible for the decisions we make and ultimately willing to accept the results of our choices, because we OURSELVES made then in the beginning, no one else made them for us. In every choice we make, I would encourage all to seek God's counsel, guidance and inspiration, before we think "I got this!" 

Do what's right because it's the right thing to do!

 

 

Be Responsible

"I hope that you will learn to take responsibility for your decisions."

      -Thomas S. Monson 

Responsibility includes honesty, integrity, reliability and much more. When we remove ourselves from excuses, strive to do what is right and take responsibility for our actions we rise above the natural man who would rather lie, cheat and blame others to be successful in life. 

Be who you want to be, not what they want to see!

Too Busy?

Often times in my life, and i'm sure in all those who read this, our lives become hectic, overwhelming, stressful, caotic, frustrating, restless, disordered, or whatever it may be. We feel we have too much on our plate and we just can't do it. This is some great advice I found..

"When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives."
— Ezra Taft Benson

When we rely on God, he helps us see those things that aren't so important that fill our time, and those things we should focus and do more! I know when we put God first, all other things fall in line. We are happy and feel we can accomplish all that sits before us each day!

http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/of-things-that-matter-most?lang=eng

The Atonement

My happiness and peace

seemed forever gone,

leaving only regret—

until I saw the blackened earth.

One bad decision and a forest

was destroyed—

or would have been

except for the saving grace

and promise of new life

evidenced in small green shoots

pushing through the ashes.

By Lisa Jan South

I love this poem! I think it describes something each of us experience in life. We make choices that we may regret or decisions in which we feel that our "forest" has been destroyed. That our life is "blackened" and there is no hope. "Happiness and peace are forever gone." We feel there is nothing that can fix or solve our mistakes. There is however, someone and something that can! Jesus Christ and his atonement. Our Savior Jesus Christ can heal any wound, lift any burden and strengthen any weak or discouraged soul. The atonement he provided for each of us is infinite and eternal! When we have faith, hope and rely on the Savior's atonement we are able to see the "green shoots" sprout forth in our lives. When we apply the atonement in our lives and repent, we are once again filled with happiness and joy! The prophet Alma, from the Book of Mormon, describes it best I believe:

    "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
     And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

     Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."

    It's my testimony that the cleansing affect of Christ's atonement is real! That it is available to EVERYONE! I love my Savior and all the He did, not only for me, but for YOU personally as well! I Love You :)

NEVER GIVE UP!

    Sometimes in our lives we hit brick walls. We feel we have no where to go and there is no solution. We feel discouraged, disappointed and often times forgotten. At these points in our lives the decisions we make are crucial! You can either choose to rise up and get around, over, under or through these brick walls and moments in your lives or lay down and give up on what you've worked for your entire life.

    "Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show how badly we want something, because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want something badly enough. They are there to keep out the other people. Brick walls let us show our dedication." -Randy Pausch

    When we make the decision to get past these brick walls, Jesus Christ is there to give us the extra strength and support we need to accomplish just that. The power in the Atonement of Jesus Christ is endless! Christ desires to help and assist us in our lives. He didn't say this life would be easy, but that it would all be worth it. When we call upon the Lord for help, he is waiting there with helping hands to assist you in your journey!

    I pray all who read this will be strong and take courage and do as the prophet Nephi, from the Book of Mormon, recommends:

    "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.