What Did You Say?!

This blog I want all of us to go back to those glorious days where we took peanut butter and jelly in a brown bag to lunch and had an hour for recess! Yes I'm talking about those wonderful days of school :)

We all had a teacher in our classroom. On the first day they would go over what the rules of their classroom were, how we were supposed to behave, what would make us good students, etc. Throughout the year they taught, instructed, supervised and helped us to become the best students we could be! Sometimes we listened to the teacher and other times we didn't.

So why in the world did we even have teachers? We knew what to do didn't we? I'm sure you can think back and remember what would happen in a classroom the minute your teacher walked out of your classroom can't you?! Everyone went chaotic huh? At least in my class they would! Kids would pull out their phones, paper airplanes would be flying, friends started talking to each other, and on and on! Just think for a second what it was like when your teachers left the room! What happened to those rules that were there for us to follow and make us successful? We threw them out the door with the teacher! haha

This is exactly how it was and has always been when God has called a prophet as well! A prophets role is primarily to testify and teach of Christ. They also instruct us on matters that are necessary for our salvation, they prophecy of things to come, they interpret scripture and most of all lead us on the path of righteousness! Like a teacher in a classroom, the prophet provides the way for us to be successful in our lives. The way to find happiness and eventually return home to our Heavenly Father. We can either choose to accept and follow his direction and counsel or choose to disregard it. It's up to us.

I testify that God has once again has called a prophet in our time. We don't have to be like the students in that chaotic room. The heavens are still opened and God speaks to us just as in times past! His name is Thomas S. Monson and I'm proud to say he has been called of God to lead and guide us in this troubled world!

Does God Really Love You?

 I was reading in a magazine this morning and came across this WONDERFUL thought! At times in our lives I know we wonder if God is really there or if He really loves us. You may go through a hard time and feel God has forgotten you or maybe you've gone through your entire life and have never felt God's love in your life. Whatever your circumstance may be I want you to read and remember this thought given to us by an apostle of the Lord.

“[God] loves us because He is filled with an infinite measure of holy, pure, and indescribable love. We are important to God not because of our résumé but because we are His children. He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken. God’s love is so great that He loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant, and the wicked. 

What this means is that, regardless of our current state, there is hope for us. No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us.”

      -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I too testify that no matter where we are, who we are, or what we are going through, GOD LOVES YOU! And so do I!

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 :)