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!