The Lord is My Light

Transfers can be a crazy time for a missionary. Especially when you move areas. The other day I was worrying and stressing about all the things that needed to be done. Things I knew, things I didn't know, things I did know but needed to remember, and things I need to learn. Amiss all things going though my mind the words to a famous Hymn ran through my mind

"The Lord is MY light; then why should I fear? By day and by night his presence IS near. He is my salvation from sorrow and sin; This blessed assurance the Spirit doth bring."

As I starting singing the song in my head, comfort and peace rushed through me. I knew everything thing was going to be okay because I knew one thing. That the Lord is my Light.
    
       The song continues...
  

"The Lord is my light; tho clouds may arise, Faith, stronger than sight, looks up thru the skies where Jesus forever in glory doth reign. Then how can I ever in darkness remain? The Lord is my light; the Lord is my strength. I know in HIS might I’ll conquer at length. My weakness in mercy he covers with pow’r, And, walking by faith, I am blest ev’ry hour. The Lord is my light, my all and in all. There is in his sight no darkness at all. He is my Redeemer, my Savior, and King. With Saints and with angels his praises I’ll sing.

The Lord is my light; He is my joy and my song. By day and by night He leads, He leads me along."

Throughout life, time and time again I have learned that I can not do it all on my own. I'm not supposed to, neither am I expected to. If I will allow Jesus Christ to be my light HE WILL BE. But the choice is up to me. And if he is my light then why should I fear?

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isiah 12:2

Simple Coumpounds

Simple compounds combined together can make something incredible. On their own they might not be able to do much or seem of much worth but when combined together something amazing can occur... 
 I've heard an analogy that stuck with me. Cement is made from simple compounds- cement powder, rocks, sand and water. When these what seem to be simple ingredients are combined something that can withstand and hold an amazing amount of pressure is created. But if the mixture is wrong it can become weak and crumble away. There is also a curing time. When cement is drying the slightest of breeze or touch can cause an indent or a mark that will dry and cure to be seen for all of its existence.

  Our testimony and faith can be compared to cement. When what seems to be simple compounds such as prayer, scripture study and church attendance are combined something great that can withstand a tremendous amount of pressure and weight is created.  What our faith and testimony is built on must be strong, able to withstand whatever may come our way.  While it is curing what we let influence us also matters.
Just as the tape imprinted into this picture of cement, trials and hard times will come and may leave an imprint but this doesn't mean they have to make up who we are. By putting our faith and trust in Jesus Christ all things are possible.
 

Guardians of Virtue

Sister Giang and I were able to go to the Young Women broadcast this year. It was amazing and I loved the song they sang so I wanted to share it.

We were born to come forth in these days.
We are called to follow in His ways.

We will choose to answer because we know the truth.
We will be examples in your youth.
We are Guardians of virtue, we stand for what is right.
We are beacons of His love pointing others to His light.
Walking in the paths of holiness, we seek the temples peace.
And become who He wants us to be

We find joy in living what we know.
Righteous choices help our faith to grow.
As daughters of God we'll serve our Heavenly King with confidence in beauty from within
We are guardians of virtue, we stand for what is right.
We are beacons of His love pointing others to His light.
Walking in the paths of holiness, we seek the temples peace.
And become who He wants us to be

Through virtue we find the power divine that can change the world!
We are guardians of virtue, we stand for what is right.
We are beacons of His love pointing others to His light.
Walking in the paths of holiness, we seek the temples peace.
And become who He wants us to be
And become who He wants us to be

I know these words are true. I know great power and strength comes from being a guardian of virtue until we become who He wants us to be.

I Dare You

I can't believe General Conference will be here in 7 days! Did you know there is an amazing promise that comes with it? I remember one year in Seminary our teacher asked us to think of a question we wanted answered. It could be something that was weighing on our minds, something we need help with- anything that pertained spiritually. He said that if we would pray about it and watch General Conference we would find our answer. So I took his challenge and put it to the test. I don't remember the exact question I asked but I do remember getting an answer.
So I invite you to think and pray about some questions that have been on your mind. Then to watch General Conference and listen. I know that as you do this your answer will come. It may not be the answer you want, but it will come. I know we have a Prophet, Apostles and church auxiliary that have been called by God. The reason we have them is because we have a Heavenly Father who is very mindful of his children and wants us to succeed in life. If we will take this opportunity to listen to them they will have the answers we are looking for. So write down some questions, watch and listen. I dare you

Conference will be held on
Saturday April 2- 10am-12pm and 2-4pm
Sunday April 3- 10am-12pm and 2-4pm

Be Faithful to Him

While in the MTC I decided I would read the Book of Mormon again. In doing so I found one of my favorite scriptures that comes to mind quite frequently. Nephi and his family are in the wilderness because they listened to their father Lehi, who is a prophet whom the Lord told to leave Jerusalem because it was going to be destroyed. While in the wilderness Nephi's brothers Laman and Lemuel get angry with him because he is on his fathers side. In one of Nephi's "rebukings" he tells his brothers,

"Yeah, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do ALL things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him." (1 Nephi 7:12)

  I love Nephi's response. He is put in so many situations where he could choose to be angry like Laman and Lemuel but he CHOOSES to have faith. Life (and being on a mission) gives you many situations where you can be angry, sad, frustrated, etc. But when you choose to look at it in a bigger picture and realize what Nephi is saying is true.  I know if it is according to Heavenly Fathers will he WILL provide a way if we do the things he has asked us to do. Even though we may not see how it is going to work out, by putting our faith in him and taking a couple steps in the dark he will light up the path.

Two Knocks

One of my favorite parts of missionary work is tracting. One apparent thing I have learned is that most people don't answer the first time we knock. It usually takes two. Why is this? As I have pondered for some reasoning behind this, something hit me. How often is the Savior knocking on my door and I'm not answering? How may times will it take to get my attention? Am I going to get off the couch and get my body in action? He's not going to stand out there forever. The decision is mine.
  The message we share is of great value and importance, just like the message Jesus is trying and wanting to share in this picture.  There is no handle for Him to "just walk in." There has to be effort on my part to simply walk over and open the door. It's amazing to feel the love, peace, comfort and support that comes immediately by simply choosing opening the door. So I re-dedicate myself and challenge you- Answer the door on the first knock. I know that as we do, so may blessing await. Answers to questions, a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel, and that extra dose of faith we need to make it through the day will come. Remember: You are never alone. Christ is always on the other side of the door waiting with out stretch arms.

Patience

We may not be 4 years old but I know that this experiment applies to us all. Only 30% of the children were able to wait to see their reward double. I find this to be like Heavenly Father. What may seem like a life time to a child (15 minutes), may feel like seconds to a parent taking a "time out." How many times Heavenly Father has said, "wait 15 minutes and your reward will double!" but we can't wait that long. We think we know what is best. Not knowing/remembering we can't see the whole picture like Heavenly Father can.

"What started as a simple experiment with children and marshmallows became a landmark study suggesting that the ability to wait—to be patient—was a key character trait that might predict later success in life."

This saying stuck with me the first time I saw this video. Everyone wants to be successful in life. And a servant of the Lord has told us how we can achieve this. Be patient!!  Believe me, I know this is not easy. But I also know that Heavenly Father isn't going to give us anything we cannot handle.

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 1 Nephi 3:7 

I know we have a Loving Heavenly Father who wants us to succeed. And we can do this by following President Uchtdorf's advice by keeping the commandments, trusting God- serving Him, having faith and hope in Him and NEVER give up.