As simple as Checking the Mail...

Beep...beep...The timer goes off, and the pizza is finished.  Elder Barrett pulls the pizza out and the peperoni's are just sizzling.  The pizza needs to cool for 5 minutes or so, to pass the time we decided to go and check the mail.

AIR BOX!!! (meaning looking into the mailbox with hopes of seeing something inside, but then sadly seeing the back of an empty mailbox.) With slight sighs we headed back to our apartment, to devour our lunch which awaits us.  As we climb up the staircase back to our apartment, we hear shouts "MISSIONARIES!!! MISSIONARIES!!!"  We turn to see a little boy about 4 or so, and his sister chasing after him.  The little boy wrapped around my legs as soon as he got to me.  His sister pulled him off, and by now their slightly embarrassed mom gets to us. 

After prying the little guy off me, and exchanging hello's, turns out the mom is a new member of only 2 weeks and she is visiting her family.  While she told us her conversion story (she had a huge smile the whole time, and she was so happy! ) the rest of her family came over.  As she finished her story, we asked the rest of the family if they would like to learn why their sister was so happy, and how they to can find this happiness?

With anxeious head nods, we set an appointment.  Heavenly Father had much more instore for us that lunch break rather than just checking mail and eating pizza.  He is always working to bring His children to this eternal happiness.  As a missionary, I get to see these miracles unfold right before my eyes daily.  I am so humbly grateful to have this chance to serve!

Lessons Learned from my Dad

I was thinking about Father's Day coming up.  I thought about all the lessons I have learned from my dad, and the example he has set.  He could out work anyone I know.  My dad is very focused and driven.  One of the lessons that stands out to me, that my dad taught me was, "if you are going to do something, than do it right, don't do it half speed"

The importance of this lesson rings true each day I walk out the door.  What I am doing is missionary work, my goal in mind is to bring as many of my brothers and sisters unto Christ.  My dad's slogan playing in the back of my mind, motivates me to always be striving to improve.  The way a missionary can be successful is by working with the Spirit.  Lack of effort or disobedience destroys that connection with the Spirit.

What motivates me also is the love I have for the people! Another lesson I learned from my dad.  He is a superintendent for a construction site.  As I worked with him, I saw the way he handled his employees.  Sometimes stern, but the employee always walking away knowing my dad cared about them.  Most the guys on the site would always talk about my dad like he was their hero.  Each one of them trusted and respected him.  As a dad he fulfilled that role for me too, even at times he would be stern, I always knew my dad loved me.

This lesson has help me make the connection with my Father in heaven.  Romans 8:16 says, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God"  I know that God is much more than just some powerful being up in the sky.  God is my loving Heavenly Father.   His and mine relationship works in a similar fashion as my dad's and mine.  Each time I kneel and pray I know He is always listening and will answer.  Sometimes His answer maybe stern, but each time I stand up I know He loves me.

My Father in heaven has given me a chance to be on His job site for 2 years,  and just the same as I saw in the relationship with my dad and his employees, most people love, respect, and trust their Father in heaven.  I will always be grateful for both my Fathers!  Both my Fathers have taught me valuable lessons, which have made me into the person I am today!  I love my dad here on earth, and I love this opportunity to remind people of our Father in Heaven!

To all the great dads out there, ENJOY YOUR FATHERS Day!  I love you dad!

Obedience Leads to Happiness

Why should I choose to obey?  Why does God have to have so many rules?  Not going to lie these questions have crossed my mind before....but thankfully I have a little better idea why Heavenly Father gives us commandments.

Heavenly Father is just like any other parent, He sets rules (commandments) and invites us to follow them.  As we choose to obey happiness and blessings begin to come our way.  This idea of "obedience leads to happiness" was a hard lesson for me to swallow, but one that blesses me daily! Don't take my word for it, test it for yourself!

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

Life just goes better as we obey.  Heavenly Father knows the way all we have to do is choose to follow!

For more on the lesson of obedience check out the talk The Potter and the Clay

picture from http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonarrowood/3350717255/

A simple Gift that keeps on giving

What is a testimony?

A testimony can be simple or complex, but to sum one up, a testimony is what you believe and know to be true.

While serving a mission I have realized how much of an impact a testimony can have, not only in my own life, but in the lives of others too.  As opportunities come up for me to share mine, each time I do my own is strengthen and I feel who I share it with gets strengthen from it too.  My testimony is great source of comfort and peace to me knowing I have values and beliefs to rely on. Mine is also a great defense when facing personal challenges or avoiding situations around me.  Pretty amazing what a testimony has done, and is doing for me, and mine is even rather simple....

I know Jesus Christ is my Savior, and through Him I can find true happiness while overcoming my weakness.  I know God is my loving Heavenly Father; He hears and answers prayers with love.  I know that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration.  I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and I know as I do my best to follow the teaching from it, life gets a whole lot better!

Brigham Young was not baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the first year of his learning about the restored gospel. But of his conversion he said:

“If all the talent, tact, wisdom, and refinement of the world had been sent to me with the

Book of Mormon, and had declared, in the most exalted of earthly eloquence, the truth of

it, undertaking to prove it by learning and worldly wisdom, they would have been to me

like smoke which arises only to vanish away. But when I saw a man without eloquence

or talents for public speaking, who could only say, ‘I know by the power of the Holy Ghost

that the Book of Mormon is true, that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of the Lord,’ the Holy

Ghost proceeding from that individual illuminated my understanding, and a light, glory,

and immortality were before me. I was encircled by them, filled with them, and I knew

for myself that the testimony  of the man was true”

Please share your testimony with others.  Don't be afraid or ashamed to share something that has given so much to you.  Be willing to allow another to grow from just hearing what you have to say. No worries if you feel like yours is too small or may even not know if you have one. Still speak up and share! I know one is in there, took me a while to find mine too!  Open your mouth and allow the spirit to speak!

Empty Room...maybe God....Who are You Talking to?

What makes a prayer, a prayer?  How do we know God is There?

The past few days this concern has come up a few times as I have talked with people.  What makes the difference from kneeling down and talking to an empty room and feeling totally awkward; to being on your knees conversing with Heavenly Father and feeling His love?

The answer that brings me comfort while I pray is found in 3 Nephi 14:9-11 ...

Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone?

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

When we remember our true relationship with our Heavenly Father, which is Father and child...Our Prayers won't be just words fillin' space in an empty room, but a heart to heart with our Father.

On your knees...

Open Heart...

Address Him (Our Heavenly Father)...

Pour out your soul...

Close in Christ's name..

FEEL HEAVENLY FATHER'S LOVE!!!

A World without God

In life, I have seen when things get tough the thought has crosses my mind to blame someone or something...sadly that someone often times is God.  But why would we choose to blame the one who gives us everything?

I recently had a conversation with a man who was a little confused.  He had told us he had some mishaps in life with religion and such and now he was taking a brake from God for awhile.  He said he just wants to be left alone to his own thoughts.   Now, as I processed this conversation in my mind I could not help but want to plead out WHY?!  The man told us how he was unhappy and confused, how he just has to many unanswered questions, but if he chooses to blame God (or take a brake from him) he is closing the door to help from above.

Why is that a nature tendency to push away the one that loves us most? Our Heavenly Father's goal is not to make life miserable and force us to suffer.   He gave us life so we could find true joy  .  But for one reason or another myself guilty also when life gets tough our reaction is "Oops its God's fault..."

I think that false blame is exactly the trap Satan wants us all to fall for.  What better way to lead us down to unhappiness, than cause us to forget our Creator.  Satan is clever with this trap of his.  He gets us confused and turned around until we close the door to the one that can help us.

If we ever find our self in such a situation we need to stop and ask our self why?  We must not forget our special relationship with our Heavenly Father.  That of literal Father and child.  When a toddler takes a tumble, his parent always scoops him up and makes it all better...I can guarantee the last thing on that little guys mind would be "No put me down, I don't want to be helped, I don't need you.."  So why should we chose to do that now.  Rely on our Heavenly Father when life gets tough and embrace in his saving arms.

Allow Him to scoop you up and put you back on your feet.

I know that God is our Heavenly Father.  I am grateful that He is forgiving and is always willing to wrap me in His saving arms.  I know that He loves us, and that He is real.

Tell a friend about what God has done for you!  Remind them of the help He can give to them.  Strive to not be fooled or become a victim of Satan's trap. A world without God would be a miserable place, don't blame Him but embrace Him!