Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Pressing Forward

With the new year approaching we are all reflecting on how we spent 2014. It's strange to look back and see that I spent the entirety of this year on my mission! For this whole year I stayed in a geographical area of less than 20 square miles (and that's just me guesstimating big).

Watch this Mormon Message about New Years, it's one of my favorites!


Too cute, right? But also such an important thing to remember this time of year. As we reflect on the past year, we should be learning from the past, not dwelling on it. We should look forward, knowing that Heavenly Father has a plan for us and that maybe some new trials will come with 2015, but so will new opportunities. 

As we make our mandatory resolutions like losing weight or accomplishing some worldly achievement, let's remember what a great opportunity resolutions can be to better ourselves spiritually. So for 2015, my big resolution is to remain a missionary even after I go home from my full-time mission. I'll only be able to spend 3 months of the coming year with an official name tag pinned on my shirt, but I can spend all 12 with that same name tag painted on my heart.

I challenge everyone who reads this to make a goal to better themselves spiritually somehow. Make a goal specific to your needs and your strengths and weaknesses. I know that as we take this special opportunity to show Heavenly Father that we are ready to take big or little steps toward Him that we will be blessed. He will help us as we strive to do our best and overcome our weaknesses.

Another New Year's resolution? Get to this place as often as possible!
President Thomas S. Monson gave this counsel for eternal joy and I think it applies perfectly to making this new year the best one yet!
"Gaze upward
Look inward
Reach outward and 
Press forward."

Have a wonderful, safe, fulfilling New Year!!

Sunday, December 7, 2014

#Heisthegift

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" And why is that? It's not the presents, the trees, the lights, or even the halls decked with boughs of holly. This is the most wonderful time of the year because it's the time of year we get to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ through so many amazing traditions!

As I have come to know Christ as my personal Savior, Christmas has taken on a whole new meaning for me. In the last few Christmases I have come to more fully appreciate the gift I was personally given when Christ was born.

Taken just a few minutes to watch this video and check out the Christmas website the Church came out with this year!




#DiscoverTheGift
Through sincere prayer and scripture study we can discover what Christ has given us. As we come to know Him better we will be compelled to follow His teachings more fully.

#EmbraceTheGift
Living the teachings of Christ isn't always easy, but as we embrace whole-hearted obedience to His commandments we are blessed and uplifted.

#ShareTheGift
What better time than Christmas time to share the miraculous gift that you yourself have discovered and embraced? Share the above link with someone you love or invite them to watch the He is the Gift video. As we share Christ we have nothing to lose but so much to gain.

I testify that because of the very first Christmas gift, we can all be saved. Through His love and sacrifice we can be cleansed from sin and made worthy to live with our Heavenly Father again.