We Are His Greatest Creation

Today I want to talk about something really important to me! Our bodies! I know, it may not seem like a very spiritual thing at first, but I promise it is!

The whole reason we came to this Earth was to receive a body. We needed to become more like our Heavenly Father so we can someday experience the same blessings that He does. As His spirit children we lived with Him but we couldn't live exactly like Him.

In a general conference talk, President Boyd K. Packer said "Our physical body is the instrument of our spirit."

A temple is a place for Heavenly Father's spirit to reside on Earth. Our bodies are instruments for us to house our own spirits. We are literally temples! Depending on who is reading this, you may or may not know how much time/effort/talent is put into making temples perfect (not to mention the cost)! It's A LOT! It takes years from the time a temple is announced to be built in an area to the time it's actually usable!

Temples take maintenance and care, so do our bodies! Temples are an expression of God's love, so are our bodies! Seeing a pattern?

The following Mormon Message is one of my favorites because it helps me put into perspective how grateful I should be for a healthy working body. Enjoy!

When I think about how I was created in God's image (See Genesis 1:27) I can appreciate my body and all of it's strengths and flaws so much more.

Think about it for a second! You are a replica of the Creator of the universe. Maybe your body has a few flaws. Maybe it has a lot of flaws. Maybe it just flat out doesn't work quite right. But no matter how poor or perfect are bodies are, they are a divine and essential gift from the one who knows us better than we know ourselves.

Sometimes I have to just stop and marvel at the awesome things are bodies can do!

Now believe me, I know exactly what it's like to be told "you are a child of God, be grateful for your body" and still thinking "well He could have given me a better one." These beautiful bodies we have been given are so important, and Satan knows that. He attacks them in every single way possible. Think about the epidemic of eating disorders and self hatred that sweeps the world. Satan is doing everything in his power to stop God's children from appreciating and taking care of what we came to Earth to receive.
In the General Women's Meeting, Dieter F Uchtdorf gave this address:

"Yes, God loves you this very day and always. He is not waiting to love you until you have overcome your weaknesses and bad habits. He loves you today with a full understanding of your struggles. He is aware that you reach up to Him in heartfelt and hopeful prayer.
...
Do you suppose it matters to our Heavenly Father whether your makeup, clothes, hair, and nails are perfect? ... Do you think outward attractiveness, your dress size, or popularity make the slightest difference in your worth to the One who created the universe?
He loves you not only for who you are this very day but also for the person of glory and light you have the potential and the desire to become."

Sue never let her physical limitations hold her back from following Christ!

I testify that this is true. Your Heavenly Father loves you, He blessed you with the body you have, He expects you to take care of it to the best of your ability, and most of all He gave you your body and all of the trials you experience in this life so you can someday live with Him again.

Marriage Advice From Your Local Expert On Being Single

Ok, I'll admit it. I use catchy titles to make people read my blog! The marriage advice will most definitely NOT be coming from me today!

But it will be coming... just remember that patience is a virtue.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints puts a strong emphasis on family and strengthening family relationships. In 1995 the prophet came out with a proclamation on the importance of families, the first paragraph reads:

WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

(Read the entire proclamation here.)

Families are central to God's plan for us! That's why they're so important!

But, as we know, God's plan for us doesn't end after this life. So naturally, neither do families! Another paragraph of the Family Proclamation reads:

"The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally."

In temples we can be sealed for time and all eternity, meaning there is no "till death do you part!" We can literally be with our families forever!

Now your patience shall be rewarded: I'm going to talk about some of the advice that I've gotten for that distant future where I will be sealed to someone in the temple and start my own forever family.

On my mission I've met a lot of families. Like A LOT. And they've all been different! No two families are alike! I'm fairly convinced that the reason I was sent to Mesa on my mission was to have HUNDREDS of examples of how/who/what I need to be when I go home!

I've seen lots of different kinds of marriages and lots of different kinds of parenting techniques. I've slowly gone from thinking in my head "wow, cutest family ever, I wonder how they do it" to actually asking them "Ok, I need your help, how do you make your family so awesome?"

So I've been asking them! And I want to share some of the advice I've gotten with the world! I'll be adding my own personal comments in pink, because I'm obviously an expert that has a lot to say on this subject.

Communication is key, don't be afraid to ask your spouse to do things for you, compromise, talk about big decisions and purchases beforehand, you're allowed to take a few minutes to cool down before telling your spouse what is bothering you, be HONEST.
This is a collection of what many many people told me. Apparently good communication is kind of important! 

Don't fret the little things, don't worry if they don't load the dishwasher the same way as you, don't take anything personally, there are plenty of things that will happen that won't be worth fighting over, LET IT GO.
Love this! When two people get married they are trying to mesh together two very different lives, it makes sense that it won't fit together like a perfect puzzle piece at first. Being adaptable and teachable will make for a much easier time combining two different life styles.

Hold hands, always sleep in the same bed even when you're angry, always always always always always APOLOGIZE!
I can't add anything to this, it's too perfect. BIG thank you to those who gave me this advice!

Attend the temple often together, put God before your own desires, stay active in the gospel together, SERVE TOGETHER.
A marriage should be a triangle, it should be you, your spouse, and Heavenly Father. With all three of you working together you accomplish everything and get through anything!

Last but not least, don't feel like you're settling, go into a marriage as an equal partnership.
If I'm going to spend eternity with someone, it's gonna have to be a good match. For lack of better words, to marry a TEN I'm gonna have to be a TEN. 

So there you have the highlights of my collection of marriage advice. I'm hoping someday I get to put some of this advice into practice :)

I know that I can be with my family forever, both my family I have now and my future family. I know that temples are houses of the Lord and in them we can be sealed for time and eternity.

This is from that one time I graduated high school, glad I get to spend eternity with these peeps!

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Today I want to share a few of my favorite things with you all. Some of these things are big deals that make all of life's trials worth going through and some of them are those little things in life that make every day a little sweeter.

Scriptures

Some people say life didn't come with an Instructions Manual, I would beg to differ. This is my Book of Life Instruction. Also known as The Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. These four books of scripture make up the teachings of Jesus Christ, an account of His personal ministry, and revelation given to prophets throughout all time.

I have had this book since I was 8 years old! It was a gift to me when I was baptized. As you can see, this book has been well loved and well picked through. And I have yet to be disappointed! Whenever I have a question about anything I know I can turn to the scriptures and find doctrine to instruct me, examples from Christ's life that I can try to exemplify, and stories of prophets to inspire me to become a better disciple of Christ.

Sharing the Gospel

Have you ever recommended a favorite book or movie to someone? I know that when I discover a new favorite flavor of ice cream I want to make sure the whole world knows about it! When something brings you so much joy and so many blessings, what do you have to lose by sharing that joy with others? 

Ice Cream

Because how else am I supposed to keep cool during a hot Arizona summer day?

Temples

One of my favorite hymns is titled "Where Can I Turn for Peace?" Whenever I think about temples this song pops up in my mind. I know that temples are houses of the Lord, I know that being in the temple has given me so many opportunities for personal revelation and learning, I know that in the temple I can someday be sealed to my future husband (whoever he may be!) for time and all eternity. In the temple I can feel peace and I can feel close to the Lord.

Prayer

When I need advice, revelation, peace, comfort, or just some one to be there for me, I know I can turn directly to my Heavenly Father. Being able to communicate with my Creator has gotten me through some of the hardest times in my life and has also helped me celebrate some of the best times of my life.

"But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul."
2 Nephi 32:9

Puppies

Honestly, who wouldn't have this on their list of favorite things?

Family

Last but far from least on my list of favorite things is my family. I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am today if I hadn't had my family to support me. I am so comforted knowing that we can be a family not only for this life but for eternity after this life! And I am so excited to someday have my own family, I only hope and pray that I can be half as good an example to my children as my mom and dad were to me.