Daughters Of God

Ok Sisters, this one's for you! Watch this Mormon Message about how women all across the world are making an impact through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It makes me feel so good to know that I'm a part of that world-wide women's organization. Relief Society! As a Mormon woman I feel empowered and strengthened by my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I love the confidence I see in this video. Nothing makes me feel better than to see women who see their potential, their strengths, and how strong their influence can be in the world. In the April 2004 General Conference, Thomas S Monson gave a talk about our personal influence. He said "As we follow that Man of Galilee—even the Lord Jesus Christ—our personal influence will be felt for good wherever we are, whatever our callings." (Read his full address here)

I know that this is true. That as we strive to exemplify Christ people will notice. Through our efforts to live the gospel we can make the world a better place. Women have such a powerful force in the world right now, take advantage of that and make a difference for the better!

In a talk about the Moral Force of Women, Elder D. Todd Christofferson said "Your intuition is to do good and to be good, and as you follow the Holy Spirit, your moral authority and influence will grow." As women, we have a certain attributes given to us from God. Those are the attributes that will help us prosper in this life and help as many others as we can.

So, while I'm all about girl power and feminism, let's remember that we were made the way we were made for a reason. I am proud to be a Mormon woman, I love being strong and feminine at the same time. I know that as I live the gospel of Jesus Christ I can have an influence in this world and in my family. A past General Young Women's President, Margaret D. Nadauld gave a wonderful quote that I will end with.

"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."

14 Months and 14 Things I'm Grateful For

14 months ago I entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah! It's so strange to think I've been a missionary for that long!

With my 14 month mark came a special day! Thanksgiving! A nationally loved holiday filled with family, fun, and turkey! I love this beautiful holiday season we've been given to ponder on what really matters in life.

And Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without a list of things we are grateful for!!

So, on my 14 month mark I'm going to give you 14 things I'm grateful for!

1. First and foremost, my family.
I don't know where I would be without this wonderful family I've been blessed with. Within this family unit I have learned the gospel, learned how to be a grown up, and learned how important it is to have these relationships for eternity.

2. My mission experience.
The past 14 months have consisted of so many experiences. A few of the adjectives I would use to describe my mission would be: happy, challenging, eye opening, exhausting, awkward, beautiful, hilarious, fun, and all together an experience that has prepared me for real life more than anything else I've ever done!

3. My companions.
These sisters have had the privilege of being around me for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for at least 6 weeks, sometimes more. I am so grateful for mission companions, they have supported me through my hardest times and rejoiced with me through the best of times.

 

4. The scriptures.
There is no satisfactory substitute for the peace I feel when I read from the Book of Mormon and the Bible. These books are the word of God. I can't imagine my life without the direction they provide.

5. My dog.
Make fun of me all you want, she's my best friend!

6. The people of Mesa.
I thank the Lord every single day that I was called on my mission to Mesa, Arizona. The people here have taught me much more than I've taught them! I've met and grown to love so many families and people that I want to be like when I grow up!

7. My mission family.
The Arizona Mesa Mission is most definitely a family. We're a tight knit family.

8. The power of prayer.
The personal strength that results from prayer is so powerful. Every single person on the Earth should have this in their life. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to kneel in prayer every day and receive help and guidance from a loving Heavenly Father.

9. Food.
Really though.

10. Sunshine and the Arizona desert.
It's the simple things in life.

11. Random acts of kindness.
Being on either the sending or receiving end of any act of service is a wonderful experience! Helping others and being helped brings out the best in everyone.

12. The holiday season.
During this time of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the beginning of a new year, people's hearts are softened and open to the peace the gospel of Jesus Christ brings.

13. My mission president and his wife.
Now that I've met these two people I can honestly say I've met two angels on Earth.

14. Last, but far from least, Jesus Christ.
Without the life and the love Jesus Christ offers me I would not the person I am today.

My New Guardian Angel

On Monday, June 2nd, 2014, I received an email informing me that my grandpa on my dad's side had passed away that morning.

It was a beautiful day. Despite the tears and the sense of loss and longing I felt oddly comforted knowing I had gained a brand new guardian angel.

George Steve Sparhawk. The only way I can think to describe him is through my personal memories of him. I can remember countless boat shows and boating trips on many a sail boat and kayak. I can remember picking up the phone and being asked "Am I talking to a pretty girl? It sounds like I'm talking to a pretty girl!!" 

Before I left on my mission my family and I took a trip out to South Dakota to visit him and when we drove up in the mini van he teetered out onto the front lawn with his cane greeting us with his usual enthusiasm. During that visit I was allowed to take his sky blue '67 Mercedes Benz out for a short test drive. A few days later when we were packing up to leave he promised me that when I came home from my mission he would take me out on a real joy ride in the Mercedes.

After I left on my mission, I had been out for about 2 months when I got this picture in an email. My grandpa and his wife were baptized! And my little brother got to baptize them! It was the sweetest email I had ever received on my mission. 

The morning he passed away I was compelled to study the Plan of Salvation from Preach My Gospel. It was so comforting and strengthened my testimony that families are forever. I was also comforted knowing that my grandpa had made essential covenants in this life and that those covenants would allow him to live with our Heavenly Father again.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my grandpa is in the spirit world making everyone laugh and helping others come to Christ. He loved the gospel and he loved the missionaries he got to work with. I know that I will see him again and that he won't be held down by the diseases that held back his mortal body in this life.

I know that he will be with me for the rest of my mission. He will be here to comfort me and encourage me when I need it. And I am eternally grateful for that.

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.