relationships, oh la la!

Not the, I have a boyfriend/husband type, maybe because I don't have either of those haha, but just relationships in general. Yesterday, was my birthday and I was just reminded of how many amazing people are a part of my life. I have the Church to thank for many of those.

I moved out of California, to Utah, and instantly had friends. Some of my greatest friendships have been from trusting that our Heavenly Father has a plan for us. Who knew that a broken engagement and last minute apartment housing would give me my best friends? Not only that, but they have set such examples and made me a better person.

The ward, our built in family. I am not quite sure how non-members do it without one. Anywhere in the world we go, there are people waiting to get to know us. You are not lost in the world, all alone. I testify and know that there is a purpose to how the Church is set up. It is inspired. Heck, we even have people check in on us at least once a month to make sure we are okay. Have to love those Visiting and Home Teachers,  I am so thankful for them.

Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when he had Joseph Smith help restore the gospel and church to the earth in these latter days. Giving us a prophet and apostles, down to our Bishop and other church leaders. I am not just a body, in a sea of people, listening to a worship service.

I think what I am getting at is, we have so much to be thankful for. He has given us so much! It's extremely easy to forget about the simple things. Our relationships here on earth are what matter most, not our cars, clothes, etc.

Earlier in Church someone mentioned that people get side tracked by the things we don't know, when we have SO much that we do know. We need to let faith take us all the way. I want to always remember that when I am doubting or worrying about things. Again in another lesson, Desi made a comment about worrying being a lack of faith in our Savior and that we choose every day if we are going to follow Him or not.

I can not say thank you enough to our savior, my family and friends, for making my birthday such a special day. Just being able to talk to and spend time surrounded by them made me even more aware of how loved I am.

Thanks to Alyssa and Rachel! Love them!

If you want to know more about the Church, please let me know! Or you can go to LDS.org and Mormon.org

self control

This has what has been consuming my mind lately. Now I just need to control it. Control your mind. Have control over yourself.

I really mean it though. The other day in Church I had this strong prompting that self control is something I need to focus on. In every aspect of my life....Healthy eating habits, exercising, dating, making decisions instead of just going with what is currently happening, making the extra effort to prepare myself to go through the temple.

We choose what type of people we want to be, what we want to do. I know this is getting a little repetitive, but I feel like I have lost myself and my will power over the past few months. I'm not sure what took it away.

All it takes is that step in the right direction, to get you moving again, going.

I took that step out the front door of my apartment a few minutes ago when I decided to give myself some thinking time. Some time spent with Heavenly Father.

The temple is such a calming place. You don't even have to be inside of it to experience that feeling. As I sit outside and read my scriptures, have a talk with Him, I feel his presence. It has filled me. Really. It's hard to explain that strong feeling of the spirit surrounding you. Maybe you can compare it to butterflies in your stomach? A shortness of breath? Who knows, it's probably different for every person. But, I love it.

"And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.

And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full."

Alma 12:9-10 

You get what you give. The effort you put in, is the reward you get back.  I know everyone interprets scriptures in different ways, but this is what I have gotten from it. He gives us the strength and guidance we need to make better choices.

The more the Lord trusts you, the more he is willing to tell you.