Doubt your DOUBT before you Doubt your FAITH

With everything that is going on with the LDS church and the policy that has been updated I felt like I needed to say something.

Once the news came out that the LDS church had announced that children of LGBT homes can't be baptized until they are 18, I was interested to see what people would say. Over the past few days I have been reading comments that people have posted and it makes me sad that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are doubting the decision and some have decided to leave for good.

A General Conference talk by President Uchtdorf instantly came to mind.

It's called Come, Join with Us. This talk was given in October 2013 and fits this situation to a T.

Uchtdorf says that there have been some things said and done that could cause people to question. And follows that with, "Some questions arise because we don't have all the information and we just need to have a bit more patience."

Technology has made it easy for us to receive information fast instead of waiting for the 6 o'clock news to come on. Reporters are supposed to write the most shocking part of a story as the headline so it grabs people's attention. They are usually biased, even though they try not to be, and it has shown in a couple articles written about the LDS church's decision. Thousands of comments were written before a member of the Church could even say why they have made the decision. If we all had a bit more patience and waited to hear everything before writing our thoughts, maybe some comments would be different.

There were a few comments that were hard to read such as "this is a manmade mistake because God would never say to not love his children," or "There is nothing Christ like about this."

My favorite quote in Uchtdorf's talk is a great way to respond to the above remarks, "As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and as one who has seen first hand the councils and workings of the Chruch, I bear solemn witness that no decision of significance affecting this Church or its members is ever made without earnestly seeking the inspiration, guidance, and approbation of our Eternal Father. This is the Church of Jesus Christ. God will not allow His Church to drift from its appointed course or fail to fulfill its divine destiny."

As a member I am asked to follow Christ and put my faith in Him. I have made covenants with my Heavenly Father to follow His commandments and choose the right. I have had moments in my life where I have felt the spirit so powerfully that I could never deny or go against my Heavenly Father.

The Church of Jesus Christ is the true church. Joseph Smith restored the Gospel so we can have Eternal life if we follow the teachings of our Prophet and Apostles. I am so grateful for this Gospel and how much it has impacted my life for the better. I will never doubt my faith because I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have given so much for all of us to be on this earth.

I challenge anyone who is struggling to understand what has happened or need someone to talk to, kneel down and pray to Heavenly Father. He is always there ready to listen and help in any way he can.

There Is ALWAYS Something To Be Grateful For!

 

I have so much to be thankful for. I have parents that work hard and are the best examples to me. They spoil me and I am forever grateful for them and what they have taught me. I have a brother and sister-in-law that are the absolute best. I have friends that have been by my side through my ups and downs and we have created memories that will last forever.

 

I have been able to play volleyball all through my life. It allowed me to earn a scholarship and have my school paid for. I have been able to get an education and soon a bachelor's degree. Through sports and college I have had many mentors both coaches and teachers that have helped me become who I am. 



 

Most importantly I am grateful for the gospel in my life. I have been raised a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints and it has been such a blessing. I am grateful for temples that I can go to, to feel closer to my Savior. Even walking around the temple grounds is comforting and peaceful. I am grateful for the prophet and his words and teachings. I am grateful for Sunday's and being able to go to church. I am grateful for prayer and being able to talk to my Heavenly Father on a personal level.

 

There is a quote that I really like that says: "There is always, always, always something to be grateful for. Find it."

 

Throughout our lives we tend to go by taking for granted what we have. We take for granted that we have food on the table or a roof over our heads, even the air we breathe. Some days might seem like nothing is going right, but there is always something we can be grateful for no matter what.

 

I challenge you to say three things you are grateful for every day. By doing this you will realize how blessed your life really is. 

 

 Be grateful. Be happy. 





Happy Mother's Day!

        Abraham Lincoln once said, "All that I am or every hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."

How true is this? I can honestly say that my mom has helped me be the woman I am today. I remember growing up I thought that wearing jeans, a sweatshirt, a ponytail every day, and no makeup was the best thing. I was always wanting to be with the guys and play sports. I remember my mom would always beg to just have my hair down for a day. I also remember I told my mom that I will never wear lipstick.

Today I own multiple lipsticks, I try different hairstyles, I wear dresses all the time and heels. I owe all of this to my mom. She has the best style and the best taste for shoes. Thanks for putting up with me through my awkward stages in life.

Not only has she helped me be more like a woman in that sense, she has helped me learn how to cook and keep a tidy house. Going off to college and living on my own has made me appreciate how much work my mom has done for our family. I can proudly say because of my mom I haven't had to make the typical college menu of top ramen, cup of noodles, and mac and cheese. Because of my mom I've been able to understand the importance keeping my apartment clean and tidy. Now that I am living on my own I can cook, clean and keep my apartment how my mom keeps our house.

I am also grateful for the love and compassion she has for others. She will do anything for anyone and she always has a smile on her face. She has shown me that by being selfless and doing good for others you will find happiness.

I love my mom with all my heart, and I am so happy that we are close and I can call her and have hour long talks about silly stuff. She is my idol and I try to be like her every day!

To all the moms out there, you really are the heroes in today's world! Thank you for raising your kids the best that you can. Thank you for staying up late and waking up early. Thank you for working hard to put food on the table. Thank you for everything you do.

And to the single dad's out there doing their best to raise their kids. Happy mother's day to you too!

Live In The Moment

Throughout my life I have tried to control every situation I was in. I would think way too much about the situation and what was going on that I never really enjoyed what was happening. Throughout high school I would focus on trying to make every moment perfect that I lost track of the actual reason I was doing something. I would get upset if something didn't go how I planned it to go. I think that's why I like books so much is because I make up what the characters look like, how I think they will act, and how they live their lives. I had a friend in college tell me to step back, relax, and look at what was going on around me. To look at the great friends I have made, the opportunity that I have to play a college sport, and to be going to school. Once I relaxed and started to go with the flow, every day brought something new.

 

One of my favorite quotes goes, "When you try to control everything you enjoy nothing. Sometimes you just need to relax, breathe, let go, and live in the moment." -author unknown

 

As women we tend to overthink a lot of things in our lives, especially in relationships. I know that I do this. I tend to read too much into certain situations or actions that have happened and it makes the relationship stressful. I had someone tell me that once you stop focusing on everything that could happen and put your trust in the Lord, you will be much happier. I always told myself that if I just worked really hard to make something happen it will, but that hasn't been the case. After a rough incident I knelt down and prayed and said that I am going to step back and relax. I said I am going to leave everything in the Lord's hands and trust that whatever happens is best for me. I will live in and enjoy every moment.

 

I can say that now I am truly happy and everything from then on has been enjoyable. I spend time with my friends and family and I go with the flow. I have met some pretty amazing people that have helped me enjoy where I am right now.

 

I challenge you to step back, relax, and live in the moment because you will never get that moment back. Love life and be the happiest person you can be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Best Friends

 

 

  

 "Dreams change, trends come and go but friendship never goes out of style."

 - Carrie Bradshaw 

 



I met Kendahl my junior year at college. We were on the same volleyball team and that's how it all began. We realized we both liked makeup, shopping, sports and Netflix. (Who doesn't like those?) We became best friends and nothing has changed to this day. We definitely know how to keep each other sane when problems come up. I think people look at us and think we are crazy because we are usually laughing or being really sarcastic to each other at times that might not be the most appropriate. Even though we live in different states we know that nothing will change from when we go home to when we see each other next. I am so grateful for having a friend who I look up to and is a great example to me.

 

Friendship is something that I think we take for granted when we are in high school. We have so many friends that we think when college comes we will have all of these friends to conquer the world with. This might be true for some people but for the most part after high school everyone moves to different states or they go to different schools and you find that you rarely talk to them anymore. College is where you meet your friends for life. I have had the opportunity to go to two different colleges and meet some pretty incredible people who I know will be lifelong friends. I believe it's important to have a best friend who you can talk to about problems, or just to go out to lunch and have a girls day with. Call up your best friend and tell them how grateful you are for them in your life. 

 

Feel free to share your stories about you and your best friend. I would love to hear them!  

 

 

Happy International Women's Day!

 

"The strongest actions for a woman is to love herself, be herself and shine amongst those who never believed she could." - Author Unknown

Margaret Fuller, Marie Curie, Katharine Hepburn, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Anne Frank, Audrey Hepburn, the list goes on and on of the most amazing women who have been influential to everyone. These women have had to go through adversity and trials throughout their life, yet they never stopped being themselves.

Anne Frank is the main one I want to focus on. Anne Frank had to hide out during the Holocaust so her and her family wouldn't have to go to a concentration camp. She spent two years in hiding and never came out from her room. After those two years her and her family were found and taken to a camp. They were tortured and separated from each other. Anne and her sister were transferred to another camp and eventually died from disease. Her dad found her diary a little while later and read what she had written. He turned it into a book and it was published as we now know it today as, "The Diary of Anne Frank."

 In the book, "The Traveler's Gift" by Andy Andrews it talks about this man meeting Anne Frank and having a conversation with her. While they are conversing two questions come up. Is being happy a choice? Can you decide what mood you are in? Anne Frank says you CAN decide what mood you are in. There were times when she was down and was questioning if her life really mattered, but she changed her mood and decided to be happy. She chose to be herself no matter the circumstances. I have so much respect for this girl. To stay in hiding for two years and not know what a new day could hold is hard for me to comprehend. It takes a person with a strong will to do what she had to do. Anne Frank will always be a role model in my life.

We all have trials and adversity that we have to go through. We have people telling us that we can't accomplish our goals and that we fail at life. Sometimes we think the best solution to this is to say that they are right and to conform to what they want us to be. I've had people in my life tell me that I shouldn't go for my dreams because I'm just going to fail and it is going to be a disappointment. You know what I say to them? Watch me prove you wrong. I have learned that being myself and loving every part of me and what I am has helped me accomplish my aspirations.

Don't change who you are to try and heed to the world's expectations. Stand out and shine. Love everything about yourself. You are on this earth for a reason. Go out and find that reason. Follow your dreams. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

 

I have had the opportunity to have amazing roommates throughout my college career. Bre, the girl in the picture, has become someone who inspires me to improve my talents and be a better person. I've always wanted to learn how to sing and coincidently she has the voice of an angel. I asked her one night if she could sit down with me and help me sing and she didn't even hesitate to say yes. We have had many late nights working on songs, hitting notes, and singing duets. She has helped me feel more confident in myself and make me want to enhance this talent. I have only sang in front of her for a few weeks and tonight she made me go sing in front of other people. I've played in volleyball tournaments for a gold medal and I've played in piano competitions in front of judges and other talented pianists. I can honestly say this was the most nerve racking thing I've done. We went and performed and I did pretty good for my first time singing in front of people. I am grateful that I was able to have a friend that got me out of my comfort zone and make me sing.

Brian Tracey said: "Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new."

This quote is applicable to everything we do. I definitely felt uncomfortable singing, but afterwards I did feel like I grew and now I don't feel as scared singing. I think we tend to hold back what we want to do sometimes because we are scared others might not like it and we don't want people to not like the things we do. In life we are going to get negative feedback at some point or another. This shouldn't mean we don't go follow what we want. We should never be scared to do something we are passionate about. Follow your dreams and improve your talents, then go show them off to the world. Be proud of who you are and the qualities you possess.