The Compass! - November 15, 2014

A month ago, I found this compass in front of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. After I had taken it, I looked back at my pictures and this picture really caused me to reflect. My standards and values have been a sure compass that have never failed in guiding me to make right decisions. I know that as I am true to my standards and make the effort to keep the commandments I am taking the right path. 

I wanted to hear from you and what came to your mind as you reflected on this picture. This is what I heard:

"The gospel of Jesus Christ gives direction to all of Heavenly Fathers children. As I have lived the gospel I have not only found direction but purpose. I know each of us can find the same." - Sister Parrett

"Here is another picture of a compass. This one is imbedded in a bronze sun in the floor of the Great Hall in the Library of Congress. A compass guides you in your travels. It points you in the right direction and helps you arrive at your planned destination. The quest for knowledge and truth guides your choices through life. As we seek the Holy Spirit and listen closely to its promptings we will be able to identify truth. Truth fills us with warmth and light as does the brilliance of the sun. (John 1:9, Moroni 7:16,18)" - Angela Knoll

"Whenever I see a compass, my first thoughts turn to the Liahona -- the compass the Lord provided to Lehi and his family as they were led to the promised land. The Liahona was a type of the way the Holy Spirit works in our lives today: when the people were obedient and righteous, the Liahona provided direction toward the promised land. When the people were disobedient, the Liahona stopped working. I love receiving guidance from the Lord today through the compass called the Holy Spirit." - Matt Riggs

"I never like the feeling of being lost. I've been lost a few times in my life and one of the things I would have liked most was a map of my location. As children of a loving Heavenly Father, we are not left alone on this earth to wander about without direction or purpose. In His infinite wisdom and love, He has provided for us scriptures, prayer, and latter-day prophets to provide personal, meaningful direction and purpose to our lives. We need not be lost or confused." - Naomi Stanford

"When you're trying to figure out which way to go, you'll need a compass you can trust. If you have a reliable compass, you'll always know which way is North. Christ has provided us with a super reliable compass...His Atonement! There's no doubt about it that if we use His Atonement to change and become better, we will return to live with God again." - Sister Trunnell

Thank-you for all of your comments! As we share our thoughts and testimonies, we strengthen others testimonies as well as our own. I invite you to continue to share publicly and privately your testimonies with others. As you do so, you are not only sharing words, you are sharing the joy and light that you have in your life with those who are in need of it.

Remember - November 11, 2014

Every year we set aside a special day to remember those who have made it possible for us to live in freedom. In Canada, we celebrate "Remembrance Day" on November 11, and we wear a poppy on our hearts to help us remember all those who have fought for our freedom. This Remembrance Day I was not in my country, but the traditional physical act of remembering was so important to me that I cut out my own poppy and wore it that day.
When we are baptized, we make covenants with God that we will keep his commandments, and we take the sacrament so that we can remember that covenant, because we as human beings need constant reminding! Do we consider remembering our covenants that brought us spiritual freedom as important as remembering those who brought us physical freedom? Let us put forth the effort to remember our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who saves us spiritually just as we put forth effort to remember those who have fought and are fighting to save our country.

“When you look in the dictionary for the most important word, do you know what it is? It could be ‘remember.’ Because all of [us] have made covenants … our greatest need is to remember. That is why everyone goes to sacrament meeting every Sabbath day—to take the sacrament and listen to the priests pray that [we] ‘… may always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given [us].’… ‘Remember’ is the word” (Circles of Exaltation [address to religious educators, Brigham Young University, 28 June 1968], 8).

Blakely Olivia Stanford - October 22, 2014

I am SO grateful to have a new addition to my eternal family! I know that my niece Blakely came from Heaven and that if we work together and we live faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ, my family and I will return to live there again!

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! - October 15, 2014

I had always thought that after Christ payed for my sins, there was an arrangement made between him and I, and it was my job to pay off the debt or at least pay part of my way back to Heaven. Brad Wilcox explains how our arrangement really is after Christ payed for our sins:

"Christ’s arrangement with us is similar to a mom providing music lessons for her child. Mom pays the piano teacher. How many know what I am talking about? Because Mom pays the debt in full, she can turn to her child and ask for something. What is it? Practice! Does the child’s practice pay the piano teacher? No. Does the child’s practice repay Mom for paying the piano teacher? No. Practicing is how the child shows appreciation for Mom’s incredible gift. It is how he takes advantage of the amazing opportunity Mom is giving him to live his life at a higher level. Mom’s joy is found not in getting repaid but in seeing her gift used—seeing her child improve. And so she continues to call for practice, practice, practice." His Grace is Sufficient - Ensign September 2013

Christ has taught us the commandments, and keeping them and living by them is how we thank him for what he did for us. And so this Thanksgiving season (whether you be celebrating it now or later) we can all show our gratitude by choosing to keep God's commandments. We cannot repay Christ, but we can show our appreciation and that is all that he asks for!

5 Minutes!! - October 4, 2014

Conference is in 5 minutes! Get off Facebook and go to conference.lds.org!

Preparing for a Worldwide General Conference - October 2, 2014

You would not believe the work that goes into a week end full of the words of the living prophets. And it is worth every MINUTE! Come listen to the prophet's voice this weekend! ‪#‎ldsconf‬

Mormonism in Pictures: Preparing for a Worldwide General Conference

This Time, Two Years Ago - September, 24, 2014

I still remember the October of 2012. I remember it because during the first weekend of that month, while listening to General Conference I received an answer to one of the deepest, most profound, soul searching, mind wrecking questions I had ever had: "What do I do with my LIFE?"
General Conference is a time when we have the opportunity to hear the words of God through his servants, the prophets and apostles. I never appreciated this opportunity as much as I should have before October, 2012. I loved listening, but I think I might have liked the comfortable couch we sat on, or the pajamas I got to watch it in, or sleeping past the usual time we wake up to go to church more. My parents and leaders had always told me that I should appreciate it, and that I should take the time to prepare myself for it by writing down any questions I had in my heart, but I couldn't imagine how one man speaking to millions of people could answer the questions I had... So I never did. Until one day when one question I had just could not wait anymore. I was working in my new career that I loved, I was dating someone, and I was enjoying my time with the friends and family that lived very close, but something wasn't right and I was starting to feel like there was a greater plan that I wasn't aware of. I finally decided to take the advice of my parents and leaders and bring my question to General Conference. I knelt and prayed a week before Conference with my question, "what do I do with my life?" and all that week I felt anxious. I could not wait. My friends and I gathered to listen to the first session of General Conference on Saturday and I was ready to scrutinize every single word to find my answer, but I didn't have to listen long. I didn't even have to listen past the 7 minute "Welcome to Conference" talk President Monson gave first. He announced the change in the age at which young men and young women could serve missions, but all I heard was, "Today I am pleased to announce that [Christen] who ha[s] the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21."
And that was all I needed.
I am here, in Virginia, USA, thousands of miles from home and family, speaking a foreign language, serving the Lord, and loving every minute of my new devoted life because of a question I asked two years ago, and the answer I received during General Conference. God has a plan for YOU, and He reveals that plan to His servants, the prophets (Amos 3:7). God knows the desires of your hearts and He is preparing prophets and apostles RIGHT NOW to be able to answer the questions of your soul during General Conference. Don't miss an opportunity to have your plan laid out in front of you this October. Come to Conference with a question and if you are listening you will hear the answer.

My brother, Matthew, and I the day that I got my mission call letter :)

Refer a Friend and Get Rewarded - September 18, 2014

When we share the gospel, we really are "rewarded"! Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Work says that those "who share the gospel experience joy and have the Spirit of the Lord more abundantly. As we share the gospel, we appreciate how precious and meaningful it is to us, and we feel a greater love for God and others." I know that this is true! I have felt more joy in the service of the Lord than an ANY other time in my life. The gospel has become a prized possession to me and I am grateful everyday for the opportunity I have to live it and share it!

Every single day we have opportunities to share the gospel through inviting others to come closer to Christ by receiving His restored gospel. Pray often to recognize these opportunities and to be able to take advantage of them! #referafriendandgetrewarded

To Go or Not To Go - September 15, 2014

Are you wondering whether or not to serve a full-time mission?

"And if thou art led at any time by the Comforter to speak or teach, or at all times...thou mayest do it...And it shall be given thee from the time thou shalt go, until the time thou shalt return, what thou shalt do...And thou must open thy mouth at all times, declaring my gospel with the sound of rejoicing. Amen." (D&C 28:4&15-16)

If the Holy Ghost (or the Comforter) has led you to believe that you should serve a mission, don't let your worries of how or why stop you from preparing. I know that this is the Lord's work, and that the Comforter WILL tell you where you should go and what you should do while you are in His service.
Share this with anyone who is considering to serve or preparing to serve a full-time mission. 

Families Can Be Forever - September 5, 2014

I know that God has a plan so that I can be with my loved ones that have passed away after this life and that He has a plan for you too.
"The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave." - The Family: A Proclamation to the World
Send me a message if you want to learn more, and share this photo to those who would like to learn more. ‪#‎familiescanbeforever‬

I Follow Him - August 23, 2014

When we follow someone, we arrive at the same destination - Christ returned to live with our Heavenly Father after he was resurrected, and that is where I want to be! ‪#‎IfollowHim‬ because His example is perfect. He paved the path for us to follow and helps us to overcome the obstacles that we all will face on the way.

Shortcuts Make Long Delays - July 24, 2014

Every morning, my companion and I leave at 6:30 to jog for half an hour. When I first arrived in McLean, Virginia, my companions at the time and I found a route around the city that took exactly half an hour, IF you jogged the entire way. That was a pretty difficult task, because I am still trying to get into shape, but just recently, I finally found it in me to jog the ENTIRE CIRCUIT. That was a big day. The next morning, I was incredibly excited to jog the entire route again.
I started off well, but half way through, I slowed down because I felt the sudden need to use the bathroom. My mother had always taught me to run to the bathroom, not walk, but with half of the route still left, and the ups and downs of my jog agitating my stomach, I thought it would be wiser to briskly walk home. After telling my companion my situation, we slowed to a walk and tried to think of all of the ways we could cut time from the original path. We looked down all of the parking lots until we found one that seemed promising, as though it might be a way to cut across to our apartment.

There was a forest at the end of the parking lot, but being an Albertan, I assumed that there would be a way through it. Hermana Brown assumed that there was a small service road in the corner where it was too dark to tell.

So we continued until we reached the end of the parking lot, stepped a little into the forest, and looked down to see a large crevice filled with shrubbery. We considered crossing, but as there was not much time before breakfast, and I was quite uncomfortable by this point, we turned back and resumed the route.

Our detour cost us at least 15 minutes along the way, and when we finally arrived at home, we were late for breakfast, and I was just about ready to explode.
Through this experience, I learned a little more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is Heavenly Father's plan not only so that we are happy, but so that we are successful. And this plan is perfect, because it was made by a perfect being. His plan is that we follow keep his commandments, and one day return to live with him. When trials come our way, and when we feel to weak to continue, our first instinct may be to try and find a shortcut -- to omit practices like reading the scriptures, praying, or going to church because we feel like that will make life more simple, or easier. That is not true! Remember that Heavenly Father's plan is perfect. He knew that we would have to go through in this life. All of his commandments are given to us so that we may be successful; his entire work and his glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man! (Moses 1:39) If we are having a difficult time, or we feel weak, following his plan is the answer, not trying to make shortcuts, because just like I was set back, disobeying God's commandments sets us back, and leads us down paths that have incredibly unpleasant endings.
Let us follow his plan and lay claim on all the promised blessings God has in store for us!



Just Like Him - July 23, 2014

(Plaque: "My daughter is becoming just like me! Lucky girl.")

As women, we are all daughters of God, and we have been given the commandment to be like him! Matthew 5:48 tells us to be "perfect, even as [our] Father which is in heaven is perfect." This life is our opportunity to work on becoming just like him! We cannot be perfect today, but we become a little bit more like him everyday as we repent daily and follow his commandments. Aren't we all such lucky girls?

Our goal (becoming perfect) is achievable! Start with today: what will you do TODAY, to become just a little more like our Father in heaven?

Yesterday, Today, and Forever - July 16, 2014

While the laws of men and the standards of the world are changing, the laws and standards of God NEVER change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and all of the promises he has given us WILL be fulfilled, IF we will be faithful to him and keep His commandments.

37 Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.

38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself;and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.

(Doctrine & Covenants 1:37-38)

Live the Book - July 9, 2014

As a truck driver, you spend a lot of time waiting. Waiting to load, waiting to unload, waiting with nothing to do. There are many hours spent... waiting. So what did I do?I ate, listened to music, cleaned my truck, and I also spent quite a bit of time reading the Book of Mormon.

Life is busy, always. If you say "if I have time, I will read the Book of Mormon," that time will never come, because we overlook the moments we spend doing things of little significance (like waiting) that could be spent doing things of ETERNAL significance. ‪#‎livethebook‬ ‪#‎calledtoshare‬

You Can Too!! - June 27, 2014

If Amy (age 4) can share the gospel, you can too! ‪#‎iwanttobeamissionarynow‬ ‪#‎calledtoshare‬

Sharing the gospel is so simple. Thank you, Brenda for posting this picture and sharing the gospel with all who the internet touches!

Search the Book - June 24, 2014

Although on my mission my favourite place to read my Book of Mormon has been at my desk, it is always nice to sit amongst God's creations while reading the Book of Mormon. I love to pray before I read, read, and then sit and take time to feel and understand the feelings that come from reading. One of my favourite scriptures is Alma 30:44, which says that all things denote that there is a God, and that is so evident as I sit and read my scriptures outside and think about all the beautiful things He has made! ‪#‎searchthebook‬

Happy Father's Day - June 17, 2014

My dad didn't teach me everything that I know, he gave me the tools I needed to learn everthing that I know, and those tools are priceless! Through his example, and my relationship with him, I have come to understand more fully my relations...hip with my Heavenly Father.

I love my Heavenly Father, and I love the father he sent me to help me return to live with him again.

 

 

#DiscoverTheBook - June 11, 2014

I started my journey to discovering the Book of Mormon when I was 12. My parents and my church leaders had all told me that I should read the book and pray to know if it was true. I knew that that would be a huge step in my life because if the Book of Mormon is true, that means that Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Christ's restored church! And that meant to me that I must continue faithfully living its principles... For the rest of my life! So that was a big deal.

I read the entire book all the way through and when I finished, I knelt and I prayed, asking my Heavenly Father if the book was true. I sat and I waited for an answer and it never came. I was disappointed, but something made me want to try again, so I did. I read the entire book cover to cover once again, and when I finished, I knelt and I prayed, asking my Heavenly Father if the book was true. I sat and I waited for an answer and it never came. Instead of disappointed, I was a little bit frustrated, but something made me want to try again, so I did. I read the entire book cover to cover once again, and when I finished, I knelt and I prayed, asking my Heavenly Father if the book was true. I sat and I waited for an answer and it never came. I was confused and sad because so many people had done the exact same thing and had what I considered success. They had felt a burning in there heart, or heard a voice telling them it was true... but that didn't happen to me. As I sat pondering, a thought came into my mind which I took as my answer that said, "you already know."

I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it is another testament of Jesus Christ. I gained that knowledge by reading often and praying!

#discoverthebook

Good Morning!! - May 15, 2014

I'm not one to waste words. But this morning I wanted to wish you all a good morning because it IS a good morning! This week I learned that every morning is NEW! I read something amazing in the January Liahona (a church magazine full of inspired articles from our church leaders on how we can change and better our lives).

"Our personal goals can bring out the best in us. However, one of the things that derail our efforts in making and keeping resolutions is procrastination. We sometimes delay starting, waiting for the right moment to begin—the first day of a new year, the beginning of summer, when we’re called as bishop or Relief Society president, after the kids get into school, after we retire.You don’t need an invitation before you start moving in the direction of your righteous goals. You don’t need to wait for permission to become the person you were designed to be. [...] At times in my life I have spent sleepless nights grappling with issues, worries, or personal sorrows. But no matter how dark the night, I am always encouraged by this thought: in the morning the sun will rise.With every new day, a new dawn comes—not only for the earth but also for us. And with a new day comes a new start—a chance to begin again. " - The Best Time to Plant a Tree by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (January 2014 Ensign)

So, GOOD MORNING! I hope you never say that again without meaning it! I hope you mean, "This morning, I woke up and I told my Heavenly Father in prayer that I would try again today, and although I may not do "as well" in comparison to my friends, my relatives, or my leaders, I was going to do better than I did yesterday... And you can too! It's a good morning!"

And so here I am, and if I fail today, as long as I sincerely repent and ask for forgiveness and strength to try again, I have tomorrow.

Because of Him - April 19, 2014

#BecauseofHim

I would be lying if I told you that I have always celebrated Easter the way it should be celebrated. I have never been one to get excited during holiday seasons, but this video completely changed my mind. When we celebrate Easter, we are celebrating the resurrection Jesus Christ, and what he made possible for us. It is our way of thanking our Heavenly Father for sending his Only Begotten Son. I used love to use Easter as an excuse to enjoy myself with friends and family, but this Easter, I am spending away from home, with almost no contact with them. It has made me appreciate my family even more, and appreciate what Christ did to make it possible for me to be with them forever.

My temporary separation from my family has left me grateful that, because of Him, I will never have to experience a permanent one!

"Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer. Because of Him, death is not the end, and life takes on new meaning. We can change, we can start over—and we can live again with God. This Easter, celebrate His life and discover all that’s possible because of Him."

Because of Him - easter.mormon.org

Just For You! - March 29, 2014

Conference has something specifically for YOU! Did you know that? I know that as these inspired men and women prepare their messages, they receive revelation as to what YOU need! If we really listen, we will learn it!

I know because I have tried it. I have prayed before General Conference, and I have asked Heavenly Father something that I wanted to know, and He answered me through the messages of the General Authorities that spoke. They said something that was specifically for ME. And you can do it too. Take advantage of the opportunity to receive personal revelation on the 5 and the 6 of April as you listen to these inspired messages!

Lessons from the Lost Wallet: Stretch forth your hand

Last but not least, I learned...

4. the real meaning of sacrifice. The night after I found my wallet, I couldn't help but relate to the prophet, Abraham. After his wife Sarah miraculously gave birth to Isaac in Abraham's old age, The Lord commanded him to give Isaac as an offering to him. When I lost my wallet, it was the Lord's way of telling me to give up something that I truly loved. Not because it was bad, but just because he asked. However, I didn't do so right away. I don't know exactly what was going through Abraham's head as he departed from the other men they had been traveling with, to take his son up to "go yonder and worship," knowing that his real intent was to give up his son as a sacrifice and he REALLY didn't know why... But, I know what was going through mine, and perhaps it was similar. The whole time I prayed and asked for it to be over, and asked that I didn't have to give up my treasure, or my ability to drive. Finally Abraham and Isaac reached the top of the mountain, Isaac was tied and on the alter, and Abraham "stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son." and I walked to the right hand side of the car and said, "today I will be a passenger... and tomorrow, and the next day... Perhaps even until the end of my
mission. And that is okay."
And I went happily about the work, without my lack of driving privileges at the back of my mind. Sometimes, a test is just a test. An angel came to Abraham and said, "lay not thy hand upon the lad." That was all the Lord needed. He wanted to know how willing Abraham was to follow his commandments, even when he wasn't sure exactly why they were given. He said to Abraham, "I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me."

I know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for us. I know that the majority of this plan, we will never understand. Much of the plan requires us to give up things we consider valuable in order to receive eternal blessings. Remember that if you want the best out of life, "trust in the Lord, and lean not unto thine own understanding!" (Proverbs 3:5)

Ants in Your Pants - March 3, 2014

I have been thinking about lately has been communication, and I'm not just talking about letters and emails I love receiving. I'm talking about talking, and being honest. Do you realize how important it is to tell others what you are feeling? I felt that communication was important before my mission, but since my first transfer, that has been emphasized like nothing else.
Have you ever had ants in your pants? I have. I was once taking advantage of the short summer months with my friend (Now Sister) Rachel Thompson. We were taking pictures of flowers on our walk around the beautiful lakes in Lacombe. As I sat close to a flower, taking a picture of the shrubbery, I felt a tiny pinch. And then another. And another.
I had ants in my pants.
I didn't know that actually happened! It was terrible! I was so uncomfortable! I told her we needed to go home, because I had ants in my pants. So I dropped her off at her house and started driving home in my manual transmission car. I was VERY uncomfortable, and suffering from bugs biting my rear end. Consequently, I wasn't properly using my clutch foot, or my foot for the gas and the break. I went around a corner with a man behind me and I was starting and stopping like mad. The man driving behind me had a choice. He could be angry, or he could assume that maybe I was a nice person, perhaps even a professional driver, and was just having a bad day. How was he to know what I had ants in my pants?
Later, in another instance, I was talking to one of my friends as we drove. I was dealing with a lot of really difficult emotions, and I was having a hard time doing so. I made an off-hand thoughtless comment to him and silence followed for a couple of moments. I would not have known how much I hurt him unless he asked me a question that I'm sure took some courage to ask. He asked me in a quiet, calm voice, "did you really mean that?"
To this day I consider that very profound. Being offended is selfish. When something someone does or says to you makes you feel hurt, do you ask yourself that? I believe that it is VERY rare that people actually say or do things with malicious intents. We all have something going on in our lives, our own "ants in our pants." It is important to remember this. When feelings of hurt arise, I want you to consider the intent behind others actions. And this is where communication comes in! "Did you really mean that," was the perfect thing to say in the situation. My friend could have easily been offended and not talked to me for the rest of the ride, but instead he gave me a chance to realize what I had said and apologize for it. I hadn't realized before how much it would have hurt him. My intents were not in any way harmful.
These negative feelings can grow inside and become hatred and anger. Please don't let this happen. Ask others about how they feel, and just as importantly, make it known to others how you feel! It can be simple, small statements that make the difference.

Lessons from the Lost Wallet: Trust in the Lord

I learned...

3. Trusting in the Lord is relieving! It may seem hard at first, but the feeling as we give up our will is relieving! Liberating, in fact. Where I am from (Alberta, Canada), driving 4-wheelers in farmer's fields is a popular pastime. However, if you drive too fast, the ride can easily get uncomfortable and even dangerous. Coming from a field onto a smooth highway after even half an hour of driving on rough terrain is a wonderful feeling. You feel like you are riding on clouds, and you begin to realize how sore you had been making yourself. So it is when we finally accept the plan of the Lord, and what he has in store for us. When we try to make all of our own decisions and refuse to take advantage of the trials we face, it is like we are trying to rush through a farmer's field. When we give our will to the Lord we are letting him take us to the smooth highway. I learned this when I finally stopped fighting, wishing that I could just find my wallet and my pain could be gone. I accepted that there were blessings that had come and were to come, and that I was learning and growing.

Lessons from the Lost Wallet: Co-Piloting

I learned...

2. How to BE a co-pilot, literally and figuratively, and the importance of doing so. I never thought that being a co-pilot was an important role, but I learned that is NOT the case.  As I sat in the passenger seat every day, I realized that there are things that I needed to do, and things that I needed to see. Oncoming cars, missed directions. At first I felt useless, and helpless. I have ALWAYS been one to take the wheel. My motto was "if you want it done RIGHT, do it yourself," and, sometimes, "if you want it done AT ALL, do it yourself." Please learn from my experience and change this way of thinking. I learned that if you want it done right this time, sure, go ahead and do it yourself, but if you want it done right in the future as well, teach someone else to do it! The supporting role is just so crucial!

Lessons from the Lost Wallet: Everything happens for reason

I learned...

1. Everything happens for a reason. Remember, if you can't drive, maybe someone else needs to learn how to drive. In 1 Nephi 17, Nephi is commanded to build a boat, and against all odds (not knowing how, starting from scratch, fighting against his older brothers), he does. I imagine that was pretty hard. But later on, in 2 Nephi 5,  specifically verse 15, Nephi uses the skills he learned building a boat to teach others how to make build buildings and work with the resources that were available in order to establish a city.
Please remember that we can use our trials to bless others. I promise you that someone can be blessed, and that serving others because of your trial, while still suffering, will help you overcome it.

Of Licences, lessons, and laws: the lost wallet

From the diary of Sister Christen Stanford, November 25, '14:

"I had a feeling this morning. It was a hopeful feeling, almost a feeling of liberation. So it is when you finally realize that no matter what happens, the Lord has His hands in it, and that you trust your life in them. I realized this week that it didn't matter when my license came. That come what may, there is always joy to be found in life."

Before my mission I worked as a truck driver, and I loved it. I loved to drive, and that was what I did, all day, six days a week. If I wasn't driving a truck, pulling one or two trailers and 40 tonnes of product, I was driving my car, and it didn't matter where I was going, it just mattered that I was driving. In the MTC (Missionary Training Center), I had no need to drive and didn't do so for 6 weeks. It goes without saying that I was thrilled when my mission president gave me permission to drive right away.
About 3 months into my mission, I lost my wallet. I left it in a restaurant, and when I called back later, they told me that it was not there. And so I was licence-less. I got back all my other important things like bank cards and the like, but because I am a Canadian living in the United States, getting a replacement license was a little bit more of an ordeal. Let me tell you, getting to know the area you are serving in is quite difficult without driving in it. For 5 months, my companions were the only ones who could drive and it killed me. I can't explain to you how hard it was for me, and quite frankly I don't have the time to. I wanted to share with you a couple of things that I learned from my time as a permanent passenger.

Language note: I thought I was pretty clever coming up with three words that described what I was talking writing about today that started with the same letter... Imagine how clever I felt when I went to translate it and the words still started with the same letter.

Happy New Year! - January 1, 2014

Did you know that when you make goals, you are creating things spiritually before they exist physically?


Now you know!


And now that you know that is the case, did you know that as you create things spiritually before they exist physically, you are becoming a little bit more like Christ?


Now you know!


Remember the Lord as you start your new year. I have a personal testimony that the Lord will help us reach every one of our righteous goals. I have felt his support as I am working on attaining mine! With His help, everything is possible!


Happy New Year!


Moses 3:5
 5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew. For I, the Lord God, created all things, of which I have spoken, spiritually, before they were naturally upon the face of the earth.


(Language Note: in the Spanish scriptures, it uses the word "físicamente" or physically for the word "naturally" in the English scriptures. I read this scripture originally in Spanish, in a meeting we had as missionaries and that was where it (this thought about goals) dawned on me. Because the translating of the Book of Mormon was inspired in English, and as well in Spanish, reading the Book of Mormon in two languages can really gives the gospel a new dimension. Read this amazing article about how the Book of Mormon was first translated into the Spanish language! It is incredible! How the Scriptures Came to Be Translated into Spanish)