Decisions Decisions

For a year and a half, I spent my time out in California, living on a strict schedule, studying everyday for a couple of hours preparing to teach and then spending the rest of my day teaching at every moment I could. I met countless people everyday on the street and in their homes and I learned a lot about their individual lives. It was an incredibly eye opening experience and it made me think about what goals I wanted to make and how I wanted to live my own life.

            I saw people wasting away money in their homes worth over a million dollars and I saw people struggling to survive on welfare. I saw families who appeared to have everything together but who were completely falling apart at a closer look and I also saw families working with their whole souls to piece their lives back together. It was an experience that I would never take back and it rooted itself in the depths of my soul.

            It was a stark contrast coming back to school in Provo, Utah where life is very different from the culture of northern California. In a college town everyone’s life is just beginning, including my own. I had so many questions running through my head. What was most important to me? What was the most beneficial way that I could use my knowledge and skills that I had acquired on my mission and beforehand? Where was my time most wisely spent and how should I shape my life? Those are big questions with a life laid out in front of you: spotless, untouched and waiting to be molded.

I was overwhelmed with the choices I had to make and doubting which steps to take. I wondered if my career choice as an artist was the wisest option, or if it would be a waste of my contribution to the world.

As I was worrying about all of these thoughts, I had an experience that helped me to be more confident in making my decisions. I happened to be at the Provo City Library, which I’ve only been to a few times for school projects, other than that I rarely find a reason to go there. On that particular day, my schedule had gotten all switched around and I found myself with some extra time after printing out some map directions. I was walking around and wound up in a room with an art exhibit. It was a show of portraits of influential people who had helped shape the United States. People like Jackie Robinson and Abraham Lincoln. Underneath each portrait there was a quote from that person and as I came to Henry Ford, I stopped dead in my tracks. “There is no man living that can not do more than he thinks he can.” And again as I looked at the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”

            I felt peace in my heart that at that moment, for my situation, those words were advice not only spoken by two influential people trying to help their fellow men, but it was advice from my Heavenly Father straight to me. I realized that all of the doubt and discouragement I had been feeling was blocking out my faith. The gifts and opportunities I had been given hadn’t been a waste of time or energy, but through cultivating them I could provide something worthwhile and I didn’t need to be scared about moving forward.

The really cool thing about life, is that everyone is different and we each have so much potential in our various abilities. I don’t know the answer to every single concern or questions for myself, let alone everyone else in the world, but I do know though that as we each have our own questions, whatever they are, we can find the direction we need because Heavenly Father cares about us and the worries that seem and are so important to us in our little worlds.

P.S. that painting isn't finished but will be shortly for my art show coming up in a month! 

Joy to the World

Homecoming Talk!

I wrote this and read it in our church congregation today! I hope you know how much I have loved being a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and how much I still hope to strive to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. I love you, thanks for reading:

I feel like it is just impossible to relay this message, of all the faces and the hearts of the people that I came to feel such a deep love for. I couldn’t forget them and I never ever would want to. These people taught me how to live the Gospel and what the principles of the Doctrine of Christ really meant. I wanted to share just a tiny portion of the monumental experiences that I’ve just had on my adventure of sharing the Gospel.

            Faith in Jesus Christ is the first step of the Gospel. Faith is an incredible thing and the faith of a child can move mountains. Jordan was 9 years old. He knew that the Gospel was true with his whole heart and his greatest desire was to be baptized. The entire year that he was 8, he begged his parents to allow him to be baptized. His parents kept waiting til they were in the right place and in right time in their lives, but they kept pushing it off. Jordan hoped that he could get baptized on his birthday, and then he hoped that he would be able to get baptized on Christmas. The date kept changing but, his faith never ever wavered.

            As we taught their family the lessons, the Spirit burned through each of our hearts. We taught Jordan the ten commandments and he was able to repeat them back to us faster then my companion and I could. When his parents hesitated at the idea of paying tithing and fast offerings, Jordan and his sister took the heads of their parents and shook them up and down saying, “Yes, we will pay our tithing.”

            Jordan’s faith taught that family how to follow the example of the Savior. He was baptized and I’ve never seen another child so aware of His covenant with Heavenly Father. Since he was baptized last year he has continued to be the strength in his immediate and extended family and they have been slowly but surely changing and coming into and back into the church.

            Another woman who touched my life so profoundly was Sis. Fernandes. She was one of the most Christlike, humble people I had ever met. She was an example to me of returning and repenting. She had grown up in the church, but drifted away when she was older. She ended up raising her children in the Catholic church because it was easiest at the time, but last year as her husband was going through cancer, she realized that she needed to come back to the Gospel. She called the Branch President and asked him if there was anything that she needed to do or if she was allowed to even go back to church. In his cheery warmth, President Chandler replied, “Well of course you can!”

Sis. Fernandes has become strong and immovable. With all of her challenges she reaches out to others first. She came with us to lessons with another family that was working to come back and she was recently called to be the 2^ndcounselor in the Relief Society Presidency.

            The third and fourth principles of the Gospel are baptism and confirmation. It is such an incredible experience to see someone follow Christ step by step and conversion really is a miracle. It is all in the Lord’s hands and being able to witness that is an amazing experience, which has strengthened me over and over again.

            One of the most influential people in my life was from the first place that I served in California. She had grown up with Jewish heritage, but celebrating Christmas every year . She was unsure about where to find the truth, but innately she was incredibly Spiritual. The Spirit guided her so much throughout her life and somehow she always found herself surrounded by these mormons. As she learned a little here and there she would apply what she felt was right to her life. When she was finally invited to take the lessons she had already quit drinking wine and coffee and she even would only eat dark chocolate, because she felt that that was what was right. As she was studying with us, she was also studying with the Catholics and for her it really just came right down to her personal prayer. She prayed and with each religion that she prayed about she felt something different; some she didn’t feel so good about and others just left her feeling hollow, but as she prayed about The “mormons” she knew in her heart it was what God wanted her to do. As she continued in her journey; her baptism and confirmation became incredibly important to her. It’s so inspiring to see that reverence and acknowledgement for the Eternal significance that baptism and confirmation really have.

I can never forget the power that flooded the room the moment that Priesthood holder put his hands on her head and told her to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. That experience has been a gift and a blessing to me and has reminded me of the anchor that baptism is in our lives. Looking back on those moments strengthens my faith.

            I learned a lot about endurance on my mission. I learned so much from one of the most precious families I met. The Hamiltons came from a very tough background. With the help of church members, they had been able to get their feet on the ground and to finally have security with a nice home, in a good town, with good jobs and even a boat. But, they quickly drifted away in their comfortable life. They started boating on weekends instead of going to sacrament meeting, which led to other poor decisions and poorer decisions, which eventually led to their family being torn apart. They passed through trials that most people don’t really go through in life. They had made some wrong turns, which led them down a dark road hard and fast.

            By the time that I met them, they had been quite humbled by their circumstances. They recognized the hand of the Lord in their lives and as they went through everything they learned that when they go to church things are good. Last testimony Sunday, Bro. Hamilton stood and bore his testimony that he didn’t know everything, but he knew some things and he knew he was where he needed to be.

            That’s what the blessing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ really is; it is feeling and witnessing true conversion throughout our lives and in the lives of those whom the Lord leads us to. That conversion leads to a knowledge that the Gospel is true and it has been amazing to me. I know that the Lord loves us and He wants to bless us and all those around us, no matter our circumstances. He knows us all and none of us are ever lost to Him. He teaches us and He enables us to do things beyond our own strength. I know that He lives and loves us.

If I would share a secret with you, it would be that I wasn’t ever a huge fan of missionary work. I always felt that that was someone else’s job and so the idea of rising to this call that I felt in my heart was pretty terrifying to me. I remember thinking to myself, “how could the Lord have called me?” I pleaded with Him and I know that He truly did lead and guide me.

            It’s an incredible what Christ can do for us. I know that when we turn to the Lord and just have even that small hope; that’s enough for Him to take our hearts and mold us and to help us do things beyond our own capabilities.

            Henry Ford said, “There is no man living that can not do more than he thinks he can.”  But it is only because of the Savior.

            The Lord taught me this very clearly in so many instances, but there is one that really illustrated the point for me. The day I receive my mission call, I was hit with the reality of serving a mission and I was scared. That night I flew out to see my dad in Virginia. As I sat down on the plane, the woman next to me tried to teach me the Gospel and explained how she was on an assignment to teach some primary children. “Do you know what primary is?” She asked. I said, “Yes, in fact I just got my mission call today.” She was almost disappointed as she congratulated me with her missed opportunity to teach someone. Her example, however, helped me to have the courage to ask the person I sat next to why he was traveling to the D.C. area. He told me he was traveling for business and then he asked me about the book that I had on my tray table. We were able to talk about the Gospel for the next two hours on that plane ride as I explained to Him what the Book of Mormon was.

            The Lord has given us a promise that in our weaknesses, He will qualify us for His work.

            There have been many people in my life who have prepared me for my mission and who have since helped me along the way, but the most important and influential person in my life is Heavenly Father. I found my greatest comfort and solace as I turned to Him in prayer. I was able to call on Him and I know that He heard me every time because He answered me so every time! I cannot even begin to count the revelations and tender mercies that helped me. I found those answers as I searched my scriptures. It is that personal relationship that has blessed my life most. The joy that I receive by having a personal testimony of His love for me, is invaluable and I cherish it so much.

             I know that He lives and loves us and it is through this Gospel that He shows us that. I know it, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Scripture Study!!!!!!

Hey! So exciting post for an exciting event! Woo hoo! Yeah! We are having a scripture study tomorrow at 3:30 pm at the Chapel in Rio Vista located at 1050 Flores Way! Everyone is invited; make sure ya'll come out! We will have extra copies of the Book of Mormon, but bring a copy if you have one and bring your King James Bible as well (If you don't have one there will be copies that you can borrow)! We'll be starting with a brief overview and read a little from the Book of Mormon! If you have any questions let me, Sister-Normandie Luscher or Sister-Jasmine Kimzey, know on facebook! Hope to see you there!
We hope to have a study class every wednesday at 3:30 pm unless noted otherwise!

"The Morning Breaks, The Shadows Flee..."

So a few weeks ago, my companion and I were running through the streets of Benicia. It's so beautiful there. Running through the old victorian style houses downtown, the sun was rising and I started to think about the effect of the light through the town. As I was watching it, the light transoformed the sky and the colors of the hills start to change. They turned a mutsy purple and the sky was a soft fuzz peach. The tops of the trees began to glow and as the sun slowly kept stretching out from the it's eastern hemisphere trip, the leaves and the flowers started burning with their brilliant neon hues.
A tree with dark green brush and a plain neutral trunk can appear as vibrant as fire. A mountain of dirt heaps can become majestic and bold as the evening sun yawns against the backdrop of its mighty stage.
We, likewise, are made of the dust of the earth, but with the light of the Son, we can be transformed.
Jesus Christ has invited us to become like Him so that we can have His light to be constantly with us. He says, "Follow Thou Me...repent ye, repent ye and be baptized in My name...And He that is baptized in My name, he it is that shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost like unto me."
When we follow Christ and are baptized in His name by someone who holds that power of God, that person who is baptized can receive the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost, or the Spirit, leads and guides. He testifies of truth, comforts us and reassures us of God's love for us. He also fills us with light.
The Spirit, to me, feels like rays of sunshine falling from Heaven. It touches my heart and that brilliant light and peace from God changes me. In the last October General Conference, Keith B. McMullin used this quote, "President Joseph F. Smith described his experience with this mighty change: 'The feeling that came upon me was that of pure peace, of love and of light. I felt in my soul that if I had sinned … it had been forgiven me; that I was indeed cleansed from sin; my heart was touched and I felt that I would not injure the smallest insect beneath my feet. I felt as though I wanted to do good everywhere to everybody and to everything. I felt a newness of life, a newness of desire to do that which was right. There was not one particle of desire for evil left in my soul. I was but a little boy, it is true, … but this was the influence that came upon me, and I know that it was from God, and was and ever has been a living witness to me of my acceptance of the Lord.'"
The dawn of morning brings a new day. It's always a clean slate with spotless opportunity and it is bright! Thats what repentance is. Repentance is changing from the dark clouds of night to seeing the world in a new perspective, seeing yourself in a new perspective and seeing God in a new perspective. Its letting go of bitterness and focusing on all that is good and being washed clean of past mistakes. Baptism is the next step that sanctifies and opens the gate to a path of hope and peace and light.

We've also been given a new chance as a whole society. Throughout history, people have been given the chance to feel that peace and enter that gate of a new life filled with light and joy! But the people would turn away from it and reject it because they had their own ideas of what happiness was. That left the world in darkness and confusion, and those who looked for light couldn't always find it. There was a pattern of darkness and light, much like the turning of the earth. From day to night and back again, just as the world revolves, the pattern of history has repeated itself.
However through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the world now stand still in the light of day. As he sought after the pure truth, He was able to experience that light of the Gospel. In his own story (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1?lang=eng) he talks about his experience of seeking after truth. After searching and pondering and heeding the words of the scriptures, he knelt down and offered of a prayer with all of his heart, sincerely and simply wanting to know. In his own words he said, "I saw a pillar of ^clight exactly over my head, above the brightness of the ^dsun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

...When the light rested upon me I ^bsaw two ^cPersonages, whose brightness and ^dglory defy all description, ^estanding above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My ^fBeloved ^gSon. Hear Him!"

God has truly brought that light and pure truth back to the earth again. Its clear and it has offered us a chance to live with the greatest joy and greatest understanding and peace in our lives. We don't have to live in the shadow of doubt or confusion. The power of prayer unlocks that misunderstanding for each of us and I know that. Its a promise from God and if you sincerely want to know if its true, you can!

This is the promise:

"We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10:3–5.)

 Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah."

If you want to have light pour into your heart from Heaven and to feel the truth of the Gospel, pray. Ask Him, ask me, just ask!
I know these things are true and I hope you let that light flood in, just like the dawn.

Pages

Hey! So I got this great idea a few weeks ago. Being somewhat technology challenged, I just figured out that you can make pages. :)
So the 1st page that I just made, is the FAQ page. I was reading on the mormon newsroom page and I found this great page that answers really simply alot of questions that many people have about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So check it out! And look forward to new pages to come!

The Plan

I was thinking today about that feeling, when the last thing you want to do is get out of bed. Facing the world seems like the worst thing ever and running from it is what our soul's desire is at that moment. Just sinking into the floor would really be the greatest ideal.
I think we all face those days, and honestly, it stinks. It's the worst and sometimes I wonder how each person deals with that situation. I mean, what do you do?
Then there is the other side, where all is well and it's cheerful and life is wonderful! But there's is still someone else, somewhere else, who wakes up with that knot in their stomach. How can so much happen, everywhere all at one time. And really, why on earth are we here! Why so much pain, why so much joy? WHY?
Is there even a purpose?


On those days, those days where I'm stopped in my blissful carefree tracks and I see something awful, or hear of someone else's utter heartache, I become full of compassion. My body feels too small to do all that I wish I could do. In my little girl heart and mind, I tried to come up with so many different ideas on how I as one person, could organize or solve or triumph against the horrors in life.
I've realized since then, that it's not my job, and I can really hardly do anything at all. All the programs, genius and strength in the world can't heal a broken heart or a scarred soul.


I can't save anyone. But I know there is one who can. The answer isn't to stop life and wallow in the disasters of life. The answer is to be of good cheer, turn to the one that can heal and bind the broken hearted. Lift up the hands which hang helplessly down and serve those around you. We can only do so much, but leading others who are in despair to the Savior and finding that strength to seek Him ourselves, is truly the anti-dote to life's troubles. I know that is true. It may sound trite, but Christ overcame the world, and I've felt that myself.


I've compiled a few videos of people who have over come the world in some small sense in their own lives. Choose a couple. People are so phenomenal in what they can do; so I hope it helps.
It's something I was thinking about, and I've come to know that it is real!


http://mormon.org/patrice/


http://mormon.org/paora/


http://mormon.org/lori/


http://mormon.org/frank/


http://mormon.org/deborah/


http://mormon.org/helmut/