NeW YeAr, NeW beGinNinGs!!

                               Hello! Merry late Christmas and Happy late new year!

   I'm sure with the holidays and everything lately, that you have been super busy. I hope you took some time to think of Christ, and to come up with some new years resolutions.

 

This last year was the first time I actually had a pay check come in every week so that my gymnastics bill could be taken out of my own account. Needless to say, it is the first year that I have paid more then 5 dollars to tithing for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I'll admit, it was hard to pay tithing! After counting, adding and recounting, I realized that was money that I could use. Money my parents could use. My sisters, brothers, our whole family could use. I found that it was hard to seal the envelope. Like some sort of power was saying, "That's you're money, why are you giving it away?" I knew I was doing the right thing by turning in 10% of my earnings, but I didn't really like it.

I thought, 'God doesn't need my money. The hard working people at stores need to get paid right? Surely I'd make Heavenly Father happy by giving it to those people...' but that isn't the point. I knew that this was very real for me, but simply a representation to Christ.

It represented the fact that I could be willing to risk something important to me, for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. But I only gave 10%. Christ and Heavenly Father gave 100% ALL the time, and still do. But not money of course. They gave us, and are offering something to us that is WAY more valuable then money

Suddenly, it was a lot easier to seal the envelope and put it in my bag. That was never my money.

 

This year I'm doing a money jar! The first day of the year you put a penny. Second day,  you put in two pennies, and on and on! Also, I'm doing a money album. Every $5 bill that comes into your possession, put in a photo album. If you have to take one out, you must replace it with a one dollar bill.

 

Well, I don't want to bore you. I hope you have a fantastic 2016! Make this the year that you come close to Christ!  Yes YOU!! Make this the year that you look back on and say, "Yeah, that was the year I changed my life for the better." It is NEVER too late. :)

-K

 

CatChInG uP!

 Hey guys! Sorry its been forever! One year ago today I started this blog!! Awe! Happy one year anniversary! Anyway, I'm horrible! I haven't posted in months and I'm really sorry! I don't even know where to start! But I think EFY is a great place!
         This summer I went to an LDS camp called "Especially For Youth." or EFY. Efy is for ages 14 through 18. It's a great camp where you can meet people your age who believe the same principals as you, or are at least attempting to gain a stronger testimony. At EFY they had classes and Morningsides (a fireside in the morning) That talked about anything from school, to stories from the scriptures. They also had tons of games and fun dances.  I had so much fun at EFY and I made a lot of friends. I thought I would get homesick, but I kept myself busy and was surprised that I didn't really care if I went home or not! (LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD!!!!) I had a great experience at EFY, but I have to say, the last day I had an awesome testimony strengthening moment. So at EFY you are separated into groups. These groups are called company's. In my company, there was a few boys that were really quiet and shy, but they were all nice. During free time on the last day I was walking around with my new friend and we noticed one of the boys in our company sitting alone, writing in a book. My friend said that we should invite him to join us, since he was all alone. I agreed. Then we thought, well he is writing maybe we shouldn't bug him. We walked around a bit more, and ended up in the same spot, and he was still sitting alone. Okay we have to we agreed so we walked toward him but than we both chickened and said, you say hi, no you, and argued for a bit. Then she said, Hey! Wanna hang out with us? He looked up and smiled. I guess he said. He put his things away and joined us. We hung out the rest of free time. That night there was a dance. At the dance he thanked us individually with tears in his eyes. He said that for the whole week he had been praying that someone would want to be with him or want to be his friend. But, the whole week he had sat alone in his dorm room  the whole free time. And that day, he had gotten a prompting to go outside, and was just about to give up when we asked him to hang out with us.
                  It was a miraculous answer to a shy voices' prayer. Answered through prompting two girls to saying hi. What if he would've ignored the prompting to go outside? What if we wouldn't of said hi? What then? After such an amazing experience, my testimony was strengthened so much.
         School is beginning soon, and already has begun for many. This year, like last, I will be doing my classes online in the comfort of my home! I am excited to do another year at home but, it will be harder since my good friends really want me to attend the High school. I want to but at the same time, I don't. I want to because I want to see my friends and maybe I could be a good influence on some people because I have this amazing gospel in my life, but I don't want to because there is only one me and so many others, that what if I start to follow bad influences?  I want to be the best version of myself possible. Even if that means sacrificing Prom, and Football games.  I hope to go to lunch with my friends often so I can catch up on things I've missed out on and stuff. But I also hope that I can be a better disciple of Jesus Christ. Another reason is I attend gymnastics by 2:45 during the school year and some days the school doesn't get out until 3:15. So that would be a bummer, to miss out on.
        Well, I don't want to bore you guys, so I will try to stop my fingers from typing too much more, but I really hope everyone has a great school year. CHALLENGE: Walk into school with a smile and be confident! YOU are a beloved child of God and he does hear your prayers! I want to leave you with my testimony. I know you are a child of God, And I know he loves you. He loves everything about you and everything about the people around you. YOU are his creation. It hurts him when you belittle yourself and tell yourself lies that you are unattractive, and worthless. YOU ARE THE WORLD TO HIM. YOU ARE EVERYTHING TO HIM. AND THAT IS ENOUGH. you don't need to be the most popular one or skinniest one, or the best one,  you are good enough just the way you are. God made you, and God doesn't make mistakes. Don't deny your endless self worth. You are worth more then every single diamond or ruby on the earth combined. Jesus gave his life for you. Because you are important. Again, God made you, and God doesn't make mistakes.
                                                 -K

EaStEr!!

Hello Everyone! It's been a while but I felt very impressed to write on this special occasion. EASTER! Candy! Egg's! Bunnies! Food coloring! All things we think of when he hear the word, "Easter." And there is no wrong in those. But, something so miraculous happened during Easter time that some (not all!) forget about.
          Christ died for me and you and everyone. He knows every single ounce of pain you have felt are feeling and will feel. Plus he made it possible for everyone to be able to return to heaven. All night long in gethsemane suffering, bleeding, struggling emotionally and more, for you, and I. EVERY PAIN. I'm sure by now your thinking, 'Yes. I get it! Every pain! You don't have to capitalize it!!' But I have to mention it a lot or else I'll start to forget. I'll start to shrug it off.
       I get really bad stomach pains at night and it scares me a lot. I have anxiety and fear of waking up at 2 am and vomiting due to past experiences. I remember one particular night I was hurting so bad and I wanted to ask my mom what to do, but I felt embarrassed because I'm at the age where I shouldn't 'go tell mommy' when I wake up in the middle of the night with tummy issues. I remember feeling scared, alone, and the pain seemed unbearable. I prayed my heart out, asking that the pain would vanish and I may have pleaded my heart out to God begging him to not let me throw up. It seemed like forever but I eventually fell back asleep and woke up for seminary and continued on with my day. But my experience helped me realize that what Christ did was so focused on love. Think of the worst pain you ever felt in your whole life, whether emotional or physical. Now, would you be willing to go through that same pain again for a boy who teases you or your child at school? I know it would be very hard for me.
      I remember this one boy when I was in third grade that really tested my strength in the gospel because I wanted to just punch him. I remember the exact things going through my mind when I was trying not to cry on the playground in front of my friends. Then fast-forward to sixth grade, ugh. This same boy, I felt was trying to ruin my entire life. He said something that not only embarrassed me but aroused many questions in my mind that I still struggle with and probably always will. He was with all his friends which one at the time I thought was cute and I was with all of my friends, and it happened to be that one of my friends was very blunt... yeah bad combo. I seriously wanted to melt and disappear.
    I later learned that, that boy had been through way worse things then I did. I didn't know at the time and I wished I had because then I would've understood a wee bit more.
    I have to remember Christ loves him as much as he loves me. That can be hard to understand but Christ's love is perfect in ways that don't even exist on this earth.
      Many of you, members, know that this weekend was the 185th annual General Conference. Lot's of messages from the quorum of the twelve apostles and of the seventy and the first Presidency broadcasted to all the world. It's so wonderful that we have the technology to hear, read, or watch these amazing messages anywhere and anytime. The stories they share are beautiful and touch your heart in a special way. Many of them mentioned the Easter holiday and shared their testimonies about how much Christ loves us.
              EVERY PAIN. Just for us. if you imagine one more thing with me, Every single pain you have felt in your life to now. Emotionally and physically, I can't even count mine. Now think of all the pain at once. ALL emotional and ALL physical pain in your entire life. Now imagine EVERY HUMAN BEING!!!!!! I can't! I don't know how he did it. Someday I'm going to ask him. But for now, we just have to have faith and NEVER EVER FORGET HOW MUCH CHRIST LOVES YOU! And because of him we can be forgiven and return to heaven.
  So the next time that boy teases you or your child or the next time you think about a loved one that shouldn't be gone, remember, Christ felt that and he knows. We often don't want to talk to someone about our problems because they seem perfect or wouldn't understand. Well I testify to you with every ounce of my being that you can ALWAYS pray just to 'chat' because Christ is the one who understands ALL things. From failing a test to dropping your pencil when the teacher asks you a question. Little and big, HE GETS IT. So don't be afraid to talk to him. I leave my testimony with you in the name of Jesus Christ, our savior, and redeemer, Amen.
                               -K
                                        

He is here, JusT OpEn YoUr EyeS.

Hello everyone! Hope everything is going well for you. I have had many things happen since I last wrote and one thing I felt like I needed to share was on this last Wednesday. For mutual, or youth group, we watched a movie called "The Testaments." What a great movie. It reminded me that Jesus Christ really is there, we just can't see him.
     As I watched and my heart was filled with happiness and my eyes wetted I knew he was in the room with us. There is one part in the movie where Helamen went blind just before Christ visited the people, and Helamen's son who could see  Christ was telling him, he is really here and he is amazing he is everything that Helamen had imagined. And then Christ walks over and heals his eyes and Helamen see's Christ for the first time.
            As I watched and thought about the love he offers us and then I realized that we are like the blind man and the son was like the Holy ghost and then there was Christ. We can't see him, and we can't see the holy ghost but if we keep the commandments and stay in such a way where we can hear and feel the holy Ghost then he can tell us and bear record unto us how beautiful and amazing Jesus Christ is.
             The other day as I was kind of feeling down about something. I had to tell myself that this is only a short time. Earth is a dot on a string that stretches to infinity one way and infinity the other. I looked down at my hands as I type and I realize how amazing our bodies are. God gave us these bodies because we wanted them just like him. If you're on earth right now, which if your reading this the yes you're on earth that means in heaven YOU chose to come to earth. YOU chose to have the trials that you have. If you told God for example, "I want three kids," Then he'd say "Okay, but it's going to take you two husbands and one kid will be ill, is that okay?" And we'd either except or we wouldn't. Everything happening in our lives we excepted!! Here is the trailer for the movie. I LOVE THIS MOVIE!

remember nothing that has happened, or is happening is God's fault. You and I asked for everything and God told us what was going to happen, and we agreed. I testify to you that God is here, He is here and all you have to do is live in such a way ( no matter what else is happening) and you will be able to be guided down that path to Jesus Christ. And YOUR eyes will be opened and you will se God's face. I know this to be true, Please take time to think about it :)

-K 

     

ThE GodHeAd :) :) :)

Hello everyone! I knew I wanted to write in my blog today and I returned to my computer with intentions to release my inner thoughts to the public, so to set the mood I listened to 'Find you on my knees' by Kari Jobe. I love that song! As I listened my heart was filled with the spirit of God, whom I speak for today.  <3   
                                      

   At church last week as the quiet hum of the small portable heater filled the room with warmth and peace, one of our leaders headed to the front of the room with a look of 'I hope this goes well, spirit please guide me.' prayer on her facial expression. She smiled a very friendly happy smile as she introduced her lesson to us. She explained that this was the lesson Heavenly Father wanted us to hear.
   I saw the image on the board. A little angle stick figure on the top of a triangle and two more on the vertexes. I quickly recognized the three figures. The one on the top was Heavenly Father, the one on the left corner was Jesus Christ and the one on the right corner was the Holy Ghost. By having this information in the back of my mind, I then knew with a prompting that it was the Godhead.
    She then continued to teach as she asked, "Who knows the first article of faith by heart?" When everyone raised there hands in a silent rush she then said, "Let's say it together." Then she counted to three. Leaning forward in my seat I joined in to the wonderful true words I was saying. 
         "We believe in God the Eternal Father and in his son, Jesus Christ and in The Holy Ghost."

                               I remember reading the scripture Matt 3:16-17  it says, "16 And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased."
  I have always known that this story was true since I was young like those girls in the video, but when I read that verse aloud, I really felt the trueness of The Godhead. I know that there is a Eternal Father and there is Jesus Christ who is his son and that there is a Holy Ghost who helps us daily by the will of the Lord. I know that they are three separate beings to the bottom of my heart. I know that God and Jesus Christ have bodies of flesh and blood just like he has given us. I cannot under any circumstance deny, that I have felt the power of God and influence of Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost. I CANNOT DENY.
        Remember that he is with you and that no matter what mistakes you've made or thoughts you've thought, he loves you and will forgive you, if you just ask. "Ask and ye shall receive." You can receive help and guidance from God and Jesus Christ through the promptings of the Holt Ghost.
   Don't forget who you are and how much love is offered to you. He loves you and I send you my prayers. Thanks for reading my friends. :)

ThE GiFt oF ChRisTmaS!!

 

Hello! It's been a while since I last wrote. I apologize for that. Sorry!

Over thanksgiving I traveled to Utah to visit family. We got the opportunity to go to the temple for the lighting ceremony. As the cold weather chilled me from around my coat the hairs on my neck stood, but I felt a warm sensation inside as if shocked by electricity from the inside out. With each step closer to the temple, Each step closer to God's house.

 

  I didn't realize how important I was to my Heavenly Father alone until I realized that whether my family was there or not, I wanted to go to the Temple. I felt very close, like I was being drawn to the temple like a magnet, and no matter how chaotic is was staying with your family through the crowds, when you look up, you don't even notice. This is what I am going to relate to the Christmas season. Everyone is bustling and trying to get the best presents  for best prices and making sure everyone gets a fair amount and all the stress it causes parents...  LISTEN TO YOURSELF! Christmas is not about worldly gifts at all. Christmas is about Jesus Christ. He came into this world to die for you. He came to suffer so you can be forgiven and return to God in Heaven. Please watch this video:

 This year I challenge you to remember that you don't have to buy the biggest presents in the store, or the exact thing your child wants, because the greatest gift ever, was given to all of us already. And if you really want best parent award, you'd teach your children that. It's a very important for your children to grow up knowing the true meaning of Christmas, to really understand , Jesus Christ and God's love for all of us.
                               Merry Christmas!

ReMeMbEr hIs LoVe!!!:)

 A couple days ago I've noticed something in a little more detail than I ever have before. I realized how important people and their comments are to others. When someone says something like your cool its always nice. But what about the person next to them? Sometimes a simple complement to a person that feels left out could make there whole day. "Well duh" you may say but think about it. Have you ever been the younger sibling or friend that always looks up to the teen or the older one and you feel a little uncool. I know I have. I did a few days ago.
       okay so I told you already that I'm petite and short, and I have a friend a month older than me that is a beautiful height and looks hmm about 17. She is really pretty. There was a couple guys we were hanging out with, one was my brother. (Btw were all related). Anyway, so one of the boys is 16. He told my friend that she was finally old enough to be cool. The boy my age looked over at me. The whole time the older boys acted like the boy my age was nothing but annoying. I just felt like I was a 7 year old or something. I suddenly got a feeling that I needed to leave. I decided to excuse myself to the bathroom then I almost went back in the room but felt like there was somewhere else I needed to be. My feet carried me downstairs where is realized a family home evening was going on. The spirit was much stronger in that room I decided to sit and listen. It just so happened to be about the guidance of the Holy Ghost. And I got to share the scripture D&C 100:12 its about continuing your journey here and remembering that Gods love is always with you. I love that scripture!!
        Remember my post Rates??Labels.? well this post kind of go's along with that. Lets say Jen Frankfurter was rated by Ben Knack. Ben Knack was really cool and Jen was really sensitive to what people thought about her. Ben also rated Endna Lingle. He rated Endna an 8 she felt quite sad. She wanted a 10. Then Jen was rated a 6. What is that supposed to mean? Is Endna better? Am I ugly? All these thoughts go through a girls head. And the person may feel so bad that they wish they didn't even exist.
          As you can see a simple number changed the way she looked at herself. You may say "well I give everyone a high number" Then what's the point?! give them all a one and they'd feel the same. And to the rated: don't let a number of one person's opinion ruin you. You are so much more important than 1 or 1 million. Gods love is perfect and you are important. I know that God loves me no matter what my problems are. No matter what you look like and/or how you do things God loves you with such a love that you don't even have to feel down at all. YOU ARE IMPORTANT. I want you to know whether adult or kid or teen, no matter what anyone says or "rates" those don't matter. I'll give you one more example. So a scientist who has had 20 years of experience and at least 10 years of schooling makes a discovery. Then a guy who was really popular through high school but is now a landscaper says to the scientist "There's no way! I work in a yard everyday. I don't think that's possible." That's an opinion. There has to be scientific evidence to prove something scientifically. Think of you as the discovery, God is a scientist, and the person that bugs you or something is the landscaper.
                   You are so precious to God and to Jesus Christ.  He loves you and he knows that  you are so important to the plan. You are a very important part of the plan. I testify that if you remember how much God loves you, you will let nothing someone says change you.
                           -K

dEvEloPinG yOur oWn tEstImonY!!

"My own testimony grew as I learned about Heavenly Father and the Savior from the teachings and testimony of my parents, teachers, the scriptures—which I read diligently—and especially the Holy Ghost. As I exercised faith and obeyed the commandments, the Holy Ghost testified that what I was learning was true. This is how I came to know for myself."
—Robert D. Hales, "Eternal Life—to Know Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ"
Topics: Testimony
   I testify to you that if you really work and strive to develop your own testimony it will develop and you will know for yourself the truth

sHaRe YoUr LiGhT!!

Sharing Your Light
Posted: 12 Nov 2014 09:00 AM PST
"Think of the effect temples have on their surroundings. They beautify inner cities; they shine from prominent hills. Why do they beautify and shine? Because, as the scriptures say, “Truth shineth,” and temples contain truth and eternal purpose; so do you."
—Neill F. Marriott, "Sharing Your Light"
Topics: Temple  
      You are a light! Lead the way for those around you!!

ArE wE rEPreSenTiNG HiM aT AlL tImES??

    today is going to be just a short blog to the members of the church this is not to make you feel bad or to make you think that you're not doing it right but just ask yourself today are you representing God at all times are you being an example to those around you are you really representing a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints? If you feel guilt or sorrow or maybe you like you want to do better when you read this You can be better you can be who God wants you to be he loves every bit of you and wants you to love him just the samejust remember who you are today and where you from and what you represent and who's with you . you are sons and daughters of God.  have a great day!

GoOd ThInGs tO cOmE...!

Hey guys!! Haven't written in way too long and I apologize for that. Today I just got the feeling that a simple blog or testimony about positivity to come was needed by someone. I want everyone out there to realize that any trial will go away.
                                We all find ourselves in a moment that we wish could be over with or done, we find ourselves searching for a light at the end of the tunnel. I talked to my Dad recently, who has gone through some hard times in his life. I asked him if he would re-do or re-live any part of his life. He told me, his experiences were far too important to the man he is today to ever take back or re-live. He said everything in his life has happened for a reason. Good, or bad.
                        I want you to know that when you do find the light at the end of the tunnel, you may look back at that tunnel and realize how strong of a person it helped you become. Your experiences may not seem important now even if your looking back at them you may not feel the goodness with it, but later, someday you will. I testify to you with my heart that God see's the whole picture. He see's the life you have ahead. You can always be better.
                  The other day my friend was frustrated at gymnastics. She said no matter what was happening, she couldn't do it right. I told her ," You can't change the outcome or result, unless you change the way you do it." I want to share that with you either about your trails, your life, or even your sport, YOU CAN'T CHANGE THE OUTCOME OR RESULT, UNLESS YOU CHANGE THE WAY YOU DO IT.
               If you are in a tuff time right now and are in a tunnel so to speak, I want you to know if you keep going, trying, fighting to stay one the right path and to not turn back and give up, if you endure the pain or suffering, YOU WILL HAVE A BETTER OUTCOME. YOU WILL BE STRONGER.
                                             AND IT WILL, GET BETTER.
There is a song about the pioneers, the lyrics go, "Put your shoulder to the wheel push along, do your duty with heart full of song, we all have work let no one shirk, put your shoulder to the wheel."
                           I challenge everyone to look at the positive side of things and remember that Jesus Christ has felt what your going through, and if you pray, if you follow the commandments of God you will know FOR YOURSELF that everything is going to work out. YOU WILL BE OKAY :)

                  I leave these thing with you from the bottom of my heart, in the name of Jesus Christ,
                                                                                   AMEN.
                                                                                                         -K

StOp iT!! - DiEtER f. UcHtdOrF

       Hello!! LONG TIME no see!! I'm sorry I haven't rote in a while, I just would like to talk to you guys about what's funny and what's not. That may seen weird. You may be thinking well, my friend laughed at a joke once and I didn't think it was very funny, it depends on the person to see if its funny or not. Well yeah, but we all heard of what I like to call, hurt laughter. When someone jokes around and says something like "Your to stupid?" And then they both start to laugh but one the inside the other person really doesn't feel so good. They may not show it but I think everyone has enough common sense to know, that they may not act hurt or look it, they may even joke back but they still cant get that thought of, how you think they are, out of there head.
          So, to be honest, you know we have ALL done this. You know you have. We may not realize it at the time but we can hurt someone on the inside pretty badly. I don't know if you have been joked to like this before and if you have you may think, wow she thinks we are soo sensitive. But I've seen this around me. And after the 'joker' walk away or talks to someone else, you can see the hurt in there eyes. And I wont say who but some people do this ALL the time in my early morning seminary class AT CHURCH. Yep. Sadly Mormon or not we all need to watch our judging. I hope and pray that the people will read this and take to heart what I'm saying. I don't want to ruin your fun, but offensive isn't fun. I don't care how many times the people that hurt laugh say they are not offended. Fine, okay but I AM offended when this happens around me. Not personally but when people especially priesthood holders do this it makes me feel a feeling of depression. I don't want others to have that impression of members of the church because there is lot's of members out there that don't judge in hurt laughing ways. SO PLEASE STOP IT!!! Mormons, WE NEED TO BE THE EXAMPLES!! NOT THE JUDGES OR BULLIES and to me this IS a form of bullying ones feelings.

           AMEN! please remember this as you go through your daily lives and lets be the best we can:)
                                                         -K
                                            

ArE yOu WiLLinG tO bE a WiSe mAn (or WoMeN)??

 Hello guys Happy Sunday!!! So I know it's not Christmas time but the wise men really stand out to me right now. So you know the Christmas story is right? The true meaning of Christmas is Jesus birthday. Mary and Joseph had traveled a long time with Mary on the donkey. They got kicked out or rejected by inn owners at everyone they tried until one man said they could stay in his stable. Then the shepherd saw the angle and the angle told him to go and seek for baby Jesus had been born so the shepherd did. The wise men saw the star and followed it. Did you know that it took the wise men around 3 years to actually get to baby Jesus? I want to compare us to the wise men.

 

               So here we are on earth and maybe something in our life happened and we have a chance to go to church or seek the light of Christ. Say we choose the right path. We follow in faith, the wise men didn't see God on there journey, the just knew that the light was special. So we followed the light though our entire lives and we finally made it. To Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father.  That's just what the wise men did. They followed, sacrificing 3 years of there live to offer up there gifts to Jesus. So are you willing to choose the right path? Sacrifice immodest clothes, bad movies or thoughts, anything pornography, would you give those up and offer yourself give God all you have to live with him again? If you are not nodding or pondering a "yes" let me tell you this. So say we didn't follow the right path. Say that you didn't give up bed things and didn't give your thoughts to God. (Meaning think about him with every choice or decision). Well you will simply not end up with God and Jesus Christ. I'm not saying that if your not exactly like me or Jesus you won't go to the Celestial kingdom, because I'm not perfect, but if you do seek the truth and follow/keep the commandments, you will definitely be on the right track, now maybe you slip up a couple times on your journey where you say a bad word or go immodest to a party, that's the beauty of the atonement. Repentance. But you can't just do it over and over again and repent because that wouldn't get you anywhere, repentance is when you ask for forgiveness and then TRY your very BEST to not EVER do it again.
           I testify to you that through God we can be made perfect if we follow his ways. Search for the Gospel my friends, Walk in faith, give yourself to him, and go back home again. I promise if you do this you will find great joy and happiness. God loves you all and hopes that you will return to him.

I chose this video so that you can really think, are you willing to put God first? I pray for you that you will know the true answer. Today is Sunday, would you go to church today? I hope and pray that you will decide to come to God. He is worth it my friends. CTR!!
                                   -K

FaMiLiEs ArE fOrEvEr!!

 Hey! It's Friday already? Sorry I haven't written in a while. Time has shortened! I just wanted to tell you guys about the importance of your family. You may roll your eyes because your siblings are soo annoying or your parents just don't get it, or maybe your a busy parent and you just feel like there isn't enough time, and it's not worth the fight to get your family to spend some time together. I want you to understand that, no matter what is happening in your family right now, even if your family is split, you need to spend as much time with them as you can.
                      It really hit me how much my parents influence my life. I have always been stuck to my moms hip. I don't hardly ever leave her alone. But when we are away from each other I really realize how much she impacts me as a person. I see my mom clean, do dishes, do laundry, and no matter what is on her mind or stress she is feeling, she always has time to give me a hug or show that she loves me. My Dad is a very hard worker. He is doing nothing but service all day everyday. Not only does he provide for our family but he fixes furnaces and heaters, for other people so they can be comfortable and happy. And my dad and I may not show it but we have a special bond especially when we dance together, My dad has danced with me since I could walk. Every dance competition we have went to we have won, but its not the winning that makes it special it's the love that he shows me. My 4 sisters are so caring to me and I love them so much. Three of my sisters live pretty far away and I don't get to see them very often. But when I do there is joy. My brothers are goofy guys that couldn't be merrier. They find so much joy in the littlest of things. And they always got your back and can make you laugh. Then there is my nieces and nephew. The cutest little bundles of joy you'd ever meet. I love them so much. My aunts uncles and cousins are pretty far away but we are all conjoined in our hearts.
               How'd you get here? Why are you in this family? Why is that your last name? We believe love is between man and women. Some may strongly disagree or believe that love comes different for everyone, but let me explain. When a mother and a father look into there own flesh and blood, there baby's eyes, they see an amazing creation from God. All kids are. You can't have kids without a man and a woman. And you may say, I can adopt kids. And you can but how would you feel if you went to school and it was mothers day. Or fathers day and both your parents were the same gender. How fair is it to the kid to not get a mom and a dad? You have a mom and dad right? Every kid deserves to be loved by a mother and a father. Say that two men adopted a little boy. As the boy grew up he wonders what it's like to be loved by a girl or woman so he is going to seek out love elsewhere before the bonds of marriage because he doesn't know. There was a study that proved a girl with no father or male figure will try to seek out love from a male and be troubled and confused. I personally think It's so important for a child to have love and support from a mother and a father. So no I don't support gay marriage. That doesn't mean that I don't support love. Love comes from a family.
      

 This video doesn't describes love more than any text. There might be a time in your life when you lose someone you love, you can see them again you know. Families are forever. :)
                                      -K
                  

SABBATH DAY: Is God smiling on our lives?

 Happy Sabbath! Yes Sabbath means Sunday. Some non-members may wonder what the big deal is on Sunday and why can't they shop? So here you go. Sunday is a special day to us because it's when we go to church. What's the big deal about church? Well not only are we taught be chosen teachers on subjects that touch our hearts, but we have a chance to take the sacrament. Now the Sacrament is a very important part of our church and I don't want to explain it wrong so If you have questions about it ask, But DON'T ABSALOUTLY DON'T LOOK IT UP ON THE INTERNET. The internet has lot's of truths but LOTS of lies so unless you go to Lds.org or Mormon.org DO NOT LOOK IT UP ON THE INTERNET!!!
             Anyways, so yes you have church but why can't you go shopping after you ask? Well, we believe that God blessed the Sabbath day as a day of rest. A day where worldly labors and activities are put aside. So why are you blogging or why is there Mormons on the internet then? Well even if it wasn't Sunday, most active Mormons don't look up or post bad things on the internet any day of the week because we believe the spirit is with us always and if we do bad things or look up bad things we will be unable to hear or feel the Holy Ghosts' presence around us.
            This topic of 'even if it's not Sunday we don't do bad things'.. goes right along with one of my FAVORITE QUOTES!! Here it is:  Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice but a continuous commitment and way of life that applies at all times and in all places.
                                                                        - Elder Oaks
So in a more clear way if that's not too clear to you is Following Christ is NOT just once a week or during church activities, its a commitment of everything you do, every day, to make god happy and live a great life.
                      Now that may seem like a lot of work. EVERYTHING? you wonder? Well think about it, the way we dress lets us represent what we stand for as witnesses of God. (meaning believers).  The way we act, we do not participate in any inappropriate conversations whether it's the subject , or gossip or talking/planning about something like skipping school or anything like that. In the way we speak, Sunday or not we do not use God's name in vain, swear or cuss. Or talk bad about others(gossip) or talk about bad thing's even if we're not swearing. The way we are, yes we won't change for anyone, or anything we should not have to apologize for having high standards. Like if your friend want's to make your homecoming dress and she says that it's going to be a complete surprise except for size. The night of the dance, she shows you so you can start getting ready. Your heart sinks, it's sleeveless and very short. So you reply, I'm so sorry but I can't wear that, it's immodest. She replies, common' you don't have to be modest tonight! It's homecoming! All you have to do is say, homecoming or not I'm still going to be modest. Now this doesn't mean you have to hurt your friends feelings because the Lord doesn't want  you to appear mean. You could even say, maybe we should get matching dresses, further before the dance of course, but then pick out something modest.
                                         So it may be hard to imagine being this 'different' to the non-members. But it's not bad at all, it's so much better and even more so knowing that your Heavenly Father looks upon you smiling. I have a friend from gymnastics that would probably say, "Well I don't really require him to smile at me to be happy like you."  That makes me want to cry. She chose to come to this earth in the premortal world. She did or else she wouldn't be here. SO DID YOU. If you didn't choose to come to earth when we were all in heaven with God you would not be here. It hurts sooo much that she doesn't know that anymore.
                              I TESTIFY TO YOU that  you decided it'd be best for you to come to earth. And every single trial you have, is meant for you so that you can learn and grow from that. PLEASE PLEASE remember not only who you are but who you were. You decided to come here!! You wanted and asked for everything that has and will happen in your life! But you have been blessed with agency to choose the kind of life you want to live. Please choose the right. YOU know what the right is. But only YOU can make yourself choose it.  You are so important and the things you do are so important. so ask yourself: am I living in a way that God would be smiling right now?
Some may say no and shrug. I pray for those ones. And for everyone else.
             Don't be nervous, it's not too late to start over.
                                     -K

HaVe YoU lOoKeD aT yOuR rEfLeCtIoN tOdAy?

 Happy Friday everyone. Do you ever wonder about who you are? We all do. I think we have all come to a time where we have realized we don't know why we're here or what our purpose is. We don't  understand why we are the way we are. Looks and personality, someone is always telling us we should be like every one else. Which is different than who we really are. If you have ever been to Justice or seen a magazine from Justice, you'd notice that at least they used to put, 'Be true, be you,' on every shirt and honestly I thought it was really cheesy. I'm mean who else would we be?  But the more I think about that statement, do you ever wonder who you really are? Like maybe you wonder where you came from. (non members). Even members may, or may have wondered at a time in there life, is it all true? Am I really god's child? I can testify to you that it is absolutely  positively true. EVERYONE is a child of God. And I hurts me to know that some of my very good friends may not understand this.  I really wish that they could know and have the joy that I have. One of my very best friends told me yesterday, "Krissy, you are always so happy and positive! How do you do that?" I smiled and said Thank you. I should've used that as an opportunity. I should've said, I have been blessed with such great knowledge. I should've added, "Celia, you and I and everyone are sons and daughters of God, therefore there is always a reason to be happy." So the only thing I can do now is share that with her and all my other friends now. We are so special to him. We are so very loved in every way! Till eternity and back 100,000 times!!! He died for us and if he had to,he'd probably do it again. He has perfect love for every human being and all his creations. Our time is now. We all have missions on this earth no matter what. We may not now our missions yet but we will figure it out if we follow the commandments of God. Here's a video to remind you of the amazing things we can do to remember we are daughters and sons of God and to act upon it.

         You are a swan. Be the example in your home, school wherever. Even if your not a member of the church, you are so special and if you want to know more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, don't be afraid to ask. :)
                                                               -K

Y must WE judge ANOTHER!??

      Hello guys!
    So I was watching a video that I will link to this in a sec. but it is a quote I have on my wall. I don't see as much of this happening as I did when I went to public school but it happens to a lot of people. Judging. Yeah you know what I'm talking about, stereotyping. You guys I am most defiantly not just talking to members of the church in any of my posts I mean I am but I'm also referring to the non members. Anyway judging is like not even knowing a person but because there in a wheel chair you try to plan your route to class differently so you don't see them. What if you were exactly the same personality wise but you all of the sudden got in an accident and got a wheel chair. The next thing you know, no one even talks to you they just look at you disgusted and try there best to avoid you. It's never really happened to me like that before but I know that it's not the right thing to do and I wouldn't feel any better knowing I am trying to be ignorant.
             Now, gossiping is really hurtful. And I'll admit that I've caught myself in some situations that were very hard to get out of. But after you can't take one more second of it you just leave. I don't know fully about it but I have been a subject of someone's gossip before and it's not fun. Don't make peers around you feel that way, it's one of the worst things ever. So just don't bring up things that could hurt someone and if one of your friends does, before it gets bad please change the subject or just come out and say, "Um lets not gossip." It doesn't have to be mean just straight forward.
               I know it's hard sometimes but holding grudges, we shouldn't and we have all been mad at someone before and maybe stewed upon way longer than we should. And it's difficult I know. But lot's of trials and adversity come to everyone so please remember that not everything people say is meant to crush your soul or ruin you to every depth, dramatically speaking. Some times someone will say something super mean and they said it. No type of revenge or 'getting even' is going to unsay what they said. So we just have to pray for guidance to be forgiving, and understand how to 'let go' of things that there is no control over. Please watch this video even though it may look boring, PLEASE!! ITS SOOO IMPORTANT! LISTEN TO THE WORDS! BECAUSE THEY ARE SAID FOR A REASON!! I testify to you that what he says is so true!!

So like the bully in the video I posted before, he realized how much bulling hurts others and he didn't want to be that guy. Do you? Because hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, IS BULLING!!

Ask yourself, am I a bully? You and god know the answer. Even if you answered no, I encourage you to stand up for others and not be included in anything like this, don't be afraid to walk away from that group of 'cool kids' that are talking about other people and calling them rude things. Strive to be different in the best ways and God will be proud of you and with that, YOU will be proud of you.

SO make yourself proud today and everyday!!

-K

                                  

Is YoUr dAy GoOd?

       Happy Wednesday! Hope you all or having a good day. You may have just rolled your eyes at my last sentence thinking, 'good day? I never get those.' If you think that everyday then you might struggle with depression. Or maybe are just depressed for the time being. Maybe your not happy with how you look or how you act. Look at your hands right now. Study them for a moment. Every single part of your hands and the rest of you are made by god, in his own image, whether your hands take you to the Olympics, or your hands gave you a job or your hands do service, God prepared them specially for your life. For whatever you do he has prepared your body to a perfect T, where it does only what you need it to do. Don't be depressed about what you can't do, think about how far you have come.
             Maybe your a stay at home mom with children and all you do is take care of the kids that you don't even have time to do anything for yourself. Something you always have time for even though it may seem impossible is to stop. Stop and look back. Change your perspective. The kid running around chasing his sister around and he knocked over your lamp yesterday doing the same thing, your just about to yell, STOP. Look at his face and think of the day you had or got him. The innocence he had. And now his muscles are strong enough that he can run all by himself. Look at your daughter. Look at all the simple trials she may face at her school or with her older/younger siblings. Think of the personality she has. God painted her hair, and made her spirit that it might grow, and learn in it's own way.
                             Feeling a little better? Don't hesitate to count the blessings you do have whether it's your kids or it is simply having a place to live. Being able to see and to read what my hands have typed. I typed for you. So that we can make the world a better place so we can smile and be happy! Enjoy what we have instead of  hate what we don't have. I invite you to watch this video and count your blessings. You are soo special to God just the way you are. You don't need to look like everybody else or be as happy or smart as that person. Keep smiling and realize that you are a masterpiece and a great proud possession of God.

            There is always something we think is bad wrong or missing, but there is so much more that we have.
                           -K

TesTiMOnY TuEsdAY!! :)

     Hey guys! TESTIMONY TUESDAY!! First of all sorry I didn't blog yesterday it was one of those CrAzY days :) But in a good way. I started the day going to Seminary for the first time. When you're there you forget about how early it is and just focus on the important things, I like it a lot.
                  I also did my school work which is new for me. I have a math class of course, Physical Science, High school Music, writing composition and writing literature and some others too. Including my favorite, Spanish class. Whenever I do that class I am reminded of how God made the different languages. And how no matter what language we speak, or what we look like, God understands and loves us with his perfect love. Makes you smile don't it? :)
                   So after school work I got to go babysit my niece and nephew for a little while. They are so innocent and pure I love being around them. My niece is 3 and she is the cutest little firecracker you'd ever see. She is so beautiful and sweet. She doesn't try to act up. She loves singing primary songs and she's not even old enough for primary yet. She sings almost all verses of 'I am a child of God" all the time and I never really thought about it but not only can she sing the verses word for word she also knows the lyrics. Yes there's a difference. She knows she is a child of God. She knows that we go to church to learn about Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. And that makes me smile. My little nephew is hardly little. He is 7 months and he wears 12 month clothes. You look at his gummy grin and drooly chin and he lights up your heart and makes your whole day. He has a mind of his own and he really studies people's faces almost as if he recognizes them. He is a rolly scooty guy when you put him on the floor not crawling quite yet. But in the walker he walks around like nobody's business.
                          After babysitting I went to gymnastics early. I got a chance to see the optional girls' new leotard for competition. My coach told me that if I work super hard then I might be able to wear one and be an optional. How cool is that? That's one of the MANY reasons I love gymnastics is, you always have something to look forward too. Always a goal. And some may go by really slow but it makes it that much better when you finally get what your aiming for. I got my handstand on bars yesterday and I felt like up there, upside down, griping the bar tightly through your grips and the chalk flying, that I was right where I belonged. That moment I felt as if I was definitely doing what my body is made for. I started gymnastics for a reason.
                              Okay okay back on earth now!! woo. So today there's not been a whole lot happening because I haven't gone to gym yet. Oh and it's only about 8:30am. I didn't feel very good when  I woke, this am. Still kind of gurgaly tummy. I hope and pray it goes away. I hope and pray also for you. On this Testimony Tuesday I'd like to share about the wonderful abilities God gave us. He helped us become who we are by giving us talent. You may be a singer, artist, or a dancer, or a softball/baseball player. Maybe hockey or football, or a musician, sew, cook, whatever you do, you do for a reason. If you frown upon all of those things, and your not really sure what your talents are, ask yourself, am I trying to see or find my talent? Am I working to improve it? I testify to you that you have a talent, It's just a matter of finding it. Please remember that God is always there for you even at school or at your home. He will even here your prayers if your in a grocery store.  And don't be afraid to pray or ask him any questions you have, whether about you talents or about something completely different.
                                       

                     Your talents can be used for many things I encourage you to use them to do good deeds, and to show your love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and they will bless you. :)
                                                               -K

gO anD sIn nO moRe!

     Today, I woke up at 5:00 am to practice for seminary. I'm not a very good morning person especially when it starts getting cold. But I woke up and read my scriptures until 7:00 this morning. I studied and pondered and took notes of the teachings of Christ, what he taught people just before he died, he rose the dead, he made the blind see and he fed five thousand people with a loaf of bread then I read about death of Christ and the Resurrection. I also read the story of Noah's Ark. The creation of the world, and Adam and  Eve, until they leave the garden.
              Jesus did so many good things when he was on the earth and he has never stopped. He preformed so many miracles even to have people call him a fraud. He had such a kind patient heart and nothing of the world could even make him begin to wander. He could've yelled, NO! I didn't do any of that! But he didn't. And he went through everything you could imagine. Imagine putting every single pain you have ever had, have, and ever will have in a jar. Every single pinch and paper cut to every sprang and broken bone. Store it in a jar. Now have every human being that has ever lived, living now, and ever will lives' pain jar too. Jesus took that. Yes. Every single pain you felt he went through just for you so that you could live with god again. The least we could do is what he and Heavenly Father asks. What does Heavenly Father ask? Live like his son. Help others as Jesus did.(You may not be able too rise the dead or make the blind see, but we can do service and set examples and live to be our very best). Even being kind shows his love. Also, following the laws of God is a big one. He didn't just make up commandments to see who'd do them, he made then so that there will be order, and we will live in peace. D&C 88: 119 'Organize yourself, prepare every needful thing and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.'
                   Like I said earlier to have order we need to follow Gods' laws. ST John 14:15 it says 'If ye love me, keep my commandments. What are the commandments?
1 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath or that is the water below the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them for I the Lord God am a jealous god visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. And showing mercy to the thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
2 thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his name in vain.
3 Remember the Sabbath day to keep it Holy.
4 Six days shalt thou do thy labor and do all thy work. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou, nor thy son nor thy daughter thy manservant  nor thy maidservant  nor thy cattle nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is. and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
5 Honor thy Father and thy Mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord giveth thee.
6 Thou shalt not kill.
7 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8 Thou shalt not steal
9 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
10 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors house. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife nor his manservant nor his maidservant nor his ox, nor his mule, nor anything that is thy neighbors.

                  We also follow standards which help keep us safe and remember who we are.

                                                    -K