He is ALWAYS there

It's been a while...
With the new "share goodness" theme going around on social media, I have been thinking about something I want to share to share a little bit of goodness.
The past several weeks I have really opened my eyes to seeing the Lord in my life. My testimony has strengthened in this aspect so much.
Being away from home, I am far away from my family, which has made me rely more on my Heavenly Father than I have ever had to before. This has been such a blessing to me because as I struggle with homesickness and stuff, I can turn to my Heavenly Father and my strengthened relationship with Him.
The Lord is in the details of our lives. He is EVERYWHERE! He is in the phone call you receive from a friend that you needed to hear from. He is in the parking spot in the front of the lot after a long and tiring day. He is in the callings you receive in church. No matter where you look, He is there, and it's because He sincerely cares about you.
He cries with you. He laughs with you. He aches with you. He rejoices with you. He suffers with you. He smiles with you.
Even when you feel alone, and I promise you will feel like it at times, you are never alone. Because He is always there.

Life is an uphill battle

I spent this past weekend in Bear Lake for a family reunion. It was so much fun and it was so great to see family and spend time with them! Family is so important and special to me and I am so grateful I got to spend time with all of them. 

So, one day while I was there, one of my cousins and I went on a run. The cabin we were staying at was on the mountains and we decided to run up the mountain. To be honest, I thought I was going to die. Running, though I love it, isn't a strength of mine, and then to be running all uphill made it even harder. I seriously thought I was going to die. When we conquered one hill, we would reach the top only to see that there was another hill we had to climb. 

This made me think about something in life. Our life is an uphill climb. We are constantly climbing mountains of different sizes in our lives. Struggles, doubts, sickness, and trials are all a part of these "mountains" in our lives. 

There are going to be times through our journey where we may feel like we might die. We might want to give up or climb back down because it is too hard. But we need to endure and keep pushing onward. The reward will always outweigh the bad. 

Each of us have different mountains in our lives. And each of us are traveling at different paces. Some may be moving slower, and others may be stuck on one huge mountain for a long time. 

Similar to my run, when we reach the top of a mountain, there is always going to be another one ahead. But, another thing I learned from my run, is once you reach the top, you can turn around and see what you just accomplished. You can feel proud of what you just did and nothing can take that away from you. 

This is the same in life. When you go through a trial or struggle and you have made it through, you can look back and see how experiencing that has blessed you. 

And then we keep going. We face our next trial and we repeat the process. And one day, we will make it to the very top and we won't have another mountain to climb, because we will have reached home with our father in Heaven. What a blessing that day will be. 

Life may get hard, the mountains may be long. You may want to give up. Don't! The sweetness we will experience will be worth the pain we have to endure here. 

God is a God of miracles

Mormon 9:19 says: "And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles." 
My family has experienced an incredible miracle the past 7 months. My cousin, Eli, was born on Christmas day this past December weighing 2 pounds 7 ounces. He was supposed to be born in April. It was unknown of what was going to happen, but we all prayed for this little baby and for his parents and had faith that God's will would be apparent to us all. 
Eli suffered more in his first few weeks of life than I have had my entire life. He went through surgeries and treatments and scary things that babies, or anyone for that matter, should ever have to go through. 
Today, I was able to attend his blessing. It was one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever experienced. Looking at little Eli, I knew that he is a direct gift from God to remind us all that God is still a God of miracles. Eli is living proof that there is a God who is ready to bless us and answer our prayers. While Eli was receiving his blessing, I just sobbed because I was reassured that God loves us and He has a plan for each and every one of us. 
Eli has made many people depend on their faith in Heavenly Father for comfort and for answers. Eli is a miracle and he has helped many people strengthen their relationship with the Savior. Miracles strengthen our faith. 
I know that miracles are still performed today, just like they were when Christ was on the earth. 

The House of the Lord

Last night I drove to the Draper temple (my favorite temple!!!) with three amazing people I have met here at BYU. I am so grateful for the temple. It really is a special place and I am so grateful that we have temples on earth. It is the closest thing to heaven on earth. Walking into the sacred building, I can just feel all of the stress from life vanish and all that matters is the work I am doing.
I was so overwhelmed with the Spirit. I couldn't help but cry when I walked into the baptistry and just sat and thought about my Savior, Jesus Christ. While I was sitting, I looked at the paintings around and there was one that caught my eye. It was a picture of Christ surrounded by white sheep and he was holding a black lamb.
One thing I have learned at college is that there are times where you feel alone, but you are never ever forgotten. Christ is always with you. I have felt like that little black lamb before: alone, different. That doesn't matter to Christ. He will always stand by us no matter what our circumstance. He does it because He loves us.

This time at the temple was a different experience for me because I have always been confirmed and baptized by the temple workers, but the young man that went with me performed these ordinances. I had never had that experience before. It made me even more grateful for the priesthood and even more importantly, worthy priesthood holders. I look up to young men who honor their priesthood so much and I treasure their examples in my life.
The temple is such a special place for me. I try to go once a week so I can be edified by the wonderful Spirit that is felt there. It is my one on one time with my Savior. I am so grateful for the holy house of the Lord and that I am able to attend. I can not wait until I can be sealed to the love of my life in the temple.
I am especially grateful to be here in Provo, where the temple is just down the road and I am able to walk to the temple. I wasn't ever able to do that back home. I love walking around campus and always being able to see the steeple and Angel Moroni. Elder Holland said, "I testify that angels are still sent to help us." Angel Moroni is a symbol for me to come unto Christ and remember Him at all times. Seeing him all the time keeps Christ on my mind at all times. I am eternally grateful for all my Savior has done for me and that I am able to go into Heavenly Father's home and feel His love for me.
"As long as you can see the temple, you are never lost."

It's Not a Requirement

           For my writing class we were assigned to write an opinion editorial on something we have a strong opinion about. We had a one on one meeting with our professor about our paper, and my professor actually gave me the idea to post my opinion editorial on a blog for it to be read. Little did he know I actually do have a blog and  his idea was brilliant! So, this is my paper for my writing class, that I want to share with all y'all. (PS: Life here at BYU is great & I love it more and more every single day!)

           A father of a 20-year-old wrote a blog post about one Sunday at a sister missionary’s farewell, that his daughter was asked many times when she is serving, though she hadn’t received the prompting to serve. The father wrote about how he could tell she felt uncomfortable and that he felt the judgment that she was receiving. He expresses his concerns for all young women who don’t serve a mission; will they be thought of as not worthy to serve a mission, will boys not want to marry them, are some girls just going on a mission because it’s the “cool” thing to do?     

Being an almost 19-year-old LDS girl, I wouldn’t be able to tell you how many times I have been asked, “When are you going on a mission?” Not if I am going on a mission, but when. In 2012, President Monson delivered the news about the missionary age change. Young men, who previously left at 19, can now leave at the age of 18, and young women, who previously left at 21, now can leave at 19. With this age requirement lowered, it has become more common that young women serve missions, which has placed social pressure on 19-year-old girls of the church.

            First things first, I am not saying that going on a mission is a bad thing. I think it’s awesome that girls have the opportunity to serve. I have had aunts, ward members, and friends serve missions, and I have only heard positive things. I have a personal testimony of missionary work and how important it is. I am not in anyway trying to say that girls shouldn’t serve missions. I’m saying just the opposite - girls who feel that they should serve definitely should. That is the way it has always been and that is the way it always will be.

            However, with the age lowering, so many more young women have been deciding to serve that there is now added pressure for all young women to serve. President Monson said, "We affirm that missionary work is a priesthood duty—and we encourage all young men who are worthy and who are physically able and mentally capable, to respond to the call to serve. Many young women also serve, but they are not under the same mandate to serve as are the young men. We assure the young sisters of the Church, however, that they make a valuable contribution as missionaries, and we welcome their service."  The prophet of the church, the one who received the revelation to lower the age requirement, said very clearly that young women are not required to serve a mission.

The flood of missionaries, especially sister missionaries, is so exciting. How rapidly the good news is spreading is exhilarating. I think it is wonderful that sisters choose to serve a mission. They are wonderful examples to me. I strive to be as faithful as the young women I know who have served a mission and hearing their stories has strengthened my testimony. Other sisters in the church that are wonderful mothers and sisters who haven’t served missions are just as good of an example and have just as strong of a testimony. I look up to them and they have affected my life just as those who have served missions.

One of my friends told me that at her high school, boys are now saying that they aren’t going to marry a woman unless she is a return missionary. This standard is a bit ridiculous considering the fact that girls aren’t required to serve a mission. Girls need to pray and fast to receive their answer on whether or not they are supposed to serve. Nothing should influence a girl’s decision except for inspiration received from Heavenly Father.

I have felt the judgment of others when I say I am not planning on going on a mission. I have felt almost expected to go on a mission. Sometimes I even feel like I am letting people down because I’m not planning on a mission, and it’s all due to the pressure and judgement that is being placed on us young women. Family members always ask me when I am planning on putting my mission papers in and I feel like I am upsetting them when I say that a mission isn’t in my plan as of right now.

I have spoken to some of my roommates and friends about this subject, and they all agree that there is so much pressure. Some of them are planning on serving a mission, but even though they have chosen to serve, they agree and say they can see the pressure that is so prevalent. The age change should not have caused this social shift.

The pressure on young women needs to stop because it is a problem. Everyone needs to remember what President Monson said: that young women are welcome to serve, but it is not a responsibility for them.

God has a plan for each and every one of us. Some girls are meant to go on a mission and others aren’t. Others are called to get married and start a family, while others are called to serve. Is the young woman who chooses eternal marriage and motherhood instead of first taking the option to serve a full-time mission any less servable to in the kingdom of God? Either way, the kingdom of God is growing and people are being blessed.

A girl who isn’t planning on serving a mission shouldn’t feel less about herself or feel looked down upon. Serving a mission doesn’t establish if you are a good person or not. What you do in this life and how you follow God’s plan for you shows Him how faithful you are. Serving a mission isn’t required of you. You have a choice. Let Heavenly Father guide you.

Happy, bright, and you

I want to focus this blog post on the title of my blog: Be happy. Be bright. Be you.
1. Be happy.
Life is too short to be anything but happy! If something isn't making you happy, remove it from your life! Surround yourself with things and people that make you happy.
Of course there are going to be hard days and sad times, and it's okay to be sad and to cry. But through these times, look around and find the happy things in life. They are there! You just have to take a step back and look!
In the end, it's up to you to choose happiness. No one can force it on you. If you have a negative attitude about life, then you won't be happy. And no one can help you.
I was in a funk for a while, just feeling so down and I never wanted to do anything or see anyone. I realized what my problem was and I knew unless I fixed it, I would be like that forever. I didn't want to be gloomy and depressed any longer than I was! I removed the negative stuff out of my life and I have become much happier! I am still working on being completely cured of this negativity but my progress is one of the many things that makes me happy each day.
Do what makes you happy. Surround yourself with people that make you happy. Be in a place that makes you happy. If it's not, change it!
2. Be bright.
Each and every one of us has a light. We must not dim our light. Share it with those around you. Someone specifically needs you in their life. You have what they need. Don't be afraid! You never know the affect you could have on someone.
Your light is unique to you. Everyone's is different. It is made up of your divine qualities and talents.
Stand out among the crowd. You weren't born to be the same as everyone else. Don't be afraid to let your light be seen. It's needed in the world.
I was once commented on why I have a light about me. That was one of the biggest compliments I have ever received. I knew then that I wasn't putting out my light, but my light truly was showing and it was showing bright. And from then on, I chose to live that way so everyone around me could see my light.
I challenge the same to you. Don't dim your light. Shine!
3. Be you.
You were made to be exactly who you are. God made you and God doesn't make mistakes.
You can't go through life pretending to be someone else. Embrace the person you are no matter what people think about you. God's opinion is the only opinion that is important, and His opinion of you should be your opinion of yourself.
I have struggled with this, struggled with loving myself. But I know from personal experience that you will not find happiness, nor will your light shine, if you don't love you.
You are not here randomly or by change; you are here for a reason and you are who you are for a reason. Don't forget that.
Each and every one of us is a child of God. A child of the creator! How cool is that? He created the earth, the stars, the moon, and He also created us. We are creations of Him. We are literally His children. When you understand that, you need to treat yourself as such.
Wise words from Dr. Suess: "Today yo are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!" You are special. No one else could replace you. Don't be someone else. Love yourself. Be YOU!

Forget Yourself

Service is one of the closest things we have to godliness on this earth. I personally know how important service is because it has changed my life. I have gone through some times when I would just sit in my room and cry and not want to go out with friends or do anything. I was miserable and I didn't want to be in public. All I wanted to do was be alone. I was going through medical problems as well at this time and I was given the choice to go talk to a professional about everything I was feeling, but I chose not to. I wanted to overcome this on my own, but I had no idea where to start. And then one day I realized how selfish I was being. I realized the only way I was gong to get over this was to get out, forget about myself, and serve. There are so many people who need my light and I was sitting in my room dwelling in my own self pity. I was keeping my light and gifts to myself when I needed to be out sharing them with the people around me. I devoted myself to serving every time I got the chance. I made cookies, I walked elderly women to their cars after church, I told people how much they meant to me, I did anything I could to share my light with someone else. Doing this has changed my life.
Service is so important to me. There is such happiness that only comes through serving others. I can't explain it, but I have felt it. Gordon B. Hinckley said, "The happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others." Through service, I was pulled out of my miserable state and I remembered why I am here on this earth. I am here to share what I have with everyone around me.
Forgetting yourself seems hard at times, but when it seems the most hard, that's when it is the most important. Serving others deepens your love for others, opens your eyes to what you have, and makes us discover who we really are. Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, "As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we discover our own lives and our own happiness."
When Christ was on the earth all He did was serve. We are His hands on the earth today and we need to reach out to those who are struggling or down trodden. We are promised that when we serve, Satan will lose power over us.
Forget yourself and serve.
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." -Mahatama Gandhi