How Great Thou Art

Today, I just want to share with you my favorite hymn. How Great Thou Art has always been special to me because the first time I heard it, it brought such a strong spirit to me and I usually can hardly make it through the song without crying.
The words to this song are beautiful.

     O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder, 
     Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made; 
     I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, 
     Thy power throughout the universe displayed. 
  
    Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, 
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art. 
     Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, 
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art! 

     When through the woods, and forest glades I wander, 
     And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees. 
     When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur 
     And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze. 

     Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, 
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art. 
     Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, 
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art! 

     And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; 
     Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; 
     That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing, 
     He bled and died to take away my sin. 

     Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, 
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art. 
     Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, 
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art! 

     When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, 
     And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. 
     Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, 
     And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!" 

     Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, 
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art. 
     Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, 
     How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

God has created everything. I look around and I truly am amazed at all He has made and how beautiful it is. And then I think that He took the time to create me while making this beautiful world. And I am part of His beautiful creations. And so is every person to live. 
He paid the greatest price for us and we will forever be indebted to Him. But, we can thank Him and in live in gratitude. 
Music is so powerful and hymns are a great source for spiritual uplifting. 
This is my favorite version of How Great Thou Art. Enjoy! 

It's all a lie

I want to talk about something I feel very passionately about. I want to talk about how the media is affecting the way we think, act, and feel. This has affected my self confidence and I don't want it to affect anyone else's.
A couple of weeks ago, I came across this girl's blog who wrote about modesty and how sorry she is to the guys who have to see immodesty wherever they go. Reading this blog, it changed my view on modesty and that it isn't only affecting me and how I act, but it is making it even harder for the boys around me, when they are already being pressed with immodest images everywhere they go. (Here is the link to this article if anyone wants to read it, and I highly suggest it: http://bemalleable.wordpress.com/2013/12/31/sincerely-one-of-many-girls-who-care/)
But every girl is faced with the dilemma of dressing modestly and showing her self respect or trying to get a guy's attention. I know how frustrating it is to see the guy you like drooling over the 'hottest' girl in school who hardly wears any clothes, who has perfect hair and perfect skin, and has the best body. It's so tempting to want to wear that shorter of shorts or a skimpy swimsuit just to see if he will notice you instead. But let me tell you, it is not worth it to slip. Guys who notice you because of how little you are wearing, are not noticing you for you. They are noticing you because they want to see what you are giving them. Respect yourselves and respect the young men who are fighting so hard.
To all young men, don't let the media win this battle. Us girls need strong young men who can care for us and respect us so we can respect ourselves. We need to be commended for not slipping and staying true to who we are. I know that it is hard to be a teenage boy in these times. In the blog I mentioned earlier she says to the boys, "Don't you think you'd want to wait for a girl who will encourage you on your walk with God? Who will work in protecting your purity? Who will respect you and encourage you to follow your dreams? Who will see you as redeemed? Who will be by your side during the good AND bad? Too often, it is girls who are told not to settle for a guy. But guys, the same goes for you. Don't waste your time and emotions on a girl who really could care less about you and just wants you for what you will do for her. You too deserve someone who will see you as amazing and treat you accordingly."
The media tell us all lies. Everything is a lie. Yet, it is controlling our thoughts, and even worse, it controls how we feel about ourselves. When I was younger, I started feeling self conscience because every single girl on TV, movies, magazines, etc. had stick thin legs. I do not have stick thin legs. I was blessed with strong, curvy legs and I have had to accept that. But it is so hard to love what I look like when every girl getting praise from boys has itty bitty legs. This is my weakness and where Satan gets his grasp on me because sometimes I fall into his traps and believe that the only pretty girls are the ones that wear a size 0. But I am here to tell you all that EVERYTHING THE MEDIA SAYS IS GARBAGE. I'm not saying that if you do have itty bitty legs, that you are ugly, because that isn't true either. But the media pushes so hard on the fact that girls have to look a certain way, that if we don't look that certain way, it's hard for us to feel beautiful.
In a world where the media is everywhere, it is hard to escape from it all. But I can promise that as long as you try to distance yourselves and ask yourself who you really are, it will make all the difference. The media can't determine who is beautiful and who can get a boyfriend. That is up to us to change the way the world thinks. This right here is Satan's biggest tactic to get control over us. And it is successful for him. He knows how we think and he knows our weaknesses. We have to be stronger than him and show him that we know who we are and we are going to treat and love ourselves that way.
I have very strong feeling about this and I'm sorry this post was all over the place, I have so many thoughts. I hate what the media portrays. I wish it would disappear and not pressure us all into thinking that there is only one 'cookie cutter' form of beauty. It's all a lie. Remember that. Please remember. Satan never wants you to feel good enough. If we try to live by what the media says, we will never amount to anything, because there will always be something wrong or something we are lacking. But in God's eyes, we all are good enough because we are fighting. You must show that effort and He will notice and He will bless you and protect you from the onslaughts of Satan. He knows what we are all going through and He wants to help so badly. We must make that effort to overcome, though. We have to try. I beg with the girl who wrote the blog article as well as many others that both men and women: fight and love yourself for who you are and what you look like. Self confidence is key and it goes a long way, and the media can't determine how you feel about yourself, it has to come from you.

O Remember, Remember

Today I just feel like sharing some of my favorite quotes. In one way or another each one of these have affected my life and I hope at least one will touch you.

"The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days waiting for better ones ahead." -Marjorie Hinckley

"Lighthouses don't go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining."

"Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus." -Neal A. Maxwell

"God's love is there for you whether you deserve it or not." -Jeffery Holland

"We're all just walking each other home." -Ram Dass

"Lord, you placed the stars in the sky, yet you call me beautiful."

"God is for us, so it doesn't matter who is against us." -Al Foxx

"Hard times will constantly be there. But so will Christ." -Al Foxx

"Because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we don't have to." -Jeffery Holland

"I just want people to see Christ in me. I don't even care if they know my name, as long as they get to know my God."

"If you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday, what would you have?"

"I believe in Christ, so come what may."

"Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, love the people who treat you right and forget the ones who don't. And believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance- take it; if it changes your life- let it. Nobody said it would be easy... They only promised it would be worth it."

"Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." -2 Timothy 2:3

"God made you.. And God doesn't make mistakes."

"If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything."

"We become what we want to be by constantly being what we want to become."

"You can't live your life worrying that the world is staring at you. When you let people's opinions make you self conscious you give away your power... The key to feeling confident is to always listen to your inner self-the real you. And in the kingdom of God, the real you is more precious than rubies." -Jeffery Holland

"Every time we reach out, however feebly, for Him, we discover He has been anxiously trying to reach us." -Jeffery Holland

"You are not defined by your circumstances." -Robert Hales

"Preach the gospel always, and if necessary, use words."

"This is an important thing. When you encounter another person, when you have dealings with anyone at all, it is as if a question is being put to you. So you must think, What is the Lord asking of me in this moment, in this situation?" -Gilead

Again, these are just a few of the many quotes that have touched me and I hope that you remember who you are and what you can become. Remember that no matter what you are loved and there are good times ahead.

The Saratov Approach

Last night my parents and I went to the movie last night to see The Saratov Approach. For those of you who don't know what this movie is about, it is based on the true story that happened in 1998 when two Mormon missionaries were kidnapped in Russia.
The story is incredible. These missionaries showed such amazing faith and dedication to the Lord. The captors captured them for ransom money, but the church could not pay the money because then the church would be a target to receive money. The missionaries knew that the money wouldn't come but prayed they would be protected, and they always prayed for their captors. They prayed they would feel the love of Christ and have their hearts softened towards them. I know we are told to pray for our enemies, but to pray for someone who kidnapped you would be so incredibly hard.
My favorite thing that was said was "light will always overcome darkness". I know that the light of Christ will always conquer the darkness Satan brings to life. Things will happen, nobody or nothing is perfect, but if you have faith in the only perfect being, then you will win.
My favorite part of the movie was so intense and brought me to tears. One of the missionaries managed to get the keys to the handcuffs and unlock them. They were free to escape. They made a plan to trap the captors and knock them out and get away. When they were all set up, the missionary who took the key stopped because he didn't feel right. They were all set up for their plan and to escape and he felt that this wasn't the way they were going to survive. He knew that God had a plan for everyone, including them. He knew that God would bring them to of this situation and to safety. So, he went back and they locked themselves back up. If that doesn't show faith, I don't know what faith is. That was probably the biggest example of faith I have ever seen. My testimony increased dramatically.
Though we all may not be kidnapped and handcuffed in a dirty apartment by two satanic men, but we will have trials of our own. We will be tried and tested of our faith, just like these missionaries. It would have been so easy for these men to be mad at God for their situation and blame Him, but they didn't. They prayed and knew that He would perform miracles. We can receive the same blessings in our life if we show Him we trust Him and we truly do have faith in Him.
If you have not seen this movie, I strongly encourage you to! You will be touched and inspired!

Joy of Christmas

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone's day is full of love and laughter, family and friends, new memories and smiles! Most of all I hope everyone remembers why we truly celebrate this day- our savior, Jesus Christ's birth.
While we are giving and receiving gifts, take time to remember the many countless gifts our savior gives to us. We receive everything through Him. We will always be in debt to Him, yet He keeps giving.
When thinking of the story of the birth of Christ, I ask myself 'am I part of the inn crowd or part of the stable few?' We all can improve more to be like Him. Make room for Christ in you life.
I also love reflecting on Mary's life. She is my biblical hero. To have the faith to trust what the angel told her; that she, a virgin, would have a son who will be the savior of the world. People mocked her and treated her poorly but she knew what was about to happen and she had faith the entire time everything would end up right. I try to be like Mary and be steadfast in my testimony and ignore the comments of the world around me because I know what is right and what will happen to me when I choose the right.
My favorite thing about Christmas is spending time with my family. I am so blessed with a wonderful family who loves me so much. I know that each member of my family would do anything for me and I would do anything for them. When I think of Christmas, I think of hanging out all day in our pajamas with my family. The love and happiness and laughter that is shared is irreplaceable.
Christmas is the time to celebrate our Savior's birth. "When we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit. It will block out all distractions around us which can diminish Christmas and swallow up it's true meaning." When Christ is the center of our lives, everything else seems to fall in place. "We all are inn keepers who decides if there is enough room for Jesus."
Merry Christmas. May you be blessed and loved. Enjoy the love and laughter the Christmas holiday brings. Let the joy of Christmas fill your hearts and the love of Christ fill your spirit.

The Christmas spirit

I absolutely love the Christmas season. I am one of those people who listens to Christmas music all year long. I love everything about this time of year. The music, laughter, lights, family, love, snow, service, and the reminder of the birth of our Savior.
Everyone is happier around this time. I always try to serve year round, but this time of year I can find so much service to do. I am so grateful to have friends who love to serve like I do. It can be as simple as making cookies and dropping them off at families homes, like my friends and I did this weekend. It was something so simple. The Lord works in small and simple ways. Sometimes the smallest actions mean the most.
This year, our family invested in the "elf on the shelf". Every night we move her to different places in our house causing mischief wherever she goes. I absolutely love seeing the excitement in my little sister's face as she tries to find her and the smile on her face when she finds what she did over the night.
I reflect on my life this time of year as I reflect on the Savior's birth and life. This is where I truly find the Christmas spirit. When I think about my Savior and all He did for me, I am reminded how much He truly loves me. I am so grateful for the love He gives me and the life He lived that I can strive to be like Him. He is why I serve. He is why I started this blog-to share my gratitude and blessings I receive from Him. He is why I love Christmas so much. He is the reason for the season.

Thanksgiving

Happy thanksgiving!
I am grateful for life and the passion found through living.
I am grateful for my family. Each and every member of my family is such a blessing in my life. I'm so grateful I can be with them for eternity. I will always have someone who loves me and who I can turn to for anything.
I am grateful for my friends who support me and love me for who I am.
I am grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I'm grateful for how it blesses me and through it I find the greatest joy.
I am grateful for cheerleading. God gives us talents and He blessed me with the talent to cheer. I am grateful for the love and passion I have for the sport. I'm also grateful for my team who is like a second family to me.
I am grateful my dad has a job and can support our family.
I am grateful for a car that transports me and a warm place to call home.
I am grateful that I am able to go to school and learn and that I soon will be able to further my education at college.
I am grateful to have food and fresh water to nourish me.
I am grateful to have a temple so close to me and I can go and enjoy the blessings from God.
I am grateful for shoes on my feet and clothes on my back.
I am grateful for a body that works and performs amazing things.
I am grateful for music, especially the piano. I am grateful to escape from the world and entering into a new one when I play.
I am grateful for a living prophet and that he receives revelation for us.
I am grateful for forgiveness and that I can be forgiven of my mistakes.
I am grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ and that through it I can return to Him and that I can become perfect like my Savior. I'm also grateful to feel His perfect and eternal love for me.

This is just a fragment of all that I am grateful for. I have been blessed beyond belief! Have a great thanksgiving full of family, food, and love!