Looking back on 2011

2011, it's been a life chaning year.

I can say without a doubt that this year has surely changed me, hopefully for the better. In the early month of '11 I was depending fully on others for my self-confidence and with such low self-confidence my testimony struggled. I manage to pull a good face and hide my fear, concerns, and thoughts that haunted me for quite a few months.

      My family, my leaders, and my friends could tell that I was struggling but didn't know to what degree so they continued to write me letters or messages of encouragement that I don't think they realize what they did for me. I appricate every letter, note, or quick compliment and I still have a lot of those notes; thank you.

Last week in July changed me, gave me the push that I needed to fully let go of my fears; E. F. Y. My previous year of EFY wasn't as life changing but it gave me a basis to go on the next time around. I had two friends at the beginning of the week that I knew, and believe it or not; I was shy. I didn't know then how much my testimony would grow and my self-esteem would boust.

      I knew instantly I was at the right place and doing the right thing; I'm so grateful for every single person who was at EFY. They have no idea what they've done for me, they introduced me to the light I had lost and reminded me of the queen I'm meant to become. The Fellowship -- my company, was the greatest. I honest feel like I made good friends that are battling this war beside me; I'm not alone. I'm so grateful for all of you in my company and my councilors; thank you.

Since that week, my life has been tough there's no doubt about that. I've had times of sadness that I've forget the great blessings the Lord has given to me, including my trials. I have amazing friends that have stood beside me and help me pick myself up; they gave me another push that I needed. I'm truely grateful for all of you and the example you have gave me.

     Back to the present, I still have doubts and my negative thoughts but I'm in control. I'm not letting them control me, they will not bring me down the level of misery I was once in. I know I have a ways to go until I am to be potiental but these are my first steps. I know life will be hard, but with the Lord I know I can do anything. He has given me strength and waited for me to find him once I lost my way; He is my Savior. My gratitude towards him in endless and eternal. I know how I was acting earlier this year did not set an example of a memeber of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. & I know with each prayer, scripture, and Sunday  I'm becoming a better example.

I'm looking forward to 2012, the year that I can really grasp a deeper meaning of the gospel that has saved me. I hope that I can continue to become a better example of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and that I can help others know who they are and what they are destined to be. I want to be my own kind of missionary.

I hope you all have had a great holiday remembering the birth our Christ, may we remember his birth all year long. Happy New Years! 







Moi Messages

Like the conversion story of Alma the Elder?

Want to know the scriptures in a more personal level?

Want to know how Alma was the most different priest of all King Noah's high priests?

Read "Desire of our Hearts" By Sariah Wilson.

  It's amazing!

Lets you know Alma on a more personal level, lets you see how life was back around that time, and shows the figuratively what Alma went through finding Christ. (: (:

After I finished reading in this morning, a feeling of peace filled my soul. I know it was the Lord revealing to me that what was said was true.  Yes, it's not the Book of Mormon but it keeps the true message in there. There is nothing wrong with making a story personal as long as it keeps the truth, just like Sariah did. It is one of the three LDS book I'm hoping to read in the next month, I'm quite enjoying reading books that hold my same standards and keep encouraging to stay strong and be an example of the believers.

I highly recommend this book!

True Meaning of Christmas

The Star

 A heavenly sign of the prophecy fulfilled long, long ages ago. The shining hope of mankind.

Red

The first color of Christmas symbolizing the Savior's sacrifice for all.

Fir Tree

 Evergreen -- The second color of Christmas shows everlasting life. The needles point heavenward.

The Bell

 Rings out to guide the lost sheep back to the fold -- signifying that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord.

The Candle

 A mirror of starlight reflicting our thansk for teh Star of Bethlehem.

Gift Bow

 Tied as we should all be tied together in bonds of goodwill forever.

Candy Cane

 The sheperd's crook used to bring lambs back into fold, A reminder that we are all our brother's keeper.

The Wreath

 A symbol of the never ending eternal nature of love, having no beginning and no end.

He's Everything You Need

These scriptures promises offer comfort in times of need. (:

When you are the neediest, He is the most suffcient. 2 Corinthians 12:9

When you are completely helpless, He is the most helpful. Isaiah 50:7

When you feel totally dependent, He is absolutely dependable. Psalm 46:1 

When you are the weakest, He is the most able. Job 5:15-16

When you are the most alone, He is intimately present. Psalm 32:7

When you feel the least, He is the greatest. Proverbs 3:25-26

When you feel the most useless, He is preparing you. 1 Peter 4:12-13

When it is the darkest, He is the only light you need. Psalm 27:1

When you feel the least secure, He is your Rock and Fortress. Psalm 31:3

When you are the most humble, He is most gracious. James 4:6

When you can't, He can!! Jude 24

Men's Hearts Shall Fail Them

For yourself

Sometimes the people we most want to help, need to take the first step for themselves. They find no benefit if we do all their progress, they only get the end result. We can not do someone's improvement, we each need to grow by our own will, want and agency and with faith in the Lord that he will guide us through it. For this isn't what life is about, it's about going through the challenges of mortal life and improving ourselves to make ourselves better.

A great example of this is Jesus Christ, our Savior. He knew he had to do this struggling task, that would take all his will power and faith in his Father to do, but that doesn't mean He didn't struggled. He called about his Father, asking if it may be, let this cup pass over me. He wanted to leave and have someone else do this task but He knew that the Lord would see him through it and would not forget him.

Life isn't about the trials, it's about the progress we make from them. Therfore, we can not have someone else do the trials that were made to benefit us.

Conference Quote!

"Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, and hope and a restoration of confidence in one's ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing." - Elder Scott

"We need to desire to recieve revelation, we must not harden our hearts, and then we need to ask in faith, truly believe that we will recieve an answer and then diligently keep the commandments of God." - Sister Thompson 

Only to refine us

Do not be discourage when the Lord or our parents chastenize you. They are trying to protect you, the know the evil of the world and want you to stay strong in faith and testimony. They also know that guidance, boundaries, and challenges will grow your testimony and faith.

"Our Heavenly Father understand that for us to make desired progress during our mortal probation, we would need to face difficult challenges." ~ Elder Richard G. Scott.

The Lord will correct us because He loves us and knows what we are destined to be. His corrections will refine us into the precious jewels we were meant to become.

An Example

We do not realize the example we potray in our every day lifes.  With every action and word that comes out shows the world what diciples of Christ act like. It's not only the young primary kids that look up at you, it's your peers, teachers, even complete strangers.

We have to potray a righteous example every day, no matter who is around, in all that we do. When we give a proper example of a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we lead others to Christ and to his gospel.

Let's be missionaries without sending our papers in.

Sacrament Saying

"What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked Heavenly Father for yesterday?"

Let's always have thanksgiving in our hearts all year long.

Beautiful Heartbreak

 My theme song basically, it's definately a song that we all need to listen to and remember. (:

The Past...

I often hear and I've caught myself saying, "Only if I could go back..." or "I wish I could relive..." I know that our past memories are so precious and enjoyable that we want to relive them. Believe I know, I've had a few.

"When we dwell on past events, longing to relive those special moments; we forget of all the great adventures that lie in front of us. Instead of trying to relive the past, try creating a future where more marvelous moments await." - Moi

 Someday's are easier than others to not dwell on the beloved memories and get wrapped up in the emotion all over again. But as I've strived in my personal life to not forget those events, but try to earn more like them. Example, there is guy ( of course :P ) I've gone a few dates with him after I met him at this camp I went to. And on one date we went on, it was fantastic. Like nothing really went as planned (the weather, the over-all plan, what time I'd be home ) but everything went smoothly and wonderful. I had a total blast and loved it, and I often catch myself wanting to relive that date.

I'm now reminding myself that if I want the chance to have more fantastic dates with him or any other guy, I need to make sure I'm preparing myself to be open and looking for it. Does it mean I'm forgetting about it? Heavens no! Does it mean I don't want to go back and relive it? No way! Does it mean I have to sit in the corner of my bedroom and wait for another date? Of course not!

It's not about forgetting the past, it's living so more marvelous moments can happen.

Not by chance, by choice

Elder Randall K. Bennett spoke about the choice of eternal life. Many people assume that after so many small mistakes or after one big mistake they are no longer offered the gift of eternal life. That is not true.

"Your eternal destiny will not be the result of chance, but of choice. It is never too late to begin to choose eternal life!"

 Elder Bennett tell the story of his close experience of drowning and how the lifeguard watched him go out, knowing he'd be captured by the current and then waited until Bennett cried for help, to step in. This story can be related to our Heavenly Father. Our Lord, watches us, knowing all, into trials and rough currents. He is our lifeguard, waiting for us to turn to him and ask for help, guidence, or comfort, and he will. He will always be there to help us and encouraging us to come back to him, to have eternal life.

"I can't stress too strongly that descisions determine destiny. Youc an't make eternal decisions without eternal consequences." - President Monson

Each of us are childen, sons and daughters of a Heavenly King. We each have a divine right and a destiny.  It is not by chance we came down to Earth, it is not by chance that we go through the challenges we go through. It is not by chance that a most powerful God, cares deeply about each of us. It is not by chance.

"You knew that here in mortaily, there would be afflictions and adversity, sorrow and suffering, test and trials to help you grow and progress. You also knew that you could continue making correct choices, repent of incorrect choices and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ inherit eternal life."

Are we choosing to do feel, think, and do things that remind us where our goal is? Are we striving to live worthily every day for eternal life? Are you being the best you can be? Are you choosing eternal life?

Sacrament Saying

"What we love determines what we seek, what we seek determines what we think and do, what we think and do determines what we become." (:

Once upon a time...

"His love for you is so great that He has granted you this earthly life as a precious gift "once upon a time" complete with your own true story of adventure, trial, and opportunities for greatness, nobilty, courage, and love. And, most glorious of all, He offers you a gift beyond price and comprehension. Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest figt of all --eternal life---and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own "happily ever after." - Pres. Uchtdorf

Once upon a time.... happily ever after, seem only to happen in fairy tales. But who says you can't have your own fairy tales?  You shouldn't just focus on the beginning and the end though, there's much more important things in between that get you from beginning to end.

I've often heard, "It's not the destination. It's the journey." It's completely true in my eyes, from our most desperate lows to our most highest happiness comes between the "Once upon a time" and "Happily Ever After." It's important to know where you are starting at and strive to be where you are destined to be; but don't forget the journey that will mold you to who are you are supposed to be.

Many people view challenges as horrible, wrotten things that we must go through to reach our potential and reach happiness, but challenges are much more than that. They refine us. Ever thought why missionaries come back from their missions with a different out-look and relationship with our Father and Savior? It's because of challenges. Challenges are a part of this life so that we can become closer to God who will help us refine into who we are going to be. Challenges help us learn, and we need to learn to get from "Once upon a time" to "Happily ever after."

"Once upon a time" is square one. "Happily ever after." is eternal life square. What happens between those two squares refines us to the gods and goddess we were destined to be.

Conference Quote!

"He knows your sacrifices and your sorrow. He hears your prayers. His peace and rest will be yours as you continue to wait upon Him in faith." - Elder Hales

"May we realize and understand how close to us He is willing to come, how far He is willing to go to help us, how much He loves us and how much He does and is willing to do for us." -President Monson

 

Moi Messages

Often times on facebook, I will go through my friend's list and pick people and post a paragraph about some qualities that I love about them and remind them how much our Heavenly Father loves them. Each time, those people tell me how much it means to them and how much it helps them. Well, it's more than making my time on facebook somewhat enjoyable and that's what I want to share with you.

We all have our hard days, that life doesn't seem could and the doubts are hitting you harder than normal and you are just down. Well, I have a trick for you. Compliment others.

It's more than saying, "You look pretty today." It has to be different for each person you compliment and actually be personal, it's easier than you think. You have no idea what a simple compliment can mean to someone, especially if they're having a bad day as well. Your words can touch someone's heart and help them remember how they important to people.

I challenge, each of you ( who ever is reading this blog ) that when you are having a hard, you spend time instead of dwelling on the doubts in your mind, compliment others. (:

Molli Mormon Moment

Molli Mormon Moment, is a moment that I had a month or so back. I thought it was such a Molli Mormon Moment I published it on facebook so it's only fair, I share it here.

"I rather be known as a Molly Mormon than surprise people that I am Mormon."

It's saying how, even if we stand alone we will never be alone. Standing alone can be mean so many different things; it could being one of the three mormons in your high school or job, could be standing up to your peers about your beliefs, or even be making your way to church each sunday while your family slept. We each have our own struggles with being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints but that does not mean we are alone in this battle, called life.

Go to a stake or region fireside or dance, go to EFY ( highly recommended ) or even watch conference, you will be shown the thousand of people standing alone in their battles knowing they have an army fighting they same battle.

Be a Molly Mormon, be a Peter Priesthood because then you can really show what our church is about. (:

Changing Yourself

It's not always about the lesson or talk that can change us, we must act upon the prompting to change. But that doesn't mean once you have decided to change, life will get easier. In reality, life is unfair. When we feel our most strongest, we get knocked hard and we often think we weren't as strong as we thought we were; but do not believe that.
Satan wants us to struggle, be discourage, and give up. He wants us to be as unhappy as he is and he's very clever with coming up with ways to knock us down. But there is hope against him. We must turn to the Lord to strength and never lose sight of the eternal plan of happiness He has for each of us.
Changing yourself, I know for personal experiences, it's more than saying it. When you have that burning desire to change and you've once felt that happiness, you don't want to live without it. Often times I catch myself thinking, "I want my future family to recieve as many blessing as possible, and I'm starting now." Changing yourself doesn't just affect yourself, it will affect people around us. They will notice the change in our hearts, the fire in our eyes, and want to know how we got it and possibly strive to better in their own lives.
Changing yourself can be a long and difficult process but it can bless generations to come.

"Real repentance, real change may require repeated attempts, but there is something refining and holy in such striving." ~ Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Never Alone

When life gets hard and you struggle with trials and temptations that can seem endless with no light at the end of the tunnel, do not be hopeless. Remember that the Lord is always there for us. He will always be there to catch you when you fall, and He is always waiting for  you to ask for help with open and eager arms. The Lord is will not forsake or forget you.
I know, life can get crazy and the doubts can fog our vision on who is there and who cares but I promise you, the Lord is always there for you. He will never leave you alone, he cares so much about you and wants you to become the person you are designed and destined to be.
He will lead you out of the darkness if you are faithful and call for Him. The Lord is always waiting to pour down his blessings and fulfill his promises, you need to use your agency  and take the first step. When you do call upon our Heavenly Father for help and guidance, he will always answer your pray and comfort you.