September 28,2020 "The Grace of God"

 This week I have been trying to capture a deeper understanding and connection to the atonement of our savior Jesus Christ. While doing so, it led me to study Grace once again.

 The Savior's Grace will bring us to the feet of our God, but how we apply this Grace, will determine the manner we stand when we are brought before him. 

"Grace is the truth that we are not alone, though broken, scarred, and far from home.

It's the essence of a perfect love, to which each traveler draws nigh. 

 Grace gives me freedom to spread my wings; when arrows climb, he takes the sting. His Arms of mercy suppress all pride, as he lifts me up to fly.  

 

Grace is the hand that reaches near, all marred and torn, he takes my fear. He empties my sorrows upon himself, without complaint or sigh. 

 Grace is the truth that I'm an heir; his daughter, queen, a princess fare. Though some may mock and beauty fade, his love will never die"

I tried to capture a small piece of what I believe Gods grace to be. I had to stop, so as not to take up too much time, but the saviors grace is what has brought me as far as I have come. 

I recently listened to a devotional given by David Butler, Emily Belle Freeman, and Lindsay Sterling. In this devotional Lindsay says something similar to this: 

"I felt like I was drowning, and I couldn't come up for breath. Every time I would think I had it, another wave would hit me and I could not stand up." 

How often does that describe us? We, like Peter, try our hardest to do what is right, yet we still fall short, slipping into the depths of the ocean below. 

 However, the beautiful thing about the Grace of god is that he knows we will fall short, and so he has provided the help we need to not only stand on water, but to dance, to run, to fly across the rolling waves. His hand is always stretched out to catch us when we fall. 

 So, instead of thrashing around in the water, grasping at the droplets that slide through our fingers as we try to climb to the surface to no avail, let us grasp onto his hand which remains outstretched ALWAYS. Let him lift you to the surface, and fall into his loving embrace. And most importantly, NEVER LET GO.  

How will you stand before the lord when brought to him? I picture myself overcome with emotion, running into his outstretched arms. When we familiarize ourselves with the Grace of god and the Saviors atonement, we will not shy away from our Loving Father in Heaven. I urge you to apply the Grace of god in your lives today. Let him save you from sinking, then go and bring Grace to those who find themselves struggling to stay afloat. Love, serve and uplift. As you pray for opportunities to be an instrument in gods hand, he will bless you to have your eyes opened to the needs of those around you. 

Love you all!! 

Pictures: 

Zone conference at the minute made stadium....because my mission President is Jeremy Guthrie... 

September 21, 220 "Think Less About Yourself, Not Less of Yourself!"

 Hey Family and Friends! 

This week, we have been learning a lot about improving ourselves so we can make a difference in the lives of those around us. It is such an important topic, yet frequently looked over. The easiest thing for me, and maybe you as well, is to compare myself to others. Constantly I am finding flaws in myself that can spiritually and physically drag me down. 

  

I love this quote from a talk given at BYU, it goes something like this: "think less about yourself, not less of yourself." 

When we worry about our hair being perfect, or if our clothes are on just right, going back and forth from the closet to the mirror, where we wrestle with feelings of self worth. Dumping on piles of makeup to hide any imperfection that has surfaced on our skin, and finding we may only feel comfortable with ourselves if we look as close to perfect as possible. It is then that we miss opportunities to involve ourselves with those around us. We miss opportunities to smile and laugh, because we are too busy scowling at ourselves in the mirror. We miss the chance to help a struggling child with their homework, or study for a few extra minutes in the scriptures. 

Don't get me wrong, it is important to take care of yourself. Yet, when we compare ourselves to others, trying to mask perfection, when not one of us is perfect, we miss what our Father in Heaven has in store for us. 

You may ask, what is the difference between thinking less about ourselves, and thinking less of our selves?

 

When we think less of ourselves we view ourselves as less then what we are. We compare. We find flaws in ourselves that frustrate us. This is not what our Heavenly Father intended for us. He did not create us so we could hate ourselves, he created us so we can become like him. 

What does thinking less about ourselves look like? 

Picture the savior. 

Someone who focused on the needs of those around him, instead of his own. His first priority isn't getting the dirt off his feet before he walks over to the blind man, or fixing his hair just right before they nail him to the cross, the saviors thoughts were always on those around him. 

The savior knew the power of this phrase: the worth of EVERY soul is great in the sight of god. He served diligently, and loved perfectly. 

Note: 

You are a daughter or son of god 

You are loved 

You are priceless

I challenge each of you to create a list for yourself of things that you can say when you look at yourself in the mirror each morning. Tell yourself that you are worth it, that you are loved. Let it be true. And then get to work!! Serve. Love. Live life as the savior would. 

I can promise you that as you think less about yourself, you will notice the needs of those around you, and you will be able to serve selflessly. You will be able to love more fully as the savior does. 

I love you all!! You are all worth it! 

September 7, 2020 The Worth of a Soul

 Hello family and friends! 

This week has been wonderful! 

We had a few "sad news" moments, when we found out Treasure and Kelly were not in our area, so we had to refur them over to different missionaries, but overall we have seen the lords hand in this work each and every day! 

We are allowed to go into peoples homes to share a message now!! (Staying 6 ft appart with masks, but still. We are pumped!!) 

My testimony has been strengthened immensely on how much the lord loves each and every one of his children.

 D&C 18:10 "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of god."

He takes the time to fit himself into the tiny details of our day. All we have to do is open our eyes to his miracles. He hears our prayers, and in his own time, and his own way, he will answer us. 

I love you all!! Sorry this email is short. 

 

Pictures: 

*Stephens and I at malt and burger(a place where one of our friends works) 

*Treasure and us over a Duo call

*me

*The district after we all got matching hoodies at a service project... they were free. 

*district again "The Alvin Tribe" 

*Service at a dog shelter 

*blurry photo of Stephen's, me and Tito the dog 

*homemade pudding... yum 

*us after our accountability calls.