tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7231195289112527302024-03-14T01:09:08.765-07:00Life of a Sister MissionaryHectic, stressful, hard, challenging, but also spiritual, rewarding, fun, and amazing. It's my life and I love it!Brittanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17470830667675001612noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-72859820414457236532012-01-07T12:27:00.000-08:002012-01-07T12:27:35.461-08:00The Next ChapterIt's no secret that my life after the mission has been exciting; that would be the understatement of the year. Things have been on the upward slant and there are new horizons I never could have dreamed of. Due to the fact that this blog is for my life as a sister missionary, this will be my last post here. You can continue to follow me and the happenings in my life on a new blog entitled "<a href="http://brimenasco.blogspot.com/">The Book of Bri</a>." Not only will you be following the adventures in my life, but the adventures of me and <a href="http://eldermenasco.blogspot.com/">Brian Menasco</a> (my soon to be husband). I have loved keeping this blog and feeling the spirit as I have done such. The gospel is and always will be true.<br />
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Some pictures of the post mission events</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obviously mom had to be first</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WpQhoD6XEwg/Twiowx-h3xI/AAAAAAAAAWc/22bGc_eREQU/s1600/family+060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WpQhoD6XEwg/Twiowx-h3xI/AAAAAAAAAWc/22bGc_eREQU/s320/family+060.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My family minus 1 (keep serving the Lord Trevor!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OM7L8hHEKns/TwipIF8OrdI/AAAAAAAAAWk/R9lsbmul2yU/s1600/family+072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OM7L8hHEKns/TwipIF8OrdI/AAAAAAAAAWk/R9lsbmul2yU/s320/family+072.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, that's us!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTSojQsht5M/TwipSiJidnI/AAAAAAAAAXE/_VbJgAwgMc8/s1600/templetrip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTSojQsht5M/TwipSiJidnI/AAAAAAAAAXE/_VbJgAwgMc8/s320/templetrip.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Temple trip with fellow former CASR Missionaries</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trip 2 with the gang</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w8_yC7aC7FA/TwipM1NzF0I/AAAAAAAAAWs/f-u9JH5cQYs/s1600/kahrsmebrian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w8_yC7aC7FA/TwipM1NzF0I/AAAAAAAAAWs/f-u9JH5cQYs/s320/kahrsmebrian.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegas Airport with Sister Kahrs, I mean Jaclyn, and Brian</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Xom2o4BDwo/TwipPMjswtI/AAAAAAAAAW0/UMpqtQUdq-Q/s1600/ring4me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Xom2o4BDwo/TwipPMjswtI/AAAAAAAAAW0/UMpqtQUdq-Q/s320/ring4me.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DC temple, where I said yes</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-33867171895415950052011-11-17T16:18:00.000-08:002011-11-17T16:18:53.550-08:00Endings and Beginnings<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Right now I am almost at a loss for words. There's so much going on within my heart and mind that it seems nearly impossible to share even a portion of it. But, you all know me, I will try my best. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Memories, ah....good times!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's here; the end has come. The eighteen month journey is at it's close. Over the last few weeks I have found myself laying awake and reflecting upon my mission, my life as a sister missionary. I see the faces of each person I have met, the people I have loved, the people that have changed me more than I have changed them. I love them. I cherish the bonds I have made and the spiritual moments shared. It's like nothing else I have ever experienced.</div><br />
Though this chapter in my life is ending, a new one is beginning; my life as Brittany Nestman.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What will life be like at home? Most likely it will be much like it was before the mission: church, work, school, family, friends, and dating (o.0). Something I have found myself asking is "what will be different? What is it that I am taking home from all of this?" Yes I'm taking home all my memories, cherished thoughts and feelings, but what else?</div><br />
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My favorite scripture before I left on my mission was this <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/5?lang=eng"><span style="color: blue;">(Helaman 5:12)</span></a>: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock</em><em> of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation</em><em>; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm</em><em> shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.</em></div></blockquote><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-51l6jDDA43w/TsWi7jTVXRI/AAAAAAAAAV4/o5X2iZ2ih-0/s1600/IMG_2249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-51l6jDDA43w/TsWi7jTVXRI/AAAAAAAAAV4/o5X2iZ2ih-0/s200/IMG_2249.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Me and Meagan</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">From my mission, I am taking home a solid foundation. A foundation built upon Christ. I know who I am, where I am going, and what I can become. I know that it is only in and through Jesus Christ that I can accomplish any and all of my desires in life. This gospel is my life. It has changed me. Though I go home to much of the same things, I go home a new person. As this transformation into the new and improved Brittany has taken place, my favorite scripture has changed.</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/5?lang=eng">1</a></span>Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called</em><em> of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.</em></blockquote><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tag-less in a strange land, bring it on!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My tag may come off, but it will remain imprinted upon my heart. I will always be a missionary. The reason all of these people keep going through my head is because I want each one to have everlasting life. My vision of Heaven isn't of me chillin' out alone. I want everyone to be there! The Brittany before the mission didn't see that. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I know this church is true. I know God loves each of us and knows us. He knows us so perfectly! Jesus is the Christ. He sacrificed everything for us so that we can all be there, together, in our Father's presence again one day. Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God. He saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and he did restore the true church of Jesus Christ to the earth. We have a prophet on the earth today, President Thomas S. Monson. The Book of Mormon is incredible! It is the word of God. You can, and will, know that all of this is true by reading from it's pages and asking God, the Eternal Father, if it is true. I love you all and leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-23462327194887036432011-11-11T17:44:00.000-08:002011-11-11T17:44:16.388-08:00Flag Poles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DbGjBQILU08?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now that I have your attention, let's kick this bloggaroonie into action!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My companion and I have been ranting and raving about this topic for a while now: Progression. "A movement or development toward a destination or a more advanced state, esp. gradually or in stages." So it's moving forward. Going from one stage to a harder more advanced level. Each of you think back to your Super Mario days (yes, for some that was only a second ago<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> (good for you)</span>). What would it be like if at the end of the stage, there was no flag.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can hear the answers now, "What?!?! No flag?!?! How could that possibly be?!?!" There you would stand; stuck in a world you have already mastered. Sure you could jump around, maybe jump on a goomba or two that you missed, but that's it. No underground, underwater, or castle levels. Not to mention that in future Mario Bros. games you'd never experience Yoshi! <GASP> I know I know, it's all seemingly unimaginable. But, is it really?</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let's take a look at our own lives. We go through life and what do we hope to accomplish? Do we have a vision? Like in Mario, the big "vision" is conquering the game. Beating every level and foe that stands in your way. Our vision should be to live with God again one day, ergo we set goals to achieve it. So, are there any "flag poles" in our lives (aka, goals)? Once we have these goals, it's time to do everything we can to achieve them. Give it our all to reach those "flag poles".</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Word of caution, it's not going to be easy. Hopefully we have all realized this by now. The comforting thing is, that as we rely on the Lord and stay close to Him, it's easier. Still not easy, but He gives us a LOT of help. He gives us the little helps we need such as the Prophet, scriptures, friends, family, prayer, and so much more (like the fire flower, super mushroom, starman, and 1-up mushroom).</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For those that don't have a vision, get one. For those that have goals but aren't doing anything to reach them, get on it! There's no time like the present! Consider this blog a push forward. As we speak I am setting goals and making plans to achieve the vision I have for myself. I've got the flag poles in my sight and have that vision of defeating Bowser, do you?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-60887685457011810552011-11-05T13:27:00.000-07:002011-11-05T13:27:56.497-07:00True Identity"What is your true identity?" Over the past few days, this question has been bouncing around inside my brain. Almost like flubber; it just won't stop bouncing! As one would guess, a portion of my personal study each morning has been devoted to answering this very question. Let's break it down.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bp-fmt9vG5o/TrWZaDQOxoI/AAAAAAAAAUk/gBZK0CtMXO8/s1600/IMG_1942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bp-fmt9vG5o/TrWZaDQOxoI/AAAAAAAAAUk/gBZK0CtMXO8/s200/IMG_1942.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">First, 'true': what does it mean? We all see it as one of the choices on a "true or false" section of a test, but what's the actual definition? You better believe I looked it up. "Steadfast, loyal, agreeing with facts or reality, consistent, properly so called, rightful, comfortable to a standard or pattern, placed or formed accurately." Fair enough.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Now, what does 'identity' mean? "Sameness of essential character, individuality, the fact of being the same person or thing as claimed." After reading these definitions I decided to also look up individuality, which is "the sum of qualities that characterize and distinguish an individual from all others, separate or distinct existence." Hmmmm.... Very interesting.<br />
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After reading and pondering these definitions I came up with my own definition for 'true identity.' 'True identity' is being the person you are no matter what. It is the person that Heavenly Father see's and knows perfectly and completely. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In Jeremiah we learn that God tells Jeremiah "<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/ot/jer/1?lang=eng"><em>1</em></a></span><em>Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou comest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, <span class="clarityWord">and</span> I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."</em> He "knew" Jeremiah. He knew exactly who Jeremiah was and who He would be in life. Sadly, each of us doesn't always know what our 'true identity' is. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JSkD7ujzZOU/TrWZgz32ZRI/AAAAAAAAAUs/S2-RLaW638k/s1600/IMG_1429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JSkD7ujzZOU/TrWZgz32ZRI/AAAAAAAAAUs/S2-RLaW638k/s200/IMG_1429.JPG" width="150" /></a>Most of us have not had the same experience as Jeremiah. God hasn't come down and told us "I ordained you a _____." That "____" is for us to fill in. It is up to us to seek out what our 'true identity' really is. It will be unique to each person. Sister Nestman is not the same person as Jeremiah, George Washington, Britney Spears, or Francine Frensky. I am me! My 'true identity' is something I am still striving to discover.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>My challenge to each of you (because you know I always give out assignments ;) ) is to ponder your own 'true identity.' Think, ponder, study, pray, and write about it. I promise it will help you to see the bigger picture in life.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-57912210510293343152011-10-28T12:57:00.000-07:002011-10-29T20:18:57.970-07:00LaughterOver the last few weeks I have been doing a lot of pondering. Dangerous past-time right? My thoughts have been over the goals that I want to have for after the mission. Some are obvious, such as finding a job and getting back into school, but others are deeper. Something my mind has been drawn back to again and again is joy. My companion, <a href="http://sisjaclynkahrs.blogspot.com/">Sister Kahrs</a>, knows all about joy and has opened my eyes to an incredible goal for the rest of my life. Here's the teaser to my goal (before I go into it further):<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6XbrymeuAo/TqsEso8mvhI/AAAAAAAAAUc/DZKmJMoyJcA/s1600/lauging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x6XbrymeuAo/TqsEso8mvhI/AAAAAAAAAUc/DZKmJMoyJcA/s320/lauging.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Classic! Robyn, Me, and Miliana at the Sacramento Temple</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><em>I love to laugh</em><br />
<em>Loud and long and clear</em><br />
<em>I love to laugh</em><br />
<em>It's getting worse ev'ry year</em><br />
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<em>The more I laugh</em><br />
<em>The more I fill with glee</em><br />
<em>And the more the glee</em><br />
<em>The more I'm a merrier me</em><br />
<em>It's embarrassing!</em><br />
<em>The more I'm a merrier me!</em><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Can you guess where this song originates? If you guessed "Mary Poppins", you'd be right! I too LOVE to laugh! There's so much <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/gs/joy?lang=eng&letter=j">joy</a> and fun that comes from it (not to mention it's the best ab workout ever!) My goal is to laugh everyday for the rest of my life. Not that I will be laughing incessantly, but I want to find one thing to laugh about each and every day. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2?lang=eng">2Nephi 2</a> we learn that "... men are, that they might have joy." This is probably the billionth time I have used this verse, but it is SOOOO true! Part of our existence in life is to find joy. My challenge to everyone who reads this post (which I hope is about a bazillion people) is to find something each day to laugh about. Even on those crumby no good days that seem to have no glimmer of hope. I promise you that there is at least one thing to put a smile on your face each day. As you do this, you will be happier in life. You will also notice more of the little things that bring joy and felicity to your life.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, go and do! Remember, "...<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/9.39?lang=eng#38">1</a></span>to be spiritually-minded is life eternal." (S.M.I.L.E.)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-78954459393169748072011-10-20T10:29:00.000-07:002011-10-20T10:31:23.337-07:00Conversion of Korey<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Korey</span></strong></td></tr>
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Okay my religious background was none. Didn't pray, wasn't sure of a 'God', and I had no idea about anything concerning Jesus Christ. Religion was something I was never forced to participate in and it was always something I avoided. In life you tend to avoid the unknowns, because there is fear of inadequacy from the lack of knowledge, or a fear of the 'what if's' as well. That was the case for me. I had friends that went to a number of different denominations, but was never motivated to follow their example at any point in my life. But all that, of course, changed. <br />
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The year was 2006, the start of my senior year in high school. I had yet to have a direct encounter with the church yet at that point, but was finally made aware that it even existed. At no point in my life do I recall ever seeing missionaries, or hearing about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (it wasn’t until much later on in the process that I realized that many times over the years I had seen, on late night infomercials, ads for the Book of Mormon). But, I had come into contact with a member of the church at work. We were actually really good friends. I worked at a restaurant and my coworker was a girl by the name of Shanda. <br />
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She was one year older than me, attended the same high school, and was a member of the church. She never really talked to me about it though, because I wasn’t really open to those kind of things really. But, I knew she went to church and that she couldn’t work Sundays or Wednesdays because of church and church activities. I happened to get my best friend a job at the same restaurant, and he ended up dating the girl; so we all hung out quite a bit (this was earlier in 2006 and still my junior year). But I was exposed a little more to the church because we would go hang out at her house, so I met her family and would see all the pictures of Christ, temples, and what not. But I was never really interested. I never asked questions, but I did feel a desire to better myself as a result of my friend being a church going person. I voluntarily stopped using profane language because I was inspired by her example to speak in a dignified manner. That wasn’t easy, but I enjoyed the change. <br />
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Time went on, it was summer of 2006, and I came across mormon.org. Back then, it was nothing like it is today. It was a pretty basic website, but I checked it out and even requested a copy of the Book of Mormon to be sent to my home. I wanted to read it, just so I could have a historical background as to what my friend believed in. But the sad thing is, or perhaps by divine intervention, the Book of Mormon never came. The order wasn’t processed, or the missionaries never brought it by, or it was just a lost media referral. I’m not too sure to be honest. But perhaps at that time I just wasn’t ready to have that in my life. <br />
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But okay so finally back to where I was in the story, it’s the start of my senior year. Shanda went off to school at Byu-I, so I lost that direct influence of the church in my life. My best friend, Stephen, the one who was dating her, had been going to church with her family but had never invited me. He was my age, so we were both seniors in high school, but we grew apart because he was focused on maintaining his long distance relationship with Shanda while she was away at school. So he pretty much spent all his time in communication with her, and we went our separate ways. <br />
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Life got really good for me for a while, but then suddenly came to a halting crash. It was your typical high school drama, but it left me without friends and without much hope. I was devastated and just really down on life. I was at an all time low, and so I decided to maybe start taking a little interest in religion. Another friend of mine was very into the Bible and going to his Christian church, so I asked him for a copy of the Bible. I thought "well if I read this book, then my life will turn around and everything will instantly change and be better." I tried it for a little while, starting with the old testament, but absolutely hated it. I got really angry at God, because nothing improved in my life and I was still sad and depressed. So I tossed the Bible aside and never thought twice about it. <br />
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More time passed, and I was still struggling and hating life. Stephen and I still talked, but not too much. He went out to visit Shanda for Thanksgiving and they went to temple square, and gave me as a referral to the missionaries there. They called my home and asked if they could send me a DVD about the church, but my mom is the one who answered and she told them "no." I don’t know why at the time, but this made me so angry. I got really mad at her, because I really wanted the video, and I was also your typical teenager who wanted to make my own decisions. <br />
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So another month passes, and I find out that Stephen is getting baptized on Dec 23. He didn’t even invite me, because he didn’t think I would go. So I asked him if I could go, and that was the first time I entered into a Mormon church building. I remember feeling embarrassed because I wasn’t dressed as nicely as others, and I felt really uncomfortable trying to sing along with the hymns and what not. I remember afterwards, several pairs of missionaries came up and were talking to me. I was really thrown off by it, haha. But I was intrigued; ya know? <br />
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So Stephen finally invites me to church after all of this. It was the first Sunday of 2007. I thought "well, it’s a new year so perhaps a new me." I was so nervous to go to church though. It was supposed to snow really bad on that Saturday night and I was hoping so bad that church would some how be canceled or something like that (haha!). But, it wasn’t, so away we went. I remember standing up and introducing myself in priesthood, then I remember going to gospel principles and I had the neatest experience. Perhaps my first faith building experience. <br />
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I had told a couple of lies during that week, and felt bad for doing so, and I knew lying was bad. I wanted to know how to overcome that and just be better. Sure enough the lesson that first Sunday in gospel principles happened to be on Honesty. I thought "no way could that be a coincidence." Sacrament wasn’t really anything special for me for quite a while. It wasn’t something I understood a whole lot. <br />
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After church Stephen (I rode with him to church) had a meeting with the bishop, so I was just waiting in his car. While he was at his meeting, I was reading through his Book of Mormon. I read the introduction, the witness accounts of Joseph Smith and the other witnesses, and it definitely sparked my interest. It was about 2 weeks later that I started having discussions with the missionaries. They were all at Shanda’s house (even though she was still off at school). So all of my discussions had members present and were in a members home, so I think that really helped. <br />
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I was honestly really excited to meet with the missionaries, because I thought "wow, that’s really cool that they would take time out of their schedule to meet with me, who had no idea about anything." I, of course, at the time, didn’t really understand what the role of missionaries was really. So I didn’t know it was a full time thing for them, but I remember my first discussion about Joseph Smith and the restoration. It all made logical sense to me, because I had no prior knowledge of anything religious or spiritual. At the end they offered me a Book of Mormon and asked me if I would read it. I was so pumped to have my own copy. (I still have it today). <br />
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They gave it to me on a Sunday, and I started reading immediately. By that time I was attending early morning seminary, because I was convinced by a few people that it would be really good for me. So I would wake up at 5:30, go to Seminary, and get to school about an hour before it started. So each day that week I busted out the Book of Mormon while waiting for school to start and read and read and read. By that next Sunday I had finished the entire Book of Mormon. I mean I really had no clue what I had just read, and obviously didn’t understand a lot because it was my first real encounter with scriptures…but I just knew it was true. I honestly don’t recall praying about the Book of Mormon. I didn’t have to. I just accepted it from the very beginning to be true. <br />
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I knew I wanted to be baptized pretty soon after that. But I was only 17, so it was up to my parents. They of course flipped out, and told me no. So my only choice was to wait the 5 months until I turned 18. All the while I never missed a Sunday, I went to seminary, the activities, and all that good stuff. I went through 3 sets of missionaries, including getting a new set that a couple days before my baptism. <br />
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I wouldn’t say that my conversion was anything extra ordinary or too much of a surprise. Some how I was always motivated by something (in retrospect the Holy Ghost) to live a righteous life. I was already living all the commandments except for tithing and keeping the Sabbath day holy. I grew up with a constant motivation of wanting to raise a righteous family with kids that didn’t get involved in drugs, drinking, or partying. I always worried and wondered how it would be possible. For the most part, that’s what kept me away from all of those things in my life. I must have said no to doing those worldly things thousands of times. I never once got close to giving in, because I had hope for more in life.<br />
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I truly believe that I was humbled by the Lord and prepared slowly so that I would see what I was missing in my life. I went from being so incredibly down, to happier than I had ever been at that point in my life. The gospel just was a perfect fit for me and how I wanted to live my life. I read all of the missionary pamphlets and followed the diagram on how to pray, and did so. <br />
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The day finally came for my baptism: Saturday April 28th. It was an incredible day. I even bore my testimony after I was baptized. My family was in attendance even though they weren’t too supportive of the decision. Those new missionaries, that had just arrived, happened to change my life and were the ones who helped me experience a lasting conversion. I got confirmed on April 29th (my 18th Bday) and was ordained a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. Later that week I went to the temple and did baptisms for the dead. <br />
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It was quite the experience for sure. It definitely wasn’t always easy. But once I felt it was right, I decided that I was all in. Since then, I’ve obviously gone on a mission and have never missed church unless I was traveling or on vacation with my family.<br />
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Like I said, its nothing too special. It is cool to look back and see how God was slowly preparing me for that moment in my life and then, once it came, it was such an easy decision for me. I was sort of the golden investigator, except I couldn’t get baptized right away. But, I’m a firm believer that it all happened as it was supposed to and at the time it was supposed to. Timing is everything in life no doubt. But yup, it all started with going to my friends baptism and then led to my baptism. Shanda and Stephen got married in the temple August 2008, and I left on my mission in November 2008. So yay for happy endings! Haha. But alright that’s all she wrote.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-32371378279923362942011-10-15T12:46:00.000-07:002011-10-15T12:46:14.417-07:00Ladder of HopeThis poem was sent to me by a very dear friend. I am not sure who the author is or what it is titled (so if someone does, please let me know), but I loved it and wanted to share it with everyone! Please read and let these powerful words touch you the way they've touched me.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1VeP-ZMgbs/Tpnix2lFamI/AAAAAAAAAUM/VqNwAMGoUYk/s1600/Limestone_Hole_preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1VeP-ZMgbs/Tpnix2lFamI/AAAAAAAAAUM/VqNwAMGoUYk/s320/Limestone_Hole_preview.jpg" width="320" /></a>I had been in that hole for a very long time<br />In the dark and the damp, in the cold and the slime.<br />The shaft was above me; I could see it quite clear <br />But there's no way I ever could reach it from here. <br />Nor could I remember the world way up there <br />So I lost all my hope and gave in to despair. <br />I knew nothing but darkness, the floor, and the walls <br />Then off in the distance I heard someone call: "Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter. <br />Take rocks and old sticks and build up a fine ladder." <br />This had never occurred to me--had not crossed my mind.<br />But I started to stack all the stones I could find. <br />When I ran out of stones, then old sticks were my goal, For one way or another I'd get out of that hole. <br />So I soon had a ladder that was sturdy and tall <br />And I thought, "I'll soon leave this place once and for all." <br />I climbed up my ladder. It was no easy chore, <br />For from lifting those boulders, my shoulders were sore. <br />I climbed on up the ladder, but soon had to stop <br />For my ladder stopped short--some ten feet from the top.<br />I climbed back down my ladder and started to cry I'd done all I could do. I gave my best try. <br />And in spite of my work, in this hole I must die. <br />And all I could do was to sit and think, "Why?" <br />Was my ladder too short? Or my hole much too deep <br />Then from way upon high came a voice, "Do not weep." <br />And then faith, hope, and love entered into my chest <br />As the voice said to me that I'd done my best. <br />He said, "You've worked very hard, and your labor's been rough, <br />But the ladder you've built is at last tall enough. <br />Do not despair. You have reason to hope <br />just climb up your ladder; I'll throw down my rope." <br />I climbed up the ladder, then climbed up the cord. <br />When I got to the top, there stood the Lord. <br />I couldn't be happier; my struggle was done. <br />I blinked in the brightness that came from the Son. <br />I fell to the ground, His feet did I kiss <br />I cried, "What can I do to repay thee for this?" <br />Then He looked all about Him. There were holes in the ground They had people inside, and were seen all around <br />There were thousands of holes that were damp, dark, and deep The the Lord turned to me and He said, "Feed my sheep." <br />Then He went on His way to help other lost souls, And I got right to work, calling down to the holes: "Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter.<br />Take rocks and old sticks and build up a fine ladder." <br />It now was my turn to spread the good word. <br />The most glorious message that man ever heard. <br />That there's one who is willing to save one and all <br />And we've got to be ready when He gives the call. <br />He'll pull us all out of the hole that we're in <br />And save all our souls from death and from sin. <br />So do not lose faith; there is reason to hope <br />just build up your ladder; He'll throw down His rope</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-58146801283292424122011-10-14T13:35:00.000-07:002011-10-14T13:36:00.895-07:00Clear VisionSo, get this! The other day I had this brilliant idea for a blog post. I told my companion all about it, she told me someone has already written a book about it (who knew?), and then I had an experience that put it into an even greater perspective. If ever there was a blog to be excited about, it is this one!<br />
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Wednesday of this week I went to see the eye doctor. Yes, the optometrist. I've been having some issues with my eyes going blurry for no apparent reason. No good right? I figured it was time to have the problem looked at. To sum the experience up briefly: we got there, signed papers, tried not to listen to the distracting music (bah!), escorted to the back room (dun dun dun), had bright lights shined in my eyes, orange dye put in my eye (that rhymed), blue dye dabbed into my eye, a little chit chat, eye drops given, and off on my merry way with a prescription for some eye drops. <br />
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The drops aren't bad. They feel rather refreshing. The gel on the other hand..... Not as much fun. It feels as though I am putting lotion on my eyes and everything goes all cloud-like. My companion, bless her heart, thinks it is the most entertaining thing in the world. Myself, I like being able to see.<br />
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If you haven't guessed what I am blogging about yet, here it is:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1mdMzLHrLg/TpeLkbyFePI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8VKOZyiYcCA/s1600/IMG_1643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1mdMzLHrLg/TpeLkbyFePI/AAAAAAAAAT8/8VKOZyiYcCA/s200/IMG_1643.JPG" width="150" /></a> sight! Vision! Perspective! Seeing! You know, the thing your eyes are for.</div>
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Way back when I was a brand new missionary (novel idea now I know) I was talking to someone about how we as missionaries look at people differently. He explained how "you missionaries don't see people for who they are right now or what they look like on the outside, but you see them for their potential. For who God sees them as." After he said this, I asked myself two questions: "how do I look at others?" and "how did I look at others before my mission?"</div>
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Have you ever asked yourself that question: "how do I look at others?" Try it now. As in right now.<br />
What did you notice? Again, I asked myself this question. In answer to it I decided I look at their appearance. Are they confident? How are they dressed? Are they smiling? Are they sad? Sadly, the first thing in my head wasn't "they are my brother and or sister." Honestly, it's something I am still working on. But that's my imperfection.<br />
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Luckily, there are ways to help us better see others as our brothers and sisters.<br />
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<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Pray for <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/gs/charity?lang=eng&letter=c">Charity</a>. Seek Heavenly Father's help in trying to be more loving towards EVERYONE around you.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Study the <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures?lang=eng">Scriptures</a>. Most likely, the answer and help you are seeking can be found within the scriptures.</li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sister Kahrs, the blindfolded ninja</span></td></tr>
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<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Start looking for the good around you. Each person is loved by Heavenly Father. Guaranteed you can see anyone and point out one reason why God loves them. (Try it!)</li>
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<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Serve others. The more you <a href="http://lds.org/study/topics/service?lang=eng">serve</a> the more you love. I suppose this one is an extension of charity, but I feel it is it's own divine step. </li>
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These aren't the only ways to change our perspective, but it's a start. The goal is to permanently have "Jesus goggles" on. De-fog your vision. Take off your glasses with the wrong prescription. Wipe away the dirt from your eyes and start really seeing others for who they are! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-65840821740225415852011-10-07T14:41:00.000-07:002011-10-07T14:41:31.288-07:00Stranger?It's been seventeen months now in the mission field and I can still say that receiving mail still feels like Christmas. Snail mail is the bee's knees in my book! Today I received a letter from my "adopted" grandpa. He is one of my best friends and the story of how we became such good friends is one of the greatest stories ever told, by me that is.<br />
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By now all of you are well aware that I worked at a swimming pool prior to coming on my mission. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning from 9:00-1:00 I was in the pool teaching swimming lessons. While swimming lessons were going on there were a few water aerobics classes, lap swimmers, and people getting in their pool exercises. It's like seventh heaven there!<br />
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Every day I was there to teach swim lessons there was a man that would come and do one of the water aerobic classes. Because I am a talker and like to say "hello" to everyone and their dog, I started to talk to this elderly man that was attending water aerobics fairly regularly. First thing I noticed was his German accent. We talked about his days growing up in Germany, what it was like to be a member of the church there during that time, and he told me all about himself. Each bit of information intrigued me to no end because my grandpa Nestman is from Germany. <br />
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We continued to talk over the next many months and became friends. When the time came for me to go on my mission, I invited him to come to my "farewell" talk in church. Excitedly he told me he would be there. That Sunday when I got to church my friend was there waiting with open arms for a hug. He then looked at me with a look of shock, happiness, and excitement and said "you never told me your last name was 'Nestman'!" Blankly I said "huh, I guess not." He continued to tell me his last name and said "your grandpa and I are related. He sponsored me to come to America." Whoa right?!?!?!</div>
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This whole thing taught me just how small this world really is. One "stranger" that came into my life turned out to be someone I was related to (distantly). The family of God is much smaller than we all think. Each of us is part of this wonderful family. You, you, and you there, each of you are all a part of my family (awe, tender moment). Seriously though, we are all sons and daughters of the most high. As part of this family we should reach out in love to one another. In Mosiah it says:</div>
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<em><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/18?lang=eng"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span> </a>"...as ye are [in] the fold of God, and called his people, and... willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and... willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort"</em></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">My family</span></td></tr>
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Normally this is used to explain the promises made during baptism, but I know they are things each of us should strive for each day with our fellow brothers and sisters. Each of you think of someone close to you right now.....(are you thinking?).......Now think of an acquaintance.....(keep thinking)...... Okay, what I want to invite each of you to do is to find a way to show them you care. Show them how much you love them as one of your siblings, because they are your sibling. I know this will bless you in more ways than you can even fathom! The more we <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/gs/charity?lang=eng&letter=c">love</a>, the more we become like Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. So, go and do!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-6674266698399080882011-09-28T11:11:00.000-07:002011-09-28T11:11:38.184-07:00Give it 110%Awe yeah! Another post about swimming is coming at you!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Pxsp3kWprs/ToNf-PtakSI/AAAAAAAAATs/salVfPxe7eg/s1600/bhs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Pxsp3kWprs/ToNf-PtakSI/AAAAAAAAATs/salVfPxe7eg/s320/bhs.jpg" width="320" /></a>I am a competitive person. I don't like to lose. My family can attest to this fact (we get kinda into board games....) When I got into swimming, it was the best thing I could have done. The competition is incredible! Swimming is a unique sport. It is both a team and individual sport; this made it a great sport for me. Not only was I swimming against another person in hopes of beating them and earning points for my team, but I was swimming against myself. Double competition! Booyah!</div>
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On a team level, we were all working together for one cause: to beat the opponents. We all know it's true! No team goes into a competition or meet saying "well, let's not win this one. Who cares?" Haha, no. It matters. The goal is to come out on top! Each of us is there trying our best. We cheer on our teammates. Help each other reach our goals. There is also a coach there to tell you what you did that was good, and where there is room for growth; which ultimately helps you to become better. <span style="background-color: white;">As solitary as this sport may feel, it's not.</span> There's always someone there for you.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Et1ZbgBiUQ/ToNgNKO6F9I/AAAAAAAAATw/5eeIDSEw3KU/s1600/fly" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Et1ZbgBiUQ/ToNgNKO6F9I/AAAAAAAAATw/5eeIDSEw3KU/s320/fly" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white;">As much as you have a team there with you, competitors in the pool in the next lane over, it's ultimately you verses the clock.</span> Each race the goal is to go faster than you did before. Drop more and more time and become better and better. It's self perfecting at it's best! To do this, you practice daily (sometimes more than once a day). During these practices you better your technique, build up your endurance, push yourself to the limits, and do as much as you can to be ready for the day of the meet and beat your old time.</div>
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Swimming was something I poured my soul into! I physically and mentally drained myself in this sport! There were times that I thought I couldn't go any longer or give it anything more. At those times, it was the help of my team and coach that got me to push past the limits.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNAqFF5gs64/ToNgPrm5A-I/AAAAAAAAAT0/pm3GFavcv5I/s1600/tnestman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" kca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNAqFF5gs64/ToNgPrm5A-I/AAAAAAAAAT0/pm3GFavcv5I/s320/tnestman.jpg" width="320" /></a>In <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/25?lang=eng">2 Nephi 25:23</a> it says <em>"...for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.</em>" This life we are expected to do all that we can. Give ourselves 110% to the Lord. Obviously, we aren't perfect. As much as we give, it will never be enough. That is where the <a href="http://lds.org/study/topics/grace?lang=eng&query=grace">grace</a> of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ comes in. <span style="background-color: white;">He is there with open arms to lift us up; He is there to help us push past the limits that we reach in this life to become much more.</span> To help us become "<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/5?lang=eng&query="be+ye+therefore+perfect"">2</a></span><em>perfect, even as [our] Father which is in heaven is perfect</em>." </div>
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What has helped you give your 110%?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-55747225822056192922011-09-20T19:34:00.000-07:002011-09-20T19:34:17.440-07:00Awkward TurtleThis is probably the most overdue blog post in the history of overdueness. But, the wait has been well worth it. Trust me!<br />
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<em><strong>Swimming!</strong></em><br />
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Boom! That in and of itself could be my blog post. Just that one word carries so much emotion and meaning to me. Swimming isn't just a hobby, it is my life! This sport changed me more than I could ever possibly try to explain, but I'm going to try to do just that here.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NsZCun7DbfU/TnlKWG3x4kI/AAAAAAAAATk/1qyQ4tBvlJM/s1600/Swim-+James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NsZCun7DbfU/TnlKWG3x4kI/AAAAAAAAATk/1qyQ4tBvlJM/s320/Swim-+James.jpg" width="320" /></a>Once upon a time Sister Nestman was shy. Not just shy, but mortified at the idea of talking to anyone I didn't know. Which posed a major dilemma each time my family would move and I would have to make new friends. Thank goodness there were some great outgoing people in my childhood, or I would have had no friends! It took a lot for someone to get to know me and crack my shell.</div>
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All of the children in my family were put in soccer as kids. My dad is rather obsessed with the sport and, due to this, we were all enlisted in bunch ball. I mean soccer....(you know how it goes for five year old on the field.) After years of soccer, I decided to try something new. I liked the water, so a swim team seemed to fit the bill. At first, I hated it! I remember crying to my mom telling her I wanted to quit. Luckily, my mom knew better and wouldn't let me. After a couple weeks I loved it! Not only was it a fun sport to do, but I was able to meet some fun people and make some friends.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Swimmers are kinda "awkward turtles" sometimes</span></td></tr>
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When high school rolled around, I was pumped and ready for the swim team. For a while, I was kinda the silent girl that would just swim my laps and not really converse with the team. Boy did that end quickly! Anyone who knows a swimmer knows just how crazy and strange they are. It's pretty fitting. Let's face it. Swimmers are in chlorine all day, wear a cap on their head (never flattering), wear all sorts of strange swim suites, go back and forth all day, and sing songs to themselves while doing all of this. We're nigh upon insanity most of the time. This scene, and these people, was the key to me coming out of my shyness.</div>
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Since being on my mission, I have DEFINITELY been grateful for my swim friends and what they have done for me. It is amazing how Heavenly Father put those people in my life and those experiences to help me become a much better person than I was. I have no idea where I would be had I never joined the swim team. Honestly, I probably wouldn't be out on my mission right now. Without a shadow of a doubt I know God puts people in our lives for a reason. He guides us every step of the way in life. He knows what will help us most to reach our true potential. Without Him, I am nothing. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father's guiding hand in my life and I know He is there in yours.</div>
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Oh, and just so everyone knows. There is going to be another post about swimming coming soon. Be excited!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-16984275205337196352011-09-16T14:40:00.000-07:002011-09-16T14:40:33.662-07:00Middletown MiraclesI despise the heat. When the temperatures start going higher, I feel like I am getting lower. Like I am melting and shrinking with every drop of sweat that falls off me. It's just gross. On Wednesday of this week I had the opportunity of going up to Middletown California for exchanges with <a href="http://thehourofyourmissioniscome.blogspot.com/">Sister Cluff</a>. It was hot. After being in Eureka for so long and then coming to Santa Rosa (which isn't too hot), Middletown felt like the Sahara Desert.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B-EU6eWBAv4/TnO4lD5dzvI/AAAAAAAAATg/VHmgjeChzQg/s1600/IMG_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B-EU6eWBAv4/TnO4lD5dzvI/AAAAAAAAATg/VHmgjeChzQg/s320/IMG_0510.JPG" width="320" /></a>Aside from the unbearable heat, my time in Middletown was incredible. Our mission president challenged each of the missionaries here in the <a href="http://santarosacru.blogspot.com/">California Santa Rosa Mission</a> to go out tracting (knocking on doors) or street contacting (talking to people on the street) every day from 3:00-4:30. During this time with Sister Cluff, we did exactly that. We went out, hit the street, and knocked some doors. What we found while knocking doors was miracles.One door specifically almost put the two of us into a coma.<br />
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It was 4:15 and we decided to try another street and maybe two or three houses (due to time). The first door we knocked on the woman said "oh hey! Come on in!" Can you say A-WE-SO-ME?!?! We walked in, sat down, and then had to ask the question "are you a member?" Mostly because we don't normally get welcomed in to someone's home so openly and with such excitement. Surprisingly, she wasn't; but her husband was. It ended up being an incredible experience and the family is very excited to have the missionaries come back again (yayayayay!!!!).</div>
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What I learned through this is that obedience is key! There could have been any number of excuses not to go to this door: too hot, too tired, too hungry, or whatever! An excuse is an excuse and at that point, any one of those was on my mind. Had I let one of these excuses get the best of me, we wouldn't have met this amazing family and had the opportunity to share the good news of the <a href="http://mormon.org/jesus-christ/">Gospel</a> with them.</div>
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Now, obedience isn't just a thing for missionaries. We all need to be obedient to God and His commandments. Why? Because that is how we find happiness and that is how we can receive more of God's blessings that He wants each of us to have. Try picking one thing that you may be struggling with for being obedient. And, this week, try to do better. Just see if you don't receive even more blessings. I know you will.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-52478588127155615182011-09-10T13:14:00.000-07:002011-09-10T13:15:12.490-07:00My Lack of Grace<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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Things don't always go the way I plan them to. In a perfect world they would. But, the world isn't perfect and neither am I. Yesterday my companion and I decided to go online here at the Santa Rosa Junior College. We parked at the Institute building so we wouldn't have to pay for parking or worry about being towed (o.0). As we started our walk over we met a girl who was going through the same little short cut as we were. Kindly, she stepped aside to let my companion and I through. Sister Kahrs went by first, then it was me. Because I was too busy looking over at the girl, I didn't notice the pole sticking up about knee high (for a shorty like me) right in my pathway.</div>
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I hit it and fell at about snail speed. Slow motion movie at it's best! It wasn't too painful. Just a few scratches, and now bruises, on my arm, leg, foot, and pride. Nothing a band aid and some missionary work can't fix!</div>
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Now, all of us fall short. My status on Facebook yesterday was "sometimes I'm just not that graceful." Fitting for yesterday's events right? One of the comments stood out to me. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sisterbrittany.nestman#!/profile.php?id=100001939058647"> Elder Walter Hepworth</a> said "<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><em>Key word is sometimes. We all fall a bit short."</em> Too true! In life, we all fall a bit short. That's where our dear Savior comes into play. He took upon himself all of our weaknesses and shortcomings so that we may rely on Him to help us where we lack. I know He is there and ready to help us. To not just put on a band aid but to make us whole again.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-78248362903762807292011-09-08T20:15:00.000-07:002011-09-08T20:16:49.447-07:00Transformation's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How awesome is this? I love it! And, as you probably know, I want to tell you all about <em>why</em> it intrigues me.</div>
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Progression.</div>
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It begins as an almost splurb of color (if Dr. Seuss can make up words, so can I). From this splurb of color it slowly becomes this dazzling colorful horse. Just what every little girl dreams of!</div>
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Now, the application to the gospel (the moment you've all been waiting for).</div>
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Each of us begins life as splurb at one time or another. We are incomplete. There is so much for us to become! Right now, I think I'm kinda in the semi-formed horse head stage of these pictures. Heavenly Father can see the end of the picture. He knows what we are becoming. I am so grateful that He does too! Because He has this big picture, or the final vision of what we can become, in His view, He can help us on our way to it.<br />
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I know I have seen this happen in my life. The Sister Nestman of today is far different than the one that entered the mission field over a year ago. Heavenly Father has been shaping me; molding me into the person He needs me to be. He can do that for everyone and anyone if you let Him. Rely on Him. Let Him change you into the wonderful creature He wants you to be (even if it is a brown and pink horse).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-35025413914424589562011-09-03T15:16:00.000-07:002011-09-03T15:17:03.111-07:00Movin' on UpYou know those moments when you see something and just think "huh?" Yes, my companion and I had such a moment yesterday. Take a look.<br />
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This poor teddy bear was either trying to hide, hungry (like most bears are), sick, or someone was getting rid of him. As my parents can attest, I loved stuffed animals as a kid. They were better than anything else in the world! Each one would have to travel with me from my bed to the couch each day. Seeing this poor bear made the child inside me want to cry. So why would someone get rid of the bear?<br />
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Yes, I have my theories. One such theory, that I think is the winning theory (in my mind), is that the child has a better toy now. Clearly this bear was taking up too much room and there was something even better that the child wanted more. Something good, the bear, for something better. And one day, that better item may be traded in for something that is best.<br />
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<a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/good-better-best?lang=eng&query=good+better+best">Elder Dallin H. Oaks</a> said <em>"We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families." </em>We all may need to move up in life from good to best. Why settle for good or alright when you can have best or supreme?!?! Dump the old bear and make room for something amazing!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-78489373059964124102011-08-30T15:06:00.000-07:002011-08-30T15:06:28.145-07:00Expressed in Photo's<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><Phew!> Packing and unloading is such work! This weekend I had the sad yet happy news I was leaving Eureka to go down to Santa Rosa. I have loved being in Eureka. It is a part of who I am now. Also, it was hard to hear the news that I would be leaving my companion. But, it was the Lord's will. On the happy side of things, Santa Rosa is a place I have wanted to serve for a while. Right in the heart of our mission here in California. Another exciting thing was to learn that my new companion would be <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/jaclynakahrs">Sister Kahrs.</a> She is someone that I have wanted to serve with for a while and I am finally getting to serve with her now. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><a name='more'></a><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Quickly the shock and excitement wore off and the realization came that I would have to prepare to leave. That meant packing....Yay! (Sarcasm sign is up on that one.) The goal of the packing frenzy was to get my whole life (18 months of it) into two suitcases and a carrying bag. My life currently consists of clothing, bedding, books, and more books. Surprisingly, it all fit! Once it was all packed away I had a giant sense of accomplishment and sadness. It all fit! But now the apartment looked half empty. My side of everything was barren.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My goodbyes were said; hugs and high fives given; now it was the four hour car ride to Santa Rosa. During the car ride, my mind recalled all that had happened in Eureka. Because there is so much, I thought I would share some pictures that really depict what it meant to me.</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sl28WXUE2S0/Tl1aD8rlVNI/AAAAAAAAASs/izBWDmMKBwY/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sl28WXUE2S0/Tl1aD8rlVNI/AAAAAAAAASs/izBWDmMKBwY/s200/IMG_0364.JPG" width="200" xaa="true" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-92mkjCEJuk4/Tl1Y4GlkylI/AAAAAAAAASY/hR0QKYaM9QA/s1600/IMG_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-92mkjCEJuk4/Tl1Y4GlkylI/AAAAAAAAASY/hR0QKYaM9QA/s200/IMG_0233.JPG" width="200" xaa="true" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPmFJcO96Fc/Tl1Yn0nmYxI/AAAAAAAAASU/SJPFNZsljEk/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPmFJcO96Fc/Tl1Yn0nmYxI/AAAAAAAAASU/SJPFNZsljEk/s200/IMG_0230.JPG" width="150" xaa="true" /></a><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UJxDWC0H9DI/Tl1ZYBzBoKI/AAAAAAAAASg/t7o29UcYeIg/s200/IMG_0313.JPG" width="200" xaa="true" /><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k1d5pOxDV0k/Tl1afyRjWgI/AAAAAAAAAS4/ntoXEOXyuBQ/s200/IMG_0490.JPG" width="200" xaa="true" /><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gO975tZEGM/Tl1ZIdJzDrI/AAAAAAAAASc/xgBqW5KLgp8/s1600/IMG_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gO975tZEGM/Tl1ZIdJzDrI/AAAAAAAAASc/xgBqW5KLgp8/s200/IMG_0265.JPG" width="150" xaa="true" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iq7VS3_WPJA/Tl1aM0EjJKI/AAAAAAAAASw/siYNTXi2bXE/s1600/IMG_0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iq7VS3_WPJA/Tl1aM0EjJKI/AAAAAAAAASw/siYNTXi2bXE/s200/IMG_0367.JPG" width="150" xaa="true" /></a><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ZrA3l9BpWk/Tl1a8wVYzJI/AAAAAAAAAS8/5VnN548_51s/s200/IMG_0332.JPG" width="200" xaa="true" /> <img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yCKgPh7R9s0/Tl1aXZHGlHI/AAAAAAAAAS0/5ltD9pssyRE/s200/IMG_0434.JPG" width="200" xaa="true" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So many memories of the people, sights, and the spirit I felt there. I know Heavenly Father sent me there for a reason and I know that Santa Rosa will bring much of the same.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-9363708578575334192011-08-25T16:03:00.000-07:002011-08-25T16:03:48.564-07:00Box Smashing Thoughts<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">adilsifosijfwlekfuojlhcjflmeoiwehroldilkcioejmlaehioahwofneiowiejwn! That's how I feel sometimes. Today, it's kinda been one of those days. Last night my companion and I went to be excited. We had the whole next day booked and it was going to be awesome. But, things don't always go as planned....</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After the alarm went off and I realized that my dream had been a dream, my cold hit me. My head felt three times bigger than it actually was. The day proceeded with not one, not two, but six cancelled appointments. One right after another. Luckily, my companion and I had some backup plans in store, but still.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">At one point this morning, we found ourselves smashing boxes. I gladly took this opportunity to smash out some of my frustrations and did some thinking amongst the destroying.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iRKF5vWEcQ4/TlbTRBEIqbI/AAAAAAAAASQ/GP2Y3mjH0xU/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iRKF5vWEcQ4/TlbTRBEIqbI/AAAAAAAAASQ/GP2Y3mjH0xU/s200/IMG_0277.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My thoughts were about some of life's great questions. Why am I here? What is my purpose? Today, the questions was more direct: "what am I doing here, knocking on doors and having no one answer? Why is it that no one can meet with us today?" With each box being taken apart one by one, I realized something. There are days where the Lord builds us up. Step by step like the boxes. Someone, at some point, wanted that cardboard as a box, and made it such. But "<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://lds.org/media-library/video?lang=eng">1</a></span><em> sometimes the Lord brings us low, before He can lift us higher."</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QUShM9XskHY/TlbS-yWQnYI/AAAAAAAAASM/QWBZuOOCzc4/s1600/IMG_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QUShM9XskHY/TlbS-yWQnYI/AAAAAAAAASM/QWBZuOOCzc4/s200/IMG_0307.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">At one point or another, we all face challenges. It is a part of life. These challenges are meant to make us stronger. To teach us something. One thing that I have learned from today is to keep smiling, no matter what. I know that as I have kept a smile on my face, I have noticed all the little blessings around me. Even on a foggy Eureka day, there is beauty and wonder to behold. Being sick has helped me to see how awesome it is to be healthy (still working on being grateful for this one....but it's coming). Above all, it has reminded me of how truly wonderful good friends are (ie. my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002690259456">companion</a>).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Why do you think we are given bad days? How have you overcome them?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-54160866042849216872011-08-23T21:17:00.000-07:002011-08-23T21:17:54.752-07:00I'm a HelperI've said it once, and I'm gonna say it again and again: I LOVE SERVICE!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DV_wytI-44w/TlR21_lHOKI/AAAAAAAAASI/r_vV-LuhuZ8/s1600/IMG_0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DV_wytI-44w/TlR21_lHOKI/AAAAAAAAASI/r_vV-LuhuZ8/s320/IMG_0452.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Nice hat right? It is the official "blackberry picking" hat. The other day my companion and I helped someone in the area pick some blackberries in her yard. In all actuality, I think she helped us more than we helped her. My stomach has never been happier! Once the blackberries were picked, my companion and I reaped the reward of a wonderful blackberry cobbler (mmmmm).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rA08V65xOtY/TlR2DkMg2DI/AAAAAAAAASA/pOilJm4Kf20/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rA08V65xOtY/TlR2DkMg2DI/AAAAAAAAASA/pOilJm4Kf20/s320/IMG_0475.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Okay, I promise there is a good reason I am wearing the wig and water aerobics belt. 1) Before the mission I practically lived in a pool, so it was my way of "pretending" I was there. 2) It's a wig. You're supposed to wear them on your head. What other option was there really? These two items were found while cleaning out a members home. We were moving boxes around and helping to organize things a bit. My muscles got a good workout with all the lifting.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a9-i4KfYVks/TlR2ZqwVEQI/AAAAAAAAASE/BtHclg74KNo/s1600/IMG_0476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a9-i4KfYVks/TlR2ZqwVEQI/AAAAAAAAASE/BtHclg74KNo/s320/IMG_0476.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now this service, is what it's all about. This is a woman we have been teaching and sharing the gospel with. We, as missionaries, get to go out and share the message of the gospel with others. No matter who you are, where you're from, or what you've done in your life, the Gospel and it's teachings will bless you. What I've noticed as I have been doing this, not only are others blessed, but I have been blessed. This has been the general theme for all the service that I have rendered on my mission.<br />
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<em>"<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/2.17?lang=eng#16">1</a></span>And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."</em><br />
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I know that as we serve others, God blesses us. We are helping His children, our brothers and sisters. Not only is this what He expects of us, but it is how we draw nearer to Him. <br />
What have you done to help someone this week?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-4645117253938107932011-08-20T16:29:00.000-07:002011-08-20T16:29:07.174-07:00One of the 7<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You know, sometimes people just don't take a hint. They do the same thing over and over again and never learn. Albert Einstein defines stupidity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." (A little forewarning, the next statement I am about to make may sound a bit strange and insane coming from a missionary, but it will make sense by the end.) As I have been reading the Book of Mormon again, it has been made blatantly clear that the Nephites just didn't get it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Nephites fall into the same cycle over and over again. Pride.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pHcuVuLQUKs/TlA9VcCoWdI/AAAAAAAAAR4/m8VmO4sYgbk/s1600/IMG_0809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pHcuVuLQUKs/TlA9VcCoWdI/AAAAAAAAAR4/m8VmO4sYgbk/s320/IMG_0809.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>"<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/moro/8.27?lang=eng#26">1</a></span>Behold, the pride of this nation, or the people of the Nephites, hath proven their destruction..."</em> By the end of the Book of Mormon, we see the complete destruction of the Nephite people, save it be the lone Prophet Moroni. Their destruction was because of their pride. All through the Bible and the Book of Mormon we can see a standard cycle: the people are obedient to the Lord; the Lord blesses them; the people begin to be prideful; they start to forget the Lord; wickedness sinks into their hearts; and then, it's time for a little humbling.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OrqB3beyHFI/TlA9suhKMcI/AAAAAAAAAR8/nLznqSAEL-k/s1600/IMG_0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OrqB3beyHFI/TlA9suhKMcI/AAAAAAAAAR8/nLznqSAEL-k/s320/IMG_0812.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>"<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/12?lang=eng"><em>2</em></a><span style="font-size: small;"><em>And</em></span></span><em> if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."</em><br />
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We all need a little humbling from time to time. Humility is a Christlike attribute. Something each of us need to strive to attain. Sadly the Nephites, and each of us, kinda forgot this. We do this little dance/circle over and over and over again. Obedience, blessings, pride, smack-down time by the Lord. Ideally, all of us would just be humble all the time. But, none of us are perfect (yet). <br />
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Recently, I too was like the Nephites. I needed some humbling. As you may have noticed, my blog seems somewhat bare and picture free. Well, in an effort to be more obedient to the Lord and all His commandments, I have gone through and deleted any and all pictures that were not taken by myself or someone I have permission to have them from. At first, I was heartbroken that I had to get rid of all these pictures. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how prideful I was being. So what if my blog would look a little plainer. It's not the pictures that make or break the message I am here to deliver. I was called to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. That is my purpose. It's not to have the "prettiest" blog.<br />
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So here I stand (or sit I suppose), having been sufficiently humbled by the Lord. Will it stop here? Goodness no! But I look forward to the humbling and the chance to draw ever nearer to my Savior and our loving Father in Heaven.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-85291383518611610282011-08-19T12:08:00.000-07:002011-08-19T12:08:08.817-07:00What Lies Ahead<div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I wish I could just shut of my brain. Turn it to "sleep mode" like so many of our electronic devices and not have to worry about a thing for a time. But, much to my dismay, I haven't discovered how to do that yet. A couple nights ago I was stuck lying awake with my brain spinning in about a hundred different directions. The source of the chaos, a lovely little letter in the mail which contained this....</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqi9eXZnfBs/Tk6r30WlraI/AAAAAAAAARw/gzOD_Fg8EJ0/s1600/ah%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqi9eXZnfBs/Tk6r30WlraI/AAAAAAAAARw/gzOD_Fg8EJ0/s320/ah%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521%2521.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">For those that haven't served an LDS mission, you may be confused as to why a pink picture of me would cause such a stir. Well, this little picture came with a letter asking me to confirm the information for the date of my departure from the mission field. <0.o Ahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! Most of my mission has consisted of me being in denial that it will ever end. I had self appointed myself a "mormon nun"; to never leave the mission field. However, the Lord has slowly been preparing me and telling me that He has bigger plans for me after the mission.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">As I lay there, pondering upon the things to come, I kept asking myself "what <strong>will</strong> I do when I get home?" Job, school, family, friends, and oh so much more all await; all things I want to take care of the way the Lord would have me do. One of my biggest worries is that I will make a wrong decision somewhere along the way and not be able to do what the Lord wants of me. It all may seem silly and worrisome, but these are legitimate concerns of mine. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The thing that put my ease was a scripture in 1Nephi. Nephi is the man! He is one of my all time heroes for the amazing example he set for obedience and faith in the Lord. In <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/3?lang=eng">1Nephi 3</a>, Nephi is given the task of getting the plates from the wicked Laban. Not an easy task to say the least. His brothers complained and worried about what would happen when they went to get the plates. Nephi, on the other hand, said this:</div><blockquote><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><em> "...I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."</em></div></blockquote><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4YrSdt9-BU/Tk6yerKgstI/AAAAAAAAAR0/PhHil-dhfwQ/s1600/IMG_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4YrSdt9-BU/Tk6yerKgstI/AAAAAAAAAR0/PhHil-dhfwQ/s200/IMG_0441.JPG" width="200" /></a>What did I learn from this simple yet powerful statement? I learned that if it's the Lord's will, I can do it. He will always provide a way to accomplish His tasks. After Nephi's example and this scripture came to my mind, I slept like a baby. Knowing that the Lord will provide the way for me gave me the peace and comfort I needed. Does the future still seem daunting? Absolutely! But, I am now able to walk into it with Faith. Trusting that God will guide me and help me every step of the way.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-61159908377873574322011-08-17T20:57:00.000-07:002011-08-17T20:57:14.100-07:00What Smells?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the end of the day, there's nothing like going home and feeling like you have given it your all. However, this can be ruined if you go home to a home smelling like skunk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WIqBFIMpXqA/TkyBH3ujcCI/AAAAAAAAARo/nDlczacxuOs/s1600/IMG_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WIqBFIMpXqA/TkyBH3ujcCI/AAAAAAAAARo/nDlczacxuOs/s320/IMG_0446.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center">Gross right?! That's how we felt. Whether you were inside the home, ten feet in front of it, or holding your breath, you couldn't miss the stench this skunk left behind. We instantly searched for a Lysol can or air spray of some sort, but our search was in vain. There was no magical air freshener. As you can imagine, getting to sleep was a little harder than usual....</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">While I was lying there in bed thinking (and hoping the smell would go away), I thought about judgement day. When we are there standing before our Father in Heaven to be judged, what will it be like? What will He say to me? Will I be ready? What if I'm not? Deep thoughts for someone living in a gully that smells of skunk. But, the skunk smell was key to these thoughts.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">The more I thought about it the more I thought how each of our sins ups the stench we place upon ourselves. The scriptures teach us that "<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/11.37?lang=eng#36">1</a></span><em>no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins</em>." But, I'm not clean. I'm imperfect. How can I be clean and ready to face my creator? That my dear friends, is what <a href="http://mormon.org/jesus-christ/">repentance</a> is for.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--bFj-iX3Vhw/TkyIldqQdwI/AAAAAAAAARs/b-MJoSfemMw/s1600/IMG_0438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--bFj-iX3Vhw/TkyIldqQdwI/AAAAAAAAARs/b-MJoSfemMw/s320/IMG_0438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Repentance gives us that ray of light. The promise of a brighter tomorrow. We are able to turn away from our sins, imperfections, flaws, and shortcomings and be made whole. The stench of sin can be wiped clean! Clean slate ready and prepared to meet our loving, kind, all powerful, and ever merciful, Father in Heaven. I know this is true. I have felt the relief and peace that comes from repentance. Try it. Not that I'm sayin' that anyone out there smells like a skunk, but we can all become a little better.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">How have you changed for the better?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-21438121854608487962011-08-14T21:04:00.000-07:002011-08-14T21:04:19.784-07:00Headless Chicken Before Peace<div style="text-align: center;">Ever have those days where you feel like a chicken running around with it's head chopped off? That's how the last two days have felt. They've been crazy! Though, in retrospect, most of the week has been. Sometimes I wonder why we have weeks like this. Weeks that make you want to pull all your hair out and scream at the sky "WHY?!?!?!?!" And yes, I've had those moments and no, they aren't pretty.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Though these moments come and go, there is a solution. In Matthew, Christ tells us to “<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/11.28?lang=eng#27"><em>1</em></a></span><em>Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”</em> Ahhhh, can you feel a sense of relief already? Well, if you are starting to rely on the Savior you sure will! He promises to help us through any trial, affliction, pain, struggle, or any ole crazy-insane week. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What I have learned about these trials and seemingly crazy times, the storm blows over and the seas are calm afterwards. Not only are they calm, but there is beauty that comes forth. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--l40oIFtrpQ/TkiXrR1Cf5I/AAAAAAAAARk/_Yy1FREGHHY/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--l40oIFtrpQ/TkiXrR1Cf5I/AAAAAAAAARk/_Yy1FREGHHY/s400/IMG_0434.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">After the crazy week, there was the beauty of another child of God entering into the fold. Watching someone enter the waters of baptism is one of the most humbling, beautiful, magnificent, happiest times of my life. I just can't get enough of them!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So, for those who are facing a trial right now or just a crummy week, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Endure it well, rely on the Savior, and be ready for the peace and comfort after the storm. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-50445731382587339352011-08-11T20:22:00.000-07:002011-08-11T20:22:40.692-07:00It's Official<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It has happened. As of Tuesday August 9th, 2011 I am a true Northern Californian.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NVruJVWSomY/TkSVznyZpgI/AAAAAAAAARc/aB6WduAZSzc/s1600/IMG_0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" naa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NVruJVWSomY/TkSVznyZpgI/AAAAAAAAARc/aB6WduAZSzc/s320/IMG_0431.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have now been inside a redwood tree...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--hdL8iuAlQo/TkSWUgLOzKI/AAAAAAAAARg/TGSiADybEBo/s1600/IMG_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" naa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--hdL8iuAlQo/TkSWUgLOzKI/AAAAAAAAARg/TGSiADybEBo/s320/IMG_0433.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div align="center">And hugged one. That makes it all official, right?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Hugging a tree and being inside of one may get me into the Nor Cal click, but it isn't how we join the family of God. That is done through <a href="http://mormon.org/commandments/">baptism</a>. When we are baptized, one of the promises we make is to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. This makes us a part of His family. Someone once explained it as though we were literally adding His name to ours, such as: Brittany <span style="background-color: white;">Nestman</span> Christ. Whoa right?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So, I have been baptized. I realize some of the readers of this blog may not be (if you're <a href="http://mormon.org/missionaries/">interested</a> in being baptized, let me know!), but you too can think about the questions I am about to ask. Questions that I like to ask myself and have others think about are: "what have I done with His name?" "Have I done all I could for Him?" "Do others see the Savior's image in my countenance?" "Would Christ be proud of how I represented Him?" If you really want to dig deep into yourself with questions, read <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/5?lang=eng">Alma 5</a> (in the Book of Mormon). It will make you think.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">The question I want to get some feedback on today is this: if you were to add the name "Christ" to the end of your name, how would that affect your decisions each day?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-39158067028287614202011-08-08T19:31:00.000-07:002011-08-08T19:31:59.887-07:00My Morning Smile<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Every Monday, in the Santa Rosa Mission, we have what's called Pday (or preparation day). We are to do our cleaning, shopping, letter writing, emailing, and laundry all on this day. This particular morning, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sisterbrittany.nestman#!/profile.php?id=100002690259456">Sister Orrock</a> and I went next door to use the washing machine, as we usually do, and discovered something a tad out of the ordinary. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b7XI--kFnjM/TkCTccvz_2I/AAAAAAAAARE/3UxIKYzxtYU/s1600/IMG_0421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b7XI--kFnjM/TkCTccvz_2I/AAAAAAAAARE/3UxIKYzxtYU/s320/IMG_0421.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Not the everyday sight right? The two kids popped up and said "you're ruining it!" Of course, we had no idea what we were ruining at the time. But, these two aren't afraid to fill you in. Apparently they had discovered a mouse under the sink. I didn't check the validity of this claim, but they seemed to have everything ready. They set up a trap to catch the alleged mouse. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W5GoeamU0dA/TkCUXodXXzI/AAAAAAAAARM/7J57HN87l2s/s1600/IMG_0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W5GoeamU0dA/TkCUXodXXzI/AAAAAAAAARM/7J57HN87l2s/s320/IMG_0420.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It began under the sink. A trail of rice crispies was carefully placed from the sink over to the handy dandy empty peanut butter jar. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Soy7MiC2DWY/TkCT-RVjf4I/AAAAAAAAARI/LDuqUmcefuI/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Soy7MiC2DWY/TkCT-RVjf4I/AAAAAAAAARI/LDuqUmcefuI/s320/IMG_0419.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Once inside the jar, the lid would be put on and the mouse would be caught! Victory = Children! But, there was one tiny little problem, one of the members of the extermination crew had a major lack of focus. Each time he saw us he would get up and say "hey, I I I wanna show you someting!" </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">As one would guess, the sister became frustrated and unhappy about the lack of focus her brother had. I chuckled about the whole scene for a while before it dawned on me, I bet Heavenly Father feels the same way about me! He has this great plan that leads to eternal happiness, but I get distracted. Things that I think, at the time, are better than His plan. Foolish right? Silly as it may seem, it's true. We are all human! We don't see the whole picture, only Heavenly Father does.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank goodness Heavenly Father is patient, loving, and unchanging. This sister didn't give up on her brother. She kept reminding him of their plan and what they had to do for it to work. Though we may veer from God's plan at times, He is always there to help us get back on track. He helps us regain focus and see the joyous outcome of sticking to His plan, which is eternal life. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">How has Heavenly Father helped keep you focused amongst all the distractions in life?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723119528911252730.post-18625740738370051252011-08-07T13:22:00.000-07:002011-08-07T13:22:19.756-07:00Superawesomefantastic Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yesterday was an awesome day. Today, via pictures, I wanted to share with you why it was such a great day. Who doesn't like to hear about good days? I know I do! So, I am going to be a little prideful and tell you all about my incredible day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saturday, August 6th began bright and early. No, I don't have a picture of me waking up (that's on a previous post). We woke up extra early because it was our temple trip day. One of the cool things about serving in Eureka is that we get to go to the Medford Oregon temple. The not-so-cool thing, it's a four hour drive. </div><a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WMH10wS8o8M/Tj7olOJCtJI/AAAAAAAAAQk/sGUPjLpaoKM/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WMH10wS8o8M/Tj7olOJCtJI/AAAAAAAAAQk/sGUPjLpaoKM/s320/IMG_0404.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the crew! We rode with a wonderful member of our church and six missionaries, myself included. Three Elders squished in the back of a van, us sisters in the middle, the driver and one Samoan up front (we love our islander missionaries!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wSEnKFFyo0c/Tj7o7jJ_PTI/AAAAAAAAAQo/8MS-y0SqEU8/s1600/IMG_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wSEnKFFyo0c/Tj7o7jJ_PTI/AAAAAAAAAQo/8MS-y0SqEU8/s320/IMG_0400.JPG" t$="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had heard from a few people living in Eureka that under the bridge in Klamath, there was a whale. Because you don't see a whale everyday, we made sure to make a brief stop to say hi to the whale. I named her Betsy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IKLQNujiei8/Tj7pR4c311I/AAAAAAAAAQs/4yhVKiqyVpc/s1600/IMG_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IKLQNujiei8/Tj7pR4c311I/AAAAAAAAAQs/4yhVKiqyVpc/s320/IMG_0389.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Betsy showed us some tricks. Okay, she just swam in circles and showed us how she could shoot her water spout. But, we made sure to raise our hands in the air and cry "Free Willy!" How awesome would that be to say you saw a whale jump a bridge?!?! However, Betsy stayed in the water (probably a good thing).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aGf0IvBF7rs/Tj7pkK7JjCI/AAAAAAAAAQw/VYA6MVkJlM0/s1600/IMG_0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aGf0IvBF7rs/Tj7pkK7JjCI/AAAAAAAAAQw/VYA6MVkJlM0/s320/IMG_0408.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For some of us, we read scriptures, talked, and admired the beauty around us. Others couldn't quit stay awake... I snuck this picture of my companion sleeping (tehehe). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aap0jrh2omg/Tj7p0o60XmI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/XfkmhHqlukQ/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aap0jrh2omg/Tj7p0o60XmI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/XfkmhHqlukQ/s320/IMG_0410.JPG" t$="true" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The temple was as peaceful and wonderful as one would expect. It truly is the "House of the Lord." I learned a great deal more about myself and Heavenly Father's plan for me. While there, we were also able to see a young couple go through the temple for the first time and they soon were sealed together. Married for time and all eternity. Something that I one day hope to achieve. Find someone that I want to be with forever and be sealed to him inside a temple of the Lord. It is one of the greatest blessings of the gospel: eternal families and relationships.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jF7b7jk-tCk/Tj7qGEJlKGI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/j6kglNJKbt8/s1600/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jF7b7jk-tCk/Tj7qGEJlKGI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/j6kglNJKbt8/s320/IMG_0415.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sadly, we couldn't stay at the temple all day. Eureka was waiting for us. We did get to see Paul Bunion and his blue ox Babe along the way. His feet are WAY bigger than mine! The drive home was filled with a great deal of reflection, snacks (we were hungry), pondering, and napping. Once we were home, we had a quick bite to eat and then off to teach an amazing couple! We talked of Christ and relished in the good news of the Gospel. It was the best way to end the day! Whale, temple, giant ox, baptism prep, and good friends. I see no flaw in this day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now that I have shared my whole day, I would like to hear about something happy in your day. Even if you don't think it was a good one, I'm sure there is at least one thing that made you smile. Please feel free to share it. "...<em>Men are that they might have joy</em>."</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1