Endings and Beginnings

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. 

Memories, ah....good times!

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.

Though this chapter in my life is ending, a new one is beginning; my life as Brittany Nestman.

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?

Stranger?

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.

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!

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. 

Give it 110%

Awe yeah!  Another post about swimming is coming at you!

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!

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.  As solitary as this sport may feel, it's not.  There's always someone there for you.

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.  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.

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.

In 2 Nephi 25:23 it says "...for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."  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 grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ comes in.  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.  To help us become "2perfect, even as [our] Father which is in heaven is perfect." 

What has helped you give your 110%?

My Lack of Grace

Evil Pole of Doom

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.

Other little scratches

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!



My foot :(



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.  Elder Walter Hepworth said "Key word is sometimes. We all fall a bit short."  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.

One of the 7

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.

The Nephites fall into the same cycle over and over again.  Pride.

"1Behold, the pride of this nation, or the people of the Nephites, hath proven their destruction..."  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.

"2And 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."

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). 

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.

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.

Headless Chicken Before Peace

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.

Though these moments come and go, there is a solution.  In Matthew, Christ tells us to “1Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  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. 

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. 

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!

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. 

It's Official

It has happened.  As of Tuesday August 9th, 2011 I am a true Northern Californian.

I have now been inside a redwood tree...

And hugged one.  That makes it all official, right?

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 baptism.  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 Nestman Christ.  Whoa right?

So, I have been baptized.  I realize some of the readers of this blog may not be (if you're interested 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 Alma 5 (in the Book of Mormon).  It will make you think.

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?

No More Slugs!

If you are at all disturbed by bugs or slimy type things, I advize you to read another post.  Actually... you should probably still read this one.  Just don't look at the pictures.

Woodland doesn't seem like that long ago, but I guess it was.  One of the awesome things about serving in Woodland (out of the thousands) was the house we lived in.  Yes, we had a house.  All to ourselves.  It was quaint and had all sorts of fun little what-nots around every turn.  Let's just say, when I first got there, all I could think was "NO WAY?!?!"  It seemed just perfect, up until the day our little "friend" came to visit.

The Last Crossing

All of us have heard at least something about the Mormon pioneers crossing the plains.  It was a long and treacherous journey.  Many didn't even make it the whole way.  Back in high school I had the opportunity to go on two pioneer reenactment's (commonly known as a Pioneer Trek or just Trek).  We wore the clothes, pulled hand carts, played the games, and read many of the experiences from the actual pioneers.  In short, it was a very fun and humbling experience.

A few weeks ago, two of my younger brothers were able to go on a Pioneer Trek of their own.  From what my mom and dad said in their emails, my brothers loved it!  One of the things they did on their trek was write a poem about their experience.  My mother (the stellar woman that she is) mailed me a copy of my brother Josh's poem.



When I read it, I was amazed!  Maybe it's because he is my brother and I'm a doting older sister, but it really is amazing.  So, here it is.

The Last Crossing

by Joshua Nestman

The sun is beating down with a vigorous zeal,

Attacking the hats that are protecting it's meal.

The sun's fiery breath is filled with hate,



My Bro's!  Joshua (left) Jordan (right)

Giving the saint's a taste of hell's iron-gate.

But when heat turns to cold and ice turns to snow,

The saints start to wonder how far they can go.

Before they collapse from the strength that they lack,

As snow drifts pile up as ice on their back.

An ice filled stream appears in our way,

I can't help but feel that death is at bay.

Waiting to claim us in his cold grasp,

"How can we do this?" to no one I ask.

But I straighten up and I stand tall,

I promise to keep going even if I fall.

I forge across the river leading the others,

Strangers at first but now we are brothers.

I make the bank as I look back pausing,

I see some members who can't make the crossing.

Back and forth I walk and wade,

Helping all those who are in need of aid.

My body is frozen, my hands are shaking,

I can't even feel my legs as they're quaking.

It's done; they're across, I sigh in relief.

I step on the bank and I collapse in a heap.

As I lay cold and dying in the snow-covered sand,

I feel a scarred palm take up my hand.

As my Savior pulls me to my feet,

He says "Life's a journey and yours is complete."

I hope this touches you as much as it touched me.  The more I reflect upon these words, the more I desire to give my all to the Savior.  I love my Savior.  One day, I want to have Him tell me: "Welcome home dear daughter.  You've served me well."

Thank you Joshua for the inspiration you have given me and hopefully many others.  Love you!

Fathers=Awesome!



Paul Nestman



My dear 'ole dad is one of the biggest heroes I have in life.  Aside from being my father, which automatically makes him cool, he is someone to look up to.  His whole growing up years were spent in Bountiful Utah with his 4 brothers and 2 loving parents.  From all the stories that I have heard, he was typically the "good child" that didn't do much wrong.  Not that he was perfect.  There's a few people with some stories to tell, but he usually knew what was right and did it.



At the rightful age of 19 he was off to serve a mission in the Coventry England mission.  At that time Elders served for 18 months.  After the mission it was off to BYU for accounting school.  While at BYU he played for the soccer team and his claim is that he "killed the BYU soccer program."  His last year playing was the last year that they were NCAA and not club.  I'm pretty sure it wasn't his doing...but don't tell him that.  After a little he found my beautiful mom and they were married.  They finished their time at BYU then moved to San Diego where he got his masters degree at San Diego State University.While in San Diego, they had 3 wonderful children.  Moved a bunch of times and ended up back in Utah and finished the family off with 4 more children.  Oh yeah!  There's 7 of us.  A whole cavalcade of fun.

During my whole life my father has always worked extremely hard to provide for our family.  We have been very blessed.  He has also worked hard to teach all of us the gospel of Christ.  It has always been the main focus in our home.  I can't remember a time where we didn't have family prayer, scripture study, or spent time together on Sundays.  Christ has always been the center of our home, of which I am very grateful for.  It has allowed me to make the proper choices in life and know where I can turn for advice or help.

As much as he may not know, my dad has always been my hero.  He puts his whole heart and soul into following Jesus Christ and His example.  I have grown up seeing him read his scriptures on his own daily.  It wasn't uncommon to walk in on him while he was on his knees praying.  For about 6 1/2 years he served as a bishop for the church and I know he put 200% into that calling.  He truly loved everyone and was willing to do anything for them.  He is an "example of the believers" if ever there was one.

I may be his daughter, I may be with him forever, but my dad is my hero! 

Progressive 2.0

I am still learning.  I am not perfect.  There is a TON I have to change within myself.  These are facts that I know.  But, I also know that I am not alone.  We are all still learning.  Ask any one of the missionaries and they will tell you the same thing.  The California Santa Rosa Missionaries are combining in a series of post's about what we have learned while on our missions entitled: "Still in Progress... A Progressive Post."  Seeing as I have previously shared a great deal of what I have learned while in my previous areas, it is indeed time that I share a bit about my Eureka experience thus far.

As you have probably heard from Elder Menasco, Eureka is an amazing place!  Okay, it's phenomenal!  I love it!  Aside from the outer beauty and splendor of this city there is a deeper beauty that has captivated me.  That beauty is found in the love of the people.

Six weeks ago I left Cordelia California, which was hard for me.  I really came to love and adore the people there and everything about Cordelia.  It was hard to leave, but I knew it was what the Lord had in store.  When I got to Eureka, things were a bit chaotic.  My companion and I were both new up here and didn't know our way around at ALL.  Our first night here we realized we were late to a dinner appointment and skedaddled on over there. 

The wonderful member we were eating with directed us all the way to their home via phone.  We didn't even get the chance to knock on their door when we arrived because they were outside waiting for us.  Now, people waiting outside the door with excitement is not the usual response missionaries get.  But there they were, right outside smiling and waving us in.  Believe it or not, this response happened again.  Not just once, twice, or thrice, but four times!  All Hermana Haslam and I could think or say was "WE LOVE EUREKA!"

Hermana Haslam and I were welcomed here with open and loving arms.  We have become one of the family.  All of this within six weeks!  I feel like Jasmine when she sings "Unbelievable sights, indescribable feeling."  The love here can't be explained through words.  The only way my simple mind can describe it is that it's how Christ would love.  Perfectly, wholly, and eternally.

I am so grateful that I have been given this chance to come to Eureka.  The term "ward family" has a whole new meaning to me now.  The members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints really are a family here and are accepting of all.  They are willing to love and embrace anyone.  Boy or girl, young or old, Elder or Sister, member or not.  Christ's love is felt here and emulated in the way He would expect it to be.  Thank you and I love you!

Now, the "Still in Progress... A Progressive Post" is due to continue on Elder McBride's blog on Thursday.  Go check it out!  For In Thee Is My Joy.

Words of Wisdom from Elder Chase Jackson (departing missionary)



Elder Jackson & Elder Ram



As a young 19 year old boy, I set out on what was to become the greatest experience of my life. I entered the mission field not knowing before hand what lied ahead in my journey.  Many grand experiences were found that came with a lot of hard work and pain. If I was to know before hand all these experiences would take place, I could honestly look back and say with excitement and joy, "BRING IT ON!" I would do this all because of one man who changed the world.

Abridged Food Chain

This morning, while eating my breakfast, I was reading in "Jesus the Christ." The author James E. Talmage gave an analogy that I thoroughly enjoyed. I found myself lost in thought about it for some time. I will attempt to convey my thoughts in this post.

The chain of life; or abridged food chain if you will.

At the bottom we have dirt. It isn't alive, it can't grow, it just is. But, it can move up in the chain. How? Well, plants draw upon nutrients that are found in the ground and within the dirt. For them to survive, they need these nutrients. Thus, the lifeless dirt is able to move up to a higher plane of life. Lifted up by the plants to a higher state of being.

Plants are alive. But, they aren't quite at the same level as animals. In the grand scheme of things, animals are at the next level in life. They too need nutrients. Whether this is by feeding upon other animals or upon the plants, it doesn't really matter. They have a natural need for nourishment. As these animals eat the plants, they bring them into that higher level of existence.

And at the next stage, there is man (or woman :p ). We eat it all! Yes, even the dirt sometimes. Everything on the earth was made for us and we partake of a great deal of it. This is the highest we can get on our own. The highest level in life that we can go without help. So, who is it that can take us to the next stage? As with all the others, there needs to be someone or something to lift us up. The way, or person, is Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ came to earth for us. The literal son of the living God came to earth to take upon Himself the sins and struggles of man. His everlasting and eternal Atoning sacrifice allows us to repent of our sins. To become clean from all the filth we stack upon ourselves. Clean and fit for the kingdom of God. He also overcame death, by his resurrection, promising us that we too may be lifted up again.

There is no other way to do this. "There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin." Without Him, we would have been kept from God's presence and never be able to move past this life. It would have all ended here with death. But, because of all that He did, we can move on to that next level. We can live again with God. I am so grateful for everything Jesus Christ has done for me. He is the way the truth and the light. I love Him with all my heart.

Reflection and Growth

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  Today marks a big mission landmark for me, one year of being a missionary.  For an Elder, this would be the half way mark (aka the "hump").  As a Sister it marks two thirds of the mission.  Tragic and sad, but it's the life of a Sister Missionary.

At zone conference yesterday we were privileged to hear the testimonies of  a couple of our soon-to-be departing missionaries and listen to the words of wisdom they had to share.  Listening to them made me reflect back to who I was before the mission, just one year ago.  What changes have I seen within myself since then?  What kind of person have I become?  One thing rang true to me, I don't want to be who I used to be.

To backtrack a little, I wasn't some horrible person.  Never a "rebel" or a "wild child."  Just your typical 21 year old LDS girl.  Made good choices and didn't do anything contrary to church standards.  I went to church, went to some activities, and read my scriptures occasionally.  Not overly dedicated or tons of effort put into my religion.  I knew it was true and all that jazz, just didn't give it the priority it deserved.  My evaluation of this person, pathetic!

Pit stop on Highway 1

One year on my mission has made me a whole new being.  I have grown in more ways then I can ever possibly hope to explain or try to convey.  The person I am now is far superior to the pathetic being I was before.  This may sound harsh, but it's true.  There has been a change from within me. 

"1Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word..."

There is a light within my soul that I didn't know was missing.  Now that I have found it I don't ever want to lose it.  "Onward and upward;" no turning back to who I was.  This change has happened and is all attributed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Gospel of Christ changes lives.  It makes an okay life amazing and an amazing life even better.  If you haven't yet, I invite you now to come unto Christ and make that change in your life.  He invites all men everywhere to "2follow thou me."  To follow Christ's example and be baptized.


"3Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel."

If this is your desire, please please PLEASE take the steps necessary to follow Christ.  Meet with the missionaries and have that change of heart too.  I know it will bless your life forever.

And the Sorting Hat sends you....

We all know I am a nerd.  This much has been established.  I embrace it.  Being the nerd that I am, undoubtedly I love love love Harry Potter.  What nerd doesn't?  Well, a few months before my mission my friend and I came up with the greatest Gospel-Harry Potter analogy ever!  Here it comes.

Please let me Help!

As missionaries, we are asked to look for opportunities to serve and help those around us each day.  It is part of our calling, along with teaching and proclaiming His gospel.  Usually, we will ask those we meet if there is anything we can help them with.  You can probably guess what the reply is about 99% of the time; "no, we're good.  But thanks."  I feel like Russell does a lot of the time.  There must be something I can help with.
In the Book of Mormon, a great king and prophet named King Benjamin gave us this counsel.  "1And 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."  Likewise, the Savior taught this parable in Matthew to emphasize the importance of service.

34 Then shall the King say unto them..., Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

As we serve others, we are serving God.  After studying about the Savior and everything He has done for us, I have come to discover for myself that his whole life was one giant act of service.  Jesus Christ never had one day of being selfish.  He never stopped serving.  We can learn from His example.  “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).  May each of us go out and serve.  Show God that you are willing to help His children and be a disciple of Christ. 

He likes me for Me!

When people try and guess my name, it usually doesn't take very long to get it right.  I look exactly like the stereotypical "Brittany."  Blond hair and blue eyes.  Yep, I'm a Brittany.  One of the streets I lived on had 4 of us, all on one street!  It was crazy!  We were also all around the same age (twilight zone music starts now).  To sum this up, I have felt, at times, unimportant and have struggled to feel unique. 

Each of us has to struggle at some point in our lives with who we are.  Develop our own sense of self worth and become our own selves.  The Lord said to the prophet Jeremiah "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee..."  A simple truth that God knows us.  He knows us personally, individually, perfectly, and eternally.  He is our Father and He cares about us.  There is something special in the parables of the lost sheep when Christ talks of going off in search of the one.

  4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing

Each one of us is special in the eyes of our Savior.  He is willing to go out in search of us and bring us back into the fold because we are that important to Him.  "1Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;..."

I matter.  I am a wonderful, beautiful, chosen daughter of God.  I know that each of you is a child of a loving Heavenly Father that wants you to be happy now and forever.  He loves you no matter what!  "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one... (emphasis added)"  Be happy to be who you are; a child of God.

Changed My Life

"We're not alone."  Such a common saying in movies, daily life, and in our spiritual lives.  Not one of us is ever completely alone.  There are so many people in this world.  Some of them we pass by casually on the street, others are very near and dear to us.  Each person we meet has the ability to change us in one way or another.  In the end, there are some people that completely change our lives and help mold us into who we are or who we are becoming.  In my life, there are a few people like this.

Tarry ye here

Who doesn't love a morning "A-ha" moment?  Today, I had such a moment.  I read the well known chapter Mark 14 where Christ suffers in Gethsemane.  Always a very heart wrenching chapter.  This time while reading it, there was a particular verse that kept calling my attention. 

 34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

Give up my Stuff?

There are many questions that we ask in life.  Some questions, are ones we ask to ourselves, others are directed at someone else.  While reading in Matthew, it is easy to see that the master question asker is Jesus Christ.  Not only does he ask profound, thought provoking questions, but he also gives some of the greatest answers as well.  The story I would like to share today is found in Matthew chapter 19 verses 16-23.  It begins with a man asking Christ a question.

16 ¶And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have ^aeternal life?  (important question)

 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none ^agood but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into ^blife, keep the ^ccommandments.....

  20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be ^aperfect, go and sell that thou hast, and ^bgive to the ^cpoor, and thou shalt have ^dtreasure in heaven: and come and ^efollow me.

 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had ^agreat possessions.

This man was asked to give Christ all that he had and follow Him.  Not just some, but all.  Elder Bruce C. Hafen said "If we must give all that we have, then our giving only almost everything is not enough. If we almost keep the commandments, we almost receive the blessings."  Do we shrink at the thought of giving all we have?  Do we go away with sorrow in our hearts, putting the treasures of this life behind us?

I love how Jesus emphasizes doing away with the worldly things and focus on the "treasure's in heaven."  That is what matters.  The things of this earth will pass with time, but the things of heaven are eternal.  We should be striving to reach eternal life daily.  It should be at the forefront of our minds.  "We can have eternal life if we want it, but only if there is nothing else we want more." (Elder Bruce C. Hafen)  It is up to us to use our agency and choose eternal life.  If we give it our all, it will be enough.  Put aside the natural man to become something more.