Parable: Enjoy the Steak Dinner!

Have you ever been to Texas Road House? Well if you haven't it is a Steak House and it has the best food ever! Everytime I have gone it has been some sort of special occasion-senior ball,graduation, birthday, college graduation, and finishing my surgical technology degree. Each time I go I am beyond excited!Then when we are there and they bring out their rolls. I am pretty sure the only way to describe them is that it is like eating pure joy and happiness. Then I usually get some stake with sweet potatoe and fries. Again beyond delicous. Then of course no dinner is complete without dessert!
There is only one problem-each time I go I want to eat a million rolls, but I know I have to save room. I still end up eating a ton and then I don't fully enjoy the main course. Part of me still wishes I was eating rolls, another part is super excited for dessert. So here are my problems:

1. I don't enjoy the rolls thouroughly because I am worried about saving room
2. I don't enjoy the main course as much because I wish I was still eating rolls and I am looking forward to dessert
3. I don't fully enjoy dessert because I ate too much.

This happens everytime without fail. If I was to go tomorrrow-this would probably still happen!

This made me think of  a Talk given by President Uchtdorf (an apostle of theLord-and Second counselor in the first presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
This talk talks a lot about enjoying the moment. The last couple of months I feel I have really come to more fully understand the way we rob ourselves of happiness by not enjoying the moment. I feel it is a big problem for me and for mankind that we look back at when life was good and miss those times. Then we also expect we will be happier when something happens in the future.

This is just like my problem at Texas Roadhouse! I never enjoy what I am eating because I am so focused on what I did eat and what I will eat.

• We don't enjoy the 'steak dinner' of life because we look longingly back at when we had the 'rolls.' I think by looking longingly back at what we used to have, we take away from what we have at the moment. It is always good to remind yourself that yesterday wasn't perfect and has its challenges also.

 "I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone, nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays, however good those yesterdays may have been. The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead, we remember that faith is always pointed toward the future." -Elder Holland\

• We also don't enjoy the 'steak dinners' of life because we are so focused on the dessert that will be coming. One huge problem is that we always think things will get better in the future when this or that happens, but if we are always waiting for something to happen in the future we will never be satisfied. You will eternally be stuck waiting for happiness you get from a dessert when you could be happy with the steak in front of you!

"So often we get caught up in the illusion that there is something just beyond our reach that would bring us happiness: a better family situation, a better financial situation, or the end of a challenging trial.The older we get, the more we look back and realize that external circumstances don’t really matter or determine our happiness."

"Sometimes in life we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to find joy in the journey."

"We shouldn’t wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was already available—all the time!" -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Something I have come to learn is that if you are not enjoying the moment you will never ever be happy. Today will one day be the past you wish you had again and it will also be the future you were looking forward to in the past.

The true formula is enjoying the moment! Take it for how it is and love every minute of it!

 

 

Enjoy the Scenery and the places around you.

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy the people around you!

Enjoy the simple things and the small miracles!

 

 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."-Psalms 118:24

The Love of an Older Brother



Me and My brother Tanner-Happy Birthday!

So Today is my Big brother's Birthday!!! And boy do I love him! I was thinking a lot today about how special he is to me. Also how much I love my three older brothers. They have treated me like a Princess and have always protected me. I know they would do anything for me. The love these three have for their baby sister is tender and unconditional. I am so blessed!

 

 

 

 

Even with this incredible love that my brothers have for me there is someone who loves me more than they ever could. That is Jesus Christ! He loves us all perfectly and he is our elder brother, whose love is beyond comprehension. Isn't that incredible??

He loves us like an older brother loves his little sister. He is there for every tear, every accomplishment, and every restless night.

I LOVE MY OLDER BROTHER JESUS CHRIST! I love him so much!

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I testify that in our premortal state our Elder Brother in the spirit, even Jesus Christ, became our foreordained Savior in the Father's plan of salvation. He is the captain of our salvation and the only means through whom we can return to our Father in Heaven to gain that fulness of joy. "

-Testimony of Ezra Taft Benson

Modern day Good Samaritan

Animosity and Apple Cider

Two representatives of Christ walked down the darkened and cold street; despite the dreary night which had begun to fall they kept a smile on their faces and God’s love in their hearts.  They hoped to find a child of God willing to hear about their elder brother Christ.  They hoped to invite them to follow Him as He is the only one who knows the way to eternal happiness.  Eternal happiness, the thing which they desired all their brothers and sisters to have.Most of the doors which they knocked upon remained silent and unanswered.

Finally the representatives of Christ knocked on a door which was answered.  The first door of the night opened to reveal a friendly man, a cross prominently mounted on a wall behind him.  Cheerful ‘hellos’ and introductions took place, Christ’s loyal disciples began to ask if he would be interested to learn more of Him when another came to the door.  She took one suspicious look at their tidy, simple clothes and the book held in their hands -- missing their gentle smiles -- she began to shoo them away, fluttering her hands as she would when shooing an annoying cat.  “Go! Go! You need to go, now!”

A moment or two of stunned silence passed and a soft ‘okay’ was followed by the door slamming shut.  Feeling terribly hurt and depressed the followers of a loving Christ turned and walked away, their shoulders hunched in rejection.  They hoped someday she would find happiness, they wished they could offer that priceless gift but they could not work with such anger.

Little success was met that cold night, until they plucked up their last strands of courage and knocked on the door of a beautiful, mansion-like home.  ‘Surely,’ they thought, ‘no rich man or woman would have the time nor would care to hear our humble message…’

With a trembling hand the first knocked on the beautiful door and the second was braced for the rejection.  A smiling face opened the door and listened carefully to their offered message, the elderly lady explained she was happily atheist but soon after said, “It’s very cold out! Come in for a while and warm yourselves.”

They spoke with the delightful lady’s husband about their purpose as messengers of Christ while she left the room for a moment.  The gentle, aged lady appeared with tokens of Christlike gifts for the unexpected visitors.  The disciples of Christ were kindly sent off with warm, homemade, apple cider and a small bag of ginger cookies after a few more minutes of friendly conversation.  The night and day difference between the neighbors on the very same street was a surprising but welcome one to Christ’s steadfast servants; their hearts were comforted and filled with joy by the strangers’ compassionate reception despite their disinterest in religion.

Suddenly the night seemed warmer to them, the representatives of Christ could feel they had been successful that night in sharing the Lord’s love and uplifting their Father’s children.

People who live in our day and age say, “If I had lived in the days of old, I would not have turned away Paul, or mocked Noah, or ignored Moses, I know they were prophets of God.  I would have accepted and listened to Jesus Christ.”

There are modern day prophets on this earth here and now.  They, like every prophet of God, have the Priesthood which is the power of God and the authority to use it.  They, like every prophet, are criticized, mocked and rejected more than they are accepted.  Many fail to see the truth they carry as they have for thousands of years.

 Representatives of Jesus Christ are also here called by God, now and today.  They are searching for you, they seek to help you and love you as Christ would, their only purpose is to bring you closer to Him.  Many people ridicule, ignore and reject them on a daily basis.  Much of the world refuses to see the love of Christ shining in their countenances, even when the name of Christ is pinned close to their heart.

Will you send His messengers away?  Or will you let His faithful followers serve you and teach you more about Him, as Jesus Christ would have when He dwelt on this earth?

Mormon.org

 

 

BALLOONS!!!!

Balloons,

Often bringers of childlike happiness and uplifting messages
These balloons began a journey, carrying messages of the utmost importance
Released into the sky to suffer through, rain wind and spindly branches
Their ultimate goal: to have one person accept the invitation which they carried.

The first to fail was the white balloon, sinking before she could ever rise, her master kept her with him knowing she could not reach her goal . . .

The second to give up his mission was the pink balloon, rising with his heavy burden only to drift back to the ground a few yards away.  The message was too great for him to carry.

The third to fall was quite strong, the blue balloon rose very high.  Until the rain began to fall, with each droplet the blue balloon was weighed down, not by his message, but the many little trials that came along the way.  He fell as well.

The fourth balloon was red and bright, he soared up to the sky!  The message was easy, the rain was fine but he could not predict the wind would blow from behind.  Into a tree he flew and became entangled in the unyielding branches.

The fifth purple balloon was the last to go.  She knew of the message and the truth it held, she weathered the storm and dodged the trees, rode the wind and accepted the difficulties.  She drifted very far from where she first had come, and at last she fell exhausted, on the lawn of a stranger's home.
The stranger picked her up and read the message on her string.

Jesus still lives, God is our King
His truth, once shattered, has now been restored
He has not left you alone
Come to our church and see . . . or try Mormon.org  :)

Written by Sister Amanda Waldron
Photographer and artist=Sister Katie Smedley

Go Spread the message you Balloons!

The Parable of the Unwise Lumberjack

 

The Lumberjack

There was a young man who was known for great strength.
Working hard as an ax man, in the high Rocky mount's
he was strong, yes indeed, but a mind, in short length
was something he lacked. small flaw, But counts!...

On with the story. This man in his brute
went forth to cut trees, he was in an attempt
to gather a prize! the great braggers loot
to he that, felling the most, had forth went!

To break this great record, the man and his might,
twenty-one trees must be down by the nights fall
he set out at dawn to start on his quest. th' light
of noon day found nine trees left to fall!

When night fall had come he found that the goal
had been missed by three trees in his midst!
Three trees short he took courage! His prize bowl
was in reach! Work through lunch with ax in fist!

Another days work found him short of the prize.
and again and again! 'till he fell down in rage
“I cannot!” he cried “I have come to despise
this forest and work and the whole cutting page!”

He wanted to quit but thought “one more try!”
he asked his best mate, “what else can I do?
I am strong, I work hard, till my mouth becomes dry”
the response he received was simple to do!

His friend in his wisdom knew just what was wrong!
“after each tree you cut take five minutes or so
to sharpen your ax, you see it's not long!”
confused, and annoyed he left and did go!

The next day he tried just what he was told
sharpened his ax after each fallen tree
and wouldn't ya know when his count unrolled
thirty-two trees was the total cut by he

oft times we work hard it important and true!
But take time to work smart, I promise
that you, like this man, will find time to
follow the council to work smart and wise
-Elder Forsyth

Thank you Elder Forsyth for the parable! It is so true that we need to both work hard and to work smart. For we all can use brain and brawn!

The Parable of the Rusty Tool

A Gardener came out to his shed to prepare his garden for springtime. The tools-the shovels, rakes, and clippers-shook in anticipation! The had been waiting for this time during the long winter months. The tools had been preparing for this day. They had oiled themselves to get rid of rust and made sure all of their edges were nice and sharp.

There was one particular tool, his name was Sam the shovel. He was a big and bulky shovel but was the gardeners favorite tool to turn the hard soil after the cold snowy months. Sam was also perfect for moving potting soil and manure to the gardens and pots. Joy filled Sam the shovel as the gardener used him to prepare the many gardens around his home. After a couple days of hard work the soil was loose, dark, and healthy. The gardener put the shovel away and he was full of joy and pride for the work he had done.

As the time went by Sam the shovel watched from the inside of the shed as the gardener used his small shovels, hand held tools, and clippers. He saw the others tools outside admiring the luxurious flowers and plants. Sam became discouraged...He thought he was a terrible tool. He was too big and bulky to enjoy the same work the other tools did. He became angry that he could never work with the flowers and plants. All he got to see was hard soil and manure.  "This is all so pointless-my job is unappreciated and unimportant."

The shovel continued to dwell on these negative thoughts for the rest of the season. Winter came again and all of the gardener's tools were put away. They chatted about the wonderful work they were able to do and all the beautiful colors. The talk only made the shovel more and more bitter.Convinced of his lack of worth, Sam the shovel hid from the other tools and let himself become dull and rusty.

That next Spring the Gardener again opened his shed. He looked at the shovel with disappointment. For how was he able to prepare his garden without the tool he needed to turn the soil. The Gardener asked the shovel what had caused him to be unprepared for the work. Sam told him of how he was unimportant and how the other tools got to see beautiful flowers and fruits from the work that they did and he did nothing.

The Gardener listen patiently and replied: " I have a very special and specific purpose for you Sam. I do not need you to be an other tool. Each of my tools is no more important than another. But I can't accomplish my purpose without any one of you. This is not your work or theirs but it is mine.I need you to be a capable tool in my hand."

"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
 For we are labourers together with God..."
- 1 Corinthians 3:6-9


Brothers and Sisters-Do not feel like you are an pointless tool-Heavenly Father has a plan for every single one of us. he doesn't need you to be any one but YOU! Don't try to be a different "tool" our gardener already has that one! All he asks is for you to be "sharp and rust free."

We are all tools in the garden of the Lord-We each have a specific purpose-Are you ready to fulfill it?

My Conversion Story

Conversion is something a lot of Latter-Day Saints talk about. I grew up thinking it is the exact moment when someone comes to the realization that the church is true. I remember when I was little sitting and listening to stories in The Bible or The Book of Mormon. These people would see angels and the earth would shake. The had these incredible miracles and after they knew of the truthfulness of the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Little Sister Smedley believed with all her heart that this would happen to her.
I truly thought that this was conversion. I thought it was a single moment in time where it just hit you that all of this gospel is true.

and so I waited and waited...

Nothing happened...

no angel and no earthquakes. The spirit never slapped me in the face. I never had an experience where I prayed for spiritual confirmation and I was "overcome" with the answer.

Spoiler Alert!!
Brothers and Sisters. This is not conversion!
Then...what is conversion?
excellent question!

According to the Bible Dictionary;
"(Conversion) Denotes changing one’s views, in a conscious acceptance of the will of God"

"If followed by continued faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism in water for the remission of sins, and the reception of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, conversion will become complete and will change a natural man into a sanctified, born again, purified person—a new creature in Christ Jesus"

 "Complete conversion comes after many trials and much testing...to labor for the conversion of one’s self and others is a noble task"

On Lds.org it also defines conversion:



"Conversion is a process, not an event. Conversion comes as a result of righteous efforts to follow the Savior. These efforts include exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of sin, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end in faith."

According to this definitions-Conversion is not a one time event. In fact it is the opposite! Conversion is a process and it doesn't come for free and its not easy.
Everything I marked in red shows the importance of effort, work, and how conversion takes time.

But conversion is so worth the task!
you get out of life what you put in! Easy isn't and will never be worth it!

So that being said my conversion story is not a specific time because it still goes on today. I am converted daily as I continue to improve and follow God's commandments.

However...I would like to share you a little piece of my conversion.
The time I came to realize that my Heavenly Father is mindful of me and loves me.

Once upon a time I had too much on my plate. I was going to school full time, working a part time job, and doing an internship full time. I was so stressed and I never had time for myself. I was so busy that I never saw my family or my friends. I have never felt more alone...
I remember at one point feeling so low, unloved, unappreciated, tired, and I didn't know where to turn.
I had no one to turn to..but then I remembered all of the times people had told me that our Heavenly Father is always there. So I got down on my knees for the first time in a very long time and cried and plead with my Father in Heaven. I begged to feel love...anyone's love.

After that prayer I thought came to my mind. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me. I had heard that over and over again but it wasn't until this moment that I truly felt that they did care and that they were aware of me.

It was almost overwhelming. That night I felt as if I was being wrapped up in spiritual blanket because I knew for a fact that Heavenly and our brother Jesus Christ loved me with a perfect love.
This is what conversion is. Not an angel coming down and striking us to the ground and we instantly know that everything is true. No, conversion is a journey we take. We learn and gain a testimony each day.
Every day I am converted as I read and pray.

I just want everyone to know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's true church and the only church that contains the fullness of the gospel. I know for a fact. I know that you can know this to.

"Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear"
-Moroni 8:16