How the Time Flies!

So I have gotten super behind but I want to finish this journey strong so I am going to do multiple days in this post. Prepare to be hit with a surge of gratitude!

November 24th
I am grateful for TENDER MERCIES!
or little blessing Heavenly Father sends you when you may be having a hard time. For example: I was having a hard day. I was completely exhausted and so grumpy. I just wanted to go back to the apartment. We only had 30 minutes until we had to be in. I am a really stickler for rules but I was about at the point that I wanted to just quit. My companion and I pushed forward even though every single plan fell through and there was no one out and about. As we walked around I saw in the distance a bridge with Christmas lights! I love Christmas lights so much! It was gorgeous to see the lights reflection in the pond. It was such a tender mercy. So small-but it lifted my mood so much and made me stop and think about the little things I am grateful for.

November 25th
I am grateful for mormon.org! It lays out our beliefs so simply. It has videos of people and their stories are all so inspiring! Here is a personal favorite. I really connect to him because he gave up so much to serve the Lord and to go on a mission.


November 26th
I am grateful for the scriptures. The Old and New Testaments, The Book of  Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price and The Doctrine and Covenants. I can testify these are no ordinary books. These books are Holy and sacred. They are how we can receive answers from our Heavenly Father and I know that if you will read them that you will be able to feel God's love more in your life. I challenge all who read this post to open these Books and pray to know if they are true.

November 27th
I am grateful for Sister Divis and Sister Bowers my new companions! I am also grateful for the Gainesville YSA (Young Single Adult) branch (another name for a congregation) that I will now be serving in.

Sister Divis has a mormon.org profile! Check it out!

November 23rd-Our first Covenant

November 23rd- Today I was able to attend a baptism in the Mandarin 2nd ward. It was such a spiritual experience. Today I am grateful for my baptism. Also baptism in general!

Today I am writing my blog post in the form of a play.... It will be a guy named Bob talking to a missionary. 

Bob: What is baptism?

Missionary: baptism is the first covenant we make with God. 

Bob: What is a covenant? 
Missionary:A covenant is a sacred promise a group or an individual makes with our Heavenly Father. 
Bob:How do you make this promise? and what is the promise we make?
Missionary: That is a great question Bob. You enter into this promise or covenant through an ordinance, and an ordinance is an act perform that symbolizes the covenant we enter into. 
I like to think about ordinances and covenants as a hand shake. The hand shake is like an ordinance it symbolizes the agreement and the actual agreement is the covenant.
To answer your next question... lets turn to The Book of Mormon to Moroni Chapter 4 verse 3
*Bob and the missionary flip through the Book of Mormon*




O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen

Missionary: So we promise that we take upon us his name, remember him and keep his commandments. Then God promises that he will give us his spirit to be with us always. What an amazing promise! Also when we are baptized we are promised a remission of our sins and we come out of the water completely clean. In a sense when we come out of the water we are starting a new life as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Bob: That is incredible! When can I be baptized?
.....

I know that was pretty cheesy but I enjoyed writing it and it is very true what the missionary said. Baptism is the start of a new life and it is the greatest promise you will ever make.
I am so grateful that I am baptized. 

November 22nd-The Prophet of the Restoration

November 22nd-
Today I had the privilege to watch the Restoration movie.
Pop some popcorn, grab a friend, and a tissue. This movie will make you laugh, cry, and feel the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
As I watched the video I was very touched and saddened by the amount of turmoil Joseph Smith and the other saints had to endure. Then I was thinking: why would anyone go through all that they went through for something that wasn't true. They wouldn't! No one would. They endured and endured it well because they knew the message they stood for is true.  The amount of strength the members had as their children were shot, houses ruined, and as they tarred and feathered the prophet of the Lord....I just can't even imagine.
I know that this church is true and I would like to say that I would endure the most vicious torment for this gospel because I know for a fact that it is true. For this is the path back to our Heavenly Father.
I am grateful for the prophet of the Restoration-Joseph Smith

November 21st-Fear not little flock

November 21st

"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." - John 10:11

"Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail." -Doctrine and Covenants 6:34

I love when Jesus Christ is referred to as the good shepherd. Every time this is used in the scriptures it pierces my heart. He truly does love his sheep and he did give his life for us. These words are very tender and show how deeply our Savior understands us.
We know our shepherd's voice and if we listen to him and follow him we will be protected from the wilderness.

President Monson once shared a great observation on shepherd and how they watch over their flocks and how they relate to our Savior being our shepherd. (full story-click here! )

"Dad would drive about 35 miles an hour all the way up to Provo Canyon or until we would come around a bend in the road and our journey would be halted by a herd of sheep. We would watch as hundreds of sheep filed past us, seemingly without a shepherd, a few dogs yapping at their heels as they moved along. Way back in the rear we could see the sheepherder on his horse—not a bridle on it but a halter. He was occasionally slouched down in the saddle dozing, since the horse knew which way to go and the yapping dogs did the work.

Contrast that to the scene which I viewed in Munich, Germany, many years ago. It was a Sunday morning, and we were en route to a missionary conference. As I looked out the window of the mission president’s automobile, I saw a shepherd with a staff in his hand, leading the sheep. They followed him wherever he went. If he moved to the left, they followed him to the left. If he moved to the right, they followed him in that direction. I made the comparison between the true shepherd who led his sheep and the sheepherder who rode casually behind his sheep.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep.” He provides for us the perfect example of what a true shepherd should be."

-President Thomas S. Monson

 I am grateful for my shepherd.

November 20th-Story time! :-O

November 20th

Today I want to start from a story in Elder Jeffery R. Holland's life:

"Returning from an exploring trip on back country roads, he and his father came to an unexpected fork and could not remember which road to take. It was late in the day, and darkness would soon be enveloping them. Seizing a teaching moment, Jeffrey Holland asked his son to pray for direction. Afterward, he asked his son what he felt, and Matt replied that he felt strongly they should go left. Replying that he had felt the same way, his father turned the truck to the left. Ten minutes later, they came to a dead end and returned to take the other route.

Matt thought for a time and then asked his father why they would get that kind of answer to a prayer. His father replied that with the sun going down, that was undoubtedly the quickest way for the Lord to give them information—in this case, which one was the wrong road. Now, though the other road might not be familiar and could be difficult in places, they could proceed confidently, knowing it was the right one."

 My favorite part about this is they could "proceed confidently, knowing it was the right [choice]" 

I am thankful for this story and what can be learned from it. I love this great example of how our prayers are not answered how we want them to be but how we need them to. Sometimes we are shown the wrong way so that we will know one hundred percent what is the right way. I love simple stories like these that help us to learn principles.

November 19th-Grateful that I'm grateful!

November 19th
Holy Toledo the 19th already! :) It has been such a blessing to share what I am grateful for each day this month. I think it really helped me to realize how much I have been blessed with.
I just wanted to take a step back today and talk a bit about gratitude.
"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name"
-Psalms 92:1
Simple as that folks! Its a good thing to give thanks! Especially to our Heavenly Father, who has provided every single thing we have.
Someone once asked me " How would you feel if you had a son or daughter and all they ever did was asked for things but never thanked you?" and I thought-"I would definitely not enjoy that!" Then they said "Isn't that what we are doing when we aren't showing our Heavenly Father our gratitude in prayers?"
That has really stuck with me. I can't imagine how he feels when we are constantly pleading for things but we don't show appreciation for
what he has already given us.
I challenge all who read this to kneel down tonight and to offer a prayer to God and only thank him for what he has given you. Don't ask for anything just pour your heart out to him in gratitude! 

Get it!? Knee mail! :) Haha I love it!

November 18th-We Thank thee oh God For a Prophet!!

November 18th
Today I am grateful for the Prophet Thomas S. Monson
In a world that is continually changing (not always for the better) it is good to have constant, simple truths. One of my favorites is that there is a living prophet who guides God's church today. I know that Heavenly Father directs his church through a prophet today just as he did before. I know that following his counsel will bless you and your families. It will bless you in ever aspect of life. Of that I can testify!  

November 17th-Thats our Seniors!

November 17th!
Today I am grateful for the senior missionary couples in our mission. For those who may not know not only do young men and women serve missions but couples can too! They are what keeps the mission running smoothly. They help with everything to office work, emergency preparedness, and health. I am so grateful for their shinning examples and their love!
Here is a link to a video of Sister Stockett, Sister Eddington, Sister Perkes, Elder Clark, Elder Tuft, and I singing to our amazing missionary couples. Check it out!
Thats our Seniors!

November 16th-Called to Serve

November 16th

"The decision to serve a mission will shape the spiritual destiny of the missionary, his or her spouse, and their posterity for generations to come. A desire to serve is a natural outcome of one's conversion, worthiness, and preparation." - Elder Russel M. Nelson

No words can properly describe how thankful I am that I am on a mission right now! 

I have grown so much spiritually and experienced many things that will help me to be a better daughter, sister, neighbor, and maybe one day-wife and mother. I have come to better know Heavenly Father and my savior. I have gained life long friends and been able to meet many inspiring people. I feel that I go to bed each night a different person than I was that morning.

I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and loves you. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. That Joseph Smith was a prophet and he saw God and Jesus Christ and restored the fullness of the everlasting gospel. I know that we can pray and we will get answers. I know that the Priesthood is real.

I have come to know these things more fully by serving this mission. For this I am grateful. 

November 15th-Growth

November 15th

Yet another amazing quote from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf!
I am grateful for growth and as crazy as it sounds for the trials that I've had that brought about that growth.
I was pondering about a certain hard time I had been going through one morning and then I pulled out a talk that I had been given. It told about perfectionism. I used to pride myself in that. But as I read this talk I came to realize how much joy I have lost from wanting everything to be perfect and being dissatisfied when it isn't.
I got so much understanding about myself. I know that if I hadn't have been put through this trial I would have never known that this was a problem and something to work on.
Now that I look back I can see how this "stormy season" has allowed me to grow and improve.

November 14th-Forgive and Forget

November 14th

Today I am grateful for forgiveness. Today I was told a story about a time that some one did something to another which many of us might think is unforgivable and would want revenge. But the person who was wrong turned the other cheek and said "I forgive you...you are still my friend." What an example of Christ-like forgiveness!
Because of these simple words and the forgiveness this person showed he changed both his offenders life and now mine.
Overall I am thankful for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and their perfect forgiveness. I know that each time that I stumble that I can repent and become clean. I can't imagine how God feels when we sin. He must be so disappointed but he will never hold it against us. He will forgive and forget!

"Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more."
- Doctrine and Covenants 58:42

November 13th-Comforter

November 13th
Today I am grateful for the Holy Ghost.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
-John 14:26 ( New Testament in the King James version of The Bible)
I am especially grateful that the Holy Ghost is the comforter. I struggle a lot with being calm and comforted because I get really worried about stuff and I am a perfectionist.
Although I have this struggle in my life I know I can always fall to my knees and Heavenly Father will send me the Holy Ghost to be my personal comforter.

Here is a talk called "The Unspeakable Gift" that I highly recommend.

November 12th-Following the leader

Today I am grateful for my leaders!
"Our leaders were mighty men in the faith of the Lord; and they taught the people the ways of the Lord"
-Jarom 1:7 ( The Book of Mormon )
"Now it was the custom among all the Nephites to appoint for their chief captains...some one that had the spirit of revelation and also prophecy"
-3 Nephi 3:19 ( also in The Book of Mormon )

A leader is not just someone who exercises power.They are someone who leads by example, who offers love and praise. I have been very blessed to have great leaders and teachers. I have learned a lot from their examples.
I am also grateful for the opportunities I have had in my life to be a leader and to learn from others and to grow.

What does it mean to you to be a leader?

November 11th-Yummy in my tummy! :)

November 11th- Today I am grateful for Food!
I know...I know it might sound silly. However, I have been thinking a lot about others who struggle to feed their families; and people around the World who don't have food to eat. I am so grateful that I have never had to go hungry.
Sometimes we just need to step back and realize that we have SO MANY (what might seem to be tiny) blessings. If we were to spend the time to thank Heavenly Father for every small thing we have...
We would have to pray all day long!!!
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.
-Count Your Blessings Hymn #241

November 10th-Hooray for Friendship!

November 10th- Today I am grateful for........

You guessed it! FRIENDSHIP!
"If we truly want to be tools in the hands of our Heavenly Father in bringing to pass His eternal purposes, we need only to be a friend." -Elder Marlin K. Jensen (Friendship: A Gospel Principle May, 1999)
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13
I have been blessed with great friends! I love that our greatest friend is our Savior Jesus Christ!

November 9th-My ward Family!

November 9th- today I am grateful for the members of the Mandarin 2nd ward. They have been like a family away from my family here. I have grown to love everyone here so much. I know that Mandarin 2nd will always have a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. Yep the rest of my entire life! Because that is how much this ward means to me.

Today we had an opportunity to help a family move from one apartment to another. It was amazing to see how many members of our congregation came to help on a Saturday when they could be doing anything. The love that radiates from these people are amazing!

It is so wonderful to know that even if I am miles away from home I can step into the church and know that they are my brother and sisters there and I just need to get to know them. 

I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!!!

November 8th-Laffy Taffy

November 8th
Wow can you believe it is November 8th!? Time just flies by when you are having fun.....speaking of fun.
I am thankful for Fun!!!
 "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."
-2nd Nephi 2:25
Heavenly Father wants us to be happy.
I am grateful for laughter
I am grateful for Laffy Taffy jokes (seriously so funny!)
I am grateful for smiles
I could go on all day

Isn't life just plain fun? There is always something to laugh about!

Love you all!
Have a fun day! 

November 7th-The sound of music!

November the Seventh


Today I am grateful for music.


"For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."

-Doctrine and Covenants 25:12

I have experienced how powerful uplifting music can be. Some of my prayers have been answered through music. It has also helped me through the hardest days.One song in particular has helped me through a lot and it is a powerful witness that our savior loves us so much it is called

I know that My Redeemer Lives




Music is such a blessing!

November 6th-Sister Stockett

 "And ye shall go forth in the power of my Spirit, preaching my gospel, two by two, in my name, lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, declaring my word like unto angels of God."

-Doctrine and Covenants 42:6  

November 6th
Today I am grateful for my companion Sister Stockett. It is such a blessing to be with her. She has the best personality. She can make you laugh even when you are crying. Sometimes I have to pull over the car because she makes me laugh so hard. She makes even the hardest days enjoyable.
Not only does she have a wonderful personality but she also has an incredibly strong spirit. You can tell that she is out on this mission to serve her savior. She is loving and patient, which are two attributes of our savior Jesus Christ.
I know that Heavenly Father put us together for a reason. They did not pull random names out of a hat and call us companions. This companionship was prayed about and was revelation from God.
There is no other place that you can take two girls who never knew each other and put them together to work side by side 24/7 and have it go so very well.
I am grateful for all that I have learned from her and I am excited to see what else I will be able to learn from this beautiful daughter of God.

November 5th-Perseverance

November 5th

This is a video of a wonderful person named Ingrid Maldonado from mormon.org. This video touched me. This women is a wonderful example of perseverance. My favorite thing she said was "Limits are in our thoughts."

Today I am grateful for examples of perseverance.

I learned so much from this video and I hope you do too!

November 4th- We are Family!

November 4th
Today I was able to email my family and it is such a blessing! I am so grateful for my family! I am also grateful for the knowledge that we can live together forever because of the temple! I know that because of the temple my family is not just a joy in this life but will be a source of joy for all eternity.
For more info on what is done in the temple click here
Although being away from my family while I am serving a mission is hard it gives me the opportunity to share with others how they can be more united with their families in this life and how they can live with one another forever. What an absolute blessing!

November 3rd-Renewal

November 3rd!
Today I am grateful for the sacrament! I found this great explanation of the sacrament on lds.org for those who might be curious.

"For Latter-day Saints, sacrament refers to the ordinance of partaking of bread and water in remembrance of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. The broken bread represents his broken flesh; the water represents the blood that he shed to atone for our sins (1 Cor. 11:23–25; D&C 27:2). When worthy Church members take the sacrament, they promise to take upon them the name of Christ, to always remember him, and to keep his commandments. Through this ordinance, Church members renew their baptismal covenants."

My favorite part about the Sacrament is that it is a renewal of our baptismal covenants. Each week we can come with sorrowful hearts and we are promised as we take the sacrament that we can start again this next week. 

I have studied the sacrament a lot while I have been on my mission in Jacksonville and I have come to know the sacredness and importance of this ordinance. Now that I better understand the sacrament it has become a joy to take it each week. I don't know how I would get through a week without it. 

Click HERE! for an apostles words on the Sacrament. 

November 2nd-Fellow disciples of Christ

Today I am thankful to have the privilege to meet all these wonderful disciples of Jesus Christ!
It is such a miracle to be surrounded by so many great examples and to know of their love for me. I am grateful for all they do!

Heavenly Father has blessed me so much by just giving me the opportunity to know the people I do!

November 1st-Love like a little child

Since Thanksgiving is coming up I have decided to post one thing that I am thankful each day in the month of November!

November 1st:

Today I am thankful for......

Children and their sweet spirits!

Today I was with two families who I adore and their children are the most precious souls that I have ever met. The little boy said to me and my companion "Sister Missionaries...I love you Sister Missionaries!" The other families little girl always gives us big hugs. Both of them always have huge smiles on their faces when we come by. 
Isn't it amazing how quick children are to love? They love everyone no matter what they have done in their past or how much money they have. Not only do they love but they show that love and it is always sincere. 
Can you imagine what the world would be like if we were all more like a child?
The scriptures mention multiple times the attributes of children and how they reflect the attributes of our savior. This is one of my personal favorites:

 "19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

-Mosiah 3:19

 

I love, love, LOVE this video! It just shows you how precious the little children are to our savior Jesus Christ. 

I am so thankful for the example children are to me! What a blessing and what a miracle!