Sunday, December 19, 2010

Hope

"Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks... and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name's glory, saith the Lord." (Doctrine & Covenants 98: 1, 3)

I recently heard this scripture (at the BYU-I Center dedication) and it was definitely one I needed to hear. This scripture gives me more faith in Heavenly Father and His plan for me and more hope that everything I have gone through and will go through will help me progress and grow closer to my Heavenly Father.

I need to worry less and trust more.
He knows me better than I know myself. He knows what I am capable of and what I can achieved. He wants me to be happy and to see me succeed more than I do. He loves me more than I am able to comprehend.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct they paths." (Proverbs 3: 5-6)


BYU-Idaho: Disciple Preparation Center

This past Friday, the newest building on BYU-Idaho campus, The BYU-Idaho Center, was dedicated. President Henry B. Eyring(1st Counselor in the Presidency of the Church), Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Russell M. Nelson (members of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles) came for the dedication.

First of all, the building was PHENOMENAL. I was blown away by the size, design and overall feeling of it. President Clark (the President of BYU-Idaho) said that even though it looks amazing, the wonder of this building is in the work that will happen in there. I know that this building was built for purposes that we don't know but I know that amazing things will happen there. Being at the dedication listening to President Clark, Elder Bednar, Elder Nelson and President Eyring speak about our campus and testifying of our Heavenly Father and of Jesus Christ was definitely one of the best moments of my life. The Spirit was so strong. I could feel of my Heavenly Father's love for me so strongly. He has provided me with so many amazing opportunities to learn, grow, progress and become like our Savior, Jesus Christ. The BYU-Idaho campus is just one example of how much our Heavenly Father loves His children and wants to help them. I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to attend this university and partake of all that it has to offer. This university, also called a "Disciple Preparation Center" by Elder Bednar (read his awesome talk about that here), has been provided so that we can structure our lives properly and become followers of Christ. I know it is not just coincidence that I am able to attend this university and I know that the students attending aren't there because it was their next best option but that it is in Heavenly Father's plan for us. We are supposed to be there at this time for a purpose.

I know that everything we have is from Him. One of my teachers this past semester said that our Heavenly Father loves us so much and he wants us to be happy and succeed more than we do. He has blessed us with so much to make this life enjoyable and worthwhile. It is experiences like going to this dedication that put everything in perspective for me and I am once again, so grateful.

To watch the dedication (which you should), go here.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Look to the Light



"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." -St. John 8:12

"Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ." -Moroni 7:19

Sunday, December 12, 2010

"O Remember, Remember"



I have been realizing more and more how incredibly blessed I am. I have classes about the family that make me realize how blessed I am to have the family that I do and the opportunity we have to be together FOREVER. I have a class about developing countries that has opened my eyes to how many things in my life have been handed to me, and that I have way more than most people in the world. As a teenager, I thought that I deserved the things I had, that I was entitled. What I thought I did to deserve those things, I have no idea. The point is, I have SO much to be grateful for and there is no reason to complain about the things I think I should have. I love this talk President Eyring gave (click here to read all of it) about recognizing what the Lord has given each of us. As I look for the ways he has blessed me, I feel closer to the Lord and my love for Him grows because it becomes more and more evident how much He loves me.