Never Give Up. :)

Missionary work is great! You get to see people change their lives to follow the Savior. It is an amazing experience to witness and makes us want to be even better. This past week I was chatting with a friend who I had prieviously talked to about our religions and she didn't really enjoy her church and didn't attend very often. I informed her of all the fun activities and opportunities that our Church offers for its members. She seemed pretty acceptive and wanted to come to a youth activity. There was a fall out for the one we planned and I told her when the next one came up I would tell her. Recently I had had an impression to invite her to church. Seeing that it was fast sunday coming up I thought that she would particularly enjoy it. I invited her and she reacted in a way that I did not entirely expect. She was offended that I asked her and was annoyed by it. I didn't even know what to say back to her. She apologized but I felt like she didn't really mean it.  

Since that experience I had been pretty down on myself and didn't know where to go from here. I had invited a lot of my friends already and they either weren't interested or got my hopes up and then it didn't work out. I want to spread this great message to all of my friends. Because I am a mormon, I live a great life. I know where I'll be going after I die, I know where I came from and why I am here. I know that whatever happens in my life, it is for the reason that my Heavenly Father loves me. And I want everyone I know to have that same knowledge. 

Today in Fast and Testimony meeting I bore my testimony and I knew that missionary work was a good thing. I knew at that point that I cannot give up. The Lord is calling us to the work. That doesn't mean that even more people will be interested than before. It means that we need to work harder, and involve the Spirit more with our teaching and finding people who are ready. Those people are out there. They don't know what to do and need that comfort that comes through the Gospel. I also found a quote by Elder Neil L. Andersen, and he states: "Whether or not the invitation is accepted as you invite others to come and see you will feel the approval of the Lord and, with that approval, an added measure of faith to share your beliefs again and again." (emphasis added). 

I love this work and I am so impressed and grateful for all of the hard work that the missionaries of the world put in every day to serve others to bring others unto Christ. I know that if we continue to share the Gospel, we will feel blessed and loved by our Heavenly Father because we are following His counsel. Never give up. And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

By Small and Simple Things...

Life is flying by so fast! Take every opportunity to cherish what is going on now, because later you might regret those times you didn't enjoy yourself a little. Well, in this last month I have realized how small and simple things can bring you great things or can cause great things, both in life and in the Gospel. 

In The Book of Mormon, there is a verse that I read recently and it explains, "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." 

While I was working a couple weeks ago, a man pulled through the drive-thru and treated me like we were friends for years. I was super happy for the rest of my shift. Things like that make a difference. That man made my day. Whose day can you make a little better? By small and simple things....days are made! Since that experience, I have tried and will continue to try and pay it forward. Spread that joy that I felt to everyone that I meet.

The Gospel aspect is quite amazing. I have heard countless stories from close friends and members of the Church and they have seen the hand of the Lord performing miracles before their eyes. I haven't witnessed or been a part of a great miracle yet, but at the same time I feel that I have. Every time I have needed something, and it is a righteous desire, it is answered through prayer. Each and every time. To me that is a miracle. 

Through my spreading of the Gospel, I have not had huge success, but I know that my attempts to share it with my friends will not be in vain. They just are not ready for the Gospel yet. There will come a time where they pull out that Book of Mormon I had given them twenty years earlier. And I know that the same goes for all of our efforts. Don't ever suppress a chance to share the light of Christ that is inside of you. I would just like to conclude with my testimony that I know that miracles happen every day and it is not of man, but they are of God. I know that if we fast and pray for our friends that they will accept the Gospel. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

"These. . .day by day. . .transform us."

This message applies to all religions. "We ought not think that we can go weeks/months without spiritual sustenance and not suffer." We may not see the effects at first, but over time it is evident that we are starting to fall away. A couple years ago, I was the mormon teenager that was going through the motions. I sang the hymns and attended my classes then went home. I didn't quite understand the blessings that were before me if I listened and participated in the lessons. I Knew. I did not Do. There is a difference between knowing and doing. As a follower and disciple of Christ, it is a call to action, whatever beliefs you have. We all have the desire to return to our Father in Heaven. And by accomplishing that we cannot sit around. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is just that. We believe that we must stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places. When I was younger, I knew that, but this past year, I have really started to grasp that and begin to understand what that requires of me. Granted, I'm still learning and trying to be better, but I know that I am on the right path. 

It is never to late to repent. Our Father in Heaven is always looking out for us and will always love you. You can start today. Like Elder Christopherson was saying, the small daily things that he talks about, may seem like nothing, but day by day they transform us. We will never be perfect on this Earth, but through Christ we can be made strong. So when you fall down, GET BACK UP! :) Satan will try and tell you it's not worth it or it is too late. Never encourage those thoughts the second you get them. Just as we need to be partaking of food every day to stay healthy, our spiritual bodies need that spiritual uplift. The spiritual need for sustenance is just as strong. Don't hesitate to say a prayer. Rely on the Lord, because He will carry you through your hard trials in life. As i have been writing this paragraph, a song keeps coming to mind. I really enjoy it and I hope you will too. It's called "Even When You're Broken". It's great because it shows you that you there is always time. Christ understands everything you've gone through. Listen to the lyrics and apply them to your life. I know that this is Christ's church. I know that we have prophets on the Earth today that lead and guide us. I know of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. That book can change your life if you want it to. I love my Savior and I am so grateful for His hand in my life. And I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.