Accepting the Challenge

There are times when we wake up and just do not want to face to world. Where our dreams would be a better reality. This whole outlook is something I know I am not a lone on.

It is time to WAKE UP! lets face the world. Life is such a journey, but it is not an easy one. Trials come, broken hearts happen, dreams fade, and we fall, some days harder than others.

When the end comes though all of these challenges we face will be just a blimp on the map. Our good memories will outshine those bad ones just as the sun outshines the moon.

Life is like an obstical course, and there are two ways you can look at it.You can see it an think "I will never get through all of that!" or you can look at it and think "That looks like fun, I accept the Challenge LETS GO!".  Personally I have been a part of the first way, but then I started thinking about how there is no adventure, no passion and no scar stories or growth in that.  Going through life should be a little challenging. We should come out with a few scratches, bumps, and bruises. Because when we finish all of those trials will show how much I went through, and how I finished with a smile. Not because I sat there and felt that I could not do it, but because I accepted the challenges and conquered the obstacle course.

This life is hard, but we have an advantage over the trials we face. In a way we have a cheat sheet to this obstacle course of life. We have a Heavenly father who loves us. We have Jesus Christ who lead a perfect life.  A life we can read and study a bout in the Scriptures. We have the Bible, and the Book of Mormon. Two records of Jesus Christ that show us how we can be more like him. We have commandments, that if we follow we are promised blessings.  This life is not meant to be easy,  but it can be done with comfort as we follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.   Let him lift you up!












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Come Follow Me

"Come Follow Me"

When I read the scriptures, and I hear those words. "Come Follow me", I think to my self if that is something I would be willing to do. The world we live in today is obsessed with many materialistic things. Some people must have the latest fashion, the nicest cars, and the perfect face. Others may be satisfied with the things that they have, but would they be willing to give it up?

Something I have noticed as I have grown up is that people love their things. I am just as guilty as the next. I would have a very hard time giving up some of the things I hold dear to my heart. However, I think of how much I love the savior Jesus Christ and if he asked me to follow Him, I know now that I could do that. I had a really good friend who taught me a very good lesson on things.

A large group of us decided we wanted to go on a night hike. I was told that it would just be more like a nature walk so I wouldn't need a good pair of shoes. So I wore flipflops. Some of the other girls did not have the proper shoes either. When we got to the mountain, we could tell that this was not going to be an easy task. But, we were their and hiking is one of the best things to do in the night. So we went forth. About a mile in, my feet were starting to get cut on the rocks and I was not sure I could make it to the saddle where we were going to have a campfire. I about gave up and wanted to leave. One of my good friends took off her shoes and gave them to me and took my flip-flops.  I was worried and told her that I did not want to ruin her shoes. She looked at me and said "One day you will learn that things are just things, and that is all they are." I am not sure she realized the impact that had on me. I see now that no matter the value of a possession it is just a thing. The only important possesions we have are those that no one can take away from us.

One of my most prized posetions is my testimony. IT is something that I treasure. Something I will never have to give up, and something that will bless me far more than any material on this earth or beyond. I know that God lives and his son Jesus Christ. I know they love us, and are there whenever we need them. I know that The Holy Bible, and The Book of Mormon go hand in hand to build up the faith of the people around the world. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Gods church on this earth, and that I have been baptized by someone holding proper authority. I know that I love this world, and I will do my best to follow my savior even if that means leaving everything else behind.

WHERE ARE THE MIRACLES?

Each day I get up, I hit my knees and I say a prayer. I speak with my heavenly Father, and ask him for the strength to get through the day, and for the guidance I need to serve Him. However; my life has not always been one of prayer.  I have not always known that I can receive help for my day.

There have been times in my life when I was not sure what tomorrow would bring, but it was not something I wanted to face.  Looking back, they were not all big trials, but there were quite a few that I would not want to experiance again. I remember that there would be times when I had to question the divinity of God because life was just too hard. What was my problem? I could not see the miracles.

There were so many times when I felt like I had just "woke up on the wrong side of the bed." I could not be happy with the day because there was no reason to. It was not until I came on a mission to serve my Heavenly Father when I realized how to get through those trials.

Something I have grown a strong testimony of is Christs love for the people in this world. One of my favorite scriptures is in Alma Chapter 7: 11-13 which states:  
     And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and 
     this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the
      sicknesses of his people.

      And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people;

      and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, 

      according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people 

      according to their infirmities.

      Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh 

      that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions 

      according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

When I read this scripture, I can see how much Christ truly knows us. I can see that he understands our trials because he has suffered them for us individually. I also understand that Christ has given us this because he sees that sometimes we just have a bad day, a bad week, or a bad year. He is there to help us and guide us. 

One way I have noticed that has helped me be able to see the role Heavenly Father plays in my life is to cound the blessings. Cliche, maybe; but it works! Go through your day and come up with little miracles. Sometimes it takes a little time, but I can promise you that if you look hard enough you will find one. And when you find one, more will come.  

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When we let the world take over our emotions, we are no longer in control. We can give our sorrows and troubles to Christ. That is why he came. As we follow the Commandments and have the desire to follow the teachings of Christ, we will be happy. I know this will all of my heart! Jesus Christ Loves you!

Sister Renfro 

Jesus Calls His Apostles

Christ gave his apostles the authority to go out and act in the name of God. To heal and bless the people. That authority has been restored back to the earth from Christ himself to his prophet Joseph Smith. The scriptures can teach us all things and for that I am grateful.