My Sunday Talk

As I was preparing for this talk, my week was awful! But some really amazing moments and accomplishments occurred within this week. There were many ups and downs, but through it all I was able to identify moments that I had the constant companionship and others that I did not. In those moments that I did not, I cried out to the Lord, pleading for it, because with my eyes focused up, I knew what I was looking for...and what I was missing.

SUNDAY TALK-THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST

Several years after Joseph Smith was martyred, his spirit visited Brigham Young and he gave this as his instruction. “Tell the people to be humble and faithful and be sure to keep the spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful adn not turn away the small still voice; it will teach them what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the bretheren to keep their heartsopen to conviction so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to recieve it. They can tell the sirit of the Lord from all other spirits. It will shisper peace and joy to their souls, and it will take malice, hatred, envying, strife, and all evil from their hearts; and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness, and build up the kingdom of God. Tell the brethren if they will follow the spirit of the Lord, they will go right.” He came back from the dead to talk to the new prophet of the church. He had limited time and could have chosen to speak on anything. Instead, this is what he spoke of...Its extremely important. It was important then and it is important now!
My talk today is on the gift of the Holy Ghost. To begin I’d like to share the story of my own confirmation. There was a miscommunication and specific people were not asked to confirm me. So when the time came, they asked any worthy melchezidic priesthood holders, who wished to participate, to come up. There were 12-14 men. I was a bit overwhelmed so I counted afterwards. They had to move the chair as twelve men blocked out all light as they crowed around me in a tight circle. I was thankful just then that my parents weren't there because, while I understood the significance...or at least I thought I did..., this would just lend credence to the cult argument. And finally, as all were in place, a trembling 20 year old boy placed his hands upon my head and uttered the words, "Receive the Holy Ghost."

To quote Elder Bednar's talk, Receive the Holy Ghost,

These four words, Recieve the Holy Ghost-are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction-an authoritative admonition to act and not simply be acted upon. The Holy Ghost does not become operative in our lives merely because the hands are placed upon our heads and these four important words are spoken.

I know that I did not have a full understanding of what the Holy Ghost was or the glorious gift that I was to receive. I took a step forward, blindly. First Nephi 4:6 says, "And I was lead by the spirit, not knowing before hand the things which I should do." It seems as if Nephi was a very faithful man and confident as he goes forward. However, if you take 1Nephi 4:6 and add the first four words of seven it becomes apparent that he was just like us, scared. "And I was led by the spirit, not knowing before hand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth." Its like he's saying, "The Spirit told me to go, but not how and there are a million things going on, but i'm going. I'm going."

I had an experience very similar to this. Part of the Holy Ghost is a revelator. And it is wonderful to have this guide in your life.
It's like having a compass in your chest. However, sometimes it can be hard, when your will is east and the Lord's is west. Upon receiving Revelation it is our responsibility to act upon those revelations...whatever they may be...however blindly we stumble upon the path. That can be a very difficult thing to do. I received the prompting to move to Utah last July, however I hid from it, like a scared child under a desk. This January and February when i really started to act on the prompting to move out west I literally said to the Lord many times, "I get it already, I'm going." The prompting from the Holy Ghost was so urgent that it was on my mind all the time. I did not go west when the Lord said west. I readied my mind and eventually I turned my will to his...even so much as to say, If Utah is right, block my path to Idaho, however, if Idaho is right...I’ll go where you want me to go. Because it is our responsibility to follow promptings once we are given them, the Lord only gives us promptings he has faith we will follow...if for no other reason than it came from the Lord. However, some of us take longer to listen than others. But throughout the many months that it took me to listen, The Holy Ghost never left my side. The patience it must have taken is incredible. But he was my companion and is today and will always be so long as I invite him into my life.

In His talk, Elder Bednar discusses three things that we need to do to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost: 1. A sincere desire to receive the Holy Ghost, 2. appropriately invite the Holy Ghost into our lives, and 3. faithfully obey God's commandments.

Beginning with sincere desire, Elder Bednar said, "Do we likewise remember to pray earnestly and consistently for that which we should most desire, even the Holy Ghost? Or do we become distracted by the cares of the world and the routine of daily living and take for granted or even neglect this most valuable of all gifts?" Each and every morning I pray for the holy ghost to be within me. That I may have his spirit to be with me throughout the day. I can feel when I don't have the spirit within me and close my eyes and ask again for the spirit to be within me and I apologize most often for my anger or sorrow.
Late November last year, I got in a fight with my mom. It was over something stupid. In fact, as we drove away my sister said, "I don't know why your angry, she doesn't get it." I don't remember what it was about. As we were driving away, my mom yelled at me, "Don't make me regret what I've been telling everyone lately. You have become so mature in the last six months, don't change that." Later I realized that I had received the holy ghost six months before that point. It was a humbling experience and I felt awful and quickly apologized to my mom.


The second piece to his talk is to appropriately invite the Holy Ghost into our lives. This can be done through prayer, scripture study, worshipping, serving, obeying...as well as any other righteous work. All of these are done to full fill the mandate to receive the Holy Ghost. I don't' know if all of us go throughout our daily lives striving to be acceptable to have the third member of the God head dwell within us? But that is what it is! How amazing is that? And, on top of that...It is the basis of our religion. How does president Monson receive revelation? How does President Peterson receive revelation? How do you? It is all as a witness from the Holy Ghost. You have the same connection to God that President Monson does! You can't reveal things for the church but just as importantly, you can receive revelation for your own life and for your family! This is an amazing gift that we have been given.

I was supposed to teach with the sister missionaries this week. It was very hard because they did not call me. I was completely depressed all week. As I was preparing my talk I saw opportunities for growth everywhere and this was one place. I had a productive week, but a lonely week. On saturday I talked to them and said, "why didn't you call me?" Sister Nardoni said, "You know why we didn't call you? Because I figured you are always serving other people and maybe the Lord wanted you to serve yourself." It was a humbling experience. I realized that the joy I find in service is because the Holy Ghost is dwelling within me. It is the constant companionship and that joy, while it may be selfish, is a gift from the Holy Ghost and the Lord. I had an amazing week, it was hard, but Sister Nardoni was right...and I got a lot done, including several versions of this talk.


Sometimes, appropriately inviting the Holy Ghost into our lives comes as a choice to reach out, other times it is our only option. As a convert, I did not fully recognize the Holy Ghost until I felt completely alone. Last summer Elder Barker was sent up to Wisconsin in Early July and just two weeks later Elder Jones was sent home to have surgery, they were not only the missionaries that taught me but also at the time, the only people I completely trusted within the church. I felt alone. I was here, but I still felt as if I were walking on eggshells. Inappropriate or not, they were my life line in the church. My only friends in my family ward, they lived outside the singles ward drama and I felt that I could trust them. When they left I truly had to begin to trust not only those around me but the spirit. I felt lost, as if I were walking into the dark. I knew so little, and felt as if I tripped with every step I took. It was hard because through all of it, I could not call my best friends crying. They were gone. I had to rely on the spirit for my reason for going to church more than ever and my comfort alone. I prayed before every church event to have the Holy Ghost within me so the evening would not end in offense. I had to invite the Holy Ghost in, to rely on him, to trust him, to show me the way to go and teach me how to be...I had no one else I trusted with the task. I was bitter because I was leading a righteous life, and did not understand why this was happening but more importantly why others did not see that within me. Why did they not know of my purity? Why did they not know of my scripture study? Why
did they not know me? However, the Lord provides answers in mysterious ways. Soon after they left, I had the biggest trial of my faith, yet I was lifted up and strengthened beyond belief. I learned to trust....to let people see the holy Ghost within me and I was challenged to see the holy ghost within others. I was carried when I did not have the strength to keep going and gained some of my best friends. When I cried to the Lord and said, I was broken and did not have the strength to fix myself, The Holy Ghost sent others into my life to lift me. And yes he works through trials, but to quote the movie, The Testaments, "Perhaps faith isn't' faith, until it's been tried." This very rough time in my life is the basis for my trust in the church and companionship of the Holy Ghost. Those two months of their absence were the two most influential months >in my Church life. It was in those two months that I truly came to know the Holy Ghost!

When Elder Jones came back into the area, he stood smiling, looking at me. I asked him why he was smiling. And he said, "You look so beautiful. Its amazing what a difference the spirit can make" Even at times when I felt like all others failed, the Holy Ghost was there because throughout it all, I invited, begged, pleaded, and cried unto him.

As I was trying to write this talk, I was terribly nervous and decided to re-read my first and only talk I’ve ever given at a baptism, two weeks after min. I took this from that talk. The movie Homeward Bound is about two dogs and a cat who are dropped at a farm while their family goes on vacation. They believe something is wrong because the family does not return and so begin on their perilous journey home. Upon starting the journey, the eldest and wisest dog, Shadow said, “Something doesn't smell right. They've been gone too long. Far too long! Much longer than they've ever been!” and the young naïve pup,
Chance says, “Wake up and smell the kibble. They dumped us!” Shadow responded, “No! Not Peter!” Shadow had extreme faith in his constant companion, Peter. Throughout the film Shadow never lost sight of Peter and returning home. Through all the porcupines, dog pounds, mountain lion attacks, and failing support of his traveling buddies, he never lost faith. Chance stated at one point early on, “Shadow was loyal, Shadow was faithful... Shadow was a chump.” Often times on this journey people will try to drag you down. Things within your life will become difficult, but if you trust God and hold fast to the faith that your constant companion, the Holy spirit, will never leave you, and follow God’s plan for you, you will complete your passes over the mojuntain lions, porcupines, and railroad tracks of your life. Oh how much I was to learn.
More recently I have begun to feel His presence so clearly in the scriptures. At a doctors appointment recently, I was very
nervous. I pulled out my book of mormon from my purse and flipped to the first scripture under the comfort reference. 2 Nephi 8:12 begins with, “I am He; I am he that comforteth you.” I re-read that line two or three times and it was all i needed to know. He is here for me and loves me. And my soul was at peace. Again a few days later I was very scared about my health again and a sister missionary told me to flip to John 16:33 which states, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” And at that moment the holy ghost spoke peace unto my soul. Why fret about the cares of this world? God has overcome the world. And the spirit will guide and protect me. I have nothing to fear. I have often been asked on my errands with the sisters, what is the gift of the holy ghost in your life? And my biggest thing is always joy. How much joy he brings. I can see him most clearly as a guide and teacher and hear him as a revelator. But I feel him in my soul as joy and peace.

The Lord has an instant connection to us in the Holy Ghost. But he wants us to cry to him. To sincerely pray. To humble ourselves and say, “I can’t do this alone, I need your help.” Help for both our spiritual and temporal lives. To protect our flocks and house holds. To help us prosper and to be joyful. To find answers from him in the still small voice, scriptures, and others. And to remember that it is often in our lowest points, that the Holy Ghost sustains and often carries us through until our feet can touch the ground once more.

The final step in having the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost is to faithfully obey not only the commandments in the scriptures, but of the prophet and any guidance or revelation you receive personally. Some of the commandments are black and white, in fact most. Following the commandments allows us to be worthy to have the Holy Ghost dwell within us. But also, following the commandments, serving others, scripture study...these activities invite the holy ghost and in turn bring us copious amounts of Joy. That joy makes us want to seek it more, which makes it easier to keep the commandments. However, because of my own life experiences, what struck me most in this heading is that we faithfully obey. Going forward in Faith, not knowing the things which you should do, is one of the hardest things the Lord asks of us....However, “fundamentally, all gospel teachings and activities are centered on coming unto Christ by receiving the Holy Ghost in our lives.” Its everything and the blessings and instruction from the Holy Ghost, make the step into the dark worth the risk. “For God has not given us the spirit of Fear, but of hope and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

In closing I’d like to share a story. A few weeks ago on a
Saturday night, I finished up at work and headed home with little time to change, eat, and get gas. That night was the Saturday evening session for conference. It was icy, very very icy, however, my car barely slipped so I didn’t notice much. I was going to stop for subway out by the stake center and get gas along the way there. I had just enough to get to my usual station along route 83. But I didn’t know where a subway was out there, so rather than chance I would have to eat something that would make me sick, I stopped by my house. And instead of continuing to the gas station along the way, i stopped by my house. It put me about 15 minutes behind, but not 15 minutes late. I still had the 45 minutes it should take to get there. I set out and got stuck behind someone going half the speed limit for 7 miles. When I finally rounded the road and it went to two lanes I breathed a sigh of relief until I saw the bridge. All traffic was stopped. As we squeezed four lanes into two across a bridge, i saw firemen preparing to go over the side of the bridge with harnesses and a smashed car and kids looking under the car. I should have been there when that happened. As i crossed the bridge, I reached a light. After that light was the gas station I was supposed to stop at about 3 blocks down. The road was closed due to another accident. I was re routed down archer...7 miles through the forest preserve with no gas station. I never would have made it. Then going down archer turned at 104th and again at 55th...I had no idea where I was going and I couldn’t find the address for the stake center. I desperately called people trying to find someone to direct me...no one answered. I was panicked. Then a light, I saw 83 N. I got on...and my heart sank once more...Bumper to bumper traffic. However, I finally got ahold of someone...A missionary, who served in Naperville the last five months of his mission and is now home. He stayed on the phone with me for 45 minutes guiding me and listening to me cry and complain in frustration...and say, I know the Lord protected me, but... over and over as I passed four more accidents. I got to stake conference at 730. At the end, President peterson quoted someone saying something along the lines of, “How many car accidents have I avoided because the Holy Ghost has diverted my path? How many dangerous diseases have I come into contact with but not succumb to because the guiding hand of the Lord went first. How many blessings have I received that I know nothing about?” Listening to that, it truly hit me how blessed and protected and guided I had been that night! We are not often fortunate enough to see blessings of the Holy Ghost like the ones that occurred that night. They are often hidden from our view. But rest assured we are protected, guided, taught, and comforted every day.


I testify that If we allow the Holy Ghost to come into our lives, live worthy to receive his counsel and blessings, and follow his
instructions...our lives will never look the same. There is much to think about but nothing to worry about when the Holy Ghost is in your life. He will never leave you and never forsake you! He will teach you Charity. He will guide and protect you through the storms of life. I testify that he teaches us through the scriptures and through our living prophet on the earth today. I testify that he is a revelator and if you live a worthy life and keep the commandments your life will not be left to chance. I testify, most of all, that he is comforter. Cry to him to protect you. Cry to him in your times of need and he will never fail you. I leave this the blessed name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I wanted to give anyone an opportunity to see this talk. It was my first sacrament meeting talk from today. I did not stick to this talk much at all. I had much prepared, however, I allowed the HOly Ghost to speak through me and I'm told it was awesome. Funny enough, I was panicked until the hymn came, then i was at peace, until thirty seconds after my talk. I told sister worlton about it and she said, that when you prepare well for a talk and the spirit is built up within you that it bursts forth. Afterwards, a bit of the spirit leaves you because you don't need quite as much anymore. It may not be much you lose, but you can feel it. It was an amazing experience. And I am so greatful. Remember, when the holy ghost is within you, it is as obvious and distracting as my cat pencil case on the podium. You can't look away and at times it is all you can see. It is the most powerful testimony you can give, is to allow the holy ghost to shine through you!

Trials

For a while now, I've been having certain trials and not wanting to face them! A few weeks ago, I saw Alma 34 three times in one day. Ever since then it's been on my heart.

18. Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is amighty to save.

19. Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.

20. Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.

21. Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

22. Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

23. Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.

24. Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

25. Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

26. But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

27. Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of dthose who are around you.

If you ask me...that's a lot of crying...and I knew trials were coming but I truly didn't want to face them. I have been having such a wonderful time lately that I was hoping some things would go away if I ignored them with enough persistance. But they didn't. Today I was feeling sorry for myself and crying because of some things that I will have to face in the coming weeks. I talked to a sister missionary and she pointed me to John 16:33: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. And it truly brightened my day.

I need to give my concerns over to the Lord, trust him fully that he know's what he's doing! I need to follow promptings, and commandments, and counsel and guideance. And everything in this life is meant to teach me! The more trials I have the more I will learn! And trials are a demonstration of the Lord's faith and trust in you! The other day at the doctors office I was scared and I flipped open my Book of Mormon and began to read. I looked up comfort and flipped to the first verse I saw, 2 Nephi 8:12 "I am he; yea, I am he that comforteth you. Behold, who art thou, that thou shouldst be bafraid of man, who shall die, and of the son of man, who shall be made like unto grass?"

The first line of the verse, "Yeah I am he that comforteth you!" Was all I needed to hear! It was as if God was speaking to me. I have nothing to fear and nothing to mourn over, because the Lord will not lead my life astray! He guides me and protects me and holds me in my sorrow. Through the Lord I can do all things! "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."(2 Timothy 1:7)

10 Magical Days

Oh my goodness! I have been sooooo crazy busy these last ten days! That is because my Best Friend Brittni came out from Wyoming. It was a whirlwind adventure! Saturday we hung out and then went to church on Sunday. She was bombarded with missonaries. Then we had linger longer and took it easy that night. We showed up early to FHE so the misisonaries could teach her! Then we went out for dinner with Nova and her date...we came home and watched a movie. It was an amazing night. Enough said!

Then Tuesday we went for sushi with the Sister's B and N. Sadly, Sister B got transferred up to Beloit, Wi. I know she is going where the Lord needs her. But, because she was leaving the next day, I backed Brittni into tracting but she and Sister N talked, while sister B and I knocked doors! In the end It was an amazing experience for both parties! I even got to talk to Sister N's BFF from home and made a new friend! That evening we went home and the next set of missionaries in Brittni's mormon tour came over to play cranium!

Thursday I drove Brittni up to valpo and got to say goodbye to a bunch of my professors. They seemed happy to see me and told me how "hot" i looked. I think they were happy to see me looking like I was going to succeed! It was good to see that confidence and joy on their face! I also got to go share my testimony with the Valpo missionaries at an appointment! It was an amazing appointment with a very affectionate jumpy puppy, that the missionaries had to fight to keep off me! I found out that one of them lives in ID and will be there around the same time I come out to visit! I saw Charity for the second time in a missionary's eyes as he watched me bear my testimony...its a humbling and comforting feeling to feel the spirit and love of God in another person! He and Elder H, who went home that day, will hopefully be able to hang out with me in June! :) Elder Barker, my first Elder...he confirmed me...went home that day too! It was a very hard week, in that sense, because as much as I never saw either of them...it was nice having them close by just in case! And sister B I had been teaching with multiple times a week.

Friday I had the opportunity to go to the temple and do Baptisms for the dead! I arrived twenty-five minutes early and the sun was setting on a field next to the temple. There were trees and grasses and a pond. It was teaming with life. There were red-winged black birds, chickadees, frogs, bugs, and even deer. I was drawn to it, so with my heels sinking in mud, I went hiking. I walked through and it was so calming and spirtually moving. I asked God how I could relate this amazing sight to us. And He answered :

The grasses and flowers all look dead from the top of the earth. And the plants themselves are. Their stems and flowers and dried and shriveled. But under the surface is a different story. If the plant rooted early in summer, they will be strong enough to survive the winter. Next summer they will come back stronger than ever before. Our purpose is very similar to these plants. We come into this world to enrich its beauty, diversity, and support the other life around us. We need to have a family and to plant strong roots, so that when trials come we can weather the storm. We will always have trials and difficult times. Times where we feel as if we are dead to the world. But if we have roots firmly planted in the Gospel, we will grow back more beautiful after each and every winter. Finally, when we do leave this world, if our roots are strong enough, when Christ comes again, we will once more flourish brighter and better than ever before.

My spiritually building 3 weeks seems to have not only been to help me prepare for Brittni coming, but also for the talk that I was assigned in church for this upcoming sunday! There were tons of students from BYU and BYUI on Sunday and so I asked Craig to give me a talk before I move out west...to mormon-land! And as asked for, I recieved my first talk!

While it doesn't seem like a busy week, it went by so fast and feels as though I'm running to catch up to my life. Throughout this whirlwind, the spirit was ever present. I got to see several miracles this week and I am so grateful for a heavenly father who loves me and answers prayers. I know that I need to have a constant prayer in my heart and the Holy Ghost will guide , protect, and comfort me.

I have a feeling that much of the time is going to pass like this. I am so happy here but I'm leaving! I am scared and nervous but most of all excited to be moving out west.

My ACA Adventure at Chez Smith

So Thursday-Saturday of this week I was fortunate enough to attend the ACA Mid-States Conference! I had a lot of fun and the sessions were extremely informative. Most of them took previous ideas I held and gave me ways to either flip them or expand upon them. The first session was on camp games, while they were a bit rough for campers, they are perfect for this monday's FHE activity! So watch out YSA! Here I come!!! It was great to get to meet so many other people who were passionate about camping. There was much advice shared...as well as home-made carmel.

Instead of staying at the hotel, I stayed with the spectacular Smilth family. Mom, Dad, Tanner, Conner, Kellen, Mckayla, Keaten, Kelsey, and Shane. Try saying that 5 times fast....didn't learn the older ones :) It was so much fun! We made homemade carmel on Thursday...thanks Sister Mitchell for the Recipe...came out fantastic!!! Shane entertained us all by forgetting my name over and over, showing me his many toys, and schooling me in how to climb all over the house! Tanner, Conner, and I had a blast on thursday night watching you tube videos, talking, and reading scriptures! Then Friday night, we all watched mobsters and mormons....I think Shane's laughing to the point of screaming was funnier than the movie! Indoctrination! lololol...don't ask!

I was truly inspired by the morning and evening prayer and scripture ritual. They ate as a family, got along, and truly have me considering home schooling for my kids :) Shhhh...don't tell tanner!!! They were kind and generous to a fault....and delight in family music, reading, and writing poetry and several novels. You rock Kelsey and McKayla. Kellen and Keaten...the two hardest
to tell apart...Alex P, Alex P, Alex P...both have a love for the garage, and all that entails! hahah But overall, it was an experience not soon to be forgotten. Especially because we have another movie sleepover coming up...with knitting involved!!!

Then today, my best friend Brittni came to town. We have an amazing week planned too! Its amazing how many blessings have been pouring into my life lately! I am utterly grateful for them all!el on

Conference

Today I began to realize just how important it is to journal personally. I have so many things I want to write down, but I want to have it on record before I forget, so I decided that I would record it first! I want to write a book that details the first two years of my life in the church! There is so much change and learning going on, that I think it could be helpful to share...and entertaining!!! The day was great! I drove downtown, not so great, but definately made me look forward to wilderness :) I took my first steps to professional scouting! I went to lunch with my dad, shopping with my sister, and bowling with friends! Tomorrow through saturday, I am attending a professional development conference with work friends! I'm really excited to learn more about camp and hang out with friends! Conferences are always fun! and I get to hang out with the Smith family and make home made carmel. I am so blessed!!

My life has so much change, but it has been so exciting! I am looking forward to my patriarichal blessing, and moving, and the many wonderful expeirences that are to come! I know that there will be struggles and I am struggling to learn how to be truly thankful for my struggles in the midst of them. Trials allow me to become more CHrist-like, understand others better, more fully understand the atonement, and learn and grow...I guess what more could you want? Pretty awesome blessings come out of trials...but my life is kind of awesome right now, and I feel those blessings as well! One day I will be able to be fully thankful in the midst of both!

Ooo and I found out that I get to attend a mormon wedding in Idaho over the summer! I'm soooo excited! Congratulations to her! And I am officially starting my Kayaking class! I'm really starting to get excited! And Brittni comes on saturday! My room is not clean:( well it is, but my clean laundry still needs to be hung lolololol

ABC's Of Dating

As promised, these are the dating notes from Sister and Bishop Clements Talk!

Topics:

1. Obstacles to dating---focusing on our weaknesses, lack of confidence, resources, the first date to the temple mentality, feelings of inadequacy, and fears
a. Our fears included: being alone, unrequited love, rejection, not being asked out, that it would work out, that we could grow sick of the person, and the fear of abandonment.

But in 2 Timothy 1:7 it says that " For God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2. Pet peeves---Cold sholder, talking about other people on the date, rebound catches, anything with your phone, clinging, don't feign interest, social skills, territorial, bad mouthing, being late, changing plans, leave at the end of the date, and expecting perfection.

3. Values and compatablity---the two most important things to look for...do you hold a temple reccommend? Do you go to church often? look for people with values similar to your own...But you can be, and often will be, very different people!!!

4. Asking questions: I will post the questions later i'm sure! They are awesome! But you first ask questions of yourself, then your date, and then heavenly father.

5. Inexpensive date ideas---nature walks, museums, geocashing, ice cream, CREATIVE, canoes, games, town activities, cooking, driving, riverwalk, concerts, plays.

Inexpensive dates are wonderful because they can be frequent and casual.

6. How to act A-H by Sister clements

A-Attitude, approachable
B-Body, clean hygeine, body language
C-Cloths, dress for the occassion
D-Date, don't hang out
E-Encouraging, talk and listen
F-Friends, make a date
G=Gospel, talk about it
H-Happy, be happy, be yourself, and have a good time

ABC dating method by Bishop Clements.

You take girl A to a movie, girl B to a concert, and girl C to a sporting event. Now rotate. A to the concer, C to the movie and B to the sporting event. Move them out as they disappoint you until you have a girl you want to take to all kinds of evnets. It is ok to go on dates with multiple people at a time!

7. Graceful Breakups by Leann

a. Prayerful contemplation
b. Place yourself in their shoes
c. Communicate with openess, yet tactfulness
d. Do so with consideration and correct communication
e. Help them understand your reasoning
f. Avoid accusing and express your feelings
g. Give encouragement and what you liked about them
h. Handle with care and respect and they will appreciate it in time

Tips:

a. Be careful of what you tell others
b. Set your friend up with the guy who it doesn't work out with
c. pray for comfort and confirmation
d. see things in an eternal perspective
e. See it as a learnign experience
f. Apply the lessons to improve
g. Strive to find forgiveness

Always try to find something positive in your date!!! And be thinking of who you can set them up with for later!!

Too many people over value what they are not and under value what they are. They accentuate their flaws and forget about their strengths. The adversary's goal is to attack the family and the best way to do that is to prevent it from happening.

8. Next steps:

We were asked to put the principles we learned into practice. All forty of us, who were single...which was almost all of us...were asked to go on a random date arranged by the Bishop. No one refused and it gave him such joy...how could you?

Hope this helps.

Learning

Today I went teaching with the sisters today. Before our appointment, we went tracting yet again and I finally got to feel what it felt like to have people close the door in your face. No one was mean. After a whole block, we walked up to a house and I said to the sisters, this is hard. It was disheartening but they are quite used to it already. So we knocked on the door and a girl opened. She listened and said that she had never heard of the book of mormon but that she would be interested in knowing more. However, she was a nanny and did not live in the area. She lived in woodridge. At that I exploded into excitment and invited her to institute. She took my phone number and as it turns out her dear friend passed away this sunday and the funeral is tomorrow. I pray that she comes. It was helpful for me because in that moment, when i said, this is hard, I'm discouraged...the Lord took over and brightened my spirits yet again!

As we taught with A afterwards, we had many opportunities to share our testimonies and it was great. I officially put the twilight moves on sister brown...and I'm her favorite person! It was a great day. Sister N told me that she knew who I was going to marry the first time she met me...that was interesting. I absolutely adore them!! One of the sisters commented that my optimism and positive attitude about marriage was encouraging to her and that she truly felt the spirit when I told her about my experiences at stake conference. It's interesting that when you join the church, some of the experiences that you have are not really discussed. I love that God teaches me in my peace. Sitting there with that five year old on my lap and the others fighting over me...i heard some thing, remember my things, wrote nothing, and learned everything important!

Tonight was also the relief society meeting. Only a few people showed up but Erica read us The missing piece and the big O by Shel Silverstein. It talks about a missing piece that is consistently trying to find the exact opposite to make it whole. The big O comes along and tells the piece to roll...that its edges will soften. its hard and it takes time, but after a while, Its rolling and it doesn't know where and it doesn't care. We talked about how its important to complete yourself. To be happy and be able to bless another person's life by rolling alongside them. It was a perfect metaphor for relationships. We need to make ourselves whole, happy, and healthy...and the rest will roll into place! Overall, it was a wonderful day! But then again, when the spirit is with you and you are teachign the gospel...can you really go wrong?

OOOOO and my best friend Brittni is coming in on saturday! So everyone say Hi!

My AMAZING Week

So this is my first in my blog series entitled Not-So Molly Mormon, a blog to share the positive musings from my day, as well as break down stereotypes. Last week was Fantastic! I found out that I got a job in Idaho to be a river guide on the salmon river...in the middle of no where Idaho, five hours north of Idaho Falls. It was amazing! I'm terrified but super excited. Twenty-seven male river guides and three girls...its going to be an interesting summer. We sleep in Platform tents and then saturday night, we go camp out on the church lawn! I'm so excited!

Tuesday, I went teaching with the sister missionaries! It was such a good experience. I found so much joy in it! One of the sisters actually made me promise that I would call her brother to help him find a job in the western wilderness. She actually said, "who are you? Here you are in heels and you wrangle wolves and run rivers? You can marry my brother!" We are planning triple ice cream dates with unknown suitors after their mission! So they asked me to go again on thursday to meet an investigator with cancer. And then I went out to my sister's prom fashion show and out to Francesca's! It was a great day!

Wednesday, i went to the temple with 18 missionaries! Jonesy was really the only one I cared about seeing but I had an amazing time. It was the first time I saw temple workers stress! Afterwards, we went to the bookstore, and the mission office, and Cici's Pizza. I realized that I have changed so much since first joining but I still find such joy in missionaries. They asked me so many questions and it was such a fun trip! I really began bonding with McKay. I had one experience in which I felt the spirit leave because of cruelty and I actually commented and was able to correct because of love. I've never really done that before to a missionary.It was a good experience for both of us! Jones was very happy to see me. He missed me :) Barker was unable to come unfortunately but I spoke to his mom yesterday and I will talk to him soon. He goes home a week from thursday!



Thursday, I went teaching with the sisters but both of our appointments cancelled, so we went tracting. I believe that true empathy is only capable but walking in other's shoes. So I wanted to know what it was like to have the door slammed in my face. Well, that didn't happen because both of the two houses we tracted let us in. Gertrude was the first door. She was a nice german lutheran 88 year old lady. The second house belonged to Vincenzo and Josephina...a beautiful italian couple married 51 years. They had us in and fed us home made bread! She said something that day, "when i walk out, I say 'Jesus, you go first'" and that as she passes her crucifix, if she walks past it, she has to go back to pray! Her commitment to her faith was inspiring! I hope the sisters were able to find her a ride to the dentist! She told us how beautiful we were over and over again! Their life was inspiring. She and her husband grew up with 10 and 11 siblings in rural italy. They were never able to go to school. So they cannot read. They are both losing their eyesight but they didn't really read before that! It broke my heart that we couldn't leave the Book of Mormon for them to find the joy I have known...because they couldn't read it! It occurred to me how illiteracy is such a sad thing for so many reasons, this is just one more!

Friday was my day to sleep, work, and do laundry!

Saturday, I went to evening session for stake conference! I left to go to conference at 6pm. I decided to stop at a local gas station and for food near my house...instead of normally on the way. Then I got stuck behind people going 30 mph in a 55mph zone....for 7 miles. When I finally got around them the traffic got worse. There was a three car pile up on the bridge with ambulances and a fire truck. Past that, the road was closed for another accident after the next light. I got diverted and finally found my way back to the right road and there were four more accidents. I got off at some exit but was lost and couldn't find the address for the stake center. At this point it was 7pm...when it started. I called several people but no one answered. Only a former chicago missionary in Utah. He let me complain slightly about how disappointed I was, express gratitude for the protection Heavenly Father had provided me, and stayed on the phone, guiding me to the stake center for 45 minutes! I sat next to a new guy in our area and we talked a bit. President Peterson read a talk that said something to the effect of, "How many accidents have I avoided by the Lord guiding me a different way? how many infectious diseases have I contacted and not contracted? How many blessings have I received without ever knowing it? How many times have I been blessed by the protecting and guiding hand of our Father in heaven?" and It occurred to me just how blessed I had been. Heavenly father had protected me! I would not have made it to the gas station...the road was closed and I probably would have been crossing the bridge at the time of the accident....and i would have been more than lost without my missionary! There was another sister who gave a talk about a positive blog she has been doing for three years! I was truly inspired by her and by using technology to spread the gospel and our testimony! I'm striving to find something in my day worth blogging about, and if I can't find it, I'll create it!
Then I was fortunate enough to see Luke open his mission call! It was such an honor to watch! Playing charades with Eden...I shall be better than him one day...It was such a fun night...and I was able to express my fears about moving to Kyle. Good night!


Sunday was stake conference and I sat with six kids and their parents, 8-Hannah, 7-Hyrum, 5-????, 4-Maddie, 2-???, and 9 months-????...The five year old little boy sat on my lap for the two hours of conference and the 4, 8, and 7 year old drew in my journal and vied for spots to sit next to me. The presence of the baby on my lap put me in a state of utter peace and bliss. It was as if someone put a warm blanket all around me. I felt the spirit and it told me several things. I listened to the talk but heard things not said! And don't remember much else because of my state of complete peace...most who know me, know that is not usually the case! I remember everything!!! I wrote down nothing! Also never the case. After wards, I spoke with Elder Brian McDonell who was joyously happy to see me because it's always good to see people some time later. He was at my baptism, and that joy comes from the opposite...most people who they baptize do not make it their first year in the church. It's just too much. Too much temptation, sadness, trials...the adversary proves too strong. It made me happy to provide that joy, but sad to know where that joy came from. The CES broad cast was awesome and renewed my ferver for missionary work. I realized, that I share my testimony everywhere. My love for the church is amazing...but everyone at work wants to know aobut my church...and they all want to come! Its living by example, letting the holy ghost shine through, and truly...God is sending them to me! I cannot believe how many people at work ask me aobut church.

Today at work, one person asked me aobut church, another asked about the organizational system of church and how she could attend, and two others want to attend institute! It was awesome! My friend came in to cover me and i attended the Family Home Evening with the Bishop and Sister Clements. They Taught us about dating...I'll post that soon...and then at the end, they used my idea...much more effectively than I would have ever been able...and they set us all up on blind dates! I am excited about mine, and it actually led to another date as well! I have a feeling this is going to be amazing!

Tomorrow is sure to be another amazing day! I have work, then teaching with the sister missionaries, shopping with my sister, and finally a wonderful Relief Society meeting...and maybe soccer! Life truly is amazing!