Water Damage...

One week ago today it was raining. It was raining really hard from the perspective of someone who lived the first 21 years and 9 months of her life in a desert.
So, it was raining, but we needed to go out. We had important things to do and important people to see. We also didn't have our car. So we bundled up and walked out into the downpour.

When deciding how to bundle up effectively we decided that our backpacks and their entire contents would get soaked if we took them with us. So we put the things that we needed in our pockets, and put our copies of The Book of Mormon in plastic zip-top bags.

Needless to say, we got soaked. Even my planner, which I thought would be safe in my coat pocket- got wet. The only thing that didn't get wet was my copy of the Book of Mormon sealed safely in the plastic bag.

So, as I stared at my planner today, lamenting it's pathetic state, I thought about why I didn't do more to protect it from the rain. I wondered why I thought that putting it in my coat pocket that was only closed by a simple (not watertight) zipper would have kept it safe and dry.

Pondering this experience reminded me of the scripture in Ephesians which talks about putting on the whole armour of God.

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" Ephesians 6:11-17

Just like walking out in the rain improperly bundled, if we live in this world without having the whole armour of God on, our spirit's will be injured by the fiery darts of the wicked and we will have more than water damage to be sad about.

But if we do put on the armour of God at all times, we will be like my book, safe from any water damage in a torrential downpour.

Rainbows

It has been raining a lot lately. All of the rain reminds me of a song we would sing in primary. It goes...

I like to look for rainbows, whenever there is rain,

And ponder on the beauty of an Earth made clean again.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.

I want to be the best I can and live with God again. 

I love the metaphor used in that song. I sang this song a lot before I was baptized, as a way of looking forward to being made clean just like "earth right after rain".

Today, it has been 13 years, 8 months, and 25 days since I was baptized. I get peace from the knowledge that even though I have made many, many, many mistakes since October 11, 1997, I can be washed clean again every time I repent.


Find out more about Repentance

Acts of Faith

There is a tradition in Japan that anyone who folds 1000 paper cranes will be granted one wish. After Sendai, Japan was hit by the devastating earthquake in March, my brother and I decided to fold paper cranes to show love and support for those suffering in Japan.  Whenever we saw them sitting on our counter we were reminded of the people.

Folding 1000 paper cranes in order to get your wish granted is an act of faith. You have to show that you believe that your wish will be granted and that you want it to be granted badly enough that you are willing to work for it. Faith in Jesus Christ follows the same principle. You must show that you believe that He is your Savior. You must show that you believe through following His teachings. The 12 apostles of Jesus Christ that were called during His earthly ministry were "...made white in the blood of the Lamb, because of their faith in him." (1 Nephi 12:11). 

I know that we can be "made white" through faith in Jesus Christ. When we change our lives in order to live according to His teachings, we will be blessed with peace in this life and joy in eternity.

Learn More about His Teachings.

Friends Forever

I have enjoyed many friendships over my almost 22 years here on Earth. I love each and every one of them for the unique joy and happiness they bring to my life. Some friendships I've enjoyed for many years, and some have only lasted for a few weeks. Despite the length of time we've known each other I'm grateful for the things I've learned from these people.

MerriLyn and I have lived around the corner from each other since we were 3. (18 years)

Amanda is 5, she is my "cousin-friend" as she calls it. We love to play with Barbies and run around when our families go camping together. (5 years)

This is Sarah (a.k.a Squirticus), she is my "favorite sister" We have been friends ever since April of 1994, when she was born. (17 years)

This is Sister Bishop, she and I were companions at the MTC for 3 weeks and we became best friends in that short time. (10 weeks)

This is my Savior, Jesus Christ. He has know me since I was created. He loves me and wants me to follow Him. He was the perfect example for me, and I'm striving to live worthy to be His friend by following His teachings. I know that as I do what He asks of me throughout my life I will be able to call Him my friend, and eventually live with Him and Our Father in Heaven for Eternity.

Comfort from Home

We have an hour for lunch and an hour for dinner every day. Usually, we eat and clean up in the first 30-45 minutes and then we have a little extra time to do whatever we want. Today, I decided to take a power nap during my extra 20 minutes.

This is my bed, as much as I love it, there has always been something missing about it. I bought the blanket, and sheets for my mission so I never used them at home. As I was lying there I thought, I wish I had my blankie. Barely a moment passed when there was a knock on our door. A package I had been hoping for arrived and inside it was.... My blankie!

I could hardly contain my excitement, I hugged it and couldn't stop smiling. I got that piece of home that I'd been wishing for and I felt my parents love for me in the process.


When we came to Earth to live our lives, we left our Heavenly home. Just like my new blanket and sheets, most things here are unfamiliar, but, just like my parents, Heavenly Father wanted to send us something that would remind us of our home in heaven and help us to feel His love. He sent the Holy Ghost to be our comforter.

"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.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:26-27

I know that we can all have the Holy Ghost as our comforter when have faith and repent and we follow the example of Jesus Christ and are baptized by someone who holds authority from God, and then receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, Acts 8:14-18. 

Having the Holy Ghost as a comforter in my life has brought me so much peace and comfort. It helps me to remember the love of my Heavenly Father and it keeps me smiling, just like my blankie from home. 

My blankie! (and some other items I got in my package.)