"Be ye doers of the work..."

Last night was institute for the Edgemont South Stake Singles; a class I love to attend. One of my favorite teachers, President Esplin, was giving the lesson as well, which made it even more exciting. As he taught from the beginning of the Book of James I had thoughts form in my head and a light went on. I have observed people in the past who seem to feel studying the gospel intensely is more important, or should be given higher priority, than going out and living what the gospel teaches. We are called on to “seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom...” (D&C 88:118), though that does not say seek ye out of these books and then sit back and you will be saved. Rather we look to the Book of James (as well as many other places in the scriptures) to find the other piece to the map back to our Heavenly home. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only...” (James 1:22). This is where the light bulb went on in my head. It made sense. This is the analogy that came to mind:

Reading and studying the scriptures and expecting that alone to save you, no matter how hard you study, is like reading the instructions on how to use a toaster, then staring at the toaster and waiting for it to work. The scriptures are the instructions on how to get back to Heaven, but we must follow those instructions in order to get there. We cannot be observers only, but must study, then go out and do.

Most people probably already understood this principle, I just found it so simple when this though came to me. I love this gospel, and I am SO excited to serve a mission and be a tool in the hands of the Lord to serve the people of Brazil.

The beginning of an End

These few months have been the beginning of an end. For years we have had a group of cousins that have been very close and have done just about everything together. Sunday game nights, random movie excursions and random visits to each other late at night, Sunday cookie-making, love, support, friendship... We are each others best friends and, for the most part, have been our whole lives. We have been each others support in hard times (and trials in others... :D). Now, things are changing.

Two days ago (Tuesday) my cousin and one of my dearest friends was married for time and all eternity in the LDS Timpanogos Temple. I was so happy for her. She and her husband absolutely glowed the whole day. My cousin Jake and I are leaving on missions. Jake to California, and I'm off to Brazil. The boys and Kimmy are graduating from High school next year which means off to college and, very soon after for the boys, their own missions. The dynamics are changing.

We are The Cousins. That is not just a general phrase anymore to us. When we say it we see faces. When we hear it, we feel loved and happy. Now when I hear it I feel sad this wonderful era is ending, but excited to see what the future holds for all of us.

A lady here at work is listening to a song I believe fits my feelings very well... "You'll be in my Heart" from Disney's Tarzan. You will all be in my heart forever, no matter what happens or where we go. I love you guys. Thank you for everything you've done for me.

Infinity and Beyond... In Talent

This week I attended the show "110 in the Shade" at the Hale Center Theater for the second time. The first time I saw the show I was amazed by the talent and enjoyed the show, but this time was even better! The talent and energy onstage absolutely blew me away! All of those in lead positions had voices for Broadway and their amazing acting made the experience complete.
Amazing!

Up Down Turn around...

Through my many different decisions I have had to make in the past few months I have come to realize a lot of things. One thing I have noticed is that the Lord very often waits to give us an answer until we have had the experiences that will help us to understand the answer and come to the point where we know enough we would choose His will. He puts more trust in our ability to make decisions than I had ever before realized. As we come to the point of making a pinnacle decision, we can pray, fast, and do all the things we have been taught and though the Lord will provide us an answer, many times He requires us to go through related experiences in order to make a decision, then He provides His stamp of approval on that decision if it is in accordance to His will. But the answers do come. It is through these trials and challenges that we come to understand more who He is and the role He plays as our Savior and Redeemer. He lives. He loves us. He answers our prayers, and if we do our best to follow Him, He will not let us fail. Of this I testify in His sacred name, even Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Sniffles

Life is an interesting thing. One day you feel like you know how your whole life will play out, then the next day you get a cold. Don't ask, it just sounded good. So I have a cold. Why do they call it a cold when I feel very hot? They should call it a hot. I have a hot today. It flew in ever so stealthily Saturday night and grew gradually worse throughout Sunday. Today I have used almost an entire box of Kleenex by myself... Oh dear. I cannot complain too much, however, because I was so paranoid about getting sick during those weeks of misery (aka end of school and finals), but this hot was kind enough to hold back until all of that was over. Very kind of you hot, thank you. Today I feel much better, though incredibly exhausted and very stuffy (embarassingly so), but I feel 20x's better than I did yesterday afternoon. What a blessing. I had a friend tell me to eat onions when I'm sick. I ate spaghetti sauce with onions in it last night. Maybe that's the reason for this miraculous somewhat recovery! What a discovery... For me... Yes, that did rhyme. Can you tell I'm sick? Probably not. I'm very good at hiding it when I can't think clearly. The thoughts seem to come out of their own accord. A nice break for my brain. Tonight I am going to a Barbeque. Am I excited? Of course. Friends, food, movie, more food, friends, what a night. Awesome. Excited! Well, my rant for today is finished. Almost time to go home. Another blessing. Jolly good. Goodbye for today, and until tomorrow, adieu.

The gift of Friends

The sweet smell of newly fallen rain, cool air, and a walk through the night with a dear friend. My life is one of great joys. Last night was an interesting night. After finals finished I had a let-down crash-down and was sick. I was exhausted and at the end of my line physically, mentally, and emotionally. Yesterday I played volleyball with some friends and as I slammed the craziness out of that ball, I began to feel better. The laughter and sight of friends all around me, living life in such a way that joy was often present, I felt better. Then something changed. I'm not sure exactly what, but the joy faded, the excitement diminished, I was tired, and my shoulders drooped once again. I didn't know what to do. I sat in front of my house, despising the thought of going to bed with such a feeling, yet desiring so much to just sleep and shut out the world. I texted a friend and requested an audience in the cool night air, just to get out and walk. This dear friend, though it was late, and cold, I think could sense my mood (this friend had been playing volleyball earlier as well), and accepted. We walked through the cool, damp air and talked. We joked, we laughed, my shoulders lifted, my heart was light again. The blessing of having true friends, who listen to the spirit and are willing to serve, is, to me, one of the greatest gifts given to us here in mortality. To feel that love and safety in the company of others... This is joy.