Going Home...

 In Mark chapter 5 the story is told of Christ casting out a legion of devils that were in a bunch of swine. There were a lot of people who witnessed this and after they witnessed the miracle, Christ said unto the people, "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee" (Mark 5:19).

I was pondering on this story and how Christ always invites us to share with others the miracles and the great things that He is constantly doing for each and every one of us.  I have been reflecting a lot lately on this, because in a few days I will be returning home to my friends and my family.  I wonder what it will be like to no longer be a full time missionary.  It is almost hard to remember what it is like to not be a missionary.  I find myself wondering and worrying about what I will talk with people about, what will I do, etc. 

 But when I read this account I realized that I love what the counsel the Savior gives.  I realized that I am going to do exactly as the Savior asks.  I cannot wait to go home and tell everyone I know how many miracles I have witnessed as a missionary.  How many amazing people I have met, and how many lives I have seen changed for the better because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He has been a part my mission here in Philadelphia, and that He always has and always will be watching over me.  I will continue to look for the miracles in my life, and cannot wait to see how the Lord will continue to bless me.

Stuff Happens..

In college a friend and I had the bright idea of entering a cardboard boat race.  We spent about 3 days building a cardboard boat made from simply duck tape and cardboard.  It took us about 14 rolls of duck tape.  I don't even know how we managed to make it float, but by a miracle it held our weight and we managed to compete in the race. 

We started off pretty well, and on the last stretch, we were one of the few boats that managed to stay afloat.  Then we hit trouble, and got knocked out of our boat.  

Somehow we managed to get back in the boat, with minor difficulties, me getting kicked in the face mainly, but we eventually made it to the finish line.

So I was thinking about this story, and how ridiculous it was that I volunteered to participate in a cardboard boat race, but I must admit that this race does in fact relate to real life.   Stuff happens!

In life as in my cardboard boat race, we crashed, I got kicked in the face, and we definitely didn't know what the outcome would be,  or if we would even float, but that was all part of the journey.  And I enjoyed it none the less. 

Life is exciting at times, it definitely has its ups and downs, but when we fall down, we have to get back up and keep going.  The finish line in life is returning to live with our Heavenly Father, and I know that everyone can reach that goal. 

It does take work and at times it is difficult, but the Lord always makes a way.  Nephi, a prophet in The Book of Mormon said, "...I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them" (1 Nephi 3:7).

I know that the Lord always provides away to accomplish the things he asks us to do.  And sometimes He, even helps us accomplish the silly things we want to do, like finish a cardboard boat race. 

Stress is a mess!

Ever felt kind of like this? 

I have decided I hate stress!  And unfortunately I cannot avoid it.  I have days where I just crash and burn because I just can't take it anymore.  Those days usually end with me asleep on the floor after a long day of working. 

I feel stress just about everyday.  But today Sister Warner and I were driving in the car and I realized that 'why worry, why stress?' the Lord is on my side. 

Life gets crazy and it's hectic but this life is but a small moment, and when I really think about it, in the eternal scheme of things, most things I stress over, don't really matter after all. 

I bought my mother a gift for Mother's Day a couple of years back and it was a tile with a quote on it by President Gordon B. Hinckley.  He said, "Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured!" 

We would all do good to remember that our purpose in life is to "prepare to meet God" (Alma 34:32).  With that in mind, I have a new resolution to not stress out over the little things because after all, in 100 years, or in the eternities, will it really matter?  I am just going to enjoy the time and enjoy my life right here and right now.

Enjoy the Moment. 

At time's life's a mess, but why stress!  Smile!