Seminary!

Hello! I am so sorry I haven't blogged in a long time!! School started little over a month ago and I have had a lot of homework, but I am going to try to blog every weekend!

So Since school has started up again I want to talk about seminary a little. Seminary is a purpose is to help youth understand and rely on teaching of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. You attend Seminary when you get into High School. This year we are in the New Testament and I have to say I was really really excited for this year of seminary because we learn all about Christ. Seminary has strengthened my life so much! This is my second year of seminary and even though it is early in the morning, it is worth going because I come closer to Christ and by going to seminary, it helps my day at school go so much better!! Something that I really like that our Prophet Thomas S. Monson said was, "As with anything in life, much of what you take from your seminary experience depends on your attitude and your willingness to be taught. May your attitude be one of humility and a desire to learn. Seminary can change lives." I strongly agree with what Thomas S. Monson said. I know for sure it has changed my life.


I want to share some of the scriptures that really touched me so far in Seminary this year. One of the scriptures I like is Matthew 5: 14-16 which says:
      14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
      15 neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; can it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
      16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good words, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. 
         These scripture touch me every time I read it. It makes me realized my actions and being an example is very important. I know that I need to let my light shine so that others can see it. Something that was mentioned in seminary that I thought was really cool was that even if your light is not getting brighter, the worlds light is getting darker, so your light makes it shine really bright compared to the world. I think it is so true and I know as I go through school, that I try to be the best example that I can be! We were talking about this scripture and they asked how reading your scriptures help you. I thought for a minute and I realized that if we read our scriptures that our light will be brighter and that we will be able to teach people the gospel. I know that it is really important to be an example at school!
      Another scripture that really hit me was was in St Mark 5:36 it talks about not to be afraid but to believe. I love that because I know that sometimes I am afraid to share the gospel with others because I feel like they will make fun of me. I have learned through seminary that if we believe and have faith and you read your scriptures and you pray to your Heavenly Father that he will help us to not be afraid. I know that by doing this I have been able to share the gospel with my friends at school.
    Another scripture that really helps me get though school is in St John 14:27
         14 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. 
      This has really help me through school and through hard times in life. I know that He gives me peace when I really need it. Lately I have been really stressed from having 4-5 hours of homework every night. Lately I have been getting about 5-6 hours of sleep a night because of staying up late for homework then waking up early for seminary. I know that as I go to seminary, that he helps me function through school and be able to stay up to do my homework. I am so grateful for our Savior and all that he helps me with.
           I just want to say that seminary will change your life and it helps you feel closer to Heavenly Father. I know that Christ will help us through trials and he will help us through school. I want you to know that your Heavenly Father loves you unconditionally! One scripture that has helped me through everything is D&C 100:12 which talks about that Heavenly Father is with you even unto the end. That scripture helped me through some of the trials I have had recently because it lets me know that Heavenly Father is always there for me and will never leave my side. He will help guide me though life and he will help me get through trials. I know that as I attend seminary this year that I will grow closer to him and will feel his love. I am grateful for my Heavenly Father and I love him so much!!

EFY 2

         I am sorry that I haven't posted the rest about EFY yet! I was at girls camp this past week and I now have time to finish blogging about EFY.

July 4, 2012

Day 3 

    This morning we had another devotional. It was about Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others.  It talks about how we are missionaries every day in our families, in our school, in our places of employment. and in our communities. I am trying to be the best missionary I can be. It says regardless of our age, experience, or station in life, we are all missionaries. It talks about how you should pray for our own missionary experiences. I had an experience with this once. I never really had a missionary experience and I was thinking that I was not really a missionary. I prayed to my Heavenly Father to help me to have a missionary experience. That next week I had 5 missionary experiences. It was very special to me to know that I am a missionary and I can do it. Then that night we had games night. Our company had so much fun and we grew so close together. I am grateful for my company. Then we had pizza night with our group! That was so much fun! We all talked about what we have learned at EFY so far and about awesome people we met!

 

 This is my group during our pizza party! I love my group!

                                         This is us right after the pizza party! I love this picture!

That night for devotional we talked about Charity. We talked about how true charity is love in action. Charity is having patience with someone who had let us down. Rather than being judgemental and critical of each other. may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one if doing his or her best to deal with the challenges which come his or her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out. I know that charity is really important. I know that I struggle to be patient with those that have hurt me or put me down but I know that as I am patient, I feel Heavenly Fathers love for me. I hope you will love one another.

July 5, 2012

Day 4

 Today was very special to me. We all dressed up in our Sunday clothes and I looked at myself and I knew  that I was a Daughter of God and that I was beautiful in His eyes. I never have felt that way about myself before but for some reason it really hit me today. When I saw everyone else in their church clothes it made me realize that they are all so wonderful and we all looked liked missionaries. I was grateful for the opportunity to be able to dress up.So was had a Young Women's activity today. Jesus it waiting for us to be His friend. I know that Jesus is my friend and my brother. A job for us women is to teach your children (or soon to be children) about Jesus. Rather than beginning with a wish list of all the things you want in life, the real question may be what you are not willing to do without. I think that is really important. No woman is a more vibrant instrument in the hands of the Lord than a woman of God who is thrilled to be who she is.

July 6,2012

Day 5

Today was a really hard day for me. It finally hit me that today was the last day. I was really sad all day. So today we had our last morningside. We talked about how the Savior isn't our last chance, He is our only chance. This made me think. I know that I need to follow the Lord because He is our ONLY chance. He wants the best for you. There are going to be people in this world that will tell you that you are ugly but we are beautiful. I know that I realized that yesterday. I know that He is there with me and I know that through this that I am a daughter of God. You are too! I really like this quote, "Happiness is the object and design of our existence and will be the end thereof if we pursue the path that leads to it." One who chooses Christ chooses to be changes. Men and women who turn their lives over to God will find out that He can make a lot more out of their lives than we can. I hope everyone knows that God will help you with everything. I know He has helped me with everything that I have needed help with. You can always turn to him in the hardest times.I love my Heavenly Father. That night we had a slideshow of what we have done that whole week. I cried because I realized that this could be the last time I see some of them. These people here helped me to change my life.Then we had our last night devotional and we had it with our whole company. I was crying during then and people helped comfort me.  Then it came that I had to say my goodby's to everyone. I  cried even more because this really was the last time that I could see some of them. I am grateful for my company that I was with. Thanks for all you guys did!

 This is one of my Bestest Friends Whitney, and she roomed with me. She helped me with so many things. I am so grateful for her.

 This is one of the people I met. Her name is Becki. I was grateful that I got to know her. She is an amazing friend to me! I miss her so much!

 This is another person that I met. She was so nice and amazing! I was glad that I got to know her! Thanks for everything!

 These were people in my group! They were always happy! I am grateful for them!

 This is me on the First day! I was so excited! I am glad that I went!

 This is my company. They are the ones that helped change my life. I love them and miss them so much. They are like family to me. I have never been so close in a short amount of time. Thank you for being there for me!

 This is amazing person! Her name is Sarah! She always knew how to put a smile on peoples faces!

 These are two amazing guys I met! They always talked to me and knew how to make me smile!

 I love these 3! They were so nice to me! I miss them so much and I hope to see them again!

EFY (Especially For Youth)

This past week I got the opportunity to go to EFY! I had so much fun and felt the spirit so much! I want to talk about some things that I learned that I want to tell everyone about because I think it could help you!

                                                                     July 2, 2012  

                                                                        Day One 

       Everyone plays a piece and there are melodies in each one of us. Sometimes it doesn't feel like our self can do it or that we are not a big piece in anything but we are a piece and without you, the puzzle won't be all together. I hope you know that you play a piece in my life. Heavenly Father helps piece things together. He will be there for you. There was a challenge they gave us and it was,"Come in contact with someone this week and see them as a highly valued treasure selected by God and then treat them as such." I hope you do the same thing. I did that challenge this past week and it helped me a lot to see who they really are. We are all sons and daughters of God. We are important.
       We had a devotional about having faith in Jesus Christ. It says that faith is of action and power. With even your strongest faith, God will not always reward you immediately according to your desires.God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. That causes your faith to increase and your character to grow. You brought your faith when you came to Earth.

 I want to show you some of the most AMAZING people I have ever met! The bottom one is our company and a company is 2 or 3 little group that combine together to make a company. I grew so close to them in only 5 days! I miss them all so much!

These are all the girls in our company. Most AMAZING girls ever! I grew so close to all of them. There light shines off of them. They will help you if you are having a bad day. I know that I was struggling with friends and ever since they found out, they always came and gave me a hug and said you are pretty and you are my friend. I don't know if they know how much that meant to me. I would tell you all there names but you wouldn't know what name goes to what face.

 These are the AMAZING Boys! I miss them so much too! I want to thank them for talking all to me and becoming my best friends. You helped me so much. You guys didn't know that I had friends problems but you guys just acted so nice to me and I have never felt so loved. I hope you know that they play a big part in my life. They helped me to change my life!

T.his is the picture of our company. They are all like family to me. I know that they know that this gospel is true. They have said it and I can see it. I know that the gospel is true. I loved going to EFY because they are all there for the same reason. They are all there to feel the spirit. It is really nice to know that there is someone else out there that has the same standards and is the same age as me. I am so grateful for them!   

These are the most amazing people I have ever met! They helped me change my life! They were a great example to me and I have never felt so loved from anyone besides my family. They helped me to become a better person. I miss them so much already but I know I will see each and everyone on of them again. I also want to thank my little group. You guys are so awesome. When you guys gave devotional, it touched me because you knew it was true and that you are hear to feel the spirit. I am grateful for your examples!
                                                              

July 3, 2012

Day Two

      The devotional that we had today was about Shine Forth...Thy Light. Be Thou an Example.The scripture for this years theme is in the Book of Mormon in Doctrine and Covenants 115:5 Which Says, "Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard unto all the nations." I really like that scripture. This scripture is a call for us. It is a call to share this light with others.  I know that I try the best I can to be a light unto others and it can sometimes be difficult. I love my Savior! 

      Some spoke to us about the same thing. It says that your light never faileth. Our gospel light radiates through us to others around us. be a good friend and share you light. By the way you live the gospel, you reflect Heavenly Father's light. We need to look to the Lord to get past temptations. Even though life is hard, the Lord will help us get through it. Just pray to Him. He will help you. I know from experience. it says your example will have a powerful effect for good on earth. I really like what they said here, they said Even if your light doesn't get bigger but the worlds light gets darker then it will seem that your light will be brighter. I really like that and I know that is true. I know that my light may not be as bright but as the world is getting more and more dark, that my light seems bright. 

      That night we had one of our counselors( leaders) give another devotional. The devotional was on obedience. It says Obedience is the first law of heaven. It is an act of faith. You may sometimes be required  to do things you do not completely understand. As you obey, you increase your faith, knowledge, wisdom, testimony, protection, and freedom. It says that as you keep the commandments that is will make you happier. I know that is true. I know that I have better days at school if I don't break one. I hope that you will be a light and will obey so that Heavenly Father can be with you. 

        I want to let you know that the Savior lives. He created this whole earth for us. I know that we can be with Him again. I know that I can Arise and Shine forth and be a standard unto other. I know that I can be a missionary and I want people to see my light in me. I know that He will bless you if you obey Him and have Faith. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

                                                         I will post the other days later. Thanks!:)

Who are my True Friends?

I am sorry I haven't blogged in a long time. I had so many tests to study for that I had no time to blog. I will be sure to blog all the time this summer. So this past month at school I have been struggling. I have had a hard time knowing who my true friends were. I feel like all at once my so called friends were getting mad at me and calling me nasty names and everything. I felt like no one cared about me at that time. I was lost and alone. I prayed to know who my real friends were. The next day at seminary, I felt like everyone came and gave me a hug and told me all these things about how great I was. I knew at that point that I didn't need those people a school that were being jerks to me because I had people from seminary to help me. I know that Heavenly Father was telling me that these are the people I should be hanging out with and not those mean girls at school. I do have a few school friends but most of my friends are from my church. I am grateful for them and what they taught me. Even though they didn't know I was going through a hard time, they still helped me. I am very grateful for them and for them helping me realize who my true friends are. They are the ones that respect my standards and have moral standards. I know that Heavenly Father heard my prayer and answered it. If there is anytime that you are going through a hard time, just kneel down and pray. It will help. I know that Heavenly Father will be there for you. I know that through people, they will help you through hard times. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Young Women's Conference

Sister Elaine S. Dalton, The Young Women's President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, gave a talk at the Young Women's conference on Saturday. There were more talks given but I am going to share hers today with you.

Sister Dalton said that these days should not be forgotten, that these are your days. You should Arise and Stand forth that your light may be a standard for the nations. Something that stuck out to me is that we are to be a standard of holiness for ALL the world to see. I know that is true and we should let people see our holiness. Another thing that stuck out to me is she said, "I hope you all know that your beauty does not lie in makeup, or the latest clothing or hairstyle, but it lies in your personal purity." I think that is really important to know that because girls get caught up in what they look in physical appearances and not their spiritual appearances. I know that you are all beautiful but your spirit is even more wonderful. When you live the standards and qualify for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, then you can have a powerful impact in the world. Your example, even the light in your eyes will influence others who see your shine and they will want to become like you. I really like this line she says, YOU WERE BORN TO LEAD! That is so true. I hope you know you were all born to lead. She said that the temple should be our goal. Don't lose sight of your goals. It is HIS light who we must hold up and reflect.

 I hope that you know that you are beautiful and wonderful. I know that Christ lives and He lives in YOU! I know you may get made fun of for physical appearances but know that your spirit is more beautiful and strong. Know that you can always pray for guidance of the Holy Ghost to help you. I know that this church is true and stand up for what you believe.

                I also wanted to share this Mormon Message that went with the Young Women's Broadcast. I hope you listen to it and learn from it. I really like this one because We should arise and shine forth!!!! I know some of you may struggle of being one of few members at your school but arise and shine forth. You can do it!

The Temple

So I am going to talk to you about the importance of attending the temple. You can only go into the temple if you are a worthy member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.To be able to enter the Temple, you have to be 12 or older to go. In order to go, you have to have a recommend from your Bishop or your Stake President. If they think you are worthy and if you think you are worthy, then they will give you a recommend that lasts for a year. I got the chance to go to the temple with one of my best friend this past weekend. I know that attending the temple is really important.  If you are a member of the church, then you should attend regularly. The temple is a sacred thing and a beautiful thing. There is a talk given by Charles W. Dahlquist II, about preparing to receive the ordinances of the Temple. I want to talk about some of the things he says.
Always live the standards in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet, and avoid “unholy places.” What he said is, it helps when we stand in holy places now. That means avoiding places and times when we would be tempted to make wrong choices. I know that this is really important to live by The For Strength of Youth pamphlet. I hope you all know that it is not to late to start today. We all make mistakes in our life but we shouldn't keep making those mistakes. We should start fixing those mistakes today. I want you to know that you should know if you are ready to enter the temple or not.
Stay close to and help strengthen your family. 
 He says, the message of the temple is a message about families—eternal families. Our homes can be places of holiness and strength.I think this is really important to know. The temple helps us make covenants so that our family can be together forever and by doing that, you should be kind to your family and be close to them. They will be there with you forever. I am really grateful for that. I know I want to be with my family forever and the family I am going to have someday.
  Make scripture study a part of your life.
This is really important to do. For a while I struggled reading my scriptures but when I started reading them, I realized they really help my life and I have learned so much out of them. He says, not only by reading regularly but also by relying on the scriptures to help you make important decisions. I also really like what he says there. I hope you all rely on the scriptures to help you. I know when I have trials, he helps me through the scriptures. When I go to the temple, I bring my scriptures and I read them while I am there. I have learned so much by doing that because I feel like I get more out of it and that I am not distracted by other things around me.
Have a picture of a temple in your room.
This really helps to have a picture of the temple in your room because it reminds you of where you should be achieving to go. I have a picture on my closet door, so every morning, I wake up and know that I should make right choices so that I can go when I get the chance to. He also said, there is something powerful about seeing a picture of the temple day after day and using that to recommit ourselves to remain worthy to attend the temple. I agree with that myself. One thing that also really helps me is that one of my leaders made each of the girls mirrors and on it is Christ. She told us that every time we look in that mirror, to know that we are a daughter of God. I look in it every chance I can and I know that I have Christ in my life.

When we are 12 we able to go to the temple and do Baptisms for the Dead. You can do these your whole life as long as you are worthy to enter the temple. The Baptisms of the Dead is doing work for people that bring in names of their diseased relatives. What they do is that we confirm them and baptize them. It is really special because I know that someone who didn't know the gospel gets the chance to know more about it in Heaven and they can accept the gospel. I know that I am helping people and my ancestors as I go to the temple to do baptisms one day. I know that once we are in Heaven, that who ever you baptized and confirmed will give you a big hug and say thanks for what you did. Then,when you are old enough to get married, you can get endowments which help do people who weren't able to get married in the temple forever. I know that is something I am looking forward to doing. I hope you will strive to go to the temple as often as you can. I know that is very special and sacred when you go. I love going to the temple and I hope to get sealed to my husband and my kids for eternity when I can. The temple is so important to our church that we have 136 temples around the world and more still being built. I want to bear my testimony that I know that Heavenly Father lives and loves us. I know that temples are really important and I look forward to it every time I get to go. I know that the scriptures are true. I know that my family will get to live together forever and I strive to be closer to them. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
This is the temple that I go to most often because it is closest to us. I love how pretty it looks and hope to get married in there one day.