"When, in the Midst of My Meditation"

As you make your 2014 new years resolutions this year, 

spend some time in the "midst of mediation."  

The Prophet of the Restoration, Joseph Smith, 

declared that revelations, or moments of clarity, 

came while "in the midst of [his] meditation". 

As you begin to create a vision of yourself in 2014, find a quiet place and begin to ponder. 

(Elder Knusdon. Sacred Grove. Palmyra NY)

Ponder who you are, who you have been, and you who want to become. 

Remember that "[you] can do all things in Christ who strengtheneth [you]". 

Philippians 4:13

"When it comes to living the gospel, we should not be like the boy who dipped his toe in the water and then claimed he went swimming. As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we are capable of so much more. For that, good intentions are not enough. We must do. 

Even more important, we must become what Heavenly Father wants us to be".

Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Of Regrets and Resolutions

Friends, "Hope on. Journey On...all things are possible to them that believe". 

I hope you turn to your Father in Heaven this year as you make your goals for 2014.

He knows you best,and He know how to help you become the best you can be.

In case you need some inspiration...
here are Joseph Smith's words about pondering and meditating,
set in a modern setting... 

It Mattereth Not

Abinadi, one of my favorite Prophets from my childhood speaks prophetically in the Book of Mormon, declaring that "it mattereth not whither I go, if it so be that I am saved". My modern favorite Prophet for the time, Joseph Smith, declared: 

    "I will try to be contented with my lot, knowing that God is my friend. In him I shall find comfort. I have given my life into his hands. I am prepared to go at his call. I desire to be with Christ. I count not my life dear to me, only to do his will." 

I will serve in New York, Kendra will go to El Salvador, it mattereth not whither we shall go, as long as we are doing His will. As long as we are accomplishing His work and His glory. I think that I always wanted to serve a foreign mission, and I always imagined myself speaking more Spanish. I imagined more people loving and accepting my message, me, and the Savior. I imagined myself in low living situations, in poor towns, helping and rescuing the people... and yet here I am, in western New York. :)

I'm coming to understand the Lord's will. This is where He has called me to serve, and the Santa Ana mission is where He has called my Sister :D. The worth of souls is great in the sight of God, regardless of language, culture, color, wealth, location, or situation. I am grateful that we have a Father who knows us better than we know ourselves, and that He speaks to Prophets and Apostles who recognize His voice, and send us where we need to be. 

But If Not

There is a story in the Bible when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego are faced with being thrown into the fire if they will not worship a false god. However, they remain firm in their faith.  

They declare that they know God has all power to deliver them. Then they follow up with a declaration of understanding God's will... "But if not...".  They know God's power, and they understand God's will. He can deliver them, but it is His will that ultimately will be done. This is true faith, and real understanding of who we are, and whose we are. Regardless of the outcome they prefer, they trust that God's will is best. 

This week has been wonderful. We have worked so very hard, and have been promised so many blessings because of it... yet, the same story seems to happen week after week. No one comes to church, return appointments fall through, and doors keep on closing ...

however, blessings will come! Success always follows hard work, "but if not", I will trust in the Lord! This is His work, His will, and His timing. I am coming to understand this as I daily endeavor to remain firm in my faith.  

"Our God will deliver us from ridicule and persecution, but if not … 

Our God will deliver us from sickness and disease, but if not… 

He will deliver us from loneliness, depression, or fear, but if not … 

Our God will deliver us from threats, accusations, and insecurity, but if not… 

He will deliver us from death or impairment of loved ones, but if not,

… we will trust in the Lord.

Our God will see that we receive justice and fairness, but if not… 

He will make sure that we are loved and recognized, but if not … 

We will receive a perfect companion and righteous and obedient children, but if not, …

we will have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 

knowing that if we do all we can do, we will, in His time and in His way, 

be delivered and receive all that He has." (Dennis E. Simmons)

and eventually, miracles do happen :)

I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go

You never can plan for what the Lord will ask of you, or where He will lead your steps in life... but the one thing that you can count on, is that we won't be walking the path alone. Change and new things are only a natural step in life, and I'm learning this every day. As missionaries, we get transferred, and placed in new areas with new people, but the Gospel remains the same.

God is constant, unchanging, all knowing, and all understanding. Prayer remains the unfailing way to talk to Him, and He speaks to us through the scriptures, modern prophets, and personal revelation through the Holy Ghost. No matter where I may end up, wether it be in New Mexico or New York, Buffalo or Rochester, in the kitchen or the bedroom, alone or with others, my Father in Heaven promises to send His comfort and His peace.

"Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall recieve; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." D&C 88:63

Glad tidings from Cumorah!

D&C 128:20 says, "And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfillment of the prophets-the book to be revealed". The Hill Cumorah Pageant has come and left, and Palmyra is back to normal. For 10 days, the Pageant was in full swing, and the crowds were here in the thousands! The Book of Mormon came to life every night as members and guests of others faiths flocked to the Hill Cumorah to see 'America's Witness for Christ'.

The crowning event in the Pageant and the Book of Mormon, is when the Savior comes and ministers to the people, to the "other sheep" of His fold. Leading up to this moment is a great and terrible destruction scene, and the stage goes black. The voice of the character who plays Christ speaks in the the darkness, and then the Savior appears and descends from the air above the stage. He then speaks to the people. 

He proceeds to meet and teach the people, and blesses the children. 

I was overcome with a burning testimony as he walked among these people. He healed, taught, blessed, and showed love unto them. This may have been a simple reenactment of this moment in time, but I know that it isn't just a story that we tell. It's true. Christ lives, and He knows and loves each one of us individually. We didn't have to be in that multitude and have seen His face to know these truths. My testimony of my Savior grew every day as I watched the Hill Cumorah Pageant, and I serve here in this land.

The last moment I was able to enjoy with the cast of the Hill Cumorah Pageant, was Sacrament Meeting at the Study Shelter as the base of the HIll Cumorah. As I was sitting there this past Sunday, I was overwhelmed with gratitude and testimony for my Savior. The Pageant is a powerful witness that Christ lives. He really does know me. As I was taking the Sacrament at the Hill Cumorah, I was enlightened with the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. In Moroni chapter 4 and 5, Moroni writes the words of the sacrament prayers. Where was he sitting when he wrote these words? I'm not exactly sure, but we do know that he buried these words in the Hill on which I was sitting. I could just imagine Moroni, maybe sitting somewhere on the Hill where I was, writing the words of the Sacrament prayers that were being offered 1600 years later in the same place. 

What a testimony, what a witness, what a confirmation to me that this is all true. That this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That the Book of Mormon isn't just another good book. 

Its true. Its a witness that Jesus Christ lives.

How blessed am I?

 "Oh how lovely was the morning, bees were humming, sweet birds singing..."

I have finally arrived in the Land of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! I am in THE Sacred Grove, and let me tell you, there are a lot of bees!...not so sweetly humming, but buzzing none the less. But the birds were singing! And not only that, but the Spirit was very present. How blessed am I that I have the opportunity to be where God the Father and His son Jesus Christ literally appeared to Joseph Smith. How blessed am I that I that I am a member of this church, HIS church, and that I get to be a missionary to tell others about it. 

 How blessed am I that I'm in New York. 21 years of my life I've wanted to be in this state, and here I am! Not to mention, for the past 7 months I've been waiting for this opportunity to serve my mission here in Rochester. How blessed am I.

 

And how blessed am I to have a companion like Sister Hawkes. She is wonderful, and is training me up so well! :) I'm learning and growing and learning to become! To become the missionary that the Lord needs me to be. To defend and guard this land of the Restoration, to stand by Joseph Smith as a faithful latter day saint. How blessed am I! :)

Who Am I?

As I walk into the hall of my residence, there is a picture of the Savior attached to a mirror on the left. Under the picture of Christ is a scripture. It is 3 Nephi 18:

"Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up".

The thought finally occured to me as to why it is there. A picture of our Savior, next to a "picture" of me. Its like my nametag. My name right near the Saviors name, the Church of JESUS CHRIST. I am hear to tell the world about HIM.  

So who am I? I'm a missionary. I'm a messenger. I'm a representative. I'm standing in the place of my Savior, and holding up my light, which is really Him. I'm going out to Rochester New York to hold up the Light of Christ.

With that constant reminder, I find my faith. I find that I am able to learn the Spanish language, conquer my fears, doubts, and homesickness. I'm able to wake up confidently every morning knowing that I'm about a righteous cause, and that I'm serving my Father in Heaven.

This Gospel is True. This is the Church of Jesus Christ, His church on the Earth today. The same Christ and the same church that was on the Earth 2000 years ago has been restored throught the Prophet Joseph Smith. Of that I have no doubt.

I am a daughter of God.  A daughter of the Most High, and a daughter of my Eternal Father.