Cause You Know She's All About that Grace

"A powerful expression of that love is what the scriptures often call the grace of God—the divine assistance and endowment of strength by which we grow from the flawed and limited beings we are now into exalted beings of 'truth and light, until [we are]glorified in truth and [know] all things.'" (The Gift of Grace by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf).

Yesterday in Institute (like Bible study for young adults) we were talking a lot about grace. One of the main things grace can do for us is magnify our abilities, gives us strength, hope, and allows us a greater ability to empathize with others. I feel like I am gaining more and more respect for my mother every day. Through the entire lesson all that I could think of was my mom. She is an amazing woman who has done so much for our family. It takes a special kind of person to want to serve in the military, but it also takes a special kind of person to be a military-supportive spouse. My mom rose to the occasion. She is my idol. She was our strength while my dad was deployed, when he had his heart attack, when he was away at the many schools, etc. My mom is my hero. She is skilled at using the gift of grace, especially while she had to be a "single mom" while my dad was deployed.

I am so grateful for the gift of grace and my mom. She has taught me so much. I know that by grace we are saved after all we can do. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Mission Papers are In!

So after what seems to be a very long time that was squeezed into some very short days, I finally submitted my mission papers with my bishop. YAAAAAY!!! Haha. My to-do list for last week was quite extensive and I'm rather proud of it. With three pages of many things to do, discuss, complete, and pray about I am happy to say all of it is finished. 

Now I have a new two page list to get done this week. Yay. -_-  . I hope and pray that there is nothing wrong with my papers and I get my call very soon. 

I know my Father lives and love me. I know my Savior died for me. I know He suffered for my sins. I know that He lives again all so that I may also. I know that through Him all things are possible. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Update: my stake president got everything straightened out on his end and everything was submitted on Sunday. I should have my call in the next couple of weeks. He called while he he pushed the submit button and I was jumping up and down and squealing with joy. 

Patriotism by example

The previous week was filled with many ups and downs. One of the greatest ups was being able to find a whole branch of my family that I thought would be lost. There was little to go off of in Family Search, so I thought maybe one day I'll be able to find their records for their parents in person. Last Monday I found his parents and his family. I had felt a prompting to look at Family Search and ancestry.com for family history work I might have missed. Lo and behold there was a hint for one of the records I needed to open an entire branch of my family that I thought would be lost for years. What joy I felt! Not only this but I found out that my great great grandpa served in WWI and received a medal for his service. It brought me closer to him and his family because I know how it feels to have a dad deployed and how wonderful it is to have him come home safe and sound. 

My dad taught me patriotism, or rather his example taught me patriotism. He served his country for twenty five years in the army. He taught me that sacrifice for one's country is sacred and something many people don't understand. When I put out the flag at work, I always have the pledge of allegiance in my heart, as always followed with the song "I'm Proud to be an American." This is the song they play at homecomings for soldiers and it will always make me cry. The joy of having my daddy come home safely and to have him finally home was and is always overwhelming. 

I bare my testimony that I know that God loves each of us, and I am grateful for this land of liberty we live in. I am grateful for the soldiers who serve our nation. I love you daddy, and happy birthday. Happy Independence Day, and God bless America. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.    

Gifts

This week at the campground there was a little boy with Down Syndrome in the laundry room listening to Brother Bear over and over again. Some of my coworkers groaned but didn't do anything about it. The office wasn't busy, so I went over to our half-door and said hello. He said hello and smiled and I knew he was definitely one of God's strongest spirits. I was also reminded of my mom's gift. My mom is getting her master's degree in special education, and has a gift with these children that is beautiful to watch. While I feel clumsy and awkward, my mom takes them under her wing and loves them. She is far more in tune with these precious spirits than I have ever seen. 

Everyone has gifts, and some are more obvious and some take years to develop. I am very grateful for the gifts that I have and the gifts of my mama and my daddy. My parents have helped shape me into the strong young woman I am today. 

I bear my testimony that I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true, and I know that each of us has God given gifts. As we develop our gifts we will be blessed and we will bless others. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

Promised Blessings

My Patriarchal Blessing is so amazing. The other day I was reading it again and found something I hadn't noticed before and it brings me to tears every time I think about it. It makes everything make sense. My trials, my hardships, my opinions on certain things, will bless me in this way. I don't feel comfortable sharing it on the Internet, but I know that each of us has certain blessings in store that aren't just temporary, they are eternal. As we follow God's commandments and listen to our Patriarchal Blessings, our blessings will be without number.  I leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Officially finished reading all of the standard works for the first time :)

I just finished the New Testament for the first time all by myself. Phew!! It is a beautiful book and admittedly it was hard to study, but I'm grateful I did it. I have great admiration for those first apostles and I am so grateful we also have apostles today.i was surprised how comforted I was by the book of Revelations. It's very hopeful for the righteous, and that's what I plan to be. I know that God hasn't left us and that He still speaks to us through his apostles and prophets. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Blog my Testimony

About a year ago I created my blog. In my last year of seminary I finally caught onto the whole devotional concept and did very well. It's not so much a talk, but taking a scripture or quote and applying it to my life. It was this idea that influences my blogging even today.

It's pretty much a weekly devotional which usually includes a scripture, an experience, gospel application, and my testimony. My testimony has grown so much because I have been constantly on the look for the scripture or quote for that week. As I read the scriptures I look for scriptures I can apply to my life. Sometimes an experience comes first and I have to find a scripture or quote that fits the bill. But this week was a little different. I somehow came across a quote by President Uchtdorf and felt prompted to write it down. I wrote it down thinking that maybe I'll use it in a blog post. Then a couple of nights ago I had an experience that directly related to that scripture, unintentially. 

I have viewers from all over the world look at my blog. It is such a wonderful feeling that I am able to share my testimony before I even leave for my mission. 

A couple of ways I share my blog is through Google Plus, Facebook, and Pinterest. Google Plus is like facebook sort of. I belong to a group on there that is full of youth and adults. I share my blog posts there. I also create cute little quote pictures for Pinterest and Facebook. I always tend to share my general link first on Facebook and Google Plus, create the quotes later, and then post the quote pictures on Facebook and Pinterest with the links. I also now have a page on Facebook just for my blog A Mermaid on Her Journey Facebook Page. Another thing I've started doing on Pinterest and the tags for my posts is #lds . I think being able to share our individual testimonies as a church would be huge. I know that what the prophet says is doctrine, but I think a flooding of social networking sites with our regular testimonies would be powerful. 

I love my blog and would keep it up even if it meant only one other person looked at it. It keeps me looking for blessings and lessons from God.

I bear my testimony that I know this church is true and I know that as we share our testimonies they grow stronger. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.