Count your blessings

"Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings; every doubt will fly, and you will be singing as the days go by. Count you blessings; name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God hath done." Hymn # 241

These past few weeks have been some crazy weeks. I've been super busy, super stressed, super tired, my back has started hurting again, and I've gotten a wee bit cranky. And yet, these past few weeks have been some amazing weeks, and I've been really happy. Well, when I wasn't being cranky. I think part of it is because of how blessed I've been, despite the craziness. My trials are small compared to the great blessings I can - and have been - receiving throughout m life. I mean, if I really think about it, there are people who are way more busy than me. Who have way more stress in their life. Who are way more tired. Who have worse pains than me. Really, what business have I in being cranky? Other than the fact that I'm a teenager...but that's still no excuse. So I apologize for that. but anyway. There's really no specific things I could tell you as to why I have felt so blessed. I guess it's just that things have been going so well, despite the craziness. I've been super happy. Like, happier than usual. I'm in general a happy person, but it's been like extra, like I'm taking happy pills or something. I wake up in the morning, go to Trig for my A hour, and I'm super duper happy. Not a normal occurrence. But I just feel like my eyes have been opened to just how much the Lord cares about me. About each and every one of us. He has taken the time to put little tender mercies in my life to make these past few weeks a little more - make that a lot more! - bearable for me. And it makes me want to commit to be the best I can be. To do more than I have been. To do all I can to please the Lord and thank Him for all that He has done.

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed and stressed out, or that things are just going awful for you, count your blessings. You will realize just how much Heavenly Father loves you. You will recognize so many blessings, so many little things you take for granted. And know that there is always some one who has it worse - or has had it worse. If you're you're stubborn and think that none of your friends have it as bad as you, remember the Savior and all that He went through. For you. Remember the Lord. Remember that He loves you. And strive to be worthy of all that He gives you. I want to be worthy of them. And I want to do my best to be just that.

Seasons of Love

"How do you measure the life of a woman or man?"

So I had a really amazing experience in seminary. I would like to call it an...epiphany. I'm not sure if that's what it was. But we can pretend. See, the epiphany was about something that I already knew about. It wasn't some new revelation. It was just like a sudden understanding of how it fit in with everything else. I can't really explain it. I've really only had this experience twice before. And both times, some people that I told kind of disregarded it. I guess they didn't quite understand the impact the two experiences had on me or quite understand what I was trying to say. So I'm going to clarify. I knew this before. It's something I'm sure all of us have heard, and understand. But it was just like my eyes were opened just a little bit wider and I understood it a little bit more fully. I don't know, maybe everyone else already knows this and I'm just crazy. But I felt impressed to share it, and I'm going to share it to the best of my ability. It's going to be a little hard, because what I learned was done by the spirit, not really by words. And words aren't my forte. So warning, this will be a long post, because it will probably take many words to try to explain everything.

Alright. So in seminary we were talking about the Gospel and what it is and stuff. (We were studying in 3 Nephi 27, by the way.) In a nutshell, we discussed that it's centered on Christ and the Atonement. It brings us eternal life/happiness. So I was writing in my journal about something like how the small and simple things can end up determining our happiness - either eternal joy, or a season of joy. And of course, as I wrote season of joy, the song Seasons of Love popped into my head. At first I just kind of laughed to myself. Only with me would a song randomly pop into my head during seminary. But then, it kind of hit me. Love. That's what the Gospel is. That's what Christ was all about. Christ is love.

Where does our love lie? Do we love the world more than we love the Lord? Or do we love the Lord more than the world and its pleasures and recognitions? Only our actions determine this. In Moroni 10:32 it says:

"And if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind, and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you..."

Christ said that the most important commandment is to love God. We need to love God. Loving Him gives us our eternal salvation, which = eternal happiness. When we love God, we'll do all that He asks of us. We'll WANT to do what He asks of us. It all comes down to our seasons of love. Does our love only last a season? It will if our love lies on the world. Because the world only gives back that love for a season. The worldly things are not eternal. The love that the world seems to reciprocate back is a very flimsy love. It's only but a fleeting moment. But God's love is eternal. Put your love in God. If you love God, then it won't last only a season. Instead it will grow. Each season, your love for God will grow. And each season, you'll feel God's love more.

Where is your love? Is is with this man?



The man who carries you in His arms when you don't have strength to carry on? Is it with this man?



The man who sees us like no other person could? The man who has an infinite love for us, and is our Father? Is it with this man?



The man who suffered unimaginable pain for you. Who knows you personally? Is it with this man?



The man who speaks for Christ? The man who guides and directs the church - with love? Where is your love? What are your seasons of love like?

How do you measure the life of a woman or man? How about love.

Songs of the heart

So, I decided to write another poem. I like to think I'm decent at poetry. And people seemed to like the other poem. I'm not sure whether to think it's good or bad, so I'll let you be the judge. Just don't tell me if you think it's bad. :) It's about music, which, in case you couldn't tell, is one of my greatest passions, and something I feel very strongly about. I've also kind of been obsessing about it lately. So, here is goes!

When words seem to fail
And the tongue can't confess,
I turn to my heart
And let the spirit express.

Maybe the notes aren't
So crystal and clear
And the melody's broken
But there's nothing to fear.

For the Lord always sees
The songs of the heart.
The ones that express
What words can't impart.

This music, it shares
The spirit, and more.
It shares His great light
That some can't seem to ignore.

The Lord always loves
What you can or can't sing,
Just as long as the song
With the spirit does ring.

You may not sing well,
Or play a song like some do
But for the song of the heart
The Lord looks in you.

For the heart that is pure
And the heart that is true
Is the heart that will bring
The greatest song into view.

The Lord loves that song
More than the loveliest voice.
He loves that song more
That the music most choice.

He loves that song more
Than the best solos or bands
For the song of the heart,
The truth, it commands.

Music's my life,
Music's my soul.
It slowly brings me
To my Savior and Lord.
He hears every word that
My mouth cannot say,
Through that song in my heart,
And in my heart,
It shall stay!

I guess the point of this, is just to share how important music is to me. It's not because I'm the most fabulous singer/piano player in the world. Because I'm not. It's because I know that Heavenly Father loves music. It's important to Him! That's why there's hymns, musical instruments, and musical talents. That's why Satan has taken music and corrupted it, because he takes every good thing and makes a bad counterfeit of it.

I'm of the opinion that, in church, whether you're tone deaf or not. Whether you don't think you sing well or not, you should be singing. Because those hymns are for the Lord and to invite the spirit. Today in sacrament meeting, I had a solo in the song that was sung by the choir. I received plenty of compliments, but not the kind I wanted. (Whoops, I hope that didn't sound self-centered...) In fact, the only time I did, it wasn't even technically a compliment. I was teasing my mom and asked her if I made her cry, and she said, "No. The spirit did." And that's what I wanted. Not to make everyone cry. But to sing with the spirit. Because that's the song the Lord loves most. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, sing! Because Heavenly Father doesn't care how well you sing. In fact, I have heard a hymn sung beautifully, but not with the spirit. And it was just empty. And I have felt the spirit when someone was singing not so well. The Lord loves every song we sing to and for Him.

Good music is of God and is very pleasing to Him. Don't disregard that for a moment. Sing the hymns. They're amazing. Listen to good music. And love the Lord. Because ultimately, that's what it's all about!

Freedom

"My country 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountain side,
Let freedom ring!"

We all know this song. We've sung it since kindergarten. But do we really know the meaning of the words? "My country 'tis of thee." Who do we sing to? God. Whose country is this? God's. Why? Because it's the land of the free. Since the time the Earth was created, this land was set apart to be a free land. A land where, if the people looked to God, there would be no bondage. It would be a free land. Why am I sharing this with you? Well, because I was told to do so. I was just sitting in history class, learning about Pearl Harbor and the similarities it has with 9/11, and I got the thought of posting about America and freedom. At first I kind of brushed it off. It seemed a little silly. But then, that night, I decided to go to an orchestra/jazz band concert. And one of the songs played was one that was written after 9/11 in honor of those who died. Maybe it was just a funny coincidence. But then, in my scripture study, subtle mentions of the freedom that accompanies this land appeared. So I figured I probably should just do it.

Why is this country, the United States of America, so important? Well, without it, the Restoration never would have happened. The pilgrims first came here for religious freedom. Without that freedom, the Church would not have been established. And it really is evident the role that God played in forming this country. The ideas for the Declaration, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights. The amazing victory of the Revolutionary War. Even the Lewis and Clark expedition was clearly guided by God. This past year in American History has amazed me. I never realized just how much God guided the leaders of the country.

And why is this so important to me? Well, because I don't really see much of a difference between this:



and this:



Our freedom is so important. We have our agency. But here, we have a better use of it. Our liberty is something to fight for. Now, I don't mean like go out and fight in the military. I don't think I could ever do something like that, myself. But there are ways we can defend it. First, defend it against Satan. Or, in other words, resist sin, because sin is what binds us down. Second, do things like vote. Participate all you can in choosing the way this government is run. We have a great blessing to be able to choose. Just be aware of how precious this land is. How wonderful our freedom it. And do not take it for granted. So many people have died to make this country what it is for you. WWII. Civil War. Revolutionary War. Pilgrims dying from cold and starvation. Never disregard your freedom. It is a sacred thing that the Lord has given you. Honor it. Show your love for it. Be patriotic. I love my freedom. I love this country. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to live here, to have the choices I have.

When Someone Cares

Whom shall I serve? What inner strength have I to give?
Do others feel the way I live is evidence that I care?
An earnest desire, endow'd with power from above,
Your heart can hear the gift of love in answer to some one's prayer.

For with God nothing is impossible,
But you must reach and take his hand.
With God nothing is impossible
Those who have ears to hear will understand.
The blind could see. The lame man could walk away.
And lives still change from night to day
When they know that someone cares.

The need to know, which voice to heed, which path to take.
A world confused, a choice to make, is man meant to walk alone?
A pillar of light. Young Joseph in a grove of trees,
Found out when he was on his knees his Father in Heaven cared.

For with God nothing is impossible,
But you must reach and take his hand.
With God nothing is impossible
Those who have ears to hear will understand.
The blind could see. The lame man could walk away.
And lives still change from night to day
When they know that someone cares.

This is a song we've just started working on in choir practice for my ward choir. I don't think the words are as powerful when they're not being sung. But I felt the need to share this song. I immediately fell in love with this song, and the message that it shares. Mostly because the first three questions are questions that I have. I want so much to make a difference in this world, to be able to do good in some one's life. And it's a comfort to know that, as long as I live my life with God on my side, I will be able to do just that. And it's also important to know that our Heavenly Father loves us so much. But we first must take His hand. We have to make the first step towards Him.



We are never alone, and we are always loved. We are being looked after. Turn towards our Heavenly Father and Christ. And care about people. Be that turning point in some one's life. "And lives still change from night to day when they know that someone cares."

Thank you for all that show that they care about me. Because it has made a difference in my life to know I have the awesome friends that I have. It's good to know that someone cares.

Integrity

What is integrity? It's something I've been thinking about for awhile. Which makes sense, seeing as this is for my integrity project. According to the ancient Webster's Dictionary at my house it is (I'm giving all 3 definitions, because I think they're pretty awesome): 1. an unimpaired condition, syn: Soundness. 2. firm adherence to a code of esp. moral or artistic values, syn: incorruptibility. 3. the quality or state of being complete or undivided, syn: completeness.

I really like these definitions. Because when most people think integrity, they think of being honest. They think it is being completely honest and true. Which it it. But it is so much more than that. It's soundness, incorruptibility, and completeness. It's being steady and firm in what you believe to be true and never backing down. The moment you back down, you begin to lose your integrity. And it can be very hard to regain. In the scriptures, when the word integrity is being used, it is used with the word heart. "Integrity of the heart." And that's where the 3rd definition comes in. To have integrity, our heart needs to be in the right place. It has to be more than just going through the actions. It needs to be truly and completely believing, and living and setting standards based on that belief. Your heart needs to be completely enveloped in that belief, set on that belief. Creating that completeness.

In my very first post, I mentioned how I wanted to, at least once a month, share about someone in my life that I see has integrity. I've thought about it a lot. I didn't want to do a leader or a family member . It's not that they don't have integrity. It's just that I want to point out what the youth is doing right. Specifically the young women. So I decided to share about someone in my seminary class. I don't know how many of you know her. Mostly just because I'm pretty sure that basically the only people who read this are family or my leaders. Except for like two people. But who knows. Whatever. Anyway, I doubt she's reading this. And she has no clue that I'm doing this. And if by some chance she is reading this, she'll probably be embarrassed. Which is good. It just means she's humble. :) Anyways, she's Alyssa Hundley.



I thought I'd add the picture, since I don't think many of you know her. And it also makes the post a little less boring. So, Alyssa. She's a sophomore in my seminary class. And, basically, she's amazing. One thing that I admire about her is how hard she tries. And I think that's part of integrity. She doesn't just settle with what she's doing now. No, she strives to do better, to understand more, to become a better person. She really is an example to me in that way. A little while ago, she asked me how she could improve her scripture study. She was reading everyday, but not really a whole lot, or really getting much out of it. So she wanted to do better. This impressed me, because most people are like, "oh I'm reading my scriptures everyday. I'm good." In fact, I was like that. It was a humbling experience. She always asks questions. She wants to learn more. I have never seen her or heard of her lowering her standards. She stands for what she believes. And everything she does is because of her faith. She doesn't go through the motions, but believes in what she does. It doesn't matter that she's younger than me. I admire Alyssa a lot, and she's a great example of integrity to me.

The rising generation

There's been something that's been on my mind lately. It's shown up in my scripture study ever since my study on the stripling warriors. It stuck out to me at conference. And then a verse that I read few nights ago just kinda of summed it all up. so I decided I'd post about it. I had been thinking about if for a little while, but was never quite sure if I should until that night. And then today in seminary, in the end of the lesson, it brought together the verse that I read and the stripling warriors. So I felt like I was on the right track. It probably was also Heavenly Father telling me "You've had this idea for a week! Get to it! Stop procrastinating and write about this on your blog!" So here is goes.

So this is the verse that I read:

"And now, behold my joy is great, even unto fulness, because of you, and also this generation; yea, and even the Father rejoiceth, and also all the holy angels, because of you and this generation;" 3 Nephi 27:30

The reason why it stuck out to me, I think, is because I had been thinking about the "rising generation" AKA: us. So kind of what this told me, was that Christ is pleased with us. Of course, this was spoken to a different generation. But the spirit told me that this verse is very relevant to today. Now, in this last General Conference, we heard a lot about the family, and the role of the parents and of the youth. The role of the parent is to teach the youth. The role of the youth is to listen and obey. It is also to be an example. To help spread the Gospel. Why was there such a stress on this subject? Because we are the rising generation! Our role on the Earth right now is so vitally important. President Ezra Taft Benson, when talking to the youth, once said:

"You have been born at this time for a sacred and glorious purpose. It is not by chance that you have been reserved to come to earth in this last dispensation of the fulness of times. Your birth at this particular time was foreordained in the eternities. You are to be the royal army of the Lord in the last days..."

At this time, he was speaking to a whole different group of people. But this still applies to us. Because as time draws closer and closer to the Second Coming, Satan works harder and harder to disrupt everything. To prevent so much good from happening. So why are we here at this time? Why am I here? Why are YOU here? Because you were faithful and strong in the pre-existance. You did much to help bring down Lucifer and his army. You proved that you could come down to earth at this time and prevail. you were a leader then. You must be one now. I must be one now. And the amazing thing is, as I look around the youth around me, I see such great faith. I see the strength and steadfastness that can - and WILL - bring down Satan. We WILL win. I see the great potential in the people I know. And it makes me so incredibly happy. To know that there's these great people who have my back. To know that There's these great people who are striving to make a difference in the world. Who want to bring the Gospel to every person. To share their testimony in both action and in word. We are the rising generation. We have great potential and strength. It was proven in the spirit world. We must prove it again. Satan wants to drag us down. Do not let him! Don't let him drag down anyone around us. Because we are the rising generation! He has no power over us! We only give him power. Be near the spirit, be near Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They will not let you fall. I know we can do so much. So do it. I know we have such great potential. So reach it. I will do my best. Because I know who I am. I am a daughter of God, and chosen to be a part of the rising generation. If I seem to falter, please help me out. Because I will strive to do the same for you. I love you. Never forget your worth. Never forget why you're here. Because we have a great duty to accomplish. We are the rising generation!

A tribute to the best big brother and my best friend

There's a Man I know,
One I love most dear
And oft times as I think of Him
My eyes shed a tear.

His life was one
Filled with service and love
And in doing the work
To bring children home Above.

Not once was He
Selfish, cruel, or unkind,
But always so sweet
And put past deeds behind.

This Man led a life
That brings others to light
With a love that's so pure,
A love that burns bright.

But there came a dark night
That brought great anguish and pain.
It brought this Man to His knees
And yet He did not complain.

He fell to His face
and the burden lifted not.
And with all this great suffering,
Our grace He had bought.

The very next morning,
With a harsh crown of thorns
He was nailed to a cross
And the Heavens did mourn.

This Man, my big brother,
My very best friend
It tears at my heart
To know all that He did.

Oh Brother, big Brother!
What can I do,
To make myself worthy
to come unto You?

Oh Brother, big Brother!
What can I do,
To prove my willingness
And gratitude to You?

Oh Brother, big Brother!
No words can express,
No words are enough,
The things that I feel,
My heart is so full.

Oh Brother, big Brother!
How I dearly love You!

So this is a poem I wrote. It's a little rough, of course, but I felt it was kind of appropriate. Poetry is probably the closest I'll get to writing music, and music is truly the only way I can express myself without blundering or stuttering, or just not getting what I feel out of my mouth. I'm so awful with words, but I can occasionally write something, or even on an even less often occuring occasion, I say something that gives a glimps of just what I feel. And it's especially hard for me to express my feelings of the Savior. But I know, with a certainty, that Jesus Christ is my Savior. He loves me so much. He suffered for me, was brought down, even unto nothing, and died for me. And then, He rose for me. He has made repentance and resurrection possible for all of us. We owe Him so much. Here are a few more words, not my own, that helps express how I feel towards my Savior. They are words from some of my favorite hymns.

"I believe in Christ; He ransoms me. From Satan's grasp, He sets me free, and I shall live with joy and love in His eternal courts above." from "I Believe in Christ"

"He lives! All glory to His name! He lives, my Savior, still the same. Oh, sweet, the joy this sentence gives: 'I know that my Redeemer lives!'" from "I Know that My Redeemer Lives

"I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me...To rescue a soul so rebellous and proud as mine...I think of His hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt! such mercy, such love and devotion, can I forget? No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat, until at the glorified throne I kneel at His feet." from "I Stand All Amazed"

"Abide with me; 'tis eventide, and lone will be the night if I cannot commune wit thee, nor find in thee my light. The darkness of the world, I fear, would in my home abide. O Savior, stay this night with me,; behold, 'tis eventide. O Savior, stay this night with me; behold, 'tis eventide." from "Abide with Me; 'Tis Eventide"

There are so many more. Probably just about every hymn in the hymnbook. But I just want to repeat my testimony that I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and my Redeemer, who loves each and everyone of us.

Preparation

So General Conference starts on Saturday. And then Sunday is Easter and the last day of Conference. Because of these things, I've been trying to prepare myself so that I will get the most out of Conference and that I will draw closer to Christ this Easter season. My goal is to focus on Christ during Conference. Because I want my relationship to be the best possible with Him, and so I want that to be the outcome of this Conference, I think. My goal is also to not fall asleep. At least try not to. I definitely slept through the majority of the October Conference. But last Saturday was the Young Women's broadcast, and I feel it was a great start for me. I was so focused on the speakers, well, for the most part at least. And I loved it. I enjoyed it like I've never enjoyed a broadcast. The point of me sharing all this is to encourage you guys to prepare yourselves for Conference. It truly is a great thing. We have the opportunity to listen to the leaders of this church. Leaders who are inspired of God and who have planned their talks with the guidance of the spirit, so that you can learn and hear what you need to. You personally. I promise that if you listen and watch with a good and willing attitude, you will hear something or the spirit will teach you something that you need. The something that you need most. And these talks will help you in the future, also. I know the speakers are called of God and will speak inspired words. Prepare yourself. You never know the importance of the next talk. I'll do my best to pay attention, to not fall asleep, and to take notes. I challenge you to do the same. Keep the spirit close to you at this time, and keep in mine how special it is to have Conference during the Easter season. I promise that you will grow closer to your Heavenly Father and to Christ if you strive to listen diligently to these upcoming sessions of Conference. Be ready!