Don't Be a Fool

School started this Wednesday, and it has been good to see friends and get back into the routine of school. When someone asks you to make a quick list of the things you are grateful for, school probably isn't near the top of the list, right? Well why not? We can learn so much at school, and especially in seminary, if only we have the right attitude.

Today in Sunday School, we looked up Proverbs 1:7

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

In other words, it would be foolish to not to take advantage of the opportunities that we have to learn. This year is my senior year at Mesa High, and the first year that my parents have allowed me to take seminary. Throughout my previous years of high school, I would hear about kids, even some of my friends, who would ditch seminary for fun, or just didn't want to go. This would always break my heart, because if I could, I would be the first person to take their place. I think sometimes we just get so used to having certain things in our lives that we don't take the time to realize just how lucky we are. This year I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to take seminary at school. Already, seminary has been a time that I can get away from school and feel the Spirit. We should all be grateful for the opportunities that we have to go to school and seminary each weekday to fill out minds with knowledge. I have friends who are investigating the church that would love to go to seminary but can't, so we should never take it for granted. I know this will be a great school year!

Firm in the Faith

I'm Nichole and this is my first post on this blog! I'm so happy that Beth passed this on to me, and I'm even more excited to share some of my experiences with you. I just hope my posts can be as good as Beth's! I'm going to use this blog for my faith value project and share anything that I can about faith and anything else I think you might like. Once I am finished, I will pass this blog off to another girl. We are going to have a good time!

First off, you probably want to get to know a little about me. If you didn't know, I am a convert to the church. I have always known about Jesus Christ and believed in pretty much the same things that are taught in the LDS church, since my parents taught me and took me to a christian church when I was younger. I have always had the same standards throughout my whole life. I've known right from wrong and been a good kid growing up. My friend Miya and I have gone to school together since the days of Wilson Elementary. When we were in 3rd grade she thought I was LDS and was talking to me about something from primary. She recently told me that she was pretty surprised when I asked back then, "What's primary?" Haha can you imagine?

Fast forward to 7th grade. That's when I met my bff Aimee Allen. Fast forward again to 9th grade. She had seminary 2nd hour and I would walk with her halfway and then go back to my 2nd hour. I started asking her some pretty simple questions. I just thought everyone who was going to and from seminary was so happy! So then I invited myself to church with Aimee to see what the deal was. Right away I knew that this was where I needed to be!

My parents were pretty against the idea of me going to church, mostly because of things they had read or heard that weren't true. So I would only get to go to church if they were out of town and such. Sneaking to church...not exactly what most teenagers would do! My parents would do anything they could to try to keep me away from the church or any church activities. My mom told me not to read the Book of Mormon. My mom would find out that I was reading it and take it away, but I always got another one and kept reading. It took a lot of faith to believe that my parents would let me join the church someday. I know that fasting and prayer helped so much.
Finally this year my parents let me get baptized and it's been the best thing to happen so far! My family sees that I'm still the same person, only happier and becoming more Christlike. I know that they'll be happy for my decision someday if they aren't already.

I'm so grateful for the example and influence of friends and leaders that have helped to shape me. I love my ward family! It's amazing that something so simple as being a good friend can do so much! Have a little faith!

Purple and gold

My favorite color ever is purple. In my opinion, gold goes best with purple, so gold is another one of my favorite colors. My favorite word is integrity. Integrity goes with virtue. You can't really have one without the other. This makes virtue another of my favorite words. For Personal Progress, each of the values goes with a color. Integrity goes with purple. Virtue goes with gold. While my love for purple and gold has its start from Mesa High, Personal Progress has changed that love. I know, it's a wee bit strange to love those colors the way I do, but that's just how Beth does it. Never again will I wear a Mesa High shirt and think only of school spirit. I will also think of how I need to have integrity and be virtuous.

A few weeks ago, my sister, Amy, showed me a scripture. And this scripture made me very happy. It's Doctrine and Covenants 124:15:

"And again, verily I say unto you, blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith; for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right before me, saith the Lord."

Amy went on to say that she thought that a part of integrity is loving that which is right. Go back about a month, when I did the post about virtue. Sis. Martineau said that virtue is righteous living. Integrity is loving what's right. So, if you love what's right, you'll love to do what's right. Therefore, if you have integrity, you'll be virtuous. If you have integrity, you'll want to be virtuous. You'll love to be virtuous.

As I've done this blog, integrity has come to mean something completely different to me than what I thought of it before. Integrity is amazing. If you have integrity, you're my hero. Because that makes you so strong. You're steadfast, you're firm, you're courageous, you're devoted, you're honest, and you're an example of Christ. I think that anyone who has integrity, LDS or not, exemplifies Christ. If I have ever mentioned you on this blog, or asked you to do a post, it is because I see that integrity in you. And I see it in many of you whom I haven't mentioned or asked to do a post. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to do this blog. I hope you have, maybe, learned something because of it. Maybe it has helped you out in some way. This is my last post. And, it feels so good. Nichole Carney is the one I'm passing the blog to. And she'll do amazing. I'm SO excited to see the posts that she'll do.

Before I end this post, I just want to share my testimony one last time, on here. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is totally, completely, and utterly true. I love it with all my heart. The Book of Mormon is a true book, and with it the Spirit can testify to you of truths. Music is a gift of God. Yep, that's surely part of my testimony. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside, and brings me a peace that few others things can bring. The temple is the place to be. It is a house of God, and a place where sacred ordinances are done. It is the place where families can be sealed for time and all eternity. Jesus Christ is my Savior, and my best friend. He loves me, and every one of you. He suffered for me, He died for me, and He rose again, for me. He knows exactly what I'm going through, and will help me as long as I go to Him. Heavenly Father loves me, as does my Heavenly Mother. I am a daughter of royalty. I am a princess.

Last, but not least, I know the importance of integrity. And because of that, the importance of virtue. I just love it, love it, love it! If there's anything that I will never forget from this blog, it's integrity and how amazing it is. I want to have integrity. I strive for it, and hope that I have it, because I see the light in the eyes of you around me that have it, and I want that light. I want that strength. I want to be that example. And the Gospel? Yeah, it's amazing. There's nothing like it. It brings such happiness and joy to me life, like nothing else could.

Purple and gold, my friends, purple and gold. I love those two colors.

Cry unto the Lord - mumbling doesn't work too well

This week, I've been working on my prayers. For the past couple of years, I've pretty much been in the habit of saying my morning and evening prayers. No big deal. The thing is, a lot of times, the prayers I give aren't the most...focused. In the morning, I roll out of bed - literally - and say my prayers. I'm a little groggy and they usually end up being like 30 seconds because my brain is still slightly asleep. Then, at night, I'm super tired. I say my prayers, but have the time my mind wanders like crazy to random things. After a few minutes, I give up and end the prayer, not really sure what I just prayed for. So, I decided it was definitely time for a change. And, even in the past few days, my prayers have gotten a lot better. My morning prayers still need a wee bit more work, but my evening prayers have improved so much.

The reason for this change was my scripture study this week. Prayer ended up turning up quite a bit. I was reading in the beginning of Ether either Tuesday or Wednesday. The story of Jared and his brother and their families is one of my favorites concerning prayer. In Ether 1:34-39 the phrase "cry unto the Lord" is repeated 6 times. I love that phrase, because when I picture crying to the Lord, I don't picture just some half-hearted prayer. I picture completely focused, down on your knees, speaking to the Lord. It's like a plea. Or shouts of gratitude. Now, I'm not picturing like literal tears or actual shouting. But, think about it, if that's your attitude, then you will be completely focused in that prayer. You will be completely devoted to it. My prayers, they've been sort of like mumbles. Mumbles are pretty hard to understand.

One of the amazing things about prayer, is that you're talking to God. Really, you're talking to God. How great is that?! If God was in front of you, face to face, you wouldn't be speaking half-heartily to Him, would you? Well, make it the same thing. In my scriptures near the beginning of Ether, where I was reading, I have a quote written from seminary. And I love it lots.

"Prayer builds relationships with Heavenly Father for the next life."

When I read it, I was like "Oh, which general authority said that?" Then I looked closer, because I couldn't see the name. It said Alyssa Hundley 5/7/10. I think made me love the quote even more. There is such truth in that quote. Have you ever seen a friend that you hadn't seen in years, and it was kinda awkward. That happened to me. There was this one kid who was one of my best friends through elementary school. (Apparently I was his girlfriend in kindergarten. I don't know if that's true, because I don't really remember it. But it makes me feel like a rebel.) He ended up moving, so after 6th grade, I never saw. Then, one time at the Easter Pageant, I saw him...and it was awkward, because we hadn't talked in forever. Since 6th grade. I don't want that to happen when the time comes for me to meet Heavenly Father. We've met before. We had a pretty good relationship. But after so many years of not seeing Him, if my communication with Him is not what it needs to me, it will most definitely be an awkward meeting. I won't know Him that well. I don't want that to happen. I want to be able to run to Him, give Him a big hug, and act like we've never been apart. But that will only be possible if my prayers to Him are what they need to be.

I feel like - and I hope - that I'm on the right track with my prayers, now. They have become more focused, and I plan on making them more so. They're not so mumbly anymore. I feel more comfortable with my prayers. I feel like they have more power, because of the focus and the dedication.

Prayer is an amazing thing. It can make your life so much better. I know it! I definitely experienced it today. I was kind of having a crappy day, and was in a crappy mood, but I said a prayer and it all became better. There is great power in an honest, sincere, and heart-felt prayer. Heavenly Father will listen to you, no matter what. He will answer you. It may take a little time for that answer to come or for you to recognize it, but the answer will come. The power of prayer is a very real thing. I believe it, I know it, I've experienced. It's one of the greatest things ever that many people take for granted. That I took for granted. So, pray like you were face to face with God. Pray so that when you meet Him again, it will be a sweet reunion. So that when you look into His eyes, He will say, "Hey, I know you. Thanks for talking to me so often."

Large of stature

As I was reading in my scriptures a few days ago, I came across this lovely verse - it's Mormon speaking.

"Nothwithstanding I being young, was large in stature; therefore the people of Nephi appointed me that I should be their leader, or the leader of their armies." Mormon 2:1

Cool, no? What came to mind here was Nephi. You know, like how he always mentioned how he was young and large in stature and stuff. And it got me thinking about some of the people in the scriptures. Captain Moroni was 25 when he became chief captain. The stripling warriors were all young. It mentions the brother of Jared being a large and mighty man. Well, to be a large and mighty man, you've gotta be a large and mighty young man, right?

So, that started me thinking about the youth of the church - the rising generation and all. And not just the youth, but the younger adults, the newly weds/new parents. And being large in stature. Because, well, you all know how large in stature I am...just kidding. I'm average. (Don't fight me on this. I'm average. Don't you dare call me short.)

You all know how I'm gung-ho about the rising generation stuff. I love it. It places such a responsibility on us to do the right things, to be the right people. To be the right example, to try to raise kids in the right way. So what does the large in stature have to do with any of this? Well, what do Nephi, Captain Moroni, the stripling warriors, and Mormon have in common, other than accomplishing great things at a young age? Being spiritual giants. THAT'S where the large in stature come into play. Because if you watch someone talking about the Gospel or sharing their testimony, and they truly know what they're saying, and believe it with all their heart, it's like they grow a foot. You can't help but look up to them. As you share the spirit and share a testimony, you show conviction and confidence - even if you don't feel confident. And confident people seem to be tall. Because they stand tall.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say it, strive to be spiritual giants. You don't necessarily have to know the most, or share the most, or have read the Book of Mormon more than everyone. Be a spiritual giant by sharing your testimony. Be convincing. Use more than just words with your testimony. Live your testimony. Stand confident and strong, and don't be afraid to live or share what you know is true. Even the smallest people can be large in stature. Take my sister Amy for example. I'm taller than her. (You can go ahead and call her short, seeing as I'm average height, and she's shorter than me...Love you Amy!) But Amy is such a spiritual giant, and grows a foot - maybe two :) - when she shares that conviction.

Sooo...go be spiritual giants! And show everyone that the rising generation is going to take Satan down.

You are loved

Ok. Story time. And while this may seem like a really random, pointless story, there's a point to it, I promise. It may be unnecessary, but, hey, I like stories. So, this week, I ended up buying a lovely CD. "Awake" by Josh Groban. And it's about dang time I've bought that CD. A year or two ago, my sister came home from Flagstaff, talking about this fireside she went to. Because of it, she got ride of all her music that was illegally obtained. She made me feel guilty, so I did the same. We had done this purge before, but it wasn't as...complete as this one was. So, my music library has sadly been depleted for awhile now, since I've had no money except in the past six months, and the majority of that has gone to my small college fund. I've just barely begun to start building it back up. But, there's this one CD that's been in my house. "Awake." It was a burned copy, therefore, it should have left the house. Unfortunately, it was not mine, so it wasn't my call. Though I often begged to get rid of it. Why? Because Josh Groban's voice is incredibly dreamy. I might have fallen into temptation occasionally and listened to the CD...if Satan made all temptations with a Josh Groban voice, he would have me, hook, line, and sinker.

So, now getting to the point of my story, yesterday, I was listening to this CD, that I finally owned legally. I was listening to the song "You Are Loved," which, until recently (yesterday) was my second favorite song of the CD. Now it's my absolute favorite. (My absolute favorite was one that I put on my list Songs That My Husband Will Sing To Me.) While I was listening to "You Are Loved," the thought "You should put this on your blog," came to mind. I just kind of laughed. I figured I was just loving Josh Groban too much at the moment. But then the thought came "this is a song Jesus would sing." And then, I was curious. Random thoughts are pretty much a normal occurrence for me. But THAT random, not so much. I usually don't go contemplating what songs Jesus would sing. So, being curious, I decided to look at the lyrics and really listen to the song. And, to my discovery, the song is a song that Jesus would sing. If you, by some horrible circumstance, are unfamiliar with the song, here are the words:

"Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
When your heart's heavy I
I will lift it for you

Don't give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you I
I will break it for you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you

Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved

Don't give up
It's just the hurt that you hide
When you're lost inside I
I'll be there to find you

Don't give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you I
I will shine to guide you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you

Everybody needs to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved

Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
Don't give up
Everybody needs to be loved
You are loved"

Mmm...just imagining Josh singing it is making me melt. But, the lyrics are gorgeous. Do you get what I mean that Jesus would sing this song? Maybe not literally. But the lyrics explain that the person singing will always be there for you. That person will always help you, light your way, be your strength. That person is urging you to keep going, to keep pressing on through life. Why? Because you're loved. I can't imagine a better song for Jesus Christ to sing.

Today in Sunday School, I was looking up a scripture, but then, another scripture, a few verses before the one I was looking for, caught my eye.

"Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not" Doctrine and Covenants 6:21.

In one part of the song, it talks about shining in the darkness. Jesus does little else better than shining in the darkness for us. There's so much darkness around us. It can be incredibly overwhelming. But, there will always be a constant light shining out for us.

I guess the point of this slightly random post, is to say, that you are loved. And never give up. Because Christ is always going to be there for us. And, I also want to say, strive to be that kind of friend to someone else. Try to be the kind of person, so that someone will be able to have that random thought, while listening to this song, that says "Oh, I can totally picture So-and-so singing this song."

Moral of the story: You are loved. Never, never forget it. :)

I stand all amazed

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

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.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

"I Stand All Amazed" hymn no. 193

We sang this hymn as out sacrament song on Sunday. Recently, this song has come to mean a lot to me. I've always loved it, but we sang it a few weeks ago, and it touched me in a way it never has before. It's what inspired my last poem. (Despite my three poems on here, I'm not a poem writer. I don't write them that often. My poems have to be inspired by something. Because of that, they're very special to me, and I usually don't show them to a whole lot of people. You guys are just lucky that I've decided to show the last three that I've written. (: ) So, singing it this Sunday, I remembered the same feelings, and felt some of the same feelings, that I felt that Sunday that I wrote the poem. And it definitely set the proper tone, leading to an amazing sacrament. And what happened during the sacrament was really sacred to me, really personal. I did think about sharing it, but then I decided that this is something I should keep to myself, for now. But, let's just say that 1: prayers are answered - not necessarily when we expect them. and 2: I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me. They most definitely love me, and all of you.

Well, the sacrament is awesome. Do me a favor? Read the sacrament prayers. See what they mean to you. Because as I've read them and sort of studied them, they've become to mean something different to me. The sacrament is a very special thing. I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to partake of it every Sunday.

Jesus Christ is my best friend. I love Him, and am so grateful for all that He did. Go back up and read the hymn again. Maybe you'll feel the same things I felt those few Sundays ago or last Sunday. It is so wonderful what He did for us. Just as the third verse says, I can never forget what He did. Just imagining the scars on His hands and feet bring tears to my eyes. And, one day, I will be able to thank Him in person. Face to face. I'll be able to kneel down, and kiss His once wounded hands and feet, and thank Him, and thank Him, and thank Him. Or, in reality, knowing me, just cry and cry and cry, not being able to say anything in coherent sounds. But He'll know what's in my heart all the same. And then, I'll stand. I'll stand all amazed.