So, this summer has been super chill... In fact so chill that iI have been doing almost nothing. I have turned into a totally lazy person who stays at home and doesn't do anything productive all day long. It's painful!But, I've also realized that it's my choice! I can chose to get up and do something, and that is my goal! I want to get more piano students, and when I start summer school next week, I'm going to be super diligent about keeping up and staying on task. I hope this is some motivation to any of you, but it's helped me to get started!!

Loving Those Around Us

So I just got back from Girls Camp and I absolutely love it!!! It is always such a fulfilling experience. Testimony meeting is my favorite night out of the entire time because even if its stake camp I get to become so much more connected with the girls in my ward and we get to strengthen one another in the gospel (and cry our eyes out all at the same time)!! Its great!

Also, when I got home, I had my dance rehearsal and then yesterday I got to perform it. IT WAS SO AWESOME!!!!! I am so glad I chose to be apart of that and to dance my heart out!! It was good to know that all of my hard work was paying off every time the audience would clap. I realized that I could have chosen to stay at home and do nothing all the time, but the things I have learned with Sister Duff as my teacher has strengthened my testimony because she doesn't just teach dance: she teaches the gospel, and life skills, and love. That is why I love it so much.

Today in church we watched a movie during the lesson called "The Cipher in the Snow". It was kind of depressing... Some kids were waiting to get on the bus, and one of the boys was obviously an outcast. During the ride to school he asked to get off and right when his feet touch the ground, he falls down dead. They show what is going on at the school and one of his teachers is assigned to write an obituary for him, but no one knows anything about him or who he is. The teacher does some research and finds that the boy was neglected and treated poorly for most of his life, and none of the people around him really cared or bothered to find out what was wrong or take the time to get to know him. This lack of friendship led to his death because of his lonesomeness. I thought that was interesting... This poor kid!!! Not one person, except perhaps his mother, even talked to him or acknowledged his existence. What a tragic life he must have led... no woder he died of a broken heart.

This story reminded me of how I have tried to help others and make sure they are not left out. I know how it feels to be ignored or treated poorly and I don't wish that upon anyone. One thing I do, is if I see someone sitting alone on the bus, I sit by them and begin talking to them. I already have two friends from doing that!! It's awesome!! Lets all try to show compassion to those who are rejected, do our best to love them, and "...comfort those that stand in need of comfort..."

Diligently Seeking

Yesterday, I was reading 2 Nephi 28:7-11. this used to be my favorite scriptre. I love it because it is Nephi teaching his brothers that we need to seek the Lord's guidance if we need it. Even if the Lord knows we need something, it is almost a test of faith for us to ask him and show that not only are we in need of his wsdom, but also that we have faith to trust his judgement. I also belive that the choices we make affect other people in ways we may not know. That is one of the reasons we are asked to be examples "at all times and in all things and in all places"."You make choices every day and almost every hour that keep you walking in the light or moving away toward darkness" (Henry B.Eyring/General Conference/April 2008/Walk in the Light).

Choices

This is my first post ever on a blog and I hope I get it right (as if its possible to mess up)! Anyways, i have chosen to focus on "Choice and Accountability". This is a mjor part of our time here on Earth. It was Heavenly Father's plan for us to come here and do our best and try to make it back to live with him someday. Had we followed Satan's plan, we would haveno choice in doing what's right, we would simply do t... but we wouldn't learn anything that way!! the point of this life is to grow and develope. Its great!! I am striving to choose correctly the path that will lead me to the temple and the Celestial Kingdom.

Be Thou an Example of the Believers

I just love General Conference! We are so lucky to be able to listen to the Prophet and to be able to hear all of the messages that are meant for us! So many of the talks seemed like they were just for me. It is hard for me to choose a favorite talk, in fact I don't think that is possible! One of my favorites actually comes from the Priesthood Session! You can listen to and read all of the talks by going to lds.org and finding the conference website link. It is definitely worth it to go and listen again. I have been feeding off of that website ever since conference!



The talk from the priesthood session that I loved was by Russell M. Nelson. He speaks a lot about missionaries and how important they are to our church. He also puts an emphasis on the importance of member missionaries. He tells us to be examples of the believers. "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12 After listening to this talk and thinking about that particular scripture, I thought, what better way to be an example of the believers in faith than being a missionary? I very highly doubt that there is any missionary who does this great work without faith. That would be like trying to teach without your heart. It is useless. By doing missionary work, even as a member missionary, we show Heavenly Father that we trust in His plan enough to want others to know and feel the same things that we, as members of the Church, do. This is a great way to exercise faith, by being an example and leading others to Christ. I'm so thankful that the Church has such a strong missionary program, and so grateful for the faithful members who do everything they can to be an example of the believers.

What was your favorite Conference talk??

Priceless Souls

In seminary this past week, my teacher gave a lesson on the worth of souls. I really enjoyed it, so I wanted to elaborate on it a bit. Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 says, "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God". To me, this scripture further proves Heavenly Fathers love for each of us. We are priceless to him and of infinite worth.

We need to recognize how special we are. Our lives can be hectic and just plain busy. We often have so many responsibilities that sometimes we feel like we're failing at some of them. That is where self doubt comes in. You can tell yourself that you're not good enough, or compare yourself to someone who seems to be more successful. Don't compare yourself to someone; each one of us has been created differently with our own strengths and weaknesses. You don't have to be the best. You just have to try to be your best.

Sometimes, we not only degrade our own feelings of self worth, but also those of others. Have you ever seen someone and thought something, or said something, or judged them based on only their outward appearance or their actions? Imagine how Heavenly Father feels when we do this. Those people that we judge are all sons or daughters of God.

In John 13:34 it reads, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also one another."
My seminary teacher gave us the challenge for the rest of the day to try to see others as God sees them. I think that challenge goes right along with that scripture. I took on the challenge, and for the rest of the day, I smiled at more people, and tried to see the worth of their soul. This helped me to gain a greater love for all of the people who are here on this earth. All of us chose to be here. We are each a son or daughter of God and we all have a purpose. I know that as we try to uplift others, they will be able to see their own worth.

Remember, it's okay to not be perfect, just don't put yourself down. You are of great worth in the sight of God. The atonement works and will help us gain perfection. Have faith in it!

I Too Must Give

Sorry for the long break between posts! I feel like I have been a total slacker, but hey, life gets busy. :)

One thing that I absolutely love is music. It can set a mood so easily. Have you ever been watching a movie and wondered what the feeling would be like without the music? Music helps us to feel a particular way. Most importantly, music helps to invite the Spirit. A couple weeks ago in sacrament meeting, we sang one of my favorite hymns, "Because I Have Been Given Much". Sometimes I wonder how the hymns put my feelings into words so perfectly. As members of the church, we truly have been given so much. I think it would be selfish of us not to share what we know with others. One way that we can easily show our faith is by helping others, and in the process, setting an example of the believers. In the hymn it says "I shall divide my gifts from thee with every brother that I see who has the need of help from me." It's so important to share our strengths with others. Even if we think we are not doing much, it can mean the world to the person on the receiving end.

Another service oriented hymn that I love is "Have I Done Any Good?" It reminds us that we have so much that we can do for others. Just giving a smile to someone and cheering them up can be so simple, so we should never pass those opportunities up. I know that a smile can brighten someone's day. When I was a sophomore, there was a senior girl who would always smile and say hi to me, and I didn't even know her! I thought this was so special, and it always made me so happy, so now I make it a point to smile and say hi to people when we pass by each other.

I recently went to a leadership workshop, and I loved it! Something that I learned that we can all take into our lives is:

Listen more
have more Enthusiasm
Acknowledge people more
be more Dedicated
have more Energy
be more Responsible
be more Sensitive

If you noticed, all of the capital letters spell out "Leaders". I think the ultimate goal of a leader is to give service to others. One other thing that I liked was that the word "more" was used in every phrase. You can always do more than you think you can!

On a side note, one thing that I've recently started doing before I read my scriptures is to sing a hymn or at least just read the words to one. It has been so helpful at night, when I have been running around at school all day. It helps me to clear my mind before I begin my scripture study. Try it, it can't hurt! I hope you all had a lovely Sabbath day!