"Suffer the Little Children"

So, today, the primary teachers had a sort of training meeting, so I got to substitute a class during the 3rd hour. I was assigned the CTR-4 class, and they were awesome!! They were definitely 4, but I could tell why the Savior asks all of us to be like them. Their spirits are pure and innocent, even if they may not act appropriately all the time, they are exempt from any real punishment, and that makes me feel better for them. That is not the case however for those of us over the age of 8. We break the rules and get in trouble for it and feel the consequences, and we cry and do things wrong and get frustrated with ourselves. But even through all this, we are given a way back to Him. We must partake of the sacrament and repent of our sins and shortcomings, and strive to do better, and "become as the little children". I know that the Lord loves us and we can fel His presence if we but choose to listen to the spirit and live in a way that invites Him into our lives.

It's Your Choice!

So in Young Women's on Sunday, Sister Jenkins talked about agency and how we can choose where our lives go and how they play out. There was a scripture she mentioned about how we either choose eternal live, or captivity and death. All I could think was, "Gee... I wonder which one I'd rather have for my future!" It's so self explanitory, but so many times we do things that turn us from the direction we know we should go. My goal is to choose the things that will uplift my life so that I will be able to live with my family and Heavenly Father again. I love life!! And thats a choice! I look at some people and miserable their lives are, and good of circumstances they gave, and then I also see those who are the happiest people I know and have horrible things thrown at them from every direction. It all depends on how we chose to live, and we chose to react to the different situations we are put in every day. Life is good, we just have to recognize it!! :)

How Much He Loves Us

So... Today I gave the lesson in my Sunday School class. It was kinda spur of the moment, but I talked about the Savior and how He died for us and how He loves us so much and won't give up on us even when we give up on ourselves. He also sends people into our paths to help us along the way even if we don't recognize them or the role they are playing in our lives. There is a scripture in John 15:13. It says, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." I have heard this numerous times and it has always stuck out to me, but today, I read the verse after, and it was amazing. 14 says, " Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." So, to me, this means that Christ gave His life and suffered for everyone's sins, and the people who decide to accept His gospel and follow His commandments are His friends, and have the potential to be saved and live with Him again. Throughout the lesson I focused more on forgiveness, but for the purpose of this blog being devoted more towards choices, I think that we should remember to do our best to follow Christ's ways and the example He set for us when He was on this earth. Another scripture is John 10:16. It talks of the "other sheep" who Christ is longing to bring to His gospel. No matter who we are, no matter where we come from, and no matter what we believe, we are loved for who we are by the God who created us. His love is infinite and cannot fail us if we but learn to listen to the voice of the prophet who guides the church under his direction. This is the true gospel. It teaches of freedom to choose and Choosing that which is right, and I know it is true.

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.