Why a Mission?

     As a missionary, many people ask you a very difficult question to answer, "Why did you decide to serve a mission?" Now keep in mind that we serve for 2 years as missionaries, and that covers a good amount of time for someone of my age. When you are like me and have been out for almost 22 months of your mission, the reason you decided to serve a mission is not able to change, but the reason you are still out may have. So, as important of a question as it may seem to be to find out why a missionary decided to serve, the answer you will get may not be as up-to-date as it could be. One of my past missionary companions, Elder Webb, always liked to present this question in contrast, as he felt it would get a more up-to-date answer to virtually the same question, "Why are you still on a mission?"
     Let me share with you how they are different. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to serve a mission. I was never forced into it, I wasn't bribed, I really had no agenda at all, other than I just really wanted to serve a mission, and be a missionary. I always liked it when the missionaries came over to our house for dinner, because they were so cool to me. I wanted to be just like them. That is a good reason to go on a mission and it got me to go on one, but it isn't the only reason to go, nor is it necessarily the best reason.
     Although my desire to be a missionary has not changed, my list of reasons for still being on my mission have gotten longer. Seeing a family become more united with the knowledge that THEY CAN BE A FAMILY FOR ALL ETERNITY, and being able to carry THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST WITH MINE are just 2 of the many reasons that have been tacked on my list. My most recent reason to stay on my mission was strengthened just last night, when we gathered together in Pulaski, TN at our Family Home Evening (FHE) activity in the park. We had a pretty slim group last night, but as we started to talk about who else could be there that was not, the Spirit under that pavilion changed and excitement filled every person in attendance. These people in Giles County are very desirous to have their own branch (congregation) in Pulaski and you can see it in their countenance as we meet every Monday at 6pm in the park. So right now you could say I am still on a mission, because I AM HERE TO ORGANIZE A BRANCH IN PULASKI!
     Just remember, it doesn't matter why someone decided to serve a mission, what matters is why they are still out. I love being a missionary and love being able to serve my God in His work! There is nowhere else I'd rather be. I write this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hearken: Accepting "Thy Will"

Hear·ken [här k n] v. Listen with the intent to obey.

     The scriptures often use the word hearken when someone is being counseled to do something. This word is often not viewed as important or as powerful as it truly is. When the Lord tell us to hearken, He expects us to listen and obey. However, the scriptures are not the only place the Lord tells us to hearken to His counsel. We are also expected to hearken the council of the prophets, leaders and ALWAYS the Spirit.

     I would like to share with you an experience of my life that has helped me gain a testimony of this principle. Being a missionary we are expected to be very flexible in where we are to serve as we get moved around quite frequently. A few weeks ago, I got a call from my mission president telling me that I was going to be transferred from Clarksville, TN to Cookeville, TN. I was just stunned at this and really didn't know what to say. I accepted the assignment and change, but I was doing it grudgingly. Now, like I said before us as missionaries get moved around a lot and we expect it, but there is a method to it. Every 6 weeks we receive a call that tells us we will stay for another 6 weeks or go somewhere else. This particular call was in the middle of the 6 weeks, which is what made it unpredicted and which was really this initial cause of my disappointment and frustration. There were also a lot of great things happening in Clarksville that I didn't want to miss out on. I got to Cookeville the next day and struggled there for a week or so. I realized shortly after that I was physically in Cookeville, but mentally still in Clarksville. It wasn't until I realized that, that I knew I needed to willingly accept this change that the Lord had asked of me. After I learned to hearken and accept "Thy will," I was able to enjoy my time there. I truly believe that if I had not changed my perspective I would have wasted the very short time of 4 weeks that I was given there. Yes, I got transferred again that next transfer call to Pulaski, TN, but I know that this is what the Lord wants and I am happy to do it. That transfer prepared me to be called to build a Branch in Pulaski which has not had missionaries for many years. Part of the miracle is that we have had over 20 people attending our little church gathering (congregation) for the last few weeks as a result of Elder Clark and I being called to serve here.

     The Lord tells you, " I...am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." (D&C 82:10.) Also, that "there is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (D&C 130:20-21.) I know this to be true, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Motherhood: A Divine Calling

     I just want to start off by saying, I LOVE MY MOM! Okay, now that I have that off my chest, I want you to watch this awesome video and reflect back on the women in your life who have loved, mentored, and mothered you. Think about the many things those women have done for you! Now WATCH!

     So, I have been told a couple of times in my life that often women do not particularly enjoy Mother's Day. Well, if this is you, then I am going to be speaking mostly to you in this post. As it has been explained to me, it is often the fact that women see how awesome other's mothers are and how much they lack in comparison that makes Mother's Day such a drag; or maybe, it is that the expectations of how Mother's Day should be spent are often not met. Whatever the case may be, put it aside for just one moment. You, by the simple fact of being a woman, have a divine nature that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones, so cherish that. You are doing God's work. Your motherhood is an eternal partnership with Him. In my humble opinion, and as the video explained, a mother is someone who loves, and mentors others. So, I would like to add that you do not have to have children to be a mother. Any woman could have children, but in my opinion, it takes someone who is willing to care for and nurture someone out of charity and love to be a mother. For those who decide to take that divine role upon themselves thank you! Our Father in Heaven has trusted you to work with Him in raising His sons and daughters. How great is your call and how lucky are you. I hope and pray you enjoy your divine calling and have a wonderful Mother's Day! :)

P.S. If I didn't already mention it before, I LOVE YOU MOM!!!

New Year (Don't Live in the Past)

     It's a new year and with that come the chance for a brand new start. Everyone and their dog sets new years resolutions, which are great! The only problem is that we keep them for about a week or 2 and then they seem to disappear. I have been on the search to find the cure to this for a little while now and I can't seem to find it. Let me suggest an idea I have that can maybe replace these failing new years resolutions. Take a look back on this past year (2012) and think of all the many wonderful things you have done for people (family, friends, coworkers, etc.) as well as many of the wonderful things people have done for you. Now think about some things you wish you would have done differently. Maybe it is spend more time with family, or maybe it is give more of your time to God, or it may have even been that you wish you would have let yourself enjoy life more. Whatever the case may be, there is at least one thing in this past year of your life that you wish you could make better, and for some reason it is always so hard to accept that we cannot change the past. Let me repeat that. YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOUR PAST, however, we can make some changes to our lives so that we will be happy with our future.
     Now here is my challenge. Look back on this past year, not to be back there again or to try to change it, but to make this next year even better. Find one thing that you would like to be better at and do it. When you fail, do it again. Don't give up because you missed one day of being home with your family, or because you forgot to say a prayer one night before bed. Keep working at it till this change becomes you, then find something else and work on that. I know that if we look back on our life, not with the desire to be back there or to change it, but to learn then we will be much happier in our life. Just remember, live in the present.

Happy New Year!!!

Christmas (The True Meaning)

     I had my second Christmas away from home this year and it was great! It wasn't great because I was happy to be away from home, it was great because I was able to share the message of The Savior with so many wonderful people. I did get to Skype my family which was a way fun perk, but that isn't what I want to focus on. I want to focus on what I learned. I learned that my parents know how to give good gifts (what I want). I learned that God knows how to give perfect gifts (what I need). I learned that God has given us the greatest gift that we could ever want, A Savior, to help us get back once again to live with our Heavenly Father. I learned that we have family to spend time with, to learn and grow from, and to share the many joys in life. Most importantly, I learned that the true meaning of Christmas is Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas is Jesus Christ

     The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does a wonderful job of sharing what Christmas is truly about! Visit mormon.org/christmas and get a chance to see what the true meaning of Christmas is, or even get a free copy of the Holy Bible, or download free Christmas Music, and many other things. This website is awesome and is directed specifically to the why and what of Christmas. I hope you check it out! Feel free to share what Christmas is to you at the bottom as well.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

     I have been slacking in my blogging the past few weeks, so I hope to make up for it today! I have been thinking a lot about Christmas lately, probably because it is coming up pretty dang soon, and it will be my second one away from home in a row! I have really come to appreciate the true meaning or Christmas, which is the celebration of Christ's birth, while taking time to celebrate it away from the worldly aspect for a change. It is sad that it took this to really learn, but I am so blessed and happy to really know what it is all about. Being on a mission has helped me to learn about and to share the many gifts our Father in Heaven has given us on this Earth. One of my favorite scriptures is found in Matthew 7:7-11 (3 Nephi 14:7-11), because it tells me about how God knows exactly what we need and how He is willing to give it to us if we just ask. One of those blessings is our Savior, Jesus Christ. We are so blessed to be able to have a Heavenly Father who loves us so much that gave us His Son as a gift, and a Savior who was willing to give Himself as a way for us to return to life with Him and our Father in Heaven once again! It is such a blessing for me to be able to know this and I hope to share it with you. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!!!