Scripture Study: Journaling

Every time I read the Book of Mormon recently I think, "Ok, this is it. THIS is the best chapter so far"...and then I read more and more and it just gets better and better! I'm discovering that the Book of Mormon teaches us so many things apart from just the historical/spiritual aspect of what it testifies of. It teaches us how to keep a good and useful journal- and we all know about my obsession with journaling!

I absolutely loved reading in 3 Nephi this morning (chapter 5). I felt that it teaches so much about good journaling skills- something I think God wants us to continue to practice no matter where we are in life. 

If you can't ready my notes, this is what it says: "We learn so much about journaling from Mormon. In v. 12, he writes about his history. He also writes about the history of his people, his beliefs/testimony, and spiritual experiences that he has had. He writes about things that are not only beneficial to him (sharing/writing your testimony strengthens it), but things that will help others- for hundreds of years to come!"

Blessings WILL Come!

An especially trying time for me was the early years of girls camp (ok fine, it was all hard)...but those times were difficult in a different way because I was discovering my mental battles and trying to find a way to best combat them. I had no experience fighting to get out of bed every morning, stay calm at night when panic would strike, or why my stomach was hurting so badly and I felt sick all the time. But up at Long Valley I secretly felt that one day these struggles would prove to be a blessing of understanding to another person. I still don't know who that person is, but I do know and have personal witness that none of my suffering goes unnoticed by my Savior. 

I was recently looking back in one of my journals and I had written down that none of our sorrows will be for nothing. Every tear that befalls us in this earthly life out of sorrow will one day be made up to us one hundred fold. I believe this! In addition, we have learned from apostles of the Lord that some blessing will come now, some will come later, and some won't come until after this life. BUT THEY WILL COME!

Speaking of blessings...I recently had the blessing to hear Josie Solomon and her cute husband Brighton Solomon speak. That was an awesome night for me. At the end of their talks, I don't think there was a dry eye in the room, and sniffling was audible during the closing prayer. My reaction to Josie's story was quite the opposite. I felt like jumping up and cheering on, and I had THE BIGGEST smile on my face. Seriously. I would have been a little embarrassed of myself if I hadn't been so stinkin' happy and FULL OF JOY. 

I'm still unable to fully articulate why I reacted in such a way, but I know that it has to do with me identifying with Josie on some level, and being ecstatic to hear that you can have a life outside of an illness that plagues you every second of everyday. And even though our demons are somewhat different from each other, Josie and I are on the same team. She spoke things that I had never mentioned to anyone else as fears of mine. And she conquers life EVERY SINGLE DAY. So you could say she's pretty much the cooliest person ever- and her husband isn't too far behind:)

Thank you Josie and Brighton for being exactly who we need you to be: yourselves! Candidly and openly. WE LOVE YOU FOR IT!❤️❤️❤️❤️

#the444project

He thought of us

As He prays in the garden, as He dies for us, as we sin so carefree, does He cry? When He rose from the tomb, when He was wearing the crown of thorns, He thought of us. Now we go on living, but do we think of Him? Do we thank Him everytime we pray, do we love Him each and everyday? Do we sing praises in His name? Did we think of Him enough today? He thought of us, let us return the favor.

Time to Be...

It's time. No more precious seconds to waste. No more "I'll try next time". That time is now. Time to live up to our birth right. Time to stand and not fall. Time to be a light keeper. Time to be a true example of the believers. My testimony of the Church burns in my heart every time I think of Him. Every time I think of those who don't know of it's truths. Every time I see a "light" break. Sadly, we cannot stop others from making disappointing choices, but we can be there for them. Teach by example this holiday season. Make Him proud to call you His child. Live up to your birth right. Live up to Him.