We are in the hands of God

Sometimes it is really hard to trust in the Lord's plan for you. Life is hard and I sometimes wonder how the trials I go through are helping me. In 1 Nephi 17 verses 50-52 it says,

"And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things, I could do them...
And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?"

God is the most powerful being in the universe, yet He is still aware of you and all that you go through. Today in church, someone said something about how whatever happens in this life is for the best because we are in the hands of God. Knowing that, I think that we can all have a little more trust and a little more faith in our Lord.

Now listen to this song because it is powerful.

I am a poor wayfaring stranger

While traveling through this world of woe

Yet there's no sickness, toil or danger

In that bright world to which I go

I'm going there to see my father

I'm going there no more to roam

I'm only going over Jordan

I'm only going over home

I know dark clouds will gather around me

I know my way is rough and steep

Yet beauteous fields lie just before me

Where God's redeemed their vigils keep

I'm going there to my mother

She said she'd meet me when I come

I'm only going over Jordan

I'm only going over home

I don't think there is a way to express how I feel about this, so just let the song speak for itself. We will be taken care of because we are important to our Father in Heaven. Just keep trying and you will be ok. :)

"Seek ye for the kingdom of God"

"But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God." -Jacob 2:3

We've all seen that object lesson where you fill a jar by putting in ping pong balls first, followed by a smaller type of ball like marbles or something, followed by sand to fill the rest of the space. This week I had a goal to try and seek first the kingdom of God, and make sure I put the "ping pong balls" into my jar first instead of last. I wanted to make sure I was setting God as my priority. I honestly didn't do very well, so here is how I'm going to put it in perspective so I can try again next week.

We don't own our time, it was given to us. It's hard, as busy as we all are, to take time to remember what is most important. But I know that we're here on this earth for a greater purpose than to just finish our to do list each day. We're here to become more like Christ and build a stronger relationship with him. We're here to help others and bring light into the lives of those whose days are dark. We're here here to work, love, and learn. We have so much potential to do good. This next week, I am going put God first, give Him my time, and do what He would have me do.

You Matter

"22 Oh Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness... 23 And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels... 24 ...I will bring you up again out of the depth of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth." -Ether 2:22-24

While reading these verses, I was very impacted by how willing the Lord was to help the Brother of Jared. They needed light in their barges, but the Brother of Jared (Also why doesn't he have a real name??) didn't know how to go about it. The second that he asked the Lord for help, the Lord asked what the Brother of Jared needed Him to do. He then promised the Brother of Jared that he would take care of him and his people. The Lord reminds him that he controls the water and the wind and that he will keep them all safe.

It is so comforting to know that the Lord is in control. I also love a scripture from Exodus that my MTC companion, Hermana Sayer, would always talk about. It says, "10 And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since though hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, of the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?"-Exodus 4:10-11

Hermana Sayer would talk about how when she was scared to teach or speak Spanish, she would read this verse and be reminded that she didn't need to worry. She would always joke that the Lord made our mouths so I'm pretty sure he can help us teach our fake MTC investigators ya know? ;)

Whenever we need help or we feel insignificant and forgotten, it helps us to remember who is in control. We matter to our Heavenly Father. No matter how small we feel in this world, we will always have someone who loves us. All we need to do is ask for the help of the Lord and He will be right there.

If you want to read a sweet talk about how God loves us by Elder Uchtdorf, I got you: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/you-matter-to-him?lang=eng

"My Grace is Sufficient..."

Ether 12:27 - "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness, I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

I have a really big problem with perfectionism. I have been thinking in a certain way for so long that it's wired deep into my brain, and I have a habit of feeling like a "bad" person when I fall short of the unrealistic standards that I set for myself. If I wake up too late, if I don't read my scriptures for long enough, if I don't finish my homework or study for a test, if I don't exercise, etc., I feel so inadequate. I feel that falling short makes me a "bad" person. I've tried to think my way out of it, and sometimes I'm able to. But like I said, it's something that I feel deep down so I'm constantly working on it.

I didn't do my homework yesterday. I haven't read my scriptures as much as I wish I would have this week. I woke up late today and I'm feeling tired, anxious, and scared about what these next couple days are going to bring. Because of all of that, I'm having a hard time not feeling really bad about myself right now. This is why I chose this scripture to write about today.

It's ok that I fall short. It's ok that I don't do all that I plan to. I am human, therefore I am weak. And the Lord isn't mad at me for that. What He cares about is that I keep trying when I fail. This verse says that weakness makes us humble. Notice it doesn't say, "You are weak so you're a horrible person and you need to feel awful and shape up." We're shown our weakness so that we can work on it and become better. The grace of Jesus Christ is sufficient for everyone.

"Don't you quit. You keep walking, you keep trying, there is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon. Some come late. Some don't come until heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come." -Jeffrey R. Holland