Repent...That I may heal you

The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to"re-turn" toward God. He goes on to say it is an invitation to come unto him and be spiritually wrapped in his arms. Jesus said "Behold (my arms) of mercy (are)extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me" I love how he says us be invited to re-turn to him Is the beckoning call from our loving Father and His Only Begotten Son to be more than we are,to reach up to a higher way of life, to change, and to feel the happiness of keeping the commandments. Everything He offers us and urges us to be is for us, so we can feel His love, so we can feel His peace, so we can feel His happiness, so we can return to live with Him and have a fullness of His Kingdom. A loving Father that is so selfless and teaches us to be and do the same. By helping us completely turn to Him we are promised all that the Father has. There is no selfishness in this. It makes me think of the parable of the prodical son. His Father was heartbroken when he left and chose that way of life, but when he returned to his father, he ran to him with open arms and celebrated the return of his son and gave him the very best that he had. I feel so incredibly blessed for the Holy Ghost who when we listen and feel his spirit, guides us to turn around and make things right so that we might not be estranged from our Savior and His love. The fact that the Saviors encircling arms of mercy and love for the repentant are for all repentant no matter how selfish the forsaken sin is amazing.
Divine forgiveness is one of the sweetest fruits of the gospel, removing guilt and pain from our hearts and replacing them with joy and peace of conscience. Jesus declares "Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?" As I continue to pray for help to overcome my many weaknesses, I find that that is an open invitation to be tried in that very thing I have asked to stop repeating and to overcome. He allows me to keep repenting, (changing) until with Him I get it right. I find that I do some of the same sins over and over again and each day and night I pray to be able to be forgiven and to try, try again. I love the opportunity we have to partake of the Sacrament weekly and to come humbly before the Lord and acknowledge our dependence upon HIm and asking Him to forgive and to renew us and us promising to always remember Him and in return He is always there for us, every single moment we remember Him, we are blessed to have His spirit constantly with us. What more love and affirmation of His love by His Atoning Sacrifice could He give us. It gives me hope. Everyday I need to turn to Him more often and He invites me to do this through change, a desire to trust Him and His ways no matter what each day holds that we are tryng to overcome. How thankful I am for the Redeeming power of the Saviors Atonement that has turned my many mistakes through repentance, a change of heart from crimson red to snowy white. That He offers me this gift if I will turn toward Him and He promises He will remember it no more but remember the new heart He has given me, the one that is constantly under reconstruction. How I need His mercy. He has made my mistakes after repentance work for my good, my learning, my profit and my life that much closer to His. This is the work and the love of an Eternal Father and His Son that ransoms me.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Wow trying to combined three girls' Christmas traditions can be pretty tricky but we managed to make it work and keep everyone happy :) I love the shape of our tree and how it has brought the reality of Christmas into our home. It fits so perfectly in our little awkward living room and has filled our home with the scent and spirit of Christmas. The ornaments we chose are red bulbs with gold designs on them; they add a splash of color to the classy white lights and shimmery gold ribbon. It's so beautiful it makes me want to cry ;) I love it!

Home for Thanksgiving

It has been so wonderful to be home for a whole week. When I am in Utah I miss my family terribly, but try not to show it much. I love my family so much and it is always so so so good to be with them. This was the first Thanksgiving that I have been home in quite a few years and I feel so blessed to have been able to come home. My family is amazing. I have no idea how I got to lucky! :)

Turkey Ball!!!

We had a blast playing turkey ball on Thanksgiving day! It was raining for the entire two hours that we were playing, but it made it that much more fun for us :) We called the game at the end because of time... it was a tie. Turkey ball is a tradition in our family that I hope will never die!

Happy Thanksgiving...

This is sweet...

Sub for Santa 5K Race

Me, Heather, and Rebecca ran in a 5K race at Sugar House Park on Saturday morning and it was a blast. Heather ran almost the entire race... I caught her at the end and ran with her to the finish. I told her to kick it into high gear when she hit the light post. I said sprint girl and she said "I'm already sprinting!" She kicked it in at the end and I was so impressed with her! She is amazing. I love her :)

I was really happy when I finished the race cause I ran my best 5K race ever! I ran it in 23:34 and took second place in the women's division. It was great fun and we ran the race in style in our holiday get-up! :) When we finished we all felt like we had conquered the world!!!

Posted By Tracy

THE LOVE OF GOD
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

As of late the Love of God has been impressed upon my mind. As I have sat pondering the Love of Christ and the Father the Atonement has become more personal to me. It is for this reason that I would like to comment on this talk by Elder Uchtdorf.

He poses a question on how we can become more focused on the weightier matters..."once again the Savior revealed the way. When asked to name the greatest commandment, He did not hesitate. 'Thou Shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind'...When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves u, the confusion clears and our priorities align."
-I have found this to be true in my own life...whenever I feel the spirit I have no more "disposition to do evil but to do good continually" and the path of life seems joyful, enjoyable and exciting.

In the next paragraph about why should we Love God, I was touched by the insight he gave to us about our capacity to love..."We are created in the image of our heavenly parents; we are God's spirit children. Therefore, we have a vast capacity for love-it is part of our spiritual heritage."
This really helped me remember how great our capacity is because of where it comes from...On my mission I remember hearing a conference talk from Elder Holland I believe, that said that we need to increase our ability or capacity to repent...it took several years before I began to understand what he meant by that...I came to understand that as I grew closer to my Heavenly Father that not only would my desires change but my actual ability to accomplish them or overcome sin would be increased..."Since 'God is love', the closer we approach Him, the more profoundly we experience love." Now I feel as though I understand this principle even better because of this talk. Our capacity not only increases because we are moving closer to the Father, but also because we are His children and that capacity lies within us; The Savior gave us the key to access what is already a part of us through the Atonement. Wow, it is awesome.

Lastly I would like to share the simple truth that touched me so profoundly this week. This last part is my opinion, however, I believe it to be true as far I was able to understand the spirit and it goes along with this talk...
The Atonement is Love
At its very core the Atonement is about Love...specifically how "mercy overpowers the demands of justice." I feel like the word "fair" needs to be removed from our train of thought. Although justice is an essential and eternal part of the plan it is not the core principle of the Atonement. Let me explain, the Atonement had to be "unfair" in its very simplest form to "overpower the demands of justice...Had it been fair he never would have suffered for us...fairness was the adversary's plan. He wanted to come to earth and atone for us but it was only fair that we were forced to do what was right...the adversary's plan was purely a plan of justice, he was missing the essential and everlasting principle of love.
Through his love and mercy it should move each and every one of us to things that are "unfair" he having sent the example before us, that example works in our hearts and pulls at us when nothing else might reclaim us from our fallen state. As we do things for others that are "unfair" and love those who don't deserve it, MERCY BEGINS TO OVERPOWER REASON, and the demands of "fairness," selfishness, anger, vain ambitions and pride give way to the LOVE that "passeth all understanding" and washes away the cloud of disbelief.
My prayer is that the love that I have for my Savior may increase the circumference of the love that Radiates from my heart; beginning with my family and piercing even my vary enemies. Let each of us OVERPOWER the demands of Justice though our love and mercy.

testing...

Testing post from Tracy....

Helping Others Recognize the Whisperings of the Spirit

Helping Others Recognize the Whisperings of the Spirit

• Understanding the Doctrine
  


• Whether we are in a classroom, a missionary discussion, or a family home evening, teaching the doctrine regarding the Holy Ghost can help others understand this important gift. We learn that while “the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil,”2 the right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost comes as members are given that gift by the laying on of hands by those who have the proper authority.
  


• The scriptures and the prophets teach what this constant companionship feels like. The Lord tells us, “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.”6 Enos stated, “While I was . . . struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind.”7 Joseph Smith said, “When you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas.”8 President Henry B. Eyring described the influence of the Holy Ghost as “peace, hope, and joy.” He added, “Almost always I have also felt a sensation of light.”
  


• My favorite description, though, comes from an eight-year-old boy who had just received the Holy Ghost. He said, “It felt like sunshine.”
  


• Share Personal Testimony
  


• However, it is not always easy to discern these “sunshine” moments at first. The Book of Mormon tells us of some faithful Lamanites who “were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.”10
  


• We can help others become more familiar with the promptings of the Spirit when we share our testimony of the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives. Remember that some experiences are too sacred to relate. However, by sharing testimony of the Spirit in our lives, those who are unfamiliar with these promptings are more likely to recognize when they have similar feelings.
  


• Provide an Environment Where the Spirit Can Be Felt
  


• Because the Spirit is often described as a still, small voice,11 it is also important to have a time of quiet in our lives as well. The Lord has counseled us to “be still, and know that I am God.”12 If we provide a still and quiet time each day when we are not bombarded by television, computer, video games, or personal electronic devices, we allow that still, small voice an opportunity to provide personal revelation and to whisper sweet guidance, reassurance, and comfort to us.
  


• When we come to understand the whisperings of the Spirit, we will be able to hear Him teach us “the peaceable things of the kingdom”14 and “all things what [we] should do.”15 We will recognize answers to our prayers and know how to live the gospel more fully each day. We will be guided and protected. And we can cultivate this gift in our lives as we follow those spiritual promptings. Most importantly, we will feel Him witness to us of the Father and of the Son.

General Conference hi-lights

Lessons Learned as a boy

This message always makes me cry. Maybe it's because I grew up with so many of these poor farmers. I love what it teaches.

Nicole's Wedding

We had way too much fun at this wedding :) Nicole is a woman who we use to work with at the Work Activity Center. She and her husband got married behind the Alta Peruvian Lodge up Big Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake City, UT. It was a perfect day and the scenery was absolutely beautiful. The sun was shining down through the trees and we were surrounded by breathtaking slightly snow covered mountains. We were given little containers of bubbles to blow during the ceremony and afterwards as the bride and groom walked away. The wind was blowing and the occasional bubble would land on the bride or grooms face during the ceremony as they were reading their vows and they would just laugh.

Halloween Fun

Happy Halloween! I dressed up as this cookey woman from one of the sign language videos that we play at work all the time and it was pretty hillarious! In the picture where I am crossing my fingers I'm signing the letter "r". Making my costume was a little tricky, but actually putting the costume on was even tougher! I made the pants out of a tie dyed sheet and the mother of a friend of mine made the unitard out of this teal stretchy fabric that I bought. The pants were so tight that I had to rip the sides to get into them and there was no way I could bend down in those suckers! I wore my black little booty cut dance shorts over the top of the pants just in case I ripped my pants. Everyone at work thought my costume was hilarious :)

The picture of the umpa lumpa is my friend Greg at a Halloween party that we went to... it was a dance party! Greg won first place in the costume contest. He does the umpa lumpa dance just perfectly too, which helped him to really fit the part!

To Acquire Spiritual Guidance

To Acquire Spiritual Guidance
Elder Richard G. Scott

Here are some quotes I felt were very relevant:

• Throughout the ages, many have obtained guidance helpful to resolve challenges in their lives by following the example of respected individuals who resolved similar problems. Today, world conditions change so rapidly that such a course of action is often not available to us.


• Spirituality yields two fruits. The first is inspiration to know what to do. The second is power, or the capacity to do it. These two capacities come together. That’s why Nephi could say, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded.”2 He knew the spiritual laws upon which inspiration and power are based. Yes, God answers prayer and gives us spiritual direction when we live obediently and exercise the required faith in Him.

This next experience is lengthy, but I felt that I did it an injustice to paraphrase it. I thought it was amazing.

• 
  
  Now I share an experience that taught me a way to gain spiritual guidance. One Sunday I attended the priesthood meeting of a Spanish branch in Mexico City. I vividly recall how a humble Mexican priesthood leader struggled to communicate the truths of the gospel in his lesson material. I noted the intense desire he had to share those principles he strongly valued with his quorum members. He recognized that they were of great worth to the brethren present. In his manner, there was an evidence of a pure love of the Savior and love of those he taught.
  His sincerity, purity of intent, and love permitted a spiritual strength to envelop the room. I was deeply touched. Then I began to receive personal impressions as an extension of the principles taught by that humble instructor. They were personal and related to my assignments in the area. They came in answer to my prolonged, prayerful efforts to learn.
  As each impression came, I carefully wrote it down. In the process, I was given precious truths that I greatly needed in order to be a more effective servant of the Lord. The details of the communication are sacred and, like a patriarchal blessing, were for my individual benefit. I was given specific directions, instructions, and conditioned promises that have beneficially altered the course of my life.
  Subsequently, I visited the Sunday School class in our ward, where a very well-educated teacher presented his lesson. That experience was in striking contrast to the one enjoyed in the priesthood meeting. It seemed to me that the instructor had purposely chosen obscure references and unusual examples to illustrate the principles of the lesson. I had the distinct impression that this instructor was using the teaching opportunity to impress the class with his vast store of knowledge. At any rate, he certainly did not seem as intent on communicating principles as had the humble priesthood leader.
  In that environment, strong impressions began to flow to me again. I wrote them down. The message included specific counsel on how to become more effective as an instrument in the hands of the Lord. I received such an outpouring of impressions that were so personal that I felt it was not appropriate to record them in the midst of a Sunday School class. I sought a more private location, where I continued to write the feelings that flooded into my mind and heart as faithfully as possible. After each powerful impression was recorded, I pondered the feelings I had received to determine if I had accurately expressed them in writing. As a result, I made a few minor changes to what had been written. Then I studied their meaning and application in my own life.
  Subsequently I prayed, reviewing with the Lord what I thought I had been taught by the Spirit. When a feeling of peace came, I thanked Him for the guidance given. I was then impressed to ask, “Was there yet more to be given?” I received further impressions, and the process of writing down the impressions, pondering, and praying for confirmation was repeated. Again I was prompted to ask, “Is there more I should know?” And there was. When that last, most sacred experience was concluded, I had received some of the most precious, specific, personal direction one could hope to obtain in this life. Had I not responded to the first impressions and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance.


• The inspiring influence of the Holy Spirit can be overcome or masked by strong emotions, such as anger, hate, passion, fear, or pride. When such influences are present, it is like trying to savor the delicate flavor of a grape while eating a jalapeño pepper. Both flavors are present, but one completely overpowers the other. In like manner, strong emotions overcome the delicate promptings of the Holy Spirit.


• Sin is addictive; self-degenerating; conducive to other strains of corruption; deadening to spirituality, conscience, and reason; blinding to reality; contagious; destructive to mind, body, and spirit. Sin is spiritually corrosive. Unrestrained it becomes all-consuming. It is overcome by repentance and righteousness.


• Have patience as you are perfecting your ability to be led by the Spirit. By careful practice, through the application of correct principles, and by being sensitive to the feelings that come, you will gain spiritual guidance. I bear witness that the Lord, through the Holy Ghost, can speak to your mind and heart. Sometimes the impressions are just general feelings. Sometimes the direction comes so clearly and so unmistakably that it can be written down like spiritual dictation.

Well - let me know your thoughts on this - I really feel like I learn so much from all of your input.

Finally Painted my room

I started painting my room when Jacquelyn came down to visit for my birthday (the two of us always seem to become extremely ambitious whenever we get together). We had painted the grooves (which are white in the pictures) brown to begin with, but I did not like the way it looked. Last weekend I painted over the brown and finished the green and I love it! I only have a bed right now so I didn't have to do much moving of the furniture, but I plan to buy a book shelf and I want to get some fabric to put curtains over the two closets that you can see in the pictures. So many ambitions and so little money/time... good thing I'm an optimist :)

Thriller Performance

My friend Rebecca asked me earlier in the week if I would dance to Michael Jackson's Thriller with her and some friends of hers in their stake talent show. I gladly agreed! We practiced Thursday night for about an hour and then a little bit before the performance, but that was pretty much the extent of our practices. The performance went really well and we received a lot of compliments afterwards. It was a blast! Check out the video if you dare...