Life Takes Some Fixing

A few days ago Sister Punaa and I were headed to Santa Rosa for our all mission conference. We were really excited! We made it there safe and sound. We had a wonderful conference filled with love, the spirit, and the joy of celebrating Christ's birth.

After conferences like that you feel so inspired, and are anxious to go out and share the wonderful message of our Savior Jesus Christ with the world. Which we were. Well our excitment came to a jolting hault when we were informed, "Sister's did you know your car has a flat tire?" Of course our response was, "no???" We rushed outside to find our car was tilting to one side.

Isn't that the same with life? Sometimes we are just so ready to move forward and continue on. But we realize we are stuck and we have to fix something before we can keep on going.

In life there is such things as 'quick fixes.' But those fixes only last for so long. Such as the spare tire Elder Jenkins and Elder Tomoser so kindly put on for us. The spare tire was great! A life savor really. But it would only last for so long before we needed to get a new permanent tire.

We will make mistakes in life. It's only human. But if we don't fix them properly eventually we are going to get to a point where we can't move at all. We are helpless. And we are, that is all helpless without the Atonement of Jesus Christ. In Mosiah chapter 4. King Benjamin teaches..

 "...as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel. And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true."

Christ can and will heal us. He knows how. He is all powerful. He has all knowledge. He can do what we cannot do. Just as Sister Punaa and I had no idea how to fix our tire. We had to turn to someone who knew how. If we hadn't and would have just drove along we wouldn't have gotten very far until we had even more problems than what we started with.

I know Christ lives. He loves us. And I know that His Atonement fixes all pain.

Faith Is Taking The First Step Even When You Don't See The Whole Staircase...

Have you ever thought how something so small can grow to be so BIG?

The other day we were at Sister's home in our ward. She had asked her to help her with some yard work. When we got there we found out we were going to be helping plant a small garden. I was so excited! Growing up I remember we always had a garden, but I don't remember ever helping plant it, I always just helped eat it. As we took the seeds in our hands I noticed how tiny they were! And the thought crossed my mind how incredible that was, that something so small, could turn into something much greater.

For example take a sunflower seed. It doesn't look like much does it? But after some nourishment and care, it becomes something so beautiful and magnificent. Or a catipillar... I mean come on, those things are kinda gross looking, but think that they will someday be a beautiful butterfly!

There is a process to growth. It doesn't just go BAM! Sunflower! Or butterfly... but it takes time. Just like the garden we helped plant. We didn't see anything instantaneously, but over time that seed will begin to grow and flourish.

"Compared to God, we are nothing; yet we are EVERYTHING to God." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Just like the seed or the catipillar we too look very small compared to the world that we live in. But just as the seed into the sunflower, we too can and will grow and develop into something magnificitantly beautiful!

"Because of the conflicts and challenges we face in today’s world, I wish to suggest a single choice—a choice of peace and protection and a choice that is appropriate for all. That choice is faith. Be aware that faith is not a free gift given without thought, desire, or effort. It does not come as the dew falls from heaven. The Savior said, “Come unto me” (Matthew 11:28) and “Knock, and it shall be [given] you” (Matthew 7:7). These are action verbs—come, knock. They are choices. So I say, choose faith. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism."

There really is so much power behind the word FAITH. I'm sure you have heard the saying, "FAITH can move mountains." Well it can, and it can do and has done much more. In the Book of Mormon it teaches in Ether... "Behold it was the FAITH of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth...it was the FAITH of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost...it was the FAITH of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites...and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by FAITH, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after."

Lets CHOOSE to have faith, and then CHOOSE to act upon it. I know that Jesus is the Christ, and through having faith in him, "you shall have ^ceternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God."

 

Clubs, Caddies, and Christ

I grew up with a father and a mother who love to golf. As their daughter i've grown to enjoy it too. Usually only when i'm playing good though. But for any of you who golf you know that it can be very frustrating at times. And other times very rewarding. My favorite holes are the par 4's, and as you tee off the flag is a straight shot in front of you, not to the side, or around a corner, but directly in front. Oh and not to mention there isn't any sand traps or water just ready to eat your ball up. But for those of you who golf know that doesn't happen very often. Back home at the golf course I usually golf at, there is a par 3 that I don't get along with too much. I know a par 3... your probably thinking those are the fun ones. Well right in front of the green is a pond, I can't even tell you how many times i've lost my ball in that pond. I remember so many times pulling up to the tee off, getting my ball and my club, usually an 8 iron. Walking up to the tee with full confidence that I'm going to smack that ball over that pond and if not in the hole right next to it. Before stepping up to the ball, I do a few practice swings, and then its the time, i'm thinking, "i'm gonna get it this time." As I swing the club back keeping my eye on my ball, keeping my knees bent my shoulds square, and then smack! The ball goes flying, and then SPLASH! The worst sound ever, right into the pond. "Ughhh!! Are you kidding me??" One time there was even these little kids sitting off to the side of the road selling golf balls, and they were laughing so hard when that ball dropped in the water, in fact that time I think I did it twice. I would have been laughing too if it wasn't my own.

Our life is sometimes a lot like that par 3. We have a goal, we have the vision in our mind of 'what's going to happen', but then all these road blocks start coming up. Time after time, if it's not the pond, then it's the wind, if it's not the wind then its the sand trap, if it's not the sand trap then it's the trees. Why??

In the Book of Mormon Nephi teaches that there has to be "opposition in all things."

When I first started golfing, and even now, I rely on my mom or dad to tell me what club I should use, and especially when I am going to take a difficult shot. For example when I am hitting out of a sand trap. Those are really hard for me. And sometimes I forget the motion of how to swing, or what club to use. So I have to rely on my dad or mom to show me and to give me advice on what to do.

Like in our own lives, when things are easy the road seems nice and smooth, we think we got it. And then a road block, and we realize that we need help, we need guidance from someone who knows better, who has been through it before. It's during those times that we come to know who are Heavenly Father is, and how we can come to know him through his Son, Jesus Christ. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." -John 17:3

Just like golf, life has it's easier moments and it's harder moments. "...for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." -Alma 36:3

Life is like a game of golf, but we have the greatest caddy ever. Jesus Christ. A caddy is is the person who carries a player's bag and clubs, and gives insightful advice and moral support. A good caddy is aware of the challenges and obstacles of the golf course being played, along with the best strategy in playing it. This includes knowing overall yardage, pin placements and club selection.  Christ is there for us when we need help calling the shots. He can see the whole course, he can see the sand traps, the trees, the bends in the course, the ponds, he can see it all. He can give us the insights we need to make the best decisions. He has already played the course.

 "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of hi peaple. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverane; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me." -Alma 7:11-13

 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." -John 16:33

Life was not intended to be easy, but it was intended to be filled with joy and happiness. "....wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin." -2 Nephi 2:23

"The trials and tribulations we go through in this life, is the education we came to gain."

Enjoy the journey! It is a great one!

Footprints In The Sand

"One night I dreamed I was walking

along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed

across the sky. In each scene I

noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of

footprints, other times there was one

only. This bothered me because I

noticed that during the low periods of
my life, when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints,

so I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you, you would walk

with me always. But I have noticed

that during the most trying periods of

my life there has only been one set of

footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most, have

you not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The years when you have seen only

one set of footprints,

my child, that is when I carried you."

I know that Christ is always there for us. Guiding us and helping us along the path. Whether he is carrying us, or walking beside us holding our hands He is always there. He loves me, and he loves you.

-Marco's Conversion-

I come from a large family of Catholics, there's twelve of us to be exact. The youngest being 22 and the oldest 53, myself being the second youngest. As you can see, the youngest of us are separated by a whole different generation then the oldest of my siblings and by being so there's an anvantage that comes with it. That being that as a much younger sibling I get to sit back and looked/look at how my older brothers and sisters live their lives as parents and even grandparents, who do not have the fullness of the Gospel and their lives. As I looked at the limited happiness in their lives and how they raised/raise their children, I saw a glimpse of myself as a father and I didn't want that kind of life for me and my future family. Therefore, I began the task of looking for our Heavenly Father, who is always there for all of us but that up untill then I refused to accept him into my life.

Coming from a Catholic family I was always taught as a child not to open the door on people from other religions, however, I always thought that to be disrespecful and uneducated. So one day two elders came by and nocked on my door, and thankfully I was there to open the door on them and from then on my life is changed for the better: They both had a big smile on their face and they both seemed really happy, and that was my first impression of them. They asked me if I had afew minutes of my time to talk to me alittle about the book of Mormom and I happily accepted. They told me alittle bit about it and right away they asked me if I wanted to get baptized, which at first it took me by surprise and I responded "I'm already baptized." So they explained to me how the LDS Church truely does have the fullness of the Gospel and why it is important to get baptized in it. To which I responded that "I'd think about it", they gave me a book of Mormon and asked me if it'd be ok if they came by sometime. I agreed, however, for two to three weeks I didn't read the book and I avoided them.

Untill finaly they did come by and talked to me alittle more about the Gospel and how the LDS Church does things. I enjoyed our session and started reading the book of Mormom, and about two or three weeks after that I attended church for the first time. I was surprised at how happy people seemed to be and that first day although I enjoyed the talks and Sacrament meeting, 3 hours seemed alittle long coming from a church in which you attend for just one hour (not that I went much). That was only the first day, from then on I've enjoyed every minute of it. I'm glad I made the choice to read the book of Mormon, come to Church and most of all, get Baptized! I was told by my wonderful Missionaries that in the future when I looked back to how I used to view life, I'd be able to see a difference in my life after getting baptized. But honestly I've seen a great change in my life since I started coming to church and I'm grateful for my Missionaries, my new friends, our Church leaders but most of all for our precious Gospel. I'm grateful for our savior Jesus Christ who atoned for our sins so that we could have a chace to live with our Heavenly Father again and I know I want to be more like him and be the best I can possibly be.

-Marco

I am Sister Bethany Cottle. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ

What does your banner say about you? What do people see...? A mother...a smoker...a workaholic...a father...a lawyer....a drinker....a daughter...a son... Do they see you as relaible? Honest? Faithful? Willing to sacrifice? Confident?

I am Sister Bethany Cottle. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

"I am part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed. The dye has been cast.

I Have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of

Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is

redeemed, by present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished

and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams,

tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarf goals. I no longer need
pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to
be rgiht, first, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by
faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and
labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, and my goal is Heaven. My
road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable,

my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away,

divided, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the
presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at
the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up,

shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the cause

of Christ. I must go till He comes, five till I drop, preach till all know, and

work till He stops me. And when he returns for His own, He will have no

problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear."

Whatever your banner use to say or does say, you can change it. The past can't be undone, but it can be forgotten, and the present can be changed. You can change your banner, so that when Christ comes, "He will have no problem recognizing you..."  I'm dedicating my life to Christ, forever. I will not go back to who I once was, or who the world might think I should be, or the things I should do.. It's about sacrifice, it's about time, its about showing our love and our gratitude for the one who gave us all, the one who gave  His life, so that we could gain ours. And when He does come, He will have no problem recocnizing who I am. My banner IS set clear.

Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration

http://mormonchannel.org/joseph?lang=eng

This is probably one of my favorite church movies! I love the Joseph Smith movie. It makes me so much more grateful every time I watch it for what Joseph Smith did, and went through, so that we could have all the things we have. Like the Book of Mormon, the Priesthood, Temples, and much much more! I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and that through him Jesus Christ was able to restore is Gospel on the earth again. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, it is another testament of Jesus Christ, and as we read it we will become closer to him, and we will come to know more of our purpose here on this earth. I know that through the Priesthood authority, the same authority that Christ had when he was on the earth, that we can be sealed for time and all eternity with our families. I love my Savior Jesus Christ, I know He lives!

"Hope, the Anchor to MY soul!"

"The word hope is sometimes misunderstood. In our everyday language, the word often has a hint of uncertainty. For example, we may say that we hope for a change in the weather or a visit from a friend. In the the language of the gospel, however, the word hope is sure, unwavering, and active."

What is hope? What do we have left to hope for?

Divorce rates are sky rocketing. Families are being torn apart. Satan is doing all he can to make us doubt, to cause discouragment, and decievingly causing us to see there is no hope. Which is a lie. A BIG FAT lie. There is so much to hope for, there is so much to look forward to.

In the Book of Mormon, in Ether 12:4 it says, "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

"Hope is the anchor to our souls." So what is the anchor? In Heleman 5:12, it says "...remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty strom shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation wheron if men build they cannot fall."

That anchor, is Christ. He is the one who will calm the seas, He is who gives us hope for the future, hope for "a better world." I remember a couple of years ago my family and I were in the Carribbean on a cruise. We went parasailing. And the day we went it was windy and cloudy. We went out on this little speed boat, and I thought I was going to die. I get really bad motion sickness so it really wasn't the funnest thing in the world for me. But this experience reminded me of an instance in the Bilbe when Christ calmed the sea:

Matthew 8:23-26 "And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith: Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm."

Your probably thinking well what does your experience have to do with Christ calming the sea. Because I can't say that Christ came and calmed the storm. Just like in our lives, Christ doesn't always come and calm the storm. "Sometimes, God calms the storm, but sometimes God calms the child and lets the storm rage on." I didn't die parasailing, I made it through. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it. No matter what we are going through, good or bad, challenging or simple, there is HOPE, He is always there.

Christ is our anchor, He is our hope. Through Christ we can find peace, we can find happiness, we can find eternal joy. He loves us. He died for you, and for me.

"...these things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

There will always be tribulations in our lives, but Christ has overcome every single one of them. The atonement of Jesus Christ has changed my life, it's given me HOPE for my life, and the lives of those I love. I know that Jesus Christ lives, He does love us, and he died for us. This Gospel is a Gospel of HOPE!

Reaching Your Potential Is Life Eternal

Right now I'm on exchanges with Sister Cottle and she asked me to blog about something I have learned or put into effect in my life. As I was thinking this week of what I wanted to share, I couldn't help but to reflect upon our lives here on earth and our eternal goal that lies ahead. Something that I have always struggled with is why people say they only hope to make it to the Celestial Kingdom if they are deemed worthy of such great a blessing. Growing up I looked to my father's example of having faith enough in yourself and in the Lord that he would go to the Celestial Kingdom to live with our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ and be together as a family forever. What a great man of faith to not only know that it is achievable, but to live in such a way that eternal life is the only thing you want. He was not a man of preaching but a man of example, who emulated the Savior in all he did. The Celestial Kingdom is not a fleeting dream or just something to hope, but a reality. Heavenly Father has prepared a place for each of us, but only if we are willing to pay the price and turn to the Savior.
    This morning I was reading the talk "The Atonement: All for All" by Elder Bruce C. Hafen. He says, "We can have eternal life if we want it, but only if there is nothing else we want more". This is so true. If we want to become fully converted to this gospel we have to give all of ourselves, "all that [we] have", to the Lord. Alma 22:15, ". . . I will give up all I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy".. We must give our hearts, our pains, our weaknesses, and all the things that distance us and so easily beset us from God (2 Nephi 4:18).

     I've learned a great deal from the scriptures on this matter. In Doctrine and Covenants 88:22 it reads, "For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory". I testify to you that that is true. We start abiding by that law here and now. I always have to remember the writings of Nephi when he said in 1 Nephi 3:7, ". . .for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. The Lord will provide the way as long as we turn to Him and give everything to Him.

     How great my joy is that I have the Savior Jesus Christ, who gave his life, for me. You and I will reach the Celestial Kingdom after all that I can do. I see myself standing in front of the Lord, being judged for the things I have done in this life and how I have used the Savior's atonement. I have called upon the Him many times to forgive me and to make up for what I lack. He has the power to cleanse and heal us, He is the advocate with the Father, and when we truly humble ourselves and submit we are blessed by His sacrifice. D&C 60:7 ". . .For I am able to make you holy, and your sins are forgiven you." I love the Lord, I can never repay Him for all he has done for me, but I can become who He wants me to be and that is the greatest gift we can ever give. We all have a divine potential here in this life. We all struggle, we all need a Savior. Let Him touch your life as He has mine and give everything to Him. I am so grateful for my mission. Nothing brings me more joy then to see people come to a knowledge of their Redeemer. I love you all, emulate Him in all you do and say and you will truly see the power and authority of your call.

All my love,

Sister Simnitt

Letting Go, and Moving Forward

Life. When you think of your life, what comes to mind? The past? The present? The future? If your anything like me, well I guess I should say like I use to be, you think of the past often. Maybe you even long for what use to be, or what could have been. When I first came out on my mission that was me. I was stuck in the past, stuck in what I use to be, not really wanting to put it behind me. Which in a lot of ways held me back from moving forward. Which I think is one of the worst feelings we can have, feeling like we aren't progressing, like we aren't moving anywhere. And it took me a little while to figure it out. To decide that I wanted to move somewhere, really anywhere, I knew I was done with the past, but I didn't want to face the future. Until... I realized what I was missing, the experiences, the endless amount of opportunities, and most importantly the chance I had to change, to become better. I wasn't who I use to be, but I wasn't where I could be either.

My wonderful mission president, President Bunker, shared something with me that really helped me to change, to realize what I needed to do. Right now, picture yourself driving a car. Your passing a lot things, trees, buildings, people, and you even stop every once in a while, you see something that catches you. But eventually you have to keep going you have to move on, and that experience now just becomes another image in your rear view mirror. And just like driving down the road, every once in a while you glance back to see whats behind you. But if you gaze to long on what use to be, what you passed by, you will not see whats coming up, and not only will you miss the opportunities that lay AHEAD of you, but you'll crash, and you'll find that you don't have what you use to have, neither do you have the opportunities that you could have had.

Just like driving a car, it's important to look in the rear view mirror. It's important to know whats behind us, but only to measure how far we've come. If we spend all of our time longing, or dwelling on what we use to be, we will never become who we can be.

I know that Heavenly Father has endless opportunities for all of us. "The best is yet to come!" We must "see afar off."  Heavenly Father has great blessings that await us. It's not always easy to let go of the past, especially when we can't see everything in the future but, we must have faith, and as we do we will grow, we will become better, and we will find greater joy. I know this because I've seen it in my life, as I've let go of who I use to be, and now am becoming who my Father in Heaven knows I can become.

I Am Thankful For Laughter, Except When Milk Comes Out of My Nose

  For those of you who know me, and know me really well, you know I love to laugh. I laugh when I feel awkward, happy, sad, hyper, stressed, I would even say sad, but lately I just cry, I'm turning into my Mom and Aunt Stephanie, but for the most part, I laugh! Laughter is the best medicine for anything and everything. And a good laugh can do a lot of good things, for me at least, and I think for everyone. Even gives you a good ab workout! Which who doesn't like that? So last week was our first district meeting. And I love being able to meet with the missionaries, it is always so awesome to be able to share incites and testimonies with each other, and our district is awesome! Many talents...but not so much when it comes to vocal talents. We all started to sing last week, and I ended up getting the giggles and once I start, I cannot stop. Ya know when your whole body shakes and you feel like you can't breathe, and then when you can breathe it ends up being super loud? Well this is what happened. So this week I told myself I wasn't going to laugh during the song, so they put me in charge of playing the piano. (out of the simplified hymn book I might add.) I haven't played the piano for a long time, but I got through it. But then for the closing hymn we didn't have the piano, and I got laughing again so hard... But as is a lot of things, laughing is like a domino affect, once one falls the rest go with it. And that's the wonderful thing about laughter, about smiling at people, is it is contagious! So smile, laugh a little, this life is suppose to be happy!  In the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 2:25 it reads, "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." Our Heavenly Father wants us to have joy! He wants us to be happy! In Moses 1:39 it says what God's purpose is for us being here on earth, "For behold, this is my work and my glory  to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." He rejoices when we are happy, he finds joy when we are successful. So smile today :) Find something to smile or laugh about, you'll find you really don't have to look that far.

First Time Blogger

Hi!! Thanks for visiting my blog...I realize I don't have a lot on it, this is my first day, and my first time blogging, but I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Bethany Cottle, and I'm currently serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in the Santa Rosa California Mission. I love it! I've met amazing people, who have changed my life. I've experienced so many amazing things, and my testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ has grown so much. I'm so grateful for all the opportunities that my Heavenly Father gives me each and everyday. I am excited to be able to blog about my experiences and to be able to share them with others, hopefully I can figure this blogging stuff out!