ReMeMbeR otheRs

"My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us." -Pres. Thomas S. Monson
So lately I've had the oppertunity to do many acts of service. To be honest I don't think I've done so much service in my life!

I have many times asked myself, why is service so important? Pres. Spencer W. Kimball said,"God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs."
When we help other people we are helping the work of God. We are showing our love for them, and God's love for them. I notice that after I serve someone I feel so GOOD!! I just feel like I am the happiest person in the world.! I know that the people we serve can and will be able to feel Gods love for them through us. I know Pres. Kimball's statement to be true! That our needs are met through other people.

Think of ways people have served you and your family......
There have been alot of people who have been very good to my family and have served us in many different ways, but the only thing that really comes to my mind is my family.
My mom is a huge example to me when it comes to service. She never puts herself first, she always makes sure everyone else is taken care of.
I remember, ever since I was little my mom would write me little notes. When I was in school she would put them in my lunch, when I got older she would put them in my purse or on my mirror! Just fun notes to make me smile to let me know she was thinking of me.
My brother has always made me laugh! I remember him always being there to comfort me when I needed it.
My dad would always help me with my guitar and always made sure that I had the best strings, and he would put the strings on for me (cause I don't know how to do that yet).
My sister....hahaha.... she always was making sure I did the right thing. For example, she made sure I told my mom when I got a parking, or speeding ticket.
To some people, these things might seem small. But to me, it is my family showing me that they care and love me. I was never the best at serving my family. I thought, "they're family, they know I love them. I don't need to do anything for them."
It is important for us to show our love for them by serving them. Just like the Savior! He served everyone here on this earth! He taught His gospel, fed crowds of hungry people, healed the sick and raised the dead.
Christ washed the feet of His disciples. John 13:4-10
Back then, washing feet was a sign of honor, and was usually done by a servant.

Find oppertunities to serve! We are all blessed with special gifts and talents. We can use these to serve others.
I think of the movie "Patch Adams" with Robin Williams. He brings so much happiness to all the people in the hospital. He uses his talents to help make their dreams come true! You can just feel his love for the people he is serving when you watch it. For me, even though it is a movie, can just see the light of Christ shine through this character.

I know that we will be blessed for serving others, and that we can feel of God's love for us and His children. I now know the importance of service. "....When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God."  -Mosiah 2:17
I am very grateful for my family back home, who showed their love and support by serving me! I'm sorry I didn't see or appreciate them before! I know that the Lord has opened my eyes to service, and is now my favorite thing to do.! Seeing others smile, is *pRiCelEsS* and look forward to seeing it on their face everytime! Thats what makes service worth it to me.. Is seeing how happy it makes others.
I thank my Heavenly Father for showing me this, and I want to express my love for Him. I do love Him and my Savior! I know that we are all His children and we need to help everyone in this world!
My dear brothers and sisters...
Remember,
who you are and what you stand for!

President Monson Breaks Ground for Rome Italy Temple

President Monson Breaks Ground for Rome Italy Temple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYvS8SHpzME
Oh my goodness! This is just so exciting for me to hear! Seeing all these temples built and the gospel spreading throughout the earth! "Latter-day Saint temples differ from ordinary church buildings where members typically meet for Sunday worship services, midweek classes, and activities."

Forgiveness

So.. I was reading in DoctRine and Covenants 64:9-10; it Reads," Wherefore, i say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men." Reading this really hit me. BefoRe I came out heRe on my mission, theRe was a situation I had with a fRiend. Things happened and things weRe said and I was Really angRy with heR, I was for a long time.
One of my fRiends came home fRom his mission and we talked about the things that had happened between me and heR. He told me to foRgive heR, and move on. I was upset with this answeR!! He wasn't seeing my side of things. The way he was looking at the situation reminds me of the way ouR SavioR looks at ouR situations. With Love! Just like it says in Matt 5:44 ,"...Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which dispitefully use you , and persecute you.." 
When I Read this scRiptuRe I knew what i needed to do! Ask my Heavenly FatheR foR foRgiveness, foR not foRgiving heR. How can we seek foR foRgiveness fRom ouR FatheR in Heaven, when we aRen't willing to foRgive otheRs? It's just as impoRtant to foRgive otheRs as it is to ask foR foRgiveness.
We have so many example's of foRgivness in the scRiptures. Joseph, who's bRotheRs sold him into Egypt, the PRophet Joseph Smith "throughout his ministry was frequently persecuted by his enemies, and sometimes he was even betrayed by his friends. Though he was attacked and maligned, the Prophet consistently preached that we should follow the Savior’s admonition to forgive others", and of couRse the SavioR who was spit on, whipped and beaten and yet he asked the Father to "foRgive them."-Luke 23:34
Now, that I am on my mission I'm so happy that I looked to my fRiend and my SavioR's example. It wasn't easy foR me to do this. But, with help fRom the LoRd I was able to foRgive heR and move on. She is a daughteR of God and He loves heR, and I love heR to! I know that the LoRd has foRgiven both of us foR the things that happened.
A peRfect example of foRgiveness, that we all can look to

Temples

Temples
Being a missionary, temples and marriage WAS the last thing on my mind. It was something that i didn't want to think about.
But, as of lately I have been hearing alot of talks in church and from my mission president about marriage, and now this months church magazine is on temples! I'm thinking to myself "what the heck? There is no way avoiding this subject!" Its scary for me to think about, and that marriage is the next step for me. But why am i scared of that next step? Should I be?
Its a blessing to have temples! It is the house of the Lord and its a place that we can go to learn more about His plan for us. I always learn something new when I visit the temple.
Its a place where we can go to be with are families forever. Because my parents were married in the temple we will all be able to be together forever.  I don't know about you, but when I get married i wanna be with my husband and my kids forever!  Isn't that amazing that the Lord promises us this, if we follow the example of Our Savior Jesus Christ?!
Now, for me talking more about temples and marriage is exciting. What a great way to learn more about the plan that our Heavenly Father has for us, and that we can be with our families forever.

O Remember, Remember

ReMeMbeR........

It took me awhile to understand this. Who am I? Do I stand for something? Remember?

Remember is a very powerful word to me. In the dictionary it says that remember means to bring to mind or think of again.
The scriptures are a reminder of who we are and what we stand for! "Remember to keep the commandments, 'Remember the Lord our God, 'Remember His words, 'Remember He cometh to redeem the world, 'Remember the sabbath day, 'Yea they did Remember.'"
Its so important to remember all of these things, and the love that Heavenly Father has for us. Remember, we are His children. We lived with him before we came here to earth. We were taught the principles and commandements that would lead to happiness. Click here
I know that I am a daughter of God. I will stand for Him, for all truth and righteousness.
I really love a song by Jericho Road. Not sure of the title but it talks about this;

"I will stand as a witness, for all that believe
I will fight for the truth, be all that you want me to be.
And no matter how hard it may seem
I will do what you ask, I will do anything
'Cause this life is just a moment in time so I'll put my faith on the line.
Thats what it takes and thats what i will do
'Cause nothing means more than returning to you.
I'll give you my life, my time, my mistakes
Deny the world if thats what it takes."

I Know that we are all sons and daughters of God, who does love us! I'm so grateful that He sent His son as it says in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.." I love my Savior with all my heart! We can be Reminded everyday who we are and what we stand for, by reading the words of God. I'm so grateful that we have the Bible and The Book of Mormon to read and have that reminder that we are His children.  Thats why I'm serving a mission, to help others Remember who they are!