Remember.. The Light of Christ is in EVERYONE!!

What an amazing weekend, I thought I would share it with all of you.

We had a baptism on Saturday!!!!  

We started teaching this young man a little before Christmas. But, the Christmas break came up and we didn't see him for a long time. We got a hold of him and began teaching the gospel to him. 

Time and time went on and we started noticing a change in him.

The light of Christ, that is within ALL of us, started shining brighter and brighter. In Doctrine and Covenants 50:24 it says,"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter...."

This scripture means alot to me now, because I've seen that light grow brighter and brighter within this young man!

He showed up the morning of his baptism and was just smiling the whole time. After he was baptized that smile just got bigger.

On Sunday, he was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and he received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

That light just got brighter! I'm so happy for this young man that chose to,"Follow thou me[the Savior]." 

I'm grateful I was able to see this change happen within this young man. I know the Spirit has touched him and his family. I love him and his family very much, and I know that the Lord loves them. I know the Lord is mindful of all of us and our prayers.

We love you Tyler!!! And Brother and Sister Bowen!

Remember who you are and what you stand for!!

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!

I love being a missionary!

                              

I've been reading in the Book of Mormon and as I was reading, there is something that really stood out to me.
This part of the video can be found in Mosiah 28:5-8.
I love how Mosiah asks the Lord if that is His will to have Ammon and his brethren go and teach the gospel to the Lamanites.

The Lord answers Him with the most peaceful answer. The Sons of Mosiah then go to the land of the lamanites, and before they separate they say a prayer together. I love the sons of Mosiah and enjoy reading about their adventure, and that the Lord does "deliver [his] sons out of the hands of the Lamanites." 

Being a missionary I really look to their examples. Just as the lord says in this video, "Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success." Alma 26:27
They are great examples to me about being patient in their afflictions and trials. We all go through them, but this was a desire that they had, to teach the people of the Plan of Happiness that our Heavenly Father has for us. They wanted the Lamanites to receive the same happiness and joy that they have felt.
When you study and study for a test, you take that test, and pass it. Don't you just go around sharing it with EVERYONE?! WHY?! Because your happy, you studied and studied and you got a awesome score.. EVERYONE should know this right?!
This is how I feel about the gospel. I studied it and studied it, I wanted to know if the things that I studied are true. I found my answer, I went through tests (or trials) and found that the gospel of Jesus Christ truly does bring joy to my heart. He helps me get through my trials and struggles, and I want everyone else to feel of this same joy that I have.
Ammon said, "..for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo." This is how I feel about my mission.
I love the scriptures, I'm so happy that we have them, that we can read and learn from them. I'm grateful for the living prophet we have on earth today that helps lead and guides us.. I'm so happy for all the missionaries around the world teaching our brethren about our Savior Jesus Christ and His atonement.
Remember who you are and what you stand for!