Happiness

Right now in my life, I have to deal with much loss. Not in the sense of death, but "see you laters" for all my missionary friends. It is so hard sometimes when all the guys I know are leaving, and every time I get close to someone, they leave on their mission. It not only is heart breaking, but I am becoming sick of all the tears and headaches. This past week in Book of Mormon, we were in Alma, and specifically covered chapter 50. This fit perfect into my life right now, and was exactly what I needed to hear. In this chapter, it talks about all of the fighting in the well known war chapters. Verse 22 talks specifically about how the Nephites kept the commandments of the Lord, and so they were protected and were not killed. On the other hand the Lamanites did not keep the commandments and therefore suffered much death amongst their people. It goes on to say in verse 23: "there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi." It is hard to think at such a time when there was so much death and sadness around them how they could possibly be so happy. My professor, Brother Griffin told us that Happiness doesn't just happen, it is a choice. This impacted me so much and made me really think about my life. I need to be more positive and chose to be happy! If i just follow the Lord, and keep his commandments, I will be a much happier person, and hopefully the next two years will go by fast, but at least I will be happy! (:

The Past is the Past

In Book of Mormon, We have been asked to post every week about class, and our insight regarding the weekly discussions, or assigned reading. This past week, we covered Alma chapters 36-42. I am going to focus on chapter 36, because it had the most impact on me. It focuses mostly on the past, and how we need to put it behind us, and move on. A quote that comes to mind is: "Don't let your past dictate who you are, but let it be a part of who you will become." We all face trials no matter what we do. How we react to them, and the decisions we make, make us the people we are today. When meeting people, it is really important to remember that everyone has a past. I personally know that with the things I have done in life, I am not proud of all of them, but if I do my best to return to Christ, and to everyday try a little harder to be a little better, I will make progress in becoming who I want to be. When the judgment day comes, none of us will be perfect, only Christ is. We cannot come to Christ perfect that is why we have him. Through our savior, Jesus Christ, and the Atonement, we can become perfect and live with our father in Heaven, as long as we do the best we can. I need to remember to not compare myself to everyone else, but to become the best me, because that is all that I can do. The past is in the past, and when Satan tries to tempt me, and reminds me of the things I have done, I need to remind him of his future... he has none. We are all far better then we think we are, but not nearly as close to as good as we can be with Christ. "Inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of god, ye shall prosper in the land." The past is in the past for a reason, keep it there, and focus on the bright future ahead. As Brother Griffin always says, "just try a little harder to be a little better!" 

First Day Back!!

               Today is the first day back!! I had an amazing Christmas Break, I loved being home with my friends and family, but the whole time all I wanted to do was to be down in Provo with my college friends. They are honestly my closest friends, even though I have only known them for like four months, I feel like I can tell them anything and we are so close. 

                One of them that I am really close to is Michael Larson, he is leaving on his mission on Wednesday, and he was set apart tonight, and I don't know how I am going to survive the semester with out him, along with all the other guys that are leaving. Luckily enough, Alli and I were the last people he texted for two years, ( we are in a best friend group message) we are feeling pretty loved. We get to see him again on Wednesday before he leaves and we will spend all morning with him. The hard part is we have to say bye with handshakes, no hugs allowed. Kind of a bummer deal, but at least we get to see him! 

                After a full day of classes, Lauren, Alli, Kathryn and I are watching Pitch Perfect, our favorite movie, for the second time today! We watch it all the time, and quote it 24/7. I have so many memories with these girls, along with the rest of the fat five, and I can not wait for another full semester packed with fun and "studying." clearly, we are really good at focusing, and let's just hope we can survive another semester with better grades!