"A Change for the Better"

A Journey of a Lifetime...I love this phrase. We all have a story. We all started somewhere. Mine started May 25, 1989, almost 22 years ago. I was born into a wonderful family, with a Mom and Dad who loved and helped throughout all my life. I grew up with wonderful siblings who were wonderful examples to me, who I looked up to so much. When we were younger we all had a 'role model', ya know the older brother who you wanted to be just like, or the neighbor next door who was an amazing basketball player..whoever or whatever we all had them. But we all have to decide who we want to become, who we will become. I had a very normal childhood. Went to school, played with friends, loved playing with my dog, loved to be outside, went to church, ya know the usual. I had my life planned, don't we all? I would graduate from high school, go on to college, get married, have kids, and live happily ever after. But little did I know, my Heavenly Father had a lot different plan for me, a better plan.

After I graduated I went to BYU Hawaii, I know right? It was amazing! It was just like living a dream there! But after a couple of semesters I felt like I needed to come home. I was dating, working, having fun being 20, not really sure what I was going to do, just enjoying life. Well things in my life took an interesting turn and what I thought was going to be..turned out not to be. Just like a lot of us at this age, there is so much to do, we just don't know what to do. Ever since high school, I always told everyone I am not going to go on a mission, it's not 'for me', I have other plans. A little over a year ago I was driving down the road and I had the strongest feeling come over me that I needed to serve a mission. I laughed. I laughed for a while. The thought kept coming to my head that whole week. And when I finally realized that it wasn't just a thought, but that it was an answer to my prayers, it was something that my Heavenly Father wanted me to do, I was angry. I had never wanted to serve a mission, it wasn't in 'my plans.' I put it in the back of my mind, and decided to go back to BYU Hawaii, so I re-applied and got accepted, but it didn't feel right. And I knew that I need to serve a mission. I was terrified. I didn't really have a strong testimony of the church, and I didn't think I could do it.

But one of my favorite verse in the scripture is, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverb 3:5-6) I decided to do just that. I knew that my Father in Heaven loved me, and I knew that he would bless me. And although I was not sure how or when or even why, I started filling out my mission papers. I was scared, and I'm going to be honest I doubted a lot. But I had faith, and through that faith, my foundation, my testimony grew and became strengthened. Miracles in my life started happening. I'm here on my mission, it's been 8 months now. And I love it! It's been an amazing journey for me, I've been challenged, tried, and tested many times. It hasn't been peaches and roses everyday. But it's been worth it. I've met amazing people, who have impacted my life for the better. Our Heavenly Father knows each of us, He loves us, and most of all He wants us to be happy. He knows what we need, He knows where we need to go, it is up to us to 'trust in him.' And when we do, we will find greater joy and happiness then we ever thought we could... "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." (Ether 12:4) We must have hope, we must have faith. Heavenly Father has a plan for me and for you. Trust in him, follow him, and listen to him. He loves you!

Posted by: Sister Cottle

Let Go and Let GOD

This morning during personal study I felt like Heavenly Father was talking to me personally. It has been a crazy and hectic week for me; but on the other hand, it has been so much fun. The week started out with an all mission conference with one of the elders quorum of the seventy, Elder Patrick Kearon, who came and spoke to us. The meeting was very powerful and the messages delivered from the leaders brought me so much peace and comfort. They talked a lot about the many miracles that we receive, love, and being of good cheer. After the meeting I left spiritually drained and excited for the new changes that were made because of transfers. I have a new companion, training, and I am driving. I don't know how that happened, but I know that this is what the Lord wants me to do. To be honest, I have been a little nervous, worried, and have been praying a lot to Heavenly Father just to help me to know what I can do to better serve and train my companion. I am definitely learning a lot from her, and I hope she is learning a lot from me as well. Because I feel inadequate at times and that I am not doing a good job.
But this morning as I was reading the Ensign for personal study, Heavenly Father spoke to me multiple times in the different articles that I read. Here are a couple of things I learned this morning that I want to share because I know it can relate to everyone.
I first read an article about a young lady that was just confused if she was doing the right thing in marrying her fiance. She felt at one point that she was hopeless and wasn't suited for marriage. She says: "The world teaches us to think we are unattractive, unacceptable, and unworthy of love if we don’t meet the arbitrary standards it sets for us. Sometimes it’s hard to turn away from such loud and convincing lies, but our Father in Heaven will always be there to remind us of our worth and of the value He sees in us. His standard, not the world’s, is the true measure of our worth. The more we believe and accept the Lord’s love, the more we will love Him and trust in Him." I know as we put our trust in the Lord, "the God of hope [will] fill you with joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope."(Roman 15:13) The Lord is the one who can help you through all things, and as we trust Him, He reminds us that we have everything to hope for.

Another talk that I read was by Joseph Fielding McConkie, Finding Answers. A section in the article that talks about a young man that had some difficulty so he went to his bishop for a counsel. As he explained his issue to the bishop, the bishop listened carefully and asked some questions. The bishop confessed that he didn't know what to counsel him, but he is visiting with the stake president that night so he will ask him. On that night, the bishop brought the matter up to the stake president. Again, as the stake president was listening carefully and thoughtfully, asked some questions. But he too confessed that he didn't know what to say to him, but he was meeting with a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostle so he will ask him. The next day when the stake president met with the Apostle, he brought up the matter to him. He explained it carefully and the apostle asked a few questions. For the third time, the apostle told him that he will be meeting with President David O. McKay so he will bring this matter up to him. "That afternoon he met with President David O. McKay (1873–1970) and carefully explained the problem. President McKay listened attentively and asked a few questions to ensure that he understood all that was involved. He said, “Well, that’s his problem, isn’t it?” Sometimes our problems are ours to solve. Heavenly Father gave us the agency, or the freedom to choose so we can use it. Just like the account of the brother of Jared in the Book of Mormon. The brother of Jared brought his questions to the Lord, the Lord helped him out. But when he came back to inquire of the Lord asking, "O Lord, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me; and I have prepared the vessels for my people, and behold there is no light int hem. Behold, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness?" And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?" (Ether 2:22-23) The brother of Jared went up to the mountain and with his own abilities and talents molten rocks. He then counseled with Heavenly Father again to help give light to the molten rocks that he has made. Heavenly Father wants us to use our agency, abilities, and talents and sometimes we often forget about that. There's a phrase that I often try to remind myself of, "Rely on the Lord at all times." That is true, but sometimes we just need to use our talents, but still counsel with the Lord for help. "In Doctrine and Covenants 9:8 we find the process of revelation: “But behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.” This process is designed to balance our experience and agency with the wisdom of heaven."

In finding answers to our concerns, questions, or challenges we are going through we must seek to balance agency and inspiration. President Brigham Young explained this doctrine: “If I do not know the will of my Father, and what he requires of me in a certain transaction, if I ask him to give me wisdom concerning any requirement in life or in regard to my own course, or that of my friends, my family, my children, or those that I preside over, and get no answer from him, and then do the very best that my judgment will teach me, he is bound to own and honor that transaction, and he will do so to all intents and purposes.”

I know that Heavenly Father loves each and everyone of us and will help us in any way He can. By putting our trust in Him, to love Him, and have faith that only through Him everything is possible. As we come closer to our Father in heaven, we will feel more of His love and influence in our life. We will know of our divine potential as His sons and daughters and we can find peace, comfort, and true happiness. The Lord trusts us to give us callings, assignments, trials, challenges, and all things so we can experience in order for us to grow and learn. He wants us to use our own talents and abilities, but we can bring the matter up to Him if we need help. He will always be there to lead and guide us in every way. But sometimes we just have to solve our problems with Him on our side. I am grateful for the many gifts and talents Heavenly Father has blessed me with, especially with the gift of agency. I know that as I try my best and strive to fulfill the things that I am commissioned to do, Heavenly Father will help me succeed. He will never judge me, but will always meet me half way to lift me up and strengthen me.

Faith, Hope, and Charity

I was reading this morning in Ether 12 and a lot of great things stood out to me. I have read this chapter so many times before. But today I learned more than I ever had before. In Ether 12 the Lord says;

28 “...I will show unto [you, your] weakness, and I will show unto [you] that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me---the fountain of all righteousness.”

I learned this morning that faith, hope and charity are important to have if we want to be with our Heavenly Father after this life. These are the three qualities that we should all strive to have here on earth as we are progressing, learning, and experiencing this mortal life.
The first thing I want to talk about is Faith. According to the dictionary.com, faith is a belief that is not based on proof. Moroni talked about the faith of the brother of Jared and how with his faith he was able to move the mount Zerin. As well as the faith of the three disciples, the Lord showed himself unto them with great power. I know that as we continue to have faith, we will be able to recognize the many miracles that Heavenly Father has for us.
The second was Hope. “...Man must hope, or he cannot receive and inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared.” Heavenly has prepared His kingdom for his many children and He wants us to all return to him and dwell at His presence. If that's a desire we have, expecting to fulfill it, then it is possible. Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you. We gain hope as we study the scriptures and follow the teaching of the Lord and his servants.
The last and one of my favorite topic is Charity. As Moroni taught, charity is the pure love of Christ. Therefore, if we don't have charity we can not inherit the kingdom of God. In the same chapter in Ether on verse 35 it says, “...if [you] have not charity, because of your weakness, that [the Lord] wilt prove [you], and take away [your] talent.” I believe this to be true. If we don't have charity—our talents will be taken away from us. As a missionary I have come to recognize that. We had a great lesson with an investigator last night. We met him for the first time and so we just talked to get to know each other more better, explained to him what we do as missionaries, and just an overview of the things we will be teaching. I listened to him, asked him questions, got to know him, but most of all I did it all with all the love that I had within me. I felt the spirit so strong and powerful. We had a great meeting and I am so looking forward for more lessons like this one.
I know that faith, hope, and charity are the three qualities that we should all have to be with Heavenly Father's presence after this life. We also need these qualities to live a happier life. President Uchtdorf in his “The Infinite Power of Hope” talk says, “The things we hope for lead us to faith, while the things we hope in lead us to charity. The three qualities faith, hope, and charity working together, grounded on the truth and light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, lead us to abound in good works.” I am grateful for the scriptures and for the opportunity I have each day to read, study, and ponder on the things I learned. I was able to learn something really good that doesn't just apply to me, but also others. I am grateful for these qualities that I know I can gain as I work daily to try and become what I want to be!