New Goals

I have made a few new goals this year based on how i done last year. Some of my goals this year are:

• Read or listen to the scriptures at least Monday to Saturday. 
• This I will do by listening to the Book of Mormon every other day and the New Testament the other days at least one way driving to or from work.
• Sundays will be various material such as my patriarchal blessing, Ensign, conference talks, etc.
• Pray at least every night before bed. I am also trying to work on doing my morning prayers as well.
• Complain less and be more grateful.
• I will do this by keeping a gratitude journal and keep a  couple of challenges given to me by a friend to: 
• "Challenge number 1: for every complaint you think of whether it is in your head or if you speak it out. Write down 3 things you are grateful for. Here's the rule, even when you run out of things never DOUBLE UP!! No more gossip, all it does is damage yourself and other people. 
• Challenge number 2: look to see the whole picture before you act on something."
• Write at least every other day in my personal journal and my other journal (not gratitude or personal) on the opposite days of my personal journal. (yes, i do keep three journals and they are all very important to me and my future)
• Put money away in savings each week, (its super easy, click (HERE!!!!!) Itsn't it stinkin' easy?!?)

These are my main goals this year. Yes I plan on keeping the commandments, laws, and ordinances of Heavenly Father as well, but I need to also keep doing the little things such as my goals. If I don't get in the habit now, while single, to read and pray daily as well as keep a journal, how can I expect my children to follow my example when that time comes? How can I expect my husband when I get married to do those things if I do not do them myself consistently?

Trust

The Lord really knows what he is doing. He sees the ENTIRE picture while we each see the small picture. Its hard at times to remember to see past that, but the reward is so worth the wait.

 I know that when you continually put God first, things will fall into their proper place. That may also mean that some things fall out of your life and other things fall into your life that you were not expecting. Letting the Lord lead my life has removed a burden that I didn't know I even had. It is a wonderful feeling.

We don't know how long we will live, but I do know without a doubt that the Lord will not forget me in my daily struggles. He leads me through the dark times as well as the good times. Sometimes we need to hit rock bottom for us to realize that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are always with us.

 I know this to be true. The more I actually live the gospel principles, the happier I am. The little things really do count.

Remember who you are. We are beloved sons and daughters of a LIVING God. He knows each of us personally.

With God in our life, all things are possible. We truly can be all things when God is with us.

There are times in life when it feels like we are not getting answers from God. I had a good friend tell me that is could be because "God trusts you enough to make the right decision" We would not be a righteous people if the Lord had to tell us what to do in every single aspect of our life. Sometimes it feels like it would be easier to have the Lord say this is what you need to do exactly, but how would we learn? How would we grow closer to God if He told us EVERYTHING we needed to do on a daily basis? How would we trust God more by being told what to do? A couple years ago I was trying to decide if I was going to stay at one college or transfer back to the one I had left. I got a priesthood blessing, and in that blessing the Lord told me that I would make the right decision. I wasn't told which of the college's I was suppose to be at, which would have been nice, but I learned to trust my Heavenly Father because He trusted me enough to make the right decision. I made my decision to stay at the college I was at. It was the right decision to make. Then about 9 months later, my parents told me I needed to quit college and just work. I owned them a tiny bit of money and having a part time job wasn't really paying my bills and I couldn't save any money for the future. I really struggled even more with this decision because I absolutely LOVE to learn. My grades may not be the best, but I love to learn. I met with my bishop for a totally unrelated topic and he asked me how I was doing and I told him my problem and there is no doubt in my mind that he was inspired of God. To paraphase what my bishop told me he said, that getting all the education you can, doesn't necessarily mean graduating and getting a diploma, which is how I looked at President Hinckley's council because I love to learn. I dont know exactly what my bishop said, but the way he said it let me know that it was the Lord who was telling my parents to tell me to quit school. Its been almost two years since that time and in that time, I have tried to go back a couple of different times, and once I signed up for classes something ALWAYS came up that interfered with me going back to school. I decided to stop trying to go back and have decided to wait for the  Lord to tell me if I am suppose to go back. I trust the Lord to give me sufficient time to get all the paperwork done for school if I am suppose to go back.
Ever since I was baptized at age 10, my goals in life were to, graduate high school, go to college right after high school, attend college until i was 21 then go on a mission, come back and finish college if i didnt before a mission. If i got married before 21 I could forego the mission and finish college as soon as i could after getting married. This is how it actually went, I graduated high school, took me a year after that until I went to college, flunked out of that college, went to another college, was going to go back to the first college, but ended up staying at the second one instead, two semesters later I quit college. During this time I also started to take mission preparation a couple of different times and something ALWAYS came up to prevent me from going and so I know right now isn't the time for me to go on a mission. I've watched my friends leave on their mission and come back. All my cousins are younger then me on my dad's side (my mom's side isn't members) and  my very first cousin just entered the MTC (missionary training center) a couple days ago for his mission. I dont know if or when I will have the opportunity to go on a mission but I will continue to write my cousins as they go out and support them, because I know how important missionary work is because of the joy that is in my life because of the missionaries that taught me. I haven't had the opportunity of marriage, but I know it will come in the Lord's time. Some days are worse then others because I want things right now and the Lord knows what will be better for me to wait longer for. I never thought I'd be living at home at my age either. My goals in life are vastly different than what the Lord knows is best for me. Its like the says "good, better, best, never let it rest, until your good is better, and your better is best". While I wait until my time aligns with my Heavenly Fathers time I will do my best to make my struggles to become strengths. Because money has been a bit tight the past few years, I have learned to budget my money and to use it wisely. I know money is one of the many causes of problems in marriage. If I learn now to be budget, life will be a bit easier once I get married.
I am not sure why I shared all of this. I hope it helps someone out there who come across my blog. I am not really  this open about my life and many of my friends dont know this about me because i haven't felt the need to share it until now. If you want or need to talk about something just leave a comment or email me. thanks :)

New Year 2013

Here are a few quotes I have saw on facebook over the past couple weeks that I REALLY love. These first few (well first 14) are things I want to try and do better at this year.

These next pictures I love because it is a reminder to me that Heavenly Father is not going to forget me. I know he has a plan for me. It is extremely hard some days for me to remember this and other days it's easy. I looked up substance on www.dictionary.com and this is one of the definitions of substance "the subject matter of thought, discourse, study, etc". So if we replace substance with that definition it reads "faith is the subject matter of thought, discourse, study, etc of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." This makes it a little easier for me to remember what it means to have faith. I know that if we ALWAYS remember the Lord and have faith in Him, then we will grow so close to Him and feel his amazing love for each of us. We also come to discover that God is really all we need. If we have the faith in Him that he will guide us in life, then amazing things start to happen. I know without a doubt that we met every person for a reason. Every little and big trial placed in each of our lives, is there for a reason. Some trials last for a few minutes, hours, or days. Some last for years. I do not know why that is other then it WILL make that person stronger IN THE END! One of my favorite churchy/christian songs is by Katherine Nelson and it is called Sometimes He Lets It Rain. I'll post the lyrics in a different post, but this song puts it into perspective for me. I know that ALL things happen in God's timing. We are very impatient as mortals, but we HAVE to learn to be patient over and over again. It is a virtue that takes a lifetime to learn. I know that what I have said here is true. I know that Heavenly Father is aware of me and my needs. He truly does know me better then I know myself. He has proven that to me over and over again. I need Him in my life. There is no way I could get through life without Him in it. As a convert I have lived without God in my life and now that I have the gospel, I do not know how my family (parents and siblings) lived without the gospel. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are always there, waiting for us to turn to them. They will never, ever, ever reject us if we are doing what we have been taught to do. I know They love each of us. They are watching over us and helping us even though it doesn't feel like it at times. I say this in our glorious Savior Jesus Christ name. Amen.

Sometimes He Lets It Rain

Sometimes He Lets It Rain

She sees the storm clouds gather 

The sky is turning cold and gray 

She knows that something's coming 

When she starts to feel this way 

She pleads for intervention 

But heaven offers no relief 

And she would understand if she could only see that 

Sometimes He lets it rain 

He lets the fierce winds blow 

Sometimes it takes a storm 

To lead a heart where it can grow 

He can move mountains of grief 

And oceans of pain 

But sometimes he lets it rain 

When her heart surrenders 

To the Master in control 

Her spirit learns the lessons of the tempest in her soul 

When it's no longer raging 

She can see how far she's come 

Through the wisdom and the mercy of the Son 

Sometimes He lets it rain 

He lets the fierce winds blow 

Sometimes it takes a storm 

To lead a heart where it can grow 

He can move mountains of grief 

And oceans of pain 

But sometimes he lets it rain 

(Tyler Castleton/ Staci Peters) 

Vocal: Kathryn Nelson 

Living the Abundant Life

This is President Monson's messsage in the January 2012 Ensign from the first presidency. I really enjoyed reading it because i know what he says is true. If you follow the abc's he gives us i know it will lead us to a happier and more abundant life.

Living the Abundant Life

At the advent of a new year, I challenge Latter-day Saints everywhere to undertake a personal, diligent, significant quest for what I call the abundant life—a life filled with an abundance of success, goodness, and blessings. Just as we learned the ABCs in school, I offer my own ABCs to help us all gain the abundant life.

Have a Positive Attitude

A in my ABCs refers to attitude. William James, a pioneering American psychologist and philosopher, wrote, “The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.”¹

So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment.

Charles Swindoll—author, educator, and Christian pastor—said: “Attitude, to me, is more important than … the past, … than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.”²

We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.

Believe in Yourself

B is for believe—in yourself, in those around you, and in eternal principles.

Be honest with yourself, with others, and with your Heavenly Father. One who was not honest with God until it was too late was Cardinal Wolsey who, according to Shakespeare, spent a long life in service to three sovereigns and enjoyed wealth and power. Finally, he was shorn of his power and possessions by an impatient king. Cardinal Wolsey cried:

Had I but served my God with half the zeal

I served my king, He would not in mine age

Have left me naked to mine enemies.³

Thomas Fuller, an English churchman and historian who lived in the 17th century, penned this truth: “He does not believe that does not live according to his belief.”⁴

Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities.

You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith.

Face Challenges with Courage

C is for courage. Courage becomes a worthwhile and meaningful virtue when it is regarded not so much as a willingness to die manfully but as a determination to live decently.

Said the American essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide on, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.”⁵

There will be times when you will be frightened and discouraged. You may feel that you are defeated. The odds of obtaining victory may appear overwhelming. At times you may feel like David trying to fight Goliath. But remember—David did win!

Courage is required to make an initial thrust toward one’s coveted goal, but even greater courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to achieve.

Have the determination to make the effort, the single-mindedness to work toward a worthy goal, and the courage not only to face the challenges that inevitably come but also to make a second effort, should such be required. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, “I’ll try again tomorrow.”

May we remember these ABCs as we begin our journey into the new year, cultivating a positive attitude, a belief that we can achieve our goals and resolutions, and the courage to face whatever challenges may come our way. Then the abundant life will be ours.

Teaching from This Message

Consider inviting family members to share personal experiences when a positive attitude, belief in themselves, or courage helped them. Or invite them to find examples of these three principles in the scriptures. You might prepare to teach by prayerfully thinking of scriptures or experiences of your own.

Youth

Courage to Weather the Storm

By Maddison Morley

On the second night of my stake’s Young Women camp, we had a big rainstorm and tornado. My ward had about 24 young women attending the camp with two leaders, and we all had to fit into one small cabin for protection. The rain was falling hard, and the wind was getting worse. I had to continually remind myself of the prayer for safety our stake president had offered earlier. Our ward also said our own group prayer in our cabin, and I said my own personal prayers.

A lot of girls were scared, and it was easy to see why. Our cabin was not very sturdy, and we were right by a river. In about 20 minutes the storm got so bad that the whole stake had to run from their ward cabins to the counselors’ cabins, which were on higher ground. My stake president said another prayer, and we sang hymns, Primary songs, and camp songs in an attempt to comfort ourselves. Yes, we were scared, but we felt that everything would be all right. Half an hour later it was OK to go back to our ward cabins.

We later found out what had happened to the tornado that night. It had split into two storms. One of them went around us to the right and the other to the left. What we got wasn’t even the worst of it!

I know that God heard our prayers that night and that He protected us from the worst of the storm. Why would a tornado split unless God needed it to? I know that in the storms of life, we can always pray to Heavenly Father and He will hear and answer us, giving us the courage and protection we need to make it safely through.

Children

Captain Moroni

Captain Moroni had courage as he faced challenges. He loved truth, liberty, and faith. He devoted his life to helping the Nephites preserve their freedom. You can be like Captain Moroni by facing your challenges with courage. You can even make your own title of liberty by writing on the flag below or on a separate piece of paper the things that are important to you and your family.

Where to Find Out More

Alma 46:11–27: The title of liberty

Alma 48:11–13, 16–17: Moroni’s qualities

Goal setting

I believe goal setting is extremely important and as we start another year here is a way to help you set goals you will be much more likely to achieve. Personal Progress for the Young Women is just a program to help young women set goals and achieve them. In my mission preparation class we talked about goal setting in 6 area's of our life and i will list them to help you get an idea of what area of your life you can set goals in.One goal may and can cover several of these area's so dont think you have to have 6 different goals. Just set a few goals and if they cover all six area's then that is ok and if they dont, dont worry about it too much. just continual to keep making and setting goals and just go for it and reach out and get that goal.

1.  Mentally-school, memorizing things, etc
2.  physically- exercise, (when, where, how long) sleep, etc
3. spiritually- prayer, fasting, scripture study, patriarchal blessing, etc 
4. emotionally-self control, anger management, etc 
5. financially-set a budget and STICK to it, etc 
6. socially-get out and participate  

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Creating S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Realistic

Timely

Specific: A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. To set a specific goal you must answer the six “W” questions:
*Who:      Who is involved?
*What:     What do I want to accomplish?
*Where:    Identify a location.
*When:     Establish a time frame.
*Which:    Identify requirements and constraints.
*Why:      Specific reasons, purpose or benefits of accomplishing the goal.
EXAMPLE:  A general goal would be, “Get in shape.” But a specific goal would say, “Join a health club and workout 3 days a week.”

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Measurable - Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set.
When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the exhilaration of achievement that spurs you on to continued effort required to reach your goal.
To determine if your goal is measurable, ask questions such as……
How much? How many?
How will I know when it is accomplished?

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Attainable – When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. You develop the attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach them. You begin seeing previously overlooked opportunities to bring yourself closer to the achievement of your goals.
You can attain most any goal you set when you plan your steps wisely and establish a time frame that allows you to carry out those steps. Goals that may have seemed far away and out of reach eventually move closer and become attainable, not because your goals shrink, but because you grow and expand to match them. When you list your goals you build your self-image. You see yourself as worthy of these goals, and develop the traits and personality that allow you to possess them.

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Realistic- To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. A goal can be both high and realistic; you are the only one who can decide just how high your goal should be. But be sure that every goal represents substantial progress.
A high goal is frequently easier to reach than a low one because a low goal exerts low motivational force. Some of the hardest jobs you ever accomplished actually seem easy simply because they were a labor of love.

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Timely – A goal should be grounded within a time frame. With no time frame tied to it there’s no sense of urgency. If you want to lose 10 lbs, when do you want to lose it by? “Someday” won’t work. But if you anchor it within a timeframe, “by May 1st”, then you’ve set your unconscious mind into motion to begin working on the goal.
Your goal is probably realistic if you truly believe that it can be accomplished. Additional ways to know if your goal is realistic is to determine if you have accomplished anything similar in the past or ask yourself what conditions would have to exist to accomplish this goal.
T can also stand for Tangible – A goal is tangible when you can experience it with one of the senses, that is, taste, touch, smell, sight or hearing.
When your goal is tangible you have a better chance of making it specific and measurable and thus attainable.