Struggles - Gifts in Disguise

Everyone is great at something others aren't. My sisters are good at volleyball and school. I hate sports and school has always been a struggle. It's like school comes naturally to them. I'm so jealous of them because of it. :)

We all have struggles. Some people aren't musically talented, some people can't memorize facts as quick as others, some people forget, the list goes on and on. We all have struggles and that's okay. What's not okay is if we make fun of others because of their specific struggles they are facing.

When I was in high school, my classmates were worried about getting into college and I was worried about graduating high school! I did, with high honors thank you very much, but let me be the first to say: it was not an easy task. I had so much help from my mom, friends, classmates, and teachers. I would not have survived without them. They were the ones who kept me going. They were the ones telling me "You can do it!" every step of the way.

I also participated in the Shelley High School Show Choir. It was a singing and dancing group. I had a blast learning new music and choreography for an hour and a half every other day. I had to try out to join the club. My mom helped me prepare for the auditions. I sang "What's Forever For" by Michael Martin Murphy. We practiced and practiced until the day of try outs finally came. I was so nervous, but the teacher, Mrs. Hunsaker, was really nice and seemed positive about my audition. That next week, Mrs. Hunsaker posted all the kids who made it on the music room door. I was so excited to see my name on the list! That was one of the greatest moments of my life! I remember when my good friend, Josh Weight, was on the Show Choir team and he was so fun to watch during a concert. I watched him perform so many times, thinking, "I want to be in that when I get in to high school."

In Show Choir, my sophomore year, it was filled with many rehearsals, laughs, and friends I still have to this day. I was worried about remembering all the dance steps in every number we performed, but it was nice because Mrs. Hunsaker had about five mirrors mounted on the walls in the choir room. My classmates and I would face those mirrors every time we would rehearse a dance number. It was so nice to have them because I would know where my place was in a dance number and who I was by.

After my sophomore year ended, Mrs. Hunsaker moved to Utah and we received a new Show Choir teacher, Mrs. Arnold. When I first met her, I kind of thought she was a snob, until I really got to know her and observe how she taught. The one thing I really didn't like about her was that she doesn't like to dance. She only did it because the class liked to do choreography. She took down the mirrors in the choir room because they bothered her. That made me upset because the mirrors were the only way I knew who I was by in a dance number. After that, Show Choir wasn't that much fun. It became stressful.

Luckily, Mrs. Arnold understood and made sure my classmates helped me find my spot in every musical number we ever performed from that year on. During our Christmas concert, we did a "Polar Express" medley which was a lot of fun except some of the guys were supposed to lift me onto their shoulders and I forgot. It was the most mortifying evening of my life. We finished the number and everything went smoothly, but I felt horrible inside. That next day, I walked into class with my head down and tears streaming from my face. Mrs. Arnold, the sweetheart she is, giggled at me and told the class that I needed a really big hug. So they all toppled over me and everything was okay.

After my final concert being in Show Choir, Mrs. Arnold comes out with a microphone and a bouquet of stunning red roses and announced that I was the "Outstanding Musician of the Year." That's a big award given to one senior during their year of high school. You get to have your picture up in the "Outstanding Musician of the Year" plaque and it is hung up on the wall in the choir room. I have fantasied of receiving the award so many times in my head, but I never thought in my wildest dreams I would ever actually get it! That was one of my #1 moments in high school. That was when I felt like my struggles, my memory loss, and all of my hard work paid off!

Even though we have to face challenges in our lives, we must persevere through them so we can receive what greater things Heavenly Father has in store for us. I'm so thankful for the opportunities given to me to participate in music and for the gift He has given me of being musical. It has helped me get through some of my hardest times in my life, and still does today. Just because you are struggling now, it doesn't mean it's going to be like this forever. Because you are struggling now, Heavenly Father has so many better things in store for you as long as you endure to the end!

Me as a Honey Bee

Two years ago in General Conference, Elder M. Russell Ballard told a story about how his father owned a peach orchard in Utah and kept several beehives there to pollinate peach blossoms which would eventually grow into juicy, delightful peaches. Elder Ballard’s father loved to observe how the bees worked together to make honey from the nectar in his peach blossoms. Elder Ballard states, “Though seemingly insignificant when compared to the total, each bee’s one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey is vital to the life of the hive. The bees depend on each other. Work that would be overwhelming for a few bees to do becomes lighter because all of the bees faithfully do their part.”

I loved that story because it made me contemplate that as precious children of our Heavenly Father, we depend on each other more than we could ever imagine. We can’t make it to the celestial kingdom alone. We need to be like the bees: faithfully working together to bring the rest of Heavenly Father’s children back home to Him.

So, how can I become more like the honey bees Elder Ballard talked about? How can I contribute in bringing souls back to Christ? How can I be a better friend to those around me? I could invite someone to Church activities. I could listen to what others have to say. I could be a better friend to the people around me. I could not be scared or ashamed to bring up a gospel related topic in a conversation. I could respect others a little bit more. It doesn't have to be a huge act of service. It’s amazing how the littlest, most simple deeds can make all the difference in the world.

When I read Elder Ballard’s talk, I immediately thought of how the bee is a symbol in the Young Women program. After the young women earn their Personal Progress medallion, they can earn what is called an honor bee by reading the Book of Mormon or helping a fellow young woman earn her medallion. I think that is a wonderful reminder that we should always be serving those in need.  I’m sad to say that when I was in Young Women’s, I never earned my honor bee. Although, I do admire those young women who worked hard to earn it or will earn it in the near future. That is such a wonderful thing to accomplish.

                         

This is Scarlet (isn't she just adorable?). She is in our ward. Scarlet has earned her young women’s recognition medallion as well as her honor bee. To receive her honor bee, she read the Book of Mormon all the way through. Scarlet always gives me a hug when she sees me at Church. Her sweet, smiling face just lights up a room!

     

Jesus Christ was always serving someone who was in need and taught others that when they are in the service of their fellow being, they are also in the service of Heavenly Father. His disciples would assist Him serve the people who desired His help.

How do we as His children become better servants of the Lord? We serve those whom we love. I would suggest serving our families a little better would be a good start. Let’s think of what they need before what our own needs. Let’s find ways to make serving enjoyable for everyone. We could plan a service scavenger hunt or have speedy service games. We could also try to become more aware of the people around us and their situations.

I’m always so grateful when someone serves me in a small way. A kind act of service could be an answer to someone’s prayer which is why we should always be serving. We never know who’s life we can change by our small acts of selfless service. 

My Home Away From Home

The temple is such a special place to be. I needed to work on going there more often. As sons and daughters of Heavenly Father, we have the special opportunity to be with our families not just in this life, but in the life to come. The only way we can be with our families again is if we get sealed in the temple of the Lord.

I really needed to go to the temple more often. So, I made a goal to attend the temple every other week. It was one of the greatest decisions I've ever made. I love going to the temple and learning more about my Savior, Jesus Christ. I also get to learn more about myself.

When I enter the temple and look at the name I received before doing their work, I contemplate on what that person could have been like when they were alive. After their work is finished, I wonder how they feel after knowing that their work has been finished on the earth so they can move on in the next life.

I love going to the temple, especially with my sweetheart. Our temple attendance has strengthened our marriage. It has made our personal relationships with the Savior stronger. It has made my testimony stronger. After Chris and I go through a session, we make sure we say a small family prayer of gratitude before we leave. I think that is very important for us to thank Heavenly Father for the temple and when we are inside the temple walls.

The House of the Lord has become a second home to me. It is so nice to know that I am always welcome there. I can go there any time I feel like it. I can feel Heavenly Father’s presence within the temple grounds and through the sacred work that goes on inside its walls.


What a blessing the temple has been for me in my life! I'm so thankful for the knowledge I have that I can be with my family for eternity as long as we all obey Heavenly Father and follow Him. 

Youth Conference- Our Trip to Nauvoo

Chris and I went to Nauvoo, Illinois with the Young Men and Young Women of our Stake this past week. It was their Youth Conference. How awesome is that?

It was a long drive to Nauvoo from our home in San Antonio, Texas. We took four travel buses for all of the youth and the leaders. It was kind of hectic getting everyone in their "families" and onto the right bus, but the kids were good sports about it. I got bus sick pretty bad, but it passed when I could get off the bus and walk around for a bit before we reached our destination. 

Chris and I sat by Brother Tiemann, one of our high counselmen. I love seeing his smiling face. He really likes Chris and me. We always have pleasant conversations together. I'm so glad that he was able to come with the youth on this trip. 

We got to watch DVDs on the travel bus. It had a TV screen. We watched "The Work and the Glory" and "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration." I like both of them, but I personally like "The Work and the Glory" movies.

Chris and I were a "pa" and "ma" on this trek. Our "children" were Belle Cheney (her name is actually Belle. I think that is so awesome!), Nicole Meditz, Jeffrey Mills (he is in our ward), Elijah Hernandez (he's in a wheelchair, but that doesn't stop him!), Neil Borchardt (he is in our ward), Clayton Curtis, Carlos Hernandez, Dallin Stone, and Josh Ward (he is in our ward). They are such good youth. It has been so fun to get to know these kids. Since I am in the Primary, I don't get to be with them on a regular basis.

I love this "strike-a-pose" picture. Chris didn't do anything. Sad day! ;)

Isn't my hubby adorable? ;)

We got to see Liberty Jail on Friday. A sister missionary talked about what happened with Joseph Smith during that time period. It was incredible to be there as I heard what had happened at Liberty Jail. I felt the Spirit so strongly there. I almost cried thinking how much Joseph Smith and his family went through as they were obeying what Heavenly Father commanded them. We also got to go to the Independence Visitor's Center. That was awesome. I love learning more about the Savior and what He has done for the world...for every person on this earth. 

Jeffrey Mills got a picture of Chris and me eating lunch that afternoon. Isn't it such a funny picture? Chris is chowing down on his sandwich and I'm debating if I should eat the rest of mine. ;)

On Saturday, the youth, Chris, and I got to tour Carthage Jail. 

I love this picture. Chris told me to take one of him in the jail cell. I thought it was really clever. :)

This was the window Joseph Smith fell out of when he was shot. 

The Spirit was not inside the jail. It was the strangest, yet humbling feeling I have ever felt before in my life. I also felt a lonely feeling. I wonder if Joseph and Hyrum ever felt lonely in this jail. 

When Chris and I and the youth came back from Carthage Jail, we made sack lunches. Chris and I were in our hotel room with the door open and he was tickling me. One of the leaders thought we were one of the youth and she was about to say we couldn't be in the same room. Then, another leader informed her that we were married. It was funny. It's kind of sad when we both look like we are 14 years old. ;)

Afterwards, we played some games they could have played back then. We played with flip blocks, and had bear races. There was a bear made of plastic or something (I don't know) hung by two ropes and we had to race it all the way to the top. That was so fun.

I was so determined to beat Josh (the kid next to me). I think he beat me pretty quickly.

This sister missionary taught us about the history in Nauvoo. She was a really sweet lady.

During our tours on Saturday, Aiden, one of the boys in another family, was fooling around with Belle. They were trying to play out Romeo and Juliet. Aiden ended up kissing Belle's shoe. It was really funny. All of our kids got a kick out of it.

We also saw a band driving by and playing. I looked at the sign. They called themselves the "Nauvoo Brass Band." They were really good.

We went to a show called "The Promise." It was very entertaining. It was also cool because elder and sister missionaries participated in it. How awesome is that? 

Elijah with some of the missionaries from the play.

Ass they were performing, the curtain came down and it showed us the Nauvoo temple. The performers were really that close to it. Isn't that awesome? :)

On Sunday, we went to church. We only went to Sacrament Meeting, but it was awesome. Then again, going to church is always awesome. 

We also had the opportunity to tour the Joseph Smith Home. It was interesting to learn how he grew up and what he and his family's lifestyle was like. This was also the home that Emma Smith lived in for the rest of her life.

This was the room where the Relief Society was organized.

We found out that the Joseph Smith Home is the place Emma Smith buried Joseph Smith's remains. She had to hide Joseph's remains because people wanted to steal them and burn them. I cannot imagine how much that woman had to endure.

It was so cool to see Joseph Smith's parents' graves. It made me feel like they were with us.

On Tuesday morning, we went to the Brick House. It was really awesome. I even got to take a brick home that says "Nauvoo, Illinois." How awesome is that? ;)

The youth did baptisms for the dead in the temple yesterday, which was Chris's and my anniversary. We also got to go with the youth to the temple and help out. I handed out towels to the kids when they got out of the font. Chris and I made a promise that we would go to the temple every year on our anniversary and this trip helped us keep that promise. How awesome is that? 

Isn't the temple exquisite?

I can't believe that we have been married for two years already! At first, I was kind of upset that we were traveling back home on our anniversary because we didn't get to celebrate it with just the two of us, but I got over it quickly because I already have my piano, which Chris gave me last year. Plus, how many people get to say they were in Nauvoo, Illinois on their anniversary? I wonder what Chris has planned for our next anniversary. ;)

On one of the days we were there (I can't remember what exact day), Chris got some really pretty pictures of a Nauvoo sunset.

This trip was an amazing way to finish up our summer. It has been so fun to get to know the youth a little better. They are a bundle of joy and are filled with the light of Christ. I will never forget the experiences I had in Nauvoo and I hope the young men and young women don't either.