called to serve

I made this montage for a special combined church meeting focusing on missionary work. It contains video clips and pictures of missionaries currently serving from the Live Oak Canyon Ward of the Santa Margarita Stake along with segments from general conference talks that can be found online at lds.org. I certainly do not own the rights to any of that or the music, however I do own the rights of loving all the people in them. They are AWESOME.

But seriously, I love these people! My homeward has always had a fairly large youth group and growing up with them has been a blast. Anyhow, we've now reached that college age where we're now making big kid decisions and going our separate ways. Which in our church usually means college or mission calls! Right now our ward alone has 17 missionaries(male and female ages 18-21) out in the field right now with a few more soon on the way! These missionaries are close friends that I've grown up with my whole life. While I may miss them like crazy, this work they are doing is so much greater! The message they have to share is not only bettering their lives and building up their own testimonies, but changing the lives and futures of so many others! This Gospel of Jesus Christ truly is the most valuable piece of information you will find anywhere. Just understanding where you came from, where you're going, and the purpose of our mere existence alone means so much! Life just makes sense with the gospel and living it brings me so much happiness on a day to day basis! This gift I've been given is one I want to share with everyone just so they too can feel of this unexplainable joy the spirit of the gospel brings me. I love it, I live it, and I seriously never want to be without out. While I may not have ever been "called" on a mission like these friends of mine, that doesn't stop me from trying to be a missionary to those around me and you can to! We are all called to the work and have such a great message to share!

Want to learn more about this message?
Speak with the missionaries yourself!  or
Find out the real scoop on all this "Book of Mormon" stuff!

with all thine heart.

It's no question that I've been hit with quite the load of health trials this year. People often ask how I do it and honestly sometimes I wonder the same thing myself. I've never been one to ask why these things may happen to me, I just try to carry on and wait for the storm to pass. Optimism will always get you further than you think. I believe my mom likes to call it denial, but hey- take your pick. 

My ultimate favorite scripture has always been Proverbs 3:5-6

"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 they paths."

     You can thank freshman year of seminary for that one. It's perfect. Though I may not understand everything I go through and setbacks I face I can always count on my Savior. His plan for me is far more perfect than anything I could have planned on my own. If we put our trust in Him we cannot fail.

     Never underestimate the power of prayer. You build trust with Jesus Christ, along with your Father in Heaven, the same way you would your friends and family. Through constant communication and loyalty. If I want to build a close relationship with someone they need to know they can always rely on me. Here's where obedience to the standards comes into play. If I want to have that same relationship with Christ why wouldn't I obey his commandments? It just makes sense. PS. this reminds me of one of my favorite talks "The First Great Commandment" by Jeffrey R. Holland which includes this marvelous quote: "Love God and remain clean from the blood and sins of this generation... Your Father in Heaven expects your loyalty and your love at every stage of your life." Love it.