Focussing on Christ

                                   Focussing on Christ

Lately I have been focussing a lot on the things that are most important to me in my life , and less of the worldly things.
Some of the things that I have been more focussed on are:
My Testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and his Attonement.
The Scriptures
Church Callings
My family
Prayer
Studying and preparing for a mission
Reaching my goals in life and setting new ones.
Sharing my testimony with others.
Giving service and being a positive example to everyone around me.
The temple, I have been going there weekly.
My relationship with my Father In Heaven.
Forgivness for the things that really matter.

Focussing on the small and simple things that mean the most.
One of the most important things that I have been working on , is to love myself as God and my Heavenly Father love me, Seeing myself as they see me, trying to become more christlike.

I also have been listening to nothing but church music lately because it comeforts me so much and it helps me when I am stressed to feel calm and know that my father in heaven is there for me and he loves me like he does each and every one of us.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to be able to serve a mission, yes I have some time and some goals and things to accomplish before I make this mission happen because I have always wanted to serve my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by going on a mission since I was very little. Now I can go and serve others and share the Gospel message that I would have for them, and my testimony because I know this Gospel is true with all my heart. I would not be who I am today if it was not for the church :) There are so many good opportunities in and outside of teh church to learn and grow from.
  Here's a picture I really like of The Lord and Savior  Jesus Christ!

I really like this photo because I know that the Lord Is my Shepherd . He is there for me when I am lost or when I need comfort. It makes me think of "The Lord is my Shepherd then why should I fear, by day and by night his presence is near." The Lord is always with us no matter what , even at our loneliest times or times of trial, he is there when we don't recognize it or feel it. He is there at times when we need him most, With open arms and a big heart he has so much love for me and all his children it overwhelms me with good feelings in my heart and mind.

Another picture that really makes me think is when Christ is knocking at a door.

I love it so much. What if that was your door that he was knocking at?? Would you hesitate to answer? Would you check to see if you could see through the peek hole? Or would you just open the door with loving arms and and open mind and open heart to give him what he needed or to listen to him as he would listen to you?
 It makes us think, how many times do we not answer the door?? It may not be a door, it may just be another opportunity that comes by your path way called life when someone just needs to hear the Gospel message and you just ignored it. It may be someone who is in need of comfort and through the words that you say to them can make them feel better, It could even just be a simple smile or simple hug !

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ give us so many opportunities to just listen or to watch for things that are needed most in the world or people that need us and our example. Because of what we choose to do and who we choose to be, through our righteous example we can be saved :)

I do know that I have a strong testimony of the church and a strong testimony of the Gospel of  Christ and it gets stronger each adn every day through the obedience of the commandments and the strong words of the scriptures :) I know that the scriptures are true , I know that heavenly father lives. I know that Christ is my Savior and that he Died on the cross for my sins and that he knows and feels the pain of each trial that I go through because he does not let me go through anything alone. I know that he is always with me every step of the way encouraging me to continue to be me and continue to smile and be positive abuot life as Satan tries to tear me down but I just stop and think .... I know I am a loving daughter of a loving heavenly father and I cannot and will not let temptation give in to me because I am a strong person. I know The Gospel Of Jesus Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-DaySaints is the true church . I know Jospeth Smith was and still is a true prophet today as well as Thomas S. Monson . I know that my testimony stays strong and firm each day of my life, I rely on it everyday and I do not give up on the plan that God has for me.

                     One of my favorite quotes by Uchdorf :)

             I am a mormon, I know it, I live it, I love it !

God Answers Prayers!!

 The moments when I have been praying about things for along time because I really wanted to go on a mission and the age 21 wa a long ways away, was when I got an anwer to my prayers..through the wonderful first session of General Conference October 2012!

 I love Prophet Thomas S. Monson, Today he announced that Elders can serve their mission at the age 18 and women can serve at 19 ! This makes me so happy here I come mission! I know that the gospel of jesus christ is true and I know that going on a mission is what I need to do :)

I know my heavenly father wants what is best for me :) College is great and I know I can come back to finish my education. I am having fun learning and getting to know lots of friends where I am at but I have always wanted to serve a mission and I know that is the next step in life for me :) thank you to our prophet Thomas S. Monson for the decision he has made so there are more opportunities for young men and woman to go on missions and serve the lord !

                   This man is amazing!!
    And this I where I feel like sharing my testimony .
   I know heavenly father hears and answers prayers because I am doing what I feel is best for me :)
   I know the church is true, and that heavenly father blesses the lives of everyone everyday , I know that I am a child of god and that he loves me. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet called of God. I know that going on a mission to do the lords work is a good decision (: I know that Heavenly Father puts us through trials to make us stronger. I have faith in Jesus Christ. I know the scriptures are true, I know and have read the book of mormon and I know that it is true also. I know that Christ died for my sins so I can be forgiven and return to live with him someday . I know God lives. I know that the people that are in my life today are there for a reason and that god blesses us each and everyday with the opportunity to become more like him.I know god sends miracles and changes lives for the better (:

  I know that Joseph Smith saw God. I know temples are the most beautiful place on earth, I can got here for peace, I can feel safe there. I know that I will be married in one of them someday and be ceiled to my future spouse for time and all Eternity! I know families are forever. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us all :) I know that through our faith and trust in him he can help us through our trials and our good times, I know that we can pray to him any time any where and he is always there for us :) I know these things are true in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

                            We are all children of a loving Heavenly Father (:     

  

Graduated and it feels good!!

                 I feel so good to say that I have graduated from high school, now i can move on with the rest of my life :)!!!

 

I love my mom :)

                                          My family!!

                        Me and my grandparents!!

                 
                                                                 Two awesome friends!!

                                                  My favorite teacher, most amazing teacher <3

                                                   Amberlee <3

                                                            Me and matt, a good friend !!

                                                Chelley and josh :)

                                                      Rusty and Hyrum , amazing friends!!

                                                     Me and Holly <3 besties!!!

                                        Me and christina!! this girl is a babe <3 true friend!!

                                           Bethany and Martin!! I admire them :)

                                         Good friends :) High school was great with them!!

                                                 Jose!!! this guy is a wonderful friend :)

                                                    Carlos, good times... one good friend :)

                                                 I love hugs, I will miss this :)

                                 Monkey in the middle, three way hug with martin and bethany :)



It feels amazing to be graduated, but I don't feel like a college student yet, but yet that is where i am headed in 2 weeks, YIKES :)

  Thatcher here I come, I am going to be a Gila Monster :) Kinda excited but wayyy nervous!! Well life goes on .... I know i will grow in many ways and make lots of friends:) That is life... Watch out college here I come !!!

In loving memory of my sweet friend Danail Frey:)

                 I love you danail, You are forever in my heart <3 You are a blessed and beautiful daughter of god!! I am glad that i met you when your time was on earth! You are such a sweet and kinda example to everyone around you!! I can't believe you are gone, but i know you are in a better place and no longer in pain! I know that you were an angel on earth but now you are above and watching over all of us!
    Danail In memory of you I wish to be more like you :) You are such a beautiful young woman and loving daughter of god!!
You wil be missed but we know you are safe and in a better and happier place!! I love you so much and thank you for being the wonderful friend that you were and always will be !! I can not wait to see you again someday <3

                                                 The day Danail got baptised!

                                 She has such a wonderful spirit and it was felt when everyone would be around her !

                                               She is soo beautiful :)

             I love this girl soooo much I wish we had more time to get closer :) She is one of the sweetest girls anyone could know !!

   I LOVE YOU DANAIL I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN SOMEDAY:)

PPD (post.pageant.depression)

 Easter Pageant Cast 2012

 I love this cast so much! Being in the Easter Pageant is such a huge blessing :) I love the directors and all they do for us! I love the performance, The spirit is felt there so much ! This Pageant lifted and helped my testimony grow so much! 

There were so many miracles that have happened during the rehearsals and performances it was amazing!I love how kind everyone was to each other and the love that was shown to each and every person in the pageant! 

The pageant is a big experience that I could never forget, It was my second year in it with my mother! Through the pageant me and mom grow closer :)  I loved the family group that I was in with my mother, they were are so kind and caring, always were there to share a smile and hugs! The devotionals were so inspirational and uplifting ! I love how happy everyone was during this pageant... Now that it is over, there is so much PPD (post.pageant.depression) between me and my mom but we are making it :)

Here are some nice pictures that were taken during the pageant this year :)

Here are some good pictures from the Pageant!

 The baptism!

Christ ans the children in the children scene :)

Christ praying!

Christ healing the dead boy:)

Shepherds Scene!

Triumphant entry ! I am on stage !

The lost supper.

10 Virgins dancing!

Christ suffering for our sins! I am so thankful for him each day of my life!

Christs Resurrection , I know he suffered for my sins, So I would have the opportunity to repent and be forgiven!

The beautiful angels !

HE HAS RISEN! He lives , I know my savior lives! He loves each and every one of us! He blesses us each day of our lives, watched over us and protects us! I testify that He atoned for our sins so we could have the opportunity to  be on this earth and repent of our sins , So we can be forgiven ! I love saying this but I truly do know my savior LIVES!

I am so thankful for this pageant and all it is to be! I am thankful for my friends and family that attended in the audience to see this beautiful Easter message ! It is truly the most amazing experience that I have ever had in my life :) I can't wait to go on my mission and serve my lord and savior Jesus Christ :)

I know that The Church Of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints is the true church ! I love this gospel it is the best thing ever to be made upon this earth ! I hope I can become more christ-like each day, and follow his example So that I can return to live with him :) I am thankful for this church and all it blesses me with each day of my life !

Spring Break!!

How should I start...? Well i will list what I did each day :)

Friday night: I received flowers and a balloon at school from my momma !

Saturday: EASTER PAGEANT all day , it's so much fun !

Sunday: Regular nice Sunday.. wrote some friends on their mission, wrote in journal, and relaxed!

Monday: I slept in :) Did like nothing all day , I played dance dance revolution all day!

Tuesday: I continued playing dance dance revolution, never get bored of it that is for sure !

Wednesday: I was anxious for my birthday all day... stayed up late.... went to bed took a nap because i was getting up at midnight! 

Thursday: MY BIRTHDAY!!!  I was up at midnight. Getting in the car to go to Ihop early morning breakfast with my mom... no knowing i was in for a surprise ... and I got one hahaha ! My best friend STEVEN scared the pee pee out of me *not literally* but it was funny , He was in the back of my jeep and popped out and shouted at me happy birthday !!! and i almost cried , never been that scared in a long time! Good times!! then I went to visit my best friend Anne Chege :)

There is me and one of my closest friends :)

After visiting my friend Anne , I was in a hurry to get to my party , picked up ice cream and all that stuff that i needed ... had a bunch of fun ... this is what i looked like at the end of my party!

Gross right? haha but it was a blast!!

So after that I has someone waiting for me at my house... I did not know i was getting picked up to go somewhere... it turns out my best friend Steven threw me another great,amazing party that i was blind folded and escorted to, it was a surprise I cried when i showed up! I had so much fun ... Steven sure has a heart of gold! I had the most fun that i have had in a long time, he did everything at that party. He set it up and planned it and made it known to my mom and i was not allowed to know :)

I had such an amazing birthday I will remember that for the rest of my life:) Steven has helped me realize who I am from the inside out and has helped me accept myself as a daughter of god and smile because I am alive, He has helped me so much and helps me believe in myself everyday , He helped me bring out the beauty that was always in me but I hide it, He helps me realize the kinda of person that I am and he helps me become who I want to be :) He is one amazing person I am so grateful for a friend like him !!

 Here are me and some friends that showed up to be there for me :)

What a wonderful group of friends :) oh and a cousin !

I loved this birthday so much!! THANK YOU STEVEN FOR EVERYTHING, YOU ARE SO AMAZING !!

Friday: Today I went on a trip up north with just me and my mother, to visit the college that i will be attending :) Eastern Arizona  College , up in Thatcher :)

Pretty excited to go there... the placement test I took up there, went well! The tour was fun ... that college is way bigger then i thought I am going to have so much fun !

Yet I am still nervous ! 

Go Gila Monsters , see you in August :D

While I and my mother were up there, We took a visit to the Gila Valley temple and did some Special work in their for some family members that have passed on :) 

All temples are beautiful , I am so lucky to have the opportunity to go to a college that is so close to a temple! It was different inside there, I will definitely miss my home temple, Mesa Az Temple ! But all temples have their own beautiful sight! they all have the same spirit that is felt there :) The ride home with my mom was interesting , we were quite slap happy and laughing to try to keep ourselves awake, good times i love my mom :)

 

Saturday: I got home late Friday night with my mom, But this morning I got up , got ready and had another Pageant Rehearsal all day :) They always go amazing, I am so excited for this new week because the dress rehearsals are starting AND the performances are starting soon!!!! YAY! i love being a missionary in the pageant and being in it, it means so much to me
! Me and my mother are both in it and it is such an amazing  experience , can be life changing for those who come to see it!!

 Being in the pageant in costume or not, is such a beautiful experience ! I love the people that are in it and the directors who help put it together, everyone in the pageant is a family.We are all children of god ! Families are forever!!

Sunday: I am looking forward to a special Sunday again... Write more letters , journal time, scripture reading like everyday and some family time and relaxation!!! I loved this spring break... best one yet, and its my senior year so way to make it memorable :) I love my friends and family who make my life so much easier to live, I could not do anything alone with out the encouragement and good positive attitudes and smiles! 

I am so thankful that I was sent here to be on earth from gods arms to live with A wonderful mother and family, and make such wonderful friends that make my life shine !! I could not ask for anything better !! 

Good friendships !

So lately I have been feeling ehhh, not so good! Well I have this friend that is super nice to me , always believes in me and knows I can do hard things to get what I need accomplished,done ! This friend of mine , always makes me feel better! The other night I was so down about my self ... everyone has those days... I was crying for awhile and just needed something to cheer me up:) Well I text-ed him and told him how thankful I was for him, while i was being upset at the time.... His response was a phone call. Right away he says "I will be over in 5 minutes"... He took the time out of his day to come and comfort me ! It was like a prayer being answered! This guy is absolutely amazing and he makes everything better:)

 This Young man who is soon to serve a mission, name is Steven Ellsworth! I really Look up to him, he is always there for me and he is a positive example to me and cheers me up when I am sad and always makes me feel worth it! Having a friend like him, is like a gift/ huge blessing sent from god ! He's an angel here on earth that watches over me and helps me get through anything with positive thinking and positive words! Steven makes me feel like I am actually a true friend , that I am worth being here on earth as well as my mother tells me :) I love having him as a best friend, having him around and being apart of my life makes life a whole lot easier!!! 

Some characteristics of Steven 

1.  He makes people smile :)
2. He has a sweet uplifting spirit!
3. He is trustworthy for ANYTHING
4. He doesn't care about the outside appearance , he cares about the heart.
5. He is caring!
6. Loyal
7. Loving
8. He is honest!
9. Always cheerful!
10. Has faith in life!
11. Faith in others:)
12. Friendly
13. Humble
14. Kind
15. Respectful
16. Willing:)
17. Generous
18. Open minded!
19. Thoughtful

20.Inspiring!

  If you don't know this guy , You should find a friend like him he is amazing and always cares! I am so blessed to have a friend like him , he is so Inspiring and always gives good advice to what he thinks would be best for you :)

I know heavenly father blessed me with all good friends and family I am so grateful for all they do for me ! 

I wish him the best on his mission I know that when he goes he will be so wonderful that his testimony will touch the lives of others :)

I can't wait for my opportunity to go on a mission, When he gets back I will be finishing college or finished and onto the best 18 months of my life , I know this experience for both of us will be life changing :)

Steven has helped me so much to become what I am wanting to become, to Try to do my best , to see who I am in the mirror as god my heavenly father see's me! 

He wants me happy like my heavenly father does, through his example I feel a change in my heart already I don't know what I would do if I didn't have a friend like him :) 

He is truly an angel !

This is us :) HE MAKES MY SMILE SHINE :)

 Good times :) He's so wonderful !! I love how we are all children of god and through that we can all make the best friends ever, to hold on to and stay true to one another !

Life goes on we meet new people and new friends!! Let your self out and get to know many people:) 

Something that he said to me that means a lot is "I am here to bring out the beauty that's already inside of you!I want you to be happy" He is truly the best!

It is the small and simple things that means the most in the end , keep them in mind :)

Seminary!!!!

Seminary~A place to feel the spirit, feel closer to your heavenly father, learn something new, and can be life changing!!

I have had so many experiences in seminary where I have felt the spirit so strong , it is like everyday!!

There are days when I feel the spirit , and sometimes I don't , maybe because I walked in with a different attitude , but I changes as soon as i say a simple easy prayer to have the spirit with me :)

I love going to seminary and having the opportunity to learn and grow and take something out of the lesson each day so that i can apply it to my life =)

Seminary Is a big blessing to me ! If I didn't have seminary each day of my life as i went through my high school years , I don't know what my days would be like! 

I am so grateful that there is a opportunity to go to seminary to feel the spirit and write in our journals and read our scriptures and get into the scriptures and learn more about thy gospel !

Today I had devotional and I shared my thought about faith!

Having faith in Christ and having faith in yourself are two different things =)

I have so much faith in in my savior Jesus Christ, It means so much to me that I am member of his church and have the opportunity to grow stronger each day because he is a part of my life!! I am thankful for my friends and their examples to me!

I am thankful for my seminary teachers and their influence that they have on me!

I was called as a Seminary Class president this semester, the last semester of my senior year,And oh boy i thought it was going to be hard ... I would ask myself , out of all people why me ? But then later on say , Why not me? The lord chose me for a reason , the seminary teachers pray about who they think would be best for that calling, It is a calling that comes from god ! 

I am so blessed to have seminary in my life! Honestly Without the gospel being apart of my life, I do not know what I would be doing, who I would be, Where I would go , Who to turn to for guidance, And what I would do with my life! 

The gospel has blessed me with so much that I can grow and learn from spiritually and mentally and physically that it makes me feel like a better person each day !!! 

I love being in seminary and participating and sharing my thoughts and experiences with others because you never know , That words that I say can make someone else life so much easier ! I think about that everyday as I go throughout my days smiling and happy! 

With out this gospel I would say I would not be happy and not feel so blessed As I do each day of my life with it being apart of my life! 

I love Seminary so much I can't believe how fast high school has passed by , But I am excited for college and Institute It will be a new experience for me !!! 

I am so thankful for everything I have in my life , the people, The extra things that god has created for us to use, And even the education that we receive so I can live my  life with positive attitudes and follow the commandments and try to share the gospel with others to d my best , Be my best, So I can return to live with him someday :) CTR!!!!!

Being a Young woman:)

Being a Young woman:)

 The Theme..:) making it to me because I like saying it this way to myself to remind me what I know it's true!

I am a daughter of my heavenly father,who loves me and I love him,I stand as a witness to god in all times,in all things,and in all places, As I strive to live the Young Woman Values, Which are 

Faith

Divine Nature

Individual Worth

Knowledge

Choice And Accountability

Good Works

Integrity

And Virtue

As I come to accept and live and live upon these values,I will strengthen home and families, Make and keep sacred covenants , Receive the ordinances of the temple, And enjoy the blessings of exaltation:)

As I think about my years in Young Woman's  and how I am growing up and going to be graduating , I think about how my experiences in YW's has helped me grow stronger in my testimony and just being better to myself! I think about how thankful I am for the Leaders in the church that we called to serve in the Young Woman's and teach me to help me grow strong in the gospel :) I love going to church every Sunday and seeing the smiles on everyone's faces, When I walk into opening exercises for young woman's How loved I feel ! I always thought , when i got older that I never felt loved or some other negative feeling when I went to church, But now I go back and think about everything that has happened to me that helped me grow spiritually and physically in the  gospel , I am so thankful that god has a plan for all of us! With out church and the friends that I have to encourage me everyday and smile at me or a simple hug or I LOVE YOU CLARA ! Always makes my life so much brighter ! 

I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have to go to a church and feel loved and feel so happy because I have the gospel in my life! I actually can think about everyday of my life , I am always smiling because heavenly fathers has the spirit with me everyday to encourage me to feel that way ! I love my smile I love to smile , It is like my favorite talent :) God has blessed us with so much and I think the top 3 things that I am most thankful for Is MY FAMILY, THE SCRIPTURES, And the opportunity to have PRAYER in my life!

I love communicating with my heavenly father, I guess it's part of growing up, If i didn't know what prayer was or didn't know how to pray,My life would be miserable!I focus depend on prayer so much in my life , to always keep me happy,with a positive attitude and help serve others about me with promptings from the spirit! 

There are so many ways my heavenly father has helped me grow as a young woman that I would never want to forget , I can't believe that I am graduating and moving on to the next thing in life, and actually following my heart to try to make the best experiences in life! When I move on for college , It will be new and different but do you think I am going to forget how much I have grown in the gospel as a young woman? Nope not at all ! 

The gospel means so much to me It's the best thing ever to exist , If I didn't have the gospel in my life on this earth I don't know what ind of person I would be!

But the gospel and having Christs example and the scriptures in my life make everything so much better! Oh and depending on prayer for everything helps a lot , I will never forget that heavenly father , my savior and redeemer will "Forget me not" For I am never alone :) I know he lives and he died for my sins,For one day I will be like him ,through trying each day to follow his example!He is there for us anytime and anywhere:)  You all think about that too He can help you through anything and just have faith and move forward with the positive aspects in life and you will go far :) Never forget we are all children of god :)!!!

I know these things are true !! I testify of them.

We are ALL his children :)

Broken Things

Today in Seminary  we had a lesson about Broken things..... Think about it , what are your broken things in life?... at times you need heavenly father to fix them and help your put them back together :)

    So today all day I was thinking about, What things I had in my life that were making me feel Broken,that god can help fix:)

I listed things in my journal and , they help me think about the  trials that I am thankful for in life!! I am so blessed to live the life I live, The Broken pieces in my life are able to be fixes through faith and repentance :)

Anyone and everyone can try their best to make things better for them in their life.... I am so thankful for seminary and the Influence it has on each day of my life as I go to school everyday :) I am going to be sad to leave high school because I love Seminary so much , but I can move on to Institute :) I am so thankful for this gospel and all the blessings that happen in my life ! God gives us things to help us live! We choose the choices that we make and we make the paths that we take , but heavenly father has a plan for all of us and I know that through my faith in him I can strengthen my life so much  !!

Think of that as the path to righteousness look how beautiful it is, If you can walk that path forever and ever.... Living your happy life, making the positive choices.... I am sure you could fix those broken things in your life and try to make everything better and worth while!

It takes a while to think about the choices that happen in your life ... and the things that make you happy or things that you wish didn't happen but made you stronger :) Those are usually the most meaningful or memorable experiences in  your life , because you can change those and make them better for the better outlook in life :)

I encourage myself and everyone else that read this , To look out for the broken things in life and maybe try thinking twice about them to see if it's something simple that you can try to pray about and let heavenly father help fix:) I know that if you have faith and take the chances for a good change in your life in every opportunity

 that you can get , take it and let your life be something that you will always want to remember :)

~~Live your life with righteously , Laugh As Often as you can , Love always to those around you, And smile because it's a large gift that heavenly father gave us all, and he would like to see us all use it~~

                        "Let your smile be free. Smiling is the best. Smile smile smile. God gave you a smile."

Smile cause you can :) I love you all !!!