Happy Birthday Justin!

Whoa I can’t believe you’re 15 already! You can drive now! ….that’s a scary thought ;) I’m sad I won’t be there to celebrate with you, but I’ll come visit soon! We’ve had a lot of fun times together! Remember playing the “Hot Lava” game? That was one of my favorites! Kick the can, hide-and-seek, playing Sardines in the Gardens when you came up to BYU-I, capture the flag. (By the way, next time I come home we should totally play one of those games). Those are all so fun to play with you! I also loved going repelling with you down in Moab! Well Justin, I love you so much!!! You know how to set your mind to something then achieve it. I couldn’t believe that you made enough money to buy that crazy cool watch! Now that is dedication right there! And getting your Eagle when you were 13 is awesome! I don’t know anyone else that has done that. Just remember that you can have that same dedication for anything you want in life :) I’m so proud of you and all that you’ve achieved! I love you and hope you have a great birthday!!! :) 

Instructions for a Bad Day

I saw this video recently and Shane Koyczan got it right! There will be bad days. Days that are so difficult we don’t think we can even take one more step. Days where we want to give up and quit. Days that seem to last for years. Days that make us question our selves. And days that make us lose all hope. But we know that the sun will come out tomorrow and if today was the worst day ever, tomorrow can only be better. The bad days make us appreciate the good days. The bad days are what help us rely on Christ.

Never lose hope. Never look back with regret. Move forward with faith knowing that “there will be bad days. Be calm. Loosen your grip. Let go. Be confident. And if today is as bad as it gets, understand that by tomorrow today will have ended.” 

He is Aware of Us

I am amazed each day just how aware Heavenly Father is of me. Today especially strengthened my testimony that he knows exactly what we need and when we need it. I’m so grateful that I can see the Lord’s hand in my life and for the direction He gives me. 

Managing Stress

Stressing about the same thing over and over again is something I have a habit of. I think about the situation and make it seem ten times worse than what it really is. We can’t control the future, but we sure can control what happens in the here and now. This story helped me realize that it’s better to stop worrying and focus on making today a great day.

One of my favorite quotes says, "Worry is the anticipation that the outcome will be bad. Faith is the anticipation that the outcome will be good. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is knowing that whatever the outcome it will be for our best good.” Trusting in the Lord and having faith in Him is a necessary part of life. It’s hard sometimes, but the Lord knows all things and knows what is best for us.

When you start stressing out, remember to put the glass down. “Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart. Love life and look for its opportunities” (Gordon B. Hinkley). Recognize the many blessings you have and get out and serve.

Fear Not

I have recently noticed that I have a lot of fear in my life right now. Fear of what the future holds, fear of graduating college, fear of finding my first nursing job. Then I realized that fear is pointless. It’s Satan’s way of changing our focus. FEAR has two meanings: Forget Everything And Run, or Face Everything And Rise. The choice is yours.

One of my favorite hymns is “How Firm a Foundation”. The third verse says:

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed. For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand. Upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand.

May we always remember to fear not. It’s time to replace fear with FAITH.