Guest Post by Shelby {Good Things to Come}

hola amigos!

Yesterday I was teaching one of my preschool tumbling classes when one of my three year old students that doesn't stand much taller than your average American Girl Doll (that's actually not true, but you get the point) gave me a hug and said "Teacher, you have skinny legs." 

And people wonder why I love my job so much. haha

I have something super awesome for my blog post today! Even better than hugs... and even better than three year olds that tell you that you have skinny legs...

The following blog post comes from one of the coolest chicks in all of blog land. Her name is Shelby and I've asked her to take over my blog for a day! She's kindly accepted. So enjoy her lovely writing, and then stay tuned for a guest post I wrote for her blog!

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Hey Guys! My name is Shelby and I am so excited to be here guest posting for Whitney. You may remember me from this post. Whitney also did an amazing post here that you should definitely check out!

A little bit about me:

    - I blog over at Moore Light Shine

    - I love photography and design

    - I also love music.

    - I am Mormon. I try my hardest to live it and I absolutely love it.

    - I think the youth program is one of the most amazing things ever.

It is now February 4th, you probably set some awesome goals 35 days ago.

I know I did. How many have I completely stuck with? I don't know if I have 100% stuck with any of them, but I'm trying my hardest.

I’m not discouraged or disappointed because I’ve come to realize that the only way for me to be perfect is through Christ. So I’ll keep running towards him. I’ll keep trying my hardest. And he’ll keep standing there with his arms open wide ready accept me and you and help us become perfect. Isn’t that amazing?

Today I’m here to talk about keeping goals and sticking to things, whether they are new years resolutions or not. I’m talking about the kind of things that can seem tiring or worthless to some. The repetitive things that make you wonder if you can possibly learn anything else from it.

Everyone has something like that.

A standard they struggle to keep.

Something they just want to skip one night. Until it becomes 2. Then 3. Then 4 months.

It may be prayer, scripture study, going to church, media standards. Anything.

But I’m here to tell you to keep going. To keep moving. To not give up.

Because something bigger and better is waiting for you right around the corner. Your dreams are about to come true. Heavenly Father will be near you soon with his arms around you. Your Savior is ready now to give you hope, and peace, and joy.

All of these wonderful things are about to happen. But they won’t if you give up now.

You may want it so bad. You may feel like your prayers are being said to air. You may want to quit, But don’t. Because I promise your Heavenly Father is listening. He hears your prayers. He wants to help you. But he knows what’s best, so he waits until the perfect moment. You think you know the perfect plan, the perfect time. We humans think we have everything figured out. Ha! We don’t. Not even close.

We are so far from seeing the big picture we simply have to trust God and realize that his timing is not our timing, it is the best timing.

Don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed if you are getting discouraged. It happens to the best of us. While reading my scriptures the other day, I noticed a verse in Nephi that had never caught my attention:

“And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all.....” (1 Nephi 15:5)

Even Nephi, the great prophet and a faithful servant of God became discouraged. He became dragged down because the world was beating down on him. He let others affect how he felt about life and himself.

Later it goes on to say “And it came to pass after I had received strength(1 Nephi 15:6)

I love this verse because he received strength. He didn’t become strong through himself. He received strength from The Lord. And our Heavenly Father is ready and willing to do the same for you.

He is ready to comfort you and encourage you. He may not be ready to fix everything. But he is ready to help you. To strengthen you. To love you.

I know this is so true.

I absolutely love the quotes below.

“There is help. There is happiness. There really is light at the end of the tunnel. It is the Light of the World, the Bright and Morning Star, the “light that is endless, that can never be darkened. It is the very Son of God Himself….Cling to your faith. Hold on to your hope… Don’t give up.... Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead—a lot of it…... You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”

{quote source}

Please don’t give up. Please keep going. Whether it is a new years resolution, just getting through the day, or deciding if you beleive in your Savior. Please don’t lose hope. Know that you have devine capabilities and that you are loved beyond comprehension.

I hope you all have a wonderful, spectacular, amazing day!

-Shelby

Letter from a new convert {guest post}

Hello friends! Happy New Years Eve! I'm celebrating with a morning of yoga, breakfast, books, and blogs, and a super awesome guest post!

Today's post comes from Marie-Rose who is the author of one of my favorite blogs, Hope Always and Pray Constantly. Marie-Rose is a new convert who was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day saints in the middle of November. 

This is her letter to all members of the church titled "Letter From a New Convert" and it is addressed to all members of the Church. In return, you can find my letter to her called "Letter To a New Convert" over on her blog. My letter is addressed to all those who, in the words of Jeffery R. Holland, "[are young in the church...] young in years of age or young in years of membership or young in years of faith. One way or another, that should include just about all of us." So don't forget to click on over to her blog after you've spent some time here!

Letter from a new convert,

My baptism was last month and it was amazing. Do you remember yours? The Spirit was so strong :) the water was so warm and welcoming when I walked into the font. Everything melted away for a minute, other than the words spoken, and suddenly I was underwater. I had waited for this moment for so long. I'd already had one baptism date fall through, cuz my dad wasn't sure if he was okay with my choice. For two years I knew, deep in my heart, that Heavenly Father wanted me to get baptized. I just had to wait for the right time. 

I'm so excited that I've been able to go to church regularly since I've been at college. In 2013, I took the sacrament exactly once (in like July, I think). It was not a fun time, having to miss church. Sometimes, sitting in sacrament meeting, it feels like you've heard all these things a million times before. But it's so easy to forget them if you're not hearing them! And feeling the Spirit at church is my favorite part of the week. Being surrounded by other people who love you is amazing. I think they call that a ward family.

That's a thing about us new converts, we're still getting used to the lingo :)

Have you talked to your ward's missionaries recently? I bet they're pretty awesome. My sister missionaries are the best. We've been meeting weekly since I've been at college and I love them so much. I haven't figured out how to serve them dinner yet, cuz I'm in a dorm with no kitchen and live off of a meal plan, but you should see their faces when I bring snacks to lessons :)

Speaking of missionaries, you've probably heard that you should be a member missionary, right? Guess how I first heard about the church. My friends are pretty good member missionaries. They weren't afraid to mention church things in my presence, and they certainly weren't afraid to answer my questions, even if it meant hunting down an answer and getting back to me later. They invited me to activities and seminary and church and dances and girls camp and youth conference. They gave me a Book of Mormon. Most importantly, they let me go at my own pace. They never pushed me to investigate faster than I was comfortable with doing. So when you hear that you should be a member missionary, think of new converts like me. You wouldn't be reading this letter if it weren't for member missionaries.

I have a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that Heavenly Father loves us and is always there for us. I know that Jesus Christ is our savior. I know that prayer is powerful. I know there's a Plan, and eternity is bigger than whatever trial I might be going through at the moment. I know the Book of Mormon is true, and I can feel that when I read it. 

I am so happy to be a member of this wonderful church. 

Thank you for your missionary work, 

<3 Marie-Rose

hopealwaysandprayconstantly.blogspot.com



p.s. I'm searching for some awesome New Years Resolutions. What are some of yours?

Blogswap! Work is sweet

Hey guys! Today I'm going to something awesome and let the Lovely Sarah from sprinklesonmyicecream.blogspot.com take over my blog! She is a FANTASTIC writer and I love her blog. Today I am also taking over her blog as well so as soon as you read this post hop on over to her blog and read my guest post. {This post marks day one of 30 days of thanksgiving so check it out!}

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Hey guys! Whitney and I are doing a blog swap today! My name is Sarah. I am a Mormon teen, lover of ice cream, blogger, avid photographer, and really slow runner. [I included running in this list so I would sound cool and buff, but I wouldn't be being honest unless I also added that I run slower than a gold fish. And yes, I'm aware gold fish don't run. This goes to further illustrate my point. ;) ] 

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But I have an even greater love than reading, photoshopping, playing the piano, and eating ice cream out of the carton with a spoon. The gospel of Jesus Christ is my rock and my strength. Speaking of which, let's stop talking about me and talk about Him instead, shall we? ;)

Have you ever heard the song, Sweet is the Work? Since my website is "a blog about the sweet things in life", I like to think that I'm a pretty good judge of things that are sweet [especially ice cream. Delicious!]. But do you want to know a secret? Whenever I hear the word "work", I don't usually think about sweet things. In fact, my first instinct is usually to cringe and make a face like this:

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Do you feel my pain? 

I think that all too often we associate work with bitter brussel sprouts instead of the wonderful, luscious, decadent candy that it truly is.

The other day, my seminary class was reading from 2 Nephi 5. In this chapter, Nephi explains how he has just separated the righteous part of his family from the Lamanites. I'm sure you remember how different the Nephites and Lamanites are from each other at the beginning of the Book of Mormon. The Nephites were righteous followers of Christ while the Lamanites, well....weren't. 

Eventually, it became imperative that Nephi separate his family from them so that his children would be able to grow up in a righteous environment. 

I'm sure you remember how many times the Lamanites were reminded that they should repent or they would be punished. [I wonder if Heavenly Father kind of felt like my Mom when she asks me to clean my room. "Sarah, I've told you a million times...get your laundry off the floor!" Does that sound familiar to you, too?]

So, after the Nephites left, it was time for Heavenly Father to fulfill His prophecy that the Lamanites would be "cut off from His presence" if they didn't shape up. They never shaped up, so they got cut off like my hair at the beauty parlor. [I know that might not sound very dramatic, but you should have seen my last haircut. I asked for 1/4 inch off and came back with 2 inches less hair. It was pretty intense.]

I find it really interesting that one of the first things Nephi notes in this account is the difference between the Nephites and Lamanite's work ethics.

In verse 24, Nephi says this of the Lamanites:

And because of their cursing which was upon them they did become an idle people....

Now, here's what the Nephites were up to while the Lamanites twiddled their thumbs:

We did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things, according to the law of Moses. (Verse 10)

 And the Lord was with us; and we did prosper exceedingly; for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance. 

And we began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind (Verse 11)

And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance. (Verse 15)

And I, Nephi, did build a temple. (Verse 16)

 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did cause my people to be industrious, and to labor with their hands. (Verse 17)

How many times did Nephi mention forms of work in there? I'm no math expert, but I counted ten different examples in just these four verses. That is a lot of labor! 

Now, here is the killer point I've been getting at. [Sorry it took so long!]

Which group do you think was the most happy? The TV-vegging Lamanites [just kidding!] or the industrious Nephites?

Upon first impression, it might seem like the Lamanites were the most joyful. I mean after all, who likes doing chores, anyway? But guess again, my friends.

The Nephites are actually the ones who got the better end of the deal. While the Lamanites became a "loathsome" people (verse 22), it is said that the Nephites "lived after the manner of happiness" (verse 27). 

I don't know about you, but living after the manner of happiness sounds pretty awesome to me. 

It might seem like a catch-22, but even though work is hard and unenjoyable at times, it truly does open the doors to a whole flood of wonderful blessings. Says Elder D. Todd Christofferson:

I have found these words to be so true in my life. Work truly is a grand blessing-- not a horrible curse. Just like the people of Nephi, we can "live in the manner of happiness" as we are diligent in our labors. 

As the beloved hymn says, work truly is Sweet. [Sweeter than sugar and ice cream, I might add!]

May we all willingly partake of it's deliciousness,

♥ Sarah

sprinklesonmyicecream.blogspot.com

Whitney Whitney Blog Swap

Hey guys! It's blog swap time! This where I take over my friend Whitney's blog, and she takes over mine! After you finish this post, check out my post at The Life of a Mormon Teen!

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Hey everyone! I’m the other Whitney, the author of The Life of a Mormon Teen! Whitney and I are doing a little blog swap! Be sure to visit my blog for her post! 

Today the youth in my ward had a temple trip. Because the temple is two and half hours away, we only get to go twice a year, usually. The temple is my favorite place. Ever. Hands down. For real. I love how incredibly strong the Spirit is each time I go there. I love feeling how the veil is so much thinner. I love the serenity of people lovingly speaking softly so that the Holy Ghost may richly abide in that hallowed house. In short, I love everything about the temple. 

I remember a couple years ago I was at the temple with the youth and realized something really important- I realized that I was home. Home in the house of the Lord. I remember the significance sinking into my soul, deepening my understanding and love of the temple. I was in awe that for just a few hours, I could literally be in heaven on earth. I could be back in my Father’s presence, almost. I remember touching the walls, staring at the ceiling and chandeliers, and feeling that enveloping sense of peace as I repeated over and over in my head, “I am home. I am home. I’m at home”. It was beautiful.

My grandfather gave me some sound counsel which I shall never forget a few days before I embarked to the temple for the first time at age twelve. He said, “One of the first times your mom saw your dad was at a young single adult temple trip. That is the best place to find worthy young men with whom to spend your time, and eventually, one with whom you will spend eternity. Choose to date young men who you can go on temple trips with, because you know they live their lives worthy of the house of the Lord”.  Seriously. How wise is that? This advice has stuck with me, and will stay with me forever. I plan on telling my future kids this.

Setting the temple as our goal is so essential. Prophets counsel us to keep our eyes on the temple at almost every general conference. The temple ordinances are the keys to exaltation and eternal happiness. I have something really cool I want to tell you about that- a really cool way to visualize that goal. So, I was in the Nauvoo temple two years ago with the youth in my ward. We were finishing up and waiting on a few slow pokes, but the temple workers needed to move those of us who were finished from the chapel area of the temple to a different waiting spot because another group needed to the chapel.  We were moved to a little lounge-type place at the foot of a beautiful spiral staircase. I remember standing at the foot of those stairs wanting more desperately than anything to ascend them and discover what lay beyond the doors above. I recall yearning to learn of and make the covenants which I knew were taking place on the higher floors. I imagined wearing a beautiful white dress, and being led up the stairs by a handsome man in white, my future husband, whoever he may be. At that moment, I knew that I’d allow nothing to stop me from eventually ascending that magnificent spiral staircase. I would not justify any sin nor temptation which would impede my progress there. To me, the spiral staircase in the Nauvoo temple is a very visual and personal reminder of what I can have when I remain righteous and strive to follow my Savior.

Each of us is capable of being worthy of attending the temple. If you aren’t, become so! You will not find greater joy than that of attending the temple. It’ll be the best decision of your life.  I know it’s hard, sometimes, to stay on the straight and narrow, but it’s so worth it! It really is! You’ll have no idea of the joy you’ll find until you try!

So, I’ll see you there?

Whitney

The Life of a Mormon Teen