THREE {the real reason for the Season}

Merry Christmas everyone! And boy has it been a good one.

On Sunday my good friend Raegan was giving a lesson in Sunday School. She shared a story that I instantly fell in love with. It's a story that follows the lives of three special trees and what they would tell you if they could talk. This story is the perfect story for this special occasion we celebrate on the 25th of December every year, but it also lays out a pattern we should follow during the other 264 days of our lives. This is the Story of the Three Trees:

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."
Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."
Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter,"and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree the woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one," and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay.
This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
May your day be blessed. And until we meet again, may God cradle you in the palm of His hand.


As we celebrate Christmas we often make the mistake of leaving baby Jesus in the manger. We decorate with nativity sets and we sing of silent night, but we forget that Jesus didn't stay in the manger for very long.

On the last day before leaving on Christmas break I was sitting in a seminary assembly when we learned about the three levels of Christmas.

The first level is the level of Jingle Bells and Santa Clause. It is the level of stalkings and Rudolph, It is the level of elves and toys. While this level is fun, it often distracts from the more important levels of Christmas.

The second level is one of Jesus Christs birth. It includes silent night and nativity sets. When people tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, it is the second level in which they celebrate. While this is the most popular level when it comes to Christian Christmases, it is not the level we should stop at. Christ's birth was the most magnificent birth, but there is so much more to be celebrated when it comes to celebrating Christ. I do not remember who said it, but there is a quote that says "the man who leaves baby Jesus in the manger will be sorely disappointed." It is often said that if it wasn't for Christ's Atoning sacrifice, his birth would have been just another birth.

The third level of Christmas is possibly the most magnificent. The third level of Christmas follows Christ through the rest of his mortal ministry, and can also follow us into the rest of our year if we let it. This is the level of the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This level of Christmas celebrates Jesus as the Christ. Jesus was foreordained before the earth was created to become our Savior, by suffering for all of our pains and afflictions, atoning for our sins, and ultimately suffering the pains of death so that we might be able to return to live with our Father in Heaven if we might repent. The third level of Christmas is the real reason for the season.


I love the above story because it does not leave baby Jesus in the manger, but also gives a small glimpse into his life and ministry, as well as give a reminder as to why Christ is so celebrated this season; because of his Atonement. 

I also love this story because it invites you to place yourself into Christ's story. It is a reminder that while Christ's birth, life, and death are the greatest gift you have ever been given, it will prophet you nothing unless you accept him into your life and follow his commandments. 

As this Christmas season comes to a close I hope you all take a minute to celebrate the real reason for the season, and in the words of Adam, our seminary council president, "I invite you to dedicate some time to our Savior, and appreciate his eternal sacrifice and his condescension, so that all mankind may be saved. It is his birthday after all!"


I love you all so much and am thankful for you every day of my life. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the joy I can summon. 




feel my sunlight






p.s. Santa brought me mission luggage! And fun fact... I can fit inside it! haha

 

Conference: called to serve

Oh how beautiful is the sunshine pouring down from the sky and oh how neglected this blog has been this week. I mean, we had conference and I have yet to blog about it... SHESH! I need to get with the program.

So.... CONFERENCE!!!! 

Conference was fantastic. Incredibly extremely entirely fantastic. I took an entire 60 pages of notes. Yes you read that right....60 PAGES! Granted, I write really BIG and I also draw a lot of pictures that take up space, but still, this should count for some kind of record. Feel free to send me any awards.

This conference brought so much peace and direction into my life just when I needed it the most. 

This conference weekend has reaffirmed my desire to serve a mission in a year and a half. I love this gospel with all my heart and I can honestly say that if the prophet called me up and asked me to leave tomorrow I would go without giving it a second thought. I don't know how I'm going to survive the year and half wait, but I think my mom is glad the wait is there. Oh how I desire to obtain a name tag.

Thanks to this reaffirmed desire, I have spent much of my free time pouring over missionary blogs, pinning missionary things on pinterest, and scrolling through the comments on this facebook page for sisters who are preparing to serve missions. Which is probably why this blog has remained untouched.

So since I am not able to leave on a mission right now I think I'll make this quote my new goal. Whose with me?

So you watched conference... now what? The end of conference is a time to change. It is a time to re-evaluate your life and to see the areas where you could become better. Its a time to listen to the Lord speak through the voice of prophets. The words spoken in conference are true and if we follow what they say we will become better and we will become more like Christ.

I saw a tweet about conference that said

"Day one: take notes

 Day two: take notes

     Day three: take action"

Although it may be "day six" when it comes to conference (thanks to my lack of blogging) we still have time to take action. For me it is becoming a better missionary.

I know that if we follow the words of the prophets and we apply what they say into out lives that we will notice a change in ourselves. I have a testimony of this gospel and I believe it to be true with all my heart. I found so much joy in conference and I can't wait to take action.

What action are you going to take?

feel my sunlight

p.s. for those of you who missed conference you can watch it HERE!

p.s.s. GUYS!! My bangs are finally long enough to fit into a ponytail without being braided!
*cue happy dance music*
*proceed to happy dance*

Of One Fold and One Shepherd

Whoa! Blogging two days in a row? I'm on a roll guys.

I want to share with you a video. This video is put on a playlist in seven parts. This video speaks of the coming of Christ to the Americas as written about in the Book of Mormon. This is something unique to the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints in the sense that we other religions do not have this record or do not teach that it is true. I testify to you that it is true.

In John 10:16 in the New Testament, Christ spoke saying;

"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

In saying this he was speaking about those in the Americas. After he was resurrected he visited these people. These people were the ancestors of the Native Americans. The Book of Mormon is a record of these people and Christ's ministry to them. The Book of Mormon is not meant to replace the Bible, but to serve as "another testament of Jesus Christ."

This video is a depiction of Christ's coming to the Americas. I encourage you to take the time to watch it and to read The Book of Mormon and gain a testimony for yourself that it is true.






I have a testimony of The Book of Mormon. I have read it and I know for myself that it is true and that Christ really did minister to his children in the Americas. He has come before and he will come again.



feel my sunlight



p.s. Another HUGE shout out to Dallin for being elected into office! Way to be awesome!

life is beautiful

Life is beautiful and people are wonderful.

I know It might not always seem true, but it is.

The way the light kisses the wood floor, the way the baby waves at you from under the table, the kind words spoken by people you look up to, the way the sun peaks over the mountain early in the morning, The encouraging words from a teacher, the people that take time to talk to you, the sweet spirit shared in sacrament meeting, the affects of the atonement felt, The way your headphones send music of Christ to your eardrums. The long meetings made fun. The way people testify of truth, the smiles shared, the laughs that become contagious, The excited texts your get from friends, the way the baby falls asleep in your arms, the joy shared thought the room.

And this was only what happened today.

Now add that to yesterday and tomorrow, and life is a beautiful thing.

I'd be ungrateful if I didn't write this post to thank God for all he has done for me. Don't get me wrong, life is hard and trials are ever present, but with the Lord even trials can become beautiful.

{Random insert: Need some AWESOME music? Click right HERE and check the box "Strength of Youth Media" I promise you will not be able to listen to it without smiling. BONUS! It's 100% clean!}

An awesome lady spoke in my ward today I loved when she said

  "isn't life a great adventure? 

It has it's ups and downs,             

      we never know what is 

around the corner,         

  but still, it is 

worth living." 

I've spent some time recently with some people who have less than good things to say about life. To these people I say keep going, focus on God, and let him show you who you are to him. Because,

"most of the confusion in our lives come from not knowing who we are"

                                   -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

You my friend, are a beloved son or daughter of God. He loves you and he wants nothing for greatness for you. Sometimes greatness comes through broken roads. If your in the middle of a hard time, maybe your just a currant bush.

If your stuck in a rut the best thing to do is to

"forget yourself and go to work"

          -Bryant S. Hinkley

because "those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."
                                                                  -J.M. Barrie

    

I hope you know that you are GLORIOUS and ETERNAL, that 

"Your future is as Bright as your faith" -president Monson,

 and that you can change the world.

You are incredible.

People are wonderful.

 Life is beautiful.

Look up.

feel my sunlight

p.s. ASL is an awesome language. It's also an awesome class that everybody should take. Just sayin. 

    

perfected.

Life is a beautiful thing.

Sorry I've been away for the last 9 days. End of semester struggles. Ya feel me?

So I must first say thank you to my incredible coaches and team mates who have propelled me over the last little bit. And thank you Sandy for spending so much time with out team this week! You rock!

Yesterday marked the start of competition season for the year. Whooo!

For those of you who don't know, I am a competitive power tumbler. A power what? Power tumbling. It's a great thing. Watch this video. (I'm nowhere near that good, but you get the idea.)

Like I said, yesterday was the start of competition season and I finished out my first meet in third place with a score of 53.7. I'm pretty happy with it and am so thankful for my coaches and team mates who propelled me to where I am right now. I love you guys!

Even more, I am thankful that I even had the chance to compete.

Two days ago I was riding home from school in my friends little car when we collided with a school bus.

Nobody walked a way with even a scratch on their body.

This proved as a great awakening for me. Here we are, in a little tiny car, crashing into a moving bus. We shouldn't be this okay.

It shook me awake and made me realize that

we never know when we will be called home.

Nobody knows when the time will come for them to meet their maker. We need to be forever prepared for this experience because that moment can come in the blink of an eye when you least expect it.

For me I was fortunate enough to be given more time, but with that comes responsibility to be better.

I hope you take that responsibility too. 

I love this quote from the teachings of Lorenzo Snow that says:

"Do not expect to become perfect at once. If you do, you will be disappointed. Be better today than you were yesterday, and be better tomorrow than you are today. The temptations that perhaps partially overcome us today, let them not overcome us so far tomorrow. Thus continue to be a little better day by day; and do not let your life wear away without accomplishing good to others as well as to ourselves."

“Come unto Christ, 

and be perfected 

in him, and

 deny yourselves 

of all ungodliness”

-Moroni 10:32

Let's become perfect.

On a slightly unrelated note, if you happen to have 59 minutes and 55 seconds of free time over the next few days I encourage you to watch this awesome video about Thomas S. Monson. It's great.

    

feel my sunlight


p.s. My soul smiles because the sun is shining. It's a good day. 
p.s.s. Thank you thank you thank you to my AP English teacher for being merciful.

H A P P Y C H R I S T M A S

Guess what everybody! I'm a REAL blogger now!!

I got a big fancy pants camera from Santa and I'm very excited about it. For those of you who were wondering its a Canon Rebel xsi. Pictures of random objects to come.

I thought I'd do a quick post before we go to breakfast at our cousin's house to wish you all a very

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!

Last night we had our annual Christmas Eve party at my Grandparent's house. We did white elephants and I think mine requires to be shared. This is my family... as the Avengers. Enjoy!

Here are a few free printables/e-cards for your Christmas holiday. Feel free to print/share/save them!

AANNNDDD... for the spiritual portion of this Christmas facebook post.



Here are two videos that I highly recommend you watch if you haven't already. If you have seen them feel free to watch them again. They are FANTASTIC! I especially enjoy the adorable little lamb in the first video. So adorable.













I'd like to add my testimony to the videos above. Christ's birth was the most significant event in the history of mankind, but without the things he did during his life his birth would be just that, another birth. I know that he suffered for our sins, our pains, and our afflictions, and he ultimately died for us so that we can return to live with him. We are here on this earth to become more like him and I pray that this Christmas can be a reminder to you of what he did FOR YOU. Let him in your life and follow him. He loves you.


Merry Christmas!


Feel my Sunlight


p.s. My readers are my favorite. They really are.

his love

Christ, to the world, appeared as nothing special. He came as all do and grew as all do. He was despised of man and men failed to see who he really was and what he did. He carried the pains and trials of the very men who beat him and hung him on the cross. He came as a lamb to the slaughter so that we, his sheep, might live. But still, we reject him. He was the greatest loved by the Father, and the greatest forgotten by the world. He watches us as we go astray and he is forever calling for us to come home. He watches us run, but never, ever stops loving us. His is our savior, our redeemer, our protective brother, a perfect soul. He did everything for us, and he remains the person we know the least. He knows what we are going through. He knows every tear shed, every pain felt, ever wrong done, every guilt faced. He loved you enough to die for you. He loves you still. Go to him and feel his love.

I feel such peace knowing that the one who was perfect beyond measure, took upon the pain of the world so that he might be able to understand the weight of the world. He knows the world, but more importantly, he knows me. He knows my tears and my heartaches. He knows you.


Trials come inevitably. It is our choice to reach out to him.


feel my sunlight


p.s. If you liked this post, read Mosiah 13.
p.s.s. My team mates and coaches are the greatest. I love them all. Shout out to them!