Sunday, May 4, 2014
A Collection of 'Short' Stories: When you give Jolyn a pen...
A Collection of 'Short' Stories: When you give Jolyn a pen...: I went to an amazing fireside this evening. Elder Ballard spoke via broadcast and touched on 3 pretty big topics that seem to be talked ab...
When you give Jolyn a pen...
I went to an amazing fireside this evening. Elder Ballard spoke via broadcast and touched on 3 pretty big topics that seem to be talked about a lot in the church recently (and for good reasons). One of the things he talked about was sharing our testimony of this gospel, the gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, using our technology. So, I thought I would do so by sharing my notes on the fireside and the Senior testimony meeting that was held afterwards.
When you give Jolyn a pen.... She writes a lot. I enjoy writing and taking notes. And when the firesides are this amazing, I write quite a bit. It's all stuff I enjoy reading over again, and I hope you enjoy it too:
Soon, we the youth will be the leaders of the church. It won't be too long before we're all bishop leaders or relief society leaders.
The 12 apostles all have very different personalities. So, when they come together on a decision, you know it was decided under much prayer.
1. Technology-
We cannot stand on the sidelines and let others define what the church believes. Be a part of the conversation - share your testimony via social media.
Clear sky and natural silence are hard to come by in our highly developed world. Life is busy. Do you have any personal, quiet time? If you do not - seek for some. Be still and listen. Everyone needs time to contemplate and meditate.
Have regular, personal interviews with yourself every once in a while. "Be still, and know that I am God."
Smartphones are indeed smart; they need to remain our servants (posting uplifting things), and not our masters (randomly surfing the internet to kill time).
Never let technology interfere with your relationship with your family, friends, or your Heavenly Father. Actually TALK to one another, not just text. Visit with those near by. Visit with your family - visit with your extended family when you get the chance.
Leave your phone off during church.
Be more responsible with technology.
The church has always adapted advances to technology - this does not mean that we should adopt the evil of technology.
Just like the words of the prophets of old were read on scrolls, we can "scroll" too. Even if your are "scrolling" on our phones/ipods and reading good and worthy things, it all needs to be put away during the actual sacrament portion of our sacrament meeting. We can all set distractions aside for just a few minutes to take a moment to think about the Savior and his Atonement.
Unplug every once in a while. Be still, and know the things of God.
Go to the temple, go as often as you can. Turn off your phones before you reach the temple grounds. If you are not worthy right now to enter into the temple, visit the temple grounds as preparation, and be worthy as soon as you can.
Satan doesn't even want you to get near the temple.
Focus on feeling the power and the presence of the Lord while in the temple, His house.
Satan works day and night to confuse us. The temple can help us sort out those confusing thoughts.
Satan wants you to stop good habits and stay on the sidelines.
That war against sin is real. It continues from the beginning of time.
Put on the WHOLE armor of God. Don't wait until you're older - the Lord needs you now.
Be modern day Stripling Warriors. Be true at all times and with all things.
2. Pornography:
Tobacco was against the Lord's Word of Wisdom before scientists knew the harmful effects. We don't have to wait to discover the destructive effects of pornography.
It can rewire and imprison the mind. It causes dangerous miscommunitcation. It conditions people to see others as objects, not human beings.
Keeping secrets damages trust. It kills genuine, human relationships. As surely as the most deadly poison kills the body. It's addictive, do whatever you can to STOP NOW.
You can over come ANY addiction, always, with the Savior's assistance. Find help and lds.org.
3. The Church's Position on Marriage:
The family is ordained of God. Children are entitled to be born into a faithful, married couple of a man and a woman.
Same-sex intimacy and marriage are serious sins that need to be taken seriously.
It is NOT an issue of Civil Rights, it is an issue of morality. Changes in civil law do not change God's eternal moral law; in fact, it can not. Please, review and teach this doctrine.
Every opinion deserves respect
Everyone deserves respect, even if they need some gentle and loving guidance.
You may be looked as a bigot for upholding these beliefs. Though we cannot tolerate same-sex marriage, we must love those in these truly complex situations. Never shun, but love and try to help them.
No one should ignore or discount the commandments of God. The attraction is not a sin, acting on the attraction is.
Again, it is a complex reality for many people. Love, do not shun.
The gospel is the good news (literally, the word gospel means good news), and it is a gospel of hope. If you need help, seek it now. In all things come unto Christ. In all things remember Him. Nothing can separate us from the love of God because of Jesus Christ.
Become the modern Stripling Warriors. We KNOW in the end, the Lord will win the day. Satan will not win. Share this good news - Share the gospel.
You may be in danger of ridicule and disdain, but you cannot retreat. Like the Savior, we cannot shrink away when ridicule arrives. Do not worry about those who mock in the "Great and Spacious Building." Do not be those who were ashamed after they ate the glorious fruit they worked so hard to get.
I am helping God as I am reaching out to help others learn about the gospel and share my testimony.
There is a time and a place for social media - Now is the time. Use it wisely. God will always bless you in your efforts. Be calm, and know that God does live. Heavenly Father is watching over you. He is preparing the world - He is preparing YOU for Christ's second coming.
God need you now.
In about 3 weeks, you can watch the devotional for yourself here:
https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/ces-devotionals
After this devotional, there was a testimony for the seniors that are graduating seminary in 2 weeks from today. It was so cool to be able to hear the thoughts, stories and testimonies of my peers. Some of these people I've know and gone to school with for 5 years now (and for those who move around a lot *me* that's an accomplishment!). I look up to those guys and I love them so much. (Yeah, that means you!) It was a great experience, and here are some thoughts from these amazing kids that I recorded:
(Talking about missionary work): Rejection is not failure. God still loves them and you've helped plant a seed in their heart.
Don't just believe IN Christ, believe Christ and His words.
Don't pray to take trials away. Pray every day to have strength to make it through and overcome your trials.
Doubt your doubts. Never doubt your faith in Jesus Christ.
This Gospel is worth any sacrifice we can make.
-----
I have a testimony of all these things that have been said tonight, and of all the things I have written down. I KNOW that this gospel is true. I now the Book of Mormon is true. I know Joseph Smith is a true prophet and that president Monson is our true prophet today. I know the prophets and apostles are ordained men of God who are able to give the words of God to us in our time. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Have a fantastic day! And keep you head up darlin'!
~Jolyn Short
Stripling Warriors: https://www.lds.org/friend/1996/10/stripling-warriors?lang=eng&query=stripling+warriors
Atonement: https://www.lds.org/topics/atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng
Tree of Life: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-08-1100-the-tree-of-life-as-a-symbol-of-jesus-christ-and-his-atonement?lang=eng
Sacrament Meeting: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/sacrament-meeting-and-the-sacrament?lang=eng
Testimony: http://www.mormon.org/faq/purpose-of-testimony
When you give Jolyn a pen.... She writes a lot. I enjoy writing and taking notes. And when the firesides are this amazing, I write quite a bit. It's all stuff I enjoy reading over again, and I hope you enjoy it too:
Soon, we the youth will be the leaders of the church. It won't be too long before we're all bishop leaders or relief society leaders.
The 12 apostles all have very different personalities. So, when they come together on a decision, you know it was decided under much prayer.
1. Technology-
We cannot stand on the sidelines and let others define what the church believes. Be a part of the conversation - share your testimony via social media.
Clear sky and natural silence are hard to come by in our highly developed world. Life is busy. Do you have any personal, quiet time? If you do not - seek for some. Be still and listen. Everyone needs time to contemplate and meditate.
Have regular, personal interviews with yourself every once in a while. "Be still, and know that I am God."
Smartphones are indeed smart; they need to remain our servants (posting uplifting things), and not our masters (randomly surfing the internet to kill time).
Never let technology interfere with your relationship with your family, friends, or your Heavenly Father. Actually TALK to one another, not just text. Visit with those near by. Visit with your family - visit with your extended family when you get the chance.
Leave your phone off during church.
Be more responsible with technology.
The church has always adapted advances to technology - this does not mean that we should adopt the evil of technology.
Just like the words of the prophets of old were read on scrolls, we can "scroll" too. Even if your are "scrolling" on our phones/ipods and reading good and worthy things, it all needs to be put away during the actual sacrament portion of our sacrament meeting. We can all set distractions aside for just a few minutes to take a moment to think about the Savior and his Atonement.
Unplug every once in a while. Be still, and know the things of God.
Go to the temple, go as often as you can. Turn off your phones before you reach the temple grounds. If you are not worthy right now to enter into the temple, visit the temple grounds as preparation, and be worthy as soon as you can.
Satan doesn't even want you to get near the temple.
Focus on feeling the power and the presence of the Lord while in the temple, His house.
Satan works day and night to confuse us. The temple can help us sort out those confusing thoughts.
Satan wants you to stop good habits and stay on the sidelines.
That war against sin is real. It continues from the beginning of time.
Put on the WHOLE armor of God. Don't wait until you're older - the Lord needs you now.
Be modern day Stripling Warriors. Be true at all times and with all things.
2. Pornography:
Tobacco was against the Lord's Word of Wisdom before scientists knew the harmful effects. We don't have to wait to discover the destructive effects of pornography.
It can rewire and imprison the mind. It causes dangerous miscommunitcation. It conditions people to see others as objects, not human beings.
Keeping secrets damages trust. It kills genuine, human relationships. As surely as the most deadly poison kills the body. It's addictive, do whatever you can to STOP NOW.
You can over come ANY addiction, always, with the Savior's assistance. Find help and lds.org.
3. The Church's Position on Marriage:
The family is ordained of God. Children are entitled to be born into a faithful, married couple of a man and a woman.
Same-sex intimacy and marriage are serious sins that need to be taken seriously.
It is NOT an issue of Civil Rights, it is an issue of morality. Changes in civil law do not change God's eternal moral law; in fact, it can not. Please, review and teach this doctrine.
Every opinion deserves respect
Everyone deserves respect, even if they need some gentle and loving guidance.
You may be looked as a bigot for upholding these beliefs. Though we cannot tolerate same-sex marriage, we must love those in these truly complex situations. Never shun, but love and try to help them.
No one should ignore or discount the commandments of God. The attraction is not a sin, acting on the attraction is.
Again, it is a complex reality for many people. Love, do not shun.
The gospel is the good news (literally, the word gospel means good news), and it is a gospel of hope. If you need help, seek it now. In all things come unto Christ. In all things remember Him. Nothing can separate us from the love of God because of Jesus Christ.
Become the modern Stripling Warriors. We KNOW in the end, the Lord will win the day. Satan will not win. Share this good news - Share the gospel.
You may be in danger of ridicule and disdain, but you cannot retreat. Like the Savior, we cannot shrink away when ridicule arrives. Do not worry about those who mock in the "Great and Spacious Building." Do not be those who were ashamed after they ate the glorious fruit they worked so hard to get.
I am helping God as I am reaching out to help others learn about the gospel and share my testimony.
There is a time and a place for social media - Now is the time. Use it wisely. God will always bless you in your efforts. Be calm, and know that God does live. Heavenly Father is watching over you. He is preparing the world - He is preparing YOU for Christ's second coming.
God need you now.
In about 3 weeks, you can watch the devotional for yourself here:
https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/ces-devotionals
After this devotional, there was a testimony for the seniors that are graduating seminary in 2 weeks from today. It was so cool to be able to hear the thoughts, stories and testimonies of my peers. Some of these people I've know and gone to school with for 5 years now (and for those who move around a lot *me* that's an accomplishment!). I look up to those guys and I love them so much. (Yeah, that means you!) It was a great experience, and here are some thoughts from these amazing kids that I recorded:
(Talking about missionary work): Rejection is not failure. God still loves them and you've helped plant a seed in their heart.
Don't just believe IN Christ, believe Christ and His words.
Don't pray to take trials away. Pray every day to have strength to make it through and overcome your trials.
Doubt your doubts. Never doubt your faith in Jesus Christ.
This Gospel is worth any sacrifice we can make.
-----
I have a testimony of all these things that have been said tonight, and of all the things I have written down. I KNOW that this gospel is true. I now the Book of Mormon is true. I know Joseph Smith is a true prophet and that president Monson is our true prophet today. I know the prophets and apostles are ordained men of God who are able to give the words of God to us in our time. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Have a fantastic day! And keep you head up darlin'!
~Jolyn Short
Stripling Warriors: https://www.lds.org/friend/1996/10/stripling-warriors?lang=eng&query=stripling+warriors
Atonement: https://www.lds.org/topics/atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng
Tree of Life: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-08-1100-the-tree-of-life-as-a-symbol-of-jesus-christ-and-his-atonement?lang=eng
Sacrament Meeting: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/sacrament-meeting-and-the-sacrament?lang=eng
Testimony: http://www.mormon.org/faq/purpose-of-testimony
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
What does Easter mean?
What better day to resurrect my blog than on resurrection day? Haha...
I love Easter. I love Spring.
Spring wasn't always my favorite season. In fact, it used to be my least favorite at some point. Don't ask me why, I don't remember. You may ask me why it's my favorite though:
I knew the basics of what Easter was about. I know that Easter was the day we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I knew (although I was very confused about this in my earlier years) that baby chicks, baby bunnies, and flower were all symbols of new life and new beginnings, both of which were made possible by the one and only Jesus Christ.
I have had the privilege of having this knowledge for as long as I can remember, and for that I am grateful. However, it hasn't been until the recent years of my life where I took the time to ponder the true meaning of Easter, what it meat to those in Christ's time, and what is means to me now.
For those of you who aren't too familiar with Christianity or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I just used a bunch of church jargon you may not understand. Let me take the time now to define and simplify some of what I have said and what I am going to say:
Ponder: To take the time to think deeply about something and internalize the idea. Like taking a tangled mess in your brain and sorting it out to a point where you can understand it; or taking something you understand pretty well and gain a deeper understanding and application to your own life.
Apostle: Those Jesus Christ called to help teach the gospel, or the message Christ was to teach us.
Atonement: The process Jesus went through to atone for our sins, meaning He suffered the full penalty for our sins so we don't have to when we repent. It includes His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, His Crucifixion, and His Resurrection.
https://www.lds.org/topics/atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-miracle-of-the-atonement?lang=eng
Jesus Christ: The son of God who performed the atonement. Our brother. The only begotten son of God. What does that mean? Here: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2010/12/jesus-christ-is-the-only-begotten-son-of-god?lang=eng
Resurrection: Rising from the dead. Coming back to life. Christ's Resurrection made it so we can all live again one day.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2000/04/resurrection
Crucifixion: Christ was sentenced to death by those who were against them and those He taught. He was put to death on the cross. What this to see what that day entailed:
https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/jesus-is-scourged-and-crucified?lang=eng
Repentance: Recognizing wrongdoings and asking forgiveness from God. A change of heart so that sin is no longer desirable to you.
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2003/11/repentance-and-change
Garden of Gethsemane: Where Jesus felt every pain that ever had been or will be felt by every human being that ever lived and will live. Because of this, justice for sin is appeased, we can be shown mercy and we can be forgiven; we can change.
https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/the-savior-suffers-in-gethsemane?lang=eng
Spirit World: Where we go after we die. We wait in either spirit prison or spirit paradise for judgement day.
https://www.lds.org/liahona/1977/12/the-spirit-world-our-next-home?lang=eng
Ordinances: Steps we take in order to make it back to live with Heavenly Father (heaven).
https://www.lds.org/topics/ordinances?lang=eng&query=ordinances+and+covenants
If you have any more questions or if you want clarification, feel free to ask or go to lds.org. Just type in anything you want to learn more about into the search bar and a list of articles and videos on that topic will come up.
This is also a great source:
https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/36863_eng.pdf OR
https://www.lds.org/manual/true-to-the-faith?lang=eng
Happy Searching!
Now back to my story.
One of my favorite feelings is the feeling of relief. When that feeling of pain finally goes away; when you wake up from a terrible nightmare and realize it was just a dream; when you find out your friend isn't actually going to move; or when you realize that huge assignment isn't actually due tomorrow. It's a great feeling. However, the relief, excitement, and overwhelming joy these situations might bring is only a drop in the ocean of relief, excitement and overwhelming joy felt on that first Easter morning. It's a feeling that millions of people got to feel. It was certainly a glorious morning.
Image yourselves in these situations:
For the people in the Americas:
The day after Christ was crucified, there was a day of darkness and storms. Imagine waking up and realizing that the sun isn't coming up today. Your hear thunder, you hear screams, you may have no idea where your family and friends are. This went on for a night, a day, and a night. For those who did not know about Christ, they were scared and had no idea what was going on. For those who did know about Christ, odds were they also knew that this darkness was a sign of Christ's death. So not only did they have to deal with the darkness and the storms, they had to deal with the grief of knowing their Savior was now gone off the Earth.
3 Nephi 8: 20, 23 -
20 And it came to pass that there was thick darkness upon all the face of the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof who had not fallen could afeel the bvapor of darkness;
23 And it came to pass that it did last for the space of three days that there was no light seen; and there was great mourning andahowling and weeping among all the people continually; yea, great were the groanings of the people, because of the darkness and the great destruction which had come upon them.
https://www.lds.org/manual/book-of-mormon-student-manual/chapter-40-3-nephi-8-11?lang=eng
For those in Christ's Community:
They experienced this similar darkness for 3 hours after Christ passed away. On top of that, many of the people in this community knew Christ, were blessed by Him, were given hope through Him, and loved Him. His dearest friends grieved for the loss of their friend. His parents, Mary and Joseph, grieved for the loss of their son. His apostles were feeling this plus a sense of, I think, "What in the world do we do now?" I can only image the pain of these people experienced during this time.
Then, Sunday morning came.
That morning Mary Magdalene, came with others to Christ's tomb only to find it empty. You can imagine her fear in not knowing where her friend's body was, or whether or not it was stolen. She sat in a garden crying when a man came up to her and asked why she was sorrowful. Mary, not knowing who she was talking to, asked where the body had been taken so that she could take it away. Imagine her joy, surprise, and overwhelming relief to see Jesus Christ standing next to her.
For those in the Americas, the storms subsided and the light came back. Soon enough, those believers in the Americas would get to see their long-awaited resurrected Savior with their own eyes.
What a glorious morning.
I love this story. To me, it's one of the greatest examples of "blessings in disguise." You know, like when you lose a job and turn around to find one a million times better for you, when you miss the bus and end up meeting an old friend you haven't seen in years, or when you get sick and have to miss a hike that you might have broken you leg on. Those kinds of things.
Well, in this case, a tragedy for thousands of people turned out to be a miraculous blessing for not only them, but for all who ever did live and ever will live (Hey, that's us!).
We call this miraculous blessing the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
It gave us a purpose here.
He gave us a pathway back to our Heavenly Father.
Without it, we would be doomed to be dead bodies laying the ground for eternity.
What does that mean to me?
First of all, I'm not doomed to be a dead body in the ground forever, that's a nice feeling. I get to be a perfect being one day, a perfect, resurrected being with a heavenly purpose.
I will always have someone who can say "I KNOW how you feel." The day before He was crucified, Christ made this possible in the Garden of Gethsemane. He felt all of our pains, all of my pains, exactly as we would feel them so he could empathize with us. He went through this so He could know exactly how to heal us and make us feel better. Now that's love. (That's right, Christ loves YOU!)
I will be able to be with my family for eternity. I can see my Padre again. I can be sealed to my future family just like I am sealed to my current family. Death is NOT the end. It is only a transition. This is something I didn't know until recently, but the Saturday between Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, He set the foundations for temples. He established away for those in the spirit world (our ancestors) to learn about the gospel and have a chance to accept it. Because of that Saturday, we have missionaries in the spirit world just like here on earth. Down here, we have the opportunity do family history work and perform saving ordinances in the temple for our ancestors that they didn't get the chance to do down here.
I have reason for hope. Satan has already been conquered. I know that thinks will work out, and that everything will be okay. Whether it be the biggest of worries or smallest of concerns, I know things will work out in the end.
Hang on my friends. Hang on through your 'dark days,' and know that the light will come.
This is what Easter means to me. Hope that light will always break though the darkness. Always. If not now in this life, it certainly will in the eternities. Keep your chin up darlin'! And yes, I mean you!
Happy Easter everyone.
I love Easter. I love Spring.
Spring wasn't always my favorite season. In fact, it used to be my least favorite at some point. Don't ask me why, I don't remember. You may ask me why it's my favorite though:
- It's beautiful! I love all of the flowers and colors. Especially the yellow bushes that pop up everywhere, they're my favorite!
- There's popcorn on the apricot trees!
- Confused? Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiRVaey_OCA
- I still remember the morning I looked into my back yard at my apricot trees and though "Oh! That's where the song gets it!" Cool stuff my friends.
- It's warming up. No more freezing cold weather! (Well, sometimes.)
- New Beginnings. It's a chance for change.
- Why?
- Easter!
I knew the basics of what Easter was about. I know that Easter was the day we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I knew (although I was very confused about this in my earlier years) that baby chicks, baby bunnies, and flower were all symbols of new life and new beginnings, both of which were made possible by the one and only Jesus Christ.
I have had the privilege of having this knowledge for as long as I can remember, and for that I am grateful. However, it hasn't been until the recent years of my life where I took the time to ponder the true meaning of Easter, what it meat to those in Christ's time, and what is means to me now.
For those of you who aren't too familiar with Christianity or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I just used a bunch of church jargon you may not understand. Let me take the time now to define and simplify some of what I have said and what I am going to say:
Ponder: To take the time to think deeply about something and internalize the idea. Like taking a tangled mess in your brain and sorting it out to a point where you can understand it; or taking something you understand pretty well and gain a deeper understanding and application to your own life.
Apostle: Those Jesus Christ called to help teach the gospel, or the message Christ was to teach us.
Atonement: The process Jesus went through to atone for our sins, meaning He suffered the full penalty for our sins so we don't have to when we repent. It includes His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, His Crucifixion, and His Resurrection.
https://www.lds.org/topics/atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-miracle-of-the-atonement?lang=eng
Jesus Christ: The son of God who performed the atonement. Our brother. The only begotten son of God. What does that mean? Here: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2010/12/jesus-christ-is-the-only-begotten-son-of-god?lang=eng
Resurrection: Rising from the dead. Coming back to life. Christ's Resurrection made it so we can all live again one day.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2000/04/resurrection
Crucifixion: Christ was sentenced to death by those who were against them and those He taught. He was put to death on the cross. What this to see what that day entailed:
https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/jesus-is-scourged-and-crucified?lang=eng
Repentance: Recognizing wrongdoings and asking forgiveness from God. A change of heart so that sin is no longer desirable to you.
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2003/11/repentance-and-change
Garden of Gethsemane: Where Jesus felt every pain that ever had been or will be felt by every human being that ever lived and will live. Because of this, justice for sin is appeased, we can be shown mercy and we can be forgiven; we can change.
https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/the-savior-suffers-in-gethsemane?lang=eng
Spirit World: Where we go after we die. We wait in either spirit prison or spirit paradise for judgement day.
https://www.lds.org/liahona/1977/12/the-spirit-world-our-next-home?lang=eng
Ordinances: Steps we take in order to make it back to live with Heavenly Father (heaven).
https://www.lds.org/topics/ordinances?lang=eng&query=ordinances+and+covenants
If you have any more questions or if you want clarification, feel free to ask or go to lds.org. Just type in anything you want to learn more about into the search bar and a list of articles and videos on that topic will come up.
This is also a great source:
https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/36863_eng.pdf OR
https://www.lds.org/manual/true-to-the-faith?lang=eng
Happy Searching!
Now back to my story.
One of my favorite feelings is the feeling of relief. When that feeling of pain finally goes away; when you wake up from a terrible nightmare and realize it was just a dream; when you find out your friend isn't actually going to move; or when you realize that huge assignment isn't actually due tomorrow. It's a great feeling. However, the relief, excitement, and overwhelming joy these situations might bring is only a drop in the ocean of relief, excitement and overwhelming joy felt on that first Easter morning. It's a feeling that millions of people got to feel. It was certainly a glorious morning.
Image yourselves in these situations:
For the people in the Americas:
The day after Christ was crucified, there was a day of darkness and storms. Imagine waking up and realizing that the sun isn't coming up today. Your hear thunder, you hear screams, you may have no idea where your family and friends are. This went on for a night, a day, and a night. For those who did not know about Christ, they were scared and had no idea what was going on. For those who did know about Christ, odds were they also knew that this darkness was a sign of Christ's death. So not only did they have to deal with the darkness and the storms, they had to deal with the grief of knowing their Savior was now gone off the Earth.
3 Nephi 8: 20, 23 -
20 And it came to pass that there was thick darkness upon all the face of the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof who had not fallen could afeel the bvapor of darkness;
23 And it came to pass that it did last for the space of three days that there was no light seen; and there was great mourning andahowling and weeping among all the people continually; yea, great were the groanings of the people, because of the darkness and the great destruction which had come upon them.
https://www.lds.org/manual/book-of-mormon-student-manual/chapter-40-3-nephi-8-11?lang=eng
For those in Christ's Community:
They experienced this similar darkness for 3 hours after Christ passed away. On top of that, many of the people in this community knew Christ, were blessed by Him, were given hope through Him, and loved Him. His dearest friends grieved for the loss of their friend. His parents, Mary and Joseph, grieved for the loss of their son. His apostles were feeling this plus a sense of, I think, "What in the world do we do now?" I can only image the pain of these people experienced during this time.
Then, Sunday morning came.
That morning Mary Magdalene, came with others to Christ's tomb only to find it empty. You can imagine her fear in not knowing where her friend's body was, or whether or not it was stolen. She sat in a garden crying when a man came up to her and asked why she was sorrowful. Mary, not knowing who she was talking to, asked where the body had been taken so that she could take it away. Imagine her joy, surprise, and overwhelming relief to see Jesus Christ standing next to her.
For those in the Americas, the storms subsided and the light came back. Soon enough, those believers in the Americas would get to see their long-awaited resurrected Savior with their own eyes.
What a glorious morning.
I love this story. To me, it's one of the greatest examples of "blessings in disguise." You know, like when you lose a job and turn around to find one a million times better for you, when you miss the bus and end up meeting an old friend you haven't seen in years, or when you get sick and have to miss a hike that you might have broken you leg on. Those kinds of things.
Well, in this case, a tragedy for thousands of people turned out to be a miraculous blessing for not only them, but for all who ever did live and ever will live (Hey, that's us!).
We call this miraculous blessing the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
It gave us a purpose here.
He gave us a pathway back to our Heavenly Father.
Without it, we would be doomed to be dead bodies laying the ground for eternity.
What does that mean to me?
First of all, I'm not doomed to be a dead body in the ground forever, that's a nice feeling. I get to be a perfect being one day, a perfect, resurrected being with a heavenly purpose.
I will always have someone who can say "I KNOW how you feel." The day before He was crucified, Christ made this possible in the Garden of Gethsemane. He felt all of our pains, all of my pains, exactly as we would feel them so he could empathize with us. He went through this so He could know exactly how to heal us and make us feel better. Now that's love. (That's right, Christ loves YOU!)
I will be able to be with my family for eternity. I can see my Padre again. I can be sealed to my future family just like I am sealed to my current family. Death is NOT the end. It is only a transition. This is something I didn't know until recently, but the Saturday between Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, He set the foundations for temples. He established away for those in the spirit world (our ancestors) to learn about the gospel and have a chance to accept it. Because of that Saturday, we have missionaries in the spirit world just like here on earth. Down here, we have the opportunity do family history work and perform saving ordinances in the temple for our ancestors that they didn't get the chance to do down here.
I have reason for hope. Satan has already been conquered. I know that thinks will work out, and that everything will be okay. Whether it be the biggest of worries or smallest of concerns, I know things will work out in the end.
Hang on my friends. Hang on through your 'dark days,' and know that the light will come.
This is what Easter means to me. Hope that light will always break though the darkness. Always. If not now in this life, it certainly will in the eternities. Keep your chin up darlin'! And yes, I mean you!
Happy Easter everyone.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Jr. Year (so far!)
Jr. year has begun.
Technically, it began a little while ago. Term one is now
almost finished. I haven’t been able to post for a while, so here's my catch-up
post for the first 2 months of school-
Special Needs Mutual started back up. Rita's a lot more emotional
this year, but I still love going every week! It's weird to have so many youth councilors
in my grade, but I'm enjoying that too. I love SN Mutual!
Jazz Band for the 3rd year in a row.
Making the Shakespeare Team. Adding 6 am rehearsals to
Jazz rehearsals? Bring it on.
Football Games. Good times-especially with good friends.
Fall Leadership for FCCLA. So much fun! Great speakers
and workshops and lots of good times to be had with my fellow officers. (Love
you guys!)
Shakespeare Competition. What an awesome experience. Our
school did very well, (Chior-1st, Anna's monologue-1st, Keaton's and Ian's
scene-2nd, Ensemble-3rd, Sweepstakes (overall)-1st), Le Mis was AMAZING, Hamlet
was BRILLIANT, our ensemble scene was great (the gun actually went off!! There was
a silent breakdancing party back stage after we exited), the rounds I watched
were great, the judges of those rounds (all of the judges I listened to,
actually) had mind-blowing things to say, and we got to hear from the
Shakespeare Festival's founder. I had such a great time! I learned a lot of new
things about acting. I made lots of new friends, and strengthened bonds with
some old friends. And the best part of the Competition....
General Conference! I was lucky enough to watch both
Saturday sessions at the SUU institute building with the Chamber Choir and some
other friends of mine. I was able to be with them when the Pres. Monson gave
the Missionary Announcement. The spirit was so strong that day, I'm glad I was
able to watch it!
Conference in General in Seminary. Wow. I love seminary.
My sister and I worked on the Service Project we started
together.
Fall Break: Goodbye Wisdom Teeth! According to my mom, I
was hilarious right before they put me under. I felt pretty sane during the
whole ordeal, but looking back the next day, I was crazy. It was great! (If you
want specific stories, feel free to either ask me or my mother).
What's coming up next?
·
The rest of Fall Break.
·
Sadies!
·
The FCCLA service project.
·
The school-wide service project.
·
The zombie run with Kevin.
·
Halloween.
Bring it on!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
A Bad Habit of Mine
One bad habit of mine - I begin new books without finishing the ones I was reading then those books become forgotten. I'm always reading more than one book at a time in the attempt to catch up with myself, but it doesn't always work. Some people say "Hey, I do that too! I have like 3-7 books that I'm in the middle right now!" If only I had 3-7 that I'm in the middle of, here's my list;
These are just the ones I could find or remember, I have no idea how many unfinished books I actually have floating around. Just because I never finished them doesn't mean I didn't enjoy them (with a few exceptions), I was just distracted with required reading or other books that I happened to pick up.
Well, better get reading.
- Jade Dragon Box
- The Wednesday Letters
- Timeless (I don't plan on finishing this one, it was pretty trashy.)
- Musiophilia
- Missionary's Little Book of Inspirational Stories
- Stargirl (I've gotten halfway through this one twice.)
- Chronicles of Narnia #5 - The Voyage of the Dawn Trader (or maybe it was one of the other Narnia Books)
- The Magician
- The 5 Love Languages
- Agent Bishop
- Les Miserables
- The Sisters Grimm #1
- Nightlight (The parody of Twilight)
- Inkspell (I actually don't remember if I started this one or not)
- The Secret Garden
- Where the Red Fern Grows (I've already read this one, that was just my 2nd attempt)
- The Daring Book for Girls
- Matched
- The 2nd Twilight (I don't plan on finishing this one either)
- The Invention of Hugo Cabret
These are just the ones I could find or remember, I have no idea how many unfinished books I actually have floating around. Just because I never finished them doesn't mean I didn't enjoy them (with a few exceptions), I was just distracted with required reading or other books that I happened to pick up.
Well, better get reading.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Special Needs Mutual
Special Needs Mutual has been one of the most spiritual experiences of my life, and I have loved every minute of it.
For those of you who aren't familiar with the program, SN Mutual is for those with special needs to come together with the buddy (the youth counselors) and participate in activity. The SN program combines 21 stakes and there are around 70-80 SN kids that come every Thursday night. We as the youth counselors are buddied up at (usually) a 1:1 ratio and come every week to be with our buddies during those activities. We also hold a special sacrament meeting program every month for one of the wards in any one of the 21 stakes. We don't replace their home mutual, we just provide a place for them to come where they can feel completely safe and have fun.
I was called at the beginning of this school year to be one of the SN Youth Counselors. Since you normally have to be at least a Jr. to be a counselor, I was shocked and ecstatic. I first learned about the program when the SN Mutual came to my ward for their special sacrament program. The spirit was so strong in that room, and I was determined from that point on to become one of the counselors once I was a Jr. I guess my dream came true a year early.
At one of the first activities I went to I was paired up with my buddy, Rita. She is such a sweet heart. She loves singing, dancing, Justin Bieber, bearing her testimony, her friends, Jesus Christ, chocolate and giving hugs. She has become one of my best friends and I feel privileged to be her youth counselor.
As we were told time and time again, "We are here to help the physically, but they are here to help us spiritually." I have learned so much from Rita, her older sister Becca, Becca's buddies Hanna and Cheiko, our leaders, and all my other friends from SN mutual. Rita especially has taught me so much about unconditional love, friendship, happiness, and faith. I couldn't tell you how many times I would go to SN Mutual stressed about something then leave feeling incredibly happy.
It didn't really hit me how fast this school year is coming to a close until I went to the SN M testimony meeting with the other youth counselors and leaders today. As I listened to others bear their testimony about their experience about this year, I began to think about all the amazing times Rita and I have had together.
Some of these would include;
Watching her dance with the Polynesian dancers, The Living Legends, that can to perform one Thursday night.
Making homemade ice cream as we helped out in a service project.
The prom that my home ward happened to be the visiting ward for. Rita loved being able to dance, wear a pretty dress, and dance with her "cute boy" (McKay Waters).
Rita being able to sing into a microphone whenever she could get her hands on one.
Class lessons we would have with our gold class. She would always want to say the closing prayer, and whenever she did she would bear her testimony and would always get emotional.
The talent show, (her and Becca sand/danced to I Am a Child of God). After the talent show we made picture frames and looked at the prom pictures with her new friend Talina Morris.
These are just a few of the many amazing Thursday night activities I was able to participate in. I'm going to miss my SN Mutual family over the summer, and I can't wait to serve again for the next two years to come.
The picture from Rita, Talina and I made.
Rita being escorted by her "cute boy."
Rita's on my right and Becca's on my left, (obviously not biological sisters). They're such sweet girls, I'm going to miss them!
For those of you who aren't familiar with the program, SN Mutual is for those with special needs to come together with the buddy (the youth counselors) and participate in activity. The SN program combines 21 stakes and there are around 70-80 SN kids that come every Thursday night. We as the youth counselors are buddied up at (usually) a 1:1 ratio and come every week to be with our buddies during those activities. We also hold a special sacrament meeting program every month for one of the wards in any one of the 21 stakes. We don't replace their home mutual, we just provide a place for them to come where they can feel completely safe and have fun.
I was called at the beginning of this school year to be one of the SN Youth Counselors. Since you normally have to be at least a Jr. to be a counselor, I was shocked and ecstatic. I first learned about the program when the SN Mutual came to my ward for their special sacrament program. The spirit was so strong in that room, and I was determined from that point on to become one of the counselors once I was a Jr. I guess my dream came true a year early.
At one of the first activities I went to I was paired up with my buddy, Rita. She is such a sweet heart. She loves singing, dancing, Justin Bieber, bearing her testimony, her friends, Jesus Christ, chocolate and giving hugs. She has become one of my best friends and I feel privileged to be her youth counselor.
As we were told time and time again, "We are here to help the physically, but they are here to help us spiritually." I have learned so much from Rita, her older sister Becca, Becca's buddies Hanna and Cheiko, our leaders, and all my other friends from SN mutual. Rita especially has taught me so much about unconditional love, friendship, happiness, and faith. I couldn't tell you how many times I would go to SN Mutual stressed about something then leave feeling incredibly happy.
It didn't really hit me how fast this school year is coming to a close until I went to the SN M testimony meeting with the other youth counselors and leaders today. As I listened to others bear their testimony about their experience about this year, I began to think about all the amazing times Rita and I have had together.
Some of these would include;
Watching her dance with the Polynesian dancers, The Living Legends, that can to perform one Thursday night.
Making homemade ice cream as we helped out in a service project.
The prom that my home ward happened to be the visiting ward for. Rita loved being able to dance, wear a pretty dress, and dance with her "cute boy" (McKay Waters).
Rita being able to sing into a microphone whenever she could get her hands on one.
Class lessons we would have with our gold class. She would always want to say the closing prayer, and whenever she did she would bear her testimony and would always get emotional.
The talent show, (her and Becca sand/danced to I Am a Child of God). After the talent show we made picture frames and looked at the prom pictures with her new friend Talina Morris.
These are just a few of the many amazing Thursday night activities I was able to participate in. I'm going to miss my SN Mutual family over the summer, and I can't wait to serve again for the next two years to come.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Need a Laugh?
In my opinion, there are two different kinds of March Madness.
March Madness #1- The basketball kind. The good kind. The fun kind.
March Madness #2- The bad kind. The stressful kind. The teachers-throw-everying-at-you-all-at-once-becuase-it's-end-of-term-three kind.
Personally I prefer #1, but sadly, #2 for high school students is inescapable. However, there are ways to help overcome madness of March, and one of those ways is laughter.
It's proven that laughter relieves stress, lowers blood pressure, and even helps you live longer. Cool huh?
What makes us laugh? Things that are funny. Why are things funny? Because they are, I don't really know why. Maybe someone else knows, then you can ask them. Or instead, you can just laugh at the funny things people say (or hear):
Random Girl in Hall- "Where's my phone? Oh yeah, it's in the fridge."
Random Girl in Hall- "You guys are so mean to me!"
Random Guy in Hall- "What do you expect? We're a bunch of guys!"
"Get a haircut, grow a beard, do something productive!"
-Eman Ashtawy
Carly- "No pickles? That ain't nice."
Me- "Hey, that ain't proper grammar! ...Oh wait."
What Caleb said- "I made a butterfly in school today!"
What Carly heard- "I made a bubblefart in school today!"
What Caleb said- "We're having a beach party at school today!"
What I heard- "We're playing beer pong at school today!"
What Caleb meant to say- "Look mom, I'm a statue!"
What he actually said- "I'm stoned."
What my mom said- "You better never actually be stoned or I'll ground you for life!"
Caleb- "What's that smell... It smells like summer sausage! Oh wait, it's poo. Nope, it's summer sausage." (Oh brother.. haha )
What Mom said- "Carly do you like Lucky Charms?"
What I heard- "Carly do you like to lick your arms?"
Sage- "My mom's alarm clock sound like a fire truck, and it always makes Brycen fall out of bed. So I like to get up really early in the morning so I can watch him fall out of bed."
My Great Grandma says to my Mom (when she was 16)- "You're such a pretty girl, we sure worried about you for a while."
A very tired Carly on a road trip- "Slug blug boo!"
Random Person from the Internet- "The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory."
Sage- "It seems like everyone has one of those ripstick things."
Mom- "I don't know why, they're kinda weird."
Sage- "No kidding, they're just a bunch of exercise!"
Andrew's mom- "Are you going to be ok alone? What if you pass out?"
Andrew- "Don't worry mom I have my phone, you know, just in case I pass out and need to call you."
Brycen was asked- "Where did you get that sore?"
Brycen- "I don't know, but it doesn't hurt when I put it in orange juice."
So, when life begins to feel like this,
Simplify your life and give it a good laugh so you can again feel like this,
March Madness #1- The basketball kind. The good kind. The fun kind.
March Madness #2- The bad kind. The stressful kind. The teachers-throw-everying-at-you-all-at-once-becuase-it's-end-of-term-three kind.
Personally I prefer #1, but sadly, #2 for high school students is inescapable. However, there are ways to help overcome madness of March, and one of those ways is laughter.
It's proven that laughter relieves stress, lowers blood pressure, and even helps you live longer. Cool huh?
What makes us laugh? Things that are funny. Why are things funny? Because they are, I don't really know why. Maybe someone else knows, then you can ask them. Or instead, you can just laugh at the funny things people say (or hear):
Random Girl in Hall- "Where's my phone? Oh yeah, it's in the fridge."
Random Girl in Hall- "You guys are so mean to me!"
Random Guy in Hall- "What do you expect? We're a bunch of guys!"
"Get a haircut, grow a beard, do something productive!"
-Eman Ashtawy
Carly- "No pickles? That ain't nice."
Me- "Hey, that ain't proper grammar! ...Oh wait."
What Caleb said- "I made a butterfly in school today!"
What Carly heard- "I made a bubblefart in school today!"
What Caleb said- "We're having a beach party at school today!"
What I heard- "We're playing beer pong at school today!"
What Caleb meant to say- "Look mom, I'm a statue!"
What he actually said- "I'm stoned."
What my mom said- "You better never actually be stoned or I'll ground you for life!"
Caleb- "What's that smell... It smells like summer sausage! Oh wait, it's poo. Nope, it's summer sausage." (Oh brother.. haha )
What Mom said- "Carly do you like Lucky Charms?"
What I heard- "Carly do you like to lick your arms?"
Sage- "My mom's alarm clock sound like a fire truck, and it always makes Brycen fall out of bed. So I like to get up really early in the morning so I can watch him fall out of bed."
My Great Grandma says to my Mom (when she was 16)- "You're such a pretty girl, we sure worried about you for a while."
A very tired Carly on a road trip- "Slug blug boo!"
Random Person from the Internet- "The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory."
Sage- "It seems like everyone has one of those ripstick things."
Mom- "I don't know why, they're kinda weird."
Sage- "No kidding, they're just a bunch of exercise!"
Andrew's mom- "Are you going to be ok alone? What if you pass out?"
Andrew- "Don't worry mom I have my phone, you know, just in case I pass out and need to call you."
Brycen was asked- "Where did you get that sore?"
Brycen- "I don't know, but it doesn't hurt when I put it in orange juice."
So, when life begins to feel like this,
Simplify your life and give it a good laugh so you can again feel like this,
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