Day 56

Each week for mission prep class we are given a Christlike attribute to learn about and focus on developing.  This past week the attribute was faith in Jesus Christ.  Faith, is the first and one of the most important steps in becoming converted to the gospel and receiving blessings from the Lord.  Once you have faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement everything makes sense.  Having a knowledge that you have a Savior who loves you (and only wants the best for you) helps you to make decisions that will lead you in the right direction.  If you know that the Savior lives, then you know that his church is the only true church on the earth.  You know that all the commandments he gives have a purpose, and that he will bless and protect you as you are obedient to them. 

I've been reading the war chapters in Alma for the past week or so, and I've specifically recognized how much faith the Nephites had in their God.  They may not have known why they had to remain righteous and keep the commandments at the time; and they may not have known if they would eventually be subjected to bondage by the Lamanites, but what they did know was that if they had faith that God would deliver them as long as they kept his commandments they would be blessed, protected, and comforted.  (That was a long sentence! haha)

As a missionary, there will be times when I need to have faith that God will help me through my trials.  I may be prompted to do something that seems strange or difficult, but I need to remember to have faith in the Lord, and remember that he has a purpose and will bless me and those that I serve.  Having faith in Jesus Christ will also help me in my daily living.  I trust that because He atoned for my sins, I can be forgiven.  I know that my prayers will be answered and that no matter how difficult things may get, I will still have a Savior who loves me and who understands what I'm going through.

Day 55

I've been taking piano lessons ever since I was 4 1/2 years old up until I left for college.  You could say that piano has been one of the most constant aspects of my life.  Once a week for 13 1/2 years (usually on Saturday afternoons) I would get dropped off at the piano studio for my 30 or 45 minute lesson.  For the longest time I would complain about having to go every week, however, my parents kept forcing me to go (even when I would through major tantrums or pretend I was sick...haha).  Eventually I began to love playing the piano.  My parents didn't have to force me to practice or go to lessons...I did it all on my own.  There is nothing that compares to the feeling you get when you finish performing a piece you've been working on for months, or playing in an ensemble and connecting with other people on such an emotional and creative level.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been able to take piano lessons for so long.  I really miss formally studying piano, but I am so appreciative of all the years that I was able to study.  The talent that I developed over the years has allowed me to serve others and share what I know with other people.

Playing piano while my friends sang (at my grad party)

Day 54

Let's just say....it's been a while since I've posted.  Christmas break was really busy and I was trying to spend as much time as I could with family and friends.  Now, however, I'm at school again and back in the swing of things.  I thought this would be the perfect time to start posting again.

This semester I am taking a mission prep class.  Our teacher has challenged us to get an inexpensive copy of the Book of Mormon and as we read each day to write down ALL the thoughts that come to our head, no matter how crazy they may seem.  As we read the scriptures the spirit speaks to us, and we should record all that comes to our mind.  I've been doing this as I do my scripture study and I've found that the manner in which I study scriptures has changed immensely.  I find more meaning in each phrase as I relate it to my own life.  Recording my thoughts allows me to remember the simple promptings that are given to me during scripture study.  It has been such a blessing to take this challenge to heart.

Today, I was reading in Alma 39.  In this chapter, Alma is chastising and teaching his son, Corianton, because Corianton had committed sexual sin while he was on a mission teaching the Zoramites.  The verses that really touched me were at the end:

"[...]Behold, you marvel why these things should be known so long beforehand.  Behold, I say unto you, is not a soul at this time as precious unto God as a soul will be at the time of his coming?  Is it not necessary that the plan of redemption should be made known unto this people as well as unto their children?"(Alma 39:17-18)

These verses show that time, place, race, culture, are not factors in determining the worth of souls.  God loves all of his children.  He wants everyone to have the same blessings because we are each equally precious to him.  He created us, therefore he truly wants the best for us.