Thank You Sol!

I owe a lot to my friend Sol. He has always been the first to come to my aid for lots of things namely: when I am hungry (lol), when I am in need of a laugh, when I really want to watch Inception (twice! lol), when I want to re-live an inside joke, when I need a ride home from work b/c it's too dark and scary, and when I really need a friend to talk to. He has been an amazing blessing in my life and I am glad that he is making the decision and is determined to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Thank You Sol!

Missionary Opportunity

Day before yesterday (12/10/10) one of my regulars at Starbucks was asking questions about the Mormon church and how we differ from other religions. I started talking about the Plan of Salvation. I explained it as best as I could but I tend to over-explain things. So I asked him (John) if I could bring him an article to read about it. He accepted and was anxious to learn more.

(12/11/10) I had plans to bike to work b/c I had not asked anyone in advance for a ride. Melissa was gone to school. A couple hours later, she came home because she forgot something and asked me if I wanted a ride to work even though I'd be an hour early. I was totally up for that.

Melissa dropped me off and about 20 minutes later, I run into John. I asked him if he wanted a look at the article I had for him, once again he accepted. We sat down as we looked over the article (it got it off of a BYU site). He had so many questions. I asked him if he'd like a Book of Mormon to perhaps answer some questions I might not be able to. He accepted :)

I have not seen him since that day but I know I'll see him soon. I did tell him that my favorite part about being a Latter-Day Saint was the knowledge I have of the Atonement. He also loved the part about the three kingdoms of glory. Hopefully, he will have more questions for me on our next encounter. I am excited to share the gospel with him. If Melissa had not come at the time she did and taken me to work, I know I would have missed him. I know that I could have met up with him another time but maybe this was the best time to see him. I know that the Lord was/is guiding me to this person. We'll see how nest time goes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELISSA!!

A big shout out to my sister Melissa!!!! Happy Birthday Mel! I am so grateful for everything you have done for me! You are a gorgeous, smart, self-sufficient woman, sister, and Mother.

My First Time Through

This is definitely the time of my life and I think I am doing alright at it. I think I'm doing what I need to be doing and that's preparing to serve a mission. A part of that preparation requires me to take out my endowments at the San Diego Temple. I am so excited for the 14th of January to come because that is the day I will go through. I know I am worthy to enter the temple yet the whole process makes me have so many questions as to what will happen. Probably because I am just so excited! I am so grateful for all the Lord has done for me. These past few months have been rough without a car. And I know he has definitely provided a way for me to get to work and back home safely every time. He has also blessed me with comfort and clarity of mind to get things done. All I have to do is to act on it. Steve has also helped me out so much throughout all of this and I am so grateful to have a brother so helpful and understanding. Steve has been there for me a lot.

Sweet, Splendid Sunday

My Heavenly Father has so graciously blessed me with such a beautiful day. It might not have looked like such a delightful day outside because of the gloomy clouds and light drizzle, but in my heart and in church, my day was as sunny as a mid-summer afternoon. This was a day especially set aside for me. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day (even though I had to work in the morning). It was a day I had been praying for: a day absolutely full of the spirit.

Even at work in the morning, I was happy and cheerful despite the schedule mix-up. In a way, even that was a blessing because I got to cover my friend's shift for the morning instead of working the afternoon as was previously scheduled. So, I was able to go to church. Steve picked me up from work and we headed down to our new building on the 79. What a handsome building! Steven and I enter the building and find a seat to sit down. Steve, in front of me next to our mutual friend Becky, and I next to my friend Aaron. It was a very spiritual testimony meeting as I was surrounded by those who care about me and share the same goals and love for the gospel. I listened intently to the testimony bearers as they sacrificed a bit of their personal life to share with others. And I think that's what testimony meeting is about. Sacrifice. Fasting is a sacrifice, yet we endure. Bearing of testimonies is a sacrifice to some b/c it is hard to share personal information and feelings with a large (or small for my branch) audience, yet we do it in hopes to help build other's testimonies. It is a sacrifice to pay tithing and fast offering, yet we give it up to help the church we so love.

Bearing your testimony is not only a personal sacrifice but it is also a service. It is one of those services not many recognize. Hearing testimonies brings the spirit. What better service is there than to bring a loving and true spirit to others? Isn't that the epitome of service anyway?

Break the Fast was just icing on the cake. I has so much fun indulging in a long awaited meal. And it was delicious!! It is so comforting to be around friends that share the same morals and good clean humor as I do. I am so grateful for such a wonderful day and I know I can have more the more I attend church and to soon enter in the Holy Temple in San Diego. I want to go as much as I can before I leave for my mission. I have a feeling I should wait till January to go through the temple. I don't know exactly why but I know that God knows and will help me through every step of the way.

I can't help to think of the topic discussed today in Gospel Doctrine and a couple of scriptures that were read. At first they were really confusing. But the teacher explained their meanings.

Ezekiel 43:7- And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.

This is talking about the temple (place of my throne) and how the Lord's spirit actually dwells in the temple (where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever). He is there with you as you participate in the ordinances inside. I will think of this scripture as I enter into the temple.

Also, Ezekiel 47: 3-6 (You can look it up on your own time b/c it is too long to write) The symbology is explained as the more you attend the temple, the more you will know of the gospel and be immersed in it.

Well, I hope your day was as good as mine. I wish my family good health and the best of luck in whatever endeavors are in pursuit.

It's My Turn!

It's been quite a relaxing week so far and I've gotten a few things taken care of. First off, I now have my big-girl recommend so I am ready to go through the temple as soon as I schedule a time for mom to come down and get a couple days off of work. All of my family is welcome to come and a couple of the women shepherds from my branch have been invited. I am so happy with the way things are just working out right now. My family, you have been such a great support throughout my preparation for my mission. I am so so blessed to have all of you in my life. There is no better time than now to do what I feel I need to do which is serve my mission. I know that I can spread my joy of the gospel with others. I am so anxious to enter the temple because I know that this will be a great stepping stone into my future.