Christmas time is my favorite time of the year. I've always loved the snow and the seeming peace and quiet it brings into the world. I love that everyone feels good and wants to spread that holiday cheer. I love the time with family. I love the traditions and treats.It is all beautiful.
I used to always think it had to snow around Christmas to make it a real Christmas. I have found that is false.The spirit of Christmas is still here whether (get it?) there is snow or not. California is awesome and I really am happy to be out here. The spirit of Christmas is the same here as I am sure it is back home.
Really, it all goes back to Christ. Christ is universal. He is the key part of CHRISTmas. As I have been out on a mission I have come to realize that more and more. I love it. It brings me comfort to know that there are people who follow Christ. It brings me comfort to know that we can gain strength from Him. And most important, it brings me comfort that through Him we can be made whole. This truly is a time to celebrate! He was brought into this world to help us and He can- as we let Him in our homes and our lives.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
When we're helping, we're happy.
I like to help. I always have. Growing up, when any of my friends mentioned having a problem, I'd be right there with anything I could offer. I found often times, I was occupied with just listening to people or becoming a sounding board for people. I always wanted to be that person to help others in any way I could. I found satisfaction in helping even if it meant spending personal time or other minor (and sometimes major) inconvieniences. This not only improved my listening skills, but also helped my desire to serve.
The problem is, I am but one person and I have found many things are way over my head. I often wondered how a lot of my friends dealt with some of the issues they had. I loved them to death though and still wanted to help! I think of all the advice I could have given, the best advice I could offer was to pray about it.
Why does prayer help? It is because God is a loving Heavenly Father. If you love someone you want to communicate with them. You talk to them in any way possible to let them know your thoughts and feelings. You grow close to them and learn to rely on them. In this case, relying on Heavenly Father instead of an earthly friend is much better because unlike your earthly friend, your Heavenly Father has ALL the answers.
In fact, it is part of why I am out here serving a mission today. I have prayed a lot throughout my life and have that desire to serve. It has been that constant prayer that has helped me through many trying times in my life. It had been through praying that I have found counsel and advice that has helped me in my life. It is through prayer that I have really gained a testimony of truth and know that my Heavenly Father is there and not only is there, but intently listening to what I have to say.
The problem is, I am but one person and I have found many things are way over my head. I often wondered how a lot of my friends dealt with some of the issues they had. I loved them to death though and still wanted to help! I think of all the advice I could have given, the best advice I could offer was to pray about it.
Why does prayer help? It is because God is a loving Heavenly Father. If you love someone you want to communicate with them. You talk to them in any way possible to let them know your thoughts and feelings. You grow close to them and learn to rely on them. In this case, relying on Heavenly Father instead of an earthly friend is much better because unlike your earthly friend, your Heavenly Father has ALL the answers.
In fact, it is part of why I am out here serving a mission today. I have prayed a lot throughout my life and have that desire to serve. It has been that constant prayer that has helped me through many trying times in my life. It had been through praying that I have found counsel and advice that has helped me in my life. It is through prayer that I have really gained a testimony of truth and know that my Heavenly Father is there and not only is there, but intently listening to what I have to say.
Monday, August 15, 2011
"By small and simple things...."
It's funny some of the things our memory can bring out. Sometimes it's odd what we remember. As I look back I can of course remember the main events in my life (baptism, graduation, college, mission etc.) but I find even more joy when I can remember those little snippets of memory that just come to you seemingly at random. Something just triggers them and then it all floods back in.
It's sweet.
It's nice remembering the exact feeling of pulling a bow across the string of an upright bass and listening to the sound reverberate through the house. Or the feelings you had when your friend just stops by to see you when he returned from a long time away. I am thoroughly convinced that it truly is those small moments in time that matter.
It brings to mind on of my favorite scriptures. It's in the Book of Mormon in the book of Alma the prophet. It says in chapter 37 verse 6: "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. "
We are building all these little actions, all these memories....really, all that we are. We are heading somewhere but I challenge you to examine where that is. If it is not in a positive direction, if it is not toward Jesus Christ and his Gospel, there is no anchor to our life. I can testify that Jesus is key. As we strive to be like Him and improve ourselves we can find joy in those small and simple things as we progress toward true happiness. And that is exactly where Jesus Christ and His Gospel will take you.
It's sweet.
It's nice remembering the exact feeling of pulling a bow across the string of an upright bass and listening to the sound reverberate through the house. Or the feelings you had when your friend just stops by to see you when he returned from a long time away. I am thoroughly convinced that it truly is those small moments in time that matter.
It brings to mind on of my favorite scriptures. It's in the Book of Mormon in the book of Alma the prophet. It says in chapter 37 verse 6: "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. "
We are building all these little actions, all these memories....really, all that we are. We are heading somewhere but I challenge you to examine where that is. If it is not in a positive direction, if it is not toward Jesus Christ and his Gospel, there is no anchor to our life. I can testify that Jesus is key. As we strive to be like Him and improve ourselves we can find joy in those small and simple things as we progress toward true happiness. And that is exactly where Jesus Christ and His Gospel will take you.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Then there was light!
First blog post EVER! Sweet! So I wanted to explain a little bit more about the naming/tagline of my blog; Tie a knot. A friend of mine was going through some hard times and was struggling to come to church. She decided to go and was surprised when her mom went up an talked. She recalled the only line that she remembered from it was her mom saying "When things get hard and you feel like you are reaching the end of your rope- tie a knot and hang on!"
Upon reflecting on this I have come to realize that we all feel like this at some point in our life. We are struggling and need some help. It is comforting to know that God is waiting for us with outstretched arms ready to help if we just call on him in prayer. For me, that knot is a relationship with my Heavenly Father (God). He cares for us and is aware of us. He wants us to be happy and he knows how to bring that about. We just need to call on him and be willing to listen. He will answer our prayers. He loves us. I know this because many times I have slipped on the rope but that knot is always there. Always keeping me where I need to be.
Just hold on.
Upon reflecting on this I have come to realize that we all feel like this at some point in our life. We are struggling and need some help. It is comforting to know that God is waiting for us with outstretched arms ready to help if we just call on him in prayer. For me, that knot is a relationship with my Heavenly Father (God). He cares for us and is aware of us. He wants us to be happy and he knows how to bring that about. We just need to call on him and be willing to listen. He will answer our prayers. He loves us. I know this because many times I have slipped on the rope but that knot is always there. Always keeping me where I need to be.
Just hold on.
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