In times of struggle

As some of you know that my mission call was placed on hold and I had to take care of some personal things in order to get cleared to serve a mission. I don't say this a lot because I know there are a lot of people who have a harder lifes than I do. But I've had a hard life thus far. And I don't think it's going to get easier. Some are aware of my family life (past and/or present), my current struggles that affect me daily.
Today as I walked out of a personal meeting the things that had placed me in a pretty bad mood were gone. While walking back to my car I could feel the Lord my Savior walking with me telling me 'good job' and that He loves me so much.
During the rest of the day I was in deep thought.
I've been told multiple times that "Things happen for a reason" and I don't doubt that at all. But I was struggling with having that phrase comfort me with this trial. Instead I had a profound moment where I reminded myself that the Lord doesn't want to see me in pain or struggling with anything. He loves me so much that it really does hurt him to see me in pain. Any of us in pain for that matter. And I know that there are trials I have had, will have that I need to have in order to be who I am. I am thankful for His love, support and understanding. My Savior, Our Savior is here for all of us in our times of need and He will NOT give any of us something we can't handle. I told myself that the other day "I wouldn't be given this trial if I couldn't handle it." So I knew there was something to learn of it.
All I know of this right now that waiting for my call this much longer is going to make it so much more worth it. When I finally get to open my call, leave on my mission, and meet the many people who will change my life I will be thankful for my Savior and everything that has gotten me where I am at today. That includes all the struggles.
I was asked today why I wanted to serve a mission. My reason is this...
I want to be an example to those around me. Specifically my family. And that without this gospel in my life I know I wouldn't be here today. I wouldn't have been able to handle the things I've had to face. But because of the gospel I am here and I am fighting the trials. I want those who don't have the gospel to have it in their life and hopefully it will help them in their times of struggle.
"Nothing worth having comes easy"

Pure Happiness

I don't think it is very easy to feel pure happiness everyday.  Since my papers are all done, I feel it every moment of the day. I'm lovin' this feeling and don't want it to leave. With yesterday being a holiday and UVU changed my Monday classes to Tuesday (which means I only had one class today at 1) I was able to go up to Draper Temple and decide if I really want to go there and have my endowments out. This means I'm making another covenant with my Heavenly Father. I made a covenant when I was baptized but this is another one. And it's to sacred to talk about so I can't really go into detail.
I fell in love with the Draper Temple when I went to the open house. Which the LDS church does before each temple is dedicated that way nonmembers are allowed to come look inside and see the beautifulness of the temple. I went to make sure I really wanted to make a life changing moment there.

This one was taken by me today after I came out and was completely overjoyed by the happiness and gratitude I have that I am able to pick from so many different temples. And I have picked the one up on a mountain that over looks such a wonderful view that you can see 2 other temples. 

Holiness to the Lord. 

10 days to go.

I'm happy to say that my mission papers are all in. :) Wow. I can't even explain to you how happy I am. The moment I walked out of my meeting I had to stress or worry. I was just pleased, and very tired I'd been stressing for weeks about my papers and getting them done. 

Bryson said I know to much about the process my papers but I'm very happy I know...

Thursday, February 21, 2013 my papers will be looked at and I will be assigned my mission. Tuesday, February 26, 2013 they will be mailed. Most likely have it on Thursday the 28th. In less the First Presidency thinks I need to get my knee looked at more than we will have a delay in my call. But I won't know if they want me to go get it looked at till this Thursday or Friday and than I'd have to go make an appointment and wait my time. 

Even with that information I'm still very calm about what will happen. At this point there is nothing I can do. :) Sigh well let's all hope that this next 10 days do go a little fast because well lets be honest I'm pretty excited about it. 

Just a reminder that everyone NOW can place their guess. You get one state side and one foreign guess.  You can post on here or on FB if we are friends. :) 

Return with Honor

Well folks, the appointment has been set. I will be having my Stake President interview on Sunday. The day has finally come and I couldn't be more excited. In 6 days I will be completely done and all I have to do is stay up beat and wait with as much patiences for the call to come to me. I'm not a 100% sure what day my call will come there is a chance it arrives on Feb. 27 and there is a chance it will come March 6. So another wait beings. After Sunday you are allowed to make your guess on where I'll be going. :) You have two choices. One state side guess and one foreign guess. Starting thinking and in 6 days you may guess.
I think this week might be one of the longest. Haha okay maybe not as long as the weeks that will follow the interview. Yesterday in my home ward this awesome guy gave his farewell talk. Brett (AKA Beans) gave such an amazing talk and I loved his joke! ;) I couldn't be more proud of this kid and his willingness to go to Russia to serve the Lord. Soon-to-be Elder Jaynes is a wonderful example to many. Hopefully he won't freeze because he is so dang skinny. But I have no doubt that you will be one of the best missionaries. Love you Beans. I will see you in 2 years.

So one of my favorite scriptures right now is Moses 4:1-2 this is a conversation between Satan and the Lord. Even from the beginning Satan wanted all the Glory, but the Plan of Happiness isn't about Satan it's about needing to come to this Earth receive our Earthly bodies and use the Atonement in order to Return to our Heavenly Father. We are faced with many trials in order to show our Heavenly Father we can handle it. And that we will do anything to return to Him.

"Where do you want to go?"

I can honestly say that "Where do you want to go" is the worse question you could ask me. So please stop asking me for heavens sake. It is stressing me out. Because yes I don't have a place I want to go. I just want to go on a mission and serve the Lord. Now some of you might say "well what about Italy" Well folks Italy is a place I want to travel to and be a nerd spend all my time eating food. Now don't miss understand me if I get called there I would do my work. But if I don't... It's not going to be the end of the world. Because I just want to serve the Lord.

I'll go where you want me to go dear Lord. 

I have taken this to heart. Seriously friends I don't mind where I'll be called because I know that I am called by my Heavenly Father and he will be sending me there for a specific reason and that's all I need to know. 

Next item of business. All I'm waiting for is an interview with my Stake President I'm hoping for it to be this week. But who knows... :) All I know is it's not in my hands. It's up to the Lord now. And the speed He wants my papers to process. 

Well on Sunday my amazing Bishop decided to give me the 'little white book' and asked me to try and live by it. So I'm trying really hard. Which I'm even going to try and follow the sleeping patterns. It's 10:15 which means I have 15 to get to bed. Well folks hope your week will be amazing and remember the Lord loves you and is here for you as long as you turn to Him. 

P.S. I have one of the best mission prep teachers. :)