***FALEMINDERIT***

BE GREATFUL



I am GRATEFUL for the Restoration

"Be grateful. There are two little words in the
English language that perhaps mean more than all
others. They are “thank you.” Comparable words are
found in every other language, such as gracias, merci,
danke, obrigado, domo.The habit of saying thank you is the mark of an educated man or woman." -President Hinckley



I am GRATEFUL for my Savior

"Thank the Lord for His goodness to you. Thank
the Almighty for His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who

has done for you what none other in all this world
could do. Thank Him for His great example, for His
tremendous teachings, for His outreaching hand
to lift and help. Think about the meaning of His
Atonement. Read about Him and read His words in
the New Testament and in 3 Nephi in the Book of
Mormon. Read them quietly to yourself and then
ponder them. Pour out your heart to your Father in
Heaven in gratitude for the gift of His Beloved Son.
Thank the Lord for His marvelous Church re-
stored in this great season of history. Thank Him for
all that it offers you. Thank Him for friends and loved
ones, for parents and brothers and sisters, for family.
Let a spirit of thanksgiving guide and bless your day and nights. Work at it. You will find it will yield wonderful results."- President Hinckley

I am GRATEFUL for my Friends :]

Recently I have realized how LUCKY I am. I get to serve where the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to earth again. I get to go to the Sacred Grove on a regular basis where Joseph Smith saw God the Father and his son Jesus Christ. I get to teach people about the Restoration at the actual birthplace of it. I just want to share with you how grateful I am. President Hinckley taught me that I need to pour out my heart for everything and anything. If we were to just stop for ONE second and think about what we are grateful for we would see how lucky we are. One of the things that I have tried to do on my mission is to say one prayer a day that is all about what I am grateful for. I can not tell you how hard it was at first to not ask for anything, but as I practiced I found that I got a lot better at it and I also recognized how much I had in my life. It really helped me to forget myself and help others...Can you do it? Can you say one prayer a day that is only about being Grateful...

I dare you to try :]

I promise you will see things change!

http://www.mormon.org/



You jump, I jump Jack!

GO FORWARD WITH FAITH

“Am I living the way the Lord wants me to live?”

WE DID IT! We made it through the whole FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH PAMPHLET I hope that you have been able to read and enjoy these posts. I know that I have learned A LOT! Now that you are prepared to go out into that scary world, you must GO FORWARD WITH FAITH.



My Freshman year of college, I decided I wanted to do something I had never done before and by myself. I wanted to test the "waters" as an adult. So I decided to ask for a plane ticket for my birthday. I picked to go to Seattle to see my sister LauriAnn and her family. I was pretty nervous, it would be my first plane ride by myself and to a pretty big place. I tried to do all my research before I left so that I was ready! I got onto the plane and felt a rush of adrenaline.

My Nehpew and I

As I got off the plane, I could still feel that adrenaline pumping in my veins as I stepped out into this new city for the weekend. As we started to go places, I realized that adults had to pay for themselves, you needed a GPS to get around, a car, and a plan. It was not something I could just walk blindly into...I mean I totaly could, but it would not be easy.Thank Heavens my Sister had a plan. We had a LOT of fun, there were times when the kids would get grouchy and things wouldn't work out, but in the end we had a great time and I went back to college with great memories.

That is how life is, we need to have a plan, when we know what we want there will be tools that help us on the way to greatness. The FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH pamphlet is one of those tools. Read what the First Presidency has said, and then add it to your lives....
Its a principle with promise...



My first Ferry Boat :]



The standards presented in this pamphlet will help you make correct choices. Review them often and ask yourself, “Am I living the way the Lord wants me to live?”

To help you become all that the Lord wants you to become, get on your knees each day and express to Him the desires of your heart. He is the source of all wisdom, and you need His help. He will hear and answer you. Read the scriptures daily. They are a powerful source of personal revelation and a constant strength to your testimony.

Remember and keep the covenants you made when you were baptized and that you renew each week when you partake of the sacrament. You young men should keep the covenants you made when you received the priesthood. Keeping these covenants now will help you prepare for the temple covenants you will make in the future.

Be true to the Lord and to His Church in all circumstances. The authorities of the Church will lead you in paths of happiness. Be grateful for your membership in God’s great kingdom.

Be humble and willing to listen to the whisperings of the Spirit. Place the wisdom of the Lord above your own wisdom.

When you do these things, the Lord will make much more out of your life than you can by yourself. He will increase your opportunities, expand your vision, and strengthen you. He will give you the help you need to meet your trials and challenges. You will find true joy as you come to know your Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and feel their love for you.

http://www.mormon.org/

 

You just got SERVED!

Service to Others

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).

As a missionary we GET to do service once a week, at least. It is personally my favorite activity on a mission. The Sisters and the Elders in our area go to help at a place called Cameron's! I have honestly learned how to serve and to enjoy it. This particular Friday we got to help out at the KIDS CARNIVAL. We were so excited we could not sleep the night before. We had rearranged our whole schedule so that we could come to the carnival, not to have fun but to SERVE inner city Rochester!

I have been very humbled by serving in a big city. I have been able to see how hard lives really can be. I remember complaining if my mom made broccoli soup, and how awful it tasted. After realizing that half of these kids get one meal a day, if that, I don't think I can complain ever again.

I have learned that doing service is the way to peoples hearts, when done with the right attitude. I never realized how service could be FUN! Through our weekly service I have been able to develop lasting relationships with the people we have served. We have been able to find people to teach and  bring unto Christ.

As many of you know, I love to golf. This was the perfect way for me to contribute my talents. I was able to help little kids golf for HUGE TEDDY BEARS!It was something that I loved, and was able to share. To the youth, all I can say is that service can be uber boring...Only if you make it that way! Go out and find someone who needs your help. I promise as you do you will learn more about others, the world and mostly yourself!

Sis. Carver and I enjoying heaven,

I can tell you from experience that as a youth and even now, I think a lot about myself and my problems and how awful they are. However I have learned as I serve, I forget about my problems and they become less, I learn new things and I am blessed for my service!

4th City District

"Service to others is one of the most important characteristics of a disciple of Jesus Christ. A disciple is willing to bear other people’s burdens and to comfort those who need comfort (see Mosiah 18:8–9). Often Heavenly Father will meet the needs of others through you."

-FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH

So just remember...Think Less you will be blessed :]

http://www.mormon.org/

Playing with fire'

PHYSICAL HEALTH

"The Lord has commanded you to take good care of your body. To do this, observe the Word of Wisdom, found in Doctrine and Covenants 89. Eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. When you do all these things, you remain free from harmful addictions and have control over your life. You gain the blessings of a healthy body, an alert mind, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost."

-FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH

Something that I find bittersweet are bonfires. Ilove them and I hate them. For some weird reason every time you go to a campfire you come back smelling like smoke. There is just no getting away from it. Even when you try your hardest, and stay 5 feet away from the fire, you still smell like fire. The only way to cure the smoke problem is to not go. Its hard to not go and be part of the party, but in the end it is worth all the "stink."

It is the same thing when it comes down to drugs and alcohol. To my beloved YOUTH, I know how it goes, I was once in High School, believe it or not. Pretty much every party you go to there is going to be things that are harmful.  You have the choice to go to these parties just to hang out and not drink and smoke, but its like the fire. Even if you go to the bonfire and stand 5 feet away, your still going to have smoke on you. The Holy Ghost CANNOT be with you there. It is a hard decision, but it all comes down to do you want the blessing of the Holy Ghost or not.....?

If have had any alcoholic beverage or smoked cigarettes, cigars, hookah, weed, or participated in even worse drugs.....ITS NOT TO LATE. Turn to your parents and your Bishops, they love you and will help you. Know that Heavenly Father has not asked us to stay away from these things because he does not want us to have ANY fun... It is the opposite! He wants us to enjoy life to the fullest, but how can we if our minds are not clear....Think about it, pray about it, then live it.
Its a principle with promise.
www.mormon.org

How to blow fire:

-great date idea :)

First get either corn starch or powdered sugar.
Get some matches, a pitcher of water, and some fun people
Then put a decent amount of either corn startch or powdered sugar in your mouth
Light the Match, and BLOW!!!
You might have to try a few times to perfect, but it is fun and messy!!!

Money in the Bank'

TITHES &

OFFERINGS

EFY 2010

"The law of tithing is an important commandment that you should obey throughout your life. A tithe is one-tenth of your income."

-FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH



I will be the first admit, this is my least favorite commandment. I am someone who LOVES to spend money. For some reason spending moeny makes me feel so good! I think its because I feel like I have worked so hard and so I should be rewarded. I am the child that always had "incentives" growing up.

We all caught pop flys!

Catch a pop fly then you get a Gatorade.

Get %100 percent on your spelling test then you get to go to a movie.

Go without television for a week and get a swim pass.

Make your bed for a month and you can have a new comforter.

  Now, DO NOT think that incentives are bad. They are actually a great tool to motivate people, espeically me! I have realized while writing this that  the law of tithing is is an INCENTIVE. I have honestly never picked up on it. When we are willing to give up ten percent of what we earn, then Heavenly Father is willing to give us blessings. Even though tithing has been something that I have struggled with, I have done my best in faking it untill I was making it. I always paid it, but with a BAD attitude. After reading the  FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH and realizing it is how we show our Heavenly Father how grateful we are. I decided to start paying it with a willing heart, because I am truly greatful for the things he has given me.  Tithing is a great way to show our Heavenly Father our gratitude. I have realized how selfish I am when I would choose to buy a new movie over paying tithing.



Passed all of my spelling tests, even with a mullet!

 

As a missionary, I receive lots of letters about peoples spiritual experiences. Someone from my home ward sent me a letter as I was leaving the MTC. She said her family had really been struggling with money, and they were almost out. She only had two twenties left, and so she decided to pay their tithing, having faith things would work out. I know that because she had this faith, her husband was able to receive work the next day, and they were able to pay the bills for the month. She might have found a way to provide without paying her tithing, but I KNOW, that it was because of her willingness....She has strengthened my testimony of tithing, and has taught me you pay it always, not when you can, but always.

When you do what the Lord asks he will provide a way.



How has paying your tithing blessed your life!?

http://www.mormon.org/

Cherry on Top :]

Sabbath Day Observance

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).

"The Lord has given the Sabbath day for your benefit and has commanded you to keep it holy. Observing the Sabbath will bring you closer to the Lord and to your family. It will give you needed rest and rejuvenation. Many uplifting activities are appropriate for the Sabbath. Worship the Lord, attend church, spend quiet time with your family, study the gospel, write letters, write in your journal, do family history work, and visit the sick or home bound. Your dress before, during, and after church meetings should show respect for the Sabbath."

-FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH

My Stallion like parents who taught us to take family walks on the Sabbath

 Sundays are the perfect days to have that "quality family time." Growing up my parents were very good at teaching us to keep the Sabbath day holy. Even when we went on vacations or trips we would try and do our best. 
I am not going to lie to you, I still think it is hard to keep the Sabbath day holy, but remember we can do hard things.

I remember one Sunday we went over to our family friends house for dessert and to watch the Christmas Devotional. I was with my little brother Max. They had gotten out this HUGE thing of ice cream. We started to dig in. Then we added in the toppings. I put my favorites of chocolate, caramel, and Oreo cookies. Max started to do the same things. However he had mixed up the barbecue sauce with the chocolate sauce on poured it all over his ice cream. He did not realized until he took his first bite, boy was that a face to see. To make him feel a little better, I told him I would try it....bad choice... I started to think about this particular "sundae." I thought I just had this barbecue sauce on some chicken and it tasted great, but on ice cream it was just NO GOOD! It all comes back to what we do on "SUNDAES." The sauce was good just not on the ice cream, lots of the activities are good, but not on the Sabbath. I know it is hard to come up with ideas for the Sabbath but I know as you do your lives will be blessed. I know for the youth it is hard to take a day out of our social lives, but I can tell you, in the end its worth it!

Don't Make it this complicated....


What are some ideas of things to do on the Sabbath???
Comment them to give others ideas!
www.mormon.org

It hurts the way you lie.....

HONESTY

It hurts to lie, even if its just one!




Capital's State Team 2008

I have been golfing since I was in third grade. It has been the only thing that has come naturally to me. I absolutely love golf and all of the experiences I have gained from it. The first day on the High School golf team, I made a goal. I wanted to make it to state. My school had not done it in 18 years, and so I wanted to change that. Together, our team practiced hard every day. We did everything we could to do our best because we wanted to go to STATE!

Qualifying Tournament for State

In one of the bigger tournaments, our team was not doing very well. I was defiantly doing the worst that day. I had already hit like 6 balls out of bounds, and my game was totally off. We came to the 15th hole and our four some was already behind. We decided to do quick play. One of my opponents got up and hit her ball out in to the rough grass. The two other girls went to help her find her ball while I went to hit mine. I had put my bag up just right in front of my ball. I got all set up to hit it, when I heard the girl yell  "I found it!" I had jerked up to look and in the process my club hit the ball and it moved about two inches forward. I looked around as fast as I could. Then I quickly looked around and hit the ball onto the green. I thought YES, no one saw, I don't have to count that hit. As I walked the remaining 150 yards to the green I had an internal struggle. To tell the truth or not. I was trying to rationalize it, no one knew, it was only one stroke, and it was a HUGE tournament. When we finished the hole, I did it, I lied. I told them I got a 5 when I had shot a 6. We continued to the next hole when I realized I had the worst feeling inside. I had this thought come into my head, you will be blessed for telling the truth. So with that in mind, I told what had happened and to change the score. Some of the girls said it was not a big deal and they wouldn't count it, BUT I knew I needed to that day we did not finish even close to first, but I knew that my Heavenly Father would bless me, I did not know when or how.

I received my blessing only weeks later. We were in the qualifying tournament for State. I was playing with the top two golfers in Idaho, and I was nervous. I was playing okay but these girls, were rockin' it. I was not doing well enough to qualify individually, but I knew my team could. My group was the last ones on the course. I had heard that my team was only 5 strokes away to qualifying, and my last hole was a par 5. All I could think was I need to get a PAR! It was the 18th hole, and I got up and drove the ball, it was my longest drive ever. I was getting pretty excited, my next shot I got up and hit it with all my strength hand had put it right above the green. When I got up to the ball again, I was scared. All that in front of me was the hole and then the lake. I said a little prayer, and then this thought came into my head, you will be blessed for telling the truth. My coach turned his back, I closed my eyes and I chipped the ball.......IT WENT IN!!!!!! I had shot a 3 on a par 5, which is basically a hole in one. I fell to my knees and said a silent prayer of gratitude. My team made it to state for the first time in 18 years. I can tell you, that being honest pays off and that Heavenly Father will bless you!

FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH

Coming Clean.....

Repentance

“He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more” (D&C 58:42).

My first winter break from college was in 2008. I had come home from Utah State for almost a month. During that time I got to bond a lot with the family and also relax and participate in my favorite activity...Popcorn and a Movie. At my house when its night time, we all gather around and my mom makes like a million batches of kettle corn and we each get a soda pop. I can not express to you how in LOVE I am with soda....I have the biggest crush on pop, and it is just something I can not get over. 

Sadly to say my winter break came to an end and I was all packed and ready to go back to Utah State. I was going to miss those nightly Soda pops though. I had already snuck a few into my car, when my dad came out and handed me one. I was so excited because my dad had noticed how much I LOVED soda pop. So naturally I treated this one with care, because it was from my dad. I put it right in the cup holder and started the drive. When I had reached the halfway mark, all I could think about was how thirsty I was, BUT I could not bring myself to drink the one my dad had given me, it was to special. So I left it in that cup holder. A few weeks went by, and I realized it was happy hour at SONIC, and I just could not pass it up. So I went and got my route 44 strawberry slush. After getting it I realized that I did not have room for it, reluctantly I took that soda can my dad had given me and put it in the back seat. After having it roll around for a few months, I had moved the can of soda to the back window, I thought I was so clever because I had some "food storage" in my car for when I got really thirsty.


Always stop to hear the still small voice

It was finally summer, and I was moving apartments. The soda was still there, and I saw it! I had the most distinct feeling come into me, the thought was "SISTER VATERLAUS, MOVE THAT CAN OF POP." All I could think was seriously? The Holy Ghost is not going to waist his time on pop, and so I ignored it. This happened the next day to, and once again I though I knew better. On the third day I walked out and had no such feeling, and felt like I had won, that it was not a big deal...

VICTORY was not mine that next day, I went out and the can of soda had exploded EVERYWHERE. Please remember that I was in the process of moving and so everything I owned was sticky. I tried to clean it out myself, and I failed. All I could think was I should have listened. Luckily I had my brother Mitch and my best friend Rica come and help me clean my car out because I could not myself. It took a LONG time, and it was not a fun process. However with time and hard work the car was clean. The only thing that was left was the smell, and it did not go away for weeks. I kept thinking I have cleaned and cleaned but the smell is not gone. I was still frustrated about it while sitting in Sacrament one day, and I had flipped randomly to the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 58:42. After thinking of that scripture, I walked out to the car and opened the door, I took a big deep breath and found that the smell was gone!

Through all of this I realized,  this was like the repentance process. I had something that was so special to me, a soda pop,which could be compared to a covenant. When I choose to ignore our covenants or put them in the back seat, we tend to forget about them. I even went as far as to ignore the Holy Ghost when I was prompted  to move it. When it was all said and done, I could not clean it up myself. I had to have help, just like when we sin. We must always turn to our Savior, if needed we can have Bishops, Stake Presidents, or parents help us. The thing to remember is we must always keep our covenants in the front cup holder. We must never put them in the back seat, and always listen to the Holy Ghost. After we sin, we need to know, that if we have done everything we can to repent, then the Lord does not remember the sin, and neither should we! 

Come unto Christ, and he will help you!

"Satan wants you to think that you cannot repent, but that is absolutely not true. The Savior has promised you forgiveness if you will do what is required. The sooner you repent, the sooner you will find the blessings that come from forgiveness."

-FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH

 

Put a ring on it......

Sexual Purity



“The sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World”).

"Before marriage, do not do anything to arouse the powerful emotions that must be expressed only in marriage. Do not participate in passionate kissing, lie on top of another person, or touch the private, sacred parts of another person’s body, with or without clothing. Do not allow anyone to do that with you. Do not arouse those emotions in your own body."

-FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH

 Sexual Purity is a subject that most people try to avoid. The power of procreation is a sacred thing that does belong between a man and a woman who have been married legally.YOUTH, I am sorry to say that you are not married yet and you still have some time....So stick to dating! Sex is not a bad thing if it is within the bonds of marriage. I did an experiment with SCOPE and JUICE...

 

 JUICE is pretty magical, it tastes good, its refreshing and can clench your thirst.

SCOPE is great for getting that fresh breath that one needs. It is an easy 30 second thing that will leave your breath fresh for hours.

First I drank the juice and it tasted just great by it self. After drinking the juice I put put some scope in my mouth and it didn't taste funny, it was just right. The second part of my experiment was to swish scope first and then the juice. Let me just say it was AWFUL. Now think about, both the juice and the scope are good things. However the order was important. When I did scope first and then drank the juice, it was sour, and I couldn't even enjoy it. When I drank the juice first and then did the scope it worked out just great.

So when it comes to the LAW OF CHASTITY remember, there is an order. You do not have to try it out to realize it does not bring the best results... Trust me on this one, live the LAW OF CHASTITY and God will bless you :]

I trust you YOUTH! 

Here goes the SCOPE

SO good :)

Drinking after, NASTY

This is what happens when the order is off....