Monday, August 30, 2010

It's All About Becoming

"More Holiness Give Me," (Hymn #131)

More holiness give me,
More strivings within,
More patience in suff'ring,
More sorrow for sin,
More faith in my Savior,
More sense of his care,
More joy in his service,
More purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me,
More trust in the Lord,
More pride in his glory,
More hope in his word,
More tears for his sorrows,
More pain at his grief,
More meekness in trial,
More praise for relief.

More purity give me,
More strength to o'ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains,
More longing for home.
More fit for the kingdom,
More used would I be,
More blessed and holy--
More, Savior, like thee.

Lately, I have been asking myself, "Who do I really want to be, and what do I really want to become?" I know that the greatest joy in life comes from being who God wants you to be. This song really puts my feelings into words. I want to be the best I can, and Jesus Christ is the example I need to follow.

My bishop this last semester, Bishop McKellar, gave me a copy of the bookThe Infinite Atonement, by Tad R. Callister as a gift. I think what struck me the most in the entire book, was this statement referring to Christ's godliness. "Every moment of every day his godly attributes were etching themselves on his outer shell. They manifested themselves in every smile, every glance, every spoken word. Godliness exuded itself in every thought, every action, and every deed." I have learned that this is what I want to become. I want others to be able to see who I represent. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior, and I want people to be able to know that without having to ask me. I don't have a badge saying that I belong to His church, maybe someday I will, but I shouldn't need one. I pray every day that I can become what God wants me to be and that He will bless me with His Spirit to help me in becoming who I have the potential to become. I am a daughter of God, who loves me, and that's all I need to know to keep me on the right path.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

God's Truths: Even a Child Can Understand

Unmotivated and Distracted

I seem to have lost all motivation to do anything that requires effort. I hate that. I have always been an extremely hard worker, and somehow that ethic that my family is known for has gone down the toilet. I'm sick of it. It doesn't help that I am very easily distracted. I find something even just slightly more interesting than what I had previously been planning to do, and I decide to forget my plans and waste time doing something that is not only extremely unproductive, but that makes me complacent in every facet of my life. I can't let it happen anymore. I've been ignoring the Spirit, to the point that its voice seems muffled. I hate that. I have lived my life by the guidance of the Holy Ghost. I don't know how I let myself drift so far from its influence.

Lately, I've been studying about zeal. I have learned that to be zealous means so much more than being diligent or dedicated to something. It means to obey with exactness. My freshman year of seminary, I was given the "Zealous Peter" award. Our teachers made up an award for everyone that year, and I don't know if anyone else remembers what their's were, but I do. I also remember that, until now, I had no idea what it meant. Now that I know I want to live up to that award, to deserve it. If I can learn to obey with exactness, I will be able to always have the Spirit with me and always listen to its promptings. I will be more motivated to become what I know I can be and won't be so easily distracted.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Reflection

I like to keep things simple, hence the title of my blog, but I've realized everyday since that first post, that life isn't simple. It's possible that it should be simpler than I make it, mostly because I am overly analytical and I tend to complicate everything. But life isn't meant to be simple. We are supposed to have challenges. What we need to remember that it's not the challenges that define us; it's how we deal with those challenges and how we allow them to change us as people. I've had my fair share of challenges lately, and I am grateful for them. They are teaching me about the person I want to become. Perfection is a process, not an event. I'm not saying that I'm perfect or anything like that, but it's my divine potential as a child of God. We struggle through life, learning from our mistakes and making sure we don't repeat them. Sometimes I wish we could learn from other people's mistakes and not have to deal with the pain, but God knows us better than we do. He has a plan for us and that plan does not include a life without suffering, self-inflicted or not. Life is beautiful. Embrace every moment, even if that moment is covered in spikes. Bring them close to your heart and let them change you into a better person than you were before.

Buenos Aires Temple Rededication Announced

Buenos Aires Temple Rededication Announced
The first presidency announced the re-dedication of the Buenos Aires Temple in three sessions on the 9 of September. Oh happy day! There will be a public open house from the 4 of August to the 25th of August with the exception of Sundays. Saturday, the 8th of August there will be a cultural event as part of the celebration.

December 2011 & January 2012

December 2011 & January 2012

Hermana Litster is in Argentina!

Hermana Litster is in Argentina!

MTC Photos September- November

MTC Photos September- November