MISSIONARY SERVICE, MORE OF A BLESSING THAN A SACRIFICE.

                        It all started with this white envelope. Sister Ashley Carlson you have been called to serve in the New York Rochester mission. If only I had know what adventures, heart aches, joys and memories i was in for. These are the best months for my life. Becoming a new woman in Christ.   "Forget Yourself and go to work"

 Nothing will ever be able to explain the way i have felt about my mission. No words will ever describe the peace and happiness i have felt in these moments. There is no sweeter joy than the moments i am showing a family around here at the hill cumorah visitor center, as a i take a child or a group of children into the room with the statue of Christ, as their mouth drops open in awe as the soft words are whispered from their mouths "it's Jesus"

  Now I am a mommy's girl to the end. Growing up I couldn't even sleep over at my grandmas house for a night. One of my first sleep over memories was at my aunts house, i wouldn't go to sleep and i was bawling my eyes out. all i wanted to comfort me is a cold blanket. my poor frantic aunt didn't know what on earth a cold blanket was, so eventually she went and hung it outside to get cold brought it back in wrapped me up in it and i was fine. I don't know why i just shared that story, i guess writing about leaving my mom took me back to my very first sleep over with my aunt penny. I am sure it was just as traumatic for her as it was for me ;)

 Here i sit 7 months into my mission happier than i have ever been. Before i left i was a mess. could i REALLY leave behind 21 years i had worked so hard to build? OF COURSE!! The savior gave his life for me, of COURSE i can share 18 months of my life serving him!! After this i will STILL be in debt with my Savior. I think reality hit me when i put my very first car i had purchased allll by myself on ksl.com the day the man came to pick it up and drive it out of my drive way i realized i was really truly going on a mission. the following week family members were showing up to say their goodbyes before i would leave my home for 18 months devoted to my savior Jesus Christ. It was as if i was dying or something!

 It feels like it was just last night i was frantically hemming my skirts, throwing random clothes into a suit case bawling my eyes out every time i would look at my dogs thinking i wouldn't see them for 18 months. The whole drive to the MTC my papa bear kept reminding me i didn't have to go and he could still turn the car around and he wouldn't be ashamed. For a small moment i was ALMOST tempted. Then i swallowed the lump in my throat and told him to continue on.
 Pulling through the gates to the mtc he told me one last time, "you know.. it's still not to late" and here i sit in palmyra new york at the bottom of the most sacred hill in america, where the young prophet joseph smith found the gold plates which is now the most beloved book to my soul, the book of mormon. It wasn't easy to hug my family goodbye that day on the curb of the mtc but i knew it was right.. i was finally doing EXACTLY what the Lord needed me to do.
I trekked down the side walk pulling my suite cases full of the next 18 months of my life, fighting back the tears, instantly greeted by warm faces assisting me in putting on my new most loved accessory

  My first experience here was in transfer meeting as President Christianson announced who would be training me "Now this next companion ship i am a little nervous about... they are both NUTS!"

This is the moment my life began to change for the better. My VERY first day in New York. I expected we would go home and un pack, but we hit it hard and went straight to work.

 These are days i will never forget. Every smile, every trial, every awkward moment, each a memory i will cherish for the rest of my life. There is no greater joy than that of watching some one feel Gods love for them for the first time ever, as they realize they have a divine purpose here. That they have a father in heaven who loves them.

 I am so grateful to be here and that i can continue to be an instrument in the hands of my Father, bringing others closer to their savior Jesus Christ. I can not believe how fast the time is moving and every day is a day in the lords time to make a change and a difference. Never have i felt so great a joy as i do here. my heart is full. If anyone is reading this and trying to decide if a mission is the step that is needed in their life, I would say JUST DO IT. it has been life altering. The relationship i have come to have with the savior and father in heaven is something i feel i could have never done at home.

 This time has helped me to transform myself, to become a new woman found in Christ. To develop patients, and a greater love for all those that i come in contact with. It has brought to my mind a whole new understanding of the atonement of Jesus Christ, a whole new understanding of Jesus Christ. I can now say with all that I am, I know that Jesus Christ lives, That God is our heavenly Father and we CAN be forgiven of our sins, our faults, and all weaknesses. My eyes have been opened to knowing that there are other people in the world other than me, that there are others out there who need help and the hope that this gospel brings. President Christianson once said "Dont let your future be held hostage by your past" That is the message I am so blessed to share. Our future can be made free, our past doesn't have to drive our future.

 what an honor it is to labor in the vineyard of the lord. bringing souls to christ. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.

DANCING IN THE RAIN!

Every once in a while you will be in middle of a tour and the rain begins to pour. Here in New York the weather can change in an eye blink. As people travel from ALL OVER the world to see these sisters they will see it rain sleet or snow. Unfortunately if the rain, thunder or lightening becomes intense enough we have to close the grove to visitors.

Life brings the unexpected. Change happens. peoples actions affect us in certain times. Heart ache comes. Moments of joy take place. We can never predict what may come toward us.

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-atonement-covers-all-pain?lang=eng&query=healing+soul+and+body

"I have pondered about the purpose of pain. None of us is immune from experiencing pain. I have seen people cope with it very differently. Some turn away from God in anger, and others allow their suffering to bring them closer to God.

Like you, I have experienced pain myself. Pain is a gauge of the healing process. It often teaches us patience. Perhaps that is why we use the termpatient in referring to the sick."

When pain sets in healing takes place. The only true way to become healed is through our savior. We must rather than letting our hopes become crushed, learn that life happens and we need to take the storm and enjoy the moments of sunshine, put on the rain boots grab your best umbrella and jump in. I know that through Christ all is possible. The storm can become enjoyable. He is the ray of light through the clouds. He is our everything. I wish that i could put into words the changes Christ has brought upon my heart and my spirit. The ways he has helped me to overcome weaknesses and trials brought upon by others choices. Through Christ true happiness is found. Nothing the world can offer brings great peace and joy than the gospel of Jesus Christ, living the commandments and being as close to Christ as earthly possible.

Reading the words of Christ, through prophets and scripture is a sure way to over come the world. I have grown to really love my study time here as a missionary, to understand Gods plan for each of us more fully, to feel of his love through the holy spirit as he guides me in my reading. I have truly grown to LOVE the book of Mormon. It is a book that as i pick it up it is hard to put it back down. When my hour of personal study is over it's almost like i crave more, it is an escape from the world.

Becoming lost in Christ i am beginning to find who i truly am. Let Jesus take the wheel, let him take hold of the sores, trials, and burdens let him lift them and add strength to your back. I love my savior Jesus Christ. I know that he is gods son and he lives. I know that here in the sacred grove heavenly father and Jesus Christ came to Joseph smith for us, so that we can know god. so that we can more fully understand the sacrifice of his son.


" 27 And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first."

"here am i send me" the simple, selfless words that changed all of the eternities. that changed the world and made it possible for us all the return home to our father in heaven. I know all of my blogs are about the savior and his atonement, my heart and my mind are just overcome by the love, the sacrifice, the compassion, humility, no words can even describe what our lord and savior did for us. i am overcome by emotion as i ponder about my savior Jesus Christ. He lives, and he loves us.



 

Believing In Christ.

I believe in the Savior Jesus Christ. My Lord My Savior My Brother.

As I took a family on a tour a few days ago I shared a story with them in The Joseph Smith Log home here in Palmyra New York.

As we talked about family unity, support and love I was reminded of Joseph Smith as a young 7 year old boy, he needed to have an intense surgery done on his leg where part of his bone was to be removed, he refused to drink or take anything to remove the pain. After the surgery he was in a great deal of pain. His older brother Hyrum would sit at his bed side holding the leg in his hands taking the pressure out of it in order for Joseph to tolerate the pain. Shortly after this surgery the Smith family had need to relocate from Vermont to new york. At first the man in charge of their wagon was cruel to Joseph, He caused that Joseph must trudge through snow only by limping on his crutch. His dear older brothers would attempt in assisting him through but they would be knocked down and pushed away by the butt of a whip. Joseph Smith endured great challenges through out His entire life. By the end of their journey here to new york they fired the wagon driver and joined teams with a family, as Joseph rode in the final wagon he was pushed out by another young boy and he thought he would remain alone to wallow in his blood, when a stranger came and lifted him, and he carried Joseph the rest of the way to Palmyra. Because He knew Jesus Christ and God the Father He knew that he could do all things through Christ.

As I spoke about this I was reminded of Our Brother Jesus Christ who took on the pains of all of our heart ache and sins. That he loves us infinitely, it pains his heart to see us in anguish or to be tormented by our decisions. I was then reminded that I need not bear my pains alone but to allow the savior to help me through, to lift me, to take me by the hand and guide me. To let Him take hold of my heart to remove the pressure and pain caused from choices of others and myself. To let the healing process begin and to find a great love, faith and trust in the savior.

There are things in this life we can control and things beyond what we can keep from happening. At times our own choices, or actions put us in situations not in the greatest harmony with what The Lord would have us do. Or we are put in situations at the negative choices of others and we suffer great pain.

We however must not turn away from the Lord, we must run to Him, to pray for relief. Not to have these trials or problems removed but to obtain strength from him to be given the power to heal and over come these heart aches. All things are possible with Christ. Alone we are nothing, through Christ we can become everything. I know he loves us. I know he paid a price that no other could pay. He wants us to live with Him after this life and it becomes possible through his sacrifice, repentance, faith and having trust in Him. I love my Savior with all that I am. He lifts me up each time I fall. He is there to carry me through days I feel as though I remain alone. He gets me through each and every moment, as my best friend, my brother, my king.

Recognize, Remember, and Give Thanks

"You could have such an experience with the gift of the Holy Ghost today. You could begin a private prayer with thanks. You could start to count your blessings and then pause for a moment. If you exercise faith, with the gift of the Holy Ghost, you will find that memories of other blessings will flood into your mind. If you begin to express gratitude for each of them, your prayer may take a little longer than usual. Remembrance will come, and so will gratitude."

Count your many blessings name them one by one!

" An Expression of Faith

Luke chapter 17 records the experience of the Savior when He healed 10 lepers. As you recall, only one of the cleansed lepers returned to express his appreciation. Isn’t it interesting that the Lord did not say, “Your gratitude has made you whole”? Instead, He said, “Thy faith hath made thee whole.” ⁷

The leper’s expression of gratitude was recognized by the Savior as an expression of his faith. As we pray and express gratitude to a loving but unseen Heavenly Father, we are also expressing our faith in Him. Gratitude is our sweet acknowledgment of the Lord’s hand in our lives; it is an expression of our faith."

gratitude an expression of our faith :) 

"Do material possessions make us happy and grateful? Perhaps momentarily. However, those things which provide deep and lasting happiness and gratitude are the things which money cannot buy: our families, the gospel, good friends, our health, our abilities, the love we receive from those around us. Unfortunately, these are some of the things we allow ourselves to take for granted."

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/the-divine-gift-of-gratitude?lang=eng#watch=video 

In all things we give thanks. Not just here a little there a little. I ALWAYS find my self struggling through having an attitude of gratitude. All things come from God. Each thing that is good in my life has been a gift from the heavens. In times of trial it is often easy to become wrapped up in the why or how of it. I am learning that it is not the why or the how that we need. It is the "Thanks" we have need for. Even in trial there are moments of sunshine. In the greatest storms always comes a ray of light after or the rainbow. In my moms kitchen there is a quote i have often reflected on

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain"

Put on your best rain boots and learn to jump in the puddles! I am learning that trials are merely blessings wrapped up in a box with the best wrapping paper surrounding it. You at times have to work a little harder to unwrap it but in the end the blessing always comes forth. "sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven" as we give thanks to the lord we will find more things to be thankful for and we will find that we have more than we once thought. the simplest things in life become the greatest beauties.

The Lord is present in all things, in all times in all places <3

Christlike Communications

L. LIONEL KENDRICK

---

Heavenly Father has given us a priceless gift in our capacity to communicate with each other. Our communications are at the core of our relationships with others. If we are to return home safely to Heavenly Father, we must develop righteous relationships with His children here in mortality.

Our communications reflect in our countenance. Therefore, we must be careful not only what we communicate, but also how we do so. Souls can be strengthened or shattered by the message and the manner in which we communicate.

Accountability

We will be held accountable for all that we say. The Savior has warned “that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matt. 12:36.) This means that no communication shall be without consequence. This includes the slight slips of the tongue, the caustic communications that canker the soul, and the vain, vulgar, and profane words which desecrate the name of Deity.

Un-Christlike Communication

There are certain kinds of un-Christlike communications which destroy relationships and are not for our development but are for our destruction. They result in a diminished opportunity of returning home safely to Heavenly Father. One of the major ways that Satan uses to retard the development of righteous relationships is in the use of gossip, rumor, and slander on his communication network. Perhaps the more common un-Christlike communications are those of lying, blaming, criticizing, and anger.

1. 1. 
   Lying. The first of these communications is that of lying. To lie is to be untruthful, deceptive, deceitful, and dishonest. This is a basic communications problem which is not new; it goes back to the Garden of Eden.

Satan introduced the first recorded communications problem in the form of lying in his conversation with Eve. He asked recorded history’s first question: “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Gen. 3:1.)

Eve responded, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

“But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, … lest ye die.” (Gen. 3:2–3.)

Satan, in a spirit of deception and defiance, responded, “Ye shall not surely die.” (Gen. 3:4.) He distorted the truth, denied the word of God, and planted the seeds of doubt about the word of Deity. Thus, Satan became the father of lies, deception, and doubt.

It is a serious sin to lie. The scriptures teach us that “lying lips are abomination to the Lord” (Prov. 12:22) and that “he that lieth and will not repent shall be cast out” (D&C 42:21). They also teach us that to lie about a person is a form of hatred, for “a lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it.” (Prov. 26:28.) The Apostle Paul gave us counsel concerning this matter: “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour.” (Eph. 4:25.)

Integrity is the core of our character. Without integrity we have a weak foundation upon which to build other Christlike characteristics.

1. 2. 
   Blaming. A second un-Christlike communication is that of blaming. This is a condemning communication. It is interesting that when the Lord confronted Adam in his fallen state, Adam began to place the blame on Eve for his actions. He said, “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” (Gen. 3:12.) When Eve was confronted, she placed the blame on Satan. She said, “The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” (Gen. 3:13.)

It has been from the beginning and it will be till the end that the natural man will have a tendency to rationalize and to blame his behaviors on others or on certain circumstances. When we attempt to place responsibility for our choices on others, we are responding in a less than Christlike manner. Blaming is an unrighteous form of communication.

1. 3. 
   Criticizing. A third un-Christlike communication is that of criticizing. Positive criticism is feedback given with the purpose of helping another person to grow and to develop. This is both helpful and needful and is generally accepted and appreciated.
   Negative criticism is intended to hurt and often to defame and to destroy. This caustic communication is cruel, and it tends to crush the character of all of those about whom it is directed. King Benjamin urged his people to “not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably.” (Mosiah 4:13.) We should surely follow this counsel and defend those who are defamed by these denouncements.
2. 4. 
   Anger. A fourth is anger. This is perhaps the most common form of un-Christlike communication. Anger causes anguish to the souls of all of those who experience the feeling as well as to those who are the recipients of this emotional explosion.
   Anger shows a lack of self-control and an inability to relate in a righteous way to others. It is a senseless substitute for self-control. It is sometimes used as a selfish strategy to gain control of a relationship. President Wilford Woodruff counseled that “the moment a man or a woman becomes angry they show a great weakness.” (InJournal of Discourses, 4:98.)

We are instructed to “let all bitterness, … and anger, … and evil speaking, be put away.” (Eph. 4:31.) The implication is clear: we have the capacity to control this carnal communication.

Counsel

Much counsel has been given concerning our communications with others. The counsel given by the Apostle Paul to the Ephesian Saints seems to be most appropriate for the Latter-day Saints. He cautioned, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good.” (Eph. 4:29.) He further counseled to be “kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Eph. 4:32.)

Christlike Communications

May we be found communicating with each other in a manner in which the Savior would communicate. Christlike communications are expressed in tones of love rather than loudness. They are intended to be helpful rather than hurtful. They tend to bind us together rather than to drive us apart. They tend to build rather than to belittle.

Christlike communications are expressions of affection and not anger, truth and not fabrication, compassion and not contention, respect and not ridicule, counsel and not criticism, correction and not condemnation. They are spoken with clarity and not with confusion. They may be tender or they may be tough, but they must always be tempered.

The real challenge that we face in our communications with others is to condition our hearts to have Christlike feelings for all of Heavenly Father’s children. When we develop this concern for the condition of others, we then will communicate with them as the Savior would. We will then warm the hearts of those who may be suffering in silence. As we meet people with special needs along life’s way, we can then make their journey brighter by the things that we say.

Christlike communications will help us to develop righteous relationships and ultimately to return to our heavenly home safely. May we treasure the divine gift of communication, and may we use it wisely to build and to assist others on this marvelous journey through mortality. May Heavenly Father bless us to this end, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

"CHRISTLIKE COMMUNICATIONS"

MY BEST FRIEND

 

 

 My best friend is not a friend of this world. My best friend is The Savior Jesus Christ. He is the friend that i know with all that i am he will be here for me un conditionally. a friend who is full of truth and light. A friend to never let me down. With the savior Jesus Christ we are NEVER alone. 



 

 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities.

 

Alma 7:11-12(The Book Of Mormon)

 

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

 

 

What would you give to not just know OF the Savior, but to truly KNOW him?

 

Would you give all that you have to follow him?

 

 The more i come to know my Savior as i study the word of god(the book of Mormon and bible) the more i want to strive to become like him. Full of mercy and forgiveness, Compassion, faith and charity.

 

 He was sent into the world to redeem man kind. To suffer the pains of our afflictions, sins and death so that when we entered into this life we would not have to do it alone. The savior has felt all things that we feel in order to give us aid in times of need, he felt those things so he could truly know what we are going through as we suffer guilt of sins, pain from others actions, sickness and heart break. Our Savior has felt it all.

 

 When life gets hard let your knees hit the floor. Pray unto him with all that you have. Truly open your heart and speak with him. As if he himself was sitting next to you. I know that he hears and answers all of our prayers.

 

 Seek guidance from the savior, he has set the path before us, if we always walk in his steps we will never be lost. Find Christ, really get to know him, as we obtain a knowledge of the savior, we study his life and we build a bond with him we can truly find who we are meant to be while in this earthly state.

 

 Becoming lost in Christ=being found eternally.

 

 As I ponder what to give to my savior I hope that i would always be willing to give it all. He gave his life so that we might have ours. All that he asks in return is that we keep his commandments.

 

 To redeem means to pay for. He paid for our lives, he gave his for us. A debt that we can never pay back. I know that he overcame death. He lives and he rescues us each and every day from the bonds that life may put on us at times.

 

 

"Come, follow me," the Savior said.

Then let us in his footsteps tread,

For thus alone can we be one

With God's own loved, begotten Son."

 

 

 The savior invites us time and time again to come unto him. To follow him. He set the prime example of what men should be.

"It seems clear that the essence of our duty and the fundamental requirement of our mortal life is captured in these brief phrases from any number of scenes in the Savior’s mortal ministry. He is saying to us, “Trust me, learn of me, do what I do. Then, when you walk where I am going,” He says, “we can talk about where you are going, and the problems you face and the troubles you have. If you will follow me, I will lead you out of darkness,” He promises. “I will give you answers to your prayers. I will give you rest to your souls."

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/broken-things-to-mend?lang=eng

 

 

"He lives to grant me rich supply.

He lives to guide me with his eye.

He lives to comfort me when faint.

He lives to hear my soul's complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears.

He lives to wipe away my tears.

He lives to calm my troubled heart.

He lives all blessings to impart."

 

 I know he lives. I know he loves us all and knows us all individually. He is here for us every step of the way. To love us, to guide us, to comfort us, to heal us, protect us, and make us whole through it all, not matter what life gives us. I love my savior. He is my light, my life, my everything. :)