The little things.

But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance 1 Nephi 1:20

Step by step, little by little the Lord hears and answers our prayers.

 "And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led."

Shortly before this scripture nephi and his family have to leave their home, and wander through the wilderness to find refuge. As they travel they pass through SO MANY trials. Nephi and his brothers go to hunt for food and their bows break! The whole family breaks down and begins to murmur. Except Nephi. He goes and He fixes his bow and then asks Lehi his father where he should go to find food. He is a legit example to his family of doing your best to fix broken things. Once he asks Lehi, Lehi prays and tells Nephi where to go! He then finds food for the family. Had he been lost in his own pity party with the family.. they probably would have starved to death. Nephi goes and he does. He doesn't wallow. The Lord doesn't expect us to know everything or to be perfect. But he does expect us to try. When times get hard we must first put forth our best effort to fix what is broken, then take faith and move forward.(1 Nephi 16)

Nephi and his family were expected to trust in the lord to be their light to guide them through the wilderness. Once they made it through their trials after relying on the lord they are led out of the wilderness and Nephi is again asked to do hard things. In that moment he doesn't throw a fit and say "I can't do that, i have never done that before, it would be impossible.." He basically says, alright lord. Teach me how to do this. 1 nephi 17, 1 nephi 18

He is then instructed on how to build a fire! Which had that been me I would be like. "Uhm where was that fire when I was eating raw meat a few weeks ago..."

The Lord gives us answers as we are prepared to receive them. If he gave us everything at once we wouldn't be capable to receive them. He gives us little steps to take as he knows we are ready to act. Deliverance never comes over night. The road to eternal life comes with a price. We have to go through trials to become stronger, more wise, patient, humble and dependant on the lord.

We have to step into the dark every once in a while so that we can make Christ our light.

Every once in a while I get into a pity party and wonder why I am going through trials. I am a missionary. I am trying to serve the Lord and some days... my head is in a toilet. I cant wander to far from a bathroom, and I think to myself why... Instead of thinking how.

How is this going to make me better. or What can I learn. How am I going to become stronger.

The last few weeks there have been so many tender mercies in my life.

tender mercy number one... CAPTAIN CRUNCH IS GLUTEN FREE

 ALSO GLUTEN FREE...

 

in the last few weeks I have discovered so many incredible foods. When I found out that captain crunch was gluten free, I actually almost cried. I had never taken the time to read the labels on either of these cereals I had passed them many times and assumed they were just like the rest. A gluten trap. I wasn't looking for the little things. Once I took a moment to stop and read the label my eyes were opened and MY HEART WAS REJOICING. I may have teared up a little ;)

as we stop to thank God even for the little things we will begin to see we are surrounded each and every day. He has not left us alone. Our own choices and thought processes lead us to feel alone.

There are miracles, blessings and reasons to be happy surrounding us each and every day. Attitude and prospective are everything in life. Who would have thought finding these cereals would make me SO HAPPY. It's CEREAL!

Find joy in the simple things. When you feel down, look for the little things that make you smile.

Pray for direction. Come up with your own ideas and then take them to the lord.

Ask for strength and then get up and work for it.

Don't always ask why, but ask how.

Trials will either make us bitter or better, it is up to us to choose.

I have made the choice to smile even when I want to cry. To laugh when I want to hide away. To reach out when I want to cave in.

If you feel like you are in a trial to hard to bear, reach out and become whole with in. Read the book of Mormon and you will be strengthened through the examples of others as they learn to rely on Jesus Christ and Our Father in Heaven.

Trust in God. Know that he can strengthen you. There is power in the atonement that provides a way for us to become so much more than we are.

You are enough. and God loves you. Never give in. Work your faith out. Stretch it, and let your trials help you grow. Pray on. and trust.

You are a child of God and your worth is great in his eyes. "even when your broken you are loved"

I love my Savior, and I love my God :)