Blogging from the phone!!

Yeah, it's official I can blog from my phone! Not sure of that is a good or a bad thing...????

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Week 1: Day 6 Faith

I have been LOVING reading the conference Ensign.  I have made it a goal to read at least one talk a day.  Phenomenal and it is amazing the new things that I have been learning!  This morning I read Bishop Richard C. Edgley's talk.  I don't specifically recall this one from conference but it stuck out to me today.

If you know me you know my desire to one day be married and have a family.  It is a life long goal and dream.  Not too long ago I was thinking about how I do have hope that one day marriage will happen for me but I am not sure that the faith is completely there.

Then I read Bishop Edgley's talk and it made perfect sense and he spoke to my soul.  He spoke about faith as a choice and that has never been more true in my life than now.  Faith is a choice and choice of action and perseverance.  A choice of patience and love and a choice of hope and happiness.  It is a choice.

Here is a quote that I especially appreciated from the talk:

"Yes, faith is a choice, and it must be sought after and developed.  thus, we are responsible for our own faith.  We are also responsible for our lack of faith.  The choice is yours."

I pray that as I come closer to the Lord that my faith will increase and that I will have more confidence and peace as I face the trials and challenges of this life.  The Lord will bless me and He will bless you!  

Week 1: Day 5 Thanksgiving

President Ezra T. Benson said, "The Prophet Joseph Smith is reported to have said that one of the greatest sins for which the Latter-day Saints would be guilt would be ingratitude.  God help us to be grateful for our blessing and never to be guilty of the sin of ingratitude."  I have never thought of it that way but I have much to be grateful for!  I thank the Lord for blessing me with the knowledge of the true and everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am thankful for a loving and supportive family, a warm and beautiful place to live and an amazing job that I love!  Although there are things in my life that I deeply desire I know that I have been blessed and for that I am grateful!  Thank you to the many of you who have changed and influenced my life for the better!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

“And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more” (D&C 78:19)

Week 1: Day 4 Prayer

I was with a good friend and we were talking about trials in our lives.  She opened up and talked about her prayers, I was instantly listening intently.  I have been feeling for a while now how my prayers are not what I want them to be.  The jist of this is that I want to become better with my prayers.  I often reflect on my mission and how I prayed then.  I think about why I prayed so earnestly and it was because I could only turn to my God for support.  As much as my companion was there it was not the same.  Here in the US I can turn to good friends for questions, I can turn to my loving family and I can turn to my roommates.  I have SO much support here that sometimes I forget that I can and should take my concerns and questions and my life to the Lord.  It has been difficult for me to learn this lesson again, but as I do the Lord will bless my life and comfort my fears.  

What are some ways that you have learned to improve your prayers?

Week 1: Day 3 Media

Well, since my internet at my apartment is REALLY bad I decided to just post here at my parents.  Don't worry, I still have been doing my Walk with Christ and it is becoming more and more powerful!  Today it hit me how media has such a strong influence in my life.  So, I have been listening to Christmas music for a while now and I LOVE IT!!!  Just ask my family, I am Filipino when it comes to Christmas.  As long as there is a 'ber' at the end of the month, I will listen to Christmas music.  You know, SeptemBER, OctoBER, NovemBER and DecemBER.  Well, as I switched my radio around I found that some of the music I have previously listened to is not the best suited to live a life to walk with Christ.  It was then that I began to feel what a peace comes to my life when I listend to wholesome and uplifting things.  I just bought Josh Groban's new CD and it is FAB!  I have been listening to that a lot, along with the Christmas music.

Interesting enough that night I had a little bit of a 'run in' with a movie, if you can call it that.  Ha! Ha!  I have to say that music and movies are the media that really affect me most.  Well, my roommates wanted to watch a movie and I wasn't sure about it.  I sat down and quickly realized it was not the kind of movie I wanted to watch...and so I fell asleep.  Typically I fall asleep during a movie because I am legitimately tired...not so much this time. As I thought about what I did I questioned why I didn't just walk out and take myself out of the situation all together.  Well, that is one way I can become better.

I know that as I stand up for the things that I know are right and true my walk with Christ will be that much more successful.  I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true gospel on this earth.  As we strive each day to come to Christ He will show us the way.

Week 1: Day 2

To be honest, I thought that I would start this "Walk with Christ" and suddenly my life would be different.  But it hasn't been like that at all, I still have to work at it and find things.  But I think that is what the Lord is trying to teach me, to find and see his hand in my life in all things.  It has been eye opening and alas, the Lord always has something to teach and show us.  A hymn that has been playing over and over in my head says this, "Because I have been given much, I too must give."  I love this hymn and am grateful for it's words.  It brings humility to my soul.  In my profession we work with children that have delays and disabilities.  With this comes  working with families.  Some of them are more difficult than others and some are such a joy to work with.  As I was working with a family and with some of my co-workers today I recognized what a great blessing it is to be able to go into these people's homes and give a little.  Although I may not give them everything they need I feel like I can make a difference in their lives.

I think about the people that have made such a difference in my life and many of them may not even know it.  My mission president and his wife, the Anderson's.  My young women leader, Terri Pyne; my 5th grade teacher, Miss Oxborrow.  Just to name a few.  There are many others that have touched my life in big and little ways.  It is amazing to know the power and influence that others have.  But of course, the one who has had a profound effect in my life is my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  As I go through these next few weeks I know that my life will be blessed as I more fully rely on his Atonement.  It is through that act that all things are possible.  As I put my faith and trust in him all will be well.  It is not an easy task to put all my faith and trust in him, but I must!  I know that my life will be blessed and the Lord will put in my path those who will help me to have greater faith and trust.  Maybe it will be you?  You never know, but I hope that you are willing and ready to help those around you.  

I've been inspired!

Week 1: Day 1: Service

A friend of mine from BYU-Idaho has inspired me.  On her blog she has started writing about her "6-week Walk with Christ."  Now, since I am a little behind the time I will start with a close-to-5-week Walk with Christ, starting today.  So indulge me as I go on a walk and take you with me.  I hope that you also find peace, happiness, joy and love as you read and "Come Unto Christ" through this holiday season.

So here is the first day...today!

This weekend I went to Idaho.  It was a lovely trip and as always had it's ups and downs, like every trip does.  It was quick but one thing I made sure that I did was go to the Rexburg Temple for an Endowment session.  I truly love that temple and it has a tender spot in my heart.  I was there for the temple dedication and I was an Ordinance worker there.  I fondly think of the many hours that were spent in that temple doing a great work!  As I went about my day today I reflected on the sacred things that we do in the temple and just service in general.  I thought about what I do and how I control myself (or don't control myself) when I get upset or frustrated.  Typically I will curl up in a ball, go to my room or just want to be alone.  I just want to sulk.  Then I went on to think about what I see others do when they get upset or frustrated and many begin to serve.  I especially saw that this weekend and I couldn't help but think how I needed to become more Christ-like and serve.  Although I serve in the temple often and I serve the children and families I work with I feel as though service will bring the greatest blessing and satisfaction to my life.  I desire to feel loved and to love...and so it is through service that this desire of greater love will come to pass.

As I walk with Christ, I challenge you to as well.  Whether you do it mentally or write it in a journal or blog, turn your thoughts and actions toward Christ this holiday season and watch him work mighty miracles in your life and others.  I am excited to grow closer to my Savior and become a better friend of His.  I know that this is going to be a GREAT holiday season because I will put all my faith and trust in the Lord.  Although it does get lonely, I know that the Lord will watch over me and bless me.  I love the thought that Katie wrote on her blog.  She went to a fireside that Sister Kristen Oaks spoke at and she said, " I didn't 'just marry an apostle'. It was fifty years of walking with and total dependency upon the Lord and his Atonement."