Thank You!

Laura, for listening to me when I am just being weird. Thank you for clearing off my car this week. Thank you for being my friend and not casting judgement.

Dallin, for helping me to become a better person but at the same time accepting me for me.

Uncle Tony, for just calling to check up on me and see how I am doing. Thank you for being that wonderful example of what a priesthood holder can do for a family.

Savannah, for wanting to talk to me on Skype and being so excited to do so.

Mom, for always being there for me and caring about me so much. Words really can't describe how much I am thankful for you.

Dad, for showing me that people can change. Thank you for constantly loving me and looking out for me.

Irina, Brenda, Jordynn, thank you for showing me the love of God and how much the Gospel and the gift of the Atonement can change lives.  

Lately I have been feeling very grateful for the people that God put into my path. I know that I don't always express my gratitude as well as I should and I feel awful about that. There is so much for me to be thankful for. Mostly I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and my loving Heavenly Father. They help me become that person that I am meant to be. They help me change, they help me stay strong, they help me feel important. They make it possible for me to be with all those that I love for eternity. One way to give back to them it to show my gratitude.

This week I am starting a new goal. My goal is to make sure that I express my gratitude more frequently. I am not going to be stingy with the words "thank you". I really feel that by simply doing that, by expressing my thanks, I will feel even more blessed.

I encourage all those who are down or just need a pick me up to start this challenge with me as well. I think it will be just what we need. 

Trails = Love

Have you ever reached a time where you just felt that you had too much on your plate? That once you reached that limit that you were given one more thing?
Lately I have kind of been feeling like this. Life just has way too much in it that I have to do and really not nearly enough time to do it. It really can be overwhelming. There are times where it takes all my effort to not just break down in tears.
I have really been thinking of trials and why we are given them. My mom just the other day commenting on life wisely said when it rains it pours. Why is that?

 As I sit here pondering that I think of the talk by Elder Christofferson. In it he talks of the gardener that cuts down a currant bush to help the bush out. Sometimes in life we are that currant bush and we are being "cut down". This talk really helped me realize that life is never what we expect it to be. It isn't only roses and lazy days. It requires effort and work. But the thing about work and trials it helps us grow.

So I have realized that God gives us the trials because He wants us to grow and become who He knows we are meant to be. So while I am going through these trials I just have to remember to say, "‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down.’” I encourage you to remember the same.

We Are Blessed

We are blessed, we are so very very blessed!

Why are we blessed? We are blessed because we have the opportunity to hear from God. In just a couple of weeks we get to hear from God and we get to know what is best from us.

Is God going to come down to earth and really speak to us? Well He isn't going to come down to earth and physically speak to us but we do get to hear from Him. Every year twice a year we get to hear from God's Prophets and Apostles, during what is called General Conference, and this is how we get to hear from God. Everything that the Prophet and Apostles say is exactly what God would say if He were here on earth today. In Doctrine and Covenants 1:38  it says,
"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." So what His servants(the Prophet and Apostles) say is the same things that He says. So we get to hear from God and I am so excited!

One thing that I always like to do to prepare to hear from the Prophet and Apostles is I write down a question that I have. Examples being: How can I draw closer to God? Does God really answer my prayers? Does He really hear my prayers? Why is it important to go to the temple? What do I need to do to follow God better? How can I have a better relationship with my family? There are so many different questions that we can have. Then I write down my question/s and pray about them. Then the neat part comes into play, everytime that I do this my question is answered during General Conference. Give it a try and see how much God cares for you.

So hopefully we are all so excited about General Conference and the opportunity to hear from God via His Apostles and Prophets. General Conference is March 31 and April 1.Check local program listings for availability in your area, or visit bonneville.info, byubroadcasting.org, ksl.com, mormonchannel.org, or mobile.lds.org for more information.  Don't pass up this opportunity because this is the reason why we are so blessed!

Walk With Jesus



Boise, Idaho



If

By Carma Salvesen

If I could go to Galilee

And walk where Jesus walked

And sit in tender grasses

On the hillside where He taught.

If I could sit and ponder

On a rock that knew His hand,

Or walk along the seashore

Where His feet had touched the sand.

My spirit yearns within me,

But it doesn’t seem my fate.

I’ll never walk where Jesus walked.

I’ll never see … but wait.

I worship in His temple



Where I know He’s walked before.

Have His feet been down this hallway?

Have His fingers touched this door?

Has He stood here in this very room

And looked at what I see?

Rexburg, Idaho

In the beauty of His temple

I can feel His love for me.

I close my eyes and picture Him,

My worries melt away.

I don’t need to go to Galilee

Or travel far away.

For my tender heart is filled

With what He wants me to be taught



And my testimony burns within—

I’ve walked where Jesus walked!



I can truly testify that this is true. I, most likely, am never going to be able to afford going to Galilee and so as of right now I can't walk there. But I do know that when I go to the temple I feel the presense of the Lord. There is just a special feeling that you get when you enter into the house of the Lord.

So if you want to have the opportunity to walk where Jesus walked and walks but can't afford to go to Israel then work on going to the temple. There are many different ways to go to the temple. If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and older than 12 you can go and participate in ordinances for yourself and for others who didn't have the opportunity to participate in those ordinances in this life. 



St. George, Utah



If you aren't a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but would still like the opportunity to go to a temple there is still the chance for you. Before any of the temples are dedicated they are open to the public to go through and see what they are like. The soonest temple open house is in Kansas City Missouri. Here is the link for more information on that (Kansas City Missouri starting March 12, 2012 http://www.lds.org/church/temples/reservations?lang=eng)

But if you don't want to go inside a temple at least go and see where the nearest one to you is and just go and walk around the grounds. You can have a very special experience with walking on holy temple ground. Here is a link to see where the nearest temple to you is http://www.lds.org/church/temples/find-a-temple?lang=eng.

In any case that you can I stronly encourage and ask you just to go to the temple. You will find that it will change your life. You will find peace and joy by being able to walk where Jesus walked.

You're not alone

We had a piano growing up and my mother had all of us younger kids learn how to play the piano. I am not really for sure why we had a piano at first because even mom didn't learn how to play until I was probably 8 or 9. Well anyways we always had a piano and we always had a ton of piano music. Once I got old enough to play I could start picking out some of my favorite music. I remember one of my most favorite songs, even at a young age, was "You're Not Alone" by Michael McLean. It really hit a chord with me. God is always there for us. He will never leave us alone. He loves us so much that He won't ever ignore us. How wonderful and amazing is that! President Monson said about our Heavenly Father "To you He speaks the heavenly and divine assurance: 'I am with you; you are never alone.'” So don't ever forget that our Heavenly Father loves you so much. He is there for you when you need Him. He is the one person that won't ever let you down.

Heres a little song,
to help you get along
it will see you through
when your feeling blue
and though its not profound
when your feeling down
so down
sing this little tune
and you'll feel better soon

Your not alone
even though right now your on your own
you are loved in ways that cant be shown
your needs are known
your not alone

And when you cry,
your just letting go a heartache deep inside
so tommorow there'll be sunshine in the sky
and love close by
your not alone
and I know that its not easy
but I know it wont last
coz one that loves you more than me

is sending blessings fast

Your not alone
say it one more time I am not alone
even when its hard to find the words
your always heard
your not alone

Your not alone
say it one more time
I'm not alone
even when its hard to find the words
your prayers ARE heard
your not alone.

Fall in Love with Jesus...Again

It is never to late for us to rekindle our relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. Here are some movies that go over His life. They are great for personal reflection as well as getting your family to get to know the life of Christ a little bit better. New videos are constantly being put up and they are great because they quote directly  from the Bible (the King James Version). So I encourage everyone to check them out and I promise that you will feel uplifted. Remember everyday to fall in love with our Savior!

Living Water

John 4:5-29

Widows Mite

Mark 12:41-44

Mary and Angel Gabriel

Luke 1:26-38

Mary and Elizabeth

Luke 1:39-55

Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem

Luke 2:4-7

Shepherds and the Angel

Luke 2:8-18

Jesus being presented at the Temple

Luke 2:22-38

Wise Men

Matthew 2:1-2, 11-15

Tires and Charity

Flat tire. I really don't like flat tires. On cars they are fine, I feel confident enough that I could change a tire on a car. Now I am not so confident on a truck, they are just to big. Well we got one. Yep a flat tire on our truck. Yuck. Our options were to try to change it ourselves or call someone for help. We called someone for help. Then it turned out that our windshield whipper was broken as well. Through the kindness of people I have learned what really makes someone a true christian.

1st person: We called him to help us with our tire and he came right away. It was pretty cold that day and he could have came up with excuses to not come but he didn't. Then he took care of the whole thing himself and paid to get our tire fixed. When we tried to pay him back he wouldn't let us.

2nd person: After we got our tire fixed we went to the nearest automotive store. We explained that our windshield whipper was broken and we needed to replace them. The employee there was wonderful. He found the right sizes and then changed them for us. When we went to pay he said that it was on him. Again another kind act.

As I think of these two people I am awed by their kindness and charity. Not once did they think, "What is in this for me?" They served out of love. They are true Christians. They did exactly what the Savior would do, the reached out to people in need. When we serve others we are also serving God. Mosiah 2:17 "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

So my challenge to you this week is be a Christian. Look for opportunities to help others and then do it. I guarantee that it will make your week 100% better

Prayer! What is it?

According to a dictionary.com

prayer

1. a devout petition to God or an object of worship.

2. a spiritual communion with God or an object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession.

3. the act or practice of praying to God or an object of worship.

4. a formula or sequence of words used in or appointed for praying: the Lord's Prayer.

5. prayers, a religious observance, either public or private, consisting wholly or mainly of prayer.

What does prayer mean to you?

 Here is what prayer means to these people. 

 Sister Asendente: "Prayer is a line that connects us to our Father in Heaven. It is a line that doesn't get busy. So you can call Him anytime."

 Emily Wray: "Pray to me is a connection to something bigger than human, a light that is in all of us, and feeling, brightness. A relief that when you pray, God hears. A connection that not only God see's but what other people can feel."

Elder Sabin: "Prayer to me is like having the ability to communicate with somebody who knows all the answers."

Sister Mace: "Prayer is what keeps me sane and gives me the capacity to keeping going, even when I think I have reached my limits. Prayer is my source of strength and is a direct communication with a loving Heavenly Father who not only listens and hears every word, but answers all of the fears, concerns, frustrations, and questions that we all have. Prayer is also how we can give thanks for all of the many blessings, patients, love and understanding he has given each of us in our times of need."

Sister Green : "Pray is vocalized Faith. It is the opportunity to talk to and recieve guidance from a perfect Father. It is the will of us aligning with Him and allowing us to recieve the blessings he wants to give us but is conditional upon us asking for them."

Lacey Griffiths: "Prayer is a moment that I can take, anytime, anywhere, any way I get a face to face moment with God. In those few precious moments I am am not judged, ridiculed, nor am I passed judgement! I cherish each moment I get with my Lord and Savior to ask for and thank him for the blessings bestowed upon me and my home!"

Jessica King: Prayer is proof to me of a loving Heavenly Father. He has provided a way for us to communicate with him at any time. He is always there when I need him, always within listening distance. It just shows me how much He loves me.

Laura Lehman: Personal prayers are my favorite. I can completely let down my guard and have a conversation with my Father in Heaven. I also have the time to listen for, and feel the answers.

Sister Tuckett: Prayer gives me peace, it lets me know that everything will be alright. I know that I can pray and that God will answer and that I can have strength. He has been there for me so many times in my life.

Prayer is one of the most special gifts that we have been given by God. It allows us to know that we are not alone and that someone loves us unconditionally. If it has been a while since you have prayed talk the time to open up your soul to the Lord and come to know that He is always there for you. Then think about what prayer means to you.

Best Gift Ever

 When you think of gifts what do you think of? Do you think of gifts that you have been given or gifts that you have given? Honestly, I think of what I have been given. Though after a tiny bit I start to think of the gifts that I have given which in the long run make me so much happier than the ones I have received.
I remember this one time I wanted to get my mom an amazing gift. Well I saw that a nativity set that she had been wanting was on sale. I pulled all my money together and I had enough. So I bought it feeling extremely giddy. The only problem was that Christmas was the previous week and my mom's birthday wasn't for another couple of months. Just waiting to give her the gift was almost too much for me and I almost gave it to her earlier. Finally her birthday arrived. As she opened the present I was filled with so much happiness. Just seeing her face of shock made up for having to wait all those months to give it to her. It was then that I truly understood that when you give to others you get more than you give.

Now these last couple of months I have been able to share an even greater gift to those I love. It is the gift of the knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ and His Restored Gospel. I was given this gift myself and it truly fills all my soul with so much happiness that I want to share it with others. Knowing my purpose of being here on earth and what I can do to be even happier really is the best gift I could ever receive or give. I want to bear testimony that I know that it is only through Jesus Christ that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father; that through His love He willingly came down here to earth for each one of us to save us, to redeem us. This is the best gift we have or will ever have.

If you have received this gift, go share it with others. It will make you so happy and help you feel fulfilled. If you haven't received this gift or don't understand how Jesus Christ can make you have greater happiness I strongly encourage you to go to mormon.org, explore, and then request missionaries that can and will share this gift with you.

With the Christmas season coming up let us all try to remember always what the best gift ever was: Jesus Christ.

Friends



"Choose your friends carefully. They will greatly influence how you think and act, and even help determine the person you will become. Choose friends who share your values so you can strengthen and encourage each other in living high standards. A true friend will encourage you to be your best self." For the Strength of the Youth

We have so many people that pass through our lives and they all influence us. We need to make sure that we are surrounded by people that really do help us to become better. Never forget the one person who will be by you through thick and thin. Who will be that best friend that you could ever ask for. Jesus Christ

Love Without End

Have you ever had one of those days where it just seems like the world is getting you down? I sure know that I have. It is on those days where I just want to crawl into my bed, wrap up in my favorite blanket, and lose myself either in a good book or a movie. Sometimes if I am feeling real bad I will actually go to someone to hug or to cry on their shoulder. This doesn't really happen a lot because I am not really that touchy feely person. Now the other day I read an amazing scripture Jeremiah 31:3,"The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."

Christ will always love us and is just dying to let us know that He loves us. I really like that it says that we have His everlasting love. I don't know that I have anything else that is everlasting in my life. On those hard days He really does want to give us a giant bear hug. I think that He is one of the people that I am ok with doing that.

So when you are having a hard day and you are just dying to be hugged or to feel comfort turn to Christ because He is always there for you and just waiting to give you that hug you rightly deserve.

Families, Love Them Don't Hate Them

I love my family! I mean I really love them. Just look at them. How could you not love them? Each one brings a special spirit to our home. The greatest thing is that I know that they will always be there for me. Now my family isn't perfect but it sure is great. They are the ones that I can fully be myself with. My favorite times of the year always have to do on whether I am around my family or not. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday simply because that is usually when we all get together.

The greatest thing is that no matter what our family situation is like the Gospel of Jesus Christ can strengthen our relationships. "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." The Family: A Proclamation to the World 

How very true this is. If we just take the time to be with each other, to build each other up, to share the Gospel with each other, and to love each other then our families will start to be on the path of where we would like them to be.  We can start now. We can mend bridges or we can keep our ties strong as we follow the example of our Savior and love our families.

I am super excited to help my family grow closer together and to be with them for eternity. If you would like your family life to be a little better read the rest of The Family: A Proclamation to the World and try out the different things it suggest. I know it will bless you. 

God Loves You

Hey guess what? God loves you!

I think that this is the most important thing that any of us could understand. All other knowledge doesn't really mean a whole ton until you come to understand that God loves you.

But first before you can know that God loves you you have to know who God is to you. Is God someone who is close to you? Do you think that He is just some being up in the heavens that isn't really mindful of you? I can tell you that God is close to you and that you can have a very personal relationship with Him. In fact He is the father of our spirits. He created us. He knows everything there is to know about us. He even knows us better than we know ourselves. The scriptures strongly testify of who God is and how much He knows and cares for us. In Alma 18:32 it says,"...and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; fory by his hands were they all created from the beginning."

So God does know and love each and every single one of us. Knowing that He does opens all sorts of doors. For me the main thing that it helps me with is the understanding that He will and does answer my prayers. I just imagine how much my dad loves me and how he will answer my questions. God loves us even more than we can understand and if our dads will answer us then of course so will our Heavenly Father. "What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7: 9-11)

But you don't have to take my word for it. Look around and see God's love. Pray to Him and feel God's love. Everytime you read the scriptures I know you will be able to understand that God does love you.

I Am a Child of God

I really love this clip and how it really shows that we are all children of God our Heavenly Father. Take time today and think how it makes you feel to be a child of God and write your own verse to this song.

Uniqueness

"Every star is different and so is every child."

One thing that really does make me happy is being unique. I like doing things, saying things, wearing thing others don't. In high school I used to get the biggest urges to wear things that were just weird that carried on to college and even now. I picked to play the french horn because I knew no one else  in my area played it. Then of course, I say things that most people don't.

There has always been something deep inside of me that tells me I have to be different, It makes me think my mom was inspired than to name me what she did--Crikette. I have yet to meet someone with their first name as Crikette; regardless of the spelling.

The wonderful thing is I know that God love me the way I am; in fact, He created me. In Jeremiah 31:3 the Lord speaks of how much He loves us: "...yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee."

God loves us with all our quircks and differences. He loves us even when we are 5'1" with red hair. He loves us just the way we are because He has created us just the way we are. Look at all the variety in nature. To me that testifies that He loves diversity.

So celebrate your uniqueness! Celebrate that you are a beloved child of God with your own personality. Celebrate individuality.

Easter

The other day I came across a wonderful story that really shows how the Atonement works. You can read it here. http://www.sermonillustrationlibrary.org/illustration52

I just want to leave my testimony at this Easter season. I know that Jesus Christ died and took upon Himself all of our sins for each and everyone of us.I know that He died on the cross but on the third day that He arose and that He still lives today. That He loves us and that He is constantly wanting us to turn to Him. He will never give up on us and even when it seems that we turn against Him He is always there just waiting for us to return to Him again. I know that it is only through Jesus Christ that we all can be saved. That it is through Him we have the possibility of living with Heavenly Father again and that we have the opportunity to be sealed to our families in the temple so that we can live with them again as well. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that knew that we would make mistakes so that He sent down His only Begotten Son so that we can make right our wrongs. This I know and am so very very grateful for.
http://lds.org/pages/his-sacred-name-an-easter-declaration?lang=eng