We Are Children Of The Covenant

This month I have really sat back and thought about what I am really thankful for. Which turned out to be a successful task that I took on. There are many things in my life that I am thankful for and I always will be. I'm thankful for this mortal life that Heavenly Father has blessed us with. Without this life, we would never be able to experience love, heartbreak, joy, depression, happiness, hugs, laughter, pain and fear. With all of these emotions and experiences, we'd never learn and grow. I'm also thankful for opportunities, like how I was given to opportunity to meet the missionaries, get baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. That is what I am most thankful for, especially since lately I have really been thinking about my baptism day. Which is what this post is mostly going to be about, baptism in general that is. I also sat back and realized that it's already coming up on the end of November and I couldn't help but sit there with my jaw on the ground for about five or ten minutes when that realization finally came through. Even I think it's sad that it took me that long to realize that this year is already practically over. But hey, apparently time really does fly when you're having fun; which is exactly what I've been doing this year. 

As happy as I am that I've made it nine months so far with only four months left to go until it's a year, I'm also sad that this year is almost over. Which is often normal for me since I am usually slightly depressed at the end of the year, but this year it's different. This year was the best year of my entire life, and I'll always cherish it, but what makes it all the better is this. When I look back on this time last year and I look at how my life was and remember how I was and how I acted... Back then I'd have never thought in a million years that I could say "This time next year, I'm going to be happy. I'm going to be a Latter-day Saint!" That was just not in the cards at the time, or at least I didn't think so. This time last year I was a nobody, a nobody with more potential then I could ever even imagine. Then to think of where I am today, and compare the two to each other, it's really rather amazing to see how quickly such drastic change can come along, and it gives me hope and reassures me that nothing is ever impossible. Just at times it seems improbable. But I am thankful for every bit of heartbreak, change, and relationships broken and made that were apart of this wonderful journey that lead to my baptism and confirmation. 

2 Nephi 31:12 says:

And also, the voice of the son came unto me, saying; He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do. 

Right now, in this time of my life my baptismal covenant is the most important thing in my life. Of course more great covenants will come into my life, but since this one came first and is the main foundation of my relationship with Heavenly Father; I plan on honoring and keeping it. 

Elder Robert D. Hales addressed the topic of Baptismal Covenants in his October 2000 General Conference talk and said: 

"At baptism we make a covenant with our Heavenly Father that we are willing to come unto His kingdome and keep His commandment s from that time forward, even though we still live in the world."

What really got me thinking about baptism was just this last Saturday when I attended my friend Cynthia's friend Syrena's baptism. As I was sitting there, watching the baptism happen I remembered the day of my baptism. Elder Saager and his new companion were there and I was glad that he got to make it since he originally started teaching Syrena the lessons but had to stop do to some issues that came up then he eventually was transferred from Del Cerro. But while watching her get baptized, I remembered my day. I looked over at Elder Saager who was sitting two seats away from me and I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with nostalgia. It was intense and I felt the spirit while watching her go under the water. Two people were called to stand up front as her witnesses, and I couldn't help but look over at Elder Saager again. Since he and Elder Malietoa were my witnesses and the last thing I saw before I went under the water was Elder Saager. At the very last second he and I made eye contact. He looked so peaceful but before I could make record of anything else, I closed my eyes and came back up. A brand new person with a whole new life right ahead of me. 

Like I said, that was the best day of my life. My dad and brother was there, and that day was the day I first met several people that have become very important in my life. Such as Jun Madrid and McKenna Michels. 

Very often I wish that I could go back and relive that day. I also often wish that I could go back and relive the days that I received the missionary lessons. But I'm glad that I am able to live with the wonderful memories and to have the relationship with our Heavenly Father that I have. I can easily say it's what I'm most thankful for. 

Cast Your Mind Upon The Night

In my short time since becoming a member of this amazing church, I have been blessed with having some of the most amazing people I've ever met being placed in my life. It really is true that Heavenly Father works miracles in our lives through the people that he places in them. Now, out of all the missionaries that are in my life and that I am close to, I have managed to speak of all of them in this blog but one. One Elder who I owe a great thanks to and have great appreciation for. Elder Kirchhoefer was Elder Saager's second companion after Elder Malietoa finished his mission and went home. Elder Kirchhoefer came into my life during a very scary time and managed to really help me out and see the brighter side of a lot of things, which is something that is very admirable of him. What makes me want to bring him up and share with you his awesomeness is this. He is the reason why I have stayed so strongly dedicated to this blog of mine, that has already brought forth so many blessings.

A week or so before this last general conference, Elder Kirchhoefer challenged me to write down some questions that I had that I needed answering. Then during the conference, I was to sit and listen to the spirit and see what I could hear. Taking on this challenge seemed absolutely perfect, considering the fact that it was only my second conference ever and I felt like I really needed to connect with our Heavenly Father. So during this General Conference was when I received the prompting to start this blog. I truly do believe that if it weren't for Elder Kirchhoefer placing this challenge before me, I would not have been listening well enough to hear His guidance and receive revelation. Thank you Elder Kirchhoefer for being such an important person in my life.

Now the second part of this post is not as relevant to the first part of this but it is just as important and worth sharing. Just last month, I realized something. This something turned out to be the initial key of my membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To give a bit of a background that has actually been mentioned in the very first post on here. Now I was fortunate to set myself a firm foundation of my membership and dedication. Several nights before I went to this church for the first time, I prayed. I literally was crying out to Heavenly Father, asking him to help me find a way. I no longer wanted to feel as if I was dirt and that I was below rock bottom. Then that's when the journey officially began. I went to church, met my missionaries, received my first Book of Mormon then got baptized. I was hooked and in love, all in the form of a very strong and very spiritual high. That is where my all time favorite verse comes to play.
Doctrine & Covenants 6:22-23:
22 Verily Verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.
23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?

The first time I ever heard this verse was when Elder Jones felt prompted to share it with me. It was during a meeting that we had, where the spirit was just so strong in, it was like we were in the very presence of our Heavenly Father Himself. Elder Jones asked me to read it out loud ans as I did, I felt as if I were not even in this world anymore. Moments like this, well I live for them and that's when a realization began. Several weeks passed and I kept thinking about that verse. It rang within my head and I could remember how strong the spirit was that day. It was good. Then October 17, 2011 I was invited to sit through an institute class that a very wonderful return missionary that is in my institute named Sean. He would be substituting and he invited both me and the Elders since I was with them when he went to ask them to come. Here is where what I said earlier in this post becomes important again, Heavenly Father works such great miracles in our lives just by the actions of people that have been placed in your life. Sean pointed out many great things that really got me thinking, and helped me and the class as a whole to set a spiritual goal for ourselves. It helped a lot to be honest.

Now during that class, Sean brought up Doctrine and Covenants 6:22-23 and in that very moment that it was being read out loud for the class to hear, Elder Jones looked over at me and I looked at him. We both had smiles on and our memories both went back to that day. At that point, I knew that that special night, as sad and as torn as I was, that it was the initial key. Lets call it the back bone to me being a member of this church and I never even realized it until this last month.

Now I can testify that this church is true. I can say all these wonderful things about our prophets, the scriptures and missionaries. But what makes what I include in my testimony and makes it as honest, true and sincere as it is, the fact that I have lived my testimony. I've felt the love of our most kind and gracious Heavenly Father, I've felt the peace and joy that comes with reading the Book of Mormon and all those are what make this church true and worth living for. If it weren't for that night, that night that I cried out to our Father in Heaven back when I didn't even know that he loved me as much as he really does, I would not be here where I am today.

Don't Be Afraid Of Death, Be Afraid Of An Unlived Life

I'm still really young. I've not had the opportunity to get out there, spread my wings and really experience what life could really be like. Granted, I've experienced and had to deal with a lot of things, people my age and in my ward have never had to deal with before. In my life, I've had to give things up, had things taken away from me and have had to sacrifice things normal children growing up never have to experience. But I never let that stop me from moving on, I never let that keep me from growing and smiling every single day. My past can really go to show that the heart truly is the strongest thing in the world. Mine has been ripped in half, stitched back together, lied to, stepped on, and over worked with unnecessary stress. But it still finds the power to beat every day, to love people unconditionally and never give up. Now, I don't want this to seem like a pity me message, I'm not complaining at all, I am very happy with my life and I think that if it weren't for everything that I've experienced, I wouldn't be as thankful for what I have and how capable of making changes I am right now.

This last weekend, my aunt Cindy and I left for a five day road trip to Arizona, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Nevada. Along the way, I was able to convince her to let us make several stops at several Temples [St. George and Mesa Temples] throughout the trip. Our first destination was to be in the far east-north corner of Arizona by the end of the first day, along the free way to get up there was going through Phoenix and Mesa Arizona. So we stopped by the Mesa Temple and walked through the visitors center. My aunt Cindy is not a member of the church but she has really supported me with my decision to become a member and dedicate my life to the Lord and His church. So we went in, looked around and got to talk to some Sisters about the plan of salvation display that they had set out for visitors, members and non members alike. The display talked a lot about family, and how we really never die; we just simply move onto the next step of the plan our Heavenly Father has set up for us. It actually really touched the both of us since just a few years ago, my family suffered a loss. The loss of my uncle, her husband, John. I knew that while watching the short videos that were apart of it that showed a family and going through the loss of a grandparent, that Cindy was thinking of John, I knew because I was too.

This really made me realize something and reminded me of something one of my institute teachers mentioned a while back. This life has been put out to look so negative and so bad, when in reality yes there are negative and bad things in it. But that does not make it all bad all together. Life can be a beautiful thing, in this life we have a body, we have love, happiness and opportunities to learn things we've never had the chance to learn before our mortal lives. So live it up! When we die, it's not the end, it's the beginning of a new chapter. But why waist that time that we have until that new chapter begins when we could be happy and experiencing life. During this road trip, we visited the Four Corners Monument, Mesa Verde, the Zion National Park and Vegas. During each stop, I was absolutely amazed at each places beauty and unique virtues, it was at times overwhelming. But that never stopped me from wanting to have each adventure that was in store for us at each location. It actually did the exact opposite and made me want to take everything that it had to offer in. With all these experiences, I actually decided to start a bucket list, even if it may seem silly or ridiculous it's something that I would really like to start. Number one of that list will be to have a Temple Road Trip, where I will visit each Temple in the United States in an RV or whatever I have. It doesn't really matter how, I just know that someday it will happen.

Already I am able to scratch the San Diego Temple, Mesa Arizona Temple and the St. George Utah temple off the list. Visiting these was one of the best things I've done since joining the church. The way that I felt every time that I stepped foot onto the grounds of each Temple made me feel so at peace it was ridiculous. But I loved being there, and I loved seeing how much my aunt enjoyed it as well. It definitely is something that I will remember for the rest of my life and I am so thankful for the opportunity to go and for the opportunities waiting for me in the future.

I know that this post doesn't have as much in common with the last several posts, but this idea and experience I just had really meant a lot. But I have a lot more in store for this blog. I just have to organize my thoughts out. 

Meet You On The Other Side!

This post will be a bit longer then the rest. Just letting you know ahead of time.

In your life, what are some things that you are really, truly thankful for? Some people may say that they are thankful for their car, their job or their shoe collection. This day in age is so based on the materialistic things in life, that we are not really focused on what is really important and what really matters. Just this Sunday, this question was presented to my Sunday school class and some of the answers surprised me. Only several people answered the question including myself, but what was said really impressed me. The spirit filled the room so strongly and I could tell that everybody was thinking of things that they were thankful for, even if they weren't going to speak up about it. Somebody said that they were thankful for the Temple, and having it be so close to where we live. Then somebody else said that they were thankful for the scriptures that we have to fill ourselves with knowledge of the Lord. Immediately I knew what it was that I was most thankful for in that very moment, it actually occurred to me before class even started and that question was asked. In the closing hymn of Sacrament, one of the verses of the song was "Thankful for the love of humans" or something along the lines of that. Everyday I am beyond thankful for the love that we can form between one another and receive from people that we are close to and care about, especially since right now we can not physically receive the love from out Heavenly Father. Through the bonds that He has allowed us to make in this mortal form, we learn how to love as He does and feel that love in return.

Heavenly Father loves us all, and wants us to be as happy as possible throughout our time on earth. He allows us to be happy and feel as if blessings and miracles are being worked in our lives when we choose to follow His commandments and live by His word. Every time we make a good decision when the option to make a bad was presented He shows us His love through placing happiness and blessings in our lives, even when we think he isn't. He works with us through the people that he places in our lives, which is where what I stated I was thankful for in class takes place. What really got me thinking of the love of other human beings and the relationships that we can form is when I was speaking to my friend Janae about my missionaries just this last week. I was telling her about how Malietoa messaged me several weeks ago to tell me that he was going to come back to America from Samoa to attend BYU. Along with those messages we exchanged a bit of heart to heart with each other, telling one another how much we missed the other and that we are forever brother and sister. So I shared some of this with her and she said something to me that really hit my heart. She told me that he really meant all those nice things he said to me. She went on a mission and knew what it was like to have friendships with the people that she converted to the church. She explained that every missionary has a very special connection with their convert and they always end up loving them and having a place for them in their heart. With certain people, she explained to me that she even felt as if she knew them in the premortal existence from the way the spirit filled the room. She could just tell. 

Since I've joined the church, I've often wondered about what she had just shared with me. I've often wondered if there were people in my life that I knew before we were sent down to earth to serve our missions of life. That was something that I had even had discussions with several friends beforehand and I was still kind of curious about. But everything was cleared up to me the Sunday prior to that Tuesday that Janae and I had spoken. That Sunday, the new Elder to the institute, Elder Barney gave a talk to kind of introduce himself to the ward as a whole and explain why he went on a mission. Towards the end of the talk he gave, he mentioned something about a dream this one person had. I'm not 100% sure I remember what he said correctly but this is what I took out of it. He spoke of this man who had a dream and in that dream he and his best friend were in the premortal existence and were about to receive their calls to serve their earth lives. One friend was going to be sent to a family in the united states that would raise him as a member of the church and the other friend was to be sent to a family in a third world country where he wouldn't have the Gospel. But right before they were sent down to their families the friend who would have the Gospel made a promise to come find him someday and through his mission he would. 

This all had me thinking so much, everything that happens happens for a reason. In my opinion there is no real coincidences. Certain people are missionaries to people for a reason, there is a reason why my friend Savannah and I became such close friends in what almost seemed instantly out of nowhere. There is a reason why Elder Malietoa and Elder Saager were my missionaries. There is a reason why we are in the places that we are in the times that we are. When we are meant to find someone and have someone in our lives, it is for a real good reason. I truly, honestly do believe that Elder Saager, Malietoa, Savannah and I knew each other before this life. I truly do believe that we knew what our lives on earth would be like and we made a deal, no a promise to find each other again someday. That promise was kept, and because they kept that promise I now have three of thee most amazing people I've ever met in my entire life, back in my life now. They were once strangers, forgotten because of the veil. But now they are loved ones of mine, forever and eternity all through the works of our Heavenly Father.. Coincidence? I think not. 

"Love is the measure of our faith, the inspiration for our obedience, and the true altitude of our discipleship." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor of the first presidency.