Being a mini Christ

Everyone goes through hard times. There is always some sort of struggle in everyone's life, even if it's not very visible. Sometimes, things are much harder than other times.
I know I'm guilty of this, but when things get harder I'm always on my knees praying more, reading scriptures more, and trying to be everything I can to get the blessings to come.
What I forget is that when I am comforted and feel peace, I need to be going out to help other people who are struggling.
In II Corinthians Chapter 1, verse 4 is says, "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
This brings me reassurance. It doesn't say He will comfort us after our tribulations, it says that He will comfort is in (during) our tribulations.

Sometimes it feels like eternities while we are in the midst of our trials. Sometimes they seem to disappear in the matter of an instance.
Do you ever wonder why God comforts us? Well, first of all He loves us. He loves us so much that He wants us to be happy and tries to guide us to the happiness He has planned out for us.
But He also comforts us so that we can help others.
He wants us to spread your comfort and happiness with others, and that's hard to do when you're in your own dismal state.
In a way, He is making a small extension of Himself within you by giving you the capability to help others.
That's pretty cool!

I have a personal experience with this. For a few weeks I had this constant anxiety and was feeling pretty alone. I felt like I was being abandoned by people that I cared about, and it was making me hurt deep down inside. It was like a constant ache in my body and it consumed most of my thoughts.

One day, I went to the temple while this thought was on my mind. It began with the usual pit in my stomach and an overwhelming feeling of loneliness grew inside of me. I closed my eyes and began to pray, even beg, for this to be taken away from me. I needed to be feel okay again, even if it was just for a moment.
Then, an overwhelming feeling of unconditional love washed over me like a wave. I had never felt such an increase of peace in one single moment. The thought then came to mind, "I will never abandon you"
And then I knew that I would be okay. People are going to fail you, but Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can always be counted on. They are not going to leave you, even if everyone else does.
It was as if everything I had been depressed about disappeared, and I had a new light was shining within me.
This feeling of peace made me a happier person. I spent more time talking through other people's problems. I was able to listen to others without being consumed by my own thoughts. I felt more able to be with other people, instead of staying shut away in my room. My mind was cleared so I could see what things needed to be done around my apartment without grumbling. I became an encouragement to other people.
I'm happier than I have been in months. I'm not saying I don't struggle anymore, I do, but they are only brief moments. If I keep my main focus on helping other people, I know I'll be comforted so I can keep aiding His other children on earth, and that's what matters.

Don't forget to be awesome!

Why I want to be a mom

There have been some really good leaders throughout history... and some really bad ones.

What makes the good ones is this, they don't just direct/inspire people, they are down with them. They put themselves down to their level. The greatest people succumb to be the lowest, so that they are relatable and can better lead people, not boss them. 

Here's a visual! 

I like relating this to the Atonement. Jesus was very almighty and powerful. He did not have the temptations and sins we suffer, yet, He allowed himself to suffer so that He could know how we feel. He already was a great leader, but now He understands us on every level. 

In I Corinthians Chapter 9, it says, "19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more."

The greatest people we remember are those who effect us personally by serving us. 

Role-models become our role-models not because they are just really successful, but because they gave back. 

Our favorite bosses/presidents/leaders are the ones who takes time to know us personally.

In class we talked about the amazing sacrifice mothers make. Women, especially today, have a lot of exciting career paths and talents to expand upon. The pressure for motherhood vs career is on. 

I think being a mom is awesome. Children are work. It's basically a full-time job! Anyone who has babysat for 8+ hours knows that. 

A lot of women give up their careers to dedicate their time to being a mom. 

AND I THINK THAT'S AWESOME!

He is trusting women to be an incubator for one of His precious spirits. There is a lifestyle you should live while pregnant and adjustments have to be made... diets, exercise, sleep, etc. 

But He is trusting you to raise them and to lead them.

You have to be there for them and serve them 24/7. 

And I think that's awesome.

I think a lot of women think they are giving up their life by having children. I think it's the opposite. They are GIVING life. They are literally giving a life to someone else by becoming a servant to the Lord for his children down on earth.

And I think that's awesome.

A quote I've always liked says, "You rock a sobbing child without wondering if today’s world is passing you by, because you know you hold tomorrow tightly in your arms." (Neal A. Maxwell)

And mom, I think you're awesome. 

Being Elected

We talk a lot about how the United States is a democracy and how great it is that we can vote and that the government is run by the people.

In my anatomy reviews, the TA always has a vote on what lectures we want to go over during the review. Whatever section gets the most votes, we end up covering/reviewing.
He always says, "Isn't democracy great?! We get to decide what to do in the most fair way possible"

I think voting is pretty great, and I wish people did it more. EVERYONE NEEDS TO VOTE.
(Here's a link to the spectacular Hank Green who talks about voting!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avj7XUDCdEk

Anyway, in Thessalonians 1, chapter 1, versus 2-5 it says,

"2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake."

In verse 4 it says "election of God" and you probably thought that it could mean "since we elected God we have all this patience and hope, etc, etc." 

I want to look at it in a different way. What if God is the one who elected us? Maybe He elected us to carry out His work (foreordination anyone?) I don't know about you, but I find great comfort in this. I feel like I'll always have a cheerleader throughout my life. There is someone who will always believe in me. He'll be at all my big games. He trusts me to make the right decisions, and He'll be there to encourage me when I fall. It's a pretty awesome feeling. 

As much faith and trust we have in God, I think He had faith and trust in us first. He voted for us to come down here and do what needed to be done.  He knew we could do it, and I think we can too. 

Don't forget to be awesome!