The Best Feeling

I started going to my dad’s house every weekend last year. I had this feeling that I needed to. It was right. I kept feeling tempted not to go. I also kept feeling I should go.  I didn’t know why until yesterday.

Yesterday, my brother was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I never thought this would happen! I guess I assumed he was not the LDS type. Was I wrong. How foolish of me! The Savior, I have learned, is for everyone. There is no ‘type’.

“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;”

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 18:10)

I want to share with you guys the joy that comes from sharing the gospel with others. Last year we had a most excellent scripture mastery that I have always loved.
 

The verse above, and also these:

And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 18:15 - 16)

I knew this was true, but never before have I felt this most wonderful feeling in my heart. The true joy of bringing someone to the gospel! That being said, I don’t feel I can take credit for it all. I tried my best to keep my standards whenever I was at dad’s, but other than that, I didn’t actively do much to get him to join the church. He sought it himself. He asked for the missionary lessons. I set them up. What rapture I am filled with just knowing I could have a part, though!

I tell people my brother got baptized and they say “Oh, cool.” THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW COOL THIS IS. He will be the second priesthood holder in my whole family. The other was my grandfather, who died when I was four. I am so grateful to him for bringing the gospel to my family. How great his joy must be! Because of him there will be countless souls for us to rejoice with when we get home.

I am SO excited to serve a mission someday! This settles it!

Please, try your best to live the gospel wherever you go. Please, share the gospel. Refer your friends to the missionaries. Bare your testimony often. It is one sure way your faith will grow. Believe. Obey. Endure. Good luck.

Challenge: Pray today and this week for a missionary moment. Whether it is a small hello and an extendation of friendship, a “wanna go to church with me this Sunday?” or a “I am sorry, but I don’t do that. It isn’t right.” You can be a missionary!

Much love today,

Mariah

You are welcome. :)

P.S. Shout out to Penny! (Name changed for privacy) Saw her today and haven’t for a long time.

Arise

LOVE THIS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5YMxGdmzzk

Now arise and make your life as epic as this song.

Emma!

USU 1010 Part Two

So,
this is Emma again!
I do like writing, but it does cause me to struggle. I think that is a fundamental component of writing. I am excited for the growth this class will provide. I hope to take all the advantages to learn so that I may be prepared for writing in college and throughout my life.
Emma
Spelling: 0

USU 1010

So, this thing called writing.
I am struggling with it and I am not even sure why.
So... This is me struggling, and wishing I could just study for AP tests instead of writing.
But my teacher said that if I am not enjoying this essay then I am not doing it right. And I will fail it.

BLAH>
Lost and Confused
Emma

Home

When I got home today something wonderful happened. :) Not surprising, because I do this particular thing every day, and I will for the rest of my life. Any guesses?

I read my scriptures! In particular, I read Ether chapter 6. This has got to be one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon. In it is described a people who are commanded by the Lord to build a ship the Lord's way, gather friends and food, and set sail for a promised land. The ship they build is airtight, so it can go under water. For air to get in (they do need to breathe) there is a stopper on top and bottom. Anywho.

There are rocks that Christ made shine so as to give them light. When the wind blows and they are under water, it doesn't have to seem hopeless. They still have light, and they still have each other. "...when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters." (Ether 6:7) All the while tey where being driven towards the promised land.

When the trials seem to be blowing like a fierce wind, when we feel we are suffocating in our ships, or we are Lost on a large sea of despair, we can take comfort that the Lord is always here for us. He will carry us. He will light our path if we let Him, and if it is right. When we feel buried and lost He will shine in the darkness. He will be there.

And we will land in our own promised lands, you know. How wonderful it will be to hear Him welcome us home.

Love,
Mariah

GOOD MORNING WORLD

Hello,
Its a Monday! A fresh start to a new week. How exciting. I'm not sure really why I am here to write to you about. That is often how my blog posting goes.
I had some extra time. I woke up early to write my essay for USU 1010. Our teacher told us to write well we must take time. I am sure he meant more than just the morning before. :S This is a place of improvement I am hoping to bring into my life. I want to give my writing the time it deserves.
-Emma
Spelling: 0!

Individual Worth, Divine Nature :)

"There has come to you as your birthright something beautiful and sacred and divine. Never forget that. Your Eternal Father is the great Master of the universe. He rules over all, but He also will listen to your prayers as His daughter and hear you as you speak with Him. He will answer your prayers. He will not leave you alone."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "Stay on the High Road," Ensign, May 2004, 112



"Did you know that Heavenly Father knows you personally--by name? . . .
"You may not have heard the Lord call you by name, but He knows each one of you and He knows your name. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said. 'I testify to you that God has known you individually . . . for a long, long time (see D&C 93:23). He has loved you for a long, long time. He not only knows the names of all the stars (see Psalm 147:4; Isaiah 40:26); He knows your names and all your heartaches and your joys!' ("Remember How Merciful the Lord Hath Been," Ensign, May 2004, 46)."

Elaine S. Dalton, "He Knows You by Name," Ensign, May 2005, 109-10

Will She Blog?

YES she WILL!
Hello! I just haven't been blogging so that I may gain your appreciation... yeah, that is it. Well guess what I will blog about. A BLOG!

http://www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/

IT IS THE BLOG THAT IS SO VERY HELPFUL! FREE VINTAGE GRAPHICS!
Now here is your job. Give me your favorite quote and I will design a graphic for it!
NEW HOBBY TIME! :D
EMMA WHO HAS PROVED SHE DOES BLOG.

Secret Message #2738

So. Do you think Emma and Laura will blog?? :) I miss their posts. Very mucherly.

I did have the most excellent chat with Emma today, though! She is one fun person. :)

Classes were okay. It is the new trimester. Man, is it crazy to think I am going to be moving on in life from now on. I have always grown up not really imagining life beyond high school. When I was five I seriously took no thought of being a college student, getting married someday, etc. I just wanted to end the injustice of high school kids getting more cereal than me for breakfast. Who cared if they had bigger tummies to fill?

Well. My book of life has already begun, though. Is this the climax? Nah. I think this is the rising action. That's interesting. What will the climax be of our lives??

You know, it is 12:18 am and I am thinking I should sleep.

Love,
Harry Potter

:( :| :)

I worked all night on a scholarship entry that was due tonight, but that I thought was due tomorrow. So then, when I figured this key information out, I tried to finish it by 11:59 P.M.. My time. You know, Western Time.

NO ONE USES WESTERN TIME, I HAVE LEARNED. So I submitted it on time in Western time.

I am really happy with it, but there was more I wanted to get finished. For instance, I want to add cool titles on the books. Alas, it was not meant to be. I am wondering what I can use this for now…

And while I am in the ranty/sad mood, I will tell you about the fact that I should not go to school tomorrow. I have to switch classes anywho, and all the teachers will do is give me disclosures. Also, I will have to explain to all of my friends in those classes that no, I actually am not in your class. I am switching. Why? Because I need more credits in P.E. to graduate and I am lacking in AP Art, which I put off. I am actually pretty nervous I won’t have enough pieces again. IT WON’T HAPPEN! I shan’t let it.

Man, should I leave off with an uplifting note? :)

I will try again.

Love,

Mariah