Freedom of Forgiveness

"Everybody makes mistakes.

Everybody has those days.

Everybody knows what what I'm talkin' 'bout.

Everybody gets that way."

We can all relate to the inspiring words of Hannah Montana.  Nobody's perfect.  Not a single one of us.  We all make mistakes.  Even though we all know this, it's hard for us to move on and forgive ourselves. We are our own biggest critics, but we need to let go of our burdens and forgive ourselves. 

Yesterday, at the girls home I work at, one of the girls gave a really moving presentation about forgiving ourselves.  She gave us each a dirty penny and one by one we washed it in vinegar until it was clean.  As we did this, we talked about what we struggle forgiving ourselves for.  As I thought about what I could share, a thousand things popped into my head.  Like many others, I was my own worst critic and didn't know which of the many things I should share.  As I contemplated it more, I decided to talk about how I blame myself for the poor relationship I had with one of my sisters all the way throughout high school.  I was really mean to her.  Not just the typical sisterly arguing stuff, but full on words of hate and cruelty.  I've really enjoyed strengthening our relationship now and I absolutely lover her to death, but I still hold this regret in my heart that our relationship could have been better.  

Forgiving others is hard, but forgiving ourselves is even harder.  We hold on to our imperfections and don't want to let go.  This is not of God.  God wants us to feel the liberating freedom of being regret and guilt free.  Whatever you're struggling with forgiving yourself for, I beg with you to let it go.  The prophets and apostles have continuously instructed us that forgiveness brings us peace and joy.  "It may take time to heal from the experience and the pain of past sins, but because of Jesus Christ’s Atonement, that healing can come. Sometimes it takes time and effort to forgive yourself, but as you do, the memory will help remind you not to sin again" (New Era, March 2016).  The Atonement is most beautiful gift that we could have received and if we don't take advantage of it, what does that make us? Healing is a process, but as we reach out for help from our loving Heavenly Father and older brother Jesus Christ, it's not only possible, but liberating. 

I know that as I have tried to apply the Atonement more in my life, I have found that the relationship that I have with my sister has become more meaningful and we're closer now than we ever were before.  As I've tried forgiving myself, I've found relief which allows me to have more joy in my life and put my best foot forward when strengthen not only the relationship I have with her, but those around me as well.  I still struggle sometimes with guilt, but as long as I keep pushing forward and trying my hardest, I know that it will all work out.  

Unanswered Prayers

I don't think I ever fully appreciated prayer until my mission.  I believed that Heavenly Father was listening and that He genuinely loved me and cared about me, but I never truly understood the sacred power of communicating with God.  As I look back at the experiences that I've had throughout my life, I realize that there's no way I'd be where I am today without that open direct channel between me and my loving Father in Heaven. However, just because I have a testimony of prayer, it doesn't mean that I still don't struggle and doubt like everyone else. 

About two weeks ago, I felt like my life was becoming too full and starting to fall apart.  The stresses of everyday life were compounded with reaching deadlines for band, spending money on a desperately needed new phone that never showed up, worrying about having enough money for school, deciding what my employment should look like in the fall, and juggling self care with getting all of this sorted out.  Life was hectic!  My roommates saw me change from a loving sweet person to a grumpy unenthusiastic kill joy.  Fortunately for me, they love me and were understanding, but it still didn't change the fact that I was miserable.  Last time I checked, being miserable sucks.  No one likes it - myself included. 

I was praying every morning and every night seeking for help in making decisions, finding peace, and getting my life together, but I didn't feel like I was receiving any answers or help.  I knew Heavenly Father was listening, but I was frustrated in the lack of response.  Growing up, I was taught about this frequently - that we're supposed to make our own decisions and then He'll answer us, but I didn't feel like that was happening either. 

Until last week.

When my phone didn't come, it ended up being the answer that I was looking for, but didn't necessarily want.  I received a refund on it and I'm pretty sure that it was Heavenly Father's way of telling me that I didn't need a new phone and that the money was more important for tuition.  When I thought band was getting overwhelming (with memorizing music and committee logistics), I realized I remembered more than I thought.  When it came to figuring out what I was going to do for work in the fall, one of my coworkers at New Haven mentioned that there was going to be an opening in the mornings soon and suggested that I talk to our lead supervisor about switching.  I did and now I'll make more money and have a more structured schedule with band, class, and work. 

After going through these ups and downs over the past two weeks, I learned that patience is just as important as trust in God.  There's no way that Heavenly Father would let me fail and I forgot that.  Everything that's supposed to happen, will happen in time. 

Prayer is how we communicate with God and we can never forget that.  The scriptures teach that "if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray" (2 Nephi 32:8).  Prayer is from God and anything that teaches otherwise is not. 

I'm so grateful that I have the knowledge that I'm a loved daughter of God who hears my prayers even though sometimes it may not feel like it.  Each of us need to remember this and our scary and uncertain lives can be filled with joy and peace. 

Living the Single Life: What is Love?

Once upon a time in a land far far away, there lived a beautiful princess and a handsome prince...

Every little girl grew up hearing these words right before she went to bed and then would dream of when she would finally meet her prince charming.  I remember dressing up as Cinderella or Belle or Aurora and pretending that my prince was coming. These stories taught us that true love is a whimsical perfect sensation that can happen at first sight and lasts forever.  As we grew older, we were introduced to chick flicks and rom coms that made us laugh, cry, become breathless, and feel like we were in the movie.  From Pride and Prejudice to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and from Sleepless in Seattle to Hitch, we learn that love can happen anywhere with anyone under any circumstances.

Why, then, am I still sitting here almost 23 years later, having never been kissed, and haven't been on a date in months?

Newsflash: Love in the movies isn't all it's cracked up to be.

From firsthand experience, I can say that falling in love is hard and nearly impossible even though it seems like everyone around you is having no problems at all.  It's frustrating seeing people around you fall in love and leave you out on the sidelines to dry and pretend like you're in a relationship with pizza and ice cream.

One of my biggest dreams is to become a wife and mother.  It's difficult wanting something so badly and not be able to have it, so each day is a little harder and scarier thinking that it may not happen soon or even happen in this life.

Luckily for me and you, true love has been around longer than we have and can be found in our relationship with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  They love us more than we can know and want to help us in every aspect of our lives.  The Atonement of Jesus Christ was the greatest act of love that ever happened.  Christ suffered for each of us personally.  There really is no greater love than that. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).  Everyday that goes by, I find comfort that there is a loving Heavenly Father and older brother looking out for me.

True love isn't just roses and kisses and candlelit dinners.  It's feeling the warm embrace of the Spirit as you kneel down to pray and converse with your Heavenly Father.  It's looking at your roommates and feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the support they give you.  It's walking down the street on a warm summer day and smiling at those you pass.  True love is all around us and may not be as far far away as you may think.

Just for fun....Here's a video of love songs throughout the decades!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Independence.  It's an amazing thing that never comes cheap.  Lives can be lost, poor decisions can be made, and innocent people can get hurt, but it's a concept that has forever shaped the minds of great leaders throughout the world.  Without independence, we wouldn't be the great nation that we are today.  Without independence, we couldn't worship the way that we want to.  Without independence, we wouldn't learn and grow that way that God intended us to.  Agency and independence are closely linked, but if we use them correctly, we can see amazing things and become the great individuals that God sees us as. 

Every year since I can remember, I watch fireworks, eat burgers, and enjoy friends and family on the 4th of July to celebrate this great independent country.  This year, I decided to contemplate the things I love about our great nation and make it a more meaningful, yet enjoyable, birthday celebration!

A - Artwork. The Bean is probably at the top of my list.

B - Bacon.  We can literally incorporate it into every dish. Literally.

C - Chicago.  I really grew up in these suburbs, even if I tell you I'm from Colorado.

D - Denim. I honestly don't know anyone that doesn't own a pair of blue jeans.

E - Ethnic Culture. Growing up in the melting pot gave me a better understanding of the world.

F - Football. I love watching the sport, but I'm more partial towards the marching band.  Go Cougs!

G - Guitars.  A symbol of country music - the music of America.

H - Halliday's.  Because, you know, I'm kinda biased.

I - Ice Cream. There's nothing like a hot summer day and getting ice cream to cool down.

J - Jamba Juice.  It's cheap, delicious, and healthy.

K - Krispy Kremes.  Glazed, wonderful, fatty, goodness.

L - Lemonade Stands.  It's really hard to say no to an adorable child who only wants 25 cents.

M - Mountains. How can someone look at them and not fall in love with nature?

N - Nauvoo. Wish I could still go back in time every summer.

O - Orange Juice. OJ is a breakfast staple.

P - Pizza.  Lou Malnati's Chicago deep dish. Nothing else is acceptable.

Q - Quirky.  We all have our own weird tendencies, which make us one of a kind.
R - Rootbeer.  America's drink and the way to my heart.  Enough said.

S - Sunsets. I love seeing the sky become God's canvas every night.

T - Travel.  Even though I've never left the country, I'm glad I've been to almost every state within.

U - Utah.  My birthplace and current home.

V - Ventura. After spending 18 amazing months in Cali, it holds a special place in my heart.

W - Walt Disney.  Thanks for bringing so much joy to my childhood....and adulthood.

X - Xerox. Admit it.  You've photocopied your face at least once.

Y - Yellowstone.  Being outdoors and seeing the beauty of our country is so relaxing.

Z - Zamboni.  I suck at ice skating, but thanks for making it slightly easier.

God Bless America!

Live Boldly. Just Live...

One of my goals this summer is to read at least 10 books.  I've always loved reading ever since I was little, but sometimes life just gets in the way.  Since I'm working and not taking classes (meaning NO homework!!), I have a lot more time on my hands than I ever have before.  It's perfect time to read books and get caught up in another world from time to time.

One of the books that I've already read this summer is Me Before You by JoJo Moyes.  Now, I know there's a lot of controversy surrounding this book and the movie that came out this weekend, but I don't want to get caught up in the why of that (those of you who have read the book know what I'm talking about).  When I read the book and saw the movie, the thing that stuck out to me the most was something that Will keeps telling Lou over and over again, "Live boldly.  Just live." The more I thought about it, the more beautiful I thought that was.  We've all been given bodies and lives and our Heavenly Father expects us to live here on earth in the best way we can.  Of course, there's going to be trials and hardships along the way, but that's a natural part of the earthly experience.  If we don't take chances and live boldly, we'll never know what our full potential here on earth can consist of.

Think about how many opportunities you miss if you don't share your beliefs with others, travel the world, try something new, ask the cute girl out, cry with a friend, or put yourself out there.  Like I mentioned earlier, I set goals at the beginning of the summer to help me live a fuller life.  Some of them are:
-go to the temple weekly
-read 10 books
-practice flute 3x/week
-clean apartment weekly
-go hiking
-go camping
-daily scripture study
-get a passport
-hang with friends (that aren't my roomies (even though I love them to death))
-practice Spanish daily
-fall in love
-learn to play guitar
-take pictures
-make enough money for school
-exercise 4-5 days/week
-have fun!

Now it's not like my goals are skydiving or bull fighting or travelling to exotic places, but I know they'll help me be happier in my own way.  "Men are that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25).  This is our time to live boldly....and just live.

The Pursuit of Happiness

Happiness is a hard construct to define.  Books have been written, movies have been produced, and songs have been composed about it, but happiness will always mean different things to different people.  To me, temporal happiness is hiking in the mountains on sunny spring day or surrounding a bonfire with my best friends singing or watching Pride and Prejudice while enjoying a root beer float.  Although these things are temporary, eternal happiness can come a result of living the gospel.  As I've gone throughout my life, and especially this last week, I've had experiences that helped me realized how I can find my own eternal happiness in this crazy life. 


I recently started working at a residential treatment center for adolescent girls and within the few short weeks I've been there, I've learned things that I can honestly say have changed my life.  This past week one of the more quiet and reserved girls opened up during group therapy and talked about how when she first came to the RTC, she felt so restricted by all the rules and restrictions she had to follow.  As she shared part of her story she conveyed that even though at first she would lash out and be physically violent towards staff, she realized that the more she complied to the rules, she felt happier and more liberated.  This girl couldn't really explain why that was, but the more I thought about it, I realized that living the gospel is very similar in that way. 


As an active member of the LDS church, I completely understand that there are a lot of commandments, rules, and contributions that are required.  Often times, it can get very stressful to live up to all of them and I may not always understand the reason for why I'm living the way I do.  It's wonderful, however, that God, my church leaders, and my family and friends don't expect me to be perfect, but just try my hardest and do my best.  Although it may seem contradictive and counterintuitive, the more I adhere to God's commandments, I feel the same way the girl I mentioned earlier feels - happy and free.


The happiness that we feel in this life is the direct result of our obedience to the commandments of God.  In 1971, President Gordon B. Hinckley said that "the happiness of the Latter-day Saints, the peace of the Latter-day Saints, the progress of the Latter-day Saints, the prosperity of the Latter-day Saints, and the eternal salvation and exaltation of this people lie in walking in obedience to the counsels of … God."  I'd like to add that this happiness, peace, progress, and prosperity are available to anyone who keeps the commandments of God.  We've been blessed to be able to receive guidance from God, who knows us and loves us because we're His children.  Why wouldn't we do what He's asked us to do?  He knows what's best for us. 


In reality, what constricts us the most are our sins and our attitude.  As we keep the commandments of God and live according to the gospel, we can truly be set free by the Atonement of Jesus Christ from the chains that bind us.  We can have immense happiness and live a better life. 

God Can't Move a Parked Car

How many times do we pray hoping that we'll receive what we ask for?  How many of those times do we demand blessings, yet do nothing about it?  How many of those times do we lack in expressing gratitude for the things we already have?  Why do we automatically think that we're entitled to God's help without doing anything?  True, He loves us and wants what's best for us, but this life is a testing period where we're expected to work.  Faith without works is dead.  We need to put forth the effort.


This week in institute, we had a lengthy discussion about acting on our hopes and dreams.  My teacher made the remark that "God can't move a parked car." Before driving anywhere, we need to turn the ignition on, change the gear, and press the gas.  Only then can we steer and move towards our desired destination.  The same applies to God's hand in our lives.  We need to have a dream, make a plan, and actually start executing it before God can steer us in the direction we need to go.  Action on our end needs to happen before any action on His end can happen.


The more I thought about this concept in my life, I realized that I'm not achieving my highest level of happiness unless I'm working with God, not waiting for Him to bless me.  As a young single adult, this is particularly applicable in dating.  I can't sit back and wait for marriage to come along and not do anything about it.  I need to put myself out there, meet new people, and strengthen the relationships that I currently have with others in order for God to help me.  Our hopes and dreams can only become a reality if put forth the required work on our end.


In the same institute class, one of the students (aka one of my amazing roommates) also made a comment that sometimes the dreams that we have aren't what God has in store for us.  We can get hung up on one person, job title, or any number of other dreams that may not be right for far too long, but we can't be corrected and steer a different direction unless we act on them.  Only then, will God let us know that we need to change our path.  We can then focus our energy and efforts on a different goal or dream that may be a better fit in God's plan for us.


As children of God, we have limitless potential and possibilities.  It is crucial that we start the ignition of our hopes and dreams, make a plan of where we want to go, and then hit the gas and act because God can't move a parked car. 

Angels on Earth

Sometimes, I don't think we realize how much God loves us.  He is in the finer details of our lives and often expresses His love for us there.  Over the past month, I've come to realize that the biggest way He shows His love for me is through my amazing and beautiful roommates.  Between work, class, band, and studying, I get frazzled, on occasion, and they are always there to help me and get me through stressful situations.  Whether it's doing my dishes or sharing food or even asking me to prom through sugar cookies knowing I'd laugh, they know how to make me feel loved.  They truly are angels in my life and I don't know what I'd do without them.  They're the reason that I want to become better.  They're the reason I go to bed happy and wake up excited.  They're the reason I laugh every day.  Their example of how to live a Christ like life gives me hope that one day I can become as loving as them.  They truly are my angels.

Each of us can touch the life of another in ways similar to how my roommates touch mine.  Everyone needs someone to rely on and grow spiritually with.  As we look towards Christ and pray for those opportunities, Heavenly Father will bless us with chances to use our strengths to serve and love someone else.  Life becomes more meaningful and more fulfilling.  Can we say that we've served with all our "heart, might, mind, and strength" to uplift and strengthen others?  If we do, we will be eternally blessed with eternal friendships.  So, thank you to everyone who has served me and thank you to everyone that will let me serve them in the future.  "Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."

Trusting in the Lord's Timing

This week, I had an assignment to write about a contemporary LDS young single adult issue.  This is the result, so I hope you enjoy!

 

Trust is a concept that can be very difficult to understand.  It requires vulnerability, faith, and ignorance on occasion.  Although it is difficult, it is a necessary aspect in the relationships that we have with the people around us.  These relationships include family and friends, yes, but the relationship we have with our Heavenly Father is one of the most significant.  As we trust in Him our lives become more purposeful and we can find more joy in the journey of life.  As trusting in the Lord and His timing in our lives is so significant, I would like to focus on how we, especially as young single adults, can develop this quality especially in regards to making important life decisions.

 

As human beings living in a fallen and natural world, we want things to happen our way in our own time.  It can often times be difficult for us to accept that our will may not be completely in line with God’s will.  As I was studying how I could more effectively put my trust in the Lord, I came across some counsel from church leaders, church publications, and ancient prophets that helped me understand how we can better trust in the Lord and His timing in our lives.  I would like to discuss 6 things that we can do today in order to increase our trust in the Lord’s timing.  

 

One of the simplest things that God instructs us in the Doctrine and Covenants is “doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:36). When doubt exists in our lives, we are incapable of fully finding joy.  Faith is the only way that we can find joy in this life and be at peace with God’s plan.  God has promised us blessings if we are faithful.  Many of these blessings we expect to receive quickly or without trial, but most of the time Heavenly Father wants us to work for them (Ether 12:6).  When we are expecting an answer to prayer or we desperately want something in the present, we may not be ready and God’s timing will help us to more fully appreciate the blessings when they do eventually come whether in this life or the one to come.  Quoting Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Elder Dallin H. Oaks instructed that “our faith needs to include faith in the Lord’s timing for us personally, not just in His overall plans and purposes” (2003). As we have faith in our Heavenly Father, our trust in His timing grows stronger and we can live a more peaceful and less anxious life. 

 

Showing gratitude is one of the most used concepts in the scriptures as well as emphasized by our ecclesiastical leaders.  In an Ensign article in July 2013, Melissa Zenteno discusses the story of a young woman who has been waiting and hoping to get married, but the opportunity has never arisen. After a conversation with family members, this young woman decided that she needed to show more gratitude and keep a journal illustrating all the many blessings she already had in her life.  After a certain amount of time, she realized that many of the blessings she had received over a few months were unexpected answers to her prayers.  This woman later stated that she was to going to “continue to have experiences that [would] help [her] learn and grow” (Zenteno, 2013).  Because of this grateful attitude, she was able to start building relationships with various people that helped her to eventually meet her eternal companion.  Instead of dwelling on the negative and the fact that this woman wasn’t married yet, she looked at the silver lining and her life became a lot more fulfilling.  More importantly, she came to trust more fully in the Lord just as we can if we become more grateful in every circumstance, not just the good.

 

In the recent copy of the Ensign, Elder Dallin H. Oaks and his wife discussed developing trust in the Lord’s timing especially in regards to marriage.  Although they brought up many important qualities and necessary things to do, there was one that stood out the most to me.  They instructed LDS young single adults to ask themselves, “what more can I do that is right?” (2016).  Just because the Lord doesn’t give us the blessings or answers to our prayers that we desire, it doesn’t mean that we’re doing anything wrong.  The more I thought about this, I realized that the trial of being single when everyone else seemingly is getting married can be an excellent opportunity for growth and a time to rely even more on the Lord rather than pull away.  In my own life, I’ve been able to see this directly.  Like I mentioned earlier, when I got home from my mission, I was receiving a lot of pressure to date and get married quickly.  Now that I’ve been home about 15 months, I’ve started to feel the realities of that pressure set in.  It feels like everyone around me is getting married and I haven’t even seriously dated anyone.  I go on dates every so often, but not consistently.  For a while, I felt like I was never going to be in a relationship or even get married.  A few weeks ago, I decided that I needed to focus on improving myself rather than hoping for someone else to do something. Elder Oaks also discusses this in an Ensign article from 2003.  He says, “the achievement of some important goals in our lives is subject to more than the timing of the Lord. Some personal achievements are also subject to the agency of others.” As I read this, I decided to focus on bettering my own habits in the gospel to become who the Lord wanted me to be and become like the person that I want to marry in the future. 

 

One of the most important things that we need to remember when learning to trust in the Lord’s timing is patience.  On my mission, I had the opportunity to be blessed with difficult companions.  Although those transfers were the hardest ones I had, I felt like I grew and learned so much.  The patience that I developed was a process and it definitely did not come all at once.  I felt like I was growing closer to God and trusting in Him, but it still did not mean that I had didn’t have to form patience.  It wasn’t until after those specific transfers that I realized that patience is what helped me to trust in the Lord more.  Hillary Olsen also discusses this in the August 2015 issue of the Ensign and quotes Elder Maxwell.  “Patience is a willingness, in a sense, to watch the unfolding purposes of God with a sense of wonder and awe, rather than pacing up and down within the cell of our circumstance. Put another way, too much anxious opening of the oven door and the cake falls instead of rising. So it is with us. If we are always selfishly taking our temperature to see if we are happy, we will not be” (2015).  We need to watch the will of the Lord unfold and have patience while doing it.  Trusting in the Lord requires a willing and patient mind or we will not be able to find joy in this life and learn and grow in the way that we need to. 

 

Overall, trusting in the Lord requires faith, gratitude, self-improvement, and patience.  The Lord wants us to be happy, but if we don’t do all that we can first, He will not be able to bless us in the way that is most beneficial.  There are various reasons that we may not get exactly what we want when we want it, but the Lord has a plan that incorporates each and every one of us in the way that He needs us.  Doctrine and Covenants 64: 31-34 summarizes the importance of trusting in the Lord perfectly. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.  Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.  And the rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion, and shall be sent away, and shall not inherit the land.” As long as we are trying our hardest to succeed in this life and be obedient, we can have the confidence that the Lord will fulfill His promises and that everything will work out the way that it’s supposed to.

 

I’ve been able to personally see the blessings of trusting in the Lord’s timing in my life and even though I’m still not completely perfect at it, I still keep trying because I know that the blessings will still come.  I’m so grateful for the opportunity that I have to have a strong relationship with my Father in heaven and that He’s there to always support me.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

You're Not Perfect and That's Okay!

This week I came to the realization that everything is going to work out.  I feel like I've been swamped with responsibility lately (classes, work, band, homework, my calling, social life, dating) and that I was always behind in whatever I was doing.  I just had the overwhelming feeling that it doesn't matter what is going on that I just need to keep trying my hardest.  It started in my prayers this past week and the feeling perpetuated as one of the speakers in Sacrament Meeting this past week bore his testimony.  He talked about how the long term is important, yes, but focusing on the short term is what allows us to progress and become better people.  It really struck home.  Heavenly Father doesn't want me to be stressed all the time or feel like I'm not measuring up.  He wants me to feel loved and understand that if I'm trying my hardest, then I'm doing exactly what He wants me to do.  As a young adult, I'm expected to make BIG decisions about my future and that can be stressful, but with His help I can do it. 

This week, I had the opportunity to go to the Provo City Center Temple and view one of the sealing rooms and the bridal room before it is dedicated.  As my roommates and I walked through, an overwhelming feeling of peace and joy came as we enjoyed the ornate and beautiful details of God's home.  The temple is a place where we can feel God's love for us while making covenants with him.  After a week of contemplation of my life, it was exactly what I needed to solidify the impressions and feelings that I had of God's approval and love for me. 

Seeking, Accepting, and Embracing

I don't claim to be perfect. In fact, I'm far from it.  I still get upset.  I still get angry.  There's even times when I just don't want to talk to anyone or do anything.  Even though life can get crazy and seemingly impossible to handle, there are plenty of things that keep me motivated to keep on pushing on and finding joy in the journey.  The purpose of this blog is to help others realize the profound effect the gospel of Jesus Christ has on my life and can have on theirs.  If you're reading this, hopefully I'll be able to help you see, accept, and embrace that.  I don't expect you to listen to me, but to the Spirit.  I'm just an ordinary girl that's been blessed to receive a testimony of the gospel, but the Spirit is the true teacher.  This world is full of controversial and depressing topics, but the light of Christ shines through it all and gives us hope of a better world.  I know that this gospel is true and that it is the only way that we can find true happiness in this life.  It means the world to me and know that it can to you too!