Peace and Comfort To The Soul

The last few days I have been pondering about the hymn "Lord, I Would Follow Thee". It really is one of my favorites. This is one of many hymns that brings peace and comfort to my soul. I am discovering on the days that are chaotic and crazy that hymns and other songs bring rest and peace. I know when we need an added measure of peace, comfort, joy, help, love, support, understanding, we but need to turn to our Savior. He is there for it all- the exciting and happy, the sorrow and the heartaches. I know He died so that we may live. I know He lives- He lives for us! I know with His help it is all possible! 

1. Savior, may I learn to love thee,
Walk the path that thou hast shown,
Pause to help and lift another,
Finding strength beyond my own.
Savior, may I learn to love thee—

[Chorus]
Lord, I would follow thee.

2. Who am I to judge another
When I walk imperfectly?
In the quiet heart is hidden
Sorrow that the eye can’t see.
Who am I to judge another?

3. I would be my brother’s keeper;
I would learn the healer’s art.
To the wounded and the weary
I would show a gentle heart.
I would be my brother’s keeper—

4. Savior, may I love my brother
As I know thou lovest me,
Find in thee my strength, my beacon,
For thy servant I would be.
Savior, may I love my brother—

I Know He Lives

I am grateful to know we have a loving, kind, gentle friend- Our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know He loves me. I know He suffered and died for me. I know He lives! I know He lives for me- that each day He saves and lifts me from difficulty, sin, from it all! I am thankful to know that through Him I can maintain peace and happiness. Thankful that He sees me through the good and not so good experiences. He truly is my friend. Below is a piece of a talk from Elder Robert D. Hales. I like it and want to share it. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

Elder Robert D. Hales (October 1997) In Remembrance of Jesus. "A knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ, was given to us by Isaiah—that the Lord will guide us always. He will satisfy our needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen our frame. We will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail (see Isa. 58:11).

We remember Jesus as the Bread of Life, as the Living Water, as the Light and Life of the World as we come and follow Him, that by Him and through Him we will be saved. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

When the time for the Atonement was near, the disciples were concerned how long Jesus would remain with them. He told them that He would not tarry with them for long but that He would leave a Comforter with them, the Holy Ghost (see John 14:26). For you and me, we have to understand the loving nature of our Savior. We are not left alone. He has given us this day, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, a restoration of the gospel in these latter days. He has provided another testament of Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon. He has restored the priesthood and the keys that He gave to Peter, James, and John when He was with them and they were His Apostles. They came to Joseph Smith and restored those same keys in 1829. Additional priesthood keys were brought by Elijah, Moses, and Elias after the appearance of the Savior in the Kirtland Temple on April 3rd of 1836. These keys have been given for the ordinances of the temple (seeD&C 110).

We have not been left alone. We have the light of Christ and the Holy Ghost to lead and guide us in an otherwise very dark and dreary world. The keys of the priesthood have been restored to make available all of the ordinances that are necessary, that we may return to His presence.

May we follow our Savior, Jesus Christ, and always remember Him in all that we do and all that we say and in all of the acts of charity given one to another, that we may know that these things are done in remembrance of Him.

I testify that our Lord Jesus Christ lives and guides and directs His Church by revelation through His prophet this very day and time. “We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ” (2 Ne. 25:26). We believe in Christ, we remember Him, and we testify of Jesus Christ our Lord and our Redeemer with the knowledge that He will come again to earth to reign in glory as King of Kings.

May all who profess to be Christians, all who know and testify of Jesus, come unto Him and follow His teachings and example, being one as Heavenly Father and Jesus are one in purpose, to unite ourselves, to lift and strengthen each other, and take upon us one another’s burdens as our Savior has taken our burdens upon Him."

Encircled in the Arms Of God's Love

"We must also see His love in the smallest of things. Don’t underestimate your ability to share His love through a simple, genuine gesture such as sitting next to another sister and making her feel welcome. Do you feel the Lord’s love in your life? How I feel His love may be different from how you experience it. The key is to come to understand how you feel that love. And once you’ve felt it, be willing to share it."  -Sister Bonnie D. Parkin, Eternally Encircled in His Love, October 2006.

But behold, the Lord hath ^aredeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his ^bglory, and I am encircled about eternally in the ^carms of his ^dlove.

2 Nephi 1:15 

Therefore, if you will ^aask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.

^bBe patient; be sober; be temperate; have patience, faith, hope and charity.

Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore ^atreasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and ^bdiligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my ^clove. 

 Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore ^atreasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and ^bdiligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my ^clove. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 

D&C 6:5,19-21

Happy August

I really can not believe it's August! I love August! There are going to be a lot of changes this month. I am excited for them and excited for the new, awaiting adventures!

Gratefully Endure to the End

I know I just posted an entry, but I have more I want to write about and want to do it in a different post. This morning as I left for work which was just before seven. I was feeling icky and not excited about being up with the sun and going to work, but as I drove down my street I looked up and saw the sun on its way over the tall wondrous mountains and than as I looked a little to the left there was a hot air balloon near the top of the mountain. It was what I so needed this morning. I'm grateful Heavenly Father places things in our path to show His love, concern, and awareness of us. I love hot air balloons and I love love love our mountains and the awesome sunrises and sunsets that occur each day. I'm thankful when He causes me to look up and see His masterful hand. I love Him and thankful to know He loves me.
Tonight I went to a viewing for a neighbor lady who died last weekend. One of her children said to us she "endured to the end". I've been thinking about that since. "Endured to the end" I want that said of me. And not only at my passing into the next life, but in each trial or challenge I face. Oh how awesome is Our Heavenly Father and His plan! I am thankful for His Son, Jesus Christ who makes it possible to face and overcome every challenge, trail, and heartache we will ever experience. Through Him we truly can do all things. Through Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ we can know what real life is and that it leads to eternal life.  Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

Look and Live

Over the past year I have been studying, pondering, and understanding what it means to look and live more than ever before. I find great strength as I look to God and live as He would have me. I have discovered that I am more patient and dedicated to God's will and timing than my own. I know He loves me and is The Reason I am becoming the woman that I am. I am thankful to know that He is never early or late in His timing and that the trials, sufferings, sorrows, excitement, and goodness in our lives is a way for us to become closer to Him and become more like Him if we choose to look to Him and live.  

Alma 37:47 "...yea, see that ye look to God and live."

3 Nephi 15:9 "Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life."

I Stand All Amazed

I Stand All Amazed, Hymn #193

1. I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

[Chorus]
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

2. I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

3. I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

Text and music: Charles H. Gabriel, 1856–1932
Mosiah 3:5–8
John 15:13

Is Beautiful

The following quote from Elder Richard G. Scott's talk "Finding Joy in Life", I know is rather long, but I couldn't bring myself to cut out some. I hope it conveys some of what I am feeling and pondering about. I linked the full talk at the bottom of the quote. 

"Tears of gratitude formed for this wondrous world in which we live, for the extraordinary beauty our Heavenly Father so freely shares with all who are willing to see. Truly, life is beautiful.

Do you take time to discover each day how beautiful your life can be? How long has it been since you watched the sun set? The departing rays kissing the clouds, trees, hills, and lowlands good night, sometimes tranquilly, sometimes with exuberant bursts of color and form. What of the wonder of a cloudless night when the Lord unveils the marvels of His heavens—the twinkling stars, the moonlight rays—to ignite our imagination with His greatness and glory? How captivating to watch a seed planted in fertile soil germinate, gather strength, and send forth a tiny, seemingly insignificant sprout. Patiently it begins to grow and develop its own character led by the genetic code the Lord has provided to guide its development. With care it surely will become what it is destined to be: a lily, crowned with grace and beauty; a fragrant spearmint plant; a peach; an avocado; or a beautiful blossom with unique delicacy, hue, and fragrance. When last did you observe a tiny rosebud form? Each day it develops new and impressive character, more promise of beauty until it becomes a majestic rose. You are one of the noblest of God’s creations. His intent is that your life be gloriously beautiful regardless of your circumstances. As you are grateful and obedient, you can become all that God intends you to be.

Sadness, disappointment, and severe challenge are events in life, not life itself. I do not minimize how hard some of these events are. They can extend over a long period of time, but they should not be allowed to become the confining center of everything you do. The Lord inspired Lehi to declare the fundamental truth, “Men are, that they might have joy.” ¹That is a conditional statement: “they might have joy.” It is not conditional for the Lord. His intent is that each of us finds joy. It will not be conditional for you as you obey the commandments, have faith in the Master, and do the things that are necessary to have joy here on earth.

Your joy in life depends upon your trust in Heavenly Father and His holy Son, your conviction that their plan of happiness truly can bring you joy. Pondering their doctrine will let you enjoy the beauties of this earth and enrich your relationships with others. It will lead you to the comforting, strengthening experiences that flow from prayer to Father in Heaven and the answers He gives in return." -Elder Richard G. Scott, April 1996 

The creations of this Earth are beautiful and amazing! The Lord truly loves us and blesses us constantly and continually as we discover more of Him and the beauty that is this mortal life. I know real life is eternal life. It is living the gospel of Jesus Christ and partaking of it's fullness each day. 

Anxiously Goodly Happy

My heart is anxiously, goodly happy!

Patience and Faith

"Truth, covenants, and ordinances enable us to overcome fear and face the future with faith!"-Elder Russell M. Nelson



"Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious. It is the ability to do God’s will and accept His timing. When you are patient, you hold up under pressure and are able to face adversity calmly and hopefully. Patience is related to hope and faith—you must wait for the Lord’s promised blessings to be fulfilled." -Preach My Gospel, P.120


I'm grateful to know that Heavenly Father is fully aware and into every detail of my life and that I am doing and becoming what He desires. His love is real. I'm grateful for the direction and peace that only He can give. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :) 

Patuloy ang Pangarap

Patuloy ang Pangarap

Di pa rin makapaniwala
Sa lahat ng nangyayari
Pangarap parang kailan lang 
Sa panaginip ko’y nakita

Ngayon ay dumating
Nang bigla sa aking buhay
Di naubusan ng pag-asa
Ako’y nanalig sa

Isang pangarap
Ako’y naniniwala
Ako ay lilipad at ang
Lahat makakakita

Sa isang pangarap
Ako’y naniniwala
Hindi ako titigil
Hangga’t aking makakaya

Unti-unting mararating
Tagumpay ko’y makikita
Patuloy ang pangarap

Di pa rin makapaniwala
Sa aking nakikita
Lahat ng panalangin ko
Ngayon may kasagutan
Lhat ng pinagdaanan
At pinaghirapan
Nagbigay ng kalakasan
Upang marating

Ang isang pangarap
Ako’y naniniwala
Ako ay lilipad at ang
Lahat makakakita

Sa isang pangarap
Ako’y naniniwala
Hindi ako titigil
Hangga’t aking makakaya

Unti-unting mararating
Tagumpay ko’y makikita
Patuloy ang pangarap

Kahit saan kahit kailan
Alam kong ako’y patungo
Sa marami pang tagumpay

Sa isang pangarap
Ako’y naniniwala
Ako ay lilipad at ang
Lahat makakakita

Sa isang pangarap
Ako’y naniniwala
Hindi ako titigil
Hangga’t aking makakaya

Unti-unting mararating
Tagumpay ko’y makikita
Patuloy ang pangarap
Patuloy ang pangarap

Living After the Manner of Happiness

Today a friend said in his testimony that he is grateful for laughter and happiness. I've been thinking about this and I've had a "duh moment" you might say as I realized- I am too! I am grateful for laughter and happiness. I am happy and excited about the present and the future. I am a happy girl! "Living after the manner of happiness" is to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, to remain a covenant keeper. I am grateful to know happiness is eternal, to know that happiness is found in the teachings and atonement of Jesus Christ. Yes life is challenging, some days are more challenging than others, but because of Jesus Christ and faith and hope in Him happiness is possible amidst challenges and struggles. Joseph Smith said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255–56).  Mosiah 2:41 "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and ^ahappy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are ^bblessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out ^cfaithful to the end they are received into ^dheaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it." I am thankful to know God wants us to be happy and that my concerns are His concerns and that He is in every detail of my life. I love the above verse-"temporal and spiritual" He helps and guides us in all things. I know He lives. I know He is our Father. Masaya Ang Aking Puso- in English my heart is happy.