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. 

Pondering

Sacred. Holy. Peace. Happiness. Love. Hope. Promises.

Ang Pinakamaganda Ay Darating Pa

"Look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future." Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

I am excited and looking forward to this new year! A new year brings new adventures, challenges, and blessings. I know the best is yet to come- ang pinakamaganda ay darating pa! I have hope. I have a handful of things I am thinking about. And a handful of things that I will be doing to make this year one of the best. This year I am hoping and working on many things- an increase in understanding and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, good intestinal health, finishing up my bachelor's degree, an internship, and, expanding my floral skills. These are just a handful. Here is to a year of adventures, challenges, blessings, and becoming more of the woman God wants me to be.

Savoring The Sweetness

Today I was reading more of Elder Neal A. Maxwell's talk titled "Patience". I recommend studying it along with President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk titled "Continue in Patience. " I have been studying, reading, and learning more about patience over the last several months in a new way. Elder Maxwell said, "I remember as a child going eagerly to the corner store for what we then called the "all-day sucker". It would not have lasted all day under the best of usage, but it could last quite awhile. The trick was to resist the temptation to bite into it, to learn to savor rather than to crunch and chew." He goes on to say, "in life, however, even patiently stretching out sweetness is sometimes not enough; in certain situations, enjoyment must actually be deferred. A patient willingness to defer dividends is a hallmark of individual maturity." Throughout his talk he discusses the "process of time", in the timetable of the Lord. I like this analogy of the "all-day sucker" and savoring the sweetness of the experience I am having and what I am waiting for- this is a season I need to savor. I am choosing to continue to trust the Lord and His timing for I know He has my best interest at heart. He is never early or late- His timing is perfect. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

Hope. Pagasa

hope

 noun, verb, hoped, hop·ing

.

–noun

1.

the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best

2.

a particular instance of this feeling

3.

grounds for this feeling in a particular instance

4.

a person or thing in which expectations are centered

5.

something that is hoped for

–verb (used with object)

6.

to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.

7.

to believe, desire, or trust

–verb (used without object)

8.

to feel that something desired may happen

9.

Archaic . to place trust; rely (usually fol. by in ).

*Googled hope images and these are some that came up.

CHRISTmas 2010

This CHRISTmas has been awesome! Filled with family (cousins I haven't seen in ages and the surprise breakfast guest) testimonies of Christ, yummy yummy food, movies with sister, chillin in pajamas until mid-afternoon, laughing, surprises, and many others. I am so grateful for my family! I am grateful to our loving Heavenly Father for His many blessings, opportunities, and challenges. My faith has been and is being strengthened through them all. I am thankful for the CHRISTmas season where many many people come together to celebrate Him. I am grateful to know Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah, I know He suffered and died for me and that He now lives! He lives for me- for all of us! He like Our Father in Heaven know us completely. I will continue to do what They ask of me because I love Them. I trust Them. I am choosing to continue "God-ward" moving forward in God's way. Because I have more peace and happiness in His way than in any other way. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

Trusting. Hoping. Knowing The Best Is Yet To Come

"The issue for us is trusting God enough to trust also His timing. If
we can truly believe He has our welfare at heart, may we not let His plans
unfold as He thinks best? The same is true with the second coming and with
all those matters wherein our faith needs to include faith in the
Lord's timing for us personally, not just in His overall plans and
purposes." (Neal A. Maxwell, "Even As I Am" (1982), 93)

I came across this quote again today. This is something I've been thinking about a lot recently. My heart is hopeful. I am trusting Heavenly Father and know all will work out for my best. I am reminder myself that He is never early or late in fulfilling His promises. I know the best is yet to come! Ang pinkamaganda ay darating pa! I know it! I feel it! Moving in faith to do what He asks. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)