The Real R.M. Life

Opening my mission call!

Well, Hello everyone! These last few days have been super crazy for me! I've been working to get my Church-Service Mission started, and also getting an actual job! Well..This week has been a success! I've landed a Job in the afternoons! I've also been working out some final details for my church service mission! I met with my Bishop last week and  tomorrow, Sunday, I will meet with my Stake President and get the last signature! 

I don't like to complain much, as you may have noticed from my previous posts I try to look at the

trial as that is the Lords will. But, I will say this, It has been really quite hard going from constantly doing something, to not doing anything! Not even really having a social life, because I don't feel all well enough to go do something! haha But, now that I'm starting to get back on my feet I'm beyond excited to finally begin to stat my life! This is something I've been looking forward to for the past year and a half!

If someone were to ask me what suggestions I would have for ALL Return Missionaries, would be the council from Elder M. Russell Ballard in the Priesthood Session of this last General Conference. He says:

"“RM” doesn’t mean “retired Mormon”! As a returned missionary, you “should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [your] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.""

 I do have to admit I've felt retired! Being sick for so long..Not doing anything, it feels like an early retirement. haha. But, It has not been a retirement from the church. Yes, I may not currently hold a calling (Because we thought I was only going to be home for a few weeks). But, I've keep up on Temple attendance, gospel study, family history work, etc.

Use the skills you gained on your mission..
Have a balanced life
Credit: Jason F. Wright

Elder Ballard continued on to say this:

"Please use the skills you learned on your mission to bless the lives of people around you every day. Do not shift your focus from serving others to focusing exclusively on school, work, or social activities. Instead, balance your life with spiritual experiences that remind and prepare you for continued, daily ministering to others.
During your missions you learned the importance of visiting people in their homes. I would hope that all of our young adults, whether or not you served full-time missions, understand the importance of visiting with people who are lonely, sick, or discouraged—not only as an assignment but also because of the genuine love you have for Heavenly Father and His children."

When he talked about continuing to visit people in their homes I imminently thought about an experience I had a couple of weeks ago. This particular day, I had to pick up my younger brother from his voice lessons. As I was driving I had the thought go visit sister smith, a widow in our ward. {Background: while I was between the ages of 2-10 we lived next to sister smith} I had thoughts like, Mom has dinner ready, I'm tired, etc. I won the battle between my mind and the Spirit. I went to visit her. It wasn't anything special. I could tell she deeply appreciated it. I may never know why the Lord told me to visit her. But visiting her I was able to serve her. I was able to feel like I was in the field again, and I did learn I had not lost my skills I gained as a missionary. I was about to share a spiritual message, so I could count it as a lesson, then I realized I didn't have to share anything. I did what I need to. I lifted her spirits that day, because of the love I have for her and Heavenly Father!

Elder Ballard also said this:

"And don’t forget that classes and activities offered at your local institute or through your young single adult ward or stake will also be a place where you can be with other young men and young women and lift and inspire one another as you learn and grow spiritually and socialize together. Brethren, if you will set aside your cell phone and actually look around a little, you may even find your future companion at the institute.
Which leads me to another bit of counsel that I’m sure you knew was coming: You single adults need to date and marry. Please stop delaying! I know some of you fear family formation. However, if you marry the right person at the right time and in the right place, you need not fear. In fact, many problems you encounter will be avoided if you are “anxiously engaged” in righteous dating, courting, and marriage. Don’t text her! Use your own voice to introduce yourself to the righteous daughters of God who are all around you. To actually hear a human voice will shock her—perhaps into saying yes."

Source: LDS Church

Ohhh Man! This particular piece of council hit me strait in the Heart!  When the subject of Marriage comes up I usually think something along the line of "This doesn't apply to you quite yet" or 'I still have plenty of time to prepare for marriage." Well....I had an eye opening...I cannot use those excuses anymore... They are talking right to me! Ahh! {Maybe this is why anytime I get on facebook someone else is engaged.} While I was on my mission I keep thinking as soon as I get home, I'm going to date a lot...Well I've been home for seven months...and only two dates...Yeah...That is kinda pathetic! I do have the great excuse of being sick...But I really shouldn't make up excuses. I need to get to work! Like he said "Stop Delaying!" Marriage is the most important event in life! It is what helps us get back to our Father in Haven! We Need the sealing ordinance! I love that he said we do not need to fear if it is the right person, at the right time, at the right place! It is so true!

Well, Thanks, Elder Ballard, you inspired and reminded us. Young Adults, we have a lot to do! This is our time, we are out of time to procrastinate! Today is the day! What will you do to have the best R.M. Life possible? This is it!

To Read the whole talk please click here: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-greatest-generation-of-young-adults?lang=eng

#BecauseHeLives

#BECAUSEHELIVES
[Source LDS Church]

The message you have been sharing with the world is the fact That He Live! What a wonderful time of the year; we have the celebrate the fact that our Savior, Jesus Christ, He Lives! He rose from the tomb on the third day. So much comfort can come because of that simple little truth. Think about some of these blessings Because He Live:

Because of Him all that seems unfair in life can be made right, though the atonement of Jesus Christ. Because of Him We will all live again!
Because of Him we can be forgive of our sins!
Because of Him we are able to be healed!
Because of Him we are able to find peace!
Because of Him we have this beautiful world!
Because of Him The atonement is Real!
Because of Him...All things are possible!

What an incredible blessing it is to be able to celebrate Easter, and reflect on the life and miracles of the Savior.  He has done so much for us!

As Easter approaches I've thought a lot about this scripture in Doctrine and Covenants Section 76:

22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
 23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
 24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. [D&C 76:22-24]

So much truth in that scripture! He does live! He created the worlds, He is a member of the Godhead! And we are all sons and daughters of a King! Jesus Christ is our brother! He is the Son of God!

I love this quote from President David O, Mckay:

"The message of the Resurrection … is the most comforting, the most glorious ever given to man, for when death takes a loved one from us, our sorrowing hearts are assuaged by the hope and divine assurance expressed in the words: “He is not here; he is risen!” [see Matthew 28:6; Mark 16:6]. 

With all my soul I know that death is conquered by Jesus Christ, and because our Redeemer lives, so shall we." ["He is Risen" Ensign April 2015]

Because he lives, so shall we! That is wonderful news! We will live again! Our loved ones, who have
passed on before us Live! All this is possible because Jesus Christ came and did as he was directed. He selflessly gave his life for you and me! He did that because He loves us, that love is unconditional!

Just as the Savior taught the Children, We
Will be taught by Him at Conference
[Source LDS Church]

This Easter we have privilege..That privilege is being able to watch and listen to His special witnesses! We are able to Listen to what He would have us hear. Elder Robert D. Hales said this:

"In our dispensation, the Savior Jesus Christ referred to a gathering of Saints as “my general conference.”
Wherever we are in this world, however we receive these proceedings, I testify that we are gathered in His conference. I also testify that we will hear His word, for He has said, “Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”" [October 2013 General Conference]

This weekend we are going to hear His Voice. This is His conference. He gave us his all, so lets give him our weekend.  Lets worship Him by Listening to conference!

If you haven't watched the new #BecauseHeLives Video I would highly recommend you do. It is so powerful; the way it talks about the Savior. For more information about Easter please visit www.mormon.org/easter