Look Through Heaven's Eyes

Continued from "Trash to Masterpiece"

Although we may be a piece of trash, we have to look at ourselves through heaven's eyes, and not the eyes of the world. For the world will tell us we are a worthless piece of garbage, but heaven will tell us that we are a lovely piece of trash, that with some work we will soon be a beautiful masterpiece.

Here is an example of looking through heaven's eyes at trash.

These are examples of how men, looked at a pile of trash and did not see the worthlessness and uselessness of it as the world does, but they looked at that trash through  heaven's eyes, and saw the great potential it had. Yes, I am sure that it was a lot of work, that these men needed a lot of help and that there were many hard times. But look at it now, homes made of trash!

So it is with our lives, if we look through heaven's eyes we will see the great potential we have and with some hard work, and a lot of help from Christ and good friends, we can turn our lives into a masterpiece that is worthy to enter into God's kingdom.

I love the song, "Through Heaven's Eyes." Here are some lines from it:
"So how can you see what your life is worth
or where your value lies
ohhhh, you can never see through the eyes of man
you must look at your life
look at your life through heaven's eyes

"Should a man lose everything he owns
has he truly lost his worth
or is it the beginning
of a new and brighter birth
So how do you measure the worth of a man
in wealth or strength or size
in how much he gained or how much he gave
the answer will come to ya
to look at his life through heaven's eyes"

In the last several months I have had a lot of feelings of weakness and inadequacy. I got down on my self pretty bad, to the point where I was often depressed and discouraged. As I was in this state, everything seemed to be crumbling around me. My stutter was the worst it had been my entire mission, I didn't recognize the promptings from the Holy Ghost as much, and I began to think that I was failing! With the quite bold help of my mission president and a great companion, I was challenged to look at my life through heaven's eyes, and quit listening to the voice of the great deceiver. For I am of great worth, and although I make mistakes everyday, and slip and fall often, I am not and will never be worthless in the site of God, I will always have great potential in his eyes, if I but make the decision to change, and put some work into it. For Christ said, "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth" (Luke 15:10) As we try our best to continue to improve, but realize that we are not perfect and it will take time, we will be blessed! Don't ever give up on yourself!

Here are the words that my sister wrote to me, when I was in the midst of my discouragement, "Do not get hard on yourself. I have been kind of doing the same thing to myself. I know that I always need to try harder, and it is very important that I do so, but I need to also look at all the good things that I am doing. This last week was one of those weeks for me where I had to turn around how I was thinking, and then move on and continue to try harder while maintaining a positive outlook."

I know the blessings that come from doing that, trying to improve while still having a positive outlook. I have been trying really hard to do just that the last two weeks or so, and oh how much better I feel. I am happy, my stutter is almost unnoticeable now, I have peace in my life, and I feel the spirit much stronger than before. I know that God loves me. I know without a doubt that he answers my prayers. It does take hard work, but it IS WORTH IT!! Keep trying, never give up, and when it seems to get too hard, turn for help. Turn to God, and priesthood leaders. Beware, of the negative thoughts that come into your mind, for they are not of God. "Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually." (Moroni 7:12) Continue striving to do your best, and access the atonement the best you can, by going to church, reading the scriptures and praying. If you do these things you can become a masterpiece in the kingdom of God!!

Here are some resources that could be of help to you:
"Do Not Despair" - Ezra Taft Benson
"From the Valley of Despair to the Mountain Peaks of Hope" - Harold B. Lee
"'Awake My Soul!': Dealing Firmly with Depression" - Steve Gilliland
"Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy" - David S. Baxter
"Notwithstanding My Weakness" - Neal A. Maxwell
"LDS Family Services: Depression"

I love the Gospel, and I love happiness! I know that the gospel will bring us happiness. If there is anything that I can do to help you overcome depression, discouragement, or just a hard time, please let me know! 

Siter's Sunday: Be Ye Therefore Perfect

Here is a post by Gayle Dye, Thanks Gayle!

“Be ye therefore perfect even as your father which is in Heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

Recently Brandon and I were asked to speak in sacrament meeting. We were asked to speak on Matthew 5; The Sermon on the Mount. Jesus Christ is the perfect example we have of perfection. His entire life was focused on teaching, serving, healing, loving and sacrificing all he had for His Father’s will. The whole point of The Book of Mormon is to bring men unto Christ. The scriptures are full of his teachings and experiences he had here on this Earth. I have three favorite moments from his life.

1. In his early childhood when he was lost for three days. He was found by the temple teaching doctors or teachers about the gospel. The important thing in this story is that he was teaching them and they were asking Jesus questions. This young boy was closely in Heavenly Father’s hands as he began to learn and share the gospel with all those around him.
   
2. When men brought an adulterous woman before Christ and said that she should be stoned for sinning in adultery because that was the law. Christ looked at each of them and said then he who is without sin, be the first to cast a stone. Each man left. This moment shows how merciful Jesus Christ is. He was able to tell the woman to “go and sin no more.” Christ loves each of us so perfectly he was able to look past the grievous sin of the woman, and give her a second chance.
   
3. As he hung on the cross he had to give up his own life in order for each of us to live with the Father again. No other man could have done this. It was his job, but how selfless this was of him to give up his own life that we may live again.

As humans we know we are imperfect. We sin, we struggle, and most of all, each of us goes through trials. We are however, never alone in these trials. Heavenly Father sent his only begotten son for us; so that we could be happy and return to him again one day. Heavenly Father knows us so perfectly that anything we struggle with we can look to Him and Christ. He challenges us with new trials all the time. They are hard and they are trying. I know and am learning firsthand that life is not easy. I recently graduated with my degree in elementary education. I have been praying and searching endlessly for the right teaching job. It has not come. I’m learning patience and prayer are my two best friends. Every once in a while I can feel Heavenly Father’s arms around me telling me that everything will work out. As I prepared my talk on the atonement I came to realize that the reason the Lord gave us The Sermon on the Mount is to help us become perfect like him through Christ. What beauty is in those words. I have a testimony of the gospel. I know that the Savior lives and loves us. Heavenly Father gave us the Savior that we will be able to live with him again one day.

Watch with Wonder Wednesday: Service Blesses lives

So, I am back in civilization with a working computer, so here is the post that I was planning to post on Wednesday!

I am sure that many of you have heard about the tornadoes that touched down here in the South and the destruction that they brought with them. This event has caused me to reflect on many things, but especially on service! Tuesday I had the opportunity to go serve at the Bishop's Storehouse (basically a food pantry), and it was a great feeling of joy and peace to help those in need. It made me think of the great effort that the church has put into helping those effected by the tornadoes. Members of the church in this area sacrificed their weekend last week and spent two days working non-stop to help clean up from this disaster. I found this article by the church on the efforts provided to those in need!

Mormon Helping Hands Pitch in to Aid Neighbors in Tornado-Ravaged Southern U.S.

“We have people coming from all

  over the South to help out,” 

“It is important to know that work provided will be free and these representatives will not be asking for any type of donations,”

One Recipient said to her helpers "Y'all look like
a bunch of squirrels running around with
chain saws. You're everywhere!"

“We know that selfless service is an important 
characteristic of followers of Christ. Mormon 
Helping Hands helps us give of our time and
talents to aid those in need, and there certainly 
is an immediate need,”

I know that the service these folks provided changed lives. And we too can do service to change lives, whether it's helping those effected by disaster, or simply giving someone a smile and a wave!

Check out the Church's new website to find ways to serve at  vineyard.lds.org. You do NOT have to be a member in order to use this website, or serve! But if you are not a member, and would like to become one, let me know, and I can help you out! :)

Sister's Sunday: The Key to Happiness!

Since this is a blog about dying for Happiness, maybe it would be good to know what the key to happiness is? So what is it? What is the key to happiness in your life?

Well, for me, one of the keys to happiness in my life is... yup you guessed it, my mother!!! My mom brought me into this great earth, and taught me the ways of living in the world today. She taught me how to serve, how to resist temptation, how to repent, how to live the gospel, how to cook, how to handle life, and most of all how to LOVE! My mother is one of the greatest examples of Christ like love. I mean, she has to be, she raised 5 boys for Pete's sake! She is an example of giving that never ceases! My mom was the Relief Society President in our ward for years, she was always busy helping others and never turned anyone away, and yet still had time to love me and be my mother! Then as she served as the seminary teacher, spending countless hours studying and preparing for her lesson, yet still dropping everything to help me with a problem I was having, or something I needed! She was always there to support every step of the way during my life. One thing that I highly respect of my mother, is that no matter how much she cared, and probably often wanted to make my choices for me, she taught me how to make difficult decision and live on my own, by allowing me to try and fail, as I often did! Then, tenderly loving me and guiding me back to where I needed to be! My mom is everything to me and one of the reasons why I am here on my mission! She is a constant strength to me, when something is hard, and I want to quit, I think of my mother, and then gain the courage and strength to continue!

One thing that I often remember doing with my mother is singing with her while she played the piano. I really miss those days! But in memory, I found this video, that I think is great!



Love ya Mom!!!

The Blessing of New Life!

Life is a gift from God, we are here to be tried and tested! We are here to prepare to return to live with God again (Alma 34:32), and we are here to have joy!(2 Nephi 2:25) Life does have a purpose! Joy is one of the wonderful things that this life should be full of! Many of the things that we do in life should bring joy!

Something that brings many people joy is new life! As a baby is brought into this world, it is a sacred experience! One that is filled with much love and joy! My Brother Jeremy, and his wife Jenna have had the great privilege to bring a new life into this world!!! Which also means that I now have a niece! It is an exciting thing for me, so I can only imagine how excited Jeremy and Jenna are to be new parents of a beautiful daughter! I am so happy for them and this new adventure in their lives!!

I am sure that this new baby will soon begin to love life and enjoy every minute of it! So should we enjoy our lives, no matter what happens, for we truly are children of God!!!

This isn't her, but will have to do.

Watch with Wonder Wednesday: You can do the Impossible!

Have you ever felt like you weren't good enough, or that the challenge in front of you was just too much? Many people have, but we know that "With God nothing shall be impossible." (Luke 1:37) Here is a man that I am sure felt like that, but he put his trust in God and has done amazing things!!!

View Jarem's Full Profile and read about his great accomplishments as he put his trust in God at mormon.org/jarem

The Empty Tomb

Since it is Easter season, I have been thinking a lot about Christ and what he has done for us. I often focus on the suffering and pain that he went through in Gethsemane and on the cross to help me in my own trials and Gethsemanes. But this time I have decided to think more about the empty tomb that blessed Sunday morning!! This morning I read the accounts from the Gospels about Mary Magdalene and others discovering the empty tomb and the Resurrected Lord! The power of that experience hit me this morning! I can only imagine how Mary Magdalene felt as she went to the sepulchral to take care of the body of her beloved Savior, and find the tomb EMPTY!! I can imagine the rush of emotions that hit her all at once, fear, frustration, anger, doubt, depression etc. etc. As she was on the ground crying and I am sure wondering why, she looked in the tomb again, and saw angels, who then asked, "Woman why weepest thou?" (John 20:13) She responds "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him."(John 20:13) The angels comfort her by saying, "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here for He is risen." (Matthew 28:5-6) And then "...she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master." (John 20:14-15) She realized that it was Him, that He truly had risen! I am sure that she was then filled with joy and excitement!

So in our lives we often come to a tomb, and find it empty. Those emotions of fear, frustration, anger, doubt, depression etc. etc. then swarm us but if we look with proper perspective we will too find comfort just as Mary did. I have found that comfort over and over again in my life, because of what happened there at the sepulchral that wonderful first Easter morn!