Give It All To Christ

This morning I was studying my little heart out on nutrition and health. I was trying so hard to self-diagnose and take every little matter into my own hands. The more information I read, the more opinions I contemplated over, the more ideas and possibilities I felt there could be. I became overwhelmed and exhausted very quickly, to the point that anxiety washed over me and I felt helpless and very frustrated.

"Why? Why? Why?" were the only words I could seem to think. Why do they believe that? Why am I believing that? Why the timing? Why the circumstance? I just wanted all the answers and to know what was truth and what wasn't. Why was I so confused on what to believe and what to do about it?

This sharp panic started to take over to the point where I had to choice but to pause and take a deep breath, and that's when it hit me. Why did it matter what was right and wrong at this moment? Why did I need all the answers? I didn't. I was trying to do every single thing on my own. I was trying to come up with all the answers to my problems and solve them all by my inadequate-queen-in-training self. The girl that has weaknesses for a purpose and I thought I could overcome every single one of them by reading enough and then following a plan. Yeah, there's definitely some good intentions and desires in that plan, but it's lacking. 

How on earth could I possibly do it on my own? I CAN'T! And really I don't want to. It's too anxiety causing, it's too overwhelming, and it's too impossible. Christ is the answer. I hadn't included him. I thought back to all the times I thought my life was ruined or that I would never recover. Every single time I felt I had to do it on my own and felt that weight, it was burdensome and I didn't end up winning. All of the times I allowed Christ to help me, to lift me, and to strengthen me; it all worked out.

The scripture doesn't say I can do all things on my own; it says "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME"! We need Christ, it's part of who we are and the way we are wired; to NEED Him. We shouldn't try and do it on our own. We weren't asked to and it is impossible to find hope without Christ, simply put He is the ONLY way. 

In Relief Society a couple of weeks ago we were discussing the Book of Mormon when a member of the bishopbric made the comment that the Book of Mormon is the ONLY scripture that talks fully about the grace of Christ. In the bible we learn a lot about the character of Christ and get to see first hand his endless miracles and unconditional charity, but we don't fully get to experience the testimony and beauty of his grace. The Book of Mormon is the only book on this earth where we can fully learn and understand the grace of Christ, something we all need.

I'm so grateful for my Savior. He is always there for me. His grace means the world to me, it's my favorite thing about this gospel. It's the answer to my every plea and it's the hope to my endless weaknesses. But those weaknesses don't matter and aren't permanent when I give it to Christ and allow myself to be perfected in Him. With Christ on my side and as my advocate, absolutely nothing is impossible! 

A Balanced Life is a Powerful Life

You were BORN to take power over your life. You are a Daughter of God and in that you hold His Character or at least the potential to resemble His character as you progress in this mortal journey.

Moses 2:26-28 "And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning: Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness; and it was so. And I, God, said: Let them have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

"And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them."

"And I, God, blessed them, and said unto them: Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."

Heavenly Father gave dominion over "all the earth." You are a Child of God, and with that you are part of "all the earth." You have dominion over every living thing, that means YOU! You have the ability and control to TAKE POWER OVER YOUR OWN LIFE!! You were born to improve, to learn, to grow, and to become like Him.

Parley P. Pratt has said:
"An intelligent being, in the image of God, possess every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, that is possessed by God himself. But these are possessed by man, in his rudimental state,... these attributes are in embryo; and are to be gradually developed. They resemble a bud, a germ, which gradually develops into bloom, and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit, after its own kind."

You were born to be AMAZING! You are a CHILD OF GOD and because of that YOU ARE AMAZING!!

Here are some tips to help you create more balance giving you a greater sense of power over your own life: 

1. Clean your room and your car AND KEEP IT CLEAN!!
Whenever your space is in a state of chaos, you will find your life and your spirit will be too. Make it a goal to always make your space cleaner than it is. This means spending a few minutes putting away your make-up in the morning, or making your bed, or picking up clothes off the floor. It means using extra minutes when you have them to put away papers, sort socks, hang up clothes.

Never leave food, water bottles, or any papers in your car unless they serve a purpose. If you brought it to your car, take it out of your car with you. This will help your mind to be clear, you to feel confident at ease, and for you to never run into a panic of "Where did that go?" or "I don't have time for this mess."

2. Prayer, Journal, Scriptures 
I feel these all go hand in hand. Don't try and separate them! In Young Women's we used to call them putting on your PJ'S, you know kind of like putting on the Armor of God. Your spirit needs each one of these daily and you find out that life is so much better and more beautiful when you giving your heart to God through each one of these spiritual building blocks.

3. Well Groomed
You always feel better when you've showered, done your hair, shaved, and your just clean, right? Showering always makes me feel simply renewed and in power of my life. You will feel so much better when you put effort into getting ready. Don't do it for the world, do it for YOU! You decide what well grooming means for you and then always take the time needed to make it happen.

4. Eat Healthy 
Your body needs nutrients to function well. It needs many vitamins and minerals to help you function strong mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. Yes they all go hand in hand and yes a huge part of your life comes down to the foods you are eating and the vitamins you are getting. If you aren't eating every color of the rainbow daily, then you are missing out on many functional vitamins your body is craving and in need of so you can thrive. 

5. Get LOTS of sleep 
Your body needs SO much sleep and it's so easy to not get it when you're going going going. But take a minute to rest. Every week, go to bed early at least one night if not two so you can be sure you are catching you're quality Z's. For optimal mental function and a healthy body you need about 8 hours a night. Don't skimp.

6. Serve Others 
It's so easy to get focused on a way street, trying to constantly solve your own problems and never leaving enough time to save the worlds as well. While it isn't your obligation to fix all the chaos that is happening in our own backyard, you sure have the ability to do something. We were born with talents and skills and we keep on improving these gifts because God created us to DO SOMETHING! The more you focus on the lives of others and start bringing joy to those who may be struggling with loss of hope, the more you will find joy and self-esteem entering your own life. Just like it says in Alma 41:15 "For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again." Give more to find more balance. 

I'm So Grateful For YOU!!!

If you're reading this right now, THANK YOU! Thank you for being a part of my life.

Thank you for inspiring me to be more.
 Thank you for the example and influence you have left on my heart!
Thank you for cheering me on when I had dreams that I needed to grow into.
Thank you for believing in me.
Thank you for teaching me lessons my heart was in need of.
Thank you for being patient with me when I was full of weakness.
Thank you for serving me.
Thank you for being someone who has a story that I can be inspired by.
Thank you for simply knowing my name.
Thank you for having faith to come to earth.
Thank you for being unique and one of God's finest creations.
Thank you for being YOU! 


I've been thinking a lot about the hand prints we leave on the hearts of another and the role we each have to play in this life. There are approximately 7.4 billion people on this planet and yet God orchestrates it so that we meet the people that we need to. Whether we have the ability to make a difference in their life or they have a lesson or impact they need to make on ours, God is behind it all with so much love. How grateful I am for the people that I know and love.

There are a lot of things I am working on overcoming in my life right now. There are a lot of things that have held me back from allowing the light within me to shine like I know it can shine. There are a lot of things I wish I could take back or undo but my heart is overwhelmed by the atonement of Jesus Christ and the infinite amount of hope and possibility that can come from this precious gift. 

The heartbreaking thing about obstacles such as anxiety and depression is they make you selfish. They don't make you selfish by choice, but my second nature when your mind is in a state of unhappiness, your brain signals that you are in a fight or flight response and you need to do everything you can to defend yourself and protect your life. The brain has a way of misjudging what actually is reality at times and it can leave a negative outcome as a result. 

My heart and true nature has this desire to serve, to love, to spread joy, to be kind, to smile always, to be outgoing and talkative, to make friends instantly, to build others often, to never get offended, and to forgive instantly. 

My brain has a completely different way of handling things when it feels the burden of anxiety and sometimes deep sadness. When it feels attacked even though it is misjudgment or inaccurate observations I don't live up to what my heart and true nature longs for. 

I'm so very sorry if I've ever hurt you, if I forgot to smile, if I left you guessing if I noticed your presence. I'm so sorry if I've ever caused you pain, sorrow, feelings of being left out or offended. I'm so sorry if I was quiet and kept to myself when you needed someone to talk to, or if I have acted in a way that wasn't as Christ-like as I could have been.

The beauty of the atonement is the second chances it offers. Just because we don't get all the answers right on the first test doesn't mean we have failed, it means we have the opportunity to pay our way to retake it again. As much as this world hates birthdays, what a beautiful opportunity to have a fresh start, a clean slate to start to become who we long to be. The more we take Christ as our constant companion, the more we have his powers and bounteous love to help us overcome our obstacles, conquer our weaknesses, and replace those faults and pieces of coal with new light of beautiful Christ-like attributes.

Because of Christ, we are under no obligation to be the same person we were five minutes ago and I want to change. 

I'm so incredibly grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. Every single day is a day to honor him because every single day is made possible through Him. He loves me. He knows me. He wants to bring me light. He has the greatest desires to help my pieces of coal turn into diamonds. He gives me hope and second chances more than I deserve. My Savior is my absolute best friend and I'm so grateful that through him no weakness or sin need ever be permanent. Ho grateful I am for his sacrifice that allows me to try and try again.

I've learned it's impossible to think too much about the Savior. The more I ponder of His love or His character, the stronger my own relationships become. The closer I am to my Savior, the closer I feel His love through every single individual in my life. It's His light that brightens my soul and reminds me to try again when I feel as if I have permanently failed. 

I will keep pressing forward with steadfastness in Christ until I become the girl God sees in me. I will keep turning to Christ as I strive to become better, kinder, more meek, and a little bit more like Him. 

If you're reading this! Thank you for being in my life either personally or by the intricate design Heavenly Father allowed you to come across this blog. I'm so blessed by people in my life. I promise you that you make a difference in my life. I have the deepest desire to share the good I see within you, to build you up, and to help you realize that you matter to me and to my best friend Jesus Christ. Here's to a brightness of hope and new beginnings. 

Faith - Believe it! Live by it! Become it!

Art By: Robert Barrett

Sometimes the power of faith just astounds me! We hear about faith ALL THE TIME! By no means is it a new concept to us, but I will tell you there is POWER in studying faith and choosing to live by it. Faith is an action word, it something that we do by thought, by heart, and by action. All three of those must be in line or we truly aren't acting by faith.

I must admit that sometimes I wake up not feeling really motivated but having a desire to have a desire. Are you keeping up with me so far? haha, allow me to explain. I love The Power of One blog and program I am in the process of creating, especially the vision Heavenly Father has blessed with me to see the potential impact it could have on not only the lives of girls, but on future families and stronger mother and daughter connections. But sometimes that vision isn't as clear or as bright as it has been at certain points and when I can't really see the impact it is making or I am blinded by the vision, it's as if I don't even feel like working on it because what's the point? 

Um, HELLO!!! It's called faith! It's called doing what you don't feel like doing trusting light will come again soon. And while I'm being honest, I'll be honest some more. Sometimes I feel this way in other areas of my life too, such as avoiding sugar and going to bed earlier. Yeah so now you know my confessions. 

I think we all go through phases like this at one time or another. Phases where we wake up expecting the results and all of our hearts wishes to come true, wishes we didn't know about until they were placed in our heart 0.5 seconds ago. We expect it without praying for it, without working towards it, and sometimes we think the faith we had for those 0.5 seconds is enough to last a life time. 

I know I do it time and time again, but is that really faith! Yeah, I don't think so. Faith is AWESOME! Why wouldn't we want to live by faith. Why would we want every wish our heart makes to come true without any work put into it? That would just be fleeting! And we are here to experience JOY!! And of course JOY is a RESULT of FAITH! 

Ether 12:6 "...wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."

In those moments when there is a big cloud in front of your sunshine and there is no light in sight...keep walking! When you're wondering what the point is to just keep going or why put in the effort for the things that are hard, time consuming, and the results seem to be in the future...trust that there is a point and light will come!

Alma 32:21 "And now as  said concerning faith - faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true."



BELIEVE IT!

Positive affirmations are POWERFUL! You become what you believe and your thoughts are shaping you! It says so in Proverbs 23:7 "As a man thinketh, so is He." Positive affirmations about your life, your desires, your attributes, and the things you want to accomplish will impact your life. Don't believe me? Put it to the test and I dare you to see what happens. 

Anytime you don't feel like doing something you know you should, tell yourself aloud alone "I love doing... because it makes me feel..." or "I am the most successful...because of the hard work I put in daily." Create your own daily affirmations and you will really start to believe everything you are telling yourself. Why do you think you say the Young Women's theme every single week, because it is a positive way to create positive beliefs. Your mind needs to be reminded of truth often, feed it carefully!

LIVE BY IT!

Get out there and do what you wish you had the desire and motivation to do. It's about going blindly in faith. Once you start doing whatever you are dreading, chances are you will start to see the light come and the cloud move away giving you the motivation you were hoping for. Just because you can't see what's on the road in a mile doesn't mean that you should slam on your breaks and keep all the cars behind you held back as well. No you move forward so everyone around you can move forward and you can get to the destination you were hoping to reach in the first place.

Live by your faith always! Trust that even when you have no motivation or desire that God will bless your efforts and you will in the end be so rewarded for walking blindly. 

BECOME IT!

You are what you believe you are. The actions that you live by and the beliefs that you practice on a daily basis are shaping you to become who you are. If you believe and then live by what you want to have happen, that's what you can become.

Sometimes this can be discouraging when you realize you haven't been doing this all along or you've made mistakes along the way, but what's beautiful about the atonement of Jesus Christ and the every day powers it offers is that the past doesn't matter any more. It's about moving forward and having second chances. It's about making a commitment with the Lord that from this day forward you're going to try harder to be better. 


If you're looking for real joy and happiness, it's not just going to hit you on the head as you're standing still. It's something you work for and obtain because of your faith. Every single happily ever after begins and ends with FAITH!

If your heart is heavy or you feel in a funk or as if something is missing, study faith because faith has POWER! 

Joy Always Comes After Opposition

I'm so very grateful there is opposition in all things. Happiness is on my mind a lot, I would dare to assume it's on everyone's mind a lot. We all desire happiness, in fact Joseph Smith taught "Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof..."

Elder Faust taught, "Happiness is not given to us in a package that we can just open up and consume. Nobody is ever happy 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Rather than thinking in terms of a day, we perhaps need to snatch happiness in little pieces, learning to recognize the elements of happiness and then treasuring them while they last."

I just love how he puts it, we have to treasure it while it lasts. I know in my life the times I am my absolute happiest is after coming out of a big storm or trial that life seems to pour over me, because then my mind is familiar with the pain and opposition found in life and it's so much easier to appreciate the smallest and simplest things in the day to day life. 

We were designed to have joy, it says so in 2 Nephi 2:25 "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." I just love that! Of course we have to have opposition, of course life has to be hard at times, of course we have to know sadness to know happiness. Without it we would never grow and we would never appreciate the beauty this world is SO full of! 

This actually leads to the truth that trials are often our greatest blessings. The opposition and adversity in life teaches us more than any other experience can, in addition to leading us to a humility we may know no other way as we are able to find gratitude and happiness in the beautiful journey we call life once we know life without those things we so deeply treasure. Those who know extreme sadness, loss, hurt, betrayal, loneliness, and pain have the opportunity to know the greatest happiness. While in these moments of pain and agony it can be one of the hardest things to face and you have no idea how you will ever come out of it and know happiness again, the sun always rises and some sunrises are prettier than others. 

There is a simple but beautiful scripture found in Psalms 118:24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made, rejoice and be glad in it."

Talk about POWERFUL! What a beautiful blessing it is to be alive, to have this day, to experience this journey that Heavenly Father gave us because He had our best interest at heart. The Lord gave us this day and every single day before this one and after this one. He knew adversity and trials would come our way, but he is still asking us to REJOICE! Isn't that so beautiful???!!! Seriously though, I would scream this on top of a mountain if I was on one right now! He has made it possible for us to find joy in the journey every single day of our lives if we would but just try. 

Rejoice means to be thankful and happy, the word rejoice is found in Alma 26 seven times, and the word joy is found in this chapter seven times as well. I know we wouldn't be asked to rejoice if it was something impossible for us to do. I've found it's harder to practice gratitude when I get out of habit with gratitude. I have a small "tender mercy" journal I write in every night before bed of the three ways I saw the Lord blessing me or allowing me to experience happiness in my life that day. This has really helped me to see that Heavenly Father sends me happiness every single day, even if it is a really hard day and I'm facing a huge trial, there is always something to write.

"Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord?" (Alma 26:16) - I just love this!! Happiness comes from God! God WANTS us to be happy and happiness is possible through Him and our loving Savior Jesus Christ. We have the opportunity to be thankful whether or not we are loving every single thing about our life. We have the opportunity to glory (aka honor and praise) the Lord every single day because He gave us this great gift to just be here!

Opposition has a way of making us appreciate the small things in life and shows us they are the ones that matter. I know in my life after experiencing extreme bouts of anxiety and depression, moments where I was mentally and physically paralyzed by fear and emotions feeling as if chains had tied me up and I was in a dark room with no hope to ever been seen again, it did get better. Oh did it ever get better and it sure made me appreciate the ability to see the sun, to feel the wind on my hand, to have a moment of motivation of a dream placed in my heart once again. It made me appreciate deeper the hand holding, the hugging, the cooking and chores, the moments where I could be with friends, and the moments where their wasn't tears streaming down my face.

You deserve to be happy! God wants you to be happy! I promise you that, because even President Uchtdorf has said  "God didn't design us to be sad. He created us to have joy." You are in control of your happiness, even when there will be sadness along the way...it's about rejoicing and being thankful even through the toughest moments. 

Yes, let yourself feel! Let yourself be okay that every single moment won't be perfect! Let yourself learn patience through the trial, let yourself cry it out and get out the emotions, but then get up and rejoice! Rejoice to the Lord in all the days of your life and you will be so familiar with happiness when the Savior comes again. 

I'll leave you with a beautiful quote from President Monson:

"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now." President Thomas S. Monson, Nov. 2008

Looking for more ways to be happy? Go here!