I delight in Christ.

the christus statue

north visitors center

temple square, slc, utah

Tonight, I had the most incredible opportunity to hear from Elder Callister who currently serves as the General Sunday School President.

Brother Callister is the author of one of the most indepth books written on the Atonement of Jesus Christ titled, The Infinite Atonement. During a Mormon Channel Conversation with he and his wife, Sheri Dew commented that when they (Deseret Book), first received the transcript, everyone wondered who this man was. Today, he is known for this quintessential book.

As Elder Callister spoke this evening to my ward on the subject of the Atonement, I could feel the Spirit tearing at all my "fleshy parts, or shall I say, the fleshy tables of the heart." I've always thought that to be an interesting expression that seemed somewhat grotesque; however, as I found myself having this experience, I had this distinct impression: Fleshy tables of the heart are attended to. When weaknesses bleed, we do something about them. We care for them. We tend to them. We notice them. We feel them in all that we do. We seek to heal them and we do what it takes to make it happen because with every breath, we are reminded of its presence and of the need for healing.

And so it must be for us. To truly live the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must actively be participating in utilizing the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As Elder Callister shared tonight, Jesus Christ's suffering, death and resurrection gave Him 4 powers: 1) to overcome death through the resurrection, 2) to cleanse us from sin and remove the guilt associated with those sins, 3) to overcome weakness and imperfection and 4) to comfort us from common ailments of life such as loneliness and depression. The Atonement has so much to offer us, Jesus Christ has so much to offer us, but we have to accept it, embrace it and utilize each of these powers He so willingly offers us.

And so, tonight, I feel as C.S. Lewis described in his book Mere Christianity, "

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”

Tonight, I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I delight in His mercy and His grace. I delight that through Him, there is a way to defy the laws of justice and become perfected. To be able to return home, home to my Heavenly Father one day. My soul delights that no distance is too wide, no cave too deep, no scar or scab or wound too much for the healing balm, He offers ever so willingly.

So, let the walls be ripped down, let the house feel hurt and fleshy and all its parts lay bare for all to see. For I know that His ways are bigger than my ways and his plans, more grand than my mind can conceive. 

I delight in filling my life.

My life has come to be represented as of late by a big empty house. I don't have an empty life...nor do I have an empty house...if only the books could be transformed into couches and chairs...we'd be in great business.

I've been thinking a lot as of late about filling this space in my life (i.e., my house) and I've been thinking about the structure of the house its self and all it represents. It reminded me of this quote by C.S. Lewis from Mere Christianity,

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”

Doesn't that seem like the way life goes? We start building something and God thinks it needs some re-vamping, some remodeling, and so it goes.

And so it is with us. Since General Conference, I have been thinking a lot about the concept of, "start where you are and do one thing better today." The last year has been completely unanticipated. I have, to one degree or another, let things fill my life, rather than intentionally filling it myself. Presently, I can hear the tapping of the Lord's hammer reminding me, that this wall isn't as secure as I think it is, and that pipe is in the wrong place.

The Lord is reminding me, I need to improve how I'm filling my life. This reminds me of some advice I was once given. Thank goodness for Facebook and the connections it allows you to keep for so many years. After my mission, I corresponded with a woman who I met in the first branch I served in. Her name was Anne. While serving in Anne's branch, I had the blessing of seeing her life change. Albeit at a distance, I saw her meet a sweet man who showed up at our branch for conference, and her life was never the same, eventually marrying the man and moving away. As we reconnected post mission, she gave me the following advice as I wandered through the challenging "I'm home from my mission, now what stage" she said,

"As for returning home from your mission, well it can be a difficult transition. Your life as a missionary is so focused and spiritual and structured. The challenge is keeping the spirituality and focus while dealing with other necessities of life. Small things count, daily scripture study and sincere and I stress sincere, prayer. Most of all, keep busy and involved with the church. It took me a long time to learn that I needed to fill my life with spiritual things and eliminate all the junk there is out there. Get an MP3 and listen to conference while walking, jobbing or traveling to school or work. Listen to spiritual music and keep the Sabbath Day holy. I hope that helps. I know I had a hard time after my mission and made some mistakes. But what kept me going is that I never, ever, missed Church. It reminded me week after week of who I was and what was right."

Anne's advice hit my heart and changed me. Her advice has come back to me in the past month or so and has changed me again. You see, since moving into the calm blue house (I'm still coming up with a nickname for the house) things have gotten quiet so I've turned up the noise. This is generally out of my character but I've turned on the TV, the news, the radio. I've turned on all sorts of playlists and movies to fill space. But, its weak space I'm creating with the noise. I need better noise, more filling noise, the right kind of noise.

So, last week, an exciting thing happened at my house...I got the internet! I thought this would be a necessity I could live without, in fact, I determined (at least I told myself) I didn't use it for that many things anyway.

I was wrong. I realized that I used the internet for a lot of things...both good fillers of my time and space and bad fillers. What would I choose when the internet again filled my home. It was a choice I had to make.

All this to say, that since having the internet, I have listened to A LOT of general conference and music off the mormon channel app. Sure, I might have caught up on my favorite show NCIS, but I have made an intentional choice to fill my life with better things. I've filled my house with happy hymns of heaven. I've started singing in my house and I think it adds to calm blue's aims. Creating a happy life, a haven home and a peaceful heart is something that begins with us, is remodeled by God and acts as vehicular protection of sorts for us to return home to him.

Challenge: Substitute one "filler" in your life for a better filler.

I delight in wise words and best friends.

I have the world's best friends.  I am so blessed.  One of my best friends, just happened (For the record, I don't believe in coincidences) to be so timely in sending me the following quote.  It couldn't have come at a better time.  

"My dear sisters, do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to your tasks. Then the performance of your tasks will be no miracle, but you will be the miracle."

President Monson R.S. Broadcast Sept. 2007

I delight in entertaining days.

Let's just discuss for a moment how awesome what I get to do every day is.

Here's some quotes that capture my day:

"That /r/ is still really tricky isn't it..."

"Yeah how about you work on understanding my /r/'s"

"I don't have apnea, I just stop breathing."

"You mean church?"

"That what I say."

"No, you didn't say church, you said, fwerend."

"Here, have a mint, next time I'll bring you a milkshake." *can you say bribery!

"Harder? Bring it on."

Oh, and if you're wondering what in the world the youtube video has to do with anything...I played it today to help a patient remember the word Earl. They'd never heard it before and I think by the end of the song...they thought I was crazy...however, I think there's no way the name Earl can ever be forgotten.

I delight in what I do.

In case you can't tell...that's Ariel (the Little Mermaid) pumpkinized! Cool huh! The picture however has nothing to do with the post. I have an exam this afternoon but my mind keeps racing through the entertaining things I heard this morning at my clinical site.

For example:

"There's a zebra in my ear."

Me: "Oh really? What's in the other ear?'

"Probably a giraffe."

Kid leaving room of 3 adults, turns around, waves and says, "See ya later guys!"

"I need a leaf for this pocket, and one for this pocket."

"I need more pictures of my ears."

Maybe these aren't nearly as cute to you as they are to me.

Other quotes from previous weeks include:

(I show a picture of what is supposed to be a judge however it has a crazy resemblance to President Monson.) Me: "What's this a picture of?"

Kid: "The prophet"

Me: "No..."

Kid: "Oh I mean President Monson"

Me: "No...(cut off again)"

Kid: "Oh, its a bishop!"

Me: "Who is this?"

Kid: "Santa"

Me: "You're right, his whole name is Santa..."

Kid: "Ana"

Me: "Okay, or Santa Claus???"

Kid: "Huh?"

I don't know why it is that what I get to do makes me so stinking happy? I recently listened to Steve Job's graduation address at Stanford. I was impressed. About 5 minutes in (and one day I'll post more about it) he mentioned something to the effect of always making sure you're loving what you do. He mentioned the value in looking back (a principle I'm not entirely a fan of...more on that later) to see how all the twists, turns, disappointments and rejections help us reach the 'best place' in the end and how doors are sometimes doors to greater things can only be opened after 'great looking doors' are closed.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the value of a soul. What matters most to my Father in Heaven. What is he most concerned about? I daresay that his concerns and my concerns are not as inline as they should be. And so, this is my quandary as of late, this is what you will be hearing about from me for the next while. What should my priorities be? What is most important in the eternal scheme of things and am I setting my focus on those things? Regardless of circumstance, I feel some principles and doctrines are probably 'the best' things to focus on to become something great.

I delight in the whole plan.

I'd heard it from Sister Oaks once, but I needed to hear it again. (Experience it here.)

When we came to earth, the plan of salvation or as I prefer to call it, the great plan of happiness was the plan we signed on for. Fortunately for us it is not a partial plan--it is a whole plan, an eternal plan. You signed up for the whole plan!

It is important to remember this 'whole plan' idea so we don't get lost in all the small moments. Earlier today, I was feeling very behind. It seemed to me that everyone around me was/is moving on to all sorts of great, new adventures. Adventures I might be a little jealous of as I currently find myself far removed from their various situations in life. As my day progressed and I spent time at the Children's Center, wrapping my arms around sweet children, ever in need of love and then later with an inspiring client of mine, I felt my heart being softened and my horizon being widened.

"Why should you mourn or think your lot is hard? Tis' not so, all is right."

This is one of my favorite hymns--Come, Come Ye Saints. Whenever I hear it, I think about my Grandma Bandley. You see, I used to play the organ for her. Now I am not an organ player--at all. But when she was in later stages of Alzheimer's Disease, I would stay with her while Grandpa ran errands. I had 2 choices--answer the same questions over and over and over regarding when "Daddy" was going to be home and where he went or play the organ. I did a bit of both, but I began to love plunking out my favorite hymns by ear. Surprisingly one day, as I played Come, Come Ye Saints, Grandma said the words at the end, "All is well. All is well."

She had not spoken my name in 2 years but she remembered the words to a hymn? As I have long considered this--what I claim as--a special tender moment in my life and the value of trials--I continue to recognize that each of our paths to eternity is different but is it SO different from the next? The way we "live the plan" and our individual experiences are different--but the principles, the virtues, the lessons, the faith required, the qualities--essentially they're the same. They make us stretch and grow, they make us uncomfortable sometimes as our situation can seem so far removed from those around us. But never fear--you signed up for the whole plan. Elder Jeffery R. Holland said it best when he said,

"Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come."

And so, as another piece of 'my path' worked out today, I became humbled knowing that He sees all the things that I can't see and He knows better than I how it will all play out. Yay for the whole plan!!!

I delight in the good women in my life.

"Satan is always attempting to undermine the most precious element of a woman's divine nature—the nature to nurture.

"A mother-daughter relationship is where a daughter learns how to nurture by being nurtured. She is loved. She is taught and experiences firsthand what it feels like to have someone care about her enough to correct her while continuing to encourage and believe in her at the same time."

M. Russell Ballard, "Mothers and Daughters," Ensign, May 2010, 20

"What can . . . young mother[s] [do] . . . to reduce the pressure [of raising young children] and enjoy [their families] more? . . .

"Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.

"Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: 'The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less' (Loud and Clear [1004], 10-11)."

M. Russell Ballard, "Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 109

“And so, my dear young women, with all my heart I urge you not to look to contemporary culture for your role models and mentors. Please look to your faithful mothers for a pattern to follow.”

M. Russell Ballard, “Mothers and Daughters,” Ensign, May 2010,19

"If you are a mother, you participate with God in His work of creation—not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching and nurturing them. If you are not a mother now, the creative talents you develop will prepare you for that day, in this life or the next.

"You may think you don't have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us (see D&C 46:11–12). The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.

"What you create doesn't have to be perfect. . . . Don't let the voices of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.

"If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Happiness, Your Heritage," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 119

I delight in learning and growth.

In an informal survey that I requested be taken among 150 young adults, they were asked to list three resolutions they felt would help them become happier and more successful during the new year. Almost everyone in the survey (98 percent) included resolutions to increase their spirituality. Two out of three (68 percent) indicated they would like to improve their social skills. Half (49 percent) indicated a desire to improve their physical fitness, and half (48 percent) wanted to grow intellectually. Everyone indicated a desire to improve. After all, self-improvement by coming unto Christ is at the heart of why we are here in mortality.

In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior is recorded as saying, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). In the Joseph Smith Translation, the first part of that sentence is rendered, “Ye are therefore commanded to be perfect” (JST, Matt. 5:50). The translation of the Greek word for perfect means “complete, finished, fully developed.” Some biblical analysts indicate that the suggestion to become perfect is exaggerated idealism or scriptural hyperbole. We as Latter-day Saints believe that the Savior meant what he said and that becoming like our Father in Heaven and the Savior is a commandment, not just a suggestion. We should strive continually to be more like them. After his resurrection, the Savior asked his disciples, “What manner of men ought ye to be?” and then answered, “Even as I am” (3 Ne. 27:27).

Only one verse of scripture in the entire King James Version of the New Testament suggests what the Savior did to develop himself from age twelve until he began his formal ministry at age thirty: “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52; see JST, Matt. 3:24–26). In other words, the Savior developed in the same areas indicated on the poll: intellectually (in wisdom and knowledge), physically (in stature), socially (in favor with man), and spiritually (in favor with God).

I am convinced that if we make and keep resolutions in those four areas, we will have a happier and more successful new year this coming year and every year for the rest of our lives. Let’s consider the nature of such resolutions and the benefits that can be ours if our resolve to improve ourselves is firm.

Resolution number one: I resolve to expand my intellectual horizons, to increase in wisdom. This year, commit to read good books throughout your life. Some people learn to read but don’t read very much. A few years ago, a disturbing poll indicated that 56 percent of college graduates never read a book all the way through after their schooling. We might ask ourselves, Are we reading? Are we growing in wisdom?

The scriptural commandment to us is to “seek … out of the best books words of wisdom” and “become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people” (D&C 88:118; D&C 90:15; emphasis added). What we choose to read will make a huge difference in the development of our minds and character.

We cannot justify mentally shifting into neutral and failing to exert our efforts to progress intellectually. In 1838 Sidney Rigdon, a member of the First Presidency, addressed a group of relatively new members of the Church, some of whom apparently thought all they had to do was be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then just sit back and wait to receive the celestial glory. He said: “Vain are the hopes of those who embrace the gospel, and then suppose … they have nothing more to do. … The great God … never thought of … raising up a society of ignoramuses, but of men and women of intelligence … as high as human nature was susceptible” (Elders’ Journal, Aug. 1838, p. 53).

So the challenge is the same for us all—to continue learning throughout our lives, and especially learning more about the gospel.

--Elder Joe J. Christensen (whole talk can be found here)

I delight in the wisdom of Anne (with an E).

"I went looking for my dreams outside of myself and discovered, it's not what the world holds for you, it's what you bring to it."

Miss Anne Shirley

I delight in General Conference.

General Conference makes me happy. Spending General Conference weekend with my family makes me really happy. Its been a fantastic weekend full of thoughts, impressions, and ideas that I know will impact my next 6 months and thus, the rest of my life. I'll be sharing some of my favorite quotes from conference throughout the next 6 months, so to start us off:

"We are happier when we follow the teachings of Jesus Christ."

-A member of the seventy whose name I did not catch

I delight in good quotes!

“The system by which the gospel principles are weaved together in a fabric…keeps them in check and in balance with each other. You see, the doctrines of Jesus Christ by themselves are dangerous. Any principle of the gospel, isolated, spun off, and practiced in solitude goes wild and goes mad. It is only the orthodoxy of the gospel that keeps it together, …to focus on one principle of the gospel and exclude the others produces [a] kind of madness and wildness. To preserve orthodoxy is the great balancing act. It is the mission and the excitement and call of life in the institution of the Church.”

(Neal A. Maxwell, In Charge to Religious Educators, p. 96 )

I delight in little gems.

I delight in the little "gems" that end up in my inbox everyday. Always the right message at the right time. Just that little reminder I needed. And so, today I share the gem with you...

"We need to be more grateful. It's one of the marks of strong character, to have a feeling of thanksgiving and gratitude for blessings that are ours. We need more of that spirit in our homes, in our daily associations, in church, everywhere. It's so easy to cultivate the spirit of appreciation."

Ezra Taft Benson, "All This and the Gospel Too," New Era, Nov. 1991, 4

I delight in following the moon.

Last night I drove back to Salt Lake. Seeing as home is not that far away from Salt Lake, I tend to make the drive late at night. As I drove south on somewhat of an empty freeway, there was a point between 31st street and roy where I got to drive straight toward the moon. A bright crescent moon glowing on the backdrop of a black fall night sky. As I drove I tried to find further significance in following this 'glowing light of the night' and of course, it wasn't too hard to do. I thought about following the light of the world, the Savior and about His doctrine, the doctrine of Christ (as found particularly in 2 Nephi 31, something we discussed at institute this week). I am so grateful for a light to follow, a path to happiness, a way to joy, a place of peace.

"The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is a way of life. It is not for Sunday only. It is not something we can do only as a habit or a tradition if we expect to harvest all of its promised blessings. 'Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap' (Galatians 6:7)."

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?" Ensign, Nov. 2007, 20

I delight in what happened here.

the sacred grove, palmyra, new york

I love the eloquence and pure testimony of the words of President Hinckley as he expressed his testimony of the First Vision.

"The year was 1820, the season spring. The boy with questions walked into the grove of his father's farm. There, finding himself alone, he pleaded in prayer for that wisdom which James promised would be given liberally to those who ask of God in faith. (See James 1:5.) There, in circumstances which he has described in much detail, he beheld the Father and the Son, the great God of the universe and the risen Lord, both of whom spoke to him.

"This transcendent experience opened the marvelous work of restoration. It lifted the curtain on the long-promised dispensation of the fulness of times.

"For more than a century and a half, enemies, critics, and some would-be scholars have worn out their lives trying to disprove the validity of that vision. Of course they cannot understand it. The things of God are understood by the Spirit of God. There had been nothing of comparable magnitude since the Son of God walked the earth in mortality. Without it as a foundation stone for our faith and organization, we have nothing. With it, we have everything.

"Much has been written, much will be written, in an effort to explain it away. The finite mind cannot comprehend it. But the testimony of the Holy Spirit, experienced by countless numbers of people all through the years since it happened, bears witness that it is true, that it happened as Joseph Smith said it happened, that it was as real as the sunrise over Palmyra, that it is an essential foundation stone, a cornerstone, without which the Church could not be 'fitly framed together.' "

Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Cornerstones of Our Faith," Ensign, Nov. 1984, 52

I too know "that it happened just as he said it happened" and that that knowledge I gained by the Holy Ghost has made all the difference in my life.

I delight in peace.

palmyra, new york temple

"Diligently doing things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the World."

There are lots of things that pull for our attention and efforts. School, work, family, finances, health conditions, and the list goes on and on. Its not hard to fill our lives with stuff, important or otherwise. In fact, we hardly have to do anything to see our days and our time can get scheduled in and booked up.

While I could go into how this applies to MY life, I'll spare you. Let's just say I've felt really unbalanced lately. However, my delight today is centered in the peaceful reminders from a loving Heavenly Father about balance.

And balance brings peace. And peace makes Erin happy (yes, sometimes I refer to myself in third person).

This weekend I got to watch General Conference. Its a semi-annual meeting in my church when we get to hear from the Prophet of God. It was just what I needed. And just in case what I needed to hear is what you needed to hear...below I shared one of my favorite parts with you! President Uchtdorf is talking about important relationships we need to have:

"First, our relationship with God is most sacred and vital. We are His spirit children. He is our Father. He desires our happiness. As we seek Him, as we learn of His Son, Jesus Christ, as we open our hearts to the influence of the Holy Spirit, our lives become more stable and secure. We experience greater peace, joy, and fulfillment as we give our best to live according to God’s eternal plan and keep His commandments.

We improve our relationship with our Heavenly Father by learning of Him, by communing with Him, by repenting of our sins, and by actively following Jesus Christ, for “no man cometh unto the Father, but by [Christ].”¹⁰ To strengthen our relationship with God, we need some meaningful time alone with Him. Quietly focusing on daily personal prayer and scripture study, always aiming to be worthy of a current temple recommend—these will be some wise investments of our time and efforts to draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Let us heed the invitation in Psalms: “Be still, and know that I am God."

-----President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Of Things That Matter Most

Peace comes from balance. Balance comes from being wise in how you spend your time. Spending time developing my relationship with God is a wise investment of my time, no matter how busy life is. :)

JOY. Jesus. Others. Yourself.

I delight in reminders.

"Sometimes in life we can mistake local, low passing cloud cover for general darkness."

--Elder Maxwell.

I delight in laughter.

There were a lot of funny moments in my day today...

-driving back to Salt Lake after few hours of sleep

-trying to read when my eyes were closed

-waiting for a really late bus

-being terrified of the dog that was roaming around the bus stop

-having a library orientation by a man with major ute pride...i'm not sure i'll ever get used to it

-learning about 'the arc'

-riding home on the bus (public transportation= entertaining. always.)

-spending more hours at the hospital than anticipated and seeing WAY too many people i know.

-laughing at all the places i made wrong turns when i drove anywhere yesterday

-realizing that everything i learned in an entire semester back in 06 could be summarized in a 60 page chapter in my current textbook

The key to life at the moment: "if you don't laugh...you'll cry...so laugh and delight always."

Now for a message concerning my last post.

The question asked was concerning my last post on 'living in the now.' Let me clarify. I am in no way advocating the idea of "eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die (2 Nephi 28) by saying that we ought to live our best life now." All I'm trying to say is what President Monson once said (and of course, he said it better than I ever could

," The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it."

I delight in personal ministry.

"We often speak about the Savior's ministry. But have you ever wondered if you have a personal ministry? I have. What is a personal ministry? Each of us has a personal ministry. I believe we received our personal ministry in the premortal world. It was divinely given and lasts a lifetime."

"It's so important to realize that every interaction we have is an opportunity to minister, to nurture. You can minister to someone right now. Tell the person sitting next to you "Thank you for sitting by me." And if no one's sitting next to you, pop over to someone and tell them thanks. "To minister" is defined as attending to the needs and wants of others."

"Most ministering opportunities are spontaneous, not planned in advance. Much of the Savior's ministering seemed almost incidental, happening while He was on His way to somewhere else-while He was doing something else. Chapter 9 of the Gospel of Matthew is an amazing illustration of that."

Quoting President Hinckley:

"Believe in yourselves. Believe in your capacity to do some good in this world. God sent us here for a purpose, and that was to improve the world in which we live The wonderful thing is that we can do it."

"What I know is that personal ministry must begin in our homes--and apartments."

Quoting President Hinckley:

"Our mission in life, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, must be a mission of saving...

If we are to build that Zion of which the prophets have spoken and of which the Lord has given mighty promise, we must set aside our consuming selfishness. We must rise above our love for comfort and ease, and in the very process of effort and struggle, even in our extremity, we shall become better acquainted with our God."

Never suppress a generous thought.

*Favorite parts from this talk*

I delight in covenants.

In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact.

Then you can ask in faith, nothing wavering, according to your need, and God will answer.

He will sustain you as you work and watch. In His own time and way He will stretch forth his hand to you, saying, “Here am I.”

D. Todd Christofferson, “The Power of Covenants,” Ensign, May 2009, 19–23

I delight in 2 years.

Today is the 2 year anniversary of when I entered the MTC.

to celebrate...I want to share my very favorite quote:

"You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others."

President Gordon B. Hinckley