The Happiest Way to Live

     This past weekend was one of the busiest weekends I've had since I've gotten here. Within my friend group, half of us are sick, and the other half are sleep deprived. All of us pushed our homework off until last minute (causing Ana to stay up until 5 am), many of us took some serious injuries from disco skating, and yet I thin I can speak for my entire friend group that this past weekend was one of the best we've had. So as I reflect on the past weekend, I try to figure out what was so amazing about it. What made this crazy busy weekend different from all the rest? The answer wasn't that hard to come by. Two of my friends, Jarom and Chad, got their mission calls (one to Australia and one to Costa Rica if y'all were curious) and my friend, Hannah, got engaged!
     I am 100% convinced that this weekend was amazing because we all were living the gospel. The two soon-to-be missionaries have so much faith in the gospel, they are willing to put their entire lives on hold to go spread God's love. Hannah has lived her life faithfully, that soon she can marry her best friend in the temple, and they can be sealed for all eternity.
     This weekend has reminded me that living the gospel is the happiest way to live. It is by no means easier, but I can feel the peace and love that comes from following the commandments and trusting in God's plan. Thomas S. Monson shared "of this be sure: you do not find the happy life... you make it." I believe that you can make the happy life by following the gospel and trusting in the Lord.

"Eternity is a long time to party"

     This past week my sister, Bethany, and her husband, Graham, we in Utah visiting with Graham's family. On Thursday, Bethany was able to sneak away from his family and visit me after my classes. And yesterday, I was able to spend all day with Bethany, Graham, and a couple of Graham's brothers. It was extremely relaxing and refreshing to be able to spend some time with family, especially with siblings that I don't get to see that often. As they dropped me off at my dorm and we said our goodbyes, I was just filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. How lucky I am that I get to spend all of eternity with my amazing siblings and their families.
     In "Filling Our Homes with Light and Truth," Cheryl A. Esplin said, "Families are the Lord's workshop on earth to help us learn and live the gospel." This quote often reminds me of how lucky I am to have grown up in such a wonderful home where the gospel was always taught and love was always present. I know that without my family, my amazing parents and siblings, I would not be the person I am today. I am so unbelievably grateful for the role that my family has played in my life, and I am so grateful that I can spend eternity with them. In the words of my genius sister, Sarah, "eternity is a long time to party."

The Gift of Repentance

     Depending on who you talk to, repentance can have a major negative connotation. A post I had seen recently on twitter said something along the lines of "I would rather marry someone who has sinned and truly repented rather than marry someone who had never sinned at all." The post faced immediate uproar that it is much worse to sin and repent than to not sin at all. In my personal opinion, it's the same. To start off, I cannot think of anyone on this earth who has not sinned, except for Christ. When we truly repent, Heavenly Father promised us that he would see the sin no more, that it is like we had never sinned at all. I think both not sinning at all, and sinning and truly repenting are both extremely admirable.
     So, in an effort to try and erase the negative connotation to repentance, this past week I read the talk "Repent... That I May Heal You" given by Neil L. Andersen. In this wonderful talk, Andersen relates that "The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to 're-turn' toward God." He also reminds us of the Lord's invitation; "Behold, [my arms] of mercy [are] extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me." If repenting were such a horrible act, why would we be invited and urged to do it?
     Now, I assume the negative connotation that is linked to repentance has to do with the connection repentance has to sinning. But let's face it, no one is perfect. Heavenly Father knows and understands that. Our journey in this world is not about being perfect, but striving to be. We all sin. We all make mistakes. And repentance is our gift that we have been blessed with, that those mistakes and sins won't deny us the opportunity to return to Heavenly Father. Andersen described repentance as "turning away from some things, such as dishonesty, pride, anger, and impure thoughts, and turning towards other things, such as kindness, unselfishness, patience, and spirituality." He later goes on to say that "Repentance always means that there is greater happiness ahead."
      Repentance can be seen as one of the most merciful gifts that we have been blessed with. Just because we have sinned, does not mean we will be condemned forever. Repentance should not be frowned upon. When someone is truly repenting of their sins, they truly want to change and strive to become better. Why should we look down on that? The desire to become better is spectacular, and it can do wondrous things to an individual.

We are the Lord's Hands

      Something I have noticed since I've gotten here at BYU, is that every single week someone is opening a mission call. I have been here for almost a month, and since I have gotten here I know of at least four people who have opened their calls within the last month, two people who are turning their papers in within the month, and countless amount of people who are working on their papers. Not only does it excite me for when it is my time to open my mission call, it completely amazes me that so many people are willing to put their lives on hold for the Lord.
      This past week, I read the talk "He Asks us to be His Hands" given by Sister Cheryl A. Esplin. She immediately quotes Christ by saying "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." In regards to this quote, President Thomas S. Monson explained that "the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives." Growing up in the church, I cannot recall how many times I have heard that we are all the Lord's hands. However, the true meaning of this statement has not hit me until recently.
     We really are the Lord's hands, so we must act as He would. We should all love our neighbor, and be kind to everyone, and give to those in need. Because that is what the Lord would do. The Lord would not let His sheep suffer and be lost in darkness. We, as His Hands, have the responsibility to help His children, whether it be to put our lives on hold to go serve a full time mission, or just reaching out to someone at church. Esplin explained "when we reach out in love and service even in the smallest ways, hearts are changed and softened as others feel the love of the Lord." I believe this is true for those who serve, and those being served. Service can do wonders, and though I still have a little more than a year till I leave for my mission, I plan to continually serve others.