Same Team, Different Jersey

I love this video! Sports and the Gospel of Jesus Christ just go together, at least if you ask me.

Huntsman Family Motto

Most of my family (my sister, brother-in-law,

sister-in-law, and neice are missing though).

    

     Growing up I thought that this was the most lame thing ever! I didn't get why we would have a "family motto". My parents would make us say it regularly and it drove me nuts for some reason but over time it stuck with me and I can still remember it. This is how it goes-

     "I will honor and respect the Huntsman name which means:

H is for happiness. (We are a happy family.)

U is for united as a family. (We work together.)

N is for noble. (We have high moral principles.)

T is for trustworthy. (A Huntsman can be trusted.)

S is for sealed in the temple. (Married in the temple for eternity.)

M is for missionary minded. (We share the gospel of Jesus Christ!)

A is for ambitious. (We have a desire to succeed.)

N is for Never A Better Family!" (There isn't a better family! At least for me.)    

     Looking back I'm grateful to remember this and it makes me want to better represent my family's name. Family is so important and I don't know what I would do without them. Take the time to appreciate your family this day and let them know how much you love them!

Marshmallows and Patience

     You are probably wondering what in the heck marshmallows have to do with being patient... Well watch the video and it will all be explained. Then try a little harder today to be more patient. I know it's not easy, but keep working on it!

Want To Leave the Past in the Past??

     It seems to me that when we want forgiveness, we are often the last person to forgive ourselves. We can be our own worst enemy at times. We will hang on to our mistakes even when others may have completely forgotten them and forgiven us. So can you ever really be completely rid of your sins and mistakes? Can they really be gone for good? The answer to this question comes from the Bible in 2 Corinthians 5:17.

     "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

     Think about it like this- You are a board that is perfectly whole, but when you commit a sin a nail is pounded into you and you are no longer perfect. You recognize that you have sinned and you want to be forgiven. So you sincerely repent and ask your Heavenly Father for forgiveness. Then what happens to the hole in the board (your sin)?

     Some people may think that the nail is removed, wood putty fills the hole and it is re-finished. On the surface it may look good, but deep down it would still have an imperfection. Luckily that's not how Christ's Atonement works! Rather when we sincerely repent and ask for forgiveness the old board with a nail hole is "passed away." The old, imperfect board is gone and you "are become new." You are again a perfect board. You can be perfectly whole again! So choose today to leave the past in the past. When you have repented you can be "a new creature" and move on to a better and brighter day!

Live In Thanksgiving Daily

     I know that it's far from being Thanksgiving but it sure doesn't hurt to be grateful for what you have every day! Today take the time to appreciate all of the small things around you. Be grateful for something you normally take for granted. It will make you more happy as you are more grateful. Enjoy the video!

Who Am I To Judge Another?

     Think about the words of the following hymn and watch the video. They will inspire you to be better!

"Who am I to judge another when I walk imperfectly?

In the quiet heart is hidden sorrows that the eye can't see.

Who am I to judge another? Lord, I would follow thee."

      Do your best today to be less judgemental and follow the Lord. It will bring you happiness!!

You Are My Hands

     In a recent General Conference, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf related a story that really hit me. I was reminded of it a few weeks ago when a missionary talked about it again and I wanted to share it with you:

     "A story is told that during the bombing of a city in World War II, a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith and of God’s presence in their lives.

Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but its hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. Some suggested that they hire a sculptor to make new hands, but others wanted to leave it as it was—a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war. Ultimately, the statue remained without hands. However, the people of the city added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words: “You are my hands.”

     There is a profound lesson in this story. When I think of the Savior, I often picture Him with hands outstretched, reaching out to comfort, heal, bless, and love. And He always talked with, never down to, people. He loved the humble and the meek and walked among them, ministering to them and offering hope and salvation. That is what He did during His mortal life; it is what He would be doing if He were living among us today; and it is what we should be doing as His disciples."

So along with that message, today I would challenge each and every one of you to do your best to be the hands of Christ in someone else's life. Go out and serve someone else and I promise you will be more happy! I know that this is true.

Can Ye Feel So Now?

     The other day I read a scripture that just seemed to hit me. It comes from the Book of Mormon in Alma 5:26:

"And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"

     At one point or another most of you have experienced your personal conversion and I'm sure it was great for you! You could probably feel of the Savior's love for you and you knew that he was there, but over time that can wear off and that's where this scripture comes into the picture. If you have felt the Savior's love and "experienced a change of heart", can you feel that now? If you can't feel that anymore I have a few ideas to help.
     1. Read the scriptures- Throughout the scriptures we read of Christ and we know of his love for us. Reading about Christ in the scriptures is a great way to feel that again.
     2. Pray- Communicating with your Father in Heaven is a great way to experience his love because as you pray, you also receive answers. Prayer has often helped me feel of the Savior's love.
     3. Be Grateful- Take the time to count your blessings and you will see just how much your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you. You will begin to see all of the blessings you receive from them and I promise, they are many!
     So if you have felt the love of your Savior ask yourself, "can I feel so now?" If not, or even if you just want to feel it more in your life, take the time to do these things and see what a difference they can make in your life. I know they have made a great difference in mine! I know that our Savior, Jesus Christ, lives and loves us.