Wanna See What I Do??

     A lot of y'all know that I'm on a mission, but my guess is that you probably don't really know what I do out here in Montana and Wyoming. In this video you can get a little preview of what I do and why I do it. Then if you want to you can even meet the missionaries like me that live near you. Just click here. I can promise you that the message they share can and will change your life. Give them a try, there's nothing to lose.

Life Isn't Easy

     It's probably been 6 years ago that I went to a church camp in San Antonio, TX. My counselor there was a tennis player for Texas A&M University and he had a big impact one me, probably more than he knows. He told us how he had decided that he was going to serve a mission. He said that he had not particularly wanted to serve a mission in the past, especially since he was playing tennis at Texas A&M. He had a bright future there and didn't want to stop that by leaving for two years. Then he told us that he saw a picture of Christ in someone's house that had a big impact on him. Next to the picture were the words, "I never said it would be easy. I said it would be worth it."

     It hit him pretty hard and got him thinking and it did the same for me as he related his experience. Life wasn't meant to be a cake walk. The Book of Mormon tells us that , "There must needs be an opposition in all things." We have to experience good and bad. It will be hard a lot of times, but just as the picture said, it will be worth it. So when you are facing a tough time and you feel like you can't go on, remember that it will all be worth it! You will grow through your trials and challenges. Christ will help you and strengthen you.

Stuck In a Rut??

     I've had a few experiences with being stuck in ruts during my life. Some were physical ruts on the road and others have been of a more spiritual nature, but they all had something in common. All of them have  seemed so easy to fall into but they aren't so easy to get out of. I still haven't had to drive in too many ruts here so I have no advice as for the ones on the road, but I think I have an answer for how to get out of the spiritual ruts.

     I feel like I usually got into these ruts because I didn't put much effort into my spiritual growth; I would simply "go through the motions". It can be so easy to do that, at least for me. I was going to church and I would listen but I didn't seem to be moving much of anywhere and for a long time I didn't understand why. Then one day I was reading the Bible and I came across a scripture that made a world of difference. It was James 1:22-

     "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."

     For so long I had been hearing the word but I usually wasn't being a "doer of the word". I wanted the spiritual growth without putting in the work. It was like I wanted to get strong without exercising. How often do you go to church, sit and hear, but then you don't do anything to make changes?? Personally I think this is how it was for me most of my life. I was stuck in a rut where I went through the motions... until I learned this lesson.
     Since learning this I have tried a lot harder to do the things that I hear and it has made a world of difference to me. I can see myself growing spiritually as I apply the things that I learn. So if you feel stuck in a rut and you need a way out, do some work. Still be a hearer, but then go and DO! If you will follow the things Christ taught and apply the lessons you learn, you will see yourself moving out of those ruts and onto a greater path that will lead you closer to the Jesus Christ.
   

Moments That Matter Most

I love this video! Take the time to slow down today and appreciate the things that matter most!!

Faith and Exercise

     This is something that has been on my mind a lot recently, maybe because it's something I am always trying to work on. In Alma 32:27 it tells us to exercise our faith. So let's see how exercise and faith can relate to each other.

     1. They both require action.- You can think about getting strong all day long, but until you actually go and do something you won't gain any strength. I've thought to myself many times about how I'm going to work out so hard one day and then I'm too lazy to get up and actually do it. John Burroughs put it best when he said, "The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention." So if you want to build your faith don't just think about it, but get up and work on it!

     2. Use it or Lose it!- At one time or another in your life, you may have been really strong or in great shape. I used to be in good running shape. I loved to run! But over time I quit running and now I wouldn't do very well if I tried to run a mile. Our faith is similar. At one point you may have had a lot of faith, but now you are 'out of shape'. Remember that just because you have faith at one point doesn't mean that it will last forever. You must maintain your spiritual strength just like physical strength.

     3. You can see the results.- Over time as you exercise, you can see your muscles grow and that can motivate you to keep working. As we build our faith, we find more joy and motivation to learn about Jesus Christ and we want to continue to "exercise our faith."

     Just like exercise it isn't always easy to put in the work required to gain strong faith, but over time you will see the results that come and it will all be worth it. So try a little harder today to "exercise your faith". Serve someone else, read the scriptures, or pray and you will begin to see your faith grow.