Downpour.

I like this picture because it show's two sides to a rainy day.

It has been raining here a lot over the past few days and, I love it.  I always think of the calm feelings I felt as a child when it was raining.  Some of the best afternoon naps that I've ever taken in my life were during a nice rainstorm. "Calm feelings", what does calm mean?  The Dictionary has it phrased as: The lack of agitation or excitement; tranquility; serenity.  I've come to respect and love the rain because it is so much like the Holy Ghost.  The Lord will give us a Downpour of the Spirit when we are doing righteous works.  Downpours of the Spirit will give us that calm feeling of a nice rainy day.   I can see it in my life. When I'm doing well and the Spirit is with me I'm overcome with "calm".  This sort of peace is pretty easy to find, Scripture Study is a pretty solid advocate of the spirit. Along with scripture study and as a conduit to God prayer helps me feel the comforting calm of the Spirit as I read with a prayerful heart.  Scriptures show me how to live my life in accordance to the Gospel. In John 14:26, the Lord promises, "the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." As we follow that counsel, the Holy Ghost can give us that calm in our hectic lives.  

Aloe Blacc needs a dollar...could this be Charity???

 When we have charity, we are willing to serve and help others when it is inconvenient and with no thought of recognition or reciprocation. We don’t wait to be assigned to help, because it becomes our very nature. As we choose to be kind, caring, generous, patient, accepting, forgiving, inclusive, and selfless, we discover we are abounding in charity. This is a small tid bit from a talk given by Sister Silvia H. Allred. I picked Aloe Blacc because of his song "I Need A Dollar".  Some of the Lyrics that make me think of Charity are, 

And if I share with you my story would you share your dollar with me

Bad times are coming and I reap what I done sown
(Hey hey)
Well let me tell you something: All that glitters ain't gold
(Hey hey)
It's been a long old trouble, a long old troublesome road
And I'm looking for somebody, come and help me carry this load.

I'll leave this ending open for discussion but please read the last lyric and please post on this.  How do you feel that we can answer or acknowledge his question?

Domino's, Snowballs and, Rolling Coconuts.

So for the most part my blog has been about inviting others to do things with you as members. I've seen people come into the church because of friends who care. In Hamilton Montana, a young woman started to come to church with her friends and, after some time she realized that she wanted to be baptized.  She met with us Missionaries for about 5 weeks and then what do ya know...she entered the waters of Baptism.  Not only are you a friend to someone who is ready for the Gospel, you are the pathway for someone to receive it.  One friend can turn into many, one choice can change a life.

Hey wanna get some food?

So this video displays some simple truths.  It only takes some simple questions and love to make someone understand the basics of the Gospel.  Years before I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I was in the position of the friend who gets asked.  A good friend of mine Ron James asked me a question that I will never forget. Let me paint a picture for you real quick we worked out in a place called Orderville, Utah haha we just did ranch work lots of hay throwin and random odd jobs.  We stayed with his Grandparents in a room up stairs at their house and they had some sweet old school bunk beds ya it's pretty cool I know you can see it...... So we are getting ready to fall asleep and Ron asks me...what do you think happens after we die?  I told him how I felt about the afterlife and that situation and he taught me the Plan of Salvation in a sense just some basics and other tid bits.  Feelings that I received from hearing his testimony and knowledge of this plan changed me as a person.  The spirit of God was introduced into my life at that moment from a 15 year old friend who just asked a question.  Invitations are always so simple to give for anything but the Gospel...but, when you take a step back I think it could be the easiest Invite ever.  "Hey what are you doing Sunday?"

Seek the Higher Ground

Samoan people are so cool.... everyone should talk to any Samoan that they meet...especially if they are missionaries.  There is always somewhere to go "The Higher Ground" is always there. Living a better life is always an option, I know this because I have seen the effects of seeking "The Higher Ground" in my own life. Had I not ever searched for it i'd never of become the man that I am and I would not have the experience that I do.

My New Life

Do you ever feel that God taps your heart to let you know that you're still alive?  I know that he does in my life....trials are the blessings of life we've been given our life struggles to know that we're still alive!
She's so awesome the words she's spoken have refreshed my mind on the importance of trial and struggle and the no good days.  I hope that I can always remember that God just wants me to know that I am alive and that I can overcome.  I hope that if you're reading this you can feel that God does love and care for you because I know without a doubt in my heart, that he does because of our trials we can find out how much he truly does.

"Stand Tall"

So this video...shows a pretty solid member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Through the principles of the Gospel we learn how to "Stand Tall" we can face any adversity and turn it into something great.  The Lord gives us all personal struggles or trials but what we do in the face of those trials is what shapes us into the people that we can be.  Not only is she known for her height but, she's known for showing her friends a better way.  We can always find a better way.  I'm impressed by her because of her willingness to share the Gospel with anyone who needs it.  Today's youth is pressured to shape shift or mold into things that society has created.  Often times these things are not whats best for our future leaders, opinions are changed as well as lives because of mainstream ideas.  Having the Gospel allows us to take time to step back and focus on who we want to become or who Christ would have us be.  It is never a bad idea to be a better person. Everyday people are placed in our paths on a daily basis that need our help not only int he Gospel but in life.  One day I wish to be the example or the voice of change.  I hope that i'll be able to help someone find who they really are.  I hope the same for you as well.