We are good enough

It's important to make righteous goals in our lives. It helps us progress and move forward towards our full potential.
It's also important that we don't allow negative thoughts to limit us in our abilities, or to tell us we aren't good enough.
This is one of the adversaries biggest tools that will weaken us.They want to make us feel inadequate, stuck, unsuccessful, hopeless, useless and not worthy of heaven's blessings.
So how do we overcome this cycle of thinking? By building a mind of positive thinking and shielding negative thoughts.
Negative thoughts like to be entertained. Have you ever found yourself having a negative thought, and then that thought becomes 20 different negative thoughts... to the point where you feel completely hopeless as a human being? As silly as this may sound, it's sometimes very accurate of the process.
In order to prevent ourselves from becoming the result of our negative thinking, WE have to change. Once again, WE have to change in order for things to change.
So every single time you find yourself forming a negative thought, finish that thought positively.
Keep a journal/book and write down all the negative thoughts that you have. It's easier to overcome our challenges when we can visually see them. It will also make us realize how wrong the adversary is.
Saying bold statements of truth throughout the day, and when you first wake up is another powerful tool. Examples of these can be:
* I add value to people's lives.
* I am a loved son/daughter of God.
* I am a successful and hard working student/mom/employee.
* Through Jesus Christ, I can overcome my weaknesses.
Its so important to tell ourselves the things that are true and positive, because we become what we think. At first it might be hard to change the way you think. But the change and happiness that will come from it outweighs the hardness.
God wants us to see the future with a bright and positive outlook, full of opportunities. As soon as we let ourselves believe we are good enough, we can create and become the person God intended us to be. We weren't sent for failure here. We were sent here to shine and rise above the things of this world. So with this being said, as children of God, WE are good enough.

The Bridge Keeper

 The Bridge Keeper

"There was once a bridge which spanned a large river. During most of the day the bridge sat with its length running up and down the river paralleled with the banks, allowing ships to pass thru freely on both sides of the bridge. But at certain times each day, a train would come along and the bridge would be turned sideways across the river, allowing a train to cross it.

A switchman sat in a small shack on one side of the river where he operated the controls to turn the bridge and lock it into place as the train crossed. One evening as the switchman was waiting for the last train of the day to come, he looked off into the distance thru the dimming twilight and caught sight of the trainlights. He stepped to the control and waited until the train was within a prescribed distance when he was to turn the bridge. He turned the bridge into position, but, to his horror, he found the locking control did not work. If the bridge was not securely in position it would wobble back and forth at the ends when the train came onto it, causing the train to jump the track and go crashing into the river. This would be a passenger train with many people aboard. He left the bridge turned across the river, and hurried across the bridge to the other side of the river where there was a lever switch he could hold to operate the lock manually. He would have to hold the lever back firmly as the train crossed. He could hear the rumble of the train now, and he took hold of the lever and leaned backward to apply his weight to it, locking the bridge. He kept applying the pressure to keep the mechanism locked. Many lives depended on this man’s strength.

Then, coming across the bridge from the direction of his control shack, he heard a sound that made his blood run cold. “Daddy, where are you?” His four-year-old son was crossing the bridge to look for him. His first impulse was to cry out to the child, “Run! Run!” But the train was too close; the tiny legs would never make it across the bridge in time. The man almost left his lever to run and snatch up his son and carry him to safety. But he realized that he could not get back to the lever. Either the people on the train or his little son must die. He took a moment to make his decision.

The train sped safely and swiftly on its way, and no one aboard was even aware of the tiny broken body thrown mercilessly into the river by the onrushing train. Nor were they aware of the pitiful figure of the sobbing man, still clinging tightly to the locking lever long after the train had passed. They did not see him walking home more slowly than he had ever walked: to tell his wife how their son had brutally died.

Now if you comprehend the emotions which went this man’s heart, you can begin to understand the feelings of our Father in Heaven when He sacrificed His Son to bridge the gap between us and eternal life. Can there be any wonder that He caused the earth to tremble and the skies to darken when His Son died? How does He feel when we speed along thru life without giving a thought to what was done for us thru Jesus Christ?"
 - Dennis E. Hensley

I hope each of us can take the time to thank Heavenly Father for the sacrifice he has made in our behalf. He gave us his son, Jesus Christ, so that we can return to live with him one day. He loves us so much and is grateful when we remember all that he has given us! :)

Awesome chocolate chip cookie recipe!

Today's post is short & sweet! For those of you who are chocolate chip cookie fans (which I hope is all of you reading this post)...this ones for you :)! Here's my favorite recipe:

Ingredients:

 - 2 eggs

- 1 cup of softened butter

- 1 cup of white sugar

- 1 cup of brown sugar

- 2 tsp vanilla

- 3 cups of all-purpose flour

- 1 tsp baking soda

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 2 tsp of hot water

- Chocolate chips (as many as your heart desires)

Directions:

 - Mix butter, both sugars, eggs & vanilla together in one bowl. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking soda & salt. Stir well.

- Then combine both bowls and mix.

-  Add the hot water

- Pour in chocolate chips

You're ready to put them on the cookie sheet! Bake for 9 minutes on 350 degrees F. Let them cool for 5-10 minutes & they are ready to eat!

 Enjoy!

Live with an eternal perspective

The title of this post is one of my favorite phrases and mottos that I try to live by. I think in the world today, there are alot of messages that are telling us to forget about the big picture...and that actions don't have consequences. But I know that amidst this, God does have a beautiful plan for each of us that is far greater than anything that the world is telling us or has to offer. It's easy to forget the big picture if we stop doing the little things. We start to doubt our faith and lose sight of the eternal plan. When we sincerely pray, read our scriptures, repent, attend church, serve those around us and have Christ at the center of our lives, we begin to understand the 'WHY' of the gospel. It's because the spirit testifies of truth and changes our hearts. It's why we want to live in harmony with God's commandments and become converted disciples of Jesus Christ.

I love this quote by my mom:

"It seems like each person will experience adversity, during their lifetime, here upon earth. I know we develop faith and learn as we go along. I've learned alot about faith and trusting Heavenly Father, because I know He knows what's best. Everyone has adversity, and Heavenly Father is there to help us through it."

I totally agree with this. All of us are going to experience adversity. It's a part of our earthly experience. But when we trust Heavenly Father and 'live with an eternal perspective', we are making choices that will lead us back to him. He loves us more than we can comprehend, and has given us a way to return to him. We still have our free agency and make choices everyday that are going to determine the path we choose to walk on. As it states in the Doctrine & Covenants 14:7 "And, if you keep the commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God."

I know that eternal salvation isn't cheap. Therefore it isn't going to come at a cheap price. But I also know that because of Jesus Christ, anything is possible. We can overcome our weaknesses through him. We can still live in the world, but not be of it.

 The blessings that come from making righteous decisions and living the gospel of Jesus Christ are available to all of us.  We will receive more joy, peace and happiness in this life than we ever thought possible if we choose to live a Christ centered life. Good will always triumph evil. Light will always shine over darkness. We can start this very moment. It all starts with our thoughts.  Now lets stand with God and live with an eternal perspective.

So very grateful

 Now days it's easy to get caught up in the things we don't have, the problems that we are facing, or the need for more. We live in a world that thrives off of this type of thinking...that we can only be happy if we attain a certain status, have the perfect job, or are constantly being entertained. But it's not true at all. When we focus on what we do have and the blessings that are in our lives we will begin to realize that we have plenty to be happy about.

We have been given a an incredibly, beautiful earth to live on with all of God's children. He made this earth for us and wants us to find joy everyday here. The people that we surround ourselves with (family, friends, neighbors, work employees, etc...) are here to help us learn, grow, love, laugh with and build up. I'm extremely grateful for the people I have in my life and know that God blesses us when we take time to serve his children.

Whether it's hearing a child laugh, talking to a friend, making cookies, going for a walk in the park, helping a neighbor, working hard in a job, studying the scriptures, or listening to good music... it's these precious moments that make up our lives. They shape us and help us feel of God's love. When we recognize these moments as significant blessings, we are letting God know that we care and treasure the life he has given us. He will continue to bless us as we do this and give us opportunities to keep moving forward happily.

When things are going wrong, it's our natural reaction to be negative. But having gratitude in tough circumstances helps us see things clearer. It helps us see all that we do have and that our lives don't have to be perfect in order to be happy. If we constantly strive to see the blessings that are around us, we won't associate trials with negativity, but rather as opportunities to grow and help us become more like our Savior.

There is always something to be grateful for. We have been given so much and have reasons everyday to be thankful. I challenge each of us (myself included) to take the time to thank and notice all of the blessings we have in our lives. We will be amazed at what we do have as we do this and life will seem happier by the second we do! Grateful for you all and hope you have a wonderful weekend :).

The Race

Today’s post is one of my favorite poems! I hope you enjoy it!

THE RACE

“QUIT! GIVE UP! YOU’RE BEATEN!” They shout and plead,
There’s just too much against you now, this time you can’t succeed.
And as I start to hang my head in front of failure’s face,
My downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.

And hope refills my weakened will as I recall that scene.
For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.
A children’s race, young boys, young men; now I remember well.
Excitement, sure, but also fear; it wasn’t hard to tell.

They all lined up so full of hope. Each thought to win that race.
Or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
And fathers watched from off the side, each cheering for his son.
And each boy hoped to show his dad that he would be the one.

The whistle blew and off they went, young hearts and hopes of fire.
To win, to be the hero there, was each young boy’s desire.
And one boy in particular, his dad was in the crowd,
Was running near the lead and thought, “My dad will be so proud.”

But as he speeded down the field across a shallow dip,
The little boy who thought to win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his hands flew out to brace,
And mid the laughter of the crowd, he fell flat on his face.

So down he fell and with him hope. He couldn’t win it now.
Embarrassed, sad, he only wished to disappear somehow.
But as he fell, his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
Which to the boy so clearly said, “Get up and win that race!”

He quickly rose, no damage done – behind a bit, that’s all,
And ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself to catch up and to win,
His mind went faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again.

He wished that he had quite before with only one disgrace.
I’m hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn’t try to race.
But, in the laughing crowd he searched and found his father’s face
That steady look that said again, “Get up and win the race.”

So, he jumped up to try again. Ten yards behind the last.
If I’m to gain those yards, he thought, I’ve got to run real fast.
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight or ten,
But trying so hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.

Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye.
There’s no sense running anymore – three strikes and I’m out – why try?
The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had flew away.
So far behind, so error prone, closer all the way.

I’ve lost, so what’s the use, he thought, I’ll live with my disgrace.
But then he thought about his dad, who soon he’d have to face.
“Get up,” an echo sounded low. “Get up and take your place.
You were not meant for failure here, get up and win the race.”

With borrowed will, “Get up,” it said, “You haven’t lost at all,
For winning is not more than this, to rise each time you fall.”
So up he rose to win once more. And with a new commit,
He resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn’t quit.

So far behind the others now, the most he’d ever been.
Still he gave it all he had and ran as though to win.
Three times he’d fallen stumbling, three times he’d rose again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.

They cheered the winning runner as he crossed first place.
Head high and proud and happy; no falling, no disgrace.
But when the fallen youngster crossed the line, last place,
The crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race.

And even though he came in last, with head bowed low, unproud;
You would have thought he’d won the race, to listen to the crowd.
And to his Dad he sadly said, “I didn’t do so well.”
“To me you won,” his father said, “You rose each time you fell.”

And when things seemed dark and hard and difficult to face,
The memory of that little boy – helps me in my race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and down and all,
And all you have to do to win – is rise each time you fall.
“Quit!” “GIVE UP, YOU’RE BEATEN.” They still shout in my face.
But another voice within me says, “GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!”

-Dee Groberg

I hope each of us can remember to never give up or quit! God is cheering us on to the finish line in our own personal races of life. Even if we may fall down…what matters is that we keep trying and finish strong. It’s never too late to start moving forward. God is our biggest fan and will help us every step of the way. He will do everything he can to help us return to him and to enjoy the journey.