Jon's New Calling

A powerful scripture story for all of us to reflect upon takes place on the shores of the sea of Tiberius when the resurrected Lord comes to visit his apostles. Here, Christs asks Peter a question we should all ask ourselves: “Do you love me?” Peter replies in the affirmative, to which Christ responds: “Feed my sheep.” Christ asks this question of him two more times, stressing the importance of the question and, even more so, of what Peter is to do if he does, in fact, love the Lord,

When Jon and I were engaged I wanted to get something inscribed on the inside of his ring. I pondered on what Jon and I both wanted from our marriage and a way that I could put it down in 25 characters or less. When I did, I came to the conclusion that what Jon and I wanted from our marriage more than anything was a greater capacity to love and serve the Lord. The story I just told above came to mind, and so I inscribed the following on the inside of his ring: “Let us feed His sheep.”

It’s three years later and our wish is still the same. Our lives have been blessed with so much joy because of the gospel and so we can’t imagine anything better than being able to share that joy with others. We do not have it all figured out yet—there is still much we have to learn—but I hope it can be said of these past three years that we’ve accomplished a little good and shared a little of that joy. Even more, I hope it will be said of all the years to come that we continued on this path of lifting others—especially our own family and each other—and bringing them unto Christ.

Starting yesterday, the Lord has blessed Jon and I with a new way to do this--Jon got called to be the bishop of our ward! For those of you unfamiliar with the workings of an LDS congregation, about every five years or so the Lord calls, through revelation, a new member of the ward to serve as the bishop of that area. Bishops don't get any monetary pay for their service, though I hear that the blessings received for the time they sacrifice are quite fantastic. As the bishop, Jon will be called upon to oversee the logistical day to day functioning of the ward--including Sunday meetings and weekday activities--as well as counseling with individuals to help them and their families with their needs. (For more information about bishops, click here).

We feel excited and overwhelmed and intimidated and at peace with this new opportunity all at the same time. We know Jon is very young to be called as a bishop, and being that we just moved into our ward, we still don't know a lot of the congregation. However, we do know that this call has come from God. We see His hand in preparing Jon for the call along with leading us to purchase a home within the ward boundaries. I know that Jon is extremely young to be taking on such a huge responsibility, but I know that he can do it. Jon is by no means perfect, but there is only one person who ever was, and Jon is very well acquainted with that one person and I know that he will call upon Him for help. 

Jon and I are committed to helping each other and those in our ward because we not only love these people, we love the Lord. And as always, the Lord loves and is committed to each one of us. Together, we all--Jon, ward members, myself, and the Lord--will be able to magnify this call. 

The Mom For Phoebe

Becoming a mom has been wonderful, but there have definitely been ups and downs. This past Sunday morning I was feeling more down than up. Compared to the care I'd seen other mothers administer to their children, I felt my efforts were mediocre at best. And how horrible that was--to feel inadequate at what I've always felt to be the most important job in the world.

There we sat: Phoebe was in her car seat, ready to go to church and crying, and I sat in front of her eating a king sized chocolate bar and almost crying. Jon was already at church attending pre-meetings and feeling very alone in that moment, I felt more than a little overwhelmed.

Amid the chaos of the moment, the Spirit spoke a very important message to me, one that I will never forget. He said: "Perhaps it seems like so-and-so or -so-and-so could do a better job at mothering Phoebe, but I did not send Phoebe to them. I sent her to you. Phoebe needs you to be her mom not just because any random person could do the job and you happened to be available, but because she specifically needs you."

Peace fell over me. My awareness of my flaws and imperfections didn't fall away, but suddenly I didn't feel like they disqualified me for the job. Heavenly Father, knowing all about my flaws and imperfections, sent Phoebe to me anyway and trusts me with her. It is my "me-ness" that makes me qualified for the job, that makes me the mom for Phoebe.

One of Satan's tactics is to make us feel inadequate and unqualified for the tasks that the Lord gives to us. And let's be honest, the reason we listen to him is because lots of times he's right--often we are inadequate or unqualified! But when we feel this way, we need to remember that the Lord makes no mistakes in who He calls to do His work. He will help us as we turn to Him in humble and sincere prayer and He will make up for what we lack. The only mistake is on our part when we don't do this and instead listen to Satan's whisperings or try to do it all on our own.

Now when Phoebe starts crying right when I lay down to take a nap or when she poops on her car seat (or the car itself) and I "get" to clean it up or when it's the middle of the night and she wants to eat even though she ate less than two hours ago and I'm exhausted, I'm less tempted to turn to my chocolate bars and more inclined to turn to the Lord. His confidence in me gives me confidence in myself and blesses me with the peace I need to make it through.

Crisis Discipleship

This morning I read about the people of Zeniff. Like so many other people in The Book of Mormon, the people of Zeniff were slow to remember the Lord until their lives were threatened and they needed His help. I like to call this crisis discipleship--only remembering the Lord when it's convenient or when you get something out of it.

Whenever I read about examples of crisis discipleship it causes me to pause and reflect on my own commitment to the gospel. Am I just as guilty as these people are of having a casual relationship with God and His Son unless I'm in trouble and I need Their help? Or am I just as committed on the good days as I am on the bad ones?

To whatever degree I am guilty of being a crisis disciple, I hope this is something that I can change. One way relationships are draining, and I don't want to drain the Lord. So while I know that I can never give back to Him enough to make up for all that He gives me, I want to try. I want to answer the call that Elder Holland imagined for us in the exchange between Christ and Peter, when speaking for Christ he said: "What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do."

"I need someone who love me," Elder Holland imagines Christ saying. That is the key to committed discipleship: love. When our commitment to the gospel becomes more about our love for Christ and God and less about what They have asked us to do, it is then that our hearts truly change and that we become true disciples.

So that's what I want to focus on--loving the Lord. And this is perhaps the most precious thing I could ever give Him.

Young Women's

Well, I had a very short go at being my ward's Young Women's president. They called me to be the secretary in January, changed the call so that I was the president in February, and then in March the ward boundaries realigned so that I'm now in a new ward and, therefore, no longer my old ward's president. It's been a little crazy! Even though it was such a short time, though, I still thoroughly enjoyed getting to know and serve the girls in my old ward.

The main activity we held for mutual was New Beginnings. The girls chose to do a pirate's theme and thanks to my counselors, our decorations were pretty neat! We spent the evening searching for a hidden treasure. As we talked about different things, we put map pieces together up front on a board. Once the map was all put together, Bishop came up front and flipped the map around to reveal the treasure...a big picture of Jesus Christ. When he did, the Spirit filled my heart and I was grateful to be in the room, talking with a group of God's beautiful daughters, talking about the ultimate treasure He has given to us all.

I know that Jesus Christ lives. He is the treasure. He is the light in the lighthouse. We are the lower lights that help bring the other travelers safely into the harbor.

I will miss working with the girls I met in my old ward, but I look forward to seeing what serving in our new ward will bring!

Prophets and Apostles

There were many messages given over the past two days at General Conference that touched my spirit and brought tears to my eyes. One that stands out is Elder Bednar's closing remarks. His remarks about the sacredness and reality of several of the belated apostles' calls resonated with me.

With the recent passing of three apostles and the potential calling of three new ones, I have spent time pondering the past few weeks about the mantle of "apostle" and all that it entails. As members of the church, we raise our hands several times each year to sustain these men as literal messengers from God. When we raise our hand, we testify that we believe they are God's servants and that we will do all we can to support and sustain them.

In that brief moment when we raise our hands, do we ever pause and think on the weight and responsibility that these apostles hold?

This summer, I started reading President Gordon B. Hinckley's biography, "Go Forward With Faith." Because it's such a big book, (but mostly because I haven't dedicated as much time to reading it as I should), I'm still in the middle of reading it. My thoughts so far?

Wow.

What a tireless, humble, hard-working, spiritual giant of a man Gordon B. Hinckley was.

In many ways, he was what one would consider an "ordinary" guy. Like many of us, there was a time in his life when he faced and overcame doubts about the church. Like many of us, he gave-up his dreams when he accepted the call to serve a mission instead of pursing an advanced degree in English. Like many of us, he woke-up at early-hours to begin his day, he worked nearly non-stop on improving his home. he lost his mother to cancer at an early age, and he had to learn how to balance the demands of home, work, and church service. In many ways (and from the book, I take it that his kids would readily agree), he is no different from you and me.


Perhaps, however, what makes President Hinckley different from you and me is his willingness to give absolutely everything to the Lord. As I've read his biography, I've come to realize that his call was not just a matter of being a good example and giving good talks and doing all the "apostle-y" things we see the brethren do. In addition to these already grueling and intimidating tasks, he gave-up sleep (sometimes going days without sleep), time with family, rest, vocational aspirations, talents, energy, heart, and will beyond anything I've yet been able to muster and manage. I would go into the details, but it would require a book to do his life justice, and Sister Dew has already written one. I have not met the man, nor will I ever in this life, but just by learning more about him, I have come to admire and love him dearly not just for being an apostle and prophet, but for being an incredible man.

Elder Bednar's talk caused me to reflect on my reading of President Hinckely's biography because I know something about Elder Bednar that he did not mention in his talk today. Several years ago, my stake had Elder Bednar visit for stake conference. Among his remarks, he mentioned that there was a time in his life when he determined he wanted to be more like the brethren that he admired and strove to follow. This desire began his road of reading every talk ever given and the biographies written about the three or four apostles which he most greatly admired, Gordon B. Hinckley being one of them. Like me, I'm sure that Elder Bednar came to more greatly love the brethren as he learned about their lives and the sacrifice it requires to hold the title of "apostle." I'm sure that his heightened awareness only added to his sense of inadequacy when he himself received the call to serve among them.

Today as Elder Bednar's voice rang with emotion, speaking of and declaring his love for President Faust, President Hinckley, Elder Wirthlin, President Packer, Elder Perry, and Elder Scott, I also felt strong emotions stir within my breast. I too love these men and feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude when I ponder upon all they've given to build the Kingdom of God. In addition to those feelings of love and gratitude, as Elder Bednar spoke I felt the Spirit burn within my bosom, testifying to me that not only were these good men who did good things, but that they literally were called by God and that the work they did literally was--and is--His work.

Amid the confusion I've witnessed at Conference these past two sessions as individuals have raised their hands in opposition to the sustaining of Latter-Day apostles and prophets like these, I declare that I know that the men whose names were read over the pulpit yesterday in Conference are called by God, and that I love, admire, respect, honor, and support them in all they do.

What a tremendous blessing it is to live in a day when God's word can be heard again on the earth through the mouth of His living apostles and prophets. We do not have to pay for it, earn it, or search for it. His word is found a click away on lds.org, a touch away on the LDS library app, or a month away in our mailboxes when the November issue of the Ensign comes out.

With these thoughts in mind, I commit to more diligently studying the words of this October Conference over the next few months. Though I cannot support the men who have been called as apostles by doing their work for them or by serving them face to face, I want my sustaining raise of hand to entail more than just a casual agreement to their divine calling. The best way I can think of doing that is by taking their words to heart and doing my best to be better because of them.

I love my Heavenly Father, and I love the living prophets and apostles. I believe that President Monson is God's servant on the earth today, along with all the men who serve with him. This is why I can sing:

I thank Thee, oh God, for the prophets

Who guide me in these latter-days! 

I thank Thee for sending the apostles

I promise I'll never betray!

I thank Thee for for all these men teach me

With their words I know I can withstand.

With desire to support and sustain them

I'll do more than just raise my right hand.

Trek 2015

Last week Jon and I got to give parenthood a go. At the last minute, another couple at our church wasn't able to go on our church's trek and so Jon and I got invited to go!

Pioneer treks are exactly what they sound like...for several days, people go out in the wilderness pushing handcarts so that we can get a taste of what it was like for the early members of the church who had to do so. It's a youth activity for kids between 12 and 18 and they divide everyone up into "families" to push handcarts and do activities. Jon and I got to be the Ma and Pa of one of these groups!

The first day, Thursday, we had to wake-up super early so that we could meet at the church at 5am and then carpool up into the mountains. Being that Jon finished his finals the day before and we were up until nearly midnight, we were pretty tired:

But we made it there and two hours later were at the trail head, ready to start on our journey.

At the trail head we finally met our family. The kids in our group were absolutely fantastic!

Sonja was the first one to show up. From Hawaii, she is in town visiting her grandparents and got to come along and join in our fun. I was so grateful to have her in our group. Sonja was always willing to help when asked, reach out to those alone, and never once complained. Her testimony of the gospel is evident in the way she lives her life.

After Sonja, others came along. Among them was Ciarra. Ciarra was very quiet, but very kind. She was my constant companion throughout the trek and often kept me company when I was alone. I was grateful to have her in our family because of her quiet strength and friendship.

Then, there was Bethany and Jack. I put these two together in the same sentence because they are siblings and were nearly inseparable. The love and concern that they showed each other was mind blowing. Whenever one of them felt unwell, the other could not rest until they felt better. I was grateful to have them on the trek for their example of love.

We had two Joshs in our group, so I referred affectionately to them as "Josh the Elder" and "Josh the Younger." Josh the Elder was the eldest member of our group. Having just graduated high school, he is working of submitting his mission papers. Josh's testimony of the gospel shown bright in every word and deed. I could tell that he really pondered things and took them to heart. I was grateful for the leadership he provided our group. (He was even willing to be the only one in our group to make a cornhusk doll, and he's a boy!)

Josh the Younger provided our group with optimism and energy. He was always one to help keep the conversation going when we were walking and he participated in games whenever given the opportunity. He even gave up one morning to help in the kitchen! I was grateful to have him there for the willingness and joy that he provided.

Last, but not least, there was Saul. Saul was the power horse in our family. I doubt we would have made it up some of the hills we did without the strength he provided.He also showed his spiritual strength when he participated and gave answers during family devotionals. He also never once complained, even though he was treking with an injured hand. I was grateful to have him there for the physical and spiritual strength he provided.

Thursday was hiked 7 miles and then camped for the evening. When we camped, we first played some games and then took naps:

We happened to camp right next to another group who was also treking, so after the naps and dinner, we joined them that evening for a dance. We did organized square dancing, and holy cow--it was so fun! The biggest surprise to me is how much JON enjoyed it! He was grinning super DUPER huge and started talking all about how we need to go camping with six other couples and square dance at night. I loved seeing how happy it made him and everyone else and gained an understanding for why the pioneers danced so much.

The next day we spent the morning doing some pioneer activities and games. This was a nice chance to relax and have fun after one hard day of work before a new one.

We learned how to clean and spin wool:

Played some games:

Carved some soap:

And (Jon's favorite) made corn husk dolls:

After the games we ate lunch and went on our way! The second day's trekking was definitely the hardest. Though it was shorter than the first day (only about 5 miles) the entire thing was uphill--pretty major uphill. But we did it and made it to the next campsite where we ate (again--yea!), danced, and did devotional.

The next morning brought us to our final day. After eating and doing a family devotional, the whole group got together for a testimony meeting. It was a good opportunity to reflect on the experiences we'd had and what they mean in the big scheme of things. After lunch, we hiked our way down and out of the mountain another 5 miles and then we were done! Jon and I said goodbye to our family, grabbed a HUGE otter pop, and then got in the car and drove home.

Treks are one of my most favorite church activities! There are so many reasons why, but here are some of the reasons why I loved this trek in particular:

1. I loved that the Lord was able to count on us to come at the very last minute, even though it took some sacrifice.

2. I loved feeling like I had purpose. Summer break has been awesome because it's allowed me to do so many things like trek, but that sense of meaning that I get when I'm living my life for others has been mainly absent. I loved having an opportunity to serve these kids and to share in some pretty neat experiences with them.

3. Most that anything, I loved watching Jon be Jon. What I mean by that is that I loved observing Jon serve those around him and do what needs to be done in small and simple ways. Jon's not one to be loud and in front of the crowd (that's me!), but that doesn't mean he doesn't reach people. In fact, it's because of this that he often reaches those quite people on the sidelines that otherwise don't get reached. He did this while on trek. One morning, I shared my favorite pioneer story with the kids: the story of 3 eighteen-year-old boys who carried nearly every member of the handcart company through blocks of ice across the Sweetwater River, much to their own personal expense. As I told this story, I reflected on Jon and what I know about his character, and realized that I married a man who would do the same.

How grateful I am to the pioneers--for their example of faith and strength--and for the opportunity I had to experience the smallest taste of what it was like for them.

She Remembered My Name

Saturday I was walking in the produce isle in WinCo when an old lady who had just walked past me whipped around and exclaimed: "Lindsey Rogers!"

It took me a moment to place her face, but after a couple of seconds I realized who this lady was...one of the women who had served in the stake Relief Society presidency when I had been a Relief Society president in my single's ward over two years ago! We talked and said hi for a couple of minutes and then went our different ways to continue shopping, but for the whole rest of my shopping experience I couldn't stop myself from beaming and feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside. Two whole entire years later, and this dear older lady still remembered my name! And it's not like we even saw each other a whole lot when I was serving.

I learned a lot from this lady yesterday about how to really magnify a calling. It's not about to-do lists or activities or percents or meetings or lessons; it's about really loving those I serve and making sure that they know it. Even after my time to serve in a position is over, my responsibility to love those I served never will be.

It would have been so easy for this lady to have seen me and gone on her merry way without saying hi to me. After all, it has been two years since we've seen each other. But instead of putting her head down and avoiding eye-contact while shuffling past me (like I feel most people do) she reached out and said hello. In that moment I felt God's love for me personally.

Grace

Tonight I've been reading Stephen E. Robinson's "Believing Christ." This is a timeless book about grace and our relationship with Christ. In the part where I'm at, Bro. Robinson is talking about 2 Nephi 25:23:

"...for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."

He argues that members of the church frequently interpret this scripture incorrectly, that "the correct sense of 2 Nephi 25:23 would be that we are ultimately saved by grace apart from whatever we manage to do. Grace is not merely a decorative touch or a finishing bit of trim to top off our own efforts--it is God's participation in the process of our salvation from its beginning to its end." 

After considering his thoughts, I have thought of yet another way to look at this scripture. In the part that goes "after all we can do," I have usually considered the "we" to be me--an everyday person. After all, this makes the use of "we" parallel with how it is used earlier in the sentence. However, after thinking about it, I realized that if I break all grammar rules and look at it differently, the "we" could be considered Christ and I. 

Looking at the scripture this way changes everything. Taken this way, this scripture never suggests there is a moment when I'm the only one doing the doing. Rather, it suggests that Christ is always there, a part of the "we" team, and that when I can't keep the team going anymore, His grace steps in and fills the void I leave. 

How awesome is that?! One of the biggest misconceptions about grace just dispelled by using the scripture that is probably the reason why so many people have said misconception! Man, I knew there was a reason why I performed so poorly in my grammar class!

If you want even more insights on what Nephi meant when he wrote this verse, President Uchtdorf put it pretty fantastically in this past General Conference, which you can find here. Or, you could read one of my all-time favorite talks ever, which happens to be about grace, here.

What a beautiful, happy reminder that we do not walk through this life alone! I'm so grateful for a Savior who keeps on pulling when I fall off the "we" bandwagon. I know I couldn't do it without Him--before and after that point.

A Very Good Weekend

This weekend was wonderful!

Yea for Cookies made in a Kitchen Aid!

On Friday evening, Jon and I worked on reliving our the first 3 dates that started it all by making cookies and lemon bars to give away to friends. This is what we did on the second date we had with each other (the one where he finally asked me out!!!) It was fun to use our new Kitchen Aid (thank you!) and to spend the evening chilling.

Late Saturday morning/early afternoon Jon and I went to watch my 7th graders play on the school football team. We cheered on my kids, talked to a few before and after their game, and soaked up some sun.

Later that evening I joined Jon for the first half of the BYU v. Texas game down in the Campus Plaza lounge. After the first hour I left him to pick up my friends I made over spring/summer--Emily and Julie--and the three of us crashed my apartment where we played Banana Grams and talked.

Today Jon and I were sustained to serve as the youth Sunday school teachers in our ward. It's a combined class--with all the youth ages 12-18, and we get to teach together. It will be a couple weeks before we get to teach our first class (because of Regional Conference and the Ogden Temple Re-dedication) but we are thrilled and can't wait to start!

This evening we went over to my Uncle Steve and Aunt Milli's house for a delicious homemade Cafe Rio meal! It was the perfect way to break our fasts. After the yummy food we played Banana Grams. We look forward to going back to their place on Thursday evening to watch BYU take on Huston.

Life is busy and so good. Good friends. Good callings. Good food. Good activities. Good family. Good games. Good husband. Good God. More than anything, it was so good to have time this weekend to find a peace and closeness to God that I haven't felt in a long time. I love Him and am grateful that He's always there for me, even when I mess-up and fail and feel like I deserve no second chances. Because of His Son, though, there always is a second chance as long as I'm willing to work for it. I can't wait to face the adventures of the coming week with Him at my side.

Jon and I at the Salem Jr. High football game!

Letters

Louisa, Ems & I at Guru's before the broadcast!

Dear Emily, I had so much fun with you this weekend! From going to the BYU choir concert to getting frozen yogurt to getting dinner at Guru's to watching the Relief Society broadcast to going to a Baptist church with me for a school assignment--it was so good to be with someone easy to talk to and have fun with. I'm glad we live so close to each other.

Dear Louisa, I'm super glad that you got to join Ems and I on Saturday night while we went to Guru's and then to watch the Relief Society broadcast. Those sweet potato fries are so good!!! It's good to live with family away from home, especially when that family is as awesome as you!

Dear Old FHE Family, I've run into so many of you over the past several days! It's fun to see those of you who have come back from your missions and to randomly run into you, Aubrey, at the baptist church because you were also doing an assignment (how random!) Let's get together and have a reunion soon. Deal?

Dear Beautiful Fall Weather, I'm so happy you've decided to come around. Please stay and keep the winter away!!!

Dear Miranda, It's been YEARS since we last ran into each other! It tickles me that I was able to find you on facebook and that you seem to be doing so well! Maybe when I come home for Christmas break we can get together--that would be a blast!

Dear Jon, Breakfast on Saturday morning was de. lic. ous. I haven't had french toast in such a long time and it's even one of my favorites! Thanks for giving me a fabulous beginning to a fabulous day!

Dear Ashley, As the boy's in N103's old FHE sister, it was fun to get to meet you and discover that we're in Mythology together (I can't believe you recognized me! You're so observant!) You seem super fun and are incredibly talented with singing and playing the guitar. Thank you for sharing your talents and your smiles. Hopefully, I'll see you in class today!

Dear Mythology Paper, Even though you were about Ella Enchanted, you took FOREVER to write, which made me slightly annoyed. My hand thanks you for finally being done!

Dear Sarah Armknecht, I'm so grateful for the chance I had to go hear your unofficial mission farewell yesterday. I learned so much about being converted unto the Lord, His love for us, and prayer. You are going to be such an amazing missionary because you live your life in such a way that the Spirit can be with you at all times. The people in Montana are very lucky to have you among them for the next year and a half.

Dear Testimony Bearers, Your words gave me a lot to contemplate about and gave me much comfort. Thank you.

Dear Mars, Thanks for sharing this

video yesterday in your Sunday School lesson. I think it touched us all.

Dear Hannah, I'm very grateful for the chance I have to get to serve with you. You seem really awesome and down to earth (which is so refreshing) and I hope we can become really good friends.

Dear Krista, I hope that you come over and hang out in the CP zone of the ward all the time so that we can have super fun with you and get to know you better because you just seem so super awesome and it would be so sad if we never really got to know you just because you live all the way over in the yellow house. In other words, I think you're really cool. Thanks for the chatting. I can't wait to chat again!

Dear Kylee, Please get feeling better soon. I love you!

Dear Grace, That cake was AMAZING! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing!

Dear Jessica, I hope you get feeling better. I love you so super much and am wishing I could be with you right now!

Dear Kate and Abby, I'm so glad and happy that you guys called me last night so that we could talk! I love talking to you two. Thanks for being the awesomest Abby and Kate sisters in the world!

Dear Reading Assignments, Really? This is overkill. Way too much, guys. Way too much.

Dear Wonderful Coworkers, You guys are the best and everyone that doesn't work with you should be jealous (that's a lot of people and I really shouldn't be encouraging un-Christ-like behavior such as being jealous, but you guys are just that cool!) Thanks.

Dear Melissa, You seem like an awesome friend and I'm very grateful to have you as my Visiting Teacher and can't wait to get to know you more!

Dear Shonay, I'm so glad that you're my Visiting Teacher. You are just so cool and kind and fun. And your words last night...I really needed to hear them. Thank you so much for saying what the Spirit prompted you to say. I love you!

Dear General Conference Weekend, I'm going to work really hard this week so that I can enjoy you to your fullest on Saturday and Sunday. I'm so excited!!!

Dear Today, Smiles, quiet moments, laughter, friends, work, class, exercising, homework, scriptures, talking, joy--these are just a few of the things I hope to run into during you today.

November Weekend Timeline

November 16th, 7pm--Relief Society leadership training meeting with Sis. Burton. Thank you, Kelly, for providing some commentary; and thank you, Bishop, for coming to support.

November 16th, 9:30pm--Honorary Hostess doughnut eating to remember the good ol' days and mourn the lost of the Hostess company. Doughnuts provided by Morgan.

November 16th, 10pm--Snowflake making with roommates minus Audrey plus Morgan (old roommate). Lots of laughing involved.

November 17th, 9:15am--Went running to the temple and back with Emily. 3.8 miles total. (I stinkin' love that girl!)

November 17th, 11am--Went shopping at Downeast Clothing with my awesome cousin, Alex. Found a super ugly sweater and wanted to buy it. Alas, college budget will not allow it. Went to the store with the intention of buy a skirt or dress, walk out of the store with two T-shirts. Typical Lindsey.

November 17th, 1pm--Adventurous Costco shopping with Jordan Liau. He bought thanksgiving dinner for the ward, I bought groceries for the rest of the semester. Success!

November 17th, 3pm--Went hiking up Rock Canyon to eat lunch with Derrik, a friend from my New Testament class last winter. Colder on the way down than the way up. It rained on us, but it was great fun! Hands were really cold by the time we got to the car. Stopped to get hot chocolate on the way home. Best hot chocolate in the world.

November 17th, 7pm--Went to N103 with the intention of watching How to Train Your Dragon. Decided to watch Mega Mind instead because Joseph had never seen it. I successfully bumped a bowl of popcorn. Popcorn fell everywhere. We cleaned it up. A successful evening!

November 18th, 6:30am--Woke up and got ready for the day.

November 18th, 7:45am--Went to the WILK to study my scriptures and ponder. Stayed there for two and a half hours. Took a twenty minute nap. Conclusion: the gospel is AWESOME!

November 18th, 12pm--My awesome Visiting Teachers came over. I love them so much, because I know they love me!

November 18th, 1:00pm--Emily is awesome and helped me with my Relief Society craziness. I love her!

November 18th, 1:30pm--Went to church. I love church. I love my ward. I loved the next three hours.

November 18th, 6pm--Had dinner with Alex, Emily, Amelia, Morgan, Rachel, Lauren, Quaelii, Sarah, Jeremy, Ryan, and Katt. It was so nice to not have to worry about making dinner, after a long day! We ate, talked, and played Mormon Mouthful (Mormon version of Mad Gab). They're the best!

November 18th, 8pm--Went to my ward's treat night. Again--I love my ward!

November 18th, 10:30pm (hopefully)--Went to bed.

Goodnight, everyone!

Letters

To the Beautiful Sisters in My Ward (that's ALL of you!!!), The amount of love I've felt from you today has been overwhelming. Your smiles, hugs, kind words, and testimonies have all given me the strength I need to keep going on. You inspire me and make me want to be better. I hope you know that I have an unbreakable testimony of the FACT (yes--it's a FACT) that every single one of you is beautiful, important, wanted, and loved by Heavenly Father. Never doubt your worth and importance. Never doubt that you can do hard and amazing things. Never doubt that He is there, beside you, helping you, the whole way. I also hope you know that I love every single one of you so much and would do anything for you. I hope I can return the love and support you give to me. Have a fantastic week!

Letters

Stephanie and I at prom our senior year

Dear Stephanie, Happy one day late birthday! You are one of the reasons I made it through high school semi-sane. Thanks for late nights on Paige's rooftop, homecoming nights in PJs with Ken dolls, egg salad food fights, rare winter days sledding down your house's hill, daily lunches in your kitchen, Sunday cookie-making nights, mutual book obsessing, movie nights with popcorn and goldfish, running in the rain, sitting together in calculus and AP Language, surprise birthday parties, making me laugh so hard I can't stay upright, and everything else in-between. You are awesome and I love you!!!

Dear Jason, You are already missed. Laughing outrageously hard while playing liers dice with you and calling you fat because you found your shorts in the plus-sizes area at DI and talking about prophets on the benches in the middle of south court and being excited that you have a new horsey friend to sleep with and running into each other on the path south of campus where all the awesome baby ducks (who aren't so baby anymore) are and celebrating your birthday by going to Sonic and everything else with you is the best. Thank you for being comfortable with and confident in yourself. It liberates those around you and gives them the freedom to be themselves too. I'm sure gonna' miss you.

Dear Anna, I was going to write you a nice note on Sunday night, but then realized that you no longer live in our ward. It was very sad. Therefore, I'm having to pass along my nice note via blog. Here it is (eh-hem!): You were an answer to my unsaid prayers when you invited me to go to the temple with you on Friday. It set the tone for the rest of my weekend. I miss you so much and am so glad that you and I have decided to go to the temple together regularly. I don't think I've ever felt more comfortable with anyone there than you. Thanks for being such an amazing example, support, and friend. I love you!

Dear Amelia, Rachel, and Lauren, Talking late at night on Sundays under the stars on the tables outside Slab Pizza with you three was amazing. Real talk is the best. I love you guys and am glad we're roommates. You are all doing just fine. Keep it up.

Dear Sarah, I'm glad Heavenly Father has placed you in my life right now so that we can help each other be awesome. I feel like I can be honest with you. I feel like you want me around. I feel like I can help lift you up because you lift me up. I feel like getting ice cream with you and talking about life is the best. I feel like I love looking at the pictures you take on your adventures. I feel like sitting and listening to you play the piano while I read my scriptures and think about life helps me feel at peace. I feel like you are such an incredible person and that you make me want to be an incredible person too. Thanks for being there.

Dear Mom and Dad, I was so happy to see you on Saturday night and to get frozen yogurt with you and to sit up on campus on the benches between the Clyde and the MARB. You two are some of my favoritest people in the world. Thanks for sitting and sharing stories about Grandpa Rogers and about all the things you got to do when you were down in St. Johns, AZ for his funeral this past week. I love you guys more than ice cream, 7 hours of sleep in one night, getting rain and sunshine in the same day, and writing letters combined.

Dear Ryan, No one helps me figure out my life more than you do. You are honestly the best friend I've ever had. Thanks for stopping and asking and listening and commenting and understanding. I know you're always there if I need anything. I also know you're there to have so much fun with and to tease me and to approve or not approve of any of the guys I consider dating. What else to brothers do?

Dear Bishopbric, You do amazing work. Thanks for the support. Thanks for the example. Thanks for the laughs. Thanks for the smiles. Thanks for the service. Thanks for the testimony. Thanks for the love. Thank you.

Dear Awesome Ward, I am so happy to belong to such an amazing group of happy, steadfast, faithful, funny, uplifting people. Air five to each and every one of you.

Dear S109, I love how warm and inviting and fun your apartment is. What I love even more, though, is how warm and inviting and fun you all are. Thanks for talking and smiling and being friends. Let's keep this up!

Dear John and Scott and Drew and Gentry, I think this whole FHE family thing just might work, even though you are rich snobs for living in the four person apartments instead of the six person ones. But that's okay. We can handle snobs. At least you seem like nice, fun snobs. Though, there is still this whole problem with you guys being pigs. Really, you need to work on that. Monday nights are going to be so much fun!

Letters

Dear Mountain View Ward, It was so good to see so many familiar face and to be welcomed back to such a wonderful place. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful insights and for being just plain amazing. Every single one of you.

Dear Aunt Janet, I'm so super excited that you're coming backpacking with us this week! You're going to LOVE the green, lush scenery!

Dear Kate, Thanks for letting me help you memorize your Article of Faith. You're going to ROCK at Scripture Mastery when you take seminary!

Dear Amazing Family, The best place in the world is wherever you are. Thanks for being the best God could have given me. I'm excited for this week!

Dear Memories, You ready to be in the makin'? 'Cause this backpacking trip is going to be one to remember!

Letters

Dear Relief Society Sisters, I have attended few church events that were as cool as us gathering together to read Daughters in My Kingdom on Sunday night. I especially appreciated what Sarah said: that decades ago the sisters met together in a small room to create the Relief Society, and now we were gathered together to learn about it. Every other comment made was equally as insightful and amazing. Keep reading the book. I know that it will help you because of the way it has already begun to help me.

Dear Pister, On Thursday you not only walked all the way up to campus with an umbrella so that I wouldn't have to walk home in the rain, but you also walked up to help Amelia and offered to help Rachel. You are solid proof that chivalry hasn't died.

Pister, Rachel, and I at the Rooftop concert right before the thumb wars began

Dear Rachel, Christopher, Jason, Riley, Pister, Rachel Gains, and Chad, The rooftop concert on Friday night was lots of fun. Having thumb wars in the middle of it made it even more fun. And no, Christopher, I would not make out with you if you smoked like the guy we saw on the side of the street. In fact, I'm not planning on making out with you at all. Even if you claim that dreaming about you makes me healthier. So the question was irrelevant.

Elora, Pister, and I at the top!

Dear Elora and Pister, I promise that I don't usually step into horse manure the last 100 steps away from the trail head at the end of a 13 mile hike. Count yourself lucky to have witnessed such a rare event. Maybe we should count it as a blessing? It is, after all, what led us to lie around in the stream in our clothes for half an hour after the hike. Which was awesome. Just like you guys.

Up and Doing

"I am an old man!... I’m given to meditation and prayer. I would enjoy sitting in a rocker, swallowing prescriptions, listening to soft music, and contemplating the things of the universe. But such activity offers no challenge and makes no contribution. I wish to be up and doing. I wish to face each day with resolution and purpose. I wish to use every waking hour to give encouragement, to bless those whose burdens are heavy, to build faith and strength of testimony."   -President Gordon B. Hinckely

Today's a day to be happy. A day to serve a little more. Be a little more grateful. Look to God a little more frequently than we normally do. I want to help those around me to have a better day. I want people to feel noticed and loved because of the time I take to be with them. I want others to feel that I genuinely care about them--because I do. This life is not meant for easy, idle pursuits. We are meant to work. We are meant to serve. We are meant to give. We are meant to love. That's what I want to do with my time.

Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice

"And the king answered him, and said: Yea, I will believe all thy words. And thus he was caught with guile."   -Alma 18:23

"If we teach by the Spirit and you listen by the Spirit, some one of us will touch on your circumstance, sending a personal prophetic epistle just to you."   -Jeffery R. Holland, "An Ensign to the Nations", April 2011

Where do you and I stand in our willingness and determination to follow today's living prophets? 

I love King Lamoni's attitude in this scripture. He is so willing to be obedient. This is because he has gained a testimony that Ammon is a messenger from God and that the words Ammon speaks are from God. Do we realize this? When we listen to a prophet's voice, do we understand that he is merely there to express the thoughts, feelings, and desires from the Lord?

Last week, I had an experience that testified to me that the words spoken by today's general authorities are true. As my ward's Relief Society president, I had been praying to know what the Lord would have me do to help the sisters in my ward strengthen their testimonies. I received the distinct and strong impression that the sisters in our ward needed to read Daughters in My Kingdom. This is the same council that the General Relief Society Presidency has  been giving to the church across the world over the past year. It shouldn't have been a surprise, yet it was still a very humbling experience to realize that the words spoken to a worldwide audience of sisters weren't just general "this-might-apply-to-your-situation" pieces of advise. When Sister Beck testified that learning about the history of Relief Society would strengthen us sisters, it was meant for every single one of us. It was meant, on a very specific and personal level, for the girls in the Provo YSA 41st Ward. Every one of them. Including me.

Having the spirit bring to mind the council of Sister Beck as a way to answer my question has strengthened my testimony that the prophets and apostles in today's world truly are servants of the Lord. Although they may speak to a worldwide audience, their council is meant to provide very personal and direct answers to our questions. I know that God lives, and that because He loves us He has given us wise, loving, good-hearted leaders to help us make our way through today's challenges. These leaders have dedicated their lives to serving in the church as a testimony of their love for us and for God. I desire to be more like King Lamoni. I desire to listen to and follow all the words of God, spoken through today's living prophets.

Letters

Dear Sean, Natalie, and Alex, Going to the concert for the Avett Brothers with you three last Thursday was one of the bestest things I've done in the longest of times. I'm so grateful to get to call you family.

Merrick and Kim (along with some friendly strangers) at the pageant!

Chanda and Jared waiting for the pageant to start!

Dear Ward Groupies, Even though the performance itself was a little cheesy, going to the Manti Pagent with you all on Friday night made me super happy. Thanks for all being awesome friends.

Dear Megan Sterns, Thanks for setting up the temple trip on Saturday morning. It made the rest of the day ten times brighter and better!

Dear Pister, Kat, Spencer, Christopher Pister, Weston, and Merick, I almost died Saturday when we all went running at 2pm. Seriously. Dead, shriveled-up Lindsey on the side of the road. But not quite. So it was worth it. Especially because we jumped right into the swimming pool--running clothes and all--right afterwards. It was the best, but only because you guys are the best. You rock.

Dear Kathleena, You are an amazing example. Don't stop.

Dear Kim and Kelly, I always know that when I ask you to do something that you'll do it plus extra. I've gotten teary-eyed over it before. For reals. Thanks for being amazing.

Dear Christopher Hagman, Thanks for having a birthday so that we could get the old FHE gang together again to celebrate with cake and ice cream, games, and the movie The Artist. Also, congrats on your exciting news! You are AWESOME!

Dear MinhYaht, I like reading at night with you. Let's keep it up!

Dear Relief Society Sisters, I hope you're as extremely super excited to read Daughters in My Kingdom together as I am. I know that it is what Heavenly Father wants us to be doing and that it will help strengthen your testimony of Relief Society and give you the power to live a righteous life. You are all already super amazing; let's read this book and all become super amazinger. I love you!

Dear Amazing Elders Quorm in My Ward, I have had more than one girl say to me that what has encouraged them to read Daughters in My Kingdom more than anything else is your love and support for doing so. You guys are more amazing that chocolate on bad days.

Dear Pister, I've tried five times to type something to say to you, but it's not working. Maybe it's because you're just so awesome? Or the opposite? (Just kidding. About the opposite part, I mean.) Thanks for being the best used-to be-home teacher in the world!

Letters

Dear Brad and Brady, Having you guys go running with me at 6:30am made. My. Day. You two are amazing friends and such good people. Just thought I'd tell you (again).

Dear Heather, Thanks for going running with me last night! It was so fun to meet you and to hear about your family and your crazy nursing home skills and to talk about snowcones vs. ice cream and dorms and everything else vital and important in life. I hope we can do something fun again soon!

Dear Katt, Leslie, and Kelly, Working with you girls is better than homemade carmel at Christmas. Keep being awesome.

Letters

Dear Amelia, Not many things are better than getting a full nights sleep. Staying up 'till 2:30 am making cupcakes and cleaning the kitchen with you, however, is one of them. You're an awesome friend.

Dear Rachel, Thanks for all your optimism and support. You're determination to always do what is right, even when it's hard, is inspiring.

Dear Elise, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I'm so excited to spend the day partying with you!

Dear Me, You have not been as diligent in being awesome and keeping your goals this week as you should have been. Let's change that today, okay?

Dear Jarrett, I like this deal we have going today (the one where I promise to be super awesome only if you promise to be super awesome too). You are constantly uplifting and supporting and inspiring me to be a better person, to serve others, and to remember the Lord. Conclusion: you're a pretty amazing guy.

Dear Katt, Leslie, and Sarah, Thank you more than I can say for being an amazing presidency. I wish the girls could see how diligently you work for them and how much you love them, especially at this time when things in your own lives aren't going perfect. I'm so blessed that the Lord lets me work with you.