We Meet Again as Sisters

okay, confession, I don't think I knew this song even existed until three minutes ago. But, hey, lds.org is great like that and has an awesome search feature and all of the hymns have a music and vocals feature so we can learn new songs and find new blog titles to match the thoughts in your head. See, the church really can solve all problems(:


Today on my Facebook I saw something that hit me hard. It was this:

In case those words are too small for you, here is Elder Hollands letter to you.

Dear Sisters:As the general women’s meeting approaches, I have thought a lot about you. I feel a tremendous sense of gratitude for the women in our families, our Church, and our communities. You all have your own needs and concerns, yet you reach out so compassionately to those around you. That is the true mark of discipleship.Life is not easy. Challenges can seem everlasting, but whatever your burdens—and no matter how frequent your challenges—Jesus Christ understands you. He can heal you from the wounds of life and help you bear your burdens. I hope and pray that our meeting together on September 27 will help you feel Christ’s true love for you. I will see you there.
Okay, how awesome is that? An apostle of the Lord, a special witness of Jesus Christ invited you and all of the women you know to the General Women's Meeting this Saturday. It is at 6:00 p.m. mountain daylight time (that means 8:00 EDT)

As I read Elder Hollands words I was overcome with a sense of awe. As women, we are powerful. Something that I struggled with when I first came out on a mission was the transition from young womens to Relief Society. I loved being part of young womens. I was part of something powerful, something with so much potential and ability to do good. As I attended the first General Women's meeting in March, I realized that that power and potential was not about being 12 to 18. It was about being a woman, a Daughter of God. Reading Elder Hollands letter I immediately thought about the numerous women in my life who exemplify this. I am truly honored and humbled to be able to join the throng of women and girls who gather this Saturday to worship, to love, and to feel God's love. I echo Elder Hollands promise that as we gather, burdens will be lifted.

As you listen to these messages on Saturday I hope that you will follow the promptings you receive to share your thoughts and the message of God's love. This meeting of sisters extends beyond just latter day Saint women and to all of God's daughters. Gather the women you love and admire and share this night with them and keep sharing your knowledge and goodness, because together, we will make all of the difference.

If you would like to attend with Sister Eastwood and I, we will be at the Morrisville meetinghouse at 8:00 p.m. or join us for Ice Cream before at 7.

6011 McCrimmon Parkway
Morrisville, North Carolina
(If that is a little too far for you, just know I will be thinking of you often as I watch(: )


here is that song: It is worth reading the words(:
https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/we-meet-again-as-sisters-women?lang=eng


Two articles about the broadcast! Read and share!
https://www.lds.org/church/news/leaders-hope-general-womens-meeting-strengthens-sisterhood?cid=HPWE092414438&lang=eng
https://www.lds.org/church/events/september-2014-general-womens-meeting?cid=HPTU092314434&lang=eng

Be Not Afraid (not a song today, I get bored easily...)

Ready for some crazy adventure stories?
Sister Eastwood and I pretty much are adventure magnets(:  From frogs on the windshield, crazy old men, bike crashes, allergic reactions, riding in shopping carts, getting pulled over for not having our lights on all the way to last nights emergency room visit I absolutely love having her as my companion(:  Today on Facebook she challenged me to share my favorite scripture.  Here it is:

I love this short reminder.  I first fell in love with this verse and story during the summer of 2013.  As I served on seminary council we prayed to choose a theme for the year and this was one of the choices.  As I knelt in the forest of American Fork canyon I knew that this needed to be the theme, not just for that school year, but for me, for everything that was to come.  In that school year my whole future life plan changed.  I decided to serve a mission, to go to BYU and really decided what was important to me.  This scripture ran through my mind often.  Then I went on to what was to come next and again this scripture seemed to be on my mind often as I headed to the testing center, to tough friend situations or while saying goodbye to those I love.  I found it in the forefront of my mind as I walked away from my family, as I taught my first lessons as a missionary, as I talked to strangers and knocked doors.  I found in on my mind as I visited Duke, many times.  It seemed to scream at me as I got on a plane home, and then on one back.  I found it a chant this last week as I biked 15 miles in one day up some hills.  This reminder to be not afraid comes with a bigger reminder, of why I do not need to fear, I don't have to fear because of Jesus Christ.  He makes it all okay, always.  

Yesterday was one of the sweetest days of my life.  I got to see Josh get baptized.  (That is a story for another post) Sitting in the chapel, I was reminded of the many times I repeated this scripture as I talked to him or Amy.  Now they are on their way to being eternal family, because of Jesus Christ and their belief in Him.

I found myself seeing what faith can do yesterday as I watched my incredible companion struggle through a painful contact stuck behind her eye, an unhelpful visit to the urgent care and then heading to the baptism.  I was impressed by her attitude and determination all day.  Right before the baptism she asked the Elders for a blessing and demonstrated that she had that belief.  As soon as the blessing was over, the swelling on her eye and the pain were gone.  She had that belief and that belief or faith makes things happen.  After the baptism, we headed to the ER where again she amazed me with her faith and lack of fear.  She just gritted her teeth and dealt with painful eye digging.  She has an incredible testimony of the Savior and I know that that fuels her ability to act in total faith.  The contact came out and all is well(:  We had a blast in the ER by the way(: I love this picture.

Belief is powerful.  It allows us to do hard things, like life.  Jesus is the best.  Because of Him we don't have to be afraid.  We don't have to do it alone.  Jesus will always be there, like He reminds Jairus in Mark 5, He is in charge and as we trust in Him, all things will always work out.  

Here is the video of Jairus daughter story

http://www.mormonchannel.org/bible-videos?v=1840930952001

And here is a link to my companions version of last night(:

seekingabetterworld.blogspot.com 

(the link is in the side of my blog too(: )

I Love to See the Temple

Isn't that beautiful?  Really, I love to see the temple.  The temple is the best!  Last night I was able to sit in the waiting room of this beautiful Raleigh Temple and share what I know about temples and what is possible because of them.  Temples can be scary, or maybe even weird.  I hope that I can help make them not that way as you read this!  These are some of the questions we get asked about the temple.

Why do we have temples?

This children's song teaches us why we have and attend the temple:

I love to see the temple.
I'm going there someday
To feel the Holy Spirit,
To listen and to pray.
For the temple is a house of God,
A place of love and beauty.
I'll prepare myself while I am young;
This is my sacred duty.

I love to see the temple.
I'll go inside someday.
I'll cov'nant with my Father;
I'll promise to obey.
For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together.
As a child of God, I've learned this truth:
A fam'ly is forever.


We go to feel God's love
We go to meditate and find peace.
We go to promise God and receive blessings.
We go to make our families eternal, forever.
We go to serve others.
We go to show God our love.


“I think there is no place in the world where I feel closer to the Lord than in one of His holy temples.”
—President Thomas S. Monson

What happens there?  Why is it a secret?

Since the temple is the house of God, we must be clean and worthy to enter His home.  It is not secret, just sacred.  Here are some pictures of some of the rooms in the temple(:  Everything is crisp and clean and beautiful.


Some of the things that happen in the temple include the Endowment and Sealing ordinances.

Endowment
One ordinance we receive in the temple is the endowment. The word endowment means “gift” or “bestowal.” As part of this ordinance, we are taught about the purpose of life, the mission and Atonement of Jesus Christ, and Heavenly Father’s plan for His children. We gain a glimpse of what it will be like to live in His presence as we feel the peaceful atmosphere of the temple.

Sealing
Another temple ordinance is the sealing ordinance, in which husbands and wives are sealed to each other and children are sealed to their parents in eternal families. This means that if we are faithful to our covenants, our family relationships will continue for eternity. People sometimes also refer to this ordinance as “temple marriage” or “eternal marriage.”

Ordinances for the Deceased
In addition to receiving these ordinances for ourselves, we can receive them for our deceased ancestors. In this way, people who died without receiving essential ordinances such as baptism and confirmation, the endowment, and sealing have the opportunity to accept these ordinances.



I love the temple.  It brings me a peace and a strength that I can't find anywhere else.  I feel closer to my God there then anywhere else.  It is the only way to have an eternal family.  Even just visit the grounds or go into the waiting room and feel the peace that is there, then seek it out.

Here is a video of children singing this song:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/music/2008/10?lang=eng&session=2&song=10&media=video


Here is a website about temples!  Or you can ask me any questions!  If you would like to go walk around the temple, let us know and we will happily walk with you!
https://www.lds.org/church/temples?lang=eng