An Early Morning Surprise

   

"And in which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that that quickeneth your understandings." D&C 88:11

 I was walking to class early in the morning after parking at institute and was an extremely foggy and brisk start to the day (winter is going to come early this year, and be a cold one!). I was bundled up in three jackets, a scarf, and tall socks underneath my beige boots. I was chilled to the bone and quickly making my way toward my class on the other side of campus to get out of the cold. As I turned the corner toward the small forest/graveyard I had to walk through on my trek to biology, I was blinded by the rays of run trying to fight their way through the foggy air. When my eyes adjusted moments later, I saw the most breathtaking view. Rays of sun were beaming down through each gap in tree branches, where they lingered- holding on to the moisture in the air before settling in a pool of light on the ground below. 

     I immediately pictured Joseph Smith kneeling beneath the center most ray. I held my breath as I dug out my phone that was buried deep inside the pocket of my winter coat, as though the image would disappear if I were to exhale. I got a picture but it doesn't even begin to describe or show the true magnitude of the magnificent spectacle in front of me. It was still dark in the early morning and as I walked toward the light-all darkness seemed to fade. I did not see anyone else on the path, for I was too focused on these beams piercing through the tree, trying to fill the earth with light. I finally reached my destination, so that I was standing right in front of the beam, the tips of my boots barely touching the gold pool that lay on the dusty ground in front of me. 

I stepped into the light. 

     All the chill left me immediately and instead warmth overtook my heart, soul, and body. I looked down at my hands and turned them over as though they were not real. Then I looked up, drawing my hand up to cover my already squinting eyes from the immense amount of light coming from the sky. 

My incredible morning revelation

      In my mind, I was back hundreds of years to the grove of trees that young Joseph Smith knelt under to pray for answers. At that moment, I felt a small glimpse of what that young prophet must have also felt on that sacred day. I don't know by memory the quote about Joseph's experience, but I do know the part where it says "a beam of light, directly over his head" -and that quote hit my heart with such force that I knew more than ever, and in this moment I felt with more sureity than ever that Joseph Smith IS the true prophet and that he received revelation and important duties (commandments) from our Heavenly Father. I know this because standing in that beam of light; I felt love like none other, pure joy, fullness, and a feeling of wanted to share my experience. 

It reminded me of a scripture I had read just the day before. D&C 88:6-13

 specifically verse 13 which reads:

"the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things." 

I know this church is true, and although sometimes I am temped to doubt myself, I learn more about the Gospel and about myself every single day. Something Dieter Uchdorf said in his talk this past weekend was "Doubt your doubt, before you doubt your faith". This also hit my heart deeply and I know I have made a convenient, and one that I intend to keep and grow, so that I can one day I may enjoy a very strong testimony. My favorite part of the scripture I mentioned is the line "who is in the bosom of eternity". To me, this literally means, "[He] who is already living eternal life". I love the atonement for that reason, that we are able to be together forever. and I know that's true, and that you and I will have that so long as we keep doubting our doubts, and not doubting our faith.

Elder Bean's Mission Pictures(MTC)!! :]

Here are a few pictures I got from his time in the MTC! I love getting pictures, and I love my man!

With his companion, Elder Smith!

Found his good friend Mikey at the MTC

The day my package arrived:)

Classic silly boys

The picture I know he took only to make me smile

"Greenie Package"

The second package I sent to my Elder was a "greenie" package. Greenie is a term the Missions use for a new missionary who just entered the field! So, like my sunshine package, I went with a green theme! I actually sent this a week or so before he left the MTC because I was able to give him more than if I was going to try to ship it to Mexico. I definitely recommend doing it this way for any missionary going foreign because it's way cheaper, there are no restrictions, and you can add more fun stuff' 

Some of the Green items included in his package were: 

Mint&Dark Dove Chocolates(his fav) 

Sour punch straws

Apple&cinnamon granola bars

Oats&Honey granola bars(great for snacks because they keep you full) 

Mint gum (I used extra)

Goldfish

A green mini spiral notebook

Green ink pens (his favorite to use are the  "Energel" brand. Kind of expensive, but really nice quality)

More Gatorade 

Almonds 

Hand sanitizer 

Candy corn (it's almost Halloween!)

"Greenie" pack of crayons

Fruit snacks

My favorite two thinks I included in this package were 

1. The "Nick stick": it's basically a chap stick type applicator that is used for any areas that got nicked shaving. My missionary has to save daily, and he often cuts himself, especially when he's rushed! It's all natural and soothing, he loves it!

2. I got Carmel apple lollipops and attached scriptures to each one. I split them about evenly between him and his companion and have extra to share. They are a great way to have a inspirational treat now and again! 

 

I got to use a cool new tool called a Cricut for the light green lettering. It makes dicuts out of regular cardstock or scrapbooking paper! I'm in love with it and hope to get one soon! I wrote "they may call you a greenie, but you me you'll always be golden!" In the top and bottom flaps. On the left side, I included a poem that reads: 

"You may be young

you may be new,

But you're ready to show

What you can do.

Countless experiences 

are just around the bend

The shepherds sheep 

You are called to tend.

So enjoy this package,

Every last treat-

Now get excited

You have lost souls to meet!" 

This is the finished look! It all packed in nicely, and again I attached little quotes/scriptures to each item to make it more fun! Feel free to copy and and all ideas you want! 

"Meet the Mormons" is coming up soon!

Our Eugene Young Single Adult Ward is having an event where ANYONE can come and ask a pannel questions they have about the Mormon faith! It's happening soon, on Monday, October 14th at 7pm! I would love to take anyone who wants to come! There will be tons of pizza as well, if anything, come for the free food! Contact me any way you know how!:)

Sunshine Package!!

I wanted the first package I was going to send to my Elder be awesome, so I went with a theme. I chose the "sunshine" package theme because he is might light, always making me laugh or smile. Basically he just brightens my day whenever I see him, so I wanted to return the favor! I started out with some simple scrapbooking paper (in yellow) and a flat rate shipping box (since it was going in state to the MTC and I didn't have to worry about weight!). I used a large, which is about $16.75 to ship. 

I used some fun paper on the sides to brighten it up! I wrote a letter to him on a piece of paper BEFORE taping it into the box and made it the bottom layer. I wrote "You are my SUNSHININE, my only sunshine, you make me HAPPY when skies are GREY!"

 I bought a ton of yellow items for the package, which mostly consisted of food. I attached cute little quotes and/or scriptures having to do with light on each item and made sure it was as exciting as can be!

 Some of the things I included where: 

Yellow Oreos

a small yellow journal 

yellow "sunshine" crayons 

Swedish fish

M&Ms

Wet ones

Gold Coins

a yellow wooden airplane (x2 for him and his companion)

Charleston Chew

Nerds

Juicy Fruit gum

mints

highlighters

snacks

...and more! 

Sometimes you have to get creative. He loves grape Gatorade, and it just doesn't make sense to make the stuff fit the package, you need to make the package fit the treats! 

 We had an inside joke about Despicable Me, he would always call me a little minion and he would do the "be doo bee doo be doo" sound to annoy me, so it only seemed appropriate to include that! 

 I just threw a little card in there and come fun yellow present package stuff to make it more fun! The picture on the right is how it looked when he opened it. HINT: if you pack it tight enough nothing shifts in transport;)

Here is the finished product! On the far left you can see a little bag of treats for Elder Smith, I always add a small treat bag for his companion at the time. I know he shares with everyone, but I can't imagine how hard it would be to see someone get a package, no matter what it is, and not get anything that day. So I always make it special with separate scriptures and/or messages. Just a little "thinking of you" for being an awesome companion! I hope this gave inspiration to anyone who was/is thinking of making a care package. My ideas are your ideas! :)

An Eternal Perspective

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love" 1 John 4:18

Portland, OR Temple

My favorite is when it is lit up at night!

For some time now, I've really been contemplating my purpose in life here on the earth. Until recently, I was unaware one even needed purpose. However, as we grow and become adults, finding a purpose in life is very important. As all good questions should be answered, I turned to my God and scriptures for help (as well as a few teachers from my church) and came across a scripture in the Book of Moses. It reads: "For behold, this is my work and my glory- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Moses 1:39. Wow. All the answers to my questions were sitting in a small sentence, hidden deep in a sea of scriptures, waiting for me to seek them out. 

Eternal life. The blessing itself is almost too amazing for me to comprehend. Heavenly Father has made a plan for each of us, all together, and all separately. Ultimately to test us, to see if we can find our way back to him. Being a missionary girlfriend, eternity is a big deal. During hard times, tests of faith, and trials, it becomes easy to forget about the blessings that are yet to come. This is why my Missionary, Elder Bean, and I like to focus a lot of our conversations on eternity. We are not in this to give up, we're in this to make it through. We know, on the other side of this test of our relationship, that our eternity together awaits...and it starts with individually loving our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Eternity is not a right of man, but a privilege we receive, and it does not come freely. To be bound to each other, and be with our savior one day, we must do as he asks. Yes, that means following the commandments, praying at least daily, going to church, living moral lives, being charitable, and so much more. This precious gift must be earned, and thus it is obtained. 

Having an eternal perspective, especially for me (but it could really relate to any situation), is a motivating force that keeps us all moving. In this Gospel we know that families can be together forever, that husband and wife can be sealed for time and all eternity, and that our children can then be sealed to us as a family, and so on and so fourth. It is hard to be away from the person you love for two years, as many of you know and have experienced. However, knowing that by getting through this phase you will obtain this great blessing makes it all worth it. In first Nephi he testifies that the Lord will not present us with anything we cannot overcome. "...the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them" 3:7. My Elder and I tell each other this often, especially when we can sense the other beginning to struggle. Yet just recently did I discover this scripture proving it so, and thus it is. 

Sometimes I worry about what my future will hold. I worry that I will not be a good enough teacher and example to my children, that they may not learn as much from me as they deserve. I worry about illness and death, and I worry about the world. Today, I received a letter from the one and only with many scriptures about eternity and family matters. This scripture in particular made me swell with emotion; of comfort and love. In Genesis 50:7-16 the Lord says; "Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them." 

Everything comes back to our goal: the temple. The Portland, Oregon Temple has always been special to me. When I was a little girl, I would sit in my mom's office at work, which was just across the freeway, and stare at its beauty. I didn't know what it was at the time, but I would lay underneath her desk and peering through a 10 story window at this magnificent building, always wishing I could someday go inside. Little did I know what I know now, that I can reach that goal I set as a little girl staring at a big, white castle as long as I do as my Father in Heaven asks of me. This House of the Lord is where we are able to become sealed to each other for time and all eternity, and it is our Father's house that we must have worked to be clean and pure for him, and for his blessing. 
Our Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us, and knows our needs individually. However, he lets us struggle to gain the lesson that we were sent here to learn. Upon my baptism, my Elder's grandparents got me a little plaque that I still set by my bedside today. 

"Without faith, nothing is possible. But with it, everything is possible." 

As we rely and lean on our Savior and brother Jesus Christ in times of need, he will guide us to be more like him. I strongly believe that to be part of an eternal family, you yourself need to be worthy of it. For that reason, I'm grateful and thank God that I have these two years away from Tanner, so that I can learn to be humble and a worthy daughter of God. I thank Him for this opportunity to grow and struggle, so in the end it will all be worth it. Still though, I have and probably will always feel a sadness and longing for my other half. However, keeping eternity in my sights, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

I love you all, especially the MGs! Stay strong and never forget your ultimate goal, the temple:)