Always Remember

There are certain experiences in our lives that we need to hear over and over again. We forget these pivotal times in our lives where we have learned and grown and become better.

Why would we have these experiences if not to teach us more in the future and to help others learn as well.

I was reading in my journal from my mission and came across an entry where I learned a lot about myself and the person that I wanted to become.


July 17th 2013
(yes, 2 years ago people!)

Monday- A new look with my eyes and heart

I want to be able to love everyone the way Christ did. It wasn't just a toleration, but a true genuine love. People's well being and families are important.
I want to be able to love God more. That I will love His children, but also His other creations.
I bore my testimony in the Women's Garden of the majesty of our God. He loves us enough to give us a beautiful Earth filled with things to bless and enrich out lives further.
I AM able to see people with God's eyes and with His heart with His power that He bestows upon me in accordance with my righteousness and obedience.
When others are not acting the way that would be appropriate, I AM going to love them. When they say something hurtful, I AM going to love them.
I AM able to have a change of heart to see and treat people with an ETERNAL LOVE.
---


I read that today and it was exactly what I needed to hear. It wasn't easy to love everyone all the time in Nauvoo, and yet, I look at each of the Elders and Sisters I served with and I can think to myself, "I LOVE THEM".


Last night in the temple during Prayer Meeting, one of the Matrons of the Temple shared the scripture in Alma 5 that reads,
"And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?... I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?"

I want to remember this experience and scripture. I want to be able to pull it from my heart and mind when I feel the temptation to not love someone. Everyone is deserving of His love and sometimes the Lords uses us to show that love to others. We are instruments in His hands and we must be more like He who lived and died for us.

10 Ways to Add More Christ to Your Christmas

I didn't blog yesterday because I was too busy finishing my FINALS!!!!

WOOHOO!! Totally done!!!





I got onto LDS.org and found this really cool post about 10 things we can do to bring Christ into our Christmas this year, and every year for that matter!



 

“Finding the real joy of Christmas comes not in the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done, nor is it found in the purchasing of gifts. We find real joy when we make the Savior the focus of the season,” taught President Thomas S. Monson (“Christmas Is Love,” 2012 First Presidency Christmas Devotional).

The Church provides many online resources to inspire and focus members' attention on the Savior. Here are just a few free and easy things you can do to make Christmas this year less about what you purchase, give, or receive and more about the Savior Jesus Christ.

 1. Watch the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional with seasonal music and inspiring messages.

2. Watch the “He Is the Gift” video and share it on social media with a personal message (#ShareTheGift, #ShareGoodness).
3. Watch the Bible Video “The Nativity.”
4. Scroll through the Church History Museum’s online gallery to see inspiring paintings relating to the Birth of Christ.
5. Listen to commercial-free Christmas music online on the Mormon Channel.
6. Listen to the 24/7 stream of Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas music and be sure to download five free Christmas songs.
7. Do the “Seek the Star” activity in the December 2014 New Era for a Christmas family home evening. Find more ideas for teaching children about Christmas from the Friend.
8. Browse the LDS.org Media Library for Christmas images and Christmas videos you can download, use, and share to bring the Spirit of Christ into your life and home.
9. Read how you can follow the Savior  through service.
10. Read 5 Gift Ideas That Bring Christ into Christmas for more ideas on giving Christ-centered gifts.




MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Gift of Music

day 17

I think it is a miraculous thing- music that is.




When I think of music, I always think back to my musical career, playing in high school and college and then serving a mission where everything I did revolved around music.

I am sensitive to the spirit whenever music is involved. It is a way that the spirit can speak to me and help me feel the love that my Savior has for me.

He knows that I LOVE music. He has given me the talent of playing/performing music and I used it for good, to help others come unto the Him and partake of His love.

I LOVE THIS GOSPEL SO MUCH AND I KNOW IT IS TRUE!!!!!!!!!







#sharethegift #sharegoodness

gift of obedience

day 16







“Because our Savior was obedient, He atoned for our sins, making possible our resurrection and preparing the way for us to return to our Heavenly Father, who knew we would make mistakes as we learned obedience in mortality. When we obey, we accept His sacrifice, for we believe that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws, ordinances, and commandments given in the gospel.”
Robert D Hales


I love the idea that the more we obey the commandments that are so generously given to us, we can feel the love that the Savior has for us more readily.

The commandments were given to us to help us grow and learn while we are in this mortal life. They are the foundational principles for happiness and a continuing relationship with our Savior. When we obey, we are blessed.
It's literally that simple.

I remember while serving in Nauvoo, one of my main focuses as a missionary trying to improve herself, I kept the idea of obedience with exactness a main part of my experience.
When I would make my study time more about obedience and how I could obey the mission rules/commandments, I would find the blessings in my life more abundantly. I was kept healthy the entire time, I was given to strength to overcome certain obstacles and then I was able to help others follow that same pattern of exact obedience.

 

I am thankful for a Father in Heaven who has blessed me with commandments that are designed to help me stay on the path of happiness. I am also thankful that He has blessed us with the gift of agency so that we can make decisions on our own.

When we walk down a path and find a fork in the road, we can choose which one we want to go down. There will always be one that will benefit us the most, but we are not forced to take a certain one.

As hard as it may be at times, I am so grateful for this blessing.



#sharethegift #heisthegift

Gift of Life

day 15

 

 

 

 

 

I woke up yesterday to this:

and then this picture came through and I died a little of happiness.

 

 

What a gift to the Jex family. This beautiful baby boy has answered so many prayers and is a representation of PURE LOVE!

 

 

I can only imagine the Savior, laying in a manger on that night, surrounded by people and animals who loved Him dearly, knowing that He would save them all. His gift to us is His life, His example, and His Atonement. It's hard to think that this child would one day take all the sins of the world upon Him and then die for all mankind.

 

Luke 2:15-21

 

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

 21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

 

 

He loves us so completely and unconditionally- this little baby who grew up to be about His Father's business.

 

 

The gift of the season and our reason for living.

 



Jackson Steiner Jex
12-14-14
8:17am
9lbs 8oz
22 1/2 in





#sharethegift  #sharegoodness

gift of healing

day 14










today in church we talked a lot about the temple and our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

I was really moved by some of the scriptures we read in Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 47:11-12

11 But the miry places thereof and the marshes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.

 12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

We discussed the dead sea and why it is considered "dead". Then we talked about what it is going to be like when it is healed. The thing that I thought about the most was the fact that the dead sea had no connections with any outer water source that could help it. When it is healed, there will be channels of other water sources running in and out of the sea.

It made me think about when we are going through hard times.
Do we cut ourselves off from the very source of our healing?
Do we put barriers that prevent any help from getting to us?


The Atonement literally makes it possible for us to be able to connect with the Savior and be healed again. Every wound we may feel and emotion we experience is there for the Atonement to take hold of.

I know with every part of my soul that the Atonement can heal and make us alive again. We may feel that our souls are "dead" but they can be made perfect again.



#sharethegift #sharegoodness

Gift of Love

day 13








this is like barely making it for the 13th, but I will type super fast!!!!

(literally, so beautiful)

I was in the temple this evening and as I sat waiting to do my assignment, I saw a picture on the wall of the temple. It was of the Savior with all the little children surrounding him. (3 Nephi)

I looked at His face and saw the most all encompassing love. It was genuine and beautiful to witness as a representation of His love.

I read the scriptures and thought often of the commandment He has given all of us- to be like the little children.  

Meek, Humble, Prayerful, etc.

I pray continually EVERY day that I may feel of His love. I know it is there waiting for me to seek it out. Buckets and buckets of LOVE!

This Christmas season, always remember the reason we celebrate it. Remember that He set the example and path for us to follow. It will lead us right back to Him. 

#sharethegift  #sharegoodness

Remember the Gift

day 4

 

Yesterday, I had one of the greatest days ever. It wasn't due to any cute boys asking me out or getting 100% of any test.  It was because I was able to see all the good in my life and recognize that all good things come from God. If we can remember that, then our lives will be filled with such joy and happiness.

My heart was so overwhelmed at each moment of the day, I saw good and happy things. I had experiences that made me appreciate the people around me and appreciate myself.

I even had a moment when I was on the phone with my dad when I started to dwell of some negative things in my mind, but with the help of my dad and a sweet text message from my bishop, I let it go and forgot about the heartache that it initially caused me.

When we choose happiness over sorrow, love over hatred, gratitude over whining, it is so much easier to push away the adversary in other parts of our lives. When we choose Christ over everything else, we put ourselves on the path of righteousness walking towards the Savior.


“Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.” —Moroni 10:32

Come unto Jesus from ev’ry nation,

From ev’ry land and isle of the sea.

Unto the high and lowly in station,

Ever he calls, “Come to me.”

 

Come unto Jesus Christ and He will lead us in ways of truth and righteousness and EVERLASTING happiness. (it's the best kind)

 

Remember the gift. Remember the Savior.

 

 

 

#sharethegift #rememberthegift

Discover the Gift

day 3

On Monday night, I had the pleasure of planning and conducting my Family Home Evening.

I had originally planned to do some sort of graham cracker building activity, but I didn't have the money to buy all the supplies so I was racking my brain for what else I could do.  I thought about the goal I have to find scriptures or thoughts about the Savior every day in the month of December in order to #sharethegift. Then the thought came to me to talk about "The Living Christ".

 

In the lesson, we watched this video:

 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-03-07-he-lives-testimonies-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng



Then we read The Living Christ all together. Listening to all of their voices read the testimony with softness and respect, I will filled with the Spirit. I was so overwhelmed that I just wanted to sit there with everyone and not say anything. I wanted to feel the Spirit and see everyone else feel Him too. We then went around in a circle and everyone had come with their favorite scripture of the Savior. They shared their favorite name of the Savior and then their scripture and why. Hearing their testimony of the Savior only increased mine further and I was so amazed at the power of the Spirit. I don't know if everyone felt the same as I, but I cannot deny that the Spirit was absolutely present that night.

As I read and studied this wonderful testimony, I discovered my own testimony of the Savior and the GIFT that He is to us.

Jesus Christ lives. He loves us. He suffered for us to carve the way back to Him easier and simpler. I cannot go a single day without thinking of Him and the wonderful example He is to me of what I need to become.

It can be difficult to stay focused on the Savior when the world tells us that He is not the important thing.

BUT HE IS!

He is our ADVOCATE, BROTHER, SAVIOR, REDEEMER, WONDERFUL FRIEND, IMMANUEL, and everything we need at any time.

If we give place and importance for Him in our lives, I know that the way will become clearer and we will be strengthened to accomplish all that is asked of us.

Embrace the Gift

day 2



“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of
God, and afflicted.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”—Isaiah 53:3–5


What has the Lord done for us?

EVERYTHING

How could we repay him for all that He has done?

Take what He has given and use it!

The Atonement is not for looks or for show. It is a real thing, with so much potential energy.
Use the Atonement! Use it until you feel you have used it all, then you find that there is still so much for you to use!
The Lord has experienced ALL of our sorrows and pains. He felt our weak spirits, literally when we are about to break into thousands of pieces. His Atonement holds us together, never letting the pieces fall through the cracks. With the love that only a God can give, He gently and kindly puts us back together.

"and with his stripes we are healed."

We can be clean and whole again through our Master and Savior. The Prince of Peace, our Advocate and our Brother. As we embrace and act in accordance with the Atonement, we can find everlasting peace and an endless love that rivals all the rest.

Through the month of December, I challenge each one of you to think about ways you can #embracethegift in your own lives and help others do the same.

SHARE THE GIFT

#sharethegift

http://www.mormon.org/christmas?cid=HPFR112814529

Day 1

Every day until Christmas, I plan to #sharethegift in my own personal way.
I find that some of the greatest revelation I can receive, comes from sharing what I have learned and discovered with others.

Today I have been thinking a lot about the scripture in Ether, chapter 12, verse 27.

It reads: "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

I can literally imagine, in my mind, giving the Lord my weaknesses, physically putting them in a bag and giving them to Him. Then saying, "I don't want these anymore. I don't want to feel weak and powerless against the adversary. Please take them away."
Then I see Him take the bag, hug me, look me in the eyes and say, "You have me, you are NEVER weak. I will make you strong."

That is a GIFT, to be able to have Him on our side, strengthening us continually.
He is on our side. He is our Defender and Advocate, someone who fights for us.

I know the Savior is there to lift us and help us at ALL times. He cares and His love is pure power. I know that if we can come unto Him with a humble heart, He will make us strong and whole again.

Favorite Scriptures of the Savior

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” Philippians 4:13


“And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” —Ether 12:27


“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”—Isaiah 53:3–5

“I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” —D&C 84:88

As we prepare for this time of year, may we all be a little more like our Savior and follow the example that he has so clearly and simply set for us. 

What I learned from GC

 "Choose to converse with your Father in Heaven often. Make time every day to share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that concerns you. He is interested in the most important as well as the most mundane facets of your life. Share with Him your full range of feelings and experiences.

Because He respects your agency, Father in Heaven will never force you to pray to Him. But as you exercise that agency and include Him in every aspect of your daily life, your heart will begin to fill with peace, buoyant peace. That peace will focus an eternal light on your struggles. It will help you to manage those challenges from an eternal perspective."

- Richard G Scott

Testimony

"You will have all kinds of trials to pass through. And it is quite necessary for you to be tried as it was for Abraham and other men of God; and God will feel after you, and He will take hold of you and wrench your very heart strings, and if you cannot stand it you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Celestial Kingdom of God." - President John Taylor

I have had many experiences this week that have pulled on my heartstrings.

It felt as though the Lord was telling me that I needed to struggle, I needed to go through hard things so I could, in a way, prove to him of my worthiness to achieve the Kingdom of God. 

He knew I could do it. He knew that I had the strength and the capability to overcome my obstacles.

But He also knew that I couldn't do it alone. 

He knew that I HAD to turn to Him and seek His power and grace. I know that I am going through hard things because He wants me to return and live with Him again.

He provided a way for me so that the pain and sorrow from my tender heartstrings wouldn't hurt as bad. He strengthened my back so that I was able to bear all that was placed on me. 

I will continue to be tried and tested. I will meet people who will make me doubt my worth and my potential. I will be confused and afraid.

But I can overcome. Through the power of the Atonement, I can do all things. 

I love this gospel more that life itself. I know my Father in Heaven loves me enough to place trials in my way to test my faith and my dependence on Him. I know I will hurt, but I also know that the happiness and joy will overcome it.

A Letter

Today was weird.

Sort of overwhelming.

I went home for the weekend and now I am sucked back into the life of college, being constantly swirled around by homework and stress.

I came home to a wonderful surprise.

My beautiful, talented, spiritual, best friend wrote me a letter from all the way in Ohio where she is serving her mission.

I had written her a letter about 3 weeks ago and was worried she hadn't gotten it. I was elated to see her handwriting on a stamped envelope addressed to me.

She reminds me of the happiness that comes from serving the Lord. I can tell that she is being blessed beyond compare for the work she is doing in Ohio.

She uplifts me in the little ways. I always remember how she always focuses on other people when she talks to them, never herself, which is a trait I believe is difficult to truly obtain.
Ultimate selflessness.
I mean, that is one of the most Christlike attributes we can ever obtain in this life. It means showing love and interest in something other than yourself, in ANY circumstance.
That's hard.
But look at the Savior's life. Never about himself. Never making His life more important than others. It was making sure those around him were loved and cared for in ways that only He could provide.

There are people out there in the world who need our love and care because we are the only people that can give that particular kind of love to them. If we don't, not only do we miss out on the blessings of service and charity, but that individual misses out on that blessing of YOU.

I love Taylor and am grateful each and every day for her wonderful example to me and how I want to be more like her.

Forgiveness

I swear it wasn't my fault. But yet all the fingers point at me.
I feel like every mistake, every wrongdoing is falling back into my life yelling, no, screaming at me to remember.
Remember when you weren't so perfect.
Remember when you made so many mistakes you couldn't even feel happiness.
Remember when you pretended and faked.
Remember when you lied and cheated.
You're not so great, Emily.
You're really not.

I blame myself. Even if others are pointing their fingers, I am the one that is blaming.

I then am brought to my knees.
I am so low. So humbled.
I stain my sheets with tears and finish a box of tissues.
I don't know if forgiveness is even as option.
But then I get the most amazing feeling that says to me ever so softly,

"My dear one, forgiveness is ALWAYS an option. Never forget that I have suffered for your mistakes and that you can be made whole again through me. Remember ME. Not your wrongdoings."

  President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "To forgive is a divine attribute. It is to pardon or excuse someone from blame for an offense or misdeed. Sin is a heavy burden. It brings the tenseness of guilt and the anguish of knowing that we have acted against the will of our Father in Heaven. It brings lingering remorse as we realize that because of our actions, we may have hurt others and prevented ourselves from receiving blessings our Father has been ready to give us."

There is hope in the Savior, Jesus Christ. Whenever you feel as though all is lost, remember HIM.

His sacrifice made all the difference. I know that because of His sacrifice, I can be made clean and pure in the eyes of my Heavenly Father once more.

And right now, that's all that matters to me.

click here to know more about the blessing of forgiveness,

"Repeat the Sounding Joy"

Repeat:
the laughter
the cries of surprise
the smiles that last forever
the longing gazes into the fireplace
the warmth received from the piles and piles of blankets
the marathon of movies
the endless knitting
the beautiful decorations that never want to be taken down
the times when i can look and see my mom and dad beside me with smiles on their faces
the hope
the everlasting joy that comes from the knowledge that there is a Savior who did it all for us, and we can celebrate His birth because He means so much to all of us.

I believe in Christmas because I believe in Christ.

SPIRIT

Ok I have been a serious slacker with blogging.....
probably will stay that way until midterms are over.....

On Tuesday, I was asked to speak in church the upcoming Sunday. I was so excited because I love giving talks, I just don't like writing them. I will admit that most of my talks throughout my youth were written by my mother, with a few contributions here and there. When I got to college, I was so scared to give a talk because I knew I wanted to write one all by myself, but I wanted my mom to look over it and help me. I needed her to help me because I wasn't confident with my own testimony and ability.

So tomorrow I give my talk, and I can say to you that it was written by me and only me.
I feel proud to say that.

I am nervous because I want people to listen to me and the time and effort I put into the talk.
But if I trust in the Spirit, I know that those who need to hear the things I have prepared will truly listen.

It is amazing how the Spirit works. Those who are ready and prepared to receive revelation and inspiration WILL receive it.

My mission taught me the importance of being worthy of the Spirit at ALL TIMES. Why?
You never know when there is someone that you need to talk to, or service that needs to be provided to someone in need, or a warning that you need to pay attention to. When you are worthy of the Spirit, you know that you will receive the revelation to act and to help. When you don't, then you miss out on opportunities and blessings that could help you grow closer to our Heavenly Father.

I always want to be worthy of the Spirit. He comforts, protects, and strengthens me and those around me.

I know that the Spirit is a part of the Godhead. A being with united purpose with our Father in Heaven and His son, Jesus Christ.

Farewells and Hellos

So my companion in Nauvoo, who has officially become one of my bestest friends, said her farewells in her talk in church today.

She talked about how much Missionary Work means to her and you could just tell that she loves being a missionary for the Lord. Her smile is contagious and I couldn't stop smiling throughout her whole talk. I truly love her.... with ALL MY HEART!

Ain't she just grand?

So my farewell was to her, but my hellos were to a lot of my Nauvoo friends! I saw some people who changed my life and although not everyone was there, I felt their love and miss them continually. It felt like home to be surrounded by people who I grew to be so close to. Their hugs and questions about how my life was doing made me feel on top of the world. Sometimes, that is all that is needed to lift your spirits. 

These people were brought into my life by the Hand of the Lord. My relationships with them were divinely designed. Every moment I have with them means so much to me and I treasure them like a shepherd treasures his sheep.

Life takes us on adventures. Some we don't expect and some we desire to happen, but I have no doubt that the Lord has place in each of our adventures. There is a reason I am living in this apartment complex. There is a reason that I am living with these specific 5 girls. There is reason for my calling. There is a reason that my sister and her husband are still here in Provo (I am SOOOOOOO grateful to them and everything they do for me!) There is a reason that I visit teach certain girls and that I have the certain visiting/home teachers. 

I remember an experience in Nauvoo where I was having an extremely difficult time and I kept asking the Lord why. I told Him that I knew I was in Nauvoo for a reason, but I wanted to know why.  It was so overwhelming to me that I couldn't play in one of the concerts and I literally faked my way through the entire thing then ran to the bathroom to cry my eyes out. I needed to know why but I wasn't getting the answers that I wanted. 

That night I talked to some really special sisters and then sat in the kitchen and wrote down everything that I had learned while in Nauvoo and the things I was grateful for. Then I said a prayer and I wrote my prayer down. It was one of the most amazing expereineces because I got my answer that I didn't need to really know anything because I have already learned so much. 

Nauvoo was a pivotal turning point in my life and I can't wait for the next journey. The Lord has prepared me in ways I had no idea He would. How grateful I am to Him for all He has done for me. 

The people in Nauvoo are apart of my life.... even if they don't think they are, they are. 

I love all of them soooo much!

I didn't actually need the batteries...

So I had an amazing experience today.
The sort of experience you read about in books or hear a general authority tell.
and I can call it my experience.

So here is how it starts.



My statistics class requires an iclicker for all the in class quizzes and such. I already had one, but I had to register it again online. When I got home, I saw that it was out of batteries. "Flip!" Now I had to remember to buy some Double A batteries after my D&C class the next day (which is quite difficult.... so many things to remember....).

So I go to class and when I leave, I make sure I leave through the other exit so I can head towards the Bookstore. I am just walking, minding my own business while trying to navigate the overpacked hallway, when I hear someone say "Emily?" I turn to see my friend who I haven't seen in a year. It feels weird to say that, but really I think it has been a year since I have seen her face to face.....

Anyway, we step off to the side to avoid the massive migration of people. We hug, we laugh, and we just talk. It was so wonderful. She started asking me a lot about Nauvoo. It made me so happy to talk about it. None of my roommates ask me about it so I never really get to talk about it and in a way, relive the experiences I had.

While I was describing to her all the things I did, I recalled a moment when I was watching the Stage Missionaries perform and I thought of my friend. I remember thinking that it would so cool if she came and did this the next summer. So I told her of my memory. When I said it, she was very excited and happy and she wanted to know more. So we meandered over to the bookstore continuing catching up and stuff.

We stood in line to buy the batteries..... let me just comment on the RIDICULOUS pricing BYU has. 5 dollars for a package of 4 batteries. Wow, just wow! Anyway..... After I bought them, we found some seats and sat down and just talked. We talked about missionaries, old roommates, friends, boys, majors, future plans, etc. Ya know, everything girls talk about. :)

Well, when we talked about future plans, she mentioned her consideration of performing in Disney World or Sea World, but she hadn't really decided. I told her the url address to find the audition information for Nauvoo and said that auditions are due sometime in November.... I kept telling her that her future was up to her. And I shared with her something that I learned while in Nauvoo.

The Lord takes into consideration our desires, what we want for our future. If those desires are righteous and in accordance with His plan for us, then He will make a way for us to achieve it. He doesn't throw out what we want. I told her that if she wanted to perform in Walt Disney World more than anything else, and the Lord thought it was okay, then she is going to be performing there.

I have no doubts that she will make the decision that is best for her, even if it isn't Nauvoo. But my side of the experience was amazing.

After we said goodbye, I called my mom for the day and told her of this experience. While I was telling her what happened, I got the chills, and I was outside in the heat. It was the "Whoa" chills sensation. You probably have no idea what that is, but it felt so good. I stopped and told my mom that I had the chills just by telling her the story.

When I made it home, I opened my batteries and tried to put them in only to find out that it required Triple A batteries, which I already had.

The Lord works in mysterious ways. No doubt about it.

Whatever decision she makes, it will be the one that God wants her to take. He will provide a way for her and I am confident she will do great, wherever she goes. And I can be grateful for the experience that I had that testified to me that God is grateful for my service to Him in Nauvoo and He knows that my testimony of my experience is strong.