The World's Most Expensive Lightbulb!

Service is a wonderful way to find joy in this life. However, it can be hard to find opportunities to give meaningful service. Sometimes we even hold back from  helping others because we are afraid we will just make the situation worse. This last week an event happened in my family that taught me a lesson about serving others. Here is the story of "The World's Most Expensive Lightbulb!"

Last week my mom posted this picture on Facebook: 

Many people commented asking what had happened but she didn't tell why. I finally called her up to ask what had happened to her favorite table. It turned out my dad wanted to change all the lightbulbs in the kitchen, and to render this service, he stood in the middle of the kitchen table. Oops. Many people would consider this a major fail, but I was touched when I heard what my mom said about it. "Your dad was just trying to make me happy." Yeah, so he broke her favorite table. But she was able to see that he did it for a good reason. I am grateful for a dad that has a good heart like that. Plus, he fixed the table afterwards:

J.K. Rowling once said, "It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default."

We can be tools in God's hand in helping His children feel loved. We just gotta go for it. When we have love in our hearts, our service will impact those around us in a positive way, even if we break their favorite kitchen table!  :)

The Parable of the Basketball Team

As you prepare to make the team you realize that you are going to have to work hard. You have a couple buddies helping you out, but it's difficult to change your footwork errors and improve your dribbling. Despite the difficulties, you improve through practice and your desire to be on the team grows. You realize that even though you are making a bunch of shots now it is not directly contributing to the team winning any games. You know that you will never get a championship ring if you're not on the team. 

So even though you're not perfect at free throws, you try out for the team. To your great joy, you are welcomed whole heartedly. The coach tells you that even though you still have many things to work on, he will be there to help if you put forth the effort. He tells you he can make you into an all-star if you trust him.

At first it's hard to learn the plays and it gets a little discouraging. Fortunately, you have your teammates there to lift you up and help you see your potential. 

You win some games and you lose some, but all throughout the season you are getting better and it feels good. You finally feel like you are where you belong. Your skills are way more advanced than they would have ever been if you hadn't joined the team. 

The championship game comes along and you can't help but feel a bit inadequate and overwhelmed. You go to your coach's office and explain your feelings. He smiles and says, "I know how you feel. I've been there before. You are so much more talented than you know. Don't worry about those yelling in the stands. They can't harm you unless you let them. Follow the plays I've taught you and you can't lose." 

The championship game feels like a blur. It's like you are floating on the encouraging confidence that your coach has in you. As you raise the championship trophy high above your head there is an overwhelming joy that fills your heart. Tears flow freely as you reflect back on the season and all you have been able to accomplish. With the help of your teammates and especially your coach, at the end of the season you have become the basketball player you were meant to be. Your name is placed in the hall of fame right next to your coach's. 

You can join the team too!

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/come-join-with-us?lang=eng

Keys to a Successful Life

What is success?

A lot of our friends and family have shared what they believe to be some of the most important things someone can do to live a successful life. See why they have to say! :) then check out what a living apostle of The Lord said about living a successful life

Craig Gordon:

1) Build your worldview from the ground up instead of from authoritative figures down to you. Can't go into this one enough. It does amazing things to help you realize potential and appreciate yourself.

2) Do what you love and love what you do. 

3) Even if there is a pie in the sky, the chance that it will fall on your plate is very slim. Make the pie yourself and you're much more sure to have desert that night.

Julia Greene:

1) Live with integrity.

2) Love your spouse with all your heart.

3) Choose to be happy, no matter what happens.

Kristie Moffat:

1) Maintain a strong sense of personal integrity and don't give your integrity away for any perceived advancement 

2) maintain an individual balance between work and personal life, being honest with yourself when setting time priorities. If your family is most important, reflect that in how you manage your time 

3) be in touch with what makes you the happiest and define your path of success based on that not necessarily on typical success factors (money, prestige, position)

Laura Graham:

1) Truly impacting someone else's life positively (at least one other person).

2) Stand by your decisions & what you believe is right.

3) Have a good sense of humor!!!

Jennifer Molnar: 

1) Care about something. Something important, preferably (people, especially, and God) and more than one, if you can, but if you can't manage that, then at least care about something. A hobby, an ideal, anything...so long as you have something you can care about, God and meaning and purpose can still reach you. 

2) Observe & think honestly. I think of this as identifying the truth of a situation--the participants, the motivations, determining the most relevant details as well as those that may be initially hidden or have unexpected implications. Then to parse that information carefully, with understanding.

3) Take action in your life. Deal with facts and consequences like you can do something about them and take responsibility for them. Then you're not stuck.

Noelle Houston:

1) be disciplined 

2) know what's the most important thing(s) to you and why 

3) don't sacrifice what you want in the long run on account of things you want in the present. 

Matt:

1) make what's right more important than who's right 

2) don't let what you can't do stop you from doing what you can do/ don't define yourself by what you can't do

3) pray/mediate daily.

Taylor Petty:

1) Work to always follow the Spirit. 

2) Eat healthy and exercise. 

3) Think of others more than yourself.

Grant Molnar:

1) Be willing to take risks

2) trust even with its dangers

3) love

Ariel Reilly:

1) Love God

2) Love people

3) Keep trying.

Derek Hodges:

1) Live a goal oriented life

2) Choose to be happy

3) Don't lose your perspective on what really matters.

Wanda Molnar:

1) Find the will of God for you and do it (that means be able to recognize and respond to the Holy Ghost)

2) Have good relationships. 

3) Change someone's life for the better.

Tamia Gordon:

1) accept yourself

2) love everyone

3) be grateful for whatever you have.

Emily Larsen:

1) find happiness in what you do 

2) fulfill dreams/desires

3) do things to better yourself as a person.

Kayden Caldwell

1) Love God

2) Hear the voice of the Lord

3) Do what He says. 

Hayden smith

1) Relish the past

2) Enjoy the moment

3) Hope for a better future

Olivia Mayer 

1) Pray for the guidance of the Holy Ghost and follow it 

2) Look outside yourself to serve others as the Savior would 

3) Strive for excellence in all that you do

Erica Hawkins 

1) Understand who you are and your relationship to God

2) Seek, be worthy of, and apply personal revelation every day 

3) Put the happiness and welfare of others before your own

Kari Alexander

1) Live worthy to have the companionship of the holy ghost 

2) Love  no matter what

3) Serve

Gary Alexander 

1) Live the gospel of Jesus Christ  2) get as much education as you can

3) marry in the temple 

Carlie Palmer

1) Honor your covenants.

2) Keep the commandments.

3) Choose to be happy.

We see a lot of different points of view and also many similar views. Here is a list of ten keys to success given to us by Elder Richard G. Scott, a living apostle of The Lord Jesus Christ:

To Succeed in Life

1. Establish principles to guide your life.

2. Don’t make exceptions to your standards.

3. Be loyal.

4. Live so that the Lord can guide you.

5. Serve others.

6. Smile.

7. Don’t complain.

8. Always have a Church assignment.

9. Worship in the temple.

10. Follow the Savior’s example.

To read more about these ten points check out Elder Scott's full talk here:

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/02/living-a-life-of-peace-joy-and-purpose?lang=eng

How to find your valentine

Probably some of the biggest decisions most of us will make during the "decade of decisions" involve who we will date and who we will marry. Elder Lund, a prominent  *leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and his wife gave a talk about this important topic.

                        

    Sister Lund starts it off by wishing us a happy Valentines Day through the scripture John 3:16. Did you know that you can find all the letters of the word "valentine" in this scripture? "For God so loVed the world, that he gAve his onLy begottEn soN, that whosoever believeTh in hIm should Not perish, but have everlasting lifE."

This fun way of saying happy Valentine's Day illustrates the importance of keeping Christ in our relationships. Sister Lund explained that through all of our dating and marriage, the only way to be truly happy is through Christ. As we strive to follow the Savior we can be spiritually prepared for the important decisions we need to make.

She went on to explain that finding relationships founded on gospel principles is vital. We have to be equally "yoked" in our relationships. If we can find someone that will work hard with us and shoulder burdens with us then we will be okay. She advises us to keep our focus on others and we will be happier. She counseled to always live for the eternal things that matter most and never do anything we will regret. Save the sacred things for the person that matters most. 

Elder Lund started his presentation off by describing the two groups in which most of us could find ourselves. Even though we are all different and need specific things, we can try to see ourselves in one of these two groups. 

Group #1. Marriage is their highest priority. They are actively seeking to become a better person, but not finding much success in the dating world.

Group #2. They prioritize things above marriage. They don't feel ready. They are sick of their mom encouraging them to get married. They feel the timing is off to have a serious relationship.

Can you see yourself in one of these categories?

For those in group 1 Elder Lund gives this simple yet profound advice:

-Do what you can do. 

-Keep going. 

-Be ready to do hard things to become the person you need to be. 

-Don't worry.

-Remember that when you are doing your best and staying faithful, you will never be denied the blessings of our Heavenly Father, whether they come in this life or the next. 

For those in group 2, Elder Lund goes a bit more in to detail. He invites us to change our mindset. He talks about how the world is becoming increasingly more anti-family. Voices constantly tell us, "Don't get tied down. Don't get married too young. Go see the world. Get some financial security." He reminds us that Satan hates families because families are central to the Plan of Salvation. Satan is picking away at the concept of families little by little. Elder Lund counsels that when anything is placed before marriage we must remember where that influence comes from. He says, "You are not a complete organism until you have a spouse. You are walking through life in black and white. When you start a family, you begin to see the world in color." 

Elder Lund goes on to advise us not to settle with a "good marriage," but really invest in it and do what we need to do to have a great marriage.

He reminds us that it's not all about just making the right choice in a spouse. It's true that we need to be sure our priorities are the same, but no matter what you do, you are going to have conflicts in your marriage. He says, "You are going to find differences between you and your spouse, but those differences are what is going to sanctify you." Its not all about choice, it's about conflict resolution. As we work though those conflicts together, we become more like the Savior together. We don't need to be afraid of conflict. There can still be love and joy and happiness and goodness, even amidst conflict, when we keep Christ at the center of our lives. Yes,  somethings are non-negotiable, like covenants, but everything else is workable. It's okay to have differences on the things that don't really matter. Elder Lund counsels us to focus on the things that really matter.

He closes with a powerful testimony by simply saying, "Families matter."

He testifies that when God's power is in the middle of your family you will receive all His promised blessings. He proclaims that, "You are not going to find a perfect spouse, because you haven't made him/her that way yet."

He bears witness that the family brings greater joy than anything the world can bring and he exhorts us to be engaged in this effort because if we are, our lives will be blessed no matter what happens.

I was really happy to have been able to learn from one of Christ's special witnesses on this very important topic. For those of you that were able to attend, please comment with your insights and testimony. We can stand as witnesses that even though world may be trying to tell us otherwise, the family truly is ordained of God and is the center of His plan of happiness.

*Elder Lund is called by the Savior as a member of the Quorum of the Seventy. To learn more about his calling follow this link: 

http://www.lds.org/church/leaders/quorums-of-the-seventy?lang=eng

Going Home

When it comes down to choosing between family and anything else, I'm always going to chose family! That is a decision that I don't ever have to question. As I got ready to drive back to Utah from California after spending a couple weeks with my family over Christmas break, I reflected on why I love being home so much. Here is the list I posted on my Facebook profile but now with a bit more of an explanation:

Ten things I love about being home:
10. Hot tub
-This is my relaxation place. A lot of people have something similar. Whether it be their favorite chair, or a walk on their favorite path. I think its important for everyone to have their own relaxation place. 
9. No school
-I get to rest my brain a little bit from the stresses of school. It always feels better when I know I had worked hard and tried my best the semester before.
8. Playing games with the family
-You win some and you lose some, but it always makes for some good quality time as a family. (even if my older brother always cheats).
7. Mom cookin my favorites
-This is just one of the many wonderful things my mom does to make me happy. She is the best! 
6. Jam sessions
-I really believe that music has a great healing power. I feel a lot of love during our family jam sessions! 
5. Amazing California weather 
-Nuff said.
4. Seeing old friends 
-Its always nice to catch up with old friends and laugh when sharing memories. 
3. Seeing my best friend, Chris "Hambino" Hamblin.
-I am lucky to have a great best friend who is like a third brother to me. I can always count on him and we are there to always lift each other up.
2. Father's priesthood blessings.
-I hold these sacred moments very dear to me. It is an amazing blessing to have the priesthood of God in our home.
1. Being with the ones I love more than anything in the world.
-I really do love my family more than anything else. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing family.

Every family is different but one thing is for sure, and that is that we all belong to God's family. Right now we have to do all we can to prepare to go home to Him when this life is over. I know that through Jesus Christ broken families can be healed and we all have the opportunity to live with our family forever. 

Calling all bloggers: Let's touch a million lives together!

Hey hope everyone had an awesome first week back at school! 

By the raise of hands, how many people are getting tired of reading what I have to say each week? 

It's ok, I can't see you so you won't hurt my feelings. Haha but in any case I want to give the opportunity to as many people as possible to share their own experiences as guest bloggers on this blog. 

Tonight I got to talk with an amazing person who has had so many wonderful experiences in life even at a young age. It made me realize that since we are all going through a lot of the same things this time in our lives, we ought to share our experiences and learn from each other. Whether it be anonymous or not, we want to hear your story!

What was the hardest trial or decision you've had to make? How did you get through it? What helps you to balance school and work and social life and everything? How do you stay happy in stressful times? 

There are so many things on our plates during the decade of decisions but we are not alone. There are so many experiences and lessons learned to be shared with one another, whatever they may be. Have you always wondered how you can make a difference or help others in need? Now you can. This is what this blog is all about. We can touch a million lives together. 

So, are you ready to share your story? Or do you know somebody that wants to share their story? You can also suggest topics that you would like to see others write about. Comment in this post or message us on our Facebook page: Provo YSA 2nd Stake Digital Mission. 

Have a great week!

One imperfect step after another

 Hope everyone had a great break! Are you ready for school to start up tomorrow??? 

For a lot of us there is always at least a little anxiety as we start a new chapter in our lives; whether it be a new semester or a new apartment or anything like that. Important decisions must be made that could shape our destiny and it could be scary. 

I sometimes catch myself pondering upon questions such as, "what if this doesn't work out?" Or "what if I fail?" I've learned that though it is always good to have a backup plan, if we dwell too much  on these questions it can hinder our progression. I feel that what matters most is that we are moving forward and doing our best; replacing fear with faith. It is not always an easy task to overcome fear with faith but it could only be done as we move forward. 

But what if we really do mess up? The words of Elder Deiter F. Uchtdorf have reassured me as I have asked myself this question. He said, "With every step we take following the Son of God, we may be reminded that we are not perfect yet. But let us be steadfast and constant disciples. Let us not give up. Let us be true to our covenants. Let us never lose sight of our Advocate and Redeemer as we walk toward Him, one imperfect step after another."

The simple phrase, "one imperfect step after another" means so much to me. It's a beautiful thing to know that when we are faced with new circumstances and difficult decisions even our imperfect steps will lead is to where we need to be if we are striving to follow the Savior of the world.

Happy New Year everyone! Let's make this year the best one of our lives :)