Seek a higher ground than the world chooses to

I've been a really busy girl lately. Ever since I've been working from 5pm till 1:30am, I feel like work has taken away all my social life. Could be a good thing or a bad thing. At least before I go to work, If Erin or Dana get home early enough from work or one isn't working, I have just been hanging out with them. I can't wait till Anna sees our crazy work schedules and how we pretty much never see each other.

This summer is gonna be so crazy with school and work. I'll be starting school from June till August at the LDSBC and taking online classes from July till September for BYUI. So a total of 15 credits. I'll be ultimately drained when I come home from work but I guess sometimes we gotta do what we gotta do. Good thing I love doing my job!

I honestly love that I can tell my Mom and really close friends anything and everything that's going on with my life. I am thankful and blessed to have these people in my life. Oh and did tell you guys that I have a great roommate too? She's awesome and has a nice family. Good people make me smile.

Anyways, 4 more days till I come home for the weekend and see my family and a selected few friends. I've missed home and I'm glad that I'm coming home for a good purpose this week. My Dad is getting baptized and were one step closer to being sealed in the temple for all ETERNITY! I am thankful for our Agency and for the fact that our actions and choices affect our daily lives and what we become of it. I am blessed to be a part of this Church and SLC is where I have grown with Faith and Testimony. I can honestly say that I have built a sure foundation based on the scriptures, the talks from the Prophet, going to Church all 3hours on Sunday, and actually LIVING the  GOSPEL of Jesus Christ. By doing this, I can testify that you will feel Joy in your lives and everything will fall into place.

"Seek a higher ground than the world chooses to." - Bishop Young
Remember who you are and What you stand for. Make better choices in life.

I hope everyone is having a great day!

Love Always,
Trish

Our Foundation is E.T.E.R.N.A.L.

Last Sunday, I was asked to give a talk when I was about to ask if I could sing during Sacrament. After being a member for 29months now, I finally gave my first talk in Church. It went well and in fact here's a part of it.

Come unto Christ – Helaman 5:12 

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

One night, I got down on my knees, prayed and asked for help. The next day was Saturday, as my parents and I were getting ready to go to church, two missionaries came knocking on my door. Of course one had to be Filipino and helped my mom become comfortable talking.. I was upset because I needed to go to church that Saturday. So instead we stayed home since it was like Church anyways and we were being taught something spiritual. That was the night I felt I had the urge to read the Book of Mormon. I even had my Oldest Brother, Christian’s friends come over to read with me.  A few months later, my mom told the missionaries that I was ready to become part of this Church. Then on July 13^th, 2008 , I became a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I faced hard trials the moment I was baptized. Friends started turning away from me.

I remember that same year, my brother was on his mission, in the Provo mission and he told me to watch the BYU channel when President Hinckley passed away and I heard this quote.

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers." 
— Gordon B. Hinckley

Then, my Bishop at home decided the Business College was the best thing for me.. So I went and I was mad at myself for joining this church. I didn’t know what to do. I was lost. Later, I began humbling myself and started going to the temple 3 times a week and I felt that this is it.. This is really for me.

Rise and Shine Forth – LDSBCollege Anthem
The Last Verse says:
As we live true and keep His word, His promises are sure, and when he comes we’ll see His face, be pure as He is pure. We’ll rise and shine forth and share His light, that we may glorify our Father above, and of his love, Our works will testify.

I really like this last verse because it exemplifies who we’re trying to be. By becoming like Him and as we serve Him, the world will see our example and know of our Standards and the Foundation which we build our Faith on.

"When I want to feel His love for me more fully, I do whatever it takes to stay in the words of the prophets.  I keep my general conference issue of the Ensign open,  I keep my scriptures open.  And I keep my heart open because His love enters by the Holy Ghost.  And then I act.  I do whatever I feel nudged to do.  I review my covenants.  I live them more completely.  And I have started the cycle of giving and receiving love.“  Virginia Pierce  

            When we do the things I’ve mentioned in the quotes, we are opening our heart to those around us. I have found that I am so much happier and feel so much more complete when I allow myself to do these things.

How Firm Our Foundation?  It is strong. It is true. It is eternal. The foundation of one’s individual faith, if anchored firmly to eternal truth, allows each of us to reach upward with an eternal perspective.  That faith will give hope when there is no hope. It will give us joy here and eternal life hereafter. Though we don’t know all things, we know that God lives and that He loves us. Standing on that firm foundation, we can reach up and find strength to endure the heavy burdens of life. When we humble ourselves, read our scriptures, attend our meetings, go to the temple, fulfill our callings, and pray always, I know that we can gain our testimony that  he lives, that the Book of Mormon is true, and that President Monson is a true Prophet of the this Church.

And just like my roommate Dana always says, “Remember who you are and Make Good Choices.”