Decisions Determine Destiny

LATTER-DAY SAINT. it's not easy to be one but we've made a decision to choose the right and live righteously. With light, truth, courage, and strength we are the brightest stars that stand and TESTIFY that Jesus is the Christ  and we know that he can heal us with his atoning Sacrifice. He expects us to carry the torch, to become worthy than we've ever been, repentance is real so we may be purified and return to him even better than before we entered this life. The miracle of the Atonement is to save us -- it cleanses our soul. Come unto Christ and be perfected with him. Focus on his redeeming role it'll make us better. God's love is the manifestation of Hope and Love so choose to become like him.

Find more study time. => PRAY, PONDER, PROVE.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God" [James1:5]

He knows all of us by our FIRST name and loves us. As we choose faith, we are not the first to be ridiculed. Tomorrow marks the Anniversary of Joseph and Hyrum Smith's Martyrdom and I am thankful for all that he's done, the sacrifices he's made to create this growing Church. I can't imagine for anyone else to go through what he's gone through. I want to be able to apply courage, spirituality, patience, obedience, humility, kindness, steadfastness, and to trust in God more in my life. I want to create a sure and strong foundation for myself (Helaman5:12) to become a good example to those around me and for my future. I want to be able to make conscientious decisions as I know it will have a huge effect on my future. I was really amazed by hearing that the 2 Salt Lake City Missions, both North and South have 500 baptisms per month. That means 6000 per year! That is a blessing.

Bless the lives of those you associate with. Develop a relationship with the Savior. Create a foundation that will build your testimony. Do what's right even when no one's looking => Adherence to our moral principles - Honesty. 

"Pray that ye enter not into temptation.." [Luke22: 39-40]

Be humble. Love Justly and Walk in his light. When we know God's will and align our will with his we become more in tuned with the spirit and we know when we're receiving revelations.

I love my life. I am humbled and I know that I've never been this happy in my life because I'm choosing the LIGHT and living righteously. I know that if you do the things which Heavenly Father has commanded, you too, will gain a testimony and receive those blessings.

Love,

Trish

I owe it all to you :)

COLLEGE is leaving home to teach yourself to become independent and prepares you for the next stage of your life. It's teaching yourself to become a mature individual and having to make your own choices without having to ask your parents if it's okay... and lastly, gaining self-confidence, self-motivation, self-esteem, and learning to believe in yourself.

I was almost in tears when I read what my Dad replied to me on his Father's Day wall-post that I had posted.

"...We're glad to see how you turned out... Independent, enthusiastic and artistic too! ...You radiate happiness and love. We miss and love you!"

This is now written on my white board that sits right infront of me when I'm doing homework on my desk. Important things like this are very well appreciated by me and I always make it a habit to read something that's inspiring that will motivate me to always do what I'm supposed to do while I'm here in college. Everyday gets easier and easier when I read something simple, sweet, and loving especially from those that matter most in my life. This picture actually sits on my desk as well and it helps me remember why and how I got this far in my life and they know that they are the main reason why I keep pushing to become better each day. Last Sunday, I was able to create a new goal for myself. CHANGE something in my life that I'm doing wrong to become more and more like Christ each day. And I gained a testimony of change in a week. The more you accept to become like Christ and to live righteously, you receive blessings from the one who loves you the most. Second thing I gained a testimony from was TITHING. When you pay your tithing before anything else, you start to see a change in your life. A co-worker and I were talking one night about tithing and how it's changed our lives and I told her that the moment I paid my tithing, I thought I was gonna be short on my finances because I still had another medical bill that I had to pay and rent as well... I thought that the check I had written for my medical bill and rent would bounce but they didn't take it out of my account until my next pay check. Heavenly Father knows when we're struggling and he is always there when we need him the most. So the next time you doubt something or struggling in life, get down on your knees and ask him for guidance. Even for simple things like, dating. I know I constantly have to pray about the person I'm dating because He will make sure to tell you if you shouldn't be doing a certain thing or shouldn't be with a certain person.

I know that the scriptures have given me the KNOWLEDGE and helped me gain a strong TESTIMONY of these things and my heart has a good feeling about every new thing that I learn every day and night and every time that I read them. As I've always said, I don't know where I would be today without this gospel, for Christ's atoning sacrifice, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, for President Monson; a true Prophet of our day, for temples built around me so that I can easily feel the spirit wherever I go, for my Bishopric here in SLC, for the friendships I have made, and last but not the least... My loving family and their endless support and guidance that I will be a successful woman one day. You are all that keeps me smiling and keeps me working hard in everything that I do. The smart choices I make will have a huge effect on my future endeavors and I owe it all to you.

I love every single one of you; whether you're a stranger that reads and follows my blog, friend, or loved one.

Have a great day :)

Love Always,
-Trish

finding joy in SIMPLICITY

There's many things in life that I'm thankful for and most of them comes from the simplicity and the beauty of nature, night skies, sun shiny weather, new quotes to live by, big smiles, laughter, the innocence of a child, and the 4 letter word... LOVE.

(June 10, 2011- California)

I love spending time in this home because you can feel so much love and happiness before you even enter their home. Cemberlyne is a ball of excitement and every time I come by you can already feel all the energy a five year old has. She makes me smile. The Beckstrands have done so much for my family and I am grateful for you. I don't think this picture will ever get old because it sums up how crazy we all three are.

There's so much in life that I'm thankful for and when I count my blessings I count many of you twice for bringing me into this world, for your endless support in everything I do, for all the love you can possibly give me. I'm thankful for you and you ALL know who you are. 

Today, I went to Deseret Book Store mainly to get a copy of Midway to Heaven and I did. But every time I go there, I would expect to just sit there for hours on end and just pick up a book and read. Today I picked up Saying It Like It Is by Sheri Dew. The woman is so amazing and I have actually met her many times in her home ward and she gives me so much hope for life and she's a wonderful author. Her books are simple, stunning, sobering truths that guide our lives.

Sometimes one little thought is all it takes to get you through a complex day, to give you the energy to try a little harder or keep at it, to help you remember why you're here and who you want to become.


The only way to be happy is to live the gospel. It is not possible to sin enough to be happy, or to entertain or indulge or pamper ourselves enough to be happy. Happiness and joy come only when we are living up to who we are.


Ultimately we will become what we give our hearts to, for we are shaped by what we desire and seek after. If we love the Lord such that our hearts are changed, His image will fill our countenances. But if we love the world more, we'll slowly take upon us those characteristics.

-Sheri Dew

It's these types of quotes that make you think twice about life and how straightforward she is about the gospel of Jesus Christ and how we can apply it to our lives. Simple sayings make me sit back and think about things that I maybe doing wrong and getting back up and trying again. I'm really thankful for this gospel and for what I have gained from living righteously, for the sun that shines my way when my testimony is strengthened, for the smiles that I have on my face because I live the truthfulness of the gospel. It's true I have been stopped and told many times, "Look at you, all happy, with the biggest smile on your face..." I chose to change my life and I believe that I have been given many blessings for choosing to do so. I love going to the temple, attending my 3-hour block at church, talking to Sister Missionaries on Sundays after Church (sometimes even pretending that I'm not a member of the Church just to see what I can learn from them because they have told me once that they felt like they were learning more from me than they were teaching me; like I was one Sister Missionary on Temple Square. It was a good experience.), and just being the good example that I should be. 

I do believe that when you humble yourselves and want to be immersed in the gospel you become teachable.  You also learn to think about the more spiritual things in life more than the earthly life. I get life.. I understand it a lot better than I used to...

(May 2011 - Utah)

I love my roommate. She is another great example in my life and we actually do things together. She's the reason why I love Taylor Swift and David Archuleta; probably not as much as she does. She has a great personality and just an amazing  person. 

I'm wishing you a heart full of love... and sending up a little prayer that you will always know God's blessings...

Love Always,

Trish

Enjoy every second of your life!!

We've heard it many times... Remember who you are, Make GOOD choices, and if you can't feel the spirit --LEAVE! We must walk differently and act differently. Be an example and accept that challenge. Be steadfast and immovable.

"I can do all things in Christ which strengtheneth me." The world will change when we live by example. Take a step back and remember what matters most in your life. Ponder His influence and learn to Forgive your enemies. Feel a sincere gratitude and draw closer to your family and the gospel.

"When we have problems do we take it straight to Jesus or do we stop and post it on Facebook?" This quote was actually said during sacrament by one of the speakers. Ponder it.

This week I learned something really important that I had to accept. Am I in Salt Lake to work or to go to school? It was one of the hardest decisions I've made letting go of one of my shifts because I loved working at the North Office Building. It was fun, quick, and easy. Time went by fast and I knew I was doing it for our Savior. I don't even think of my job as a JOB, most times I think of it as a SERVICE just like cleaning the stake center is volunteering your precious time that you could be sleeping in. I thought of it this way; at least I get to take a nap before going to my later shift now, at least I get to do my homework diligently so I can turn it in on time, and lastly, at least I can attend Family Home Evening and be able to have fun with my new and old friends and not feel that I'm not doing what I'm supposed to be doing. It's a blessing!

The past few days and weeks I've only been thinking about what it would feel like to be sealed next year to my family in the Oakland Temple... I think I've dreamed about this more lately and it's a really good feeling. I love my family so much that I'd do anything and everything for them. I don't say it often but they know how much I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE of them.

The next few days I will be back in California again and I can't wait to do baptisms for the dead this Saturday at the Oakland temple. It's been more than two years since I've done it there.

Have a great rest of the week and I will update with pictures :)

Even through the hardest times of your life, try to enjoy every second of your life!!

Love Always,
Trish

Patience is a virtue.

I have to agree I haven't been good at keeping up with this. It takes me like a whole month to post another post on something inspirational.. I just haven't been good at keeping up with this but I definitely am spiritually fed well in the institution that I attend and just the city that I live in with the AHHHHMAZING friends and roommate that I have.

Today, I was privileged to attend church at my own ward. And I very well appreciated the talks and even went to a Fireside with President Richards, our school President, as the speaker of the night.

First, the topic in Relief Society was Patience. We all have trouble with this specific topic and some of us don't even have Patience. I know I have a ton of Patience except for crossing the street and waiting for the walk sign to come up.. which I most of the time just ignore it and cross the street anyways.. and this did happen right after church today. YES! so much for paying attention in church right?!? okay well maybe I don't have a ton.. just a lot and for the most reasonable things in life yes I do have patience.

A scripture that stood out to me was JAMES 5: 10-11
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.


Patience is teaching ourselves to be calm to get through the storms of life..


Moving on to the Fireside, here are some of the notes that I was able to write down:


-Everyone has a purpose in life that we have to fulfill.
-Brethren if you're so lucky, you will marry UP!
-Sisters don't settle!! When you marry him, you will do your best to change him and most men will have to agree to this.
-When you get married, you start to argue over  the little things like:
      - Toothpaste=> do you squeeze it from the bottom or from the top?
      - Toilet Paper=> does the roll come from the front or from the back?


-There are traditions that we do at church and one is the partaking of sacrament, others are: prayer, school, receiving, and beholding.
-Come to church with a sincere heart and plead that our Father in Heaven will speak to us.
-The Spirit will touch you if you are ready to receive it and that is exactly Heaven's blessing!!
-Bible Dictionary: Prayer- To align your will with that of the Father. Because Father in Heaven is ready to answer those conditions.
-You've come to a temple of learning to learn how to glow. Have you seen yourself glow?
-The Son of God died on the cross for you to be lifted up! DON'T YOU EVER PARTAKE OF THE SACRAMENT CASUALLY!!
-It is as easy to invoke the spirit in a classroom as it is in a Bishop's offiece.


Why do we want the Powers of Heaven?!?
-Sanctify yourselves
-Power comes when you know who you are and you act upon it!
-2Nephi2 => Acting and not be acted upon


ARE YOU WILLING TO FEEL THE POWER THAT YOU'VE NEVER FELT BEFORE?


I definitely have been spiritually fed on this wonderful Sabbath day and I absolutely love Salt Lake City with every inch of my heart. I have turned my life around and have changed so much and I want nothing more in my life than to live righteously and want to be with someone that will want to live just like Christ. I get it now; I understand what my purpose in this life is. I am a Daughter of God and will not lower my standards for anyone and I know for sure that God lives and the Book of Mormon is true. I know that President Monson is a true prophet of our day. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ... Amen!


I hope that everyone has a fantastic week! School is back in session and I am definitely on a roll with work and trying to do my absolute best in school...


I love every single one of you and make the best of your lives. Just smile :) It'll all be okay!




Love Always,
Trish