In Every Thing Give Thanks...

Today is Monday. From a standard viewpoint, it has been another typical rainy day in Seattle...We all know just how much joy that sentence brings us.... But that's an overused description of today's weather... and doesn't do much justice to how wonderful the day actually was. So, let's pause for a moment and look at today as being not so standard...rather, let's observe the differences of today from other days with a whole new perspective! 

Today it rained. What's so wonderful about rain? For starters, I LOVE the smell of rain! I love the sound it makes as it makes its way down the roof of my house. I love how our corner of the earth is so green, because our plants are able to soak up the water when it rains. I'm also very grateful that it rains so much because we also are able to collect water for our own nourishment. But greatest reason I love the rain is because it reminds me of the many happy days I had spent as a child jumping and stomping barefooted through every puddle I could possibly find, or cuddled up with my mother by our heater as she read my brother and I stories.... Remembering these things fills me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude knowing that the Lord decided that today was a good day to let it rain.

Another reason I loved/am grateful for today is that we (my parents and I) had Family Home Evening [FHE]. The typical FHE, in case you were wondering, generally consists of an opening song and prayer, which is closely followed by a lesson, an activity, a closing song and prayer, and usually a treat of some sort or another. ANYWAYS, I was especially grateful for FHE this evening because I got to give the lesson. Generally I don't especially love giving the lesson (mostly because I end up all teary and sniffly), but the topic I chose got me all excited and bursting with happiness. My chosen topic, you guessed it, GRATITUDE. 

Now, you may or may not ask yourself this question but, what exactly is Gratitude? As far as I can tell gratitude is a feeling or attitude expressed in acknowledgement of something you have received or will receive.

Why is having gratitude so important? 

Not only is it polite, but it make you feel wonder and happy inside and out!... It also shows others how much you appreciate the things that they are doing/have done/will do for you whether you asked them for their help or not. I feel that we often times forget to express just how grateful we are for the things we have....and we especially tend to forget to thank Him from which all our blessings flow from. 

Setting politeness aside, it's also quite beneficial to your personal health and happiness! Apparently a study was conducted where researchers had one group of students write for 20 minutes each day about things they were grateful for, while a second wrote about things that made them angry, and a third wrote about things that were just plain random. The researchers found that those who were the happiest (and the most healthy) throughout the semester were those who were in the "grateful group".  WHO KNEW just how wonderful the benefits of expressing your gratitude could be!? I don't know about you, but I would love it if I could forego sickness for at least one whole semester! Besides, when people are not grateful they tend to complain...and that isn't good for or appreciated by anyone. 

Many great blessings have been promised to those who are grateful. The Lord said, "He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more" (D&C 78:19). 

What should I be grateful for?

Here are a  few good examples I came up with that may or may not apply to you:

™The Gospel

 Jesus Christ

 Heavenly Father

 the Temple

 a family that loves and cares for me

a wonderful boyfriend

 puppies

 hot chocolate

 cars

 warm socks

delicious food

 books

electricity

music 

The list could go on forever, however, I'm sure you understand exactly what I'm getting at...so I'll stop. 

President Thomas S. Monson emphasized the importance of giving thanks to the Lord "in all things" as well as to those around us in his October, 2010 General Conference address; "Gratitude is a divine principle... Regardless of our circumstances, each of us has much for which to be grateful if we will but pause and contemplate our blessings...A grateful heart, then, comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives. This requires conscious effort—at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude." ("The Divine Gift of Gratitude").

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I felt that it was appropriate to remind those around me that we aren't limited to being grateful for what we have just once a year during the holiday....it is something that we must try to do every single day of our lives. Not only will we grow into wonderfully happy people by being more grateful, but through our influence and example....others will want to do the same.....imagine, if every single person on earth were thankful at the exact same moment in time.... around the globe, you would see miraculous changes. You have to make the change in order for there to be a change. 

I love you all!

It's like this....

Sorry for not posting anything for a while, I completely fell off the ball on that one. It's hard to believe that November is almost here! I've been ready to pull out the sweaters, the fuzzy socks, and of course my hats, for so long now! I wasn't planning on getting them out at all this year because I would be leaving on a mission to the Philippines for a year and a half....and from what I understand it's not a sweater [or fuzzy sock] friendly place. But things are a little different from what I originally planned....

As you may or may not have heard by now,  I am no longer heading out on a mission.  "WHAT?! WHY?!", you may ask. The answer to the "what?" and the "why?" are because I have met someone who makes me happy....Not that serving a mission for the Lord wouldn't make me happy, but I found someone who makes me want to be more "me" than anyone else I've ever known (excluding family members)....if that makes any sense.....so I feel that this is a good choice for me. 

When I moved back home from school in July, my very first Sunday back in the young single adult (YSA) ward I was introduced by a dear friend of mine to a good looking young man who seemed to be a friendly sort. Not only was he friendly, he seemed to be downright happy! Of course, I thought nothing of it at the time, but now that I think back on it I just laugh to myself and think "oh, if you only knew what was coming your way!".

The first time we "hungout" (I guess that's what you could call it) was on my birthday. It was stake temple night and being recently endowed I figured it might be a good idea to take advantage of the ride to the temple that was offered to me by our wards (at the time) Elder's Quorum President, so as to get to know more people. So of course when I got changed and headed to the chapel, who did I sit with? I'll give you one guess....myself. Everyone was congregated in the middle rows, but I didn't know anyone well enough to ask if I could sit by them....the awful realization that I was going to be sitting completely by myself in my row, heck, in my own section (practically) was not calming to my soul. I sat there totally at a loss as to what to do with myself. I know I may not seem it, but I can be very shy.....and in that kind of situation I tend to go with the whole "loner" flow. So I just sat there, silently praying that I could make a friend so I wouldn't have to spend my entire evening in complete solitude. 

Stake President got up and introduced a few of those who were sitting up front with him and announced that they would be briefly bearing their testimonies to those of us who had congregated there. One by one they got up and bore simple, yet spirit filled, testimonies. Finally, our ward's Elder's Quorum President got up and said his piece. He was different from all the rest of those on the stand....whereas the older men in the room were mostly all clean shaven, he was much younger and sported a neatly trimmed beard. I guess he noticed I was doing a good job of playing the outsider, because he came and sat down by me shortly after the closing prayer had been said, and we talked for a few minutes as we waited for the attendants to finish their preparations....I don't recall what we talked about, but I suppose it made a good impression on both sides because we sat in the rows across from each other and made ridiculous faces at each other throughout the session....we probably could've been more reverent.....I think the lady sitting next to me was getting offended by it all, but I ended up having a wonderful time. I guess there wasn't any need to be scared....except for on the car ride home where we nearly died....but that's another story. :)

The rest is history. We went out on a couple of dates, decided that we both really liked each other, and  

so here I am, at home for now, happily dating a very wonderful/silly/red bearded man, and totally loving it.

Now isn't that exciting? :)

A picture of me and my boyfriend (his name is Tim, in case you were wondering)!

I Can Do Hard Things

With my mission coming up closer and closer I won't deny the fact that I am scared. Everyone who has ever served a mission knows what I'm talking about. Feelings of inadequacy are running rampant through my entire being. I often find myself asking these questions; Why must I feel this way? Do I really need to do this? Wouldn't it just be easier to not go?

And to accompany those questions are even more questions...I often wonder, did the Savior ever feel as I do? Did He ever tremble at the thought of facing hundreds of people, not even sure if they would even want to listen to Him? Was He ever afraid that He wouldn't know what to say? The answer that I receive to all of these questions is "Yes"... but He did it anyways. My next question is simple....why? The answer is just as simple... Because He loves me.

As I read and re-read the poem below I am reminded of the unfathomable love that my Savior has for me. Christ knows my pains and my struggles....He's been there. He knows that there are often things in life that make me sad, frustrated and or, that are hard to do. He knows exactly how I feel. As awful as it may sound, I am extremely grateful that I'm not the only one who has ever felt the way that I do. It's hard to stand when you think you're standing alone...but thankfully I am not alone. My Savior is with me, bracing me up and cheering me onward.

The life of a missionary isn't easy. From what I've heard it can be very hard. But when you put your trust in the Lord, He will lift you up. The poem below is one that was posted by another soon-to-be sister missionary. Enjoy! 

"The Alarm bell rings at 6:30,
 I stumble to my feet I grab my companions bedding and pull off his sheets

A groan fills the room, is it already time to rise? 
It seems like just a second ago I was able to shut my eyes.

The morning activities follow- 
study, prayer and such

When it’s time to leave the apartment, 
you feel you haven’t accomplished much

“We have a super day planned,”

My comp. says with a grin

I lowly utter a faithless breath,

“Yeah, if anyone lets us in.”

With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street Prepared to face another day of humidity and heat

It’s 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through

My champion and I are riding home not accomplishing what we thought to do

We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot

Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate “air Box”

We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete

The only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet

It’s past 10:30 p.m. My companion is fast asleep,

Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep

In the midst of sadness, I kneel down to pray

I need to talk to father, but I’m not sure what to say

“Oh, Father” I begin, “What happened to us today?

I thought we’d teach somebody, but everyone was away

My hands, my aching hands- worn, hurt and beat;

If our area was any smaller, we’d have knocked every street”

“Why on missions are the days so much alike?

The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike

Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me

I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it’s very hard to see”

“Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn’t your protection enough?

People always laugh at me, and call me stupid stuff

Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack

I want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back”

“And what about my family: They don’t have much to say

I’m sick of not hearing from home day after day after day

Oh Father, Why am I here am I just wasting time?

Sometimes I just want to go home, I’m sorry but that’s on my mind”

“My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?”

The way he rides his bicycle, I don’t think he can see

Now you have it, I can’t go on, I don’t know what to do

That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for you”

My prayer now finished, I stand up, then jump right into bed

I need my rest for tomorrow, we have another long day ahead

Sleep start to overtake me, I seem to drift away

Then it seems a vision takes me to another time in another day

I’m standing alone on the hill. The view is very nice

A man walks to wards me and says, “My name is Jesus Christ”

Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet

“Arise,” He states, “Follow me to the shade. You and I need to speak”

My attention’s towards my Savior, total and complete

He says, “Your mission is similar of what happened to me

I understand how you feel, I know what you’re going through

In fact, it would be fair to say I’ve felt the same as you”

“I even know how you felt when no one listened to you

At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do

I know you don’t like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be sweet

Just remember the donkey I rode wasn’t equipped with 21 speeds”

“I understand you don’t like sweating, in fact it’s something you hate

I remember when I sweat blood from ev’ry pore, oh the agony was great!

I see you don’t like your companion- you’d rather have someone else-

I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth”

“It’s hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you

I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me King of the Jews

So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack

I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back”

“Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day

I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way

It’s hard not to hear from home when your family’s not there to see

I lost communication on the cross and cried, “Father, why hast Thou forsaken me?”

“We have a lot in common, but there’s a difference between us you see

I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me”

He embraced me with His arms and His light filled me with His love

With tears in my eyes I watched as He went back to the Father above

I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head

I listened and heard the alarm, then realized I was in my bed

My companion let out a groan, “6:30 already, no way!”

I sat up and said, “Come on, I’ll even carry your scriptures today!”

No matter what we go through,

when we feel we can’t take more

Just stop and think about Jesus Christ,

He’s been there before"

By Elder Troy Whittle

Texas Houston Mission

How to: Grow Your Faith

What is Faith?

To have faith is to “hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:21 & Hebrews 11:1). Each day we act upon or we hope for things, such as the sun rising every day, even before you see it outside your window. This is similar to faith.

Faith in God is more than a theoretical belief in Him. Having faith in God means that you are putting your trust & confidence in Him. But "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26) and you must be willing to act on your belief in Him. Faith is a principle of action and power.

The Book of Mormon prophet Alma compared faith to a seed. If you plant a seed and give it water and a place in the sun, tending to it on a regular basis, it will eventually grow into something beautiful (Alma 32:28-43). It is the same with faith. If you are obedient to God’s commandments, study His word, and have a desire to believe in Christ, and you do so as often as possible, your faith will grow into something magnificent and strong. 

Why is it necessary?

Faith is another word for commitment. When assessing one's own faithfulness, it may be easier to ask, "How committed am I?" Faith is necessary because it helps you gauge where you are in fulfilling your commitments (dare I say covenants?) that you've made to and with your Heavenly Father. It makes you look at how you've grown as a spiritual being. Are you progressing?....or are you stuck in limbo?... not moving forward or backward. Faith is important because it connects you to God. How are you supposed to move closer to Him if you lose sight of or fail to nourish the faith that is inside of you? 

Do I have faith?

Do you have faith? I can't answer that. My advice, find out for yourself. Faith is an often misunderstood word in today's world. Faith is a verb, an action word. When you believe in something you don't see, but you hope for it, and you do all that you can to reach it, you can obtain it. It's simple. if there is no action, than there cannot be a reaction (if you don't believe me check out Newton's law of physics...and also the scriptures). If you believe in Christ and act on that belief, doing all in your power to discover this for yourself, you will find an answer. 

Some suggestions on how to grow your faith: 

Pray. Prayer can be very effective when done with sincerity. If you don't know if you have faith, ask God to plant it in your heart. Just by taking this simple step you have exhibited that you in some way, shape, or form, have at least a particle of faith. 

Read your scriptures. Whether you read the Bible or The Book of Mormon, both hold great treasures of knowledge and light. The same thing applies here as it does with prayer; if done with sincerity and a desire to draw closer to God and increase personal faith, I promise you that you won't be disappointed. 

and finally...

Trust in Him. God loves you. He has been waiting for you to move in His direction. Once you take those steps.... He will happily lead you in the right direction. Just trust Him to do so. 

Hope Once More

Written by Shanna Gregory

May 30, 2013

The waves lap gently cross the shore, I look across the horizon hoping... just hoping that he'll come once more.

The gulls let out a loud pitched squeal...all I want is it to be real. 

Watching, waiting, for the day when he will come and pass my way.

The light is waning and so is my hope...when all of a sudden I see his boat.

Adrenaline is racing through my veins as I stand up and start his way.

I can't believe just what I see, here he is in front of me. 

My days of watching and waiting by the sea are over now, and I am free.

There's a last burst of light that is big and bright, illuminating all that is right.

Here I am, not so alone, I look into his eyes and I am home. 

He opens his arms wide to me, I rush to embrace him endlessly. 

No more watching, no more waiting, no more days of my hope waning. 

He is here, and I am sure, that we were meant to meet this once more.

Who Are You?

"You are a daughter [or son] of God. He knows you, He loves you, and He has a plan for you."

                        -Susan W. Tanner (General Conference, April 2007)

In today's society it seems that our futures become defined by our past. No matter what steps we make forward, we are constantly being dragged back by one thing or another, whether it be the media, the people who surround us, or our own thoughts. It is a never-ending battle between who we were and who we want to become. But amongst all of this, we seem to forget one very important thing, and that is who we are. 

In the midst of trying to figure this rather important piece of information, we may feel overrun by hardships and other difficulties. However, trials are given not to tear us down, but to build us up. Sometimes in the midst of fighting the good fight we fall and can't seem to find the strength to rise up on our own... the moment when you feel like looking down in despair and yelling "I GIVE UP!". In these moments, "it is [always] better to look up" and tell yourself "I can do anything!." In the April, 2010 General Conference, James B. Martino said these words; "Each of us will face adversity no matter where we are...it is how we react to those difficulties that will determine our success and happiness."

A favorite childhood story comes to mind whenever I'm having a hard time remembering who I am. It is called, "You are Special" by Max Lucado. It is a great read and I highly recommend it. It illustrates the importance of remembering who you are and who made you that way. Often times we place ourselves in a particular mindset, one that leads us to be more harsh on ourselves then is necessary. In other points in our lives we make mistakes that seem to us insurmountable. Due to this we lead lives filled with uncertainty and with feelings of inadequacy. Lucky for us, there is a wonderful thing called the Atonement of Christ. The Atonement allows for all of God's children to be made perfect because of and through the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on behalf of all our sins. He made it possible for us to return to live with our Father in Heaven once more. Do not forget that your Savior loves you. Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave his thoughts on the matter during the October 2011, General Conference; "God loves you because you are His child. He loves you even though at times you may feel lonely of make mistakes. The love of God and the power of the restored gospel are redemptive and saving. If you will only allow His divine love into you life, it can dress and wound, heal any hurt, and soften and sorrow."

No matter what you've done, or what people say you've done, in the end it will not matter as long as you put your faith and trust in the Lord, and allow Him to work the saving power of the Atonement in your life. 

You are a child of God. A son or daughter of a King. You are special because He made you. You are His. 
   
 "Do not let your thorns prevent you from seeing your rose"

                                         - Anonymous

A Simple Testimony.

My name is Shanna Gregory. I enjoy playing soccer, camping, cooking, and playing the piano. I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a student, and....I am a Mormon.

To be honest, I never fully understood what a testimony was until I found mine. A testimony cannot be found until you bear it. To me, a testimony is one word that encompasses many thoughts, ideas, emotions, and beliefs. It is what forms after you have found or placed faith in someone or something greater than yourself. It is a sure knowledge of things that are not seen, but which are true. It is when your desire for something turns into a sure state of knowledge, and when your hope turns into an unwavering trust.

I have read every single word of the Book of Mormon and I have earnestly prayed to God to know whether or not it's true. And each time I read it the answer I receive is always a resounding "YES, it is true!." I love the scriptures and I love the blessings that have flowed into my life from studying them. They are inseparably intertwined with the Gospel, and because of this (and many other reasons), I know that the Gospel is True. And because I know that both of these are true I also know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet who was called of God, as is our current prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I am grateful for the blessings that are available to us because the Lord saw fit to call these men, and many others, to help His children in returning to His presence. I am grateful to be a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, it is beyond a doubt God's true church upon the earth at this time.

I hope that you will take the time to find your own testimony. For when you find that, you will find God.