Great Memories.. Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square and Montana Billings Mission

               Time really flies! Just a few days ago, I hit my one year mark of returning home from my mission. I kept on thinking of the things that I'd seen, miracles that I'd been able to witness, people that I've come to love, and experiences that had truly taught me a lot of lessons. I'm so grateful because I was able to spend a good chunk of my time serving  the Lord. What a  great privilege and joy to be able to serve Heavenly Father and His children! Every time I look back of who I was before my mission and who I am right now, I see completely two different people.. not because my physical appearance has changed but because my love for the Savior and my understanding of His atonement has become more in depth. 

                Before I left for my mission, I thought to myself that it would be the longest 18 months of my life but I was wrong. It was the shortest yet the most rewarding! As I submitted my will to the Lord's, I'd come to see people's lives changing as well as mine. I've learned to be grateful of every blessing, both great and small and have looked and hoped for every miracle that would bring eternal joy. If I didn't serve a full-time mission and just sat down in front of the television or just hanged out with my friends, I would never be who I am right now, I would never have such wonderful companions who have become good friends of mine, I wouldn't be able to touch other people's lives and see the joy in their eyes as they embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives, I would never see and experience the things that were far greater than what this world has to offer. And I think, I would never see myself being this happy and contented.

                Now, I can officially say that I've been a returned missionary for a year now! But my mission doesn't end here, it's just about to begin.. and I'm pretty excited about that! 

                    Let the new journey begin... high five!

Finding Joy in the Journey

            "If you gave your all, then it was for something". These are the words that stood out to me after I watched the movie 17 Miracles for the 6th time. A few words from one of the Mormon pioneers who had given their all and had sacrificed everything before they made it to Zion. I was amazed for what these great souls had done!

             Based on the story and my personal experiences, I've come know with a surety that God, our loving Heavenly Father is truly mindful of us. He knows our strengths and weaknesses. He's aware of our shortcomings and hardships. What a joy to know that He knows how to sustain and support us in our afflictions. It just reminds me of a great quote from President Ezra Taft Benson, where he said, "Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life." 

              We may not pull handcarts and walk over 1300 miles just what these people did, but each of us has our own journeys to go through. No matter what circumstances we may be, we'll definitely find joy in the journey as we submit our will to the Father's.

            

         
       
         
           

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Which One?

            Have you found yourself wondering, trying to figure out how to make the best choice? It's insane, isn't it? But I always think that God has given us agency, the ability to choose for ourselves, not just to make a choice but to learn from it most importantly. 

            Previously, I'd been thinking of things to consider in making a choice. I'd been stressing myself out. My mind was preoccupied and could hardly hear the still small voice. I thought to myself, "Making a choice is not hard, but why can't I decide?" I paused for a while. A clear thought enlightened me when it refreshed my mind with these words, "what makes a decision-making hard is to actually stand for it, for what you know is right." While pondering about this, I came across a talk from President Thomas S. Monson where he said, "Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed—the courage to say no, the courage to say yes. Decisions do determine destiny".. truly it is! 

            Then an article blew my mind when I read parts of it. It says, "Making choices is an inevitable part of our life. Given a choice between two things, we normally tend to choose the one that looks better in our sight. Making a choice between two things becomes difficult when both the things seem to be equally good." It's funny to think because this was exactly the same situation that I was in for a while before I actually made a decision, something that will make my happiness eternal. It's incredible to think that our Heavenly Father has truly blessed us with the ability to choose for ourselves, a gift that as we use wisely, may lead us to eternity.