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.