You Never Know

I read this quote this quote once: "Be Strong; you never know who you are inspiring." -Unknown
This reminded me of an experience I had with my brother. One night he came into my room and just out of nowhere told me all about how much he looked up to me and what a good example he thought I was in his life. We shared some memories and experiences with each other and talked for a few hours. This experience was very humbling for me, because I was feeling very down on myself and like no one thought I mattered. This reminded me that we are all special in our own unique way and the little things we do are noticed and appreciated. I encourage you to share your thanks and love with those you associate with for their example/s in your life. Remember that God loves you and he is proud of you. Your hardships are for your growth so that you can come closer to him. Maybe your trial (or hardship) is a way to not just help you, but help those around you. The way you react to your trial helps builds not just you, but those around you and it helps you both come closer to your Father In Heaven. In short: NEVER GIVE UP! There is always someone watching you and you don't know who all the time, but someone is watching you and trying to follow your example. So whatever you are, be a good one! :) I know Jesus knows and loves all of you and he knows your struggles and hardships, you can always turn to him. You are never alone and he will hear and answer your prayers. I know this is true, In The Name Of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love, Samantha

4-Wheeling and the gospel

Yesterday I went 4-wheeling with my family. We went to a new place this time so the area was very unfamiliar to me. However, my dad had been here before. The first thing we do when we go somewhere new is my dad takes the older kids (the drivers) out to show them where they can and cannot go. As my dad led the way, I drove behind him. As I was driving I was thinking about the beautiful world that God created for us to live in. (I think Utah's canyons are especially beautiful.) As we drove on, I would sometimes loose sight of my dad. This would scare me, as I didn't know where I was. My dad had given me a compass before we left and he told me if I got lost to go south until I found the main road and they would find me there. This brought me comfort, knowing that my dad would not leave me unprepared, and that he cared that I was safe and knew how to get back home. When I could see my dad's shinny helmet and bright shirt in the distance, after not seeing him for a long time, I would rejoice silently that I had found the way again. This whole situation happened to be quite a thoughtful and learning experience for me. As I would drive trying to catch up to my dad I was reminded of when I had been told that: "If you make mistakes and feel God getting farther away from your 'home', are you going to go and sit in your 'window' and watch him get farther away? Or are you going to run out to him and say sorry and ask him to come back 'home' with you?" I choose to run. I don't want my Heavenly Father to be far away, just like I didn't want my earthly father to be far away when we were 4-wheeling. I want to bear my testimony that I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that God will forgive you of your mistakes if you only come to him with a broken heart and willing spirit to be forgiven. No matter the sin, no matter how big or small, he will forgive you. He will love you. He ALWAYS loves his children, and each and every one of you reading this, and every person on this earth is his child. He also provides us with earthly "compasses" so that we can get back to him. Our compass to guide us home (back to him in Heaven) is the Book Of Mormon. It is true and will lead and guide us to the right way. Even if we get off path, like I could have done on the 4-wheeler, God has given us this gift (like my compass) to help us back to the "main road." God will never leave us unprepared and he cares about each of us individually and knows each of us individually by name and loves us. I know this true. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love, Samantha

Small Beginnings

This blog as you know, is going to be my testimony and my love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have been thinking a lot about how I'm going to do this in a way that everyone can understand. I am going to do my very best, and if you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask away. I want to start small. (At least try too.) Today is going to be a lot of my testimony. I know that "by small and simple things great works are brought to pass." (Alma 37:6-7)* My grandma has a quote on her wall about this as well. The quote reads: "Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things." Little things mean a lot to me. A smile, a simple hello, a little conversation with your friend, etc. It may not even seem like you are doing anything out of the ordinary, but you never know what that small little thing can mean to someone. Years later I still remember having a bad day and going to grandmas. I was tired and grandma could sense I was sad. She sat me in her lap and read my favorite childhood story to me. Then she sang me songs until I felt better. I still remember to this day that grandma didn't poke and prod to find out what was wrong, but that she simply let me know that I matter and she loves me. She taught me that all I need to do is be there for others, I don't have to know what is going on in their lives, but I just need to be a friend. This, I feel, is a basic principle of the gospel. To be a friend is one of the greatest gifts. This is my testimony for you:  I love to talk about the gospel and answer questions. Although I am young, and I do not know the answer to every question: I am positive my Loving Savior will help me find the right answer when the time is right. I'm going to ask you to be patient and I will be too. I know that none of us are perfect and that we all struggle and strive to become the best we can be. For those of you who feel lost and alone: I promise you this truth, You are NEVER alone. Jesus is always with you. He knows you and loves you. I want you to know there is always hope, and love. Have faith. I know we can all do hard things. Never give up. I love you all. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Love, Samantha

*Alma is found in the Book Of Mormon (Pictured above), the book that we use as members of the LDS faith. This book is the most true of any book you will ever read. It goes hand in hand with the bible, which is also very true as long as it translated correctly. If you have not read this book: I challenge you to read it and pray about it. (I will talk about praying another time.) 

P.S. I know that this can be a very confusing blog to read if you are completely new to this knowledge, but I will answer your questions, so ask. And I will also try my very hardest to make things clear that may be new and confusing to you. Don't give up. We will get there together, I promise this is a journey you want to make! (If you want to ask questions confidentially: email me at: dancer.techie@gmail.com ) Thanks! :) 

Changes Coming To The Blog:)

Okay my fellow blogers, and blog readers. First: Sorry I haven't posted in 7 months! I just forgot my password to my blog and I found it! ;) Second: I am going to change my blog: I am going to try and update it more often (Gonna shoot for weekly) and I'm gonna use this blog to share my testimony of the Gospel. I am A Mormon, and I want the world to know it. I am so thankful for everything I have been blessed with. I am truly fortunate to be with the family I have, and have the amazing friends I have. My goal in life is to be an everyday missionary. I feel like I can use my blog to share my personal Spiritual experiences, and my thoughts and feelings about the gospel. I want to share this amazing knowledge with everyone! I know that not a lot of people read this blog, but I do believe that I can do my part of sharing my testimony by sharing with those few people. Anyway: Here it goes:
I AM A MORMON! I KNOW IT, I try to LIVE IT, AND I LOVE IT MORE THAN ANYTHING EVER!