What Are You Striving For?

You can strive today!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today I feel strongly the power that comes with never giving up hope. Hope that comes from knowing Christ and believing in Him and His sacrifice for us; that through Him we can be made whole again. That by Him we can come back home and be welcomed with loving arms. I know that so many of us have felt lost in our lives, but because of Him we are never completely lost- there is always hope and always love for us. That because of Him we can always be better, we can keep trying, we can keep working. We aren't meant to be perfect, but to be perfected in Him. Because of Him, every day we can try a little harder to be a little better.

Because of that- I want to share this: STRIVE

I just want to challenge each of you reading this to strive today to become more like The Savior. Listen to the video again and find something that sticks out to you, and apply it now. For me it was when it says: "To strengthen our relationship with God we need some meaningful time alone with Him." I want to consciously make the effort to spend time alone- away from distractions of the world- with my loving Father In Heaven.
There are so many things in this video that every day we can choose to work on.
"All the little things make up the big things."
"Rise from mediocrity to competence, from failure to achievement. Be your best self."
"Be strong, live the gospel faithfully- even if others around you don't live it at all."
"Defend your beliefs with courtesy and compassion, but defend them!"
"Rise above rationalizations and distractions."
"Do not drift off course, not even a few degrees."
"Hearken to The Lord your God."
"It is never too late to strengthen the foundation of your faith. There is always time."
"Bear in mind that people can change!" 
"Find happiness in ordinary things and keep your sense of humor."
"There is no tomorrow to remember if we don't do something today. To live most fully today we must do that which is of greatest importance."
"Each of us has a part to play in the plan and each of us is equally valued."
"We are not and need never be alone. We can press forward in our daily lives with Heavenly help."
"Through the Savior's Atonement we can receive capacity and strength beyond our own."
"We never need feel alone or unloved in the Lord's service because we never are."
"Strive to be that kind of disciple of The Father and The Son and your influence will never fade."
"Always remember: YOU MATTER TO HIM."
"Never give up."
I know this is true and He loves you. You can do this with His help. Be like Him. Strive today to be more like Him. What are you going to do?

In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha