The Lord Knows Us Personally

*Sister Missionary*

Dear Family and Friends,

I have a very exciting announcement I wish to share with you all! It goes like this:

"Dear Sister Stout,
You are hereby called as a missionary for the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. You have been assigned to labor in the OHIO CLEVELAND MISSION!!!!! You will report to the Provo Utah Missionary Training Center on JANUARY 6, 2016! You will prepare to teach the gospel in the ENGLISH language."

Words cannot express my deep gratitude towards the Savior and our Loving Heavenly Parents for having me go to this special mission. Amazing things in LDS church history have happened in my mission. The historic Kirtland Ohio is in my mission. So many miraculous things took place here. The power to be sealed for time and all eternity inside holy LDS temples was restored here, more than half of the Doctrine and Covenants was received here, the first LDS temple was built here, the Newl K. Whitney Store is there (where the school of the prophets took place and the Savior visited), The vision of the three degrees of glory was given here, and so much more! So many things that have deepened and strengthened my testimony took place here- in my mission!!! The Lord knew, even though I wouldn't say it out loud, that I wanted more than anything to go to a place like this. This is the biggest blessing! And also I didn't want to wait too long, and I wanted to speak English. (I leave 10 days after my availability date- that is super fast!!)

I can truly testify that the Lord truly does know each and every one of us very personally. He knows our deepest thoughts, desires, hopes, and dreams. He knows everything. There is not a hair on your head He isn't aware of. We have Heavenly Parents and a loving big Brother who gave His life for us so that we may be forgiven of our wrongs and return to live with Them again.

I know that this is true. I testify that Our Heavenly Mother and Father live, we are their children and they know and love each of us unconditionally. I testify that our Savior, Jesus Christ came to earth, He lived, and died for us, and He is resurrected and lives again. I know these things are true. The Atonement is real. The power it holds is truly miraculous; through its power we can be clean and forgiven every single time we repent. I know the power of the Priesthood has been restored to the earth. I know that its power is real and it comes from Christ. I know that Joseph Smith really did kneel in the Sacred Grove, he did in fact see the Father and Son, he translated the Book Of Mormon, The Book Of Mormon is true and brings us closer to God than any other book. I know that we have a living Prophet today. I know he leads and guides the Church as directed by God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

I bear you my witness,
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

Reactions

What's Your Reaction??

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This week's message brought me to tears as I prepared, prayed and searched for something to share- this video really "hit home" with all the life changes that have happened in that last few months and the major ones that are coming starting tomorrow night with my mission call opening.

As I shared last week- The Savior is everything you need Him to be, and this message branches off of that.
In that same institute lesson I was talking about last week, we talked about "reactions." The question given to the class was: "How do you react to the good and bad things in your life?" And ever since that lesson I have been thinking a lot about how my reaction to life effects me, my family, and my friends; and also about how my reaction sends a message to those around me: a message given specifically for my Savior. This life was given to me by my dear Heavenly Father, and my reaction to the things He placed in my life- my plan- are my message to Him. My message of love, trust, obedience, willingness, growth, thankfulness, etc. What kind of a message am I sending Him?

As I have been thinking about this, and as I prayed to know what to share today: I came across this video; which I wasn't going to share but after watching, I knew I had too. This video goes through the stages of life of a boy and different trials he faced and how he reacted. The dialogue is between this boy and his father- on what seems to be phone calls. I encourage you, as you watch this video to think about the "phone conversations" (or prayers) you have with your Father, and what things He might be saying to you if He were sitting there by you.

I want to encourage you to think about how you react to things that are happening to you, and what your Father in Heaven might say to you. Treat your prayers like a phone conversation and pause here and there and wait for the Spirit to answer you. I promise you will get more out of your conversations with Him if you do this. Listen- He will answer you.

I also want to encourage you to think about the message you are sending Him. Your reaction to life's problems and challenges tell Him most about you. I believe that when we are hit with hard things our true colors shine, and the "real me" comes out. Who is your "real me? And what does Heavenly Father think of him/her?"

I encourage you- in your interactions with others, whether it be family, children, co-workers, leaders, Heavenly Parents, etc. to do what The Savior would have you do. Encourage others to do the same, and observe the difference it makes in you home, family, and life. The Spirit will abide and you will be able to more fully do His will.

I know these things are true. I know that Heavenly Father will help us change our reactions to be pleasing unto Him if they are not already. We are not perfect- but because of Christ we can keep trying and someday we will be made perfect in Christ. I know this true and of this I bear witness.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

Click here to watch the video.

For You

He is There for you.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I was not planning on sharing this- I know I have before: but the Spirit has told me that I need to be sharing this today instead of my pre-prepared post. I feel I need to keep this short and sweet and just let the Spirit testify.

I just want to share my testimony that I know that we all have hard times. I know that we all struggle. We all have bad days. This week I have had quite a few "bad days"- some days where I just felt I was going to turn my back on the Savior because I felt I wasn't getting answers quick enough, and things weren't working out anymore. I was done. I had had it. Then I went to institute. I had been to two of my classes already and it was my hour break before my final class. I was debating if I should just go home. I felt useless; I just wanted to cry. As I sat there having my inner battle of if I should go home or not, my teacher came into the class room. I decided I'd stay: just because I didn't want to offend my teacher. Well that lesson he taught was just what I needed. He shared about the Savior's life and how He has done so much more for us than just the Atonement. We were encouraged to think about things He had done for us and ways He had shown His infinite love for us. Our main focus was: "What does your reaction to hardships say to The Savior?" We were encouraged to look for the Lord's Tender Mercies and react differently. Then, after a very heart felt story was shared, the teacher closed with this song: "I Am" by Nichole Nordeman.

Before I share the link for the song I just want each of you to know this: The Savior LIVES. He loves you and He knows every one of your struggles, heartaches, pains, afflictions, adversities, desires, joys, everything. He knows it all: and He knows it all perfectly. You are not alone. He is always there. He will answer "I am" to every desperate, quiet, pleading call from you; His precious child. He will comfort you. He is your creator, life-sustainer, comforter, healer, best friend, superhero, heartache healer, secret keeper, Redeemer, everything. He is everything for you. Never doubt that. I know it's not easy. I know life is difficult and we all have our days, moments, hours: but please remember: you are His child and you mean everything to Him. He will always be whatever you need Him to be perfectly and personally for YOU. No matter what time, no matter where. He loves you, of this I bear my solemn personal witness and testify in the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

"I Am" By Nichole Nordeman

Love,
Samantha

Conference Recap!

Conference is just for YOU! 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This past weekend was General Conference for The LDS Church. I want to make this short because conference is already an 10-12 hour commitment of listening to the voice of the Lord, and I know how exhausting it can be to take it all in. So today I am simply going to share a link to the conference talk summaries (which will have a link to the whole talk as well), and also I will share my testimony.

Conference was truly amazing. As I write this, it is in between the morning and afternoon of Sunday Sessions, but I know that the last and final session will be just as uplifting and inspiring. I have learned so much and I cannot wait to make the needed changes in my life to be a better disciple of Christ. This semi-annual conference held a lot of meaning for the Women of the church as 2 talks were specifically for them, and a lot of other talks mentioned them more than once. There was also a lot about discipleship and how to draw nearer to the Savior and His teachings. We were instructed about keeping the Sabbath Day holy and how important the Sacrament is each week. We must strive to make and keep and renew our covenants with God. We were encouraged to strive to let the Light Of Christ shine through our actions, words, and deeds. We need to set the example in an ever diminishing world. I know that we have a true and living Prophet, Prophet Thomas S. Monson living on the earth today. He holds all the keys of this dispensation and leads and guides the Lord's church today. I know that the apostles called and sustained are chosen by God. God is the head of this church. He lives and He still speaks to us today. He loves us. We need to heed His words given through our prophets and apostles today. This weekend is our most recent scripture given by God and we need to treat as so. The words spoken are true, I have prayed and found that for myself, and we need to follow the council given. I urge you to do what you can to make the needed changes in your life to be a better disciple of Christ. Seek the Savior's divine help and He will never let you down. Make your way His way and you will be eternally blessed. Of this I testify, In the holy sacred name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen

Love,
Samantha

click here to see the summaries of the talks! Here