Results

"Sometimes the simplest things can bring about the greatest results."  That is a phrase that has been floating around in my head.  I was trying to put it to good use when the thought of Moses and the fiery serpents popped into my head.  It only compromises Numbers 21: 5-9 in the Old Testament, but it is also mentioned in Alma 33: 19-22 in The Book of Mormon.  The story goes as follows, in my own phrasing so don't repeat it if your quoting:  The people were mad at God and spoke out against him and he sent "fiery" serpents that bit them and they died from the bite.  Not everyone died, not everyone was bit.  The people went to Moses to admit their sin in speaking out against the Lord.  Moses prayed for them and the Lord said to make a fiery serpent and put it on a pole and anyone who is bitten just had to look at the pole and live.  But still many wouldn't do it and died.  It was such a simple act for them to do, yet they refused.  I think because it was such a simple thing it seemed so crazy to do.  The scripture is not "By great things are small and simple, brought to pass." it says "that by small and simple things, are great things come to pass." Alma 37:6.  The Lord gave the bitten people a way to live but many did not have the faith to comprehend that such a simple thing could save their life.  I'm one that would look just to make sure.  I tended to contest at times with what I should be doing, I argue and arguing with the Lord NEVER works in my favor.  I have the "You want me to what?", then the "Why?" and finally "Ok, I'll do it even if I feel crazy for doing it, but I know it's what should be done.".  Now I just do it without arguing, mostly I'm working on that, but I still get the crazy for doing it feeling but then comes the calm, "That's what I needed you to do"part that helps me know I was doing what the Lord asked of me.  It also goes in reverse to where I feel I should do something, but am stopped by the Lord and told not to.  I now listen, don't do it and know that is what is necessary.  It's not easy.  Good thing is my friends that I have spoken with about the subject of following, also get the same feeling of craziness when it happens to them.  (Side note: I love my crazy friends.)  Satan causes us to doubt which I will say for me makes me think I'm taking crazy pills.  But the doubt does not over run me.  The fear of the unknown does not drag me down as it has before.  The faith that I have nurtured and grown has helped me in ways I never imagined.  Likening faith to a seed, if planted it will grow.  I know that to be true for the faith that has sprouted in my heart keeps growing.  I am grateful for that and for the blessings the Lord pours upon me everyday.        

More Phamily Photos...

When we were taking our pictures a dude with a Nova wanted us to take a picture with his car, so we did.  He waved us down from across the street in an ally.  

She was trying to strangle me…

Las Vegas Art District

Deserve?

Being a Daughter of God.  I have been thinking of what that means to me, in exact terms.  Some people will say that you "deserve" good things by just being a Daughter of God.  I never liked the term "deserve" because it sounded so elite.  I looked it up.  The word deserve means:  "to merit, be qualified for, or have a claim to (reward, assistance, punishment, etc.) because of actions, qualities, or situation."

To sum it up some people are right.  To deserve good things is not elite, it is earned.  As a Daughter of God I do deserve good things, if I make the right choices.   I feel that being a Daughter of God has  expectations.  I expect to treat people with kindness, this is an attribute of Jesus Christ as stated in Nephi 19:9 "And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men."  I am also reminded of the Young Women theme when it comes to being a Daughter of God.  
"We are Daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. 
WE WILL STAND as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:

Faith • Divine Nature • Individual Worth • Knowledge • Choice and Accountability • Good Works • Integrity • and Virtue

WE BELIEVE as we come to accept and act upon these values, WE WILL BE PREPARED to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation. 

I believe that this theme still applies to me,  I know that values are necessary in my life.  I know I am a beloved Daughter of God and I will keep striving to do what is right and learn to deserve by making correct choices.   

Phamily Photos

Recently we had a photo shoot by Ashley with Fresh Focus Photography in the art district here in Las Vegas. It was time for new photos of Madi and I.  Here are a few from the session. Thanks Ashley!