Part 2: A wonderful weekend that changed my life forever!

     So after attending a few Sundays at our branch I was really considering joining the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! I was still scared though and decided to do more lessons. Well we were just on the law of Chasity. Then Sister Pabst and Sister Melott said, " Katie we have been praying for you everyday every chance that we get. We want to ask if you will be baptized on August 24, 2013?" I started to cry.I said " I've never felt this much love from other people. I don't have family that live near by I'm not close to my aunts and uncles. I feel so close though to the people of our branch. Yes, I will be baptized."   They got very excited. " Well we better get to planning then." Sister Melott said. "What do you mean?" I asked. Sister Pabst said " You get to chose everything the songs people that you want to talk at your baptism."  "That's awesome at my baptist church I didn't get to" I said. "Well we want it to be your day, your life changing name on bringing on the name of Jesus Christ. " "Ok, I love it just tell me how to do it." They then wrote out everything I would need to decide and handed me a baptism calender.    It didn't take long at all to do the lessons with them again. My mom had no problem with me joining the church. My dad on the other hand did.
     My dad kept saying "make sure you know what your getting your self into." I knew what I was suppose to do and that was to be baptized. I knew that the Book of Mormon was true.

So, I kept reading the bible and changing my life more and more.I wrote in my journal.  I had to let go of friends that were going down a bad path. I had to let go of facebook for a while actually, I didn't want any thing negative to be thrown my way.   Nobody from my baptist church called and it was what's called a mega church around here. So that said a lot to me.   The bad part was is my dad still went to our baptist church. He did go to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with me once. He told everybody " I have to tell those at my baptist church what a change this has made in my daughter's life all the way around."
     He did and it did not go well at our old baptist church. I still ended up being baptized in the church I felt the purest I have ever felt in my life. I felt clean, pure and amazing. I told my mom " I feel like a kid that's young and innocent." That confirmed everything for her as well.
     This ends Part 2 for now. I have so much more to blog about. I hope you are enjoying it. -Sister Katie Guyton  

         

TESTIMONY

The righteous need not fear the power and authority of man

We serve a God who has all in His hands

To sin is exquisite and bitter pain

The life of righteousness means joy and sweetness remain

Opposition in all things

That we might be afforded blessings

 Ask in faith and receive

Plainness means all learn, milk then meat

By small means the wise are confounded

Knowledge means options, their choice, to be bounded

The lord is my strength I’ll not be ashamed for waiting for Him that promise in 1 Nephi

We need a world of more strong men, more Moronies and Abinadies

Prick my heart that I may remember

Conversion means a change of heart, January to December

May I give all my sins away to know Thee

Humility not by force, but gratitude for all Thou has done for me

May I be anchored, steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works

Most dear, precious and now rare: chastity, virtue and remembering worth

May I be actively engaged in good works… His hands

And like the Anti- Nephi- Lehies keep my covenants

May my arming myself be only with righteousness

Remember wickedness never was happiness

The message rings and should be applied, repent and return with full purpose of heart

Feast upon the word, the testimony of 2 nations equals 1 beautiful start

I decide now the woman I’ll be

Ever so grateful that my Heavenly Father loves me

Sanctification- to God yield your hearts

Let not ever thy testimony depart

Faith, hope and charity, ingredients of salvation

Ask of the Spirit and receive revelation

Men are, that they might have joy

Every man, woman, girl and boy

Love God with all they strength, might and zeal

I share because I know Jesus heals 

Also because I’d like others to feel

The depth of His real and what it means to me

By His grace we’re saved after all we can do

I leave my testimony, this gospel is true

BY Sherida Laffayette

Here I posted this wonderful poem by one of my closest friends, with her permission, who is now serving a mission here in Jamaica. Though I miss her dearly I am reminded by this poem of her love and my love for the gospel and our willingness to share it with those around us.

March 13, 2014

These past couple weeks in the branch has been special because a man named Galen Susaita Paz is one of the most humble people that I know. The sister missionaries of the Santa Cruz Stake of Zion found him some place. I don't know where, but the light and virtue of their countenance enlightened his intelligence, leading them to continue and pursue of an investigation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I did not participate in the direct appointments, instructing Galen the Gospel with the missionaries; however, I had two special teaching moments with him. They are the following experiences.
I was asked to teach a class for the Elders of Priesthood about the Plan of Salvation. I wanted to make sure that Galen does not feel out of place, having no idea what we are talking about; therefore, I asked him what he knows about the Plan of Salvation. I was surprised to hear that he had no idea what the Plan of Salvation is, for I usually teach it as soon as possible after the Restoration to my investigators as a full time missionary. He said that it was the commandments. I was grateful for the opportunity to be the one that led the lesson to teach him the Plan of Salvation with the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This trend of teaching him the next lesson before the missionaries get to it continued the next week. Galen planned to get baptized the next Saturday, and I felt prompted to warn him what I see that happens to people just about to commit themselves to the Gospel of Christ. I admonished him that he may see many weird things, trying to distract him and promote doubt of the Gospel. I have seen this a lot with investigators. Satan only has a few investigators, missionaries, and recent converts to attack, and his efforts to thwart the work of God is successful a lot of the time. I also warned him of the spirit of doubt. It is hard to dispell, when you entertain it, and it has great purpose to destroy a soul. After that admonition, I asked him what he is going to do for the rest of the Sabbath day, and Galen said that he has no idea what the Sabbath is. When I was about to teach him, the sister missionaries drove by, and he told him that I was teaching him about the Sabbath. They said that they were about to teach it to him, and he is always prepared (by the Spirit before the lesson I presume, and I may have taught him the Plan of Salvation before they taught him.) During the week before his baptism, Galen said that the spirit of doubt seized on him powerfully. I expected this because last Sunday before the baptism he was saying that he was feeling all the feelings that he possibly could after church about baptism. He said after a lesson with the missionaries it attacked, and he remembered my warning, remaining at the church until the doubt departed. I was humbled that he chose me to ordain him to the Aaronic Priesthood the Sunday following his baptism to be a Priest.
Preparing for the conferral of the Priesthood power to him, I reviewed the expectations, which I am use to because I am an ordinance worker; furthermore, I prepared the words that I would like to say in the blessing. Respecting that during the ordinance, I may be prompted otherwise. This is what I wrote:

"I dedicate this document to Galen. I am so honored to be chosen to ordain you a priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I do not know what I will say in the ordination, but I hope that it will be something like this.
The Aaronic Priesthood is the preparatory priesthood. The Priesthood is the power of God given to man to fulfill his work and plan; furthermore, it is the power given to man to lead his family to Eternal life. There is no other means to do so. In your preparation to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, this time is important for you to develop lasting habits of your service. You now have the authority to “preach, teach, expound, exhort, … and visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties." Sacred ordinances that you can perform is baptism and the Sacrament. The Sacrament has become sacred to me as a priesthood holder, for I feel like the apostles of old who anointed and dressed the body of Christ in his tomb. Your Heavenly Father is happy because your faith and humility in Christ. Prepare now as you have been to serve in greater capacities in the Priesthood by practicing your duty, following the spirit, and continually feasting on the word of God. You will be given revelations, comfort, guidance, and opportunities to serve according to your faithfulness to prayer and the commandments. Look to the prophets for examples for faithful priesthood service. We all love you very much."

Today, the 16th of March, I taught Galen how to bless the Sacrament and put it away. His feedback was that it was simple. I liked how that sounded. Putting the sacrament away, I was impressed by his faith, naturally practicing the greatest level of reverence. He even whispered when he approached me at the sacrament table.

Hi to all this is my first post that just explains a little about me and my life... Part one

     Hi Everybody! My name is Katie and I'm  a new blogger. I'm so excited because now I can share my story and hope to make new friends. First off I am from a small town here in Georgia. I'm 22 years old, divorced, and a single parent of a 2 1/2 year old named Scarlett. I have been a member of Jesus Christ of latter day saints since August 24,2013 and it has been amazing!!! Here's a little about my life before I joined the church. I was a member of a baptist church and not following the ten commandments at all. My ex-husband was emotionally abusive. He left when Scarlett was five weeks old. Put a protective order against me I couldn't see my daughter for a month. The reason he says he did it is because I was on anxiety medicine  and called me an unfit parent. Which was not true about being unfit. We went through the court system then we went to having her every other week to then me getting full custody of her when she turned a year old. Crazy right? I have total clean background. Also my parents were divorced for twenty years. Back in May of 2012 they got remarried!!
     So yes my life has been totally crazy! On July 20,2013 we noticed two girls walking up my street. They looked very different like they were new in town. They started talking to my dad. My mom shortly after that noticed who they were. " That's them that's them! I've been praying for them everyday whenever I seem them in downtown Greensboro!" She quickly ran outside to meet them! She introduced herself. There names were Sister Pabst and Sister Melott. They explained to us that they were missionaries from the church of Jesus Christ of latter day Saints. We were amazed! Missionaries here in Union Point!? We thought all the missionaries went outside the U.S.A. to other countries not here in Georgia! My mom quickly said " If you need anything come here. Water, bathroom, food a place to cool off anything you need come here."
     I was amazed at what my mom had said she was never one to open up to people to come into our home like that. They then stated how excited they were and thanked us and gave us there number on a Mormon.org card. I was like ok this is no big deal. Then my heart changed I wanted to try it out our branch was in Madision only 45 minutes away what would it hurt but of course I would have to talk to my parents about it. But I needed that card they gave it to my dad. ... Great I was thinking. I hope this doesn't start anything. I then went back inside went into the kitchen and noticed my dad's bible on the table he had been reading it. There was the card! Simply there! I then asked him when he came back if I could have the card. He said "of course." I then went to my mom she was in her room on the computer. "Mom can I talk to you for a minute." "Sure what's up?" She said. "I want to go to the Mormon church."
     "Well it's fine with me ,but you know you have to ask dad he is head of house now that we are remarried." "I understand" Mom said " Lets look at Mormon .org and see if you are really interested first.  "Sounds good to me." We noticed all the laws of the church and noticed it seemed ok. I got really excited so then we talked to my dad and he said I could go so I went. I felt so loved and not judged for anything. They welcomed me with hope and love. Something I never had from church members before.
I'm sorry this is short I have to go on an appointment with missionaries. I'll be posting part 2 soon!!!! Thanks for the Welcome!!! -Katie    

"Things a product or app review needs" by Trevor Hicken

This is a basic guide or layout and suggestions to writing a great product or app review. It is not all encompassing to all types of hardware or apps. Feedback and correcting this is welcome as always. I have written with mobile devices and apps in mind, but can be used for any type of hardware, computer, or software.

First of all, a good product/app review should include an overview of what it is it you are going to review. The different aspects and parts of the product.

First impressions: The purpose of starting with the first impressions to give an idea of how it is to experience the device hands-on and your thoughts.  For a device or gadget, A great review includes the initial unboxing with the first impressions. Pictures and videos are worth a thousand word. (Tell that to your professor ) (The higher the quality the better.) First impressions means your initial reaction and response at first use and open.For example, for a phone you might want to tell about:

• the form factor (candybar, slider, flip, etc)
• how it fits in your hand. (Can you hold it firming?)
• the class of phone it is.(Does the material used feel like quality?)
• the weight felt in hand. (Not the exact weight but what it feels like)
• the texture (rough, glossy, matte, sharp)
• whether it has a keyboard (three, four row, or five row layout) and physical buttons. How are they? (Clicky or mushy)
• Stylus?

Tell us what you think! Tell us as if we are your friends, because we are!

The description of the hardware: Next up, A good review includes a extraordinary description down to the tiniest details. Personally I read reviews to know if the product is right for me. The smallest things make the biggest difference and is usually the deciding factor, the make-or-break in a device. Within the Description of the hardware or in the end of the review it’s a nice to know the technical specifications. These are the:

Weight and dimensions (164.5 x 82.5 x 10.29mm- height, width, depth)

Internal capacity ( 8GB, 32 GB, 64 GB etc.and if it;s expandable with external memories)

The components (the processor: quad-core 2.1 GHz snapdragon 800, ram, etc.)

Camera (Type, ex. 4MP UltraPixel, 8MP, 13MP...)

You get it.

We usually carry our devices in our pockets or bags. I want a comfortable phone.Tell us about the aesthetics of the device i.e.:

• The curves or edges
• thinness
• The material used
• Placement of the ports and keys ( power button, microUSB, volume buttons, headphone jack and anything else)
• Include any resistances it has also, waterproof, dustproof...

In a complete review of a device, the hardware can be further broken down into five categories:

Sound/Audio- Let us know what you thought. We want to know if our beats or shows will be heard the quality it is streamed or downloaded.

• Does it have stereo speakers?
• Are they front facing? How do they sound; clear, loud, muffled, quiet?
• Where are they located, can they be easily covered or obstructed?

We want to know if we will be able to hear our loved ones and if they will hear us.

• Is the microphone's sound perceptible? Is the phone ear piece loud enough?

Screen- A great review has a good look at the display. Readers want to know if it will be visible at night, in daylight, and if their friend can watch on the next music video in full HD. If the photo they took will appear accurately on screen.

• What type of display it is? (IPS, OLED, AMOLED)
• Resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels)
• How are its viewing angles?
• Are the blacks black or lit up?
• How are the colors? Vibrant, or do they look washed out?
• Does it turn bright
• Is the touch input precise? Capacitive, resistive?

Battery- We love to use our devices, some of us would us it all day if we could but energy depletes.

• Does the battery store enough to last all day with normal everyday use?
• Is it removable?

Tell us about your experience over a period of time. Maybe a week

Connectivity-  Transferring files over a cable is always a hassle so please provide details here.

• Does it have the latest Bluetooth technology?
• Is it 4G/LTE compatible?
• Does it have NFC or Qi wireless charging?

Camera- This might be one of the hottest topics in the phone industry and the most important to us the readers. I’m not too knowledgably about cameras, but I would like to know if any videos or pictures I take at a rock concert will come out clear. Show a few examples for us to see.

• Does it have real zoom? How far?
• How is the flash?
• Does it have Optical Image Stabilization?
• Is it sharp?
• Can it take good macro?

I know this can be an entirely separate post depending on the reviewer, but give us your best shot.

The description of the software/app: Thirdly readers want to know if the phone’s/device’s software is worth the buy. A tablet might have all the best specs, but stuck on a ancient version of Android or Windows Mobile. People want to know if the OS is powerful enough to run a intense videogame, yet simple enough to navigate to the picture you downloaded on the internet and set it as a wallpaper. Most devices being reviewed are running a version of Android so let us know what!

• What version of Android is preinstalled? Is it actively receiving updating? (Very you’re really geeky, can it be rooted and does it have good developer support from the MIUI community or XDA?)
• Does it include a lot of bloatware, ie. carrier specific apps,a custom UI.
  
  
  • If it does have a custom UI is it easier or prettier than stock UI or clunky and unnecessary.
  • Does it improve upon base stock UI or features (example: a la tinted statusbar, improved recent apps, better lock screen, feature rich core apps.
  • Is it gimmicky?

User Experience (UX)- So we’ve told about the hardware and software what more can be said? The most important is last. The user experience. You’ve bought the phone, gadget, tablet, device. We want to know how it’s working for you.

• Is it fun to use?
• Does it have many apps in its market?
• After weeks or months has your experience maintained to be fun, or has it deprecated?

If it lacks anything, what? If you could change anything about it what would you change?

App review- If it's an app its sightly different and shorter. It despends more on your taste. Some people favor the “holo” design”. Please tell us about it

• Does it use the "hamburger slide menu?
• Immersive mode? Transparency?
• What versions of Android can it be installed on?
• Are the menus logical?
• Are the buttons reachable (differs in hand size and device?} Is there a tablet UI?
• What do you use it for?

Include high quality 

screenshots and/or videos 

if possible.

Thanks and hopefully this helps people write great reviews and inspires readers to become reviewers and make MIUI better.

-chillpenguin 

Anything else? Let us know. We want to make this the go to site for your reviews. I'm learning everyday and I love criticism.

March 8, 2014

This past week has been uneventful as it has been since the concerts. I have endured many mental exertions. I feel very mentally exhausted tonight. They come in two; of course. I got my first speeding ticket, and Facebook is trying to rip apart the Mormon YSA Blog Spot, which is a conspiracy theory.
I learned that being completely obedient to the will of God is important. You may ask what does speeding have to do with the will of God. It is to witness that you are a representative of Christ. I am one of those people that drives within the speed limit 95% of the time, but driving on Highway 17 people usually drive with various speeds, since the speed limit is usually 65 miles an hour, but the speed limit changes, ranging from 50 to 65 miles an hour. I usually don't worry about speed just as long as I don’t drive over 70 miles an hour; furthermore, I am one of those drivers that sticks to the speed limit at all times, driving to work in the morning, whenever one else is speeding. Highway 17 is just the one place that I justify speeding. I usually don't fear cops because I drive within the speed limit, so when the cop went to pull me over I took my time to get off the road. Highway 17 rarely has a shoulder, so there is no good places; plus, I can be a little slow mentally. The cop said that I could be put in jail for making him follow me for so long. I figured that it messed with many other people mentally too. The cop may have feared that anything could happen because he doesn't know me. All he knows is that I don't follow the law. He asked me where I was caming from, and I said from the Oakland temple. Now he may think that Mormons don't sustain and honor the law especially how I spoke to him as if I don't fear him. I felt like everything was telling me about ways that I am not completely obedient the next morning at work. I was working at the flowrapper. I have not worked at this production line until the past few weeks; although, I have worked at the factory for a couple years. I feel that this line has the most cool people work there, being exclusive. I figured that I could do just fine working within my responsibility by my past experience, declining the need to be trained. This line demands a high standard of obedience, and they were telling all of these particular expectations. I also figured that the person palletizing before me was doing it correctly. I learned that following after the example of the person ahead is not good because you are following the traditions of men, which is probably incorrect. The person palletizing before me was not following the guidelines of the institution, and I showed my colleagues that I was not teachable or obedient. Another thing that told me to be more observant is an email from my university. I used my personal email address, and they want me to email them with my BYUI email address in order to for them to verify me as their student. I figured that my independent ways are not always right; although, it is simpler for me. I should ponder why policies are established before I continue with my ways, when working with an institution. A last principle that I learned plague my mind for half of a work day much like the other precepts that I learned. I realized how fragile life is, when I am not completely obedient, for I should be receiving my ticket in a few weeks and the mail and I need to make a court date, accomplishing everything before I go back to school next month. What if I go to jail as the police officer said that is a possibility, since it took me so long to pull over? My whole life could be derailed because of this small traffic violation. I felt deeply depressed, and, praying for relief, I was blessed with a simple revelation, for I emailed, a dear friend, serving a mission, Hermana Joanna Salas in the knick of time when she was emailing family and friends. She asked to send me pictures of the branch, and as I was doing that. I realized that I should forget myself as he told President Hinkley, when he was struggling on his mission. I came in to work for my break with a completely different attitude from depressed to joyful. I am actually grateful for this ticket, for it is a rebuking from God telling me to return to him.
Additional revelations and repentance that I have done has to do with prayer. In BYUI, a general authority said that we should pray in the morning after we get dressed and are ready for the day rather than a routine thoughtless prayer right as we wake up. I applied this in my life, and I usually had my first prayer at my first meal; however, this did not work well for me because I justified not praying before my meals because I might be eating with someone, and I did not want to interrupt our social interaction. So prayer became rare for a while. I felt these two concepts were errors, but I never humbled myself until I committed myself to be completely and exactly obedient. When I prayed to start my next day properly, I felt so joyous. Another principle of prayer that I am practicing is one that I feel that I have been avoiding because it requires a change in habit in speak in prayer alone. When we pray to God, we should speak to him with respect using the words thee, thy, thou, thine, and so forth. I changed my language to avoid the synonymous words of you, your, and yours in the past. My prayer have become more sincere and mindful to come to God, having a real relationship with my Heavenly Father. I have been feeling that praying should be my new pass time, for there are so many things that pray about. I feel that prayer is a special principle set aside from the commandments. Prayer is our means to communicate with God. We should not lloo at it as a commandment, but a joy as every communication requires great effort.
My second mind exhausting situation is that my Mormon YSA Blog Spot blogging model transgressed Facebook's model of networking, which is to befriend the people that you know outside of the social network only. Most other social networks are set up to not take this so seriously, but Facebook is taking this seriously for some reason. I was chatting with many people, inviting them to blog with us, adding bloggers as friends on Facebook until Facebook told me that I have been reported to be sending friend requests to people that I don't know like a spammer. I did not do this, so I just complied with their accusation; although, I have been sending a bunch of friend requests to my bloggers. Isidro Zapata, a blogger, said that they received that same accusation. I feel sorry for him because it seems to be a side affect of my blogging effort, especially since he was blocked from the social network; therefore, I quit recruiting on Facebook. He was so loyal even sending posts from his brothers account. I am not sure if he was hacked. He may have send all the friends requests, for I asked him if he advertised his first article, since I saw that was a key to his success to his first article. At first he denied that he did, and after I explained he agreed that he did advertise it sharing it on his friend networks and so forth. I apologized to all of the people that I was not supposed to be in contact with unfriending them,  for I felt that I needed to in restitution to Facebook. This is the reason for why the blogging has slowed down a lot this past couple weeks, since the blog was mainly based on Facebook. My last blog was mainly based on Twitter, and I had no problems for years; however, Facebook threatened to block me from Facebook as they did Isidro Zapata. About ten days later, I received a second warning, despite my repentance. I didn't understand how this could be because I quit adding friends that I didn't know. Facebook never gave an option to say that I have been hacked in any of their accusations. In this second accusation they even gave me a list of all the people that I sent friend requests to. Most of them were old, and I did know them outside of Facebook. Some of the friend requests were to people that I believe that I didn't do. I felt that this was suspicious. This had me think that Isidro Zapata may have been hacked. If we were hacked, we should have been warned. This had me thinking that Facebook could have sent all those friend requests without hacking in to the account the normal known way with a password. I thought that Facebook may be targeting the Mormon activists to stop a movement within their social network because it is changing or not following their model of networking.
I call this a conspiracy theory, but my father agrees with me that Facebook targeted us. Another one of our bloggers commented on a blogger recruiting post of mine, saying that he is banned from chatting with people for 25 days. I feel that keeping Facebook local, yet seeking to grow it's network around the world is difficult for them. If I was completely dedicated to the Mormon YSA Blog Spot, I could have grown my audience so quickly. Facebook is very powerful, yet they don't want people to become activists. Adding people that you don't know outside of Facebook messes with their algorithms, which find potential friends that you might know too. Blocking people for this accusation can be easily justified too. I should repeat what I said previously to keep the point of this paragraph within it. This had me thinking that Facebook could have sent all those friend requests without hacking in to the account the normal known way with a password for Isidro Zapata and I. I think that Facebook may be targeting the Mormon activists to stop a movement within their social network because it is changing or not following their model of networking, which is to befriend only family or friends that you know outside of Facebook. My father thinks that Facebook is suppressing activism because it is too much for them to deal with.

HELLO!

well i have had a great week. I am really looking forward to the marriage of Roxana to her husband Noel, and the baptism of the whole family!! We had family scripture with them one night and i almost cried as i heard Asuncion pray about happiness in her home and to help them prepare for for their sealing in the temple. And another moment we shared with them was when we went over to re-commit her to follow the word of wisdom with exactness, for she had decaff coffee and green tea in her home, but her husband was the one drinking the coffee and she said that green tea isn't bad. Although, it was hard i knew it had to say that those things were not permitted to drink those  things, i asked do you think you can let go of these things when you get baptized?

she said "sister, Ive let worse things go, i am willing to give this up."then she talked about an experience when she was sharing the gospel with one of her friends and she had asked her why she had to wait a year to prepare to enter the temple and get married there. she told her that to get Married unto God and make promises that we are going to treasure one another and others we need to show our commitment and seriousness and to make sure that we are going to keep all of Christ's teachings in our lives, like  love, respect, communication, unity, hard work, repentance and do fun wholesome things as a family. Then are we prepared for such a sacred opportunity to become an eternal family. This is all her telling her friends this, from what she told me, from what i am telling you. Isn't she amazing?! She is also  having a hard time with her son right now, he is having suicidal thoughts and gets really aggressive. I was able to relate to him, when i put myself in my old shoes and how dark i felt before with no hope, but how that has helped me put my trust and God and come to know that he is all loving, is merciful, and can wipe away our tears, heal our broken hearts and fill us with hope and love. I shared the story of Alma's conversion (alma36) and how God was able to forgive these horrible sinners, for a wise purpose. Later they ended up becoming the most consecrated missionaries ever. In Alma 29:9 Alma says  I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do ^anot ^bglory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy. I Testified that tests and trials will arise, but this will be for his good and so he can experience the love of God more fullly in his life, and one day be an instrument in the hands of God to bring many to the knowledge of the truth. She said that she feels so much more comforted every time she reads the Book of Mormon. I was so greatful that the young men's president came over to have a chit chat with him. That's being Christlike and magnifying your calling, If it wasn't for the loving service and sacrifices of others we wouldn't thrive. They fill we with so much joy:)

We met a man from the Dominican republic, well actually three different ones, they all painted the inside of the Gilbert temple. Well other than that awkward moment of getting proposed to during a lesson, as i explained how the gospel blesses families. it went really well he said that he doesn't believe in coincidences and he believes we are sent from God to help him go in the right path. I loved watching him read the book of Mormon out loud, he really did try to understand what he was reading. 

i had my first leadership training it was fun. Well i  have to go but i will send pictures of the wedding next week, stay tuned.

The Blogger and the Ambulance P.1

"Now I lay here owing my life to a stranger and I realize that empty words are not enough."
-Thrice

Oh... my aching head... "Hey you're back!" Yea, I had to go to the doctors, I think I got jumped... "Yea, he just left, he was nice." You didn't think to stop him or maybe call the police? "Nah you were fine. Something tells me we haven't seen the last of him." Ugh... Whatever... Anyway, so a little more about me my dear reader, "You like to talk about yourself don't you?" More than you can imagine, but in my past 

To the right you'll see a hospital
(Not pictured) an Artist

lif- "Whoa whoa there bud, y'all believe in reincarnation? I don't think I can let that one fly!" Still didn't let me finish... I refer to my pre-mission life as my past life, if you want to know what happens after we kick the bucket, click here! But anyway, I used to listen to Rock/Alternative music, you just can't beat the sound of an Awesome! guitar solo and a rockin' drum solo."Oh yea, I can totally agree to that!" The lyrics above go to a song called 'Artist and the Ambulance' by a band called Thrice. It's an Awesome! song about a man who has a horrific car accident and after waking up and realizing he's alive, he realizes that he has been wasting his life and decides to do what is right.

So a while ago, I had to teach a class about Spiritual Gifts, and these gifts are blessings that the Lord gives us to bless and benefit others, it's a 'give what you have' sort of thing. We've been given much, so we too much give. "Quid pro quo?" Not very so. Now there's a ton of spiritual gifts which include The Gift of Wisdom, The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues and others. Now everyone is guaranteed to have one, but some may have more or different ones according to our desires as well as if we'll use it to help, but there is one I want to focus on and it is The Gift of Healing. "You mean like those preachers who bop someone on the head and they start dancing?" Well, not quite.

So what do doctors do? "Is that a serious question?" You're killing me smalls... Just answer it... "They doctor?" Exactly! When we get sick and chicken noodle soup just doesn't cut it, we go to the doctor and they give us gross tasting medicine to make us

No Babies were harmed in the
making of this post

better! In other words, they heal! Well, in the church, worthy men receive what's called the priesthood, which is the authority to act in God's name. Now one thing a man with the Priesthood can do is give a blessing of healing. So, they heal.

Now many think that the gift of healing is simply, touch someone and BAM! healed. But to me, I think it's not always that way. Here's an example, so back home, my stake president is a radiologist. "That's pretty sweet!" But that's not all! He is also a practicing surgeon. "Two for the price of one huh?" You know it. Now, if you've ever played Operation, you can probably testify it's not very easy huh? "I don't think it's the same thing..." EXACTLY! If you mess up, the person's nose doesn't glow red, nah, sometimes worse things happen... So it's not something ANYONE can do. It takes a steady hand, and one who knows what he's doing. "So where are you going with this?"

Well, what if I told you that maybe, just maybe, the Holy Ghost is guiding this surgeon's hand so he can do, well the things he do. "Things he do?" Just... So whenever I thought of someone who had the gift of healing, he's the one I thought of. Cause think about it, he HEALS people, and not just by like, giving two Tylenols and telling them to call him in the morning, no, this man sometimes takes out the sickness quite literally out of people, in operations that are for the most part, life threatening. But he does it, and he's a man of God and he uses the Priesthood, or the authority of God to not only give blessings of healing to the sick, but to also have his hand steady so he can save lives. Not like you know, I shoo'ed a lizard from the street so it wouldn't get squished, nah I mean, saved a human life. "You sure know how to talk up about someone." Ehh, it's gift. See? There's that word again. "What gift?" Yea. "So does that mean you're gonna do another who knows how many part series for spiritual gifts?" Nah cause there's a lot and I already have like two multiple part posts and I'll forget about the different parts. "Isn't that lazy?" I'm not sure... But I AM sure that our Heavenly Father loves us and gives us these talents or gifts, so we can help others. I read a quote that went something like this, "The meaning of life is to discover your special talent, the purpose of life is to give it away." Profound huh? "You're just something else." Yea, something Awesome!

So check back next time (It won't be next time...) for the stunning conclusion to The Blogger and the Ambulance! "Stunning?" Well, It'll be pretty cool, at least I think so.

Yes I am LDS

By Isidro Zapata

I got a new flavor and I hope
you truly savior
 this new flavor
That will set you free
And make you see
For first time in ages
 All you need to do is come
As you are no need to make any changes
Before you get a new restart
To the Creator
So after you take in
You will never wavier
with this truth,
Now you can be awaken
So you can be blessed by the truth
You can now
Break all the lies
That float around
And break their fake hope
For God spoke to man through
Prophets and he is the same yesterday
Today and forever so he does it today
Your old view now flies out the window
When you sit down and pray and ask if this is
True, then you will sing a new tune
For the Holy Sprit cannot ever lie
For the Holy Sprit holds the truth going around the world spreading
The word to set people free
So they can sing a new
Tune and say this book is true
So just pray and truly ask
if this is all true
then you will see
and no need to repeat and plea
for the answer will indeed
Set you free
And you will have no doubt
About the faith
So you will no longer
 talk smack and act all whack
No more time to smoke smack
For that is all whack
The truth
Will allow you to experience a renew
Of Gods eternal love forever for God is clever
to keep his promises
and recite his eternal love for you and me
So I have to say am bless to have my past
Erase and gone forever and in its place is God’s eternal
Favor for I can now see and be a member of this
Faith that, has withstood the test of time.
 you are welcome
To one day step into the temple and worship
And take part of God’s master plan
To go on a mission to spread the word
But do not be mistaken these two years are not the only time
To speak and teach the word to the nations
You need to be on a mission 24/7
With love and compassion for the lost
To turn them into jewels for the Lord
For you can now say you are proud to be a Mormon with
The full truth and faith to set people souls free for
A brand new start

Satan and his Tactics

In  The book " Living your Covenants Everyday"  by Jennifer  Brinkerhoff Platts.  The chapter i just read talked about Satan and his tactics. She talks about how making scriptures study a priority in our lives blesses us.  "Understanding the role of satan and how to shum him from our lives is a truth we learn by reading and studying the scriptures. 

In the beginning Satan lied.  He continues to lie to us everyday!!!The scritures teach us how to combat him .   Satan is sly in deceiving us. In 2 nephi 9: 27-39.   Nephi talks about how satan marginalizes the Atonment.   Everyday  Satan battles for our agency. Satan's attack on us are relentless and delibrerate.  He is impeccable in his timing, especially at our weakest and most valunerable moments,    Anger, apathy, and carnal security atr some of his favorite tools.   Satan is a Liar!!!!  Satan attacks our most important relationships.       The bible dictionary states,  "  Protection against the influence of the devil is found by obedience to the commandments and laws of the Gospel of Jesus Christ"    Entering into Covenants places  a target on our backs. Satan wants to destroy those that living Fathers's plan.      It is worth our best efforts to heighten our awaeness of the ways that satan works in our lives.   That includes being realistic about the lies satan tells.    and By taking time ti evaluate our choices in given situations,  We are more inclined to undercover lies that we believe.