Have Faith in Him (:

I remember sometime ago I decided that I wanted to Hike Mount Timpanogos. I had heard lots of great things about this hike but underestimated how hard it was actually going to be. For some, this adventure is not that bad but for me it was strenuous & the death of me. 
  About an hour in I remember thinking, "How on earth am I going to do this?". I was sure I would not make it.  After 6 hours of hiking I was convinced the end would NEVER come. I was sick of looking at dirt, plants and rocks and I was in a lot of pain and wanted to go back. Eventually we made it to the top....( It was a miracle!)
   As I stood and looked over the valley at all the beauty I was filled with the feeling of accomplishment and peace. I then  realized that all the pain I was previously put through was worth it and because of the great people I was with to support me along the way I made it. (:  
    I love the words of Dieter F. Uchtdorf "Just because we cannot see something with our physical eyes does not mean it doesn't exist." 
   There are so many trials and hard times that come into our lives and we often can not see the light at the end of the tunnel. But as we strengthen our Faith in Him we receive strength, and special people come into our lives to help us along the way.  

How can you strengthen your faith in Him so He can show you the peace that lies ahead?

The Masterpiece

    When I was serving in my first area one of the families there had their daughter come home from her mission. At that time I was struggling with somethings because well as we

all know life is well.. hard. She came home and became a great friend to me. One day she gave my trainer and I this poem and it has been such a blessing in my life. Our Savior Jesus Christ truly knows what we are going through and how to help us. She gave me this poem at the perfect timing when I needed it most and to realize even more, than I did, that I was NEVER alone. Sometimes we want to quit but He always has our back and isn't going to let us down. I have been through some hard things in life and it's because of My Savior that I am where I am today. Trusting in Him and making Him one of my best friends has helped me accept and be proud of who I am.(: When you feel low and down look to the one who has felt it all and I have NO DOUBT you will find comfort there.(: Be proud of who you are because YOU are a masterpiece in His eyes!

                  The Masterpiece 
The Master Artist awaits, chisel in hand. 
 I say, "Ok, I'm ready," and I brace myself for the process.
"This will hurt a little, "He warned," and it won't be easy.
       You will often feel discomfort and will want to quit. 
        But just trust me. I am here the entire way."
At that, he began to chisel.
        He is chiseling away what is unnecessary.
        He is smoothing lines and adding definition. 
"What if you make a mistake?" I ask, 
       "How do you put a piece back on?"
He smiles and whispers to me, 
        "I never make mistakes. I will never need to add pieces wither,
         because the masterpiece is already within. It is just hidden."
And he continues to chisel away ever so gently. 
It does hurt occasionally, and I catch myself doubting His work when
    I see certain pieces fall, but I still trust His skilled hands.
At times throughout the process I feel all alone. 
      and scared because I can't see Him anymore.
I call out to Him and He comes out from behind me.
      "It's Ok," Hes says, "I am here. I was just working from a different angle."
The process is long and sometimes I do want to quit. "Are you almost done?"
      I ask,"I don't like the comfortableness, or the pain."
"I understand," He replies, "but wait until you see the result. Just wait!"
   His eyes sparkle in response.
I am beginning to feel lighter and more alive. He is just smiling and working away.
"Ouch! That was a very painful cut," I exclaimed with tears in my eyes.
     To my surprise He had tears too, " I know, but it was necessary." 
And so the process continued. I didn't fully understand all of His approaches or ideas, but I continued to trust. 
    Finally He stopped and stood in front of me. I thought it mean He was finished.
"I am not done. This is a life long process." He said.
    "Well then why did you stop?" I asked, actually not minding the break at all.
With tears rolling down His face and a look of love in His eyes, He said, 
   "I just had to stop and admire my masterpiece. This is truly the greatest one yet.
You will be very amazing when I am through. This is a masterpiece. 
    Then He wiped away His tears, bent down and picked up His chisel, and carefully
resumed His work. 

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?(:

Raleigh District(:

                                                  Raleigh 1st & 2nd District (: Transfer 5

Posseh Got Baptized!

Well today Posseh got baptized!(: It's been an exciting day! I remember when I first met her with Abby Slade, we became friends right away! Then my dear sweet companion Sister-Kaitlyn Spring came and we have been teaching her ever since. It's been 4 months and I wouldn't trade anything for this journey that I have been able to be apart of with Posseh. She has grown so much and I couldn't be more proud of the person she has become(: I know our Savior Jesus Christ lives and that because of him we have the opportunity to change each and everyday!(:
‪#‎BecauseOfHim‬ ‪#‎Baptism‬ ‪#‎Friends‬

My Love for Ford Raptors Led Us to an Investigator.. Who Would Have Guessed...(:

         Last week Sister Spring and I had a fun experience.(: We were headed home from a preparation
day activity and as we are driving along the road I looked to the left and saw a Ford Raptor on display at car dealership. For those who know me well I kind of have a thing for The Ford Raptor. I looked at Sister Spring with my eye set on the prize and said, "Sister Spring get in the left lane we MUST go take a picture with the Ford Raptor!!!" She thought I was crazy but I was thankful because she agreed. As we pulled into the lot we quickly made our way to the front where it was on display. I got out of the car and started walking up the rocks when I noticed a sales man coming toward us. My first thoughts were, "Oh boY he is probably not happy with us.." As he walked over I expressed to him that the truck behind me was one of my favorites and asked if I could take a picture. He kindly said I could and then saw my tag. Now when people see the tag it's really a do or die. They want to talk or ... they want to get rid of you as fast as possible. To my surprise he said, "Oh your missionaries! I'm currently investigating the church." At this point I thought I was in a dream.... because we came here to take a picture with the Ford Raptor and here we have... an investigator. He asked us many questions and said he just wasn't getting it.. we asked him if he had been reading the Book of Mormon and going to church. He looked away and said the missionaries said I should be but I haven't. We shared our testimonies and expressed that it's easier to know the truth of things when we actually try them out. For example Faith without Works is dead. By the end Sister Spring and I as well as Patrick were all spiritually uplifted and I got a picture with the truck. It turned out to be a Predator and not a Raptor but hey I wasn't complaining by the end of that Miracle!(: I know thaqt Heavenly Father truly takes who we are and our interests and puts them to good use. It's because we are His sons and daughters and he knows us personally! What a great experience! I love my mission and I would not trade it for anything! Well there you have it ..the story of how my love for Ford Raptors brought us to an investigator, Pretty neat if you ask me(:

Freedom

                                                    Finding Freedom In Obedience
One of my favorite sayings currently comes from the August Ensign. One of the Articles is titled "We Found Freedom in Obedience".
This has hit home for me a lot the last couple weeks because though the road of obedience seems rough it is what leads us to a better ending. I have particularly found this in reading the scriptures.
Scripture reading and study is something that our leaders have asked us to do diligently and daily. Sometimes we feel alone, sad, lost etc. but as I have been reading the scriptures more and more I have been able to find how they apply to me specifically and I have found "freedom".

 
                In what aspect of your life do you need to apply obedience to become free?

                                         

                                                             Pioneer Day 2015 (:

                                      Sister Spring and I (: Almost half way through training (:

               Posseh's is our investigator and she is from Africa! She is the sweetest person ever. I love her she is family (: This is from her second time at church(:

           I may be a missionary but that doesn't mean that I am not still "Gymnast Abbie" (:
                                    Gotta love early morning exercising #MissionLife