June 25,2012

My dear family and friends,

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE CARDS AND LETTERS!!!! Oh my goodness, I don't think the video really showed my excitement (it's hard to be ANYTHING when you're in 105* weather and the power's out-- which is why we filmed it outside! It was actually brighter and cooler outside at that moment).... What SHOULD'VE been recorded was me reading all of them that night! I sat on my bed and went read ALL of the cards (I couldn't hang it up in my apartment... it's too small to fit all of them!), plus all my little primary friends' cards.... so cute! I was laughing so hard!... I seriously loved my presents! And the "Book of Moore-mon"?? You guys are awesome! So clever! I really enjoyed reading your testimonies. I had such a wonderful time reading through my shower of cards and letters: YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!

Saturday was supposed to be My's baptism. She's still going to go through with it; it's just a matter of when and where. I want everyone to be happy in the Gospel. 

Satan does his very best to stop every good thing. But if we build our foundation on what we need to, then when we are faced with difficult trials we can prevail. My favorite scripture is Helaman 5:12.... 

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall".

When our foundation is sure and steady we can do anything, even if the adversary is doing everything he can to stop us from doing good things. Even if it's something small like reading our scriptures, or saying our prayers every day: Satan will try and stop us. We all need to decide now: "Who's side am I on? Who's going to win today? Even in the little things?"

(I'm feeling very passionate about this right now, so bear with me).. Eternal perspective: that's my advice to all of you. In everything you do, look at the eternal perspective of it. Before getting upset over something small or choosing something you shouldn't think of the eternal perspecitve of it. Does it really matter?

I'm not perfect at this... nowhere close! But all weekend my mind has been consumed in these thoughts. My goal this week is to look at everything in the eternal perspective and ask myself "Does this matter?". If it DOES matter, do it!  :) I've noticed this kind of outlook really helps when sharing the Gospel with others; it helps us let go of our fears in opening our mouths to say something.

Anywho....

Just some spiritual food for thought...

Yesterday was a very special day... not only was it my birthday but my one year anniversary of going through the Temple of the Lord! Has it really been a year?? What a beautiful place that is. It is my constant prayer that we all live worthy enough to make it to the Temple to receive the eternal blessings found inside. It's one of my favorite places :) I hope it's yours too (and if not now, that it will become so!)

Mom and Dad.... I'm so grateful you were there with me that day... a taste of Heaven for me that I will never forget. And for all my family that was able to attend: what a special thing to see you there supporting and loving me!

I love this Gospel, and I love you all. 22 years ago I left our Heavenly parents' home to come to this earth to be with you! What a mighty adventure it has been so far!

Thank you all for making my birthday a special one. I really needed it this weekend :)

I LOVE YOU!!

Love, Sister Sunscreen