Movin' Right Along!

Ok, so the title of my rant today is a quote from The Muppet Movie (the older one, not the newer one). Fozzie and Kermit are drivin' along and singin' a song about fulfilling their dreams. What I love about the song is that it is all about moving forward!

 

Today, or mission did some movin' right along of our own. We have just become the seventh mission to receive materials for online proselyting! The use of iPads and Facebook for the spreading of the word of God online has just been made mission wide. This is such a hastening of the Lord's work in these days. This makes it possible to touch the hearts of people around the world, and to be telling them about how much God loves them without having to be there in person to knock on their door. This is a fulfilling of the Lord's dream to tell the entire world of the love He has for them!

This is the link to a broadcast that was made about the use of technology in our missionary efforts (http://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/special-broadcast). I am so grateful to be part of this work of God. I know that He has had a hand in everything this whole time, and I feel honored to be a missionary at a time of such incredible miracles. I know that this use of technology for the better is inspired of God, and that it will help people everywhere to know Heavenly Father and their Savior, Jesus Christ!

I would encourage everyone who reads this to look at the way you are using the blessing of technology. On your own Facebook or blog, make it a goal to post something inspirational each week. It doesn't even have to be "churchy", just something that will uplift another who might read it. God has blessed us with this gift, and we need to be using it to help those around us. I know that if you make this a goal, you will be happier, because you are serving others. You may not be physically telling someone "hey, don't forget to smile today!", but through a simple post, you can inspire whoever reads it. You never know who's day it might brighten! =)

Fear and Faith

This week, I've decided that I really want to study faith. I was reading all the scriptures that had anything to do with faith, and I read the story of the apostles at sea with Christ (Mark 4 :36-41..... http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/4?lang=eng)  Think about what it must have been like being in a boat with everything going crazy & flooding. It would have been scary, right? Well, the apostles thought the same thing! I can imagine them just being frightened out of their minds! One of them even asks the napping Christ if he cares that they are going to drown.

I love what Jesus does next. He commands the winds and the waves to be still, and then turns to his apostles and asks where their faith is. In a way, he is also commanding them to be still. From his two simple questions, we learn that fear and faith cannot coexist. They are total opposites, and you can't have both at the same time. It is like having a candle in a dark room. The light from the candle will always prevail over the blackness surrounding it. Faith is and always will be stronger than fear.

As a missionary, I have a lot of things I can be afraid of. At the beginning of my mission, I was super worried about what to say to people when they opened their doors. I thought about the rejection and scorn that might come from talking to random people. At one point, I just had to be still just like those waves and remember that God is in control.  As I have learned to trust my Heavenly Father and really rely on my Savior, my faith has increased. I don't fear what might happen, but look forward to what will happen if I continue to depend on Jesus Christ for strength. I know that the Lord loves me, and there are so many blessings in store for us as we show our dedication to him. Increase your own faith by praying often and asking Heavenly Father for help. He wants to help us trust him, and sometimes he is just waiting for us to ask. As you apply the principle of prayer for faith into your life, you will see a change. You will learn to trust God, and you will have the blessing of strong and sure faith in the Savior!

Service Day

Today has been such a good day already! Sister Clark and I got to go do service for the community this morning, and it has done miracles for my mood. Lately I have struggled keeping a positive attitude all the time. I think it's because I have forgotten the reason why I am here in the first place. I am here to serve, and in serving others, I am happy! In The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, a prophet names Benjamin talks about service. He wisely says-

 "...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2: 17, http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/2?lang=eng)

When we serve the people around us, we are serving our Heavenly Father because we are doing what He would do if He were there. He blesses us with happiness as we serve. All He wants is for us to be happy! That is the reason we are here on this earth. We are here to experience joy! =)

That is why I am here. That is why I gave up everything for the next year and a half to be a missionary. I did it because I want to serve just like my Savior did, and continues to do. I am here to help lift others, to comfort those that need it, and to help them find eternal happiness. I am here to be happy through service =) I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for that little hole to heaven that I needed. He knows me better than I know myself, and I am grateful that he opened my eyes to that again today.

Find a way to serve this week. Look for chances, pray for opportunities, and I promise you will be lead to them. If you are sad or feeling overwhelmed, go do something for someone else today. Go and serve, and allow the Lord to bless you with full and complete happiness in your life!

Forget Me Not!

A few weeks ago, a member gave us a hand out from a meeting that she didn't want. It was a kit to grow little Forget-me-not flowers all by yourself! I planted them a few days ago, and they just started to sprout!

 

Needless to say, I'm just a tad bit excited. =) The hand out was based on a talk given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a modern day apostle of God. In his talk, titled Forget Me Not, he starts by introducing this small flower.

"It does not attract immediate attention; it is easy to overlook among larger and more vibrant flowers; yet it is just as beautiful, with its rich color that mirrors that of the bluest skies—perhaps this is one reason why I like it so much. And there is the haunting plea of its name. There is a German legend that just as God had finished naming all the plants, one was left unnamed. A tiny voice spoke out, “Forget me not, O Lord!” And God replied that this would be its name."

 

He then goes on to compare the five petals of the flower to five things we always need to remember.

 

1. Forget not to be patient with yourself.

2. Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.

3. Forget not to be happy now.

4. Forget not the "why" of the gospel (or why we live the lives we do as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

5. Forget not that the Lord loves you.

 

 

I love this talk! It defiantly reminds me of all the little holes of heaven that I can't afford to forget to see. I would encourage you to listen to this talk! And please forget not how much you are loved from on high =) Keep looking for your individual holes to heaven each day. I promise that as you do, you will be happier and more positive! It's worked in my life, and I promise it will work in yours =) Have a fantastic day!

 



Temple Announcment!

Just a few days ago, a new announcement was made for the Gilbert, Arizona temple open house! It is the largest temple to be built in 17 years. It just goes to show how the Lord is hastening his work for everyone!

I love the temple!!! Temples are sacred buildings, dedicated to the Lord as his house here on the earth. Inside, we receive beautiful blessings from God, and are strengthened and uplifted by his Spirit. The temple ordinances are not secret, but sacred. The open house is such a great time to be able to go inside and see the special rooms, and get a taste for the Holy Spirit that is already there. Here is the official announcement with dates and such. Please visit this website and make plans to attend this special occasion! =)
 

(http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/public-invited-tour-gilbert-arizona-temple)

One of the many things I love about the temple (and trust me, there are so many) is the sealing of families for time and all eternity. Families don't have to end here! We can be with the people we love the most forever! This is possible through the power of the Priesthood. The Priesthood is the authority given to man to use God's power here on earth. Through the power of God, we have been blessed with the ability to bind on earth that which is bound in heaven. Because God loves us and has given us this power today, we can be with our families after this life. Because my parents were sealed in the temple, I know that I will get to be with my family through the eternities.

The Planning Day Crazies...

So, every Friday, we devote the whole day for planning for the upcoming week. In my opinion, this is one of the best days of the week! We get a chance to pray for everyone we are seeing individually, and then setting up plans for them based on the direction of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, we don't even recognize when we are being prompted to put in a name in a specific time until later in the week. I can't tell you how many times we put someone in, and it ends up being the only time they can see us that week. Planning day is such a miracle =)

At times, it can also become one of the funnier days in the week. We all get something I like to call the "planning day crazies". It comes from spending hours indoors with lots of strenuous thinking. Well, this Friday, my companion Sister Clark and I had the crazies pretty bad. We decided to take a break by taking random pictures.

 We really are crazy =)

 

Today we are going on something called exchanges. It is where another missionary from another area gets to come out with us for the day. I love exchanges, because it helps me to get advice from an outside source. I am hoping that our exchanges will help me come up with better ideas of how I can be a better trainer and example to the other missionaries around me. People will always remember what we do. While I am here, I am wearing the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, on my chest. I want to do everything I can to represent Him in the best way that I can. I am growing so much every day, and I know that it is because I am making more of an effort to become more like Him. I know that true happiness can come as we strive to live a higher standard of living that is taught to us by Jesus Christ. I have never been happier in my life than I have been while on my mission. All of the hardships and trials we face are so worth it, if it means my Heavenly Father is making me into a better version of myself. Planning day crazies and all =)

 

John 14:27

My dad's birthday was just a few days ago! Happy birthday, dad! My family means the world to me. Oddly enough, I would say that being here on my mission has brought me closer to them than I have ever been before. I only get to talk to them over email on Mondays, but my experiences out here have made me really appreciate my family more, and helped me to develop a greater love for them.

I imagine that is how God feels about us. We know that God is more than just some all powerful being who watches what we do. He is the father of our spirits! That makes us his children. How cool is that?! The greatest being in existence who created everything around us is our Father! And, because He is perfect, his love for us is perfect. I can think of no better way to put it than how our modern-day prophet, Thomas S. Monson puts it. He said-

 "...your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there."

(http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-relief-society-meeting/2013/09/we-never-walk-alone?lang=eng)

I had an experience with this some years ago. At one point during my sophomore or junior year of high school (it's all a blur to me), nothing was going right. I felt really upset, but tried really hard to make everyone else think I was ok. Well, one night I went to hang out with some friends, and I was just struggling. I eventually walked out, and sat in my car and cried. My friend noticed I was missing, and came out and sat with me. I told her about everything that was going wrong, and how alone I felt. She then gave me some advice about being a child of God that I have never forgotten.

1. You will always have somewhere to go. Whether it be crying out in prayer, visiting a church building, or walking around temple grounds, we will always have somewhere to go to be with him. He truly hears us as we pray, and He wants to pour out such rich blessings on us. Our Heavenly Father will never leave us here to wander by ourselves.

2. You will never be alone. We were not put here on this earth to be alone. Heavenly Father's greatest joy comes from us, his family. He wants us to be just as happy as He is, so He has blessed us with our very own families. If your family isn't a source of joy for you in one way or another, than He places other people in our life to help us along the way. Best of all, our Savior, Jesus Christ, has already traveled the path we must walk here on earth. He knows how to overcome anything. In our moments of greatest struggle, our Savior and Redeemer is the closest person to us. continually offering support and encouragement. No matter how alone we feel, we will never truly be left to struggle by ourselves.

3. You will always be loved. Think about this for a minute. The most powerful being in all the universe, who made the stars and heavens, knows you. The God of all, the creator of everything that is beautiful, knows you. How? Because you are his child. He knows each of us because we lived and grew at his feet in heaven. He sees us as beautiful sons and daughters, destined for a glorious future he has prepared for us. I promise you that He loves you. He loves you enough to give his Son, our brother Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice so that we could return to him. He wants us to come home!

No matter where you are, what you are doing, and where you are headed now, you can feel of your Heavenly Father's love for you. Pray to him, and ask to feel it in your life. I promise you that you can trust him, and that He is always there for you. You can go to Him in prayer. You don't have to do things alone. And, most importantly, you are loved!

The Power of Our Prayers

So I had a really cool experience yesterday. It is always amazing to me how much God knows me more than I know myself. We received a call yesterday making some changes to our area that threw my companion and I for a loop. I struggled most of the day, because it changed all of our previous plans, and I had been pretty set on those plans. I thought I knew what we were supposed to do. Well, when we had some personal time, I got down on my knees and just started to pray out loud. I just talked to my father in heaven, and told him why I was struggling and how conflicted I was. I told him I was confused, and a little scared, and that I needed His help to accept what he was asking us to do. As soon as I was done, I just continued to sit on my knees for a minute. I didn't feel right away that everything was going to be ok, but as I got up and started to act, I felt a sense of peace at the end of the day.

In a talk given by Richard G. Scott, an apostle of God, he talks about prayer and how important it is to us. He says;

 "Seldom will you receive a complete response all at once. It will come a piece at a time, in packets, so that you will grow in capacity. As each piece is followed in faith, you will be led to other portions until you have the whole answer. That pattern requires you to exercise faith in our Father’s capacity to respond. While sometimes it’s very hard, it results in significant personal growth. He will always hear your prayers and will invariably answer them. However, His answers will seldom come while you are on your knees praying, even when you may plead for an immediate response. Rather, He will prompt you in quiet moments when the Spirit can most effectively touch your mind and heart. Hence, you should find periods of quiet time to recognize when you are being instructed and strengthened. His pattern causes you to grow."

(http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/04/using-the-supernal-gift-of-prayer?lang=eng)

I know that prayer works. It is a hole to heaven that is always open to everyone at all times. No matter how we feel, or what we are going through, we really can talk to our creator in prayer. He hears us! He is listening, and wants to answer you! I would encourage you to get down on your knees and ask him if He is there. Tell him how you feel, and what you need. It may feel a little awkward at first, but the whole point is that you talk to Him. He is pleased and overjoyed as we include Him in our lives. Sometimes, all He is waiting for is for us to ask. I know that if you start to include prayer in your life more, you will feel a difference. You will feel happier, and more confidence in the choices you are making. Please include Him in your life. He will bless you for it in more ways than you can ever imagine! =)

Please take the time to read/listen to it! It is to simply explained about what prayer is, and how to recognize answers. Feel free to comment and ask me questions if you have any! Have a beautiful day!

Here's To A Beginning!

Well, gee, I've never done anything like this before...hi! =) My name is Kelci (or Sister Fry), and I am currently serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am loving it! As I was thinking about what to call my blog, I was reminded of the little things I see each day. The intrigue flowers, the sunshine on my face, the wind brushing my cheeks...the little things that remind me that I am alive. Alive, and happy. I want to talk here about the little things, the small holes to heaven we see everyday that remind us that there is a God, and that he truly loves us. I hope and pray that as you read this, you will feel the love of God in your life more. You will see more the things the Lord has done through your day to brighten it just a little. I also hope that you will begin to understand the nature of God a little more, and in turn, understand who you are to him. I promise that He loves you, and that you will feel that more in your life as you seek out your own holes to heaven.