Love is Real

So, this summer, I have been listening to a christian radio station a lot since it's uplifting to listen to and there's not a bunch of nastiness playing on it. I've really felt uplifted since listening to it. It's kind of like my religion class of the day or my little bit of church camps, since I don't get the chance to go to any this year.

Anyway, sometimes they have these religion discussions between songs and the other day they had one where they asked people to think of one word to describe God's love. They started naming some such as grace, mercy, infinite, etc. Then, they said one that really caught my attention: REAL. God's love is REAL. It is such a beautiful thing and it is always there for us. Tonight in Institute [a church class offered once a week for college aged and above adults in the church], we discussed the parable of the prodigal son from Luke chapter 15. The father rejoices when his way-ward son returns just as our Heavenly Father rejoices when we return to Him and repent of our sins and "try a little hard to be a little better (Gordon B. Hinckley )."

I know there are many days when my mind goes else-where rather than focus on my Lord, and Savior. However, it is so amazing that the Lord still loves us and cares for us and wishes for us to return to Him. He always has his arms outstretched to carry us through the hard times of life and bring  us back to the light. I love it. I know that my Redeemer lives.

picture found on google of Savior raising the little girl from the dead.

Life Lessons

I have had two things on my mind a lot recently. One is kinda a nasty analogy and the other is a miracle in my eyes.

So- the first. Please just bear with me during this- Recently, I have seen a TON of road kill. Gross, I know. However, I was sitting at a red light thinking about it and had this crazy, smart thought: Road kill is like us when we give into temptation and turn our hearts to the devil. We can lose our agency and become "dead" to things spiritual and it takes a lot of work and changes to get back. It is, however, possible. (I know road kill is quite dead and will still be dead. That part does not work with this analogy. Again- bear with me). Crazy thought. I know. However, it makes sense in my head. Hopefully, I am not the only one....

Second thought- Remember my post about money a few posts ago? Well, I was really stressing out and just freaking out all the time and just not myself after all that. Well, I was counting money for tithing [10% of income we give to the church to help pay for different things. It is a very SMALL way to give back to the Lord for all the blessings we have been given.] and to take to the bank. Well, it had been a month or so since I had done this and I realized I had made a lot more money than I was planning. I felt so blessed I honestly almost started crying. The Lord really does bless you when you pray to Him and try your best to try to fix your problems while asking for His help when you know you cannot do it alone. This summer has been quite the eye-opener to how many blessings the Lord has given me. I always just thought of the usual but, this is turning into a summer of miracles. I almost feel like my life is becoming like those stories in the Bible. Yes, I know I'm not having some of the amazing miracles from it but, I have been feeling like the Lord really does love and care for me as much as he did those people then. Sometimes it is easy to forget that, like them, we are God's children too and He loves each of us equally. When I'm feeling alone or having a rough time, I can remember this summer and REMEMBER His love.

If you're struggling with feeling the Savior's love, just pray to Him. He's always willing to show His love. I'd forgotten his love. It is a great feeling when you can almost feel his arms around you and almost hear the words he would say to you, "I love you and am so proud of you. Come to me and let me help you."

The Lord Knows My Needs

You know those days where it is not a bad day but, you just feel stressed and almost on the verge of tears just full of emotion and you're not sure what to do about it? That was me today. My day was very good but, one bad thing hit a pressure point and has left me feeling sad and heavy in my heart.

I'm subbing for singing time for primary [the class for children ages 3-11] in church tomorrow and realized I still needed to figure out what we were doing. Well, I sat down at the piano and started playing through the songs to figure out which ones to do. A few of the songs really hit me and I was very happy to be home alone because I was brought to tears. I felt the love of my Savior when I really needed it. My heart had felt so heavy and I'd been feeling so alone but, He knew I needed Him and He helped me feel his love and remember why I am here and how I am important. I am His daughter and He loves me no matter what. I'm doing the best I can and that is enough for Him. Of course, I have a lot to work on but, I'm trying and He knows that. So, even though I am not perfect and life can be really rough, it is worth it and my Savior and Heavenly Father love me dearly and will help me become what I am meant to.

Why Money?

So, I've been trying to earn money to pay for college since my parent's rule is they will pay for the 1st year and then, you pay for the rest. Well, I did not get that clue  until 1/2 my first year which is my own fault. My dad told me about budgeting today and looking at how life is going, I'm going to be broke after one year which is difficult since I have at least 3 more years. It was an eye-opener since I've always thought I'd just keep saving and life would just work out. I've tried not to spend a lot and pay tithing [10% of income that we give to church to help pay for different things] so, to see my money disappearing in front of me on paper was scary. I've been trying to get a job but, so far, no luck. It makes me scared to be trying so hard and think of being completely broke in under a year. My parents have said to do service and looking at some different projects I'd love to do I do not feel I can because it would cost me money which is the opposite of what I'm trying to do. I'm missing the days when I'd babysit for fun and almost walk out forgetting the fact that I got paid for it. Now, I somewhat understand the living paycheck to paycheck life and I do not quite care for it. How have college kids before me survived this feeling of being completely at a loss and useless to the world in the ways of money? How do they get back on top after all this spending to get an education? How do they buy a house? Get married? Raise children? Keep up their hobbies? Go out for entertainment? Go on dates? How??? I guess it's time to find out...