The other day I had an old familiar quote brought to the front of my mind. We were in a leadership training and were doing some practice of how to teach the principle of prayer. As we were doing so the elder that was teaching reminded me of this quote, "Pray as if everything depends on our Heavnly Father and work as if it all depends on you." Now I have always really liked this among many other quotes pertaining to prayer. as I have contemplated this for a few days now, I have thought of the many times I have really prayed my hardest to get my self out of a "self induced jam". I remember one of my earliest times of really calling not only for "mommy" but to my Heavenly Father for help. My mom had taken me to the grocery store and was just about finished. When I became interested in the bulk candy section. I didn't realize that my mom had told me to come along and was walking down the isle of the store. When I had turned around she was gone and no where to be seen. I remember as I was running down the various isles looking for my mom. Asking Heavenly father for the help of finding her. However when I said amen I didnt just stop there. I ran up and down the isles searching for her. Now granted she was just as nervous as I was and I know now that she wouldnt have left me there. But I know if anything Heavenly father comforted me until the time that I had found her. I have many other times of feeling stressed out for some reason or another. Whether on my own or with those who I truly love I have found it is nessicary to rely on our Heavenly Father at all times. Alma's instruction to his son Helaman he directs him to do just this.

Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. (Alma 37:36)

As I strive to "cry unto God" I have found that things go so much easier. Not only the things pertaning to missionary work but those that I worry about in the everyday life. I know that God answers prayers. I know that God knows me personally and wants me to be happy, as I ask him how he wants me to do so he really does help me.

Christmas Nativity

Last night I was able to attend a live Nativity. One of the members in Meeteetsi put it on at their ranch. They had live animals, prefect weather, and little kids played the parts. They even had some "quarter-camels". As it was portrayed as an old cowboy just him and his horse sitting at a campfire on Christmas eve. The cowboy sat and told the story of the birth of our dear Savior Jesus. As there was some time to sit and think as we could watch the Shepard's and the three wise men come in to pay their respects, I thought of how important that night really was. That night was the first night of what made it all possible for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father, and as a families for eternity. I then thought even though his birth was wonderful. What was really wonderful was what was fulfilled in the rest of his life. The atonement was truly the greatest gift that anyone of us could receive. Our Heavenly Father gave us life. He gave all of us that babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger out of love. "For god so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believieth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

I know that Jesus is our savior. He is the only begotten of the Father. That only through him can we return to live with our families for eternity. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father loves us enough to let his Son suffer the pain and sicknesses of the rest of the world. Just so we could be redeemed. I love my Saviour!

Recently i have been studying Jesus Christ. I am going through the topical guide and searching from there. The other morning I came across this scripture,

"34And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall losehis life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

 36For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"(Mark 8: 34-36)

I had heard it many times and thought that I understood it, but as I continued to read it and and those around it I truly felt the meaning of this scripture. As we approach the Christmas season and our thoughts are on our savior Jesus Christ. I know that I am so grateful for the service that he did for me, and all he asks us to do is to follow him. I thought how can I better follow him. What can I do for others, even just a little bit more. Am I losing my life for the sake of my saviour, am I denying myself and worrying about others. What can I do more? I know that Jesus is my saviour. I know that he lives and wants everyone to be happy and to return to live with him. I know that as we try our best and serve those around us (Mosiah 2: 17). We can truly find the happiness in life that we all are searching for.