My Best Two Years

So two years ago I started perhaps one the greatest thing I will ever do in my life. I have learned so much, hopefully taught many, and been able to be one of the Lords messengers of his truth. Here is a little poem I have written in each area of my mission. It all pertains to people, companions, the area, and the beauty of the state.

My experience From the Great MBM.

Up here under the big open sky.

Teaching all that I can just why.

Why he came and died for me,

And everyone that will understand, you see.

I started out in early fall, thinking that I knew it all.

I lived with a man and his wife,

Whose love and friendship became part of my life.

He showed me a way to love and be,

Almost the kind our Heavenly Father shows to you and me.

I then went to Havre up on the top,

and found that all I could do was drop.

Drop to my knees and ask for a hand,

To carry me on, through that new untamed land.

We fought and we taught to all those that would listen.

Just so we could see their countenance glisten.

Glisten with change that came from the heart,

As they made that covenant with a new start.

Then came Whitefish one of the most beautiful places on earth,

Where you can see what god can do with dirt.

Many people here come and go,

And at times of the year it is really slow.

The president asked me to do something new,

I was told by some “just do what you can do”.

As I soon learned we’re not just sent somewhere to teach,

But try to help those companions, full potential become within reach.

When we are tired and brought to our low,

That is when God really helps us to grow.

                                                                                     Cody Wyoming.

One of the biggest cowboy towns in the west.

Buffalo Bill made this his rest.

Many missionaries told me this would be the best one.

They just didn’t tell me the members, loved everyone!

They welcomed all and always wanted to help.

If you have done this before, you might know how this felt.

When members show love, the investigators seem to flood.

Into the church to learn of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father above!

 

 I was asked to serve where I would end that fall,

The place I really needed to give it my all.

I had all the right tools I needed to teach of his grace,

But as we know we are not saved just by Grace.

But through baptism and repentance, with that special gift from above.

That gift when used we can really feel Gods love.

The Gospel blesses so many if they will give it a try.

I wish in the beginning I would have not let so many pass by.

 

As I look at the past two years, with times of blood sweat and tears.

I came to know of his truth and love, by the one who can always be there.

I know God has a plan for me and you, and to follow that plan,

We need to do as we have seen his Son do.

That is to love everyone, and help them come to know who they are,

That we are all God’s children, sent from afar.

I know his son lives and someday we will live too.

But not till after we do as God has commanded us to do.

Who built your fence?

Well this idea came from something my companion and I were talking about. I don't even really remember how or why we were, but during the middle of conversation, it hit me write a blog about the "fences" in our lives. With a little more insight I got this idea.

So in life we can see many different fences, some large, some small, some you can see through others you cant. Some are old, some are new and actually work. Up here in Montana you drive along the road and can see miles of fence stretched out. Some of them are just for boundaries, others are there to hold livestock in or out. When in town you see fences that are built to keep pets in or out. Or a growing problem of deer. For some reason people don't like deer eating their flowers. In or near cities you have cement barriers that help control the noise.

In our own personal lives we all need to build a fence. Now this fence may not be a fence to keep our home or property protected, or for appearance reasons. However this fence is a fence of protection for ourselves. As we live the gospel we build a "fence" for ourselves against the temptations and attacks from Satan. We can go through life with doing some of the things that God asks us to do. However as we do the fence we build around us small broken down and isn't going to hold much in or out. Our passions still run free. And stray "animals" or thoughts, ideas, actions are allowed into our lives.

As we decide what kind of fence we need our our lives, it is like choosing what commandments god wants us to follow. Granted when building a fence our budgets might not allow us to buy the fence we would like that would suit our needs best. But when we do it right and invest finances to buy what we need most, we build a fence that is stronger, that it is tight, and harder for "animals" to get in or out. Investing our time and efforts into keeping gods commandments is similar. As we study our scriptures, attend church and pray, we are taking a bit of our time and investing it into the lords will. Building a fence around us that is becoming protective. We have that guidance when danger is near.
But as we choose to follow all of Gods comandments. To the best of our abbilities, we build a strong fence that holds our lives safe. Even the noises or influences that we recieve that might not seem that obnoixious can begin to bring us down. We grow to accept those noises and tune them out, but that is not what God wants for us to do. He wants us to stay clear from them. We need to build a wall that will protect us. A wall to allow us to think with the spirit, be guided by the spirit and make desicions that will effect our life and the lives of our loved ones. However we need to be able to build our strong fence on a solid foundation. As we build anything on a foundation of Christ, we are able to be uplifted when down, protected when in danger, and guided when walking.


We all are continually building our own fences.



In Helaman, He instructs us on just how important it is to be built on the foundation of Christ so that we can be protected. "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." (Helaman 5:12)

I know that God loves us and wants the best for us. I know that sometimes the things on the other side of the fence appear to be better, but they are not. God gives us what is on our side. God gives us each what we have. it is just our dutie to do what is right so that we can build up a spiritual fence that will be strong enough to keep us safe.

 



 

Moments That Matter Most

Yesterday I came across this, and it reminded me of my dad. When I was younger, on the many trips to the ranch I would love to just talk and talk. My dad however was often quiet and would turn to me and ask "dont you just like to be quite and think about things." As a little kid my answer was generally no. Since coming on my mission I have had quite a few drives around the state and have been able to just sit there and think. I have really come to enjoy, to just slow life down and ponder on the things that matter. Now I am sure that as time goes on I will have other things in my life that will take my time and energy. I just hope and pray that I can slow down and take the time to realize the Moments That Matter Most.

Thanks for the name DAD!

Being the grand time of the year to honor our fathers. I thought I would write a bit about mine. My dad used to tell the story to me of how he took me on my first hunting trip at six weeks old. It wasn't nothing big or far away. Just a good old evening ride in the truck. All growing up however, similar trips were taken. I don't remember necessarily what they all were. I just remember going with my dad. Whether a four wheeler ride at night. A trip early in the morning to the ranch, or just getting up and working. I loved to go with him. He always taught me by what he did and by sometimes what he didn't do. I remember when I got older. We had a special bond. We could work right along the side of one another and almost accomplish a task with out even having to talk. That did not just happen because I was his son here on earth. It didn't just happen cause I had been recently around him. But it started the day I was born. My dad has always loved me, and in return even in the times when it wasn't so apparent, I have loved him. My dad has always been one that has instilled into us kids, many different traits. One of the earliest that I remember, was just when I was just in kindergarten.
A friend and I thought we were treasure hunters. In the middle of our play ground was a cement planter that had a tree planted in it. Around the tree was concrete. My friend and I had spent a few of our recesses chipping away at that cement. Until we had a hole in the middle, both of us wanting to take home a "treasure" loaded up our back packs with all the rocks from our pile. Upon arriving at home and talking to my dad of how my day was. I told him of my treasures. When he found out where I had taken them from he talked to me about honesty. Even though it was just a few pieces of rock and some chunks of concrete, I had indeed taken them when I had not asked if I could. So the next day, a little embarrassed i took all my "treasures" back to the school and placed them into the hole that we had chipped away. I don't remember my dad yelling at me or being upset. I think it was more the disappointment that I had first of all broke something apart then brought it home.
My dad has taught me many different things that now looking on. have become my real treasures. my dad was always there. no matter what was going on, no matter how busy work was for him. He always found the time. My dad wanted to spend time with us. he would often take us to the store to go and get a drink and just take a drive and talk. he would ask us how we were doing, what we were up to in school, and our live.
When I was in college, I was working quite a bit. but during a break between classes. it just so happened that it was my dads morning break at work. almost every morning we would call each other and talk. even though I lived at home I did not see him that much. I loved those moments when we both could sit and talk. We didn't have to worry what was going on around us. My dad gave me a lot of encouragement, advice and a few time opened up my up my mind. Giving me more opportunities.
So to my dad that has taught me so much. Thank you!

Repentance. Why procrastinate?

This morning I was studying in the book of Helaman, in the Book of Mormon. The Nephites and the Lamanites have been fighting back and forth for years. At one point the Chief judge, of the Nephites had died. He had three sons that fought back and forth over who should be the next ruler. Two of them went about it pretty fairly and trying to keep what the people really wanted. However the other brother fought them for it. He turned to lies and deception. Due to the conflict the Lamanite army saw the weakness in their guards. Causing them to attack the very center of the land. They attacked the most protected, most secured city of all the Nephites. Killing the last brother and taking the land. They then started to work from the inside to the out. (Helaman chapter 1)

Now if we think about this. We can relate it to our own lives. Lets just say that the three brothers are our decisions. The guards around the city are our values and standards that we live our lives by, and the Lamanites are Satan and his followers, trying to get to us. With our own lives it only can take a matter of a few choices to come to the point where Satan is able to enter our lives and begin to take control of the things that we do. It all starts by letting our guards down. I have found that can come by contention. Or perhaps by saying to our selves, "oh this wont hurt me." If we are not careful we can easily allow things into our lives that will hurt us, bring us farther away from our loved ones, and more importantly our Heavenly Father. As we do against our Heavenly Fathers will, we have need to correct and realign our selves with His will.

We do this through repentance. Getting rid of our habits that are wrong and replacing them with wholesome good ones. It often takes time and is not the easiest thing to do. Through prayer we can talk to God and receive comfort and guidance. It is then when we can feel a greater happiness and peace in our lives that makes things go so much as we would rather have them. God blesses us for doing what is right. They may not be the blessings that we are wanting but they are blessings from Him. And to me that is the greatest Blessing of all, knowing that He really loves me.

Hope is it really there?

A few days ago, Elder Coker and I made our way to Baker MT. It on the eastern side of Montana, and is pretty flat. We had about a fifty mile drive where we drove pretty much straight. Along the way there was rolling hills that seemed to go on for ever. As we would crest the top of one hill you could see the top of the next. For a while I thought we were never going to get here. Just as you would think that you would be able to see out across the prairie you would drop into a low land. Just as I thought we were on top we would begin to go back down. As I thought of it this morning, we all have our own ups and downs. Some of our trials can be really depressing. We can get down really easy. Whether its the weather outside, or trials within our family life and work. Life sometimes just doesn't seem fair. It becomes really easy to give up hope.
Elder Uchtdorf gave this great talk on the power of hope. It is truly a blessing to have prophets and apostles on the earth today to guide us, lift us when we are down, and give us comfort in times of need. I know that God calls them to teach, warn and testify to us in these days.

Dont Flood Yourself Out.

Well the past few days have been pretty rainy here in Glendive. So much that the Yellowstone River is starting to get a little on the full side. Peoples basements are starting to fill with water due to the rising water table. We heard of someone that has lived here for over thirty years and never had their basement flood and it did this past week. Many of the people, that the excess water is affecting, had little or no warning signs of the damage.  Just like with our own lives. Many times we go on with our everyday routines and think nothing of some of the thoughts and actions we do. We just blame it on "that's who I am". However, "if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God" things might not turn out so well for us. When we allow Satan to enter in a little bit at a time, most of the time not even realizing it, we trap our selves in his misery and heartache.  In 2 Nephi 28:21, Nephi tells how Satan will do this. "And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell."

Might we all be carefull enough to remember to do the things that God wants us to do so that we can remain focused on what really matters in the eternal scheme of life. But no matter what happens how far we sink. We can always return to our loving Heavenly Father. As we excersize our faith in Jesus Christ and keep his comandments we protect our selves from the possible damage.

To My Mom!

     Being the day before mothers day I thought it would only be appropriate to write a blog on mothers. In honor of my own mom. Who for the first nineteen years of my life put up with all of my weird habits and just me.
            My mom taught us as children to love and trust the lord. She did so by her example.
     I think of a few other mothers who taught their sons to trust in the lord as well. In Alma chapter 56 the 2000 stripling warriors rehearsed to Helaman. "...we do not doubt our mothers knew it." (Alma 56: 45-48)
     Because of what my mom taught me and gave me the standards that I try to live by, there were many times where I was kept from possible hurt or danger because I knew what would disappoint my mom. President Monson said in his talk "Behold Thy Mother", "Men turn form evil and yield to their better natures when mother is remembered." President Joseph F. Smith said, "The love of a true mother comes nearer (to) being like the love of God than any other kind of love."
     I know that my mom loves me very much. I feel sorry for all the times that I may have cause grief and worry. Many nights it would be close to midnight and when I would arrive at home there would be a lone light on in the front room. Sometimes watching tv, just others reading, but mom was always there awake waiting for me to come home. I knew I could talk to my mom and what I told her was safe. She always had an answer, sometimes I didn't like it but it was always the one that made things right. Mom always sacrificed for us kids. I don't know how many times she went with out so us kids didn't have to do so. I am grateful for her and the life she has given me. I will never be able to repay the love that she has given to me. Thank you mom!

Tresures of Heaven

The other morning I was reading in the Doctrine and Covenants. I came across a scripture that I thought would be good to blog about. So first off the scripture comes from D&C 6:20 it says, "Therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love."

As I read, I thought of treasures. There are many things in life that we can lay hold upon for treasures. Some it might be money, cars, trucks, bigger homes or a job. For others it might be family, church, prayer, or a relationship with Heavenly Father. There are two kinds of treasures, worldly treasures and there are Heavenly treasures. Worldly treasures are great they bring us some satisfaction and joy. Many times maybe bringing our family together for a weekend trip or a time of fun. But do they bring us together for eternity?

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal; But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (3 Nephi 13:19)

"As we are faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God..", he will bless us and help us to become closer as a family and grow to love one another even more. As great as the things here on this life are we can have greater joy with those things that our loving Heavenly Father wants us to have.

I got his video from my new companion. It has touched everyone that I have been with when they watched it. Even though Easter was this last weekend the real meaning of Easter has been on my mind ever since. I love my Savior for all that he did for me. I know that he lives.

Dont get stuck in the cattle gaurd.

So the other morning we were driving down the road. It was a nice cool crisp morning. The sun was shining, the animals were starting to move. As we drove past one ranchers herd of cattle. I noticed one of the young new born calves was standing looking across the cattle guard and right out into the highway. The thought came to me, of a cow and calf that my grandpa had gotten on the ranch. I remember a few years back when my grandpa had gotten a call from the neighbor wanting to know if he wanted a calf. He told him it came with its mother. Well the mother had stepped into a cattle guard and broken her front leg. coming from a range herd she would not have survived more than a week. He told my grandpa that if he wanted he could possibly nurse the cow long enough to continue to feed the calf or slaughter the mom and bottle feed the calf until it is big enough to take care of its self.
So the next thing you know we were fixing up one of the old corals to accommodate the new cow and calf. Over the next few weeks the cow started to regain some strength and learned how to walk with three legs instead of all four. over the next year she raised an amazing steer. Both of which provided meat for our family. Even though the cow had stepped into the trap of the cattle guard and broke her leg she was able to still go on. Thing were just complicated. She was confined into a small coral. She was not able to go out on the free open range.
There are many times when we can be doing what we normally do and maybe by happen chance or because of our own actions we fall into a "cattle guard". We might even make it out okay and be able to go on with life but the majority of the time we are left with something broken and holding us back. There is only one way we can be made whole once again. That is though Jesus Christ. 


"O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world." (Helaman 5:9)


Those who will exercise their faith in Christ and follow him by keeping his commandments. 
We can find happiness in life. things will go smoothly, the Lord will bless us for doing what is right. 

Be Grateful

This past week we had the opportunity to go with some people on a hike/ride up to a smaller mountain. Back home we call them hills. but all the same we had a fantastic time. There on the mountain side I had some time to think. As I now look back on this hike as well as a few others I have been on. I just love the fact that God has given us so many things that sometimes we take for granted. I don't know how many times that I have been on the side of some mountain hiking around, riding my four wheeler or just sitting there watching the deer, the elk, maybe even some crazy hunters, or some fish in the lake. You know, most of these times I was doing something that I love. With people that I love to be around. One thing has come to me out of all of these times. Often times my thoughts have turned to God. It is during these times that I don't worry about what I am going to do later on. It is these times when I pray to Heavenly Father and ask for help. But lately when I do some of the activities my thoughts turn to gratitude.

Gratitude is expressing thankfulness for something or someone. President Monson said, " A grateful heart... comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives."

You know I have found that times we take things for granted until we don't have them anymore. As we stay humble and do what god wants us to do he continues to bless us. It is just our job to thank him for the things we receive.

I know that God does love us and wants to bless us we just need to let him so we can find the answers to our questions, the solution to our problems, and the peace in times of conflict. I testify that God lives. I know that through Jesus Christ we can be made whole.

Good Things to Come

I watched this a few months ago. And I just recently saw it again. No matter how hard life gets as long as we do what Jesus Christ things will work out for the better. I know that my savior lives. I know that he really wants me to be happy. I can find my happiness when i do the things he asks.

The glass is half Full.

I think that my dad has given me more ideas for my blog than I have come up with on my own. Recently my dad sent me a letter. In it he mentioned a talk that I had just recently read."Looking for the Good" by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. In the talk he brought up the old question, is the glass half empty or half full? 

He told the story of a woman that moved into and area and was wondering just how the schools were. So she asked her neighbors. One told them they were great the other said that they were horrible. Both of them sent their kids to the exact same school. But because of their attitudes, one loved the schools and one hated them. We all have choices. We have to choose the one that is going to be most beneficial for us and our family not necessarily now but in the future and for eternity.

I have noticed that when I look for the good things of people I find something. But soon as I try and put myself above them and look for their faults. I can't stand to be around them. Often times it is very hard for me personally to change that attitude and look for the good in others. As well as situations that I place my self. Good looks at the good in all of us. We all have our faults. None of us are perfect. They are never perfect situations only perfect opportunities. I hope that I can live my life so that i might be able to influence someone else to live their own life just a little better.

You can read the full article at this link. Looking for the Good

Let the Sun Shine.

The other day I got a note from my dad. Just as a normal note would be he informed me of some of the thing that are going on back home. He told me that it is starting to warm up back at home. He then told me this, "sun shine makes the soul feel better. It makes you wonder why that is, that light seems to lift and dark depresses."

I had never in my life thought of it that way. It is so true though. How many times is it raining out, or in my case here in Cody, Wy, snowing. With lots of clouds and its dark and gloomy. And you hear someone say "I am just so depressed." However as soon as the sun comes out and there are blue skies people are talking of how happy there were that day. You know as I think of my Savior and Heavenly Father. I think of light and joy. But when Satan is brought up if I were to describe him in a color. I would use a dark one. Something that is gloomy and depressing. 

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as ^achildren of ^blight. (Ephesians 5:8)

As we do the things that the lord has asked us to do. We receive the "light" we do those thing that take us closer to our Heavenly Father. We are guided in the paths that God wants us to take. Hence doing the things God wants us to do. 

CPR More than just your normal life saving.

As we all know CPR is a way to help save some ones physical life.

 Those who receive are grateful for that kind soul to help them to live. Many people have been saved and are still living today, because of it. Likewise we can use CPR to save our lives spiritually. now its not going to be by pressing on someones chest to get air to return and the blood to start pumping. However as we apply Three simple steps into our lives we can turn our dying spiritual bodies into a healthy active one.

C-hurch

As we go to church we are able to have the opportunity to revitalize ourselves. It recharges our spiritual batteries. so that we might be able to go on with the rest of the week. Not only does it help us in our lives, it is a commandment from god.

 "Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God." (Alma 6:6)

God wants us to be able to partake of the sacraments that we might renue our covenants that we have made with him. As we do so, god is able to uphold is promise, "that they may always have his spirit to be with them..." ( Moroni 4:3)

P-rayer

Another one of Gods commandment that he gives us it to pray unto him unceasingly.

"And Jesus said unto them: Pray on; nevertheless they did not cease to pray." (3 Nephi 19:26)

As we pray I know that God hears and answers our prayers. Even the answer of, NO is an answer. He want to hear from us and to know that we are doing. He knows our thoughts and desires we just have to communicate them with him.

R-ead

Read your scriptures. As we read our scriptures we are able to find the answers to our prayers. God speaks to us through those that he has already sent. As we read we come closer to our Savior. We truly find just how loving and patient Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ really are. We grow to serve our Savior more. We find out just how.

I know that as I have been doing these things in my life, I have grown closer to my Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. I know that christ lives today. I know that the scriptures are true. As we abide by the teachings therein we can become closer to God than by any other means. I know that my savior loves me and is always watching over me.

Just Sit and Relax

This morning I finished a book by President Hinckley. "Way to be"  he gives youth and adults some points that if we will apply into our lives, he promises us that we will be able to find happiness. The one point that I finished reading was Be Still. During that chapter he talked of how when his father was alive, he would take time to sit and be still. He told of how at his fathers home there was a rock wall just tall enough to sit on, that surrounded his home. President Hinckley said he would find his father often just sitting there thinking about the things of life. Because of it he was able to write and speak incredibly well. Just because he sat there and thought of the things that our Heavenly Father has blessed us with.

Because of that it got me thinking of a hymn. Be Still My Soul, I love this hymn. If we will just sit there and think for just a moment. We can clear our minds of the things of the world. If we dont make time to slow down there will never be time. We all only have 24 hours in a day. We all have our daily chores, work, family, and down time. but if we will make a little time to spend thinking and praying to our Heavenly Father all the other things will work out.

I found a scripture in Psalms 37: 7-9
7Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

 9For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
I know that as we think of the things of our lord, we will find those things that will help overcome our own problems without causing others to have to help us through them.