What has the Spirit Taught You?

This last little while I feel like the biggest thing that is constantly jumping out at me is to have faith. I read my scriptures and something tells me to have faith. I go to my Book of Mormon class and I am told to have faith. Apparently Heavenly Father knows that I am not trusting in Him as much as I should right now. I'm a little shaky and I keep asking "Are you sure?" He tells me yes and then I ask again, "Are you sure?" We have gone through this over and over and his answer is yes every time.

As I was doing my Book of Mormon homework I came across Ether 12:3. I was looking for a one line sermon. This was what I found.

"...by faith all things are fulfilled."

Once again... "HAVE FAITH KLURISA!" As I progressed through the assignment I gained some incredible insights.

We all go through times when our faith is tested. I personally feel like my faith has been tested continually since I have moved to BYU-I. How I deal with these tests are crucial to my testimony, my spiritual well being, and my relationship with my Father in Heaven. It is so easy to slip away and go through life forgetting faith. This is not the happy way through life but it seems easier at times. Having faith can be scary. It causes you to go out on limbs knowing that Heavenly Father will catch you when you fall. In that. His plan is progressing and you are learning and discovering that God's plan is the only plan and even if you may fall, you will fall into something better, something more worth while, something that will build you up stronger than you ever imagined. I may write this seeming like I know and have a strong testimony of faith; the truth is, I am still learning at a slow pace. This scripture is significant to me because I need to constantly be reminded that faith is the better path to take, even if it may seem harder. This scripture reminds me that those limbs that I go out on will be worth it. I will gain the strength I need to go out on the next limb in my life. Without going out on the first, I won't be able to go out on the next. 

The scriptures can teach us so much. The spirit is always there to help us learn on a deeper level. It is incredible how much the spirit taught me from just one simple one line sermon. 

Who ever is reading this, I challenge you to find a one line sermon for yourself and ponder it and see what the spirit has to teach you today. Then share it with someone. Share it in the comments, text it to someone,or  tell someone face to face. Even call your mom up and tell her. I'm sure she would love to hear that you have been studying the scriptures.(: There is something about teaching what you have learned that makes principles stick. 

I hope you all have a fabulous day.

I Can Do Hard Things

I decided to go on a run up to the temple today. Keep in mind that I haven't been running for a while and I have just spent a week stuffing myself with food. I didn't think it was too far to run. So I got all bundled up and I was on my way.

It wasn't the warmest out and it was fairly foggy. I was enjoying myself though... until I started running up hill. I got tired quick. I kept telling myself I would run to that sign or to that stop walk. I was determined to make it to the temple. It seemed as if I would never get to the temple. I kept looking for the temple but because of the fog I couldn't see much. I knew that the temple was in front of me but I began to doubt because I couldn't see it. I thought maybe I was crazy and had taken the wrong road. I kept running and pretty soon I could see the faint outline of the temple.

When I could finally see it and I knew I wasn't crazy I was able to continue on. 

Pretty soon the temple was right in front of me! I MADE IT! 

This was such an amazing feeling. My sister is always telling me that I can do hard things and it has become my motto. I can do hard things. In life, the end result or the finish line is not always going to be in sight. We won't always be able to see the blessings that are going to come. It is going to be hard. Life wasn't meant to be easy. We don't progress from easy. If we will stick with it and endure to the end then the the blessings will come. 

This was exactly what I needed from my run today. I have recently decided to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We all know that missions are hard but the blessings that come are unbelievable. I know that my decision to serve is the right one. It is going to be hard but it is going to be so worth it. 

It's Not What You do, It's who You're With

I love dates. I think they are so much fun and they give me a chance to get to know my amazing boyfriend even better. I'm not going to lie we do some really fun things. I LOVE pinterest and the date ideas people share; so I decided to share some of the dates Skyler and I have been on recently. I hope this helps someone.

The Traditional Dinner and a Movie

This date does not have to be expensive. I am a fan of going out or doing this at one of our houses. It's fun to mix it up and go to a chick flick, action, or even comedy. 

Go on a Hike

This hike had a gorgeous view! We just went up by Heise and it was like a nature walk and so much fun. We took lots of pictures and chatted. After, we found a little place to have a fire. Outdoor dates are fabulous.

Go Crawling

 We went crawling in a Jeep (Trout) and it was so much fun. To be completely honest it did scare me at times but I would love to go again. 

Go Swimming

This was amazing. The area was beautiful and it was so hot that it felt nice to play in the water. I mean look at that view who wouldn't want to go swimming there?

Build a Fort

 I know I know this seems silly but it was so much fun. Skyler is such a good sport. I'm a lucky girl.

Go to Dinner with a Stranger

These amazing people came into my work and asked to take me to dinner. I agreed and called Skyler to have him come with me. This was such an incredible experience and we made some friends in Oklahoma. 

Hang out with Family

 Kiera and Keldon love it when Skyler comes over. Kiera is about to ride her bike down the stairs in this picture.

Go to Rigby Lake

Rigby Lake has a lot you can do. You can swim, build sand castles, float, skip rocks, go on the slide and play volleyball. Skyler actually tried teaching me how to snorkel as well. I'm slightly afraid of water so I'm going to need a lot of practice. Haha one day I will be a pro!

Splatter Paint

This didn't quite turn out how I had planned it BUT it was still a blast. So what you are suppose to do is fill up balloons with paint and then wither stick them to a board and throw darts at them or throw them at a board. That didn't work out to well. Haha have you ever tried filling a balloon up with paint? It's harder than it sounds. It just turned into a paint fight and we shot the balloons we did get filled up with BB guns. 

Go Fishing

 I have never caught a fish until this day! I caught TWO!! TWO FISH! I was pumped! I had an amazing teacher! It was a beautiful day as well! 

 Go Window Shopping

 Na na na na na na BATMAN! It is the little things that count. I love that I can be myself around him and he accepts me and does weird things with me!  

Throw a Surprise Happy NOT Birthday

 Skyler's Birthday is in December and last year I tried surprising him and he found out. So... I threw him a not birthday party that he never saw coming! You can get little ice cream cakes for $9.99 at Walmart that was perfect for the occasion and they write on them for free. This can be as big or small as you would like. No matter what you do though it's funny and a lot of fun! 

Go to Church 

I don't have a picture for this one :( But we went to church with my grandma and then went over to my grandparents house and played UNO with them. They loved the surprise and we enjoyed spending time with them! 

Walk around the Temple

I LOVE the temple!! We took a lot of pictures! Skyler is an amazing photographer and we probably looked like tourists! Haha but we made lots of memories. Also, one time we went to a fireside at the Visitors Center which was so good! I definitely recommend those. They have fantastic speakers.

Go Long boarding

If I can learn how to long board anyone can learn. I have horrible balance but i really like long boarding its fun! 

Go Floating 

Unfortunately I didn't take my phone with me on this one so no picture. We floated the dry bed in Rigby with Skyler's family. That was so much fun! I did get stuck in a tree haha that was hilarious. 

Watch Fireworks

The fourth of July is awesome because of all the fireworks.One time we even went out with some friends and set off some fireworks and we all had a great time!! 

Go Ice Blocking

This was so fun! Haha you get a block of ice and slide down a hill on it. You go surprisingly fast! 

Go Canoeing

I love canoeing it is so much fun! Skyler got candles to float on the water one time and we let off a Sky lantern! It was amazing!!! I loved every second!

These are just some of our dates. It definitely doesn't matter what you do, it matters who you do it with! 

Getting the Most out of The Book of Mormon

I love the Book of Mormon. I have always known that it was true. I have read it all the way through multiple times. I have always wanted to know what the perfect scripture study method was. So, I have been searching for the best way for someone to read the Book of Mormon to get the most out of it. I have learned that the best way to get the most out of the Book of Mormon is to read it. Then read it again. Then read it for a third time. Then read it again after that. Continue reading this book until you have it memorized. It does not matter how you go about reading it, as long as you read it. 

Recently, I have had the desire to get a brand new Book of Mormon and mark it a certain way. I felt like this would help me pull new concepts out. I looked and looked for a way to mark it. There are so many wonderful ways that I plan on trying eventually but the one way that I felt would help me the most right now is the Three Times Then Write. I found this on Pinterest. The original post can be found at www.theredheadedhostess.com. I love this way of marking and I cannot wait to dig deeper into The Book of Mormon.

Here's how it works:

Grab a new Book of Mormon. This will help you find new favorite scriptures, new lessons and just new things that have not jumped out to you before. Also, my other scriptures are pretty marked up so it gives me a chance to start with a clean slate. You will also need some type of marking utensil. 

This is how your pretty new Book of Mormon should look before you begin. You are going to read the same section (I go by chapters) three times. 

The first time I read it through I used the color green to mark. I underlined somethings that stood out to me and noted a footnote that I hadn't noticed before and I wrote some thoughts. In 1 Nephi 1:1 on the footnote taught I never realized it said "Education; Family, Children, Responsibilities toward; Family, Love within." As I thought about this I thought about how it is a parents responsibility to teach the children but it is the children's responsibility to learn. In a family we are suppose to learn and grow together and each of us have a responsibility to our family.

Look at this! I'm already learning!

My second time through I used orange to mark. I also use red for things I really like. I was amazed at how much I had missed the first time. 

The third time I read this section I marked in purple. This time was still shocking at how much more stood out to me. The deeper we dig the more we find. I have read this section the most because I start a million times but I have only finished a handful of times but the point is no matter how many times we read it we will always find something new.

Time to write. We often learn even more when we start to write. So now is the time to write what you have learned. I am a journal fanatic so I have a million journals for certain things. This is my scripture journal and I love having a journal just for my scripture study because I can look back to when I read this same section and see what stood out to me when I read it the last time. It doesn't matter where you write it just write it down. I promise it is worth it. 

The Book of Mormon is amazing and will always teach you something but don't forget to enhance your study with a prayer before and after. Inviting the spirit into your study will teach you things you may have never pulled out yourself. It's just amazing what the spirit can do. 

I know this church is true and I know that The Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith really did translate it. I know that if we will study this book we will be blessed and it will enhance our lives. I also know that Thomas S. Monson is a true and living Prophet today. I know that our Father in Heaven and Savior know and love us. I love this gospel and am so blessed to be brought up in it.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Name Tag or No Name Tag?

It all started when I drove  to St. George with my performing group, mom, and voice teacher to perform for Tuacahn's Pre- Show. All the way down my voice teacher told everyone in the car stories about her mission and how much it blessed her life. I was about 12 or 13 at the time and I had never considered going on a mission. But in that car is where I first thought about going on a mission. 

As we continued our trip I became acquainted with many sister missionaries.This was still when the sisters had to be at least 21 years old. I didn't think there were very many girls who served. There were a lot more than I thought. They were at many church historical cites such as Brigham Young's house. The more I talked with them the more convinced I was that I was going to go on a mission. They all seemed so happy and I couldn't help but be happy when I was with them. The spirit was so strong and I knew what they were doing was a worthy cause.

While I was down there my mom and I went to the Temple. We didn't go in we just walked around. (We did go in and do baptisms the next year) I then decided I wanted to serve in St. George. Of course I knew I couldn't choose but St. George is absolutely gorgeous and I love it there! It is one of my favorite places. I had amazing experiences both times I went. 

"Today I am pleased to announce that able, worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21."

           -President Thomas S. Monson 

This sentence made me so excited when President Monson spoke at the October 2012 General Conference\about the  Missionary Age Change. That meant that I could leave earlier. I am a planner and that made my life plan flawless. 

I have always loved going to the Idaho Fall's Temple Visitors Center. I love chatting with the sister missionaries. They always help me to stay on track and to take a step back and look at the eternal perspective again. I want to be just like them. But now being just 10 months from turning 19 I am asking myself if I am really suppose to go on a mission. It may be nerves or the fact that I don't want to miss out on things going on here but it may be because my Heavenly Father has another plan for me. Sometimes I can tell if something is going to happen. It's just kinda a feeling I get but I have no idea of what is going to happen. 

I was talking to a sister one day and she showed me this scripture. 

Mosiah 4:9

Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in the earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend. 

She asked me if I believed enough to not comprehend. That seemed like a weird question to me but the more I thought about it it was really profound. I have constantly been trying to plan my life out so strategically that I have not left any room for God to help me. Somethings I just have to back off and let things go as they are suppose to. If I have faith then everything will turn out the way it is suppose to. I just need to take a step back and let my Father in Heaven show me what I am suppose to do. Because I have enough faith to not comprehend everything he has in store for me. Time will tell if a mission is for me. And who knows maybe I will serve a different type of mission that isn't a formal mission but one that I will still be able to touch lives just as the sister missionaries have done for me. 

You don't always need a name tag to be a missionary.