Life as a missionary

Something i reremembered about the spirit we have as a missionary.... so yesterday i went to the temple in the morning and had a neat experience. Every temple worker made reference to my brazil pin and talked a lil to me about my mission. Alot of them thought i had recently returned(prolly cuz i shaved my head this week and i look even younger then usual). So as i reflected upon this i remembered the day me and Andrew returned from our missions and we met with Pres. Gifford and he talked to us and had us remove our nametags.... yes... thats all he did...asked us to take our nametags off. He related to us that we are never released from that calling... and most importantly that we can keep that close companionship of the spirit with us even after the mission if we work on it. Of course we all know how hard that is to do! With dating, school, work, church callings etc... seems like we have no time to do the little things, such as daily prayer and scripture study that give us that strong companionship of the Holy Ghost which accompanied us during the mission, and whom we looked to for answers and daily guidance.
Well though it is hard, it is possible! I know as we have daily scripture study and take time to say our daily prayers that the spirit will be with us. Now another thing i've learned is that it is not enough to just have the spirit to be with us. We not only need to have the spirit with us, but we need to be willing to be guided by the spirit in all that we do. Doing those things that bring the spirit only give us rights to his constant companionship. We must then be ready to follow the promptings of the spirit. We sometimes think that since we are doing the right things, that our actions and decisions will be in accordance with what our Heavenly Father would have us to do. But i've seen it even in my own life, where i would do what i wanted to do and i neglected the spirit, thinking that what i wanted to do must have been right because i was doing those things that gave me the right to the spirits companionship.

In summary... i have learned that we must:
1) do the small things necessary to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost
2) look for and listen to the promptings of the spirit
3) Follow them

Missionary Opportunites

Today i had an opportunity to talk to a co-worker about the redlands temple....
This guy had asked me if i had ever gone to the S.D. temple cuz he lived by it and loved passing by it. He had seen my "LDS Mormon Boy" sticker on my car. So at the temple last week i picked up a few pamphlets, hoping to be able to give one to him. Today was the day. He brought it up again about the Redlands temple this time cuz he lives in Redlands now. I told him where it was and he shared how he heard that it was BEAUTIFUL @ night. We talked for a bit and we both got our next deliveries at the same time so i raced to my car and got one of the Redlands temple pamphlets and shared it with him. He was glad and wanted to know when people could take a tour! haha i explained to him about that and we parted and he clung onto the pamphlet :)

What was interesting was how i retraced in my thoughts how this opp. had come to pass.... An OVERWHELMING spirit came over me for the next 30 min or so. As i retraced the steps i had taken to be prepared to share the gospel and this pamphlet i was filled with the spirit and gratitude to my Heavenly Father. I know he LOVES us and answers our prayers. I know we may be intruments in His hands as we look to do His will more and what we want less. This is our everyday challenge. And on this day i am so happy to be able to assist Him in His work. Moses 1:39.

NEPHI

So i started the Book of Mormon again a couple weeks ago and i've been keeping a journal about how i can be more like each prophet i read about... Nephi was an amazing prophet. It's neat to see how from a young age he learned to stay close to the spirit and do those things the Lord had commanded him. One thing i admire is how plain and simple his words are and how BOLD he was in teaching them to his brothers and family. I know i can be more like nephi as i stay close to the spirit and teach boldly the simple principles of the gospel to whomever may need to hear them.

General Conference

Well i normally post alot of pictures on my blog posts and not many words. this one is deffinitely going to be different! I had to get this off my chest! I feel so grateful to have been able to sit and REALLY listen to all 5 sessions of conference(priesthood). I was told by a friend(henry) to listen to only church music starting friday to prepare for conference. I also was able to swing by the Newport Temple friday afternoon by myself and there i read the last 10 pages of the Book of Mormon which i started last september and have been reading daily(only missing the 2 weeks around christmas cuz of family). So i was very prepared spiritually for conference and the messages which the Lord had prepared for me.

I felt like there was somthing from each talk that was tailored for me. Whether it was something i needed or somthing i could use to help another or someone i home teach came to mind or a friend or family member.... there was always somthing!

I also had some questions in mind that i wanted answered through the conference talks. Those questions were answered! I know God lives and Loves me as well as every son and daughter he has! I know He has a plan for me and i can know of His plan for me as i continue to stay in close contact with Him through daily prayer and scripture study and weekly temple attendence! Institute has also been a great source of comfort and spiritual power! I love My Heavenly Father with all my heart and Know he loves me! I hope i can live so that others can see that through me and my actions. And may i make sure others KNOW that I KNOW! Love you all...

Southern California Temples

It has been alot of fun going to all the temple here in southern california the past 2 weeks. I love the temple! It brings peace of mind and understanding. It reminds us of whats important and how important it is to have our will be in accordance with the Fathers.

Me @ the San diego Temple

Me and Henry @ San Diego Temple

San Diego Temple

Me @ Newport Beach Temple

The Los Angeles Temple

The "High Ground"

Recently I've had some special experiences @ the temple and have had ALOT of free time to visit the temple. I know the temple is the highest ground we can get to here on earth! I know we can receive spiritual power and comfort @ the temple. I invite all to try and go more often! It will bless your life and the lives of others!

Mark's B-day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK.....
Melyssa didnt like the candles much

can u tell its actually matches and not candles?

AWWWWWW