The Sabbath Day

Today is Sunday and what a glorious day it has been! Sunday is a day for us to rest from the cares of the world and to worship the Lord in his Holy house and spend time with our families. It is a day to refrain from spending money and doing the typical things that we do during a normal week day. We reserve Sunday to do those things that bring us closer to the Lord. It was fast Sunday today so I had the opportunity to fast which essentially means going without two consecutive meals all for the purpose of coming closer to the spirit and recognizing my total dependence on the lord. Also when we fast we have the opportunity to petition the Lord for special blessings that we stand in need of such as health and strength to those that are sick or afflicted or help in solving a personal problem or for extra guidance and direction in making important decisions in our lives. Today I fasted with the specific purpose of receiving help and guidance in knowing what to do about moving out of my current apartment. This is something that has been troubling me for the last little while trying to determine where is the best place for me today. Well, the lesson in church today in Relief Society was all about self reliance and how to manage our finances and stay out of debt and how the Lord will lead us and guide us in our decision making. There was a beautiful quote that was read about how the Lord wants to help guide our footsteps, but he can't really guide us unless we move our feet! This came as an answer to my prayers. Rather than sitting around wondering what it is I should do, I need to be actively doing my part to figure out the right situation for me. I was so grateful for this answer to my prayers, and there were other little answers to prayer that came periodically throughout the day. For instance in fast and testimony meeting, Bishop Healey got up and bore his testimony about how he knows that the Lord knows where we need to be and what we need to be doing. I felt the spirit bear witness to me that this is true. It was so comforting to be reminded of the fact that the Lord is watching over me and knows what I need to be doing and where I need to be. I too know that this is true and I know that he is guiding me and directing my footsteps and will continue to guide my footsteps as long as I keep moving forward. I love this gospel and I am so grateful for the sabbath day that gives me the opportunity to feel of the saviors love and do those things that bring me closer to him. I can't wait for next Sunday to come!

The family: An Eternal Unit

So, probably one of the most important things to me in my life is my family. They mean so much to me. In the church we believe that families are essential to the plan that our heavenly father has for us. We believe that he has sent us our families to help strengthen us and to be there for us during hard times. They share their love with us and help us to remember who we are. We also believe that families are eternal, meaning that the relationship bonds that are forged in a family unit will last forever, not just till death do us part but beyond the grave into the eternities. This is made possible by our savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ broke the bands of death through his Resurrection and that is his gift to us, that we will all be resurrected as he was. Also, if we live according to the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and treat our families with love and kindness we will be able to live with them forever! What great joy that brings me to know that I can live with my family forever and that we can continue our love for one another into the eternities. I know that this is true and I am so grateful to my savior, Jesus Christ for making this possible! Here is a picture of my family from our recent vacation to Newport Beach California.

Radiating The Light

I am so excited to start this new blog! I have created this blog with the purpose of using it to share my beliefs in Jesus Christ and what it has meant to me to be a member of his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The stories, faith promoting experiences and testimonies I will share on this blog are all true and have helped shape me into the person I have become and brought a great deal of joy and light into my life. That is why I have entitled my blog Radiating the Light. I hope that all who choose to frequent this site will come to gain the same knowledge that I have gained. That Jesus Christ is the savior of the world and our personal savior, that his true church has been restored to this earth through a living prophet and that God is our loving heavenly father who wants us to return to his presence and has made this possible through his son Jesus Christ and his teachings which are found in his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Or to those of you who are already members of the church I hope that my personal insights and experiences will inspire and lift you and make your testimony that much stronger. I look forward to being strengthened by your faith as well!