Mission Life

Being on my mission has been the happiest time of my life!  Serving others is truly what brings us the most joy.  I love being able to dedicate 18 months of my life in serving others and helping them learn more about Heavenly Father's plan for them.  I love telling people the GOOD NEWS that Jesus Christ lives for us and through Him we can return to live with our loving Heavenly Father with our families for eternity.  Being a missionary is the best!

Gratitude!

One of the most important principles we need to incorporate in our lives as children of God is GRATITUDE!  We need to be grateful to our loving Heavenly Father who has given us everything!  We show our appreciation and love to our Heavenly Father as we express our thanks to Him.  As we do this, not only will we become more happy and positive, but more blessings will come to our mind and we will see Christ's hand in our life more.  I know from personal experience how gratitude has a huge effect on attitude.  If I feel discontent, sad, or depressed, I think of the many blessings that I have in my life and express my thanks to God.  When I do this, I immediately become a happier and I have a better look on life.  Gratitude is truly a medicine that heals our sorrowing hearts.

In the New Testament there is a perfect example of how amazing gratitude is.  The story is of the ten lepers Jesus Christ cleanses.  This occurs in Luke chapter 17.  It says, "

11. And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13. And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests.  And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15. And one of them, when he saw that he was haled, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16. And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18. There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. "

I think it is so amazing that although all ten of the lepers were "cleansed,"  the one leper who gave thanks to God was the only one who was "made...whole."  The one who was grateful was the one who was healed of all his afflictions, not just his leprosy.  His gratitude to God for healing his leprosy led to him receiving more blessings, namely being "made...whole" from all of his other pains, sicknesses, and afflictions.  Gratitude to God is a witness of our faith in Him.  Having thankful hearts towards God for all He has given us will make us happier and our hearts will be "made...whole."  When we are grateful we show Heavenly Father our love for Him and our faith in Christ.  

Being grateful for all that is given to us from our Heavenly Father is an important characteristic we need to develop as disciples of Christ.  There are so many blessings that come from being grateful itself.  We recognize God's hand more in our life.  We are happier and have a more positive outlook on life.  We show Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ our love for Them.  Gratitude is an expression of faith in Christ.  We will be blessed more if we are grateful and we will see more of the blessings He has already given to us.  We will truly continue to see more and more the many blessings He has bestowed on us that we may have not even noticed.     

I have a testimony of gratitude and how it really does change our outlook on life.  It is such an important principle to incorporate into our lives and our prayers.  Pray to Heavenly Father and express all the many blessings you are grateful for.  I am continually trying to be more grateful towards a loving Heavenly Father who has given me all that I have.  I know gratitude is key to have a happier, more fuller life.  

GRATITUDE IS THE BEST!!!!!