The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!!

   Over two thousand years ago one of the most significant events happened that would make salvation possible for the entire human race. The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Without the Birth of Christ the Atonement would never have been preformed, and the opportunity for us to return to live with our Father In Heaven would not have been possible.There's an account in Luke chapter 2 verses 8-20 of the birth of our Savior.
 
  8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by    night.

  9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and  they were sore afraid.

  10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

  11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

  12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

  13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

  14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

  15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

  16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

  17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

  18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

  19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

  20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

 

  The reason I like this account is because in verse 17 where it says "they made known abroad the saying the saying which was told them concerning this child." The shepherds went about telling everyone of the birth of the Savior, they did not keep this miraculous event to themselves. They wanted everyone to know of this event because they knew of its significance. This is how all disciples of Jesus Christ should be! For those who have come to know Christ and who have experienced the power of his Atonement, we should be out helping others come and find Christ so that they can  feel of the peace and happiness that comes from being completly cleansed from sin. There's not greater time them when the spirit of Christmas is in the air. Lets make this Christmas Season "The Most Wonderful Time of Year" by inviting others to come unto Christ. 

"Cleanliness is Next to Godliness!!!"

 This past month I have come to understand the importance of deep cleaning.  For most kids saturday is the day of the week they look forward to. No school, no church, just a nice day to sleep in, and relax. For me, and possibly my siblings, it wasn't a day to look forward to. My mom who lived by the saying "Cleanliness is next to godliness" always reserved Saturdays for deep cleaning. This usually ment we were pulling everything out of some closet to reorganize it, that we were scrubbing the bathrooms floor to ceiling, and it usually ment the wiping of the dust off of all the floor boards. Saturday was a day to be dreaded at my home because of all the cleaning that usually needed to be done. The work was never fun, or ever easy, but boy by the end, I didn't realized then but do now, the hard work was totally worth it. 

 

  There are times throughout our lives when a deep cleaning is necessary, not a deep cleaning of our house (which is essential every so often) but a deep cleaning of our own personal lives. Not one single person on this earth lives a spot free life. Everyone has some dirt in their lives. Some more than others, but dirt none the less. One thing I've noticed, with dirt, is that if you don't get it early on the pile will spread. At first it may just start on one little corner of your tile floor, but if you don't get it before someone trudges across your floor the mess is soon spread all over your floor. Thats the same with sin. It may just start off small, but if you don't catch it and rid it from your life quick it can, and will spread to other aspects of your life.
   Sin is normal. NO ONE is perfect. Just as no one has a spotless house, some people may try to fool you, by putting a rug over the dirt pile, or  flipping the couch cushion to hide the stain, but everyone of us has some stain in our lives that needs to be cleaned out. It may require a deep deep cleaning, or maybe a simple dusting. The point is, we all have something we need to repent of, and change in our lives to be able to feel more peace and happiness. In Matt. 8:3 the man with leprosy comes to the Savior and asks to be cleaned. This was His response:   And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.  I don't think very many of us out there are sick with leprosy, but I do know there are many in need of a good cleaning. Sometimes it may take alot of hard work, and sometimes very little effort, but It is necessary so that we can experience peace, and joy in our lives. I'm sure we've all heard "No unclean can enter into the house of God." Thats why its so important for us to clean ourselves of whatever dirt we may have. I know that we will come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ and will be alot happier if we take the time to deep clean our lives.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Gordon B. Hinckley Has always been a huge influence in my life. I remeber this story being told to me as a child, and it has been one that has always stuck with me...

OUR SAVIORS LOVE!!!

    I remember when I was younger my uncle had a poem hanging on his wall, I'm sure half of the world is familiar with it, but its one that reminds me of all that Christ, our Savior, has done, and continues to do  for us.

Footprints

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

 

 





 

(artwork by: Liz Lemon Swindle)



 



   Never have I known this to be more true then out here on my mission, never have I gone through anything so physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally exhausting as these past 10 months of my life. I could have NEVER gone through this alone.  I know that because my Savior Jesus Christ came to earth and preformed the atonement (his suffering and bleeding in the garden, dying on the cross, and then being resurrected three days later.) that not only my sins, but my trials as well  can be placed on him, and he will carry them for me. He can, and will do the same for everyone. He loves all of his brothers, and sisters so much. He is there to help us all through any trial we go through. Not only will he be there with us through them, but he will take them upon himself. I know my savior lives!! Words cannot express how grateful I am for all of my burdens that he has lifted from me. Let Our Savior, Jesus Christ, take your burdens, the burdens he's already suffered for, upon himself so that you can feel the peace and joy you are promised to have in this life!!!

1 Peter 4:  13 But rejoice,,inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings;that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy

Huff Family

  My grandpa was, and continues to be a huge influence in my life, even if he's not here physically. Some of the greatest memories I have of my grandpa are when he would pull pranks on people. I credit him for all the fantastic pranks I have ever pulled, because he was the first to teach me how. This is not all that I remember about him though, I also remember how strong he was in our church. There was hardly a time when I would go over to his house that he either wasn't working on something that had to do with his church calling, or studying his scriptures. Anytime I slept over he always made sure a family prayer was said before anybody went to bed. Family get togethers involved something spiritual to help strengthen all of his children, or grandchildren. My grandpa was not only worried about his own salvation, but he was also concerned about his posterities as well. He worked hard to make sure that EVERY single one of his family members, living and dead, made it to live with our Heavenly Father again.
 
(Now this isn't everyone... there are 41 that still need to be added to the picture. This was taken when I was about 4 years old. My grandpa is the one with white hair in the middle. He passed away in the fall of 2006.)
  
  My grandpa knew that our entire family has the potential to live with our Heavenly Father again one day,  all we need to do is follow the example of our savior Jesus Christ, and keep the commandments. I'm so grateful for my grandpa, and his desire to dwell with his family in the Kingdom of Heaven. I know its possible for every single one of us to return to live in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Thats why I came on a mission. So that I could teach people how to return to live with their Families forever in Heavenly Fathers Kingdom.