Free To Choose Liberty and Eternal Life

I can honestly say I have never been happier! One of my favorite things about life is being able to say a sentence like that, and then the next day being able to say it again. It is definitely all dependent on our choices, especially the choice of how we view the world around us and what we choose to do with our circumstances. It in no way takes away from the amazing experiences I have already had, it just keeps building on them. My goal for my life is that I never have to settle for what I have already had, that everyday is a little better than the last, because God helps me be a little better than I was the last.

I want to share with you some of the highlights from the week :)

First we had exchanges! I spend the day with the amazing Sister Rolfson! She was also trained by Sister Speakman, so we are basically sisters :) Our focus for the day was talking with everyone and it was a perfect day for it! It was so nice out we got to bike and see so many people outside! With this focus for the day, we also learned a lot about receiving and acting on guidance from the spirit. I cannot tell you how many times we saw God put us exactly where we need to be which always came about by the simplest of means, the smallest change in our plans or a seemingly insignificant choice. But like I said earlier, our choices mean everything. Will we choose the right, or not? Will we follow the subtle nudge from the spirit, or not? One of these experiences happened just before we were going in for lunch. We felt like we needed to see someone a little out of the way, which also meant we would be biking home a different way than we originally planned, which was a little longer than the other route. But we followed that nudge. The person we went to see wasn't interested in talking, so we kept on going home. We were almost there, and instead of continuing to the end of the street we were on and then turning, we cut through a parking lot. I thought I was just trying to do something safer than biking on the busy road, but I realized later I had received that thought so we could meet Mistie. She was outside on her break from work, and luckily we also followed the nudge to go talk to her because she was interested in learning more and became a new investigator! So many little choices led up to that, and I know that it wasn't by any coincidence.

My other highlight of the week was Zone Conference! Remember how I said every experience builds on the last? Well that's exactly how this Zone Conference was. I have been talking a lot about my experience studying my patriarchal blessing and realizing more fully the person God knows I can be. At this conference I was reminded that I don't have to wait to become that person. I am that person right now, and I have the opportunity every moment of the day to either choose to be her or to let Satan and the natural man win. To choose to be the victor or the victim. I have the opportunity to make that choice because of Jesus Christ.

 

"26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.

27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

28 And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;"

These verses from 2 Nephi 2 in the Book of Mormon have really meant a lot to me lately. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ. I can testify to you that He is our Savior. He provided an infinite Atonement so that we can be free to choose. Because of this great gift, we don't have to settle for being less of who we want to be, for unhappiness, for guilt, for insecurities, for uncertainty. Every minute of every day we can choose to turn to Christ, to follow the spirit, escape captivity and death, have joy, have confidence, receive eternal life, or not. I am so grateful for the great gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ because it changes my life everyday.

I love you all! Make your choices count and just keep smiling!