Because of Him

I was reading an article today titled "Approaching the Throne of God" by Elder Jorg Klebingat, an ecclesiastical leader in the LDS church. It was 4 am when I read it, so I'm surprised that I remembered anything from it at all, but the following are some points that I really enjoyed.

 I love questions that make me think...It's how I learn best. So when he started out his article with these questions I was really grateful. He asks "What thoughts come to your mind if you had a personal interview with your Savior one minute from now? Would sins, regrets, and shortcomings dominate your self-image, or would you simply experience joyful anticipation? Would you meet or avoid His gaze? Would you linger by the door, or walk confidently up to Him?".

These questions really touched me. How would I respond? Initially I get really excited at the idea of seeing Him face to face, but then I see myself in the moment, and at times I'm not sure. I love Him, and am so grateful to Him, for because of Him I can do anything. But when you hold someone in awe like that, it's hard to see yourself in their presence. That's how I feel with Christ sometimes...but we need to realize that these feelings of unworthiness don't come from God. Satan wants us to forget that we're children of God, that He loves us and wants us to be with Him. It's one of Satan's most effective weapons, because we're already prone to doing that to ourselves anyway.

Here's an awesome clip that I've loved since I first saw it over a a year ago. I hope you enjoy!

-Shayla

Why Do I Love My Family?

Well a good thing to know about me is that I'm the oldest of 7 children, with a stay at home mom, who not only stayed at home, but she home-schooled us as well.

Talk about a lot of work! I don't want to imply that we were awful kids (only sometimes), but I think about all the work it takes me to just take care of myself now that I'm in college and I just stand in awe of my mother who does that for nine people, and I'm grateful. 

Of course, I had to move out first. 

I love my family. My mom is my example, by dad my confidant, my brothers my knights in shining armor, my sisters my little princesses. I could not imagine my life without any of them. I'm not going to lie, all wasn't a bed of roses. My relationship with my brother Adam was like having your arch-nemesis living down the hall..,but we're best friends. 

I prayed for sisters, and after two brothers I finally got one. But by then she was to little to play dolls with and I didn't have the "friend" I thought I needed. But now she's older, I'm older, and even though we're living separately, we're getting closer and becoming not just siblings, but friends. 

I believe that I get to have these wonderful people with me for eternity, and I'm so grateful for that. I could not get along without them, and eternity would not be worth having if I didn't have those relationships. 

When I talk to friends who have chosen to break away from their families, I just feel sad. A family is a beautiful thing to have. Try not to throw it away, and never pass up an opportunity to come closer to them!

So why do I love my family? Because they have given everything for me, and I would give anything for them. They're mine, and I am their's, and I would have it no other way.

-Shayla

Eternity's Beginning

Hello Everyone!

I feel like I'm doing a lot of blogging this semester...and I think it's for the best, because I love writing, and I love what I write about. And maybe that's the beauty of blogging: I can write about so any different things!

Here I want to record thoughts I have about families: having been in one, what I want for when I start my own, and eventually keep track of what's happening in it currently (if I can ever graduate from college).

Something that I believe in, and would have everyone believe in, is that families can be eternal. As a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I believe that when two righteous people (a man and a woman) are married in the holy temple, they are married for eternity. They will not be separated by death, but will be sealed together forever.

I had a friend of mine ask me "well, why would you want to be with one person for eternity?"

My answer "Why would you spend your life with sunshine you wouldn't want eternity with?"

I believe that if two people are committed to a relationship that beautiful things can happen. When both are fully committed to each other, to their marriage, to their children (and most importantly), to their God, they will not fail. It doesn't mean that it will be easy or worry-free, only that they won't be torn apart by the trails of the world.

Call me a romantic (and I am one, so it wouldn't me incorrect), but I want eternity with someone. I can't imagine giving my now to someone who isn't worthy of my later. Now do I believe in "the one"? Not really, but I believe that there are several possibilities. God values our agency, or power to choose, and our eternity shouldn't hinge on whether or not another person is willing to get married or to live a righteous life. Now I do believe that God is very active in helping us find our mate, that He wants us to be successful.

So that's my desire: find eternity! Heaven cannot be heaven if you're alone. Yes I'd be with God and Christ which is more than I should hope for; yet I could not help but be sad if I were to be without my family. I do not believe God has given us that relationship only to take it away.

So that's why I'm writing here, to keep track of the things that I learn about eternity, and the things that will help me have my desired version of eternity.

-Shayla