The Gospel Is Simple

Wooh! Finally finding a moment to sit down and add some of my experience of beautiful Nauvoo here on the blog! Many people ask me if this mission is what I thought it would be. Whats different? Is it harder or easier than you expected? To be honest, this mission is completely different from what I thought it would be. I am very tired. Mostly from running around all day without much sleep but it's the most fascinating thing because every time I feel like I'm going to crash, a new fire is lit in me. The advesary is working like none other to bring down this work. Many have been sick and difficulties come up left and right. But I can honestly say I've never met a group of people that can handle a situation or forget themselves and go to work as quickly as my little YPM family can. I love these people.

Something that has struck me about the gospel lately that I absolutley love, is the purity and simplicity of it. This world is one of confusion, loudness, and chaos, especially right now. Yet as I go to the temple, or even sit outside and look at the beautiful sunset across the mississippi, I realize that everything is much more simple and precious than we realize sometimes. Because of this, I want to share my simple testimony. This gospel is so happy. It is a way for us to learn and grow in this life. A way for us to learn to love and work. And it is a way for us to be with our families in the eternities. My family is the single most precious thing to me, and the gift of being sealed to them forever is more than anything I could ever ask for. Christ came. He suffered and atoned for each of us. And He is risen again. He is coming again :) I cannot wait for the day I get to kneel at his feet. I love this gospel and bear my witness of it in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Angels Were With Me

As cliché as it may sound, it is very difficult for me to put into words my feelings about this mission. Eight years ago, my oldest sister, Dani, was called to this same mission. I didn't really understand what she was going to be doing all summer. That is, until I came to visit. Nauvoo truly is the City Beautiful. The spirits of the people there, both past and present, make it home. I knew from the day I left there that I would be back someday, no matter what it took.

This past year has been a blessing in disguise for me. It's been a chain of events including getting turned down for productions and opportunities that allowed me to join a choir where I would meet a very immensely influential person. One of my best friends now, Devin Davis, who was a YPM last year, helped me to get my audition tape in.

I knew it was a long shot and that there would be many applicants. That call back was shocking to me. It was at callbacks where I knew, not wanted, but knew that I needed to go on this mission.

I want to share a really dear moment that happened at the callback. I was really scared. I mean REALLY scared going into this. I didn't feel confident in picking up the violin again after all these years and I had barely learned to clog three days before this audition. I cannot deny the Spirit that lifted me in those moments. The only thing I could say to my parents when I got home was that I truly had angels in my fingers as I fiddled, and angels in my feet as I clogged.

I can't even comprehend myself what joy and light is waiting for me in Nauvoo.

And I can't express my eagerness and longing to be there now. My testimony will not waver. I have had too many witnessing moments. I love this Church. I love missionary work. I cannot wait to work with my brothers and sisters this summer in the beautiful city of Nauvoo for my Savior!!