Lifting Burdens

This is my favorite Mormon message. It is so powerful, and I testify to the truthfulness of it. No matter what our burden is, I add my witness that He can and does heal us. There is nothing that we cannot overcome; no burden to heavy to bear. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. I will shout it from the housetops. He lives, and because this an eternal truth, we can live forever in peace and happiness because of His sacrifice. Jesus is the Christ. He is the son of God. He did come the the world in the Meridian of time to redeem His people from their lost and fallen state. He gave is life, and bore all of our sins, pains, and infirmities. I testify to His merciful power. I have felt it abundantly in my life. I know He lives. I know He loves us. Let Him heal you. In the sacred name, of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Restless Nights

Last night was the worst nights sleep I've had in a long time. I tossed and turned all night, could never get comfortable, and could never seem to shut my brain off long enough to allow sleep to overcome me. I rolled over, and bright red numbers reading 3:02 stared back at me from my alarm clock. Laughing a little bit, I thought to myself, "Well... I must be a princess..." as the memory of the childhood fairytale The Princess and the Pea filled my mind.

A young prince was looking for a fair princess to wed. He searched high and low all throughout the kingdom looking for his royal bride. Yet, he could never find a maiden of royal birth. One night, while a terrible tempest was raging outside, there was a knock at the castle door.

The Power of Choice

I want to be like my brother Nephi of old, and write the things of my soul. I remember when I got my mission call. It was 2 in the morning the day after Thanksgiving on a frigid night in Rexburg. I had just taken a 4 hour shuttle with no heat, and was exhausted from traveling all day. That morning, I had been sitting in the San Fransisco airport when my roommate calls to tell me that my mission call finally had come. Woo Hoo!!!! It had taken 7 weeks. My 7 week roller coaster of emotion had finally come to an end; my call had come. I was anxious to hear where I would be serving. I had in my mind some far off destination like the jungles of Brazil, or the city streets of Paris, but I told myself that I would be happy no matter where I was called to labor.

Choose This Day

This is one of my favorite mormon messages. I always have good intentions to serve others, and make the most of what the Lord has blessed me with, but often times I fall short. How grateful I am for the reminder of living prophets that it is up to us to choose to serve God today. I testify that as we serve with all of our heart, might, mind and strength, we will be so blessed. We will come to feel the redeeming love and power of our Savior's Atonement. Truly, He lives!

Bears

A couple of weeks ago, Sister Mace and I were driving from Joliet to Roberts. It's a 13 mile stretch that we drive almost every day. While cruising along the 212, my thoughts were everywhere from the service we had just done at the public library to our next appointment to discuss our musical fireside. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye I saw a big black animal along the side of the road. "Oh my goodness," I thought to myself. "It's a bear! I've always wanted to see a bear!!"

My Brother, My Hero

Meet my brother, Recruit Cooper Buchanan. Currently, my hero. In October of 2010 Cooper entered boot camp for the US Marine Corps. Growing up, I remember telling my brother specifically, "Don't you ever join the military!!" I loved my brother, and didn't want anything to happen to him. The military meant battles, war, guns, fighting, and fatalities. 13 years later, Cooper was signing a contract and planning a future career with our country's finest.

Never too Busy

Have you ever had something really important to say? Something that consumed your very being it seemed, yet there was no one there to listen? Or perhaps there were many people that could have listened, but you couldn't get their attention. Life is hectic. Life is busy. Too often we are asked to take a proverbial "number" in order to be heard. Many times we fight to be heard; clamor for the attention of another. Suddenly, in the battle of being heard, this becomes our anthem: "Listen to me!! I have something worthwhile and important to say!"

As children of the most high God, our very beings are filled with great worth. We are precious in the sight of God. He is are maker, we are his creation. As such, should that not suggest that our very thoughts, concerns, fears, questions, joys, sorrows, successes and triumphs ought to have the utmost importance to Him who created us?