Sunday, May 30, 2010

Zero to hero

When I was young I was diagnosed with ADD. A two year old had a better attention span than I did. My grades slowly dropped. 6th and 7th grade I had to go to summer school because I failed a class or two. My only motive for even passing summer school was for my friends. Finally eight grade came around and I gave up. I failed every single class except for band and art class. I only passed band because I have a musical ear and could pick up on tunes easily. I didn't practice much, if any, yet I was able to go to honors band and some other honors band. I actually received 3 band medals based on my musical ear when you look at the fact that I didn't practice. I only passed art because it was based effort not perfection (fyi I am not very artistic). After failing 8th grade (even summer school couldn't help me pass onto 9th grade) my mom pulled me out of public school and placed me into private school. That year I made straight A's. I received the David and Golith award for defeating my Golith in life (my older sister received that same award that same year...we were the only ones to receive this honor).

9th grade came and I first place in a poetry contest. I think I won a couple of other academic awards that same year. In 10th grade I only received honor roll if I remember correctly, but its a step up from failing. 11th grade came around where I became a member of the youth council advisory committee and almost went to leadership summitt, but wouldn't attend because it fell on a sunday. Last summer I participated in efy and hill cumorah pageant where I had numerous chances to bear my testimony. I did everytime and each time I did someone always came up to me and told me about my strong testimony and how thankful they were for it. I remember at efy some guy I hadn't talked to, but had been in my company, told me that he was going on a mission and another guy told me to not loose that strong testimony three times I think. At pageant someone came up to me and told me that she took notes on my testimony (which I thought was weird, but cool at the same time). My 12th grade year I became the senior class president, received 2 scholarships, a leadership trophey, a track plaque, and I almost graduated with cum laude (I was off by a point or two, but its okay). Not only that but I was also accepted into a nice university. I wish you could have seen the look on my doctor's face when I told him that. He was so suprised because, in my opinion, he thought I wasn't going to amount up to much. I am happy to tell you that I graduated high school last friday.

Often times people look down on the very people they will eventually look up to. Don't give up on any righteous dream because one small mind tells you to quit. There are so many success stories of people laughing and mocking at someone because their weaknesses, yet they overcame it all. "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."- A Cinderella Story

Saturday, May 29, 2010

My testimony

I've realized that I don't bear my testimony enough. I don't have to explain my reason(s) as to why I don't, but I don't. When I was little my parents divorced and it was really hard for me to accept it and move on with my life. To make matters worse my older sister was (and is) mentally ill and jealous of everything I did. She was very violent physically as well as verbally. I couldn't (and still can't) tell her all of my accomplishments because when the attention is taken off of her, she can't handle it, so I have to be careful about what she knows. When we would take "family" vacations to somewhere like Disney World sometimes we would have to take seperate vacations because the situation with my older sister and me. My mom and I weren't really close growing up, actually to be honest I hated her. After my parents divorced it hurt me so bad that I would stay up in my room and I wouldn't leave unless I had to eat or go to the bathroom. What you have to understand about my mom is that she can't understand how I felt because she had a beautiful childhood and described it to me as not having any trials. She realized this and would call me disturbing. I wasn't disturbed, but upset about the divorce. Instead of talking to me about the divorce and saying something like 'things will be okay honey' she would call me disturbing and send me straight to counseling where some weird stranger would cross his legs and want to talk about feelings. My mom wouldn't listen to me and she would call me all sorts of mean, rude, and off-the-wall names she shouldn't have. This made me so mad and would often spark many arguments that were so bad my dad would come to my house and take me somewhere to calm down. He listened to me, understood me, and gave me advice. My dad was my best friend growing up and we developed a great relationship.
I can't go on and tell you anymore than I have already told you because it still sortof upsets me, even though its all said and done. I will say this though, my mom and I grew together a year or two ago and we are doing great now.
The point of my depressing story was to give you my testimony. "Satans greatest threat is to destroy the family and make a mockery of the law of chastity" (I can't remember who said that becaues I've heard it so often). I testify that whoever said that is right. Family is no joking matter, its serious. I wish that I could have had a childhood filled with family picnics and happy moments but a lot of my memories are filled with watching satan's plan in full swing. I hated it! I can't complain too much today because things are better than they were. Family is important, never forget that! Take advantage of that special opportunity! There is real power in the family unit! If your like me and your family is weak, don't do what I did! It doesn't do any good to sit locked up in your room while time passes you by. "It does not do good to dream and forget to live" -Albus Dumbledore.
I know that Jesus Christ atoned not only for the sins of the world, but also for all the pain and sickness that the world has to offer. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost and its power to teach, heal, and comfort. Last, but not least, I am grateful for my Heavenly Father for sending His only Begotten Son to this earth for me. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I leave you with my testimony in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Friday, May 21, 2010

I have come to know for myself

I am excited to tell you that I have just finished the Book of Mormon. I can't even begin to describe the Spirit that I have felt while I was reading it. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God! I know that the power of God dwells between its pages, but don't just take my word, read it yourself!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Taught by a child

As a Daughter of God I have the right to tell my story. As a child of God, you have the right to choose whether to read this or not; this being called agency, something you and I fought for in the preexistence. For the past two sundays I have been helping my mom out with nursery. It has been one of the most amazing experiences in my life. At first I didn't know what to do. How are you suppose to react when they get upset and pitch a fit? I wasn't sure. I was so glad when my mom needed me to leave to get up to go get something. Then I started getting adjusted and learned how to handle the kids in situations and I really liked it. That was the first sunday that I did it. The second sunday, which was yesterday, I helped out my mom again. I won't go into to too many details about what happened in nursery that sunday on my blog because it might take away from my story. There is this sweet girl named Olive (she is my absolute favorite of her class) and she is as sweet as can be. She is always so forgiving and loving. Yesterday she gave me a hug and it lasted a long time. She just came up to me and starting hugging me. I remembered a scripture that told us to become like little children and another one that taught us that "blessed are the peacemakers..." and little Olive was truely an example of these things. Everytime one of the other little children would take something from her or even hit her she never did anything back but always seemed forgiving. I felt such love for her! I was so grateful for her and I was even more grateful that my Savior had been so loving to my ward for putting such a sweet spirit into it. I had the amazing opportunity to read her a story while she was sitting in my lap. One of my favorite experiences in my life!
I have thought about this a lot and I want to become like Olive. She is an example for me! I want to show love, mercy, and establish peace as Olive had to those that weren't always kind to her. I am so grateful for the opportunity to spend some time with her, I really am! I am not looking forward to this sunday when I won't be able to go to nursery and be around her, but I can't wait for the next opportunity to be near her. Its always a pleasure being near her.
Now I understand what the scriptures mean by becoming as little children. Little children, like Olive, are easy to teach and are so beautiful in their good works that Heavenly Father is not only pleased, but I bet He smiles on their countenance. Just food for thought...