Because of Him

Today is Easter Sunday, I think I have found my new favorite holiday! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has released a video that talks about all that we are able to do Because of Him in relation to it being the Easter season.
I watched the video of two minutes and forty four seconds. All I could think was... this is all true. Because of Him I am able to do so much. The grave has no victory, we can start over, guilt can become peace, regret can become relief, despair turned into hope, we are able to have second chances and begin again. Because of Him we are able to do all that we have to in order to endure to the end in this life.

As I was looking around on the site along with other social media, I saw that there was a photo challenge going around that people were participating in. It intrigued me and I thought "Why not!" it's a way for me to reflect on my Savior, Jesus Christ.
I decided to take on the challenge and everyday this week I have posted a picture on Instagram that goes along with the description above.

MONDAY
#becauseofHim I can be a better daughter and a better sister. I am grateful for forever families.

TUESDAY
#becauseofHim I can serve others. In 71 days I will be able to serve the people of Scottsdale, Arizona. #becauseofHim I can be a better example. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."-Philippians  4:13

WEDNESDAY
#becauseofHim I can love more fully. I am so grateful for such amazing people that have been placed perfectly in my life.

THURSDAY
#becauseofHim I can be a better me. I love the temple and the blessings within its walls.

FRIDAY
#becauseofHim I live in such a beautiful world. Sunsets are one of my favorite things.

SATURDAY
#becauseofHim I am inspired. 

SUNDAY
#becauseofHim I can receive answers to my prayers. I am grateful for my Savior and Father in Heaven that I can turn to when I am in need of peace.

With being able to reflect this entire week on that which the Easter season is truly about, I have learned so much more about not only myself but also of my loving Savior. With thinking everyday what I can do because of Him, I was continually thinking of all that He does for me. The list of that He does for me is never ending. I was reminded that without Him, I am nothing, that everything I am and that I will become is due to Him and His sacrifice He made for me and all of those upon the earth. Reflecting on what the Savior does for me on a daily basis helps me to see that I cannot make it through this life on my own. I need Him to strengthen me when there are times of hardship and trials I must go through in this life. He is always there. I am grateful for the ultimate gift He gave me, His life, so that I can live with Him again someday. I am eternally grateful for a loving Savior and elder Brother who sacrificed so much for someone such as I. I know that because of Him I am so much more than I could ever imagine and could ever be on my own. Because of Him I can be with my family forever, because of Him I am the happiest I can be, and because of Him I have His example to follow and live by. I can do all things Because of Him.

What can you do Because of Him?

Heavenly Father Knows Us Perfectly

I have been thinking a lot lately how perfectly our Heavenly Father knows us. He knows us perfectly and knows what we need exactly when we need it.
General Conference which is where we are taught by the Prophet,Thomas S. Monson, and other church officials, that have been called by God. We are able to listen to these teachings that they have prayerfully prepared for us to hear every six months, once in October and in April every year.
As I went into Conference I couldn't help but to think when they announced how many missionaries were serving, 83,035 full-time missionaries serving world wide that I would soon be a part of that great work in a few short months.
I went into this Conference with a few questions, some pertaining to my mission and some not. As I was thinking about these questions as Conference began, I thought and really hoped that my questions or at least some of them would be addressed during these Conference sessions.
As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland started speaking as the first speaker, my main question was answered and placed before more immediately. In his talk titled The Cost-and The Blessings- of Discipleship he addressed those times when we may think that it is hard to stand up for that which we know to be right. One of my favorite quotes from his talk, and what really answered my question was, “You may wonder if it is worth it to take a courageous moral stand in high school, or to go on a mission only to have your most cherished beliefs reviled, or to strive against much in society that sometimes ridicules a life of religious devotion. Yes, it is worth it, because the alternative is to have our houses left unto us desolate— desolate individuals, desolate families, desolate neighborhoods and desolate nations." 

I was just searching for that confirmation that I was indeed making a correct decision with my course in life and I received that peace I desired so dearly.
Heavenly Father is always there when we turn to Him for guidance and in times when we need a feeling of clarity. The Lord is mindful of us, and will teach us through the words of the Prophet and his apostles.
In a talk given by Elder Dieter F. Utchdorf in 2008 he says “In His kindness, He has given us prophets to teach us His eternal truths and guide us in living His gospel.” The Lord loves us and He loves us as much as He did those in the times of Old Testament He has given us a living prophet and apostles to guide us and lead us in these Latter-Days. 
I am so grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know that Heavenly Father knows us perfectly and guides those around us to help us through times of need and in this case, it was an apostle of God being in tune with the spirit. We are able to be guided with a living Prophet on the earth today. Heavenly Father has a plan specifically and personally made for each of us, He knows what we need. I am so grateful for that knowledge.