The Power of Prayer

When I was young, I began my day with a morning prayer with an abundant hope that my day will be a great day. In my prayer, I always included "Heavenly Father, please help me to have a good day today so that I'll be happy." However, for some reason, every time I said my morning prayers, the exact opposite happened. I thought to myself. What's going on? Why is Heavenly Father punishing me for being good? After awhile, I stopped saying my prayers. How little did I know then. As the years have passed, I began to realize that prayer doesn't change my situations but a true sincere prayer changes my attitude toward the given situations. Now I know that with the light of Christ, no matter how difficult my day is, I can face it with gratitude and joy. Some days, it takes more effort than other days but I have felt the change of heart and got to see how it changed my life. This gospel really brought happiness to my life. I know it's true, and I live it and I absolutely love it. I know that as I strive to keep the commandments, I stand one step closer to God and in that place, I can feel his love much more intimately.

tbt

Yesterday I drove up to Salt Lake see my old high school friend Yasmin. She came to Utah with her husband and I got to see her for the first time in four years!!!!! Ohmygosh she still looks so beautiful and young. Catching up with her was so much fun. I didn't realize that my accent has changed so much over the four years. Listening to her New Zealand English sounded a little weird to me at first but then I was like... awwwww I miss NZ!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know why but I kind of look like a frog in this picture. hahahahaha 

She is one of the SWEEEETEST people I know. 

We've known each other for almost 9 years now. WOW time does fly. 

Since this post is about throwing back time.. here are some things I miss about NZ.

1. The Beaches. beaches beaches and beaches.

The have so many beautiful beaches over there and it was super close to my house.

Easy 40min drive, and you will find this paradise.

Here comes the pictures!! 

Aren't these pictures so beautiful? I went there for at least three times a week!

After school, during school, on weekends... LOL 

2. The weather. . . 

In NZ, the winter is usually shorter than the summer and even in winter

it never snows!!! I didn't really appreciate it that much but being in Utah, I realized

how much easier your life can be without snow. 

Last but least..... all the memories. . .  !!

I can't say they were all good but I spent all of my teenage years in NZ 

and I cannot take those memories away from my life..... 

Power of the Atonement

After watching Elder Bednar's DVD last night, I learnt something very important.
There are some things in life that human beings can't do alone. For example, when someone you really love and trust betrays you, it's impossible to forgive them with your own understanding.
But with the power of the Atonement, all things are possible. There is nothing we cannot do with his help. This doctrine should give us a greater hope of life. No matter what happens in our life, whether it's because of our own fault or other people around us, we can overcome any trials waiting ahead of us. Because Christ has already walked the path, he knows how to helps us through our trials and fill our weaknesses. Sometimes I wonder where I would be if I didn't have the gospel in my life. I can feel his love as I strive to keep his commandments every day.

Faith and Eternal Life

Faith is something you have to constantly nourish, so it doesn't stop growing and start rotting.
Just because I felt the spirit yesterday and got the answer to my prayer doesn't solve my today's problems. "Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it... wherefore my sould did rest... I know that in him, I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me. Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen."
Is that not the purpose of my life? If so, then what else matters?