Families are forever.

“The [greatest] work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home” - Harold B. Lee

Families. We all have some kind of family, wether it be our own blood-line, a certain social environment or some friends that you simply see as family. And each individual family, every home, is so unique. And crazy. We are so priviliged to live with people that we love. Sometimes they can be a pain in the backside, sometimes they just make you laugh till you can't breathe. Sometimes we love our family and somtimes we just wish them away.

Recently in a Primary Presentation a young boy discribed his home as a place where you fight and then make up again. As a congregation we giggled at this heartfelt comment, but thinking more about it, it really is so true and accurate. The home is the place where we learn how to live, how to love and how to progress. It's not always easy and most certainly not always pleasant but it's our home. It's where we feel comfortable.

Sometimes we have to overlook jealousy, comparison and competion. Sometimes we just need to kick off our shoes, sit on a sofa and laugh with each other.

My wiser older brother Peter once told me, that if our relationships at home aren't ok, our relationships outside won't be ok either. May we all work a little harder to love our family and to cherish the time we spend with them. 

#whatmakesyourfamilysospecial?
#Sundayisfamilyday

The Still Small Voice

"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
- Moroni 10:5

In a world constantly changing, this has been one of my greatest anchors.I feel so blessed to know, that we can know the truth of anything by the power of the Holy Ghost. Sometimes we don't know if it is us or the Spirit telling us something, but I do know, that when the Spirit touches us, and we listen, we can recognize him. This is a life long learning process and cannot be mastered by tomorrow, but as we practise every day to listen and act upon the still small voice of the Spirit, we will become more familiar with His way of reaching us.

I promise, that the Holy Ghost is part of the Godhead. I know that his cofirmations are sacred and valid. Ask and ye shall receive. God will not leave you alone.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 
-John 14:26

#2 Hope

While I was serving a mission in England, one of the questions the people on the streets asked me is how I can believe in a God, if there is so much rubbish going on in the world. A lot of them were convinced that talking about God was a waste of time and efforts, that society is never going to change. That the world is just going to get worse. At the beginning of my Mission I thought, they were right. That it doesn't matter what I do. It won't change anything. I cannot make a difference. And then I started to hope. And everything changed.

 "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."
                                                                                                                            -Ether 12:4
 

Some people think that you are gullable because you try to see the good in people. I try to see the good things in life. I try to make the best of every situation. I hope, with surety, for a better world. And I strive to make it a better place. Because I know, that there is a God. That he has a greater plan for us. I know that he cares for each and everyone of us. I know that he loves all of us. He wants all of us to have a relationship with him. Those that are lost and those that are found.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."
                                                                                                                        -1 Peter 3:15

 In closing I want to say, that hope is a Superpower. Hope is our shield against fear and despair.

"Fear does not work as long as there is hope."
                                                                      -President Snow, The Hunger Games 

#whatdoyouhopefor?

The Story of YOUR Life.

Today I was asked which time in history I would've liked to have witnessed which lead me to seriously reflect upon history and the reason of why we have it. I picked the time of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and I would've loved to be a person who heard those good news for the first time. Can you imagine that excitement it must have brought to the nations?  After years of darkness, the heavens opened again and zur priesthood was restored back to earth. After years of searching for the truth and for revelation,  the light was switched back on.

What difference do we make in church history? What are we contributing to the hastening of the work of salvation? I want to make a difference in the world. It doesn't have to be spectacular like the restoration of the gospel. There are so many things that are great about this world. Let's make sure the generations of the future will remember our time.

We can make a difference. Our story matters. 

#whatsyourstory? 

Mid-Week Evaluation

Sunday was great, Monday was good, Tuesday was alright, Wednesday was bearable .... wait what? Sometimes I feel like after the spiritual feast on Sunday I can conquer the upcoming week, but when I get to Wednesday Morning I already feel discouraged or unmotivated. How come? Well those of us who fast frequently know, how used our body is to food. And even though we eat until we need to open our belt on a Sunday, we know that we have to eat the next few days. Just like that, we also need to make sure that we continue to feed ourselves spiritually. My mother is the greatest. And sometimes, especially when life was rough, I came home from school to find a freshly home cooked superfeast that made my day. How would we feel spiritually, if we would feast upon the words of Christ daily? How would our thoughts, desires and actions change if we were to start our day learning from the Saviour? Would it make us better people? Would it help us to make better decisions? Would it help us to not just get through the week but to enjoy every moment of it?

Elder Richard G. Scott said: "Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high."

#feastuponthewordsofchrist

#1 Endure

Today I have learned, that enduring doesn't mean to wait till the end of a problem, but to joyfully keep going until we are ready to recognize the solution. Sometimes we get so worried about finding a way to make it through dificult times, that we forget, that it is a learning experience. And sometimes, the answer is so close, that we can amolst touch it, and all we need is a little push. In my case though, I just have to endure joyfully.
One of my favourite parts of enduring is going to Church to learn from the people there. I have often found, that the Lord answers our prayers through others. And I feel so inspired after listening to other people's testimonies. For example today, we had our Relief Society President share a spiritual thought with us and she chose to speak about prayer. I felt the Spirit so strong and just wanted to make my prayers more meaningful. She was an answer to my question on how I can build a stronger spiritual foundation. It starts with the simple things.
So the overall feeling I have from today is that I CAN DO IT. And if I think I can do it, YOU CAN DO IT!


 #howdoyouenduretotheend?

WHO is that girl?

Hello everyone,and welcome welcome to the crazy diary of a returned missionary! This has been on my mind for a while. I've been dying to express myself and by so doing helping others with my testimony of Jesus Christ.

My Name is Clara, I'm 21 years old and from the place where the hills are alive. I am also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as Mormons. Check out my profile on http://www.mormon.org.uk/me/BGN0/Clara if you'd like to know what that is! :)

I've recently returned from my mission in Manchester, England where I had the greatest 18months of my life. I'd love to share with you a little bit of my insights on being a returned missionary and a diciple of Christ in progress.
“And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God…”