"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."

The Sermon on the Mount (found in Matthew 5 of the New Testament) has great doctrine. I don't have much to say tonight; this weekend has been full of extreme happiness and incredible sorrow, and my prayers are with many tonight.

In my New Testament institute class, we really hammered Matthew 5 and the beatitudes. One thing I wrote in my journal was "Blessed are ye -----> ALWAYS."

In times of sorrow, it's nearly impossible to fight the words out "Thy will be done" but again, sometimes it's the only thing that brings us peace. The man upstairs knows exactly what we need, so why pray? Why do we need to ask him, he ALREADY knows. So if he already knows, apparently WE are the ones that don't know. We need to find out what we need. 

Elder Holland said something along the lines of this: 

"In the heat and pressure is when we find out what we're really made of." 

Shayne M. Bowen gave a wonderful talk on losing loved ones and the sacredness of it. Read it HERE.
Honestly, go read that talk. It was beautiful.

Remember as you attended the funeral of your loved one the feelings in your heart as you drove away from the cemetery and looked back to see that solitary casket—wondering if your heart would break.

I testify that because of Him, even our Savior, Jesus Christ, those feelings of sorrow, loneliness, and despair will one day be swallowed up in a fulness of joy. I testify that we can depend on Him and when He said:

“I will not leave you comfortless: 

I will come to you.

“Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.”⁵

I testify that, as stated in Preach My Gospel, “as we rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, He can help us endure our trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”⁶

I testify that on that bright, glorious morning of the First Resurrection, your loved ones and mine will come forth from the grave as promised by the Lord Himself and we will have a fulness of joy. Because He lives, they and we shall live also. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I challenge all of you to pray for what you need in your life right now. The answer probably won't come the first time you ask, but don't quit asking. Luke 11:10-13. 

This post didn't really have any direction, sorry. Just what's on my mind.

Peace and love,
abs

"I am not ashamed" Romans 1:16

I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true gospel. And I am not ashamed. I have had the greatest experiences lately, the Lord has truly opened my eyes and heart. I know he suffered for all of our sins, and I have felt his LITERAL power change my heart. He knows we get tempted and He knows how to help us and give us strength. I have been a mad man at writing in my journal lately and my pages are just flooded with thoughts and impressions from the spirit. I love this church. 

I had the greatest conference experiences and honestly have been incredibly enlightened lately. I was writing this goon 

late last night and my mind was just unwinding. I felt particulary inspired for some reason after reading his weekly email his mother forwards out to all of us and so many feelings of confirmation entered my mind. I happened to type my letter so here are parts of it (I included some funny things I said, because I think I'm funny): 

Your companion turned 20. Crazy. You turn 20 soon! TEENAGE YEARS ARE ALMOST GONE! DO SOMETHING CRAZY! Well, not crazy crazy, just mission crazy. Like stay up till Midnight. Or sleep through your alarm until 7:30. YOTTOOYLDSM. You Only Turn Twenty Once On Your L D S Mission. Nah mean? ß that phrase, nah mean. Was that invented before you left? If not, it means “know what I mean?” but squished into one, catchy, fun phrase. Nah mean?

I’m registered to vote, and I’m voting for Thomas S. Monson. We’re gonna get the whole church to write him in, deal?

So I’m sure you’ve heard this quote, but I’m designing a cute little hand-out thingy of it to put in a frame I have. It will showcase in my room. Here it is:

Mission Equation: Hard Work + Obedience with exactness + faith = MIRACLES.

Conference was so incredible, I love our church so much. I have seriously kicked it into gear and I feel so good. Dumb little petty things will happen and it doesn’t even phase me. I just feel so gosh dang happy because I have this gospel. Usually at the end of your emails you get to bear your testimony but this time I’m going to. I seriously love this church with all my heart and soul. I know it is true. Sometimes I go through phases where I think about it and think “this all is kind of crazy” and I doubt. Satan gets RIGHT in my little brain and makes me think up all sorts of madness. But then I read my journals and I reflect on the feelings I have felt. This gospel is true and I KNOW IT. I hope you know I know it. I hope I was a good example to you like you were to me. I tried.

I get thinking about judgement, the future, marriage, meeting Christ, being with my family again, becoming a mom, keeping together a family, etc, and I get so many emotions. I could NOT do it all without this gospel. There is no way. When I’m having a cruddy day, I pray. When I feel sick, I get a priesthood blessing. When I read my scriptures, I get enlightened. When I listen to conference, I feel inspired. When I go to the temple, I feel Christ’s love and his atonement literally changes my heart. When I go to church, I meet great people. When I attend institute, I gain incredible insight. I KNOW THIS CHURCH IS TRUE. I know it with everything inside me.

I went home to STG last week to get my wisdom teeth out because we had Fall Break all week. Go Utes. Every other school didn’t get a week out. HA HA. Anyway, I went to sacrament meeting at the good ol’ valley chapel and listened to the wonderful testimonies of the 1^st ward. One of my old Young Women leaders, Sister Mylroie, bore her testimony about her mission. And the mission change for Young Women. She said that when the change happened, it made her reflect back on WHY she went on a mission. She pondered and read old journals and she came to a conclusion: She knew this gospel was true and knew how it had blessed her life, and she wanted everyone else in the world to know it too. This was such a confirmation to me. When the age changed, there was just a rush of people freaking out and I was so overwhelmed. I was AT conference when President Monson announced it and I felt so much love but also a lot of weight. I have decided that I’m going to prepare for a mission, and after next semester I will see what the Lord has in store for me.

Elder Berryessa, thank you for being such an example to me and for serving such a worthy mission. You are exactly the kind of missionary I want to be, regardless if I go on an official mission or not. I need to still be a missionary. You know it best… “every member a missionary”. 

Well folks, this was a long post but I had to post it. I know this church is true. If you have any inkling of wanting to know what we are all about, don't be afraid to ask me. Or visit https://www.lds.org/

I'm serious when I say this gospel is what makes me happy. I mean it with all my heart.

For now.. peace and love
-Abbey

It was nice to be home.

Got my wisdom teeth out by Dr. Boren on Tuesdey, and spent the whole week in the STG. The U had the whole week off for Fall Break (go utes) and my wisdom teeth were killing me so it was perfect timing. As I was driving home (home as in SLC, weird I know), I realized I ended up seeing some of the most important people in my life over the break, which I was very pleased with. Josie Larson, James Christiansen, Tirsa Snyder, Garrett Clements, Cameron Cox, David Lloyd, Joey Anderson, Shalei Miller, Weston Esplin, Kira Bott, Olivia Earl, brother Alex, sister Tori, brother John, sister Mikelle, my nephews, my grandparents, and my wonderful Mom and Dad. I even skyped the Megan's (Brindley and Chalmers) for a solid 2 hours one of the nights I was in STG.

I AM BEYOND BLESSED.

thanks Boren fan

skypey!

this beauty drove me to my appointment

love him 

soccer game

yay weston!

proud of my tirsa

i love tower

chillin at the ward party with towey

love STG nights

i love my boys!

joey and david. missed them

holla atcha 1st ward. alex, me, kira, mel, chanelle

mah bff

heading back up north

lil visit to orem. cried when i saw her

oh p.s.- this week is spiritual boot camp. I am buckling down and applying the things I learned at conference INTO my life. No more being "flooded by the spirit" and "filled with enlightenment" and then ignoring it. This girl is taking things seriously. 

peace and love

-abs

Time FLIES.

I can't believe that over a YEAR ago I was playing in the 3A Tennis State Finals. Refer to this post for a summary of our season. I watched quite a bit of the matches for State this year, and it made me miss my team! With only the singles players making it to state this year, they still took 3rd. That freaking rocks. Go Warriors. 

Last year, Madison and I were undefeated until our first loss in the State Finals. 2nd in State for 1st Doubs? Not too shabby. Madison became my best friend last year and I couldn't have asked for a better doubles partner. We worked so well together and had an unforgettable season. We shared moments together that mean so much to me now and I will never forget. 

I love and miss my team. But I'm happy where I'm at now. Definitely happy. 

October 2011, 2nd in State. Senior Year.

Playing in the State Finals.

Undefeated Region Champs, 1st Doubles. Best partnership in the universe.

"God is never hidden, but sometimes we are." - Henry B. Eyring

"You are better prepared than any generation... but the culture we are in is not righteous... our youth have never been stronger, but the apathy and lack of commitment is growing. We must remember: commitment= repentance" -Quentin L. Cook

"I'm a mormon. I know it, I live it, I love it." -Ann M. Dibb

"Look forward with hope, not backward with despair." - Shayne M. Bowen

"ASK THE MISSIONARIES." -Russel M. Nelson

"Often, we get 'so busy' and we wear it as a badge of honor. This life is only a blink, so become the person God intended you to be." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Good intentions are NOT enough- we must DO." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I'm not sure if this is the first General Conference that I actually prepared for, or if it really was the best one yet. The leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were NOT beating around the bush and some incredible revelation was given. I loved every second of it.

I was also so blessed to attend 2 sessions at the Conference Center. Holler for living in SLC. 

Saturday Morning: Me, roommate Emilee, and friend from Provo, Andrew

Sunday Morning: Logan pals, McKelle Boren and McCall Stanley

Snow Canyon Reunion!

Peace & Love,
Abbey