Already Growing

My testimony of Family History has grown so much since the beginning of this semester. To be direct and quite honest, I never felt I had one. I have always been grateful to my ancestors for all that they did, but it never really hit me how much I truly owe them. I literally would not be here if it were not for them. The amount of work I have to do is small compared to what those who have gone before me have done. Already, I feel so much love from the other side. More connected than I have ever felt before, all thanks to family history. It excites me to realize how much I will learn from compiling stories and testimonies throughout generations on both sides of my family. What I do know of my ancestors already, is astounding to me. Their great examples and sacrifices are selfless. The past few days I have thought about my grandparents a lot on both sides. Probably from all the pictures I have gathered of them. It sometimes makes me sad that I only have my maternal Grandma left on this earth, but then I am reminded I will be reunited again one day with all of my grandparents, and will get to know them better than I ever knew them here. I wish I would've taken the time more to listen to my Grandma when I had the chance, and to go over and listen to the stories she had to share. But no regrets, just learning and moving forward with the work! So grateful to be a part of it.

Life Goals

We all have them. Those little things we like to call life goals. Some bigger than others. Some of us just want to survive this life and that's good for those days that seem huge and overbearing. Some of us want to be billionaires and have all the money we could ever want. I am happy with my realistic goals and with some goals that include a bit of dreaming and also some hard work involved as well. I think the easiest way to do this is for me to just list my life goals. Some of them I have already started on and will continue to work on them throughout my life. Others I need to get going on. :) LifE GoaLS 1. Make a difference in the lives of others for positive. 2. Be HAPPY and spread my smiles whenever possible. 3. Have a forever, eternal family. 4. Be a wonderful wife and a loving mother. 5. Share my musical talents more. 6. Build up more confidence when applying for positions, performing for others, etc. 7. Go back to Costa Rica. 8. Travel the world including Brazil and Europe. 9. Always be there for my family; my future family and my family I already have. 10.Graduate with my Bachelor's degree (I will finish this in December). 11. Attend General Conference live and meet the Prophet. 12. Become more involved in politics, but in a healthy way. 13. Read good literature and many classics. 14. Become better acquainted with and informed on world issues taking place. 15. Forgive everyone when and where forgiveness is required. 16. Learn to forgive myself more easily...and at all. 17. Become an excellent cook! 18. Never stop learning and expanding my mind. 19. Be very involved in the church. 20. Be generous with my love. So there you have it, my life goals. Some bigger than others, and I still have many I need to think of and ponder on. But for now, this list will keep me busy.

My Testimony & View of Life

I should start off by letting everyone know that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Have you ever heard the saying, “He never said it would be easy, He only said it would be worth it?” That basically sums up my view of life. I am very optimistic and I am a glass-half full kind of girl. I try my hardest each and every day to see the positive in myself and in everyone around me. I look for the goodness in individuals and love to learn their stories and why they are the way that they are. Everyone has a story. Everyone is important. And everyone has a very unique, individual, life to live and purposes to fulfill. I believe that hard trials make us stronger, but only if we let them. I believe that God never gives us more than we can handle. Not too get into too much, but I have had my fair share of trials; but I can honestly say that I am such a better person because of them. Still far from the person I would love to be and aspire to be, but on my way because of the trials that were sent my way. A little motto that I have been trying to implement into my life more recently wisely says, “Be generous with your love.” Tying into my personal testimony of the love Christ has for me, I know that I must show love to all of those around me. We are all God’s children and if I truly have that planted within my heart and remember it every day of my life, it makes it easier to love everyone; even those individuals I would not necessarily feel a connection with otherwise. Now to share my testimony with the world; something I should do more often. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live and love me. I know that Jesus Christ died for every single individual and suffered for his or her sins that they could be forgiven and be able to return and live with Him again. I know that no matter how alone I may feel, Jesus Christ is always with me. He will never leave my side. I have a testimony of the power of prayer. I know that prayer works and that He can hear you when it may seem no one else can. I know that repentance and forgiveness is real and so incredibly powerful. I know that no matter what happens, I can ask for His forgiveness and find it. I know that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God. I know that we have a living prophet on the earth today who receives revelation from God and will never lead us astray. I know that keeping the commandments brings nothing but peace and happiness. I know that our trials make us stronger. I know that families are forever and that the bonds they have cannot even be broken by earthly death. I am so grateful for my Savior who knows me like nobody else will ever know me. I am so grateful for the knowledge that He lives and loves me. I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.