A year ago

Is it really two more days til I turn 20?. Wow....
If any of you would of asked what were my plans when I turned 19. I would of said finishing losing the weight, send  mission papers in August and then leave.

And now a year ahead, here I am.. not on my mission yet and although at first I was disappointed  about that.  I got discourage in 2012, I wasn't working out everyday in the week, which then lead to not working out for weeks at a time.
I tired to get back into working out couple of times, and each time it lead to the same thing.
when 2013 rolled around, my plan was to send my papers in April... that didn't worked out either.

But here are the good things that happened.
I made some amazing friends from the YSA branch
I kept the weight off which I have already lost
 A friend of mine  from the branch told me , he left late for his mission
if he were to leave when he turned 19, he would of been done with his "mission" before even leaving for his real mission, in his real mission he said there were people there that needed to hear the Gospel by him.
April of this year when I got discourage and was mad with myself for not leaving already
I had a feeling to read my Patriarchal blessing...
and in it said I would be able to serve a fulltime mission at the appropriate time
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By reading that I got so much peace.
I know I'll be able to go on my mission, it's not  at the time I had in mind, but rather it will be in Heavenly Father's time
Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the Heavens are higher then the earth, so are my ways higher then your ways, and my thoughts then your thoughts"

I won't know until I go on my mission, but just some things I have thought about.
The mission age requirements have changed for the guys from 19 to 18. (note not recommended for everyone to go then, just getting that out there)
But maybe one of my companion(s) I'll have on my mission is one of the 18 year's old, or there's someone out there that needs to hear the Gospel from me and their not ready to hear it yet
or that there is just no room in the mission I'm suppose to be in.

My plan is to get my call in September, I have been working out and I have been losing weight, I have a good feeling that this is it :)
A friend of mine from the branch have worked out with me couple of times per week, not lately just because he has been busy a little.

Although I'm not 100% done with this trial, (I haven't left yet) I have seen blessings come of it, mostly the amazing friends I have gotten to know from the branch. if you're new to the blog and haven't read much of anything yet, I have Asperger's Syndrome and it's hard to be social, so being able to make and keep the friends I have here is amazing.

I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for everyone, he has a plan for  me and I'm going threw that plan, even at times when I  didn't know I was.
If things don't go you're way, keep going.. you wouldn't know at the time but God is leading you in life, he has a plan for you

Endure to the end, stay strong in the Gospel and you won't regret it :)

John Rowe Moyle story

Readers, as I been thinking what to blog about, this video came to mind, it is a true story of a pioneer who was "Only a Stonecutter"

If we can have his determination of fulling our callings, how great will our life's be?.

It doesn't even end at our callings, what about who we are?..

Brothers and Sisters I have thought to myself  "I'm only Michael"

I am wrong with what I think of myself.. I'm a child of God and he loves me and he had sent me here on the earth at this time for a reason.

And I'm finding out what my reason is, it's to be there for people, I have said this in previous posts.. but I want you all to know, that you are here for a reason too, you have to find it, I believe everyone on this earth has a mission.

We may get down at times, but just remember our Heavenly Father loves us all, he wants us to be able to live with him again.

In 2010 I believed I was just "Michael" nobody important, nobody who my Father in Heaven was proud of. 

You can read about this in this post Priest/Laurel Conference 2010

My friends were right, I wasn't just "Michael" neither was Brother Moyle was "Only a stonecutter"

Brothers and Sisters, we can matter in people life's. I have seen it... even a simple smile can cheer someone up, you don't know what their going threw, maybe they needed that smile.. talk to them, I know what it felt like to be alone, and that's why I want to help people, I never want them to feel the pain I felt, if you are feeling this way, you can always talk to me.

There was this General Conference talk which I loved from the 2011 October  session You Matter To Him

Tri-Stake Get A Grip!- Priest/Laurel Conference

On the 20th of March 2010 there was a Priest/Laurel Conference at the Walla Walla stake center in Washington. they invited two other stakes which were Richland and Pasco, both from the Tri-Cities.

It took a hour or a hour and a half to get there,  we were put into groups, I was put into the red group along with my friend Spencer, who is also from my ward.

The whole day was amazing, but let dive into the testimony meeting and afterwards.

I was sitting with Spencer on the 3rd row, most of the people from our ward were sitting in the back, as the meeting started, I asked Spencer if he was planning on going up to share his testimony, he wasn't sure if he would.. he then asked me the same question,  I wasn't sure, because I might stutter.

As the meeting went on.. I couldn't sit still, I knew I needed to go up and share my testimony.. as I went to the first row to sit down to wait   for my turn,  waited as long as I could.. I let people who came behind me go up first.. but got to the point when I just needed to go up..
"My name is Michael, I stutter so bare with me"
My testimony will be about the Holy Ghost, how it bless our life's.. a couple of weeks ago, I had a feeling to talk to a friend of mine who I meant online, after talking for a bit I knew something wasn't right"
Tears began to form, I couldn't look at anyone.. "He said he want to kill himself"

 I looked down at the youth and saw someone crying in the front row, there were probably more crying, but I couldn't look pass the first row. the tears began to fall, down onto the stand where the  microphone was placed.  I pause for what felt like five long minutes. once I got a hold of myself I went on. Told everyone what I did to help, started talking with  him  asked why he wanted to do it.. why he wanted to end his life". the whole time I was up there. I was shacking.. felt I would fall down any minute.

"When he went to bed that night, I kept thinking of how to help him, I called  the suicidal hotline, they gave me some help, nothing big that I haven't already done.
Whenever he was on, we would talk... it has been two weeks since he said anything about killing himself"
I then closed in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Spencer was waiting for his turn to bare his testimony, I was sitting by myself for a couple of minutes.. I looked around...some people saw me and waved along with a smile..
Spencer got back.. he patted me on my back and said I did a good job.. I couldn't say anything expect "mhhm".. the last guy to get up and bare his testimony.. bore his on my testimony..  he said I was an example for him,I was overcome, he was crying, and testify about how I knew by the spirit I needed to talk to my friend.

When the meeting was over, I didn't want to face anyone from my ward.. so I stayed behind and hold the door open for the youths and leaders coming out on the right side.
Everyone.. stop and hugged and thanked me, tears were in their eyes.. a youth leader from Walla Walla.. I think because I have never seem him before the conference or after.
He gave me a hug, thanked me and said  "I really loved your testimony, I know if you keep listening to the spirit you can do wonders"

One person after another, a line was form, people waiting to hug and thank me..I was speechless I barely knew what to say, guys reach out their hands, we shaked, then they came in for a hug as well.
It was then time for dinner, I didn't really want to sit with the youth from my ward but a priest saw  me and called over for me to sit down, he like everyone else gave me a hug and thanked me.

I wasn't hungry so I left the room, went walking in the hallways, I couldn't go more then 3 feet when someone else stop me.. it was unreal I didn't know what to do so once everyone left I tried  getting away.. someone call out "Michael, Michael!" the voice was from Reid (The person who bore his testimony about mine)
He came to me, thanked me for being such an example to him.
I didn't understand.. how me just a priest from the Columbia Basin Ward.. I'm just Michael, how could I have ever done anything like this?
On the way back home, a fellow priest said "when you pause while you gave you're testimony.. you could feel the spirit filled the room" another said when he was in-line for dinner, he heard some people talking about me, about my testimony etc.

I told two friends what happened one I meant from efy in 2009, (Lived in town from me)  the other is someone I meant when I was a Teacher.. his not a youth but truly amazing friend.

something the friend from efy, she said in the message "I hope that you never think that you're "just Michael", because you're God's son, and that's not just anything. You really are special. I know that you are a choice spirit. I hope you will always know that"

My other friend said "You said that following: "I'm just Michael.. how could I have done anything like this?"  You are wrong.  You are wrong about what you think about yourself.  You are a powerful young man who can change people's lives.  I have told you this before, but it is hard to believe until you see it.  This story did not surprise me, because I already knew that you could do things that make a difference.  So learn about yourself from this, and stop holding yourself back.  You are Michael.  You are a powerful son of God, sent here when the world was in a scarey time to make a great difference.  You are more than just a face in a crowd, You have the essence of godliness in you, and that was shown to all this past weekend.  Don't forget it, and don't doubt it."

My friends are right.. and what I "saw" myself as.. this year I have learned so much that will help me in my life for the better
even if you don't think anyone would take your testimony to heart, share it. If you think your just somebody in the world, your wrong we are all children of our Father in Heaven, we all came to earth for a reason, we are all choice spirits
~Reid is now serving in the Brazil Fortaleza Mission
Elder Empey~

    

The Opportunity of a lifetime

Through your devoted service and willing to sacrifice, your mission will become holy ground to you

This talk was given by Elder Chistopher Waddell of the Seventy. He gave it in the priesthood session of General Conference October 2011. 

This was one of many talks that stood out to me, as I am preparing for a full time mission  

Tears came to my eyes as I listen to this truly amazing talk.. in his talk he said "Each mission is unique, with challenges and opportunities that stretch and test us according to our particular needs and personalities" I learned from listening to this that my mission will fit me, I'll be called to serve where God sees fit for me. 

He taught that our Heavenly Father know us, he knows our strengths and weaknesses, our abilities and potential. He knows which mission president and companions and which members and investigators we need in order to become the missionary  

Prophets, seers and revelators  assign missionaries under the direction and influence of the Holy Ghost. I know that when I will send my picture in with my mission papers that, they will send me where God want me to serve his children,  that they  may be fill with the Holy Ghost and by it's influence.

When I will receive my mission call, I'm pretty sure I'll be speechless... and not wanting to open the call, but when I do, the spirit will fill my body and I'll know in my heart, this is where God want me to serve.

From Elder Christopher Waddell he said, "In whatever manner the Lord may choose to bless us during the course of a mission, blessings of missionary service are not designed to end when we are released by our stake president. Your mission is a training ground for life. the  experiences, lessons, and testimony obtained through faithful service are meant to provide a gospel-centered foundation that will last throughout mortality and into the eternities."

I'm so grateful for my friends who are on their mission and who gotten their call and will leave shortly, I know they will do amazing out there.

God knows my weakness and he'll help me threw them, he will help my friends, and missionaries around the world. Our father in Heaven love all of us, I can not say that enough.. it has been something I have learned this year.. he know who I am, he knows what goes on in my life, and he loves me, he loves to hear from me when I pray. During trek this year I prayed, crying unto my savior for the strength, for the last day of trekking.. and he heard my prayer, he knew what I needed help with. 

Brothers and Sisters, as I been preparing for my mission what wonderful things I have learned, my testimony is growing every time I read and pray to my Father in Heaven.. I would counsel you to do the same.. even if you're not planning on going on a mission.. you will need   the relationship with God.. I can't thank one of my best friends enough... he made me realize God loves me, and to pray to him to build my relationship.. when he told me this I thought he might be right.. but I still didn't pray often or even read.. but when I started doing it, I have gain so much.

Please study the General Conference talks, you will learn something each time  you do, I have and I know you will.

Endure to the end, stay strong in the Gospel and you won't regret it 

  

Life trials, brings out our strengths

Dear readers, whoever you might be..

I been thinking of trials lately and how can they bring out our strengths?, trials can be short term and long term, I have had both and I'm sure all of you have had them as well, if not then how could we be human?, we were  all choice spirits in Heaven were we lived with our Father and his son. We begged to come to earth to receive our mortal bodies.. we knew when we came to earth there would be trials facing us, we knew we would struggle, but we still begged for the bodies, we wanted to be like our Heavenly Father and his son.. I can see myself  being there as a choice spirit begging and crying for my body, I knew when I came to earth I would have the trials I do now, learning  disabilities and Aspager's.. etc.
let look at short term trials.. and this is just an example  when I was doing trek this year, by the 2nd day I had seven or eight blisters.. and my feet were in so much pain that I could not finish the last couple of miles for that day, I was driven to base camp,  later that night when I was in my tent.. I begged to my Heavenly Father that I would be able to finish the trek strong in the morning.. I woke up and tired standing in the tent.. I about fell down.. I forced myself to get up, after getting some breakfast I headed to my family and company, our company was the first to start trekking, my feet hurt for the first half of a mile, then I was able to keep up with my family... it was a testimony builder for prayer.

Long term example: Having Aspager's and growing up.. I was friendless for fifteen years, it was very hard for me,  I felt alone all the time, did anyone even love me?...  but that has taught me something that is my strength from this trial, it's being there for anyone I know what it feels like to be alone, the outcast, I don't want anyone to feel that way, I'll be a true friend, like all the friends I have made over the years.
At times.. I have those bad days and think I'm all alone.. D&C: 121-7-9 is one of my favorite scripture


 7:My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

 8: And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

 9:Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.
I feel much love and peace from my Heavenly Father when I read this.. remember readers... Endure to the end, stay strong, and you won't regret it