TRIALS

This week, I have been reflecting on the importance and need for trial in our lives. On a daily basis, I come in contact with people whose lives are full of trials and hardships, most times from things that are out of their control. They are confused, sad, and sometimes even angry at God. I pondered on the difference in attitude of these people as compared to those who have a knowledge of our Savior, his gospel and our purpose here on earth, and it is a night and day difference! I don't know about you, but this solution seemed too simple. How could every problem, every trial, every thing bad in this world be made right through Christ? And yet, that is the truth!

Those who truly understand our Savior see testing and trials as opportunities to be refined and become even better. Because, Jesus Christ and His Atonement cover everything, completely and fully. In Alma 31 we read about Alma, his brethren and sons and their trial as they are out preaching the gospel. They suffer all manner of affliction and trial. Yet, in verse 38, we see how they received the strength to press forward, all of their hardships were "swallowed up in the joy of Christ." Or in other words, all that was wrong was made right through our Savior Jesus Christ. And how was it that he was able to access this enabling power, in the end of verse 38, it says, "Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith." This strength of the Atonement is available to us all, the only requirement is for us to ask. 

Through our own personal trial, rather than being tempted to ask the question, "Why Me?" , turn to Heavenly Father and ask instead, "What can I learn from this?" and plead for the strength that is available to us all through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

I feel that strength daily, so much so that as Ammon says in Alma 26:12, "I do not boast in my own strength...but behold, my joy is full yea my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God." This joy is accessible to us all and for that I am so very grateful!

~ With Bunches of Love,

 Sister Jordan

Mailing Address: 1109 E 66th Street

Kearney, NE 68847

LOVE
With it being Valentine's Day this past week, I have pondered a lot on the power of love. Specifically, the love for our fellow men, as well as between us and God. On my mission, I have seen first hand the miracles that have been brought to pass, as people have begun to feel the love of God. Addictions have been quit, goals have been made, and lives become happier. I pondered on this type of love, the love that causes us to desire to do good and become better. This love comes from God and is exemplified in our Savior Jesus Christ. The world gives us "love" that is full of frills and devoid of substance, that is fun in the moment, but still leaves us feeling empty and eventually alone. As compared with the world's view of "love", God's love is eternal and helps us to become who we need to be.  Because of the love God has for each of us, He sent His son, so that we all might be able to learn and grow, and one day return to Him stronger and changed. With this knowledge also comes with it a responsibility to, as a famous hymn states, "As I have loved you, love one another." Love not only changes lives, it has the potential to change the world...“Pure Christlike love flowing from righteousness can change the world.”—Elder Jeffrey R. Holland 

    For God so loVed the world,

                     thAt he gave his

                     onLy

                     BEgotten

                    SoN

                    thaT whosoever

                     belIeveth in Him

              should Not perish but have

                         Evelasting life.  ~John 3:16

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!! Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~ With Bunches of Love,

 Sister Jordan

Mailing Address: 1109 E 66th Street

Kearney, NE 68847

A week of miracles - 
This week was crazy!!! We had a blizzard hit Kearney, it was called Kayla and it left us with 18 inches of snow!!!! We were stuck inside for a whole day.  Luckily, there were a couple of us sisters, so we kept ourselves entertained. haha!! Cool thing about the blizzard was that it provided for a lot of service opportunities. The snow fall was wayy more than anticipated, so just about everyone was snowed in. And though I had never shoveled snow a day in my life, I am now officially an expert haha. A cool experience happened while doing service...all the missionaries, us sisters and some elders too, were shoveling at this apartment complex and the snow was crazy deep, but we finally cleared a path and dug out a couple cars while we were working. Sister Riggs was working so hard, she ended up losing her name tag...in the snow. So, we all said a prayer and began searching. I was praying so hard because we were working with this non-member, and I was like, "Heavenly Father, please provide us with a miracle, so this man can see that you answer prayers." As I finished, I looked down, and guess what I saw...the corner of Sister Riggs's name tag!!!!!! I picked it up and celebrated like I had found the Golden Ticket!!! We all cheered and clapped, it was the best thing ever! As we are filled with faith, and trust in the Lord, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish!!! Ether 12:12

God is soo very aware of us and wants to help, all we must do is ask!:)

A LOL miracle - 

Wanna hear another miracle??? So, I had to go to the bathroom SUPER bad, and there were none to be found. We passed by this park, pulled over, and I began my search...finally I found one!! but it was an indoor one, and looked really fancy...so I prayed: "please please please let this door be unlocked". It wasnt!!! So I prayed again, pleading(because I REALLY had to go!) Then all of a sudden, a lady rounded the corner and opened the door!!!!! Then she said, "It was a miracle I even came over to this side of the building!" I was like - "well yeah, I prayed you here!" hahahaha wayy cool right?!:D

~ With Bunches of Love,

 Sister Jordan

Mailing Address: 1109 E 66th Street

Kearney, NE 68847

God's Hand is evident in all things!!!

     This week, my studies have focused on the fact that God is real and loves us. Recently, I have come in contact with a couple of people who just cannot seem to wrap their minds around the fact that there is a God. They have questions like: "If there is a God, why do bad things happen?" Or "How can you really know He is there, if you have never seen Him?" As I have had the opportunity to talk to, and learn from these people, my testimony that there is a God has become significantly stronger. The scripture in Alma 30 verse 44 perfectly summarizes my in depth studies... that all things denote there is a God... the trees, and the flowers, the birds, and our own bodies, that we have the scriptures and all the ancient prophet's testimonies, as well as modern day prophet's witnesses, and not only that, on a daily basis I meet with people who know that there is a God, and they testify of his hand so abundantly in their lives. Which brings me to a wonderous miracle that has been ongoing throughout my mission. It is a long story, but I can promise you, it will strengthen your faith and help you to see God's hands more fully in your own life...

     It started about a month before I entered into the MTC. My dad called me, and expressed a desire to be more involved with our lives (mine and my siblings). My parents are divorced, and my dad lives in Alabama, so he has not been very involved in our lives. So I told him, well if you want be more involved, then you need to make some changes in your life. Not that my dad is a bad person, he has just made a lot of bad choices that have deeply affected his life. I told him what he needed to do first, was to find the missionaries in his area (because I was about to serve my mission), and be taught by them. My dad agreed. :)

     Fast forward a month... at this time, I am in the MTC, and I meet these two Elders at a fireside, and find out they are going to be serving in Birmingham, Alabama (where my dad lives). So, I give them the assignment to go and find my dad. About a month after that, I received an email from one of the Elders I met at the MTC, and he said that he had found my dad and given him the Book of Mormon, but that my dad had moved, and now he couldn't find him again. :(

    I hear from my mom, a few months later, that my dad had read the Book of Mormon, knew it was the word of God, and decided that he needed to make a change. Change is difficult and takes a lot of time and effort, but my dad checked himself into a three month rehab facility and began the rocky road to recovery. :)

     Three months later, I received an email from my dad saying that he had moved to a place that was right across the street from the LDS church. He decided to attend church one Sunday, and as he was introducing himself to everyone, the guy sitting next to him turned and asked, "Is your daughter named Leela?'' It was the other missionary I had met in the MTC!!!  My dad and him had found each other!!!!!!!!  After that, my dad began learning from the missionaries and on Christmas day over Skype, my dad told me that he had been drug and alcohol free for 101 days and counting!!! Not only that, but he was beginning to feel happy again, free and excited about life. Tears of joy streamed down my face to see firsthand the effects of the Atonement on someone I love so dearly.

BIG :)

      Although it took work and perseverance, my dad was baptized January 17, by the Elder who I met in the MTC.  Baptism is just the first step on a long road to lasting recovery, but that step has been made, and I know that as my dad relies on the Lord, he will be able to make it through anything. There are many other things that played a part in this miraculous story... the fact that I was a week late to the MTC, which allowed for me to meet the missionaries that were going to Birmingham, and would eventually baptize my dad... or that the Elder who baptized my dad saw me while in the MTC and felt he needed to talk to me.

      This miracle, along with many other amazing miracles I have witnessed, solidifies my faith and stand as a witness that God's hand is in all things!! God is ever mindful of every people, and we all have the opportunity for second chances. I know that God lives, and that he loves us, and that through our Savior Jesus Christ, each and every day hold for us a new beginning. I also know that through the Book of Mormon we can come to know Christ personally, and receive the strength and guidance to accomplish marvelous things!

     This I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!! Amen!! Amen!!

~ With Bunches of Love,

 Sister Jordan

Mailing Address: 1109 E 66th Street

Kearney, NE 68847