My Talk

So yesterday i gave a talk on Gratitude. I think i did a pretty good job. I had a lot of nice job's afterwards too.

Here is my talk for anyone who wishes to read it..

My talk this afternoon is on the topic Gratitude. The Strength of Youth pamphlet says The Lord wants us to have a spirit of gratitude in all we do and say. If we live with a spirit of gratitude we will have greater happiness in life, even in the most difficult times. Also in our prayers, before we ask for blessings, pour out your heart to God in thanks for all the blessings you have already received. Thank him for your family, for friends and loved ones, for leaders and teachers, for the gospel, and for his Son Jesus Christ.

When I read this early last week, I felt like I needed to thank my Heavenly Father more than I regularly do. The next time I prayed I thanked the Lord for about every blessing I could think of. I noticed that the Spirit was with me more strongly than normal. My day went smoothly and I felt the Spirit quite often and I was happy. At the end of that day I reflected on how I thanked the Lord for everything I had and how my day had turned out. I thought of how I feel when I do something nice for someone else and they greatly appreciate it and tell me thank you and how that it makes me feel good and want to serve that person again. Then I thought how the Lord might feel when his children thank him for all he does. I think it makes the Lord happy to see that his children care for what he does and makes the Lord want to bless them even more.

In the November 2008 Ensign, President Monson said, “Of course, there is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.” This quote from our prophet has helped me so much. Whenever I am feeling alone or depressed I read this and it always gives me the strength to stop thinking of all the bad things that have happened in my life, and instead, as President Monson said, provide pleasant memories for the future.

A way we can create these happy memories is by showing thanks to our friends and family for all they do for us and as well, thanking our Heavenly Father for the things he does.

I know that Gratitude is something we all should have. When we try to see the blessings in our lives instead of the bad things, it helps us become more cheerful and more grateful for the blessings we have already received. All of us are going to have trials in life and have those rough days. When these come into our lives, we should try to find something to be grateful for. For example, I am grateful for the friends that I have, and for my cute little kitty, and for my wonderful parents and grand-parents, and for my education, my home and even my brothers and sisters. Having this grateful attitude will push us through the troubles we have and help us overcome them easier.

AMEN

What's been going on...

So lately I have obviously going to school and such. I have finished up my Eagle Project for Andrea's Closet 2 weeks ago. Me, my dad, and some friends from the ward went to the Andrea's Closet warehouse to inventory/stock the toys. There were lots of toys in this place. They were arranged by dollar amount. The bottom shelves were $3 and under, 2nd lowest shelf $5 under, the middle shelf $10, 2nd highest shelf $20 and under, and the highest shelf was above $20 (it was something close to this). There are different shelves for boy toys and girl toys. We took all my toys i collected and seperated them by its $ amount. Then we colored stickers on them (each sticker color meant a certain $ amount). then stocked them on the shelves. It was a lot of fun and Kenny Brunk (the president of Andrea's Closet) was really funny too. We collected approximately $3373 ($423 per hour), 566 toys, all in 8 hours at the Southern Walmart in the Superstition Springs Mall area. The project was definitely a success. All i have to do now is fill out the rest of the paperwork and then the court of honor to be an official Eagle Scout. i will also update info on the celebration of my cart going to St. Joe's hospital.

I have also become obsessed with the '71 Chevelle too. I will be driving this car when I am 16 (6 weeks exactly to this day). I love this car! Me and my dad are working on this and soon will have it looking good and running well enough to drive. I am so greatful for awesome parents to help me with the money to get this car fixed and to help me pay for my insurance as well!! Love you guys!

I am starting a blog for my dad and I's progress on the chevelle too. When I have it set up I will put up a link on facebook and on my blog.

:/

I have been totally forgetting about my blog ltely. I have been so busy getting ready for school and i promise i will post after school :)).