Mormon Message Binge

I have spent practically the entire day watching Mormon Messages. Needless to say, it was awesome! 

Anyway, I was also watching a video on my role model's youtube page. I was watching Al Fox's "Dear Elder" video! It is so good, and it reminds of the Elders and Sisters that helped me with my conversion. 

Then I scrolled down and saw a comment of a return missionary. He mentioned that he didn't have an impact on someone like that. I wish I knew this Elder and I wish that I could tell him that his efforts are not a failure! And this goes for any return missionary. 

Here is a Mormon Message that explains it perfectly.

Your efforts are never a waste. One thing that you said places a huge impact on someone! Trust me, it definitely was not the efforts of one person that has made me who I am today. It is not the efforts of one person that has helped me with my conversion. 

Never give up. Press forward. You ARE making a difference in someones life. You may not know it. 

They call it straight and narrow for a reason

First of all, I wanted to say sorry. Sorry that I have been nonexistent. But, I am back.

The reason as to why I have been gone, is I have strayed from the straight and narrow path. And very far at that. And the worst part is that is was so easy to stray, but getting back is no cake walk. But, it is amazing how in literally two days, everything is changed.

But, throughout my rough time, everyone in the church has been so great. No one has shunned me for not coming to church and everyone has still been so great. 

There aren't any Sisters in my ward at the moment ( #collegetownprobs ) so I have been spending a lot of time with the Elders (Elder Rueda and Elder Fidel). They're fantastic. They are those of many who have helped get out of this slump. We like to go to lunch and dinner a lot, and have a ridiculous amount of inside jokes. But, isn't that the way it is with all Elders? I think so. :)

Some things that I have noticed and that has strengthened my testimony is the power of prayer, reading the scriptures, and church attendance.

Collectively, I have not been practicing each for a while, and I can tell you it has made life so much more difficult. It is so hard to deal with hardships in my life without the guidance and comfort of my Heavenly Father. 

It is important to realize that it doesn't matter how I got off the straight and narrow path. It only matters that I got back on it, and how it happened. And that in the future I should not let my guard down because Satan is always out there to tempt us. 

So, of course I had been meeting with the Elders at least once a week for our weekly meal. And they were helping me and sharing a great message with me. However, my heart wasn't in the right place. My heart wasn't willing to take in the message and let it change me. That was one of my biggest problems.

So, then one night I was at my worst. My depression was at its worst and things were not looking up for me. And I get a phone call. I didn't know the number so I answered. And it was Sister Myers.... I can't explain to you the feeling that rushed over me. I was trying so hard not to cry. Because I know for a fact that it was a sign from Heavenly Father that the church is what would get me out of such a dark place and in turn keep me out of such a dark place. 

She asked me to meet with her the next morning. And so I did.

I told her of all the things that I had done to keep me away from a righteous life and all the things that had happened. The one thing she told me that really stuck out to me is, that regardless of all that had happened she could still feel the Spirit being within me just as strong as ever. ( Big change number one )

Then, my Relief Society President invited me to come to the General Women's Conference. So I went and the words that were said, it was as if they were speaking directly to me. It was great. It was such a good feeling to reconnect with all of these lovely ladies whom I am such good friends with. 

The next day I went to church for the first time in weeks. It was so good. It was so uplifting and it made me feel so good. That evening there was a fireside that was conducted by President Skousen of our stake presidency. Yet again, it was as if he was speaking directly to me. It made me feel so good because I knew for fact that Heavenly Father was rooting for me to get on the straight and narrow path.

That pretty much brings us to today. I have been listening to a crazy amount of MoTab, reading a ton of scriptures, and praying. And I feel so good. Tonight I will even be going to institute, and I AM EXCITED! I know this is where I need to be. I need to be in this church. As to what I am supposed to do, I don't know. But I'm sure whatever it will be will be great!

I know that this church is so true. It is the root of true happiness and will bless anyone who comes in contact with it. 

And I say all of these things in the name of Jesus Christ.

P.S. I can't wait for conference this weekend. Perfect timing, right?

YSA Conference

So. I've been super busy! Sorry!

But, I'm going to update as much as I can!

So this past weekend (April 11-13), was the Clarksburg Stake YSA Conference. For those who do not know what a YSA is, Young Single Adults, Young adults ages 18-30, who are not married. 

And I helped plan the stake conference, and it was awesome! Even if I didn't help plan it, it would still have been amazing. Everyone else that helped did wonderful, and I'm so happy that I know them.

So. Here's the rundown of what happened.

Friday, we all registered, got our rooms, and then got to eat hot dogs. I tried a chili-coleslaw dog for the first time. IT WAS AMAZING! It is a very West Virginia thing, but it's amazing. Seriously, try it.

Then we had a run down of what was happening, and my good friend made the funniest powerpoint to assist her presentation. It was great. Then we had some icebreakers and I had fun with that. lol.

Then, we played an adult version of the floor is lava....SO MUCH FUN! 

Then we had a legitimate fireside. So a fireside, here's an ok way of knowing what it is. Actually go to a fireside to understand. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireside_(LDS_Church)

It's wikipedia....so...lol.

Anyway. Normally firesides do not have a fire. Which is really sad. The first time I went to a fireside, I was very shocked that there was not a fire, so I was a little confused, but that's just the way it is.

So, at this one, there was a legit fire, and it was awesome! And the bishop from my ward (church building), was the speaker, and it was awesome! :) 

Then we made s'mores! and just talked and it was wonderful! 

The next morning, we had breakfast. It was delicious. We then had a very small devotional, that was given by our fearless leader. 

We then had three different classes, we could choose from a couple of different ones.

• Self defense
• Patriarchal Blessing
• Dating
• Family History
• ZUMBA!!!!

They were all wonderful!! :)

We also had lunch in between those classes. We then had some free time and then dinner.

After dinner, we had a key note speaker from the Area 70, Elder Lansing and his wife. IT WAS WONDERFUL! Super insightful, and it was like having another conference. It was great.

Then we had a decades dance, and played several songs throughout the decades. IT WAS WONDERFUL! :)

Some people also made ANOTHER bon fire, and just had a great time spending time together.

The next morning, we had sacrament. It was a testimony meeting. It was the best testimony meeting I have ever been to. The Holy Ghost was SO strong. And it made me so happy!!! :)

Then, we had pepperoni rolls and tons of other food! and we said our goodbyes.

I am still sad that we had to go. I miss everyone so much.

And, just because I can tell you what all we did, but I can't tell you all the friendships that were made. Everyone made great friends, and everyone had a great time. We all learned so many different things, and I truly miss being there. But I know that all of us will be together at another conference again! It was amazing!! :)

Don't be afraid to make new friends. Don't be afraid to try something new, you may be surprised as to how much fun you'll have. We had several non-members go, and they said that they had a great time!! And, I have such respect for them for having the courage to go. If I was not a member, I probably would not have gone. BUT! It was awesome. So, if you're a non-member, and someone asks you to go, GO! You'll have so much fun! And if you're a member, GO!! It's not all about finding a companion, it's also about finding friends. You'll find them.

:)

That is all I have.

xoxo,

Nicola.

YSA Conference!!

Jackson's Mill YSA Conference

Have you registered for Jackson's Mill 2014? Remember, the registration fee is $20 online and $25 at the door. The deadline for online registration is April 1st. If you're unable to pay via debit/credit, send me a message before April 1st and you can still get in for $20 at the door!

See you at the Mill!

Sorry that this seems super commercial-y. However, I'm helping to plan this! And trust me!
It's going to be so much fun!! 

We're welcoming anyone from anywhere! I would love to meet anyone!! It'll be so much fun! 

We're going to have a ton of super fun classes! And so much good food!! :) Trust me...yum. 

So, seriously, come! :) 

I love you all so much! 

xoxo, Nicola.

P.S. Here's the Facebook event page! :)

I love/hate giving talks...

I love giving talks.

I hate giving talks.

#WAIT #WHAT

Yeah... I guess this is one of those love/hate relationships. I love giving talks. I just like talking, so it works out. 

But do you ever have that moment when you're asked to give a talk, and you're just like. what? I don't know what to say. 

I'm in one of those predicaments.

So. I'm speaking at baptism tonight. The baptism of the sweetest girl! From the very first time I talked to her, I felt the Spirit. It radiated from her. I knew she was going to get baptized. She said different, of course.

So. I have a ton of scripture. I have my own personal experience of my own baptism. But I don't know what to say...

Hmm.

So. I found this song. "Baptized" by Lenny Kravitz. Holy Moly. This song is amazing. It explains it perfectly.

It's wonderful<3

Just some thoughts. I still don't know what exactly what I'm going to say, but it will be great. I know it!

Missionaries are the bomb!

So.

On Wednesday, I was asked to speak at a missionary specialized training thing in Fairmont, WV. Needless to say, it was AWESOME!

I spoke on my conversion story. And I didn't expect to that in depth on what happened. It was awesome. I spoke of things that I didn't even know that was important to me and things that I didn't even realize I have come to know during my conversion. 

I have come to know that forgiveness has been the biggest part of my conversion. To learn how to forgive others. 

Another thing is, that I KNOW that this church is true. More than I know anything ever. It's so wonderful!

The last thing is. Every time I tell my conversion story or my testimony, it changes. 

I'll tell it differently, see it from a different point of view, or it would just be totally different.

But, regardless of it changing, my belief in this church, the Lord, or Jesus Christ never changes! And if it does, it just grows stronger. 

So, I guess I have a challenge for you. 

Testify.

All the time.

If you're waiting with someone at a bus stop, testify.

If you're waiting for your class to start, testify.

If you're on Facebook or Twitter and you're bored, testify!

You never know who's listening. And because you say it one way, the Holy Ghost will make it be the thing that that person has to hear.

I know for a fact that some of those missionaries needed to hear what I had to say. Just by telling my story. That's all I had to do. OPEN MY MOUTH! 

And if you don't believe it, read Psalm 81:10. :)

xoxo, Nicola

God hates the sin, not the sinner.

Think about a time. When you felt the Holy Ghost. Whether it is the very first time, or a time you really needed to feel him. 

Think about how it made the situation so much better. Then think about how the Holy Ghost is always with you. Don't you always feel good? Isn't every day a good day? 

Now, I'm going to refer to one of my favorite passages in the scriptures.

2 Nephi 2

" 11 For it must needs be, that there is an ^aopposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

 12 Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no ^apurpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the ^bjustice of God.

 13 And if ye shall say there is ^ano law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not ^bthere is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away."

Now, this makes sense. We have to know sadness to know true joy. 

But, what about we have to know true joy to know when we don't have it? Let me explain.

Before I was introduced to the church, and was baptized. I didn't know true joy. But, I needed to experience another event to truly understand.

Last week, something happened. I committed a sin. 

So, you're thinking, "Oh, that happens to everyone! Just repent and learn from your mistake."

Well, no, you're wrong. You can't just, JUST repent. Like it's easy. 

After I sinned, I had the worst feeling in the world. I remember that I was sitting on my bed. And I just started crying. I felt empty. I felt as though there was no purpose for me. I felt as though I was nothing. 

And in an instance I knew what was wrong. I didn't have the Holy Ghost anymore. I felt absolutely horrible.

My boyfriend, Richard, saw what was happening and he said, "Don't worry. God loves you. Everything will be ok."

I knew he was right, but, not even that could console as to how I was feeling. He then encouraged me to go to bed. And that I would feel better in the morning. Before I went to bed. I prayed. I prayed so hard. Harder than I ever did. 

I then decided to go to bed. 

The next morning, I prayed harder than I did the night before. I also read the scriptures as much as I could that day. I did whatever I could to be as Christ-like as possible. I also talked to some Elders in Morgantown, and they gave me some great counseling. 

One of them said that, when you sin, you are separated from the Holy Ghost. That it does not want to be in the presence of someone who we are not supposed to be. And it will also stay away for a time that we do not know. And it made sense. 

I then continued to do whatever I could to regain the Holy Ghost. 

After a couple of days, I felt as though he was with me again. I felt relief. 

But, then I realized. I shouldn't stop trying to be more Christ-like. I realized that we need to be working to be better people in a sense of panic as though the Holy Ghost were not with us. We shouldn't be doing that just when things are bad. 

And, of course I'm striving to be better. 

I also realized that sometimes we need to sin to learn something. Why else were we sent to Earth? We were sent here to sin and then learn from that. So, don't have an attitude that we should not ever sin. No, we need to. Just like the Fall was essential. Our own personal Fall is essential in our growth. 

We learn from our mistakes, and by Jesus Christ making it possible for us to repent, that is how we learn.

2 Nephi 25:26

26 And we ^atalk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we ^bprophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our ^cchildren may know to what source they may look for a ^dremission of their sins.

It is okay to sin, just learn from it. And in turn, become more Christ-like. 

Please comment on your experiences and what you have come to learn.

xoxo, Nicola.