Christmas

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:11

This is Christmas. Not about presents, or the food, or being in a warm house. CHRISTmas is about CHRIST! 

So, as you may know, I'm in Canada this week visiting family for Christmas. And on our first night here, there was a horrible ice storm. Ice covered absolutely everything. I'll post pictures later in a separate blog. It's truly beautiful. Anyhow, it left some people in this area without any power. Some people still don't have any power. Now, that's horrible. Not having any power for Christmas. 

Well, think about it. Jesus didn't have any power. He didn't even have a room! He was outside with his family, on a cold winters night. 

So, that's one point I would like to make, Jesus had nothing. He just had his family. That's one thing that Christmas is about. Being with family no matter what the conditions are. Even though your family may give you a hard time, they love you. Like they, you don't get to pick your family, so make it count. And in the end, family is the greatest treasure you can have. 

Another thing, I got on instagram this morning. Which if you don't follow me I'm @nicolaisananner that's both for twitter and instagram. 

Anyway, a bunch of people were taking pictures of their presents. Including beats, uggs, juicy couture, coach, etc. All of these name brand items that are extremely expensive. Yeah, it's nice to get presents, but is that what Christmas is all about? I refer to one of my favorite Christmas quotes.

“Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more....”

― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Wow. Dr. Suess is extremely insightful. That is exactly what it is. I remember working at my two jobs this holiday season (at Charlotte Russe and Bed Bath & Beyond) and it being extremely busy. People are buying extravagant gifts at high prices. That's not Christmas. Christmas is opening your heart and giving something that is thoughtful. Making a sacrifice for that gift. Both God and Jesus made this sacrifice for all of us to forgive our sins. John 3:16 has all the proof right there that we are loved; that a sacrifice was made. 

All else that I have to say is... Remember the Reason for the Season.

Merry Christmas, everyone! :)

And here's my favorite Christmas song...

Just an update!

So, I've been super busy! I just finished my first semester in college last week, so I was studying for finals and was incredibly busy. Yesterday, my family and I traveled up to Canada to be with Family for Christmas. My mom and I drove up separately and we left yesterday afternoon at around 5:30...we got to my uncle's house at 5 in the morning this morning. So, It was a long drive. But we got here safely. Even through a really bad ice storm that Canada was having. Thank God for getting us here safely. He truly was looking after us; the weather was horrible! 

So, now I have a ton of things to write about! I have to write about a bunch of topics that I've been thinking of. And I also want to write about Christmas, seeing that Christmas is in THREE DAYS! :) 

So, I'll post that here in a day or so. :) Family comes first, and it should be that way for you too!

So, have a good night, and travel safely to wherever you're going! :)

I GOT BAPTIZED!!

December 7, 2013

Nicola Ann Morris was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! Woop-woop!

That was seriously the greatest day of my entire life..so far. :) 

I have never felt so good. I could feel the Holy Ghost in the entire room, and everyone that was there could feel it. I felt so good. I felt warm, and crazy happy!
So, I was a little late, because I had to work that morning. But I got there, put on my jumpsuit. And the program started. There were talks given by one of the Elders in my ward, and it was amazing. And then another Elder baptized me. It was super scary at first. But it happened so fast. I remember feeling so good. And beyond happy! I just want to share that happiness with everyone. I know for a fact that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost were there that day to fill the hearts of everyone. It was so amazing. 

I'm just so excited for this amazing journey with Heavenly Father. I know, and I testify that Heavenly Father will always find a way for you to be happy. He will show you subtle signs, but once you notice them, THEY'RE HUGE! And I testify to that. Heavenly Father has made this entire journey possible. And my family, friends, and my darling Richard have been by my side supporting me 100%. And IT FEELS SO GOOD! I'm so happy. I know it seems that I'm talking in a circle, but I cannot emphasize the amazing feeling that you get from being baptized and following in the footsteps of the Savior. 

And on Saturday, I was so surprised at the support from people that I haven't met before or didn't even know. It just shows that Heavenly Father cares about all of us, and it really shows that we are all brothers and sisters. We care about people that we don't even know. And it makes me over joyous! 

There was a family at my baptism, who I have never met before. Got me a card to congratulate me and show their support. LIKE WOAH! I have never felt so loved. 

Then, Sister Wood (one of my missionaries) :) her family sent me baptism gifts. I was so surprised, and I felt love all the way from Utah! Every day I'm thinking of the Wood family for their selfless thoughts, and I feel so loved. It's like a second family you've never met before. But there is love, and it will always be there! 

Then, Sister Wood and Sister Larkin gave me a small gift, but a gift that means the world to me. Something I'll treasure for the rest of my life. A gift given by my newest and bestest friends. 

Then, a good friend that I've made in the church, Katie, gave me a gift that I love. I feel so blessed to have gotten these gifts. I did not expect it at all.

Then, such amazing people within the church help put up such an amazing program, with amazing music. I could seriously feel the love.

My family and Richard weren't able to make my baptism due to other obligations. (I know they support me to the moon and back, so I understand why they couldn't make it), so I figured no one would come. But I walked into the room, and it was packed. Like. Wow. I feel loved. 

 I thought that getting baptized alone was such a great blessing in itself, but to have the support from all of these wonderful people is just amazing. I feel loved, not only by Heavenly Father, but by all of these amazing people in my life. I hope that I will always have these amazing people in my life. They all mean so much to me, and have made such a great impact in my life already. And I know this is one of the many blessings that Heavenly Father has given me in doing whatever I can to be baptized and to follow the righteous path. 

I feel so loved, and I don't know how to explain that. I am just so happy. And I could not have made it to this point in my life without everyone that has helped me. 

It's wonderful. I love it. All I can say, is that this is what true joy is. It is a promise that Heavenly Father makes if we take these steps. This is the truth. The Gospel is the truth, and this church is the truth also. 

And I promise to do whatever I can to make as many people see that this is the truth. And if this testimony of mine has swayed you in any way, don't be shy to find out more. Because this the truth. This is true joy.

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

Everything Happens For A Reason

So. Today has been a tough day for me. I woke up late...again. Lol.

Then, I went to the PRT to go to the downtown campus to go to my class. I had gotten there just in time to catch the next PRT ride. However, the gentlemen on the cart would not hold the door open for me as I walked down the steps and swiped my card to get onto the cart. And then the door closed and left me. So I had to wait to get the next ride, which in turn, making me late for my Religion class. 

When I got on the next cart, I rode to downtown, and then it started POURING RAIN! And I had no choice but to go to class, since I was already late. BUT!! Get this. I had totally forgotten that the missionaries here in Morgantown were having a booth on main campus and giving out hot chocolate! So, everyone greeted me very cheerfully and handed me a cup of hot chocolate. Which was delicious, by the way! :) 

Then, I made my way to class, and my professor was discussing grades with us. And I got an A in the course! Which is awesome. Which brings me to now. Sitting in the library, writing this blog. 

Which makes me think. Yeah, I had a bad morning. I was late, I got soaked by the rain....but. Is it really that bad? I thought about it. I got to experience one of God's greatest gifts. RAIN! :) and it was wonderful. And being late, God allowed that to happen for whatever reason. If I was early, I could have been in a car accident. 

No matter what happens in life, somehow it is a gift from God. And, if we follow each of his commandments and laws, everything that happens, is a blessing! :)

Have a good day. Make it count. :)

Black Friday

So. I've been absent from the blog for a while. I was really sick at the beginning of last week. I had a sinus infection and I still have it. :( and then Thanksgiving happened, which was awesome.

And then...Black Friday.

I had to work 12 hours at Charlotte Russe and then had to work another 7 at Bed Bath and Beyond. So I worked 19 hours straight on Friday. Then Saturday I worked 8 hours. And then Sunday. I went to church and then slept. I needed it. 

Anyway! I will say I needed a lot to get through this past weekend. So I really prayed for the patience and strength to get through it.

And you know, I think it helped. Praying to Heavenly Father really helped me get through that long day. And I had prayed to him days in advanced knowing that it would have been a long and difficult day. 

So. My message for today is...PRAY! Pray, even if things aren't bad. Keeping in touch with Heavenly Father is really important and will keep your relationship strong.

So. Go Pray. :)