The best calling

I don't know how I got so lucky  and maybe I shouldn't say anything so I don't jinx myself, but I've had the best callings since being in my current ward. First I was the compassionate service leader and then I was called to be the 4th Sunday Relief Society teacher. Relief Society teacher is great, but 4th Sunday is the best. It's an even better calling in my ward because our relief society is just SO fantastic.
I was a little worried yesterday because I felt like I didn't have enough material to fill the whole time since I chose to just focus on one of the assigned talks instead of both of them. I don't know why I even gave it a second thought. Our relief society took this 3 minute video

and shared and discussed back and forth for twenty minutes. It was so fantastic. My only complaint with my calling is that I'm standing in front and can't take notes sitting at a desk. A small price to pay for such a fulfilling calling and the opportunity to learn from so many wonderful, beautiful and inspiring women.

Making memories

This week is BYU graduation and I have two cousins graduating. Since I have the biggest house, the partying happened at my house. It was so fun! Everyone came over for dinner and then we kicked the guys out and had a bridal shower for Emma who is getting married next month! It was a blast having the girls together and being silly. Love my family!!

Because of Him

I love Easter. It's a new thing for me. I usually don't give it an overabundance of thought, but this year I really tried to prepare more for it and it has been very helpful and insightful. Basically it's my new favorite holiday. :)

Today at church the talks in Sacrament Meeting and the lessons in Sunday School and Relief Society were centered around Easter. I wouldn't expect anything less. It gave me more time to reflect on what I've studied this week on the life, atonement and resurrection of the Savior. What a beautiful message of renewal and hope.

I love this beautiful video about the Savior and everything we have and can have because of Him. In Sunday School we were given a few minutes to think about the things in our own lives that we have or will have, "because of Him".
Here are some of my thoughts:
-I will see my brother Brad again.

-My life can be made beautiful day after day, no matter the mistakes of yesterday.
-I can try again. And again. And again.
-I can change.
-I know I am never alone.
-I know my purpose.
-I can have hope in the future.
-I can forgive.
-I can be forgiven.
-I can see the value of every person
-I can do hard things
-My family is eternal
-My heart can be healed
-I have someone who understands me perfectly

In a talk by Elder Maxwell, I loved this line "How merciful when our yesterdays no longer hold our tomorrows hostage!"

What a beautiful gift He has given us. We are not held hostage by the mistakes and frailties of life. Because of Him we can be free from sin, doubt, loneliness and despair. We can have a perfect brightness of hope and know that He has saved us.

I love Jesus Christ. Happy Easter.
 

"Starting today" I will look harder for ways to share the hope I have in Christ.