Continue on in Praising!

In the Book of Either, in the Book of Mormon,  I have always loved the story of the Brother of Jared! The Brother of Jared and his family were instructed to build a barge (A ship that is shaped kinda like a pecan nut shell) and travel across the waters to the promised land! Can you imagine living in a barge with all your loved ones, your animals and all the food you would be eating for the next year? It would probably get pretty crowded!

Just like the Brother of Jared we all have places that we go and things that we have been asked to do that might seem like a trial of our faith.Their travel over the ocean was indeed no picnic! There were times when the barge would be completely submerged in water. Talk about a frightening experience! What would you have done in this situation? Well in the Book of Ether, the Brother of Jared and his family continued to praise God.

It says in Ether Chapter 6:

vs. 5 And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blown upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind. 

vs. 6 And it came to pass that they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind.

vs. 7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.

We too can continue to praise God through our trials and receive our own "promise land." When we continue on in Faith, we can reach the goal that our Father in Heaven has in mind for us!Those trials truly shape us into who we need to be, and build our own personal testimony that we truly are children of our very loving Father in Heaven.

Continue on in Praising!

When the barge in slowly slipping

and sinking in the deep,

Continue on in praising

Our God-Our vigil keep!

When your pack is heavy

and the path is kind of steep,

Remember to continue singing

the song that gathers His sheep.

When the road seems foggy

and you can no longer see the way,

Kneel down and thank the Father

that you've gotten this far today.

Remember when you travel on

past a caravan or two,

To stop and share the message

that God has shared with you.

~ Janel A. Lewis

Reflection

Reflection

Sitting here in silence,

I hear the crickets croon

and I ponder on the beauty,

of the peaceful vibrant moon!

I think of all the studies

the researchers have pursued,

that throughout live we've wondered,

at the beauty of the moon.

I find comfort in the beauty

of the calming bright light,

That guides my heavy footsteps

as I wonder through the night.

And to think, it's just a reflection

of the gloriously blinding sun,

Think of how the light is borrowed,

but in purpose they are one.

How can I share the light,

from others I have learned?

How can I reflect Christ?

From darkness I have turned.

I will be the calm

reflection on the water.

I will be the light,

that others can borrow.

~Sister Janel Lewis

 Photo Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Sints

One Seed

One Seed

One simple breeze

flutters through the trees,

whispering of hope and excitement!

One simple seed,

perhaps will sprout into green,

but for now is nurtured and watered.

One simple day

a sprout pops up to say "Hey!"

and decides to weather the forecast.

 
Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

One simple sprout 

grows up through clumsiness and doubt,

and learns by trial and error.

And one little sprout

had faith through the doubt,

and came up through the shadows to sunlight.

And one simple flower

shines brightly with power,

and kindness to share by the hour.

One Loving Father

in Heaven loves flowers,

but starts out with a seed.

Through nurture and love,

and help from above,

sprouts bloom into blossoming beauty.

And so it is with us,

when we are lost or distressed,

have faith through the doubt and succeed!

For one little seed

had thoughts of despair,

but with God's love,

Grew into a blossoming beauty! 

~Sister Janel A. Lewis 

It's Simple and Unique

It's Simple and Unique

I'm gonna share my message,

It's simple and unique.

I'm gonna share it in the synagogue

and with the people on the street!

And when we get the chance,

to say a prayer or two,

we'll gladly thank the Father

for all we've been asked to do!

So we'll happily go with a smile,

spread from ear to ear.

To share about the gospel,

together we'll raise a cheer!

Two by two we'll wonder

with faith in God so true.

For God so loved the world,

He gave this message here to you.

~Sister Janel A. Lewis

As missionnaires for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we have the opportunity to meet SO many people! We learn about different traditions and cultures! It's exciting to live in a new place and see new things, but that's not even the reason we serve missions! 

The reason I am serving a mission is because I love my Savior, Jesus Christ! Like everyone else on earth, I've had my own personal challenges and trials. They've been difficult and hard. I've even felt like giving up a time or two. The one thing that truly brings me the most peace, is my realationship with my Father in Heaven, and my knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

That is why I'm serving a mission. I know that the message we missionaries share is true. It is for everyone. It truly brings the most comfort and joy! The next time you see missionaries, I encourage you to stop and wave a friendly hello! Our purpose is to serve our Savior. We would love to serve you too!

A Chance To Begin!

A Chance To Begin!

Can you believe it? 

A new year is already here?

There are three hundred

And sixty five days in a year!

Each day's a new start

to act without fear!

Each day to do 

and to act and to learn,

New memories to make,

More calories to burn! 

New friends to meet,

more trials to greet!

New discoveries to be made,

more mistakes to let fade.

New hope to welcome,

more faith to renew!

Opportunities to serve,

to stand tall and true!

To laugh and find pleasure

in just being you!

So on this first day,

of this brand new year,

Make a fresh start.

Have joy in your heart.

By smling a smile

to welcome on in

The blessings that come

from a chance to begin.

~Sister Janel Lewis

Right Where You Are

I love the prophet, Prophet Thomas S. Monson. 

 
Photo Source: LDS.org, The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
He truly is a man called of God. I always enjoy being able to listen to him speak during General Conference! How true this statement is:
"Prayer is the passport to peace." 
- President Thomas S. Monson
 

Right Where You Are

As I sally forth

in my every day cares,

often I pause

and think of worldly snares.

I think even deeper,

of what's in my heart,

I cry out in confusion,

it's always a good start.

Explaining my difficulties,

my fears and my scars,

Telling him what brings laughter,

and what I find bizarre!

And whether you think He's listening,

if you question if He's near or far,

I testify He's there for you,

exactly right where you are.

Impatiently we may wonder,

where's my "sign" that I may ponder?

Where's the answer that I've been seeking?

Where's my answer, the clocks are ticking?

Oh how impatient we are,

oh my proud foolish heart!

Just remember the star

on that glorious night!

For year after year

the prophets of old,

the birth of our Savior,

they foretold!

So what if our answer

doesn't come in a sinch?

In the wait there's a lesson,

it won't come in a pinch!

So diligently, in the mean-time,

I continue to ponder and pray,

In hopes that with the answer,

the lesson I've learned will stay there!

~Sister Janel A. Lewis

Remember The Reason

Remember the Reason

Whether it's snow flurries,
or hay bales on the go,
the whole town is anticipating
the Christmas show.

The shop lights are on,
the carols are being sung
Are our thoughts
centered on the Holy One?

Do our minds
think back on the night
to the beginning of
our Saviors story?

Do we think of the shepherds
and their wonder and awe
that night as they saw
the Christmas star?

Brightly in the distance
beamed the glorious star!
A testament of
our dear Saviors birth!

I trembled in fear,
to think the time we thought
was so near,
was finally here!

Yes, our Dear Savior is here!
The King of Kings,
The Prince of Peace,
The thought fills me with cheer! 

The whole world pauses
as I look up in wonder,
to  hear the words
of the Heavenly messenger!

To think such as he
would come to someone like me
on a night that I watched
over the sheep in the flock.

What precious words
the angel did say
of a babe that was swaddled
and laid in a manger with care!

To think such as He
would come so silently!
On a night,
so like any other.

The glorious star
that shone from afar
testified of His coming
and it caused me to wonder!

What could I give
to a King such as He,
The King of the Heavens
and of the Earth?

No worldly throne
had I
or garments
of fine silk,

But a humble heart
would be the start
of a gift that I'd give
to my Savior.

When we think of a gift
do we strive to uplift,
to lighten the load
of another?

For our Father in Heaven,
in goodness and glory
provided the way
for the Christmas story!

He sent His Son,
to atone for the world,
and as gifts in return,
we offer our pride and worry!

As we go forth,
with the spirit of joy,
Remember the reason,
Remember the Christmas story! 

~Sister Janel A. Lewis

Photo Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

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