4 - Snow

A few nights ago I encountered my first snowstorm in Franklin, Tennessee—well, if you could call it a snowstorm. It was hardly even a flurry and it lasted for only a few minutes. But seeing and trying to catch the fluffy flakes on my tongue reminded of the beautiful and often powerful snowstorms we experience in my hometown of Manti, Utah.

I always associate snow with purity. In earlier years I enjoyed waking up to a fresh foot or two of snow. I marveled at the beauty of billions upon billions of snowflakes clustered carefully together, unadulterated for a time by footprints or twigs and protected from the harsh rays of the sun by clouds hanging gently overhead. I often thought then and reflect now on this scripture in Isaiah—

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

It is wonderful to know that all of our sins and mistakes and errors can be blotted out through the divine gift of repentance. What a priceless gift!

MORE ONLINE
Doctrine and Covenants 58:42-43
Atonement, www.mormon.org
The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness, President Boyd K. Packer
The Divine Gift of Repentance, Elder D. Todd Christofferson 

3 - Simple Things

Greatness is made of small and simple things. Lives are made worthwhile and exciting when we find joy in the small and simple things we must do each day. People become great when they choose to see themselves and others around them as amazing. Greatness doesn't happen to us; it is a choice we must make every day.

When we focus on the small and simple things we can do instead of the grandiose and glorious things we want to do, we will discover that these small and simple things have added up to something great. A focus on the small and simple things enriches our lives and the lives of others.

The prophet Alma taught—

Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

Marissa in Utah wrote, "I often think of myself as small and simple. This scripture reminds me that even though I may not be the most knowledgeable in the gospel, through my simple testimony I have the ability to bring others to the knowledge of the truth."

Carol, also in Utah, wrote, "It means by a small gesture, such as a smile, or assistance to someone, that things will grow in a beautiful way, hearts softened."

And Audrey in Tennessee commented, "It's the little things that can mean sooo much!"

I love all these thoughts because they are true. They acknowledge that it is in our daily acts of kindness and obedience that we achieve greatness. 

What small and simple things are you most grateful for?

MORE ONLINE
Alma 26:11-37
Of Things That Matter Most, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Small and Simple Things, Elder M. Russell Ballard

2 - Journaling

I have a confession to make.

I'm behind in writing in my journal. Like really, really far behind. I don't know quite how it happened, but I need to catch up. My desire to get up-to-date was spurred in part by an e-mail from my mother admonishing me to keep a journal. She told me I won't ever want to forget the memories I make on my mission, and I believe her.

One of the things I love about writing in a journal is the perspective it gives me. When I'm having a bad day, I can refer to my journal and discover that I've made it through similar bad times before. When I need some personal inspiration, my greatest sources of support are prayer, scriptures and my journal. Here are some lessons I've learned through writing in my journal—

• It's good to be able to give two years to the Lord since He's given everything to me. (March 2, 2011)
• The way of missionary work (and life, really) is being put in situations before you're ready and then becoming qualified through hard work and the Lord's grace. (March 22, 2011)
• Separation intensifies love. You never really realize until you are away from someone how much that person means to you. It's so easy to take others for granted, especially those we are closest to...Now that I'm away from friends and family, I realize just how much they mean to me. Never again will I take them for granted. Never again will I become so absorbed in myself that I forget to look for the good in others. (June 6, 2011)
• It is wonderful to know that the Spirit was working through me in such a remarkable way. I'm grateful our Father in Heaven knows me and my situation. He placed me where I needed to be this evening, and by listening to the promptings of the spirit, we were able to bless this man. (September 29, 2011)
• My service in Murfreesboro has forever changed my life. This is where I became a missionary. This is where I discovered myself. This is where I learned how to receive answers to my prayers. This is where I devoted myself to God forever. I've never regretted that decision since, and I don't expect I ever will. (November 28, 2011)
• This was one of those lessons I will never forget. I will remember every detail. I will remember the spirit working through me as I asked inspired questions. I will remember saying things that were not from me but from God. I will remember the overpowering Spirit that seemed to fill my chest and the entire room. I will remember this man taking a leap of faith by committing to pray for the first time in his life. You simply cannot put a price on experiences like this. They forever change you. (January 10, 2012)

MORE ONLINE
2 Nephi 4:15-16
Let Us Move Forward and Upward, President Spencer W. Kimball

1 - Cookies

The only thing better than eating a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie is giving away a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie. Cookies have the mystical quality of softening hearts, so I take them almost everywhere I go. It's always a treat to see the look of gratitude in people's eyes when I give them a simple plate of what are often overcooked, crusty cookies (I still haven't mastered the technique, but I'm getting there).

When given away with love, a cookie really is more than just a cookie; it's a way of saying, "I care." Though the sacrifice of baking cookies is small and simple, the reward for both the giver and the recipient is great. Many a lifelong friendship began with a plate of chocolate chip cookies.

MORE ONLINE
Have I Done Any Good?, Hymns no. 223
Finding Joy through Loving Service, Elder M. Russell Ballard

Simplify

Have you ever wished for your problems to be taken from you? Have you ever hoped for a lighter load to carry? Have you ever wondered why life can be so challenging and so complicated?

One of the reasons problems and challenges can be so frustrating is because we have little control over them. There really is very little we can completely control. When we focus on things we cannot control, we become miserable, discouraged, and perhaps even angry. Quite literally, our lives spin out of control because we are incapable of affecting the things we are trying to control!

It is much more helpful to focus on what we can control: our attitudes and our actions. That's pretty simple, right? When I focus on the ten million things I have no control over (think politics, unfair refereeing in the basketball game, gas prices, unemployment, my order being incorrect at Wendy's, the list goes on...) I become exhausted and overwhelmed. But when I focus on two fundamental things I have absolute control over (again, attitudes and actions), I not only endure life; I enjoy it. Beyond simply surviving I am then capable of thriving.

All truly great people have mastered this pattern of thinking. I'm still trying to internalize it. I learn much from the words of Elder Neil L. Andersen:

How do we find our way through the many things that matter? We simplify and purify our perspective. Some things are evil and must be avoided; some things are nice; some things are important; and some things are absolutely essential. The Savior said, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

Here are some other great references on simplifying our lives and focusing on what matters most:

Elder L. Tom Perry, Let Him Do It with Simplicity
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Good, Better, Best