Things that I have learned...

Throughout my life I have learned many...many...many things. Some of them...I am going to post here for you to enjoy.

When I was little...I learned the basic things like how to:

• ride a bike
• tie my shoe
• spell my name
• read
• write
• speak
• make believe
• give hugs and kisses (baby kisses of course)
• be a friend
• run/walk
• play
• hop on logs
• sing
• pray

As I was beginning to hone all of these abilities I learned how to:

• Write poetry
• Race Bicycles
• Get emotional over books and movies
• Sing to/with others
• Write music
• Play the piano/trombone/other instruments
• Read the scriptures
• Pray more fervently
• Understand difficult concepts
• Spell more complex words
• Gain a larger vocabulary
• Be an individual

During my Four Years of Middle School I learned that:

• Not everyone who talks to you is your friend
• True friends don't have expectations
• Teachers are the largest encouragement in a child's life
• I can do anything that I put my mind to
• People can sometimes be jerks
• You should choose your friends wisely
• Things will happen that are unexpected and you should try and make the best of them
• Sometimes it is better to tell someone if something is going on.
• You shouldn't follow what your friends do...even if you think you trust them
• Sometimes all you need is one person to believe that you can do it...and you can!
• Talents are made to be shared
• When you come to a cross roads try not to give up everything you love.

During my four years of seminary I learned so much. Somethings I already knew, but everything that was taught in those classes has helped me greatly. The things that I already knew became more clear to me, and my understanding of things deepened greatly...here are a few things that I either learned or gained clearer insight about:

• We have a Heavenly Father who knows us and loves us.
• The Book of Mormon is the true word of God. It contains the fulness of the gospel. It is a record of the people on the American continent whom Christ spoke of in John 10:16 (Other sheep I have which are not of this fold them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice and there shall be one fold and one shepard.)
• Christ appeared to the people on the American continent...he loved them...just like he loved the Jews.
• Wickedness never was happiness
• Everything stems from loving one another. Refer to the 10 commandments. If you love one another and love Heavenly Father and Christ...which of the commandments will you break? (Answer...probably none of them)
• There is a church on this earth that follows the same organization that existed in Christ's time. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) (See Ephesians 4:11-14)
• Heavenly Father wants us to return to live with him again. He sent his son to make the ultimate atoning sacrifice on our behalf so that we can repent and ultimately become perfect
• I realized that in Gethsemane...when Christ suffered...He had never sinned. He had never lost the spirit. For us...not having the spirit sometimes when we sin or do something bad may not be that bad...but for him...for someone who had ALWAYS had the spirit...losing that spirit would have definately been very agonizing. One of the worst feelings is knowing that everything has gone wrong and you cannot feel the spirit. (for those of you who do not understand....just think of it as someone who has been wrapped in a blanket their entire life....and everyone else uses their blanket only at night and in the day they are used to being without it...but for that individual...that blanket is the one thing that was constant. The one thing that would never change....and one day...the blanket is gone. The spirit...to me is like a blanket...it comforts you. When I am in the midst of hard times, having the spirit with me is the one thing that gets me through. It reminds me that I have a loving Father in Heaven who is always watching out for me. For Christ to lose that spirit...that reassurance that everything would be alright...that would have had to be a terrible feeling.
• There are several things that I believe in...that most people don't.
• I know...through humble prayer and earnest seeking that Heavenly Father loves me. I know that Christ lives. I know that we have a Prophet on the Earth who leads and guides the church. I know that Heavenly Father is the same Yesterday, today, and forever...and he will provide for his children...ALWAYS. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know it with all of my heart. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I have had so many prayers answered. I know that we can receive answers to our prayers in many ways. I know that the priesthood as been restored to the earth today, the same priesthood that was held by Peter, James, John the beloved, John The baptist, and so many others even before them. I know that we can live with Heavenly Father again. I know that he loves all of us. I know that Families can be together forever. I have come to know these things for myself...and you can know them too.
• Sometimes it is hard to be humble, but all we are asked to give is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
• Being meek means to be teachable
• There are so many other things that I learned...and if you want to know more...just ask.

During my four years in High School I learned that you should:

• Stick with the things that you love...and don't give them up because of someone else.
• Ask questions during classes...you learn a lot more that way!
• Never underestimate the power of prayer.
• Remember that your teachers are humans and they have feelings just like you do.
• Learn how to study.
• Try and find friends who respect your values.
• Keep in mind that when you make someone cupcakes one year...they will expect them for the rest of your high school stay.
• Also keep in mind that when you pick a guy's nose ONE time...he never lets you forget it.
• Be nice to the teachers if you want to be labeled teacher's pet...which I didn't mind. (I actually think I rigged the votes for the senior superlatives...whoops.)
• Not do anything that will hurt you in the long run. It is hard to consider your future...but keep trying to live your NOW the right way so you can enjoy your THEN a little more.
• Remember that there are way too many things to learn to keep sleeping in your classes. Wake up and try to pick up on something new. School is an exciting place!

These are only a FEWWW of the things that I have learned. I will probably post more later. Until Then...Thanks for reading...or not reading.