A note on my stance

I want you to know that this scares me, more than most things that I have ever done. My heart is pounding as I write these words. I fear that I could hurt others feelings, damage relationships, and even lose friendships because of my own opinion. But I have a very strong feeling that what I believe and know to be true, needs to be said. I pray that the spirit will direct me in the words I am going to share with you.

Please know that this is my testimony. If it wasn't my testimony it would be ok for you to argue. You can disagree, but I ask that you please be respectful of my own testimony. It is not my intent to argue or go into political issues. I love and respect everyone and this is just so I can make my stance clear, not to bash on others opinions. We are all very different, and are entitled to our own choices and opinions, so I ask you to respect mine and respect others as well.

You probably knew what was coming. Yes. I am going to talk about same-sex attraction and gay marriage.

My stance on the issue is exactly the same as what my church believes. This is because like I have said so many times before I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on this earth today. I sustain fully, without question, President Monson as prophet, seer, and revelator of our church, and his counselors, as well as the quorum of the twelve apostles as leaders of our church.

I know that our Heavenly Father speaks through our prophet President Thomas S. Monson. What our prophet says, is exactly what Heavenly Father wants us to know.

D&C 1:38 says- 
 38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my^aword shall not pass away, but shall all be ^bfulfilled, whether by mine own ^cvoice or by the ^dvoice of my ^eservants, it is the ^fsame.

Through that I take everything that our prophet says to heart. I believe every word that comes out of his mouth to counsel us is from our Father in Heaven. The counsel he gives us is the counsel that Heavenly Father is giving us. That should not be taken lightly. 

The LDS church has come out with a website called- mormonsandgays.org 
This website explains everything and more about how our church stands on the topic of same sex attraction. I believe and agree with everything that is put on this website.

In the header of the home page it says- 
"The experience of same-sex attraction is a complex reality for many people. The attraction itself is not a sin, but acting on it is. Even though individuals do not choose to have such attractions, they do choose how to respond to them. With love and understanding, the Church reaches out to all God’s children, including our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters."

That last sentence brings tears to my eyes, "including our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters". OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS. 
It makes my heart ache when I see fellow members of our church say unkind things to our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. In the website our church leaders clearly state that we love them just as much as any other person. 

It also states that our church does believe that the feelings of same sex attraction are real. "The attraction itself is NOT a sin" but just like any other of the feelings we have, we should not act on it. Just like if someone had the desire to smoke, it is not a "sin" until it is acted upon. 

Now to get down to the real issue that has been making me squirm in my seat every time I log onto facebook. 

Here is another statement from the website- 
"The Church’s approach to this issue stands apart from society in many ways. And that’s alright. Reasonable people can and do differ. From a public relations perspective it would be easier for the Church to simply accept homosexual behavior. That we cannot
do, for God’s law is not ours to change. There is no change in the Church’s position of what is morally right. But what is changing — and what needs to change — is to help Church members respond sensitively and thoughtfully when they encounter same-sex attraction in their own families, among other Church members, or elsewhere."

From A Proclamation to the Family written by our brethren- 
"THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity."

Anyone who has studied the plan of salvation or have been through the temple know that marriage IS ordained of god, and the ONLY way for it to work is between a man and a women. That's how the plan has always been, and that is how it will always stay. 

Our church is NOT trying to force our views on anyone else. People have asked us what our view is on the topic, and we have come out in a mature respectful manner and said that what we believe, is what we have always believed. 

This is my only issue-
I have seen countess friends and family post things that are either for, or against the topic of gay rights or marriage. We need to love one another and accept, like I've already said, that we are all different and that we can, and will, have different opinions. Please be sensitive to others and I ask if you are a member of the LDS church that you be especially careful about what you say to others who do not have the same views. You are the face, and sometimes can be the voice of our church to your non-member friends. I ask that you pray and ask your Father in Heaven if you are unsure about what you should believe. He will NEVER steer you wrong. 

I know that my friends and family who ARE members of the church may not have the same views as our prophets or myself. But I want you to know that I still love you and respect your opinion. If you need help finding what our prophets have said, I encourage you to look at the countless straightforward things the church has put out. I warn you, only things that the church has approved of (lds.org, church magazines like the Ensign, New Era, LDSLiving or mormonsandgays.org like I have said).

I love you all and I hope you know that this is truly out of love and respect to everyone and that I felt like I needed to take a clear stance on the subject. :) 

Tampa Florida!

I have received my mission call to Tampa Florida, English Speaking (thank goodness), and I'm leaving April 3rd!!!!!!!!!!
You have no idea how long I have waited for this day! I went to the temple this morning, just so I could feel close to my Savior and do some service. It was fun because I was the only one there besides this other woman. She had some family names and she let me do some! I was honored! I got dunked (that so says DUNKED, not DRUNKED...) 10 times... now I know why they only do 5! 10 is quite a lot!!! I felt the spirit so strongly and couldn't help but cry on my way there and back. My Heavenly Father loves me so much and I could just feel my heart overflowing with that peace and love. I always listen to church music/talks/podcasts/books in the car, so I listened to the Called to Serve CD by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on my way to and from the temple. That really got me. Mainly because I knew I was going to get my call today.

Here's the funny part. Karly came home from school to go to the dentist. So when I got home from the temple she was the only one home. I had her play me a song on the piano and sing. While she was I was sitting on our chair in the front room that is right by the window. I get a text from my best friends mom (Cindy Gocken) that says- "The mail is here!" I immediately whip my head around to see the mail man pulling up to our house! I screamed "THE MAILMAN IS HERE!" We both jump, up and literally start jumping up and down! We watched him put what looked like a big white envelope in! We were SO excited! We screamed for a couple seconds and she was like- "Let's go get it!" I told her I didn't want to because I was scared it wouldn't be there. I told her to go and get it. Right as the mailman drove off she ran out there. She grabbed it all and then looked up and me with the biggest grin ever! I yelled- "Is it there!????!!!!" She screams- "YES!" Then for about a minute straight we jumped up and down screaming! I started texting everybody and freaking out. It was the best moment ever. I'm so glad she got to share it with me!
I waited to open it till 6:30 when Karly would get home. She didn't end up getting home till about 6:50. The wait was hard- but I had prayed that I would be calm and patient, and boy was I! Especially compared to my family! I only invited my Grandmas and Danny. I have too much family to invite them all or to just pick some. They can all come to the farewell :)
I didn't even cry when I opened it though! That was miracle! I just couldn't stop smiling! It was the greatest feeling EVER!

If you don't read anything in this post you have to read this-

We had been playing pranks on each other all day. Ashley came up while I was doing my hair and said that Nick had opened my mission call. I believed her and was beyond ticked. I just said- "Well, whatever!" Then my mom had a white envelope from the insurance company and I came downstairs and Daxton hid it under the table I grabbed it and it was opened! Again- I was ticked! I just told them they were stupid (I was so mad) and took it in the other room. Then I looked at it. OH man. SO NOT FUNNY GUYS ;)! Then they were planning on playing a joke on Karly with these glasses they had filed for there talent show. But it was 6:00 which was when we were planning on opening it. Everyone was there- except Katelyn (and Karly of course) so we decided that we would call her friend that she was with and tell her (faking) that I was going.... wait for it....... FLORIDA! This is not even a joke. That was the joking place that we made up. Katelyn totally believed it and was pretty mad that we had opened it without her. She rushed home and we told her it was a joke. It was just hilarious when I opened it and it really was FLORIDA!
After words we went to Texas Roadhouse with my grandma, family, and cousin. It was so much fun!

I just know without a doubt that this is where I am supposed to go. I know that there are people that need to hear the gospel in Tampa and I couldn't be more excited to share this great knowledge of the truth with them! I am going to be an instrument in the Lord's hand and I feel so blessed and honored to even have this great privilege. I love this gospel more than anything and I can't wait for it to be my whole life for a year and half! This church is TRUE! I know that! I could never ever deny it!
Thanks to all my family and friends for all the support that you have given me! I love you all!

Ohhhh... and I finished the Book of Mormon for the 4th time tonight! So cool! I didn't even plan it to be on the same day! Last night I realized that I could actually finish it all today and I was stoked! I know that's it's true! I have asked him every time I finish it and I get the same answer every time that it is true! :)

Elder Holland & My Testimony

Man I just love this guy. I missed the devotional on Sunday. Mainly because even though I go to BYU I am so oblivious to things that I didn't even know it was happening... 

But I just got done watching it. I cannot believe how powerful his words are. They literally pierced my soul. I don't know how anyone could watch this without getting goose bumps or even getting a little choked up. His testimony at the end is powerful and strong. He knows. Elder Holland is called of God. I know this for a fact, without even a slight bit of doubt in my mind. He loves this church, and the people of this church. He shows it. He loves the Savior and you can tell plain as day that he has a personal, one on one relationship with him. I hope to someday have a relationship with my Savior like our prophets and apostles do today. They know and love him. Their faith is shown in their works and in their faces. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true and living church here on the earth today. I know that. I know of a surety. I know it more than I have ever known anything in my whole life. I don't know how someone could even look at these apostles and prophets and not know that they are men of God, and that this wonderful church is true. I pray that those who are searching for the light can find it in our church. 

I will NEVER leave my religion at the door. Ever. 

Here is the link for you to watch it :)

April 2012 Conference/April Fools

I absolutely LOVED conference! I always say that, but I really did! It always comes just at the right time, right when I need it! Saturday was also fun because we went shopping in between sessions... I think every one does.. downeast was PACKED! But quick funny story... as we were in the parking lot to downeast making our way in, I hear a voice say, "Is that Nicole?" I turn around, not knowing where to look, and in the distance we see my cousin Katrina. She makes her way to us and we all just laugh. As she gets closer she says something like. "Kristin, is that you? I THOUGHT YOU WERE A MEXICAN!" We all busted a gut. My mom has lost a lot of weight and looks great! Plus, she's been going tanning for our cruise and so she is really really tan. We all got a good kick out of that. Plus it was fun to see my cousin.
Ok, back to conference. I felt like some of the things they were really stressing were, family's, forgiveness, repentance, and missionary work. Which is really what we all need right now!
Elder Holland's talk really hit me. But the end really stood out to me, he said: "Don't delay. It's getting late." That was one of the last things that he said! Wow! But really! It is getting late! We all need to get our act together and repent! We hear it all the time from our prophets, but he just came right out and said it, plain as day. How powerful.
I missed about half of the Saturday morning because Katelyn had a basketball game (I know that isn't an excuse, but I want to support her, I WILL watch it... right now actually).
I didn't write down much this time, but some of my favorite things said were:
"It's through the hardships of life that we grow towards Godhood"
"In the kingdom of God there are no second class citizens."
I especially loved President Uchtdorf's, as always! Just on forgiveness. I needed to hear that, but also the part of his talk where he talked about not judging others. That was meant for me, I know it! ;) But the bumper sticker he talked about was awesome: "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you do." I also loved how he gave us the advice to just STOP IT! How great. He's an amazing man. As all of the leaders of our church are. I also loved how he said "we should forgive as we would want to be forgiven."
I have learned so much this conference and plan to make some changes in my life so I can be a better person :)
President Monson's talk was wonderful as always :) loved his.
I also especially loved Elder Anderson's. Maybe that's because he made my cry when he talked about the earthquake and the little boy singing I am a Child of God and how the parents just prayed and had faith that they would find at least one of their children, and they ended up finding all of them.
I just know that all the talks are inspired, and are meant for us and what we need to hear in our day. I also know that the words of our prophet's today are more important than anything else and that we need to listen to them. I know that God speaks through his prophet's here on earth and what they are teaching is extremely important and we should not only listen, but do the things that they teach.

Also, today was my grandpas... 83rd birthday I think.... ah man, I can't remember. But anyways. My aunt Diane planned a huge hot dog roast for us to get together. But, the bad weather always ruins things so we did it at my uncles. We ate yummy food, talked, laughed, played games and shared memories.
My mom made real deviled eggs and then "fake" ones. The fake ones  are made of marshmallow and yellow frosting. They take a lot of time, but have fooled some people, so it's pretty fun. Then she also made cupcake meat loafs. They are little meat loafs baked into cupcake pans... that have mashed potato frosting. Those actually fooled a LOT of people. We had a lot of fun listening to people say, "oh I want a cupcake" and then to their disappointment.... it's not. Pretty funny :)