Atonement and Becoming Better

Guys, since I've started this blog, I've come to know myself better. You'd think you already would know yourself... I mean, really. You're always talking to yourself. :) ANYway. I am coming to be a little more aware of who I am, what I want, and where I'm going.

First, I am grateful for the Atonement. I have really come to recognize and apply it in my life this past couple of years. I feel like I am in a prep / store-up for winter / type period in my life and so I am trying to write and remember and truly become a better person because of it. Hopefully I'll be ready when the next emergency / unexpected trial comes.

We have been taught so much lately, and it sounds (and probably is) ignorant of me to say, but I am doing much better than I realized / was aware of. And so much of that is because I have started trying to be more grateful. Do not be tempted to get me wrong - I have also discovered how far I really have to go - BUT it's nice to know that I have made some progress.

I am easily intimidated, which is something I'm working on. Until I overcome it, through the Atonement, I am working on just taking one day at a time and not worrying about trying to keep it up for the rest of my life.

Church today was full of the Spirit, we talked so much about the process of coming to know Christ, what things really mean in our lives, and how to more fully use the Atonement and recognize His hand in our lives. We also talked a lot about our motives - something I've been trying to understand about myself lately. Where I still am very self-centered, I have noticed occasions where I've thought of myself a little less than I would normally do, which is great. By the time I'm 100, hopefully I'll get it down. One day at a time though.

Anyway, those are my thoughts about church today.

Fast Sunday - Uchtdorf - New Calling

Hello, blog-journal-thing. Yesterday, I met President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the First Presidency. He shook my hand and it was nice. His wife is adorable.

Today at church, I was released from being a Gospel Doctrine instructor, which kind of makes me sad. I'm now the 1st counselor in the Relief Society. Do not get me wrong, this will be a good calling too - I just always like teaching... so anyway. :)

At church, it was Fast and Testimony meeting, which is always nice. Then I taught my last lesson - it went alright. It was on President Brigham Young, and the beginnings of the journey west. It was nice, people really brought up good points and it was a pretty good discussion. It wasn't my favorite lesson ever, but that's ok.

Relief Society we talked about temples and the importance of attending regularly. I definitely need to be better about that.

This week I was able to be part of some service activities which was a nice break from my usual self-centered-ness. :) I want to improve my attitude and feel like a more deliberate effort to be of service to others could really help. One step at a time.

Also, I have a testimony about bearing testimonies, ever since I heard Elder Holland's talk where he told us to lean on his strength when we need it, for some reason it just clicked more firmly for me. We need to hear reminders of other people's journeys, and their faith. It reminds us that we can have faith too. Surround yourself with goodness and strength, and you will be an example for others too.