tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35721895664855443822024-02-19T08:14:36.841-08:00The Joy and The JourneySister Kahrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00204315533809030740noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572189566485544382.post-71179459806639021042012-01-17T16:02:00.000-08:002012-01-17T16:02:30.056-08:00I so testify...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbt0Uh6_ZWzhdxI89ykP-FMTfPKeiiiTjZkmspW6UB3WsXLQYICAgwtZmbapZfrdSgArO2nj11H9p3zxof2NlH1nQbm-QwD9Uacy38mMjf04ESqsmlumRQalKYdosseonWnJOt80TwHE/s1600/IMG_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbt0Uh6_ZWzhdxI89ykP-FMTfPKeiiiTjZkmspW6UB3WsXLQYICAgwtZmbapZfrdSgArO2nj11H9p3zxof2NlH1nQbm-QwD9Uacy38mMjf04ESqsmlumRQalKYdosseonWnJOt80TwHE/s320/IMG_0149.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">As most of you know I am no longer a full time missionary for The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Sad day! I loved every
moment of being a missionary serving the people of the California Santa Rosa
mission. The people I have met have made an indelible mark on my soul. You have
changed me for the better and for that I am grateful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will always have
a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it's true and I know it
changes people for the better. The Book of Mormon truly is the word of God
translated by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost through Joseph Smith. I know
Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and that he actually saw our Heavenly Father
and His son Jesus Christ; our Redeemer. Because of my testimony of the prophet
Joseph Smith I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the
Lord's true church on the earth today. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAjEvnUarRSgLsvQBbZQ788UaAhvAqcFhQd-IkzsL6SBp8IO6hJXuLQahCTG-j7elhBnhzty4lDDP8jVZ5vISTZN0AWfarWxefTRbFfi4snc052TUKT5fksnMFtPf3XrFAxi6xJcirsA/s1600/fampic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAjEvnUarRSgLsvQBbZQ788UaAhvAqcFhQd-IkzsL6SBp8IO6hJXuLQahCTG-j7elhBnhzty4lDDP8jVZ5vISTZN0AWfarWxefTRbFfi4snc052TUKT5fksnMFtPf3XrFAxi6xJcirsA/s320/fampic.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most importantly I
have a deep testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ. I am not perfect. I cannot be
so without Him. He has made it possible for me to have salvation, to be free
from the guilt and shame of sin. Not only that, but to be free from sin and
free to become what my Father in Heaven knows I can be. He knows all
that I go through, all that I have gone through and all that I will go through.
He is there every step of the way. When we don't think He is there that is
Satan and the world trying to confuse us. He is there desperately trying His
hardest to be there for us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite
Apostles, yes I know you shouldn't have favorites,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://lds.org/ensign/1999/11/an-high-priest-of-good-things-to-come?lang=eng">Elder
Jeffrey R Holland</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>testified
that:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"I testify that God lives, that He is our Eternal Father, that He loves each of us with a love divine. I testify that Jesus Christ is His Only Begotten Son in the flesh and, having triumphed in this world, is an heir of eternity, a joint-heir with God, and now stands on the right hand of His Father. I testify that </span><span style="font-size: medium;">this is Their true Church and that They sustain us in our hour of need—and always will, even if we </span><span style="font-size: medium;">cannot recognize that intervention. Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't </span><span style="font-size: medium;">come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, <b><i><u>they come</u></i></b>."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They do indeed
come and they bring indescribable<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i><u>joy</u></i></b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am starting a
new blog entitled "<a href="http://drivenbyjoy.blogspot.com/">Continuing in Joy</a>." It will be mostly my crazy
antics of me being home an of course testifying of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I would love for all of you to be a part of my life still.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<br /></div>Sister Kahrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00204315533809030740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572189566485544382.post-6425251252775942582011-12-07T14:54:00.001-08:002011-12-10T15:24:18.490-08:00Becoming. . .<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JN5aigpk0cKvokgs1Pu5NR4y8JqLToYbInJWsU8yjIy2pROqc78JKhcyiB7cYcOfdWFGQ8mvYSL2oVds7yEGJ0cavFjrvPUx2uo7n5M1cL9S_7psr7cYDZfoWgSIDk6l_ZQuKBhDscE/s1600/IMG_2398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JN5aigpk0cKvokgs1Pu5NR4y8JqLToYbInJWsU8yjIy2pROqc78JKhcyiB7cYcOfdWFGQ8mvYSL2oVds7yEGJ0cavFjrvPUx2uo7n5M1cL9S_7psr7cYDZfoWgSIDk6l_ZQuKBhDscE/s320/IMG_2398.JPG" width="320" /></a>The last few weeks have been crazy. After dropping Sister Nestman, now Brittany, off for her to fly home I picked up 2 new companions. They are taking over the area together once I leave next week. One is fresh from the MTC and the other has only been out 5 months! They are fantastic missionaries though! As we have been together we have been seeing so many miracles and because of said miracles we have been really busy; training, teaching, exchanging, planning, then repeat. Oh and don't forget to throw in a wrench or two in our plans and you have what's been our last 3 weeks. This may seem like a stressful transfer to some however, I can't even begin to describe how great it's been. I have felt my testimony grow in ways that are indescribable. I have felt the love of my Savior in more abundance and I have felt peace amongst all the storm that is about me. </div>
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If this had happened at the beginning of my mission I would not be feeling the peace and the love I feel right now. Before my mission I was not the most well put together person you see before you. I may have seemed like I was all put together but trust me I wasn't. I had an okay testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I occaionally felt the love of my Savior and never would I have felt peace in the midst of the storms in my life. I realized all that today. </div>
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At the end of a mission you talk to the mission president before you leave about who you were when you first came in and who you are now. I have been thinking about who I have been becoming over the last 18 months of my life but today the Spirit testified to me of just how much I have changed. I'm glad I listened to the Spirit prompt me to go on my mission. Serving the Lord and His children has brought the greatest blessings to my life. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EA2SydBI_nt_4ROoi0sUmCoN17VnhyphenhyphenXZyCFCgc6j14sfrJ6SjK-5MQgO93uc6BwKwkVnWsuoZ-KWkqfb5gX70fpDmq8Vco0dC1kl84p2yxVdcVSiyEw5PFjiqgrKETy-5dr3uTcPX9s/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EA2SydBI_nt_4ROoi0sUmCoN17VnhyphenhyphenXZyCFCgc6j14sfrJ6SjK-5MQgO93uc6BwKwkVnWsuoZ-KWkqfb5gX70fpDmq8Vco0dC1kl84p2yxVdcVSiyEw5PFjiqgrKETy-5dr3uTcPX9s/s320/IMG_0206.JPG" width="320" /></a>As I thought about this change I thought about how it's happen. The process to get to where I am today was not an easy road. It was hard and a lot of work. It was relying on my savior when I couldn't rely on myself any more. It was all the long sessions of planning for the people whom I grew to love. It was going out and working when I didn't think I could go out and work any more. It was putting a smile on my face when I felt like crying. It was trying to love my companion when all I saw was the negative. It was enduring those days when all I wanted was a letter in the mail and it doesn't come. It was rejoicing on the day that mail did come. It was crying with those who needed a shoulder to cry on. It was listening to someone vent about how their prayers aren't being answered. It was talking to that same person the next day and finding out they received an answer. It was the people who helped me to see what truly being a disciple of Jesus Christ is. </div>
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Change and perfection is a process. Relying on our Savior and trusting in Him is what will help us in that process. I know that I'm not perfect and I have a lot of rough edges that need to be smoothed out and polished. But I know who I am and I know in whom I can trust. I know He is there for all of us if we but let Him into our lives and have patience with ourselves. Remember Him and Remember who you are. You are sons and daughters of God and HE LOVE YOU! Yes, YOU! You are beloved to Him and will always be. He can make you into more than what we are. Let Him make make of you more.</div>
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</div>Sister Kahrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00204315533809030740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572189566485544382.post-11839363607390442932011-11-17T16:12:00.001-08:002011-11-18T11:24:52.789-08:00In Your Loneliest Walk You Are Not Alone<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You know how you listen to a song and never really listen to the lyrics? Well, I haven't paid attention to the lyrics on this particular song. The other day I heard the words and they left such an impression on my heart that I had to share it with you. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><em>The Loneliest Walk- David Osmond </em></span></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">(Listen to it <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/song_details/5205589">here</a>)</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She pushes L on that old elevator door<br />Her heart is broken, arms are bare<br />The doors are closing and she’s staring at the floor<br />There’s still a piece of her up there<br />It seems like yesterday she saw her on the screen<br />Painted a room and picked out names<br />But now she has to leave her under big machines<br />To keep alive her tiny frame<br />She’s on the way to her car, but it’s never felt this far</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With each step she takes there’s another to follow<br />And one more ache, one more tear to swallow<br />She’s gotta keep moving<br />Forget about the bruising inside<br />through the loneliest walk of her life</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He pushes up his glasses, staring at her name<br />One last time before he leaves<br />He saw this coming but to see it now, engraved<br />It's still so hard to believe<br />It seems like yesterday they kissed and made their vows<br />Her favorite flowers in her hair<br />He's staying later than they normally allow<br />Clutching those flowers in a prayer<br />And on the way to their front door, no hand to hold there anymore<br /><br />With each step he takes there's another to follow<br />And one more ache, one more tear to swallow<br />He's gotta keep moving,<br />Forget about the bruising inside<a href="http://www.altusfineart.com/shop/images/simon_dewey_abide_with_me_5x7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.altusfineart.com/shop/images/simon_dewey_abide_with_me_5x7.jpg" width="232" /></a><br />Through the loneliest walk of his life</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He pushes up the board they’ve tied onto his shoulders<br />He bears, with dignity, disgrace<br />He hears the jeering and the wind is getting colder<br />Tastes the blood upon his face</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">His body bruised and back still open from the scourges<br />The consequence of wicked men<br />He knows no man on earth has ever deserved this<br />But still he bears it all for them</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And He keeps moving up the hill to do his father’s will</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With each step he takes there’s another to follow<br />and one more ache, one more tear to swallow<br />we all stand by and watch as the price is paid<br />Through the loneliest walks of his life<br />so we don’t feel alone in the night<br />we can have his hand holding the light<br />through the lowliest walks of our lives<br />Keep pushing through this lonely walk you’re going through<br />Cause someone’s walked this way before</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sometimes in life it's hard to take the next step and the next one and the next one. It can be rough but I know that we don't have to walk alone. He is there every step of the way. I have felt Him lift my burdens and strengthen me when they couldn't be lifted. I know He loves us beyond measure. I know if you turn to Him He will be there in your loneliest walk of your life. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Sister Kahrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00204315533809030740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572189566485544382.post-60848853268755392622011-11-11T17:25:00.001-08:002011-11-12T12:55:06.960-08:00Journal Time!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-paccNtdOGVJYi_Ckb40K_MMAb23wPZ1rHHI18TaqrwHisLTngq6rpcsUJGyfUOSIJ-KXxCzWwSc7O6e0gqhbx7i276zkGz-qaPH9aVhvYWt5aGKRAOmOpia6IexAhmncMPIvgvuTDnw/s1600/IMG_2162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-paccNtdOGVJYi_Ckb40K_MMAb23wPZ1rHHI18TaqrwHisLTngq6rpcsUJGyfUOSIJ-KXxCzWwSc7O6e0gqhbx7i276zkGz-qaPH9aVhvYWt5aGKRAOmOpia6IexAhmncMPIvgvuTDnw/s200/IMG_2162.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My finished journal</td></tr>
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I had a really awesome journal that I just loved writing in before my mission. There are priceless memories recorded in that journal. For instance, Christmas that year was amazing, then there was my experience of singing in general conference and of course my decision I made to go on a mission is recored in those pages. I knew my mission was going to be an opportunity of a lifetime so I bought a new journal, a moleskine journal at that. This journal has a cool pocket in the back and 240 pages of college lined paper and just plain amazingness. When I bought it I never thought I would ever finish writing in it's pages but I did! It is filled! Front and back! Not only that but it is filled with the memories I have created over the last 17 months. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's huge!</td></tr>
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That's nice Sister Kahrs, you write in a journal. Whoopdie do. The main reason I write in a journal is because of the gospel. The fact that I can relive great times is amazing icing on the cake. I really started to keep a journal because of what an apostle of the Lord said back in <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/o-remember-remember?lang=eng">2007</a>; that apostle: <a href="http://lds.org/church/leader/henry-b-eyring?lang=eng">President Eyring</a>. In this particular <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/o-remember-remember?lang=eng">talk</a> he gave was about keeping a journal. He started a journal one day when he felt the Spirit tell him, "I’m not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down." His father-in-law was helping him with something that need to be done on his house and instead of his father-in-law calling someone in to fix it he repaired it himself. This really touched Elder Eyring and that is when the spirit inspired him to write down how he saw the hand of the lord in his life and in the lives of his family members. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my priceless memories</td></tr>
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You see, the hand of the Lord blesses our lives greatly, not just occasionally, but everyday. That's because He is our loving Heavenly Father, He wants to be involved in our lives. President Eyring gave us a suggesion of what we can do to remember Him in our lives. "Tonight, and tomorrow night, you might pray and ponder, asking the questions: Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my children? I will do that. And then I will find a way to preserve that memory for the day that I, and those that I love, will need to remember how much God loves us and how much we need Him." <br />
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I decided to follow his counsel. I kept and jounal and prayed and asked Heavenly Father before I wrote how I say His hand in my life. At first it was hard to do but then as I prayed about it everyday I found Him in the little things that I didn't notice before. It really made my life more beautiful and fulfilled as I wrote in it. I want to invite you to start and journal and do as President Eyring invited, to "ponder and pray, asking. . .Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my children?" I promise you that as you do you will see His hand in your life and your life will be filled with priceless memories that helped bring you closer to your Heavenly Father. </div>Sister Kahrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00204315533809030740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572189566485544382.post-84113317840981890462011-11-05T13:34:00.000-07:002011-11-12T12:50:50.690-08:00I Have a VisionAs missionaries we are instructed roughly every 2 months in what is called a zone conference. This is to help us be more effective missionaries to better help our Heavenly Father's children. In this particular zone conference President Bunker, our mission president, talked about goals. I thought I heard it all when it came to goals. That's because as missionaries, we set goals everyday so we can be effective missionaries; so goals are something talked about a lot. However, I was wrong and the Spirit proved it to me when President Bunker started to teach. <br />
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He talked about having a vision behind our goals and then making plans to accomplish those goals. To illistrate his point he "picked on" a missionary and started to interrogate them. He asked if they saw themself getting married in the temple one day or having a family one day (for more on the temple check out I Am Menasco's blog post about it ----> <a href="http://eldermenasco.blogspot.com/2010/12/eternal-families.html#more">HERE</a>) . He went on asking questions along those same lines. I don't remember the rest of his questions, because my mind trailed off. These are things I have never tried to give too much thought about because it's too far away. Don't get me wrong, I know that getting married and having children one day is a blessing the Lord wants to give me, but I have always thought that "one day" is far far FAR away. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture from this <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=2285">Image: M - Pics / FreeDigitalPhotos.net</a></p>">website</a></td></tr>
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My wandering thoughts came back just as President Bunker said "that a goal with out a vision is drudgery." Most of my life I have made goals and made goals and made goals. Some were achieved, like graduating High School and College and soon a mission. But others fell to the wayside, like hiking Mount Timpanogos at 4 in the morning to see the Sunrise; there is no way you are getting me out of bed that early in the morning to go hiking. I saw that goal as a drudgery. I didn't even think of the end result and the experience of seeing the gorgeous view of the salt lake and utah valley at sunrise. <br />
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President then went on to explain that in order to reach our vision and our goals, to achieve that end result, we need to make plans. Planning is more important than I ever thought it would be. If I want to experience that sunrise I need to prepare by waking up earlier and earlier in the mornings to the point where I could wake up early enough and see that sunrise. I know I would also need to make other plans to be in physical shape to accomplish that goal.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2NCb5bbvGCd9CJD_6A6QjjTStvx40flrG7oNid06oggRxCUwfJGsnziu4GYigRZewJLORc8dmOQUGS04jjgS1B1xUXjtSeShWUouZjT7oxCpi3gT_nWlMdu8L7t1yPEwdDKHimC7HFn1/s1600-r/AWM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2NCb5bbvGCd9CJD_6A6QjjTStvx40flrG7oNid06oggRxCUwfJGsnziu4GYigRZewJLORc8dmOQUGS04jjgS1B1xUXjtSeShWUouZjT7oxCpi3gT_nWlMdu8L7t1yPEwdDKHimC7HFn1/s1600-r/AWM.jpg" width="234" /></a>Having a vision in life is important if we want to return to our Heavely Father's presence. We have to see that in our future. We need to see that we are His and that being with Him is where we belong. Then make goals to get there. A goal to have more faith, to repent of things that can take us away from His presence. A goal to be baptized and to worthily partake of the sacrament every week to have His Spirit with us always. A goal to endure all the trials and circumstances that are ours to face and to do that with an eye single to the glory of God. Then make the plans that will help you get there like planning to read the scriptures and pray everyday to establish or increase your faith in Jesus Christ. Or recognizing that what we might be doing in taking us away from the straight and narrow path and then doing all that we can to be better. </div>
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I have a vision and I know I can see that vision achieved if I make a goal to get there and make plans to help in my everyday life. Now, I hope you will all have a vision and make a goal and plans to get there!Sister Kahrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00204315533809030740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572189566485544382.post-7677350212221199902011-10-28T13:46:00.000-07:002011-11-12T12:50:30.622-08:00Tick. . . .Tock . . . Tick . . Tock. Tick<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGs_Xm9V-t07AfE6l10bUSIB3XP2ti6bGcRl7b3oDYB1rg3aKQyn9p4ryJH8BuntJECWMZj0p4BKoC9ET8V5fS8iAdn1ffr0qD9Yfhsfj3RhU8d2YL7OPgkl9FSgdFm-ZcP49LNVBbMc/s1600/IMG_1996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGs_Xm9V-t07AfE6l10bUSIB3XP2ti6bGcRl7b3oDYB1rg3aKQyn9p4ryJH8BuntJECWMZj0p4BKoC9ET8V5fS8iAdn1ffr0qD9Yfhsfj3RhU8d2YL7OPgkl9FSgdFm-ZcP49LNVBbMc/s320/IMG_1996.JPG" width="320" /></a>There has been a lot on my mind lately. Especially today. Today is the mark for my final 6 weeks of my mission. My last full transfer experience is happening now. I go home December 16th, exactly 18 months to the day from when I entered the glorious Missionary Training Center, aka MTC. Time on the mission is very strange to say the least. Time goes by very fast; that is if you're being obedient and doing what you're supposed to be doing. I feel like I just started my mission and met my first companion. It's so strange. Time is a strange thing, specifically the Lord's timing. </div>
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His timing is ultimately the best timing. Throughout my life, and going through what I have, I never really appreciated the Lord's timing. I used to think 'why didn't my parents die when I was older?' 'How come the Lord wanted me to serve a mission past the age of 21 and after I graduated from College?' Those and other questions have been going through my mind lately since it is nearing the end. So I decided to turn to my trusty scriptures and the words of apostles for advice. </div>
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<a name='more'></a>I looked first to the scriptures and guess where I was in the Book of Mormon? The war chapters in the book of Alma. "Really?" I thought, "how can this really help me at this time in my life? Its the war chapters, I'm not in a war." I pressed forward anyways, because the Lord has a reason for everything. As I read, I read about the Stripling warriors who are young men who fight against the wicked Lamanites in defense of their fathers who took an oath to never to take up arms against anyone. These young men were referred to as men because they were 'valiant for courage and also for strength and acivity' they were 'true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted' with. They were men of truth and soberness, for they were taught [by their mothers] to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.' <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/53.20-21?lang=eng#19">(Alma 53:20-21)</a></div>
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Stripling warriors, war, and timing. These young men are in many, many, many battles and not one of them is killed. Not one. They get wounds but not one of these 2,060 young men die. After every battle their leaders number them to see if they are all accounted for and they are. <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/57.25-27?lang=eng#24">In Alma 57 verses 25-27</a> Helman pretty much says how astonished he is that they are all still alive. This is what he says about why they are still 'preserved:' </div>
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'And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding <em><strong>faith</strong></em> in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever <em><strong>did not doubt</strong></em>, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power. Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm and they do put their <em><strong>trust</strong></em> in God continually.'</div>
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They had faith and they did not doubt they trusted the Lord. They had confidence or a trust in God and never questioned Him ever. This brings us all back to timing. Elder Oaks, of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, gave an amazing talk on this very subject. However, this <a href="http://lds.org/ensign/2003/10/timing?lang=eng&query=timing+(name%3a"Dallin+H.+Oaks")">talk</a> was given at BYU, an LDS church school. He said this about timing: </div>
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"Faith in the Lord Jesus <a class="no-link-style" href="http://jesuschrist.lds.org/">Christ</a> prepares us for whatever life brings. This kind of faith prepares us to deal with life’s opportunities—to take advantage of those that are received and to persist through the disappointments of those that are lost. In the exercise of that faith, we should commit ourselves to the priorities and standards we will follow on matters we do not control and persist faithfully in those commitments, whatever happens to us because of the agency of others or the timing of the Lord. When we do this, we will have a constancy in our lives that will give us direction and peace. Whatever the circumstances beyond our control, our commitments and standards can be constant."</div>
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The stripling warriors exercised their faith; they used it and replenished it. They followed their Savior's example and did what they could in circumstances that were beyond their control. They were preserved and they were given what they needed to succeed. Our lives aren't like the stripling warriors lives, but we are in our own battles in life. We need to trust the Lord and His timing; that all will be well if we have faith and trust in Him. Do not doubt Him. </div>
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I don't know why the Lord thought that I could handle living without my parents at a young age or why I am on a mission now in this time of my life. I have no idea what the Lord has in store for my future. However, I do know that if we have faith and continue to trust Him we will be preserved and guided. We might have a lot of bumps and bruises along the way, but it will help us to grow and become more like our Savior. Things will work out, keep on keeping on. </div>Sister Kahrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00204315533809030740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572189566485544382.post-23289255757516746382011-10-12T20:30:00.000-07:002011-11-12T12:51:43.070-08:00There Will Always Be Hope. . . Part 3Don't you just love the title of my blog post? It is so true! There is always hope, there is always a way to come back and come back clean. How do we do this? Well, we are given the opportunity to act and to follow Jesus Christ in word and action. <br />
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In 2 Nephi 31 verse 10 of the Book of Mormon Jesus Christ says to "Follow Thou Me." This whole chapter is devoted to Him being baptized. We know that He was baptized by immersion, or He was under the water entirely, by John the Baptist who had the proper priesthood authority. A lot of people have asked me, "wasn't Jesus perfect? If so, why was He baptized?" The above mentioned chapter of 2 Nephi answers that question: <br />
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"Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments." (2 Nephi 31:7)<br />
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He was being obedient to the commandments that God gave all of us. He invites us to "Follow thou me" and we follow Him by being baptized. This is the gate way to live with out Heavenly Father again. He wants us to return to Him and he has provided a way that we can get there and given us the perfect example to follow.<br />
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I remember when I was baptized and the hope that I felt. I remember being in our car and looking out the window on our way home from my baptism. It was a whirlwind of a day and sitting there I think I was finally able to realize what just happened. As I sat there in the car I remember feeling happy and just peaceful. It was a different peace than I had felt in a long time or ever before in my life. <br />
<a name='more'></a>I just turned 10 and my life and my brother's lives had been chaos for the last 11 months of 1996. The chaos came from a tragedy that struck my family. My mom died in February and my dad passed away just a few months later in September. My life then went through more struggles and heartaches after that but the day of my baptism was different. <br />
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That peace I felt was different than I had ever felt before and it came with a feeling of hope; more like an assurance. I felt like I was one step closer to my parents and just one step closer to being with my Heavenly Father again. I can't describe the peace that came but I know now that it was my Heavenly Father letting me feel the hope that comes from this gospel. </div>
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Being baptized isn't just a commandment but it's a blessing He has given us to be able to return and live. To return and LIVE. We will live again, we will live again with our family and our Heavenly Father. He loves us and gives us a way to return to Him and have everlasting joy. </div>
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We just need to act and repent and follow His commandments and keep on keeping on. There is always a way back, there is always hope. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmYWJDAe2qo1wH98Oz5-hrOWIAVvEG9r4Bqv2lvvRAIWJgEaOFR1aYhcTW6uLAxSC4pvIoBzqAMcESrdzBc1kQgFCqDrmIQJgtpjIgfbed9mQXEql1gAOL6WrHekM5PjqkDPImDyKIxQ/s1600/IMG_4648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmYWJDAe2qo1wH98Oz5-hrOWIAVvEG9r4Bqv2lvvRAIWJgEaOFR1aYhcTW6uLAxSC4pvIoBzqAMcESrdzBc1kQgFCqDrmIQJgtpjIgfbed9mQXEql1gAOL6WrHekM5PjqkDPImDyKIxQ/s400/IMG_4648.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Sister Kahrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00204315533809030740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572189566485544382.post-34646711024864759112011-09-30T19:22:00.000-07:002011-11-12T12:51:56.343-08:00There Will Always Be Hope. . .Part 2<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBJ_hat3a4dzH62OJFBrNbn5AzPzT0n5XIBGIK2kJUIBMuQEhb0tCXJKZPWesdZFbOTc5NbkiZf2vnxlEGZrxGbZWlwUTY0c4HXzu1YCRh8PD_Tc1SSokcqChnuzY5dM4FQdhumum5Ok/s1600/ArtBook__043_043__JesusWalkingOnTheWater_Sm___.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBJ_hat3a4dzH62OJFBrNbn5AzPzT0n5XIBGIK2kJUIBMuQEhb0tCXJKZPWesdZFbOTc5NbkiZf2vnxlEGZrxGbZWlwUTY0c4HXzu1YCRh8PD_Tc1SSokcqChnuzY5dM4FQdhumum5Ok/s320/ArtBook__043_043__JesusWalkingOnTheWater_Sm___.jpg" width="320" /></a>You know the story of Jesus walking on water, right? Its a good one. I love Jesus in the story of course but I really love Peter and his example. Yep, Peter. I just love that apostle of the Lord! He teaches us a lot in this story. Let's review. The apostles are on a boat in the middle of a sea in the midst of a storm. All of a sudden they see Jesus but don't know it's him at first, they actually think he is a spirit on the water. Wrong, it's Jesus and he tells them to fear not and to be of good cheer. </div>
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Alrighty, let's stop there. Can you imagine? You're in this horrible storm, you see a spirit and you're all afraid and then you see Him. The Savior of the world walking on the water, the storm tossed water. I know what I would be thinking, "Hey! get in the boat, it's crazy out there!" I don't think I would really notice that He is walking on water. But Peter does, and he wants to walk on water too! First off, I don't have that faith. Peter is incredible. All Jesus says is, "Come." So he does, he walks on the water but we all know that he starts to sink because of whatever reason you want to put. It could be attributed to a lack of faith, fear, the storm, many different reasons. What I want to focus on is what Peter did after he started to sink.</div>
<a name='more'></a>What did Peter do? "He cried, saying, Lord, save me." Peter is a fisherman, he can swim! He could have swam back to the boat but he didn't. He cried for the Lord. There are so many times in my life where I swim back to the boat and almost drown on the way back. Let's face it, I'm not a good swimmer like my companion <a href="http://sisterbrittanynestman.blogspot.com/">Sister Nestman</a>. I see my Savior in my storms of life and I get fearful and almost drown on the way back to the boat. <br />
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What Peter did was the smart thing to do. He reached out and cried out for His Savior. He knew that he need to call on Him for help. When we are in the storms of our lives we need to reach out for our Savior. We need to cry out for Him and do all that we can to rely on Him and not our own strength. Nephi teaches us, "that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/25?lang=eng&query=%22after+all+we+can+do%22">(2 Nephi 25:23) </a>We just can't wade in the water just hoping He will pick us up and bring us back to the boat. We need to reach out to Him and get back into the boat with Him just as Peter did. <br />
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He then counsels us to "Follow Thou Me" <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/31.10?lang=eng#9">2 Nephi 31:10</a>. . .Sister Kahrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00204315533809030740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572189566485544382.post-60252015308114298022011-09-20T19:54:00.000-07:002011-11-12T12:52:08.625-08:00There Will Always Be Hope. . .Part 1<br />
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<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/34.32?lang=eng#31">Alma</a> says, "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God." I have found this statement to be very true. We have this life to prepare, to make choices, wether they bring joy or sorrow we have that gift to choose. What I want to focus on is not the joy in this post.....I know weird but there can be a lot of saddness that we experience in life because of our choices. Let's face it.....we aren't perfect. I am FAR from perfect. Trust me on that one! As Paul says in his epistle to the <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/rom/3.23?lang=eng#22">Romans</a>, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." I have never met someone who says they are perfect. I've read about a man who was perfect. He is more than a man He the one who makes up for our short comings.<br />
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No matter how far from God we feel or how <a href="http://sisjaclynkahrs.blogspot.com/p/websters.html">harrowed</a> up we may be by our sins we can come back. We can have salvation. There is always hope, there is always a way back. Satan wants us to think we are unloveable, so sinful and that God wouldn't want us back. That is one of his tactics to bring us down to his level...miserable. God wants us to come back to him, "house of Israel whom I have spared how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart." (3 Nephi 10:6) In the previous chapter in 3 Nephi, in the Book of Mormon, the Savior asks a question, "will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?"<br />
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This question is very important. It give us an idea that there is action that needs to be taken. That repenting of our sins and coming unto Him, to be healed, is an action. The harrowing of our souls, because of our sins, can be healed. Only He can do it, only he can make up our short comings but we need to act. . .<br />
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<br />Sister Kahrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00204315533809030740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572189566485544382.post-38880393762066883962011-09-10T13:51:00.000-07:002011-11-12T12:52:33.171-08:00God Gave Us Families. . .<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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For most of my mission I have served in Single's wards. . .I know weird. I love it though. The singles ward has a great vitality to it that is unlike any other. You maybe wondering why is I'm blogging about families. It has been on my mind a lot lately especially since I will be seeing my family in December. I think they are really getting excited for me to be back home. :) Family is also on my mind a lot because we teach people all the time that families can be together forever. That I know to be true! Just see my last post on <a href="http://sisjaclynkahrs.blogspot.com/2011/08/joy-in-house-of-lord.html">temples</a>.</div>
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Most people when they think Mormon they think huge crazy families. I am mormon and I think that. However, family is where it's at! Heavenly Father gave us families to help us. We are to love one another and support each other in whatever phase of life we are in. My family isn't mormon and that's okay. I love them so much and I know they love me no matter what. Sometimes it's hard for them that I am on a mission; being away from them for 18 months. But I know they love me and support me in my decisions. For that I am ever grateful.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(My amazing family-not all of us but close)</span></div>
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<a name='more'></a>I am so grateful for my family because they have been such a great examples for what I want in my own family. I am also so grateful to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life to help me be even better than what I am. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints came out with <span class="featurestitle"><a href="http://lds.org/family/proclamation?lang=eng">The Family: A Proclamation to the World.</a> This document is a help to me to know what I want in my future family. I am going to aim for these in my future family: " Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities." </span></div>
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<span class="featurestitle">On <a href="http://mormon.org/">Mormon.org</a> they have great videos to show the world how normal we are, even if we have huge families. I saw this one the other day and I wanted to share it with all of you. I hope you like it! </span></div>
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<a href="http://mormon.org/me/4KH2/">http://mormon.org/me/4KH2/</a> I pretty much want to aspire to be like them. </div>Sister Kahrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00204315533809030740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572189566485544382.post-3328405585487578092011-09-03T15:38:00.000-07:002011-11-12T12:52:52.918-08:00Your Relationship with God. . .It's as Easy as Riding a BikeI have been thinking a lot about The Book of Mormon recently. Yes, I know I'm a missionary and that I'm supposed to think about it a lot but recently it has taken on a whole new meaning for me. As I have talked to people on my mission the common thing people tell me is that they want to be closer to God; or they want to have a stronger relationship with Him. I think this is a desire most of us have in life. Especially when life seems to be ripping at the seams and you just don't know what to do. So how do we come closer to our Heavenly Father? In the introduction to the Book of Mormon Joseph Smith is quoted as saying, <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/introduction?lang=eng">“I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”</a><br />
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This statement is very true. This book of scripture, which is another testament of Jesus Christ, truly has brought me so much closer to my Father in Heaven. I have come to know who He is and to really feel how much He loves me by reading it. For instance today I felt close to Him as I read in 2 Nephi 8 verse 22, "Thus saith thy Lord, the Lord and thy God pleadeth the cause of his people; behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again." This scripture shows me how much my Savior loves me. He loves me so much He took that which was going to be my punishment for my sins and bore it on His back so I can return to our Father in Heaven. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsEwxTv6Fm9B-b59di4_o0McxzAVnZdt4ls1qm3oPxjG4OVw0lq7SRpAsRLXvsYG-eXhiq8oDBJpxEkFfQjM286_xZCnWaMFI9lbCUOm7aVNnw5Bz0mk6LI5D7sujQj15Hf-JomP9xkU/s1600/415208o5t8ei7xa%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsEwxTv6Fm9B-b59di4_o0McxzAVnZdt4ls1qm3oPxjG4OVw0lq7SRpAsRLXvsYG-eXhiq8oDBJpxEkFfQjM286_xZCnWaMFI9lbCUOm7aVNnw5Bz0mk6LI5D7sujQj15Hf-JomP9xkU/s320/415208o5t8ei7xa%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a>I know as I read the Book of Mormon everyday my testimony of Him is strengthened. Yes, it's hard sometimes reading scripture with all the "thee's" and "thou's." But was it easy the first time riding a bike? For me I remember a lot of painful scrapes, bruises and even falling into our cactus plant. Do you really think I wanted to get back on the bike after falling into the cactus plant? No, I figured that it was the bike's fault and so I wasn't going to get back on. However, I did get back on and I now know how to ride a bike. Don't expect your knowlege of the scriptures to come all at once because it won't. It's going to be hard to understand at first but with prayer and diligent study of the scriptures you can do it. The Lord isn't going to make it impossible because He makes all things possible. We just need to do our part. </div>
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So do you want a strong relationship with Heavenly Father? I can promise you can through reading the Book of Mormon. Just remember its not going to come all at once. <br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=2280</span></div>Sister Kahrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00204315533809030740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572189566485544382.post-84902666240221951562011-08-27T13:28:00.000-07:002011-08-27T13:28:34.418-07:00Joy in the House of the LordI love this temple. When I was really young I used to live by this temple. When we would drive by it I imagine myself as a princess in that gorgeous building. When I go there today I know that I am a daughter of a King. This knowledge gives me SO much JOY!! I love how I feel when I go there. I know it is in this house of God that I can be sealed to my family forever. In this temple and in all temples around the world families are being united forever by the priesthood. It is proof that God does love us and want us to have joy! <br />
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(Las Vegas, Nevada Temple)Sister Kahrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00204315533809030740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572189566485544382.post-27611842254488821372011-08-19T14:46:00.000-07:002011-08-19T14:46:44.662-07:00More Joy Than in Just a Photograph<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmc5RdVk7JkMt1e6s_Lh-fvLmXJEHUCJC4e28UvrKBi7RXxJUcJnzseQIzcua9SIeFq026XT-frVRS4oFouy6wk14Z6N16u1wRLhE9TRVaVNJdwTj6wsWlqvy2IhrLJkN9Cd0R_-sMIaA/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>I have many loves in my life; the gospel, my scriptures and my camera. If I ever lost my camera I'm just not sure what I would do. With this powerful tool I can take gorgeous pictures and at the same time capture just a glimpse of my life. I especially love my camera on my mission. There have been many precious moments that I've captured with my lens that I hope to never forget. However, I have found that there a moments that just can't be photographed. Like the first time I knew I felt the Holy Ghost guiding me in my life, or the time that I really felt God's love for me. One time in particular was when we were teaching an amazing guy in Napa. It was then I could tell by looking into his eyes that the Spirit was confirming to him the truthfulness of this gospel. These moments are precious to me that have brought me so much joy. <br />
There are so many things in this gospel that aren't tangible. We can't see Jesus Christ in person, we can't hold the gold plates, we don't have a picture to prove that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. These are great things but we have to take a step of faith and believe. As my friend Kenny in Santa Rosa said, "Faith is believing even if you can't see, touch or taste it." I invite you to find joy and pray to a loving Heavenly Father who is waiting to answer your prayers. I know His Son Jesus Christ can bring us so much joy that can't even begin to be captured in a photograph.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmc5RdVk7JkMt1e6s_Lh-fvLmXJEHUCJC4e28UvrKBi7RXxJUcJnzseQIzcua9SIeFq026XT-frVRS4oFouy6wk14Z6N16u1wRLhE9TRVaVNJdwTj6wsWlqvy2IhrLJkN9Cd0R_-sMIaA/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmc5RdVk7JkMt1e6s_Lh-fvLmXJEHUCJC4e28UvrKBi7RXxJUcJnzseQIzcua9SIeFq026XT-frVRS4oFouy6wk14Z6N16u1wRLhE9TRVaVNJdwTj6wsWlqvy2IhrLJkN9Cd0R_-sMIaA/s400/IMG_1120.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oakland Temple August 18, 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sister Kahrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00204315533809030740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3572189566485544382.post-57636801050382268312011-08-13T12:09:00.000-07:002011-08-15T16:27:48.444-07:00JoyI love the word Joy! Its why I am a missionary. You see, I haven't always had joy in my life. At times my life was pretty rough, either because of my choices or because of the choices of others. I didn't understand the concept of opposition in all things as Lehi taught in 2 Nephi 2 in the <a href="http://mormon.org/book-of-mormon/">Book of Mormon</a>. To taste the bitter is to truly experience the sweet. One night I prayed and asked Heavenly Father over and over and over to know joy; I was pretty adamant. He answered my prayer as I read His scriptures. Now I am a missionary serving in California and feeling more joy than I have ever felt in my life. That joy has come as I have read the Book of Mormon and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. In the same chapter in the Book of Mormon where Lehi is teaching his children about opposition he says, "<span style="color: white;">Adam</span> <span style="color: white;">fell</span> that men might be; and men <span style="color: white;">are</span>, that they might have <span style="color: white;">joy</span>." (<a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2?lang=eng">2 Nephi 2:25</a>). We are here on this earth and it maybe challenging at times but we are here to feel joy. That joy only comes from following <a href="http://lds.org/plan/jesus-christ-is-the-way?lang=eng">Jesus Christ</a>. <br />
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<div><div uri="/general-conference/1996/04/finding-joy-in-life.p1"></div></div>Sister Kahrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00204315533809030740noreply@blogger.com0