Be the one....

With the New Year we each have a fresh start. We can set goals, and make changes. Sometimes it is hard to make something that seems like a weakness turn into a strength. If you are thinking about setting a New Year's resolution, try to not be so focused on trying to change you...Remember YOU are enough. You are loved! "You have a Heavenly Father who loves you! That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. God's love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there."

(President Monson)

I am hoping that as you are looking to the future you try to become your best self on the inside. You will shine. Don't compare yourself with others. One of my favorite New Year's resolutions has been this year. I have tried to pray daily to know who to reach out to. I ask Heavenly Father to let me be his hands. Prayers are often answered through another person. We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness. we are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is depending on each of us. If you ask Heavenly Father to guide you to recognize an opportunity to serve one of his precious children and you stay focused, your sensitivities will be enlarged and you will discover opportunities to serve that you never before realized were possible. We have the ability to bring light into our dark world. 

Miracles happen when you serve others. You start to become happier. You will start having more love in your heart. It is awesome to know that there is someone in your life right now that needs you. If you think about it, there is always someone you relate to. That person that you can help reach the best of their potential. Be the one. I promise you will be happier. I know I am. 

Incredible

I saw the most inspiring video today. A young man named Ezra Frech is Sports Illustrated's athlete of the year. He is 9 years old and has a prosthetic leg and only 2 fingers on one of his arms. He made some valid points in his interview. He said always finish well. This applies to everything. It doesn't matter if you slip and fall, just get up and finish well. 

He reminds us that everyone is different. You might look different, act different or you think different. Everybody has challenges and everybody stares at everybody. Being different is ok, and if you can dream it, hope it, or think it,  you can make it happen. 

You are perfect right where you are. You can get up when you fall, and finish well. It doesn't matter what you are doing, or not doing, it matters that you finish well. Have you reached out to someone in need today? Have you listened to that voice that tells you to text a friend, or write a note, or just smile at someone? 

I love that is reminds us that being different is ok. Everyone gets stared at, and made fun of at one point or another. We each have people in our lives that we can relate to and reach out to. The things you do matter. When you reach out to someone it is like planting a seed. You can count the seeds in an apple, but you can't count the apples in a seed. 

You are perfect! Dream, hope and think of all of the possibilities that are all around you everyday. Each one of us plays an important part. We need to help each other to be the best that we can be. 

Update for Chris

Thank you for your generous donations. Jeff Steed went with me today to deliver the cash and gift card to Chris. He was so happy. I put the cash and the gift card to Winco in an envelope with everyone's name who donated. He didn't open it up while we were there, but he was really touched with the kindness we all shared with him. 

Chris is going to have his surgery on the 12th to get rid his colostomy bag. His foot is getting a little bit better, and he is really hopeful that he won't lose his toes. Chris mentioned that he needed to renew his drivers license and didn't have enough money to do that. He said he was so excited that he would now be able to get that done. He looked a ton better than he did the last time I saw him. He showed us a couple martial art moves, and so did Kent. 

Thank you so much to everyone who donated. It makes me so happy to know that we have an amazing support system in the class of 88. I am so thankful for the support you have offered. If you ever want to donate to Chris, I will deliver any and every donation to him. I will always have the link on this blog, or you can contact me directly. Thank you again for being so willing to help out our friend!