"Anchored in Hope"

October has always been a crappy month for me, other than General Conference and our family tradition of celebrating my daddy's birthday at the Grand America for Sunday Brunch.  We do it one time a year, because he liked to do it.  Although, mom and dad would go at Snowbird during our week in August, it has worked out for us closer to his birthday.  So, think of my feelings when my most recent mid-singles conference was coming right around the corner, and I planned it for October. However, I've decided that this was probably the best October I've had in a super, long time!

My conference was called "Anchored in Hope" from Ether 12:4, of the Book of Mormon, "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

I love this verse!  I love all of the action words.  We have to move forward to have things work out for us.  This time I got to present. 

I taught "Hope On: Steps in Your Journey."  I shared seven steps that have helped me have hope and happiness in this destination of life.  So often we get caught up in the "...I'll be happy when I... get a new job... get married... etc...," we need to be happy on our way to those things.

Here are my 7 steps:

-Be prayerful and have faith!
-Read your scriptures
-Attend the Temple
-Be creative!
-Be active!
-Serve willingly
-Be happy!

(Yes, the first step is actually two, but they go so well together!)

Be prayerful and have faith!

In the New Testament when the father brings his son that has epilepsy, or something like that, to Jesus Christ and says, "If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us." The Savior's response is, "If thou canst believe."

Sometimes it's hard to believe.  We have doubts and distractions that make it difficult.  I call these moments of doubts "Sariah moments," after reading 1 Nephi 5 of the Book of Mormon. She was the wife of a prophet, and she had her doubts.  I'm an everyday, normal girl, and I too struggle at times with doubts. 

In Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk, "The Infinite Power of Hope," he spoke of his mother.  They were fleeing to Germany during World War II for safety, and they were fleeing by train.  One night the train stopped for supplies, and his mother got off the train to find food for her children.  When she returned to the location of the train, it was gone, along with her children.  He said, "I know with certainty: her faith overcame her fear, and her hope overcame her despair. She was not a woman who would sit and bemoan tragedy. She moved. She put her faith and hope into action."  I love that!  I hope that someday someone will be able to say that about me, that I didn't sit and wait, that I was actively moving forward!

Receive your patriarchal blessing, and read it frequently!

Read your scriptures

I know that even reading a few verses a day, will bring the Spirit into your day!  The more you have the Spirit, the happier you will be.  Pres. Boyd K. Packer said in the last General Conference that it really doesn't matter what book of scripture, just read them!

You can also receive many answers as you read them.  One favorite scripture of mine, that answered my prayers, is Mormon 8:22:  "For the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all his promises shall be fulfilled."  That includes promises to me!

Attend the Temple

Temples are such beautiful places, where you can gain a greater perspective of things going on in your life!  It's amazing!

Be creative!

Find something you love, and do it!  I love to create!  Watch this great video!

Be active!

Find things you love to do, and people you love to spend time with and do it!  I find that in my life, I get tied down to the things going on, and I get so caught up in it, that I feel the need to escape!  I escape to a soccer game or to my nephews and niece to play with them or outside and take pictures.  Rio Tinto Stadium watching Real Salt Lake play is one of my most favorite places to be!  I think in this step, it's anything that you can relax and let go of your concerns.

Serve willingly

This one is something that I've thought a lot about!  Freely giving of yourself without expectations of what you're going to get out of it is one of the greatest gifts you can give to someone.  Do it!  There are always opportunities to serve, even something as small as smiling at someone, could be a great service!

Be Happy!

This one sounds easy, but sometimes it isn't.  One lesson I have learned is that when I'm not happy, if I pretend I am, eventually I am.  It's a mind trick that I play on myself, and at the end of the day, I look back and realize that I truly am happy.  It doesn't always last, sometimes you have to start over day after day after day, and that is totally fine! 

We have so much to be grateful for!  Look for the beauty that surrounds us!  If you're still reading at this point, thanks for letting me share my thoughts!  The beauty of this life is that everyday is a new beginning, and we can start all over again!  I'm grateful for that!  I'm grateful for the Savior, and his atoning sacrifice!  Hope on!