Two Roads, Which Shall I Take?

"In Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice finds herself coming to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions. She is confronted by the Cheshire Cat, of whom she asks, “Which path shall I take?”  The cat answers: “That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn't really matter which path you take!" 

  Unlike Alice, each of you knows where you want to go. It does matter which way you go, for the path you follow in this life leads to the path you will follow in the next."- President Monson.  Alice in Wonderland, one of the most famous stories of all time.  Alice finds herself faced with many challenges throughout the book where she needed help.  Just as President Monson spoke about the fork in the road we too will get to that point in our lives.

  "An old proverb says a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step so....watch your step."-President Holland.  We can either choose to go this way or that way.  Always remember that each choice has its consequences.  Our Beloved Heavenly Father knows that we won't make the right choices all the time, but because of His love for us we can always be invited back onto the straight and narrow path.  A way He shows his help for us is by sending friends our way to pick us back onto our feet.  With friends on our journey they can always bring us back onto that narrow road we all long to be on!

Our Heavenly Fathers plan is flawless.  He gave us a plan that we may learn and grow through this life even though the ups and downs.  Yes at times we may fall off that path and endure another road but because of Gods love for us He will never give up on us.  When we do what is right He blesses us both spiritually and temporally and when we make wrong choices He will lift us back up through Christs atonement!  So after we have done all that we can we are done right?  WRONG!  Endure brothers and sisters, all of us need to go till the end of the race for the prize is worth all of the trials and tribulations we face here on earth.  I like to think of this life as a marathon.  The hardships we face while running uphill are the challenges we face here in life.  The thought of turning back because it is too hard for us will pop into our head constantly.  Let Jesus Christ be that helper to get you up that difficult hill and when this is done our shoulders will feel weightless!  At the end of this great race Heavenly Father has promised us Eternal Life.  I picture Eternal Life being paradise that both my family and friends will dwell with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  No more worries of the world but never ending happiness and peace!

Who you gonna call!?

One of my favorite movies of all time has to be Ghostbusters, I mean come on who couldnt love people chasing ghosts!  One of the famous quotes from a song on Ghostbusters is "who you gonna call?....GHOSTBUSTERS!"    Whenever someone had a problem with a ghost or an evil presence in there home they called the Ghostbusters to come and take care of whatever was in there!  This movie is true in a sense, we can call upon someone whenever we need help.  It doesnt matter how big or small a problem may seem, our Heavenly Father helps all.  Unlike the Ghostbusters, Heavenly Father is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week to help us get through the trials we face in life because he loves us

.  We can all know our Heavenly Fathers love towards us as we turn to him.  I promise that he will answer by sending his comfort so you can know of a surety that he does care!  A few years ago I needed him most in my life.  I was alone, distressed and couldn't find any way of being comforted.  I turned to Heavenly Father and he sent his help through my family who brightened my once saddened spirit.  I cannot tell you how much He loves us because it wouldnt be comparable to actually how much he does.  As in Ghostbusters they didnt have too much business at first but when people started noticing the great things they did, more and more people needed them.  So this is me telling you from experience that your burdens can be made light, your faith will grow, and your knowledge and love for him will never decrease!

Go the Distance

"Heart's on fire, strong desire, rages deep within," I love that song from the motion picture "Rocky."  You all should know by now my love for movies, especially ones that inspire me to try my hardest at everything I do.  Rocky Balboa "The Italian Stallion" was a simple guy just trying to make it in life.  He had barely anything but what he did have was desire.  A local boxer from Philadelphia with absolutely nothing to lose.  One day he was met by a famous fighter named Apollo Creed who had an interest in balboa and challenged him to a fight.  Even though Apollo was world champion at the time, rocky was ready and willing to fight!  Brothers and Sisters we all have dreams, desires, wants and needs.  So let me put the question of "how" out there.  How are we going to achieve our goals and desires?  Three things that we all can try each day if we are willing and have an open heart.  1.  Faith, with faith we can know of a surety that in life's darkest times our Heavenly Father is there waiting upon us to call him.  With faith we can also know that good will always come no matter what happens.  2.  Desire, when you first have faith you the have desires to do things that you never knew you were capable of.  Have a desire to do good, and rid away evil thoughts and actions to do bad!  3.  Diligence, have you ever played a game of basketball or ran a mile that seemed too hard at times?  When I have watched a basketball game, even with 20 seconds left and the opposite team is still down 30 points I notice they still have that drive to work hard even when it comes down to there team losing.  We need to all be diligent in whatever we do, because when we are busy Satan has a harder time entering our thoughts.  Brothers and Sisters be diligent to the end for the prize will be worth it the day you stand in front of your Heavenly Father and he asks the question "Braden, how do you think you have lived your life?"  and you answer honestly "The best that I could."  Eternal Life, that's what we are all striving for, we all joined our Heavenly Fathers plan together so go the distance.  As a simple man in Philadelphia, Rocky balboa went from good to great and from great to amazing.  “Don't you quit. You keep walking, you keep trying, there is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon. Some come late. Some don't come until heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in Good Things to Come.”- Jeffrey R. Holland

          

Did You Think To Pray?

Brothers and Sisters its a pleasure to write another blog for you!  So we all know that if we need help on anything or need an answer to a question or whatever the situation may be, we can pray.  So your probably thinking, "yea yea I know blah blah blah I can pray, I know that already," but do you?  Brothers and Sisters im sure we have all thought of this at least once in our life but im hear to tell you that it works.  It truly brings miracles.  Just the other day my companion and I were getting ready to head on out for the day when I decided to grab my flash drive to put more things unto it.  To my surprise it was not in the place where I last had seen it.  I was truly devastated, that flash drive had very important moments that I couldnt get back without it.  So the day went by and I could not find it anywhere.  I looked from the bed to the closet up and down and even sideways...that flash drive was gone.  The next morning I woke up and felt the need to pray, "I'll give it a shot," I thought.  after praying I felt that it was going to be at the library somewhere.  When we arrived to the library I immediatley went to the lost in found with a smile on my face ready to grab it out of the box.  But to my disappointment it was not in there. 

So as we began to online proselyte an investigator saw me and came to say hi. As we began to talk with eachother he pulls out a flash drive and started to play with it. I hurried and asked "where did you get that?!" He said, "well to tell you the truth I found it at my house in the couch." As we talked we came to the conclusion that I left it there weeks ago. Without that prayer this morning I would have not recieved that guidence from the Holy Ghost to go to the library. My testimony has grown so much since that incident.  Brothers and Sisters, He..Is..Real, he knows our wants and needs and he is waiting...patiently...for us to ask. I testify that these things are true and that they can benefit your life, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

CALLED TO SERVE OUR KING

"Called to serve our Heavenly King of Glory chosen".... We all know that amazing song, as a missionary I sing it quite often because for me it motivates me even when times get tough, to go outside and proselyte!  One thing I have learned while being on a mission is that talking to people is tough! I remember when I was home talking to my friends would be the hardest thing I thought so I never gave it a try.  Wrong mistake on my part, Heavenly Father wants all of his children to hear the gospel not just certain people so why not your closest friends.  I now 100% believe that you DO NOT need to be set apart as a missionary to bring the gospel to the ones you love.  A wise man once told me "ya know, we all were latter day saints once, we just need a little reminder." Brothers and sisters that statement is true, we all once dwelled with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and WE ALL accepted his plan.  So let me give you guys a few tips:
1.  Make a mormon.org profile and share your testimony
2.  If a person asks you a question that you dont have the answer to, DO NOT BE EMBARRASSED!  There are many questions that I have come across that i dont have the answer to, just simply tell them "well I dont want to give a wrong answer so do you mind if I find out for you and tell you another time?"
3.  If you are on facebook, add the missionaries, then as your friends go onto your page they will see what the missionaries have to say.
4.  Do not worry before hand if they will say yes or no or if they will totally ignore you all together, want some help on that?  Heres a great scripture that I always turn to when I'm in need of help!  Its Joshua 1:9 and it reads, "Have not i commanded thee?  Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest."  So that scripture right there is a promise, Heavenly Father wants us to test him, test him that he will always be by your side in any situation!

5.  Last but not least..INVITE!  So heres an example.  Lets say that there is a ward activity tonight and they are going to have games and food and activities.  All it takes is a, "hey john, are you busy tonight because if not then come to this activity tonight with me, it will be a blast!"  Four words to describe that.....EASY PEEZEY LEMON SQUEEZY!  I know as you do this your Father in Heaven will know how much you are trying, and he will deliver.  With work comes wonders!        

Skating To The Finish Line

SOOOO you're probably thinking "hmm skating to the finish line?"  Ah, i'm glad you thought that question because that is exactly right folks, the title says it all.  This story is based on somewhat true events, maybe some exaggeration here and there but the message still stands.  So about 10 years ago, a boy by the name of Braden was walking one day when he came across a couple of skate boarders and found that it looked quite exciting, I mean come on its skateboarding what could beat that!?  So he pleaded with his dad to get him one and on that very same year he got one for his birthday!  So now it was time to start skating, a little scary huh, "course not!" laughed the boy.  As he started skating he seemed to lose balance and kept falling off, "maybe I should just relax for awhile." he said, so a few hours later he got back on and started riding again.  As time went on his balance increased as well as his skills with tricks.  One thing he knew what would work for him is as he fell he knew to always get back up and try harder next time.  Skateboarding is the perfect example to the power of repentance. Heavenly Father knows that as we live our lives were going to be making a few mistakes here and there and thats why he sent down his only begotten son to take away our sins.  Is that awesome or what?! for me personally i think without the power of repentance, my shoulders would be so weighed down from all the sins I have committed it would be hard to be at peace and happy like our Heavenly Father wants us to be.  I promise that as you go throughout life and you come across some things that your not proud of and you repent of those things you will feel more happy then ever.  Alright so you have repented and now what should you do? ENDURE TO THE END!  So keep on going no matter if you have made a mistake here and there get back up on your feet and try again.   "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a ^asteadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of ^bhope, and a ^clove of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and ^dendure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have ^eeternal life."- 2nd nephi 31:20

So Much Good Stuff!

Gooooooood morning boys and girls!  Well Ive been thinking a lot lately about what i should write about on my new blog and then it hit me.  wWhat is something elder lee cannot live without?.....FOOD!!!!  One of my favorite is MONGOLIAN BBQ! It just has too much good stuff to choose from and that is exactly why I love going there.  Instead of just choosing one item off the menu I can choose many different items that i think will go together and they usually do.  So close your eyes...and no peeking! alright now imagine you just came into mongolian bbq and you get to the first set of items(meat), now ask yourself these questions, do you want it? Is it worth adding it?  Are you going to want more?  okay figured it out, good! now on to the next set of goodies(vegetables).  So what would go good with all that meat you put on, maybe some carrots, some celery and ahh ha some cilantro.  You want this to be the best bowl ever!  Me personally, I try and put as much in the bowl as possible because its too good to only have a little bit at a time.  Alright your bowl of perfection is almost ready now onto the last ingredient....SAUCES!!  Do you want it more sweet or sour, or hot or mild?  there are many choices to choose from, but what the heck add them all!  Alright....its done! time to hand it over to one of those guys whose arms arnt sensitive to heat and thats why they can stir food over a 1000 degree grill.  Its finally cooked and ready to eat, and as you take that first bite it is so good you think its christmas morning and your eyes start to tear up.  bite after bite goes down and you can now say "wow that was delicious, i want more later!"  Eating an excellent bowl of mongolian bbq is just like reading our scriptures, for me personally when I get home from a hard days work I dont want just a small plate of food but rather something I can keep eating because its so delicious!  Thats how the scriptures should be taken.  As we read and ponder the message it contains we will begin to want more and more, and it will become a great habit to have.  I know that as i have started reading the book of mormon my testimony has strengthened so much and I can really understand more and more of what it pertains.  so take the challenge, start by reading a verse at a time, I promise heavenly father is going to bless your lives so much as you follow his teachings.  Last but not least, think of the Book of Mormon as a treasure map to eternal life.  In them it tells what we can do to have that happiness we all long for! "If ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, behold thus saith the Father :  Ye shall have eternal life"- 2 nephi 31:20