The Christian mindset needed to stop the modern holocaust

An undone research project sits on my desk and the laundry pile in the corner of my room would be giving me a blaring glare if it had eyes. 

However, there is a holocaust going on. And I can't change it. So I'm speaking up instead. 

WWII was a six-year-global war and frankly, horrific. No, I was not alive during the time. But my father was in the country when the wall was torn down and I've heard the stories. During the war people were identified, categorized, isolated. Although this is genocide is often remembered, we have failed to stop genocides since then. In Sudan alone, 2 million people died, 4 million more during their civil war. 

Unfortunately, it sounds like today's society. 

The attack on Paris proved that ISIL operatives can, slide right into the midst of thousands of refugees fleeing the havoc of certain death. Mind you, they found that the Syrian passport on the suicide bomber was fake, a plant. (Here's a little context about ISIL if you're just getting informed. It's explained very simply and clearly.) What truly appalls me is the coldness coming from so many Christians. I was raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where I learned about charity, courage and compassion. 

I learned about the Good Samaritan, apostles and prophets that sacrificed everything they had for others, and most importantly, Christ's sacrifice — which categorized not one person as anything other than beloved children of God.

So why are we differentiating between those that need help? How is that any different than the self-centered men that walked past the mugged man lying on the side of the road? 

We've already been the Priest. We've already been the Levite. It's time to be the Samaritan.

I'm not saying that as a country, we don't have people who need help. There are plenty of homeless people, but they are given resources. There are homes, there is always food for them. And if there aren't what are states doing to help? Homelessness Veterans are no more in the State of Virginia. They are the first state to functionally end homelessness. I'd love to see more people follow in their footsteps. 

But these refugees are driven from their homes and literally left with nothing. And, I'm sorry, who are WE to say that this person deserves better care than another. We as Christians are not just concerned about our country. We are concerned about our brothers and sisters. 

I'm also not saying that all refugees will accept my kindness. I offered one homeless man conversation and a banana. He threw it at my car. Did that stop me from helping the next person because of one man's cynicism? No. 

I was recently told a story about a man who was deployed in Iraq. A Muslim suicide bomber entered a crowd intending to kill Shiite pilgrims, but a Muslim policeman recognized what was about to happen, tackling the suicide bomber. His body absorbed almost all of the impact, shielding a few instead of dozens. He was married and had children.

Take a moment to think about how you are here today. The majority of us have ancestors that came from other European countries. We, ourselves, were refugees. What if the Native Americans said, "sorry, we don't want your diseases," or "there's probably some bad apples in the mix, so we can't accept any of you." 

The U.S House divided the President's own party with a 289-137 vote to require new FBI background checks and a sign off from three high-ranking U.S. officials. It already takes months, and it will now probably take years. A total of 31 state Governors have declared they will not accept any Syrian refugees. (Note: the federal law actually prevents these states from blocking refugees, but they will probably refuse to provide additional assistance. The good news is that other states are willing to take these refugees.) We've only accepted 1,500 refugees, although the Obama Administration committed to accept 10,000 more. With 318 million people in the United States, a few thousand is like offering one lick of a lollipop. Out of about 800,000 refugees that have settled here since 2001, not one has resorted to terrorism. The screening we have has been considerably useful. Not to mention, only allowing "proven Christians" into the United States is against America's core values. 

Yet, even after 129 deaths in the Paris attacks, French President Francois Hollande has committed to take in tens of thousands of refugees.

My heart aches. 

France is still accepting refugees, because they know there's something more important. If they stop accepting refugees, ISIL wins. This group is literally driving these people from their homes. Obviously, they don't want everyone to leave. They want us to hate the refugees, disavow them, segregate them. They want us to be scared, to be angry. Don't let them win. As this now single father says, "don't give them the gift of hatred."



We are letting them win.

How I see it? 

Dear Syrian refugees, 

We don't want you. We don't want to help because we have to worry about ourselves, and our self comforts before we can help other people. Yes, we know how desperate your situation is. We've heard from the A21 people, and plenty of refugees themselves. But we've also heard from news sources that you'll be OK. That the actual majority is part of a mass terrorist group, so we don't want to take the chance. We'll send some food over for a little bit. Stay clear of human traffickers. 

Good luck to you. God bless. 
The unUnited States of America

We cannot fight hate with hate. Insult them with happiness and compassion instead.

The Golden Rule isn't just a nice suggestion from Jesus, it greatly simplifies foreign policy. 

Donald Trump himself is even saying he's all for making all Muslims identify themselves. Excuse me? Sounds like Adolf Hitler's personal method applied in our modern society. Do we really want to relive that horror? The answer is a resounding no.

Now, I am different than every person in this world. I'm the girl that stops to talk to almost every homeless person on the street. My husband will occasionaly advise against it. Sometimes, he finds it silly that I try to help everyone, even though they could maybe hurt me. It's important to be careful, but it's just as important to be Christlike. Everyone deserves Christ in their life. Everyone deserves to be loved. Innately, I trust people. I trust that when I help someone out, they will appreciate it. I trust that these refugees really do need help. 

Christ never categorized a group of people. The sinners, he helped. The sick, he healed. 

He trusted Judas, knowing that he would one day betray him. 
He trusted Peter, knowing that he would soon deny him.

So the question comes, what WOULD Jesus do? I think you know the answer.  

If you really delve into the depths of your soul and take a look at humanity, you know. He loves every one of his children equally. The LDS Church has donated more than 5 million dollars to the cause. They have encouraged there members over and over to provide whatever support we can offer why? Because they know what Jesus would do.

Once, a dear friend hung off the edge of a cliff during a backpacking trip. I stooped down to offer my assistance, putting my life at risk for a greater cause. In the end, we were both OK. But not until I had risked my life, for hers. Christ actually gave his for yours.

I'm not denying that ISIL may throw in some 'bad apples'  in the mix, but in no way is that a majority. Daily, people are beaten down in our own country, murdered. We are not rid of crime. But let me ask you, did Christ care when they took him and beat him? No. There was something more important to be taught. He knew he had a role to help, to take responsibly provide an aid for the world: The atonement. Since the 1800's, Syria has helped refugees, never closing their borders, and doing so much to accommodate others. And now? We look away. Like WWII all over again. We looked away until it was so bad, we had no other choice but to help. What happened when we finally rallied to help? We stopped the war. 

I'm not scared. Helping the vast majority is worth the risk. 

I'll admit that this particular topic has me a bit emotionally stirred. Now, if you can open up the scriptures and show me how Jesus wants us all to be safe more than love others and "mourn with those that mourn," go for it. The gospel, and it's light and love, trumps everything. 

Unless you have personal experience, you can only take what the media has covered and what you morally believe to draw your own conclusions. 

I'm not saying "OK everyone, we're all quitting 'life' and heading over to help." But they are coming to us. And we're rejecting their pleas? No. I will not.

Let's Say I Died: Home-written Obituary

Let's say I died. 

What would be remembered about me? What would be said about me? I'd like to think that they're will be plenty of good things remembered, and plenty of honest mistakes to be learned from. 

Honestly, I didn't want to think about my "real" obituary for whenever I really die. It'll be too sappy, and most likely extra cheesy (knowing my goofy family, that's for certain).  Instead, I took the liberty of writing my own obituary, from a more....impersonal and amusing point of view. Then you don't have to worry about writing some sappy story. You know, just in case I die. 

NOTE: It's fake.

A special thanks to everyone that helped, in any way, in creating...my obituary.

OBITUARY

Alex “the Great and Terrible” Williams had many passions.

Passions that permitted blood to pump through her arterial passages. Passions that drove her more than Kevin Harvick could drive his Ford EcoBoost in the NASCAR championships. They made everything ordinary burst into sudden flames, breathing new life like dying coals receiving small puffs of oxygen from a paper plate.

She was born on April 1, 1993, in Wet, Washington. She was the firstborn to Christopher Johnson born in Funky, Florida and Lisa Johnson born in Away, Alaska who both died in 2040 on a fly fishing trip on the eastern side of Washington.

Alex died on August 18, 2065, after living an eccentric life till the solid age of 72, but her trademark quirks and fiery personality shall not be forgotten.

Amiably known to many as Alex the Great and Terrible, she was a journalist by profession, an artist and an adventurer. She filled her time with everything imaginable, and a pleather of things unlikely plausible. Although she could be found reading a book or playing the piano, she would more likely be found on a hike or a bike up a mountain, or kayaking down a river to find the perfect fishing spot. When she wasn’t on a personal adventure, she was spending time absorbing the other two things that brought her joy: sports and her family.

After graduation from Brigham Young University with degrees in Communications and Art, Alex went on to invoke joy to sports fans as a reporter for several sports entities, later becoming an Editor for the ESPN magazine.

Which is how she was able to happily marry Sonnny Bill Williams from the New Zealand rugby team and adopt six children, all from different countries but not All Blacks. Although her daughter Leilani Herlin (55), and her five sons Oliver Williams (52), Augustin Williams (46), Nigel Williams (45), and Agatha Michelson (42) were adopted, all referred to Alex as ‘dearest mother.’

Her death devastated friends and family from around the world. She was found in her house covered in paint with Christmas music navigating its way through Cars paraphernalia. Her death made the headline of the Wet Washington Post that read: “Artist found dead in home. Details are sketchy.” As an activist of world peace through clever puns, the title seemed fitting.

The death was surprising after a struggle with skin cancer for the last four years during which Alex had been effected by cancer on her foot, which quickly spread to her right leg. The stroke was completely unexpected, but so was the news for the release of Cars 3. After hearing the announcement, she had a stroke in the midst of a very colorful art project.

An extraordinary death, for particular individual.

Alex really was particular about some things. She despised the sound of people chewing their food, hated people named Keith and the smell of tuna. But what upset her most was the improper use of affect and effect. That, and an unclean house.

What she lacked in grace, she compensated for with determination, charm and spunk. Alex had a few unwavering convictions: The movie Cars could make anyone smile on any given day; ranch dressing does not belong on a salad and less on a pizza; and the oxford common most definitely was one of the most annoying things to ever have been regrettably invented.

Admittedly, the blood that pumped through her vitals have ceased to function, but not because of lost passions. Her passions live. Her memories breathe, even without the use of a paper plate. Her life will be forever cherished.

The viewing service will be held at the Finally-Over Funeral Home at 9 p.m. on Saturday, located next to Mt. Reiner at 2234 Wildlife Road. The actual Funeral Service will be held on 9 p.m Saturday at the Crafted Commentary located next to Mt. Reiner at 2234 Wildlife Road. Only those dressed in attire from the eighties will be admitted to the funeral, as there will be an epic dance party following the service. The dance party will be held in honor of Alex the Great and Terrible, since she is most likely dancing barefoot on a grassy field to the water of the broken sprinklers.

Random Spurt of Awesomeness: Creativity is Productivity

Often times we have what I like to call "random spurts of awesomeness." It's fairly self explanatory. They're random, they're spurts, and they're awesome.

It can happen while you're cooking and you decide to go "off recipe" and it turns out to be the most delicious thing in the world.

It can happen when you're writing a paper and the coolest take comes to you out of no where, and you magically snap out of your writers block with a bajillion connecting ideas.

It can happen when you go fly fishing and without really having to try, you know exactly what they're biting and therefore catch a ton of fish.

 

Photo credit: India Ink

       
Or it can happen on a quite and cold Saturday afternoon, with almost no one around. ...in the living room listening to your personalized indie Christmas playlist while thinking about life and having a random spurt of awesomeness that on this instance I'd like to call "creativity is productivity",,,which might be just what happened to me.

Random spurt of awesomeness. I painted for 8 hours straight. I finished three paintings and have one underway.

It just happened. I decided I wanted to paint, and I knew I knew that I wanted to finish one and start another but I was in the spurt of awesomeness zone. I just felt it. I wanted to paint, and paint, and paint some more!

I just thought:

I'm okay with this. I am completely and 100% okay with this. No complaints from me....well besides the fact I was hungry. I painted all through lunch. And dinner. And, lets be honest, It was break. I slept through breakfast. But I was soaking it up!

I got to work, and I finished it. 

I felt productive. Not because I did a ton of homework, I did very little to be honest. Not because I went to work every day, because work was closed. 

Nope. Because I was creative.  

President Uchtdorf gave a talk about creativity that I absolutely adored, and he illustrates so well just how important it is. He also reminds us that we all have the ability to create.

                                     

Creativity is one of the greatest tools we have as human beings. It is an amazing gift from our Heavenly Father. 

No wonder I felt productive being creative. I was fulfilling, in a sense, a part of my divine purpose. And that always feels good. 

But I realized something. Creativity is productivity. It didn't matter if I was being graded on it, I was cultivating a skill. I was fulfilling my personal potential. I was doing something worthwhile, which is 100% possible without a grade. 

Three paintings done, and one on the way...all done within eight hours on Saturday. 

Success? Yes. 

(There's still one on the easel. I'm hoping to finish it during finals week if I can)

And not because of quantity. Not even because of quality. Just because I did it. I was creative. I was productive. I did what He wanted me to do, and used the opportunity provided to me. #win

Point: Random spurts of awesomeness are ...well, awesome. CREATIVE spurts of awesomeness are also awesome, and sometimes awesom..er.

Color up your life. Be creative. 

And it never hurts to do it in style. #fingerpaintingrocks

FACT

FACT: I am happy.

Not like my name, but like emotionally. Come on people this is no time for jokes.

Two weeks ago I made a decision that would make a great impact for the remainder of my semester.It could arguably have changed my life. Making me a completely different person, and even opening my eyes in such stunning ways.

Not to be dramatic or anything. I know that I joke a lot and what not, but really folks. This was a really cool...serendipity type moment.

FACT: I made a decision; I decided to be happy. Yes. I DECIDED.

You know, happiness really is a decision. Happiness depends more on the principles someone chooses to follow than on the external circumstances of life.

In other words we either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.

Chew on it.

To quote one of my heroes

It changes things, the effect of a smile. It really is one of my favorites.

Honestly, this was a big moment for me guys. I mean, I've always understood the internal and external principles of "happiness," but I also think that we has humans have some common defects. Imperfections is most likely a better word. These imperfections cause us to judge ourselves from multiple outlets, generally external and internal. Or, from the standard we've set for ourselves and the standard the world sets for us. The pitfall is that often times the standard we set for ourselves is biased because we've already set the standard based upon the external standard of others.

FACT: I don't know how well I'm explaining myself, but it makes sense in my brain.

In essence, we set this standard. Well lets remember that this standard is often times completely and utterly

LUDICROUS.

I realized I was doing it. Not anything too extreme of course, I am a reasonable person...on occasion. But on a smaller scale I was participating in it. I was setting a personal standard that I myself couldn't fulfill. Not because of anything in particular, just because the standards were unrealistic.

Not being able to reach goals can get you down man. Really and truly. So what was the issue?

Oh yea. My goals.

So I made new goals, my biggest one to be HAPPY. Of course I made little goals to help me obtain the larger goal, but that was my main focus. I did it.

Happiness really isn't hard to find. I just want everyone to know that. It's not as difficult as people made it out to be. It's rather easy actually. You think, about little things you want in your life, and you don't let anything stop you from getting them.

Me? What do I want?

I want to finish school. ASAP.

And I want to discover myself as much as possible in the process.

I want to obtain as much knowledge as possible. I want to learn new languages, and instruments. I want to help the maximum amount of people possible. I want to learn to cook more Chilean food. I want to have a Cars marathon every month. I want to celebrate Christmas and anything joyful every day. I want to read. I want to paint. I want to play basketball, sing, hike and dance around the living room whether or not there are lots of people around.

So that's what I've done for the last two weeks. And it's been the most marvelous thing that could have happened to me.

FACT: I can breath.

Okay, I'll try to be more serious. Because I really am talking serious stuff here. 

There are no external standards, just the internal standard of HAPPINESS that I've created for myself. That and God's standard. That shall never be lowered.

FACT: I couldn't be happier. I really couldn't.

Life wont always be like this, but while I'm living in these "external circumstances" I've chosen happiness, and nothing more, at least for now.

The point of this whole thing is not to rub it in your face just how happy I am, but rather to show how attainable happiness is, even when we can't see it.

So make your decision now. BE HAPPY.

FACT: Decisions aren't half as bad as I thought. Just make sure to ...well choose. Decide. Act.

And I have an additional goal, to add onto the ginormous list of goals that I have created recently. But you're going to like this one:

I think this is a reasonable goal for everyone. This is part of "my work and my glory"...the happiness of my fellow peeps. Make someone smile today. 

Glitter Monster. ..creature?

The door opened and I turned my head looking out, only to freeze in mid movement and the sight before me. A GLITTER MONSTER. Unfortunately, this is no exaggeration. Imagine a man being tarred and glittered. Or rolled in glue and then thrown into a glitter filled pool. One of those things happened because there is no way anything less is even an option....unless some old unicorn was just having a bad day, or maybe digestive problems who knows. That might start explaining things. Probably not. We're talking MAJOR glitter here people.

The creature looked something like this, but more "human" like. (I'm not putting man like because the dude was covered in glitter. You loose 'man' rights for that one, at least on a temporary basis)

It was almost as if a very twisted dream had come true and I was stuck right in the middle of it. My mouth was about two inches away from touching the ground. Some sort of animal could have crawled up and just lived there. Obviously I'm glad they didn't, but it was sure a possibility. It was like this. ...but more dramatic. If that's even possible. I was so confused.

Granted, I am the oldest of four girls and that means that yes, there is lots of glitter in my house. But I've never been calked in it, baked in it, or anything of the sort really.

The funny thing was, the only explanation I got was, "I'm doing an art project." 

Again, I'm left un-impressed and still confused. 

I'm minoring in art. Art project is sculpting, painting, photography ect. Considerably though, almost anything can be classified as art. But one thing I know for sure: that much glitter isn't art. In fact you might be bordering on some sort of off hand crack addiction. Careful. 

Soaking in the reaction of it all, and finally having closed my mouth, I started to gather my composure. .. until some of it landed on me.

asldfk jalsfjkd;alfkdsja lsdfk;asjdf;akfjdsjahsdfl;a a;lkshdfu19210wq98 adfa a gdalfaug;acn m,b.vcbjvbxvcnkbvntrsafda gaf;dkla agdsfjbcxbcamqwrolkjcx c.iogfc hnhgvbabfdamea wiqppa. acp

Did that really just happen!? 

As my dad always says, "you mess with the bull, you get the horns." I'm clearly not a bull and obviously don't have horns, but I was debating whether this glitter creature should be given a piece of my mind or if I was just going to let it go. 

Yes. I just did that.

"Glitter never bothered me anyway!" 

I let it go. I calmed down and smiled and we finished the conversation, and I went on my way. 

"What an oddity!" I thought to myself, with a large grin. The glitter monster, although frighting was a needed pick-me-up. I guess some days you just need to GLITTER UP and enjoy life. Often times a pick-me-up doesn't involve glitter, but who's to judge? 

Moral of the story:

Within reason. Please people.

NOTE: Even being a 'girl', I'd prefer to be covered in paint, mud, grease, or water any day. That over glitter? Absolutely yes.

The Drop-Off

A new adventure has surely begun. Who knows what great things are in store....not me cause I'm poor. Dirt poor to be exact (Get the word pun? I thought it was pretty good) but that just makes for a funner adventure!
Yesterday we got to my apartment complex after trying some Firehouse Subs, and started unloading my stuff. I had lots of memories come back to me, but in all everything just felt like a dream. I've been getting that sensation way to much lately...maybe get it checked out? I don't know, but it was weird.
Well, the light was on in the apartment, but after some knocking, still no luck. I called the office man and he said he was on his way there, and would be there in 30 minutes. Dad decided to unload the entire car and just plop all the stuff outside my apartment and wait. Which we did. ..but in style.
Lucky for us I had my basketball loose and we played a game of horse. I kicked butt. Johnson butt. ..but Uncle Greg ended up winning in the end. Oh well.
After a game of horse, we continued to wait like homeless people outside of my apartment.
Dad said that they were going to hold hands, and pretend to be my dads dropping me off. They received a penetrating glare for that one.
Overall, everything felt a little like a dream...like I was here, but not. Like I'd been here, but not. I'm not completely sure how to describe what I was feeling, but it's definitely a unique one.
I unpacked fairly quickly, to be honest. I couldn't believe how fast I did it, in the amount of time that I did it in. Although, I still have more things than I'd like. I would like to get rid of some stuff still.
Two of my new roommates speak Spanish, and the one that sleeps in my room wants to talk in Spanish with me all day, everyday. WORKS FOR ME.
Everyone seems nice, and I'm excited to start.
To be completely honest though, I feel a little nervous. This is real life! And instead of worrying about matters in the lives of the Chileans, I'm stuck with my OWN life. Bluck. I loved the mission, and sometimes it just makes me so sad to not be teaching every day. To not be doing my contacts every day, even though I try to talk about the gospel as much as I can with as many people I can, its just not the same. Obviously I'm still in the after mission adjustment period. Yes, it's still a struggle to speak in English, wear pants, eat american food...I have yet to wake up later than 7:30 AM, and I still look at my name tag with eyes of longing. But the only thing that's left to do is move forward..and upward, if at all possible.
Lets just hope I can figure out what I'm doing, cause at this point I'm still in dead water...lets get GOING.
Since it's Sunday, I want to share a little food for thought...healthy food. Get it? ...yea stopping.
Anyways I wanted to remind you all to pray every night. There are few things that are as powerful as prayer. He listens. It works way better than wishing on a star, that's for sure. He loves you and wants to not only hear you but bless you, answer you, guide you.

PS. In regards to any English errors...Like I said, #missionafterlife #stilladjusting

The Closing Adventure of Alex the Great... in Chile

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.....

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Honestly. I don`t even know what to say!! The normal stuff right? Here`s the weekly letter...

The week went well...it was hard with changes that president made. Just cause after hearing for almost a year and a half to NOT do things, and having it drilled in your head, we are now being obligated to do the oppossite. But all I know is that He is obligated to bless you for being obedient.

The schedule change isn`t as much power house go...its like stop go, stop go...etc...and so I feel weaker? like we don`t have as much time.. I don`t know. It just doesn`t feel like the same mission. We had a zone capacitation, zone training...no sé. Our district leader played the violin and it was so pretty. Our zone leaders gave a great training as well. 

A*, Y*, y D* are gonna progress so quickly! They have baptismal dates, and they came to church last week..they didn`t come this week, but they are doing great reading and praying and I just adore them. Its great to have two families supporting each other in what they`re doing. We had some very powerful lessons with them this week...I can always feel the spirit,and I`m so excited to see pics of their baptism. 

People whistle, we whistle back. People yell "I love you" I yell "BAPTIZE ME!" ...hopefully they learn. 

We did have some amazingly spiritual lessons this week...I love that. I think that the mission HAS to be the greatest time of ones life...it`s just to amazing to NOT be. 

We did a service painting project...but not just "painting" we did ART! It was so great...I painted the tree top, the mountain, the clouds, the river...yea. IT was super fun to get paint dirty again. 

We went to a house and I looked up above the fridge, and the 19 yr old kid had written on some broken speaker "I love you Johnson" with stars and hearts and all that jazz... I was ticked.  THEY ARE MEMBERS (even if they are less actives) THEY SHOULD KNOW BETTER.

We did anotehr service project helping kids with school projects and that was super fun. I love HELPING! 

Jorge was confirmed this week...and he`s different. De verdad. He`s doing great and helping his family. I really love him. Bring him a tie from up there! 

Yesterday I felt like I should go talk to this little old man while waiting for the church to open up to go to Branch Council, and we ended up teaching him..then 2 members ended up coming over and helping us..and it was a real miracle and blessing from the Lord. 

Hurrah for Israel! Para Siempre JAMAS! 

LOVE YOU ALL...and yea...I guess...I guess I`ll see you soon.

Hermana Alex Johnson

And... in a sweet surprise... a second email. Darling.

Once upon a time there was a silly gal with a fairly interesting life. She`d lived many things and learned more, but alas...God needed her to reach a higher potential. He told her that "if [she had] desires to serve God [she was] called to the work" and to "be strong and of good courage, to be not afraid, neither ...dismayed" and promised her that he would be with her. With trust in Him and "an eye single to the glory of God" she arrived in Chile,Lacking knowledge concerning His plan for her, she put herself to work and lost herslef int he same. She strived to change the world...spreading light and happiness to all. She completed her purpose by inviting and helping. She knew God had sent her to "preach the gospel" ...and felt privileged to be working by his side in "His work and His glory." She better came to know God and Christ. She changed, and became His disciple. Steadfastness made her stay, diligence made her go, and charity made her give everything for the people of Chile. 

...And suddenly, as a blink of an eye her time was gone. She knew she`d given it her all. Yet the time had come to remember learn and apply everything. 

I was this silly gal, who wanted to serve God my whole life, but I never knew how. And as time passed He helped me understand my purpose. I have served My God with my whole heart, might, mind, and strengh. I love him. I know He lives, as does my Savior and Redentor lives. he loves us and knows us personally.More than we can imagine.f He has a perfect plan for each of us, but it is our responsability to trust him and keep his commandments. 

I repeat the words of Ammon,

I do not boast in my own strength,nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart isbrim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak;therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, forin his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mightymiracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise hisname forever.

...

I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory init. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hathcommanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may bean instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul torepentance; and this is my joy.

And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent,and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy;then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, eventhat he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember hismerciful arm which he extended towards me.

I love Him. I will serve Him forever.

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL 

Con amor siempre, 

Hermana Alex Johnson