A New Place

Dear READER,


I have an official move in date for my new place. August 18th is the big day. YEAH!!!!!! How fun. I am so excited. I have updated my registry at Bed Bath and Beyond http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/regGiftRegistry.asp?WRN=-482194950&brn=1 check it out as this is my first official place and I don't have anything. I can fit everything I own in my car. Trust me I did have it all in there as I drove from Utah to Washington D.C.

One thing I noticed about myself is that i collect a lot of things but half of them are not of use. For example I have three boxes full of things from my Mission. I was in Germany and Switzerland and collected everything I have straws from Subway, every chocolate raper, those paper place mats from places we would eat. The front pages of the news, cut out of pictures from the papers, spoons, napkins, flyer's.......the list goes on you name it I probably have it. What good is that to me? So I have decided to go through all my stuff again and figure out what really means something and what doesn't. The other thing is I am going to keep what is important and stick it in a scrap book. If its something a bit bigger I'm going to take a picture of it and then stick it in the scrap book. This way I have it forever but I'm not taking up space I don't have. My new apartment is small but nice and I don't want to start off with a bunch of clutter. I sound so much like my mother.

I also noticed that I gave most of my college stuff to my brother Blaine. He didn't have like anything. So after my six years in college I decided to part with most of it. With that said most of it didn't have full sets and they looked pretty worn but that is what college is all about right. using what you can for as little as you can. It was good and I had some great experiences with my things from college. For example the day the bottom of my pot fell out. It was full of soup and looked so yummy, it had cooked for an hour on low/med and was finally done. We lifted it up to move to a back burner and out came the entire bottom, splashing hot soup everywhere. It was awful and one of those things you look back on and laugh at but at the time all I could do was cry. Or when I noticed I couldn't screw in the handle of my frying pan anymore. Or the day my roommate broke three of my classes while washing them. Or how my flatware, cups, movies, dishes, soups, pictures, etc. just seemed to disappear each time one roommate would move out and another in. So I can't say my brother got it better off, at least he doesn't have to buy it himself and it will be an adventure for him until he graduates or gets married and then can start his new stuff like me.


So my apartment. It's in Alexandria, Virginia and I look out of Washington D.C. Yes I look out over that beautiful city. Most people would hate that. Actually as I was getting it the women was like 'I'm sorry all rooms that overlook the trees are gone so you will be in one over looking D.C.' I think she was a bit surprised as I jumped for joy and said that would be PERFECT. I love the city and I love the fact that I'm part of the whole D.C. thing.

The metro is so close to my home that I can take it into work each day. I CAN"T WAIT the train is killing me at the moment. Two hours in and out of work, I really don't have time to do anything else with my life. Actually I make time for pintrist, facebook, shower, food, and forgo sleep which is probably the one thing I should really focus on.

My parents are letting me use their big furniture - for example the bed, a bookshelf, a table - this is while they will be transferred with the military and until they get back I can save for mine and use theirs. It means I get to get sheets and all the other fun stuff to go with the apartment. I have been on Pintrist (way to much) lately looking at home made crafts for your home and I am so EXCITED. Today if I finish cleaning the house and maybe weeding the garden I will treat myself and actually do one of them. Have I mentioned how excited I am to move into my own place.


Ok well this is getting a bit long, I should get off and start cleaning. Life is good and I am enjoying the journey.


Yours Truly,


Jenessa

SCRIPTURE STUDY 2 Nephi 10-13

Dear Reader,

I have lately been reading the ensign as my scripture study so this is why this weeks verses are so short. I would include you on my ensign thoughts but I'd really just have to put the whole talk down because I mark them completely up. Well enjoy


2 Nephi 10-13

• There was no other nation that would crucify their God
• He who fights against Zion will perish
• They who are not for God are against Him
• Let us remember the Lord and put away our sins
• We are free to choose death or life (spiritual things or physical things)
• It is only in and through the grace of God we are saved
• Nephi loved the words of Isaiah (man I am trying to love them but it's hard)
• Jacob saw the savior, Jesus Christ.....WOW!!!
• By three witnesses we shall know the truth.
• Everything is a type and shadow of Christ -- you can bring everything back to Christ
• Save Christ shall come all men must perish. It is only because Christ came that we are able to return to our father in heaven and gain eternal life
• It is when we attend the temple we are given Gods words to us
• Walk in the light of the Lord
• The day of the Lord is soon at hand
• The lord pleads for and judges his people
• A Prophecy --- Children will think they are so much better then those who are older then them. We see this all the time
• Our words and actions count
• We reap what we sow.....what I give out it what I'm going to get back. Man I'm going to start being better because I hate when people get frustrated with me while on the train.

Yours Truly,


Jenessa

Up to Speed

Dear READER,


 I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted. I am so sorry for my absents but I am determined to do better starting today. With that said, the sole purpose of this post is to bring you up to speed on everything that has happened since I last wrote.


I moved back to the East Coast as I got a job in Washington D.C. with an association called AFPM (American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufactures). I love my job and am loving being out in the East again.

I am looking into a Graduate program at George Washington and hope to start here in the Fall. I will be getting a certificate both in Event Planning and Human Resources. This will look really great on my resume.

I just put a down payment on an apartment. YEAH!!!!! This is going to be my first official apartment and I am way excited. I move in on the 18th of August so I am trying to get stuff together for it. I have a registry open at Bed Bath and Beyond which you can view at this site:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/regGiftRegistry.asp?wrn=%2D482194950

I will be giving a housewarming party to go with that but the information for that will come a bit later as I don't have everything planned for it yet.



So to be honest those are the most important things to know.....got a job, going to graduate school, and am getting my own apartment.


It will be fun to take you through the journey of this all and I hope you enjoy it as well. AND I promise to be better at posting so I don't have to do catch up later.




Yours Truly,


Jenessa

SCRIPTURE STUDY 1 Nephi 18 - 2 Nephi 9

Dear READER,


I am sorry for my absents -- it's been a very long time but I am back on and ready to go



1 Nephi 18 - 2 Nephi 9



1 Nephi 18

• The Lord showed Nephi the way it should be done (nephi was actually shown not just told)
• We must pray often in order for the Lord to show us great things
• 1 Nephi 18:9 how could one forget so quickly?
• Nephi was treated like Joseph of Egypt vs. 10
• The Lord sometimes allows us to suffer so that he can than show forth his mighty power  I had never really thought of it this way but it seems to make a little sense in my mind. I wouldn't technically want to make someone suffer but the Lord isn't making us he just allows it to happen. It's like when he holds a blessing back because we wont appreciated until later.
• Parents suffer for and because of their children...I have seen this with my mother
• Why was it only after nephi prayed that the winds ceased. Did not the others pray as well for it to stop?

1 Nephi 19

• Only that which is sacred is written upon the plates (in the Book of Mormon)
• Nephi writes of Christ and what will happen so that he might persuade his people to remember the Lord their God.
• We are to liken the scriptures unto us in our day and time so that we will learn better
• verse 9 I LOVE IT
• We are to liken the scriptures unto us so that we can gain hope
• Christ suffered all because He loves us

1 Nephi 20

• To come forth from Judah or the waters of Judah means to come out of the waters of baptism
• The Lord refines us and chooses us from the furnace
• there is no peace given to the wicked - I would not want to be one of the wicked ones

1 Nephi 21 and 22

• Thou art my servant in whom I will be glorified
• My God shall be my strength!
• He that has mercy shall guide those that wonder
• The Lord will have mercy upon those who are afflicted
• The Lord has not forgotten me
• verse 16 "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." -- what an amazing verse and it's very true. The Lord knows exactly what we are going through and because of that He knows how to help us as well.
• Those who wait for the lord will not be ashamed of Him
• All things are made known by the Spirit to the Prophets
• When we harden our hearts then we are scattered
• The Lord will show his power to all nations...all nations will hear and know of Him
• All; meaning everyone and anyone who fights against Zion will be destroyed. They will loose
• The righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire." verse 17
• The Lord KNOWS each of his sheep
• 22:25 --- LOVE IT
• We must obey the commandments of God
• If we obey and endure we shall be saved

2 Nephi 1

• The Lord is merciful to his children
• None shall come to the promised land unless the Lord has brought them here (it is only by his hand that they can come)
• Is the promised land America?
• We are blessed when we keep the commandments
• "...having power given them to do all things by faith."
• God loves us (see verse 15)
• "...be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things..." "A nation divided cannot stand"
• We must seek the glory of God not the glory of men. Also with that we must not do things for profit or glory but for the eternal welfare of others
• It is only through iniquity that we are not blessed

2 Nephi 2

• The Lord will make our affliction be for our benefit/gain
• The Spirit is the same yesterday, today, and forever
• Redemption cometh only from the Messiah
• Christs sacrifice is to those with a broken heart and a contrite spirit
• Christ will make intercession for all men before God
• There is opposition in all things
• Verse 14 -- Testimony of God
• the days of Adam and Eve were prolonged so that they could repent while in the flesh. Is this because we can't repent when we die or it is just much harder?
• If Adam had not transgressed he would have remained in the garden and their would have been no progression
• ALL things are done in the wisdom of GOD
• Christ came in order to redeem us from the Fall
• We need to act for ourselves and not be acted upon
• Choose eternal life (it is a choice)

2 Nephi 3

• What is the 'Spirit of Power'?
• the Lord makes us great so we can do his work
• The Lord can make weak things strong
• The Lord knows our Faith

2 Nephi 4

• Keep the commandments and be blessed
• the curse will be answered upon the heads of the parents if they do not teach righteousness
• Sam was also very blessed of the Lord (One of Nephis brothers)
• Nephi writes for the profit of his children
• verse 15-16 LOVE IT
• Nephi a prophet of God exclaimed 'O wretched man that I am...", how much worse am I
• I know in whom I have trusted
• I want as Nephi said to shake at the appearance of sin
• Do not trust in the arm of flesh but trust God and He will provide the way (money, housing, Germany)

2 Nephi 5

• The lord will warn us when there is trouble if we are faithful
• Build a temple where ever you may go (in the beginning, don't wait till you have settled and are moving on with life....the temple needs to be the first thing)

2 Nephi 6

• Desire the welfare of their souls
• We need to teach from the scriptures
• "they shall not be ashamed that wait fro me" [the Lord]
• Jacob tells us that he has seen/spoken with an angle (verse 9)
• The lords people are those who wait for Him
• None will be destroyed who believe in the Lord

2 Nephi 7 - 9

• We sell ourselves by our iniquities
• When the Lord speaks to us we need not rebel against him but we need to stop and listen
• Zion shall be a very wonderful place and the Lord will take care of it
• We need to continually be trusting on the arm of the Lord
• Wait upon the Lord
• God's salvation is an eternal principle
• The Lord is the Mediator, and He pleadeth with the Father for/on our behalf
• In our bodies we shall see God
• The Savior become subjectt unto men that in the end we could all be subject to Him
• Because of the Fall we were cut off from the presence of the Lord
• Without the resurrection we all would have become subject unto the devil
• After death we will be incorruptible and immortal
• We will have a 'Perfect' knowledge
• "...For he [God] knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it."
• We must have a perfect faith in Christ in order to be saved. What is a perfect faith? How will I know if I have a perfect faith?
• Those who don't know will be given the chance in Heaven because of the atonement
• To be learned is good IF we hearken to God
• The Savior is the keeper of the Gate, we all must pass through him before entering the kingdom
• We must go to the Savior and ask - knock, we must do the action and then the Lord will open the door for us

Yours Truly,


Jenesssa

Talk on Testimonies

Dear READER,


I was asked to give a talk in my parents ward...my old ward. I thought because some of you were not able to make it, I would add it to one of my posts. It is never as good as it was when given at first but it will give you the jist of how it went. Please listen to the spirit as you read, as the Spirit is the true teacher.



TALK:

A testimony isn't something you have today, and you are going to have always. A testimony is fragile! it is as hard to hold as a moonbeam...it is something you have to recapture every day of your life. Elder Packers says that "a testimony is not thrust upon us: a testimony grows". It is something of an experiment, akin to the experiment that the prophet Alma proposed to his followers. we begin with faith - not with a perfect knowledge of things, and then we act on that faith. So how does one start to grow a testimony? A testimony is to be found or grown in the bearing of it!
You bear testimony of the tings that you hope are true, as an act of faith. By planting that little seed. Elder Packer says, "The Spirit and testimony of Christ will come to you for the most part when, and remain with you only if, you share it. In that process is the very essence of the gospel...You cannot find nor keep it, nor enlarge it unless and until you are willing to share it. It is by giving it away freely that it becomes yours."
Sometimes the problem with us gaining or letting our testimonies grow is that we want to see the end from the beginning. I know that is what I usually want, but that isn't how it works. We must first step into the darkness to find the path is lighted ahead. Or as Ether would say "Wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." So faith is one of the first principles to understanding how we grow or strengthen our testimonies.
There is another principle I would like to mention, and I have an example to share that goes with it. When I was younger and my grandparents would come to stay, I would let them stay in my room. My grandmother wears this perfume and I just love it. It would make my room smell so good. Before she would leave I would ask her to spray my pillow with her perfume so that I could have it there with me just as if she was there. It was strong at first and after time it faded till one day you couldn't tell it had ever been there. This is somewhat like our testimonies....
We cannot live on the borrowed light of someone else's testimony for it will eventually fade and so will our memory of it unless we keep it bright with our own efforts.
Another point to this is that, we cannot give to others what we do not have ourselves. I must first find my own testimony in order to give it away.
President Hinckley said this about testimonies: "This thing which we call testimony is the great strength of the Church. it is the wellspring of faith and activity. it is an elusive and mysterious thing, and yet it is as real and powerful as any force on the earth....This thing which we call testimony is difficult to define, but its fruits are plainly evident...It is a mysterious and wonderful thing, a gift from God to man...This witness, this testimony, can be the most precious of all the gifts of God. It is a heavenly bestowal when there is the right effort. It is the opportunity, it is the responsibility, of every man and woman in this Church to obtain within himself or herself a conviction of the truth of this great latter-day work and of those who stand at its head, even the living God and the Lord Jesus Christ...It is this conviction, this quiet inward certainty of the reality of the living God, of the divinity of His Beloved Son, of the restoration of their work in this time, and of the glorious manifestations which have followed which become for each of us the foundation of our faith. This becomes our testimony...This testimony is now, as it has always been a declaration, a straight forward assertion of truth as we know it."

I said something here but I'm not sure what as it wasn't in my notes

So what should we gain a testimony about? President Hinckley goes on to say, "With all of our doing, with all of our leading, with all of our teaching, the most important thing we can do for those whom we lead is to cultivate in their hearts a living, vital, vibrant testimony and knowledge of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, the Author of our salvation, He who atoned for the sins of the world and opened the way of salvation and eternal life. I would hope that in all we do we would somehow constantly nourish the testimony of our people concerning the Savior. I am satisfied - I know it's so - that whenever a man has a true witness in his heart of the living reality of the Lord Jesus Christ, all else will come together as it should. that is the root from which all virtue springs among those who call themselves Latter-day Saints."
So our testimonies should be focused and based on Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I know that sometimes it is said I can't speak very well so I can't give testimony. Well there are many ways one can give testimony.
Marvin Goldstine was taught by the missionaries and converted from Judaism to Mormonism. He is a GREAT pianist. I have attended many of his concerts. I remember one at the Visitors center in Washington D.C. where at the beginning he said I know that Christ lives, but let me give you my testimony of him. He then turned to the piano and played an arrangement of I know that my redeemer lives. It was so beautiful and the spirit flowed with each note that was played.
At the very beginning of my Mission in Germany we found a women named Frau Holzle she was amazing. We were teaching her the lessons and she was moving through them, ok. One day me and my companion were teaching the first lesson again. We came to the part about prayer and how important it was for her to pray and ask God if it be right or wrong. At this time I couldn't speak any German I struggled with everything I said. Usually my companion had to translate what i had just said in German so that those we taught could understand. Well I so wanted to bear my testimony about the power of prayer and how our Heavenly Father would answer her prayer if she asked. I butchered every word I could and was a bit frustrated. I didn't know what to do, I turned to my companion and asked her if I could sing a song. I then in German turned to this women and told her I could not tell her in words what I wanted her to understand and feel but that I was going to sing a song in English and what i wanted her to do was to listen to her heart. I sang with all my heart. At the end Frau Holzle told me that she didn't understand a word I sang but that she felt (as she pointed to her heart) she felt what I meant.
Another way to give testimony is through our actions. There is a quote that goes something like this "I want to live so that when people look at me they see Christ". I know that my mother had a testimony of Jesus Christ because she would get us together for family prayer, scripture study, seminary, etc..... By the things she did and was helping us do we learned that she Loved the Savior and wanted to follow him.
A wonderful Book of Mormon testimonies is given by Alma in Alma 5:43-47. It reads; "And now, my brethren, I would that ye should hear me, for I speak in the energy of my soul; for behold, I have spoken unto you plainly that ye cannot err, or have spoken according to the commandments of God. For I am called to speak after this manner according to the holy order of God, which is in Christ Jesus; yea, I am commanded to stand and testify unto this people of the things which have been spoken by our fathers concerning the things which are to come. And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me. And moreover, I say unto you that it has thus been revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our fathers are true, even so according to the spirit of prophecy which is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of God."
And of what is it that Alma feels so compelled to share with those people he is teaching -- it is his testimony of Jesus Christ. In verse 48 he says, "I say unto you, that I know of myself that whatsoever I shall say unto you, concerning that which is to come, is true; and I say unto you, that I know that Jesus Christ shall come, yea, the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth. And behold, it is he that cometh to take away the sins of the world, yea, the sins of every man who steadfastly believeth on his name."

Once again I said something really great at this point it came out right than and is not in my notes

Brothers and Sister (this includes you today as you read this) I would challenge you to exercise your faith like Alma asks, and share your testimony of Jesus Christ, the son of god, the redeemer of the world....to share that testimony with someone this week. I know that as we do, hearts will be turned, lives changes, and the Lord will bless each of our lives personally.

I love the Savior. I know that he Lives. How grateful I am for his atoning sacrifice that made it possible for us all to return back to our Heavenly parents.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen




Yours Truly,


Jenessa