This past week was my half-way mark for teaching in Taiwan. I can’t believe how quickly time has passed! With that, General Conference, and many other things on my mind, I’ve been reflecting on what I’m learning from my experiences here. I knew when I left for Taiwan I was on my way to great adventures and incredible learning opportunities, but I had no idea how much this experience would strengthen my faith and change my heart. I know this is where I'm supposed to be right now! I'm so grateful for the people I've met, the places I've been, the things I've seen, the challenges I've had, and the joy I've felt the past three months. There are things I've learned here I know I couldn't have learned any other way. God is in control, and as we choose to rely on Him and follow His path for us, we find true peace and lasting happiness.
Words cannot express my gratitude for our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know He lives, and that the Plan of Salvation is a reality. Never in my life have I felt the cleansing, healing, and perfecting power of the Atonement so strongly. I am thankful for God’s patience; for the lessons of life He teaches me line upon line, precept on precept. I know we are children of God, our Heavenly Father! He loves us more than we can possibly imagine, and everything He brings about in our lives is for our good so we can return home to Him.
I love General Conference! We are so blessed to have a living prophet to lead and guide us in today's troubled world. I was so touched by President Monson's talk about gratitude, and humbled to think of how truly blessed I am. To all of my family and friends, I want you to know that I love you! THANK YOU for your love, support, and positive examples. Each of you have changed my life for the better in some way, and I am so thankful for you! Here are some of my favorite conference quotes:
"Leonardo da Vinci is quoted as saying that 'simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.' When we look at the foundational principles of the plan of happiness, the plan of salvation, we can recognize and appreciate in its plainness and simplicity the elegance and beauty of our Heavenly Father's wisdom. Then, turning our ways to His ways is the beginning of our wisdom...Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship - the path that leads toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace."
-Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day...Strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life."
-Richard G. Scott
"These four words - "Receive the Holy Ghost" - are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction - an authoritative admonition to act and not simply be acted upon...As we receive this ordinance, each of us accepts a sacred and ongoing responsibility to desire, to seek, to work, and to so live that we indeed "receive the Holy Ghost" and its attendant spiritual gifts...Fundamentally, all gospel teachings and activities are centered on coming unto Christ by receiving the Holy Ghost in our lives."
-David A. Bednar
"You show your trust in Him when you listen with the intent to learn and repent and then you go and do whatever He asks...If you then go and do what He would have you do, your power to trust Him will grow, and in time you will be overwhelmed with gratitude to find that He has come to trust you."
-Henry B. Eyring
"Do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God's love...We can lift ourselves and others when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."
-Thomas S. Monson
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