52 Days To Go

     I can't believe how fast time really is going! It is still completely surreal that I will be boarding a plane for Mexico City in 52 days. I will be in the CCM (MTC in Spanish) for six weeks, and then Chicago, Illinois for the next 16 and a half months!!! I am super nervous but so excited to go out and serve the Lord by sharing the light of the Gospel.
     I just finished an amazing week at EFY, my last one. These are some of the insights and things that I learned that will be invaluable on my mission.

• 6 Step Pattern to Enlightened Faith from 1 Nephi 1
• You must be in a place where truth is taught (vs. 4)
• Act - Read and Pray (vs. 5, 11-12)
• Confirmation by Holy Ghost (vs. 7 & 12)
• Thank Him! You feel great and marvelous (vs. 14-15)
• Write down Tender Mercies of the Lord (vs. 16)
• Testify what you know to be true (vs. 18-19)
• 2 Nephi 1
• vs. 21 - be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things = it is not a competition to eternal life! We are all in this together and need to help each other come unto Christ.
• vs. 23 - AWAKE! No more being passive and floating by. We need to take action, put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the "chains" which Satan has US bound.
• Mosiah 2:9 - Open my ears that I might hear, my heart to understand, and my mind to learn the mysteries of God. In order to learn by the Spirit, I need to be listening in all of these ways.  
• Galatians 5:22-23 - Fruit of the Spirit = what the Spirit produces. Satan does not have a fake for peace. If you are feeling peace, it is 100% from the Savior.
• Doctrine & Covenants 20:37 - Qualifications for Baptism/Conversion - This scripture is used for preparing investigators for baptism. I think that this scripture is also very applicable to personal conversion, which every person has to go through. How to become converted: humble ourselves, have a desire, have a broken heart & contrite spirit, repent of all sins, bear Christ's name, be determined to serve Him, and show by our works.
• The Savior Suffereing in Gethsemane
• What did he suffer? D&C 19:17-20 Why? For our sins? No! For our pains, afflictions, and temptations.
• How did He make it through? Mosiah 15:10 - He saw us in the Garden as He was suffering. He thought of us and did it completely for us.     
• 2 Nephi 4
• vs. 20 - The Savior can be OUR support, and lead us through our "wildernesses".
• vs. 27 - Good questions to ask ourselves: Why should we yield to sin and temptation?
• vs. 28 - Awake our souls! Don't droop or be disheartened because of sin. We need to rejoice because we don't want to give Satan any little piece in our lives.