Missionary Monday: Because of Him

Instead of highlighting one of our missionaries this Monday (we need more submissions- send us your missionary letters, please!), we are showing YOU a great and easy way to be a missionary!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has put together a fantastic resource for us to share with our family and friends in regards to Easter. They have shared a program called "Because of Him" and have invited us to share it as well.

In addition to testimonies and teachings of Christ, here is a video they put together to go along with their message:


They also share the Easter story, and why Christ is essential in our lives.

For more information and to share the message of Christ to others, please visit: http://easter.mormon.org/

P.S. This would also make a great FHE lesson!

Meet The Stake Young Women's Leaders!

We are incredibly fortunate in Highlands Ranch to have leaders who love and bless our stake and our neighborhoods on a daily basis. In this post, we invite you to meet our unbelievable stake Young Women Leaders- thank you for all that you do for the the youth in our stake!

2014 YM/YW Theme:

The 2014 theme for all young women and young men is:

 “Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him”  

(Moroni 10:32)

We all love to receive invitations to special events such as birthdays, weddings, graduations and other celebrations.  These important dates are marked on our calendars and we are excited!  Sometimes a lot of thought and preparation go into the gift we will give, what we will wear, or the travel arrangements we need to make to be certain we don’t miss the celebration.  Our invitation to “Come unto Christ” is one invitation we do not want to miss! 

Fortunately, our Savior’s invitation is not a one-time event.  It is a life long process of obedience to the commandments, learning, keeping baptismal covenants, and building our faith.  It is the same path the young women of our stake are following to enter God’s holy temple to make additional promises with our Heavenly Father and participate in saving ordinances.  Our young women know they are daughters of God and have responded to our Savior’s divine invitation as they strive to live righteously each and every day.

Kerry Bright, Stake YW President

I am the luckiest woman in the Highlands Ranch Stake because I have the privilege of associating with over 250 of the most remarkably devoted, talented, smart, lovely girls ages 12-18.  Their dedication and enthusiasm for living the gospel of Jesus Christ is absolutely inspiring!   I also get to serve alongside amazing women who are truly disciples of Christ. 

My life has been a bounty of blessings. I had a happy childhood in Southern California with two brothers and the best parents in the world.  I studied and graduated from beautiful BYU Hawaii.  With a lot of faith, this was the only university I applied for and knew without a doubt it was where I needed to go.  BYU Hawaii was the only university my husband applied for, too.  I am mindful of the Lord’s hand in helping us find one another!  Our marriage has brought remarkable joy to my life, as have our 3 wonderful children. 
Biking, boating, skiing, hiking, walking, traveling, and cooking are a few of my favorite things.  But honestly, I love to do anything with the people I love the most, my family!  I am honored and humbled to be a mother and recognize the magnitude of the trust that women are given in partnering with God to help guide his spirits back to Him.

My knowledge of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ is my greatest treasure.  Jesus Christ is God’s Son and the Savior of the world in whom we can overcome anything and everything.  We are daughters and sons of God, our Heavenly Father and he loves us always, and we love him!

Shelley Stolk, Stake YW 1st Counselor

Serving the Young Women of the Highlands Ranch Stake is one of the greatest blessings of my life.    I love teenagers (including my own) and am continually amazed by their strength, their testimonies and their resolve to live good, Christ-centered lives. It is truly a humbling experience to “lead” them.

On a personal note, I come from the greatest family that ever existed and I’m so grateful for the knowledge I have that families are forever.  Marrying my husband was the single best (and most important) decision I ever made and as a result, I have 4 great kids.  I currently work part-time as a Registered Nurse and love the opportunity it gives me to offer comfort and “fun” to an otherwise difficult illness and/or experience. 
I know that our Heavenly Father loves each one of us and is acutely aware of our needs, our struggles and our desires.  During the very darkest times of my life, I have felt His peace and warmth wash over me, leaving no doubt that my Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to return to Him.

Shanna Babbitt, Stake YW 2nd Counselor

Serving in the Stake Young Women Presidency in Highlands Ranch is the best calling ever!  I have lived in Highlands Ranch for almost 12 years and I have been impressed by the beautiful, talented and strong young women of the stake.  When we moved here I was blown away with the commitment and strength as I served with the young women.  I know that our Heavenly Father truly loves each one of these girls as the Spirit has touched my heart time and time again as I spend time and service in this program. I want to be better when I am around them.

I have been married 18 years to my awesome husband and have 4 fabulous children.  Three of them are currently in the YM/YW program and I love it!  I know that living here has taught them and strengthened them in the Gospel.  I love to be outdoors here in Colorado and spend time with my family and friends.  I am grateful for my Savior and Heavenly Father as they are patient and loving with me as I learn and grow.

Stephanie Stones, Stake YW Secretary

Serving in Young Women's is my favorite assignment in the church.  I have a special place in my heart for teenagers and the struggles they face at this time of their lives.  The gospel becomes real to them at this stage and it is humbling to have even a small part in helping them gain and strengthen testimonies that will bless the rest of their lives.

I was born in the Northwest. I went to BYU-Idaho and served a mission in Pusan, Korea. I am married to the man of my dreams and we are the lucky parents of two great teenagers. While they are in school, I work at home as a hairstylist. When I get time to myself I love running, biking, online scrapbooking or planning our next family adventure. Simply said, I have come to know through experience and prayer that the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ are true. As I live the teachings, I am happy, my life is richer, and I feel peace. The gospel of Jesus Christ makes sense to my mind and brings peace to my heart.  I strive to live the teachings and example of Jesus Christ and treat others as He would. I try to never shy away from opportunities to help someone who may need something big or small.

Healing Of A Broken Heart: Sister Ashby's Stake Conference Talk

Many people have asked for a copy of the beautiful talk given by Sister Ashby at stake conference last weekend because it cut out for the live stream during conference. In response, Sister Ashby has kindly agreed to share her talk on our blog. Thank you, Sister Ashby! 

You can listen to the talk by clicking below, or read the talk just underneath.

WHY I BELIEVE—MY SHATTERED HEART MADE WHOLE

Gina Ashby 3/2/14

My desire this morning is to convey the deep and immense love of God, a love that is so real that it can mend the broken heart.  I know because my own heart was once shattered into a million pieces.  After eight years of struggle, and despite my family’s best efforts, fasting, and endless prayer, my sweet older brother ended his life.

I’m going to attempt to describe what the healing process has been like for me. The path has been rough, unpredictable, and sometimes felt like I’d only been moving backwards, but through it I’ve learned God never leaves us alone.

THE PAIN:

I cannot describe the pain and agony that swept over me and my family having to bury my brother at the age of 23.  Life became very dark.  I felt like I entered a nightmare that would prevent me from ever feeling truly happy. I was absolutely broken.  The morning after receiving the tragic news and relaying the news to my family I stared at the mountains terrified of the painful climb ahead of me, but resolved to face things head on, determined to heal and do whatever it would take, no matter how hard.  I pleaded for God to help me through such a daunting process. 

If I could boil my 15 years of healing down to four key components, it would include these words: See, Search, Thank, and Give.

SEE: 

Once the choice was made to push forward, I had to try to see through God’s eyes—to see the situation, my brother, myself, life and death the way God sees.  This was really the process that freed me of anger.  God sees beauty and intention.  He sees potential and opportunity for growth.  He sees the big picture and the end result.  What He sees from such a high vantage point gives us a glimmer of hope, tolerance, patience, and forgiveness.  It helps us recognize that we can press forward in faith and hope for something better to come.

About two months after my brother’s death, I found myself in Guatemala on a humanitarian effort.  My agony was so intense.  One incredibly starry night, I cried out to God, telling him how much I hated my new reality, how I didn’t want this new life, I didn’t ask for it.  I was angry that reality meant our family was incomplete, I wouldn’t be able to see or talk to my brother any more, my future husband and children wouldn’t know him.  After giving a lengthy list of reasons why I hated reality, I heard a calm voice say to my mind, “Stop hating reality. Reality is—a Savior has been provided.  Reality is—He has overcome death and paid the price of our sins.  Reality is—you will see your brother again!” I suddenly zoomed out and saw the bigger picture of what that reality is and how glorious it is.  I realized that the reasons I mourned were temporary and ultimately conquered by Jesus Christ. How instantly grateful I became when my perspective of life and death was shown to me in the way that God sees it. My sorrow turned to rejoicing. Oh, how I love reality!

SEARCH:

After I received the awful news, feeling sick, I went into another room and collapsed to the floor, feeling as though my heart would stop from such pain, I started to quietly sing the words of the hymn “Where Can I Turn For Peace?” I knew my only hope was to turn to Christ to save me. I resolved to draw close to the Lord and ensue an all-out push towards Him.

Coupled with prayer, I have found no better way to propel myself toward God than by a sincere reading of the Book of Mormon.  The Book of Mormon literally changed the course of my life when the missionaries asked me to take an unmarked copy and read it as though I had never seen it before in my life. I was to mark, with a red pencil, all the passages that answered life’s most important questions to me.  I read with a long list of desperate questions—Does God truly exist?, Does He really have a plan for us?, Can families truly be together again after we die?  These were things I’d believed all my life, but suddenly were put in question with a desperate need to know the answers. As I read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover, a power swept through my soul with hope and reassurance opening my understanding to who Jesus Christ is, what He offers us, and how we obtain healing and deliverance.  I was astonished that almost every page speaks of Him. I love that holy book of scripture.  It calmed my troubled soul and really started to heal me. There is power in that book to draw everyone closer to God. Do you need answers? Healing? A testimony? I invite everyone everywhere to take a copy of the Book of Mormon and read it as though you’ve never seen it before.  I promise you miracles.

THANK:

Filling your heart with gratitude is a huge key to healing.  Look for every possible thing to be grateful for, and as that list starts to flow you’ll find it’s hard to stop adding to it.  You then recognize the Giver of the gifts—everything comes from God as demonstration of His love. A grateful heart cannot be an angry heart.  There is a softening that takes place when we fill our hearts with gratitude, a door that opens us to more of God’s love, and an urge to repay Him.

I learned to fill my heart with gratitude for the Savior and look forward with anxious, joyful anticipation to the day of the Savior’s return.  I learned for myself that even my brother has full access to the Atonement, that his spirit is alive, often near, that his mind is now clear.  I know that I will be rushing to his open arms after this life is over.  Now it is my turn to do all I must do to be with him.  I live each day longing for that day and make choices with that scene in mind. Truly, when you weigh everything, the reasons to be grateful and rejoice far outweigh the reasons to mourn.

GIVE: 

The fourth component of healing for me required an outward focus, a shift of attending to my own wounds and turning to the wounds of others, even if I didn’t feel like it. Getting out of myself and looking for ways to help others proved to be incredibly strengthening and brought tender blessings from heaven.

Noticing the healing take place in my heart, I felt a deep desire to show the Lord my gratitude and serve a full-time mission.  And what did He do? He assigned me to go back to my family’s happy childhood home of Helsinki, Finland, but this time as a missionary, wearing the name of Jesus Christ upon my heart. That was a place where the best times for our family happened before things got hard for my brother. Going back there brought back many wonderful forgotten memories and filled my heart with joy. I even returned to our old house and after explaining I had lived there as a young girl, and was welcomed in to the very living room where our family had knelt in prayer so many times, and shared the powerful message of God’s Plan of Happiness.  Yes, God wants to heal us! I bore witness daily to the people in that great country, some of whom had also lost loved ones, that because of the Savior’s Atonement—His incredible selfless sacrifice, there is a purpose for this life. Christ’s Church has been restored to the earth with power in His temples to seal families together forever. Through His prophets and apostles in our day so much truth and light has been revealed from heaven.  I loved testifying that Jesus Christ has already paid the price, desires to heal and cleanse us, and never gives up on any one of us.

THE MIRACLE:

At the end of my missionary service, I scanned my soul and could not find an ounce of pain.  And my heart? Not even a crack! I was astonished that I was whole! It was a total miracle. Repeatedly working to See through God’s eyes, Search for Him, Thank Him, and Give service to others brought about a mighty change in my once-shattered heart. Through the Atonement of Christ, darkness, resentment and pain were replaced with purpose, faith, and a brightness of hope.

Becoming whole meant for me a peaceful acceptance of what had happened and a release of blame towards everyone involved. It included my consenting to let my brother live where he is now, and a resolve to live where I am with a greater degree of patience and recognition that our realms overlap. With this acceptance came an inner harmony and wholeness, trusting that the Lord will do what He says He is will do.  In other words, faith in Christ and application of His Atonement enable His power to flow through and heal us.  This is not to say we are free from future heartache. I miss my brother everyday. Triggers still cause stabs of pain, but do not “re-break” my heart. I most quickly come back to acceptance when applying the principles of See, Search, Thank, and Give.

God is aware of us. We are His work. We are His full-time/over-time job.  As a loving parent so invested in our progress, our Heavenly Father has provided the perfect conditions to refine us, away from His presence here on earth.  He respects our freedom to choose for ourselves, and knows that there will be pain, suffering, and injustice in the world because of it.  But with that same freedom we can choose compassion, empathy, patience, courage, faith, to practice forgiving others, and experience the sweetness of being forgiven. He deserves our trust, our gratitude, our awe, our loyalty, and our worship.

Why do I believe all of this?  It is because I was almost completely ruined, seemingly irreparably.  I needed Him.  And He came.  It is my greatest joy to know Him more deeply.  In coming to know Him, I have discovered how desperately I need Him.  I have learned that "Happiness is not the absence of pain, but the presence of God. “ I need Him to cleanse me to be worthy to return to our Father in Heaven and be with my brother again. There is so much more God desires to bless us with.  All He asks is that we come to Him, broken heart and all.  I testify that if we have even the tiniest speck of desire to believe, to repent, to be baptized, to receive His Spirit, and to endure with faith to the end, God’s love will carry us through the trials of life, heal our wounded souls, and give us reason to rejoice!

A youtube video of the talk can be found HERE. This is great to share with friends!

Missionary Monday: Elder Trotman Serving In Pennsylvania

Here is a recent post from Elder Trotman's Blog:

The Savior

Well I'm currently experiencing my first cold/sickness on my mission. My head hurts, I can't breathe and I just want to sleep all day but other than that, all is well.

We've been getting fed a lot because our bishop talked about us during Sacrament Meeting and said that the ward is big enough that we should be in a member's home for dinner with a non-member friend every night. The ward has positively responded and our fridge has been given an over-whelming amount of leftovers. It's starting to get colder here, which is nice.

My favorite hymn right now is "A Child's Prayer" because I know this is not just a song, but it is a true prayer:

1. Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer?
Some say that heaven is far away,
But I feel it close around me as I pray.
Heavenly Father, I remember now
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:
"Suffer the children to come to me."
Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.

2. Pray, he is there;
Speak, he is list'ning.
You are his child;
His love now surrounds you.
He hears your prayer;
He loves the children.
Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav'n.

Heavenly Father does answer every child's prayer and as the scriptures tell us to be as a child, we are to pray. We are His children and He answers our prayers. He loves us. He watches over us.

I would like to add one more thing. We had Zone Conference on Thursday this week and it was so inspiring and touching. An elder stood up and said, "Whenever I think about the pre-mortal life, I imagine our Father saying: "I have a plan of happiness for you my children. For this plan to work, it is necessary that one of you go down before your brothers and sisters and teach them about my plan. However, and no matter how much you love them, they will crucify you. You will be filled with immense pain and sorrow, but know, I am here. Who is willing to go done and sacrifice yourself for my children?" Then we see this little figure at the front of the congregation stand up and say, "I will Father. I, Jehovah, your first son, will sacrifice myself for my brothers and sisters.""

I can't even fathom the love Jesus Christ has for us. He has felt your greatest pain. He has felt every tear drop that falls from our eye on His own face. He knows you. He is the only one that can truly comfort you. As He tells John, he tells you personally and individually, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 I bear my testimony and give unto you my witness of The Savior's peace and love. He loves us more than we will ever comprehend. He will never leave us, even if we try to leave Him. He will, and constantly does, comfort us. He has paid the price and gives us life. He is the son of our God and Father. Our Father hears our prayers and answers them more often than we think. They love us. I love you with all my heart. In the name of Jesus Christ, our dear brother, Amen.

Love,
Elder Trotman

Elder Trotman is currently serving in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania mission from the Daniels Park Ward. You can e-mail  him at derrick.trotman@myldsmail.net. For more information regarding Elder Trotman's mission, please visit his blog at: http://elderderricktrotman.blogspot.com/

My Conversion Story

When I was 16 years old I had a friend by the name of Sarah Nordstrom. Sarah and I used to walk home after school and during this time she would share the gospel with me. I still remember when she shared with me the story of  “The War in Heaven”. I remember thinking that it was the coolest thing ever to hear that we had lived with Heavenly Father before we came to this earth. I grew up Catholic and we were pretty devout. We attended the Catholic Church regularly and my father would read to us out of the Bible or he would make us read out of it. My Father was a very controlling, and abusive man. He would not allow my mother to join us while we read scriptures, her job was to cook and clean.

Around Christmas time Sarah decided to give me a present. When I got home I opened the gift and found that it was a book. No one had ever given me a book as a gift before so I thought this was very unique. I remember reading the cover of the book, which read “The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ”. I thought it was ok to read because it was about Jesus Christ. Shortly after I received it I started reading it. One day as I was sitting on my bed reading the book, my father passed by my room and asked me what I was reading and I said (in Spanish) oh, I’m reading this book called “The Book of Mormon  Another Testament of Jesus Christ”. As he proceeded to enter my room he grabbed the book out of my hands and began tearing out the pages and with anger he began saying things like ‘this is of the devil and I never want to see you reading this ever again. He then started walking away and as I followed him I saw him throw the book in the garbage. I remember feeling like he had invaded my space and destroyed something that mattered to me. I was pretty upset about it, and now I really wanted to read that book. So when I saw Sarah the next day, I never told her what had happened with the copy of the Book Of Mormon that she had given me, all I said to her was ‘Hey Sarah can I get another copy of that book you gave me?’ and she said yeah, sure. It took Sarah a couple of days but she got me another copy. I remember taking it home and waiting until I knew my father was in bed. I would then take the book out from it’s hiding place underneath my mattress and I began to read it. As I began to read the Book I couldn’t put it down. I was so touched by the words and the stories. I had never read something so amazing and wonderful. Growing up in my home Peace was something that we didn’t have much of. My family experienced a lot of pain and abuse growing up. Fear was something I knew very well. The Book provided me with some of that peace that I so yearned for.

I remember one day my father turned to me and out of nowhere he said 'from this moment on I never want you to talk to me, to look at me or have anything to do with me from now on.' So I didn’t and I began to charter my course in life. One of the very first things I did was ask Sarah If I could go to church with her and she said yes, so I started attending church. Soon after I met the missionaries and they started teaching me about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Being the second oldest of seven I felt that my two sisters needed to hear the gospel as well so the missionaries taught all three of us the gospel. We couldn’t have the lessons at my home because I knew my father would not allow it so we had some of the lessons at Sarah’s house and at other times at the park. When it came time for Baptism, I was only 17 years old and I couldn’t get baptized unless I had my parents’ permission. I remember thinking ‘oh no this is never going to happen.’ It was then that the Bishop agreed that I only needed permission from one of my parents. So I went home that Sunday and I asked my mother to write a letter where she would consent for us to be baptized. In her best third grade handwriting in Spanish she wrote a note stating that she gives us permission to be baptized. I remember taking this note to the Bishop and translating it for him and that was all he needed. The baptism was scheduled, my father never knew what we were up to and my mom was not able to attend since she didn’t know how to drive or speak English. The baptisms were performed and we became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–Day Saints.

After that, we kept attending church and soon after I left to attend college. I remember driving back home on the weekends so that my sisters and I could attend church. I did that for about a year or so and then I couldn’t do it anymore I was too busy with work and school.  A year later, I became inactive because I was dating a catholic boy and he wanted us to attend the Catholic Church together. Once we broke it off, I decided that I would study abroad in Spain for a year and take it from there. This was a trying time in my life. I needed to decide if the church was going to be in my life or if It wasn’t. So I found a ward near by and began attending it.  After about my second visit the Bishop noticed me and asked me to visit with him. It was then that he wanted to know all about me and about my plans for my future. When I shared with him, my plans for studying abroad he asked ‘Have you ever thought about going on a mission? I told the Bishop that I had never thought about it because I had only been a member for three years and all I knew was the Book of Mormon and nothing else. He then said, why don’t you go home/school housing and read your Patriarchal Blessing. I remember receiving my patriarchal blessing but I could not remember where I had left it. After I found it and as I began reading it I couldn’t believe what I was reading. In about the fourth paragraph it said “Now, young lady, you have much to do in the next few years. The Lord wants you to fulfill a mission. I bless you that you will have the strength and the ability and the desire to fulfill a mission for this church. I bless you that you will be a successful missionary.” I remember thinking how did the Bishop know?  I had received the answer as to the direction I was to go.

I had received a call to serve in the Texas Fort Worth English speaking mission for a year and a half. A year after returning from my mission, I was married in the Los Angeles Temple with my husband for Time and all Eternity. We now have three beautiful children and I have been able to do some Temple work for my ancestors. 

It took me about a year to read that hidden Book of Mormon cover to cover.  It has now been 22 years since I have spoken to my father. I don’t regret anything I have done. The Lord has blessed me in more ways than I can think of. I have a testimony that I know that this is the restored gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that our Heavenly Father is aware of our circumstances and if it hadn’t been for a good friend,I would be missing out on so much. I am so grateful she wasn’t afraid to share the gospel with me. It has made an eternal impact on my life, and I am so grateful for it.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, Amen.

Leticia Shifflet

Missionary Monday: Elder Hamilton Serving In London, England

Here is a recent blog post from Elder Hamilton:

    So this week I wanted to talk about Christ, I find it interesting with this that there are a ton of types and symbols of Christ.  You can draw parallels in many places where they may not have been even intended.        The first ones that come to my mind are: Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia, Moses holding up a brass serpent, Gandalf from Lord of the Rings (especially in the movies),  Superman, Harry Potter, the list goes on and on.  The reason for this I feel is because what Christ did was the most heroic act of all time.

     By following his example and trying to develop more Christlike characteristics we show our love for God.  While in London I have seen many good examples of Christlike people.  As a mormon missionary I was once teaching a man who was in very humble circumstances just outside of London, his name is Paul.  His wife had left him and he was in a difficult place for money.  He received help from the government and one month pulled out his money for the next 4 weeks and headed home on his bike.

     What he didn't know was that his wallet fell out of his pocket.  So when he arrived home the money that was meant to feed him, and keep his gas and electric going for the month, was all missing.  About 200 pounds which is around 400 dollars.  With no heating, food, or gas to cook food, he felt very hopeless.
     We stopped by with a man who is a local member of the church.  As we stepped inside the member asked about Paul's problems, recognizing that it was very cold in the humble home.  Within 20 seconds he had figured out what the problem was, and asked for the gas and electric key for the home.  (a gas and electric key is basically a card that gives you pay as you go gas and electric, you top it up at a shop and then stick it into a machine back at your house to use the credit.)

     He returned in about 10 minutes and turned the heating on with around 18 pounds on the card and a bag full of groceries.  Paul asked if he wanted to him to repay his selfless act when he had the money.  The member said that he didn't want to be re-payed,  and at this point Paul lost control of his emotions and repeatedly thanked him.

     The nice thing about Christ is that his love, like this members love, is selfless.  He came and payed for our sins so that all that is unfair about life can be made right.  His atonement, or his suffering in Gethsemane, death on the cross, and resurrection, make it possible so that all of us can one day return to live with God despite our many short comings. Christ did many things during his mortal ministry, always demonstrating that love.  He also set up a church and established his doctrines, he called 12 men as apostles and gave them authority to preach his message.  I'd like to just leave also my favorite quote about this subject; "Live in such a way that people who know you but don't know Christ will want to know Christ because they know you."


Elder Hamilton is serving in the London South, England mission from the Westridge Ward in Highlands Ranch. You can Facebook him at: https://www.facebook.com/elderchadhamilton. For more information about his mission, you can visit his blog at: http://chadhamiltonmormon.blogspot.co.uk/