What 2013 has Taught Me

Well its that time each year, Christmas is here, the year is almost over and most importantly, FINALS are OVER!! Wahoo!! Ya'll probably celebrate doing something like this....

if not......well, this is awkward....

Anyways, its the end of the year and I would like to reflect on everything that has happened to me this past year. 

2013 has taught me to regret nothing!

On January 26th of 2013, I opened a letter that said "Dear Sister Heninger: You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You have been assigned to labor in the Canada Winnipeg Mission...You will report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, May 1, 2013..."

(If you did not get a chance to see me open my call: here the link https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=595698950441948&set=vb.100000055447440&type=3&theater)

The night I received my mission call

As concerning my mission, I regret nothing! I met so many people who have changed my life forever and have had so many experiences that grew me closer to my Savior. I want to say that my mission affect me more than any other person but, I feel like Elder Holland might have a problem with that (sorry, Mormon humor). So, I'll say that my mission was like walking through a bed of roses. While walking through it, I was scraped. I was poked. I was hurt. I questioned if I wanted to do this but, when I look back, all I see are those roses. 

2013 has taught me to rely on the Savior during difficult times.

Unfortunately, my mission was cut short due to medical issues. You know what I hate though: the words medical issues. I came home for medical issues, yes but, on my mission I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. For those who don't know what that is, think about yourself before you take a test. Your nervous so you tap your foot or move your body or whatnot to cope. For me I have that anxiety all day everyday.... times ten! This creates something called panic attacks which "are periods of intense fear or apprehension that are of sudden onset and of variable duration from minutes to hours. Panic attacks usually begin abruptly, may reach a peak within 10 minutes, but may continue for much longer if the sufferer had the attack triggered by a situation from which they are not able to escape (thanks Wikipedia!)". 

My district in the MTC

As you can imagine, this makes it very hard for me to cope with life sometimes. Though this time in my life was difficult, I have never drawn closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ. I remember hitting a point on my mission where I felt like I didn't think I could press forward. I told my companion at the time, I needed to go and pray by myself in the next room of our apartment. I walked into our small little closet, crying. My knees hit the floor and I poured out my soul to Heavenly Father. I begged him to help me understand why my mission was hard. Why did I have to deal with this? Then a quote came to me, one that I had heard at the MTC or Missionary Training Center. "Salvation is NOT a cheap experience! In order to understand what Jesus Christ went through, we must walk through the Garden of Gethsemane." I also remembered the prophet Joseph Smith. Even if your not a member or don't agree with our beliefs, I think we can agree that Joseph Smith at times was tortured. This man was ripped away from his family and members of the church countless times to be either to be tared and feathered, beaten up by mobs, or cast into prison to be tortured there. This abuse didn't just end there, the other Saints had unbelievable physical and mental torture. There is an account of Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail where he asked "O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries? Yea, O Lord, how long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions, before thine heart shall be softened toward them, and thy bowels be moved with compassion toward them (D&C 121: 1-3)?" For any man or woman, that could have easily have been the last straw for them, but for Joseph Smith and the other Saints, that was not the case. Not once did Joseph Smith deny what he saw in that grove! He knew that he "...saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above [him] in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling [him] by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" Back to Liberty jail, in this agony, Joseph Smith was able to feel the Holy Ghost testify this to him "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; (D&C 121:7. Other quote Jospeh Smith History 1:17)" I knew this to be true. I know we will go through trials that feel unbelievable to us and we don't know how to press forward, but if we rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be delivered from our afflictions and trials.

One of my favorite young women, Megan, from Saskatoon

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Jesus Christ's church upon the earth today. I know some of you will look at this testimony and go "Pffffhhhh! She doesn't know what she is talking about!" That's where your wrong. I do. I would not have planned to give up 18 months to serve the Lord if I didn't. I would not still be going to BYU-I if I didn't. I would have not kept the standards that I have had through my life if I did not believe this was Jesus Christ's church upon the earth today. I wouldn't be the person that you know today if I didn't. If you don't believe me, ask any of the millions of practicing members. They'll tell you, just as I have told you.

Elder Peterson and Myself. Same home ward and same mission call.

2013 has taught me to be comfortable with myself and where I am.

Coming home from my mission was very hard for me. I did not want to be home. I did not want to have an anxiety disorder. I just did not want to be me at that moment. I wanted to be back out on my mission doing what every other missionary was doing. Looking back now, I see that the best choice was for me to come home and get better. It has been hard. I've had people who have judged me for coming home early when they do not know the whole story. I wanted to go home and just curl up in a ball of blankets and never come out. Then I realized, I'm letting my anxiety win. I'm letting my peers get the best of me. I'm letting Satan get a hold of me. As soon as I realized that I said, enough! It took me many months but, now, I can say I'm comfortable with where I am. Through this, I've had amazing family and friends who have loved me and supported me though everything. I am blessed to have this amazing support group!

Some of my best friends. Thanks for being my unbiological sisters!

My Fantastically Amazing Parents 

One of My Other Unbiological Sisters! Love her!

My amazing grandmother who is letting me stay with her

So what I'm saying through all this is love yourself and live your life! Enjoy the little moments! Most importantly, rely on Christ. Thanks 2013, for all these and many other lessons. Lets hope 2014 will be just as amazing!

Choice 1: Matthew 19:16–30; 20:1–16. Earthly and Heavenly Rewards

1. Review Matthew 19:16–30 and write responses to the following questions and tasks:
• What indications can you find that suggest why the young man decided not to follow the Savior? How does Matthew 6:19–24 help explain his choice?

I think we can see how sorrowful because the young man knew he couldn’t give up his worldly possessions. We know this because in Matthew 19:22 it says “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” This young man also struggled with serving two masters. He knew he loved his possessions more than the Savior and therefore, couldn’t give up his riches.

• What blessings did the Savior promise to those who make sacrifices to follow Him?

In Matthew 6:20, 22, it says “(20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,….(22) The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”

• Based on the Savior’s response to Peter, write a paragraph that could help you put the Lord first in your life (see also the additional details in Mark 10:17–31).

When looking at Peter’s response, verse thirty stood out to me the most. It says “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” When looking at this, I take it as the Savior saying that if we put him first on earth, he will but him first in the Kingdom of Heaven. Then in Matthew 19:29 it says “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” Everyone who focuses Christ and does anything for him, your riches shall be large in heaven.

2. Review the parable in Matthew 20:1–16 and consider what rewards come to those who serve in the Lord’s kingdom. Complete the chart below, filling in the blanks with information you find in Matthew 20:

The hour the laborers were hired	How much the man agreed to pay	Hours worked	How much they were actually paid
1	1 penny	12	1 penny
3	1 penny	9	1 penny
6	1 penny	6	1 penny
9	1 penny	3	1 penny
11	1 penny	1	1 penny

3. Respond in writing to each of the following questions:

• What do we learn from this parable about serving in the Lord’s kingdom?

It doesn’t matter how long you labor, as long as you do it with all your might, mind, and spirit. We will receive the same reward in the end.

• What message of comfort can this parable have for converts to the Church?

That not matter how long you labor, the Savior will still come and forgive your sins, like he has with mine.

• What would you tell someone who feels it is unfair for each of the laborers to be paid equally?

How unfair would it be for someone who had not had the opportunity to grow up in the church or who didn’t realize the value of the Church and comes in or back and labors just as hard as us? Then in the end the payment is only half of their sins forgiven. They did the same amount of work as they could and they deserve that full payment.

The Savior Taught the Apostles about Leadership Through Service

Jesus Truly loved his disciples and the people of the world so much that he would always look for ways to serve them. Even if it seemed like the lowest job you could do. In John 13:16, Jesus said “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” While typing this, I had the song “Have I done any Good in the World Today?” playing. A certain part of the lyrics stood out to me which was “’Tis noble of man to work and to give; Love’s labor has merit alone. Only he who does something helps others to live. To God each good work will be known.” We know we must serve to be like Christ and we know if we do, we will receive our reward in heaven. In Luke 22 it says “(26) But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.(27) For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.” Lastly in Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Elder Dallion H. Oaks told a of story about President Thomas S. Monson. “ [Thomas S. Monson] taught Brigham Young University students that their student days should include “the matter of spiritual preparation,” including service to others. “An attitude of love characterized the mission of the Master,” President Monson said. “[Jesus Christ] gave sight to the blind, legs to the lame, and life to the dead. Perhaps when we [face] our Maker, we will not be asked, ‘How many positions did you hold?’ but rather, ‘How many people did you help?’ In reality,” President Monson concluded, “you can never love the Lord until you serve Him by serving His people.”

When I was a laurel in Young Womens (a program for girls 12-18 years old to learn more about Christ and more about themselves as daughters of God), I was very concerned about my grades; especially when midterms and finals came around. I would spend days just studying, trying to get ready for my finals. I remember feeling very frustrated with school and I was planning not to go to seminary so I could study even more. I heard a knock at the door so I went downstairs and answered it. My young women leaders had made all the high school girls a study break bag full of goodies, extra school supplies, and some quotes from the prophets. That small act of kindness helped me realize no matter how hard life gets, I need the gospel in my life. I went to bed early and went to seminary the next morning. My leaders will never know how grateful I am for that act of service. It was the perfect thing I needed at that certain point of time.

Christ’s life was full of service. We know that if we want to be anything like him, we must serve our brothers and sisters on earth. Which are our family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances and yes, even our enemies. I testify that if we do this, we will become closer to the Lord. We will feel the spirit more in our life and we will be a tool in the Lord’s hands. I’m so grateful for Jesus Christ and I know that He atoned for my sins as well as yours. I testify that you will be able to find so many examples of this in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon. I promise you, that if you really want to that what I say is true, pull out the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I promise you that you will be able to find they teach the same thing. Which is: Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the World, and He has come to earth. He ministered unto those who needed it most which was all of our ancestors, their friends, and enemies. Through the Prophets the Lord has called upon the earth today, we still can be ministered unto. I know that Christ lives and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Jesus Christ’s church upon the earth today. To find out more about the truthfulness of which I speak look up: http://mormon.org/beliefs/jesus-christ  . You can also look at my testimony, just click my testimony in the top right hand corner. If you have a specific questions for me, please comment. I will answer your questions. This is my testimony. Wouldn't you want to know for yourself of which I speak?

Choice 2: Matthew 21–22. Jesus Was Rejected by the Jewish Leaders

 Review Matthew 21–22. Make a written comparison of how the Jewish leaders of Jesus’s day were like each of the following:

• The fig tree in Matthew 21:17–20

The Jewish leaders were like a fig tree because they wouldn't except Christ as the living Savior so in the end the Jewish leaders and traditions will wither away.

• The second son in Matthew 21:28–32

The Jewish leaders were like the second son because the preach of how the Savior shall come but when He came they would accept him nor do the work.

• The husbandmen in Matthew 21:33–41

The Jewish leaders were like the husbandmen because the know that Christ was the savior but just like verse 38  they would “But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.”

• The wedding guests and the man without the wedding garment in Matthew 22:1–14

The Jewish leaders were like the wedding guests and the man without the wedding garments because they prepared others for the Savior but, when he came they weren't prepared themselves.