Who is YOUR Best Friend?

God is the Best Friend I have EVER had.

Genie has lots of abilities.  He grants three wishes to every master.  However he can't make anyone fall in love.  He can't kill anybody, and he either can't or won't bring people back from the dead.

Seems pretty limited to me.

God has no limitations, and He grants more than three wishes, to Everyone.

"For with God nothing shall be impossible."

-- Luke 1:37

We simply have to go to Him in Prayer, and ask in Faith.

"If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth

is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind

and tossed."

-- James 1:5-6

So make God your Best Friend, and counsel with Him in all that you Do.  He might say no sometimes, but it is for your own good.  He always does whatever is best for us.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths."

-- Proverbs 3:5-6

"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings,

and he will direct thee for good;"

-- Alma 37:37

Sisters

So there we were...in front of my house.  Mom wanted more pictures...I didn't know why.  Dad had taught me to not say anything when I didn't understand what my mom was trying to do.  So I just stood there.  Then one of my sisters decided to bring back a pose that the four of us have been doing since I was little.....

Rian's Angels

My sisters are a big part of my life.  I never really had a brother to do stuff with but I am ok with that.  Lacey went before the rest of us and showed me what not to do if I wanted to avoid getting into trouble.  Ashli had lots of friends that were kinda like older brothers for me.  Shayla being only two years older than me was always around when I was sad and needed someone to talk to.

I remember one morning when me and Shayla were getting ready for school, and my dad happened to have a day off, we somehow ended up in my room.  At some point I thought it would be funny to 'pin' her to my bed.  I was smaller than she was still I think, but either way I was going to win this one.  After a few minutes of struggling I had her down.  She proceeded to struggle a bit more and then started calling for dad.  Normally I would have been swift in getting off and pretending I didn't do anything, but she sounded like a sheep every time she called for him.  It was something along the lines of, 'DaaaaaD' ... 'DAAAaaaaaaaaD' ... 'DaAAAaaAAAaaaDdy, he's squishing me'.  It was just so funny, all I could do was laugh at her.  Then she started laughing and it was even more funny.

 

Basically I love my sisters.  If they weren't there, I wouldn't have come on a mission.  Because of the examples they have been for me, I know that serving the Lord for two years is exactly what I needed to be doing.  Everything in my life so far has led me to this.  Everything in my life after I go home will be affected by what I do for my mission.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true and living church on the earth today.  I have felt the witness of the Spirit confirming my testimony that this is true.  I have that same knowledge that the Book of Mormon is true.  It was translated by Joseph Smith, a prophet, by the gift and power of God.  If anyone does not believe that, I invite you to first READ THE BOOK. Then pray about it and ask God speciffically if the writings contained therein are true.  I know, and promise anyone who is willing to do so, that you will also be able to find out the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 



Friends - Isn't that Everyone

So I have thought a lot lately about friends, and who my friends should be.  When Christ was asked what the greatest commandment was He answered to Love God and to Love others.

So what does it take to truly love someone?

I think it takes more than just being nice, and saying hi to them when you feel like it.  Being a true friend means you do whatever you can to help them.  True love is intended to last throughout the Eternities.

One of my friends told me that this was her favorite scripture.

"Thy friends do stand by thee, 

and they shall hail thee again 

with warm hearts and friendly hands."

-- Doctrine and Covenants 121:9

Sometimes we just need to remember that even though things don't turn out the way we wanted them to, Heavenly Father loves each one one us and wants what is best for us.  If we want what is best for those around us we will always be doing that which is right in the sight of God.

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; 

that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings 

ye are only in the service of your God."

-- Mosiah 2:17

So if we serve each other, we find more joy and happiness, plus we are serving God.  Charity is the Pure Love of Christ.  (Moroni 7:47)

Always remember,

"Thou art not yet as Job; 

thy friends do not contend against thee, 

neither charge thee with transgression, 

as they did Job."

-- Doctrine and Covenants 121:10

We always seem to think we have it the worst, but the Lord knows each of us and will not allow us to be confronted with anything we can't handle. (1 Corinthians 10:13)  Someone else has been through something worse, and they made it out ok.

"Be strong and of a good courage; 

be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: 

for the Lord thy God is with thee 

whithersoever thou goest."

-- Joshua 1:9

The Siberian Tiger is a symbol of Courage to me.