Family History

Today in Young Women's we talked about family history. My leader had us do an activity, half of the class wrote letters to their posterity (the other half of the class) as if they were in Spirit Prison because they never had the opportunity to have the saving ordinances. In the letters, they expressed their love for us and told us how much it would mean to them if we could find their names and take them to the temple.

It made me realize that our ancestors probably are up their behind the bars of Spirit prison, waiting for us to set them free. So why aren't we doing anything? When I read my "letter" I felt bad that they were up their suffering, because I haven't taken the time to listen to the Spirit and find their names to take to the temple. But, it also made me feel hopeful that their is still time to break them free of their bonds. So that they have the opportunity to accept Christ and His gospel and see all of their family again.

I am so grateful for the blessings of the temple, technology, family history, and eternal families. I love this gospel so much and am thankful for it in my life. My family is the best anyone could ask for, and I have amazing friends. I've been blessed with so many things and to top it all off, I got my Young Womanhood recognition award today! Hope you all have a fabulous week!

Love,
Kenzie

Rise Up

This past week was Stake Girl's Camp. I had the opportunity to be a youth leader. Our stake theme was "Rise up", based on the movie Up. Our Scripture was Moroni 10:32 which reads; "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God."

We rose up a lot over camp. We went on a hike in the heat of day, uphill. We woke up at 4 am one morning and went on a sunrise hike, uphill. I went on a ten-mile hike with a few other girls, I didn't make it all the way though. One of the hardest things for me to rise up and over during girl's camp was when I got sick and couldn't help out with the activities. That was tough for me, because I'm a girl who when something fun is going on, needs to be there, especially when I helped plan it. But, by far the most trying thing for me at girl's camp was during testimony meeting. Not to far into it, I began having a very bad panic attack, I was able to control it for a little while, but soon it got out of control. As I sunk into the abyss of panic, a very strong feeling came over me that I needed to bear my testimony. When this thought occurred I told it "no". My foot that I got surgery on felt like it was being stabbed by a knife and I was in the middle of a full blown panic attack, while my body was going numb because of the attack. I finally worked up the courage to rise up and speak. That was one of the hardest moments of my life. But, I did it, I rose up and face my anxiety, pain, and fear. Testimony meeting that night was defintily one to remember.

I know that my Redeemer lives, He loves me, and is always here for me. The gospel is true, a living prophet is here on this earth today. I am so thankful for all of you, my ward, my old wards, and my family and friends. I encourage you all to rise above your challenges and trials in life, the Lord will help you to do so. I testify of this with every fiber of being. Have a great week! Here are a few pics from camp.

Love,
Kenzie

Remember

One of man's greatest weaknesses is forgetfulness. Today in summer seminary we talked about the cure to this weakness; which is simply to remember. But how do we remember? The scriptures and Christ teach us how to do so. In Luke 24, is the story of how Mary and other women go to Christ's tomb to visit Him, and He is not there, the stone is rolled away, and an angelic being stands near. The angels ask the women "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" they reminded the women that Jesus said He would live again on the third day. After these words from the angels, the women remembered that Christ had said He would live again. They immediately went to His apostles and told them what the angels said. The apostles believed they were crazy. Two of the apostles decided that since the Messiah was dead, no one could save them, so they left Jerusalem. As they started on there journey to neighboring village, they spoke to each other about all that the women had told them. As they talked, Jesus began walking with them, but their eyes were restrained so that they did not know Him. Jesus asked them what they were discussing, they told Him the story of Christ and the tomb. The Lord then said to them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken...He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." Christ then took bread, blessed it, and broke it. It was only then that His apostles eyes were opened and they the living Christ. Afterwards Jesus left and the two apostles sat and thought back on their walk with the Savior, they realized that they had felt His presence. (St. Luke 24:1-33)

The sacrament reminds us of our covenants with the Lord, it reminds us of the path we should be on, and most importantly; reminds us of our Savior Jesus Christ and all He did for us and all He continues to do for us.  In the sacrament prayers it says exactly that; "...that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them..." And the reward? That we may always have His Spirit to be with us. Here's a video we watched in Seminary also.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLGOyNc6XkU

I know that my Redeemer Lives! He is there for us whenever we may need Him, we just need to remember. I testify that Jesus Christ is my Savior, that He suffered for my sins, pains, and everything that I have or will go through. I love this gospel and all of you, have a great fourth of July weekend, and I hope you can all not only remember the Savior, but also those who fought to make this country free!

Love,
Kenzie

Dad

Sorry for the two posts in one day, but I have to give a Shout out to my daddy.

This man has been in my life since before day one, and I can't thank him enough for everything he does for me. He has been through thick and thin with me. He bounced me on his knee when I was a baby, and now he plays basketball with me. My dad is my hero. I am so grateful for him in my life, I'm thankful that he is a worthy priesthood holder and is willing to give me blessings when I am in need. I grateful that he can always make me laugh, even if his jokes are almost always potty jokes. I'm grateful for the hard work he does everyday to provide for my family and I. I'm grateful for his strong arms that embrace me when I need a hug. I'm grateful that he lets me drive "his" truck to and from work and school. And I am especially grateful that he is my dad, I couldn't ask for a better one then him! Thanks Dad for all you do! Love you tons!

Love,
Kenzie

Kaycee

Today was my cousin Kaycee's mission "farewell" she is going to Jacksonville, Florida and the lower part of Georgia. Anyway, as she began her talk, you could tell there would be plenty of crying, not just from her, but everyone in the audience. The spirit was so strong as she told us about her decision to go on a mission and the trials she went through to get where she is today. As she continued speaking, my love for her and my Savior grew, I was overwhelmed by the Spirit and it was made known to me again that the Atonement is real. 

I just want to let you all know, especially those in Florida and Georgia, that the world is gaining a great missionary and person. Kaycee and I have been buds since we were little, I remember having sleepovers and play-dates with her when we were younger. I have always looked up to Kaycee and am going to miss her tons, but I know she is doing a great work for the Lord and that she will be a blessing to so many people on her mission. Kaycee is a wonderful example of someone who dedicates her life to the Lord, she is always positive, is looking out for others, and can always make me laugh.

I am so glad you are in my life Kaycee and wish you the best of luck on your mission! Thanks for always being my friend, I know you will do great things in this world. You will be in my prayers and I will email you! Love ya!

Love,

Kenzie

Through the Looking Glass

Today during stake conference my old ward and a YSA ward sang a new rendition of I Stand All Amazed, it was the most beautiful version of this song I have ever heard in my life. I felt the Spirit so strong it hit me once again the impact and power music can have on someone's life. But, it also depends on the type of music.

One of the speakers today said "we go where we are looking." Isn't that so true? If we are looking towards the great and spacious building instead of the tree of life at the end of the straight and narrow path, we are not going to end up with delicious fruit in our mouth. I think it is the same way with music, if we are listening to good, uplifting, clean music; we draw closer to our Heavenly Father. While on the other hand if we are listening to terrible music, the Spirit will withdraw from us.

Another thing a speaker said was "righteous desires need to be relentless...we must battle for good everyday." The second we step away from Christ is a step closer to the devil, we need to stay with the right army, never straying from the path that has been set and prepared for us. In Ephesians 6; it reads "Put on the whole amour of God..." I love that whole chapter actually, it proves that it is a real war against Satan, and we can't just jump into the fray all willy-nilly. We must prepare by doing the simple primary answers; pray, read the scriptures, FHE, etc. 

I am sure you have all heard the story about the dirty window, if not here it is; 
'A young couple, Lisa and John, moved into a new neighborhood. One morning while they were eating breakfast, Lisa looked out the window and watched her next-door neighbor hanging out her wash.

“That laundry’s not clean!” Lisa exclaimed. “Our neighbor doesn’t know how to get clothes clean!”

John looked on but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, Lisa would make the same comments.

A few weeks later Lisa was surprised to glance out her window and see a nice, clean wash hanging in her neighbor’s yard. She said to her husband, “Look, John—she’s finally learned how to wash correctly! I wonder how she did it.”

John replied, “Well, dear, I have the answer for you. You’ll be interested to know that I got up early this morning and washed our windows!”' (https://www.lds.org/liahona/2010/11/charity-never-faileth?lang=eng)

I love this gospel and all of you, hope you are all having a great summer! Thanks for all you do!

Love,
Kenzie

My Superhero

My Superhero

The world is full of superheros.

Superman, Batman, Captain America, Hawk-eye, and so many more.

But, why can't I be one?

When I was little I would run around the house,

with a cape tied around my neck, a mask strapped on my face, and my head in the clouds.

"When I grow up I want to save the world." I'd say.

The world told me I couldn't be anything, wouldn't be anything.

My Papa told me I was his hero,

my grandma said I saved her from the past.

I stare at the billboards, wondering when my name will show up,

in big, bright, blood red letters.

Letting the whole world know, that I am here, I am important, and I do matter.

Maybe to you I'm the broken glass you step on after the Hulk breaks through a window.

But, to someone upstairs I am what deletes His kryptonite.

He holds me and tells me He loves me, 

kisses my cheeks where my tears dry,

bandages my wounds from the hate of the world.
He is my superhero, the healer of my dreams,
the only one who really knows what it's like,
to be stomped on and crushed under the weight of this cruel world we live in.
I don't need to be strong or brave or even wear a cape to save the day .
Because the one who gently rubs my hand when I cry,
whispers in my ear that all I need is Him,
to be a superhero.