Random Thoughts: Beliefs

Showing posts with label Beliefs. Show all posts

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Father, I Hear Thy Call

Father, I hear thy call, I turn my thoughts to thee, forsaking all;

Recalling promises we all must keep. I put my hand in thine and go to feed thy sheep.

Lead me to those who seek, and give me faith and strength to boldly speak.

In humble dignity I will proclaim, that men may come to know and love thy holy name.

If there be trials, Lord, to help me grow, if thou wilt guide me I will conquer, this I know!

I will go and do the things which the Lord commandeth, for I know that He giveth no commands to His children, except He prepare a way.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

I Must Agree

I am always on the search of something that makes me feel alive. I must agree with many who say, "sometimes it's hard to believe" because the pages of the calendar keep turning away, and nothing happens.

Realistic things are easier to believe, but what about when something is between what could be realistic or what could not?

I feel better when I realize that someone else understands me or that I can understand someone else. I do not worry too much about believing anymore, instead, I try something to make it happen. I have come to learn and understand that faith is more than just believing in something that you have not seen... It's about making the first move because your faith will never make it for you.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Giving Back

I stop and stare at my world, then I can see more clearly how much I have been given. Instead of me paying the consequences of some decisions, someone else is being used as an instrument to make my life better and happier.

I recognize how easy and fast is to forget the most important things when I get caught up by other important things. I read the other day that the greatest lessons we can learn in this life are lessons "that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not." I always see myself having more time to do the things that make me happy and spending more time with those I love, but that is in an "illusive and nonexistent future." Instead, I want to find joy now and I want to do what makes me happy now. My family makes me very happy, serving others makes me very happy too. It's time to give back. My family is more important than anything else, I will travel home on May to spend time with my family instead of working to save up more money for the future. I understand I have responsibilities as a woman who is preparing herself for her future family, but life is now and sometimes that is hard to understand or accept.

Who have you rescued?

I want to be successful like many people out there but I want to use my education, talents and other abilities to bless others who are less fortunate. I really want to be the change I want to see in the world, I don't want to think only about me working in Wall Street or in a big city; I want to see myself making others happy.

My greatest happiness will never be the amount of titles I held as a professional but my greatest satisfaction and happiness will be the people I could rescued.

I hope I can join organizations that help to fight poverty by using business tools, I had a class today about microfinance and how that has helped in the development of many communities in different countries around the world. I know I can help in so many ways and that I will figure out for sure how my gifts and abilities can benefit a community. The poor are poor because they lack of opportunities.

The reason why I have the opportunities I have so far is because someone with desires like mine decided to hire my dad, who never attended high-school. This person always looked after my dad's family and helped my dad to develop himself in what he was good at. My dad became an entrepreneur and he was able to give his family better opportunities for life. He is a wise man.

Going on a mission

I have decided to serve a full time service mission this fall, now is the perfect time. I don't care how old I am or how old I will be when I get back, the future is so uncertain that I should not care about what the future may have for me, my present is flying by and my life has to be used for something more at this time.

I want my life to be useful for others.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

As Now I Take The Sacrament

As now I take the sacrament, my thoughts are turned to thee, thou son of God, who lived for me, then died on Calvary. I contemplate thy lasting grace, thy boundless charity; to me the gift of life was giv'n for all eternity.

As now my mind reviews the past, I know I must repent; the way to thee is righteousness, the way thy life was spent. Forgiveness is a gift from thee I seek with pure intent. With hands now pledged to do thy work, I take the sacrament.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Someone Who Truly Knows Me

"Did you know that Heavenly Father knows you personally--by name? . . .
You may not have heard the Lord call you by name, but He knows each one of you and He knows your name. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said. 'I testify to you that God has known you individually . . . for a long, long time (see D&C 93:23). He has loved you for a long, long time. He not only knows the names of all the stars (see Psalm 147:4; Isaiah 40:26); He knows your names and all your heartaches and your joys!' ("Remember How Merciful the Lord Hath Been," Ensign, May 2004, 46)."
- Elaine S. Dalton

Sunday, June 24, 2012

What I treasure the most

I feel very grateful with the life I have to learn and progress. I have been given many opportunities to experience joy and real happiness. My friend Fernando told me sometime ago that every time I made reference of the year 2002 in my life when I met him in 2004, I used to do it in a very thoughtful way and that was because that year marked my life forever. Between the years 2000 and 2002 I experienced many things that made me long for a happy life. Things were not pointing towards the future I was longing and life was not making any sense, and this is not corny. Really, life was not making any sense to me.

The day came for me and my family in 2002 when our lives were changed and taken to the path towards real happiness. What was brought to my life was what I was needing, my soul was so hungry and needy. A lot of my friends were a lot older than me, I was not living the childhood stage anymore, I wanted to jump quickly to the adult life so I was aware of my reality and the reality of others around me. I told myself that I would strive myself to make my family, my future family and myself happy as much as I could and that's why I'm so willing to do whatever it takes to prepare myself to be a good counselor, friend and companion for my family, future family and friends.

I'm preparing myself right now to get a good education and I know that at the same time I have to work side by side to be mentally, temporally and spiritually prepared to face life. I had to go through things that I wish I never had to go through when I was 5-6 years old. They probably were not as bad as other people's but they refined my character and made me very strong even though I was a little girl.

Now I don't have many trials nor hardships but I know they will come sooner or later. What I treasure the most at this moment of my life is the peace and comfort I can receive from the gospel. That is definitely the best thing I have in my life, with only thinking about it my heart is filled with joy and gratitude. I feel very loved by a Heavenly Father who has never left me alone. I know He knows me by my name and He knows the greatest desires of my heart. He gave me wonderful parents that represent His love with their genuine love.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

What it means to me...

The atonement of Jesus Christ

For me it means that my soul can be healed... It means that I can start over again... It means that I can feel clean... It means that I am really loved... It means that my life is a gift... It means that my heart can be purified... It means that I'm nothing without it... It means that my guilt can go away... It means that I can have peace of mind... It means that I want to be better for Him... It means that I am eternally grateful... It means that I can be born again...
I know that my Redeemer lives!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Beginnings are usually scary and endings are usually sad

It's all about making the movement to accept and face a new beginning. Stop over analyzing the situation and follow the connection between your heart and your mind that tells you what and how to do it.

Don't think about a "someday" that "someday" might never come. Don't wait for the day when everything is going to make sense. Most of your life actually makes sense already, you just have to connect the dots.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets, life is too short to live annoyed by people, life is too short to believe the whole time that everything happens for a reason because many times you are the reason why everything happens.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Should we care that much about what other people think about us?

Good reputation is like a crown, but it is visible mostly to only those who know you well enough...

If you happen to do something good, your action might appear offensive or bad to some people even though that was not your real intention. Think about the other day when you probably acted without thinking, you gave a bad/degrading look to someone without thinking about it and it just came out naturally. Do you understand?

One day you probably have to find yourself doing something you should not do but you might have strong personal reasons to do so at that time (Kill someone, steal something in an emergency, violate a red light, get on a fight to defend your family, etc) People passing by, friends of you, people who know you might judge you when they see you doing whatever thing you are doing but what anyone doesn't know is the “Why of your actions.” People cannot see or even think about the circumstances you are going through.

I’m not intending to justify your bad actions. Some people call good actions to what really is bad for the majority of people. All I know is that what has been set as right will always lead you to the best results.

My conclusion and opinion is just simple. Care little about what other people say/think about you and let your good actions demonstrate what you really are. Remember that people will always remember what they see you doing badly more than your good and small but important actions. Care more about what God thinks about you, He knows you very well and by name, He knows the sincere and selfish desires of your heart more than anyone else in this world and at the end, His judgment is the one that will really count.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Tears of Happiness

Watching this video has reminded me about the love I feel for the sacred things that I can perform in the temple. I feel so identified with the story of this three youth, I feel like if it is me who is talking in that video because is so similar to how I felt when I was there in August and the yearns of the two siblings of getting sealed to their parents are so similar to my desires 4 years ago.

I know this is truth, this temple is another house of the Lord Jesuschrist.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

If I cry is not because I’m sad

Think about the things you have done, they might not be as awesome as traveling around the world or they might not be as cool as discovering a new galaxy but they made you feel super happy or satisfied when they happened.

I feel very grateful for all the big, small, and kinda small moments that have happened in this year. It seems like every year of my life is getting better and better and that makes me feel very excited to face the future. I wish I could recall all the marvelous things that I have experienced this year right now… Good thing I love to record them in my journal. Just a few of them are coming to my mind right now and I can just break down in tears because those have been pure blessings from God. I know that He answers our prayers; I know there is a God… Everything around us testifies of His existence. Contemplate the sky at night or go up a mountain and look down at everything that your eyes can see and think about how you feel when you see the marvelous creations of this world.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Overcome Weakness

Become More Fearless by Watching this

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Yes, I know it…

Whenever I feel the rain on my face…

Saturday, April 17, 2010

A Great Blessing

General conference is amazing. I love it with all my heart and I am so grateful for all the messages that are prepared by special witnesses of Christ.

I have had the opportunity to meet and see many general authorities and that has been super powerful!!! That has been better than meeting anybody else. You can really feel they are chosen.

I know Jesuschrist lives. He lives, He is my savior and my king. Listening to these men speak is wonderful! I am pretty sure that nobody can listen to messages like this somewhere else. This messages have the power to CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

I’m Here

I’m still here in this world.

I‘m glad that I live in this beautiful world.

Salt Lake City, UT

..::About Claudia by Michelle A,. 2010::..

“If I don’t do something, it is not because I can’t, but because I don’t want to.” Have you felt blessed to know someone who has left a positive mark in your life? In summer 2009, I had the opportunity to meet Claudia Recinos, a young pretty girl.I’ve known her now for over a year and yet every single day she surprises me even more. Claudia has been and still is an example for me of what we are able to do in this life. She makes me feel like I can do it too or at least I should try. Everyone that has the opportunity to meet her can realize the kind of person she is. With one single smile she illuminates everything around her and cheers me up. What else makes Claudia a different person from everyone else? She is a multitask girl. Very impressive I might say. I’ve always thought that Clau does too much in her daily life. Claudia is a bright student. However, working and studying is not all she does. Claudia finds the time to have some fun as well. She likes to party and loves dancing. She even made time to invite me to lunch for my birthday last Friday and is planning her own birthday party this coming week. In addition, she goes to the gym as much as possible. She always talks with her parents and relatives that are in El Salvador and here. Claudia was born in El Salvador almost 20 years ago. Clau, as I call her, came to The U.S.A in April 2009 to start studying English as a Second Language (ESL) at Utah Valley University (UVU). Her desire for becoming someone successful made her fight for her dream of learning English and getting a degree from abroad so that when she grows up more, she will have better opportunities to work, serve, and make a difference. The best part is that she is a devout Latter-day Saint. Clau prays every morning and every night. She reads the scriptures and writes in her journal. “I want my children to know everything that has happened in my life, I don’t want them to miss anything.” Every Sunday she goes to church, and after the meetings she stays to practice with the choir. On Sunday nights she participates in ward prayer. Claudia enjoys going to family home evening and any other church activity. She loves going to the temple as well. Whenever the opportunity comes, she volunteers at the MTC in Provo. “The Gospel has changed my heart and my life.” Believe it or not, Claudia finds the time to listen to her friends when they need to talk or want some advice. When someone asks for a ride, she is willing to serve. Like most of girls, she enjoys dating. Traveling is one of her favorite hobbies. Her most beloved places to go are California, St. George, and Las Vegas. As Ken Duvall said in a devotional given at LDSBC on June 15, 2010, “Organization guides you to developing righteous habits.” I’ve always admired Clau for having her room very organized and clean. She suggests that everyone should have a “to do list, to buy list, and a grocery list.” In that way she establishes her priorities. “First things first,” she repeats to herself. At my last job, there was a sign right in front of the employees’ door that says, “Being busy doesn’t mean you’re being productive,” and Claudia is the kind of person who likes to feel productive. She says, “I like to feel efficient with everything I do.” She likes following the apostles’ example of education and management of time. “We deserve time for resting too!” are some of Clau’s words. When I asked Claudia what helps her to fulfill her expectations and goals, she told me that her parents trust her so much that she wants them to feel proud of her, “They are truly my best friends ever.” For Clau, to be recognized by the world doesn’t really matter. As long as she gets where she wants to get and accomplishes what she wants to accomplish, she is satisfied and feels complete; “That’s enough for me.” What motivates her to do all the things she does? “Life is full of opportunities. Doors are open for everyone, but it is our choice to do it.” All of us face trials and bad experiences and she is not the exception. She has challenges, adversities and sad moments too. No one is perfect. She has made mistakes and she still does, but they help her to progress and become a better person. “We gotta learn from them.” Claudia actually has a motto in her life that she tells to herself all the time, “Everything is gonna be OK; we ought to have faith.” - Michelle A.

.::Fly and Touch the Sky::.

There comes a time when you must stand alone. You must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams. You must be willing to make sacrifices. You must be capable of changing and rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved. Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged. There are times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities. Be strong enough to at least try to make your life better. Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by. Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose in this life. Don't stand in someone else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way.

.::Claudia's Short Biography By Casana Macapaar::.. July 2009

Claudia Recinos is 19 years old and the daughter of Jose Ricardo Recinos and Maria Delia Recinos. She was born in June 17, 1990, in San Salvador, El Salvador. She has two sisters and one brother. She is genuine, simple, loving, understanding, fun to be with, approachable, friendly, sweet, fashionable, loves to wear accessories, very open to diversity and very open to people in general, she likes to listen different opinions and is very open to different thoughts. She loves sports and has participated in many national competitions of basket ball, tennis, track, badminton and volleyball. She lives in Salt Lake City for now and she loves it and feels very passionate about living there. She loves to play piano and viola. She played for the Youth Symphony Orchestra of El Salvador in 2008 and has participated and several events by either playing the piano or the viola. She loves listening to music, especially classical songs when she wants to feel high and inspired. She loves pretty much all kinds of music and loves listening to the guitar in her favorite songs. Her favorite band is The Beatles, and she also likes Michael Jackson. She also loves to dance and attend parties. She likes to hang out with her friends. She enjoys playing music, making music, admire the little things around her, helping her friends, listening to her friends. She is a very unique girl that never feels bored, she always finds something to do, she says: "I never get bored, if I look bored is probably because I’m tired but I always find something to do or to think about.” She enjoys reading drama and love stories. She graduated from high school when she was 16 (2006) and went straight to college. She studied economics for two years (2007-2008) in her country at UCA and decided to move to the USA to study English in April 2009. She attended LDS Business College for a professional sales certificate and a business management degree (Fall Semester 2009) Shortly after graduating she becomes part of the workforce in the business/accounting field to get a good work experience and then she is going to Brigham Young University to keep studying Business with emphasis in either strategy, finance or marketing with minors in Music/Photography and Portuguese. She would like to work for her country and help them by putting up non-profit organizations in the future. She wants to help the poor or less fortunate children in her country. She says that El Salvador lacks of well-prepared people. That’s why she set her mind to be a productive and good citizen in her country wherever she can be. She plans on going to grad school too. She’s single and looking for a boy right now. She wants to marry an awesome and loving guy and get married in Salt Lake Temple and be blessed with wonderful kids. Nevertheless, serving a full time mission (18 months) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints has always been her great desire and she would not like to miss out on that experience, she is just waiting for the right time to either get married or serve a mission. She doesn’t like to start something and never finish it so she plans on doing things in order and keep her plans where they are right now and when she is done with that and has no plans for marriage by that time, she will definitely go on a mission. Claudia loves adventures (backpacking, traveling, exploring, roadtrips, big cities) and living life up to the max and she would do anything she can to have fun, be happy and make others happy.

..::Claudia's Interview by Kenard Beckford::.. Sept. 2009

Claudia Recinos is from one of the smallest countries in Central America, El Salvador. She is from a family of six, which includes two sisters and one brother. She and her family converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints about seven years ago (2002). Claudia seems like a very spiritual person, with a great desire to live the gospel. Yesterday as she shared her account with me of the most spiritual experience she has had in her life, I felt the Spirit strongly. This is from her account of the most spiritual experience she has had. She said “ever since I was baptized I had a strong desire to get sealed to my family, but it did not happen right away, because my dad had struggles that he had to overcome.” She then said when the time came for them to get sealed in the temple, "it was a great spiritual experience." She remembered the great spirit that she felt in the temple that day; she said “my testimony grew because I went to the temple to get sealed to my family.” Claudia likes music and sports for her hobbies. In elementary and secondary school she earned 13 medals in tennis and track. She earned three of the medals from, playing tennis and the other 10 from running track, where she participated in two kilometer run. For music, she plays the viola and the piano. Currently, she is in Salt Lake City, Utah to attend LDS Business College, majoring in Business Management and Professional Sales. She said “I chose LDS Business College because I want to be in an environment surrounded by LDS people, improve my second language (English), and be better prepared for life.” Her most frightening experience happened recently, while she was driving on the freeway from Santa Cruz to San Jose in California, the car lost its brakes. She said: "I was so tense.” She thought she was going to die or have a car accident but finally she could make it home safely. Driving had never been so scary for her.