Meet Kaylee

Meet Kaylee. She is your typical spunky, hilarious, and stubborn teenager. However, there is something different about her. I met Kaylee just a few months ago and was able to take part in something that has changed Kaylee's life and the life of all those who follow her as well. She is creating her own legacy.

Kaylee recently strengthened her relationship with God. She had to make changes to bring her life closer in harmony with Christ's teachings, but as she has done so, she has received strength and blessings. Let's hear what Kaylee had to say about her experience.

"When I was first introduced to the church I was very optimistic towards the religion. I didn't think it was possible for anybody to see both Jesus and God. Totally unrealistic. Well, when getting taught by the missionaries, I started to have this warm friendly feeling like I was safe and I just felt at peace. We got taught so many things with the missionaries. Well, for me, it was really difficult to give up my tea. I would literally drink tea twice or three times a day. When I got asked to not drink tea, I felt like I was giving up my life. But then I thought to myself, if God gave up his only son for future souls, then it's really pathetic and unfortunate if I can't give up tea. So I just started slowly and went down to one cup a day, then one every other day, then soon enough I just stopped drinking it.

My mom got baptized a little bit before me and I felt the spirit so much during her baptism. That's what made me want to get baptized sooner. My mom got baptized on December 20th, and I got baptized January 21st. Of course I had my questionable moments and then I'd want to back out, but in the end I did it because I knew that I'd receive the greatest gift of all... The Holy Spirit."

What an amazing testimony Kaylee has. She understands sacrifice. She understands that sacrifice doesn't need to be a burden, but that it can be a blessing! Some of you out there probably think she is crazy! Who says that sacrifice can be a blessing!? However, when we do things that God asks us too, even when they seem hard, we are always blessed. God's plan for us is always better than the plan that we have for ourselves. She did the work to know for herself what God wanted to do, even though she was skeptical in the beginning.  The point isn't that she gave up tea. The point is that she was willing to put aside what she wanted, for something much grander. Something that God wanted her to do so that she could receive something that would bring her more happiness, which in this case is the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

 I was lucky enough to be a part of this experience and to watch as her understanding of the gospel evolved. I remember specifically one study session. She was learning more about her purpose in life and the plan that God has for her and her family. She explained to us that it made so much sense to her. She was so happy she was learning about this now so that she could teach her future family. She understood and could see the blessings that come from knowing this plan.

So what will her posterity remember when they think of Kaylee? They will think of the legacy of sacrifice. They will see there is happiness and blessings that come from following God. They will be forever changed by her legacy.

What kind of legacy are you leaving behind?

"We find that 'sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven!' And in the end, we learn it was no sacrifice at all."

-President Spencer W. Kimball

Strength Through the Ages

Hello everyone! My name is Tenesia. (I know. It's a hard name, and you probably didn't think I was going to be white. Surprise! But in case you were wondering, it's pronounced ten-ee-see-uh).

You may be wondering what this blog is all about. As I have been serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I have learned many lessons. However, one of the things that has stuck out the most to me is how much I can learn from the people around me. We all come from different backgrounds, families, countries, and cultures and there are always good things that I can learn from everyone that I meet. I want this to be a place that people can turn to to find similarities, strength, inspiration, and knowledge from people all over the world. We are all brothers and sisters! We need to share the knowledge and the happiness that we have with others.

Each of us are shaped by the people around us and the experiences we have. We can draw from one anothers experiences and stories to help us in our own lives. Not only do people help us, but of course we are also part of someone else's story.We play a part in shaping their lives as well. Your life and the way you live is what will create your legacy. You, yes YOU,  have important lessons and gifts to share. We all do. I want this to be a place where your life or the legacy of a loved one can be shared to help shape the rest of us for the better! So without further ado....

                     MEET POLLY ANN CHILD RICHARDSON

This is my great, great, great, great grandmother! She was born in New York in 1821. 

She is one of the strongest people that could have possibly lived. Why? Because she was a pioneer. She was persecuted for her religion and dedication to God. She was persecuted from a young age and traveled from home to home before settling in Utah many years later. She endured more physical tribulations than one could think possible. She suffered from extreme weather conditions, walking thousands of miles, the feeling of hunger regularly, and the pain that comes from burying two children as they traveled across uncharted territory across the United States. I can hardly even imagine the pain and suffering that she, as well as thousands of others, faced in order to find a safe home where they could worship God as they pleased. Can you imagine how hard that would be? I had an experience that gave me just the tiniest insight of the tribulations and hardships she must have faced. 

When I was a teenager I was able to be a part of a trek. Many of you probably don't know what a trek is. It is when we re-enact and experience things the pioneers went through while crossing the plains. Our trek consisted of traveling with handcarts for a week. We experienced some of the same things that the pioneers experienced many years ago. We wore skirts and bonnets (the girls anyway) and pushed the handcarts that had our supplies in it for the week. We camped each night in a new destination and were able to learn more about the things that those people encountered. We left our homes and all the fun things behind. (Yes, as a teenager, it was amazing that they got all of us to leave the comfort of our homes and cell phones!) It was a humbling and eye opening experience for me. I know our trip was still a peace of cake compared to what their journey was, but man, I sure was happy to be home and shower and enjoy a nice, warm bed! The coolest part for me, was that we each represented someone that crossed the plains as we made our own little journey. I was able to represent my great, great, great, great grandmother, Polly Ann Child. 

I now have the tiniest glimpse of some of the hardships that she had encountered for many years. Because of her strength, it inspires me to continue to push forward even when things are hard. I may not have the same challenges as she does, but I can emulate her strength and find ways to push through, just as she did. There were times on that trip where I didn't think I could take another step. The path was rocky, the cart was heavy, and I was sunburned and blistered....and it was only one week. Imagine how it must have been to do that for months and years! Yet, she continued to look to God and always had faith that everything would work out. I want to follow her example and be able to gain the kind of strength that she had. She has left me with a legacy that has changed my life forever. Now I hope to be able to leave behind a legacy to change the lives of my posterity as well.

                      Psalms 27:1                            "..The Lord is the strength of my life.."