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
