I live everyday to the fullest....

I quit smoking over eight years ago.
Today I'm celebrating my first full year without any cravings.

It's something very few people know about me.
I was only a light social smoker for three MONTHS, and these have been my consequences.

I had no idea what a risk I was taking by taking that first puff, and how much willpower it would take for the rest of my life to stay clean.
I'm so thankful for the strength I've received from my Savior Jesus Christ to quit, and the motivation I have from my family to keep it that way.
I'm really making progress now as a new person. I've been free from these chains, at least for this year. I'm not looking back and I've had so many blessings for it.

Now that I've made this much progress, I feel comfortable speaking about it publicly.
There have been heart breaking moments during the beginning of my marriage, two pregnancies and other vital times with these cravings that would make me shake from head to toe with thirst in my throat for something I knew would hurt me deeply, and worse, hurt the babies I love so dearly.
I knew then (and more so now) that God allowed me to have this experience in my time on earth as a proving ground. I needed to prove my loyalty to myself, over and over again. I haven't stopped praying for help. Although I've never put another cigarette to my mouth since that defining moment eight years ago, this is the first time I'm really getting somewhere.

Today I feel so free.

I have felt whole from the moment I repented and asked God for forgiveness, and after almost 9 years I feel like I don't have to fully rely on his grace to carry me from day to day with this craving, but that I'm self sufficient in being grounded and strong on my own.

It has been worth it.
Every moment of quitting has been worth it.

I'm proud to be a healthy mom and a loving wife, undistracted from this fear today.

Jesus loves all equally

Miracles have not ceased. God still loves his children and wishes for them to have opportunities to see how much he loves them. God speaks, every day in nature, through His word, by His holy spirit, in circumstances and through people.Over this past month I've begun to count my blessings and ask God to show me the things I've been given to be grateful for. The unique relationship I have with my family keeps topping the list daily. I'm thankful for the gifts of knowledge God has given me, through prayers He's answered.

God Speaks, Miracles have not ceased.

In John 10:16 Jesus' disciples were upset that he was leaving. They wanted to understand the purpose of Jesus only staying on earth for a short time after the resurrection. They loved him and wanted to remain by his side to learn from his example for the rest of their lives. And Jesus answered them and said- "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."


I prayed to receive personal revelation concerning the meaning of this. Through more study the Lord told me it was a fulfillment of prophecy. God told Jesus there would be more people in other parts of the world looking for the signs of His coming and they needed him as much as the people in Jerusalem did. He had more lives to enrich. He needed to teach more people about the path that they should follow to receive Salvation.

I've come to more fully understand and appreciate the time Jesus spent on the earth teaching his apostles about Charity and teaching them to take time for the individual. Another source of scripture I have come to trust fully is the Book Of Mormon. In 3Nephi chapter 11 Christ comes to the native Americans living in North / South America and teaches many of the same principals of love and healing. Having a second witness to my soul that Jesus loves his children all over the world and wishes for them to come to Him.

How fortunate am I that God knew I would wonder about this scripture. He prepared a way for me to receive the answer to my prayer by asking a prophet who lived over 2,000 yrs ago to document the things of their time. The answer to my question was written on gold plates buried in the ground and are now written in the English language in a book called The Book Of Mormon.

I found this Movie clip about modern revelation and the Book Of Mormon. I love our Savior. I know he sacrificed his life for me. I feel his grace pour upon me every time I ask for forgiveness and work a little harder to become like him. I know he loves me. I feel his spirit impress upon my mind what I should do and how I should act. The very core of my being testifies that he Lives, that he still speaks. I hold The Book of Mormon and Bible in my hand and know this is a tangible gift God has given me to prove his love and his existence in my life. I have more purpose when I study from these books. They make me feel more whole than any other source of education I have ever used.

I hold The Book of Mormon and Bible in my hand and know this is a tangible gift God has given me to prove his love and his existence in my life.

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