What I value

Do you ever think of how many good things there are in the world and just want to be a part of them all. I think one of my great qualities is that I truly want to be better each and every day. I may not be great at improving each day but oh how I want to.

Its not a self esteem issue... well actually it is. I KNOW who I am and my own potential and what I can and have achieved. When I lounge around being lazy I get so disappointed with myself because I know what I could be doing. I really do think I can do great things. So I just really need to get on the ball and DO great things! I would like to become better at setting specific goals and keeping track of my progress. I really love the LDS young women values, growing up I thought if I heard another lesson on the values I would fall asleep but looking back it all really stuck with me. I am so lucky to know that God loves me and has a plan for me and that He expects me to make this world a better place. I know that I have great worth regardless of my stretch marks, tiny tooth, lack of high paying career, and lack of fancy clothes. As I have grown I have realized that

I have had great faith as I struggled through some heartbreaking situations

I realized my divine nature when I was sealed in the temple and gave birth to the most adorable daughter ever

I find strength in my true individual worth when the world tries to make me feel worthless because I am "just a frumpy stay at home mom"

I have sacrificed to obtain wonderful knowledge so that I can share it with my family, friends, and community

I grew to understand that I will be held accountable for my choices and so must decide wisely and not be influenced by the world so that I can truly CHOOSE what I want and not be forced down a path I had not intended. The world will teach you that you can escape your consequences, I haven learned this to be a big fat lie. it will catch up to you. Thank goodness there is repentance!

I saw the good works I have given truly make a difference in my marriage, work place, friendships and self. I see that as I serve others I feel filled with love for those I may have previously judged harshly and find it much easier to put my self in their shoes and love them as Jesus Christ would.

I strive still to maintain integrity though society tries to convince me that lying is ok and giving your word means nothing. I think this value means SO much to me. I want to be remembered as a friend you could depend on no matter what and that I was loyal and honest. Nothing has made me feel sadder then realizing I had no one I could count on.

Though Virtue wasn't a designated value in my teens I can clearly see its necessity in the present times. Women are constantly bombarded with messages that sex appeal is all that matters. Nothing brings more guilt and less self confidence then this notion. It is Satan's quickest tool to make us feel unworthy of our Heavenly Fathers love in my opinion. It is important for so many reasons but in my current station in life I am thinking of it this way:

- I remember wondering WHY chastity and virtue was SOOO important as a teen and now I know why it is for me through my personal experiences. The process of bringing another person into this world is by far the MOST sacred thing I have ever done.

Period.

Nothing has solidified my testimony of the plan of salvation or made me feel closer to my Heavenly Father and helped me realize the joy that comes with keeping the commandments then helping bring more of his children to this earth. The thought that a pregnancy to someone might be a "mistake" and not the most exciting, joyful moments of their life breaks my heart. It is the greatest miracle I personally have ever been a part of and shouldn't just be a side affect of some heavy drinking or peer pressure on prom night.

I am so grateful for the fabulous women I had in my life that guided and molded me by example, with lessons, at girls camps, by sharing their experiences and testimonies, by helping me see that this church is not a list of what you "can't do" but rather a gateway to all the wonderful opportunities available if you allow the lord to bless you by doing what he asks.

My two greatest things! I hope Miley can learn and love these values like I did :)