Pure Love ~ Part One

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

What does "Pure Love" means to you? What does "Pure Love" means to a immediate relative? 
What does "Pure Love" means to a friend? 

This post focuses on a BYU (Brigham Young University) Devotional in March 1999, and it is called "Pure Love" by Brother Eugene H. Bramhall. This post is part one, and I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. 

Brother Bramall has mentioned the following; "... I will speak of love of God and love of man. I hope to illustrate that we can love God only as we learn to love ourselves and each other, and then I will draw two or three examples from history to demonstrate the importance of developing the capacity of true, unselfish love that reflects the best of who we are and what Heavenly Father would have us be.

In this process, I pray that I can offer an idea or two that will meet a need, satisfy a question, or offer hope. It is my prayer that I will be able to meet your expectations, and I invite your faith and prayers.

... Only two weeks ago Elder Holland, in his first devotional address here since being called as a General Authority in 1989, bore his testimony this way: I bear witness of the God of Glory, of the redeeming Son of God, of light and hope and a bright future. I promise you that God lives and loves you, each one of you, and that he has set bounds and limits to the opposing powers of darkness. 

I testify that Jesus is the Christ, the victor over death and hell and the fallen one who schemes there. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and it has been restored, just as we have sung and testified this morning. [Jeffrey R. Holland, “Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence,” BYU devotional, 2 March 1999, pp. 6–7]

The power of that fundamental and basic truth has never been more clear to me than now. I bear my own witness as I begin these remarks that we stand in the midst of giants who by their lives, words, and works carry the Savior’s message throughout the world. 

We call them apostles and prophets, just as they were called in the days of Jesus and Paul. ... President Hinckley has remarked that you are a royal generation. ... I believe that you and we have been preserved for this day and time to do much in the world that is good and important.

But I also know that each of us stands on the sturdy and steady shoulders of those who have gone before. ... Jeffrey Holland, as president of BYU, once addressed this subject. Speaking of those who have preceded us here, he said: We owe them something. We who are the beneficiaries of their sacrifice and their faith we owe them the best effort we can put forward in obtaining a truly edifying and liberating and spirit-soaring education. 

... Take this university forward in the same way your ancestors took it forward often with nothing more tangible to sustain them than their dreams and their traditions. [Jeffrey R. Holland, “Who We Are and What God Expects Us to Do,” Brigham Young University 1987–88 Devotional and Fireside Speeches (Provo: BYU, 1988), p. 20; emphasis in original] 

I am convinced that in order for us to know where we are going and to appreciate what we have, it is important for us to know where we, collectively, have been and to appreciate the sacrifices that have been made for us. ... In one way or another, all of us who have attended this university, who have walked its halls, who have taught here, or who have maintained its grounds or cooked its meals have had the same vision.

"Moroni 7:37 CHARITY is the PURE LOVE of
Christ."

King Benjamin says something of this in a different context. Speaking of our youth, he said: And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God. ... But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another. [Mosiah 4:14–15]

King Benjamin also said, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). The point is that pure love—the love for one another—can and should be a moving, powerful force for good. 

It is scriptural at its roots, and when it matures it can change us so that we become worthy to enter again into our Father’s presence. If we accept the first and second commandments at face value, it is likely that we will not be worthy to enter into our Father’s presence a second time until we have learned to love one another and to forgive one another—only then will we have also learned to love God.

Paul taught us that there are no strangers among us. ... Implied in this is the duty of all of us to love, forgive, and care for those who are less fortunate and more dependent than we are. ... 1852 by the First Presidency of the Church (consisting of Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Willard Richards), who enjoined us in part that we should seek after knowledge, all knowledge, and especially that which is from above . . . , and if you find any thing that God does not know, you need not learn that thing; but strive to know what God knows, and use that knowledge as God uses it, and then you will be like him; [you] will . . . have charity, love one another, and do each other good continually, and forever. 

[In James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965–75), 2:86]"

Stay Tuned until next time.

Happy 25th Birthday to Me

 Good Morning, or Good Afternoon, or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish. 

Happy 25th Birthday to me, and I can not believe that I have turned twenty-five years old today.

Twenty-five years has been full of constantly learning something new - such as learning lessons to help me to get through life. Twenty-five years has been full of great memories with spending a lot of times with my immediate relatives. 

Twenty-five years has been full of great memories with spending some times with my extended relatives. 

Twenty-five years has been full of great memories with spending some time with my friends. 

Twenty-five years has been full of laughter moments, full of some fun experiences, and full of happy moments. 

Twenty-five years has been full of some sad moments, full of some letting go to past friends, and so forth. 

"219165 HOURS, 9131 Days, 25 YEARS,
A QUARTER OF A CENTURY! Happy
Birthday."

I still remembered what I have done on my 15th Birthday; 

I was able to celebrate my Birthday with some great close high school friends, and I seemed to still keep in touch time to time with a few of them these days. They have respected that I am religious, and they made sure that they would not swear around me. 

I still remembered what I have done on my 20th Birthday; 

I have attended a baptistry session with my Mum at Brisbane Latter-Day Saint Temple, and I attended Institute in Toowoomba with my sister Emma. 

After Institute, the class of Institute has celebrated my Birthday at a Restaurant. I remembered having churros and a candle on top of one of the churros for me to blow out and make a wish. 

I still remembered what I have done on my 21st Birthday; I have received my endowments at Brisbane Latter-Day Saints Temple at 10am, and I had to work in the evening of my Birthday. I still remembered employees has wished me a Happy Birthday. 

I still remembered what I have done on my 22nd Birthday; Jacob was with me to celebrate my Birthday. We both went to Denny's early morning hours (sometime just after midnight towards the day when it was my Birthday), Jacob has dropped by to my friend's house with a surprise breakfast and that was bacon, eggs, and waffles with syrup from a fast food restaurant to eat for breakfast. 

Followed by he took us to Oquirrh Mountain Latter-Day Saint Temple to attend a initiatory session, and eventually we gotten some photos together outside of the Temple. Followed by eventually we went to Salt Lake City Latter-Day Saint Temple to attend a sealing session together, followed by Jacob and I went to The Roof (Restaurant in Salt Lake City) to eat dinner and dessert, and followed by eventually Jacob surprised me with giving to me roses.

Sometime after that, he dropped me off back to my friend's house. It was sure a long day on my Birthday but it was so much fun to spend some time with Jacob. 

I still remembered what I have done on my 23rd Birthday; Jacob was with me to celebrate my Birthday. We got our engagement photos taken. We are so proud and well pleased how great our engagement photos has turned out. 

Jacob and I didn't do too much on my 24th Birthday because Jacob was working, and today, Jacob is working again on my Birthday. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Price of Love ~ Part Two

 Good Morning, or Good Afternoon, Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish. 

This post focuses on a BYU (Brigham Young University) Devotional in July 1982, and it is called "The Price of Love" by H. Hal Visick. This post is part two and I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. 

Brother Visick has mentioned the following; "Our Modern World 

... I want to look at something of our modern world, where we’re going, to see if we can find our way a little bit. It ought to be obvious that a young man who pretends to love in an effort to seduce cannot really love because, if he truly did, he would sacrifice what he wants for the good of the person beloved.

It follows that when we take an infant as, for example, I first took Jennifer, our oldest, helpless, unable to feed herself, clothe herself, clean herself, and work and spend all of our time for this child, moving her up from infancy, clothing her, working for her, with her, striving through a thousand different individual, family, and Church meetings, it follows that we will love her. 

It has to be so. And it turns out often that the most difficult child in the family is the most loved because the family has made the greater sacrifice for that child. Of course, the child has to learn to love, too. And when he doesn’t pay the price, doesn’t serve, he doesn’t learn to love. 

It seems that when we make an investment in something, we value it, we care for it. ... The first time I knew how my father felt about me was when I took my baby Jennifer in my arms, and I said to myself, “Dad held me like this. Dad felt the feelings I feel.” Then I thought, “Why, why didn’t I know this? Why didn’t I tell him how much it meant to me?”

... What do we know about a retarded child’s quality of life unless we can be that child? Many retarded children are happier and more loving than the so-called “normal child.” ... Thoreau said that every deed goes into the great sea of cause and effect and remains there throughout eternity. Who knows what effect that one death has on the quality of life of all the people in this generation and those to come?

... There comes a time when you must pay the price, the sacrifice of love. ... I was looking at an article in the Wall Street Journal about something called “values clarification” that’s been taught in our schools for about ten years. I don’t mean in Provo schools, but in schools throughout the country. Values clarification says that there really is not any right or wrong or good or bad. 

Values are what we say they are. And, therefore, we should not be imposing on children our moral standards and beliefs. They ought to invent their own moral standards and beliefs. ... They are saying that society should not tell you ... whether you ought to use drugs. 

You make up your mind after you have examined it for yourself. And so some thirteen-, fourteen-, fifteen-year-old child, not having the benefit of the experience of older and, hopefully, wiser heads, is making up a set of values and acting on those values. 

Whenever their parents say, “What you’re doing is wrong,” he or she will say, “You can’t tell me that. That’s your value judgment, not mine.” ... Without sacrifice of desires and appetites for a higher good, what will our society consist of? What character or quality can result from self-indulgence and sloth?

... I would like to encourage us to see the joy of love and sacrifice, to find in the things that come to hand—the work that must be done—the things that apparently the Lord assigns us whether we want them or not—situations where we can create love.

"We often think of CHARITY AS AN 
ACTION, But I think of Charity as a 
STATE OF THE HEART." - Elaine Dalton.

“Vaunteth Not Itself”

True love is not what the world calls love. The word has been cheapened and destroyed along with many other once-beautiful words. When the world talks of love, it means living together without benefit of marriage or ... something equal far from the love born of sacrifice. That’s not what the Lord means by love. 

Maybe that’s why the word charity was selected by the translators of the King James Version in the book of Corinthians. Remember what it says about love - charity, the perfect love of Christ - the love Christ has for us: “Charity suffereth long and is kind. . . .” (in other words, doesn’t advertise itself). Charity “is not puffed up” (1 Corinthians 13:4).

(Charity isn’t pride because pride is a love of self, not of others!) All these qualities of love come through paying the price, through service, through sacrifice. ... If we would just pay those prices, we would learn to love BYU and we would make something of ourselves. 

... Sacrifice of pride will inevitably create character. “Charity vaunteth not itself.’ I don’t want to leave the impression, however, that I think life ought to be a dismal surrender of every good thing to the Lord. The Lord doesn’t need our things. He doesn’t need even our service. In fact, he told the Jews on one occasion, when they were boasting about being children of Abraham, that he could make children of Abraham out of the rocks on the ground. 

He doesn’t need what we give. We need to give. ... Do you know what “sacrifice” means? ... I pray the Lord of heaven will give us the opportunity to profit in that way and through our sacrifices learn to love as he does. ..."

If you would like to read the whole Devotional either now or in your own time, here is the link below.

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/h-hal-visick/price-love/

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Price of Love ~ Part One

 Good Morning, or Good Afternoon, Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish. 

What does the price of love means to you? What does the price of love means to a immediate relative? 
What does the price of love means to a friend of yours?

This post focuses on a BYU (Brigham Young University) Devotional in July 1982, and it is called "The Price of Love" by H. Hal Visick. This post is part one, and I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. 

Brother Visick has mentioned the following; "It’s wonderful that no one ever recites your faults and failures when making an introduction. If they did, we might be here for some time. ... It’s good you don’t have to be perfect to talk about perfection, nor be Christlike to speak about Christ, or we would have few sermons from this pulpit.

Sacrifice and Love I wanted to talk today about the relationship between sacrifice and love. ... I can tell you this: You can’t have love without sacrifice. I don’t mean someone’s sacrificing for you so that you will love them. I mean you cannot love someone else or the Lord unless you pay the price. ...

Lark Mine ... Sacrifice is not paying your tithing or going to church on Sunday or filling a temple assignment, although those things are important. It’s being somewhere you’re needed, where you’ve got to serve when you’d rather be elsewhere or do something else. 

Do you think women choose as the highest of all intellectual accomplishment to take a master’s degree in physics and go home and change a dirty diaper, cook a meal, sweep the floor, make the beds? You don’t think that’s sacrifice? Then you don’t know what sacrifice is.

Sacrifice, Love, and Faith

In the thirteenth chapter of Hebrews and also in James, the second chapter, there are discourses about faith and how our forefathers proved they had faith. Some of the examples are the same in each chapter: Rahab the harlot, Abraham sacrificing Isaac, and Moses giving up all the riches of Egypt to be with his people. 

The scriptures list all the actions that prove these were sacrifices of faith. By their actions they proved that they loved the Lord, that there was nothing they would withhold from him. ... It seems easy when we read it on the page, you know. The Lord came and said to Abraham, “You’ve done all that I’ve asked you to do, and now I’ve got just one more thing I want you to do. 

"There is no change without sacrifice."
- Gloria Allred.

Take your son Isaac, your only son, whom you love, and offer him as a sacrifice.” Can you imagine what Abraham felt? How long had he waited for Isaac to be born? ... After a hundred years of waiting, finally the angel came to Abraham and said, “You’re going to have a son.” 

Even Sarah couldn’t believe it because she was too old, long past the age of childbearing. After all these miracles and everything was fulfilled, and life was good - Abraham loved this boy with all his heart - the Lord came and said, “I’m going to take the thing you love the most.” 

Abraham gathered some wood and took his servants and his son (whom I take to have been either a teenager or in his early twenties). They went to the foot of the mount. He told the servants to remain, loaded the wood for the sacrifice on his son’s back, and they began to ascend. Eventually, his son asked, “Dad, where’s the animal for the sacrifice?” 

Abraham couldn’t answer. He said, “The Lord will provide the sacrifice.” ... Can you imagine the sacrifice that Isaac was willing to make? His father explained it to him. He didn’t konk this hundred-year-old man on the head and say, “You’re crazy; I’m going down the hill.” He allowed himself to be bound and placed on the altar. 

He was willing to give the sacrifice of love as well and obey his father though it cost him his life. Finally, as the knife was upraised and started its decent, only then did the Lord say, “It’s enough. You haven’t withheld from me even your son.” It is hard in words to explain our deepest feelings. ..."

Stay Tuned until next time. 

What Are Some of My Purposes in My Life?

 Good Morning, or Good Afternoon, or Good Evening,

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish.

Prior to meeting Jacob; I have thought about what were some of my purposes would be in my life during my teen years and during my early twenties. I knew that I have always wanted to fulfill some of my following purposes in life; I wanted to be married in the Temple to a temple worthy and returned missionary guy who has kept their high standards, I wanted to become a wife one day, I wanted to become a mother one day, I wanted to become a sister missionary one day (even if it’s me to become a sister missionary when I retire and all of my children has grown up and left home), continue to live my life faithfully, I want to continue living within the teachings that I have been taught during my teen years and throughout my life as being a church member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, continue being temple worthy of holding a current temple recommend, remembering and staying true to my covenants that I’ve made in the past (the covenants that I have made at baptism and when I receive my endowments), and so forth. 

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose."
- Robert Byrne.

I have always wanted to fulfill some of my hobbies in my life and those hobbies are the following; Photography (I have strong hope that I would be able to turn photography into a long-term career and running and becoming a business owner one day), continue being persistent with blogging (I know that there are still some readers who has been reading my blogs), continue vlogging (I know that there are still some viewers who has been enjoying and watching my vlogs), and so forth. 

I have always wanted to fulfill several of my skills in my life and those skills are the following; I wanted to do better with learning new cooking skills, I wanted to do better with playing the flute (so I would be able to learn more than just knowing how to play one song), I wanted to do better with playing the piano, and so forth. 

What would be some of your purposes in your life? 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Live Your Life with Purpose ~ Part Three

  Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take five minutes to eight minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on a BYU Devotional in February 2013, and it is called "Live Your Life with Purpose" by Sister Janie Penfield. This post is part three. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. 

Sister Penfield has mentioned the following; 

"How can we allocate our time, talents, and resources to align with our purpose and stay on course? We can do it through goals. I have a lot of goals that aren’t the New Year’s type of goals. ... I have the goal of being worthy of eternal life with my Father in Heaven and with my family. 

I have the goal of making my earthly and my heavenly parents proud because I have heeded their counsel and made the gospel of Jesus Christ an integral part of my life. ... Your goals may be similar to mine. These are our individual course markings. They are the significant choices in our lives that allow us to recognize that we are in alignment with our Father in Heaven. 

He has given us the personal guidance and direction we need to accomplish our goals. The companionship of the Holy Ghost provides us with unlimited personal revelation, direction, comfort, strength, and guidance from God. Humility and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are essential to being worthy of personal revelation and answers to our prayers.

All answers do not come when we ask for them. ... President Boyd K. Packer tells us that “[we] must learn to seek the power and direction that is available to [us], and then follow that course no matter what” (“How to Survive in Enemy Territory,” Ensign, October 2012, 29).

... We must choose to be wise and take the Holy Spirit for our guide. We can benefit from the direction of the Holy Ghost in everything we do. ... Prayer is our communication piece with our Heavenly Father, and the Holy Ghost is His communication piece with us. We must keep the line open by seeking out the Father in prayer and by living worthy of the Holy Ghost’s companionship. 

President Packer also taught: [We] can always have a direct line of communication with [our] Father in Heaven. Do not allow the adversary to convince you that no one is listening on the other end. Your prayers are always heard. You are never alone! [“How to Survive,” 29]

"Find a purpose in life so big it will challenge
every capacity to be at your best."
- David O Mckay.

Staying on Course

... If we are to reach our intended destination, we must pay attention to the big and the small course markings. ... If we are not committed to our course and purpose, we will move with the push and pull of the world, away from the path that leads us to return to our Father in Heaven. 

We must be committed, and we must do all that we can to stay the course. We must look to the prophets to learn how to read the course’s legend to ensure that we stay firmly planted on the strait and narrow path, holding onto the iron rod with both hands. 

... What distracted us is far less important than how we got off course. It happened so subtly that we didn’t notice until we were off the course not right next to it or parallel to it, but off. So it is with the strait and narrow path. 

At one point in our lives we have two feet firmly planted on it. With a change of roommates or friends, a new girl- or boyfriend, a new city, a new schedule, or even a new job, we can slowly start moving to the path’s edge until we realize that we are doing things we never imagined doing: we haven’t prayed for days or weeks, we pass on spiritual things, our scriptures are covered in layers of dust, or so many other things happen that indicate we haven’t been feeding our testimony the nourishment it needs.

Most of the time we cannot pinpoint what changed in our life, but we know our testimony isn’t as firm as it once was. Maybe we can’t even remember why we keep the commandments. But there are many things we can do to ensure that we stay on course on the strait and narrow path. ... We need to make sure we are constantly feeding ourselves spiritually from the scriptures. Do you immerse yourself in the scriptures?

Mother Teresa and Alma both reminded us of the power of small acts in our lives such as prayer, scripture study, and charity. Mother Teresa said, “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies” (In the Heart of the World: Thoughts, Stories and Prayers [Novato, California: New World Library, 1997], 15). Alma taught:

By small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. . . . And by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls. [Alma 37:6–7]

There are no small things, because combined, they are our strength and they will bring about our salvation! There are a few other seemingly “small” things that will have a great impact on our ability to stay true to our purpose. One of these seemingly small things is our friends. Who do we choose to associate with? Who do we choose to date? To marry? To seek advice from and counsel with? To play and study with? 

President Thomas S. Monson said, “Choose your friends with caution” (“Decisions Determine Destiny”). We must cautiously choose who we allow to have a great impact on our lives. We do many “small” things with our friends. ... We all have companions in our time on earth. They may be siblings, friends, spouses, missionary companions, and even strangers who observe us or briefly interact with us. 

Are you the true friend you should be to those you are with, and are they the friends they should be for you? Do your friends make it easier for you to live the gospel or not? Do they help you draw closer to the Spirit, even in small degrees? Do they leave you better than they found you, and you them?

... Maintaining our testimony and staying on course will require righteousness and regular repentance. It will require great faith. We must be spiritually strong. We must live worthy of the Holy Ghost’s companionship. ... We must delve into the scriptures to know what to do in times of trial, how to help others, and how to answer our questions. 

The answers are in them. ... By studying the scriptures we develop our faith and learn about the Savior, His teachings, the commandments, our Father, and the plan of salvation. Studying the scriptures will keep us on course.

President Thomas S. Monson has given us exceptional counsel for how to stay on course: Obey the laws of God. They are given to us by a loving Heavenly Father. When they are obeyed, our lives will be more fulfilling, less complicated. Our challenges and problems will be easier to bear. We will receive the Lord’s promised blessings. 

... Open your hearts, even your very souls, to the sound of that special voice which testifies of truth. [“Believe, Obey, and Endure,” Ensign, May 2012, 128, 129] We need to open our hearts to that special voice, as President Monson said. 

The Holy Ghost is the only companion of constancy. All of the others will leave us even if only temporarily to run errands, go to class, or go to work for the day. The Holy Ghost will be a constant presence in our lives if we will live worthily. We control the level of influence He has in our lives. 

Do we listen to or ignore Him? Do we act or relax? Do we provide an environment that will allow the Holy Ghost to remain with us? Do we remove the “worldly habits, customs, and traditions” from our lives (Robert D. Hales, “Being a More Christian Christian,” Ensign, November 2012, 90)?

... While the challenges of each day do not fade with each sunset, I know that if we can do as the prophets have counseled us, we will be able to continue moving forward on the strait and narrow path. I also know that this path will lead us to eternal life - a life worth every amount of effort required to get there. 

If we will firmly establish the purpose of our life and stay the course that leads us to it, we will live in the house the Lord has prepared for us “among the mansions of [our] Father” (Ether 12:32). Let Heavenly Father guide and direct you. Live your life with purpose. ..."

If you would like to read the whole Devotional either now or in your own time, here is the link below. 

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/janie-penfield/live-your-life-with-purpose/

Stay Tuned until next time. 

Live Your Life with Purpose ~ Part Two

 Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on a BYU Devotional in February 2013, and it is called "Live Your Life with Purpose" by Sister Janie Penfield. This post is part two. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. 

Sister Penfield has mentioned the following; "Determine Your Course

Once we are fixed on our purpose, we must determine our course to fulfill that purpose. We have to make a plan for how we will reach our destination. ... We must continue to press forward despite adverse conditions. We must not be deterred by challenges big and small all the while taking in the beauty and wonders mortality affords us.

The map to navigate life on earth has been provided to us through the restoration of the gospel. The standard works, modern-day prophets, and inspired leaders help us navigate through the challenges of mortality. ... The latter-day prophets fill in the challenges and specific guidance for our day, helping us keep hold of the iron rod. 

We must determine our course to ensure that our daily choices have a chance of leading us to eternal life - we will not arrive there by chance. ... We need to be on the path when we reach the gate. Having the goal of eternal life, we know where we can look for direction to stay on the narrow way and to find the strait gate.

The scriptures and the teachings of the prophets have provided us with a course for our life on earth. ... We move each hand and each foot in front of the other, progressing as we make decisions to prioritize the work of the Lord, the keeping of our covenants, and our constant efforts to emulate the Savior. 

What is on the narrow way? Temple marriage, missionary service, paying a full tithe, keeping the Sabbath day holy, fulfilling callings, being charitable and the list goes on. Staying on the strait and narrow path requires us to make consistent “best” choices. 

... We learn from Elder L. Lionel Kendrick that the guidance we need is in the scriptures. 

He said: Those revelations received by prophets are given to us in the form of scripture or by the voice of the living prophets. Thus, the scriptures become a road map, a set of divine directions to assist us on our journey through mortality and our return trip home. [“Search the Scriptures,” Ensign, May 1993, 13]

Just as Lehi and his family looked to the Liahona for direction through the wilderness to the promised land, we should let the scriptures and the teachings of the prophets serve as our map as we make our way through the wilderness of mortality.

"Awakening is the purpose that enfolds all purposes"
- Stephen Batchelor.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said: 

We all search for happiness, and we all try to find our own “happily ever after.” The truth is, God knows how to get there! He has created a map for you; He knows the way. 

... The map is available to all. It gives explicit directions of what to do and where to go to everyone who is striving to come unto Christ. [“Your Happily Ever After,” Ensign, May 2010, 126–27]

All you have to do is trust your Heavenly Father trust Him enough to follow His plan, keep your covenants, and keep His commandments. 

President Uchtdorf continued: Nevertheless, not all will follow the map. They may look at it. They may think it is reasonable, perhaps even true. But they do not follow the divine directions. ... [“Your Happily Ever After,” 127]

As members of the Church, we know that not all roads or trails lead to the eternal life we seek. “Happily ever after” will only be ours if we choose to follow the Savior and be His disciples. We are constantly making decisions, and if your life is like mine, most of those decisions are made while in “survival mode.” 

This is decision making in the moment, instead of planning out a course and moving forward when the time is right. This is not the best way to make decisions, for when I live in survival mode, I too often fail to accomplish the things I prioritized in my mind ... It is also while I am in survival mode that I see opportunities pass me by - ... waning family relationships, a decrease in desire to do the things to stay close to the Spirit, ... 

(How did I let that happen?) Perhaps you are like me. Perhaps you, too, let the chaos of life, your studies, your calling, your job, or your fun crowd out the opportunities the Spirit has to speak to you. Perhaps your prayers have become hurried or your scripture study is more reading than study. 

Perhaps you have reshuffled your priorities and have put staying close to the Spirit off to the side simply as a result of not prioritizing it. President Uchtdorf said, “Discipleship is the pursuit of holiness and happiness. It is the path to our best and happiest self” (“Of Regrets,” 23). 

... We have to choose it by being forgiving, charitable, grateful, and anxiously engaged in serving others. We have to make discipleship our course. How do we know what we can do to be a disciple? How do we know what we can do to fulfill our purpose on earth and build the kingdom of God? We have to ask Him through prayer. 

The scriptures have taught us that the Lord will give us answers to our prayers: “Behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart” (D&C 8:2). We will hear by the whisperings of the Spirit what we can do to be more like Christ. 

We will be quietly drawn to opportunities that will allow us to serve on His behalf. We will find ourselves using our talents to build the kingdom of God if we follow the guidance in our heart." 

In the last general conference Elder Craig C. Christensen taught: Through the gift of the Holy Ghost, we receive added capacity and spiritual gifts, increased revelation and protection, steady guidance and direction, and the promised blessings of sanctification and exaltation in the celestial kingdom. 

All of these blessings are given as a result of our personal desire to receive them and come as we align our lives with the will of God and seek His constant direction. [“An Unspeakable Gift from God,” Ensign, November 2012, 14] ... We know how to get the direction of the Spirit. Now we have to do it.' 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Happy Birthday 16th Sam

 Good Morning, or Good Afternoon, or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately two minutes to read. 

Jacob and I would like to wish my brother Samuel/Sam to a Happy Birthday, and we hope that he will have a great day. Time surely has flew by, and I can not believe that Sam is turning sixteen years old today, and today marks two years in a row of missing his Birthday. 

I can not believe that Sam was taller than me by the time when he was either twelve years old or thirteen years old, and I felt so short by standing next to him. By now, Sam would be taller than Jacob for almost or over a year. I must say Sam is quite tall for his age. 

Anyways, I still remember holding Sam when he was a baby, I remembered having portraits taken together of my siblings and myself together when Sam was a baby. Where did the time go? It is hard to believe that Sam would be graduating High School next year, and he would be eighteen years old in two years from now. 

Stay Tuned until next time. 

Live Your Life with Purpose ~ Part One

 Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three to five minutes to read from start to finish.

How can you live your life with a purpose? This post focuses on a BYU Devotional in February 2013, and it is called "Live Your Life with Purpose" by Sister Janie Penfield. This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. 

Sister Penfield has mentioned the following; "... Through my many adventures I have learned that each one must be planned with clear purposes or objectives to summit a peak, to complete a course, or to enjoy the views. I have found that planning with purpose is the best way to ensure that each adventure is successful.

For example, I love to Nordic ski. As with all skiing, there is a trail map that allows you to chart a successful course through the woods and terrain. ... Each ski trek begins with the question Where to? followed by Which route? 

Each trail takes us to a different spot with different options for adventure and scenery a steep climb, a flat meadow, or an incredible view. Before we begin to ski we must determine the purpose of our trek so we know which trails to take. Then we must ski on course or we will not reach our destination.

"Great minds have purposes, 
others have wishes."
- Washington Irving.

Determine Your Purpose

We are here on earth in a type of adventure. We left our Heavenly Father to obtain bodies, to be tested, to make covenants, to gain knowledge and experience, and to hopefully return to live with Him. 

But we do not always remember these purposes. Many who do not have the gospel have forgotten these purposes because of the veil. We often get weighed down by the daily monotony of school, church, family, and work and forget about our aspirations - aspirations that our Heavenly Father wants us to have. ...

Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught: As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best. Even though a particular choice is more costly, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all. [“Good, Better, Best,” Ensign, November 2007, 104–5]

... There are many good things that we can do, but we must stay true to our purpose and live the life of a disciple. We can get married or, better/best, we can get married in the temple. ... Individually we may become discouraged because of the distance between us and the mortal life we’ve aspired to. 

We may not be married, have children, or have the degree or success that we thought would give us the life we’d planned. Fame, fortune, fashion, and fun will play a part in our eventual destination. ... Our collection of choices will determine our final destination.

President Thomas S. Monson said: Eternal life in the kingdom of our Father is [our] goal. Such a goal is not achieved in one glorious attempt but rather is the result of a lifetime of righteousness, an accumulation of wise choices, even a constancy of purpose. [“Decisions Determine Destiny,” BYU devotional address, 6 November 2005]

So what can we do to ensure that we build a lifetime of righteousness and accumulate wise choices? We can live our life with purpose - the purpose to gain eternal life and be counted as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Keeping our destination or the purpose of our life in mind influences our decisions. ... Knowing that we will not go toward so many other destinations provides us with significant direction. 

We can make our judgments and decisions based on the decided purpose of our life. ... Committing to achieve the greatest possible outcome from mortality frees us from much of the push and pull of the world. ... Becoming a disciple also includes being baptized, making and keeping temple covenants, and building the kingdom of God.

It can sometimes be difficult to remember our predetermined course. The scriptures and the prophets counsel us to remember the things of the Spirit - our Savior and the Atonement, our covenants, and the commandments. Remembering helps us keep proper perspective and focus on our purpose. We must choose to remember. We must remember what we want and why we want it. 

... If we live worthy of the Holy Ghost we will remember our purpose. The Savior taught, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance” (John 14:26)." 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Seek Learning ~ I Miss You

Good Morning, or Good Afternoon, or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish. 

I know that in the past eighteen months, I have not expressed too much towards my immediate family members, my extended relatives, my former managers and former employees that I used to work with from past employment, and my friends that I have missed them. I know that I definitely do miss my immediate family members, my extended relatives, my former managers from past employment, and my friends so much. 

I have always appreciated all of the memories for spending some time with my immediate family members in the past, and I have always appreciated all of the memories for spending some time with my extended relatives in the past. 

I have always appreciated all of the memories for working along with my former managers and former employees that I used to work with from past employment, and I have always appreciated all of the memories for spending some time with my friends in the past. I have always appreciated appreciated of various times in my life of meeting those people throughout my life. 

"Miss you"

I missed my immediate family members because I missed going out with my family for dinners, spend some time together that was not involved of staying at home all day, and so forth. I missed my extended relatives because I miss seeing them and spending some time with them whenever I can whilst living in Australia. 

I missed my former managers and and employees that I used to work with from past employment because it was always fun to always catch up with them during my shifts while working and sometimes it actually made time to go fast even when I was not thinking too much of what time it was. 

I missed going to Young Single Adults events such as devotionals, dances, activities, and so forth because it was great excuse for me to go to and catch up with some of my friends that I have not seen in awhile while I was in YSA. If you are a relative or a friend of mine, please know that I do miss you. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Seek Learning for Appreciation goes towards our Parents or our Guardians

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish.

Have you ever thanked your parents or your guardians {that includes step-parents, and so forth} for their efforts and for everything that they show unto you and have done for you? I know that each of us got so used to relying onto them for everything that was necessary for us as growing up.

Have you ever acknowledged of some or all of the things that our parents or our guardians has done for you?

- I know that all of us were too young for us to remember the first time when they have taught us how to smile, first time when they taught us how to laugh, when they taught us how to walk for the first time, when they taught us how to talk, and so forth. 

- They have always done their best to always be with us whenever we needed them to be, they taught us patience, they taught us loving one another, they taught us how to cook meals, they did their best to help us to get through some or all of the difficulties that we ever faced, they celebrated our achievements, they celebrated each milestone that we took, they helped us to make us feel proud of every accomplishment that we have made, they supervised and taught us how to drive a car when we are willing to learn how to drive, and so forth.

They have done their best to fulfill most important responsibilities for us to make sure that we always have access to fresh clean clothes for us to wear throughout the daytime and evening - so we won't ever have to be wearing dirty clothes, they made sure that there was food access for us to eat throughout the daytime and evening - so we won't ever feel hungry, they made sure that we have somewhere to live, and so forth. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Seek Learning ~ I Care

  Good Morning or Good Morning or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish. 

What is your definiton and understanding of the word "Care" ? 

I would like to encourage you to think about, and answer the following questions either now or in your own time. 
"What are several ways do you show your immediate relatives (including your spouse if you are married) that you do care about them? "What are several ways do you show to your extended relatives that you do care about them?"

"In what ways do you show to your true friends that you do care about them?"
"In what ways do you show to your employees that you do care about them?"
"In what ways do you show to your managers that you do care about them?"

"When was the last time did you express to someone that you do care about them?" "Was it today?"
"Was it yesterday?" "Was it a month ago?" "Was it a few months ago?" "Was it a year ago?" 

I must admit, I may not always show to others often of how much I care because I know deep inside that I do care and I always do care a lot. I care about Jacob because he has done so much, and I'm truly blessed to have him by my side. I care about the gospel because the gospel has blessed my life in many ways. I care about my immediate relatives because they mean a lot to me.

I care about my extended relatives but I may not show it often. I care about the former employees and managers whom I used to work with because they always know great ways to cheer me up and get me motivated to keep going whenever I was feeling tired or sad during my shifts. I know that they seem to be great people to work with. 

I CARE. I will always care.

I care about my true friends because they always do their best to be there for me whenever I needed someone to talk to someone. I would like you to know that I care and I will always care. I encourage you to tell to your immediate relatives, your extended relatives, your friends, and other people that you do care about them. 

You can tell them that you care about them by emailing them, you can tell them that you care about them by writing them a letter, you can tell them that you care about them by calling them, you can tell them that you care about them by texting them, and so forth.

Happy Australia Day

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish.

 

I know that several people has judged me in the past, and present time because they have thought that I have came to United States to get a United States citizenship. Well it is not true, I have came to United States to continue living my life and be married to Jacob. There is a process to become a United States citizen. I want to keep my Australian citizenship for the rest of my life.

There is multiple advantages for keeping my Australian citizenship but I would be just willing to share two advantages. One of the advantages for me keeping my Australian citizenship is I was able to submit paperwork, submit printed copy of my marriage license, printed copy of my birth certificate, etc to apply for a legal name change to Australia. 

In other words after applying for a legal name change, Australian government (Births, Marriages, Deaths place) has to approve the application or reject the application. They have approved it, they have sent me the new legal name change certificate and post it to me via mail. Now, Australian government can recognize me as Megan Lindsey instead of Megan Green. 

Between now to my first visit back to Australia, I can continue using my passport as Megan Green until it expires to change the name to Megan Lindsey or whenever I decide to apply for updated information of my passport to change the name sooner and have it as Megan Lindsey.

The other advantage is when I have been done with having children and prior them turning eighteen years old; I can apply online for getting them Australian citizenships. It would be such a advantage because if my children ever wants to live in Australia at one point, they can without having to face law consequences of overstaying their visits. 

Happy Australia Day!

I have been living in Texas United States for the last eighteen months as a United States resident; and during the whole time while I have been living over here, I am still Australian citizen. I have been proud of being a Australian citizen in the past, I am still proud of being Australian citizen at this present time, and I will still be proud of being Australian citizen in the future. 

I remembered celebrating Australia Days' with my family in the past. Whenever my family celebrated Australia's Day at home, I always remembered having BBQ for lunch, my family and I would always have some leftovers from lunch to eat for dinner on that night. My Dad would always cook food on the BBQ on Australia's Day when we celebrate Australia's Day at home. 

He would always cook lamb, onions, fried eggs, mushrooms with cheese on top, beef patties, and so forth. I have remembered going out to places where the church has organized ward activities to get together with church members and non-members were invited to celebrate Australia's Day together. 

I remembered about five years ago for Australia's Day, I went to a ward activity on Australia's Day. I had so much fun. It was good interactions with other church members. I had BBQ for lunch. I have remembered four years ago for Australia Day, I was out with the Young Single Adults and we celebrated Australia Day. We watched a fireworks display in Brisbane city/Southbank, some of us have chosen to go swimming, and some of us just played games with other YSAs. 

I have been grateful for my parents for raising me up in Australia, and I have been grateful for living in Australia for twenty-three years of my life. I have been grateful for all of the past education that I had whilst living in Australia including graduating high school, and I have been grateful for all of the past employment that I had whilst living in Australia. I definitely do miss living in Australia a lot, and I miss living less than several hours drive from the nearest beach. 

I remembered some time not long prior to when I have left Australia to fly to Dallas one way, I had the opportunity to sing the Australian Anthem for the last time before it has made several changes. I definitely cried because reality hits me to know that I don't know when is the next opportunity is going to be for me singing Australian Anthem again. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Some of My Favourite Memories Prior to Marriage

 Good Morning or Good Morning or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish. 

Have you ever thought about when you had your favourite memories with your partner (whether it is your girlfriend/boyfriend, or fiancé/fiancéé, etc)? 

Well I have reflected on my favourite memories that I had with Jacob in the past, and this post focuses to share some favourite memories that I had with Jacob.

Boyfriend and Girlfriend Stage; 

~ Jacob and I both really enjoyed skiing for the first time. I learned so much, I have been forever grateful for Jacob's patience for teaching me how to ski when him and I went skiing together for our first date. 

~ On our sixth date (within forty-eight hours after meeting each other in person); Jacob decided to surprise me very well by taking us to The Roof Restaurant (the restaurant that has a fantastic view of Salt Lake City Utah Temple) after attending a sealing session together at Salt Lake City Latter-Day Saint Temple. 

I enjoyed the surprise, it was a buffet for my twenty-second birthday dinner and dessert. I felt loved, I was happy, and it was very special date. I still remembered sometime after we finished our desserts, Jacob had another surprise for me. He surprised me by giving me roses.

~ Jacob and I always counted the days together to look forward to seeing and reuniting with each other again after being long distance. We both took turns of picking each other up from the airports. (this also applies to fiancé and fiancéé stage).

~ Jacob and I went bowling together, we had so much fun with bowling and we felt so much joy whenever we gotten a STRIKE. ~ I still remembered a wonderful evening when Jacob purposed to me - it happened exactly ten months mark of being boyfriend and girlfriend. 

"A moment lasts for seconds but the memories lasts forever."

Fiancé and Fiancéé Stage;

~ Jacob and I had heaps of fun when we gotten our engagement photos taken - it happened on my twenty-third birthday. ~ Jacob and I went to two theme parks at Gold Coast, Australia together - we went to Wet N Wild and Movie World. We had so much fun. 

~ Jacob and I held a simple engagement party - we have appreciated for those friends and relatives who showed up and joined with us for our engagement party celebrations in Australia and we also have appreciated for those who helped us setting up and made our engagement party cakes for everyone to enjoy. 

Stay Tuned until next time. 

How Did We Gotten Through Our Long Distance Relationship and Engagement?

 Good Morning, or Good Afternoon, or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish. 

First and foremost; today marks three years ago when Jacob and I have started dating as boyfriend and girlfriend. We have been together for three whole years, we have achieved so much over the past three years. Where did three years go? Jacob was twenty-two years old, and I was twenty-one years old at the time.

Have you ever thought about how did Jacob and myself gotten through our long distance relationship? 

Have you ever thought about how did Jacob and myself gotten through our long distance engagement?

Over almost the past two years; I constantly kept reflecting time to time about how Jacob and myself gotten through our long distance relationship and our long distance engagement. Although I know that this post would be very similar to the post that I have shared in June last year. 

“I found that I missed him the more he was absent from my life,
and the more I missed him, the more I loved him.”
 – Donna Lynn Hope.

~ We contacted each other a lot - I really do mean constantly, we always talked to each other every morning when we wake up, and every night before we went to sleep. 

~ We had constant and persistent couple prayers - we were able to take turns, and sometimes we accidentally forget who's turn it was.

~ We had couple scripture study together most times - Jacob always helped me to understand some verses that I did not fully understood prior to our scripture study, and I was truly grateful for Jacob's help because I was able to learn so much. 

~ We constantly kept ourselves busy with our lives such as we were able to spend some time with our immediate relatives, and we were employed and we worked a lot of hours (well, Jacob is still employed). ~ We always have complimented each other which always made us feel loved, and good about ourselves. 

~ We mostly agreed about a lot of things which was always great to be on the same page mostly. ~ We went well of showing each other Christlike attributes to one another such as; we showed patience with each other, we always have shared compassion with one another while we were listening to everything that we both have said, we cared about each other, we supported each other, and so forth. 

~ We really gotten to know each other very good by asking each other and answering a lot of questions by using a book as a guide to help us to know what to ask each other and that book is called "350 Questions LDS Couples Should Ask Before Marriage" - Shannon L. Alder. The book has covers the following topics; - Spiritual - Family 

- Finance - Expectations - Your Relationship - Past History and Trust - Character and Self-Worth - Love, Intimacy, and Communication - Social Media and Technology. 

We would strongly recommend that book for any relationship couples, any engaged couples, and any married couples to make a purchase of that book and start asking each other of the questions from the book. I know 

that it would be very good to get to know their partners. 

~ We did not ever give up on each other - even during difficult times, we constantly done our best to always be there for one another. I know at times, that there has been tough times of not being with each other in person but we always knew that we can always contact each other at anytime whether it was late at night or early in the daytime. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Our Dating Decision and Our First Date

 Good Morning, or Good Afternoon, or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on answering the following two questions; "How did you and Jacob made the decision to date each other?" "What did you do on your first ever date with Jacob in person?" and "Who got to choose the first date?" 

Our Dating Decision;

Sometime before Jacob and I started dating each other; I knew that it would be a great idea for me to fast and pray about whether if I should pursue myself into a relationship with Jacob or not. When I did that, I remembered that I have felt a strong prompting with the answer that I got. I remembered during a skype call, I have asked Jacob if he would fast and pray about whether if he should pursue himself into a relationship with me or not. 

He mentioned that he would do that. While I was waiting for Jacob to receive his answer, I did not tell Jacob about my answer until he gotten his answer. One day; it was a great day, and we both shared with each other of our answers. We both felt confident that we were making the right decision to pursue to date each other. After being friends for eight weeks, we pursued to the next step which was to be in a relationship. 

Although, we thought it would be great idea if we can meet each other while I was in Utah in February 2018, and we should pray about it in person if we should continue pursuing our relationship or not. We knew that IF we did not like each other in person, we would not have continued dating, and we would have moved on with our lives. 

Jacob has booked his flight from Dallas, Texas to Salt Lake City, Utah. I remembered when he told me that he has booked his flights, and we both were so excited. We were counting the days together when we finally get to meet each other in person. We thought it was best to not tell any of our friends and relatives that we were dating each other before we met each other in person. We kept our relationship as a secret between ourselves. 

I remembered that Jacob has shared with me his conversation that he had with his mother sometime prior to flying to Utah. The conversation went something like this; 

Jacob: I am planning to go to Utah. My mother-in-law: What for? Jacob: To meet a girl. 

My mother-in-law: I hope she is worth it. Jacob: That's why I am going there to find out. 

Fast forward to the same evening that Jacob has flew into Utah, we both went to Provo City Temple. We attended a sealing session. Some church members thought that we were a married couple, and they seemed surprised after Jacob or I have mentioned to them that we are boyfriend and girlfriend. We eventually went to the Celestial Room in the Temple. I prayed about if Jacob and I was meant to be for each other. You probably were thinking why would I do that? 

Well I have changed from what I originally going to pray to pray about something else. After I have finished saying my prayers; I have decided to opened the scriptures, and I have opened to a scripture verse that mentioned about "The Holy Spirit of Promise." I felt so happy, I felt joy as well, and I had happy tears. 

It felt like Heavenly Father has approved us for being in a relationship and that Jacob and I are meant to be for each other. We decided from that evening that we should continue our relationship, we announce it on Facebook that we were in a relationship. I remembered that a lot of friends "LIKED," reacted and congratulated us for being in a relationship.

Our First Date (in person)

I remembered when Jacob and I discussed on Skype one day of what we would like to do for our very first date in person. I kept thinking about some ideas. I knew that I did not want to go out to watch one of the latest movies in the cinemas, I also knew that I did not want to go bowling, and I also knew that I did not want to go ice skating. 

A question that came to my mind; "What could possibly be so much fun and memorable first date with Jacob in person?" I knew that I wanted to do something different, and something new to me. I eventually did some research online. I somehow saw skiing as a great idea for a date. I went onto a ski resort website (Snowbird, in Utah). I checked the prices online. 

I was so surprised to see that Snowbird Ski Resort has a special happening; and that was $100 US dollars ($130 Australian dollars ish) per adult. It included the ski rentals, and using the lifts. It did not including lockers hire. I think it was Jacob who booked the passes, I could not remember too much about that part. I knew that we both were very excited and looking forward to our very first date. 

Fast forward to February 9th, 2018 - After Jacob and I have met each other in person at the Salt Lake City Airport in Utah. We were so excited to look forward to our first date. We went to Snowbird Ski Resort. I made sure that I packed some spare clothes in my bag so Jacob and I was able to Provo City Temple after our first date. 

Back to the story of our first date. Jacob gotten a car rental, we felt so much joy at the airport as waiting in line for Jacob to eventually sign the paperwork for the car rental. During our trip from the airport to the Snowbird Ski Resort; we were holding each other's hands, and we felt so happy to be finally being together in person.

We both talked a lot. We eventually arrived at Snowbird Ski Resort. I went to the restroom to get changed into warmer clothes that was appropriate to going skiing. Jacob and I had a quick lunch together. I could not remember too much about what we ate. 

We were both ready for skiing, and we went skiing together, we made a small snowman together, and we had so much fun. Jacob had so much patience with me and teaching me how to ski. 

I did not went skiing before, and it was so cold. I stumbled and I kept falling from skiing for the first hour into skiing. I eventually did very well of skiing. I am definitely looking forward to go skiing again sometime. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

How Did We Meet?

 Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

For the past six months; I have recognized that I seemed to have some friends who has not asked before but started to ask me about what is my story with Jacob. They has asked me some of the following questions;

How did Jacob and I first met? What did we do on our ever first date (or our first full day together)? 

How did we knew that we were both making the right decision to decide to date each other? 

What helped us through our long distance relationship? What has helped us through our long distance engagement? How did we knew that we were both making the right decision to decide to marry each other? 

Well this post focuses on how did Jacob and I meet. You can choose to skip reading the long version of the story and read the short version of the story. Here is the long version of the story. 

On November 19th, 2017; it was a Sunday afternoon when I thought about a great idea, I know that I always wanted to go to Utah one day, and I decided that I wanted to make the trip to Utah in early February the following year. I have started some research to look into flights to fly to Utah, United States from Brisbane, Australia online on multiple websites.

I kept seeing the flights was so expensive, and I thought the airfare flights was going to be way cheaper than what I have seen. I thought maybe I would need to say a prayer. I have said a prayer before I went to sleep overnight and I mentioned about asking Heavenly Father's help with finding cheaper flights when I wake up in the morning. 

On November 20th, 2017; it was a Monday morning and I somehow randomly woken up either about 3am or 4am or sometime that was just earlier time than I normally wake up on Monday mornings. I was feeling so tired but I motivated myself to be awake to search again for flights. I was so grateful that I had Heavenly Father's help. 

I somehow found the cheaper flights than what I have seen on Sunday. I was satisfied with the price so I went ahead to book a flight from Brisbane, Australia to Utah, United States roundtrip for about $900 ish Australian dollars ($600 ish US dollars).  I knew that I felt happiness, I knew that I have made the right decision, and I was feeling very excited. 

Sometime between November 19th, 2017 to November 25th, 2017; I remembered having a active account with Mutual app (dating app) for over a year, I remembered having a active account on LDS Match-Up website for over a year, and I remembered having a active account on LDS Singles website for over a year. I was on Mutual app, LDS Match-Up website, and on LDS Singles because I wanted to meet new guy friends online.

I really wanted to see how things would go from there, whether it would go from strangers to friendships, following by from friendships that turns into relationships, following by from relationship into engagement, and following by from engagement to marriage. I knew that I was ready for having a relationship if things goes well and smoothly although I have tried my best to not have some high hopes, and not to have some high expectations.

On Mutual app; I was constantly on that app everyday. I was able to set my setting that I was looking forward to any matches that I would get that was over 500 miles away from where I lived. I was thinking maybe I would have more chance of getting matches from overseas more than I had less than 300 miles from home. 

On LDS Match-Up website; I was on that website for about four times to five times a week. I remembered that I have made several guy friends which I no longer friends with them. They started to get no interest of talking to me no more. Although I know that I had great opportunities to get to know a lot of guys while being on that website. 

On LDS Singles website; I was active on that website several times a week, and sometimes I would be active on that website once or twice a week. I had my location that I was living in Utah because I was hoping that I would be able to match several guys and I was able hoping to meet several guys during my visit to Utah. 

Overall; it seemed to be making no progress, no friendships that was turned into a relationship, I thought maybe I should give up but when I thought to login onto LDS Singles website, I thought to send a smile/like to a profile. 

I could not believe it that I gotten a smile/like back sometime within the next several days after I have booked my flight to go to Utah. 

Fast forward to November 25th, 2017; I thought to go on Facebook, and I thought to search up the profile of a guy that just smiled/liked back on LDS Singles website. The first profile suggestion came up and it looked like the photos from the website. I was surprised. So I thought to message that guy. His name is Jacob Lindsey. I have sent the very first message on Facebook Messenger. 

Due to time zone differences; I was not expecting that Jacob would ever reply back to my message, and I seemed very grateful that he did replied back to my message. We both continued to message back and forth, we were getting to know the time zone differences. We also messaged each other in between of our work schedules, and so forth. 

We eventually worked out what was the best timing to message each other at the same convenient time enough time for us to be able to chat back and forth sometime in mid December, 2017. It felt so much better because I am sure that neither of us wanted to continue waiting over five hours for one of us to reply to each other's messages. 

I still remembered on Christmas Night when I was staying at my sister Emma's house, I stayed up extremely late. I was messaging back and forth with Jacob. I seemed to be starting to feel really happy. I felt that I really appreciate of the friendship going. Eventually; I remembered feeling so excited to tell Jacob that I was going to Utah sometime in February, 2018. We both discussed that we should make plans to see each other. Jacob would not mind fly out from Dallas to fly to Salt Lake City Utah to meet me in person during my vacation in Utah. 

Fast forward to January 18th, 2018; I thought that maybe I could meet Jacob via Skype. I went ahead and asked Jacob if he would give me some help with my BYU-Idaho Pathways program via skype sometime that day (my daytime, and it would be his evening time). He said "Yes." We both exchanged our Skype names to each other and we started Skyping (video call) to each other. I still remembered towards end of the ever first Skype call that Jacob has requested if we can Skype each other again the next day. I have said "Yes we can."

Fast forward to sometime the following week; Jacob and I have skyped each other everyday (my daytime, his nighttime). He has mentioned to me "I really really really like you a lot." I have mentioned to him that I have felt the same way, "I really really really like you a lot too." We both discussed and agreed that ever since the third skype call that we did, that we have started dating as boyfriend and girlfriend. 

Short Version of the Story; 

Just days prior to November 25th, 2017; Jacob and I have met each other on LDS singles website. Fast forward to November 25th, 2017; I searched up Jacob’s profile on Facebook and the photos has matched his LDS singles website. I have sent him the very first message, and he replied. We kept messaging back and forth ever since then.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mutual App - https://www.mutual.app/

LDS Match-Up Website 

LDS Singles Website - https://www.ldssingles.com/en-us

Stay Tuned until next time.