The Christmas Story

This is the cutest rendition of the Christmas story ever! I love it! Enjoy!

God is our Heavenly Father. He loves us!

That was a truth that was reaffirmed for me this weekend.  I was praying with the Sister Missionaries that I am working with at the Missionary Training Center and all it took was for me to say the words, "Father in Heaven."  Just that word "Father" helped me to realize that I really do have a loving Father in Heaven who really is aware of ME and what I am going through.  He loves me and I just think that is wonderful.  He loves you, too, so I hope you don't forget that!

Sanctify Yourselves

Great Video about the power of the Priesthood from Elder Holland!

"On Dealing With Uncertainty"

I just read a talk from Elder Bruce C. Hafen called, "On Dealing with Uncertainty."  My Dad suggested that I read it and well, its not that things are clearer for me, but I feel I have more direction in how I react to situations.  I hope that makes sense.  I still have much work to do and the semester will continue to be busy, but I know that I can do it.  It's a wonderful thing to be here on the edge of the rest of my life. It is scary, but it is wonderful. Have a great week!

First Week of School

Well, this was quite the eventful week.  I started school again.  It is going to be a busy but good semester.  I began volunteering at the Now I Can Foundation which is an intensive Physical Therapy Clinic for those with Cerebral Palsy and other neurological disorder.  They really know how to work miracles there in helping people to be able to do things that we don't even give a second thought to, like walking and sitting down and standing up.  It's really remarkable.  I continue to volunteer at the Utah State Hospital which continues to be a good experience.  I am continuing to work on Applications, but really need to intensely focus on getting them done here in the next week or two before things get crazy busy. BYU football won yesterday over Ole Miss, 14-13 and it could very well have been more.  A win is a win, though.  I attended my new ward today and I was a little tired and irritable due to fasting, I guess.  It seems like a great ward, though and I know it will be a great experience getting to know new people and making new friends.  I bore my testimony about doing hard things. I shared the scripture from Alma about the Sons of Helaman where it says that they had never fought, yet they did not fear death for they knew if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.  That is live, I think.  God will deliver us or help us or lead us through the tough times.  He is always there, and He will carry us.  Dad was released from the Branch Presidency this week, too. What a great blessing it has been for me and our family for Dad to be serving in that capacity.  I know he loves the Young Single Adults and he loves the Lord.  I love my Heavenly Father so much.  I was blessed this week to be able to help a few people as they were moving things to their apartments.  Thanks so much to Mom and Dad for letting me have the truck up here.  It truly has given me the opportunity to serve other people.  I think that is all I want to write for this time, just know that God lives and love everyone of you, especially you honey!  And that is a wonderful thing!

Grace Shall be as your Day!

I just listened to a BYU Devotional from Brad Wilcox about Grace and the Atonement.  Christ does not make the difference, He is the difference.  We are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ.  I believe that whole-heartedly and know that to be true.  Christ does not expect us to earn our way into Heaven.  That is impossible for us to do.  He is showing us the way to prepare ourselves for Heaven.  Brother Wilcox calls it being changed by Grace.  We are preparing ourselves to be comfortable in the presence of the Lord.  We will not begging the Lord to let us come into Heaven, rather He will be begging us to stay with Him. I just thought this was a really wonderful talk and wanted to share it here.  You can find it at BYUspeeches.com.  Hope you enjoy! It really makes life much more wonderful.

News Flashes!!!

Spring Term is over, Summer starts tomorrow and I am excited for my classes.  BYU Lacrosse won their 4th MCLA National Championship.  Sarah Bickford is engaged. I think that is about it.  Stay tuned for more wonderful news from the life of Russell Michael!