Overcoming Feeling Overwhelmed

   Life can be overwhelming. Sometimes we just have a ton to do and not enough time to do it in. Sometimes things happen we don't understand. Sometimes we just don't know what we're doing!
   I think we've all struggled with that at some time or another- and if you haven't, knock on wood... even as missionaries we have those same struggles and feelings. I know I have on my mission. Recently I've learned some pretty cool ways to overcome feeling overwhelmed.
   I recently shared this discovery with some friends of mine: Sometimes life hits us like a river, and rather than trying to contain that river in a bucket, now I look at it as a river to swim in. Do I understand it all? No. But I don't have to. I just do all I can, and when the challenges are too big to conquer immediately- I just swim through it. I do all I can, and leave the rest to God.
   That's what I've learned to do, and it's helped a lot in my life recently. Just look at the good in the world, and don't worry about what you can't handle. Know that God will take care of you. He loves you, and if you turn to Him, it will all work out in the long run. Even if you can't see the ending.

How To Maintain A Positive Attitude

   Every morning I try to think of some things I am grateful for. The new day. A good night's rest. Maybe the fact I'm no longer getting a bad night's rest. But whatever it is, I like to start off the day on a note of gratitude. Whenever I do that, it is easier to be happy and have a good day.
   Someone once told me the last thing they do before going to bed was think of a way God had touched their lives that day, that way they could end the day on a happy note. When we take a little time to be grateful for our blessings, it opens our eyes to heaven's view and uplifts us. When we are grateful, we recognize our blessings, and God gives us more. Even though we will still face challenges, we face them with positivity and optimism, and our days seems to go better.
   I for one am grateful for good friends and loving family. I am grateful for my knowledge of the restored Gospel. I am grateful for the experiences God has given me to help me, strengthen me, and feel of His love. I am grateful that when we make mistakes, God has given us a way to correct them and be forgiven. I am grateful for nature. I am grateful for my Savior, who marked the path so I can know how to return to my Father in Heaven. What kinds of things are you grateful for?

How Can We Know The Way?

   Each morning as a missionary I study the scriptures. Today I was lead to read John 14:1-7. Just seven verses. I pondered them over and over trying to see what understanding I could gain from them. I'd like to share them with you. Jesus is speaking:

"1. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that were I am, there ye may be also.
4. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."

   Thomas, an Apostle, didn't quite understand Christ or His Gospel! It amazes me to think about that! And Christ's response to Thomas' question- how can we know the way?- is profound. Christ IS the way!
   That applies to each of us as well. When there is a trial in your life or you feel hopeless, like there is no way out: CHRIST IS THE WAY! If we turn to him, if we focus on him and ask for his help, there is always a way to overcome it. We are NEVER hopeless when we are following Christ. He is the way to salvation and eternal life. If we accept him, and his teachings, and follow his commandments, we can overcome anything!