Preach My Gospel take 1

So I just got done talking to Colleen about some of my apprehension about going back to school. I'm going to be honest, that I have a lot. I think that makes me more anxious than moving to London. I haven't even found housing yet. I haven't even made my flight.

One of my concerns was about writing. Besides random spurts now and again, I haven't written anything in any kind of seriousness/school setting in quite some time. She suggested that I just write.. Just to get used to it again. Then when I start school in September, it won't be as foreign. Hence this current post.

One of the sister missionaries challenged me before I left to study Preach My Gospel (the missionary handbook) and I've really been enjoying it. Obviously there is a lot in there specifically directed to the missionaries but I felt like, as many things in the gospel, that there was a lot directed at me and what I can do as a member missionary.

But there were a few things that stuck out to me today. First was a reading in Doctrine and Covenants 20: 5-16. (vs 5, specifically) 

After repenting 

After humbling himself sincerely

through faith =

God ministered unto him. 

(7) " And gave him commandments which inspired him. " 

I am a list maker. I like having guidelines to follow especially when I know the result that may come.

Here is what I need to do to: 

be happier

to return to God

to be with my family again. 

These are cut and dry kind of things. And throughout my life, whether while reading my scriptures, listening to prophets or leaders, I know how to have these things. I know what I need to do.. so why is it that things get in the way. Small distractions. Sometimes important things but not necessary things. I am reminded every  time I go to sacrament meeting. Every time I go to the temple.

I know what to do. 

It's just a matter of doing them.

Another thing impressed me in 2 Nephi 29: 11
"For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written."

I always associated this with the scriptures. Words of God written through prophets to get us the New Testament, Old Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, etc.
Write the words which I speak unto them. To personalize it a bit, I was thinking about the words that were given to me. I have received many priesthood blessings. I know these men who have given me these blessings were called of God. The words they speak have always given me great comfort and peace in times of trial, anxiety, illness, etc. I know that the things they spoke were those my Father wanted me to hear. But there have been very few that I have thought to write down. These blessings are often not only for now, for that immediate comfort, but to look back on and to renew my faith... Or even to find that those promises were fulfilled. I feel like this would be an added blessing in my life to be able to write it down and look back on it later. Like my patriarchal blessing. I love being able to have that with me always to look at things that relate to me now. I got it when I was.. 15?

I can do better

I can do better

I can do better

I will do better