Month: April 2014

Igniting our Natitude

MeghanLeave a comment

Yesterday afternoon I attended my first Nationals baseball game of the season. Baseball is my favorite sport to watch (only in person…I don’t think I would enjoy watching it on TV). The weather was perfect and even though we sat pretty high up, the seats were great. The Nationals won the game. In fact, the other team scored zero runs. I couldn’t have asked for a more enjoyable baseball game.

photo

 

About a mile away from the stadium, my sister and friends were finishing up their 200 mile relay from Gettysburg to Washington DC. Unfortunately, the timing of the game and the conclusion of their relay didn’t quite pan out, so we couldn’t see them cross the finish line. However, my parents were there and took pictures. Congrats Team Tortoise on a strong finish!

Picture courtesy of Adrian Morgan
Picture courtesy of Adrian Morgan

What Easter Means To Me: It all comes down to one word

MeghanLeave a comment

As I’ve prepared for Easter this week, my mind has been focused on the effect of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection on my life. This video (see below) has been all over my facebook newsfeed and the vast majority of my friends’ posts have included the hashtag #BecauseofHim. Naturally, my thoughts have reflected upon the question: What do I have because of Him?

The answer to the question what do I have because of Jesus Christ, boils down to one word: Everything. While it can be so easy to look at life and see what we lack, the truth is because of Christ, each one of us has everything. Because of Him, our trials and challenges can be for our good and blessing; our tears can be turned to joys; all of our sins can be forgiven; our weaknesses can become strengths; our broken hearts can be mended; our emptiness can be made whole. And this is made possible not because we lived perfect lives, never doubted, or never feared, but because of Jesus Christ. That is the miracle of Easter.

Our Father in Heaven knew we would come down to this earth and face challenges and make mistakes.Through Christ’s suffering and then rising on the third day, we can receive everything if we will believe in Him. I believe that we lived with God before we came to this earth and my greatest desire is to return to Him with my family — that to me sounds like the greatest blessing imaginable. And to know that blessing is made possible only through Jesus Christ, to me, that means everything.

Jesus Christ 2

Spring Has Sprung

MeghanLeave a comment

This weekend it feels like spring has officially started. This was one cold winter, and I am glad spring is finally here. I love going on walks (it’s probably my favorite pastime), and Saturday morning I went walking down by the river. The scenery was beautiful. Then that night, my mom and I went walking in DC.

Mom and Meg

I love when the fountains are on.
I love when the fountains are on.

But the real reason it feels like spring has started isn’t necessarily because of warmer weather, but because this weekend was General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (of which I am a member). Twice a year we “gather” as a church to listen to the prophet, apostles, and other church leaders speak. I put the word “gather” in quotes because while we don’t all go to the same location to participate in General Conference, the conference is broadcast all throughout the world for all to participate in.

I saw an article going around on Facebook comparing General Conference talks to TED talks, which I think is a great comparison. Two of my favorite talks from General Conference include this one on what it means to be truly grateful and this one on love and kindness. General Conference is twice a year – the first weekend in April and the first weekend in October. To me, April General Conference always marks the start of spring.