The Power of Being Ordinary

Do you realise that as an ordinary person YOU have extraordinary power? I went to a leadership Forum last week and I've been thinking a ton about the subject. It was actually about blogging and telling MY story. People want to read about Ordinary people doing their own extraordinary things. I have Power beyond measure just by commenting and sharing about my experiences. And you too have more power and influence then you might think.
Think to yourself about the stories you have read or heard that are most touching to you? Are they by leaders of countries? Or are they by and from ordinary people who you can relate to. I find that the most heart wrenching and touching stories to me are told by those who lead ordinary lives and who are willing to share their experiences with me.
I challenge all of you to share something you have learned or experienced today. Answer the question what has made you better today? Where have you seen god's hand in your life? Who is your role model, why? There are so many experiences and stories to share, all you have to do is take the time and share it. You never know who's life you will touch through your experiences.

My Ordinary Experience

"Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence." -2nd Nephi 1:20

This phrase is basically the theme of the Book of Mormon and as of late I have been pondering upon its application to me. I mean I am a good girl, i don't murder, or commit adultery or anything, but do i keep the commandments of god the best that i can? I am preparing to serve a mission and I can see Satan's influence stronger then ever. I am so far from perfect and I know my weaknesses, and it is apparent that Satan does too. I find i am getting distracted from my goals and letting myself slack. It is interesting how it isn't the "big" commandments that Satan uses to destroy us, it is the small things, which slowly begin to bind me. We all will face challenging things but we need to remember to face those trials with virtue and will integrity. We are asked to follow the commandments of the lord not because they are going to hold us back but because they make us free and truly happier.
I can promise you that if you do the things the lord asks you will be blessed beyond measure. I pray that you never have to experience a time when the lord cuts off his presence from you. Commandments are blessings and through divine obedience you too can be blessed! So this is my ordinary experience, and i testify to you that these things are true, not because i was told they were, but because i have experiences.
Quote: "It matters not that you are well known. What matters is that you are worthy of knowing. "
A. Kerr

Divinity of Motherhood

Although I am far from experiencing motherhood myself i have to express my gratitude and unwavering love for my mother. This Month's visiting teaching message talked about how we need to stand up for families and mother hood embracing our divine roles.

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president:

“As a disciple of Jesus Christ, every woman in this Church is given the responsibility for upholding, nurturing, and protecting families. Women have distinct assignments given to them from before the foundation of the world. And as a covenant-keeping Latter-day Saint woman, you know that raising your voice in defense of the doctrine of the family is critical to the strength of families the world over”

We have been issued a call to bring about the greater good and not stand quietly when others argue against the divine roles of the family. On top of that this last few weeks I've been learning in women's health about pregnancy, human sexuality, and the right we have as women to " Multiply and Replenish"with in the bounds of matrimony. Upon a little research i found the meanings of the words multiply and replenish. Multiply didn't really surprise me but the word replenish really stuck a string. The dictionary defined it as to make full, or complete. Think about that for a moment, We have been given the divine calling to use our multiplying abilities to make full, bringing spirit children, into the fullness of this life by providing them with a body of flesh and bone.

I feel so privileged to be raised in a home where this divine role was not under played but embraced. I have to thank my mother for making it possible for me to be brought to the fullness of mortality. I am grateful that I have the ability to someday bring children into this world. As we watched the "miracle of life" video and watched the actual process of birth i was amazed and awed at the perfectness of this experience. Parts of me are a little scared but the euphoria of child birth i can say i look forward to with all my heart. I look forward to the day when get to hold my child in my arms for the first time. Whether i experience that in this life or the next i have been promised that my greatest joys will come from my children.

Mom thank you for giving me life, I will never be able to repay you for what you have done for me, but i pray you know how much i love and appreciate you. With out you I would not be. Thank you to you and dad for teaching me about the Proclamation of the family, raising it as Moroni's banner of liberty, Being proud of your relationship and showing me how to build a relationship with my father in heaven.

Mom again I am so grateful for you, you are not just the women who gave me life, you are the women who I call my best friend.

Top 5 Memories with my Mother

1. My mom and I's day at the Wedge in New Port Beach. " The Chase" The day was totally just about her and I and i wouldn't have had it any other way!


2. Conversations we've had while I've been at college


3. Having the Patience with me to teach me how to cook. I will never forget her making rolls in the "old house" and i wanted to help. She handed me a large orange bowl with some dough to make all my own. It was disgusting but it really got me to love to cook/bake.


4. I believe it was in 2nd grade class that we had a career day. Some parents came as accountants, bankers, even police and firemen but my mom came as the best job in the world a full time stay at home mom. She made cookies for the whole class and told them about her wonderful role as a mother. At the time i thought it was cool because she brought cookies but i never realised what exactly she was teaching me that day. She showed me that being a mother is like being a nurse, a chef, a driver counselor, and friend all at the same time, and THAT is the greatest job in the world!


5. This is the most recent. K and I went home to surprise dad for his big 50th b-day and mom was in on the whole surprise. As we were driving into the garage i made a bet in the car what mom would come out screaming. And not even a second later mom comes running into the garage screaming and jumping up and down with her hands in the air. It was so funny but still a cool feeling seeing mom so excited to see us! It was great!

I love you Mom.

A.Kerr

Coming Home...and A Challenge for You

Wow its been two years and finally some of my best friends are coming home from their missions. My mind races of thoughts of what if, and my heart is filled with emotions. I want to first off say just how incredibly proud I am of these men. T., I have known you almost as far back as i can remember. I am so glad you set the standard so high for me. I don't think you will ever quite know what you have done for me over these many years. Thank you! And A., although Prior to your leaving we didn't know each other long but I had the privilege of talking to you many nights. Although you thought i was corny and immature at times i appreciate the times we spent talking about missionary work and our families. I am so proud of you, i pray that you found strength in your distant land and that you will be able to learn for the rest of your life from this experience. Boys I can't tell you how Proud i am of you! Although i won't be home the day you return my heart is with you. And i pray that you will feel my love for each of you.

I stood back this week and learned something about myself. I am the hardest on myself. I am harder on myself then any outside person could ever be. Right now i find myself stressing myself out about things. There is no outside pressure, just me. Its like a volcano in my chest that becomes active when i worry about situations. I am working on extinguishing my pressures but still, it is harder then I thought.

This semester for my Women's Health class we had to do an emotional project. I chose to do a Gratitude Journal. Its only been a few weeks but still I've been amazed at this simple experience. Each night after i read my scriptures I write down two things i am Grateful for and explain why. I am not good at writing in a journal ( this is basically my journal) but this seems easy. Some days its harder then others to define what i am grateful for but i learned so much. I am so grateful for so many things, but most of all i can say i am grateful for my savior. For me Christ=Peace. And Peace is one thing i constantly search for. I am so blessed.

Gratitude Jounral Challenge


• I challenge any of you who are reading this to do just this. Get a little notebook and make yourself a Gratitude journal. At the end of each Day write 2 things you are grateful for and why. You might just be amazed at what you learn about yourself and the peace which comes from this Idea.

People Keep Telling Me...

In the past few weeks I've realised just how often people say " you going to...". Many of the people who's opinions I value have been telling me lately where they believe i am going to end up with year. Some have told me I'll be serving a mission this time next year, some tell me I'll find some lucky guy and I'm bound to be married soon. I have all these influences weighing on my mind but I've realized there is nothing i can do other then take life one day at a time. Last night was the CES broadcast and President Thomas S. Monson spoke on being prepared. One line from his talk really stuck out to me;

"When the time to make a decision is come, the time for preparation has past".

I haven't yet reached the time to decide on any of these big life decisions. But i have decided to do the best i can to prepare. I am preparing for an Eternal Marriage, so that i am the best me i can be when i meet the best man for me. I am preparing to serve a mission, preparing my mind and spirit to devote myself to the lord. I am preparing for grad school so I can continue to receive great education. So people, keep telling me what you think I will do this year, its usually very flattering, but remember all i can do right now is prepare to make the decision when the time comes. Thanks to everyone for your support and prayers in my behalf. Prepare now for your day of decision making. You can not control the day it comes but you can control how prepared you are to handle it when it does.

A. Kerr

Craving Change

Life is great and really i don't have much to complain about but today i find myself seriously craving change. And the hardest part of this craving is i don't know how to cure it. I could dye my hair, or cut it, make a new friend, or i don't know. I went about my day just feeling like something wasn't right with the world and all i wanted was to know what it was. Am i being selfish? I kind of am having one of those moments where i just want someone to hold me, so that even for a moment i can just let go.
I went for a run tonight, trying to clear my mind. I haven't run for nearly 4 months. It felt great but my body still isn't the same. I'm sure I'll be sore in the morning, but none the less despite the aching ankle and cold lungs it felt good to get out, to break up my thoughts with the pounding of my feet on the ground. With each step i was able to break up my thoughts, for just a moment, but it was a moment of much needed relief. I wonder if maybe I'm such an independent person because I'm so afraid of relying upon someone else and being let down. Maybe that is really what i am so afraid of. If i don't put myself on the line i am not letting someone let me fall. well these were just some thoughts. Wanted to get them out. I am still craving change, and if its God's Will it will happen. But all i can do is put my faith in him and it will work out. He is one person who i dont mind depending on because he will never let me down!
Well I'm gonna get some sleep start a new day and work on being the change i want to see. I might be craving chance but this is all my choice. I can do anything. Faith, sometimes its blind
A Kerr

maybe

I think the trickiest word in the English language is Maybe. Well at least one of them. I was thinking about that today, Maybe. It can be used to mean so many things. Some good some bad, all none the less have this possibility factor and its tricky. If you go through a single day and ask yourself how many times you SAY maybe or Hear it, you'd be surprised. Are we some kind of people afraid to commit to words like yes and no? Or is maybe its just a habit we have. hm, none the less, that is my current thought. MAYBE its the simplest way to answer but hardest word to read. Great word when you aren't sure, but its tricky too. How many times do you say maybe? Maybe a lot maybe a little. Maybe
A. Kerr

quote of the day: " Be the change you want to see in this world "- Gandhi courtesy of Jake Ballentine