Blessings leads to Blessings

               With everything being all crazy busy for the holidays, I never really realized that it wasn't busy like rushing around or what not, it was more like busy having the greatest times of my life. Reading my scriptures, singing primary songs with the little kids, or even talking about the great memories that have happened.
         
           I spend most of my days with my family. Mainly the babies than the older kids. The babies bring a lot of joy in my opinion. The way they learn and then act upon it. They have such a bright soul, I've spent most of my life with having little ones around. I watched them grow to be teens and be such a valiant young woman to the Lord. My oldest niece and I are two years apart, we have done mostly everything together. Being older and being able to experience things and than share it towards her is like being able to let her know what to avoid and what not to. It is her first year in high school, and her first year in seminary. She was feeling a little worried, but I made it clear to her that there is surely nothing to be worried about. I could not share my experience about seminary towards her because my freshman year, I went to seminary for like two months, and then I stopped. I just didn't have the courage nor the mindset to go and I was very furious about loosing my sleep. I was not able to meet the requirements listed for that year. Sophomore year rolled in and I had a mind set to go to Seminary and meet the requirements that year and try to make-up for my freshman year. The thing was, I didn't try like I said I would. I set a goal, but I just did not know how to achieve that goal. When I was entering my Junior year, I made sure I knew what I wanted. I made sure I knew what I really wanted to achieve and I made sure I attended seminary. Attending seminary daily, almost daily I learned that I am lucky to be able to attend Seminary before I go to school. School is filled with worldly temptations, and I want to avoid that, so when I go to Seminary, I am able to feel the spirit and carry that feeling throughout the day. 

       With the great blessing of attending seminary this year, the requirement is to read the Book of Mormon. The first reaction I had was, oh no. I have always tried to read the Book of Mormon and never seemed to pass 1 Nephi 3. I just stopped and never went back, but I made a goal and I needed to achieve it. I did, I read the Book of Mormon and got so enriched I started reading more than a chapter a day. Half of it was mainly because I finished my personal progress value projects but I needed to finish the Book of Mormon. So it was both a challenge for me I needed to achieve, so I did. I read a chapter for Seminary and three chapters for Personal Progress and write in my spiritual journal. Long story short, I finished my personal progress and received my medallion. Back to seminary, I am still reading in Alma, the longest book in the Book of Mormon. I am carefully reading it to clearly make sure I understand it. 

        My point with blessings leading to blessings is, my two best friends have been the greatest example in my life, along with my loving parents. My two best friends received their medallions together and they finished their personal progress together. I attended their recognition later that Sunday night, and was inspired to finish mine before the new year rang, so I set my mind to it and finally finished. The blessings of having people like that to set examples for you is amazing. I never take these for granted, I appreciate it more and more as my life gets blessed with much of these impacts. Look back on the blessings in life, see how it has made you the person you are today. 

Love, Aliana 

           

                                            A Bite of the Scriptures 

         
              As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I personally have been going to church every Sunday and thought that was all I needed to do to feel the spirit, grow my testimony, and receive blessings, but that was only one of the many.

              Instead, I was not getting many blessings nor growing knowledge of the scriptures because I lacked in going to Seminary and one of the curriculum is to read the scriptures and mark what you have read and daily readings. I lacked in doing so, I know now that I was lacking in school, due to lacking in not only seminary but the scriptures. I tried to go to seminary, but I was not trying hard enough. There was always an excuse that emerged into my head so I wouldn't go, that was bad!

             Looking back into those days, I should have went to Seminary. I should have read my scriptures and done more to make sure that I had enough credits for that awarding certificate.


            Now, let me tell you a moment I recently had with the Book of Mormon that has changed my life and will continue to change my life. I was sitting in my room just doing daily homework and listening to radio. I changed the channel to Christian radio, due to the music nowadays that talk about uncomfortable topics that do not fit my standards. I listened to how amazing and loving it sounded and decided to listen to some Hymn music from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, they are amazing and just the second they sang, I'll go where you want me to go, I felt the prompting to do what the Lord would want me to do, go, read, say and hear. I immediately knew, the Holy Ghost that I was confirmed and given when I was eight, told me to pick up my scriptures and read. I went for the search of my scriptures probably covered in dust. I found it and opened it reading 1 Nephi chapter 1, than 2, than 3, etc. I could not help but continue as my eyes were covered in tears of happiness and pure joy. The hardship Lehi has done to warn the people of Jerusalem to leave and repent, for Jerusalem will be destroyed because of the wickedness that lurked through every seep. They dare not listen to him and only mocked them. I felt so overwhelmed and grateful that Lehi and Nephi were so righteous and listened to the Lord's command no matter how hard it was. I cried for about three hours so overwhelmed with the spirit. I was too happy that I texted my best friends, friends, and one of my previous young woman leader from my previous ward. One of my best friends responded, "You have partook of the fruit." I immediately could not stop myself from crying happy tears.

           My testimony in the scriptures went from, "I believe..." to "I know.." that the scriptures are true as I read, pondered and prayed about it. This gospel and Scriptures have brought joy to my life and made me grow closer to my Heavenly Father. I encourage you, if you are lacking in scripture readings or would like to read the Book of Mormon, to go for it. In the end, you will be happy and let me tell you this, that bite was the sweetest, most joyous taste I have ever felt.

Love,

Aliana Fisi



Scripture:

"The tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen." 1 Nephi 1:20