Faithful

This week in my Eternal Family class we have been talking about the law of chastity. In the fourth paragraph of the Proclamation it states, "THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife." 

So I've been pondering that lately and why it's so important for us to keep the law of chastity which basically is not having sex before marriage and being completely faithful to your spouse after marriage. 

In the world today, a lot of people don't see this need for this commandment! They think that they can do whatever they want and sleep with however many people they please. But that's not God's ways. He wants us save ourselves for the one that we will be married to for time and all eternity! 

In his talk entitled "Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments", Elder Jeffery R.Holland said,"Sexual union is . . . a sacrament of the highest order, a union not only of a man and a woman but very much the union of that man and that woman with God." Our relationships truly should be between us, our spouse, and God. Together with our spouse, God has given us the power to create life and bring His children into this world. It's such an amazing opportunity we have! But we have to take this responsibility seriously. We have to provide a safe environment for these precious souls to come into, and that is in a home where a husband and wife are legally married. 

In that same talk, Elder Holland goes on to say, "we will never be more like God at any other time in this life than when we are expressing that particular power. Of all the titles He has chosen for Himself, Father is the one He declares, and creation is His watchword–especially human creation, creation in His image." 

I know that we are God's most prized possessions, His greatest creations. He loves us perfectly. Yes we mess up, but we can repent. We can change! And we can be forgiven. If we aren't already, we can choose to be sexually pure and live a virtuous life. We just need to do our very best and have faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

I'm so grateful that Dakota and I were married in the Temple and that we keep the law of chastity. It brings us closer to one another and to our Heavenly Father. 

  

Together Forever

Today I'm just extremely grateful that I'm married to my best friend for time and ALL eternity. :) In my Eternal Family class, we're discussing The Family: A Proclamation To The World, which you can find and print a copy of here.

This week we are discussing the third paragraph which says," In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally." 

These ordinances and covenants are necessary for everyone to enter into if they want to live eternally with God. Our Heavenly Father loves us so dang much. He truly just wants us to be happy! And as we obey Him, he pours out his blessings upon us.  

In The Book of Mormon in Mosiah 16:7-8 it says, 

 7 "And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.

 8 But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ."

I'm so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ. Because of Him, we will live again! He has taken away that sting of death because of his perfect love towards us. 

Healthy Eating

Wow. I haven't been on here in literally forever. So today I decided that I might as well start back up again! :)

This semester I'm taking classes online at BYU-I. And let me tell you, I'm surprised I'm not dead yet. Haha. It's so time consuming and I may or may not have ended up in tears a few times. But it's fine. I'm starting to get the hang of it.. I think. :)

I'm taking Human Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, Personal Health and Fitness, Sociology, and The Eternal Family. For my Eternal Family class, we were challenged to set a goal about eating healthier and exercising. So I decided to try and eat a fruit and/or vegetable for at least 2 meals of the day and then exercise for 30 min for at least 4 days of the week. It addition to that, I also tracked my calories with every single food that I ate. It might sound like a pain to some people, but I actually loved it! I love learning about nutrition and the things that foods can do for our bodies.

So this morning I decided to get up and make a healthy breakfast. I found this recipe for banana oat greek yogurt muffins on this site http://www.runningwithspoons.com/2014/06/24/banana-oat-greek-yogurt-muffins/ and decided to give it a try! Instead of blending up the oats I just left them whole. I also didn't add the chocolate chips because first of all, my family is doing a health challenge and we can only have sweets for one day out the week. And second of all, I knew I'd eat all of them if they had chocolate chips in them. :)

Let me tell you, these things were DELICIOUS! I may or may not have eaten 2 of them. But, they are so much healthier than regular muffins! They don't contain any refined grains, just 100% whole wheat oats. They also have a good amount protein because of the greek yogurt, and there is a banana in them which is a good source of potassium and fiber. So basically they're packed with nutrients. :)

I ate these muffins as well as an orange while I did some personal study this morning. I read in D&C 89 about the Word of Wisdom and verse 16 stood out to me today. It says, "All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground." I love that the Lord knows exactly what we need for our bodies to keep them healthy and strong! And I also love the promise that He gives us as we obey and follow the Word of Wisdom.

It's seriously such a cool promise. :) I love the scriptures and I love food and nutrition. So basically I love it when they're both combined. ;)

Eat healthier, people!! :)

Love,
Maurcine