I Can Do Hard Things (:

This last week I had the AMAZING opportunity to go on Trek with the other youth and adult leaders in my ward for youth conference. The days leading up to our Trek departure , I was really excited, and I didn't really know why... I found out who was in my "family" one week before we left, and that made me even more excited! But I felt like there was something waiting for me on that Utah-Wyoming border, hidden in the beautiful, mountainous 235,000 acres owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Something that I would only receive and experience at that place, with the people I was privileged to go with. I had three great brothers, two wonderful sisters, a baby sister Sophia Emmie Rose, and my awesome Ma and Pa(:

I loved loved loved Trek(: I would do it again in a heartbeat(: I learned so much about the early pioneers, and my respect and love for them grew bigger than I ever thought possible(: I'm so grateful for my ancestor, Rachel Ford, who crossed the plains so that I can be sharing my testimony and love for this gospel right here, right now(: While on trek, I had a mighty change of heart(: I don't know how it happened, but I know that it did. I felt lighter and happier and stronger than I ever have! (: And I know that that kind of happiness- that true happiness, can only come from a higher, more glorious and perfect being's love; and I know that more glorious and perfect being is my Father in Heaven. From him, I can gain my fondest dream(: I know this because of a book. A wonderful, perfect, inspiring book called The Book of Mormon. A book that I know if we read with a sincere heart, we can feel our Creator's love. The joy that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints can bring into your life can be stronger than anything you will ever feel. (: I know that a positive attitude can make all the difference in the world. It's not the trials that we are given that affects us as much as the attitude we have toward those trials. The way we react to things shapes us, and gives us experience. I know that through the Lord, Jesus Christ, we can do anything. He can give us the strength to do the "impossible" if we ask for his help and his strength, through prayer. I know that with his help, I can do hard things(: I know this gospel is true, and it's the most true and important thing in my life, and it can be in yours too. The gospel gives me motivation and hope to become better, because I am far from perfect. I know that the power of prayer is amazing(:

I know these things(: