"be not afraid, only believe"

This past week in my New Testament class we talked about miracles and parables. My favorite thing that we talked about is that Jesus focused on the sinners, outcasts, and those that have been discriminated against. Jesus Christ didn't judge anyone while he was on this Earth so we should follow after His example. I'd like to be the kind of person that those who are outcasts and those that have sinned are able to come and talk to. It is so sad to me that people are out there who feel like they aren't able to talk to anyone about their struggles. These past days and the scriptures we've studied have given me comfort because I know that Christ is always there for us, even when we feel unworthy or on the outs with others. Good things can happen in time. Our God is a God of timing and I believe with all of my heart that I will receive blessings when I am meant to receive them. I am so thankful that I am able to pray and ask for help. I know that I will get all of the help that I need.

I also really liked that Jesus bore witness of Himself and that we talked about how God also bore witness of Him. Later that day we talked about parables; we talked about the concreteness and the abstract qualities of parables. There are many many applications of parables, while there is only one interpretation. Each reader of the parable can apply it to their own lives in a different way. I know that there have been ways that parables have been taught that have helped me a lot in the past. The parable on the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32), which is about the restoration of the gospel, has been applied to my own life in a different way.

turn your bitterness to sweetness

To be honest, sometimes I can be a bit of a downer. I know it and I'm working on it. Although I sometimes see the glass as half empty, I also think of my self as an optimist. It's weird; there are small moments when things seem like they'll never get better but then things are bright and happy again. I may be exaggerating a little bit, but you get it. The point is that through Christ I can turn my bitterness into sweetness. Jesus was sent to help the world; John 3: 17 says, "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved". This week in class we talked about how Jesus becomes a part of us every Sunday because of the sacrament. As long as we keep Him with us we can be blessed and see the light in our lives. If we continue doing what we're supposed to and follow the commandments, good things will come to pass whether the blessings come now or later in life or in the afterlife.

One of my favorite things that Brother Griffin said this week was that  "Jesus is good at letting us be ourselves". Hearing this made me so happy; we are all so different and yet we are all so loved by our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. No matter the mistakes we make we can come back to the church and we'll never lose the love. People all over the Earth are all different - they have different opinions, points of views, experiences, mistakes, etc., and Heavenly Father is there for every single one of them. I am so thankful to be a part of this gospel, I have been so blessed because of it.

find your answers through jesus

This week has been so wonderful, I'm loving my classes and this opportunity to be learning at Brigham Young University. It's my second week here and I have already learned so much. One thing that stands out is how awesome Greek is when reading the scriptures. Going through Luke 1 with the help of greek translators made things easier to understand. We found that Luke 1:1 talks about Jesus and how He is also a God, rather than all three Heavenly Beings being the same. It is so important to get all the details and try to understand things before making judgements - whether it's with scriptures or other situations.
Another thing that we talked about this week was how Joseph and Mary couldn't find Jesus for days, but finally found Him in the temple. The symbolism in these chapters is absolutely incredible; for one specifically says that we can always find our Savior and our Heavenly Father in the temple and other wholesome places. I know that for me personally I can feel them with me while I'm on campus, learning all of these wonderful things.
The last thing that I'd like to talk about is the importance of women in Luke's chapters. Women have been so important in the past and I love hearing about the wonderful things they've accomplished. It inspires me to be better and to seek out opportunities to help others and share the gospel.