One Word : Atonement

     The word atonement is one we may use every Sunday, but do we use it everyday? Ive been thinking about this a lot lately. Within a week I’ve been in the hospital with some kidney problems. It all started this summer when I had some kidney stones , with anyone that has EVER had kidney stones they would know they are not a piece off cake. They say that having kidney stones is the closest pain any man will have to have to childbirth. Which makes me think, well that sucks! The pain of having a child without the cute baby to make it all worth it? Yikes. I feel like anyone that has passed a kidney stone should get some kind of award!

    This week I've been thinking if the Savior died on the cross and suffered in the garden then why are we required to pass through pain? The word atonement I have heard all of my life but not until this year have I experienced and understood at least a fraction of what it means (even if that). I once heard a talk by Neal A Maxwell ( a old apostle of the church) say - “Even though our experiences are micro compared to His, the process is the same” 

    A quote that has stuck with me says “ The atonement is not a doctrine that lends itself to some singular approach, like a universal formula . It must be felt, not just "figured": internalized ,not just analyzed. The pursuit of this doctrine requires the total person, for the atonement of Jesus Christ is the most supernal, mind -expanding, passionate doctrine this world or universe will ever know." - Tad R. Callister

    Those words sunk really deep in my heart this week. Sunday night I was in my apartment laying on the floor sobbing ( sounds so dramatic I know) I hadn’t eaten a real meal in probably five days and little did I know it was about to get even worse. I lied there crying as I started to say a prayer asking Heavenly Father to please make 

this stop. I pleaded that I would do anything. It seemed like it was one thing after another I started losing a little hope. I started asking what the point of all this was anyway. Then I realized but Amanda this is making you better. This is going to change your life. This is what the atonement of Jesus Christ is about. Its not about some singular experience or some approach to life. Patient endurance is not just being acted upon, not just something happening to you that may seem unfair. It is endurance! It is more than just pacing back and forth in your circumstances; it is not only accepting the things given to us, it is to acting for ourselves.

 The ONLY way through this life and not just the big stuff but the small stuff is through HIS INFINITE ATONEMENT. I know this because I am both weak and strong. I know this from not just one singular event but from many and from many to come just like the rest of us. Whether it be our trials are on the surface for everyone to see or if they are down low where someone may not see we are struggling, they are real and they will make us stronger. Life experiences scare me to death BUT as I use His LOVING and all powerful atonement EVERYDAY when I do fall it doesn’t matter how many times I fall I get back up and that is something commendable. I don’t stay down on myself and beat myself up because I am not perfect.  This year I have learned three things about the Savior's atonement:

1. The atonement is for EVERYONE. 

2. The atonement is not just for sin 

3. The atonement is infinite- its not just for a broken bone but also for a broken soul and broken mind. The atonement 

makes up for all the unfairness in the world. 

4. The atonement is all healing.

Why should I donate blood? OCTOBER 17!!!

Why shouldn't I donate blood ? is the real question. Okay there are a few reason to not date blood. It can be frightening but for me its been there to help me during my 17 surgeries and I am so appreciated to those that have taken that time for me. It really does save lifes! Its saved mine!  So as a part of my project happiness I am doing a blood drive and I am SOOOOOO pumped about it!! I will be doing it the 17th of October at the Provo City Library! Let me know if you are interested. I have a sign up sheet soon!

DID YOU KNOW?………...

• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• More than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day.
• A total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
• The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs.
• Sickle cell disease affects more than 70,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.
• • More than 1.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer last year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
  • A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood

I'm On Top Of The World , Hey!!

I’m on top of the world, hey! That’s what it felt like this past weekend hiking Y Mountain for the first time. I've lived in Utah all my life and I’ve never hiked it. I’ve always wanted to, but it is a little steep and my knees do not like steep. Hiking the Y was on my summer bucket list, but after my knee started popping out of place I thought it wasn't the best idea. About a week ago one of my best friends Ben asked if he and an ELITE team of men could carry me up to the Y. I was a little hesitant, but at the same time very excited. This summer I learned that being independent doesn't mean you have to be stubborn. Ever since I was little I wanted to do EVERYTHING! Every sport, every game, everything.  I didn’t want a little swag walk to pull me back from what others were doing.  I also became very stubborn. I wanted to do things on my own even when I obviously needed a little bit help. I thought that weakness or a limitation of mine would show that I wasn’t strong.  I was embarrassed.  When people would want to do something for me, like give me an arm while I’m walking, or a piggyback, or just helping me up, I would usually say, "No, thank you, I’m good." This year, I learned it doesn’t make me any different to grab a hand when its welcomed. It also doesn’t make me weak to ask for help.  It actually makes me stronger.  Saying I’m independent is "I, I, I," to say I’m dependent is pointing fingers and saying "you, you, you." That is why we need to be both independent and dependent at the same time. We must serve others but also let others serve us. That is how we make it to the top. We make it together.  We make it by doing our part and letting others help in that journey

LEGENDARY STATUS!! P.S Thanks Ben! 

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P.S.S Thank you ELITE team of men!  This is what quality Men are!  I will never forget this experience in getting to the top!