The year of 2014 has come and gone, and now to repentance (improvement) in the year 2015!!

I was really reflecting on my life this last week, and where I was 1 year ago. I was frantically procrastinating my planning of what and how exactly I was going to teach my students I was trying to work 2 jobs, do the little things, and just live a good life. I had already received my answer to go on a mission, and I was preparing myself for this step and what I would do after......

Fast-forward to this year... I was out visiting those who are lonely, I was talking to everyone I met about something that would change their life for the better, I'm in a new and rainy environment, and I have the opportunity to become more spiritual than ever before because of time that is dedicated to studying the gospel.
This has been a huge change in my life.... a change that I didn't know I needed, but that I am so thankful to have. I really thought I had my life planned out..... I had set goals, and made plans of how I would achieve those. But someone who knows a lot more about what will make me happy, stepped in and helped me change those plans. In reading the talk "Remember Lot's Wife", I was really humbled by the line "She {Lot's Wife} doubted the Lord's ability to give her something better than she already had".... yup that was me! I had my plans, I had my goals, I thought I knew what would make me happy.... But I'm so happy that I have a loving Heavenly Father who knows what I really need :)

I'm so grateful for this opportunity I have to serve the Lord! I am able to really dedicate myself to learning the gospel by studying and teaching it to others. I'm able to serve, and to learn to be humble enough to listen to the Holy Ghost. God is SOOOO good! :) He really does everything to help me be happier in my eternal perspective. He "loves me enough to cut me down" so that I can learn to grow and be more 'fruitful'. I will continue to build on this quote (again from Jeffery R. Holland about Lot's Wife):

"Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the 'high priest of good things to come'".

I can't wait to see how this springboard of time will help me in life. I'm excited to grow closer to my Savior and Heavenly Father this year, and to truly try and help everyone I meet! :) 

A funny event this week was when I met the dog from Air Bud!!! His owners were giving him away or to the pound (can't remember), and this woman we met saved him. She had 4 golden retrievers in which she has saved, and they were all adorable! Cool right?? ;)

This week I was really working on listening and testifying. I really haven't been talking a lot, and I think this is what God has been trying to teach me for 4 months (hence 3 areas, and 5 companions). So I just listen to what is going on, testify of what my companion says, and I don't take control of the situation. I hate not having control, but I was way less stressed. So I will keep you updated with how this goal went this week.

I love my Heavenly Father, and our Savior Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful for the plan that was put into place, and how I have the opportunity to change. Let us all Set Goals, and then make EFFECTIVE plans on how we will achieve them. If you truly plan this out, I know you will achieve the things you want to do this year! So, as a EFY youth taught me, it's not about all the stuff we can lose this year... but what can we gain?? A testimony, a friendship healed, a more loving family, new friends, etc.

I Love you all SOOO much! I know you are amazing, and I'm so grateful you are in my life!!

Love,

Sister Clayson

p.s. Mom, All my companions love the purple Abundant Health Pens.... Good thing you threw them into my bag :) Love it!!