Hello beautiful humans.

I pray you all had a blessed week full of joy and so much happiness! Life is so great and although it's really sucky sometimes and we cant control what happens to us, we can control our reaction. Plus, we've got help! From our awesome Father in Heaven who loves and cares for each of us deeply. Ask him for help and I promise, your days can be filled with even a liiiiiitle bit more! happiness. :-)

I want to take a more serious note today so let's dive right in.

The past couple weeks I've been reflecting on why I'm actually here. Why did I leave a good paying job, my family, school, friends, "freedom" to fly across the world, to a new place, forced to live with someone I don't know--regardless if we get along or not--eating things that are weird and going outside, walking all day long, when it's a billion degrees + humidity? 

The answer is actually quite simple. I love God. I really do with all my heart. And because I do, I want to serve him. Give back to him what he so effortlessly gave to me. A body, a home, nature, bugs, food, mountains, oceans, sunsets, whatever you see, it was created by God. Or the idea was, if you will. How special? When you walk outside during a beautiful sunset or glossy white snow is falling do you just gasp, in awe of how beautiful it is? Well of course not always. But you appreciate it, right? 

I've come to realize that without recognizing Gods hand in my life, I wouldn't have the simple appreciations I do. I wouldn't find joy in the little things. Because why even be happy? What's the purpose of life if we dont understand why we're here?

So many questions have been coming to my mind and as a missionary that's what we do. We ask people questions. But I haven't really stopped to ask myself, "Parker (Sister Lockhart), why are you here?"

I want to share a story with you. It's very real and very scary--

A few weeks ago I received an email from someone very close to me. Who for a while was struggling to get on her feet. We'll call her Ellen. Ellen was at a point in her life where she had to make a choice. Strengthen her relationship with God, or let it fade away. So, she chose to strengthen it. As she participated in things like seminary, church, and reading her scriptures she began to notice a difference in her life. She saw Gods love! Shortly after making this an effort, Ellen had what we can refer to as a frightening moment with the very evil that walks this earth. As she tried to sleep one night, she felt an immense pressure weigh her down and she couldn't move. Couldn't speak, couldn't ask for help. She tried to shake off this feeling by trying to wake up but quickly she knew it was real and not a dream. A force so dark and so over powering withheld her from praying outloud, asking God for help. Eventually, she was able to get ahold of her voice and call out for God to help this evil leave her presence and allow her to breath. This evil was lifted as the prayer escaped her lips. And shaking with fear she cried, not knowing what just happened. But, she began to realize that this evil came for a reason. She had chosen to do the necessary things to recognize and strengthen her relationship with God and that very next night, the Adversary tried to attack her very soul. 

This is not a story to scare off anyone from turning to God. In fact, it should do the opposite. That story to me, made me cry first, and then made me feel so much love and I felt so proud of her. For realizing it was because she was doing the right thing, that a bad thing came along. Doesnt that happen alot? Right when something good happens, something bad follows. And what do we do? Blame God. But why? How? The very God that created the Earth, Sun and the Stars is being blamed for the car rear ended you last week taking up the last bit of your paycheck. That's not fair. 

Its been made very clear to me, as a missionary, that Satan does everything he can, in every way possible to bring down those who are doing good things. Because when we do good, we're happy. And satan is not happy. His is miserable. And he's jealous, of us, our bodies and our happiness. 

I dont want to go much into this, because I beleive it's up for personal speculation. Ponder in your own life how you react when bad things happen. And I invite you all to think twice. Maybe even three times. God loves you. And all He wants is the absolute best. Just like a mother to a newborn baby. She'll do absolutely anything in her power to keep that baby safe, happy, and protected. Our Father in Heaven is the same way. So turn to Him. Ask him for help. Continue to recognize the beauty all around you. 

This is the life. Hold on tight. (To lighten things up that's a hannah Montana reference) Don't forget where you came from, why you're here, and where you're going. It's all set in divine order. Everything happens for a reason. And when we give a reason to the good, as apposed to the bad, we'll be happier. 

God is with you. Each of you. Just ask. I promise he loves you and wants you to be happy.

Keep smiling, keep laughing and keep putting good things into the world. I love you all so much more than any words could ever describe. And I promise, Heavenly Father loves you more than that ;)

With ALL the love ever,

Sister Lockhart