So, last week I gave you a taste of the schedule that I have each day. A very small taste, which did not emphasize the number of times I go up and down stairs each day. It probably seems really busy. And it is. But that's good. I've noticed a lot in my life that when I have down-time, I lose focus and end up not sure what to do or say or think. And it's good to unwind every once in a while and not focus on anything in particular, but I was doing it a lot. All of this intense study at the MTC is keeping me focused. We have so many distractions in our lives, it's ridiculously easy to lose sight of what really matters to us.

I'm totally turning into a missionary, aren't I? Ordinarily, I refrained from talking about religion, politics, or anything that I thought was of an incindiary nature on my blog. I didn't really want to offend anyone, so I posted short things that were quite infrequent. I'm naturally a quiet person, even when I'm around friends and family--which was perfectly fine. But I find myself changing here. I speak up more often, which is good. I know there are a lot of times in my life where I look back and cringe because I didn't say something because I thought I had nothing of value to say, and didn't want to offend people. The truth is, everyone has something to say. I encourage all of you to speak your mind often. I encourage you to learn from others and what they have to say. I've learned an awful lot from the nineteen-year-old elders around here who easily and without apology testify of what they know. I love listening to them. When we share what we think and feel and believe with others, we are better able to taste the joy in life we often lose as our focus is distracted and distrupted by mini-emergencies of life or something on television.

Think about why that is. Think about someone in your life who has influenced the way you think and act. What did they do/say to be such a great influence on you? Have you thanked them? Do you try to help others see things in a similar manner?

If you have, kudos. I wish I could give you a candy bar. If not, I encourage you to be like that someone. Share what helps get you through the day with a friend or a neighbor. Try and brighten someone else's day when you notice they're in the depths of despair--or even in a bad mood. You don't need to catch the miserable cold when someone else has it. Think of that influence on your life when you feel down. The more we focus on the good in our life, the easier it is for us to keep pressing on with life--which isn't easy.

As I'm in the MTC, my primary focus and my great Influencer is our Savior, Jesus Christ. I testify that by focusing on Him, my life has been made better. I've become more considerate to others and have tried to put myself in their shoes. I've also been working on being more selfless--something that should be taught in schools. I am very far from perfect, and make many mistakes, but the more I learn of Christ and apply His teachings in my life, the more I want to help others do the same. I want to help them focus on the Savior as well. I know that He lives and loves us. He has truly born our griefs and sorrows that He might succor us. He has descended below us all in order to know exactly what we're going through. I have found peace in my darkest times of life through Him. The more I talk of, think of, and focus on Christ, the easier it is to get through the day. Missionary work is not a picnic, same as life. But there can be much joy and hope as we learn to rely on the Savior and share His all-encompassing love with others through our actions and words.

I challenge all of you to spend at least an hour this week focusing on the Savior. If you know nothing about Him, open up your Bible to the testament of Luke. If you know a lot about Him, ponder upon that which you know and try and see how it has influenced your life. I promise that you will better be able to see how the Lord has blessed you if you do this. You will find joy to be sweeter, and tough times a little easier. I'll be asking you next week if you did.

I know that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, and that through His infinite Atonement, we can be made clean and dwell with God. I bear witness of this in His sacred name, even Jesus Christ, amen.