Failure is not fatal
Coming home from my mission has been a very difficult transition for me. When i had 6 weeks left on my mission, the church had asked that all of the missionaries going home within those six weeks to complete a program called " My Plan." In that program, I listed step by step my plans and goals so I could continue to be a missionary when I got home.  I was so exited to complete that plan that I never considered the possibility of failing everything that I had promised to do. When I got home from my mission, I followed my plan of reading the scriptures often, praying, going to the temple, and going to church for a while until I got to college. When I started my first semester back, I barely had anytime to do the small things that the Lord had commanded me. So since the new year came around, I decided to start over. I made a resolution to start reading my Book of Mormon Daily, pray often, and regularly attend the temple. I did not really know how all this was going to be possible but as I conversed with the Lord, I asked him to help me to obey his commandments. As I was reading 1 Nephi 2, verses 19-20, I realized that the reason why it was so hard for me to do the simple things was because I did not understand the why behind it. I realized right then and there that the only reasons I needed to keep the commandments are God's love for me, and my love for him. I know that the Lord loves me and I wanted to show to him that I love him to. So, to do that i need to show him that I was going to put his commandments in first place. This week, i have been reading my scriptures first thing in the morning, making an effort to communicate with him more often during the day, and set a weekly goal to go the his house. I know that the Lord loves me and care for me. He is there to help me to come closer to him when I have the desire to do so. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon who nourishes my soul and help me to recognize what I need to change in order to be a better individual.