Postal Service

I am grateful for:

1) Letters

2) Emails

3) Alone time

After a long walk today and an outing with my family to the movie "Maleficent", I was able to receive wonderful letters and emails from, Megan... Or Sister LeDoux! I miss her so much.

Stay grateful!

Happy Birthday!

I am grateful for:

1) Adam Sims

2) Halal Food

3) Good friendships

I celebrated my missionary trainer/friend's birthday today. Even though it was a couple of weeks ago. As we ate wonderful Halal food and built relationships, It helped remind me of the joy family and friends bring to our lives.

Happy Birthday, Sims! Hope your life continues to go well. "May the odds be in your favor."-Hunger Games

Lovely Walks

I am grateful for:

1) Aimless walks

2)The book "The Power of Everyday Missionaries"

3) Warm sunny days

Today, I took a walk from my house in Highland, Utah to Cedar Hills, Utah and back. Along the way I was able to read a wonderful book called "The Power of Everyday Missionaries". There was great insight on how we can be examples to others and bring them into the fold of Christ.

Here is a part that inspired me:

"What makes the LDS Church so different? Questions have been restored to the earth. As a church and as individuals we know much more about God's plan for us than is available for those who have been told that the "Libraries" above we emptied for answers and padlocked centuries ago. Our story is not just credible (Joseph Smith's first vision.). It is true.

Because God gives answers when we ask questions, it is a good way to do missionary work. People will learn when they are ready to learn, not when we are ready to teach them. Discovering what questions are on people's minds about religion helps me see that I actually am surrounded by many more people who are religious than I had thought-because they have questions." -"The Power of Everyday Missionaries" by Clayton M. Christensen pg. 34

Stay grateful!

Time To Rest

I am grateful for:

1) Rest

2) The Gospel of Jesus Christ

3) Time to study the Gospel

After a long day at work, it is nice to sit down and study the gospel. I just read a wonderful talk given to Priesthood Holders in 1994. It is about becoming better men for our families. Take a look!

Life Skills

I am grateful for:

1) My job at the warehouse for Seagull Book.

2) My Calling as a Ward Missionary for my church.

3) The leadership skills I have obtained over the years.

I am grateful for these things because I have been able to take on new responsibilities as time has gone by. I remember serving in my youth church callings like the President and councilor for the Deacon, Teacher, and Priest's Quorum, I served on the Stake Youth Committee, a set apart Missionary, and now as a Ward Missionary. These callings have blessed me so that I can know God's Will for me. I have been able to serve and help everyone around me.

Working at Seagull Book, I have been able to meet so many new friends, and learn new skills. It's the best.

Experiencing all of this has helped me with leadership skills. I may still be a very quite and shy guy, but experiencing all these things has helped me understand how to build confidence in myself and in others. We never learn things unless we gain the experience. Even if it's hard.

Stay grateful!

TRIALS

Today, I am most definitely grateful for these three things:

1) Missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

2) My best friend, Megan

3) Peace during trials

Megan leaves for her mission tomorrow in Washington State. She will be gone for 18 months. She will be experiencing so many wonderful things, just as I have experienced in New York on my mission. Even though this will be a great trial for her as she leaves her family, to help total strangers come unto Christ, so that all of God's children can come home to Him after this life. It will also be a great trial for me as well, as I wait for her return.

I know that God will grant us peace during these tough times. Just keep enduring to the end, and God will bless us.

Stay grateful!

The Purpose

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or more commonly known as the "Mormons", a nickname given to us.

We believe in many wonderful things. One of which is to "Endure to the End". It means to continue to follow God's Commandments forever. When we are baptized into this glorious church, we promise to do this. I have taken this challenge on. It definitely is very hard sometimes. I have gone through many trials and hardships. (I bet everyone has.) But there is one thing that helps me keep going. Which is the blessings our dear Heavenly Father has given me personally.

I have just recently arrived home from a two year mission serving as an LDS missionary in the New York area. I had many opportunities to help people, most of which were those in the Deaf Community. I  learned American Sign Language and taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

There were many times I felt like I wanted to quit. I emailed my mom during these difficult times and one thing she suggested was to keep a Gratitude Journal. To list three things a day that I was thankful for. I took on that Challenge.

 I would like to continue my Gratitude Journal on this awesome blog. Welcome to "The Happy days of Zachary S. Davenport".