KELVIN MCKAY FINDLAY

Last month I went to Meadow Hot Springs  in Meadow, Utah (it's really close to Fillmore). I had heard about these hot springs that are, literally, in the middle of nowhere , but I wasn't positive about how it would all work out. I was worried that they didn't really exist and that, if they did, I would be trespassing to get to them. Anyway, I plugged Meadow Hot Springs into the Google Maps app, and sure enough, it led me right there. Let me just tell you, I am absolutely obsessed with these hot springs. There are three total hot springs. The first two I drove past already had several people there, so I went to this one, which only had one other dude already swimming around in it. He asked me if I had ever been to them before, I told him no, and he continued to tell me that this pool was the least warm of the three, but it was still really nice. (Note: this was in March in Utah, so it was pretty chilly outside!) Anyways, I changed into my swimming trunks and jumped in t...

Last month I wrote my amazing sister Avenlea (pictured above [on the right] currently Sister Findlay, serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Chesapeake, Virginia) a letter, explaining to her how I was feeling distant from God, Jesus Christ, and the Spirit. I asked her for advice. She reminded me of three things that I should do. I have always known that I need to do these things, but I am constantly needing reminders, because I am so so so far from perfect. So, without any further remarks, here are three things essential to happiness (according to Sister Findlay) :   Prayer . Praying is so important. It is how we communicate with God, our Heavenly Father. Praying will strengthen our relationship with God. Scripture Study . Reading the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon is an essential key in finding happiness. As we read the scriptures, we will learn so much more about Jesus Christ, His life, and His example. Studying the scriptures ...

"Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead - a lot of it." // Jeffrey R. Holland December 18 will always have a special place in my heart. December 18, 2015 was the day I graduated my program at West Ridge Academy. I can't believe it has already been one whole year. Not a day goes by that I don't think about the life changing experience I had there and the amazing people I met there. And, today I thought about it a little bit more than normal. I'm so thankful for second chances, help, forgiveness, and love. I'm so thankful for professional therapists who have great hearts, for the amazin g staff at west ridge, for my friends, my family, especially my parents, and a loving Heavenly Father and Savior. Today I'm so thankful for the three dudes in the picture who have taught me more than anyone else. The past year has not been easy and I've had to continually work on everything I learned at rehab. But, ...

"Behond, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive, and blessed are those who come unto me." (3 Nephi 9:14) // The other night I read  "The Master Healer" by Carole M. Stephens . This  talk explains how "you don't have to experience the sorrow caused by sin, the pain caused by others' actions, or the painful realities of mortality - alone." Reading this talk brought me much needed comfort. Carole M. Stephens talks about how the Savior is the center of the plan of happiness . His Atonement is what has made it possible for us to achieve real joy. It's because of Him that we can experience real joy, regardless of all the crap we go through here on earth. (That isn't really crap at all, because it shapes us into who we are and helps us get closer to being more like Him.) If we want to take full advantage of the joy and comfort that Christ can bring us, we must have a testimony of Him as the bedroc...

"God is love." (John 4:8) // The other night I read "Abide in My Love" by Elder Todd D. Christofferson from this past conference and absolutely loved it. This talk is about how "God's love is infinite and it will endure forever, but what it means for each of us depends on how we respond to His love." I absolutely loved this talk because feeling God's love has been such an important thing in my life. God's love is what I relied on during my six months of rehab when I felt completely lost and alone. Feeling God's love is one of the most comforting things and I know that it is real. He loves us, it is something I am sure of. Elder Christofferson explains God's love and I absolutely love the words he uses to describe His love. 1. God's love is UNCONDITIONAL . 2. God's love is GREAT . 3. God's love is WONDERFUL . 4. God's love is PERFECT . 5. God's love is REDEEMING . (my favorite one) 6. God's love...

the other morning I decided to delete my twitter app from my phone. I don't know how long I'll go without twitter, maybe a few days, maybe a few weeks, but my friends all asked if I was okay when I told them that I wouldn't see any of their DM's on twitter. me deleting twitter from my phone? something must not be right. My parents and the two therapists I use to see have told me that they think I'm addicted to social media. obviously, every addiction is unhealthy . however, I never believed them. how could they understand social media when they grew up in a completely different time than me? they don't understand that social media is how I stay caught up with my "friends" and communicate with others. In my years living under my parent's roof, they would take my phone away when I was in trouble, and I would have absolutely no idea what to do with my time when I couldn't check up on tweets, posts, and snapchats, but I'd find stuff to do ...

"When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." // Mosiah 2:17 My lack of paying attention during conference as well as my friend @trekthruconference 's amazing Instagram account has inspired me to make it a goal to go back and read or watch the general conference talks from this past conference throughout the next six months until general conference comes again next spring. the other night I read "'Come Follow Me' by Practicing Christian Love and Service" by Elder Robert D. Hales and was blown away by the spiritual truth and guidance in this talk. this talk focuses on how as the Savior's latter-day disciples, we must come unto Christ by loving and serving God's children. Matthew 25:40 expresses that "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." From personal experience, I know that it is so important to show kindness to others. it...