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Although I grew up eating whole lemons, adding a little sweetness to this tart fruit can turn them into a refreshing drink! Life often brings ‘lemons‘ in the form of hardships and trials into each of our lives. These tart and sometimes bitter experiences can bring sorrow and grief beyond what we feel we are capable of handling.

There is no correct way to handle the unpleasantness of Opposition, for we each have our own strengths and weaknessess. It will take time to figure out what helps you pull from the depths of despair and find that lemonade!

I want to share with you what has helped me the most when I have felt that life was just too hard. While leaning on my Savior Jesus Christ was helpful, that wasn’t when the real help came. Striving to live as He did and serving others was truly when I began to feel those hard things becoming almost delicious to me. Serving others brought joy back into my life!

There will always be someone in need of your service. I love this quote, “I might not be able to do everything for everyone everywhere, but I can do something for someone somewhere.” You can make a difference and it just might do you a world of good too!!!

Without those lemons there would be no lemonade!!!

By Tanya Christiansen

For the past couple of years I have been doing some remodeling and finishing some rooms in my home that had never been finished since my house was built in 1976. These changes have not only been good for my home but also for me as a person. Our surroundings often affect the way we feel inside.

This year has got me motivated to make some more changes in other rooms that are in desperate need of help and replace a deck that is falling off of my house. I have already made a plan with steps that if followed will lead me to my desired result. Those steps will require throwing out the old, giving walls and floors a fresh new look. Not an easy task and very time consuming. Some of the work will require a professional with more knowledge and skill than I have myself.

So what about remodeling ourselves……our person, inside and out. Maybe this new year is the perfect time to take inventory and a real hard look at the person we are or the person we are becoming. While a few new wrinkles can be lines of wisdom, clutter on the inside can damage our soul. Do you need to strengthen your floor or foundation that supports your structure and keeps out those things that may harm you? Or do you need a complete renovation?

Building your foundation upon Jesus Christ is the greatest remodel we can ever complete. The results will be pleasing to the eye and will sanctify ones soul.

The Holy Scriptures contain complete instructions on how to remodel your person!!!

by Tanya Christiansen

There are all kinds of things that motivate a person to act or react. Some of the most common are fear, reward, duty, punishment, responsibility, love and even hatred. The most beneficial kind of motivation comes from deep within one’s self when you have carefully decided what your behavior will be.

How often have you reacted to a person or situation only to realize a few seconds or minutes later that you are not happy with the outcome. Self Motivation begins with truly knowing who you are and what you stand for. It takes a great desire and determination to portray your trueself one hundred percent of the time and not be persuaded to react in a way contrary to your beliefs.

What a great time of the year it is to set goals and have the self motivation to reach them. I failed so many times this past year to do just that, but there is always tomorrow when we can try again. So dig deep down inside of yourself and ask the question, what am I determined to achieve in 2024? Make sure that your goals are realistic. God will help you if you ask in faith believing in Him and His ability to help you.

The world would be quite a different place if everyone took the time to think things through carefully before acting. Believe in yourself and act instead of reacting!

Let self motivation be the driving force behind your thoughts and actions!!!

by Tanya Christiansen

Light is so fascinating! Where would we be without Light? When darkness comes upon us each night we have faith that the sun will rise the next morning bringing light to our day. Our Father in Heaven did not want His children to walk in darkness.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Jesus Christ brings light, Jesus Christ is light!

Light and darkness cannot exist together. When even the smallest hint of light enters a room the dark dispels quickly. Following Jesus Christ brings light to your soul. Others can see that light within you. There is no better way to dispel the darkness in your life than following Christ and living as he did by sharing that light with others.

Matthew 5:16 ” Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Give the gift of Light and Love this holiday season!!!

by Tanya Christiansen

I love this season!!! It is truly my favorite time of year! I love the beauty of freshly falling snow, the smell of pine, the taste of shortbread cookies, and the brightly colored lights, but mostly….. I love the giving!!!

Giving can be simple and heartfelt yet have a great impact on the receiver. There are so many ways one can give and lighten the load for someone else or bring a smile to their face. You can give love and compassion. You can give sympathy and empathy. You can give service. You can give a listening ear. You can give a hug!

Since my husband passed away nine years ago I have been the receiver of so much giving. Sometimes it is hard to receive but at the same time I am so grateful for all of the wonderful people around me. Their acts of kindness give me the desire to serve others.

The greatest gift ever given was from Our Father in Heaven to each of His children! John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ all men will be ressurected! Striving to follow the teachings of Christ and love and serve others is the best gift I can give back to Him.

We Give Because He Gave First!!!

by Tanya Christiansen

Finding peace with yourself begins with truly knowing who you are and the unlimited potential you have as a Child of God, then striving to meet that potential by becoming the very best version of yourself!

One cannot find lasting peace while harboring feelings of malice, hatred or jealousy. The world may present counterfeits of peace and happiness but none will bring everlasting joy like knowing who you are and acting accordingly.

You are truly the spiritual offspring of Heavenly parents who desire for you to progress and grow and reach that potential that lies within each of us. Potential that will bring out the best in you!!! And you will find peace with yourself!!!

Seek to know who you truly are!

by Tanya Christiansen

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could depend on someone to help us every minute, of every hour, of every day. I am here to testify to you that our Father in Heaven has provided that help through His Son Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Ghost who comforts, teaches and heals.

One might think that you can’t call upon God for trivial matters or that you have to be next to perfect to ask for divine help. Nothing could be further from the truth! Our Father in Heaven wants his children to call upon Him in all matters good and bad. He desires to help us no matter what we are struggling with and even desires to hear about those positive experiences we are having. He is there every moment of every hour, of every day. I know this to be true! Oh how I need Him!

Today I had one of those moments where I found myself in one split second calling upon God to please help me when I accidently turned two pages instead of one while playing the piano for my church choir. While my dilemma only lasted for two measures, I somehow recovered and got back on track. I believe that God helped me because I asked for his help. Although the piece did not turn out perfect as I wished, it was still beautiful and brought the Spirit into the meeting.

I often think about how different my life would be if I depended on only myself to make all the choices I am faced with each day. We might sometimes think we don’t need to include God in our decisions, but I have learned that it is always best to include Him even when His will is different than our own. Aligning our will with His will always bring the best results!

Call Upon God, He Loves You and is Ready to Help You!!!

by Tanya Christiansen

How often do we present a fake version of ourselves to the world? Perhaps we seek to belong or be accepted and so we feel we have to dress things up a bit or appear to be someone we are not.

Being sociable was something that made me extremely uncomfortable. I didn’t present a fake version of myself, instead I just avoided as many social things as possible. I really tried to not show my true colors for fear of being rejected. It wasn’t until I had been in counseling for quite some time that I learned that I suffered from social phobia which was a real illness. I have since learned that Phobia’s are nothing to be ashamed of. As I came to understand that small truth and truly believed it, I felt such a burden lifted.

Life is not a competition nor a race. God loves all of his children unconditionally no matter what we might be struggling with. I am much happier now and working on overcoming my phobias but more importantly I am not afraid to be Me.

As the spirit children of our Father in Heaven we have divine potential and the possibilities for growth and eternal blessings that are endless if we desire to follow God’s plan and put our trust in it!

Let the world get to know YOU!!!

by Tanya Christiansen

While picking grapes this weekend I thought alot about harvesting or the gathering that takes place each late summer and into the fall. The useful parts of plants and animals that have reached maturity are gathered and prepared in preparation for winter. The harvest is necessary to sustain life until spring.

Likewise there is a great gathering and sifting of good and evil that is taking place on this planet earth. That which is good comes from God and that which is evil comes from satan. Between these two powerful forces, each of us are caught in a tug of war. We can’t have it both ways and find true happiness.

In the New Testament in Matthew chapter thirteen we read the parable of the wheat and the tares. In the parable the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man who sowed good seed in his field but while he slept his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat causing weeds to grow. The weeds and grain grew together until harvest when they were separated.

There are so many voices in the world today that attack truth. Studying the scriptures can help us discern what is truth and what is not. Children and the youth of today have so many negative influences that can govern the choices they make often leading them far from what is good and true.

Our Father in Heaven has given each of us the light of Christ and the Holy Ghost that will be a guide and protection against the adversary until the second coming of Jesus Christ.

The choices we make today will determine where we end up tomorrow!

by Tanya Christiansen

Respect is a powerful word! You either have it or you don’t. It can build character, lend a helping hand and beautify your surroundings. Without respect there is damage to relationships, hurt feeling and destructiveness.

What do you admire? What do you hold in highest regard? What would you protect at all cost? Do you respect yourself? Those things or persons we respect or those things we hold dear to us, show others the kind of person we are or the kind of person we are striving to become.

We can give all mankind respect allowing them their right to choose even when their choices and opinions are contrary to our own ways and desires. Jesus Christ showed deep respect as he loved and helped all of God’s children regardless of their actions or living conditions.

Take the time to reflect and ask yourself, “What do I Respect?”

by Tanya Christiansen