The Townsend Faith Blog

Recently our world has been rocked by many things.  Worldwide rumors of wars and dangerous weapons are stirring.  Nationwide our leaders wrestle with the dilemmas of local and foreign policy.  More close to home, management shifts at work are in process, and school is becoming ever more demanding as we move into higher and higher level classes and more time needs to be devoted to developing portfolios for career application. As I was stressing, hyperventilating a little, and sitting at dinner with a great friend Steven and his wife Amelia, I had to find a way to calm down.  I did something that has helped me to calm down in the past; broke down my life quickly to find core values and needs.  Here is some of what I concluded: Why am I here?  I am here to show my Father in Heaven that I can live honorably and obediently on this big, scary and dangerous Earth. OK, so what is needed to accomplish this? Be good to all of Father's other children. Honor, respect, and love my cho

The "Come Follow Me" lesson topic for April is The Apostasy and The Restoration. I love the Restoration of the gospel.  I love the wonderful feeling of life, and growth, and brightness I get when I think about the Restoration.  I think about those wonderful days when I wake up early, and go outside early in the morning and accomplish some great task or have a great experience.  Most recently I have risen early to work on movies for school, or gone on hikes, or played Frisbee with friends.  On my mission we would run in the thick, wet air of the south, beams of sun lighting up the humidity looking like fairy dust falling from heaven.  Each of these experiences are filled with the wonderful feeling of endless possibilities and potential.  The day is young, and the world is waiting for us to experience it. In preparation for my lesson coming up this Sunday, a suggested reading came from the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  I was greatly moved by some of these pass

Last Sunday we had the Stake Presidency in our Sacrament meeting. The Stake President got up after the Sacrament was passed and started his talk by stating we have a great ward and bishopric. He also stated that now that its a new year we have many opportunities to expand and grow. Then he said that by the authority of the First Presidency he will dissolve the Park 11th ward. Then he released  everyone. It was very sudden. very few people had any warning, so the news was kind of hard to take. The Stake President then left time for testimonies and needless to say, that Sacrament meeting went longer than any Sacrament meeting I have been to. When the Stake President made the announcement I was very sad, but it wasn't until he released me that I started bawling. I was so depressed that without warning I no longer had a calling. I felt so different being the  Young Women's President. I felt like I was guided by the Spirit far more than when I didn't have a calling, and sudden