Hi, I'm Nicole

I am a mom of 3 young children. I joined the LDS church when I was 12 years old. I am so grateful for this church. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I love to read and have since I was in middle school reading at the bus stops! I love the outdoors and seeing the world from the top of mountain tops. I graduated in a dual major in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. My husband and I have worked hard to be where we are and have seen the influence of God in our lives. I also enjoy creating things with my hands like quilting, creating family memories, and would love to one day learn wood-shop skills. I love looking in and tucking my kiddos in at night when they are sleeping.

Why I am a Mormon

I always like to joke that it is because of the TV show "The Simpson's" that I joined the church! Absurd sounding I know, but here's the story. My mom had recently married my step-dad who was not practicing Mormonism, but we lived in a town where he grew up and were surrounded by many that knew him. One of my mom's clients at her work was a LDS bishop and an acquaintance of my step-dad and asked my mom if she would like to listen to what the missionaries had to say. My mom had gotten to know him and respected him greatly and so decided to listen, full knowing that nothing would happen.
When the missionaries would come my brother and I would make a bee-line straight to our parents room and watch "The Simpsons." The third time they came we did the same thing as normal and ran to the bedroom, but the show was a re-run and for some crazy reason I didn't want to watch it. I went out to the living room and listened. The sister missionaries were talking about when the gospel was no longer on the earth - the apostasy. For some reason I liked what they had to say and kept coming back to listen to more. When I listened it felt good and right. The missionaries had answers where in the church I used to attend I found mixed up answers. My mom, brother, and I got baptized shortly after and I have definitely not regretted the decision.
I can only say that I have continued to live my life with the Gospel of Jesus Christ as found in this church, because I know it is true. I have found it's truthfulness through my lifetime of experiences and of keeping God's commandments. I find peace and joy as I do what God asks me to do. Some people think that keeping all of God's commandments is confining, but as I have lived my life I have found the opposite to be quite true.
One of the greatest strengths I have found is my knowledge that God is there and that He loves me. When life gets hard I know that I can talk to God, and with that knowledge I can get through anything.

How I live my faith

I find that for me the way I first keep my faith is by studying my scriptures daily and praying. I also find myself closer to God by going to the temple where I am always reminded of the power of the Holy Ghost and the peace I feel while there that carries into my home.
I help out in my church by being a Cub Scout leader for a pack of good, rowdy 8 year old boys. I am proud of them as they work hard to earn their badges. I have also enjoyed teaching people to live more self-reliantly in their homes and lives and find a great power when we live a lifestyle that plans and lives to take care of itself a much as possible.

What are some things that tell you there is a God?

Nicole answered...

To me nature is such a strong point to knowing their is a God. I look at the big things like the sun and stars as well as a blade of grass and to me it just shouts that there is a God. Have you ever hiked in the mountains and seen the tall pines point to heaven, with the scent of natural life filling your being as the birds chirp and the wind whispers through the trees? Have you felt the sun shine upon your face and warm up your body? Have you looked at a field full of wild flower and looked at the intricate details and designs? To me all these things testify that there is a God and that He loves me because He made all these things for me and all of his children that have ever been or ever will be on the earth.
I also know that as I pray and ask for help and blessings in my life or the life of my family that he helps me. I cannot deny God's guidance as he has helped my husband and I make decisions in our lives. I cannot deny his answer to me as I prayed whether being a teacher was the right career step or not? I cannot deny the power of peace that comes into my life as I do what he asks and learn more about him.
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Danny answered...

For me, nature is one of the strongest evidences that there is a God. It is hard for me to believe that the mountains, oceans, forests, flowers, animals, and skies were randomly formed. It is hard to deny the beauty and the peace one can feel while sitting in silence and looking into the night sky.

Beyond that, answered prayers tell me there is a God. I have prayed too many times and seen answers too many times for me to think that it has all been coincidence. These were prayers that expressed my concerns of which no one knew, yet were accompanied by answers that were so specific and detailed. God loves us to a degree we cannot comprehend, and as we look we will feel His love in very powerful and comforting ways.

What is a ward/stake/branch?

Siegfried answered...

To make the administration of this world-wide church possible, the church is organized into geographical regions and sub-regions. The most basic administrative unit is called the "ward". The wards in the church vary in size but are comprised of a geographical area with anywhere from 300 to 700 members. The ward is presided by a bishop. A group of five to twelve wards are combined to form a "stake". A stake is presided by a stake president.
In regions of the world where there is a lesser concentration of members, "branches" are formed. These branches are equivalent to wards but usually have less members. A branch is presided by a branch president.
This organization makes it possible for 14 million members to each have local leaders that can provide guidance, teaching, and administering of the sacred ordinances of the gospel