Quote of Goodness

"Unless you are fully engaged in living the gospel--living it with all of your 'heart, might, mind, and strength' (D&C 4:2)--you cannot generate enough spiritual light to push back the darkness."

~Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light," Ensign, May 2002, 71.

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Life is good. Be happy.

Last night, I had a little surprise party for this awesome guy.

It went really well.

He was super surprised.

And I got to spend the evening with my favorite people.

I am so lucky.

Then we went to Danielle's and had a fire with roasted apples.

Then we came back to my house and watched a movie.

Where I fell asleep.

I think everyone left around 4:00 am.

I was not really awake and just stayed on the couch until a phone call from Will woke me up at 9:00 am.

And then it was pancakes and Conference!

Guys.

General Conference.

Seriously.

Watch it.

Best weekend{s} of the year.

I can't even begin to describe to you the joy I get from this.

It's stunningly beautiful and perfect.

And now I look like a smurf

On Monday night, we all gathered at my house for FHE.
We filled up water balloons with water and paint.
Then we filled up the shopping cart that randomly appeared on my back porch earlier that day with our ammunition, and headed to the park to play capture the flag.

Pregame, we're all looking pretty clean.

Post game, we're all looking a little awesome.
Wow my shorts look a little too short!
But they were the only dark item that I didn't mind ruining.

No, we aren't dating. Although this picture looks like it.

Ugly faces.

All in all, the night was a complete success.

This is real fun, the Mormon way.

P.S. My body is still blue and purple.
3 showers and much scrubbing later, that stuff is still refusing to come off.
I would recommend using a more water soluble paint if you try this at home.

Just a little update

Here I am.

Back in school.

Back in Provo.

There's a lot going on these days.

I moved into a new house.

I have 4 new roomies.

And 3 new windows that let in so much sunshine it makes me giggle with happiness.

I found a new major.

It's a permanent one, this time.

I mean it.

I was never absolutely sure about the rest.

But this one?

It's exactly what I need to be doing.

And I feel great about it.

I have a new calling at church that screams of too much responsibility.

But I have 3 amazing ladies to help me out with all the work.

I'm sorta excited about it.

And that's about it.

Post edit:

In response to the emails, the major is

Recreational Management and Youth Leadership with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation

and the calling is Relief Society president.

{For those of you who don't know, the Relief Society is the largest women's organization in the world. It is for LDS women, ages 18 and up, and it's focus is building faith, strengthening homes and families, and serving others.}

A Piece of the Past

Today I found a time capsule that I made when I was in high school.

You know, the little film cans that you put a piece of paper in that you've folded up super tiny.

I'm guessing I made it in seminary {more about that here} and, by the handwriting, I was probably about 14 or 15.

It only had two things on it.

1. Be more outgoing

Score!

I've socked that one right out of the water.

I think that living on my own and having to choose to be friendly or be lonely has made me a bit more outgoing.

2. Grow closer to my Savior

I don't usually wax religious on here, but I find it interesting that as a young teenager, I was interested in building a relationship with my Savior.

This is what I believe. This is why I believe it.

Isn't time a funny thing?

I'm a completely different person than I was even 3 years ago.

I was just talking to my dad about how different I am from when I was 18.

I don't even recognize myself.

It was fun to see how I felt about myself at age 14 by reading just a little slip of paper.

I'm going to do it again.

Why don't you make a time capsule?

Write down what you want to be in 5 years? Or ten?

zzzzzzzzzz

This post isn't about me being sleepy, although I usually am these days. I just accidentally hit the z button instead of the shift button and was too lazy to change it or think up a clever title.

I've wanted an iphone for awhile now.

But I've restrained myself.

Because, you know, I'm like a really poor college student.

But then they keep coming out with all these cool apps and I keep going over my budget to try and see where I can cut corners to afford paying my own phone bill.

And I could do it.

But common sense holds me back.

Like, how I'd rather spend that money on things like cowboy boots.

And how my laptop is enough of a time sucker.

So I try not to think about how much more convenient it would be to carry around one little gadget instead of both my phone and my ipod.

But my irrational wants aren't the purpose of this post.

Today I read that Steve Jobs (you know, that Apple guy) is against pornography.

Here's a quote (from here).

As you might expect, this has triggered a frenzy among some critics. Ryan Tate, a writer for the Gawker website, sniped at Jobs about suppressing his customers’ “freedom,” prompting Jobs to respond, “Yep, freedom from programs that steal your private data. Freedom from programs that trash your battery. Freedom from porn. Yep, freedom.”

When Tate replied that he didn’t want “freedom from porn,” Jobs answered, “You might care more about porn when you have kids.” In a correspondence with a consumer, Jobs went even further, speaking of his company’s “moral responsibility to keep porn off the iPhone.”

Morality in a major corporation?

I love it.

More information on how and why I feel the way I do about pornography found here.

General Conference

Go watch it (here). It's awesome. I promise that you'll love it and come away happier and a better person.

General Conference is when the leaders of our church speak to us. I love it. There's beautiful music, incredible quotations, inspiring stories, and revelation from heaven. This is not to be missed. Here's some highlights from last years conference. Enjoy!

Families Can Be Together Forever

Yesterday I found out that my grandfather died.

This isn't ever easy news to take, but there are certainly things that make it easier. Like how I thought about him frequently for the past few weeks and felt the need to call him. Our conversations were full of fun stuff, like how he followed BYU basketball because that's where I go to school. And how he and his friends in the FFA used to have a folk/bluegrass band. He was the last one of his band that was still alive. He told me that the FFA (Future Farmers of America) didn't have any girls back then. The girls had a group called the Future Homemakers of America. He told me about the beautiful dresses that girls wore in the 1950s, full skirts with layers of crinolines underneath. He loved how ladylike that was. We talked about all the places that he wanted to visit before he died. He told me about how wonderful his wife was and that I reminded him of her (she passed away a few years ago now). Our last conversation was lovely and I'll always remember it.

Knowing that we can be an eternal family makes it easier. I'm so grateful for that knowledge. (learn more here)

Having great friends who will come and give me a blessing of peace makes it easier (thanks, Matt and Blake! You're my favorite!)
(learn more here)

Easter coming up reminds me of the resurrection, that my grandfather will live again. And I'll see him again. I know this. It makes it easier. And it makes it all worth it.

16 Amazing Things

Because, thanks to my dad, my mom will forever be 16 on her birthdays, here is a list of things I love about her.

1. passion

My mother has a lot of passion that she is willing to share for important causes.

Whether it be Cub Scouts or homeschooling, she goes at it with all the love in her heart.

2. willingness to sacrifice

It's no secret that we're kind of a little bit poor.

But my mom has always made the material sacrifices to make sure that we had a mother around to nurture us every step of the way.

Would it have been easier to go to work?

Absolutely.

Would it have been worth it?

Not in a million years.

3. devotion to all things gospel-like

My mother taught us the basics of the gospel from the time we were very little.

She sang us primary songs, took us to seminary every morning, and encouraged us to build testimonies of our own.

I am forever grateful.

4. homeschooling

Even when it was unpopular and sending us to school would have been a million times easier, she stuck to her guns and her personal beliefs that this was what our family needed.

Thank goodness for that!

5. healthy stuff

From massive amounts of produce to gardening to whole wheat pancakes, I'm so glad my mom taught me to eat healthy.

Without all that processed food.

6. an affinity for all things cute and fuzzy

This has resulted in allowing us to get guinea pigs and hamsters, even when dad was not so keen on the idea.

The bunnies and me appreciate it.

7. willingness to forgive

When I come up from a bad situation hating people, my mom set the perfect example of how to keep on loving.

Even when it's tough.

Because you might not know what the other person is going through.

8. hand gestures

My mom can't talk if you tie her hands behind her back.

Neither can I.

9. adventure

From turtle eggs to large holes in the backyard, my mom is always willing to try with us.

10. music

Like I've said, loud, big music is in the blood.

11. rocking chairs

My best memories are of being rocked and sang to before bed.

It's where I learned all the primary songs.

And even when we were way too big to all fit in her lap, Momma rocked us anyways.

12. books

My momma has collected books for years, enough to cover our whole house from top to bottom, and I am so grateful for the love that she instilled in me for books.

13. letting me go

My momma held us close and taught us all we need to know.

Then she let me go.

And she still takes care of me when I need it, but she lets me be my own person and make my own decisions

(even if they are stupid and she has to bail me out later *cough* insurance papers *cough*)

14. encouraging me

15. being my friend

16. loving me

Happy Birthday, Michee!

Merry Christmas!

.credit (I got to see the original in the Salt Lake Temple. It was stunning.)

Normally I've got a countdown going in my head for Christmas, but this year I've been kind of a Scrooge. I think I've just been too busy to realize that Christmas is here! Beautiful musical firesides, putting up the Christmas tree, and watching Tavi play with the nativity under the tree has helped me feel a little bit more of the seasonal cheer. Here's a Christmas message to remind you of the true Christmas meaning and my two favorite Christmas pictures to make you feel warm and fuzzy. xoxo
Behold the Lamb of God by Walter Rane

Moral Discipline

"Mere wanting is hardly a proper guide for moral conduct."

For some reason, this has been jumping out at me recently. Every Sunday for something like 3 weeks now, somebody mentions it. And every time, I am overwhelmed by the power and truth behind this simple statement.



I am so grateful for inspired prophets and apostles.

Read the whole talk here.


Add to Your Faith Virtue; and to Your Virtue Knowledge by Walter Rane

I: Inspiration

What inspires you?

General Conference inspires me to be better.
(coming up this weekend!!! I'm so excited!)

President Monson inspires me to love.



The temple inspires me to try harder.

BYU inspires me to try new things.

My girlfriends inspire me to be crazy.

Music inspires me in everything!

The boy across from me that can see into my window inspires me to keep my room clean.

Zooey inspires me to wear skirts and cut bangs.

And books inspire me to dream.

B: Book of Mormon

I love the Book of Mormon. Oh so much. If you haven't ever read it, you should. Just because.

I love how Lehi refers to Christ as the Messiah in 2 Nephi when talking to his son Jacob.

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy. And the Messiah cometh in the fullness of time, that he may redeem the shildren of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given."

~2 Nephi 2: 25 & 26


I love the 2000 Stripling Warriors.

Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

~Alma 56: 47 & 48

I am waiting for a man like Captain Moroni.

And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;

Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.

Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.

Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.

~Alma 48: 11-13, 17


And I can only dream about the faith of the brother of Jared.

Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men.

And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these words, behold, the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear.

And the Lord saw that the brother of Jared had fallen to the earth; and the Lord said unto him: Arise, why hast thou fallen?

And he saith unto the Lord: I saw the finger of the Lord, and I feared lest he should smite me; for I knew not that the Lord had flesh and blood.

And the Lord said unto him: Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest thou more than this?

And he answered: Nay; Lord, show thyself unto me.

And the Lord said unto him: Believest thou the words which I shall speak?

And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie.

And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord showed himself unto him, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence ; therefore I show myself unto you.

~Ether 3: 9-13

Learn more here




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My communications 101 professor showed us this in my class today. And I couldn't help but laugh. Because it was funny! And I am LDS. So enjoy.

Perks of Being Mormon

Last night, I met David Archuleta. This is for reals. Because when he comes to town, we sometimes get him for a fireside. (For those who have no clue what that means, a fireside is an extra meeting, besides our typical Sunday worship, that was originally held around a fireside. The name stuck. Even though we have them in our church buildings now.)


Anyways, I had his cd before. Meaning, Tyler had bought it and put it on my ipod. But when I was informed that I could only have 5 itunes accounts on my ipod, David Archuleta was the first to go. But then he sang last night. And it was incredible. He didn't sing Crush, or anything. He sang We'll Bring the World His Truth. And Be Still My Soul. And The Spirit of God. And his How Great Thou Art blew Carrie Underwood's out of the water. No contest.




(This is a video I found on Youtube. Which is why it is awful sound.)

It was true love.

Or, it would have been, but then I met him. And he is pocket-sized (but still oh so cute). And he is only 18. And there was an amazingly adorable missionary sitting 2 rows in front of me. Don't worry, Mindy. I don't ever talk to him. I know the rules. But I do stare. His face is so cute, I could eat it. Why oh why do they put boys as cute as he is in the Singles Ward? It is not wise.

Dream, Interrupted

I woke up this morning at 7:50 am to get ready to go to the chiropractor. I was possibly in a bad mood. As I lay on the table, my back being kneaded and stretched by the lovely massage therapist (whom I love, mostly because she also loves The X-Files), instead of letting her loosen the knots of this bad mood, I rubbed it until it got good and nasty. Sorry, Mom. I'm not really a monster.



Then my back started hurting. Usually I feel better after the doctor. Today, I just felt sore. So I took a nap. I dreamed vivid and exciting dreams. There were balloons and I was floating above the town. Then Matthew popped those balloons. One by one. And I was left with a sleep hangover. I hope you know what I am talking about. Where you feel tired and sluggish, a little bit weird, like you are running in your dreams but making no progress. Only you're awake. Grrr...

I'm doing a little better. Tomorrow will be better. I promise. To help me along, I am going to make that list of wonderful things I have done. Here goes.

I have knitted a scarf

I have hiked the Y

I have been to Tennessee

I have been to some amazing concerts

I have survived almost two years of college

I have canoed down a river

I have painted a room

I have swam under a waterfall

I have worn a dress that Johnny Depp liked

I have touched an alligator

I have pulled an all-nighter

I have watched nine seasons of X-Files

I have read the Bible, The Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants

I have been to the Salt Lake Temple

I have made a dress

I have made sock puppets

And that should do it.

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