I love Fall, and I'm excited for it to get here. There's something about a new apartment, a new ward, new classes, and new people that gets me excited. I just like the fresh start! (This would most likely explain why I love January 1, Mondays, and the first day of school. It's a chance to start over and do better. And I'm all about self-improvement!) So in honor of school starting in 27 days and moving into a new place in two weeks, I made myself some goals. I figured if I posted them here, and if you know me and I'm failing at them, you can keep me in check. :)
1. Say prayers morning and night on knees (I fail at this one)
2. Read the Scriptures every day
3. Go to the gym at least 3 times a week
4. Go to Institute each week (I'm sad that I finished all my religion classes)
5. Go to the temple once a week (I've been doing this all summer and it has made the biggest difference in my life!)
6. Go to all ward/stake activities
7. Create a budget/saving plan for myself
8. Always look my best! (Cheesy, yes, but I'm a firm believer that when you feel like you look your best, you really do feel good)
9. Do visiting teaching every month and go the extra mile (we had a lesson in Relief Society this Sunday about visiting teaching, and it inspired me to do better)
10. Become a better tithing payer
11. Find ways to constantly serve others ("The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Gandhi)
12. Read/listen to a General Conference talk each day (the inspiration for that idea came from here)
13. Go to or at least watch Devotional every week
14. Fast meaningfully each month
15. Make bed each day (I struggle)
16. Keep room clean (everything I own has a proper place, but they just don't stay in that proper place)
17. Actually STUDY in the library (I'm a people-watcher and don't get much done there)
18. Write in journal often
There we go. My biggest goal is to actually do all of my goals!
Wednesday, August 4
Monday, August 2
Hardships
Have you ever felt like you've been hit with one trial after another, and you're left feeling like you just can't do it anymore? That's how I've felt these past couple of weeks. One challenge came, followed by another, followed by another. None of these challenges had anything to do with the other one, but they all seemed to want to come at the same time and knock me down. And I was left feeling very alone, like the sun wasn't ever going to shine on me again. But then, as He always does, Heavenly Father gave me some help. I came across a quote by President Hinckley, just when I needed it most, that says, "I too believe that God will always make a way where there is no way. I believe that if we will walk in obedience to the commandments of God, if we will follow the counsel of the priesthood, he will open a way even where there appears to be no way." And so far, He has. Even though I'm still dealing with many challenges, and I will be for a while, and the sun hasn't fully come out yet, He's giving me some rays, I think as a symbol that it's on its way. Slowly but surely, the clouds are clearing.
Yesterday I was able to attend the ward that I'll be in in the Fall, and I was surrounded by so many friendly people. It was a ray sent out by Heavenly Father. A wonderful friend of mine (you know who you are honay :), who recently went through a similar challenge, called me and gave me some uplifting advice. Another ray. Another great friend of mine did some wonders with my hair, boosting my confidence (I'm a girl. Good hair does that to you :). One more ray. I was able to find a place to live that I thought would be impossible to get into. Just one more ray. I've had family members, both immediate and extended, including very close family friends, who have reached out in amazing ways. The rays keep breaking through, and it's incredible. My testimony has increased so much. Putting your life in the Lord's hands is hard, and it's definitely taken a hit on my pride because I like to feel in control of myself, but it's what I'm trying to do.
In my Relief Society yesterday, we read this quote by Ezra Taft Benson. "When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love for the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities." I really believe that. Putting the Lord first is a challenge, but I think it's supposed to be. By doing so we increase our faith. And it really is happening. Things are starting to fall into place for me. The sun eventually comes out, and it's getting there for me. The challenges are still there, and will be for a while, but the Lord gives us help.
Yesterday I was able to attend the ward that I'll be in in the Fall, and I was surrounded by so many friendly people. It was a ray sent out by Heavenly Father. A wonderful friend of mine (you know who you are honay :), who recently went through a similar challenge, called me and gave me some uplifting advice. Another ray. Another great friend of mine did some wonders with my hair, boosting my confidence (I'm a girl. Good hair does that to you :). One more ray. I was able to find a place to live that I thought would be impossible to get into. Just one more ray. I've had family members, both immediate and extended, including very close family friends, who have reached out in amazing ways. The rays keep breaking through, and it's incredible. My testimony has increased so much. Putting your life in the Lord's hands is hard, and it's definitely taken a hit on my pride because I like to feel in control of myself, but it's what I'm trying to do.
In my Relief Society yesterday, we read this quote by Ezra Taft Benson. "When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love for the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities." I really believe that. Putting the Lord first is a challenge, but I think it's supposed to be. By doing so we increase our faith. And it really is happening. Things are starting to fall into place for me. The sun eventually comes out, and it's getting there for me. The challenges are still there, and will be for a while, but the Lord gives us help.
Wednesday, July 28
Healing Without Scars
Last night I went to Deseret Book and purchased a talk on CD, called "The Savior Heals Without a Scar," which was given by two of my favorite speakers, Sheri Dew and Wendy Watson Nelson. Originally I wasn't there to purchase that CD, but it caught my eye and I felt like it is what I needed to listen to at this point in my life. And it really was.
Sister Nelson told the story of how, on a visit to NYC, she slipped on the sidewalk and fell flat on her face, cutting it up enough to show the bone. She was able to stop the bleeding, fly back to Salt Lake, and see a plastic surgeon that day. The surgeon told her that, while the surgery would be painful and time-consuming, the way that he would fix it wouldn't leave a scar. She likened this to the idea that, when we go through an unexpected change or trial, the process of dealing with it will be painful and time-consuming, but with the help of the Atonement, a scar will not be left. We will be completely healed.
Sister Dew told the story of driving over a large piece of unseen metal one night in her car, which caused it to get stuck. She was in a scary area, and feared for her safety. A police officer showed up after she prayed, and they decided that, instead of putting her car in drive and try to drive over the metal, which had been impossible, to put it in reverse. When she did, she was able to pull the metal out of the way and drive forward. She said, "What may be stopping our forward momentum? It's usually something small. All I had to do was back up, and I didn't have to back up very far." Sometimes we need to back up and re-evaluate ourselves before we can move forward.
Sister Dew said, "Hope, peace and healing gifts come when we plead to the Father in the name of his son to be healed. There is no limit to his capacity, no limit on his gifts. The Lord can heal you and still heal me...Because of the atonement, the Savior can enable us to do things we could never do on our own. He sanctifies us and renews us. And he can heal a wounded, heavy, sad heart without a scar."
Mary Ellen Edmunds, another LDS speaker, said this, which I really liked. Speaking about Humpty Dumpty, she said, "This is a fairytale, but there is one who can put us back together. He knows where all the pieces are, and he knows where all the pieces go. He is our Savior, our redeemer and our healer. He is the only one who can gather all those pieces and put them where they belong."
Sister Nelson told the story of how, on a visit to NYC, she slipped on the sidewalk and fell flat on her face, cutting it up enough to show the bone. She was able to stop the bleeding, fly back to Salt Lake, and see a plastic surgeon that day. The surgeon told her that, while the surgery would be painful and time-consuming, the way that he would fix it wouldn't leave a scar. She likened this to the idea that, when we go through an unexpected change or trial, the process of dealing with it will be painful and time-consuming, but with the help of the Atonement, a scar will not be left. We will be completely healed.
Sister Dew told the story of driving over a large piece of unseen metal one night in her car, which caused it to get stuck. She was in a scary area, and feared for her safety. A police officer showed up after she prayed, and they decided that, instead of putting her car in drive and try to drive over the metal, which had been impossible, to put it in reverse. When she did, she was able to pull the metal out of the way and drive forward. She said, "What may be stopping our forward momentum? It's usually something small. All I had to do was back up, and I didn't have to back up very far." Sometimes we need to back up and re-evaluate ourselves before we can move forward.
Sister Dew said, "Hope, peace and healing gifts come when we plead to the Father in the name of his son to be healed. There is no limit to his capacity, no limit on his gifts. The Lord can heal you and still heal me...Because of the atonement, the Savior can enable us to do things we could never do on our own. He sanctifies us and renews us. And he can heal a wounded, heavy, sad heart without a scar."
Mary Ellen Edmunds, another LDS speaker, said this, which I really liked. Speaking about Humpty Dumpty, she said, "This is a fairytale, but there is one who can put us back together. He knows where all the pieces are, and he knows where all the pieces go. He is our Savior, our redeemer and our healer. He is the only one who can gather all those pieces and put them where they belong."
Tuesday, July 20
A Day in the Life
A typical day at work: I got to watch from my office as Y mountain caught fire, and as it was put out (I'm lucky and have a great view). Scary, but slightly fascinating. Also, I just have one question. My office faces a glass door and windows, and I just want to know why people (men and women) stare at me as they walk by. Why? I know it isn't for my good looks! :) Do they not realize I can see them? It just weirds me out. That's all.
Saturday, July 17
Ugly Ducklings
I know I've become a bit obsessed with posting videos lately, but I saw this one today by President Uchtdorf that was put out by the Church for the youth. I think it's so neat that the Church is making videos for the youth (I for sure could have used videos like this one as a gawky 13-year old), and even has a new website for them (youth.lds.org). I especially appreciate this video because, even though it's meant for teenagers, I, as a 21-year old, still get something out of it. Because sometimes, I do feel like the ugly duckling! And it's okay. Like President Uchtdorf says, "Think of where you come from. You are sons and daughters of the greatest, most glorious being in the universe. He loves you with an infinite love. He wants the best for you. This knowledge changes everything." Enjoy.
Ugly Ducklings
I know I've become a bit obsessed with posting videos lately, but I saw this one today by President Uchtdorf that was put out by the Church for the youth. I think it's so neat that the Church is making videos for the youth, and even has a new website for them (youth.lds.org). I especially appreciate this video because, even though it's meant for teenagers, I, as a 21 year old, still get something out of it. Because sometimes, I do feel like the ugly duckling! Enjoy.
Monday, July 12
Swan Dive!
Yet another one. Who is this guy? I very much want to meet him. Oh and P.S. The Octopus Oracle was right. Viva Espana!
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