Friday, October 26, 2012

Life can change in a second.

A lot of lessons can be learned when someone you know is hurt. 

A girl in my Stake and High School was in a terrible car accident. You should know that this girl was the most popular and beautiful girl in the school, but at the same time was a friend to all. She loves everyone, and was seriously a friend to ev.ery.one. 

She was life flighted, went into a coma, and now faces a possibility of a life time of being in a vegetable state. A lifetime, EXCEPT for the fact that she has hundreds of people praying for her, and a Father in Heaven who happens to love her more than we can understand. A miracle is underway here people, if it be God's will. It's all in God's timing. 

I was getting a little angry discussing with my mom how people could EVER complain about ANYTHING, when there was my old friend who can't even talk, look at you, or leave the hospital bed. I just thought that my old friend, out of ALL people needed the most prayers, and that no one that I know could ever feel unfortunate, because at least they can live and do.  

But, I realized something. Even though we really don't have the right to complain, because we really are given so much, it's not just my old friend that Heavenly Father cares about. 

I remember having the worst cough of my life. My roommates told me to get a Priesthood blessing, but I refused, saying that it wasn't a big deal and I could just deal with it. I thought that it wasn't important enough for a blessing. I finally gave in, and my two friends came over. In the blessing, it said that Heavenly Father cares about all of your trials, big and small. (not that we should abuse Priesthood blessings, but this was an important lesson that I needed to learn)

He cares about when you have a cough, when you don't get asked to dance, when you feel depressed after a breakup or a bad grade, and He cares about His daughter in a hospital room facing this huge trial. He's there through all of it, because He cares about all of it. 


Life is a crazy thing. Each day is such a beautiful blessing. Scrolling down Facebook after reading the news, everything honestly seemed so... stupid and pointless. Life could change in an instant. AN INSTANT. 

Who do you love that you do not show your love? What are you not doing, that you should be doing? What dreams are you not fulfilling? How many "I love yous" would you regret not saying or smiles you would regret not giving? 

Reading her posts written by her Father has brought tears to my eyes. He loves her so much. So much. For every plea and beautiful word he says to his daughter, there is another Father, her Heavenly Father, who sent His Son as the ultimate act of love for her. To die for her, so she could live. Who suffered every pain and quiet fear she faces, so that He, our Savior, could face them with her. Right beside her. 








It's the same for you and I.
How grateful I am for Him and for this life.  

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Let's be reals

My insides have been bubbly. Like the kind of bubbly that makes you THINK and think reaaal hard, not the other kind of bubbly. 

Something that REALLY REALLY annoyed me was when people would throw others under the bus or point fingers at others pointing out their flaws. Like hellooooo no one is perfect. AT THE SAME TIME I would always look at missionaries or prospective missionaries who are chumps and be like "What are they doing with their lives?! How do they expect to preach the gospel if they aren't living it?" And today it finally clicked. 

I'm a chump. 

LIKE HEELLLOOOOOO. I'm not perfect, no one is perfect. Perfection isn't a qualification to serve a mission, and I am so grateful for that because shooooot I would never be allowed to serve. Realizing how much I have to learn has been overwhelming and like "OH MY GOODNESS TIME IS RUNNING OUT" freaking outness, but deep down I have that desire to serve SO BAD, and I know that if I try my best, Jesus Christ will make me my best. Most missionaries have the desire, so baaasically I realized I'm a hypocrite, that I need to get over myself because I'm a chump, and we ALL, every last one, need Christ. 






Countdown is 1 month, 4 weeks










Friday, October 12, 2012

Nasty vids and amazing vids

I watched a few videos of protesters yelling at people who attended the Hill Cumorah Pageant. (which was a mistake, because they are all so negative and hurtful which does nothing for me or anyone) One had a guy chasing after this family and yelled at them saying "How do you think you're getting into Heaven?" and yelling "Liar," over and over and over. 

How is there so much hate in the world? It makes me so sad for him. 

What if everything we say is actually true?

Then I watched this and it made everything better, because I know that it actually happened






Joseph Smith did see God, the Father, and His Son. He did translate the Book of Mormon. He was a prophet of God. I'm not going on a mission to waste my time, to lie, to argue, or to force my opinions people. I am going to invite them to come to Christ. I am going on a mission, because I love them and I want them to know the truth as deeply as I know it. I know that this is the true gospel once again restored to the earth and that Jesus Christ is at the Head of it. There are so many lies and hate, but I know that what I say is true. I hardly take anything seriously, but I take this gospel seriously, because I know that it is true and that it is the source of my happiness. I have so much happiness it is CRAZY! The gospel is good, and it's true, and it's beautiful. I prayed about it, and I know. I know. I have felt it so deep. How grateful I am to have the opportunity to bring others to it to be as happy as I am. 







Countdown is 2 months EXACTLY

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Quite possibly the craziest moment of my entire life.

I'll just show you this picture. 



I was seriously going crazy for an hour. 
And the rest of the day if we're being honneessst. 




These are my notes for Elder Cook's talk. It was amazing for the few seconds I could focus. Don't judge me, I JUST COULDN'T DO IT I WAS FREAKING OUUUTTTT


During Elder Nelson's talk, I started to cry BECAUSE it just really hit me how blessed I am and I'm extra emotional this past year. Just a side note, I am almost 21. I will be one of the last elderly ladies (haha jusssttkidding). I thought I was going to be the youngest sister.. who knew. haha

But here is why I cried for reals. 

Someone asked if I would have gone if they made the announcement when I was 19. I really would have in a heartbeat, but not for one second did I feel bitter or mad that they didn't. I could have been home by now, and in school, meeting the friends that I love for the first time, but I know that I am supposed to serve NOW. Not two years ago, not any later, but right now. 

Looking back I am amazed at the perfection in the Lord's plan and how He has been preparing me with those two years that I had. EFY was an experience that I needed to have. BYU-Idaho was the best experience and mission prep I could have asked for in a trillion ways. The Lord knew that there was some fixing to be done in me. The people I met are so close to my wittle heart, and helped mold me for the better. I just can't grasp it. I am left speechless. Now, even though most of my friends won't be at school when I come back, and even though I have to leave my other wants behind, I feel so ready to serve with my Savior and for Him and for everyone I meet with everything that I have. Don't go before you are ready, whatever age that would be. 

I am not perfect, but I know my Savior and have a stronger relationship with Him than when I was 19, and I know what He can do for me. 

The youth I met at EFY, the youth that I LOVE, are absolutely incredible and ready for this. They blow me away with their conversion and their examples of righteousness. I can't wait to serve with them. That's really weird too, BUT AMAZING AT THE SAME TIME. What a privilege it is to serve with such amazing people. 

"God is hastening his work, and he needs more and more willing and worthy missionaries to spread the light, and the truth, and the hope, and the salvation of the gospel of Jesus Christ to an often dark and fearful world... This announcement... is not about you [young people]. It's about the sweet and pure message you are being asked to bear and the ever greater numbers God needs to bear it. ” -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland


This church is so true. 




Some of my favorites :) These are from my notes, so they aren't exact!

"Go to the rescue to the lost, the least, and the last." -Elder Robert C. Gay

"My testimony is my soul's greatest treasure." -Elder Robert C. Gay

"Jesus Christ... I can't see it. Instead, I see Him purposefully living each day. He knew the infinite value of the people He met. He gave them the precious gift of His time." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Don't be the boy who dipped his toe in the water and claimed he went swimming... We are capable of so much more. We must do, we must become." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"President Monson is someone who focuses on the one, but has a heart for the whole world." Someone on the commercials. haha

"Those suffering... (and then something about) same sex attraction needs love, not ostracizing or hate." -Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"The comfort we all need is that He lives, that He loves us, and that His mission is to bless." -President Henry B. Eyring

Then he said that BYU-Idaho is the Lord's school, so hollaaaa :) hahaha

"The Lord's delays are always calculated to bless." -President Henry B. Eyring

"What is important is seen with the heart; what is unnecessary is seen with the eyes." WHICH WAS MENTIONED TWICE! -Elder Walter F. Gonzalez

"Did not my life and my love touch you more deeply than this?" -Elder Holland meaning, to me, to do more.

Every characteristic in Elder Hales talk on what it means to be a Christian is what I want.



Basically, I was so blessed by this General Conference. I love how it emphasized things that I NEEDED to hear in seriously every talk and things that I need to work on with how to get there. It was just perfect. 





Countdown is 2 months, 5 days









Friday, October 5, 2012

Oh. my. goodness.

I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOxamillion
EXXXCCCIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTEEEEEDDDDDD!!!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Let me just say reaaal quick, that I am ecstatic. I am so excited. Oh my, oh my. This is going to be the best adventure eva eva. One of my other dreams is to travel the world and meet and love people EVERYWHERE and hold orphans and see beautiful things and it sometimes hurts my heart, because I see everyone else living that dream, but NO. That will come someday. For now, 

this is the real dream. 
This is the best dream (for me) 
and I have my Father in Heaven and my Savior to thank 
for helping and bringing me to one of the most beautiful dreams I have ever dreamed. :)




Countdown is 2 months, 1 week



Carrie Underwood is so cooool

This is so pretty. 

Not only is her voice pretty, it's so nice to see so many people love Jesus Christ. 






There are so many different beliefs among Christians, but we all believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior. 

He died for us and loves all of us, Christian or not.
It's true. :) 





Countdown is 2 months, 1 week