Name Them One by One

Johnson Oatman Jr. once wrote, "When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged thinking all is lost, count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done." I've had to experiment with this. When dealing with things in life, "life's billows" so to speak its definitely easy to get discouraged and see life as some gloomy existence. Except when you keep track of all the blessings you are thankful for. A while back I began a list of every blessing I could think of. I'd like to have a book of things I'm thankful for. To start, I am thankful for; family, friends, scriptures, testimony, the Holy Ghost, The Atonement, Patriarchal Blessings, the Word of Wisdom, Joseph Smith, Prophets and Apostles, sun, moon, stars, air, clouds, ocean, mountains, sight, smell, feel, hearing, walking, running, sounds, music, kids, car, house, water, food, safety, love, listening, laughing, crying, gasoline, money, the ability to speak and understand, writing, reading, books, job, trusting people, Temples, church buildings, freedom, trials (though its tough at times), the ability to grow, agency, church leadership, Institute, colors, paper, pens, communication, travel, air planes, medicine, caring, kindness, computers, internet, e-mail, mail, bikes, electricity, plumbing, Fire people, help, time, bandaids, ponytails, chapstick (burt's bees), forgiveness, the Restoration, knowledge, tests, school, mercy, singing, praying, chairs, air conditioning, windows, cameras, pictures, memories, hugs, cuddles, sleep, profound thought, quotations, ideas, new situations, sunglasses, glasses, copy machines, roller blades, trees, shade, dogs, cats, animals of all types, spiders, insects, birds, stores, storage, laws, law enforcement, horns, streets, street lights, signals (of all types), leashes, tennis shoes, basketball, soccer, grass, sprinklers, pools, UPS, interpretations, perspectives, silly time, serious time, flowers, inventions, trucks, motorcycles, calenders, planning, notebooks, journals, photoshop, drawing, skipping, piers, towels, tooth brushes, tooth paste, eye drops, leaves, sidewalk, door knobs, locks, hammocks, ping pong, volleyball, humor, trust, learning, language, life, etc., etc. How can you not smile now? and this is but a partial list! Do it to it! I promise it works :)

Looking Up

So many things these days get people down and not ok. It's a sad thing and I have fallen from a good day to a bad day in just a few questionable thoughts. Today I realized that just the act of looking up helps, sounds silly but think about it. From the perspective I have, realizing how small you really are in this life puts things in perspective. Just as something that seems to make all the difference in your own life goes bad look up, in the big picture of things it doesn't matter. The way things go has so many variables you can't expect things to happen without being all knowing. I know little in this respect. I know only what I study and believe; I can't possibly figure out all of life's questions out especially the ever present "what if's" and "why's". I think that's also where your faith comes in. If you are searching for answers to questions and you aren't sure what else to do, but aren't getting anything sure from prayer your faith is tested as you pursue something that has no sure result. 

Anyway just a ramble for today :)

My Face on a Screen

"Each week, depending on the number of calls to be assigned, two to four members of the Quorum of the Twelve go to separate rooms at Church headquarters. There, after kneeling in prayer and asking for divine guidance, each sits down before a computer screen. On that screen, one at a time, prospective missionaries’ pictures and personal information appear, along with the current needs of all of the missions of the Church. Each missionary is then personally assigned to a specific mission and given a date on which to enter a missionary training center." by David A. Edwards (Your Call to Serve New Era 2007)
Its pretty crazy to think of my face on a screen in front of a few of the most high esteemed men on earth! Oh I am so looking forward for mail time! Sometimes it's difficult to get in the car, drive to the post office, deal with all the traffic on Main Street; but I think with the prospect of what's on its way I'll be lining up to go and get it. Two more weeks!

Rust with a T

You just have to do it. Allow it in your own life, when dealing with yourself and others. Sometimes it may hurt as stupid decisions are made but a learning experience is sure to follow.

I Wish 2nd Counted

Since a kid life has been a competition, from "shotgun" to the first one to say "Thank You" to the parents after eating out. Life would be so much easier if from the beginning second place counted for anything. With shotgun, the front seat was, and still is the best seat in the car, and no matter what the backseat will never compare. Just as in life today, being the second best at reading my scriptures consistently has its blessings but doing it daily is just better. If 2nd best compared to the Best I'd be set! I'd be fine with almost every aspect of my life. But seeing as how this is not the personality I was best with I will toil and work my tail off until I am the best i can be. I know that there are times when my best won't be enough for someone and that I will always come in second to another but I'm well aware of this fact and hope to not dwell on it much. I can work and grow just as much as the next kid and one day be the best. I know that sometimes when life gets too much to take and the tears come I can rely on my Heavenly Father to help me through. Sometimes you have feelings of "this person has it all", "one day that will be me", and "I just want that." In order for those things to become reality we must work, we can't sit hungry with our mouths open for food to come to us, (as the chinese proverb says) it is our choice what we do with this life and though times are tough we can make the best out of our situations. Had a rough time, but trying to see the light :). Here's hoping and faith-ing 

Lesson Learned

As days go by you can count each day by the lesson learned. Sunday-Kindness, Its just a Hello; I've come to greet people I don't know and it always seems a little awkward but just a hello means the world to some people. I know I have days where I feel invisible and a hello would definitely make it better. Say Hello more, its easy. Monday-A bad day always gets worse; enough said. Tuesday-Friends keep you sane, most days; after the horrible day of Monday Tuesday brought a glimmer of hope, as my two best friends helped me forget myself and work on a few situations I have to fix. Which brings me to today; Never is enough, it is a song lyric and I'm not sure why but I like it. It fits many a coincidence I've been in recently that I never really wanted to be in. It makes me laugh, I wish I could just leave it all behind but it's locked on target (me) so I get to find a way out before someone gets hurt!

The Penguin Experience

 While helping a friend out I decided to play with the inner tube of her bike tire. Trying to make as many different animals as possible. I got three I think, when one was requested. A PENGUIN! For those that don't know I'm a fan of penguins and when I'm bored I've been known to doodle a few and send pictures of them. So I got my thinking hat on and made this! I think its pretty snazzy for what it actually is. You may ask why this became an experience for me? But at the conclusion of this inner tube party I got myself a thinkin' again. It's genuine happiness on that face there. It's a little silly looking and has a questionable look upon it but It's happy. I found happiness in a little penguin made as a joke from a bike inner tube! It is me in a nutshell. Things that cause happiness are not expensive, hard to find gadgets that no one else has. Its the simple things. Well at least for me it is. :) The times that get remembered are the simple things, with the people you care most about. Forget the high tech stuff, go back to the basics and you will find that happiness is still waiting for you. Just make the decision to find it, and quite possibly throw an inner tube in, who knows it could be fun! 

A Little Rant

A little too much alone time gets to you sometimes. You start to think about things that are of no significance. Its not too terribly fun. I need to work on it I guess.

Ice

When skating on thin ice, note to self, don't go looking for cracks. It's just plain stupid!

Say What You Want

This evening I'm reminded of a song lyric, "You can say what you want but it's only getting better." That sentence couldn't speak more truth. No matter the situation you may find yourself in, you are the one making the decision on what is to be the outcome. A trial that is pressing the patience button a little too often and consistently can be flipped over and the focus could be how great what ever is being waited for can be. If you concentrate on clouded windows you won't see the beauty of the sunrise each day. This life is a test, I'm not a test taker, I'd rather write ten three page essays then take a test but I'm stuck with this one and I wouldn't have it any other way. While going about your daily nonsense, just think about how truly blessed you are, even for those trying times, you are learning and progressing if you aren't complaining too much. Its a way to grow. I'm putting into practice in my own life the whole "look at the glass half full" situation. It is always true, I don't care what you say.

Well That was Stupid!

Share Your Knowledge

There are so many books, so many things to know and learn more about. You only have one brain. If you have an idea share it, everyone contributes and you become a better person sharing what you know and even what you think you know.

It's Cold Out Here, Do You Know What I mean?

We've all got our own road work and detours on this road of life. I learned recently that no matter what we have on our plate we can't assume that someone else has enough room for our extras. We have to be aware of what everyone is going though. It's tough, believe me I know. I get caught up in my own traffic cones almost daily; and look for reasons to give up, but the trick is to take a step back and help find similarities with someone else. Life is a series of circles, there are variations but the similarities are overwhelming. Search for them, there is solace in the truth that you are never alone. Obviously, with Heavenly Father, but also with others here. We are all siblings and no matter what we do we will always be. Growing up in a big family you learn to watch out for each other. No matter the fact that most anyone who hurt my Sister or Brothers could whip me easily I always tried to be there for them if they needed me. Even as the annoying little sister. I think this applies to the world. As we find the truth, we know what the plan is, we share it and feel a greater need to be as a family to everyone. No matter the gangster neighbors who scare you or the quiet elderly lady down the street; both could be waiting for the friendship that you can give them. Why wait? You never know what can happen. 

A little bit ramblish but what I'm trying to get at is the importance of being kind. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naqX9iYE0V0&feature=player_embedded

Times Like These

Each day brings a new experience. My days are spent with my nose stuck in a book and a long pathway of thought into a field of nonsense. Some days the thoughts are helpful and make the day brighter, like reading scriptures and praying. Other days like today, get you stuck, not in a happy place.
Thats where the happy church music comes in and obnoxious singing too. No matter the nonsense I find myself in there isn't a situation that a loud version of I Feel My Savior's love won't cure. :) Just some advice, try it, you'll like it. Believe me I know 

So Close

I can feel it! :)

Yup, thats a keeper!

A Mission!

Yup it is in stock and i'm on my way to the counter! :)
YAY!

A Lesson in Marshmallows

For today, the key is patience. I currently have little. Its a great deal stressful to be patient when there are so many variables that you're happiness is contingent upon. No matter what you have, its human nature to think the grass is greener on the other side. That doing something later will not hurt as much as it will if done now. 
President Uchtdorfs talk Continue in Patience is wonderful. I just finished watching the mormon message that was created from his talk. He spoke of a professor at Standford University who set up an experiment testing the will power of four year old children. If they could sit and not eat the one marshmellow for 15 minutes they were given another. Only thirty percent were able to wait. If you read or listen to the talk the title makes sense. It is truly inspiring as you think of this spiritual giant and his struggle to see why others who broke the Word of Wisdom could run and pass him though he did not partake of those things. 
With the situations I find myself in daily many questions are asked. President Uchtdorf refers to my impatients as he remarks, "The answers may not come as quickly or in the way we had hoped". A quote that comes to mind is doing what is right isn't always easy but it's always right.
I like the many definitions he gives for patience. it "means staying with something until the end, it means delaying immediate gratification for future blessings." The idea of patience is easy, just waiting for something to come along or a time thats long awaited to be brought about. Being patient is a whole different situation but I'm going to put his advice to work in my life. His counsel is this, "The work of Patience boils down to this: keep the commandments, trust in God our Heavenly father, serve him with meekness and Christlike love; exercise faith and hope in the Savior, and never give up."
The decision making that I am going through in my life at this time is ridiculous. So many different inlets and outlets and ways to mess up. I'm bound to fumble a few more times before reaching my goals. All that I do know is where my faith is and that is in Jesus Christ and God our Heavenly Father. I know that life piles up on you and you definitely have to search often through a lot of trash to find things that are worth keeping hold of but my testimony of this church is what has kept be going through the darkest of nights. 
Long story written medium length; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is awesome! I can't wait to share it with everyone! Be patient and have faith. :) 

Serious Contemplation

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Leads to serious decision making??????????????????????????????????

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And hopefully peace~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Blinking with Purpose

You've just got to do it!

A Clean Room

As I cleaned my room today I had an interesting thought come to mind. Yes I know its random but Me and my thoughts get posted here for you to read so just take it for what its worth. 
Our brains and thoughts are like a massive room. We take each experience and put it in the room to store. Depending on how important it is we either place it nicely in a drawer or desk and make sure it is stored safely where we might find it again once more in time of need. Things like this would be special experiences, our testimonies, and things of importance. Other things that just get thrown in are the things that are consistently thrown at us through the internet and media. Sometimes they get taken and placed on the bed to think over later. other times these items just clutter the floor of our room. I think that if we let our room get cluttered with too many things of little importance we cant find those things that we need to stay strong. So we begin to try to find happiness in other ways and struggle a little bit. So I guess the lesson I learned today is to always keep your room clean so when times get tough you can turn to the things you know are true and the friends that know you and can help you through no matter the mess, they are the ones that can also help de-clutter the stuff you've found yourself in. 

just a thought by yours truly :)

C.S.I. Its Plagued my life!

Upon returning home from taking Mom to work this morning I walked in through the garage only to see the front door wide open. I have no idea how it happened. Steven swears he locked it before going to bed. But how was it opened from a deadbolt? It makes no sense to me! C.S.I has trained my brain to how, why, and whats going to happen next. So as I sit here studying my head is running case after case of all the things that could be happening from a door being left open. Every sound gives me goose bumps! Its quite funny. Until I figure it out or forget about it. Its going to be a long day.

Wowzers!

I finally decided that I had a plan and that everything was going to happen just as I had decided it would. Then I find myself in a completely different situation and excited for the unknown to begin. So many thoughts and I can't even get them out. Ill attempt again tmrw. lol

Talmage is a BEAST!

I've recently started reading Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage. It is absolutely wonderful. Definitely on the must read list of J2. Last night was a super late night and I didn't really have the focus to study as much in his book today, but this time through I read until a footnote, jump down read the footnote if it mentions scriptures look them up and then reread where the footnote was. Sounds like a lot of work doesn't it?! But it is absolutely worth the time! Sometimes when I'm reading I'll get really into it and understand it completely first read through. Then upon occasion I feel like Brian Regan in his sketch on reading where I have to break the sentence down into more sizable pieces. Overall its just lovely :)

No Body Said it Was Easy

General Conference was AWESOME! I loved it all of it! It made me laugh as President Monson spoke lovingly of his wife and the talk they would have afterwards. A few tears were shed as the story of the holocaust survivor was asked for forgiveness from the German Guard. With themes surrounded about the family and the importances of relationships with your parents it really got me thinking about when the time comes and I myself have children. I've got to be the best at everything and an example of perfection so that my children will have the courage to make the right decisions and follow in Christ's examples. Its a hard thing to ask of someone so imperfect. Then to realize I won't be doing it alone makes the expectations for my future husband fly through the already valted ceiling. He's gotta be perfect so I can be perfect so our kids can be perfect. So those aren't really going to happen; so thats why I'm thankful for Christ's Atonement.

Shades of Blue

A wonderful Monday lies in store for me as I remember all of the things I learned at church yesterday. I'm ever so thankful for the blessings the gospel brings me daily. I'm super excited to try the best I can to do what I need to, to attain exaltation. I've been studying tons and the road is long but if we are rooted in a sure foundation we are bound to remain standing.

As for the title, I've been listening to some old music that I haven't listened to in a while. Its an interesting song by Nick Lachey, yeah i know he's definitely not the normal music of choice but like I said Its a good song. That albumn is pretty good too, all in all. Pretty much some sleepy music.

I've taken to Bike riding and it has been a lot of fun. I ride out to Plaza instead of run these days.

Kind of a random post but thats just how I roll :)

Best Wishes for a great MONDAY!

A thought...

I've been having lots of thoughts recently. Its an amazing occurance. I enjoy it completely and try to write down all those that I can. My thought for the night is kinda simple and I'm not sure how to word it. Lets see, Its The great times are meant to last so if its only good just wait for the great and if it is great cherish it. So many times are there moments when we get too caught up int the roller coaster of life that we forget to recognize the simple great things in life. In church today we spoke about the creation and how important it is to live our lives in accordance with the knowledge we have that this Earth is a gift from Jesus Christ for our use. Today was a lovely day just enough clouds for a perfect picture, rays of sun galore. Many different scents throughout the day. I'm thankful for it all. I'm amazed when I just sit and think about the blessings I have in my life. With all of these things in mind the possibilities are truly endless. We can do anything if we but have faith in Him.

The day my world Exploded!

From music to sweet nonsense apps; the Itouch has it all! My second generation Ipod Itouch has been amazing to me. Allowing me to keep track of friends, keeping me awake in class, teaching me to direct traffic and even fly planes without crashes. It's been my life.

Today that ended. :( I left it home when picking up my mom from work and upon arrival home the touch part of the itouch doesnt work anymore. On the way to institute tonight I didn't like the song on the radio so I reached down into a familiar cupholder to find it empty and me lacking the ability to change the crudy song!

On another note. It was a decent day not a lot going on just work hanging with my second family for a while, then hung with my aunt and her kids, picked up mom and Cindy then to the tute! Overall not a bad day. although it did EXPLODE!

InsideOut A Cappella

Pretty much today my Mom had surgery on her knee. She's doing well just drugged for pain. As I was taking care of her and watching a little tv I was searching around Itunes for some new music. My family loves to sing and Inside Out A Cappella is pretty much amazing! I was listening to their Reverence album when I decided to check out and see if they had any other albums. THEY DO! I really enjoyed looking through all the albums and picking up a few new renditions of old primary songs. They really made my day! A band that is very much worth finding and listening too!

Somedays You Just Gotta Trust

Today was an interesting day of sorts. Stayed up way too late playing the new mario game for wii with a bunch of good friends. Then travelled safely back home to sleep! Yes sleep! Its a grand thing that not many people get these days, recently I have found it easier to get to sleep when you just have the faith to trust the Lord with your life and not worry so much about what you don't know. No matter the cluelessness you may feel or even a loss of hope. If you have faith you know that there is a plan just for you and that no matter what happens you are not alone. Well anyways, thats a bit of a tangent but, where was I going? Oh Yeah! I got home went to sleep and got up to go on a bike ride. During this lovely adventure of bicycle riding I realize that through the hills and such my front brake rubbed my tire the entire time! Part way through I realized my knees were in more pain than I had ever experienced before, even with running everyday. Then the noise made me realize what exactly was going on. Needless to say, i felt stupid! After a bit of playing mario again today I went to discuss some things with a friend from church. Overall it was a good conversation but I worry about him. Wrote a couple missionary friends recently, not just gotta figure out how to get the letters sent to where I want them to go! Hope the post office can help! Anyways my favorite day is here! SUNDAY!!!! I'm excited!

Sleepy time!

Learn to Live

"You gotta live to learn, you gotta crash and burn, you gotta make some stances and take some chances. You gotta live and love and take all life has to give, you gotta live and learn so you can learn to live" Lyrics to Darius Rucker's Learn to Live. A song that really sticks out to me this early morning. You take life as it comes at you and expect things to go either good or bad. An optimistic person sees this life as half full and always good. Someone a little more realistic knows that most times it will be good but the bad times really suck. I'm more of the second type. Bumps in the road appear and you never know which way your car is going to move. Recently discovered is a person who takes chances and tries to make things happen. Its a difficult procedure to follow and takes a lot of guts. Sometimes when you are out stretched, beyond anyway you have ever gone before things get a bit messy as a reality stick strikes your face. No matter the reason you must learn to pick up the pieces, roll with the punches and be you no matter what happens. People will be mean and you will get hurt, its a guarantee. Just make the best of the situation and learn to trust and follow yourself.

Today's the Day

I'm definitely not one to write everyday so everyone can see whats going on in my life. But I finally gave into the idea of a blog. We shall see how long it actually lasts.

Recently I've taken to reading many books and learning as much as I can about my own religion. I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through and through. I'm determining now whether I will be going on a mission or not. I'm saving up all the money I can to make sure if it happens I'm prepared. Anyway, this past Sunday my little brother Steven was advanced in the priesthood and now has the Melchezidek priesthood. While we were there we attended a sacrament meeting in his singles ward. They spoke of the importance of keeping a journal and a personal history of the things in your life. The concept is not new to me, I've been a member my whole life; but one of the speakers mentioned how the scriptures are the journals of the past generations and how previledged we are to have them to read everyday. No matter how many times you read the same set of scripture verses you get new insite and gain a stronger testimony of everything that you have grown up to know.

I've never really written a blog, its really just an experiment and a test of things I've learned and hopefully I can keep up with it. This will be an adventure, lets see where it takes us.