TaLEnT

I just have one thing to say...

Where the heck was I when this talent was being handed out?

"Waiting on the Road to Damascus"

Have you every found yourself waiting too long on the road to Damascus

Have you ever found yourself lost in the rush of the world

Full of questions and doubts, wondering what the future holds and whether or not you can handle it

Have you ever thought that answers should come the instant you asked the question
Or that a miraculous event would make all the doubt go away and bring a brighter future
What we forget when these thoughts and feelings arise is that the Lord has a plan for each of us

Do not wait too long on the road to Damascus

When we lose our way, we feel like just sitting down and waiting for the mighty miracle to happen
We forget that faith usually comes by the things that we do
We come to know Christ and the truths he teaches by "small and simple things"
We "personally receive a divine portrait of the Master, although it most often comes in the form of a puzzle--one piece at a time."

Do not wait too long on the road to Damascus

The Miracle that Paul witnessed would not have meant anything if he hadn't replied "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"
It is what we do with the life and trials that are given to us that defines who we are
It is the actions words that give this life meaning- reading, obeying, praying, learning, teaching and serving...
And as we act we come to recognize the answers and blessing that the Lord gives to us

Do not wait too long on the road to Damascus

By acting we become the example to the world that the Lord would have us be
"The most effective way to preach the gospel is through example"
By acting we learn and become stronger
We answer prayers and receive answers to prayers
Life will become full of thanksgiving and not missed opportunities

Do not wait too long on the road to Damascus

"Let us strive to be among those whom the Lord can rely on..."
"Brothers and sisters, dear friends, let us not wait too long on our road to Damascus.
Instead, let us courageously move forward in faith, hope and Charity,
And we will be blessed with the light we are all seeking upon the path of true discipleship..."

Act and believe upon the road to Damascus

-"Waiting on the Road to Damascus" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2011 Conference

The Many Questions Of Life

Today's post will probably seem more serious than normal but it is a serious question that has been on my mind
So forgive me as I share some of my thoughts and concerns.

My question is why do so many, who have grown up knowing what is right, when presented with one little lie are so quick to throw away all their experiences, feelings, miracles and their faith.
Why do they feel like they have to drag down as many as they can with them?
I know the answer is that the adversary is working within them, trying to drag them down to where he is
But is it more complicated than that?

Everyone is faced with challenges throughout their life and have those times when satan has more power over them than usual, but many have been able to overcome those challenges, coming out with stronger faith and hope.
It makes me sick with sadness when I hear of those who were so strong at one time, just turn away and leave everything they know to be right.
But it also gives me a reaffirming feeling that what I believe and know, is true. It makes me want to be better at the little things, that in the end are the life lines that save you when rough waters throw you out of the boat of a firm testimony.
It gives me a desire and a burning in my heart to want to share the gospel even more and just to shake those who have turned away until they come back to their senses.

Life is a funny thing that can be turned completely upside down at any given moment. We cannot get too comfortable where we are. If we do, we find that we are not standing still but actually heading backwards. We must press forward, trying to be a little taller, a little better and a little stronger.
I love the comparison of faith, hope and our testimonies being like an hour glass where the sands are ever running out and that we must be continually filling it up so that we never lose the conviction that we have.
We must be able to forget about ourselves and learn to serve others with an open heart and loving arms
I pray that I will and those I know and love will strive to do those little things that can save us during our darkest times of life. That we will continue to fill our hour glasses and not let a little lie lead us from everything we know to be true. That we follow the spirit's guidance and act on his promptings.

This life is too important to just throw away the truths that we have learned. The truths will bring happiness that cannot be found anywhere else. A happiness full of peace and comfort. A happiness that last the eternities, not just for a minute, an hour or a day. A happiness only found when we are surrounded by love and family, when we are at peace with ourselves and others, when we have faith, hope and charity and when we put our trust in the lord and come unto him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

I want you all to know that I know and have a testimony that our Heavenly Father is there and that he loves us and wants the best for us. I know that I have a Savior who suffered for me and has given me a second chance whenever I make a mistake in this life through his Atoning sacrifice. I know that there is a plan for me and that I will be able to see them and live with them again. I know it is the little and simple things like reading the scripture, prayer, service and obedience that keep us going through the struggles of life. I believe it with all my heart and I hope that those who are struggling will look to God for strength and power. Pray to him unceasingly, trusting him and using the beautiful gift of the Atonement to find your faith and testimony and continue to strengthen them everyday of your life. It will be a continuous battle everyday of your life but I promise that it will be worth it and you will be blessed for your diligence.
I know this to be true and I am grateful that I know it and I hope that you know it too. Life is too short and too important to turn our backs on our faith and our Father in Heaven. So keep the faith and be believing and come unto him and he will wrap you in his arms of love.

"Adventure Is Out There!"

I have always been one who wants to look back on her life and say "Wow what an adventure."
I want to see the world, eat new food, experience different cultures and learn new things.
But everything has its place in life and all will come in do time.
But while some of my bigger adventures are going to have to wait, due to a small thing called money,
I have a chance to do something that I have wanted to do for awhile now.
So I am taking that chance and running with it, hoping beyond hope that it will be a dream come true.

What is this big adventure you may ask, well it is one that I definitely will be learning much
Seeing much, experiencing much, but I am not too sure about the food...umm should be interesting.
It will not be all fun in games, there will be a lot of studying, listening, reading and feeling the spirit
But it will definitely be worth every minute and every penny spent
Are you ready to finally to know?
are ya
are ya
are ya
Well here you go........

This week I am applying for the Jerusalem study abroad!!  WWWHHHAAATTT!

Thought it was a mission didn't you :)

Well I am completely stoked and hoping everything will work out and that I get in.
If I get in I will leave at the beginning of January and be back at the end of April....ish.
If I don't get in I will apply again this coming november, Because I Am Going to Get There!
"Adventure Is Out There" and gosh darn-it I am going to have me some before I die.

Change Is Good

Change is good

It keeps you on your toes

It keeps life interesting

And it breaks a sometimes tedious routine

So I decided to have a change

Not a super big one

But one that required six inches of my hair

Which is now the shortest it has ever been

It may not seem super short to some

But hey this isn't your hair

And it is short to me

So just agree with me for right now that it is short

Thanks :)

So I didn't have a picture that shows how long my hair was before I cut it, so use your imaginations...it was like six or seven inches longer.

PS photo booth is way too much fun....

Weird...

Everyone has their quirks rights

Everyone has their moments of insanity and craziness

But what would the world be like without them

Pretty much a bore I would think

So because everyone is weird in their own little way
Here is a quote that pretty much sums it all up

"We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love."    -Unknown

Moments and Memories

Life sometimes is bitter sweet
No one tells you how difficult times can be
No one can prepare you for the surprises, for the trials, for joys, for the sadness
All we can do is believe in the future
Having hope and faith that everything will work out in the end
Enjoying the moments and the people we share them with
Having no regrets when we look back at the kind of life we led
And forgiving ourselves for missed opportunities and chances

Life sometimes cannot be explained
Time cannot be made up
Hours, minutes and seconds pass with no way in recovering them
But the memories and the moments live on forever
The ability to recall is a blessing that is sometimes taken for granted
People who have come and gone from our lives are never really gone
Our memories keep them alive in our hearts
And following their great example keeps them a part of our lives

Words cannot express the peace and happiness felt, knowing that we will see those who have gone before us again
Knowing that we will have a second chance of getting to know and appreciating them better
No one knows how long they have on this earth
No one can really know where life is going to lead them in the next five years, in the next day or even in the next hour
But we do know where we will be when our time is done
That there is a life and home waiting for us after we die

I am so grateful to have that knowledge
I am so grateful that I have the support from my Father in Heaven and Savior
I am so grateful for the peace of mind and heart that I have felt today
I am so grateful that I have such an amazing grandpa who supported me in everything I did
I am so grateful for the memories and moments I have/had with him
I am so grateful that I will be able to see him again and be able to tell him how much I love him
I am so grateful that I will have another angel looking out for me and
I am so grateful that I have the truth of the gospel in my life and have the knowledge of the plan of salvation

I do not know where life will take me in a year or five years from now
Or what I will experience as I go through this life
But I do know that I will cherish every moment, every memory and every person that is in or will come into my life and enjoy it.