I love blogging because of the great people that I've met online and their stories that they've shared with me. I have a few friends in mind that I'd like to share with you and I'm going to start with this great girl!  Al joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 2009 and since then she's been sharing the joy that she's found through awesomely inspiring youtube videos and images. She truely is using the internet for the reason it was created, to spread the gospel!

[blog] {twitter} (youtube)

[enos 1:7-8]

Have you seen her video Dear Elder yet? It really touched my heart when I read the letters she wrote to the missionaries who introduced her to the gospel of Christ. This week she's been my motivator and a constant little voice in the back of my brain saying "Don't give up! You can do it!" 

[alma 5:12]

Sometimes I worry too much about what other people may think of what I'm writing or if it's even worth my time. Even before I left on my mission it was almost like I was sort of ashamed of my faith. When I said I was giving up a year and a half of "free time" to preach the gospel I got some weird looks and I felt pretty judged. The people here in the south are curing me of that nice and fast. People here are not ashamed! They are proud to let everyone else know how much they love Jesus!

[genesis 1:31]

And it doesn't really matter what those naysayers may think because I love it. I've seen the joy that comes from my friends joining God's church and the pure happiness they have gained. I know that my Reedemer lives and He wants us all to find this same happiness!

Thank you Miss Al Fox for your determination to not defend, but to define the gospel with as many as you can! 

Enjoy Your Life

My brain is basically a radio. There is always something spinning around on repeat in there! Sister Jasper will usually turn off the music in the car and ask me to sing to her. We've decided our motto for the next 6 weeks is "sunny with a high of 75" inspired by this song by Relient K.

I may seem a little biased towards this band since I featured their song just a few weeks ago, but I swear I like other music too. Possibly a post coming soon with my favorite music of Christmas? You betcha!

The reason we chose this song is because of the line that says "It's funny how you find you enjoy your life when you're happy to be alive" they also make references to how the weather affects us and our attitudes.
WE WILL NOT LET THAT AFFECT US! There are rumors that the coming months are bringing us the worst winter Nashville has had in a long time. But what kind of weather is best for missionary work? Any weather!!! In our hearts we'll be warm and fuzzy and feeling like it's 75 and sunny out there!

It's a choice we're making to work hard and be positive. Here's my movtivating scripture!

 27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

 28 And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;

Each one of these cheery yellow pictures is a direct link to its source. I hope you find some that you like! What do you do to remind yourself to CHOOSE to be HAPPY??

Someday I'll Be

living in a big old city and you're ever gonna be is mean.

My head isn't really working straight today so I'm just going to write a stream of consciousness post. You can pretend I'm James Joyce if you like.
Although I'd like to think that we don't have much in common.
And there I go being mean again.



The rain here in Nashville has been pouring down hard enough to start another flood.
Thank you T*Swift for playing on repeat in my head today. I've needed a constant reminder to be a little nicer. I've been realizing just how hard I am on myself sometimes, but I can be just as hard on other people.

My reminder to be less judgmental comes from the New Testament. Sister Jasper and I watched the video Finding Faith in Christ with some of our friends the other day and Jesus's admonition to the crowd of accusers when they bring a woman before Him who was found committing adultery always cuts to my heart. "He that hath no sin among you, let him throw the first stone." I'm far from being sinless. (Drops the rocks clenched in my fists).

My "thanksgiving resolution" (because why should they only come at the new year?) is to be a little nicer. To myself, to my friends, when no one else is listening, when I think no one else is listening. Being mean gets me nowhere but in the dumps. It's time to be a little more friendly.

A Reminder From A Friend

You know why God gives us friends? Because sometimes we're being too stubborn to remember what He's taught us. And for some reason we're more willing to listen to them. There is a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants where God tells us to go back and remember that He's given us answers before.

And lyrics always help as well. Here's what Kelsey reminded me of yesterday:




When I made up my mind
And my heart along with that
To live not for myself
But yet for God
Somebody said
Do you know what you are getting yourself into?

When I finally ironed out
All of my priorities
And asked God to remove the doubt
That makes me so unsure of these
Things I ask myself
I ask myself
Do you know what you are getting yourself into?

I'm getting into you
Because you got to me
In a way words can't describe
I'm getting into you
Because I've got to be
You're essential to survive
I'm going to love you with my life


I've known this song for years and before my mission I'd listen to it to fall asleep on nights where I didn't think any good what coming from my decisions. I can't listen to this song right now but I can hear it in my head and it's giving me the strenght to remember how great it is to live my life for God!