Suit Up and Embrace It

Today I'm being awesome. And even if I'm not feeling awesome I'm telling myself that I am. I'm so sly I can trick my own brain into making it think what I want it to! This sign was a friend's Christmas present but I loved it so much I had to have a picture of it for posterity's sake. Today I'm embracing awesomeness that comes from sharing the gospel!

You may recognize this quote from a picture on my goodies page

O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal. - 2 Nephi 9:39

Want to know something cool about that scripture? It has a fun little reminder hidden in it. Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal: S.M.I.L.E.

True Story.

Songs For The Season

So this year Christmas is going to be unique. I've never had one like it in the past and there never will be one like it in the future.

My life as I've known it up to this point has been a ball of crafty-creative-bits-of-thread-and-felt-mess. My fingers are ususally covered in some kind of ink or paint or tie-dye or pencil lead. When I think of talents that I want to share with other people it's my artistic side that I feel I can share best. Christmastime is when I'm feeling it most because there is nothing than I love more than to make gifts by hand for those I love.

A few days ago I was struggling because I've chosen not to focus on that for an entire year and a half.  There will be no long nights at the sewing machine to get all of the pieces thrown together and there will be no hidden handmade treasures stashed in a corner to hide from my family until Christmas morning. There are some small ways for me to express my right brained side, but not with the full devotion that I once had the time to do. What I am learning is how to develop other talents. My weak things are becoming strong.

I'm all about encouraging people to spend time on art, to learn a new craft, or to try out a new fascinating hobby. Right now though I'm all about developing my ability to open my mouth to testify of truth.  The gift that I want to give everyone this season is a chance to grow closer to the Savior.  My heart is in an imaginary box under a figurative tree for Christ this holiday season.

What's interesting is that as I've been writing this blog post the words I was planning didn't come out. Apparently my fingers know something that my brain hasn't quite figured out yet. I made this small playlist of Christmas songs that have been my favorites. I hope that as you listen to them and ponder the real meaning of Christmas you can decide to make this holiday more meaningful in your own family.

One of my absolute favorite Christmas songs is Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel by Brightwood and I couldn't find it to share on this playlist :( but that little link should take you to where you can hear it!

Lessons Learned

Otherwise known as

"Things my mom tried to teach me but it took a mission to learn"

Be happy where you are.
Tell your friends and family you love them but show it too.
Support your Priesthood leaders. No matter what.
Read your scriptures every day.
Clean as you go and always drink your green smoothie!

I'm sure not perfect at any of these things yet, but I'm working on them and this woman right here taught me my whole life by her example. Moms are great. Mine is the best. Just sayin' :)

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.

*Lehi and the Liahona*

Last day of the paintings posts! I hope that these have been fun to look at and read I sure enjoyed sharing them! The grand finale is simple. The liahona was a guide for Lehi and his family as they were wandering in the wilderness outside of Jerusalem. It would only give them clear direction if they were obeying God's commandments.

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So here's the thing, I can't find at this very second where the first reference to this "compass" is. I know that it is in the beginning of 1 Nephi. Whoever finds me the reference first wins a prize! Search and comment away my friends!

The Anniversary of My Birth

I love then and now comparisons so I thought I'd throw some birthday footage your way! Yes, October is the best month out of the entire year because it's my birthday month and Halloween too! So here's a treat, a shot from my 5th birthday party! I'm the little blonde one :)

And my birthday as properly celebrated at a member's home this past week with AMAZING pumpkin cheesecake! It was seriously the best birthday I could have ever asked for!

And it was finished by opening a package from home! My mom has made it a tradition to theme the birthday packages she sends me based off of whatever I'm obessesing over at the moment. The only thing I'm really obsessed with right now is the Gospel and also...Menchies Frozen Yogurt (probably going to get a post all to itself) so I just said...hmm..bees! Here's what wonderfully amazing things my mom put together for me!

Isn't she the greatest? Such a fun day and I felt so loved by everyone I met. I think I want to always treat people like it's their birthday. Blink-182 may claim that "nobody likes you when you're 23" but I have different plans for this year!!

*Lilies and Paint Splotches*

I had a picture of Mary Magdalene scheduled for today. And I wrote out a whole long description of what the word hope means to me. And then I felt super preachy. And I deleted it. I'm replacing it with something much more personal that I really do love! My absolute favorite artist of all time is Claude Monet.

Close up his paintings are just sloppy brush strokes,

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but when looked at from a distance I'm almost afraid that the water might pour off of the canvas and into the room.

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Here's my mini application to life. When I look close up at small daily parts of life it may seem like everything is just little messy brush strokes. Once I take a second to back up and look at the whole thing with an eternal perspective my tiny brush strokes have added up to make a majestic wonderful work of art!

So, today may feel like just a brush stroke, but its a dab of paint that has to be put onto my giant life masterpiece!

In other news, here are the cupcakes that Elders Lund, Dallof, and Davis made for me for my birthday that inspired me to change the painting of the day!

*Art Series Time!*

I've been rifling through a pile of Ensign magazines from hmmm...about 1991-1994 and amid the great articles from the General Authorities of the church and inspiring stories written by members (and awfully funny poems) I have found some artwork that I just love!
So here is what you have to look forward to for the upcoming week:

One painting a day that I find inspirational, uplifting, or otherwise spiritually wonderful as pertaining to the 13th Article of Faith,

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I sure hope you're excited because I've just been bursting at the seams to share some of these!!!

Thursday Happies!

OOOOOOOk! Time to make a list of thankfuls and things that made me so so happy these past few weeks! On Sunday we went to a birthday party lunch for a family at church. I can't hear the sound in this video because I'm at the computer lab at the library, but here is the best card EVER that B got for his birthday. Doesn't it just make you so happy?? A DINGO ATE YOUR BIRTHDAY CAKE!!!

Hrmph. I put the video on here and it was messing everything up. And now it won't load. So sad! Some day I'll go a-youtube hunting again to share the card. But until then, here's a picture of my best friends.

Speaking of best friends, my best friend K sent me a letter this week that was..wait for it....16 pages long!!! I haven't really heard from her at all since I left on my mission 4 months ago and I was thrilled to get an envelope stuffed with wonderful pages of letter! Missionaries crave mail. It's the sustenance that keeps us going. False. The Gospel of Jesus Christ and my understanding of the Plan of Salvation are what really keep me going. But mail is really super awesome.

I don't have a picture of the massive letter, so one of us together will have to do!

This picture of my ADORABLE brother L. Isn't he just the sweetest?? I love my family so much and I've only been able to meet this little one a few times. Being on a mission has taught me just how important families are!

We went to the Nashville Temple last week! When I walked into the temple I felt the stress and frustration I've had for a long time disappear. For a few hours I was completely free of that weight. This picture is fun because we were looking up at a bird that was perched on the Angel Moroni's trumpet, but it looks as if we're gazing heavenward. So much joy!

Have you ever made mini popsicles out of soda in an ice cube tray with brite crawlers as the popsicle stick? I highly recommend it. They are delicious and make lots of good memories and giggles. Ah! And the word for giggle in Spanish is "risilla" learned that one recently!

I keep thinking about this sign that's back home at our institute building. I just wish sometimes that people would walk up to the church just begging to be taught! But that's not how the work goes. Actually, sometimes it does! A few months ago a woman walked into the church building on a Sunday thinking, "hey this might be a nice place to attend church!" She was quickly introduced to missionaries and she was baptized two weeks ago! Is that a miracle or what?



And the most exciting wonderful cherry on the top of the month thing ever??? New music to listen to!!! Have you ever heard of the Nashville Tribute Band? They have these three wonderful CDs each with a theme about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. One is Joseph, about the prophet Joseph Smith and the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The second is called Trek, about the pioneers and the sacrifices they made as they crossed the plains. The newest, Work, is all about missionaries and what it's like for us to leave our families for 18-24 months to devote all of our efforts to the Lord. Keep on reading because I'm pretty sure I'll have more to say about this music.

So, overall, things are so great. The work is hard but the blessings are amazing!



Forget Not

Please allow me the chance right now to be the most corny and stereotypical Mormon blogger as possible.

The highlight of the General Relief Society broadcast this week was President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk about the things we should never forget. Click right HERE to watch it!

Yes. I think that it was extremely cheesey of me to make this little picture (and yes, I did do it with picnik! How did you guess??) but it really is a great reminder for me.

My heart was touched by the words that this Apostle of the Lord shared. Sisters we are often too hard on ourselves!

So the part of the talk where he mentions Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was probably my favorite. I grew up loving Roald Dahl's stories and I will now make it a goal to not focus so much on finding the perfect moments in life [golden tickets!]

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And instead enjoy the life [chocolate!] that those moments are found in!

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I know this little comparison is funny and I haven't had much time to really write out any deep or profound thoughts, but if it is good enough for President Uchtdorf then it is sure good enough for me!!

This weekend is General Conference, an opportunity to have 8 hours of wonderful spiritual upliftment just like this talk. Absolutely everyone is invited to attend or to watch via live streaming on the internet! You better believe it when I say that future blog posts are going to blossom from things I hear this weekend!

The Parable Project

For the next 6 weeks the missionaries in our zone (all of the missionaries in the Nashville area) are focusing on parables found in the scriptures. I love that Christ taught in parables so the principles He shared would be understood only by those who were searching for truth. Remember when I wrote about ships and how I love the nautical stories in the Bible? Well I'd like to share another parable that I love!

This painting of the parable of the 10 virgins has always inspired me because it holds so much symbolism! One semester in college I took a course called Spirituality in Art where we analyzed symbols in paintings, sculpture, architecture, and music. Go click on that link to learn about the symbolism behind this great painting by Gayla Prince!

Have you read about the 10 virgins before? It is found in Matthew 25. At the time Christ told this parable it would have seemed to the Pharisees that he was just telling a story about some silly bridesmaids that didn't have light on their way to a wedding feast. What I love is that with further understanding and study we find that each one of us is one of those virgins on the path to the Savior. The oil in our lamps is our effort and preparedness. If there isn't enough oil in my lamp I'm not going to be prepared to meet the Savior at the end of my journey!

I'm going to do my best this week to apply the parable of the 10 virgins to my life so I will have oil in my lamp!



Who Steers the Ship? YOU DO!

Do you want to know what makes me super happy? When people leave me comments telling me that what I am writing is helping them in some way or when I find a blog post that mentions some little thing I may have said. It makes me feel like my time blogging is well spent.

My friend Felicia wrote a post about trying times and how she turns to God when she knows Satan is out to get her. Haven't we all been there? It's like Satan reads my diary sometimes and knows what exactly is killing me and he tries to drive me to the point of insanity. But I don't let him get to that point because I have control. I'm the one with the body here! I make the decisions! I learned this poem when I was about 10 years old and Fe I want to share it with you and with whoever else is out there reading.

All the water in the world,
However hard it tried,
Could never sink the smallest ship
Unless it gets inside.

And all the evil in the world,
The blackest kind of sin,
Can never hurt you the least bit
Unless you let it in.
  

I don't know who wrote this little poem but I know that it has helped me remember when I'm struggling that absolutely nothing can bring my spirit down if I choose to follow Christ.

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Commitment Issues

I've been setting a lot of goals for myself recently for long term desires (like maybe getting a master's degree) and also for daily things I want to work on (like really actually getting up at 6:30 every morning).  But my question is, what is the point of making these goals if I'm not wholeheartedly working towards them?

My motivators

We had Zone Conference on Wednesday (basically a meeting for about 12 missionaries in the area with our Mission President) and the theme was commitment. A vital part of missionary work is extending invitations to everyone we meet. What kind of invitations you ask? Well they are simple. Things like "will you join us at church this Sunday?" or "will you read this chapter in the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it is true?"

These commitments are so important because they give people the opportunity to make a change in their life to come closer to Christ. One person we just asked to find her husband some nice pants so that he will feel comfortable coming back to church! See, its just small steps. And we all can take them.

I rededicated myself to missionary work and as a reminder I framed a picture from the Ensign of missionaries and wrote the question,

"Today am I doing my work, or am I doing the work of the Lord?"

Yep. It's hard. But I've signed up for 18 months of full time service and I need to remember why I'm doing it!



Eternal. That's What Real Love Is.

"I love to see the temple I'll go inside some day. I'll covenant with my Father; I'll promise to obey. For the Temple is a holy place where we are sealed together.

As a child of God I've learned this truth:

A family is forever."

-I Love to See the Temple by Janice Kapp Perry

Me with my mom the day that I went to the Rexburg, Idaho Temple.

I love the simplicity of a children's song and what it can teach us. Temples are the house of God and the peace and joy that come from being there are above anything else. I love the comfort that comes from knowing that my family will be forever, no matter what may happen or separate us in this life. Knowing that we will be together for eternity gives me a long term vision of how I should be treating my family with love and care. The little issues shouldn't be made into big problems. It sure isn't always easy but I know that it is worth it.

Sunshine Sunday

Things that made me happy today:

*Braids*

No, this isn't me. But it sure is wonderful to braid my hair like this the night before so I don't have to worry about doing my hair when we run out the door to church at 8am!

*Men's MoTab CD*

Oooh their cover of Billy Joel's Lullaby is my new favorite song. We were listening to it as we drove home last night and I was just looking out the window at the beautiful moon and enjoying the perfect moment.

*2 Nephi 31:20*

I gave a short talk today during Sacrament meeting based off of this verse. Then when I went to class with the young women and we read it again! Must have been inspired ;)

*Wearing my Anthropologie dress*

No picture. But oh have happy a pretty dress can make you feel!

*Little girls laughs*

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Cara and Autumn were just laughing up a storm today and oh how a girly giggle is just the sweetest sound ever!

*Talking about Eternal Families in Sunday school*

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Someday I will be married for eternity in a Temple of the Lord. Talking about the blessing of an eternal marriage in Gospel Principles class today got me so excited for when that time will come for me!



Free Yellow Pages

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Music Heals The Soul

Just watch the video. My words won't do it justice.



Stretch!

I put post-it notes everywhere! When Sister Warwood and I go to visit someone and they aren't home we always leave a sticky on the door with a little message. We also love inviting people to read passages of scripture and we'll write them on sticky notes. This website Things We Forget always gives me a little inspiration and its like an internet sticky!

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I like this one because we have been talking about enduring to the end a lot in our companionship study. I set big goals and have my sights set on big things because I know some day I can make it! My super big ulitmate whole reason for living goal is to return to live with God some day!

Everyone can have that goal and everyone has the potential to make it! Leave me a comment with your address and I'll send you a real sticky note reminder of your divine worth!

I love y'all!

Not Just A Drop In The Ocean

Girl's Camp every summer was one of the things that I looked forward to the most each year. When I was 15 there was a big hiking trip that the girls go on separately from the week of summer camp to demonstrate the things we'd learned at the past few years of camp. I was so terrified that I was going to have to survive in the woods for a whole weekend carrying my bed and everything else I needed on my back without even having a real toilet. I love being outside, I just don't like living out there in the wild! Yes. I am a total wuss.

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Luckily it was a dry summer and the fire danger was too high where we were planing on going and we wouldn't be able to cook the meals we'd brought. Hallelujah! We settled into a campground instead.

Around the campfire one night we sang fun silly songs about hippos and bugs and mayonnaise on tootsie rolls(I still haven't figured that one out) but we transitioned into songs about the Savior, hymns and children's songs that brought the Spirit to our meeting.

I don't remember much about what we talked about that night. What I do remember is that our Stake President spoke that night and he read a verse of scripture that has been prominent in my memory since that night. He read from the Doctrine and Covenants 64:33-34 (ok, this is the part where you click on that link and read the scripture!)

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When I heard the words "out of small things proceedeth that which is great" the words to a Michelle Branch song started playing in my head. She sings "I was drifting away like a drop in the ocean" and I thought of how the ocean is made up of millions of tiny drops of water. It would be impossible to count how many drops were in just a bucket of water, let alone a whole ocean! But if those little specks of water were not all there together there could be no sea, no underwater habitats where billions of creatures thrive, no surf for us to play in on the shore.  Think of how each of those small particles come together to create something great.

All of the missionaries in the Hopkinsville/Clarksville area

I constantly think about this scripture as a missionary. I try to say hi to every person I come in contact with and I am learning to not be ashamed or afraid to share the gospel with as many people as I can. It's amazing how simply going up to a woman watering her roses turns into a discussion of how the gospel of Jesus Christ blesses our families. I love it. It may not be a huge act, but each wave or greeting is a drop in the ocean of missionary work. If people are not willing to listen to our message when we come to our doors I hope that they at least see me leave with a smile and want to know what it is that makes me so happy. My every action is a representation of the Savior and our Church. That's a pretty weighty responsibility but I embrace it with my whole heart! I hope someday soon the drops I'm adding to the spiritual sea will be a force for good and bring others to Christ!