"The most important covenant we prepare for is being sealed in the temple"


Sunday, December 29, 2013

"It's never too late to become who you might have been"


How do we become who we were meant to be?
How do we create a Christ-Centered life?
The answer is truly simple: Make the right choice, at the right time, in the right place.
We aren't perfect people but we can strive to be. 

How else might we strive to have a Christ-Centered life?
Regular temple attendance perhaps? Although that might be simple, there are even simpler things we can do. 
Daily Prayer and Daily Scripture Study.
What if you slip up and miss a night?
 What caused you to skip your study and go straight to bed?
Maybe it's time to re-prioritize and make commitments. 

We can show Christ that our lives are centered around him by committing to ALWAYS read our scriptures and say our prayers no matter how late you get home from a date, no matter how late we stay out with friends, no matter how much homework we have. NO MATTER WHAT make scriptures study and personal prayer a priority and commit to never missing a day. 
It's the little things that help us become who we are meant to be. 

Through Jesus Christ we can become who we want to be. The lord has time to help each and every person. If the Lord has time for all of God's children shouldn't we have time for him?

We can't be perfect, but as long as we are trying, that is enough! 

The Lord see's past our imperfections and see's the GREATEST good  with in us. 
How can we learn to see the good in ourselves?
How can we forgive our shortcomings?
How do we see ourselves as the Lord see's us?
Believe that Christ see's nothing but the good in us. 
Believe that he loves you more then imaginable.
Believe you can be who he wants you to be and eventually you will be just that. 

The first step in becoming who we are meant to be is to change and in changing we will begin to recognize the lord and understand our worth in his eyes and we will turn our lives over to him. 
It's easy to feel the changes when we first make them but as life goes on and we become caught up in the moment,  and sometimes we forget what prompted us to change.
"The answer from making the change and then for keeping it, is to testify of the Lord's hand concerning the change all the rest of our days.(Freeman)"

"If ye have experienced a change of heart, and felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so NOW? (Alma 5:26)" 

When our Journey includes the lord and we recognize our worth within his eyes, we begin to realize it is never too late to become the person the lord wants us to be. 

It's never too late to make Christ the center of our lives!!! 

Preparing for Eternity, not waiting for it. 


Thursday, December 26, 2013

Preparing not Waiting: what it's all about

What is this blog all about?

     Preparing not waiting; when I first came up with the title it referred more to my missionary and how I'm waiting with out you know, waiting. 
As the months have gone by I've realized that it was inspired. 

It's not about waiting for a missionary.
It's about preparing for my future spouse, whoever he may be.

It's not about waiting for opportunities of service to come my way.
It's about seeking and preparing myself to recognize when and where service is needed.

It's not about waiting for an answer.
It's about preparing myself to be spiritually ready to receive the right answer.

It's not about waiting for someone to make the choice for me,
It's about preparing to make the right decision on my own.

It's not about waiting for my troubles and trials to pass by.
It's about preparing for trials to come my way so I may endure them well.

It's not about waiting to be picked for the right team. 
It's about preparing myself to always play on the right team even if the other team looks quite enticing.

It's not about waiting for the bridegroom to come.
I'ts about being prepared for the bridegroom to come. (The Parable of the Ten Virgins)

It's not about waiting for Christ to knock on the door. 
It's about preparing to let Christ in before he even has to knock. 

It's not about waiting till the day your forever starts to begin preparation.
It's about being prepared before,
being prepared now,
and being prepared after.

Enduring Well. 

Always Preparing never Waiting







Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Think Eternity; the big picture

At the end of the day you're laying in bed just thinking away
Tears stream down your cheeks 
then a smile spreads across your face.
Instead of sinking down below, you look up to find a picture of the temple.
Written upon it are two simple words; Think Eternity.
Suddenly you remember that life is more than what's in this little moment and you dream of mansions up above.
 

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Uneasy

Uneasy you can feel from your head to your toe
High in the sky or far down below.

Feeling so uneasy you might just throw up.
Hurry and fall asleep before it's much to late. 

Feeling uneasy and you can't pin point why.
Maybe it's time to pray to the one who can ease it all.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Little Moments


Music is something to be appreciated.
Music always comes from somewhere.
Music comes from a persons true emotion and real experiences.
Music is not made up.
Music is true.
Music is the expression of something that's to hard to say.

When life is hard, when life is good, when life is lived in-love, when life is lived through the gospel,
there always seems to be a song to describe the way we feel.  

What song describes your life today?

I love music because music is my escape.
I'd live my life with music playing 24/7 if I could.
Music isn't something to be played as background music; it should be something we do. Listening to music should be a recreational activity because taking time to study the music you listen to brings so much more appreciation.


The other day I had to do a project for my Rock music and culture class and I spent hours and hours researching one song. I looked at the background of the song, and the band and what the band intended the song to mean and what the song meant to me. The appreciation I felt for this particular song was shocking. I will always listen to that song with more intent.
Music brings out emotions in us that we didn't think were possible to feel. We relate certain scenarios to specific songs. Music is probably the biggest part of our human existence.
 It always been, and it always will be.    


 If I was to pick a song to describe my life right now it would be...

Little Moments by Rob Thomas


Why this song?

Maybe if I explain what the lyrics mean to me then you'll understand.

Don't let what people say effect you. Let it roll off your shoulders and don't think twice about it. Don't you know the truth? The leading point to this "trial" is over and that was the hardest part. Let what you know will happen take over and have faith in it. When it's over, you'll forget how hard it was and only remember how it felt. Life is short and time goes by quick. Take advantage of the time you have because the moments will pass by and they will be the ones that count. Don't worry about the hurt and the pain it will only make you stronger. Turn to the people who you love and confide in them because they are the ones that will help you get through the hard times. Talk to the people who know how you feel. What really matters is what's deep in your heart. Our lives are meant to feel like this. The little moments are the ones that matter, make the most of them. Even though this time seems forever long, it's only a small fragment and the troubles will fade. Focus on the feelings you felt before and don't let go. Keep them close to your heart because they are the moments that matter. All of what I regret will go away because the feelings I feel right now are real and have made it possible to change. Every moment in my life has made me into the person I am today.






Monday, December 2, 2013

Dating

Life is a Journey Worth Living!
For all my readers out there, you know that my blog is all about me preparing to be the best me I can be for my future eternal family and also for me to prepare for my own eternity!
As you can tell, I am a missionary girlfriend. My missionary is someone I adore very much and I wouldn't trade these experiences I get to have with him along this journey for anything.
Although I have a missionary, I decided long ago that I would date other people and keep living my life.
I've kept that decision; Living My Life, and Dating is exactly what I'm Doing.
With a lot of thought, I've decided I would share my dating experiences and all other things going on in my life right here.
Saturday night (November 30th) I went on a group date with my cousin and some of our friends. We had a really good time! We went to I-hop for dinner, played Hide-N-Seek in Bass Pro Shop, went to the temple lights, and got Hot Chocolate. It was a success!!

My date was quite the gentleman. I have had a lot of experiences in the world of dating and this was one of the best dates I have been on in a really long time. Not because of the things we did but rather because of the way my date treated me. Always give everyone a chance because everyone deserves one. But also never lower your standard and stick to what you know and believe to be true.

Cody and I

 Josh and Kirsten

Andrew, Audrianna, Josh, Kirsten, Savanna (me), Cody
(As you can tell, Cody doesn't like to smile for pictures)

 Cody, Savanna, Josh, Kirsten, Audrianna, Andrew, Hunter, Sydney

 Hunter and Sydney

 Audrianna and Andrew

 Sydney, Hunter, Kirsten, Josh, Andrew, Audrianna, Cody, Savanna

 Cody and Savanna
(I had to post this one cause it's one of the only ones he is smiling in)


Josh, Kirsten, Sydney, Hunter, Andrew, Audrianna, Cody, Savanna 





Thursday, November 28, 2013

12 Months to be Thankful for

As I sat and pondered what in the world I could write about on this wonderful and beautiful thanksgiving day... a thankful list came to my mind... Oh yes, another one of these.
Thankful lists are something everyone seems to write on thanksgiving but what about every other day of the year? Aren't there things we should be thankful for EVERY SINGLE day??
It seems to me that everyone's thankful list include some of the same things: family, a home, the gospel etc...
Although all those things are wonderful and I am thankful for them don't you think it starts to become a little repetitive?
Every year we seem to be "thankful" for the same things... but every year is a different year, so shouldn't there be more to our lists then just that?
What if our thankful list was more specific?
I am thankful for a loving family but I am also thankful for each individual member of my family.
I am thankful for my Dad and how hard he works everyday to provide for me.
I am thankful for my Mom and the new things she teaches me day by day and the way she keeps our house orderly and clean/
I am thankful for my little brother Richie and the fun that he adds to my life by being my best friend.
I am thankful for my little sister Ginger who always has a smile on her face and can brighten anyone's day.
A more specific thankful list becomes a more meaningful thankful list.
I have a lot to be grateful for and my list of thanks could go on forever and ever but the list I'm about to share with you is based on events that happened this past year and the accounts that I made in my journal.
December 2012: Thankful to be in all the right places in all the right time and also for the birth of my Savior and how that small event changed the world FOREVER.
January 2013: Thankful for the knowledge of Eternal Families. Thankful for the trials in my life that help me to grow stronger. Thankful for the atonement and its indescribable power.
February 2013: Thankful for the callings in which I have been given that help to strengthen me and push me to be the best me I can possibly be. Thankful for answered prayers and for the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
March 2013: Thankful that I am able to see things in an eternal perspective so that I may be able to find and feel peace in all situation. Thankful for the ability to dream and that our dreams give us hope for the future. Thankful to have someone who allows me to experience things in life that I would have missed out on other wise.
April 2013: Thankful for music and my wonderful cousin who helped me record a piano instrumental CD for my soon to be missionary. Thankful for wonderful people and time well spent together.
May 2013: Thankful for the priesthood and the wonderful men in my life that not only hold it but cherish it. Tankful for missionaries and the service they provide. Thankful for temples that I can go to whenever I want and feel the peace that comes from regularly attending. Thankful for loving friends who give me love and support through every situation.
June 2013: Thankful for the power of prayer and that I can feel my Saviors love as I get on my knees everyday. Thankful for planes and for airport layovers.
July 2013: Thankful for second families. thankful for revelation and confirmations.
August 2013: Thankful for the mailing system and the person who created it because without the mailing system life would be so sad.
September 2013: Thankful for friends who are in the same situation I am in and that I can turn to them whenever I need them and know that they can help me out because they can relate.
October 2013: Thankful to be able to adjust to different situation and rely on my Savior to help me. Thankful for general conference and that we get to hear the prophets who are called of God speak to us and guide us in this ever changing and awful world that we live.
November 2013: Thankful that I am able to stand firm in what I believe in and to have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion in my life.
I am so thankful for each and every event that happened throughout this year. Although at the time I may have been wondering "Why me?"  I now know why certain things happened to me and I am thankful for the learning and growing that occurred.
Journal Challenge: Write in your journal everyday and list three things that you
                                                                                       were thankful for 
                     Happy Thanksgiving!



Sunday, November 10, 2013

The 6 month mark!

PUT ON THE BREAKS!!
or maybe don't!!!!!
 
Where to begin.
 I am filled with gratitude.
2 days ago was the 6th month mark of my sweet Missionary Elder Walker being in the field.
 
 
At the beginning the time seemed to go by oh so very slow.
The days felt like weeks, the weeks felt like months, and the months left like years.
It wasn't until I blinked one day, that I realized I was already beginning the second quarter of the wait.
 
The past 6 months and the next 18, are the times to learn, the times to grow, and the times to PREPARE.
 
"We need to understand that it is not possible to grow and develop that seed in the twinkling of an eye but rather through the process of time. Christ asks us to 'take up [ our ] cross daily,' meaning hat it must be a constant focus and desire." -Ulisses Soares
 
I've come to learn many things
I've grown in many ways,
and I'm continuing to prepare every single day.
 
A lot things can happen in just 6 months. A lot of changes can be made, a lot of things can be learned.
 
Along my Journey  I am finding trials, I am finding heartache, but I am also finding joys.
 
Life is all about "finding joy in the journey (Thomas S. Monson)."
 
Over the past little while I have come to learn and understand many things. The following are a FEW of the many things I have learned throughout this journey (so far) , and the things that I hope you can someday understand and learn as you go about your preparation for eternity.
 
 
  1. We are never alone -- There have been plenty of times when I have felt alone in this journey, when I have felt like running away, and when I have felt like I couldn't do it anymore and I just wanted to give up. The way to get through these feelings, is by turning to our savior. Look to him in all things. When we feel forgotten, he is the one person who has not forgotten us. He is our number one support in all we do. "Keep trying, keep believing, be happy, don't get discouraged, things will work out (Gordon B. Hinckley)!"
  2. Our Savior loves us more then we can comprehend -- whenever I have felt inadequate, under appreciated, or even unloved  and have turned to my savior I have felt his love so strong. I have literally felt the arms of my savior wrap around me. Christ gives his love freely, it is up to us to accept that love. "God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, Just as he always has; but he can't if you don't pray, he can't if you don't dream. In short, he can't if you don't believe (Jeffery R. Holland)." 
  3. REGULAR temple attendance is key to our happiness. Attending the temple regularly keeps us on the path we need to be and helps us prepare for eternity.  
  4. I am becoming who the Savior wants me to be. I am turning into the daughter Heavenly Father designed me to become.
  5. "Faith in God includes faith in his timing." -- Only time can tell what will really happen in these next 18 month. The things that happen are only slightly under my control. Whatever is supposed to be will be and that is what needs to be kept in our mind. I'm not waiting for my missionary. I am preparing myself for my future husband. Whether that man is my missionary it mattereth not. What matters is that I am doing all I can to be worthy of someone great, worthy of the blessings of the temple, and worthy to have a forever family.
 
"If you will listen, you will feel the spirit well up in you. The lord will tell you what he wants you to do with your life."
-Robert D. Hales




 





 
PREPARING MY ETERNITY NOT WAITING FOR IT


Monday, November 4, 2013

Aspire to Be Something Higher

One thing you should know about me if you don't already is that I love to read other people's blogs. There seems to be something about the blog community that I love. I don't know if it is the fact that I am a blogger myself, or if is because I love hearing other people's opinions, or if I love being uplifted or what. I guess it is a combination of all those things put together. 

Anyway what I'm getting at is that I was reading a blog recently and the blogger was talking about how she doesn't like that people look up to her. She wishes people didn't look up to her. Maybe that's because she is scared. I can see why people looking up to you could be a scary thing. Rather then thinking of it as a scary thing we should look at it as a compliment. 

My Heart always melts when I am told by younger siblings or even friends that they want to be like me someday! What a huge responsibility, but also what an honor!! Knowing that people look up to us makes us become better. With the knowledge of knowing that there are people watching me and looking up to me, I want to aspire to become the best possible me I can become. I try my hardest to be the best example, I try to aspire to become something higher. Being looked up to makes it harder for us to make big mistakes, it makes it harder to be mean to those around us, it makes us watch the words we speak, and the actions we take. It help us aspire to be something higher! 

"To desire is to obtain; to aspire is to achieve."

                         -James Allen

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Package Numero Uno!!

 
When Easton was on a visa wait I the states I used to send him little packages a lot, but since he has been in  Peru ( almost 4 months now?) I've sent him one.
I was really nervous about sending him a package because I had no clue if he would even get it! well, luckily enough it got to him!
I received a lot of advice about how to do it right and it worked!!
His package got to him fairly quickly as well! (I'd say about two week! That's almost faster then a letter!!!)
 
What do you even send a missionary in Peru??
 
This package was a random one, here are some of the things I sent him...
 
-A tie (have to include one in every package)
-Tons of pictures!
-His favorite salad recipe along with some of the ingredients (salt, sugar.. etc..)
-Chocolate milk powder
- A letter
-Sour candy (his favorite)
-Big league chew bubble gum (also his favorite! I should have included a tooth brush!)
-Ramen
-A key
 
and...  I think that's all.
 
Next package will be our one year together!!
 
TIME FLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
"There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you."
-Ezra Taft Benson
 


Sunday, October 27, 2013

Happy Halloween

 
 
Happy Halloween from the Westberg retirement home!
 
You better believe we won for a third year in a row at our annual family Halloween party!
 
I love my family!
 
May your Halloween festivities be as BOO-tiful and bright at you are!
 
 


Friday, October 25, 2013

Thank you for coming

The term "Thank you for coming" is used quite often. There are many ways it can be interpreted. Perhaps the following story will help you to understand the way we should always see the phrase "Thank you For coming."
 
The following story was taken from a book called "Becoming His" by Emily Freeman.
 
"Many years ago I had an experience I will never forget. I was serving as a visiting teacher. My assignment was to a woman who was struggling with a trial that had the potential to destroy her life. I had been visiting this woman for four years. She was one of my dearest friends.
On this particular night, things were not going well, and at nine thirty in the evening we ended up at the bishops office over at the church building. We counseled together with the bishop for a time, and then, in an attempt to try to find some solutions, we called a private counselor this woman had been working with to see if he could help us. He happened to be driving home from a party with his wife and agreed to come to the church.
When he arrived, he left his wife in the car with a book and spent an hour and a half counseling with this woman, the bishop and me. At eleven o'clock that evening we finally came up with a solution. The course we settled upon would include changes that had the potential to affect the rest of my friends life for good. It would require strength. It would require great sacrifice. She had chosen to make the decision we had all been praying about for weeks. I was so proud of her, and I found myself humbled by the magnitude of the journey that lay ahead of her and grateful for the encouragement of a good bishop and a kind counselor who helped her reach that decision. As we prepared to go home, my friend walked over to the counselor, took him by the hand, and said, 'Thank you for coming.'
I thought of the sacrifice he had made to be there that night. It wasn't regular office hours. he had dropped everything to come. His wife had been sitting in the car in a dark parking lot in the middle of winter for an hour and a half. In the quiet recess of my heart I echoed her gratitude, yes, thank you for coming.
I will never forget his reply.
Most people would have said, 'you're welcome.' But that wasn't his response. When my friend said 'thank you for coming,' the counselor replied, 'you're worth it.'
He taught a powerful sermon in three simple words. He knew the potential she had. He knew she was meant for more. In his eyes, she was worth the sacrifice."
 
I hope that story touched your life as much as it touched mine. The man showed a Christ-like attitude that night. Every time we kneel down in prayer to thank our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ for all that they have done for us, I know they always respond "You're Worth it." Our worth is great in the sight of God. May we be more responsive to people with a heart full of love and an attitude of the savior.
 
 Our response to "thank you for coming," should always be "You are worth it."
When we help others and follow the example of our savior, we are showing them that we know their worth is great and that we see them as the Savior sees them. As a son or daughter of God with divine potential. In our eyes they should always be worth the sacrifice.
 
Am I the type of person who would help someone under any circumstance simply because I know they are worth it and because I see the potential for more with in them?
 
"With this commitment to who we can become, the spiritual door swings open. There is a new freedom to feel and to know, a freedom to become."
-Neil L. Anderson

Friday, October 18, 2013

If the Savior Stood Beside Me

 
Would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example?
Would I live more righteously?
Would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel?
Would I speak more reverently?
Would my thoughts be clean and pure?
Would His presence give me strength and hope, and courage to endure?
Would His counsel guide my actions?
    Would I choose more worthily?
Would I often kneel to pray?
Would I listen to the Spirit’s voice, and hasten to obey?
Would I count my many blessings?
Would I praise Him gratefully
 Would I comfort those in need?
Would I try to show the Savior’s love in every word and deed?
Would I give to those who hunger?
Would I serve more willingly
He is always near me, though I do not see Him there
And because He loves me dearly, I am in His watchful care
So I’ll be the kind of person that I know I’d like to be
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me.
 
The Savior is always near. He is by our side, and with that knowledge we should ask ourselves...
 
Do I think of the commandments and try hard to be true?
Do my words remain true and kind?
Do I share the gospel?
Do I speak reverently?
Do I keep my thoughts clean and pure?
Do I often kneel down to pray?
Do I listen to the spirits voice?
Do I hasten to obey?
Do I count my blessings?
Do I thank him every day?
Do I Serve willingly?
Do I show my Saviors Love in every word and deed?

If the Savior stood beside me is one of my favorite primary hymns. If we kept it in our thoughts and minds on  daily basis I do believe our thoughts words and deeds would be different and be more turned to Christ.

I know that the Savior is never far away. I know that he stands beside us! I know that his presence gives us strength, hope and courage to endure because I have felt his strength, I have felt his hope, I have felt his encouragement and most importantly I have felt his love! I know that the Savior live and that he loves each and everyone of us with an everlasting love and that his Love is there for ANYONE who is willing to accept it. He Loves us more then we can comprehend and because of that, we can always have the strength to move forward and press on!

 


Sunday, October 6, 2013

Confirmations and Answers to Prayers



I'm not sure where to start with this but I have a lot of thoughts running through my head that I think will be very helpful to a lot of us. Myself included.
 
I have had a lot of questions lately about how you know you have received a confirmation and how you receives answers to  prayers.
 
Everyone receives confirmations and answers differently so I can't speak for everyone, I can only speak for myself. 
 
I have needed a lot of guidance in my life. I've needed guidance ever since the beginning of my existence in fact.
 
I've received confirmation and answers to my prayers in many ways: while on my knees, while reading the scriptures, in the temple, and while being obedient.
My answers usually come when I actively and diligently seek for what I am looking for.

Answers don't always come when we want them to, sometimes they come right away, but other times we don't get answers at all. When we don't receive answers we shouldn't be frustrated but rather we should be grateful. By Heavenly Father not giving you an answer he is saying that he trusts you to make the right decision and that you don't need his help.

Sometimes we don't get the answer we wanted. When this is the case, we must trust in our Heavenly Father because he knows you and what is best for you better then anyone else! A lot of the times we don't know why Heavenly Fathers gives us the answers he does, or why he guides us down certain paths, but as we are obedient and do what he asks we will eventually come to know why he had us do something a certain way or go down a specific road. Blind obedience brings blessings.

Sometimes we pray to receive confirmation and when it is given us we tend to doubt it. Why do we do this? Simple. because we are human and that is what we do. Not to long ago through the spirit Heavenly Father confirmed to me something I had been asking and praying about for a really long time. I had a lot of patience in waiting for it to be the Lords time to tell me what I should do about this situation. "God has perfect timing; never early, never late. It take a little patience and it takes a lot of faith but it's [always] worth the wait."  After I had received the confirmation I had been looking for, I began to doubt it! Why would I doubt it? because that is what Satan tell you to do. As I was sitting there doubting the Lord, all of a sudden I was slapped in the face by the spirit and the spirit testified to me that the Lord does not confirm things to us and then take away that confirmation. He does not confirm things to us just so that we can doubt him. He confirms things to us so that we can feel peace and so that we can show him that we have faith and that we will obey.

Obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles. Trust in the Lord, trust in the spirit, but most importantly... trust in yourself enough to follow Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ!  Heavenly Father Lives, He loves us, and he wants what Is best for us. I know these things to be true.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Self Reflection

How often do we sit back and reflect on the lives that we live?
The answer: certainly not enough.
 
 
"Who do you see when you look in the mirror?
 
Who are you looking at?

Who are you looking for?
 
Who is looking back at you?

On some level or another, all of us are seeking ourselves whether we know it or not.

We all have beliefs, ideas, thoughts and attitudes which govern our thinking, our knowing and our living. Changing our thinking, our long held beliefs can dramatically change our daily lives.
Try looking at it this way.....
Take a moment to think about what this sentence on self reflection means for you.

It is talking about how we perceive ourselves and our surroundings - how we fail to see that life reflects us back to ourselves.
Because we keep on looking out the windows, many of us take forever to realize that we are looking at ourselves mirrored back to us by others and by the events of our life.
This saying about self reflection helps us to become empowered.
If we see that our negative feelings towards others are reflecting back to ourselves our own sense of negativity then we can do something to help ourselves forward. By continuously looking out the window and putting the 'blame' on others we fail to utilize all the power in the moment.

Changing our perception of the problem by seeing the reality as it is reflected by us and to us, brings empowerment, change, discovery and consciousness.
As we learn to look for that reflection in the mirror rather than to project our senses outwards we gain a sense of responsibility for our own lives. Our authentic self begins to shine through."
 
Today I had a lot of self reflecting to do. I am not a perfect person. No one is, except for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We all have to do a little bit of self reflecting every once in a while. Self reflection is what helps us to become better people and greater disciples of Christ.  
 
I learned a lot today in my self reflection and I came to the realization that there is a lot for me to work on. A lot more then I had realized. Changing and becoming better is not something we can do all on our own. The Savior is part of the equation. May we always turn to him for help. Often times we do change and we become better but then we fall, and we again have to change. This is an ongoing process. That is why we have the atonement. As we make changes in our lives we must remember the way we feel when we change things about ourselves that are not in accordance with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  One of my all time favorite scriptures states "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"
 
Can we feel the change? Can we remember the spirit we felt as we changed our bad habit? Can we feel the peace we felt as we became a better person?
 
"In a mirror is where we find the reflection of our appearance, but in a heart is where we find the reflection of our Soul."
 


Sunday, September 22, 2013

We All Have That One Person

We all have that one person we miss more then anything in the entire world when they aren't by our side.
 
We all have that one person we can't stand to live without.
 
We all have that one person we tell everything to.
 
We all have that one person who consumes our every thought.
 
We all have that one person who we feel completes us.

We all have that one person who makes us smile uncontrollably for no reason.

We all have that one person that we would do anything for.

We all have that one person we can trust.

We all have that one person we want to spend all our time with.

We all have that one person we can forgive no matter what they do to us.

We all have that one person who can make us laugh at anything they say.

We all have that  one person who gives us butterflies every time we hear or say their name.

We all have that one person who we love despite all their flaws.

This might be relatable because WE ALL HAVE THAT ONE PERSON!

"If you want to know where your heart is... look to where your mind goes when it wonders."
 
 


Wednesday, September 18, 2013

The Clipboard Project

As an MG I write a lot of letter, and when I say a lot I mean A LOT!!!
I write letters all over the place: on my kitchen table, at the couch, on my bed before I go to sleep, on the floor, while I sit at my sisters cheer practice, etc.
So I am always looking for a hard surface to write on (other then the kitchen table or a book off my bookshelf).
As I thought about what I could use as a hard surface that I could carry around with me the thought hit me "why not a clipboard?"
SO what did I do??
I found a clipboard!
We all know how ugly clipboards (plain brown) can be.
So... I did what any girl would do!
 
I decorated it!
 
 
(the picture doesn't quite do its justice!)
 
 
This is a great project! It is so much fun and looks great and now I not only have a surface to write my letters on wherever I want, but also a stylish one at that!:)
 


Sunday, September 15, 2013

A Message for All

I came across the following quote and thought I should share it In hopes that it would effect you in the way it effected me.
 
Henry B. Eyring, a member of the first presidency of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints exclaims,
 
“A Seed of faith is already planted in your heart... But, like a growing plant, it must be nurtured or it will wither. Frequent and heartfelt prayers of faith are crucial  and needed nutrients. Obedience to the truth you have received will keep the testimony alive and strengthen it. Obedience to the commandments Is part of the nourishment you must provide for your Testimony.”
 
I love this quote and I always love the words that Henry B. Eyring speaks. He is a man of God and because of that, I know that if we listen to his counsel as well as the counsel of the other member's of the first presidency, we will be blessed, we will be guided, and our testimonies will be strengthened.
                              
 
 


Saturday, September 14, 2013

Testing My fun computer

I finally did it. I joined the technology world and bought myself a laptop. There is something about laptops that just make you feel so much more independent and self sufficient. Ginger and I were playing around and checking out the apps that are included on windows 8 and we found a fun video app. We made a video and we decided it would be fun (I guess. and a little embarrassing) to show it to you!:)
 
Enjoy making fun of us for the rest of your lives!;)
 
 
 
 
 
                          I'm not really sure what made me feel okay to share this. Oh well, It is what it is.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Good Ol' Arizona

You know what amazes me?
Ten years ago Arizona had only 1 temple. The Mesa Temple.
Today, Arizona has 6 temples that are already built or are in process of being built.
The Lord has a plan for those of us in Arizona.
Living up to what Heavenly Father expects of us is something we must work on everyday.
Keep making him proud!!
LOVES!!
 
 
Mesa, Arizona 7th operating Temple

 

 



Snowflake, Arizona 108th operating Temple




Gila Valley, Arizona 132nd operating Temple
 
 
 
Gilbert, Arizona Temple (Under Construction)
 
 
 
 
 
Phoenix Arizona Temple (Under Construction)
 
 
 
and the Tucson Arizona Temple which was announced on October 6, 2012
 
 

"Each temple building is an inspiration, magnificent and beautiful in every way, but the temple building alone does not bless. The endowed blessings and divine functions…come through obedience and faithfulness to priesthood authority and covenants made."
—James E. Faust
 
 


Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Have I done any good in the world today?

I'm feeling very blessed today. I can't quite pin point the reason why but I think it has something to do with the people who are in my life. I had a really sweet experience today that I wanna share with you, the blogging world. So a few days ago I got a message on Facebook from an acquaintance of mine telling me that she was sick and then said a few other things. I had the impression to send her a get well soon card along with a few encouraging words and I asked her for her address. I immediately acted upon the impression and sent her the card. Today, she messaged me on Facebook again telling me that she had received the card and thanked me for my kindness and told me that the card was exactly what she needed to get her through the rest of the day. Her gratitude was so sincere, it amazed me. She told me that receiving the letter in the mail made her day. How incredible it is that such a simple act of service can make such a huge impact on someone's day? Following impressions is important. She said that I made her day but, little did she know, that she actually made mine. She simply says to me "You just made me think of the song 'Have I done in any good in the world today?' then it says 'Have I helped anyone in need, have I cheered up the sad, made someone feel glad? If not I have failed in deed...' Well Savanna, you sure aren't a failure, you are amazing! Thanks for everything!"  Those simple words from her made me realize how important friendships are. It doesn't matter the type of friendship you have, you should always strive to make those around you feel good about themselves, and that is exactly what she did. She made me feel so good about myself.  Friendships are important. Even if you haven't met them face to face. Always treat those you know and those you are associated, with love and respect.

The song "Have I done any good in the world today?" speaks volumes. What a great principle that song teaches. It is so important to do good in the world. The good we do can be as simple as giving a stranger a smile, or sending a note to a friend, or letting someone know that you love them and are thinking of them. The simple acts of service that can be done everyday are the ones that mean the most. 

"Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? have I cheered up the sad? made someone feel glad? If not I have failed in deed."