The Church is reorganizing all the singles/student wards in the church and mine will see it's effects this next month so in dedication to my beloved 6th Ward,
University 6th Ward, University 5th Stake, Salt Lake City Utah
Unknown-May 1st 2011
I owe a lot to this Ward and the people in it. Four years ago I was, as called in LDS culture, "ward hopping." I didn't fit in my family ward, and I tried all the singles/student wards around my house. But I just wasn't feeling good about it.
My former bishop of my family ward was assigned to a student ward up at the U. In August I saw him and asked him details about his ward. So I went, and after the first meeting I knew it's where I should be. I felt comfortable and included right away.
As I look back I recognize how much of an influence being in this ward at this time in my life helped shape who I am and the choices I made. Because my former bishop knew me so well, he recommended I serve in a calling that would get me to more involved. So immediately I got to know the members and made new friends.
But all in all, three major things happened that have forever altered my life.
1st. I gained a new respect and appreciation for women in the church. I was surrounded by these amazing girls who had accomplished so much and I admired them and all their accomplishments.
2nd. Along with the first, they all had one thing in common... They were returned missionaries. This began a desire to form within me.
3rd. So along with that when my wonderful Bishop followed the inspiration from the spirit to ask me in a time of choices if I had thought of serving a mission, well I realize now how much the Lord was preparing me to serve him.
These three things all influenced the next. Had I not joined the ward due to a great former bishop, I wouldn't have found the ward that would unite me with a new bishop that I would become close to and feel I can go to in times of confusion. Who would then, help me in a very hard but very great decision that I have never once regretted.
So University 6th ward, thank you for shaping my life. A life I never imagined but am so happy with. Because of this ward, I have wonderful friends and more importantly a stronger testimony that the Lord truly knows us and prepares us for things to come.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
How to:
How to get a two and a half year old to do what you want.
(Well it worked for me at least and the circumstances may vary.)
So yesterday evening I had the great privilege of spending time with my niece.
The evening was full of running around, watching 'the little mermaid', and playing with her toys. Near the end of our time together we built a fort and she wanted ALL her toys to come with us into the fort. Now this is fine, no big deal. We can clean up toys. She proceeded to pull out the puzzles and dump them on the floor. I asked, "will you help me clean those up?" "Yes!" Was her chipper, immediate response. So we played for awhile and she got bored, so I wanted to clean up the room before her parents got home.
Earlier, She pulled out this horribly ugly straw hat that sits really low on your head and covers your eyes... very scarecrow like. She placed it on my head and smiled. I had taken it off a few times and she kept wanting me to wear it. Well at this point I took off the hat and asked her to help me with the puzzles. Her reply, without recognition of my request, "No. I want hat on." As she reached to put the hat on my head. I stopped her and said. "Well I want you to help me with the puzzles." Again she said, 'I want hat on." This was said in a sweet little whimper of a voice. I retaliated in a very childish pout of a voice, "I want you to help with the puzzles." She began to fake cry, "Hat on please?" I said, "Yes, I will wear the hat if you will help me with the puzzles." We had to do this a few more times, but finally it clicked and she moved around the chair and began putting the puzzles together and the ugly straw hat was on my head.
It was a miracle! This little girl is so stubborn and she submitted and we had fun while doing it. And she got plenty of praise as well. She loves praise! :)
My sis-in-law and I had a conversation awhile back about a parents relationship to their child and ours with our Father in Heaven. She recalled the period of time where she was advised to no longer pick up my niece when crying at night. To let her cry herself to sleep because she needed to learn to sleep through the night. And how your roll as a parents changes as the child grows. Your relationship with them has to alter for them to grow. We talked about how it's the same thing as our Father to us, his children. Maybe at one time he answered our prayers in a heart beat. But then he sees how we are growing and there are things that we need to add upon that, so sometimes he doesn't come right when we call him because he's knows what's best. But just as the young mother aches when her baby is crying from the next room, she knows it's better to let her adjust so she listens to the sadness without being able to do anything. Our Father most assuredly must too ache when we are in a time of pain and sadness. He knows that it will pass. That in the end, we'll be better for it. Sometimes, He's merciful enough to be persistent in the lessons He wants me to learn. Even if it takes me years to submit to His will. If only it was as simple as a silly straw hat and puzzles. = )
No wonder we're built to create families, and that it's sanctioned by the Father. How else would we be able to better understand our relationship with him?
(Well it worked for me at least and the circumstances may vary.)
So yesterday evening I had the great privilege of spending time with my niece.
The evening was full of running around, watching 'the little mermaid', and playing with her toys. Near the end of our time together we built a fort and she wanted ALL her toys to come with us into the fort. Now this is fine, no big deal. We can clean up toys. She proceeded to pull out the puzzles and dump them on the floor. I asked, "will you help me clean those up?" "Yes!" Was her chipper, immediate response. So we played for awhile and she got bored, so I wanted to clean up the room before her parents got home.
Earlier, She pulled out this horribly ugly straw hat that sits really low on your head and covers your eyes... very scarecrow like. She placed it on my head and smiled. I had taken it off a few times and she kept wanting me to wear it. Well at this point I took off the hat and asked her to help me with the puzzles. Her reply, without recognition of my request, "No. I want hat on." As she reached to put the hat on my head. I stopped her and said. "Well I want you to help me with the puzzles." Again she said, 'I want hat on." This was said in a sweet little whimper of a voice. I retaliated in a very childish pout of a voice, "I want you to help with the puzzles." She began to fake cry, "Hat on please?" I said, "Yes, I will wear the hat if you will help me with the puzzles." We had to do this a few more times, but finally it clicked and she moved around the chair and began putting the puzzles together and the ugly straw hat was on my head.
It was a miracle! This little girl is so stubborn and she submitted and we had fun while doing it. And she got plenty of praise as well. She loves praise! :)
My sis-in-law and I had a conversation awhile back about a parents relationship to their child and ours with our Father in Heaven. She recalled the period of time where she was advised to no longer pick up my niece when crying at night. To let her cry herself to sleep because she needed to learn to sleep through the night. And how your roll as a parents changes as the child grows. Your relationship with them has to alter for them to grow. We talked about how it's the same thing as our Father to us, his children. Maybe at one time he answered our prayers in a heart beat. But then he sees how we are growing and there are things that we need to add upon that, so sometimes he doesn't come right when we call him because he's knows what's best. But just as the young mother aches when her baby is crying from the next room, she knows it's better to let her adjust so she listens to the sadness without being able to do anything. Our Father most assuredly must too ache when we are in a time of pain and sadness. He knows that it will pass. That in the end, we'll be better for it. Sometimes, He's merciful enough to be persistent in the lessons He wants me to learn. Even if it takes me years to submit to His will. If only it was as simple as a silly straw hat and puzzles. = )
No wonder we're built to create families, and that it's sanctioned by the Father. How else would we be able to better understand our relationship with him?
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Dear Dating:
Dear Dating:
I'm sure you are aware but many of us young folk haven't been to involved with you lately. It's getting pretty bad actually. Now I know I know, I haven't always been supportive of you myself. And you get a lot of flack from friends of mine, "I hate dating!" I mean now that's just harsh. I always have responded with, "I'm not familiar with dating enough to know." But here is where I think the problems lies, not with you, but with how us young folks have changed our view of you.
Back in the day you were far more simple and easy to understand. You seemed so simple in all the movies. You were simply a date. NOW.... Well gosh. You get involved even once with a male and female and everything goes crazy! Both parties start freaking out! Where did this misconception begin that you are something to fear? Or even freak out about? Some people get so nervous and excited about you. No offence you're great and all. But do you like being taken so seriously? Wouldn't you rather people just view you as what you are? A fun opportunity to get to know someone new? And hey, if by chance people want to make you a regular part of their relationship, well dog gone it! That's wonderful!
I wonder too, if we'd all feel differently if we better understood your purpose... Marriage. I know that helped me a lot. Remember when I used to avoid you at all costs? I'm sorry. It was nothing personal, just personl issues I had to work out. I had to figure myself out first before getting involved with you. But your purpose is actually pretty great. But sadly I think many of us are afraid of you and this thing called marriage that you lead to. All it takes is a little faith right?
A wise person recently told me that, anyone who avoids good things aren't bad in any way. They are just avoiding experience. And why else are we here in this life, but to have experience? So why, why, Dating are so many people so afraid of you? All you are is experience. Experience that can teach us and help us to grow. So what if through you we get hurt? Aren't we also opening up opportunities to be happy? Everything is a chance. Everything in life takes faith. Even you.
So dating I guess all I'm trying to say, is sorry. Sorry you've gotten such a bad rap. Sorry that a lot of people are avoiding you. Sorry that you are made out to be something way more than you really are. Dating I'll do my best to make sure others don't put you down anymore or avoid you... Well I'll just do my part to not avoid you. I don't really have too much control. Agency always seems to be around... Maybe you two can have a chat. :)
Hope things start to look up!
Sincerely
Me.
I'm sure you are aware but many of us young folk haven't been to involved with you lately. It's getting pretty bad actually. Now I know I know, I haven't always been supportive of you myself. And you get a lot of flack from friends of mine, "I hate dating!" I mean now that's just harsh. I always have responded with, "I'm not familiar with dating enough to know." But here is where I think the problems lies, not with you, but with how us young folks have changed our view of you.
Back in the day you were far more simple and easy to understand. You seemed so simple in all the movies. You were simply a date. NOW.... Well gosh. You get involved even once with a male and female and everything goes crazy! Both parties start freaking out! Where did this misconception begin that you are something to fear? Or even freak out about? Some people get so nervous and excited about you. No offence you're great and all. But do you like being taken so seriously? Wouldn't you rather people just view you as what you are? A fun opportunity to get to know someone new? And hey, if by chance people want to make you a regular part of their relationship, well dog gone it! That's wonderful!
I wonder too, if we'd all feel differently if we better understood your purpose... Marriage. I know that helped me a lot. Remember when I used to avoid you at all costs? I'm sorry. It was nothing personal, just personl issues I had to work out. I had to figure myself out first before getting involved with you. But your purpose is actually pretty great. But sadly I think many of us are afraid of you and this thing called marriage that you lead to. All it takes is a little faith right?
A wise person recently told me that, anyone who avoids good things aren't bad in any way. They are just avoiding experience. And why else are we here in this life, but to have experience? So why, why, Dating are so many people so afraid of you? All you are is experience. Experience that can teach us and help us to grow. So what if through you we get hurt? Aren't we also opening up opportunities to be happy? Everything is a chance. Everything in life takes faith. Even you.
So dating I guess all I'm trying to say, is sorry. Sorry you've gotten such a bad rap. Sorry that a lot of people are avoiding you. Sorry that you are made out to be something way more than you really are. Dating I'll do my best to make sure others don't put you down anymore or avoid you... Well I'll just do my part to not avoid you. I don't really have too much control. Agency always seems to be around... Maybe you two can have a chat. :)
Hope things start to look up!
Sincerely
Me.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Thanks
Today I express my thanks for the Internet. Because of you Internet I was able to listen to the entire first session of General Conference while at work. (Don't worry I'm allowed to do things online while waiting for phone calls.)
I am also in awe at the power of the spirit. I'm sitting here in a tiny, cream colored cubicle, with nothing around me of significance, and yet while I sit and listen to the words of those called of God to serve us and teach us I am able to feel the spirit and hear the whisperings of his voice. So that I may know what to work on to be more effective in helping build the Lords kingdom on this Earth.
It's a weird feeling when you hear from those ordained of God telling you what to do better and what to work on. Part of me is in remorse for the things that I fall short on every single day, but then the Lord comes in with his kindness and love and feels me with peace that with him all things are possible. With reassurance that all the things I am trying so hard to do, have an eternal effect on me and his kingdom.
I have a difficult time expressing in words my feelings about this gospel. When I try to think of things to describe how I feel about it, my chest just feels with this warm pressure and I want to yell out in gratitude.
Answers are available and peace only comes through the Savior Jesus Christ.
I am also in awe at the power of the spirit. I'm sitting here in a tiny, cream colored cubicle, with nothing around me of significance, and yet while I sit and listen to the words of those called of God to serve us and teach us I am able to feel the spirit and hear the whisperings of his voice. So that I may know what to work on to be more effective in helping build the Lords kingdom on this Earth.
It's a weird feeling when you hear from those ordained of God telling you what to do better and what to work on. Part of me is in remorse for the things that I fall short on every single day, but then the Lord comes in with his kindness and love and feels me with peace that with him all things are possible. With reassurance that all the things I am trying so hard to do, have an eternal effect on me and his kingdom.
I have a difficult time expressing in words my feelings about this gospel. When I try to think of things to describe how I feel about it, my chest just feels with this warm pressure and I want to yell out in gratitude.
Answers are available and peace only comes through the Savior Jesus Christ.
To the Sonic worker that makes my morning...
Dear Sonic Employee:
Thank you so much for you exuberance in the mornings while you hold that sign that I'm guessing says 'turn in here for a delicious sonic treat!' I have never actually read your sign. Even though I see you twice a week at 8:20 in the morning, I only am watching you. I can only imagine the music you have playing on your ipod that makes you move like that. I believe one morning you had on some music that inspired you to do the cha cha. You weren't bad in fact. Did they hire you for your dancing skills? Or was that just something you added to the position?
I hope Sonic is paying you well...Come to think of it, they would probably pay you more if when I actually saw your amazing display of the above mentioned sign, I turned into Sonic. Well until then, keep dancing.
Sincerely
Me
Thank you so much for you exuberance in the mornings while you hold that sign that I'm guessing says 'turn in here for a delicious sonic treat!' I have never actually read your sign. Even though I see you twice a week at 8:20 in the morning, I only am watching you. I can only imagine the music you have playing on your ipod that makes you move like that. I believe one morning you had on some music that inspired you to do the cha cha. You weren't bad in fact. Did they hire you for your dancing skills? Or was that just something you added to the position?
I hope Sonic is paying you well...Come to think of it, they would probably pay you more if when I actually saw your amazing display of the above mentioned sign, I turned into Sonic. Well until then, keep dancing.
Sincerely
Me
Friday, April 1, 2011
Blogging! It's completly legit!
So whoever decided to start making blogging freaking LEGIT you're awesome! I've got some of the coolest friends who like to do giveaways! Here is another one for you! My awesome friends, Liz, T, and Nat have a style blog. They are doing a thrift challenge right now but also have an awesome shoe giveaway going on. I've known these girls my whole entire life! Litterally! Well Nat and I didn't meet until she was born. But I love them all dearly! So check out their awesome blog and enter to get a pair of way fun cute shoes!
http://styledby3.blogspot.com/
http://styledby3.blogspot.com/
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