Loved this! I wanted to share excerpts from this talk.
Steven E. Snow
"Hope is an emotion that brings richness to our everyday lives...
As such, hope brings a certain calming influence to our lives as we confidently look forward to future events...
Our hopes can lead to dreams which can inspire us and lead us to action. If we have the hope to do better in school, that hope can be realized by dedicated study and sacrifice. If we have the hope to play on a winning team, that hope can lead to consistent practice, dedication, teamwork, and ultimately success....
Hope can inspire dreams and spur us to realize those dreams. Hope alone, however, does not cause us to succeed. Many honorable hopes have gone unfulfilled, shipwrecked on the reefs of good intentions and laziness...
We should never let hope be displaced by despair. The Apostle Paul wrote that we “should plow in hope” (1 Corinthians 9:10). The exercise of hope enriches our lives and helps us look forward to the future. Whether we are plowing fields to plant or plowing through life, it is imperative we, as Latter-day Saints, have hope."
Life is full of disappointments and situations that require patience for things to change. All I know is that there is only one thing in this life that is constant. One thing that will endure and continue. The love of our Heavenly Father and his Son, our savior Jesus Christ which is manifest through the gospel and their church. Everything else will pass away. Everything else can be destroyed by who knows what. But the truths that lie in the Gospel of Jesus Christ are eternal.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Memory Challenge.
I like pictures. Okay I LOVE pictures. At one point while in high school I had a full wall in my room covered in pictures from that year. I've realized over the years that the reason I like photographs so much is because each picture has memories attached.
Recently I've realized the importance of making memories. Or in other words just living life in a way that we want to remember what we do. Memories or experiences are the things that we get to keep throughout our lives and into the next.
I've thought of something fun to do. Sort of a challenge for us all. I propose that over the next week, each of us does something out of the ordinary. Something that isn't every day and make a new memory. It's totally up to the individual. You choose if it is something involving a group or just all by yourself. Take your cameras with you and take a photograph to immortalize your new memory. Then next Friday, June 3rd we can all post about it and share what we did. The silly-ier the better! Let's all create opportunities to laugh and have joy in this life. Come on this will be fun!
some ideas:
just add something silly to something ordinary
think of what you did as a kid, and do it again
go play on a playground
if the weather stays nice go enjoy nature
go to a new restaurant
service activities for loved ones
*If you choose to participate comment on this post so we can all see the fun things we all did this week.
Recently I've realized the importance of making memories. Or in other words just living life in a way that we want to remember what we do. Memories or experiences are the things that we get to keep throughout our lives and into the next.
I've thought of something fun to do. Sort of a challenge for us all. I propose that over the next week, each of us does something out of the ordinary. Something that isn't every day and make a new memory. It's totally up to the individual. You choose if it is something involving a group or just all by yourself. Take your cameras with you and take a photograph to immortalize your new memory. Then next Friday, June 3rd we can all post about it and share what we did. The silly-ier the better! Let's all create opportunities to laugh and have joy in this life. Come on this will be fun!
some ideas:
just add something silly to something ordinary
think of what you did as a kid, and do it again
go play on a playground
if the weather stays nice go enjoy nature
go to a new restaurant
service activities for loved ones
*If you choose to participate comment on this post so we can all see the fun things we all did this week.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Well...
You may or my not recall that at the beginning of the year I talked about my ineptitude goal setting well I would like to report on some goals I've set but also some things I've learned.
Okay I always have things I am working on but I had 4 measurable goals for this year.
1. To get accepted in the Masters of Arts in Teaching at Westminster College.
2. Run a half marathon.
3. Get A's in my classes I take.
4. Lose 15 more pounds. (for health reasons not because I think I'm fat. Relax!)
Okay so now onto my report.
#1 Accomplished. I found out last week. Westminster accepts students for the Summer and Fall semesters so I had originally applied for the Summer. When I found out I didn't get in I was disappointed. A masters was never in my plans but this all fell into place when I returned from serving a mission. I looked into other options but this one just was what I wanted. So when I didn't get in. I started thinking, okay now what if I don't get in at all? So I looked again, I thought some more. NO this is what I wanted. I knelt down and told the Lord. Look this is what I want. I don't want to go anywhere else. If I should look into other options I need you to interfere. He didn't. :) I'm so excited. And very much looking forward to pushing myself in this degree.
#2. This goal will most likely not be met this year. I've always wanted to run one and I've looked into many. But I actually signed up for one. But during training I got a lot of pain in my knee and I couldn't figure out how to help it. It wouldn't get better. I started to realize that maybe this goal isn't realistic. That maybe I need to make sure I know my abilities before making goals that are not able to be met.
#3. Okay so I don't think of myself as stupid nor super smart. I did just fine in my undergrad but now that I've gone back to school I was determined to do my best. I wanted A's in my classes. A-'s were fine. Just A's. I took two classes this past semester and I'll tell you I've never studied more for classes. I read every single chapter assigned to me in my text books! That was huge! I learned a whole lot and really loved it in fact. However near the end of the semester I knew that I wouldn't be getting an A in one of my classes. I was upset with myself. I realized ways I could do things better. I realized how to study more efficiently. I also realized that even though a goal will not be met I must not just give up. Because I still ended up with one A and one B and I am very proud of myself.
#4. Okay this one... this one is an every day thing that I need to embed within me. I need to remember that everything has a consequence. This is much more long term. The effects are not seen immediately but the reward will be worth it. It's hard for me remember this from day to day.
So with all these goals I've learned very important things for my life.
1. To have goals. We need things to work towards, to feel accomplished.
2. Goals are the end result, it's the things along the way that matter.
3. Sometimes the small things alone the way are hard, but because we've set the goal we know the result will be worth it.
4. Even if we fall short it's still important to continue on and do our best to reach as close as we can.
5. There are people around to help. And also a loving father in heaven, to help us stay calm and focused and able to accomplish those things that once seemed impossible.
Okay I always have things I am working on but I had 4 measurable goals for this year.
1. To get accepted in the Masters of Arts in Teaching at Westminster College.
2. Run a half marathon.
3. Get A's in my classes I take.
4. Lose 15 more pounds. (for health reasons not because I think I'm fat. Relax!)
Okay so now onto my report.
#1 Accomplished. I found out last week. Westminster accepts students for the Summer and Fall semesters so I had originally applied for the Summer. When I found out I didn't get in I was disappointed. A masters was never in my plans but this all fell into place when I returned from serving a mission. I looked into other options but this one just was what I wanted. So when I didn't get in. I started thinking, okay now what if I don't get in at all? So I looked again, I thought some more. NO this is what I wanted. I knelt down and told the Lord. Look this is what I want. I don't want to go anywhere else. If I should look into other options I need you to interfere. He didn't. :) I'm so excited. And very much looking forward to pushing myself in this degree.
#2. This goal will most likely not be met this year. I've always wanted to run one and I've looked into many. But I actually signed up for one. But during training I got a lot of pain in my knee and I couldn't figure out how to help it. It wouldn't get better. I started to realize that maybe this goal isn't realistic. That maybe I need to make sure I know my abilities before making goals that are not able to be met.
#3. Okay so I don't think of myself as stupid nor super smart. I did just fine in my undergrad but now that I've gone back to school I was determined to do my best. I wanted A's in my classes. A-'s were fine. Just A's. I took two classes this past semester and I'll tell you I've never studied more for classes. I read every single chapter assigned to me in my text books! That was huge! I learned a whole lot and really loved it in fact. However near the end of the semester I knew that I wouldn't be getting an A in one of my classes. I was upset with myself. I realized ways I could do things better. I realized how to study more efficiently. I also realized that even though a goal will not be met I must not just give up. Because I still ended up with one A and one B and I am very proud of myself.
#4. Okay this one... this one is an every day thing that I need to embed within me. I need to remember that everything has a consequence. This is much more long term. The effects are not seen immediately but the reward will be worth it. It's hard for me remember this from day to day.
So with all these goals I've learned very important things for my life.
1. To have goals. We need things to work towards, to feel accomplished.
2. Goals are the end result, it's the things along the way that matter.
3. Sometimes the small things alone the way are hard, but because we've set the goal we know the result will be worth it.
4. Even if we fall short it's still important to continue on and do our best to reach as close as we can.
5. There are people around to help. And also a loving father in heaven, to help us stay calm and focused and able to accomplish those things that once seemed impossible.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Good week.
So it was my birthday this past week. I had nothing really thrilling planned, however I was determined to have a good day. I purchased ridiculous decorations and this awesome cardboard imagine thing ----> Don't you love it? Everyone participated! Also I started a new tradition for my dads birthday month back, "Birthday Pinatas!" I completely decapitated the unicorn! It was such a great night with the people I love the most around me laughing and having fun! The majority of the day was pretty calm, but I felt so happy and grateful for so many wonderful people in my life.
Each year on my birthday I go back and think what was the main thing that I had learned in the past year. I make a yearly journal posting. This year however, was different. I felt that I should instead reflect on who I've become as a whole over these past 20 some odd years of my life. It was quite a unique experience. I mainly focused on the things I've overcome. Mentally, physically, and mostly spiritually. It also helped point out to me the areas I still need to work on. Those things that haven't really changed compared to all the things that have. Life truly is an amazing thing. We start out as these little beings not knowing a thing, and have the potential to become, well whatever we want. It's kind of thrilling if you think about it. And thanks to wonderful people and a merciful Father in Heaven we can truly become better each day.Saturday, May 7, 2011
Comfort foods.
Well I've discovered what my true comfort foods are...
I've always loved dark chocolate! LOVE IT! Give it to me anytime and I'm good.
But after a very annoying experience on Thursday morning I've discovered that the two things I want when things go bad are cereal, Quaker brand cereals, and sugar free ice cream. Delish I know! But seeing as sugar is really really bad for me I didn't feel I had a choice. Let's just say I'm grateful for a full bowl full of Crunchy Corn Bran and Oatmeal Squares. Nothing calms the soul quicker. :)
Oh maybe cheese melted onto a piece of bread... that's good too.
Or a yummy hot fudge ice cream sundae (not realistic)
Or a delish fro yo! (that's for you Rach. And yes I saved oodles of time by abbreving it. Even your name.)
CAKE I love cake! It doesn't love me.
Pizza... give me pizza with a whole wheat crust and I am a happy woman.
Mexican food! Popusas are to die for but they are from El Salvador.
Omelets... love love love omelets. I feel that there is not a thing bad about them.
Artic Circle Raspberry shake or Stake and Shakes Dark Chocolate Shake... Mouth watering.
What was this post about again?
I've always loved dark chocolate! LOVE IT! Give it to me anytime and I'm good.
But after a very annoying experience on Thursday morning I've discovered that the two things I want when things go bad are cereal, Quaker brand cereals, and sugar free ice cream. Delish I know! But seeing as sugar is really really bad for me I didn't feel I had a choice. Let's just say I'm grateful for a full bowl full of Crunchy Corn Bran and Oatmeal Squares. Nothing calms the soul quicker. :)
Oh maybe cheese melted onto a piece of bread... that's good too.
Or a yummy hot fudge ice cream sundae (not realistic)
Or a delish fro yo! (that's for you Rach. And yes I saved oodles of time by abbreving it. Even your name.)
CAKE I love cake! It doesn't love me.
Pizza... give me pizza with a whole wheat crust and I am a happy woman.
Mexican food! Popusas are to die for but they are from El Salvador.
Omelets... love love love omelets. I feel that there is not a thing bad about them.
Artic Circle Raspberry shake or Stake and Shakes Dark Chocolate Shake... Mouth watering.
What was this post about again?
Monday, May 2, 2011
Bloggers Block
I think I am suffering from Bloggers Block... Oh yes it's a real thing. Sometimes I have all these ideas flowing through my head and I just want to share but today.... nothing really is coming. Well nothing I feel should be shared.
La di da di da...See nothing!
I'm car shopping... but that's not very exciting.
I'm in finals week... but that's really not very exciting.
I've decided to run barefoot... on my treadmill at least. I actually quite like it. But you probably don't want to read about that either.
There is a hawk in our neighborhood that is snatching up small dogs and large birds...My kitty better be safe! So I don't want to talk about that.
The neighbors put a bunch of branches under the pine trees that line our yards to keep my niece and I from playing under them... I'll stop there.
My cousin now sits right next to me at work. Which I love! But you don't care about that...
I can't seem to get rid of former guy friends... Look just because I'm single doesn't mean I want to date you!... Probably shouldn't talk about that.
I could talk on an on about the Gospel and how much happier I am when the Lord is apart of my day! I just notice that a day when I can spend time with the Lord on my own, in a group, with my family and friends nothing can pull me down.
Okay I'm good now.
Have a nice day! I hope the sun is shinning where you are too! I love the Sun and the Son for that matter. Both bring so much light and life to everything!
La di da di da...See nothing!
I'm car shopping... but that's not very exciting.
I'm in finals week... but that's really not very exciting.
I've decided to run barefoot... on my treadmill at least. I actually quite like it. But you probably don't want to read about that either.
There is a hawk in our neighborhood that is snatching up small dogs and large birds...My kitty better be safe! So I don't want to talk about that.
The neighbors put a bunch of branches under the pine trees that line our yards to keep my niece and I from playing under them... I'll stop there.
My cousin now sits right next to me at work. Which I love! But you don't care about that...
I can't seem to get rid of former guy friends... Look just because I'm single doesn't mean I want to date you!... Probably shouldn't talk about that.
I could talk on an on about the Gospel and how much happier I am when the Lord is apart of my day! I just notice that a day when I can spend time with the Lord on my own, in a group, with my family and friends nothing can pull me down.
Okay I'm good now.
Have a nice day! I hope the sun is shinning where you are too! I love the Sun and the Son for that matter. Both bring so much light and life to everything!
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