High Five for Friday

Friday again! Top 5 things from my week:

[one]
I had a blast at fhe on monday. I never realized how goofy the people in my family were. I am impressed with their abilities to make sound effects. Very fun.

[two]
I have worked an incredible amount of hours this week. (And the last week, and the week before that....haha) and I am very much looking forward to my next paycheck!

[three]
I was at home on Sunday, and I got my suitcase to start packing for Disneyland! 3 more days. I can't wait. You will definitely be updated with daily posts talking about how much fun i'll be having with out you :)

[four]
My dad bought the tickets. So it's even more exciting. Sorry, Disneyland is the only thing I have been thinking about all week!

[five]
I successfully did laundry this week. In preparation for what? Disneyland...:)

I am so excited. I hope you all have a beautiful Easter weekend. It is such a special holiday. I hope you can remember the true meaning/focus of the holiday. If you want to see a mormon message about it, look a couple of posts below this one.

:)

He is Building Us a Palace

One of my friends just posted this on fb and I love it. So i'll share.

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”

― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Even when we are not sure what is happening to our lives, we need to remember that God is building us and making us stronger and better. God knows what is best for us. It takes a lot of trust in Him to make it through this life. I know that if we trust Him, that we will grow stronger and become perfect. 

Easter

I wanted to share this video to help prepare for this Easter Sunday. The video speaks for itself.

Link for the Bible videos here. They are incredible.

Peace

Tonight as I was studying my scriptures and writing in my journal, I made an awesome realization that I really want to share.

So lately my life has consisted of many hours of work everyday. After work I would come home and listen to my music. Always. It was my ritual. My music makes me feel so good! I've already posted about this.  Putting my headphones in my ears allows me to escape from real life and takes me into the world of the lyrics (did that sound cheezy?...)

However, listening to music while wasting my time on the internet was more of a priority than reading my scriptures and simply saying my prayers.

There is someone I work with who is constantly happy. Always smiling. Continuously laughing. When I am at work I tend to complain, or simply don't smile. I decided that I wanted to be more like this positive person. I smiled. I tried to keep my complaints to myself. The difference it made was incredible.

When I came home from work I decided that I wanted to read my scriptures. After reading my scriptures I listened to some Sunday music and wrote in my journal. I read my patriarchal blessing. The Spirit was so strong, and I felt the most amazing peace.

Here is the realization that I made:

Nothing can bring us more happiness than the beautiful Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I'm comparing the feeling of listening to my music after work every day and the way I feel after studying my scriptures. They are completely different. Nothing can bring us more peace than dedicating our time to our Lord.

This is just my experience. But I challenge you to try it for yourself. Take 15 minutes to read from your scriptures, write in your journal, or say a simple prayer. Pay attention to what you feel during/after doing so. Listen to Heavenly Father speak to you. Because He will.

High Five for Friday

High five! We made it to Friday again. Top five things from my week:

[one]
I had a delicious home cooked Sunday dinner with my family on Sunday. It was so good. I've missed that. I am very excited to move back home for the summer and have home cooked food all the time!

[two]
I cleaned my room a couple of days ago, and it has remained clean. That is a miracle.

[three]
I have had the opportunity to work lots of hours this week (and last week).$$$

[four]
My brother comes home in 8 months from today!!! That is still such a long time...but it is on the downhill. That is amazing and I can't wait for him to be back. I have been missing him these past couple of  months more than ever.

[five]
I work 11 hours today. So if I survive, this is gonna be one amazing weekend. :)

Have a grrrrreat weekend all.

Funny.

I just saw this pic and wanted to share. I did this like 20 times at least today. Good stuff...:)

Summer Lovin'

So, summer has been on my mind. Obiviously. The weather is awesome!

I don't know about you guys, but when spring/summertime roll around I start listening to a certain kind of music. You know the music. Journey, Boston, you know, the classics. I don't know why, but this music always makes me feel so good! It means summer. I can't explain it. But I am currently listening to it and all I can think about is how stoked I am that it is finally nice weather! :)

I thought i'd share my favorites that i'm listenin to:

More Than a Feeling - Boston

Come Sail Away - Styx

Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins

Africa - Toto

Juke Box Hero - Foreigner

Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

Separate Ways - Journey

Pride - U2

Ordinary World - Duran Duran

Force Ten - Rush

Amanda - Boston

Listen to those. It's good stuff.

He Does Answer Them

Here is a quote that I found. It hit me hard when I read it.

God is working on answering our prayers, even if we can't see that. He does answer prayers. He is there. We just need to learn to be patient enough to wait for the answers. Because they're coming. 

Music

So pretty recently I have discovered this thing called spotify. You have probably seen it on facebook. If you don't use it, you should. It has made it possible for me to listen to different kinds of music other than what is in my library on my computer.

I have listened to such a variety of music from artists that I love. And can I just say that music is so cool?! I have always been a nerd with analyzing all music that I hear (because my brother would do it for his music classes and got me started too) and it amazes me how much music can connect to you on such a deep level. I don't know where I would be without it.

I cannot go an evening without sitting down with my music playing in my headphones to help me unwind. I love being able to forget about everything going on and just relax.

Just to let you know, since getting spotify I have decided that my two favorite artists right now are Imagine Dragons and Mumford & Sons. Imagine Dragons have a way of uplifting me and motivating me to do stuff. Mumford & Sons have definitely brought back/reinvented the banjo. Beautiful.

Anyways, just thought I would share this. It's been on my mind :) Happy Saturday.

High Five for Friday

Hey ya'll! It's Friday again! WOOOOO!

To 5 thangs from my week:

[one]
The weather is incredible!!! I can't handle it :) Spring is here.

[two]
I watched Nacho Libre. That movie will NEVER get old. To tell you the truth, quotes from that movie are constantly in my head.

[three]
I went home on Monday to spend time with my fam. I love those guys so much! We played phase 10 and disney apples to apples. So fun. We also had pizza for dinner. You can't beat family nights like that :)

[four]
I have survived my crazy work schedule this week! It's really not that bad. I am just dramatic. I am on break right now in between a double shift right now, actually. Bring it on Friday night. I will win.

[five]
I have thoroughly enjoyed 2 boxes of girl scout cookies. Have you guys tried the Savanna Smiles? They are fairly new. So good! THE best lemon cookie I have ever had. What are your favorite girl scout cookies? I have only tried those ones and the thin mints....haha

How was ya'lls week? Let me know! Have an awesome, sunny, springy weekend!!!!

High Five for Friday

It's Friday again! Top 5 things from my week:

[one]
The weather has been awesome. It is still a little chilly, but it is a lot warmer than it has been! I am ready for spring to get here already.

[two]
I had a fun time closing on Wednesday night. This girl, Alex, who I work with...don't even get me started with her. I just love that girl to death. We acted like complete fools. But there is no judging. It's just awesome that we can be so completely ridiculous with each other...ha

[three]
My new purse arrived in the mail! I love it. My other purse was ripping and tearing. It was time for something new.

[four]
I have successfully written in my journal every single day this week. That's huge.

[five]
I am currently debating which pair of vans I am going to purchase. I need some new summer ones. Sorry mom, I really can't stop it. It is one pair. I need some. It's a horrible addiction.

Have a fabulous weekend.

Be Happy.

I just wanted to share what has been going on in my head for the past couple of days.

Life is insane.

I'm pretty sure every person on this earth can say so. So much stuff happens in our lives. We have bad days. We have awesome days. We get stressed out. We surprise ourselves with what we are capable of. We are freaks. We feel good and we feel bad.

It is so easy to let the bad things that happen to us get us down. That has probably been the biggest problem i've had in my life so far. Stop dwelling on the ugly parts of life.

It is completely up to you to let go of all the crap that is holding us back. It feels AWFUL to dwell on the ugly. It is impossible to feel happy when we dwell on that. Trust me, I know. Let it go!

We are always going to have bad things happen. But pick yourself up off of the floor. Make yourself happy. Go hang out with your friends and act completely ridiculous. I know that when I do that I always feel a heck of a lot better.

Happiness is a choice. Make the choice. Life is meant to be a growing exerience, and a happy experience :)

Need A Laugh?

I was just looking at my board on pinterest full of funny things. I thought i'd share some of my favorites.

Enjoy. Please. If you don't, then don't tell me so I don't feel stupid.

 

Laugh.

General Conference Challenge

So my relief society has given us a challenge in my ward. They said that starting today, if you read one conference talk a day you can finish all of them by the time the next general conference comes along. I can't think of a better way to prepare for conference!

I'm inviting you guys to do it to, if ya want. The words of the general authorities are modern day scripture. I'm so excited to do this!

You can find all of the talks here or there is also a link on the top of my blog that will take you straight to the LDS website.

The talk for today was from President Monson when he announced the mission age change. I feel the spirit so strongly every single time I hear that. How awesome is it that the church is growing and progressing so much? It's incredible.

Where Am I Going?

 

I saw this quote on pinterst like 5 minutes ago, and I love it! I feel like it describes almost every person's situation. Our lives are changing constantly. Plans change, and answers change. There are so many times where I find myself going to unexpected places in my life-that I would have never imagined myself in. But I know that it is always where I need to be.

 

God has a plan for all of us. For some it takes a lot longer to figure out than others, but the plan is still created. It is so important to remember that. No matter what is happening all around us, we are going to end up where we are supposed to be.

 

I want to bear my testimony that I know this is true. I know that God loves each of us. I know that we will see Him again someday, through His beautiful plan. I hope you can all come to know that as well.

 

Have a beautiful Sunday.

High Five for Friday

It's Friday again! Top five things from my week:

[one]
We had fhe at our bishop's house on Monday. It was way fun to be combined with another family, and we had the most delicious dessert afterwards. Incredibly yummy.

[two]
I finally published my post explaining why I am not going on a mission. Read it if you want. It just feels good to let everyone know. Now onward with my life.

[three]
Got my car washed. I waited in a long line of cars for about 30 minutes to do that. Was it worth it? I don't know. We'll see if it rains or snows in the next few days...But I have a very shiny car for the moment :)

[four]
I went home and stole Clone Wars season 4. I love this show, and am thoroughly enjoying the new season so far. I'm waiting for Darth Maul to show up though!!

[five]
We passed cleaning checks. I have to say, I would rather close at work every night than clean the stove/oven again. I'm not complaining, I just don't want to do that again. On the bright side, our apartment is very clean! I love love love smelling bleach in the bathroom. It is a good sign :)

That was my awesome week! Have a great weekend!