Thoughts from this past General Conference/ Women's Conference

It is amazing to me to think that my spirit does not belong to this mortal world. Instead, it belongs to a Eternal being, preparing me to rule my own world one day.

He is our Father in Heaven. He wants us to depend on Him as we do our own mortal fathers. As we seek advice from the men who raised us, we should also be seeking His advice. And to those who have grown up with an absent father, I testify to you right now that HE is there. HE is ready for you to come to HIM. HE loves you more than you could ever imagine.

Has there ever been a time when you had no idea how things were going to turn out? You didn't know where the heck you were going in life?
I have.
I am feeling it right now.
But it is comforting for me to realize and understand that He knows everything. Unlimited knowledge. And He asks of me to be obedient and He will guide me along.
Why would I ever doubt that He would direct my paths if He knows EVERYTHING?
I don't know, but I know that when we are obedient, we are BLESSED beyond compare.

No Matter What.

Those are the words that keep me saying "Thank You" for everything that I have.

When you hurt, it is so easy to hurt others. 

Why?

You don't want to be the only one hurting. 

But here is a secret: Everyone is hurting in their own way. Never hurt someone more than they already hurt just because you are feeling wounded.

Forgive and Forget.

When we have a strong and personal testimony of the Atonement, we are less inclined to do wrong.

Why?

I believe that when we are true to the Savior and knowledgeable about what He has done for us, how much he suffered, we are more aware of the decisions we make. Every time we sin, He hurts. The thing is, is that He already suffered for us, but it doesn't mean we can sin all the time and get forgiveness tomorrow. We have the gift of agency. We choose our destiny. When we can understand that the Savior loves us so much that He suffered for us, our desire to do wrong decreases. I truly believe that to be true. 

Be worthy.

Be willing.

Be desirous.

And He will take care of you.

Have you ever had a friend that always seems like the happiest person in the entire world? Like they have no problems and everything is perfect for them?
I have.
Sometimes I have been accused of being that person.
But do you remember that happiness is a choice?
Even when it feels like your world is falling apart in front of your eyes, there is light. It is the Savior. He brings hope and love. When you can accept Him and his love and hope, it doesn't matter how disastrous the situation may be, He takes care of you and you can't help but feel HAPPY.
I know with every fiber of my being that He cares. And He can make you more happy than you ever though imaginable.

My last and one of my favorites.
Be you in every situation. Don't let Satan tear you away from who you truly are.
Even when you are the happiest person in the world, depend on the Lord as if you are in the darkest of times. He can keep your spirits high and happy.



#ldsconf

Take a look back and look forward

This past year has been amazing. In so many different ways.

I could go back on everything that happened. But that require my brain to work and remember.

So all I can say is that I am happy. That this year/semester/part of my life has been the best it could have ever been. Not all perfect, but that's something that we can't expect.

I am grateful for all my experiences. It's been an adventure.

Now to finish off the year with a BANG! (aka with my family :))

Day 26

Finally, we have arrived home.

The drive felt like eternity, but I am grateful for Cali and Sean and their desire to drive home and their willingness to take me along.

Now to celebrate with family. :)

Day 25

Today I had the incredible opportunity to go to the Carl Bloch art exhibit in the Museum of Art here at BYU.

I read on his biography that he believed his strongest work was his religious artwork.  I would have to agree with all my heart.

It was a sort of self reflecting as I looked upon my Savior who was portrayed in many different ways. I pondered on how my Savior has influenced my life and all I can feel is gratitude for all He has done for me.

Day 24

Today I am grateful for pinterest.

In this past week I have made about 5 different pinterest dishes all of which have been PERFECT! (well one is in the oven right now....) I am so proud of myself for trying new things and rediscovering my love for cooking and baking.

When I was in elementary school, all I wanted to be when I grew up was a chef. I wanted to cook flamboyant things and have my own cooking tv show. All I ever watched on tv was cooking shows.

But it was hard cooking at my age. I was still young that my mom didn't want to trust me in the kitchen. But I always remembered asking to help make dinner or food, and all I can recall is my mom telling me no. I understand, I mean I was 10 wanting to make the turkey for thanksgiving.

I didn't have enough experience. But I look back now and think, the only way to gain experience is to try and fail and try again. I love to cook.

Right now there is a brown sugar cake in the oven with a brown sugar buttery sauce on the stove. My hopes are high and I believe it will turn out GREAT!

Cross your fingers.

Any maybe keep an eye out on the cooking channel for me. ;)

Day 23

I am grateful for good movies.

Lately, there has been quite a few good ones out there!

it was a book first!!

dreamworks is getting creative!

Katherine Heigl's accent. priceless.

Gerard Butler. From Phantom to this. yum.

1999 classic. Freddie Prinze Jr. still gets me every time. 

Ok, I will admit, I wasn't the biggest fan of this one, but who doesn't love a hopeless romantic movie that is also filled with action and adventure. :)

plus a whole bunch more.

I was raised on movies and good ones at that. So just keeping the tradition alive. 

now I just need to go see catching fire.

Day 22

Today I got a letter in the mail from a girl who has become one of my best friends. We were roommates last year and for some reason, her and I just seemed to fit together and get along better than anyone else in our apt.

She is now in Ohio. Serving the Lord and doing fantastic.

I am grateful for Sister Taylor Byers.

She is such a righteous daughter of God. I love her and pray not only for her, but for all the missionaries of the church. May they be blessed and protected for their sacrifice and obedience.

Day 21

Today I am grateful for the advice my mom gave to me today about the power of peace.

When we can find peace within ourselves, knowing that we are doing all that we can do, it is amazing the miracles that can come from it.

President Heber J. Grant described the Savior’s peace this way: “His peace will ease our suffering, bind up our broken hearts, blot out our hates, engender in our breasts a love of fellow men that will suffuse our souls with calm and happiness.”

When I choose to let go of all the pain that is weighing on my mind and my heart, I can then feel of the peace that has always been there for me.


I have learned that our Heavenly Father only wants to bless us. He only wants to help us in this journey called life.He leads us in the direction that He feels is best. (which most of the time is the best path for me) But He also takes into consideration the desires of our hearts. And He will give us those things based on our personal righteousness and obedience.


We all long for peace. Peace is not just safety or lack of war, violence, conflict, and contention. Peace comes from knowing that the Savior knows who we are and knows that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His commandments, even and especially amid life’s devastating trials and tragedies. The Lord’s answer to the Prophet Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail brings solace to the heart:

“My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high.”

Day 19 & 20

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the BYU Lu'au. I met the most amazing people and learned so much about culture and myself.

I am grateful that my family and friends supported me and came to see me.

I am grateful that I was able to showcase a culture that is so amazing! Maori forever!

Day 18

Today I am grateful for all the studying that I have been able to do within these past few days for my stats exam.

I took my exam tonight and am proud to announce that the score shown on the screen is significantly more impressive than my last test score which was not good.

I am happy.

Plus. I went ice skating tonight.
Boo yah.

Day 17

Today I am grateful for the testimonies of others.

In Relief Society today, we were talking about how each of us has seen God's love for us in our day to day lives. There were many different ways, whether it be the beautiful nature or our families or how He has helped us overcome our weaknesses. Then one girl said that she could see the evidence of God's love for her by all of the experiences the other girls shared. To be able to see how God has blessed the lives of others only increases the ability to see God's love in our own life.

You just have to have the right perspective.

Some people might feel as if God doesn't love them and He loves everyone else.

But that is not true.



God loves everyone.
Everyone deserves love.
I can honestly testify of God's love. He is always there for us and He cares about who we are and the type of people we become.

I believe it to be true with all of my heart.

Day 16

Today I am grateful for good food.

So here is the story.


My parents came into town for their anniversary. While they were here, we went to In-N-Out Burger for lunch. I was so excited because I LOVE In-N-Out! We ordered our meals and anxiously awaited the delectable juicy burgers and sweet strawberry shakes. We waited, and chatted while we waited.
Then we waited some more.

and some more.



and some more.


By this time we were all confused by the fact that no one was calling our number. Finally my Dad goes up and talks to the guy, finds out that they lost our ticket and were still doing other orders while "trying" to put ours together.

What?


So I decide later the next week to write a comment/complaint online because of the poor customer service.... and what do I get in return?

4 meal certificates.

boo yah!

So today, I took my sister, her husband and my friend to In-N-Out today and enjoyed every last bite of that burger and every last drop of my strawberry shake. I LOVE food. #nomnomnom

So, ya. If you want to know of a good burger restaurant, check out In-N-Out.

Day 15

Today I am grateful for my cute clothes.

I have been raised by a mother who knows her style and I am lucky to have caught on to her techniques. Being able to dress and feel good about myself is something that I value. Not necessarily "worldly apparel", but just cute, modest, appealing clothing.

I am grateful that I can look at my closet and feel this gratitude because some people don't have this luxury. It is very appreciated.

Day 14

Oh what a day.

I have felt like this week has gone by so slow. As my sister so comedically said, quoting a very good movie, "to drudge the long and deary road".

But I am still grateful.


Today I am grateful for my statistics class.

Whoa. I never thought I would say this.




of all things to be grateful for, I am grateful for stats?





No, not just the class, but what it has done to me.
It has thrown me under a large school bus several times, then rescued me and then thrown me under once more. But is has trained me to really work hard and value all the work that I have been putting into the class.

I am grateful for the emotional turmoil it has put me through, but I pray that it will be kind to me in these last few weeks.


Oh stats.
is it even a math subject?

Day 13

Today I am grateful for my mother.

She is the wind beneath my wings.... as corny as that sounds, it is actually true. I feel like I can fly whenever I talk to her.

Her background has made her the person she is today and I am forever grateful for that. She has raised me to always depend on the Lord, family comes first, and that God has a plan for me. I love her so much and I wish that words could describe it.

Unfortunately the English Language doesn't have the words to describe how much I love and appreciate my mother.

But I want her to know that I am the woman I am today because of the way she raised me and the experiences we shared together. She is a woman of virtue and love. She has a brilliant mind and intellect.

I love you mom.

Day 11 and 12

These past two days have been my lowest days. But it is amazing how gratitude can make it seem so much better.

I am grateful for this gorgeous weather we have been having lately. It has lifted my spirits when I felt like all was lost. It felt good on my skin and rejuvenated the energy that had disappeared.

Day 10

I am grateful for modern medicine.

I have been having the worst migraine ever. My head has never hurt so much.  It is causing my vision to go blurry, which increases the pain in my head even more. And all I want to do is close my eyes and sleep, but I can't sleep because I slept 14 hours last night.

But Ibuprofen helps. And I am grateful for the help it brings me, even the slightest relief.

Day 9

Today I am grateful for trying new things.

I posted a while ago about signing up to dance in the BYU Lu'au.
Well, it's been going super good! Not always easy, I can say that for sure, but I can say wholeheartedly that it is all worth it.
Today, in rehearsal, we did a full run through of all the different polynesian sections.
Everything looks so good. I surprise myself  sometimes, by the things that I tell myself I can do.

To be able to say that I am a dancer in the BYU Lu'au is a really big honor and privilege.

If you want to come see it,

November 19&20
7:30pm
Tickets available at the Wilk Info Desk
$5 for students w/ ID
$7 General
$10 Priority Seating

Food available in the Garden Court from 5:30-7:30pm

Day 8

Today has been one heck of a day.
Lots of good things and a lot of hard things.

Today I am grateful for all the hard things in my life. I am grateful for my difficulties, my shortcomings, my failures.

When I learn about the bad in my life, it helps me to appreciate the good.
I let go of the bad in my life. All my weaknesses, trusting in my God that He will make me stronger if I turn my will over to his.

Day 7

Today I am grateful for Brigham Young University.

My classes.
My teachers.
The Honor Code.
The clubs.
The faculty.
All the free stuff.
The environment.
The strong testimony of the school.
Being around people who believe the same that I do.

I really couldn't imagine a better place to go to school.

I am surrounded by some of the most brilliant, beautiful, smart, funny people in the entire world.