Empty by the end. :)

I found this wonderful quote today. "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'." ~Erma Bombeck. Quotes usually persuade me to think on them for a while, but I have been thinking on this one for a long while. How am I using my talents this summer amidst my busy schedule to bless the lives of others and make the world a better, sweeter place?
I have been reading a (fictional) book recently about an aboriginal African tribe of people and their journey across a large desert. In their tradition, they do not celebrate birthdays in years, but rather they celebrate every year the growth, development, and accomplishments of the members of their tribe. They rally together and support and admire the talents of each member of their tribe and openly recognize what they are individually accomplished at. I love that idea! There is a difference between pride and self-worth, or a knowledge and appreciation for your own talents. I think that we should all feel grateful for the different things that God has made us apt towards. I hope that I can work so hard throughout my life to use what I feel I am good at to help my neighbors, friends, husband, and my current and future family. I hope that I can make a difference in my community and for those whom I may work or associate with. One of the things that I feel I have been given in this life is compassion, and I have found a small way to use it this summer. I do yardwork for a lady in pleasant grove for a few hours every week. One of her older daughters (who is living in Payson for the summer) owns a dog and keeps it at her mother's house here in Pleasant Grove. The mother is not much of an animal person, so the poor dog is never let out of her kennel. She is a decent sized dog (probably as big as your average lab), and the kennel is maybe 10 feet long by 4 feet wide. After I am finished with my yardwork, I have started taking the dog on a walk every time that I go over there so that she can stretch her legs and get to run for a little while, and I cannot tell you how this little act has blessed the dog and I. Every time I enter the yard, she wimpers and jumps around in her cage with her big brown eyes even wider than usual it seems BEGGING me to let her out and play with her. I have made a friend in this cute dog, and it fulfills me to be able to help her in a way that she can't help herself. I have absolutely no doubt that every single one of us has something to offer to someone to help and bless them. I also have no doubt that when we are standing at the feet of our God to review our lives that those moments will not be passed over. So, let's help each other. Let's recognize and not be afraid to share our talents with others. Personally, I'm looking forward to having my slobbery friend Nikki as a friend on the other side of the veil. :) 

I want REAL change. WE want real change.

I've been thinking lately about politics a lot....not the nasty side of things, but how certain things could be changed. How could the Gay/Lesbian marriage act be settled, how could our economy prosper, how could we vote a reasonable president into office who wouldn't do more harm than good, how can we help America to have less single-parent households and children being raised in them, how can we help the 12 million people in our country are on welfare and 46 million using food stamps to become self-sufficient and work-oriented. How?

In Alma, we read of the Zoramites who had become a wicked and corrupt people. They were self-righteous and sinful. Their method of worship was to climb onto a high tower and repeat the same prayer, once a week, after which they returned to their homes not to allow God in their thoughts again until the next day of worship the following week. They believed that they were set apart from the rest of their brethren, and that they were chosen and choice children of God and that all of them would be saved. Alma learns of this wickedness, and he seeks to reclaim this selfish generation of people. He says, "And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just--yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them--therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God" (Alma 31:5). 

I think that it would be expedient for US to try the virtue of the word of God. Religion had more effect on these corrupted people than ANYTHING else that had been tried. I see the same traits in our country that the Zoramites possessed--a selfish, prideful sense of worth and a lack of God in our homes and minds. I have no doubt that the gospel of Christ can settle the Marriage act, help our economy, give voters and presidential candidates better wisdom and morals, save many marriages and lessen single parent homes, teach and encourage self-sufficiency and reduce welfare and food stamp numbers...I have absolutely NO doubt in my mind. So, although our votes are worth little, and our voices are often quieter than whispers in the large political whirlwind of this country, our testimonies are NOT. They are strong and can save and help our nation. I encourage you to share it. Share it with your friends, non-members, neighbors, members..whoever may need a lift. This gospel brings JOY and WISDOM. Who are we not to spread the wealth? 

Dream boat.

Some of you can relate to this post, and others/most of you will just roll your eyes at my gushing...but you know, that's how it goes. Now, our story begins at 10 Hillside circle, Dallin's and mine. I flirted for a solid 2 1/2 months before that boy asked me out. I never worked harder for a first date. However, I guess it paid off. We're getting married. I've learned a lot about myself and also about what it means to love someone. I have never wanted so badly in my life for someone else to be happy, comfortable, to feel loved, and to love me in return. I have never trusted someone more or been so excited to share experiences with someone. I know it's cheesy, but like I said, some of you can relate already, and the rest of you will relate someday. :) I can't wait to work with him, come closer to the Lord through and with him, put his name in my FamilySearch tree, and build a family with him. :) I really do love this boy. 

I think I've caught a bug....

Friends and Family, I've caught something. It's like an itch that just won't go away...no matter how much or how deeply you scratch it. This itch is classified under the FamilySearch category, and it just won't leave me alone. Now you all know....I'm just insanely excited about family history work. One of my new years resolutions was to find at least one name that wasn't linked into my family line and link it there...I've found two! Now, what's two names to be excited about? It's true, I've only found two names that did not exist there before, but now TWO more people have the possibility of living with our Heavenly Father if they accept the temple work that I can now do for them. There's more, though. I was taught how to do something called descendancy research, and by doing this, I have found 158 names of people who have not yet had their temple work done in my family line--some very distantly related, and some not-so-distantly related. I like to imagine a wonderful group of spirits cheering me on as I spend the laborious hours on the FamilySearch website searching, merging, and adding. I like to imagine the smiles on their faces when their names are found, and their ordinances are requested and taken to the temple. I like to imagine the tears of joy streaming down their faces when they realize that they will be able to live with their family for the rest of eternity, and spend the rest of eternity in the presence of our Heavenly Father. I KNOW that there are millions upon millions of spirits waiting in the spirit world to receive their ordinances, and they can't do it for themselves. But there's happy news, WE CAN!!! Get involved. Find your family, find a greater faith, and find joy for those who can't find it for themselves. :)

Angel in #2

So, last year I wrote about an Angel sent to #204....I'm still writing about that same Angel. Miss Cassandra Marie Childs....and in less than 30 days, it will be Sister Childs. Yes, I am obviously a very supportive friend and happy that she is going on a mission, but there is a little part of me that's dying inside and a few tears that have slipped out of my eyes when I think about the fact that she moves out tomorrow morning and isn't coming back. I can't help but think of the million laughs we've shared, the hardships she's helped me with, and the ever-constant smile that never leaves her face. Her positive attitude about everything never ceases to amaze me, and I am constantly in awe when it comes to her intense dedication to her schoolwork, her family, her friends, and God. She gives the absolute best advice anyone could ever ask for, and she ALWAYS knows how to help you. She is the most beautiful girl I know, and next semester really won't be the same without her. The best part of coming home every day is being roomies with you, Cass. :) I'll miss you more than you could possibly ever imagine. 18 months can NOT pass soon enough. :)

Thanksgiving--the reason for the season. :)

People are always curious about why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday...it's a reasonable sort of thing to be curious about. I'll tell you, though. I'll tell you EXACTLY why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love cuddling with my six, darling siblings to read books and not worry about time or a schedule. I love being with my amazing dad in the kitchen all day long--just cooking and cooking..something we both love. :) I love not having the possibility of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday--there are no gifts to buy, no big concerts to attend, and no waking up at 4 AM. I love the simplicity of the idea of Thanksgiving...a whole day where we just get to revel in all of the wonderful blessings that God has given us. In my mind, there can't possibly be a more beautiful sort of day. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Christmas hater...I'm just more of a Thanksgiving lover. Happy Thanksgiving, guys. :)

for Love. :)

I found this quote the other day...don't ask me where it's from or who said it, because I couldn't tell you. :) "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." Now, for just a moment, close your eyes. Well, now you can't read this, so you'll open them again as soon as you figure that out. But I want you to close your eyes for just a minute and think about something that you view negatively. Think about a situation, a friend, a family member....now, I want you to picture yourself as Christ, and do the same thing again. I do not say this to be sacrilegious in any manner; I say it so that you can truly see this person or situation as Christ would. Where does their beauty lie? What are their strengths? Why were they put in your path? Now, I guarantee that if you intently study the situation as Christ would, your view of this person will change. I've had it happen to me. Today, someone told me that there are things in life that will outweigh anything wonderful that you can buy in this festive season of the year. The relationships that you have with people will outweigh that. Repair the broken relationships that you have with family members and friends this season. Don't let the disconnect still be there. There is no sweeter feeling than the healing that comes after that repair. It's what He would want....and really, it's what you want too. :)