Saturday, October 31, 2009

That Your Burdens May Be Light

After this week I have learned so much about leaning on God to get me through the hopelessness and fear I have felt this week.

I lost my job this week. We weren't able to complete the transaction on our first home. A few more issues and I just felt like it was too much. And then I remembered: With God nothing shall be impossible. Then I remembered, General Conference. Elder L. Whitney Clayton spoke on Burdens. And so tonight- I listened to it again... and read it again. And learned. And felt at peace. We are going to be just fine. God is going to provide and He will always carry us when we are struggling. I am so thankful for the Gospel. For my husband. For the love he has for me and the strength he gives me. I love him so much.

Here is Elder Clayton's talk... after you will find a quote from a blog that I read tonight that just fit so perfectly.


"Many years ago I walked at dawn through the narrow cobblestone streets of Cusco, Peru, high in the Andes Mountains. I saw a man from a local indigenous group walking down one of the streets. He was not a big man physically, but he carried an immense load of firewood in a huge burlap sack on his back. The sack seemed to be as big as he was. The load must have weighed as much as he did. He steadied it with a rope that looped under the bottom of the sack and circled up around his forehead. He gripped the rope tightly on both sides of his head. He kept a rag on his forehead underneath the rope to keep it from cutting into his skin. He leaned forward under his burden and walked with deliberate, difficult steps.

The man was carrying the firewood to the marketplace, where it would be sold. In an average day he might make just two or three round-trips across the town to deliver similarly awkward, heavy loads.

The memory of him bent forward, struggling down the street has become increasingly meaningful for me with the passage of years. How long could he continue to carry such burdens?

Life presses all kinds of burdens on each of us, some light but others relentless and heavy. People struggle every day under burdens that tax their souls. Many of us struggle under such burdens. They can be emotionally or physically ponderous. They can be worrisome, oppressive, and exhausting. And they can continue for years.

In a general sense, our burdens come from three sources. Some burdens are the natural product of the conditions of the world in which we live. Illness, physical disability, hurricanes, and earthquakes come from time to time through no fault of our own. We can prepare for these risks and sometimes we can predict them, but in the natural pattern of life we will all confront some of these challenges.

Other burdens are imposed on us by the misconduct of others. Abuse and addictions can make home anything but a heaven on earth for innocent family members. Sin, incorrect traditions, repression, and crime scatter burdened victims along the pathways of life. Even less-serious misdeeds such as gossip and unkindness can cause others genuine suffering.

Our own mistakes and shortcomings produce many of our problems and can place heavy burdens on our own shoulders. The most onerous burden we impose upon ourselves is the burden of sin. We have all known the remorse and pain which inevitably follow our failure to keep the commandments.

No matter the burdens we face in life as a consequence of natural conditions, the misconduct of others, or our own mistakes and shortcomings, we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father, who sent us to earth as part of His eternal plan for our growth and progress. Our unique individual experiences can help us prepare to return to Him. The adversity and afflictions that are ours, however difficult to bear, last, from heaven’s perspective, for “but a small moment; and then, if [we] endure it well, God shall exalt [us] on high.”1 We must do everything we can to bear our burdens “well” for however long our “small moment” carrying them lasts.

Burdens provide opportunities to practice virtues that contribute to eventual perfection. They invite us to yield “to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and [put] off the natural man and [become] a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and [become] as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [us], even as a child doth submit to his father.”2 Thus burdens become blessings, though often such blessings are well disguised and may require time, effort, and faith to accept and understand. Four examples may help explain this:

  • First, Adam was told, “Cursed shall be the ground for thy sake,” which meant for his benefit, and “by the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.”3 Work is a continual burden, but it is also a continual blessing “for [our] sake,” for it teaches lessons we can learn only “by the sweat of [our] face.”

  • Second, Alma observed that the poverty and “afflictions [of the poor among the Zoramites] had truly humbled them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word.”4 He added, “Because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye.”5 Our economic challenges may help prepare us to hear the word of the Lord.

  • Third, because of the “exceedingly great length of [their] war,” many Nephites and Lamanites “were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.”6 Political unrest, social disorder, and, in some areas of the world, modern Gadianton robbers may humble us and motivate us to seek heavenly shelter from societal storms.

  • Fourth, Joseph Smith was told that the terrible things he suffered for years at the hands of his enemies would “give [him] experience, and . . . be for [his] good.”7 The suffering we experience through the offenses of others is a valuable, though painful, school for improving our own behavior.

Further, bearing up under our own burdens can help us develop a reservoir of empathy for the problems others face. The Apostle Paul taught that we should “bear . . . one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”8 Accordingly, our baptismal covenants require that we should be “willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; yea, and [be] willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.”9

Keeping our baptismal covenants helps relieve our own burdens as well as those of burdened souls we serve.10 Those who offer such assistance to others stand on holy ground. In explaining this, the Savior taught:

“When saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

“When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

“Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”11

Through it all, the Savior offers us sustaining strength and support, and in His own time and way, He offers deliverance. When Alma and his followers escaped from the armies of King Noah, they established a community named Helam. They began to till the ground, build buildings, and prosper.12 Without warning, an army of the Lamanites brought them into bondage, and “none could deliver them but the Lord their God.”13 That deliverance, however, did not come immediately.

Their enemies began to “put tasks upon them, and put taskmasters over them.”14 Although they were threatened with death for praying,15 Alma and his people “did pour out their hearts to [God]; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.”16 Because of their goodness and their obedience to their baptismal covenants,17 they were delivered in stages. The Lord said to them:

“I will . . . ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that . . . you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

“And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

“And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.”18

Mercifully, the Son of God offers us deliverance from the bondage of our sins, which are among the heaviest of all the burdens we bear. During His Atonement He suffered “according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance.”19 Christ “suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent.”20 When we repent and keep the commandments, forgiveness and relief from our burdened conscience come with the help that only the Savior offers, for “surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy.”21

I remember that man in Peru, hunched over and struggling to carry that enormous sack of firewood on his back. For me, he is an image of us all as we struggle with the burdens of life. I know that as we keep the commandments of God and our covenants, He helps us with our burdens. He strengthens us. When we repent, He forgives us and blesses us with peace of conscience and joy.22 May we then submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."



I got this off of another blog, but it fits so perfectly:

"From this experience I learned that somebody does want to hold my hand. Somebody does notice me. And that somebody is not only Tom but Jesus Christ, our Savior. When we are struggling and feel like we have many burdens to carry, Jesus Christ is there. If we have our hand ready he will guide us through the hardest trials and tribulations for he has suffered many more than us. Then when he feels he has lead us a good deal of the way he may slowly release his hand from ours, but he won't leave us, he will never leave us! He will always be right there dancing beside us, ready to catch us if we fall. He may let us off on our own, but he won't leave us alone."


What a blessing it is to know that Christ is always there. And with Him and through Him, Tom and I will be great. We are great. We have a home and food and clothes and it will be ok. I am so thankful for our families. They are so supportive and loving. It means so much to me.


2 years ago.








Two years ago... the love of my life:
Asked me:


To be his FOREVER!

I love him more today than I did yesterday and will love him more tomorrow than today. I am complete with this man. And I couldn't think of anything better than to wake up next to him.

I know there have already been rough times in our short life together, but as long as you and I have each other, we will make it through anything.

You are my soul mate, my best friend, my love. I am so glad you took the chance to meet me and took an ever bigger leap of faith when you asked me to marry you. You never cease to amaze me with your words, your gestures or your selflessness. Thank you for all you are. For all you have been. For all you make of me.

I am so very blessed.

XOXO

Your loving wife.



Tuesday, October 27, 2009

P.S.


This is the cutest girl alive... my niece Morgan aka Moogie! How I love her! Thanks Molls for bringing her into this world. She truly is such a blessing to all of us. I can't wait to see you guys again! Love you Moogie!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Patience... what a virtue.

I love it when I am taught a lesson. Or am being taught a lesson. It makes me realize how loved and blessed I truly am to have Heavenly Father spend time on me teaching me things that I need.

I am reading a lot about patience. It seems to be an underlying theme throughout much of the Bible and Book of Mormon. To quote Elder Oaks in an article in Liahona:

"... “charity suffereth long.” That is what patience is all about. Charity “is not easily provoked” is another aspect of this quality, as is charity “beareth all things.” And finally, charity “endureth all things” is certainly an expression of patience (Moroni 7:45). From these defining elements it is evident that without patience gracing our soul, we would be seriously lacking with respect to a Christlike character.

In the Bible Job offers the classic portrait of patience. In the face of losing his vast empire, including his children, Job was able, because of his unfailing faith, to proclaim, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Through all of his tribulation and pain, “Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1:21–22).

How often do we hear oppressed souls ask foolishly, “How could God do this to me?” when really they should be praying for strength to “beareth” and “endureth all things.”

The greatest scriptural examples of patience are found in the life of Jesus Christ. His long-suffering and endurance are best demonstrated on that excruciating night in Gethsemane as He uttered, in His atoning agony, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39). He truly suffered and bore and endured all things.

While nailed to the cross on Calvary, Christ continued in His perfect example of patience as He uttered the singular words, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

These examples of patience have greater meaning for us when we consider the admonition found in 3 Nephi: “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27).

Several scriptures highlight the importance of patience. Let me mention a few:

“Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).

“Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith” (Mosiah 23:21).

In Mosiah, King Benjamin instructs us that we will be a natural-man enemy of God until we yield to the enticings of the Holy Ghost through our patience, plus other virtues (see Mosiah 3:19).

Joseph Smith stated, “Patience is heavenly” (History of the Church, 6:427)."


I find myself struggling with patience everyday. At my job, in my home but more importantly with my inability to get pregnant. I am simply not patient. I want it now. On my terms. Yet, God is teaching me ever so slowly that everything in life is on His terms not mine. There is a reason he is having us wait. Maybe it is because we are about to move and become more financially stable. Maybe it is because Tom and I just got sealed and our still finding our ground in our marriage. Maybe it is because my mother is right and we should wait. Yet, this agonizing pain of wanting to be a mother has yet to subside. I try and not worry about it, think about, hurt about it... but I can honestly say I have never wanted anything more than I want to be a mother. And when I see, what seems to be everyone around me getting pregnant, it breaks my heart. I want to be happy for those that have received this amazing blessing, but I just cry. Don't get me wrong... I am so happy for them, but it just hurts that I have yet to receive this same blessing. I watch on tv, these moms with bellies, or giving birth, or those who didn't know they were pregnant (love this show) and I yearn to have the belly, the kicking inside, the backache and uncomfortableness of being pregnant. I want to hold my own flesh and blood in my arms and look into it's eyes for the first time and feel this love that everyone explains as being the most amazing love you have every felt. I want to change dirty diapers and help them up when they fall. I want to lay down rules and see what it was my parents experienced with me. I want it all. And yet, here we are, a year and a month of trying, baby-less.


And so, I will fast and pray for understanding. Not to get pregnant, but for understanding as to why we are waiting. I will go to the Temple in search of answers and patience. I will strive to be more patient and understand that there is a time and place for everything. And I know that Heavenly Father will bless us with a family. We may just have to wait longer than I wanted. And that's ok.


Lots of love




Friday, October 23, 2009

My signature

I finally figured out how to get my signature on here... :)

So here it is!




Which one do you like better?

Monday, October 19, 2009

I hate being sick.

Since Thursday, I have been feeling downright puny.

It started off with a sore throat.
Then the headache came.
Then the fever came.
Then the nausea.

Now it is all here and I feel like maybe I should have just stayed in bed.

But the bills don't pay themselves.

BAH!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

I have come to realize...

36 things I've come to realize...

1. I've come to realize that my weight...
is something that I am not happy about... and I am working to change it.

2. I've come to realize that my job...
is just something I do to make ends meet, it is not my life.

3. I've come to realize that when I'm driving...
it is a time where I feel the most relaxed

4. I've come to realize that I need....
to learn to be more relaxed... and not take things so seriously.

5. I've come to realize that I have lost...
nothing but have gained everything.

6. I've come to realize that I hate it when...
I don't get my way... so I need to grow up.

7. I've come to realize that if I'm drunk...
someone slipped me the drink

8. I've come to realize that money....
is just a means to an end, but is not the end nor the only means

9. I've come to realize that certain people...
are the most amazing people I could have ever asked for in my life

10. I've come to realize that I'll always...
be in love with my husband

11. I've come to realize that my sibling(s)...
are extremely important in my life and I don't know what I would do without them

12. I've come to realize that my mom...
will always be my mom- she is that amazing!

13. I've come to realize that my cell phone...
is something I can't live without.

14. I've come to realize that when I woke up this morning...
that stress really does wear me out

15. I've come to realize that last night before I went to sleep...
I keep falling in love with my husband and I can't imagine life without him

16. I've come to realize that right now I am thinking...
about my husband and how amazing he his

17. I've come to realize that my dad...
will always be one of the most important people in my life regardless of what he does or doesn't do.

18. I've come to realize that when I get on Facebook...
I am always excited when I have heard from someone

19. I've come to realize that today...
is just another day to accomplish so much.

20. I've come to realize that tonight...
is going to be another night where I can spend time with the love of my life

21. I've come to realize that tomorrow...
is Friday!

22. I've come to realize that I really want to...
start a family and be the mom I really want to be.

23. I've come to realize that the person who is most likely to repost this is...
not really something I care about.

24. I've come to realize that life...
is just a short period of time compared to the eternity that I have with God

25. I've come to realize that this weekend...
will hopefully be relaxing!

26. I've realized the best music to listen to when I am upset...
is whatever my heart desires... music is my favorite thing in this world

28. I've come to realize that this year...
is better than I ever expected but also full of trials and tribulations

29. I've come to realize that my exs...
taught me what I need to know so that when I found my one true love I was ready

30. I've come to realize that maybe I should...
stop and smell the roses more

31. I've come to realize that I love...
my husband more than life itself!

32. I've come to realize that I don't understand...
a lot in my life... but that it isn't for me to understand

33. I've come to realize my past...
isn't very good to look at but I am glad I went through it all

34. I've come to realize that parties...
are just not really my thing

35. I've come to realize that I'm totally terrified...
spiders!

36. I've come to realize that my life...
is so amazing!!!! I am so blessed...

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

What I've done...

Bold the ones that apply, fo sho.

Appearance:
I am 5’4 or shorter.
I have many scars.
I tan easily.
I wish my hair was a different colour.
I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color.
I have a tattoo.
I am self-conscious about my appearance.
I have/I’ve had braces.
I wear glasses.
I’d get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free, scar-free.
I’ve been told I’m attractive by a complete stranger.
I have more than 2 piercings.
I have piercings in places besides my ears.
I have freckles.

Family/Home Life:
I’ve sworn at my parents.
I’ve been kicked out of the house.
I have a sibling less than one year old.
I want to have kids someday.
I have children.
I’ve lost a child.

Embarrassment:
I’ve slipped out a “lol” in a spoken conversation.
Disney movies still make me cry.

I’ve snorted while laughing.
I’ve laughed so hard I’ve cried.
I’ve glued my hand to something
.
I’ve laughed till some kind of beverage came out of my nose.
I’ve had my pants rip in public.

Health:
I was born with a disease/impairment
.
I’ve had stitches.
I’ve broken a bone.
I’ve had my tonsils removed.
I’ve sat in a doctor’s office with a friend.
I’ve had my wisdom teeth removed.
I’ve had surgery.
I’ve had chicken pox.

Traveling:
I’ve driven over 200 miles in one day.
I’ve been to Canada.

I’ve been to Niagara Falls.
I’ve been to Japan.
I’ve Celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
I’ve been to Spain.
I’ve been to Africa.
I’ve been to France.


Experiences:
I’ve been lost in my city.
I’ve seen a shooting star.

I’ve wished on a shooting star.
I’ve seen a meteor shower.
I’ve gone out in public in my pajamas.
I’ve pushed all the buttons on an elevator.

I’ve been to a casino.

I’ve been skydiving.

I’ve gone skinny dipping.

I’ve played spin the bottle.

I’ve crashed a car.
I’ve been skiing.

I’ve been in a play.
I’ve met someone in person from the internet.

I’ve caught a snowflake on my tongue.

I’ve seen the Northern Lights.
I’ve sat on a roof top at night.
I’ve played chicken.
I’ve played a prank on someone
.
I’ve ridden in a taxi.
I’ve seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
I’ve eaten Sushi.

I’ve been snowboarding.

Relationships:
I’m single.
I’m in a relationship.
I’m available.
I’m engaged.
I’m married.
I’ve gone on a blind date.
I’ve been the dumpee more than the dumper.
I miss someone right now.
I have a fear of abandonment.
I’ve been divorced.
I’ve had feelings for someone who didn’t have them back.
I’ve told someone I loved them when I didn’t.
I’ve told someone I didn’t love them when I did.
I’ve kept something from a past relationship
.

Sexuality:
I’ve had a crush on someone of the same gender.

I’ve kissed a member of the same gender.

I’ve had sex with more than one person at the same time.
I am a cuddler.
I’ve been kissed in the rain.
I’ve had sex
outdoors.
I’ve hugged a stranger.

I have kissed a stranger.

I have had sex with a stranger.

Honesty/Crime:
I’ve done something I promised someone else I wouldn’t.
I’ve done something I promised myself I wouldn’t.

I have lied to my parents about where I am.
I am keeping a secret from the world.
I’ve cheated while playing a game.
I’ve cheated on a test.

I’ve run a red light.
I’ve been suspended from school.
I’ve witnessed a crime.
I’ve been in a fist fight.

I’ve been arrested.

I’ve shoplifted.


Drugs/Alcohol:
I’ve consumed alcohol.
I’ve smoked a cigarette.
I(‘ve) smoke(d) pot.
I regularly drink.
I’ve taken painkillers when I didn’t need them
.
I’ve done hard drugs
.
I’ve been addicted to an illegal drug


Now mind you most of these were over two years ago when I was in a not so good spot in my life.... doing much better now thank you :)

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Mommy fever!


So this is what I want:


And:



And:

Which I know will include:





But I still really want to be a mommy! Just thought you should know that I've got mommy fever and I've got it bad! Hopefully getting a dog will cure this for a while because this is driving me insane!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Lessons learned

I found myself crippled on the couch this weekend... my back was aching and moving of any sort seemed to make matters worse. So with my doctor's advice, I iced my back, took ibuprofen, stretched, did little to aggravate my back, watched General Conference, read and slept. Being laid up makes you think... or at least it made me think. I thought about a lot of things, but most importantly the range of emotions I have been feeling lately.
I have been quite frustrated with the current situation that my body has recently decided to put me through... or more so- that I have put my body through. The weight gain has added fatigue and stress that I have never felt before. I have never been this heavy. This makes me sad. And yet, I am too tired and too stressed out to do anything about it. Or at least this is my excuse. I really am just too lazy. So I have decided (the back pain helped with this decision) that I am going to start doing something about it. Whether it is a bike ride or a walk in the park- every night I am going to do something. I am also going to use the savings that we are going to start receiving once we move into the new condo to enroll Tom and I into a gym. I hoping that because we will pay a pretty penny for this membership that we will actually use it. I would really like to get back into the pool- I seemed to always find my sanctuary there. And its good for the whole body :)

It was also during this weekend, that I found myself wallowing in self-pity because of things that I can't control. As much as I want a child now, I can't control that God doesn't feel like it is the right time. As much as I dislike my job at times because of certain people in my office, I can't control them, so I must look beyond this and realize how much I like my job when I don't pay attention to others. My job has blessed me in so many way. Tom and I are able to buy a home (with Lee of course), we are able to make ends meet and have been able to start saving. And I found a friend that otherwise would not have happened.

I don't hang outside of work with this friend, we just simply talk throughout the day at work. It is so nice. And it goes deeper than just the usual work stuff. We talk a lot about faith. We talk a lot about the love God has for us and how amazing it is that He is willing to take on our burdens. We talk about the differences between our faiths neither one of us trying to convert the other- just talking and asking questions, but the foundation of our faith is the same, a love in Christ and our Heavenly Father that is so strong, it astounds us. I feel lucky to have met her, as she only pushes me to study more, to learn more, to have more faith. She is definitely the newest blessing in my life. :) We also have gone through or are going through very similar things in our lives, from dealing with depression to ex-boyfriends. We are both newly weds and are learning from each other about how to deal with newly wed blues (is there such a thing?). It is nice just to have her around. She is a wonderful example and always has something good to say throughout the day that puts me right on top! I am so thankful for her!!!

General Conference this weekend was amazing! However, thank goodness for DVR. I overslept on Saturday while Tom was out doing a service project for one of the ladies in our ward. He came home so dirty. I waited until he got home to watch Saturday's, but fell asleep soon after I started. I will be watching it with my in-laws as they were helping my brother-in-law move to Las Vegas this weekend. Sunday, I managed to stay up through the whole thing, while Tom slept through most of it. But as soon as it ended, I was out like a light and for pretty much the whole night (But I will call my grandparents tonight :) ). I loved the advice for married couples. My favorite came from Brother Eyring: "First, I give counsel to husbands and wives...Pray for the love which allows you to see the good in your companion...Pray for the love that makes weaknesses and mistakes seem small...Pray for the love to make your companion’s joy your own...Pray for the love to want to lessen the load and soften the sorrows of your companion..."

Brother Eyring also talked about service to others which seemed to be a common theme between all the talks. President Monson talked a lot about serving others and I know in my life that I tend to lack this. It is rare when I find time to service others and that needs to change and soon! Brother Eyring also talked about wanderers from the Church. And that it will be ok... Brother Eyring quoted Orson F. Whitney, "Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them...." This is such a reassurance to me. As I prepare to become a mother and plan on raising my kids in the Church, I have been assured that no matter where my children go (whether it is a different faith or they go off to college), God will be watching over them. I think that is my most favorite thing about General Conference- the guidance and assurance that comes from those that have spoken. The Leaders of the Church, people with experience and have had revelation and have faith. The power of Elder Holland's testimony has encouraged me to gain an even stronger testimony, one that will affect people the way Elder Holland's has. His testimony gave me goose bumps and shook my heart. I was simply taken back at how firm he was. I wasn't expecting it at all.

This week, my patience with people was tested as a close family member made a remark about my faith. It is rare that I ever say anything negative about another person's faith, as I have learned that a person with faith is a lot better off than a person without faith, regardless of what it is (I now understand why my Nina made me go to church when I came and visited her in SLC). It wasn't a good remark, but nonetheless, I just pushed it aside and moved forward. However, I continue to think, has this particular faith not done wonders for me and the angry girl I used to be? Has this faith not made me a better person? Has this faith not helped me build relationships with people that years ago didn't seem feasible? I would like to think that we all believe in the same foundation- that Christ was sent here to die for us and that God loves us unconditionally. I would like to believe that even though there are many different faiths in my family, that we can all get along and love each other regardless of our faith. Are people really that small minded to think that just because our faith is different doesn't mean we can't love each other and get along? I don't doubt that this person loves me- don't get me wrong- but to make comments like that, when this faith is the reason my whole life has turned around- I feel was just uncalled for. However, it just reaffirms my faith. Elder Holland's testimony just made me want to gain a stronger testimony and hopefully throughout all trials and tribulations and even through blessings, that is exactly what I can do!

Saturday also brought a bit of a stir when the hills behind us were on fire! I am laying on the couch reading (Eat, Love, Pray is a wonderful book- read it if you have the chance) and I start to smell something burning. I ask Tom, "do you smell that?" He doesn't. A few minutes later, we see smoke and then we hear fire engines. So we hop in our car and drive up towards where the fire engine is going and we see nothing but smoke and it is bad! We decide to head back home to close up the windows and we see airplanes and helicopters circling the area. We then hear firetrucks go up a different direction right behind our complex... Tom decides we are going for another drive! We get to where the firetrucks are heading up the hills and we can see the fire blazing. The wind was making it burn fast! I was a little nervous that we might have to evacuate so I called my mom and she told us to back a bag of things that irreplaceable just in case. We watched the helicopter pour fire retardant on the fire and the firefighters finally get to the fire. They were able to completely contain the fire by 11 p.m. and it made for an interesting moment in our Saturday. It ended up burning 75 acres but stayed in the hills and no one was hurt. :)

So thats it for now!

I hope that this finds all of you well.

Tom and I send our love!
XOXO

I am not sure why the font and size are different and I can't fix it... sorry :(