selfless acts

beauty I saw today that couldn't be captured in picture form:

a big, tough looking, tattooed man dressed in construction gear carrying a bouquet of flowers on the metro...you know he didn't buy those for himself. 

an adorable mom singing 'if you're happy and you know it' as loud and excited as can be with her little girl so she wouldn't notice how miserable it could be to wait for the bus in unbearable heat...you know she could've done a million other things to keep herself occupied during the wait. 

the Book of Mormon

Today I felt the need to share my thoughts and feelings on the Book of Mormon. I love this book! 

Every time I read it it's like I'm reading it for the first time for all the new ways I am able to apply its teachings to my current life as well as the vibrant spirit that always accompanies a reading of it; yet at the same time I remember all the things I have learned and felt through it and my experience is deepened even more. It is so incredibly powerful; one verse can help me feel more peace and enlightenment than all the "enlightened" or meditation books in the world. 

Every chapter and page teaches about Jesus Christ. It's words teach about His purpose, His nature, His gospel, and His identity. It teaches about God's plan for us, his children, and the purpose of this plan. 

It can guide anyone to answer any question in life. It is universal in its application and scope. It can teach anyone the truth of all things. 

This book contains the words of God, spoken to ancient prophets. And they are as true and applicable today as they were 2000 years ago. 

I have read this book many times and have asked God if it is a true book. And he answered me. Through his divine messenger, the Holy Ghost, I knew in my heart that the Book of Mormon contains the words of God. And I continue to recieve this affirmative answer every time I read it. Anyone can know this too if they will read it and ask God in prayer. It's simple. 

God loves us and knew that we would need help and guidance in our lives, so he gave us the Book of Mormon. 

I love this book and have seen for myself the truth of the promise by the prophet Joseph Smith that anyone will get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than any other book. 

I invite you to read it if you are having challenges in your life- I promise you it will give you peace; if you have questions about anything-it will give you answers; if you are feeling confused- it will give you direction and vision. I know because it has happened for me. 

To read it: 

http://mormon.org/beliefs/book-of-mormon

www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm

carving chips off the block

it's funny how I think the lord prompts me to learn things by me realizing I need to work on something and setting goals to improve in that area, and then he really teaches me through the experiences in life. ok so maybe it's both but lately I have realized the more I try to handle things-- not in a prideful controlling way, but just making things happen in my life--the more god just takes me and shapes my life and molds me in his own way. perhaps as I try to do it on my own he sees I'm willing to progress and takes that opportunity to help me learn other things while I'm willing and ready to receive it....or maybe that's just the times I actually notice this process happening. 

either way I'm surprised and grateful for the ways he polishes me, chipping away at my rough edges. 

sometimes i feel like it never ends. and frequently, funny enough, like he's found all my rough edges to chip at all at once. but that's what is the great thing about this life! if we give up our stubbornness, our Heavenly Father will constantly make us better, into who he wants us to be. and really we just have to give in. he kinda does the rest. and yeah that's like the hardest part...cuz we're human and like to control things, but once you give that up its easy! 

so right now he's teaching me to give up my independentness and rely on others. and not only that but to be humble enough to not feel bad about it or indebted. but just allow others the opportunity to serve me. I know this sounds like an easy and obvious task but I'm used to being the server, not the servee, as i very much enjoy serving people, and additionally i was taught to take care of myself and work hard so that i could serve others. and then all of a sudden you find yourself as the servee with no idea how to be the server except to accept their service with humility and gratitude. 

I think this is one of the beautiful parts of relationships with others and, most especially, the savior in this life. sometimes we just have to allow them to do things for us, whether we can do them for ourselves or not.

these are a few of my favorite things

adorable commercials

military homecomings

families

watching little kids play or run

trees

flowers

happy movies

fountains 

brightly colored buildings

a child's laughter

sunshine

a baby's smile

thunderstorms

evening walks

red doors

big windows

walking barefoot

warm breezes 

feeling sand between your toes

the sound of water

lighthouses

bridges

transportation

today I am extremely grateful for bus drivers and metro drivers. especially happy ones. public transportation is great. maybe it's not perfect, but when I'm exhausted after a long day of work and class I am more than happy to let  someone else take me where I need to go...namely home. and that it is accessible. thank you Washington metro area transit authority. 

and thanks to Heavenly Father for pointing me in the direction of teaching. I taught a lesson in my class today on maps (we got to choose the topic) and I was in heaven! seriously who knew that anyone could get excited over teaching about maps of Africa....cuz I was like giddy. I didn't want to stop. I was having fun...teaching a lesson...on maps. yep found my calling. Life is good 

summertime

you know summer is here when you see corn on the cob at the grocery store...funny cuz I'm pretty sure that corn is harvested in the fall, but it's become the must have at summer BBQs. so when rach and I saw corn on the cob got excited and just had to get it. so here was last nights dinner: BBQ chicken, baked potatoes, and corn on the cob.mmmmmmm

and now I am SO excited summer is here cuz that means hikes, bikes rides, tubing in the river, BBQs, fresh fruit...and me turning another year older in 26 days. crazy how time flies. and crazy how much I love summer! :)

water

I love water. in every form. I love rivers and lakes and waterfalls and rain and of course the ocean! my sisters and I were known as the fish growing up, I've been swimming since I was 4, lived by an ocean till 14 and the only thing we wanted to do on vacations was go to the pool. I'm not quite sure where or why the strong connection with water, but it definitely brings the warm/peaceful fuzzies. 

simple beauty: water