the one about the temple

Growing up in the church, the temple has always played an important role in my life, but this past Saturday, I was able to learn and appreciate it so much more. I was blessed to be able to receive my own endowments. What a beautiful and amazing experience it was. Never have I appreciated The Atonement so much and never have I been so grateful to be a member of His great Gospel. The temple is such a wonderful place,  and it truly is heaven on earth. 

I can't say I wasn't nervous, I was. I had taken the temple prep class, I had met with my Bishop about it,  I read many many scriptures about temples and their purposes, and honestly, I was as ready as I could've been. When I entered into the temple, all my nerves went away. It was simply beautiful, as always. I know I made covenants with the Lord that day, and I renew those covenants every day now. I can honestly say, my life has changed for eternity, and for the better. The Spirit bore witness, to me personally, of the covenants I made and that they were true, and how grateful I am to have the Spirit as my constant companion to be able to have that assurance. The temple is truly the House of the Lord. I cannot say it was easy to get to the temple, it takes patience, dedication, constant prayer, diligent scripture study and most importantly the Atonement of Jesus Christ, but I can promise, it was is all worth it. The temple is not a "secret" place, it's a sacred place. As members we do not discuss the covenants made in the temple because they are so sacred to us and to our Heavenly Father. Anyone can go to the temple, if they are willing to live their life in accordance to His commandments and principles, it's not for the privileged it's for those striving to be like Him. I'm so overwhelmed with happiness that I can draw nearer to my Lord and Father in His Holy Temple and receive guidance and revelation for myself, but more importantly that I am just one step closer to being able to live and dwell with them again. I love to see the temple, I went inside November 23, 2013. I covenanted with my Father; I promised to obey.

the one about a beau désordre

beau désordre. beautiful disorder
i learned this phrase in art history.
i thought about it a lot since then.
we used it in a sense where the surroundings in the portrait were a mess
the artist thought, "what is so beautiful about order and uniformity?"
life isn't like that and people aren't like that
life isn't completely organized. nor should it be.
we aren't perfect by any means, we have flaws,
but isn't that what makes us who we are?
another thought entered my mind.
last week while in a public restroom
i heard a girl walk in,
she then proceeded in an act that made my eyes fill with tears
she gagged herself and threw up
i was stunned.
i hurt for her, why would anyone deliberately want to do that?
i so badly wanted to run out and talk to her! help her.
tell her how beautiful she was and how she didn't have to do this daily.
i wanted to tell her that her Heavenly Father loved her just the way she was.
she didn't have to change one thing.
sadly she left as soon as she was done
i thought of how lucky i was that i was taught at a young age of my importance to our Savior
and how Heavenly Father made me and loved me for me.
i thought about the constant lessons of individual worth in young womens
how very blessed i am to know that.
of course i have flaws. of course i whine about my imperfections
but deep down i know i wouldn't change a thing because this is how He made me.
and He did it for a reason
as i began writing this post i couldn't help but notice the lyrics to the song that happened to be on shuffle on my computer.

The photos in the magazines

Don't dictate who I'm supposed to be
The world can't recognize, all that I am inside
But I know in His eyes, I am a part of, the bigger picture,

There's so much more to me

He helps me see that I have so much to offer

I am His daughter

He loves me the way I am,

He's my strength when I stand

He is my King, and my Father,

I am His daughter.

The people on the TV screen,

The leaders, rulers, and queens

I watch them shape the world,

And though I'm just a girl, I still know for sure,

That I am a part of, the bigger picture

And when I'm feeling small,

And wondering if I'll ever, find courage to stand tall

Through His love I remember

There's so much more to me

He helps me to see that I have so much to offer

I am His daughter

He loves me the way I am

He's my strength when I stand
He is my King, and my Father,
I am His daughter

don't change yourself because of society's warped definition of the word beautiful,
next time you think of beautiful things, don't forget to count yourself.

Operation Beautiful

the one about our stupid decision

we, as in my sister and roommate,

did something stupid

but awesome.

once upon a time, my dearest friend and roommate,

Sam mentioned how she has never had a pet before.

so we did what any friend/roommate would do

we took her to petco and petsmart to let her hold

hamsters, they were only $15 dollars!

so we wanted to get one!

but then we saw a chinchilla!

and you would not believe how stinkin' cute they are!!

so we bought it 

but she was so fluffy and pouncin around and sooooo soft

but expensive...

we had a life full of dreams and hopes those 4 days we had her,

then we took her back so we could get all our money back,

but i'll never forget her little fluffy tail and that whimper

chinchillin' :)

lesson learned: don't impulse buy when it comes to chinchillas

the one when i'm a hopeless romantic

i'm a fool for fairytales.
i adore happy endings.
romance movies are the very best,
they give you that little heartache,
ohh, to die for...
this week i've been moping around a lot
and to fill the time i've been watching romance movies
i think sleepless in seattle is a new favorite of mine,
pride and prejudice i literally want to jump up and down
and squeal (weird word kinda) with happiness every time i watch it!
ahh...mr. darcy
what i wouldn't do to have a mr. darcy is beyond me!!
every time i hear words flow out of his attractive mouth in that low voice,
i die. or at least my heart stops momentarily...
"you have bewitched me, body and soul, and i love, i love, i love you...i never wish to be parted from you from this day on."
please someone!! where can i get me one of those??? (and by those i mean him)
all male applicants who would agree to become my mr. darcy please sign here.

X_______________________

i'm a firm believer of "everything happens for a reason."
but sometimes, i just want things to work out my way not the way it should be.
but...things will work out. i know that. just the way they're meant to
the longer you wait for something, the more you'll appreciate it when you get it,
cause anything worth having, is definitely worth waiting for.
we tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have,
but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we already have.

the one about standing firm

i've been thinking a lot about this topic so here it is. i'm all for people having their own opinions, in fact i try to always allow myself time to consider all the possible outcomes and i try to make my own opinion of certain situations. i hate having someone else's to rely on. i want to know for myself. but something has gone terribly wrong if you or someone else has made their personal opinion, and is penalized for having that belief. leave them be. discussion is good, yes! but blowing up over the situation, is just pure selfishness and immaturity. everyone has been taught at a young age, stand up for what you believe. how can we/they do this when they get judged and bashed and ridiculed for it? if you don't agree, that's ok! life will go on. why throw temper-tantrums and make a scene when someone is just doing what they believe is right? people have little respect these days for each other, and because of that they believe they can do anything they want "it's their right" no, it's not. human decency is and will always be important. why wouldn't it?? everyone will disagree in some situations, that's good, that's how it should be. it helps people think and ponder about other options and ideas. but when someone doesn't think exactly how you do, and you treat them and their idea with disrespect, you and only you are in the wrong if you don't. i've always really looked up to people who knew what they believed and stood up for that belief. not thinking they were better than anyone else, and not thinking their opinion was better, just different. like i've said, i've been thinking a lot about this subject and i've come to the conclusion, we're all going to have different ideas and opinions in some areas, when you come to someone who does disagree with yours, you treat them with the upmost respect as they should to you. consider possibilities. don't be hypocritical. don't falter and waver. be strong. and please, always stand up for what you believe, no matter what the consequence may be.

"May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe, and if we must stand alone in the process, may we do so courageously..."

the one where i ponder about life

A lot has happened lately that has just opened my eyes to how simple and yet fragile this life truly is. Tuesday morning i attended a funeral. A friend's ten year old little brother was killed in a car accident just last week. Although i didn't know this boy well the few times i've been with him he was always giggling and shyly whispering into the ears of his siblings making them laugh. At the funeral I really learned what a great kid he was and how he was always trying to uplift others. I can't even comprehend the strength the family has to be able to go on with a smile on their face and at least know that they will see him again. I have a strong testimony of the Plan of Salvation, but i can't say it really has ever been tested and i hope and pray it doesn't have to be. But really, the only family members i've lost were grandparents and although it's sad, it's life and it makes sense. But to have someone so young that has barely lived? It doesn't seem fair and i think that's truly when someone's faith would be tried. I'm so very blessed to be able to understand and know my Heavenly Father's plan for us. What a comfort it has been, and will be, to be sure of seeing my loved ones again. I can't help but thinking how blessed I am to be so close with my siblings and parents. What a strength they have been in my weakest moments. They are honestly and without a doubt my closest companions and greatest friends. To know they will always stand up for me and be there for me is so gratifying. Life is very delicate and i think it's so important to know what things in life will make you the happiest and the best person you can be. As much as i love sports, materialistic things and such, are they truly what we should focus this life on? This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. That doesn't mean "YOLO, be crazy have fun, go wild!" it means in the long run, what makes you happy, do that. And if you realize you don't like something...then change it. Make it better because you can and don't be afraid to. You have the ability to do that.If you don't have enough time for the important moments in life then get off the computer, iPod, or phone and change that too. Don't overanalyze life, all emotions are great and every incident will be worth it, even those beautiful disasters and those perfect flaws. it's ok to be lost at times, that's what will help you find yourself. Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things. And people, we are and will be united with our differences! And although i've only lived for 18 years, i feel as if i've been blessed to know what, undoubtedly, the greatest things in life really are.

The Truth

-Confidence is Sexy
-Being single is the most liberating time when you can do what you want, 

answer to no one and fall in love with yourself!

-A smile is the best curve on a girl.
 -Dating is meant to be fun; not a spectator sport
 -Respect is the minimum, disrespect is where to draw the line
-Playing small doesn’t pay: Let. Your. Light. Shine.

-Paying for dinner and opening doors aren’t reserved only for men, 

they’re reserved for people with manners
 -Speaking your mind won’t scare off the right guy, it will make him fall more
 -A smile is the best introduction
 -Live and learn

-There is no such thing as a "perfect soul-mate"

-Become someone who you would want first

-Don’t settle for less than butterflies
 -Being picky isn’t a crime