Yesterday I got to have a long conversation with my mom about a few very important things. I find it interesting the information you can find out by asking the right questions. The conversation left me feeling great about what I am doing and where I am going. The affirmation from my mom was more than what I could ask for. I realize that sometimes we need to simply ask the right questions, when we talk to other people, parents, siblings, room mates, but especially when we pray.
Yesterday, I also spent a decent amount of time sincerely praying, by the end my focus had changed. My initial desire to have my question answered changed to a desire to fix a few things in my life first. My perspective changed from temporal to eternal matters and I realized how to get my life completely in order so that I can make those larger decisions.
Yesterday was full of realizations and full of new light:) I got a rush of excitement for life all over again:D
Friday, August 6, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
The real "I love you"
This is the real "I love you", regardless of what they do, you love them. When you are willing to swallow your own pride in order to help someone else.
Love goes beyond liking someone's personality and it surpasses the initial infatuation. When the bad days rain down and the baggage is exposed those that love you are still standing, right there next to you. It doesn't matter if there is a day that you don't see eye to eye on everything because you know that you will work it out. And the reason that you care enough to work through differences? Because you know who they really are, who they truly are and you love them for that. And the best part is that they love you for you too. That when you tell them stupid mistakes that you've made, they don't judge you or freak out on you, they stop and listen to what you have to say; they listen heart to heart. And when you are done, they take you in their arms and let you know that everything is okay and that they are there for you.
Love is what makes that moment possible.
Love goes beyond liking someone's personality and it surpasses the initial infatuation. When the bad days rain down and the baggage is exposed those that love you are still standing, right there next to you. It doesn't matter if there is a day that you don't see eye to eye on everything because you know that you will work it out. And the reason that you care enough to work through differences? Because you know who they really are, who they truly are and you love them for that. And the best part is that they love you for you too. That when you tell them stupid mistakes that you've made, they don't judge you or freak out on you, they stop and listen to what you have to say; they listen heart to heart. And when you are done, they take you in their arms and let you know that everything is okay and that they are there for you.
Love is what makes that moment possible.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Faith in Every Footstep
The other day I called my mom on my lunch break (a pretty normal activity for me) and we got into a big discussion about faith and healing... There are times in our lives that even though we are living faithfully, bad things happen. For example, my mom was approached by some people that are very close to her and they essentially told her that she hadn't been healed yet because she didn't have enough faith. False. I was floored by the response. Do we not believe in trusting God? Do we not admire Job for praising God even in horrific suffering? Do we believe in a "candy machine" God who gives us exactly what we want? Or do we trust him to allow us to grow through hard experience and stand by us to comfort us? Do we trust him enough to be faithful even when he allows us to walk through the fire of affliction?
Life happens. Every affliction that we experience isn't necessarily because God wanted us to suffer or to force us to go through those trials. However, because we are mortal we are subject to travails of the flesh. Because our Heavenly Father loves us he will not always save us from suffering, but he will lift us up and refine us. We have had and will have times of difficulty and sickness everyone does because we are mortal. The beautiful thing about the Atonement and our Heavenly Father's plan is that he makes it all work out. Even when the clouds gather and things seem grim, there is always a light. If God protected all of his "faithful" children from hardships, then how would they compare? When tested, would they pass? If we never experienced trails because of our "faith" what would we say when we met Job? Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to grow and become the best people that we can. So, he doesn't always shelter us from the storms of life. He will only allow us to experience what we can bear, but he knows we can take a lot more than we think we can. It is not a matter of whether there is faith enough to heal; it is a matter of faith enough to trust when things don't look good from our human perspective to continue trusting our Father. How much faith does it take to walking over a bridge as opposed to taking tht first step into the stream, trusting that God will provide a way? My mother trusts her Savior completely, she is in the prayers of many, many people. She is on prayer rolls around the western United States. She is not experiencing this because she lacks the faith to be healed, but rather, God is showing her how much faith she has, how strong she can be when she relies on her Savior.
Sometimes we wonder, is it because I wasn't good enough? Would I be experiencing this if I were more righteous and faithful. Truth be told, I'm not sure that is the question that really matters. No matter the reason for our afflictions, we have a loving Father who has the power to comfort, heal and strengthen. So why dwell on the problem or perhaps the reason for the problem. When the problem is our own and our trials come from sin we need to understand and repent. But it's my opinion that the most productive thing would be to dwell in the hope of Jesus Christ. The faith and hope that through our afflictions we can be sanctified. That hope has the power to motivate smiles even when the world is weighing down on us. Jesus Christ is there to comfort and support us. He wants us to succeed more than we do. He is standing by waiting to help if we will ask. Sometimes it takes a lot of time to recover from various things that life throws at us. But in the meantime we can find true comfort in trusting our Savior.
Life happens. Every affliction that we experience isn't necessarily because God wanted us to suffer or to force us to go through those trials. However, because we are mortal we are subject to travails of the flesh. Because our Heavenly Father loves us he will not always save us from suffering, but he will lift us up and refine us. We have had and will have times of difficulty and sickness everyone does because we are mortal. The beautiful thing about the Atonement and our Heavenly Father's plan is that he makes it all work out. Even when the clouds gather and things seem grim, there is always a light. If God protected all of his "faithful" children from hardships, then how would they compare? When tested, would they pass? If we never experienced trails because of our "faith" what would we say when we met Job? Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to grow and become the best people that we can. So, he doesn't always shelter us from the storms of life. He will only allow us to experience what we can bear, but he knows we can take a lot more than we think we can. It is not a matter of whether there is faith enough to heal; it is a matter of faith enough to trust when things don't look good from our human perspective to continue trusting our Father. How much faith does it take to walking over a bridge as opposed to taking tht first step into the stream, trusting that God will provide a way? My mother trusts her Savior completely, she is in the prayers of many, many people. She is on prayer rolls around the western United States. She is not experiencing this because she lacks the faith to be healed, but rather, God is showing her how much faith she has, how strong she can be when she relies on her Savior.
Sometimes we wonder, is it because I wasn't good enough? Would I be experiencing this if I were more righteous and faithful. Truth be told, I'm not sure that is the question that really matters. No matter the reason for our afflictions, we have a loving Father who has the power to comfort, heal and strengthen. So why dwell on the problem or perhaps the reason for the problem. When the problem is our own and our trials come from sin we need to understand and repent. But it's my opinion that the most productive thing would be to dwell in the hope of Jesus Christ. The faith and hope that through our afflictions we can be sanctified. That hope has the power to motivate smiles even when the world is weighing down on us. Jesus Christ is there to comfort and support us. He wants us to succeed more than we do. He is standing by waiting to help if we will ask. Sometimes it takes a lot of time to recover from various things that life throws at us. But in the meantime we can find true comfort in trusting our Savior.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Mother Pig and Piglet Picture, Animal Wallpaper - National Geographic Photo of the Day
Mother Pig and Piglet Picture, Animal Wallpaper - National Geographic Photo of the Day
I saw this picture and I thought it was adorable in a strange way. Also, it made me think if Wilbur. Just wanted to share.
I saw this picture and I thought it was adorable in a strange way. Also, it made me think if Wilbur. Just wanted to share.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Selina Hearts California
Well, I’m home from a most excellent trip to California! I hadn’t been home in almost 6 months, which is probably the longest amount of time that I’ve gone without going home. The trip was awesome, and believe it or not I’m going to give you a break down of it!
Day One:
I arrived in California in time to go to my cousin’s reception, it was so nice to see my family after such a long time. It was overly warm outside (I forgot what summer was like in Calfornia) but it was still nice.
Yes, The basketball hoop is important to that family. :)
Day Two:
I got to go to church in my home ward, but for the first time in my life I actually felt like I was visiting. It was uncomfortable but to be honest I figure that it was going to happen sooner or later. All around just a weird feeling. After that it was basically a regular day with the family. I got to sleep a lot and I figure that’s what Sundays and breaks are for, resting.
Day Three: BEACH TRIP
The day was pretty overcast and I was kind of disappointed but overall I can’t really complain about the beach. The company I would say is even better than the beach itself. It’s been a long time since Stephanie and Alex had some time to sit and talk.
Weird stuff happened though, as we were walking along the beach there was about a mile, a little under where the beach and a line of ladybugs, all but one that we saw were dead and they looked like they came in on the same wave, it was so weird. On a happier note, we saw a hilarious sign on the walk back, check it out:
Just imagine sound effects:)
Day Four: I got my herrrr did.
I got a PERM! I no longer have virgin hair, but so far I like the look. Its fun but it’ll be interesting to see what I can do with it.
That afternoon I met up with Alysha for Frugos, and as if Yucaipa were welcoming me home, they had yellow spoons!!!
That night I helped to arrange a bon fire on the beach out at Huntington Beach. Thank you Kevin and Danny for providing the goods.
I was behind the camera so I wasn’t in very many of the pictures.
It was an excellent night:) We also ended it with In-n-Out so it was great.
Day Five:
I got to run errands with my Mom. And as silly as this sounds, it may have been my favorite day of the whole trip. Just like the good ole days when she and I would spend a day shopping together and get to talk about the things going on in our lives. My soul needed that day.
Day Six:
Packed, waited, drove to Arizona
Day Seven:
I spent about 4 hours out in the pool and got a sweet tan line. It was a blast being able to hang out with so much of my family. We played games like alligator, colored eggs, Marco polo and the matchstick game. Epic All.
Day Eight:
My oldest nephew got baptized!!!! It was so good. I was reminded and touched when they sang the opening song “I Like to Look for Rainbows” it resonated with me when we sang the lines about the earth being clean again, because it was something that I had been thinking about and that I desired, symbolically so much for myself. It was incredible to think of starting over, new and fresh; then I was astounded at the power of the Sacrament—it has the power to make us clean again, just like after baptism, every week. Wow.
We left that evening and drove through the night and arrived in Provo at about 4:30 AM, I slept for a few hours and then went to church and didn’t take a nap that day, apparently I was too excited to be back.
Friday, June 4, 2010
These People I Love
I was thinking about how I wanted to write another blog but I wasn't sure what to say initially. I know, I know, that doesn't exactly make you want to keep reading my rambling. But you can go ahead and stop here if you like, I won't know and I won't be upset about it. Anyways, I figured that I could update "ya'll" on my life, how I'm doing and what I'm doing.
Currently,I'm averaging about 50 hours of work every week, and about 4-5.5 hours of sleep every night. I know that it's probably not healthy that I work so much more than I sleep, but trust me I am enjoying the times I am awake. :D I am doing fun things and loving my new place, I know it is just right next door but it is different and the girls are great! As most of you noticed, I also have an incredible boyfriend who has the patience to do lots of random activities with me, namely bike riding, tennis, swimming, Frisbee, cards, pocket tanks, or just plain hanging out with the room mates.
My vacation time got moved up a week and I'm leaving for California in a little under 12 hours. I can't say that I'm disappointed to see my family earlier. I get to see new baby Trenton and catch up with the family face to face. I can't wait to hear the sound of waves crashing or to feel the warm California sun, but what is more exciting than that for me, is seeing my parents. Without their support I would not be the person that I am today. To be honest, last semester would have beat me to the ground if I had not grown up in their loving care.
So, to my Mom and Dad, thank you for being the people you are and for fulfilling your roles as parents so well. We all know that you aren't perfect, no one is, but you are the people that i have needed and will continue to need.
Mom, thanks for being my best friend. Thank you for listening when no one else would. Thank you for understanding me and for taking the time to know me in all my weaknesses and love me besides. You are an incredibly strong woman. I have told many people that if I grew up to be the person that you are, I would be a success. I am aware that you have your own fears and concerns. But I have watched you on your knees gain quiet but sure strength from the Lord. You have faced personal challenges that would lay just about anyone out, but you stayed strong. You ARE strong.
You have left a legacy in the hearts of many people. Not just your children, though they all admire you, but their friends and our friends as well. I have spoken to women who trust you because you genuinely care for them despite their weakness. I have received letters from missionaries and have conversations with friends that have told me that whether you know it or not, YOU have changed their life for the better. Even though we live 600 miles away from each other you still help me every time we talk.
Dad, You have been a quiet but sure influence for good in my life. We've had our moments, sure. But we have had incredible moments as well. I have seen you face trials and though they are hard to bear, you continue to move along. Though you feel inadequate you trust the Lord. And Dad, for the record I don't think you are inadequate at all. I love you and I love that we have an understanding that is not always verbal. The advice you have given me over the years has stuck. I also still find myself reciting "Starkle Starkle Little Twink" and smiling all the way through.
This is just kind of an old picture of me and my Dad:)
:)
Funny Thing Called Life
My Life is funny but Beautiful:)
I went on a walk sometime recently and it took WAY longer than expected. Bad idea on walking that far, but it made for some good times.
These are some baby ducks that we found while we were walking around! I was actually in the middle of telling Danny some random story when I saw them, needless to say that story was hard to continue and definitely got delayed a bit!
Also on this walk we found a car that had been somewhat tagged and I found it amusing.Of course I took a picture of it!
Also, I work at a Customer Service call center now and one day I received a call from "God's Kitchen" Now, I'm not exactly sure where they were calling from but the whole time I couldn't help but wonder what exactly the person on the phone was smelling as they spoke to me. But really, God's Kitchen called me.
I don't have any pictures of this but I have recently started riding my mom's old bike around, for work and what not. It is my new love (along with the Vitamin Water Zero Peach-Mandrin...YUM.... =] I'm hoping to purchase my own pretty soon here but to be honest I never thought that I would enjoy riding this much. It must be in my blood.
We also picked up croquet at work for our 10am Lunch break. I wish I could say that I had pictures for that as well, but I don't. It turns out that a good game of croquet can be better than a nap for reviving your senses! Love it.
Also, in thinking about life, I realize that I have learned a lot. And lately something that has stood out to me has been that I am FAR from perfect. There are a lot of things that I need to work out, but that doesn't damper my spirit. I can excel, I can love, I can laugh and I can improve. I have people who love me for who I am and inspire to become MORE. I love this funny thing called life and in seeking perfection I am finding joy in the journey.
I went on a walk sometime recently and it took WAY longer than expected. Bad idea on walking that far, but it made for some good times.
These are some baby ducks that we found while we were walking around! I was actually in the middle of telling Danny some random story when I saw them, needless to say that story was hard to continue and definitely got delayed a bit!
Also on this walk we found a car that had been somewhat tagged and I found it amusing.Of course I took a picture of it!
Also, I work at a Customer Service call center now and one day I received a call from "God's Kitchen" Now, I'm not exactly sure where they were calling from but the whole time I couldn't help but wonder what exactly the person on the phone was smelling as they spoke to me. But really, God's Kitchen called me.
I don't have any pictures of this but I have recently started riding my mom's old bike around, for work and what not. It is my new love (along with the Vitamin Water Zero Peach-Mandrin...YUM.... =] I'm hoping to purchase my own pretty soon here but to be honest I never thought that I would enjoy riding this much. It must be in my blood.
We also picked up croquet at work for our 10am Lunch break. I wish I could say that I had pictures for that as well, but I don't. It turns out that a good game of croquet can be better than a nap for reviving your senses! Love it.
Also, in thinking about life, I realize that I have learned a lot. And lately something that has stood out to me has been that I am FAR from perfect. There are a lot of things that I need to work out, but that doesn't damper my spirit. I can excel, I can love, I can laugh and I can improve. I have people who love me for who I am and inspire to become MORE. I love this funny thing called life and in seeking perfection I am finding joy in the journey.
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