so great, eternal, everlasting, & joyful.

My favorite quote came from Sister Linda S. Reeves:

"I do not know why we have the many trials that we have, but it is my personal feeling, sisters, that the reward is so great, so eternal and everlasting, so joyful and beyond our understanding that in that day of reward, we may feel to say to our merciful, loving Father, 'Was that all that was required?' I believe that if we could daily remember and recognize the depth of the love that our Heavenly Father and our Savior have for us, we would be willing to do anything They asked to be back in Their presence again. What will it matter, dear sisters, what we suffered here, if in the end, those trials are the very things which qualify us for eternal life and exaltation in the kingdom of God with Them."

If you find yourself with some extra time this upcoming Saturday and Sunday and are looking for uplifting and positive messages, join me in watching General Conference here. 

heard this quote recently and I just love it.

"No matter how successful you are, or think you are, it's a good idea to sit down once in a while and evaluate how well you're managing the various activities and responsibilities in your life. ... If you feel overwhelmed, if nothing seems fun or fulfilling anymore, or if your activities are only a frustration, then maybe you need to change your juggling technique." - Chris Crowe

Read more here.

beauty and order.

^^Picture from Saturday morning.^^

"As I think of temples, my thoughts turn to the many blessings we receive therein. As we enter through the doors of the temple, we leave behind us the distractions and confusion of the world. Inside this sacred sanctuary, we find beauty and order. There is rest for our souls and a respite from the cares of our lives.

As we attend the temple, there can come to us a dimension of spirituality and a feeling of peace which will transcend any other feeling which could come into the human heart. We will grasp the true meaning of the words of the Savior when He said: 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.^'

Such peace can permeate any heart—hearts that are troubled, hearts that are burdened down with grief, hearts that feel confusion, hearts that plead for help."

Quotes taken from President Monson's talk found here. 

a quote everyone needs to read.

Take five minutes out of your day and read the rest of the talk here.
I can pinky promise you that it's worth it.

Happy Thursday!

really.

 

I find it comforting that God knows ME.  He knows the intentions of my heart--my spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional aspirations and efforts.  How great it is that He watches over me and directs the small and big things in my life every day because He knows me perfectly.  He knows who I am - who I want to be - and who I will become.

Happy Sunday!

growing takes some time.

I heard this phrase not too long ago, but it's one that I've been mulling over for the longest time.  (If that even makes sense?)

This past weekend I planted a few little plants.  I bought containers, plants, soil, and even a little watering can.  As I dug the holes for each plant and placed them in the soil, I thought about the quote above.  As I patted down the soil around the little plants and watered them, I thought about the quote above.  As I placed the containers in sun-lit areas, again, I thought about the quote.

As much as I reeeeeally want my plants to grow and start producing immediately (hello, homemade salsa!), I know that it isn't realistic.  I also know that there are things necessary to the success of my teeny, tiny garden--those things work together to create success over time.

I'd venture to say that it's pretty easy to look at baby plants and have patience; however, it's harder to look at things of more importance and have patience.  I'm guilty of it.  Actually, super guilty of it!  There are days I get frustrated with XYZ because it's not perfect now, or not happening in my life now.  When I take a step back, it's clear that I've been trying to rush situations.

At this point in my life, most situations I'm in are in the growing stage.  I'm working on remembering that it takes time for tomato plants to grow and produce results just the same as an education, career, marriage, etc., and that there are small things working together to create success.

All of the best things in life just get better with time, right? :)

capable.

Between my persuasive writing and public speaking class that I was not rushing to sign up for by any means and my literature class--both required--I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and trying to navigate uncharted waters.  Pray for me. ;)

(ps - I'm back in school.  Wash U is so, so different from BYU.)


image source unknown

infinitely more.

Yesterday in my Primary class we talked about a group of people in the Book of Mormon who had a mighty change of heart. Ultimately, this people chose good over evil, and were blessed by doing so. It got me thinking about how we're really more than the mistakes we make, and definitely more than our limitations--both of body and spirit.

I took a psychology class in high school and was taught about Carl Rogers and his humanistic approach to psychology.  It basically boils down to the belief that people are inherently good.  (Don't judge me if I have that wrong. ;)) I remember sitting in my seat listening to the teacher and thinking "Hey! That's basically how I think about humanity."  I guess little by little over the past few years, I've become more critical of humanity in general and developed the habit of assuming that (most) people are driven by selfish reasons.  And maybe it's because my eyes have been opened as I've grown up and had more life experiences?  I'm not quite sure.

The above quote is pulled from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talk from this past general conference which focused on mental and physical illnesses; however, I believe the quote is multifaceted.  I love the words for the fact that it can apply to our human nature and life circumstances, and I love the simple reminder it provides me.

Here's to trying harder to see past the imperfections of others, and trying harder to see people for their potential.  Fitting for the holiday season, isn't it?

xoxo

happy, happy Sunday.

Major blog catch-up coming later, but for now, just a simple little quote I threw together for my primary lesson tomorrow.  I love the message of hope and assurance it gives, and love how applicable it is to so many different situations.

Happy Sunday!

special occasion.

Happy Sunday to you!

President Hinckley was one smart cookie.

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Keep trying.

Some days are definitely harder than others.  Some days I just can't figure out what I'm supposed to be doing with my life.  Some days I wake up on the wrong side of the bed.  Some days everything goes wrong.  Some days I make a fool of myself or forget important things.  Some days I don't quite reach the expectations I've set for myself.  Some days I honestly don't get a lot done once I come home from work, and I choose to be lazy.  Some days I work myself into the ground.  Some days are just a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (please say you've read this book!).  But it's okay, because tomorrow is always a new day with new possibilities.

Be believing.

To believe something is to have confidence and faith in a truth.  Believe in tomorrows and second chances.  Believe that you have the power to turn something negative into a positive.  Most importantly, believe in God's plan for you, His timing, and His love for you.

Be happy.

Oh, how I love this simple statement!  Choose to be happy.  Be a catalyst of happiness; help others to be happy.  In Gretchen Rubin's book The Book of Happiness, she writes about 8 splendid truths of happiness that she discovers about herself and people in general.  The second splendid truth is, "One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy; One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself."  Think about it.

Don't get discouraged.

Realize that it's okay to have hard days!  Realize that everyone else gets discouraged too.  But definitely don't forget to keep trying, be believing, and be happy.

Everything will work out.

A promise--everything will work out.  We all choose to be happy for different reasons, but I think I choose to be happy because I know that it will all work out.  God is good.  He is so, so good to me, as I'm sure He is to you.  And what a blessing it is to know that His love is a constant.

because it's good to be reminded.

focusing on the significant.

 I've been on this little quest for the past few weeks--working on figuring out what's important in my life and what can be cut out in order to declutter my schedule, relationships, and my mind.  I spent 30 minutes last night deleting over 300 people on Facebook that I'll never see again, and there are still many more to go.  Last weekend, I tried to focus on finding a home for all of those piles of things that kind of build up over time, and worked on finishing up little projects that needed to be done.  I went through my closet and cleaned out clothes I haven't worn in the past year. I even cleaned out the fridge.  (And I really hate cleaning out the fridge.)  I do, however, love these times where I feel the need to organize my life and get rid of things that take up my time and thoughts that are truly of no importance.  

I want to be better at taking the time to call the people I care about, and spending less time on social media.  I want to be better at sticking to a schedule and having an allotted time for each activity in my life.  I want to be better at working on homework and spend less time dilly-dallying around.  I want to be better at eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and working out more.  I want to be better at putting more effort into my church responsibilities and calling.  I want to be a better wife.  I want to be a better daughter and sister.  I want to be a better friend. 

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the first weekend of october.

We filled our weekend with Chinese food, BYU football, General Conference, a girls night/Priesthood session, more General Conference, apple pie, and a game night with friends.  It was a great break!


Favorite one liners from conference:

"Through repentance, you can qualify for all the blessings of heaven."
Elder Quentin L. Cook

"They can be a heaven sent blessing to you."
Elder Russell M. Nelson, in regards to missionaries

"There's something in each day to cherish and rejoice in."
"Have we not reason to rejoice?"
"We cannot take for granted one single day."
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Lessons taught at home are becoming increasingly necessary."
Elder L. Tom Perry

"No trial is so large that we can't solve it together."
Elder Neil L. Anderson

"Thy will be done, and in thine own time."
President Henry B. Eyring

"We are surrounded by those who need our kindness, service, support, example, and love."
Sister Linda K. Burton, quoting President Thomas S. Monson

"Did you love me?"
"The crowning characteristic of love is loyalty."
"We have truths to share and good to give.  We can't quit and we can't go back."
"The call is to come, stay true, lend a hand, and love God."
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"The opportunity to be a blessing to another often comes unexpectedly."
"The Lord is in the details of our lives."
President Thomas S. Monson

(Insert cliche mormon picture of notes and apple pie :))

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On an unrelated note, guys, I need more books to read.  I'm begging you to leave one book suggestion for me in the comments.  Anyone and everyone!

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greater than ourselves.

"Faith is something greater than ourselves and enables us to do what we have said we'll do, to press forward when we are tired or hurt of afraid, and to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is entirely uncertain."

- Gordon B. Hinkley