Encouragement From a Prophet of God

"Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities. You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith."                           President Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, January 2012

Baby Love

 In November, I became an aunt! What an awesome thing! The excitement I feel about this little sweet boy is much! I feel a great sense of love for him and feel Our Heavenly Father's love so profoundly. When holding and being near this nephew of mine I feel some much love. This is one of many experiences I have had that confirm to me the importance of motherhood. I know there is something divine within me. I desire with all my heart to become a mother.

Forever Family

Yesterday I had the awesome opportunity of attending a good friend's wedding. Nothing compares to being in the temple especially with people you love. At each of the opportunities have had to witness temple weddings of dear friends it causes me to reflect. The temple is a place of reflection and I find as I sit in a sealing room there is nothing I want more for myself and those that I love than to be married in the temple for time and all eternity. What an awesome thing to be bound to those we love throughout eternity! I am excited I get to spend eternity with the people in that photo and many many more family members!

A Baseball Dream

 For as long as a can remember I loved baseball! I don't think I really stood a chance not to. Extended family on both sides are big baseball lovers! My Grandpa Evans was the biggest baseball fan I have ever known and pretty sure will always take the cake on being the biggest fun. He loved and knew the game very well. From the time I was a young girl I have wanted to attend a major league baseball game especially a New York Yankess game! I have always been a fan of the Yankees, even though I come from a family who prefers The Reds or the Red Sox. Open day I hope to fulfill this dream of eating nachos and hot dog and washing it down with a cold coke while cheering in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium. Today I thought of it more as I watched a documentary on Derek Jeter who recently had his 3000th hit. It definitely upped my excitement and want to go!

Looking Outward Together

"Love does not consist of gazing into each others eyes, but looking outward in the same direction." Today as I was driving I this quote came to my mind. I can't remember who said it, but it's one that I have loved for awhile now, but only now I am really beginning to understand what it truly means.

When It's For You

So the other day I came across this song. I love love love it! Cheesy well yeah okay a little, but that's what I like. If you can tell me what movie this song is in I will treat you to an ice cream. (and no internet searches) ;) 

Offer me your hand
And I will give my heart
Ask me for a sketch
And I'll paint a work of art
And I know I can
When it's for you

In the light of day
We all believe we can
It's when we're in the dark
That we need a helping hand
Ooh, mine is always there
When it's for you

I can't help it
I can't hide it
It's what you bring out in me
'Cause you give me inspiration
Nothing's too much
When it's for you

He Lives!

I am enjoying the rain today! It has really come down here and there this afternoon. Walking from my car to class was peaceful and fun! It brought back lots of memories of walking in the rain in the mission. Today's rain has seemed to cleanse and renew the earth. As I was walking and driving today I noticed how the rain made everything look brighter- the grass look greener, the green budding on the trees is greener, the blossoms on the flowering trees look fresh and vibrant- the pink and purple are my favorite, the yellowing flowering bushes and yellow daffodils, as well as the tulips. This is day two leading to Easter Sunday. This week is Holy Week. I hope we will spend not only this week celebrating The Living Christ, but that we will each day as we seek to know Him, serve Him, and become like Him. We have great cause for rejoicing as remember that Jesus Christ is our Savior- that He not only suffered and died for us, but that He LIVES for us today! I know He lives. He loves me. I need Him. He needs me- to be me. Without Him I am nothing and could not accomplish anything truly worthwhile. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

Rejuvenated and Energized

I really am enjoying teaching seminary right now! After only a few days with the kids in my class I love them and get excited to share with them and hear what they understand and love about the scriptures. I am learning many things about this experience and so glad that I have this opportunity. It was enjoyable talking with them about General Conference today they were very excited to share and kids who don't talk much in class did today! I enjoy General Conference weekend! Last night I realized how rejuvenated, energized and a added measure of peace I feel from the messages from conference and what the Holy Ghost personalized for me. The Lord loves us and is in the very detail of our lives. Our concerns are His concerns. Our joys are His joys. O how wonderful it is to learn and know the gospel of Jesus Christ and partake and live in it's goodness! And to know that the heavens are open!             Masaya Ang Aking Puso:)

I Know Heavenly Father Loves Me

 

Words of Mormon 1:7 

And I do this for a ^awise ^bpurpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord ^cknoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he ^dworketh in me to do according to his ^ewill.  

Nests

This is the tree with the five nests in it. I took it with my phone as I walked back to my car after classes. The sun was out, blue sky, and big, fluffy clouds. I just really this! Nagpapasalamat ako para sa aking mag-anak! Nagpapasalamat ako sa Priesthood. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

Faith. Pananampalataya. Hope. Pagasa. Love. Pagibig. The Atonement. Ang Pagbabayad-sala.

"Faith and character are intimately related. Faith in the power of obedience to the commandments of God will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. That is when it is intended to be used. Your exercise of faith in true principles builds character; fortified character expands your capacity to exercise more faith. As a result, your capacity and confidence to conquer the trials of life is enhanced. The more your character is fortified, the more enabled you are to benefit from exercising the power of faith. You will discover how faith and character interact to strengthen one another.
Character is woven patiently from threads of applied principle, doctrine, and obedience."

Elder Richard G. Scott, Ensign, November 2010

Abundance Is All Around

"Abundance is all around." This was one of many quotes written in sidewalk chalk near the institute building today. This morning as I was getting ready for the day I was thinking about abundance and have been throughout the day. This morning I talked to Heavenly Father about it and I have seen abundance of goodness- hope, faith, love, and beauty. Heavenly Father loves me and I know He loves you. Today I saw and felt His love for me in oh so many ways! He is into the details of my life! I received answers and comfort today. How awesome is our Father in Heaven? Today I was blessed with seeing many friends on campus- two of them I haven't seen in ages. It was so good to visit with Heather and Corryn and then run in to Ashton and Aaron. I have been thinking about of my favorite passages of scripture in The Book of Mormon today- Alma 7:23-24. Heavenly Father blesses-with love, listens, beauty, hope, faith, goodness, and opportunities to become more like Him each day. I love Him and desire to continue to see, do, and become what He desires of me. Oh how He loves us! Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

Valentine's Day Craziness

Valentine's Day is one of the busiest, craziest days of the year for me. Working at a flower shop is awesome, but does have some not so fun not so awesome days. Yesterday was full of flowers, coke, pizza, and chocolates, people who were both friendly and demanding, I also had a customer sing on the phone yesterday when I didn't recognize the song lyrics he used on the card message. 

 What would Valentine's Day be like without sugar cookies? Friday we had Smart Cookie- they have awesome, yummy sugar cookies. And last night when it was only Tosh, Carol, and I in the shop Tosh broke out more sugar cookies that Melissa from Black Jack Pizza next door made and left for us for the end of the day. 

Yesterday was a successful day and I had survived like I knew I would and made it out with only a few people yelling at me on the phone about their order. Last night I came home to find that my mama brought home Cafe Rio and my grandma was here to eat it with us. (Last night was Grandma first Cafe Rio experience-she loved it.) It was a hard to settle down last night after a run-around day, but I finally fell asleep. Valentine's Day on a Monday is rough, I'm glad next year it's at least on a Tuesday. ;) 

A Surprise Call From The Tall Bearded Dude

Tonight I received I text that said, "dude its mark how are you?" I was way surprised! I knew it had to be Mark Mark from Washington that I met while working in Alaska. I replied back and we text messaged for a few minutes and than he said we should talk on the phone soon. I agreed and a couple minutes later he called. It has been about a year since I have had contact with Mark. It was so good to talk to him! He sounds happy- more happy than I think I've ever seen. He told me he has not had a drink in seven months and that it feels great. He also told me he is making changes with his life that he is proud of and enjoying. He apologized for the no contact and said that not drinking has helped him improve his relationships and is now seeking to improve relationships he has. We talked about what else was new with the both of us and agreed to talk more often. I am proud of him and hope that he continues on this happy, more positive path he is on. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

A Love Song I Love

"To Make You Feel My Love"

When the rain's blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I would offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love

When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love

I know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met
So no doubt in my mind where you belong

I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue
I'd go crawling down the avenue
There ain't nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love

The storms are raging on a rolling sea
And down the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
But you ain't seen nothin' like me yet

There ain't nothin' that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends of the earth for you
Make you happy, make your dreams come true
To make you feel my love

I have always loved this song. I heard three different artists cover the songs and depending on my mood like one over the other. If you haven't heard this song- look it up right now and listen to it! If you have heard it- what do you think of it? Who covers it better?

Oh, today I am still catching myself smiling randomly as I remember and reflect on my latest time with Cowboy ;) Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

Grateful Today

• quality na quality time with Cowboy
• the sky this morning was beautiful
• catching myself smiling during class or walking down the hall as I remembered something from last night
• hearing "I knew it was you"
• a very sweet bestie who I was able to have a nice long chat with today
• carrot cake
• sweet, quiet answers and reassurances
• institute this morning
• a call from Rebekah
• reading the predictions for the bracket- March Madness is almost here!
• new notebook
• the quote in my email that said, "patience is bitter, but the fruit is sweet"

Sacred. Holy. Peace. Happiness. Love. Hope. Promises.

Diversity

Today I had the opportunity to hear Herman Boone speak on campus. He spoke on diversity. He quoted Dr. Martin Luther King through most of his presentation. Some things he mentioned that really stuck with me-

• accept the soul and break the mold
• take risks for what you believe in, even when it's not popular
• diversity is not skin color or race it is who we are as an individual
• togetherness happens when we get out of our comfort zone, embrace differences, let go of fear, and think out of the box
• be proud of who you are as individual
• a team has one vision, one intent, and one heartbeat
• a threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere
• live up to the vision in Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech
• No American is an outsider
• we need stable families
• we as a country and as individuals need to remember that all of us are God's children
• a parent is a child's first teacher

It was an awesome opportunity to hear him speak. He was funny and you felt like you were listening to your grandpa encourage you and share his convictions with you.

Ang Pinakamaganda Ay Darating Pa

"Look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future." Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

I am excited and looking forward to this new year! A new year brings new adventures, challenges, and blessings. I know the best is yet to come- ang pinakamaganda ay darating pa! I have hope. I have a handful of things I am thinking about. And a handful of things that I will be doing to make this year one of the best. This year I am hoping and working on many things- an increase in understanding and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, good intestinal health, finishing up my bachelor's degree, an internship, and, expanding my floral skills. These are just a handful. Here is to a year of adventures, challenges, blessings, and becoming more of the woman God wants me to be.