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!

Encircled in the Arms Of God's Love

"We must also see His love in the smallest of things. Don’t underestimate your ability to share His love through a simple, genuine gesture such as sitting next to another sister and making her feel welcome. Do you feel the Lord’s love in your life? How I feel His love may be different from how you experience it. The key is to come to understand how you feel that love. And once you’ve felt it, be willing to share it."  -Sister Bonnie D. Parkin, Eternally Encircled in His Love, October 2006.

But behold, the Lord hath ^aredeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his ^bglory, and I am encircled about eternally in the ^carms of his ^dlove.

2 Nephi 1:15 

Therefore, if you will ^aask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.

^bBe patient; be sober; be temperate; have patience, faith, hope and charity.

Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore ^atreasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and ^bdiligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my ^clove. 

 Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore ^atreasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and ^bdiligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my ^clove. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 

D&C 6:5,19-21

Look and Live

Over the past year I have been studying, pondering, and understanding what it means to look and live more than ever before. I find great strength as I look to God and live as He would have me. I have discovered that I am more patient and dedicated to God's will and timing than my own. I know He loves me and is The Reason I am becoming the woman that I am. I am thankful to know that He is never early or late in His timing and that the trials, sufferings, sorrows, excitement, and goodness in our lives is a way for us to become closer to Him and become more like Him if we choose to look to Him and live.  

Alma 37:47 "...yea, see that ye look to God and live."

3 Nephi 15:9 "Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life."

I Stand All Amazed

I Stand All Amazed, Hymn #193

1. I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

[Chorus]
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

2. I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

3. I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

Text and music: Charles H. Gabriel, 1856–1932
Mosiah 3:5–8
John 15:13

Is Beautiful

The following quote from Elder Richard G. Scott's talk "Finding Joy in Life", I know is rather long, but I couldn't bring myself to cut out some. I hope it conveys some of what I am feeling and pondering about. I linked the full talk at the bottom of the quote. 

"Tears of gratitude formed for this wondrous world in which we live, for the extraordinary beauty our Heavenly Father so freely shares with all who are willing to see. Truly, life is beautiful.

Do you take time to discover each day how beautiful your life can be? How long has it been since you watched the sun set? The departing rays kissing the clouds, trees, hills, and lowlands good night, sometimes tranquilly, sometimes with exuberant bursts of color and form. What of the wonder of a cloudless night when the Lord unveils the marvels of His heavens—the twinkling stars, the moonlight rays—to ignite our imagination with His greatness and glory? How captivating to watch a seed planted in fertile soil germinate, gather strength, and send forth a tiny, seemingly insignificant sprout. Patiently it begins to grow and develop its own character led by the genetic code the Lord has provided to guide its development. With care it surely will become what it is destined to be: a lily, crowned with grace and beauty; a fragrant spearmint plant; a peach; an avocado; or a beautiful blossom with unique delicacy, hue, and fragrance. When last did you observe a tiny rosebud form? Each day it develops new and impressive character, more promise of beauty until it becomes a majestic rose. You are one of the noblest of God’s creations. His intent is that your life be gloriously beautiful regardless of your circumstances. As you are grateful and obedient, you can become all that God intends you to be.

Sadness, disappointment, and severe challenge are events in life, not life itself. I do not minimize how hard some of these events are. They can extend over a long period of time, but they should not be allowed to become the confining center of everything you do. The Lord inspired Lehi to declare the fundamental truth, “Men are, that they might have joy.” ¹That is a conditional statement: “they might have joy.” It is not conditional for the Lord. His intent is that each of us finds joy. It will not be conditional for you as you obey the commandments, have faith in the Master, and do the things that are necessary to have joy here on earth.

Your joy in life depends upon your trust in Heavenly Father and His holy Son, your conviction that their plan of happiness truly can bring you joy. Pondering their doctrine will let you enjoy the beauties of this earth and enrich your relationships with others. It will lead you to the comforting, strengthening experiences that flow from prayer to Father in Heaven and the answers He gives in return." -Elder Richard G. Scott, April 1996 

The creations of this Earth are beautiful and amazing! The Lord truly loves us and blesses us constantly and continually as we discover more of Him and the beauty that is this mortal life. I know real life is eternal life. It is living the gospel of Jesus Christ and partaking of it's fullness each day. 

Patience and Faith

"Truth, covenants, and ordinances enable us to overcome fear and face the future with faith!"-Elder Russell M. Nelson



"Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious. It is the ability to do God’s will and accept His timing. When you are patient, you hold up under pressure and are able to face adversity calmly and hopefully. Patience is related to hope and faith—you must wait for the Lord’s promised blessings to be fulfilled." -Preach My Gospel, P.120


I'm grateful to know that Heavenly Father is fully aware and into every detail of my life and that I am doing and becoming what He desires. His love is real. I'm grateful for the direction and peace that only He can give. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :) 

Living After the Manner of Happiness

Today a friend said in his testimony that he is grateful for laughter and happiness. I've been thinking about this and I've had a "duh moment" you might say as I realized- I am too! I am grateful for laughter and happiness. I am happy and excited about the present and the future. I am a happy girl! "Living after the manner of happiness" is to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, to remain a covenant keeper. I am grateful to know happiness is eternal, to know that happiness is found in the teachings and atonement of Jesus Christ. Yes life is challenging, some days are more challenging than others, but because of Jesus Christ and faith and hope in Him happiness is possible amidst challenges and struggles. Joseph Smith said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255–56).  Mosiah 2:41 "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and ^ahappy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are ^bblessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out ^cfaithful to the end they are received into ^dheaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it." I am thankful to know God wants us to be happy and that my concerns are His concerns and that He is in every detail of my life. I love the above verse-"temporal and spiritual" He helps and guides us in all things. I know He lives. I know He is our Father. Masaya Ang Aking Puso- in English my heart is happy. 

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:)

Preparing to Learn and Teach

Tuesday begins my 10-day seminary teaching experience. (it's actually 5 days because of how long the class period is) I am super excited to be back in the classroom with those kids! I have been working on lesson plans- asking the Lord and thinking about them and what they need. I learned many things from the first time I taught- from the students and from the experience of teaching. I am looking forward to this experience and what more it will teach me. This is the right thing to be doing right now. I am grateful to Heavenly Father for His guidance, care, and the experiences I am having. He has more than "my back"- He's got me fully covered! I love Him and will do what He asks of me. I am thankful for prayer- knowing I get to talk to Him anytime, anywhere, about anything gives me peace, happiness and direction. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

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 :)