Days of 27: Day 1

This year is my golden birthday! (27 on the 27th) I decided that I would countdown the 27 days until my birthday with doing something a random and fun! (I know I do random, fun things usually ;) But I thought this would be fun for the golden birthday. So for the next 26.6 days I will be doing something to get mark just one more day closer to my birthday. Some of the things I have chosen are things that I've done before that I do occasionally. They also may or may not include others. They range from writing letters to watching the sunset at Utah Lake.I am excited and looking forward to my 27th year- it's going to be an incredible one- one of the best yet! I know it! This is your invitation to come along and countdown with me. Cause well... it's going to be awesome awesome! Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

These Pretty Things

I love love love pretty, feminine things- flowers, jewelry, etc. I am always looking for pretty, elegant, feminine ideas for new flower bouquets and designs. Here are just a few I found on marthastewart.com I love the buttons in the vase in the top left picture and the contrast of the pale pink and black centers of the anemones. Love the idea of using all one flower in a few colors for one bouquet with no greens or filler. These have an awesome texture all on their own. Stay tuned for more pretty pretty things.

Creating Ideas

I love being creative! I enjoy opportunities to be creative and calibrate with other creators. Currently, I am working on creating a logo for my small floral design business and designing and selecting a menu and learning more things about running a small restaurant. I am grateful to be surrounded by awesomely creative people! I think of this talk given by President Uchtdorf, when I think about creating and how the desire to create is a part of who we are and our purpose.
"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before. Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty.You might say, “I’m not the creative type. When I sing, I’m always half a tone above or below the note. I cannot draw a line without a ruler. And the only practical use for my homemade bread is as a paperweight or as a doorstop.” If that is how you feel, think again, and remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn’t it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it—your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination.But to what end were we created? We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fullness of joy. Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things.If you are a mother, you participate with God in His work of creation—not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching and nurturing them. If you are not a mother now, the creative talents you develop will prepare you for that day, in this life or the next.You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us. The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter. What you create doesn’t have to be perfect. So what if the eggs are greasy or the toast is burned? Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside. If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it."

Hawak Kamay

These are the lyrics to one of my favorite filipino songs, "Hawak Kamay".
Minsan madarama mo kay bigat ng problema
Minsan mahihirapan ka at masasabing “di ko makakaya”
Tumingin ka lang sa langit
Baka sakaling may masumpungan
Di kaya ako’y tawaginMalalaman mong kahit kailan

[chorus]

Hawak-kamay
Di kita iiwan sa paglakbay
Dito sa mundong walang katiyakan
Hawak-kamay
Di kita bibitawan sa paglalakbay
Sa mundo ng kawalan
Minsan madarama mo
Ang mundo’y gumuho sa ilalim ng iyong mga paa
At ang agos ng problema’y tinatangay ka
Tumingin ka lang sa langit
Baka sakaling may masumpungan
Di kaya ako’y tawagin
Malalaman mong kahit kailan

[repeat chorus]

[bridge]
Wag mong sabihin nag-iisa ka
Laging isipin meron kang kasama
Narito ako oh, Narito ako

[repeat chorus]

Sa mundo ng kawalan
Hawak-kamay, Hawak-kamay
Sa mundo ng kawalan

K Squared.Fish Tacos.

Here is a random picture of my and Kristina- like many times we matched! Great minds really do think alike. I am so grateful for her! She listens, laughs, understands, and helps me come up with all kinds of awesome ideas! Each Tuesday we go for some of these- Fish Tacos from Rubio's. If you have yet to try them, I suggest you go and soon! They have other awesome tacos like bacon and chicken and way good burritos! Slightly random post I know, but if you know me it fits. I'm random and talk about food more often than not ;)

Trusting. Hoping. Knowing The Best Is Yet To Come

"The issue for us is trusting God enough to trust also His timing. If
we can truly believe He has our welfare at heart, may we not let His plans
unfold as He thinks best? The same is true with the second coming and with
all those matters wherein our faith needs to include faith in the
Lord's timing for us personally, not just in His overall plans and
purposes." (Neal A. Maxwell, "Even As I Am" (1982), 93)

I came across this quote again today. This is something I've been thinking about a lot recently. My heart is hopeful. I am trusting Heavenly Father and know all will work out for my best. I am reminder myself that He is never early or late in fulfilling His promises. I know the best is yet to come! Ang pinkamaganda ay darating pa! I know it! I feel it! Moving in faith to do what He asks. Masaya Ang Aking Puso :)

Faith Is Key

This week I've been studying Elder Oaks' talk from General Conference. The talk is primarily focused on healing the sick, but I've been thinking about one part in particular near the end- understanding that it is important to have faith in Jesus Christ and to not depend on outcomes of whatever the struggle may be. Knowing Jesus Christ brings peace and happiness to life. Faith is key. Masaya ang aking puso :)