Happy List from last week, Thanksgiving, and FAMILY PICTURES!

-seeing progress with our financial goals
-talking with Jill for couple hours
-being told I do "a good job" by a customer. Haha. It helps after being yelled at on the phone. :)
-Oaklee looking at a picture of Jared and quietly saying to "him".. "Jared, you're the best!!" :D Haha
-Cuddling with Oaklee while watching Pocahontas & her falling asleep on me
-a really incouraging email from a co-worker
-ChickfilA and Breaking Dawn with Whit, Chels, and Cami
-laughing histerically in the car
-beautiful winter photoshoot
-going on a double date night that included new underwear, pizza factory, Harry Potter, and "Truth or Truth"
-Walking to Stake Conference in the snow with Jared
-feeling the spirit at Stake Conference
-Justin's birthday party
-visiting my mom & dad
-playing Upwords
-getting our family pictures back :) :)

This last weekend was so wonderful. Besides getting smacked in the nose by the edge of my car trunk while putting away groceries, that is. :) (Yes, my nose is bruised but thankfully, not broken) Smooooth, I know. On Saturday, I had a photo shoot with an adorable family, cute hats, and fresh beautiful snow. Perfect. We lounged around, I edited.. Then we went with some dear friends to buy new underwear (and it was more exciting than it probably should be..), go eat at the Pizza Factory (just thinking about the bread sticks and salad bar makes me hungry!), and home to watch the last Harry Potter (I need to get those on tape so I can finally finish)..

On Sunday, we had Stake Conference. Jared and I put on our coats, I wore boots with  my skirt and it was officially Winter in my mind. We walked to the church holding hands. We had told ourselves we’d get there early but, getting there just a few minutes before the meeting began, we had a difficult time finding a seat. We lucked out and found a great spot. We sat and listened, back tickled, and whispered. We felt the spirit when our leaders spoke and when the choir sang and we were edified.

I couldn't be more excited that Thanksgiving is nearly here and my long weekend begins at the end of today. I am so blessed and have so much to be grateful for. I'm most grateful for.. The gospel of Jesus Christ, my family, my friends, and of course.. This guy. So grateful to have him forever.




Photos taken by Travis Buhler. :) Trav, I love them.

Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you have a wonderful Holiday. :)

The Weekend Song: General Conference Edition

This past weekend was just what I needed. We listened to our Prophet during General Conference and we were definitely fed spiritually. Also, I made deviled eggs, muddy buddies, pumpkin cookies, zucchini bread, and cinnamon rolls so.. we were fed in other ways as well. :) Between photoshoots and dinner to Texas Roadhouse, I was in my sweats all weekend. It was bliss. I've been inspired from Conference.. new goals have been made and I'm motivated. :)

As relaxing as that weekend sounds, I'm paying for it now. I've been stressed in every way possible. One thing at a time, Jared keeps saying. I'm trying to remember to keep that in mind.

Happy Wednesday!

The Weekend Song

This weekend, I had a five day weekend. FIVE. When it was finally time for me to go back to work, I was convinced I no longer had a job. (a girl can dream)  Things that made me happy this weekend:

-getting my hair dyed dark.. just how I like it.

-my favorite ice cream flavor of all time, Tillamook Mudslide.

-meeting Whitney's friend from England, Pam.

-playing with Kody, the puppy
-English chocolate. Divine. Normal Kit Kats no longer suffice..
-spending the day with Whitney and Pam.. going to Gardener Village and up Little Cottonwood Canyon
-listening to Pam's accent. :) I spoke with an accent to Jared for 20 minutes after being with her on Friday, just because it sounds so blasted cool. Haha.
-Fall leaves
-embarrassing Whitney at 7-11 by saying "Wowza!" to the the cashier :)
-Copper Hills Homecoming Game with all of Jared's friends
-snuggling baby Legend and making him smile
-dinner at Chili's & sharing divine desserts with Brian & Hilary
-staying up late & watching a movie with Jared
-a delicious Winder Farms BBQ dinner with the Witts (they split their Winder pancakes & bacon with us and we split our Winder steak & potatoes. Yum on all accounts.)
-a walk to the park & swinging
-playing games



I so (very much) look forward to this next weekend and I especially look forward to General Conference. I'm in need of some wisdom and direction and this is just the place to receive such things. :)

“If you trust God enough to listen for His message in every sermon, song, and prayer this conference, you will find it. If you then go and do what He would have you do, your power to trust Him will grow, and in time you will be overwhelmed with gratitude to find that He has come to trust you.”

-President Henry B. Eyring

Happy Wednesday!

an invitation

"We become what we want to be

by consistently being what we

want to become each day."

-Elder Richard G. Scott

I'm so thrilled about new goals, our dreams, and our future. So glad to have my love as my teammate and best friend. He's pretty wonderful..

Remember when I made a goal to read this book? I haven't been doing it as quickly as expected but, I have been consistent. My life has been so richly blessed ever since. Has it been perfect? No. Have I had trials? Yes. But, within these trials.. I see how they refine me and help me to grow. Life..every aspect of it, has been blessed.

I invite you to read this book. It's life changing. If you would like a free copy, please click here.

two years later.

Two years ago, my cousin Austin left on a mission for our church. He went to spread the happiness that is the gospel and he was an inspiration to me, and to many. He taught me so much before he left, he taught me from his letters home, and I'm sure I will continually learn from him. His plane lands in just a few hours and I have gone over the moment in my head many many times. I can't wait to give him a big hug.

Did you know they have internet missionaries now? Austin served with someone named Elder Menaso, who is an internet missionary. When their time together was coming to a close, Elder Menasco wrote some wonderful things about Austin..

"As a missionary, we are called to preach the gospel two by two. We cycle through different companions throughout our mission. Elder Hinton was my 7th one! From each of these companions, I have learned various life long lessons. Some were taught to me in joyful moments, other were taught as I was in the lowest of lows. But I have served with Elder Hinton for 4.5 months! That's 6 weeks longer than any of my other companions. There has been so much I have learned from him.

When I came up to Eureka, I was not quite sure what to expect. More than a year ago, Elder Hinton and I served in Vacaville together, but we never saw each other very much.

I would have to say that hands down, the biggest thing I have learned from him is Faith and how to apply faith in many various ways. Faith is always there when times are tough, when you feel like all is lost and you have no energy left to put forth. We can accomplish anything if we have the faith that we can accomplish the task ahead of us.

When I came up to Eureka, I was not the most faith filled missionary out there. I had many doubts about my efforts because I never saw very many results from anything I tried to accomplish. When I told Elder Hinton about this, he gave me the mindset that there is nothing that can ever get in the way of the Lord's work. But, it was not really in anything he ever said, but what he did. When trials came, or our goals were unreached, he would continue with the attitude of persistence. Nothing was going to get in his way, and if something tried to stop him he would shatter it.

It is something I am really going to remember: Elder Hinton has the most solid faith I have ever seen. It is amazing! I am going to strive my whole mission to make sure I keep that fire, and allow nothing to ever hurt my faith or bring it down what so ever."

I am so proud of him and the missionary work he has done. I look up to my 'younger brother' in so many ways. He inspires me. I am so happy to (almost) have him home.

Happy happy Tuesday.. :)

His Voice

I went to my sister in-laws Bachelorette party over the weekend. (Miss Jessica is getting married this Saturday!) We stayed in Park City at the most gorgeous hotel! We shopped and I bought an adorable Easter outfit! I had the most delicious mac & cheese for dinner, we laughed, played games, and ate yummy treats.

I drove to Park City with my Mother in-law and other sister in-law, Melissa. I always admire Melissa for her ambition in life. She is constantly trying to improve her situation and make the time she has count. She works hard for what she wants out of life and I think that's an important quality to have. Right now her goal is to Simplify. I have made that goal as well and now I have a few decisions to make.

I am grateful to know that when I am at a crossroads, big or small, I can turn to a loving Heavenly Father for council through personal revelation. Through prayer, pondering, and scripture study, I can learn the Lord's will. That is such a blessing.

I've got some thinking to do..

and the world spins madly on..

Life right now.. is really wonderful. Everything is going our way and we are enjoying the journey together very much. We laugh a lot and have fun, we are completing goals, and we are really happy with life.

However..In my heart, I have had questions. I have gone over these in my mind and I have asked the Lord about this question of mine. This is his answer:

“My message to you today, my brothers and sisters, is simply this: the Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He has given us adequate instruction that, if followed, will see us safely through any crisis. His purposes will be fulfilled, and someday we will understand the eternal reasons for all of these events. Therefore, today we must be careful to not overreact, nor should we be caught up in extreme preparations; but what we must do is keep the commandments of God and never lose hope!”

M. Russell Ballard

Prayer is an amazing gift that I often take advantage of. I know that the Lord can answer any question we have and that he is listening. It is my goal to be in better, more meaningful communication with the Lord.

To learn more about what I believe, please click here.

Oh, what a wonderful day

Yesterday was wonderful. Everything turned out so well and I can't believe everything came together like it did... and it all happened in three weeks. The Lord's hand was truly in this. All of this.

..and my goodness, did I cry grateful tears? Embarrassingly enough, yes.

I will miss working with Becky and Jill on this great project. But now, back to life. Back to cooking and being a better wife. Back to editing. Back to doing my hair. ;)

More posts to come.

If you haven't been introduced..

This is 'Nie' but, her real name is Stephanie Nielsen. She is one of the most influential people I have ever encountered, and we've never even met. This is Nie's blog. My recommendation: turn on some Thriving Ivory (one of my favorite bands) and read deep deep into the archives. I did exactly that one day in September 2008 and really (honestly, truly) have been changed for the better. Hers is an amazing story and she is an amazing woman. When I dream of motherhood, I dream of being like Nie.

Happy Easter

General Conference yesterday was bliss. So many prayers answered already. I loved the talk given by Julie B. Beck. Here is a little peice of what she said:

"We know we are successful if we live so that we qualify for, receive, and know how to follow the spirit. When we have done our very best we may still experience disappointments but, we will not be disappointed in ourselves. We can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when we feel the spirit working through us. Peace, joy, and hope are available to those who measure success properly."

Today includes:
-Sunday session of conference.
-an Easter picnic on Antelope Island.
-pondering the words of the prophets.

Happy Easter.

Miracles

For the last few days: I've been thinking about miracles & the love of Heavenly Father.

I come across them everyday, really. Sometimes I just stare at the beautiful Utah mountains and think what a miracle they are.

I was reading pass journal entries, from a couple years ago.. reading about when my Aunt Deanne had her heart attack. (oh, it was so hard for us, our family.) So many little miracles amidst trial. So many angels.

I've been listening to a song called "No" by Cherie Call.

I've been reading two blogs written by women who have just lost their sweet husbands, and I can plainly see their faith and that the Lord is buoying them up as they grieve.

I saw this facebook status today: "Isn't it incredible how sometimes things just fall into place?"

& I knew exactly what she meant because, I think that to myself often.

and a few days ago, I told Heavenly Father in prayer that I know he is a God of miracles. I don't think I've ever felt the power of bearing testimony to the Lord in prayer. Bearing testimony of his power and infinite love and his plan for all of us, even if it's sometimes not easy.

(deep breath)

God listens to our prayers, he wants us to converse with him, and he loves us so much.

To learn more about my beliefs, please click here.

thankful

A few things I am grateful for:

-My life.

-Jared and the sweet and loving person he is. He has been tucking me in before he leaves to work in the morning. He always puts pillows behind my back so I "think" that he's there to snuggle with. It melts my heart every morning.

-My cousin Jeremy. He sent me this text a few days ago:
"I had a great idea for a Christmas gift for Austin (his brother). How about we take a photo of all of us! Could you bring your camera on Thanksgiving?" Now, it's probably just me.. but that is adorable.

-Missionaries, the gospel of Jesus Christ, a loving Heavenly Father, my nursery calling at church, and the cute little babies that let me read to them and snuggle with them every Sunday.

-Our families who I love spending time with, laugh with and.. spend Thanksgiving day with! (can't wait!)

-All of my wonderful friends, new and old. I am grateful for every last one.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Please click here.

Progression & Perfection

We as humans know: life can be discouraging at times. Lately.. that is how I've felt. Sometimes.. words come out wrong and not as intended or I offend someone unintentionally. I may not act responsible or as motivated as I should or think about others and serve others as I should. The list could go on. This list has been getting to me over the past while.

I walked downstairs last night to find a re-run of General Conference on the TV and I heard President Uchtodorf say this,

"My dear brothers and sisters, don’t get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don’t feel downcast or despair if you don’t feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try. We must try to believe. Try to learn of God: read the scriptures; study the words of His latter-day prophets; choose to listen to the Father, and do the things He asks of us. Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible—and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you.

Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely."


I am grateful for:
-Tender mercies & hearing something a second time that I did not the first time.
-Living Prophets in our day.
-A God who is encouraging, forgiving, and who understands me (and all of us) completely.
-The happy gospel of Jesus Christ.




"Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children,and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Fatherhath in his own hands prepared for you;and ye cannot bear all things now; Nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings there-of are yours, and the riches of eternity are yoursand he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious;and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more."

Doctrine and Covenants 78: 17-19