sunday thought

"happiness does not depend on

what happens outside of you but on

what happens inside of you"

missionary discussions with coworker {update}

remember my blessing in disguise post? Here is an update!

Given our busy schedules its been difficult for Lisa and I to meet outside of work and have more discussion with the missionaries. We've stayed in contact through email and gone to lunch occasionally. Its fun to catch up with her but over time I stopped asking her religious questions..unless I needed to clear up another Mormon rumor. The Elders never contacted me to meet with her again, even after I took her to church. But we got new Sister missionaries and they are great!!! Every week they would text me and see if they could meet up with Lisa.

Finally after the holidays I was able to have them over for dinner tonight and we had a great discussion over pizza :) (I rarely have the car cause of Scotts rotation so I had to order pizza.. whatev they loved it) Lisa come prepared with her insightful questions and brought the Gospel Principles book that I gave her at church. She said she had read it cover to cover and loved it! Everything made sense to her. She loved how everything was explained in a way that didn't "beat around the bush." It was simple and beautiful to her. Her main question for the missionaries was about our concept on the war in heaven and how the Savior became the Savior. We also talked about Joseph Smith and how he got the plates. She had questions about the "dark skinned" and we clarified that it was the Native Americans. I bore my testimony on the fact that being L.D.S isn't just my religion but that its my life. I explained more about callings and everyones role in the organization of our church and she loved our definition of the term "active."

Even though Scotty and I sacrificed our Friday night date night it was worth the spirit that we felt in our apartment tonight. I was scared she might be too much for our new sister missionaries but everyone got along great.  I love discussing the gospel with those who respect our views. Even though I don't think Lisa will be converted anytime soon its been fun to plant a little seed. Who knows who she is going to meet through her life that will have a misconception on Mormons.. and now she can set all of the straight!! I feel blessed to be that example in her life and look forward to more open discussions in the near future.

blessing in disguise

When we first moved out here it was difficult for me to find a job. After applying everywhere I finally got an interview at the Medical College. After the initial interview I received 6 more from different departments that were interested in hiring me asap. They all went great and HR told me to choose which department I wanted. I was thrilled- after months of looking I now finally had options- but at the same time, being the indecisive person that I am, I was overwhelmed. I made the pro's and con's list. Discussed with the hubs. And prayed. I prayed that I would choose the right position for my future and that I would be happy there. Feeling comfort in my eliminating process I choose Admitting. The first day I nearly came home in tears... it was terrible. I hated my job. It was so difficult for me to get a college degree in Child Life and end up typing on the computer all day. On top of a lame job, I was adjusting to living in Wisconsin {during winter!} and accepting the loneliness of being a wife of a medical student. I prayed for strength to stay positive and gratitude for even having a pay check. I slowly made friends with some co-workers and slowly got recognized from management.
About three months in, I starting catching on to other employees taking advantage of me because I was dependable and a fast typer. I would notice them slacking off and at the end of the day handing me a pile of their work for me to finish. As ridiculous as it was I had to finish that work because we were a "team." My manager didn't care. Despite wanting to quite on the spot, I kept a smile on my face and stayed positive.

One day I was talking to Lisa, a girl that sat three computers down from me and she said "The first time I saw you I thought you were going to be a total brat but your actually one of the nicest people I have ever met".... um ok.

Months passed and my coworkers had a greater understanding of who I was. I wasn't just the blond short girl- I was religious, I didn't drink {ever}, I was married at 21, I spent my Tuesdays with the youth, I was easy to get a long with...aka "Mormon from Utah". I became really close with the crazy lady who sat next to me, Barb. Love her. Every day we would eat lunch together where she would tell me about her religious views and I would tell her more about mine. It was so different living outside of my Utah bubble. Since no one knew about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it was nice to have an opportunity to break down the misconceptions of what they saw from the HBO show "Big Love." No my husband doesn't have more then one wife and we're not in a cult- I was normal, I was a Christian. Lisa starting hearing our conversations and one day came up to me and asked, "What do you believe happens when you die?" As nervous as I might have felt, I got a huge smile and answered then said "...anything you want to know about Mormons just ask!"

For the next couple weeks she would ask and I would answer the best I could. We would email back and forth and meet for lunch. I would pray each night to have the Spirit with me as I tackled some of her hard questions. She appreciated that I was honest with her if I didn't know right then, and would give her the answer the next day. She confided in me that she was Pagan and believed she was a witch and had powers. Her views were based on the Universe and a Scientific Theology. We shared equal respect for each other. I'm not one to press religion on anyone but I decided to give her a Book of Mormon. I highlighted the scripture Moroni 10:4 "I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true..." and I wrote her a card with my testimony and the influence this book has had in my life. She came in the next morning and said she read all of 1 Nephi !! She loved it.. and of course came to me with more questions. We starting reading the same chapters together each night and discussing it at work the next day. I invited her over for dinner so she could met Scott and really get into a discussion about our faith. She loved that we believed that we are not punished for Adam's transgressions, we get baptized at age 8, the role of the woman, that we were "true" Christians in the sense that we go to church every Sunday and don't make exceptions like other religions, and that there must be opposition in all things.  Joseph Smith's story of restoring the Gospel made perfect sense to her. I set up dinner with the missionaries a couple weeks following, and despite having some really awkward shy missionaries, we had a great time discusing her questions. She appreciated Scott giving her straight answers instead of a round-about way to try to "convince her". She loved that I would correlated some of our concepts into her views- Like how she felt she has a knowing power, or intuition, and we have the Holy Ghost to guide and direct us.

Over six months passed and I finally got my current job. I would still see her around the hospital and we would catch up on the drama of my old department. A whole year passed. We would email and occasionally go out to dinner. She would complain about trying to quit smoking/drinking and I would complain about living in Wisconsin.
Last week I got an email from her that said "I quit my waitressing job and I can finally go to Church with you!!" After working weekends for the past 6 years it surprised me that she would want to spend her first free Sunday going to Church...

I was kinda nervous to be honest- I couldn't imagine coming from her background and experiencing the "culture shock" of investigating another church. But it went GREAT. We walked into the church building and she starting tearing up when she saw a picture of Christ not on a cross and people making her feel welcomed. Sacrament meeting was very spiritual. The Young Women and us leaders sang "As I have loved you" and the two talks were on last weekends General Conference messages of the Prophet. She gained a better understanding that the most important Prophet is our living Prophet and she thought it was very relevant to our time. She was confused that our Bishop didn't speak every Sunday but thought it was fantastic that the members held great responsibility to prepare talks/lessons. I explained that everyone had a different calling asked by the Bishop and the organization of our Church. Our Gospel Principals class was on the topic of faith and it was a relaxed atmosphere to have open disscusions. I had to teach in Young Womens so she went to Relief Society and learned more about the Second Coming. She said it was the friendliest church she had ever gone too and everything "made sense" :) She left saying that she now was 50 more questions for me... and wants to come again!

 

http://mormon.org/

When I think back on those crappy 6 months in the Admitting department I now have a greater understanding of why the Lord wanted me there over the other options. While it was a trial for me, it was a blessing to have become friends with Lisa at a time when she felt there was no hope left in her life. It was an amazing lesson that I need to stop being so self absorbed and take each situation (as terrible and long as they might seem) with a Christ-like attitude and eternal perspective. You might question why your going through certain trails in your life but I have a testimony that God knows you and can see the bigger picture.

sunday walk

Scotty and I had a fabulous General Conference weekend!

It was so relaxing to lounge all day in our pjs and watch the wonderful conference talks and feel inspired and uplifted.  The hubs made his famous omelets, I finally made our fav cookies, and we had alfredo manicotti for dinner. That evening we went on a much needed walk...

what I learned {forget not...}

This weekend I had to privilege of hearing from some amazing leaders at the General Relief Society Broadcast. The message that pertained to me the most and that I needed to hear was the talk "Forget Not" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. I can listen to this talk over and over... I need to be better at not forgetting these 5 main points. Its so easy for me to think "my life will be so much better when scotty is done with med school and we have $..." or "one day I'll get my masters and be working at my dream job" or "my life will really start when we have a baby "  but I need to stop thinking only about the potential future or my "golden ticket"  and start recognizing all the blessings in my life and my worth as a daughter of God. 

 Life is not perfect, I'm not perfect but I want to be that happy person who enjoys life now.

"There is something inspiring and sublime about the little forget-me-not flower. I hope it will be a joyful symbol of the little things that make your lives joyful and sweet."

~Dieter F. Uchtdorf~

enjoy!
I got that cute reminder from these amazing blogs " We talk of Christ, We rejoice in Christ" &  "...and Spiritually Speaking"

I'm not a cute cry~er

Before yesterday I couldn't remember the last time I cried for no "apparent" reason... like not frustrated bawling out of pure sadness type crying but just simple honest tears. Until my friend had to go and sing such a beautiful song in church and get me all emotional, thanks Dani ;) Blame it on that time of the month but I also know that I felt the spirit so strongly and even though I didn't really relate to the words I felt something that I needed to feel.

 Humble, simple tears went down my cheeks and I felt alive.

{Danielle and her hubs are trying to adopt and she has been such a great example to me of patience and trust in the Lord. Check out her blog. She writes daily on the ups and downs in their lives and its hilarious! If you know of anyone who is considering adoption or can help out in the process in anyway, please spread the word.}

I also spent the rest of the day on the verge of tears while "never forgetting" what makes 9/11 such an emotional date. Besides a great fear in terrorists I was not personally effected or had a loved one die on that awful day 10 years ago but I distinctly remember that morning. I was in 9th grade. I remember watching the first tower up in flames on the news while getting ready to leave for school. My mom was driving the carpool and I remember trying to turn the radio station and getting annoyed that she wouldn't let me (so young and naive) I remember being in English class and watching the second tower fall and feeling pain for all those people in NYC. I remember the teachers and principal deciding if they should let us keep watching the news or to turn off the tvs and act like it was a normal school day. I remember them saying that in the future this day will be written in History text books.

Although hard to watch, today I was memorized by the 9/11 10 year aniversary special reports. My thoughts and prayers are with those who's lives changed forever. I am proud to be an American.

young womens {spa night}

Face mask time

April and Ash meditating

cute pregs Sarah and I

 I love being a leader in the Young Womens program because I get to spend every Tuesday evening with these amazing girls. Its so fun that the leaders and I are young and can really relate and have fun with the young women. We only have 3 girls but they are each so amazing and make this calling worth it. Tonight we had a Personal Progress Spa Night at my place where we set up spa stations relating to each value (ie: painting our nails for choice & accountability) - Hope you enjoy the silly pics :)
I got some of my ideas from this link and sugerdoodle.net

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Scotty and I woke up early this morning to volunteer at the Food Bank for a church service project. When we got there we saw a large group of people chatting and excited to serve. We waited around for a little bit until we found out that the Food Bank had the wrong date scheduled for us to come... Total bummer- I was really looking forward to it! What I saw next were true examples of Christ- instead of just going back to bed and returning to their lives, they all thought of other ways we could serve. We starting calling people and coming up with a list of different projects. It felt good to be surrounded by such good people and really helped me stop focusing so much on myself and to think of others. There are opportunities for me to serve someone else each day and have a greater appreciation for people who show service to me and the blessings in my life.

Josh and Scotty

I'm so grateful to be apart of something that is bigger then myself. I love how I feel after I serve :)

If you want to learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints visit our main site and check out some Mormon messages on YouTube/MormonMessagesor feel free ask me

carthage jail

trail of hope

After dedicating the temple in 2002, president Hinckley encouraged all to walk down Parley street towards the waterfront and experience the "exodus of greatness" or exiting of Nauvoo. Along the trail are plaques that have excerpts of journals and quotes of those pioneers who left everything to cross the river. Pres Hinckley asked everyone look back to the temple and imagine leaving everything you have. What faith! It was my second time to Nauvoo and still touched me as I walked down to the mississippi river and looked back and imagined myself seeing that gorgeous temple for the last time.

nauvoo {this isn't the place}

I can see why this was not The Place since it was SO bloody hot and humid but Nauvoo was such a historical & spiritual site to visit! We only had a short amount of time but we toured all the houses, went to the gorgeous temple, touched the Mississippi river, laughed during a play at the visitors center, loved the relief society tribute garden, went to Carthage jail, toured with the community of Christ sites, watched a dramatization of Joseph and Emma reading each others letters in front of their house, walked the trail of hopes, learned tons of facts, heard inspiring stories, LOVED the pageant, drank tons of water and grew a greater appreciation for all we have...esp an air conditioned car.