Alrighty, so many of you may be curious about post, as I am not married. I ran across this article on Facebook about a man who has been divorced twice and was giving advice to his sister before her wedding. He couldn't really give her much good advice on how to make it work, but he had loads of ideas on how NOT to screw it up because of his experience. I may not be married, but I can tell that this guy knows what he is talking about and any couple would be smart to follow this advice :) Click here to read more about his 16 points, which are:
1. Don't stop holding her/his hand
2. Don't stop trying to be attractive
3. Don't always point out her/his weaknesses
4. Don't stop cooking for him/her
5. Don't yell at your spouse
6. Don't call names
7. Don't be stingy with your money
8. Don't argue in front of the kids
9. Don't encourage each other to skip working out
10. Don't poop with the bathroom door open
11. Don't stop kissing her/him
12. Don't stop having fun together
13. Don't pressure each other
14. Don't label each other with negative labels
15. Don't skip out on things that are important to him/her
16. Don't emotionally distance yourself after a fight
I must just be on an Einstein kick lately, but I've actually adored this quote since I heard it:
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
This quote is very true. Society today judges everyone by their book smarts. Our entire culture is based on how well we can store and recall information that a board of education deems "relevant." Not everyone is blessed with the ability to just learn things at the tip of the hat, but I do think that everyone has something to contribute. This just goes to show that we shouldn't judge people just because they aren't just like we are or not as smart as we think they should be.
Professor : You are a Christian, aren’t you, son ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor: So, you believe in GOD ?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD good ?
Student : Sure.
Professor: Is GOD all powerful ?
Student : Yes.
Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?
(Student was silent.)
Professor: You can’t answer, can you ? Let’s start again, young fella. Is GOD good?
Student : Yes.
Professor: Is satan good ?
Student : No.
Professor: Where does satan come from ?
Student : From … GOD …
Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student : Yes.
Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Professor: So who created evil ?
(Student did not answer.)
Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor: So, who created them ?
(Student had no answer.)
Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student : No , sir.
Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.
Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.
Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Professor: Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as cold?
Professor: Yes.
Student : No, sir. There isn’t.
(The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)
Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?
Student : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, well you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?
Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man ?
Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Professor: Flawed ? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.
Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)
Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class was in uproar.)
Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?
(The class broke out into laughter. )
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)
Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.
Student : That is it sir … Exactly ! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.
Ok, I went to see Les Miserables on New Years and I fell in love with it! So much so that I bought the soundtrack. Yeah...I think I'm driving my parents crazy! However, my favorite singer HAS to be Mr. Russell Crowe. Yeah, if I'm being totally honest I loved him before Les Miz. Gladiator is one of my all-time favorite movies! Anywho, back to the subject. Russell Crowe: beautiful voice, beautiful man...can you tell I love this guy!? :) I couldn't find a clip of him singing :( so you'll just have to check i-Tunes or something :)
So, not only am I obsessed with Russell Crowe, but my dream role for that musical (I pick one for every musical I see) would definitely be Madame Thenardier played by Helena Bonham Carter. Mostly because I fetching love Helena Bonham Carter, but also because of the song that she gets to sing with Sacha Baron Cohen: Master of the House. It is the funniest song in the whole flipping show and, yeah, loved it!
I've been going to mission prep lately on Sunday mornings with the home stake. One thing that I have noticed is that all of the boys preparing seem to be miles ahead of me. It seems like they can whip out the perfect scripture or quote at the perfect time and some of their lessons just blow me away. Like, it's crazy how much they know about the gospel and the scriptures already. I just feel so behind.
I've been feeling this way for a while. I've posted before about our sister missionary group on Facebook. Well, not only is it a place for future sister missionaries to post where they are serving, but it is also a place where we can give feedback and support to each other. Some girls post where they find modest clothing (NOT an easy feat), where they are buying shoes, and just common concerns we can help give support for. A couple of girls recently posted about having feelings of inadequacy. I'm not alone! They found some amazing quotes that I would like to share:
“I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass.”
― Gordon B. Hinckley
"God wants to help us to eventually turn all of our weaknesses into strengths, but He knows that this is a long-term goal. He wants us to become perfect, and if we stay on the path of discipleship, one day we will. It's okay that you're not quite there yet. Keep working on it, but stop punishing yourself. Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself."
-Dieter F. Uchtdorf
I'm so grateful for these girls and for all of my amazing sisters in the work. Reading these quotes brought me back to my favorite scripture in Ether 12:27:
27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them theiraweakness. I bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my cgrace is sufficient for all men that dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make eweak things become strong unto them.
I know that Satan doesn't want me to feel adequate. He wants me to belittle myself and he wants me to think that I am weak. However, I know that with the Lord, anything is possible. He will help me with my weaknesses, and He wants me to know that I am a daughter of God-and there is no greater honor! :)
I know I blog so much about my mission and how excited I am to serve, but I LOVE THIS WORK!!! I can't wait to serve! It is going to be such a blessing to me :) There is a marvelous girl who had future sister missionaries send her some short clips and/or photos about their mission and put together this beautiful video. If you watch long enough you may see a familiar face ;)
"The alarm rings at 6:30; I stumble to my feet
I grab my companion's bedding and pull off her sheet.
A groan fills the room. It's already time to arise?"
It seems like just a second ago I was able to shut my eyes.
The morning activities follow: study, prayer and such
When its time to leave the apartment, you feel haven't accomplished much
"We have a super day planned," my Companion says with a grin.
I lowly utter a faithless breath, Yea, if anyone lets us in.
With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street.
Prepared to face another day of humidity and heat
It's 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through.
My companion and I are riding home, not accomplishing what we thought we'd do.
We ride up to the mail box hoping to recieve a lot.
Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "AIRBOX"
We go up to our apartment; the day is now complete
the only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet
It's past 10:30 Pm, my companion is fast asleep.
Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep
In the midst of sadness I kneel down to pray;
I need to talk to Father, but I'm not sure what to say.
"Oh Father," I begin, "What happened to us today?
I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away
My hands, my aching hands worn, hurt and beat
If our area was any smaller,we'd have knocked on every street."
Why on missions are the days so much alike?
the only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike.
Will you send some cooler weather? the heat is killing me!
I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes. Its very hard to see.
Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't your protection enough?
People always laugh at me and call me stupid stuff.
Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack;
I want to give them Book Of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back."
And what about my Family? They don't have much to say.
I'm sick of not hearing from home day after day.
Oh Father,why am I here, Am I just wasting my time?
Sometimes I just want to go home, I'm sorry but that's on my mind.
My Companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?
The way she rides her bicycle I don't know if she can even see!
Now you have it, I can't go on. I DON'T KNOW what to do!
That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I leave you."
My prayer now finished I stand up, then jump right into bed.
I need my feet for tomorrow; we have another long day ahead
Sleep starts to overtake me, I seem to drift away.
Then it seems a vision takes me to another time in another day.
I'm standing alone on the hill, the view is very nice.
A man walks towards me and says, My name is Jesus Christ."
Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet.
"Arise he states, follow me to the shade you and I need to speak."
My attention towards my Saviour, total and complete
He says, "Your Mission is similar of what happened to me.
I understand how you feel, I know what your going through;
In fact, it would be fair to say I've felt the same as you.
"I even know how you felt when no one listened to you
At times I felt now quite sure what else that I could do.
I know you don't like to ride a bicycle for a car would be sweet.
Just remember the donkey I rode I was not equipped with 21 speed.
I understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something to hate.
I remember when I sweat blood from every pore, " Oh, the agony was great.
I see you don't like your companion you would rather have someone else.
I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth.
It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you.
I remember when they put thorns in my head and called me King of the Jews.
So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack.
I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back."
Your hands hurt from tracking and knocking on doors all day
I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ache in a similar way.
It's hard not to hear from home when your family was not there to see.
I lost communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why has though forsaken me?"
We have a lot in common, but there is a difference between us you see.
I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me."
He embraced me with his arms, His light filled me with His love.
With tears in my eyes, I watched as he went back to the Father above.
I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head.
I listened and heard the alarm, when I realized I was in my bed.
My companion let's out a groan, "6:30 already, no way!"
I sat up and said. Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures today!"
I know this will be the hardest thing I will ever do in my life, but I welcome the challenge because I know the reward will be even greater! I can't wait to aide in changing the live of the blessed, beautiful people of Sac-town!
I’ll prepare myself while I am young; This is my sacred duty.
I love to see the temple.
I’ll go inside someday.
I’ll cov’nant with my Father;
I’ll promise to obey.
For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together.
As a child of God, I’ve learned this truth:
A fam’ly is forever.
I remember singing this song in Primary when I was little. I remember the first time I went to the temple when I was 12 years-old, and the temple workers telling me to keep working hard and, one day, I can go upstairs and experience all of the blessings of the temple. Never, in my wildest child dreams, could I ever have imagined how amazing those blessings truly are!
Yesterday I had the amazing privilege of going through the Brigham City, Utah temple to take out my endowments. It was so amazing! NOTHING like I had imagined, but still so amazing. I've never felt so close to my Heavenly Father in my entire life. The best part for me, though, was meeting my family and friends in the Celestial room. I looked around at the people that I love and thought to myself, "This is what heaven is going to be like." I was so at peace.
I had a couple of very tender moments. The first one was sitting between my mom and dad, waiting for the session. I can't even begin to describe the joy and happiness I felt sitting in the temple with part of my eternal family. I love my parents so much and it was magnified even more in the house of the Lord! Second would be having my dear sister Micquellyn there with me. Very tender moment with the woman who has inspired me so much. My third moment was so touching. I looked around the room and my heart ached for my family that wasn't able to attend the temple with me. One day I hope that I can be with all of my family. I also longed for my aunt Kristie and uncle Bart. Grandma Freestone must have known what I was thinking of because she walked up to me and said, "My mother used to tell me to look and the chandelier and find the brightest lights, and those would be my sisters. Now they are my children. Just remember to always look at the brightest lights and those are Kristie and Bart." I looked up at the lights and knew immediately that they were there with me :)
I've found a couple of really cute poems lately and I wanted to share. I'm so excited to go on my mission! I've also found a couple of really cute memes and cartoons that I wanted to share :) Enjoy!
As I prepare to leave this place behind My thoughts are turned above To my Father and Redeemer I feel Their fervent love
On January 1st my Mom and I went skiing/snowboarding at Snowbasin. We went to the top of Strawberry and the view was breathtaking! Ogden valley was having a serious inversion (yet another reason Morgan is awesome) so it made for a brilliant view off of the back of the mountain. It was like looking out into a clouded floor. Almost heavenly. Maybe that's why I thought it was so awesome :)
I'm so glad that my parents raised me to do a lot of things outdoors because the things I get to see and experience are WAY cooler than anything people see in books or on the television! I hope I can enjoy all of these adventures with my family in the future!
And now for my favorite picture of that day. My Mom said that I looked like a storm trooper. I think it is the single most coolest snowboarding picture that I have ever taken! :)
