and this is happiness

i really enjoyed this lady's wedding.  so fun. so pretty.

things have been interesting lately.

and i have been busy shooting weddings.  yay!

life has been good.  and i have been learning a lot.

and on airplanes a lot.  i've enjoyed the chance to think.

there is a story in the scriptures that taught me this the other day, and i keep thinking about it :

sometimes in life we reach the place where it seems everything is perfect and right.  a place "full of fruit", the place you have been dreaming of.  this may be the dream job, the house, the "ONE", etc

but the truth is everything changes.  we are not on this earth to find paradise and sit in it all happy go lucky.

God intends to teach us.

to have us become what we need to become.

have us learn how to live, so that we may be with him again.

when we receive those blessings (ie reaching that "dream place") we must not be disappointed that part of life is opposition.  nothing is as golden as everyone wants to make it sound.  and thats ok!  welcome, this is life.  

in the scriptures, the prophet decided at the moment when he realized they could not stay in this fruitful paradise, that he would not murmur against God, that we would continue with a positive and hopeful attitude, and that he would follow the Lords commandments.

and thats what i intend to do.

in this, we will be blessed through all the ups and downs.

continually converted.

i had a series of terrible, anxiety ridden, jealousy ridden dreams last night. there were many different scenarios.  and i awoke feeling uneasy.  those bad feelings still lingering.

what a poor way to start a lovely day.
below is the handsome gavin reynolds.
one of pauls younger brothers.  he is a stud.
he is sweet and funny and just good.
he'll be a senior this year.

I have been meaning to document my thoughts on prayer.  Not so much my thoughts perhaps, but tips on how to make them more effective, meaningful, and genuine.

I've collected these tips from others' over the past 9 months:
-keep a prayer journal- write the things you pray for, write before you pray
-challenge yourself to prayers longer than 15 minutes- you must come up with new/genuine things without the same repeated prayer over and over, right?
-pray out loud- this makes a huge difference to me…plus you cant fall asleep if youre talking
-rate your prayers- check in with yourself on how you're doing
-take pauses-  i specifically love this because it gives me the opportunity to feel the spirit, to pray for the things that i need to, to receive inspiration, to hear answers, to be impressed upon, to just let my mind go clear and blank, to feel peace
-be more specific in prayer- use specific names, get into detail
-be real and genuine, speak to Heavenly Father as if he were sitting right there
-show respect and love by using proper words:  thee, thou, thy

what a personal and special opportunity we have to connect with our Father in Heaven.
i am thankful for prayer.
for feeling like i am not alone, ever.
for the peace and comfort and hope i have when i face difficult things.
for the careful, quiet answers that show He hears and loves me.

consider the lilies

i recently read in the scriptures this line :   for, consider the lilies…

i loved it.

immediately.

its in D&C 82.  I continued reading the chapter.  

"take ye no thought for the morrow…therefore, let the morrow take thought for the things of itself."

i dont always interpret the scriptures, perhaps, as they were meant or in the context they were written.   it is interesting to see how the words in these ancient scriptures can teach you something completely personal and applicable to you. today.

for, consider the lilies.

i thought about the little details that i love to see and ponder on.  

taking a moment to reflect. to consider.

to see beautiful.

to see things that are above and below my eye level.

to see Gods love for me and for all his children.

thinking about this scripture, i felt impressed to worry less. to leave tomorrow to worry about tomorrow—and to enjoy the now.  today.

i woke up to lucy texting me- "just get through today".

i can do that. 

i can consider the lilies.

the blessings and things that bring me joy.

i wish to no longer take lightly the things which i have received.

to seek diligently after becoming better.  fulfilling my covenants.

honoring.

and getting stronger.

this life is good.

i sat on a plane last night.

traveling alone. quietly. is my favorite.

i love the music in my ears and excited people moving around me.

the change of locations. 

i laid my head back in my seat.

i was reading 7 habits of highly effective families.

i closed my eyes and imagined my future family.

i wondered why i wasnt married.

the baby in the seat next to me played peek a boo with me and giggled.

i thought about how short this time on earth really is in the span of eternity.

i thought about how 25 years were already gone. and so much has happened.  i thought: i could still have so much more time. 

i thought how i wish for that one person to share and create life with. 

i thought how the purpose of this time on earth is ultimately to become better.

to strive for perfection, to change weaknesses to strengths, to learn and grow, to master oneself

i wrote down:  marriage helps us reach our potential.  it teaches us about our weaknesses and helps us to improve.  it helps us to become the people that God needs us to be.

and i believe it.

favorites

ive had these amazing brown cords since I was 14-a freshman in high school. at least.
(thats over 10 years!)
they were my favorite pants for years.

with my move, I threw away a huge heap of things that I dont really need or wear. I closed my eyes and gave it all to our local goodwill.
im now at my pants drawer. I threw away all the big girl sizes I once had to wear--committing to never be that size again. I threw away my guachos (sp?) stretchy pants that I held onto for years thinking I would want to wear them when im pregnant. I even had the guts to throw away a pair of old soccer sweats from the hs team.
but now im down to my beloved brown cords.... yes, im wearing them right now. one belt loop is broken from using it to pull over my big girl bottom some years ago.

I just dont know if im ready to part from them...up until today, I havnt worn them in the past couple years... toss em or keep em??

I truly am proud of all the stuff I threw away... paul still thinks im some sort of hoarder...
happy weekend :)

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4