I have always struggled with really getting into the scriptures the way I get into novels. Don't get me wrong, I love the scriptures. I love the guidance it gives me, the spirit of truthfulness I feel and the personal revelation I am able to receive when I read it. For some reason though reading the scriptures has always been sort of something I do because it is what I am supposed to do and it has never been something that I choose to read just to read if there is another option.
And then today I got to thinking, why is that?
I could not come up with a good reason, just a lot of excuses as to why I don't read more. None of them were very good.
The scriptures are full of awesome stories and life lessons, plus you get the extra bonus of strengthened testimony, personal revelation, and Gospel knowledge that you just can't get anywhere else. This is why I have decided to challenge myself and read the entire Book of Mormon in 26 days.
21 pages a day.
That is nothing.
I can read any of the Harry Potters in a day or two, so this should be a piece of cake.
I chose 26 days because on July 22nd (26 days from now), I am participating in a challenge to share my testimony of the Book of Mormon through social media, and what better time to do it after having just finished reading the entire thing? I usually like to take my time reading so that I can ponder and pray about what I have read but I am confident that if I sincerely put in the effort to do this that I will not be deprived of promptings, personal revelation and growth.
This is really going to test me because my family is going camping for 5 days in two weeks, but what better place to study the scriptures than smack dab in the middle of God's beautiful creation....right??
And I'm writing this down so that I can be held accountable. I have tried to read the whole thing cover to cover multiple times, but now that I'm actually writing it down, I am more likely to do it. Plus, I have a loving husband who, once he reads this will probably nag me to make sure I have actually done it.
I'm making this sound like it's going to be a burden. It's not, it will be awesome and fulfilling and I'm very excited to do it. See y'all later, I have some reading to do! :)
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Yay it's SUMMER!!
I love summer.
A week ago Saturday Shaun and I headed up to Pine Valley and got some ice cream. On the door of the ice cream parlor we saw a sign: "Pine Valley's First Annual Strut Your Mutt!" Of course we had to check it out, it ended up being so fun! I swear everyone in that little town had their dogs there. It was fun to watch and then they fed us hot dogs after.
I do NOT like the 110 degree weather...but I love the activities that come with this time of year, that we don't usually have time for throughout the school year...
...which reminds me, I love not having school. That's the first best thing about summer.
Also...
~Hiking
~Camping
~Movie watching
~Organizing... I know, I know, it's just a thing I do. And it is so fun.
~Growing a garden... ok so I haven't actually started it yet, but I fully intend to, even if it means starting indoors because it is too hot outside!
~Swimming
~Reading NOT books for school :)
~The Fourth of July. One of my favorite holidays ever, however St. George has really let me down when it comes to their celebrations, that said I think it will be great this year no matter what because I have Shaun as my husband :)
We have done a lot of hiking this past week! We must have been feeling adventurous or something because we generally go once every week or two but we have gone three times in the past week! It has been so fun, I am not complaining. I love hiking, and what better place to do it than in Southern Utah??
A week ago Saturday Shaun and I headed up to Pine Valley and got some ice cream. On the door of the ice cream parlor we saw a sign: "Pine Valley's First Annual Strut Your Mutt!" Of course we had to check it out, it ended up being so fun! I swear everyone in that little town had their dogs there. It was fun to watch and then they fed us hot dogs after.
That same afternoon we took a hike to Gunlock. We were trying to find a spot we had been told about but instead found our own little gem! We decided to scale a random mountain with no trail and the view was breathtaking! Lots of sandstone/slickrock. It was so hot but really fun!
On Wednesday, Doug and mom came down for the rest of the week so Doug could take his MCAT at the University (he's the brains of the family) and they decided to make a weekend vacation out of it. It was so great having them here! We played tennis, hiked through the Narrow's at Zion's, ate at Oscar's (we missed you dad), hiked Kanarraville falls, watched movies and just had a good time.
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| In the Narrows |
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| Doug and Shaun showing off their bulging muscles... |
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| No one was brave enough to jump in with me at the Narrows, but props to Shaun for at least getting halfway wet :) |
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| In the Narrows! |
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| Isn't he the cutest. |
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| We saw a nest of squirrels, so cute! |
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| Oscar's.....has the best food ever. Their burgers and Philly steak sandwich and Mexican food and basically just everything on the menu is to die for. |
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| More Oscar's |
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| Kanarraville Falls. This place was so pretty and the hike was so much fun! |
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| We had to hike through the river, it was basically just mini narrows, I liked it just as much, especially since it wasn't as crowded! |
Also I made banana bread today and for the first time ever it turned out normal AND delicious, in the same batch!!
This has never happened, and I am proud.
:)
This has never happened, and I am proud.
:)
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Just Some Words
Alright. So I don't usually (actually I NEVER) post about anything that would cause a stir. Politics, current events, all the things that are always being argued about online. I just read what everyone else is saying and stay out of it.
This said, I am fed up. The most recent viral story about the Wasatch yearbook photos right now is really rubbing me the wrong way. I think it is a compilation of this happening over and over, not just this one instance. But it's getting to me so much that I feel the need to express my opinion on the matter.
I cannot believe how many retorts I have read that have to do with why the LDS church is so awful, so terrible, so demeaning to women, etc. It makes me sad to think that people don't take the time to become informed as to why the church is the way it is. The common theme seems to be that modesty is only about the thoughts of the opposite sex, but it is so much more than just that. There are just a few things I'd like to remind you of when it comes to the LDS Church and modesty.
**Before I get to my point, I'd like you all to know that I do not necessarily agree with what the administrators did. If what everyone is saying about there being no warning is true, then the administrators went about it all the wrong way. Unless there really was a dress code posted and a warning about violation then the act of editing pictures without any kind of notice is probably not ok. That said, whether the school administrators are church goers or not, school rules are school rules, which includes a dress code. Most schools have them, and if a parent does not like it then they should not send a child to school just to break the rules.**
So anyway...oh my goodness...please, please stop hating on the LDS Church.
The church is not the organization who carried out the act of editing photos. The administrators who did might even be LDS, but they are not prophets. The prophet is the only person on the earth who can receive commandments and revelations for the church as a whole (see D&C 43:1-7). This means that even if the administration was right to edit the photos, it was still an act of the school, not an official act of the LDS church.
The church DOES have high standards on modesty, and here is why. Because our bodies are sacred. For me the biggest thing with modesty was being able to wear the temple garment when it was time to receive my endowment. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were clothed with skins when they were found naked (again see Genesis 3). The temple garment is worn as a reminder of our sacred temple covenants and as a protection against Satan's temptations and worldly evil. As described below, we cover up the garment because we respect it, and because we do not want the significance of the garment to be taken lightly. This includes covering up our shoulders, because the temple garment should be covered.
"The garment provides a constant reminder of the covenants made in the temple. The garment should be treated with respect at all times. It should not be exposed to the view of those who do not understand its significance, and it should not be adjusted to accommodate different styles of clothing. When worn properly, the garment provides protection against temptation and evil. Wearing the garment is an outward expression of an inward commitment to follow the Savior."
Read more about the temple garment here.
I just hope that people will respect others' religious beliefs, instead of immediately assuming the worst of people. Calling Latter Day Saints "prudes" because we respect our bodies and the teachings of our church hardly seems like a fair thing to do. Please stop saying we are sexist and demeaning towards women, because in reality, we believe that the body is precious and should not be inappropriately revealed (yes, even our shoulders).
I could go on but I think I have made the point I wanted to make :)
This said, I am fed up. The most recent viral story about the Wasatch yearbook photos right now is really rubbing me the wrong way. I think it is a compilation of this happening over and over, not just this one instance. But it's getting to me so much that I feel the need to express my opinion on the matter.
I cannot believe how many retorts I have read that have to do with why the LDS church is so awful, so terrible, so demeaning to women, etc. It makes me sad to think that people don't take the time to become informed as to why the church is the way it is. The common theme seems to be that modesty is only about the thoughts of the opposite sex, but it is so much more than just that. There are just a few things I'd like to remind you of when it comes to the LDS Church and modesty.
**Before I get to my point, I'd like you all to know that I do not necessarily agree with what the administrators did. If what everyone is saying about there being no warning is true, then the administrators went about it all the wrong way. Unless there really was a dress code posted and a warning about violation then the act of editing pictures without any kind of notice is probably not ok. That said, whether the school administrators are church goers or not, school rules are school rules, which includes a dress code. Most schools have them, and if a parent does not like it then they should not send a child to school just to break the rules.**
So anyway...oh my goodness...please, please stop hating on the LDS Church.
The church is not the organization who carried out the act of editing photos. The administrators who did might even be LDS, but they are not prophets. The prophet is the only person on the earth who can receive commandments and revelations for the church as a whole (see D&C 43:1-7). This means that even if the administration was right to edit the photos, it was still an act of the school, not an official act of the LDS church.
The church DOES have high standards on modesty, and here is why. Because our bodies are sacred. For me the biggest thing with modesty was being able to wear the temple garment when it was time to receive my endowment. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were clothed with skins when they were found naked (again see Genesis 3). The temple garment is worn as a reminder of our sacred temple covenants and as a protection against Satan's temptations and worldly evil. As described below, we cover up the garment because we respect it, and because we do not want the significance of the garment to be taken lightly. This includes covering up our shoulders, because the temple garment should be covered.
"The garment provides a constant reminder of the covenants made in the temple. The garment should be treated with respect at all times. It should not be exposed to the view of those who do not understand its significance, and it should not be adjusted to accommodate different styles of clothing. When worn properly, the garment provides protection against temptation and evil. Wearing the garment is an outward expression of an inward commitment to follow the Savior."
Read more about the temple garment here.
I just hope that people will respect others' religious beliefs, instead of immediately assuming the worst of people. Calling Latter Day Saints "prudes" because we respect our bodies and the teachings of our church hardly seems like a fair thing to do. Please stop saying we are sexist and demeaning towards women, because in reality, we believe that the body is precious and should not be inappropriately revealed (yes, even our shoulders).
I could go on but I think I have made the point I wanted to make :)
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Life Happens
To say "so many things have happened since my last post" is the biggest understatement of all time. Because I don't want this to be the longest read ever, I am going to summarize for now and go into more detail later. This is my life the past 8 or so months!
Last October I performed my senior violin recital. It is the senior capstone for any music major to play solo music for an hour in a public recital. While I am still not quite finished with my degree, that was definitely the single most stressful and rewarding thing I have ever done (that said, I still would never do it again if I had the choice). To put it in perspective, I almost dropped out of all my other classes and I lost 10 pounds, just from the stress that came with preparation. Luckily I had Shaun there to encourage me as I had many emotional breakdowns.
On December 27, 2013, Shaun, my soul mate proposed to me in the very spot where we had our first date about three years earlier! It was intimate, just me and him up on Cedar Mountain. It is very fun to watch all the huge productions people put on to propose, don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. This was about starting our own little family, and it was beautiful to have that small moment of just me and him.
Well, then from there of course school started and it was just utter chaos. Planning a wedding, keeping up with school, trying to find an apartment and moving plus teaching proved how thin both of us could really stretch! I was supposed to graduate spring semester but instead got married, a choice I am not upset about in the slightest. It was the toughest semester of my life but somehow I managed to pass all of my classes...
March 7, 2014 Shaun and I were sealed in the Bountiful Utah Temple. It was a beautiful day and while most of it was a blur I will never forget saying yes to giving myself to the man kneeling across from me who I will now spend Eternity with. No moment in my life has ever been so beautiful. We spent a few days in Salt Lake, then Midway, and then it was back into school and the swing of things.
A few short weeks after we were married I found out that my puppy, my baby, the dog I have had for 14 years had been put down. He was getting old, had eye problems, arthritis and was almost totally deaf. I was so heartbroken, still am. I haven't been home to Centerville yet since it happened and I get teary eyed thinking about going there and not having him running up to me. This said, I am grateful to know that all things living have souls and that this life is not the end!
Within the last few months our teaching studios have just exploded! I am up to 38 violin students and Shaun has 37 piano students. I have started rehearsals for Tuachan's production of The Little Mermaid, and was recently called to be the primary chorister in my ward. Shaun and I have both been sick off and on over the past few months, (luckily we were both perfectly healthy for our California trip last week). We thought summer was not going to be busy at all, boy were we in for a surprise!
It has been an emotional few months, and through everything I have felt the amazing blessing of having a priesthood holder right here in my own home. Living with roommates is great and all, but let me tell you, there is nothing like suddenly bursting into tears and having my husband, my best friend, the person I chose to spend Eternity with immediately by my side comforting me and offering a blessing, or chocolate ;) The best part is not having to say goodnight and goodbye every single night. Being married to Shaun is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me!
Last October I performed my senior violin recital. It is the senior capstone for any music major to play solo music for an hour in a public recital. While I am still not quite finished with my degree, that was definitely the single most stressful and rewarding thing I have ever done (that said, I still would never do it again if I had the choice). To put it in perspective, I almost dropped out of all my other classes and I lost 10 pounds, just from the stress that came with preparation. Luckily I had Shaun there to encourage me as I had many emotional breakdowns.
On December 27, 2013, Shaun, my soul mate proposed to me in the very spot where we had our first date about three years earlier! It was intimate, just me and him up on Cedar Mountain. It is very fun to watch all the huge productions people put on to propose, don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. This was about starting our own little family, and it was beautiful to have that small moment of just me and him.
Well, then from there of course school started and it was just utter chaos. Planning a wedding, keeping up with school, trying to find an apartment and moving plus teaching proved how thin both of us could really stretch! I was supposed to graduate spring semester but instead got married, a choice I am not upset about in the slightest. It was the toughest semester of my life but somehow I managed to pass all of my classes...
March 7, 2014 Shaun and I were sealed in the Bountiful Utah Temple. It was a beautiful day and while most of it was a blur I will never forget saying yes to giving myself to the man kneeling across from me who I will now spend Eternity with. No moment in my life has ever been so beautiful. We spent a few days in Salt Lake, then Midway, and then it was back into school and the swing of things.
A few short weeks after we were married I found out that my puppy, my baby, the dog I have had for 14 years had been put down. He was getting old, had eye problems, arthritis and was almost totally deaf. I was so heartbroken, still am. I haven't been home to Centerville yet since it happened and I get teary eyed thinking about going there and not having him running up to me. This said, I am grateful to know that all things living have souls and that this life is not the end!
Within the last few months our teaching studios have just exploded! I am up to 38 violin students and Shaun has 37 piano students. I have started rehearsals for Tuachan's production of The Little Mermaid, and was recently called to be the primary chorister in my ward. Shaun and I have both been sick off and on over the past few months, (luckily we were both perfectly healthy for our California trip last week). We thought summer was not going to be busy at all, boy were we in for a surprise!
It has been an emotional few months, and through everything I have felt the amazing blessing of having a priesthood holder right here in my own home. Living with roommates is great and all, but let me tell you, there is nothing like suddenly bursting into tears and having my husband, my best friend, the person I chose to spend Eternity with immediately by my side comforting me and offering a blessing, or chocolate ;) The best part is not having to say goodnight and goodbye every single night. Being married to Shaun is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me!
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Happy Sabbaths
What a fantastic day, this Sabbath day. The weather is perfect, the mood is right, and I feel so relaxed. Today I had the opportunity to play for a general authority. Out of all audiences and congregations I have played for, those are always my favorite. I think it's because when I am playing sacred music I am expressing my testimony and prayer the best that I know how. Sure, I could give a talk, or teach a lesson, but I express myself best through music, especially hymns, and what an awesome experience to be able to do that knowing that I am giving it all my heart and soul.
Also, this quote by Albert Einstein showed up today on quote of the day on my phone...
I love that! So often we get caught up in things of the world that we forget what's really important. I find that I need to be careful even with my music, which is extremely inportant since it is my education, but even then sometimes I decide it's more important to practice than to do a family thing, go see
a friend who is having a bad day, attend a fireside, and that is not so. The single most important thing in this life is the Gospel. The center of the Gospel is family, and that is why I am here. So much focus today is about women having a career. I have always thought that I'd get my degree and become a teacher and performer and that somewhere in there I'd probably get married and have kids and start a family. The more I ponder this, the more I realize how backwards it is. Yes, my education is important. Yes, developing and sharing my talent is critical. But, I should have the opposite mindset. I should be focusing on the Gospel and family, and school should fit somewhere in that. The past few months I have applied that, and my life has been so incredibly blessed.
In Relief Society today we talked about moving forward. It was an amazing lesson. We mostly talked about trials and how we need to move forward through them with faith. The thing that hit me hardest though was how we need to move forward when we aren't going through trials. Those who are currently content with life can't just stay in one place. We have to have the faith to move forward, knowing life might get messy.
Happy Sabbath! I hope you are all feeling inspired and on a spiritual high too :)
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