God Bless America

Although the election did not play out quite like I was hoping, it has left me to ponder what a wonderful country I live in. 
I am so grateful to live in a country where I can vote, to live in a country where I can worship God and belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and to live in a country where I can share my beliefs and opinions with others. While it has been somewhat disappointing to hear (and read) some of the derogatory comments (from both parties), it has helped me remember what a choice land I live in that ideas and opinions can openly be expressed. How grateful I am to live in a land where I have freedom! To live in a country founded on honest and true principles; a country built upon trust in God. I hope that we all will continue to trust in God. I pray that our President will remember and turn to the principles our founding fathers valued, and that he will protect and defend the freedoms we are so greatly blessed to have. I pray for the people of this country, that we can put aside hateful words and differences and unite as American people working to preserve all that this great country stands for, and remember all that we are blessed with. 

This election has also left me even more grateful for a President I know I can ALWAYS rely on and have faith in. I am so grateful for having a living prophet on the earth today! I know President Thomas S. Monson is called of God and that he will never lead us astray.

I also think this is great advice for everyone.Let us follow the example of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and accept their invitation.

And May God Bless America!

Mercies in disguise

Things have seemed a little bit crazy for me lately, and I've definitely been a bit overwhelmed. Well, today in institute my wonderful teacher taught about how the Lord gives us things in our life as little test to see if we can be patient and have faith (D&C 21:5). While it was in reference to following the prophet and commandments of the church, I think it definitely applies to all aspects of life. And it just made me reflect,"Am I passing his tests with patience and faith?" I know I definitely can always do better.
Then on my way to work this wonderful song was on the radio:

I have loved this song ever since the first time I heard it, but today for some reason the words "Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things" really stuck out to me. For some reason I always just took those words as simply Heavenly Father wanting to give us the best blessings, which he in fact does. But today I realized it is also referring to the suffering that we so desperately plead to go away. He loves us too much not to give us hard times. The reason that Heavenly Father gives us trials and lets us struggle and tests our patience and faith is because he knows that it is those things and experiences that will help us reach our true potential; it is those times that make us become more like him and more worthy and ready to live with him forever.
I'm so grateful for my trials I have and the mountains I get to climb and that Heavenly Father loves me and trust me enough to allow me to experience that.
I'm also beginning to see that attitude changes everything. I love this quote:

"If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most."

—Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Things That Matter Most", General Conference, October 2010

Hurray for General Conference this weekend!! 

Dear Baby

Dear Baby,
I think your dramatic entrance into this world has gone on long enough. I would greatly appreciate it if you would just come now so I can meet you. I cannot bear to wait any longer. Thank you.
Love,
Your favorite and anxious aunt :)

Oh, the irony

For my public speaking class we are doing informative speeches that have to deal with our major. I am doing mine one sleep, specifically on the effects of poor sleeping habits on college students. The irony...I have been exhibiting extremely poor sleeping habits due to the writing of this speech.

A Brand New Year

 

I'm hoping this new year will find me a better woman. 

I've come to terms with the fact that I can't completely change myself in one year, so I try to make small, practical changes that I will be able to achieve and that will make my life better.

This year I resolve to:

-staying updated on journal writing. 

-exercising every week day

-flossing my teeth every day

-brushing my teeth every morning (some mornings I am running way too late, so hopefully this will encourage me to also wake up on time)

-enjoying school and not getting stressed out so easily.

Here's to a great year! 2012