Miguel's Missionary Moment

"Hey, I'm kind of feeling like a stud.  Sorry I haven't sent too many letters it is just hard to find time.  I just want to always sleep.  I swear I'm going to sleep for a week when I get home!  hahaha.... I love the work.  The baptism was amazing.  I can't even explain it.  I don't even think it could have gone better.  I don't even think you could recognize me anymore.  I'm losing myself in the work.  It makes me so happy.  I want to be the best missionary I can and there is nothing stopping me." 

Mosiah 28:3 "Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble."

Drugs and Tacos

Source

Please come join me today over at Pear Shaped Thoughts 

as I blog about Drugs and Tacos.  

Strange...Yes...I know

Changing Season

The afternoon sun has begun falling across my entryway with shadows.

The air has grown crisper. The days are shorter.  

Sweatshirts, jeans, fire pits, hot chocolate.

Football 

Autumn has arrived.

 

Dear Anonymous Commenter

Source

Dear Anonymous Commenter,

You are a coward.  Cutting me down personally, yet not having the guts to post your name is a cowardice act.  Calling me a bigot and telling me I will get what I deserve sounds pretty angry and hateful to me.  I would almost say that it borders on a threat.  In a time of advanced technology and the ability to track IP addresses, I would say that your comment wasn't very smart.  And guess what?  As the moderator of my own blog, I don't even have to post your comment.  True, I am giving you attention by posting THIS on my blog, but merely to point how pathetically mean-spirited people can be.

I challenge anyone to find something hateful and bigoted on my blog.  I am a follower of Christ...Perhaps THAT is offensive to you.  I like to live life happy.  I CHOOSE happiness.  In these trying and difficult times, maybe you find it offensive that someone can actually find true joy.  You know the old adage "Sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me?". Well those words are wrong, and you knew it, and that is precisely why you said them.  But guess what?  You didn't hurt me.  I am confident in  my testimony of my Savior and I know I have done nothing wrong.  I will pray for you and your anger and hope that you let Christ erase that negativity from your life.  As for me?  I will blog on...

Miguel's Missionary Moment

"Hello everyone

This week has been pretty uneventful. But I do have a story I wish to share. So about two weeks ago I was really sick of being on a mission because we had no one to teach, and I was about to call my misson president and tell him I'm  going home. But, that night I got on my knees and prayed for almost an hour begging God to give me one success story. That next day I met Jesse who I am baptizing this Saturday. I know that he was an answer to my prayer. He came out of nowhere and was elect beyond belief, and he has agreed with everything. I'm super excited for Saturday. There isn't much else going on but I wanted to share that I love you all and I cant wait till Saturday!"


A Mother's scripture to her son...

Philippians 1:3-6 (KJV) "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

An Ode to Linz

Join me today as I'm blogging at Pear Shaped Thoughts. 

Dieting Breakthrough

Source

I have an idea for an amazing new diet.  I really think it is going to catch on.  I have been sick for a week and have had no sense of smell or taste.  You want to know what else?  I don't want to eat.  I don't care to because there is no enjoyment.  Chocolate?  Pass, can't taste it...why bother.  Cherry Coke?  Pass on that, too.  The only drawback is that I really could care less about cooking in part due to feeling sick, but who gives a flying flip about cooking if you can't enjoy it.  Bring on the cardboard!

So the idea is some sort of miracle diet supplement that safely represses your sense of taste and smell.  Then voila, everyone loses weight because eating offers no enjoyment.  I know I can be sarcastic, but I am 101% totally on board for this scam, I mean cure.  I mean life is going to be a bit boring, but whatever...

 

National Cheeseburger Day!!

Source

Just yesterday was National Cheeseburger Day, and today is National Talk Like a Pirate Day.  Over the summer I learned about National Lollipop Day, and I know there are many others.  Here is my question to you...Who comes up with the holidays?  Seriously, because I'd like them to come up with National Please Wear Deodorant Day, or National Be Kind to Other Driver's Day.  Does the President sit back and with the swipe of a pen sign into effect National Don't Step on My Toes or Die Day?

And in case you are wondering, we did indeed celebrate National Cheeseburger Day.  You know I do love Cheeseburgers.  Shiver me timbers, argh......

Counting My Blessings

Source

We have been so blessed to have a son serving the Lord on a Mission.  I'll share with you a couple of humbling experiences, that I am so grateful for...

1.  Our air conditioner broke in the middle of summer.  Yikes!  You know those things can be quite costly especially considering it is a twelve years old unit.  My husband opened the thing up, talked to a couple of people, made a call and wala purchased a part for $20 and it worked.  I know that he was inspired by Heavenly Father.

2.  Miguel sent us a letter saying he needed a couple more pairs of nice pants.  He was swinging and decided to do a flip off of a swing and ripped his pants down the leg.  A lady at church said she could fix it, but he still felt like he could use a few more pairs.  The same day we got that letter, we received an unexpected check in the mail for $100 which just covered his pants, alterations and shipping.

I know that while we are financially and emotionally supporting our son while out serving the Lord, the Lord is financially blessing us and emotionally supporting us in Miguel's absence.  I am feeling so grateful and humbled for these tender mercies.

Miguel's Missionary Moment

"Family!

I ripped a pant leg off!!!!!!!!! It sucked it got stuck on a swing and it got ripped straight down a seam but a lady in the ward can fix it!!!!!! It was terrible!!! 

But anyway,  I have my first baptism!!!!!!!!!!! His name is Jesse he was a member referral and he is awesome!!! He agreed with everything and wants to be baptized as soon as possible he is an awesome guy!!!!!! Me and Elder Bridge are really excited because it's his first baptism, too!!! We are arguing who gets to baptise him haha but its is going awesome the members are giving us awesome referalls!!  

I almost forgot this guy was yelling at us how we were there to tell him he was wrong and he kept saying we were stupid and he didn't need to be baptized or do anything because he was already saved.  He was so angry and mean.   He was so lucky I don't take my scriptures on my bike or I would have crushed him. hahaha"

2 nephi 32: 9 "But behold, I say unto you that ye must ^apray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall ^bpray unto the Father in the ^cname of Christ, that he will ^dconsecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the ^ewelfare of thy soul."

Pear Shaped Thoughts

I am a new contributor over at Pear Shaped Thoughts. Today I am introducing myself. Please stop by and support me, and be sure to tell them that I sent you. So they know how popular I am. In all seriousness, am I going to have to resort to bribes?

 

Letter Writing

I have been finding that the act of lettering writing is becoming a lost art.  It really isn't often anymore that we write a handwritten note, address an envelope and seal it with a kiss.  This old custom has been replaced by phone calls, emails and texting.  The excitement of going to the mailbox has now been replaced with the dread of bills and junk mail.

DaySpring recently sent me the most beautifully crafted set of cards to use and send to those I love in exchange, of course, for my review.  I received cards from their Redeemed line.  The cards are exquisite and have extra little touches that almost make them look handcrafted.  The sentiments inside are just heartwarming and offer an inspirational message or scripture.  My grandmother lives in an assisted living facility over 15 hours away.  I miss her so much!  Regretfully, due to the distance I am only able to visit her about once a year.  Calling her sometimes is difficult because she either doesn't hear the phone or she isn't in her room.  These cards are the perfect touch  for a letter to my sweet grandmother.  Hopefully when she opens my letter inside of one of these cards, she will know of my love for her and our Savior's love for her, too.

As I try to reach out and uplift others, 

I am going to try to resurrect that long lost art of letter writing.  

Will you join me in my quest?

I did receive this product from DaySpring in exchange for my honest review.

Good Thoughts and Sunbeams

In reference to my last post, Not of the World, 

I thought this little saying fit quite nicely.

Source

Not of the World

How do we live in this chaotic world but not become?  How do I stay true to Him in all I do and say while living in this increasingly immoral world.  Worldly influence is all around us...it is in the advertising, tv, movies, books, school and work.

Teaching a group of girls ages 12-18 recently taught me how difficult it is to be a follower of Christ during these times...living a Holier life.  We can be an influence for good in how we act, talk, dress and serve...Basically in all we do...while still protecting our very soul.

1. Pray to the Father daily
2. Read his good Word 
3. Become convicted with a strong testimony of Christ
4. Stand in Holy Place
5. Let our light shine that others may see Christ through our words and actions
6. Never give up!

As I taught the girls these key points to protect themselves, I reiterated that they are not alone.  Of course, we always have our Savior, Jesus Christ, He won't leave us.  But, we are not standing alone even though sometimes it feels that way.  There are many of us with similar values, hopes and dreams that are searching and looking for each other.  As we find each other, set our petty differences aside and stand together, we can be mighty unto God.  

Miguel's Missionary Moment

"Dear Mom and Dad,

I love meeting people and telling them about the Book of Mormon.  I was riding the subway, it started and it made me fall into someone.  The guy named Samuel laughed at me.  We talked to him and told him about the Book of Mormon and he was excited to have one.  Later he asked what Elder meant, and we told him it meant "Defender of the Faith", and he was like "Oh I like that!"  He was a cool guy.  I got his address and number.

Here is a good scripture for the week:  Ether 12:27-28  

"27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their^aweakness. 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.

28 Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that ^afaith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all ^brighteousness.

I love you guys!"

Pear Shaped Thoughts Contributor

Starting next Saturday, September 15th,  

I'm going to be a regular contributor on Pear Shaped Thoughts.  

I'm excited to join the team and to share some of my writing.  

Please come by and support me and these other great ladies.

Verification

Source

You know how you have to type in a verification code online sometimes when you make a blog post comment or enter a contest or something?  I had the most interesting Verification Code....it truly was an assertion of truth about me.  Here it is


Live

Love

Write

What could describe me more?  Live - "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" ~ Dr. Seuss~ Love -"I'm just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her..." (Can you name that movie).  Life, love and writing make me happy, in no particular order.

I love to write.  It is therapeutic.   It helps me document the funny and spiritual things in my life.  It helps my marriage.  It's true it does!  KT is probably my most ardent blog reader (Hey, baby!) and this gives him "152 insights into my soul!"  (Can you name that movie?).  

What makes you feel verified or validated? 

Cheeseburgers, Shopping & Giant Cowboys

Once upon a time I very proudly announced that I was emotionally constipated.  In recent months as the reality of life has settled upon me, I have become less and less emotionally constipated.  Saturday night, I was feeling pretty weepy...I miss my boys.  TJ is in the military in New Mexico and Miguel is serving a full time mission living in Georgia.  If it weren't for my sweet Ladybug, I'd be an empty nester.  I've decided that I'm not going to be very fond of that life stage...But back to Saturday...No amount of window shopping and family time could quell my melancholy.  The lump in my throat could not be swallowed down and tears would just run out of my eyes.  There had to be some kind of cure for this sickness.

Dr. KT had the perfect prescription...Hop in the Bug for a quick one day trip out of town for some good shopping and good food.  And when I say good food, I mean In N Out burger, baby.  Considering I have done absolutely NOTHING this summer, I found this quick trip a fitting end to my nothingness; a welcoing distraction to my emptying home.  Twenty four hours later, I was back in my own home with a major mood enhancement.  My husband sure knows me...Cheeseburgers, shopping and giant cowboys make me happy.

Miguel's Missionary Moment

"Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm learning that a mission is not a sacrifice but an opportunity to bring others to Christ and to bring myself closer to Him in the process.  I learn so much out here that I feel like a different person.  But trust me, I'm still the same Miguel :) just different in the Gospel.  I feel so much stronger, and I know it will be hard but worth it.  I know there are people out there waiting for ME.  No one else, just me.  And I can do it!  Philippians 4:13 brings me strength.  I also really like the scripture Alma 23:6 "And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord,  never did fall away."  That verse is what we should all strive to be, so converted that we never do fall away.  I want to let you know that I love you and you did amazing raising me.  Love,..."