#LDSconf

I was just telling my niece and nephew this weekend about how when you get older your perspective changes on a few things...

Like how candy cant be your preferred dinner choice 

or like when I finally realized the tips of asparagus is the best part

and that Sunday naps really are necessary 

and when General Conference isn't a break from getting to go to church

{or when its really not just one session that they rebroadcast over and over again. which is what I really thought}

Every six months we are fortunate enough to gather for General Conference and hear inspiring word's from the Lord's Prophet and Apostles.

Although there are many times during the 8 hours of viewing that I want to take a nap, the talks are always uplifting messages of faith, service, love, patience, hope, gratitude and peace. 

"Prayer is one of the most basic and important foundational building blocks of our faith and character. Through prayer we are able to express our gratitude, love and devotion to God. Through prayer we can submit our will to His and in return receive the strength to conform our lives to His teachings. Prayer is  the avenue we can follow to seek His influence in our lives, even revelation."

--Bishop Dean M. Davies

"God's light is real. It is available to all! It gives life to all things. It has the power to soften the stink of the deepest wound."

"Understand and accept that darkness exists--but you do not have to dwell there"

--President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"As daughters of God we are each unique and different in our circumstances and experiences. And yet our part matters--because we matter. Our daily contributions of nurturing, teaching and caring for others may seem mundane, diminished, difficult, and demeaning at times, and yet as we remember that first line in the Young Women theme--"We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us"--it will make all the difference in our relationships and our responses."

--Sister Elaine S. Dalton

"Obedience is a hallmark of prophets; it has provided strength and knowledge to them throughout the ages. It is essential for us to realize that we, as well, are entitled to this source of strength and knowledge. It is readily available to each of us today as we obey God's commandments."
--President Thomas S. Monson

"I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have."
--Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

 "If you're not a full-time missionary with a badge pinned on your coat, now is the time to paint one on your heart--painted, as Paul said, 'not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.'"
--Elder Neil L. Andersen

I feel so lucky and blessed that not only was I able to attend Conference this year with good friends but that I live in walking distance to the Conference Center.

I loved being able to drive to the end of the avenues, park my car, walk for a few minutes and enter inside. Leaving was easy, traffic free and I was home in no time. I absolutely love being so close tot he headquarters of the Church. 
I am grateful for our Prophet and the opportunity to apply all of these messages to my life as I strive to be more like the Savior. 

SLC Perks.

Last week at church we got a little surprise visitor. 

None other than the apostle, Elder Dallin H. Oaks. 

No joke our Relief Society gasped when they announced he was in Elders Quorum. 

I was all ready to linger in the hall in between RS and SS to catch a glimpse but that was not needed since he walked in half way through our Relief Society lesson. 

Another gasp. 

It was one of those unreal moments to see an apostle sitting just a foot away. 

And so judge me if you will....I took a picture. I just couldnt help myself! 

My flash may or may not have gone off. I dont think he noticed. 

After RS he got up mingled and shook lots of hands, including my own hand!!

I overheard that he is gluten intolerant and is shorter than I expected. 

He stayed for Sunday School and instantly felt relief that I was not teaching! I would have had extreme anxiety to be teaching doctrine with an expert in the room. 

We were lucky enough to have him make lots of comments {only lucky cause of course we had a crazy non-ward member sitting in the back making weird comments}

 Just hearing his voice in person was surreal and amazing. 

It was also just such a good reminder of focusing at church. 

I feel like its a cliche statement to throw around at church about what if Christ walked in during church, how would we feel, what would we do? 

But that is exactly how I felt with an apostle walking in and I instantly had all of those thoughts running through my head. 

I need to put my phone away. 

I can only read my scriptures from my phone. No texting. No checking instagram. 

Glad I didn't wear that one dress that is a bit too short today... 

Are my tights too scandalous???

Do I need to make more comments?

I have to volunteer to read if I'm not commenting. 

I could go on and on...

Not only was I grateful to be in the presence of an Apostle, a man who literally is called of God, who can and does receive revelation from him. But more importantly for the reminder of letting go of distractions and staying focused on the true purpose of church, feeling the spirit and becoming closer to the Savior and our Heavenly Father. 

the spirit of Christmas.

I have a really big confession.

I have not felt very Christmas-y this year.

I have always loved parties, celebrations and holidays. But this year I just have not gotten into the spirit of Christmas.

This year has just gone by way too fast. I guess thats what happens when you get older right? Time flies by even faster.

{Wasn't it just Thanksgiving? Didnt I just move to Utah? Shoot, wasnt it just my birthday!?}

 

So Ive been in denial that its really Christmas time.

My mind set has always been if I pretend its not happening then its not going to happen.

Ive always had this mentality.

For instance, I hate cold weather. So during my BYU winter days, I wouldnt wear a coat to school. Cause if I didnt wear a coat or gloves then it would mean that its not cold out. I could pretend it wasnt cold so that I wouldnt have to face the fact that I now lived 30 degree climate. {Ive been scolding too many times by my family to stop wearing flip flops in cold weather}

So accordingly, if I refuse to listen to my Christmas music and I dont look at any lights that means Christmas wont be coming this year. Or at least not so fast, right?

Wrong-o.

Its Christmas Eve.  And I havent even listened to Justin Bieber's Christmas album.

Ive robbed myself and will have to wait a whole 'nother year to enjoy it.

Yesterday as I was getting ready for church I decided to bite the bullet and listen to some Christmas messages on my Mormon Channel app.

And of course that always helps put things into perspective.

I have been so busy trying to figure out life and just get by and adjust to a new life and a new job but of course its always important to remember the why of Chrismas.

I watched this video that brought my tears as I tried to do my Sunday make-up.

It was so sad and heartbreaking but with an incredible message to remember a baby that was brought into the world to give peace and joy to all.

Christ came into this world to hold us, carry us through trials, lead the way and guide us through this life. He knows us and loves us. Christmas isnt about being a bit of a bah humbug or the year flying by too fast but about celebrating the gift of the Savior into this world.

And what a special gift to have and more importantly, to know.

 

"To catch the real meaning of the 'spirit of Christmas', we need only drop the last syllable and it becomes the 'Spirit of Christ'."

Thomas S. Monson

The Best Christmas Ever, Dec. 2008



Salt Lake TWO

Back to more exploring of SLC...we saw so much! 

We went on a tour of the Conference Center. 

And a tour of the Joseph Smith Building. And learned so much of its history. I had no idea it use to be Hotel Utah! It always amazes me how beautiful that building is. It opened as a hotel in 1911 and housed many US Presidents as they stayed in Utah. We also saw the Joseph Smith movie which gets me into tears every time. 

On Sunday morning we went to Music and the Spoken Word at the Tabernacle. I wish I could go every week. The tabernacle and the songs are just so beautiful. Such a great way to start your Sunday. 

And walked around Temple Square lots. There is something about living close to the temple that I just absolutely love!

I think my favorite part was exploring the Salt Lake City Cemetery. 

Remember weird obsession...but this time its even cooler cause 14 of the 16 Church Presidents are buried right here in SLC.
The cemetery was created in 1848, just a year after settling SLC. The cemetery is so cool looking with so many old and worn headstones. Such character up in there!

I loved stumbling upon headstones of people that were born in Europe and crossed the plains to Utah after joining the Church. Such dedication, devotion and faith to do so many outstanding things.

We loved running around and finding all of the headstones of important Church leaders and presidents.
The pictures can speak for themselves of what we got to see.
{Presidents}

{This one was actually my absolute favorite. Such an amazing legacy and epitaph.}

It was soooo exciting. Until we got to like President 12...I lost a little steam. And when we wandered for like 20 mins trying to find President Hunter. It became a little tiresome. 

{Prominent Mormons}

Although Archer was not a prominent members, I loved this headstone. It was made of wood {although preserved} and on the back explained that he was a carpenter from England and had expressed upon joining the church that all he wanted was to come to the Salt Lake Valley. He came into the valley with the very first handcart pioneers, however died shortly after.

We loved finding all of these headstones and just being in awe of all of the church history. It made me love and appreciate the gospel a little bit more that day and in away helped the history of the church become more alive {no pun intended.}But seriously, I was in awe.

Seeing all of these historical significant places and learning so much helped me become more excited about my new home. It is full of history and oh so pretty.
However, the snow this past week has made me second guess. 

Living the life has changed...again.

I guess its time to set the record straight and make a formal announcement. 

My blog is changing one more time. 

I am officially living the SLC life. 

If this comes as a shock to you, it is most definitely a shock to me too. 

I never thought I would be living back in the Beehive State. Nor did I think I would enjoy it

 {gasp! however its only been a few weeks}

Sometimes it seems surreal, and other times it seems just normal. 

So I'll take that as a good sign. 

Heres the run down of how this turn of events has all gone down.

About two months ago I was in Utah for my Uncles funeral and as I already knew I was going to be unemployed come the end of the month, my cousin approaches me about finding a job at a charter school in Utah in which he has a connection. 

Utah!? No way. I am not moving back there, I think to myself. 

However, it intrigues me and I keep in touch with said cousin. 

As I go visit Utah during my unemployment {previously blogged about in last post} I get a phone call from the charter school asking me to come in for an interview. 

Im sorry, I didn't even apply for a job. 

They give me a tour of the school, meet with a few people, inform them I am interested in working at a school in any form possible...ding ding ding. 

I am then sent over to meet with more people for an open position. 

I meet with these people for over an hour and hit it off right away and felt so comfortable with them. 

The principal walks me out and tells me he would love to hire me. 

What!?
This is insane. 

In the meantime another cousin had been trying to persuade me to move to Utah {unbeknownst about this unexpected job interview} 

She has been checking out some places and keeps me up to date. 

I come back to LA and the first thing the next day the charter school calls and offers me the job. 

Then my cousin texts me and says they landed a house in SLC and if I decide to move I have a place to live.

I did no job hunting, I did no house hunting.
And all of a sudden I have both.
With a type of job that I have really wanted.
And so I accepted the job as the Jr. High Secretary/ Ambassador Program Assistant/ Dance Instructor at American Preparatory Academy.

I was so hesitant to actually pull the trigger and go through with taking this job and {ugh..} moving back to Utah. Which really was the last thing I ever expected or wanted and definitely cried a lot about it. And hence couldnt even tell anyone cause it was too difficult to even think about.
But the more I thought about it the more I realized it was just too good to pass up. Almost too good. Things worked out so well that it wasnt just a coincidence. I know the Lord was watching out for me and mastered this whole scheme.
And so even if moving to Utah wasnt my plan, and leaving California and some very, very important people there was very difficult, I know that this was the Lord's plan for me and have faith that everything else will work out.
I've been here for a week and so far its been really good. Ive got some really good running spots.

And a really cute house with a cute room with blue walls.

So come visit me.
Now the truth is finally out...living the SLC life. 

my BOM challenge

first, I hate myself for being so bad at blogging lately. I love blogging, and yet I havent done it. Shame on me. 

two, I have become that person that complains about the lack of blogging. ugh I hate being that person. 

So remember way back when in July when I started my BOM challenge. 

Well, July 31st came and went. 

And I am sad to report that I did not finish in 31 days. 

However, it makes me feel better that my dear friend M'Kynzi who also started something similar, did not finish either. 

Im just glad I wasnt the only one. 

I will admit that it is half way through August and I am still reading. I just wont admit where I am in the book. 

The beginning of the July started off really strong, and then as my life continues to be crazy, hectic, a struggle, and completely confusing etc...I faltered at the end of the month.

However, I still feel relatively accomplished and was able to learn/reflect on lots of new things. 

As in the following:

--I did my reading in a brand new book, and therefore learned the importance of reading with a pen/marker. There were lots of times I didnt have and I cursed myself for not being able to highlight a really important scripture or write something down.

--I was blown away with how many times I read the phrase "keep my commandments and ye shall prosper" WOW. like a lot. It was reassuring to know that if I do what the Lord wants of me, he will always bless me..

--I found myself really, really enjoying and looking forward to reading. Which sometimes, when we wait till 11:59 pm to start reading our scrips, doesnt really happen.

--I carried my book with me wherever I went. I loved having it close to me and always available to just pick up and read wherever I was at.

--One of my favorite things about reading was learning so much more of the story of the Book of Mormon. As a history person I have always been more caught up in the timeline of the book: who are these people? where did they go? what was the result of this war? What happened to the priest of Noah? Who discovered the plates of Ether's people?...you get the picture. But I often find myself a bit confused and forgetful of the details. And it frustrates me. However, reading so intently and way more often, the stories came together so much better. I understand the ebb and flow of all of the characters, how the plates were passed along and to whom and where they traveled throughout all the lands. This was something I absolutely loved.

--However, I also did pick up on lots of spiritual lessons as well.
2 Ne 9:46  "Prepare yourselves for that glorious day"
2 Ne 10:24 "reconcile yourselves to the will of God"
2 Ne 21:2 "I will trust, and not be afraid"
Jacob 3:1 "Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith and he will console you in your afflictions"
Mosiah 7:33 "Turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him and serve him with all diligence of mind"
Mosiah 26:39 "commanded of God to pray without ceasing and to give thanks in all things"
Alma 7:8 "the Lord God hath power to do all things which are according to his word"

Alright, I promise I did get farther than Alma 7, but you dont need to know every scripture I highlighted.

I am still working towards my goal, and hopefully can finish before August is up. I recommend reading like this. It is powerful and amazing and made me love this gospel even more.

the BOM.

I aint talking about no musical here. talking about the real thing. 

{hopefully} we all read the Book of Mormon often. 

Or at least 1 Nephi often...And usually for me it takes months and months to get through it all. 

As I was finishing it up last time, I kinda wanted to change it up. 

I started reading conference talks, preach my gospel, manuals etc....

but I have also had this idea in the back of my head for awhile

but just havent been able to pull the trigger

made excuses that I had other books to read, that I didnt have the time

and yet it has still nagged at me.

but now I think its a good time. I think I need it right now.  

the Book of Mormon Challenge. 

531 pages in 31 days. 

I know I am not the first one to do this. But this a first in my life. 

I would be lying if I said I was intrigued to do this after getting the idea from the Mormon in Manhattan. 

I would then say I was inspired to do it myself after her experience. 

Kinda interesting that I got the idea from her, its been on my mind for obviously a really long time, and now here I am, exactly one year later, finally doing it for myself. 

It starts July 1st. I hope to experience some of the same things she did and more while reading the Book of Mormon in a much shorter amount of time than ever before. 

So here it goes folks!

Anyone else want to join me??

eight is great.

Last weekend I was able to go to Utah to see my sweet and beautiful niece Ella become baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

I was so glad I was able to be there, as I swore I would. 

It was nice to spend the weekend with my sister and her cute family. 

Definitely the biggest thing I miss about living in Utah is being able to go to her house as often as I did. 

I miss those weekend trips to the N.O so much. 

So it was nice to go back. 

Chill with the kids, become their big punching bag and eat Cafe Rio.

I was so impressed with Ella and her readiness and eagerness to get baptized. 

She is one smart girl. 

And every chance she had she would talk about her "special day" and explain to us what it means to be baptized. 

Its one of those moments when you realize that children really can be great examples to you. 

I tried to explain to her on Saturday morning that she should do lots of naughty things now and get it out of and get it out of her system, cause in a few hours it would get washed away anyway and she would be perfect. 

She laughed and said she couldnt do that. 

See. So much better than me. 

On Saturday she looked beautiful and so happy. 

Congrats Ella Bella!! 

Love you so much. 

it's time to begin.

We all have our ups and downs.

We all have our trials. 

and often have to experience this roller coaster that we call life. 

No one is immune no matter what our circumstance we find ourselves in. 

This is something I have been thinking about lately.

So far 2012 has not been all that awesome. 

Perhaps because the end of 2011 was so fun and busy with so many trips and fun happenings, that 2012 just knew it had to give me a few boring and low moments. 

(ugh. i hate complaining about life on my blog. deal with it i suppose) 

And its not even that its been insanely hard or sad{sometimes} but I havent even done anything picture worthy lately to post on my blog! 

{So, YES, Kelly...my life has finally gotten boring. Happy!? ha}

But what has really been hitting me lately, is enjoying the now and the today and not hoping for what is to come. 

One of my most favorite friends M'Kynzi summed it up perfectly in her blog from a few weeks back.

Which led us into a great discussion about not focusing on the someday, but on the today. Because the 'someday' will come and I dont want to miss out on the fun and the happiness that 'today' can give me. 

Coming to this realization made me think of President Uchtdorf's talk from the Relief Society Broadcast, entitled "Forget Me Not" and his third point of "Forget not to be happy now"

It is a great reminder.

We can not wait for our "Golden Tickets" to make us happy, we have to find our happiness in what is going on right now, today. 

We all have different "golden tickets"

mine may or may not be marriage, a stellar career and children. 

But that shouldnt make me {or anyone else} not enjoy our today. 

I have friends that love me

a Family that puts up with me

a good job 

easy access to the Temple 

and the upcoming Dodger season on the horizon 

{ok kinda kidding, but you catch my drift..}

"The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. They are they who are truly happy."

{arent we so glad for modern and inspired prophets and apostles}

Some other things that have hit me and follow along with this perfectly, of enjoying everything now...

-- my new book The Five People You Meet in Heaven, right before the main character dies it says: "he went about his dull routine as if all the days in the world were still to come"

yes, perhaps its dull and mundane, but if those days are limited. enjoy them while we can.

--one of my best friends dad has recently been in the hospital. scary. makes you want to hold on to those family members a little bit tighter. 

{sorry to go all death creepy on you}

And lastly, I just need to remember that

Tonight. 

We are young. 

So let's set the world on fire. 

Thanks Fun. 

i am so grateful.

I am so grateful for so many things in my life. 

I think we could all make a gratitude list easily. 

And we all do. Its called Thanksgiving day posts. 

But right now I am so grateful for the gospel.

I am so grateful for those small moments when you hear, read or feel something and then think,

"that was exactly what I need to hear"

or

"that was totally for me."

I feel like I have been having those moments a lot lately. 

And I am so very grateful for them. 

I was on Facebook (shocking) earlier this week and a friend posted a quote from President Hinckley. I read it and thought, "Yup. Perfect timing. Thank you Heavenly Father"

And now lately, like the rest of the blogging world, I have become obsessed with Pinterest. 

And as I was pinning away today, I came across that same quote. 

Coincidence?

I think not. 

I am grateful for this gospel. 

I am grateful for the peace it brings me when I pray.

I am grateful for the inspiration I receive. 

I am grateful for living prophets to guide and direct us all. 

I am grateful for my Savior. 

I am grateful for my faith. 

Mormon Helping Hands.

Two Saturdays ago, my fam and I got to participate in Mormon Helping Hands. 

A day of service put on by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Last year my family told me about them participating and I was extremely jealous and have been looking forward to participating for myself ever since then.

With the rest of our stake we had to pick up trash and clear a ravine that was recently flooded in the massive rainstorms that hit So Cal a few months ago. 

It was crazy the amount of trash, plastic bags, styrofoam, shopping carts, clothes, furniture and other half deteriorating trash we had to pick up. 

However. It was fun to be there with my whole fam, do some service and sport our little Mormon vests.
and Im not even joking, I really liked those vests, I was really excited to wear one.

   Chase was an exceptional little helper and loved picking up all of the trash. 

I kinda loved it too cause it made me feel like an archeologist finding all of these artifacts that had to be dug out and discovered. 

I dont really know why, but I love me some archeology digs.
And secretly wish that was my full time job.

I was so grateful for this opportunity to participate in a service project offered by our Church.
And I will definitely think twice about ever littering.