Daughter of God Week Day 6

There's so much more to me, he helps me see that I have so much more to offer, I am His daughter...He is my king and my father, I am his daughter.

As I write this entry, I am overcome with emotion.  I listened to I Am His Daughter tonight.  I have felt the Spirit so strongly as I listen to this song, and as I feel the love that my Heavenly Father has me.  I can feel it wash over me.  I am His daughter!

Daughter of God Week Day 5

“The most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows
you, He loves you with a perfect love. God sees you not only as a mortal being
on a small planet who lives life for a brief season. He sees you as His child. He
sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you
to know that you matter to Him. May we ever believe, trust, and align our lives so
that we will understand our true worth and potential.” Elder Uchtdorf

In today's entry, my friend Rachel shared the story of her father's passing from cancer.  It was such a powerful testimony of the Savior's love for my sweet friend, and of how much Heavenly Father loved her and how she felt that love at such a difficult time in her life.  Today we are suppose to write about the following things:
Write in your journal:
Do you believe God is there for you? How?
When have you felt that you are a literal daughter of God??
What could cause us to forget that we are daughters of God?
Read Isaiah 41:10 & 13. How does that make you feel?
Cut out this reminder and put it where you will see it everyday. Stand and be
a holy place.

I guess if I really think about it, I believe that God is there for me because I have felt the presence of the Spirit in my life over and over again, confirming those basic truths to me, comforting me when I am weak and my heart is heavy, blessing me with tender mercies, and in those quiet moments when  those tender feelings come upon me once again confirming the truthfulness of the gospel.  Over and over again in my life I have felt that I am a literal daughter of God.  I have felt that he knows me, and and what is in my heart and what I need, even if I don't see it.  I think that there is so much negativity out there, especially when it comes to women that it is easy to forget that we are daughters of God.  The way that the world would have us look at womanhood is not the way that our Heavenly Father would want us to see our selves.  He wants us to see ourselves as we truly are.  His daughters.  Women that have infinite potential.  Women that have purpose and women that strive to do the things that will bring us true happiness.  As I read Isaiah 41:10 and 13 I felt a confirmation that my Heavenly Father will always be there.  It is such a sweet feeling to receive that confirmation.  It is my hope and prayer that the young women in my ward gain a testimony of who they are.

Daughter of God Week Day 4

We believe in being ^bhonest, true, ^cchaste, ^dbenevolent, virtuous, and in doing ^egood to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we ^fhope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to ^gendure all things. If there is anything ^hvirtuous, ⁱlovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

I love the 13th Article of Faith.  I really is what I believe.  Today we were asked to write about somethings that are lovely or praiseworthy in our own lives.  I keep thinking about the relationships that I have with my friends and family.  If anything is lovely or praiseworthy it is those relationships. Also, tonight as we were at our combined mutual activity we were outside and I saw a beautiful red sunset. There are definitely times when I am outside and I am overwhelmed by the beauty that my Heavenly Father has created for me.  Those things are around us every day, all day long, and we really do need to stop and appreciate them.  It also reminded me that I need to be looking for these things in my life always, and that while they are always available, I need to be continuously seeking after these things.

Daughter of God Week Day 3

Today is about self talk.  You know, the kind that we can either damage ourselves with, or build ourselves up with.  We are suppose to list 25 positive things about ourselves.

• I'm smart
• I'm crafty
• I'm a good friend
• I'm an amazing aunt
• I fulfill my callings
• I am kind
• I am sweet
• I'm funny
• I'm a good listener
• I can figure things out on my own.
• I try to help others
• I can do hard things
• I'm a lot of fun to be around
• I can dance
• I have great taste in shoes
• I will drop everything for a friend
• I love to read a good book
• I love to serve the young women in my ward
• I am compassionate
• I am brave
• I am strong
• I am a good sister
• I am a good daughter
• I can make things that bring people happiness
• I work hard
• I like to learn new things
• I have a desire to do what is right.

That was much more difficult than I thought it would be.  I think that it is often not the easiest thing to find the positive in yourself.  At least for me, it isn't.  I look around at all of the amazing people in my life and find my self comparing myself to them all of the time.  Instead of thinking, "oh, I do that well," I think, " man, I wish I was more like so and so."  I am going to try to recognize the positive things about me more often.

Daughter of God Week Day 2

Today in our journal entries, we are suppose to write down a list of the things that have brought us joy today.

• I'm alive
• I get to go to work and school
• I have a roof over my head
• I have enough food 
• I have amazing friends
• My family is healthy
•  I'm learning to do something that will bring me joy for years to come
• I work with a great group of people
• I get to serve my Heavenly Father in the Young Women's program, and now get to serve the young men and young women as their Sunday School teacher.

We are also suppose to write down a way that we can share joy with others.  When I think about this, the best way that I can truly share joy with someone is to share the gospel with them.  I can not begin to express to anyone the joy that it has brought me in my life.  To know that I am a child of God, and that there is a plan for me has consoled me when there is more than I think I can handle, and brought me so much peace.  In those quiet moments I feel the Saviors love, and that peace comes.  Tender mercies are all around us.  If the Gospel of Jesus Christ has brought those things into my life, I know that they will do the same for someone else.  That is where my true joy lies.

Daughter of God Week

We began the Daughter of God week today in Young Women's.  As a leader in this program, I want nothing more for our young women to to understand and to know that they are daughters of God.  I know that this is where my worth lies.  I know that I am the daughter of a loving Heavenly Father, and because I know that, I can get through all of the hard things that come my way in this life.  We have been encouraged to participate this week, and I plan to blog about my thoughts, feelings and experiences.

The letter below is the activity for day one.  As we read it, we are suppose to be thinking and praying about whether Heavenly Father really listens to us and is there for us.  I am really grateful for the opportunity to focus on this this week.

DAY 1: Letter from Your Father

I remember well the day you left my side, wandered through the veil, and ventured forth to

fulfill your earthly mission. I had a tear in my eye as I clothed your spirit in a cloak of love

and sent you off to school. Be assured that my thoughts are with you now, and always will

be.

I love you with all of my heart. I know your life, the good, the bad, your grief, your

disappointments, your unrewarded efforts, your frustrations. But always remember all that I

have is yours if you will only come home again.

My daughter, realize that in you I have placed a bit of heaven. No one was excluded. I love

all of my children. You have some blessed gift, some talent, some little part of me in you.

Search for it, develop it, use it, and most importantly, share it with others. If you really love

me, then help others find themselves and lead them to me.

Daughter, cease you idle contentions. Be a peacemaker, for it breaks my heart to see many of

my children fighting. If they could only see what I have hoped, planned, and desired for them.

My heart breaks as I watch them. But you, my faithful daughter are my hope. It is through

you that my work must proceed. There is so much work to be done. I beg you to get started.

Accomplish the mission I gave to you before you left me. I will help you. I’ll never be too busy

or too far away to come to you. I’m always near you, more than you might suspect.

Come to me often in prayer. I love to talk to you my sweet daughter. I love to hear what is

going on in your day. The good. The bad. Be diligent in my work and my kingdom shall be

yours. I’d love to take you in my arms, but I too, must patiently wait for that time to come.

Till then, I leave you my peace, my blessings, my love, and my hope that you will never forget

that I am with you always whenever you need me. Please remember that.

I love you and miss you more than you know and I am looking forward to your return to me

someday.

All my love,

Spring is busting out all over... maybe not here.

I'm trying it again.  I never have any success growing anything.  Things start to grow, and sometimes flower, and then nothing, nada, zilch.  So here we go again.

Soil

seeds

sun

green thumb

So, I guess we'll see what happens.  If nothing grows, I will not be embarrassing myself with any further updates on this matter.  I will finally have to admit that my talents lie else where.

Official Countdown

Normally, I like countdowns... I mean, who doesn't?  Who doesn't like to see this?

 

My problem is this...

 

You know, the candles that are so hot that they melt the make-up of your face and induce hot flashes....

This is the countdown that I have dreaded for the last ten years.  

Now, we don't need to discuss the specifics of what new decade I am entering, but needless to say, it's one that as a teenager I thought was way, way in the future, and the people that were in this decade were SO, SO old!  So is it weird that there is such a big part of me that feels like I'm still 20?

I'm a little scared of this birthday, and I've never been scared of a birthday before.  I've never felt like I was really starting to get old before.  So, if you are looking for me on or around April 14th, you may have to look here...

 

and I'm afraid that if I get much older I'm going to look like this.

 

Freshly Squeezed...

I made this for my friend for her new sweet baby.  It was super easy and fun to do.  I need more of my friends to have babies so I can make more.  Any takers?

Milestones

Milestones.  Everyone has them.  This was a big one for me.  Two Associate degrees down, one Bachelor and Credential program to go.   I am so grateful to be finished with Butte, and I am loving my time at Chico State. 

Happy Birthday Haley!

I can't believe that you are 14! I hope that you have the most amazing birthday. I love you!

Ahh Alana!

This is what I found on my phone when I turned it on the other day. I love this kid, she makes me laugh!

It's Official!

So I'm assuming this means I'm official! Now let's hope that I can get the next one from Chico State!

December 7, 1941

This is my handsome Grandpa. Albert John Ewald. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor on this day, 70 years ago. He saw things that I can never imagine seeing. He saw his best friends die. He lived through this tragedy, and while it was a part of who he was for the rest of his life, it never defined who he was. He was resilient. I've learned a lot from my Grandpa. This is just one of those lessons.
“Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan… No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people will through their righteous might win through to absolute victory… With confidence in our armed forces-with the unbounded determination of our people-we will gain the inevitable triumph-so help us God. I, therefore, ask that the Congress declare that since the dastardly and unprovoked attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.”
-President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Dec. 8, 1941
Tragedy is a part of all our lives. It is what we do with that tragedy that defines us. My Grandfather is an example of this. I want to be an example of this. I love you Grandpa!

Happy Veteran

I am so grateful to the Veterans that have served our country as well as those amazing men and women who currently serve our country. They sacrifice so much for us, and so do their families! It was my pleasure to honor them by going to this parade yesterday!

So not Sleepless in Seattle!

Val and I drove up to Seattle last weekend for a much needed trip! We were so excited to see Ali and Dan! I can't believe how amazingly beautiful Seattle is, and all of the amazing things that are there. It was such a short trip, but so worth the drive, and Ali got to come back with us for a few days!


Ali and Val standing in front of their grandparent's house in Oregon on the way home.
Cheering at the Seattle Sounder's game!
If you know me, you know that I don't love soccer,and I usually only go to support those that I love who play the game, but I had the best time at this game. It was super exciting! The goalie, Kasey Keller, is seriously amazing! 4 saves in a row. And they won. I just may turn out to be a soccer fan, you never know.
Val and I snuggling up because it was FREAKIN' freezing there!
Before all of the festivities began!
Pike's Market was so much fun, and we didn't even see a third of it! I love Dan's face in this picture! So great!
I couldn't believe the flowers there! These amazing bouquets with orchids, and gerber daisies, and all kinds of beautiful flowers for only 5 bucks! I wish I could have gotten them home without squishing them!
Downtown Seattle before the game. We went to the most amazing Crepe place, but dumb me, I didn't take any pictures there. They were so yummy, and the people that owned it/worked there were so cute!
The Sounders warming up.
Outside view of Pike's Market!
Val was so excited to be in Seattle and be going to the game!
Dan took us to Amazon, and this is what we found there! Ping pong, light saber fights and a ton of free books! Amazon is awesome, and it almost makes me want to work there.
I really hope that you can see the fish flying in the back ground. I really wanted to see them toss some fish, and we almost missed it!
More light saber fights!
The view from the 11th floor in the Amazon building! Dan said that you can go out there and work. So beautiful. I even saw a plane land on the water. It was super cool!
Two of my favorite people on the planet! I love them so much. Amazing women with whom I can share just about anything. I'm so glad that we had the opportunity to spend the weekend together and explore!

When it rains, it HAILS?

We experienced our first big storm over the last couple of days. Yesterday the sun came out, and I thought that it was over. Yesterday afternoon black clouds rolled in, and brought this lovely icy white stuff. As I was driving in it last night, I could barely see because it was coming down so hard, and the hail was so big! I should have pulled over, but because I'm a dingbat, and had to get to mutual because I was in charge I had to get there.

A Great Weekend!

It was a great weekend! Courtney came to stay with me all weekend, and went to church with me on Sunday! Here are a few highlights! I loved that Courtney came, and the opportunity it gave me to spend some one on one time with her. She is such an amazing girl, with such a sweet and gentle spirit. What a blessing she is in my life!




Morning Thunder! How I love this place, and the girls loved it too! Haley came to stay Friday Night too, so we had to go to breakfast the next morning!

Courtney went to the General Relief Society Broadcast with me on Saturday night! It was so amazing! I loved all of the talks, especially President Uchtdorf's. I could feel the power and the authority that he has as he spoke. The Spirit testified to me of the truthfulness of the things that he said. I am so grateful for living Prophets and for the sure knowledge of the truthfulness of the Gospel, and that I know and feel the Savior's love.
Like I said, it was a GREAT weekend!

Caitlyn had a birthday this weekend!  I made this fun cake and cookies for her birthday!

Happy Birthday to my sweet nephew Travis!  He turned 8 today and
asked if his Aunt would make his birthday cake.  I was happy to do it!

She's Still Crafty!

I love Sunday afternoons! I love that I have the opportunity to relax and to do things around my house.

I have been wanting to make this Welcome sign forever, and I finally finished it today.




















I saw this cute little sign, and thought, "hey, I can make that!" Super cute!






















We made lanterns for the Young Women for their girls camp. I thought they were super cute, but I wanted to put my own little spin on it. It's not completely the way that I want it to be, but it's on its way. I have a few things that I still need to add to it.