"She died in a fire." Not funny anymore.

You know how there are funny things that we say that don't really make sense, it's just something to say?

For example: someone says, "Where is Larissa?" I say, "Oh, she died in a fire."

Sometimes I get really funny looks like, "Wait, really? What?" And then they catch on to what I've just said, and they roll their eyes and get back to inquiring the location of another person.

I thought this was a funny circumstance... Until last night.

Last night, I had a rough time sleeping. I was upset because I was having an allergy/asthma attack. I had been so careful and not touched the cats at all, but I figured I must have cat hair somewhere on my shirt or something. So, I changed my shirt and when that didn't help, went downstairs to get a drink of water and just breathe since I was awake anyway.

I noticed that it was easier to breathe downstairs in the frigid air of the house. I had left the space heater in my room on during the night because I was so cold, but I decided I would turn it off and bundle up and open the door a crack so I could get some cold air blowing on my face so I could breathe.

I went upstairs and went to turn off the heater, when I noticed a strange red glow coming from an outlet next to my bed. I couldn't figure out what it was, but when I turned off the heater the glow disappeared, too.

Not thinking anything of it, I went back to bed.

When I woke up (for real), I happened to glance over at the outlet that had been glowing.

It was black, brown, and melted.

Yup. There was a fire in my outlet last night.

I had an asthma attack from the smoke. The smoke left a lovely stain reaching up about a foot on the wall.

My parents said it was a good thing it happened while we were still here and not while we're gone on vacation.

True story.

So. Dying in a fire isn't funny anymore. That's all.

Signing out.
Me.

Five Languages of Love

Yes, this is an image from Amazon. Oh well.

I have always been fascinated by Gary Chapman's work. Ok. Not always. But ever since I heard about it.

The 'catch phrase' for this particular book goes like this: "The relationship-enhancing phenomenon that started it all! In the full-length edition of his best selling book, Dr. Gary Chapman uses real-life examples from over thirty years of marriage counseling to illustrate the five distinct languages people use to express love."

You have my permission to be impressed. (insert 'oohs' and 'ahhs' here)

But really though, this is very fascinating and I think that it has helped me learn a lot about myself and how I act and react in relationships. And I have a point with all of this that I will get to in a minute. Dr. Chapman says there are five languages of love. Usually we grow up speaking what our parents and siblings speak (duh), but if we are trying to speak English and our partner only knows Chinese...? Well, according to Dr. Chapman, then it doesn't matter how sincere we are, we have to find a way to communicate. And I agree.

Love Language #1: Words of Affirmation
Verbal compliments, or words of appreciation, are powerful communicators of love. They are best expressed in simple, straightforward statements of affirmation. The object of love is not getting something you want but doing something for the well-being of the one you love. It is a fact, however, that when we receive affirming words we are far more likely to be motivated to reciprocate. Encouragement requires empathy and seeing the world from your spouse's perspective.

Love Language #2: Quality Time

By 'quality time', I mean giving someone your undivided attention. What I mean is sitting on the couch with the TV off, looking at each other and talking, giving each other your undivided attention. It means taking a walk, just the two of you or going out to eat and looking at each other and talking. A central aspect of quality time is togetherness. I do not mean proximity...togetherness has to do with focused attention. Many of us are trained to analyze problems and creat solutions. We forget that marriage is a relationship, not a project to be completed or a problem to solve.

Love Language #3: Receiving Gifts

A gift is something you can hold in your hand and say, "Look, he was thinking of me," or, "She remembered me." You must be thinking of someone to give him a gift. The gift itself is a symbol of that thought. It doesn't matter whether it costs money. What is important is that you thought of him. And it is not the thought implanted only in the mind that counts, but the thought expressed in actually securing the gift and giving it as the expression of love.

Love Language #4: Acts of Service
Doing things you know your spouse would like you to do. You seek to please her by serving her, to express your love for her by doing things for her. Such things as vacuuming, cooking a meal, setting a table, washing dishes, removing the white spots from the mirror, taking out the garbage, mowing the lawn, and changing the water in the goldfish bowl are all acts of service. They require thought, planning, time, effort, and energy. If done with a positive spirit, they are indeed expressions of love. Requests give direction to love, but demands stop the flow of love. What we do for each other before marriage is no indication of what we will do after marriage.



Love Language #5: Physical Touch

We have long known that physical touch is a way of communicating emotional love. Physical touch is also a powerful vehicle for communicating marital love. Physical touch can make or break a relationship. It can communicate hate or love. The touch of love may take many forms. Since touch receptors are located throughout the body, lovingly touching your spouse almost anywhere can be an expression of love. Love touches may be explicit and demand your full attention, on the other hand, love touches may be implicit and require only a moment, such as putting your hand on his shoulder or holding his hand. If your spouse's primary love language is physical touch, nothing is more important than holding her as she cries.

So. I'm sure everyone is wondering now, so I will tell you. My primary love language is Physical Touch. Followed by a tie for second/third place with Quality Time and Words of Affirmation.

What I'm saying is: MY LOVE LANGUAGES SUCK!!!

They are the hardest ones to portray because of well, time and needing to be in proximity to each other. If that doesn't happen for me, my brain starts to get down on itself and try to convince me I'm not loved.

Lame.

It's simply not fair.

Now, I'm not saying that the others ones can't cause complications, too. I'm just saying that from my point of view: Physical Touch and Quality Time means being with the person you love. And that can't happen 100% of the time. Unfortunately for us all.

Anyway. The short of it - I encourage anyone interested to get this book. Read it. Learn about your Love Language and the one of your partner (real or imagined). Take the tests provided in the back of the book that tell you your Love Language. You might learn something about yourself. I did. And who knows? Maybe you and your partner (real or imagined) are exactly the same. Maybe you're opposites, but have been communicating effectively. Or maybe this can help you communicate more effectively and draw closer to each other. Or communicate more effectively when you find your partner. Mmm. We all love that, right? (Drawing closer to your partner, I mean.)

Good luck in love, my readers. I wish you many fantastic adventures.

(And some good communicating, too.)

Signing out.

Me.

It's not my fault.

It's not my fault.

Ok. Maybe a little bit.

But not really.

Not...completely...anyway.

...I had an amazing night.

And I was too excited to go to sleep, so I'm blogging about it.

Wow. What a crazy I've become.

I made dinner tonight. Enchiladas, to be precise.

Yum.

Then I went to Classic Skating.

Kind of scary... (my balance sucks)

Lots of fun.

Then I watched the Sing-off.

Really entertaining.

Some really good vocals.

Seriously.

All of this - with my Best Friend.

(Yup. Capital letters and all.)

BAM!

I had an amazing night.

It's not my fault.

Well...maybe sorta...

*insert winky face*

What the Format?!



Bahahahahaha.


I wanted to apologize to everyone out there on behalf of my blog.

Apparently, depending on what computer you are on (maybe server you're using? I don't know), the format gets all messed up.

For example, on two computers that I've looked at, the pictures from my last post were all skee-wom-pus. (Not sure on spelling, so I used phonics.) I PROMISE they were arranged very nicely in side-by-side neatness. I'm OCD like that sometimes. I spent a long time fighting the format and making sure they were side-by-side and neat.

Aggravating.

Point: It's not my fault.

Just sayin'.

Happy(er) Post!

I need MAJOR help. I know what I want to give my parents for Christmas, but I can't get it narrowed down to a specific. Care to share some opinions? Great.

Now, I don't think my mom reads this blog...but if you are reading this, Mother: Stop Now. ... Thanks.

Ok. So, over Thanksgiving, my family and I took family pictures. Everyone's least favorite part of the holiday. But a necessary one since this is Taylor's last one at home for two years and some big changes are headed our way.

Overall, I thought they turned out great. I went through and picked my four favorites. Then I edited a couple of them to make them a little cleaner. Now my problem is that I'm not sure which one to pick to give to my parents, or if I should give them multiple and if so, how? I don't want to show them all to mom and let her choose, I mean, I probably will anyway, but I want to already have one picked to give them.

I also think it would be cool to maybe take one of the pictures and put 'Forever Family' or something cute and cliche' on it. But I have no clue how. Ideas? Suggestions? All are welcome.

Group 1 (pretty standard - maybe lettering on this one? top or bottom.):



Group 2 (not really a group, just one picture. But I love the silly ones.):

Group 3 (I will crop out that hanging right side unless I put lettering there.):

Group 4 (not a huge fan of the bear, but I love the casual-ness of this one.):

'Tis the Season

Truth be told, this picture was taken in 2008. Look at how short Marinn was. Now she is as tall as Larissa. Pretty crazy, huh? Ridiculous.

Now. From the title, you would assume this would be a happy-joyful-'I'm so excited for Christmas!' post.

I'm sorry to disappoint you.

In fact, several of you may wish to discontinue reading.

You see, this isn't an 'excited for Christmas' post. This is an 'I wish I was excited for Christmas' post.

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas and the season and the love and the spirit and the happiness. I'm excited for it all to happen. It's magical.

But at this moment, I'm not feeling it. And since I decided to use this blog to vent occasionally, I am going to take advantage of that and vent.

I apologize and promise to start writing happy posts again soon.

I feel kind of like the Grinch right now with his heart "two sizes too small". It's a very depressing feeling. Some people would excuse it for me saying, "You just had a long week" or "Finals are coming up" or "You just need to take a nap". All of the above are true. But that doesn't mean I should be grumpy, right?

Part of my problem is that I don't understand my grouchiness today. I slept well - complete with dreams (although they were exceptionally weird last night), I slept for a long time, I enjoyed church - I participated and was spiritually uplifted (and got a new calling. scary!), and I have the rest of the day to do whatever I want to (well, almost). That all seems pretty great, right?

Maybe I'm behind in journal writing. Nope. I caught up this morning.

Scripture reading? Nope. Did that last night and I'm planning on it for tonight.

I talked to my mom yesterday. I saw my best friend last night & heard from him today.

'The Forgotten Carols' is over... ... ...Maybe I should watch that DVD.

For anyone who doesn't know, 'The Forgotten Carols' is the story of an old man helping a nurse find the spirit and joy of Christmas. It's by Michael McLean and it's a very touching story. I actually happen to be a huge fan and love it.

A couple Christmases ago when I felt similarly to how I do now, my parents MADE us sit on the couch and watch the show. It was the first time we'd ever seen it. I pretended to sleep, as I often pretend to do when I'm upset (though I never sleep well when I'm angry. It's pointless to try.) and tried to ignore the screen. However, there was something that pulled at me and made me watch and listen. I ended up crying at the end, and the second time I watched it, I cried the whole way through.

I like to think compare it to the Messiah. The Messiah is gorgeous and intricate and complex. I can listen to it and I love it. It's beautiful. But I have to listen to it (and sing it) multiple times before I begin to understand and comprehend what's going on. The Forgotten Carols are simple and delicate and pretty. I listen to it and I love it. And I get it the first time. I understand the parts. The Messiah is for people who feel the spirit in beautiful and large and complicated ways. The Forgotten Carols is for people who feel the spirit in small and simple ways (like me).

I love feeling the spirit. And I love the feeling of the Christmas spirit. It's subtly different in a very tender and soft way.

Well. Thanks for the rant. I'm going to try to feel the spirit now.

Signing off.
Me.

A Second Helping of Stress, Please?

Yeah, right.

Like anyone would EVER utter those words.

But I feel like I did. Sometime. In a nightmare maybe.

Alright. Maybe I'm being a little melodramatic.

But only a little!

Actually... This blog comes in quite handy tonight when I am in dire need of a good venting session but don't want to. I don't want to complain to anyone or write a negative status on facebook. So instead, I'm venting.

The benefits: No one has to read this that doesn't want to, but I still get to be relieved of negativity.

Win-Win.

So.... Where to begin?

Family: Great!

School: I'm not doing as well as I want to be doing. I know this because I can tell by how I feel in class that I am not prepared for finals week that is coming up. Also. The classes I should be studying most for I am slacking the most in. Go figure, right? Mostly because I can't put in the extra study time I need because I am too busy in other areas of my life. And those classes I should be studying the most for take the most time - which is why I didn't study in the first place. HOLY COW! It's a total cycle of no studying and no time. It's frustrating. But life. Right? And if I don't ace all my classes, that's ok. I just need to keep a pretty average GPA. That's pretty easy. But what happens when that mandatory-pretty average-easy to keep GPA is going to be super hard to even be close to attaining? More hard than it should be? I hate school. That's the result.

Social: Great!

Sub-Social: Curse words up the freaking wazoo. ... Yup ...

Ok. First I should probably define the difference between 'Social' and 'Sub-Social'. 'Social' includes relationships with friends and people in general. 'Sub-Social' refers to activities done with those friends.

What is the reason Sub-Social is so stressful? Oh. Let me just tell you.

I was asked a couple of months ago to be the Stage Manager for the Forgotten Carols at Snow College again. I was last year, and I loved it. I mean, believe it or not, I don't like to be in charge. But when I have to be, I have to be. And honestly, I'm pretty good at it. It was a fantastic learning experience and I loved working with the people and learning about all the awesome things I'm capable of doing. It was amazing.

Well, this year, the director asked me to come back to be the Stage Manager again. I live in Provo and Snow College is in Ephraim. This means it is approximately a one and one-half hour drive to get down to Ephraim. However, my car gets incredible gas mileage, so I wasn't too worried about it. I was excited and ready to go - especially after talking to my parents and friends and receiving their encouragement.

Maybe it was just because it was a rough night, and I mean really REALLY rough night, but I was miserable. I was angry and frustrated and hurt and upset and ready to quit. Not even kidding. One week left of the show and I wanted to walk out. Of course, I would never ever do that. It's not my personality. In fact, it's sometimes proven quite negative that I'm too stubborn to walk away from any thing I've committed myself to. But I knew I wouldn't walk out, but I hugely needed to get some stress and emotion off my chest. I vented to a couple of friends about my situation and the helplessness that I felt. My biggest problem was that I was being blamed and held responsible for things that are out of my control. Literally. I'm not sure if the problem is because I live in Provo or if it's because of the people I'm working with, but I feel very much as though the problems that have risen are not my fault. Therefore I don't want to take responsibility for them and then I get upset when people try to force that responsibility onto me.

*sigh* Needless to say, it was a very long night. I was angry and felt helpless.

Then I was shown just how much I am loved. I talked to some friends who let me vent out my feelings and problems and then helped to me to forget about them and get laughing again. I have been blessed with the most amazing friends. Seriously. I went from an emotional wreck, to someone ready to at least try to face the next day. It was a huge change.

So. Despite the fact that I feel as though I have asked for a second helping of stress and I can't for the life of me remember why, I just want to say: Thank you to my friends. For listening to and loving me. You mean the world to me.

Signing out.
Me.

Buffet Table of Sacrifice

Oh man. Oh man.

I love my New Testament class.

The instructor is fantastic and has superb mental images that he shares with us about how things work to help get points across. I think a large reason he is so good at it is because he loves art so much. He shares with us a new portrait or picture daily. It's so cool. Many of the pictures are exquisite, and all are very effective in portraying the lesson.

This isn't the picture that he shared, but I thought it would be an effective one. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this picture looks like a Thanksgiving feast. It looks like lots of really yummy food, and the fact that you can't see the entire table makes it look like there is more, right? One of my favorite parts about Thanksgiving is that it seems to be a huge buffet. So much good food for the taking - and as much as you want. Yum.

Back to my class:

He asked us what would be our "Isaac" - our one thing we are unwilling to give up? It could be a person, an item, a memory, etc. One person said that it would be his body - that if Christ said "I want your body back and you'll be Spirit for the rest of forever", he would have a really hard time doing that.

Then he said, we all have a Buffet Table of Sacrifice: We put our whole lives on the table. Everything. And we offer it to Christ. All except one thing. One small thing that we don't want to give up. For Abraham it was Isaac. For the boy in my class it was his body. For someone else it could be a family member.

Whatever it is, there is one thing - only one - that we don't put on the table. Instead, we hide it behind our backs. 

Then we invite Christ to come.

We say, "Look at what I will do for you. Look at what I will give you. This is how you know I will follow you." He smiles, peruses the table for a minute, then says, "Wow. You have given me marvelous things. Thank you. ...Now, what are you hiding behind your back?" "What? Oh. Nothing. There is nothing back here. Look at the table. Pick anything you want." "I want what is behind you." "What? No. You can have anything you want. Everything you want that is on the table. Ignore what's behind me."

Are we truly willing to give up everything for Christ? Everything we have - no matter how hard?

What is missing from your Buffet Table of Sacrifice? What do we need to give to the Lord to be true disciples?

The widow gave her mite. Her last and only mite. She gave everything. Can I do that? Will I do that?

Forgiveness

The other day during my New Testament class, the instructor told us that he had something he wanted to share with us, something he had been thinking about sharing with us for a couple of weeks but hadn't had the time to share yet. It was very interesting. Very thought provoking. So I thought I would share just as food for thought.

The Question: "Do you have a hard time forgiving others?"

Expanded: Maybe not others, just one or two people that hurt you? Maybe it was a really long time ago. Maybe it was serious, maybe it wasn't. Perhaps it was something very serious: your father or mother abandoned you (the instructor said this is one he hears about a lot), you were abused as a child, etc. These are very serious problems. These are very real happenings.

Mark 11:22 - And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
Mark 11:25 - And when you stand praying [in faith], forgive, if you have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Mark 11:26 - But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

The instructor said that Faith = Forgiveness. One thing that gets in the way of faith is our inability to forgive.

1 Sam 25 - (History) King David did many services for Nabal, sent men to be nice to him and help him shear his sheep, etc. Then when David was in trouble, he sent men to Nabal to ask him for food. Nabal says (v 10), "Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse?", refusing to help David. As David is the king, he gets extremely angry and goes to kill Nabal. Some servants tell Nabal's wife, Abigail, that David is coming for revenge and justice.

Here is her story:

v. 18: Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed...
v. 23: And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,
v. 24: And fell at his feet, and said, 'Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be'
v. 28: 'I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid'

This is a type of the Savior. Abigail (Christ) took upon herself the sins of her husband (you & I, Christ's children), and when David (judgment) came to make its demands, Abigail (Christ) took responsibility for those sins and submitted herself to the will of David (judgment) so her husband (you & I) wouldn't have to.

When we repent of our sins, we give them to Christ. He takes upon His shoulders, all the mistakes of the world. When we transfer our sins to the Savior, He becomes guilty and the one who answers to Justice so we don't have to. Christ becomes the 'guilty' one.

Now, imagine: You are upset with a person. This person comes to you, falls upon their face, bows to the ground, and says 'Please forgive me.' Now. Imagine this person is the Savior. This is what He does. He takes upon Himself the sins of the people around us, then comes to us and asks us to forgive Him.

Can you imagine? The Savior falling at your feet and saying, "Please forgive me."

What would you say to Him?

"Oh my goodness! Of course! You're the Savior. Get up. Get up. Of course I forgive you."

... ... ...

Something to think about.

Maybe we can't forgive a person. They abused us. Abandoned us. Betrayed us.

But the Savior has taken their sins upon Himself - just as He has taken ours. So it's not about them anymore. It's about Christ.

Can we forgive Christ?

Getting to Know You (And by 'You' I mean 'Me')

Aww. Wasn't I just precious?

How special.

So I was going through my email and found this questionnaire. Remember in grade school

when people would forward you dumb questionnaires and you'd have to do them and forward them

to twenty other people? Yup. I found one. And since I am sick of homework, I'm going

to take a break and fill out this lovely questionnaire.

Lucky you guys.

1. What time is it?  Ok. Lamest question ever to begin a questionnaire with. But. It is 10:49 am. At least, it is in Orem, UT.

2. What's your full name?  Nashelle Pearson. No. I don't have a middle name. Deal with it.

3. What are you most afraid of?  The dark. Being alone in the dark, monsters in the dark, etc.

4. What was the last movie you saw in a theatre?  Toy Story 3! Love love love.

5. Place of birth?  Good ol' Provo, UT.

6. Favorite food?  Chocolate. Seriously. But just plain chocolate. Not corrupted chocolate withicky caramel or peanut butter or nuts or gross stuff in it. Plain, sweet, regular, normal Chocolate.

7. What's your natural hair color?  Brunette.

8. Ever been to Alaska?  No

9. Ever been toilet papering?  Just once. My mom took me.

10. Been in a car accident?  No... Oh... Yup. Let's not talk about it. Thanks.

11. Croutons or bacon bits?  Croutons on a salad. Bacon bits on a baked potato.

12. Favorite day of the week?  I have always liked Sundays.

13. Favorite restaurant?  La Cabana or Los Hermanos for Mexican. Zanthony's for sea food. Macaroni Grill for Italian. Roy's for Pizza.

14. Favorite flower?  I don't have one. They just have to smell good.

15. Favorite sport to watch?  I watched a couple pretty intense Ultimate Frisbee games this year...

16. Favorite drink?  Milk. Mmmm.

17. Favorite ice cream?  Chocolate! Chocolate! Chocolate! or Chocolate Devotion from Cold Stone. Heaven in a cup. Oh man.

18. Disney or Warner Brothers?  Disney, baby. Disney.

19. Silver or Gold?  Silver. Always.

20. Ever been on a ship?  A big one? A real one? On the ocean? A cruise ship? ...None of the above.

21. What color is your bedroom carpet?  Blue. (why does it matter? I don't know.)

22. How many times did you fail your drivers test?  NONE. I got 98%.

23. What do you do when you are bored?  Homework. But only in extreme cases.

24. Bedtime?  Why should I tell you? You're not coming to bed with me. Creeper.

25. Favorite TV show?  Well, there are lots I enjoy watching. But the only one I keep up with is Dancing with the Stars.

26. Last person you went to dinner with?  Daniel Jackson. Good times.

27. What are your favorite colors?  You mean I get more than one?! Awesome! Green. Blue. Yellow. Orange. Pink. Lilac. Red. That is the correct order, too. Well, most of the time.

28. How many tattoos do you have?  I love that this is a real question. Not 'do you have a tattoo' but 'how many'. Sad day. ...Oh. I don't have any, by the way.

29. How many pets do you have?  Well, none at school with me, but at home I have seven. I can even name them all! Triss, Mattie, Taylor, Larissa, Parker, Marinn, and Megan.

30. Which came first? The chicken or the egg?  If you're serious, you should ask God.

31. What do you want to do before you die?  Lots of things (not necesarily in this order): Finish my education, go to the temple, dance at Disneyland, dance in New York City, successfully complete a Disney Movie Marathon with my sister, get married in the temple, travel out of the country, have kids, go on a road trip to somewhere out-of-state, go through a temple in every state that I visit, know that I lived life being the best person I could be and that I was happy and loved life and my family, etc etc etc.

32. Have you ever been to Hawaii?  No. Thanks for rubbing it in. I appreciate it.

33. Have you ever been to countries outside the U.S.? ...no.

34. What was your favorite job?  Sunburst Day Care. Three summers. Love.

35. What time is it?  11:12 am.

Yay for wasting my life!

On to homework.

Signing Out.

Me. 

First Snow



The tree in my grandparent's backyard.
I love this tree, I used to climb on it all the time growing up.
Good memories.





A closer look at the same tree.
Those apples look simply marvelous, don't they?



"All Things Work Together For Good"

(This picture has nothing to do with anything. I just like it. It's my cat-Triss.)

All Things Work Together for Good by Elder James B. Martino.
Reminded me of the talk 'Come What May and Love It' by Elder Wirthlin

"We may never know in this life why we face what we do, but we can feel confident that we can grow from the experience." Each of us has and will have experiences in our lives that will shape us into the person we are going to become. Positive or negative, if we remember that these experiences are to help us grow, our growth becomes accelerated and enhanced.

Elder Martino shared this story:
     When I was young I looked forward to the spring of the year. As the weather warmed, i was ready for baseball to begin. Like most young boys, I would wish that I could become a great baseball player. I am reminded of a story about a very young boy with similar dreams. With the desire to become the next mighty ballplayer, he decided to go outside and practice. He held the baseball in one hand and the bat in the other, and he threw the ball into the air. With a wish to hit the ball as far as he could, he took a great swing, but the ball fell to the ground without even touching the wood of the bat. Not to be denied, he went at it again. As he was about to throw the ball in the air, he determination grew as the thought of a powerful hit came into his mind. But alas, the results were the same. The ball lay on the ground. But as any good ballplayer knows, you have three strikes before you are out. He concentrated even more, threw the ball int he air, and gave the mightiest swing he had ever attempted. As the ball again fell to the ground, the tears began to swell in his eyes. Then all of a sudden a great smile appeared, and he said, "What a pitcher!"

Most of the time when we think of all things working together for our good, it is because we have been talking about the trials we have in our lives. "Even though times are hard, it will be ok and everything will work out right." But we don't usually talk about the good things that happen in our lives and how they accumulate and build and work together for our good. In the story about the boy playing baseball, it most certainly was not a negative experience. It wasn't a trial. It was an event that happened in his life that he chose to face with a positive attitude. (Which is probably a great predictor of his future.)

We can change our attitudes as he did during both positive and negative experiences. Or in experiences that are really neither, and allow them to become positive experiences. I'm a huge believer that everyone can be happy while on this earth. Yes, things are tough and sometimes unpleasant, but we have not been sent here to suffer. We have been sent here to learn, sometimes through tough times, but (hopefully) more frequently through positive times.

I have always found it interesting when at the end of the day, when asked to recall how the day was, I sometimes focus on the negative and say it was just ok or ever rough. Even if there was only one thing that 'went wrong', that situation always jumps out at me and becomes a huge thing that ruined my day, even if it really didn't. Difficult experiences can help us learn and grow. They can help us draw closer to God and utilize the tools he has given us efficiently and effectively because we realize the impact his precepts have in our lives.

But God doesn't want us to have to suffer to draw closer to Him. Our God is a loving God, and I believe that he would rather have us become closer to Him during our happy times. Unfortunately, as we've seen repeatedly in the scriptures, as soon as a people began to prosper, they became prideful and forgot the Lord their God. A great cure to this is gratitude - thanking the Lord daily for all of the little miracles and blessings that we receive in our lives. Someone once said, "Expect a Miracle Every Day." I took this to heart, and take time every day to look for the miracles that God has given me. Sometimes my miracle is a running car to get me to campus in the rain and snow. Sometimes it is having a pillow to lay on at night. Sometimes it is a person that reaches out and touches my life in inexplicable ways. I've noticed that the earlier in the day that I find my miracles, I always find more of them. This then creates in me a strong feeling of gratitude for all of those miracles and blessings, and draws me closer to God. I challenge each of you to look for the miracles that God sends you daily. It can be as little of a miracle as waking up on time for work, or something as huge as receiving a much needed hug from a friend. But I promise that as you look for and especially notice those miracles that God will send you more and you will be brought closer to him.

For example: Going to Vernal for Taylor's mission call. SO much stress. Driving six hours, snow and wet on the road, getting home super late, waking up late for class, not eating all day, etc etc etc. It seems as though this would have caused me nothing but grief. But then I remembered how spiritual it was - being there for him to open his call. I remembered that spirit and was able to be grateful for everything God had given me. I got home late - but I was safe. I woke up late - but made it to class on time. I didn't eat - but had enough energy. I looked like crap - but danced really well. I wanted to cry - and got an amazing and much-needed hug. Wow. So much to be grateful for. So many miracles. And all of them working together for my good- to lead me closer to God.

In Elder Martino's talk, he mentions five things we can learn from the last hours of the Savior's life on earth that can help us to face our own trials. 1 - He sought to do the will of the Father and remained committed to His sacred mission.  2 - He did not complain or murmur.  3 - He sought greater help from God. Even the Savior found a need to pray more earnestly in the Garden of Gethsemane.  4 - Learn to serve and think of others. What greater act of service is there than the Atonement?  5 - Forgive others and do not seek to pass the blame of our situation to them.

I love action words. Remember 'Faith without works is dead'. So you need action for your faith to be fruitful. The action words are: KEEP an eternal perspective, DO NOT complain, BECOME more prayerful, SERVE and FORGIVE others.

I know that most of us are going through trials right this second. I don't pretend to know what it is you are feeling, but I know that the Savior knows. He doesn't want you to suffer - he suffered for you already. He wants you to learn and grow from your experiences and stay close to Him. On the other hand, some may be thinking, "How does this relate to me? I'm not going through any trials right now. Life is great." Elder Martino encourages those of us to use these steps to prepare from future trials so that when we are faced with those trials, we are already prepared to turn to the Lord and ask what we need to do to best learn from Him.

All of our experiences, good and bad, are to lead us back to our Father in Heaven. he wants us to be happy and to become more like Him so that we can receive exaltation, which is the greatest happiness of all. Remember the good times during the bad ones. Look for the daily miracles that each of us are given. Become more prayerful and serve and forgive others - even though that is sometimes the hardest thing to do. Serving others will bring joy to your life. The Savior has promised that.

Remember that the good times are for your growth and experience just as much as anything. Don't let the good times pass you by just because you feel like you finally got a break. Learn all you can during the good times to prepare you for the hard ones.

I know Christ lives and that He loves me. And I am grateful for the good times that are working together for my own personal good and growth.

A Missionary!

Every Wednesday, I am blessed to not have a single class. It is a beautiful time and very happy. I enjoy going to the temple early in the morning, coming home, and sleeping the day away. It's great.

But this last Wednesday (the 27th of October) was a little bit different.

I went home. To Vernal. In the snow and wet.

I went home to see my brother. Why? Because he was going to get his mission call.

I know what you're thinking: "What the heck?! Taylor is old enough to be serving a mission?!?" Trust me, I feel the same shock that you do. Mostly because if HE is old enough to serve a mission that means I'm...well...really really old.

So I drove three hours on wet roads and got my car filthy dirty just so I could watch my brother open an envelope. I know. I'm crazy. But that's love, right? Appropriate sibling love, I mean. Of course.

I got home early in the afternoon and did a few things (visited Sunburst & my lovely family there, went to lunch w/ my sister, got my eyes checked) and then settled down to wait for the call to come.

About four o'clock, the mail still hadn't come. My sisters and mom started freaking out about it not coming. Dad called and said he had heard from a very reliable source (the mail man's wife) that the call was on its way. Then mom started freaking out more. It was really entertaining.

To pass the time, Larissa printed a couple of maps off of the internet and we started making guess as to where we thought he would go. Each family member got to make a guess in the U.S. and outside. The maps looked something like this:

 

 Now, you can't really see details, but the one on the left has all the states and our initials saying which we guessed and the one on the right has initials and the countries we guessed. The blacked-off area in the states? Well. Those are states that we decided were lame and so if he got called there, we would disown him (no offence to anyone that served there). Then we all guessed a spot within those loser states. Cuz we're losers.

About 5 pm, the mail man showed up at the door and knocked. I was busy and couldn't answer, so told the girls to get the door. They said no, and I said "It's Taylor's call! Get the door!" All of a sudden, there was a rush to the door. Poor mail man.

Yup. The beautiful envelope arrived.

We all felt the package trying to decide if there was a big packet inside or not. Larissa said yes, Dad said no. I had no clue.

Then we settled down to wait for Taylor to get home from work.

He finally walked through the door and the first thing Megan does is hand him the call, so of course he takes off to his bedroom! We were so mad.

He saunters out with a big grin on his face. I told him I had driven three hours to watch him open that stupid envelope and if he had done it without me, I would never ever forgive him.

He grinned at me.

Finally we found the call and got him in the family room to open it for us. Dad pulled out his phone and video taped the whole thing. It was stressful. Taylor thinks he funny. But he isn't. He just likes attention.



It was good fun. Very spiritual despite the yelling that went on trying to get Taylor to stop skipping around the call: "You have been called to serve in the... ...You are to report to the Provo MTC..." ARGH! Much frustration. But very spiritual. It was incredible.

Taylor then said he couldn't pronounce it. Dad looked, and freaked out. So of course, all the girls went insane. It was so intense!

Taylor: "Ko-be?"
Dad: "Kobe."
Mom: "What...?"
Taylor: "Japan."
All: "NO WAY!!!" squeals, screams, 'oh my goodnesses' etc etc etc

It was incredible.

That's right. My brother is going to serve a mission in Japan. The Japan Kobe mission. Wow. I can't believe it. He is going to be amazing. He leaves January 26, 2011. I'm so excited. So so excited.

Of course the ONE and ONLY picture I ever get of him smiling... I'm not. *sigh* So goes life.

Congratulations Elder Pearson! You're going to be great out there! I love you!

Signing out.
Me.

PS. This is a great picture:

I LOVE MY FAMILY!

PPS. I am never driving to Vernal and back to Orem in the same day again. Ever.

Blogging?

I recently had a conversation with a good friend of mine (if you consider chatting on Gmail to be a conversation, anyway).

It went something like this:

Katie: Hey! What happened to Blogging?!
Me: ...oh ya... I'll do that... Eventually.

Uhm... That's basically the whole conversation (not that we had,

but that is relevant at the moment).

I haven't written a blog post since September. I know. I'm just that awesome. But hey! I've been busy and had other things to do. Like... Facebook... YouTube... Gmail... Ok. So I have not a great excuse (yes I know that's not grammatically correct). Especially since it doesn't take a HUGE amount of time to write a post.

I'm a slacker. So goes life.

Mostly my excuse is that since *cough* TWO *cough* people read this blog, plus a random two or three that happen on it by accident, and I talk to those 'TWO' people daily... I have nothing really to blog about.

HOWEVER. Since Katie is such a wonderful person and designed my beautiful blog for me (I'm only kinda sucking up. Don't judge.), I am going to try to do better about blogging. Starting... tomorrow. Go me!

Much Love.

Me.

'Desiderata'

DESIDERATA

Go placidly among the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth plainly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter: for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possission in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals: and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and lonliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and stars, you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion oflife keep peace with your sould. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

Wisdom is Eternal. Found in Baltimore's St. Paul's Cathedral. Dated 1692, author unknown.

First Post. Officially.

FIRST POST!!!

I am super excited about this blog. I think it's going to be fantastic.
Lots of it will be pictures that I've taken with my magical camera that I love.
I've decided I love seeing the amazing beauty in the world and being able to carry that beauty
with me on my camera is awesome.
And I want to share it with you. I hope you will enjoy! :o)



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And of course, I had to add pictures of my family.
My sisters are so amazing. I am so grateful for them and their love.
Yes. They are the best.





As is my mom. I'm so grateful for these ladies and their love for me and all they teach me.
Happy day!