hey hey.

Wow its been forever.

Sometimes I think about this little blog and I realize that probably almost nobody reads it, or misses it when it's gone. But to you who are reading it, hey hey! Thanks for checking in. 

So much of life has changed lately. So many beautiful things are happening. So much goodness surrounds me everyday. Soo many trials have come my way. So many things seemed to be going wrong. So much fear and sadness and bitterness has seemed to loom around me at times. But so much light and gratitude fills me.

And through it all, my Heavenly Father has been right there; surrounding me and filling my heart. And it's wonderful. A lot of the time I haven't really noticed Him. I think I wasn't paying attention like I should. I wasn't seeking like I should. But lately, I've tried harder to seek, to really pay attention. And to really ask. I've needed help. And I have to say, the night I prayed for that help sincerely was nothing spectacular, but the next day was filled with miracles. Tiny miracles, but real ones. Miracles that were really personal to me and  the stresses in my life. It was amazing. And it didn't occur to me until half way through the day that Heavenly Father had set all of that up. He had made it work out perfectly.

And for the rest of the day, I couldn't help but be grateful.

So I guess I just wanted to say that God is real. He is all knowing. He really does love you. I know He does. Even though hard things have come and will continue to come. He really really loves you. And He will love you right through your hardest times. Don't give up on Him. Don't forget to seek Him. And if you already have..find Him again. He's right there, I promise. Just hold out.

You're wonderful. And you have my prayers. Thanks again for checking in.

The Love of Heaven

Hi world.
It's been awhile..a long while, since I've gotten on here and just typed my heart away with all the lessons I'm learning and experiences I'm loving. I've made some big changes, and learned some big things. And really, I'd just like to put them into words, in hopes that they'll be solidified in me, and maybe help out someone else too.
>>I've learned that life is unpredictable. You can try and try like the weather man predicting the weather, but in the end, like with the weather, it's all up to Heavenly Father.
>>If you want to be happy, then just be happy. It's really as simply difficult as that. Simple, because there's not much more to say to explain it. Difficult, because do you know how hard it can be to just be happy when so much seems to be going wrong? It takes effort. Which brings me to my next lesson.
>>Anything that is truly satisfying or pleasing takes work. Hard work and honest effort create lasting satisfaction and happiness. You have to work at it, and it's so worth it in the end.
>>Sacrifice is an incredible thing.
>>Real love is when your concern is not for you, but for someone else. And it is returned fully if given sincerely.
>>Sometimes "fake it till you make it" is the best way to go. Unless you just need to cry, then guess what..
>>It's okay to cry. It's good. It's great. Sometimes, you just need to cry. Don't be afraid to express yourself through tears.
>>Jesus Christ is the perfect exemplar. As you emulate Him, it makes life better.
>>It's okay to be alone. Take time to be with your thoughts and to share them with Heavenly Father. Then just listen and feel what He has to say.
>>Rich people, poor people, happy people, sad people..angry, hurt, experienced, smart, beautiful, intriguing, boring, lonely or popular..people are just people, everyone can get along. Start seeing the world that way I dare you. It becomes a beautiful, bright place.
>>I've learned that sleep is almost unnecessary..but totally essential at the same time.
>>Doing homework for 5 hours straight can actually be fun.
>>Life's more fun when you try new things. Do it. Often.
>>The Scriptures really do bring peace.
>>Being a good friend is more important than having good friends.
>>Laundry has to be done. Some things you actually have to make time for.
>>It's okay to hit snooze and go to class in your pj's.
>>Fun doesn't have to cost money.
>>Yoga is wonderful.
>>Fitness class doesn't have to be terrible. If you put in an effort, it's fun.
>>Wearing crazy pants everyday is mostly okay. And even if it's not, you can wear anything if you wear it with confidence.
>>Confidence is key. Especially when doing the hula. But really. If you are confident in who you are, you can do anything you want to. If you aren't confident, it's still possible to develop confidence. Just remember..be YOU.
>>Brothers are one of the sweetest gifts from Heavenly Father
>>Choosing the right is the best way to go. It has made me happier than anything else.
>>Classical music is a beautiful thing.
>>Work doesn't have to be intimidating or boring.
>>My sisters are my best friends.
>>Saying "I'm sorry" is the best way to develop a forgiving heart, even if forgiveness isn't given in return.
>>It's okay to be happy when things go wrong. In fact, it makes everything better if you choose to see the good.
>>Heavenly Father keeps His promises. And He has a plan. He is so full of wonderful, beautiful love. And it's all for you. Soak it up. Look at the trees, smile at the sky, and say thank you for the beautiful manifestations of His infinite love.

So Happy Valentine's Day all. Please remember that you are loved.
No matter what you believe. No matter what you have done.
No matter who you are or where you are. You are loved.
God loves you. His Son, Jesus Christ, your Savior, loves you. And I love you.
Really. People are people and we all deserve to feel loved.
So on this day of giving and receiving love, be the answer to the prayers of a lonely heart and spread the love of Heaven everywhere you go.

xoxoxo

Better Than Giggles

I love to laugh. I love to smile. And once I get the giggles, it's hard to stop. 

Because if you asked me, "What's your favorite pastime?" I would say, "Laughing."

So today was a beautiful day. It started with giggles and ended perfectly the same way.

It was cloudy and it rained, and the sun was hardly out, but let me tell you...'sunshine in your soul' is real. And that sunshine is so very contagious. 

Life has been crazy lately. I'm constantly exhausted and there is so much to do. My life has taken turns in directions that I never planned for myself, and guess what? 

I'm happier than I ever have been. 

Because the 'sunshine in my soul' is more than a few temporary rays of sunlight. It's the light and Spirit of Heavenly Father. It is the WHOLE sun. Inside me. It's lasting. Eternal. It is the very source of all light. 

I promise that God's light is so very real. It IS happiness. It's joy beyond comprehension. It's the inexplicable laughs that you can't contain and the love that overflows towards everyone and everything you see. It's the power to smile through tears and to dance when the storms are beating down harder than ever. 

It makes everything beautiful. 

So seek the Light. See it. Live in it. Live for it. Let it change you. Let it make you whole. And let it flow from you. 

I promise as you humbly allow His light into your life through repentance and obedience it will radiate from you, and it will be impossible not to smile. Trouble will not disappear. The clouds will still come. But when you carry that sunshine inside of you, nothing can darken it without you choosing it. It will change you and it will change others.

Heaven's light is real. It has power. It brings peace. It brings laughter and pure joy. It's the only true source of all things good. It heals and helps and brings strength and courage. 

It brings happiness that is better than anything. 

It's better than ice cream and pizza.

It's better than a million 'likes'.

Better than a walk on the beach, or a late night with a friend.

It's better than anything I've ever known.

It's even better than the giggles.(;

Something Greater

Wow. 

I cannot even begin to describe the feelings I have inside of me right now.

But let me say this.

God lives. He is REAL. He is there. He has a plan. 

He loves you!

And you are part of something so much bigger than what you can see now.

So hold on. Don't give up. Keep going. Push through as hard and as long as you have to.

But just know, there is light, and there is hope. I promise you that. 

Heavenly Father needs you! You are here to do things that only you can. 

Please remember that. Remember that you are a Child of God. That means that you have the strength to do all things.

Remember that He loves you dearly. He pleads with you to turn to Him and to come unto His Son. So go. Go to Him. In whatever way you feel you need to. Don't let anything hold you back. Ask for His help to feel His love. 

Smile bright. Laugh. Love. Even when it's hard. 

Invite the Savior in, and I promise He will help you to see that YOU are a part of something greater.

YOU

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
-Marianne Williamson

Recognize your potential. Remember where you came from. Remember whose you are. Allow Heavenly Father's plan to take over your life and help you to be who He has designed you to be. It's not just who you can become. It's who you are! 

Recognize that you are valuable beyond measure. You are powerful! You. Yes. YOU can do all things in the strength of your loving, magnificent Heavenly Father. 

Tell yourself that. Say to yourself constantly, "I am important. I have worth. Divine worth. I am worth the love of the Savior. A perfect Son of God who died to save me. Because I am worth it." 

Remind yourself that you CAN do it. YOU CAN! I promise! You can. You are exquisite. 

A beautiful, incredible, strong, able, and beloved Child of your Father. And HE can do all things.

I'm not encouraging pride. I am encouraging recognition of your incredible value in the eyes of Heavenly Father, and your ability, through Him, to do ALL THINGS.

I testify that as you seek your Heavenly Father's help through prayer, no matter how long it takes, and as I saw on a friend's blog recently, "slap a smile on your face",  He WILL fill you. You will feel complete, and whole, no matter the circumstances. And you will feel His power to BE who He has designed. 

Read that quote again at the top. With your spiritual eyes. Have faith in yourself. Have faith in Heavenly Father. He has made you unique. And He knows you will do marvelous things. 

Trust that. 

Be confident.

And just be YOU.

Make prayer a first resource, not a last resort.

-To Heal A Heart-

A few weeks ago, I moved away from home for the first time. I am on a big, new adventure and it's thrilling.

But I won't lie..I'm no good at goodbyes. Thinking about it now, why are they even called that? I have the hardest time leaving the people I love even if it's not permanent. I said goodbye to my very best friends, my sweet family, and the neighborhood and ward that I have grown up with. I was scared and uncomfortable and I felt so completely alone. I have felt what they mean by the phrase 'a broken heart'. It was physically painful. And for the first two and a half weeks away from home, I felt my heart break over and over again, despite my best efforts to put thoughts of home out of my mind. Or to distract myself. Or to communicate with family and friends to not feel so far away. My eyes were hardly dry the first few days after I left. And I didn't know what to do. I was reading my scriptures and saying my prayers, and doing all of those things that I have been taught since I was a little girl; and I do have faith in those small acts. But I still couldn't find relief from my aching heart.

One night I was talking to one of my very best friends from home and I couldn't contain it. I sobbed and sobbed until finally I choked out, "I want to go home." Knowing that I needed more help than he could give from so far away, my sweet friend gave me all he had to offer. He said, 

"You know that Jesus Christ has felt everything you're feeling, don't you?"

And instantly, my mind cleared and I longed to be on my knees expressing every feeling of the past weeks to my Heavenly Father, acknowledging that, yes, I do know His Son has felt it all. Because I felt the infinite power and peace in just that simple statement.

There is power beyond imagination in the Atonement -the suffering and death- of Jesus Christ. So much that even the mention of His name brought the immediate relief that I so badly needed. 

Too often, I have used this sincere, open and honest prayer as a last resort. I don't understand why. But I challenge you, if you ever do find yourself needing more than you have in you, to ask for the very real, sustaining power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

This is your reminder, just as my friend reminded me, that the Savior does know exactly how you feel. He knows perfectly. And if you don't know that, then test it out, ask sincerely in times of trouble, and in good times. Talk to Heavenly Father the way you would to a best friend. Because I promise that He listens better than the best. Don't try to do it alone. Heavenly Father and Jesus are eager to support the smallest bit of faith.

I know that the Atonement is REAL. I know that He suffered, He felt my pain and yours, and because of that, we don't have to. If we have the faith to ask. I know because I have fallen to my knees many times and asked for that power to be made known to me. And I have undeniably felt it. 

In the Atonement of Jesus Christ, there is great power.

Power to strengthen families.

Power to forgive.

Power to remove the sting of death.

Power to fill the void.

Power to calm every fear.

Power to dispel doubts.

Power to overcome temptation.

Power to love an enemy.

Power to comfort the lonely.

He has power to heal a heart.