gospel at our core.

spending a portion of my morning studying. 

first goal of the year is to read, study, and ask the lord with real intent if these things are true. i have such a conviction for the gospel. i know it is right. and i want to strive to be closer to my heavenly father by following gospel principles the best i can. 

"Our code of conduct is definitive; it is not negotiable. Our Father in Heaven is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The prophet Mormon tells us that God is “unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity.”³ In this world where nearly everything seems to be changing, His constancy is something on which we can rely, an anchor to which we can hold fast and be safe, lest we be swept away into uncharted waters.

It may appear to you at times that those out in the world are having much more fun than you are. Some of you may feel restricted by the code of conduct to which we in the Church adhere. My brothers and sisters, I declare to you, however, that there is nothing which can bring more joy into our lives or more peace to our souls than the Spirit which can come to us as we follow the Savior and keep the commandments. That Spirit cannot be present at the kinds of activities in which so much of the world participates.

We must be vigilant in a world which has moved so far from that which is spiritual. It is essential that we reject anything that does not conform to our standards, refusing in the process to surrender that which we desire most: eternal life in the kingdom of God. The storms will still beat at our doors from time to time, for they are an inescapable part of our existence in mortality. We, however, will be far better equipped to deal with them, to learn from them, and to overcome them if we have the gospel at our core and the love of the Savior in our hearts. The prophet Isaiah declared, “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”^5"

                                                                                      President Thomas S. Monson October 2011

PTCD

i think i'm suffering from post traumatic christmas disorder.

i'm back to the office and i think i could cry.
things have settled and there are no more presents to buy.
christmas cheer has slowly faded.
its quiet in here.

help! how do i keep that christmas feeling all year!?

flurries.

it snowed yesterday. (it never snows in oregon. half an inch managed to close all schools). and i can't believe i'm saying this...but i miss it. it took a few flurries to make me remember how peaceful and gorgeous it is. there's a special something about a fresh blanket of snow. it melted away by the end of the day but that short glimpse of all white stuck with me. i'm secretly wishing it will snow again.

living at home during the holidays again is so nice. i get to enjoy christmas decorations in my cozy home, going to get a tree, singing in sacrament with my sisters, and going to christmas themed ward activities. i don't know what it is about this year, but i feel like it's a special one. there has been a lot of change in the last year, and i feel happy where i am. i know i'm supposed to be here and this time of year just gives me the chance to really soak it all in.

i am so grateful for:
the gospel
my savior
the scriptures
the calling to teach
good parents who love each other
a beautiful place to live
music
a boyfriend who takes care of me
friends who love me
giving gifts
the atonement and the chance it gives me to be a better person
a new job
learning new things

life is good.

peachy

yesterday i canned peaches for the first time. 

well...canning dunn family style. meaning not just peaches....but peach PIE filling. 

yummy. 

i loved getting to hang out with mom and learn how to do something new! can't wait to actually make a pie! 

my favorite season

this year could quite possibly be the most red fall i've ever experienced in utah. 

i love the sound of gravel under my tires

and the sound of wind blowing through the leaves. 

what a great time of year! 

bring on the snuggling in blankets and caramel apple ciders!

laid off

apparently i no longer have a job.

you heard me right. i was just as shocked to hear it.

today i was informed i have been laid off. and yesterday was my last day of work.

im now unemployed.

as if getting demoted, and having my hours significantly cut on multiple occasions wasn't enough.

awesome......

anyone want to hire me for a month before i move? im poor.

lunch

so what if i ate an ice cream bar for breakfast

at 2:30.... in the afternoon

which is really like a late lunch.

all because i laid in bed all morning.

so what. it was good.