I've been inspired!

Week 1: Day 1: Service

A friend of mine from BYU-Idaho has inspired me.  On her blog she has started writing about her "6-week Walk with Christ."  Now, since I am a little behind the time I will start with a close-to-5-week Walk with Christ, starting today.  So indulge me as I go on a walk and take you with me.  I hope that you also find peace, happiness, joy and love as you read and "Come Unto Christ" through this holiday season.

So here is the first day...today!

This weekend I went to Idaho.  It was a lovely trip and as always had it's ups and downs, like every trip does.  It was quick but one thing I made sure that I did was go to the Rexburg Temple for an Endowment session.  I truly love that temple and it has a tender spot in my heart.  I was there for the temple dedication and I was an Ordinance worker there.  I fondly think of the many hours that were spent in that temple doing a great work!  As I went about my day today I reflected on the sacred things that we do in the temple and just service in general.  I thought about what I do and how I control myself (or don't control myself) when I get upset or frustrated.  Typically I will curl up in a ball, go to my room or just want to be alone.  I just want to sulk.  Then I went on to think about what I see others do when they get upset or frustrated and many begin to serve.  I especially saw that this weekend and I couldn't help but think how I needed to become more Christ-like and serve.  Although I serve in the temple often and I serve the children and families I work with I feel as though service will bring the greatest blessing and satisfaction to my life.  I desire to feel loved and to love...and so it is through service that this desire of greater love will come to pass.

As I walk with Christ, I challenge you to as well.  Whether you do it mentally or write it in a journal or blog, turn your thoughts and actions toward Christ this holiday season and watch him work mighty miracles in your life and others.  I am excited to grow closer to my Savior and become a better friend of His.  I know that this is going to be a GREAT holiday season because I will put all my faith and trust in the Lord.  Although it does get lonely, I know that the Lord will watch over me and bless me.  I love the thought that Katie wrote on her blog.  She went to a fireside that Sister Kristen Oaks spoke at and she said, " I didn't 'just marry an apostle'. It was fifty years of walking with and total dependency upon the Lord and his Atonement."  

Oh yes I did, Girl!

That is to be said with a Bon Qui Qui accent.  You should watch it if you haven't already.

Well, anyway...YES I DID!!!  I did it, I flew for the 1st time in my life and it was ivigorating, UH-mazing and beautiful!!  Ok, so it was more like I jumped out of a plane did a free fall for 45 seconds (11,000 ft to 5,000 ft...DANG!) and THEN I flew.  Once, I pulled the rip cord it was very peaceful!  The adreneline was super high and so I rested on my way down.  It was an amazing thing to do and a check on my bucket list!  Thanks Heather and Shawna for letting me go with you wonderful girls!  Below are some pictures for your entertainment...alright maybe not.  For some reason it's not working right now.  LAME!  I'll post them when it's working, just imagine me falling out of a plane with a man strapped to the back of me!  Did I pee my pants?  Nope, but I sure wanted to!  WAHOO!  I did it! 

What is the craziest thing you have wanted to do or have done?  I need something new and adventurous to look forward to, your ideas might inspire me!

Want to do an easy fall craft?

Well, this craft is easy, cheap and I find it SUPER cute!  My friend Kayley showed it on her blog and you can find the tutorial HERE.  We didn't make them all pumpkins, but used fall colors.  I think they turned out way cute and gives a nice look to the table!  Just and FYI-if you make these and want to make the big one that is in the middle, we used 20 strips instead of 14.  ENJOY and let me know how it goes!

Life's Lessons

Recently I have had some great life lessons.  I have been reflecting on my life and knowing there are things that I need to change and improve.  So here are some things that I have been taught and pondered on... 

1- A couple weeks ago our Stake President came to our ward and told a story about his sweet 4 year old grand daughter, Liberty.  He told the story that Liberty and grandma were doing something on the computer and Grandma was talking and accidently gleeked on Liberty.  (Kind of a funny visual)  Liberty then looked back at her grandma and said, "Grandma, we don't spit.  That is what they did to Jesus on the cross!"  Although that is kind of a funny story Pres. Bratt related back to us how we need to be like children.  We should be child-like.  There is a difference between childish and child-like and we must continue to strive to be child-like.  Thought provoking.  I work with young children and is truly a gift to be child-like.  I hope that I can be more like those special children I work with. 

2- During our adult session of Stake Conference a couple of weeks ago a member of the presidency talked about distractions.  There are many distractions in life and although we typically think of distractions as 'bad' things, that is not the case.  I think of what my sister always says, "moderation in all things."  So I have been thinking about the 'distracions' that are in my life and trying to eliminate them.  It is a humbling experience, but so necessary!

3-I am grateful for my own trials.  I know that this is often said, but it is SO true!  I am grateful that I have the seemingly minimal trials that I have compared to the burdensome trials that I see family, friends, co-workers and strangers going through.   

I love the gospel, and I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true and living church on the earth.  This and the knowledge of the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is what helps me keep on keepin' on in life.  Sorry for the boring post, but it really is just for me to express some feelings of the past couple weeks.  Until next time... 

Um...yes!

I am most likely going to follow THE MORMON BACHELORETTE!  Ha!  A friend from work showed me the blog and I can't resist but looking at the updates.  Clean, fun AND funny entertainment!  Right!  I think it it!  Enjoy! (don't pretend like you are not going to go look at it...just do it!)

HAPPY 26th BIRTHDAY!!!

To me!  Yup, I am now officially closer to 30 than 20...so weird to say and think about!  All in all it was a good day.  I slept in, watched the Testemant, got ready for church, worshiped at church and forgot a lot of the time that it was my birthday.  Ha! Ha!  I really don't like birthday's on Sunday...but today was actually really great.  After church I went and had our family dinner.  My family spoiled me by making homemade Chinese food...YUM!  And of course, Dad's famous cheesecake!  I had to be home by 9 for a very important date!  I got to see DEVIN!  One of my good friends from BYU-Idaho who just got back from his mission to Germany and Austria...I tried to get him to yoddle but he wouldn't!  ;)  It made my birthday so fun...Crystal made a yummy cake and she and Devin sang Happy Birthday to me.  So cute!  So...enjoy the end of the night picture...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me and WELCOME HOME Devin!!!

P.S. This is a little snipit of my new condo...well, not mine but the place I am renting.  I love it!

Day 1: Cebu 2010

I left the US on Wednesday May 26, 2010 (Happy Anniversary Landon & Haley!) bound for Cebu, Philippines.  I was worried since I was traveling by myself...but I was blessed and was kept safe the whole trip.  I missed May 27th and arrived in Cebu on Friday May 28th.  All in all, about a 24 hour trip...yes it seems like it was longer...thank you international dateline!  It was long and I was tired but I knew that I wouldn't be able to sit still when I arrived.  It was an emotional experience flying back into Cebu, it really was a dream come true.  I looked for the temple as I flew in (luckily I was on the right side of the plane) and when I saw it I knew that this was a different place than I had left it.  It truly is a blessed place and I am so grateful that I was able to serve my mission there.  My Ate (pronounced a-tay) Beneth and her father Benjamin Montera were there to greet me at the airport.  I flew from SLC to LAX to Manila then to Cebu.  Because I was coming from Manila, I would naturally be in the domestic pick-up area.  However, my luggage was coming all the way from SLC (THANK HEAVENS!!!) so I ended up in the International pick-up area.  I was the last one there waiting for my ride...and I was getting nervous.  I couldn't see any pay phones so I asked a guard if there was one around, he chuckled and said no but that I could use his cell phone.  What a kind young man...I was SO glad that I could speak their language AND being an American helped a bit cause I didn't even have to pay him!  YEAH!  Thanks mom for my "white" skin! :)  Well, it turns out that Ate Beneth and her dad were waiting in the domestic area...of course!  So they quickly came and picked me up and off we were.  It was sureal driving through 2 of my areas to get to their home.  WOW!!!  Here is a picture when I first arrived on our way to the Montera home...