Keep thy Heart

One of my friends from back in the South posted the following scriptures on their facebook last weekend.

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

We're not of the same faith, but we both read the Bible and I immediately recognized it as from Proverbs of Psalms.. It was Proverbs - Chapter 4, verse 23 to be exact.  I started to think about the meaning of the words... sometimes I merely skim over scriptures and don't really internalize the meaning.  I've been making attempts to be better at this.  Thus, I started to think about the meaning...

"Keep thy heart will all diligence..." To keep something is to save or guard it.  You heart represent your feelings, desires, and the center of your being.  Putting the pieces together I'd say that we are to persistently and carefully guard and protect our thoughts, feeling, and thus, actions.

"... for out of it are the issues of life."  So, from our heart comes the issues, trial, temptations, and desires we have in life.  Therefore, I can use my deductive reasoning to assess that the we should be consistently guarding (and even shepherding- guiding) our daily thoughts and feelings because the issues (good or bad) in our lives come from those feelings and thoughts.  Our feelings and thoughts control our actions.  Think about it.  If you're spending the majority of your time thinking negative thoughts, it's really difficult to stay positive, right?  It's the same with other things in our life.

Example: I'm not saying if you think about sex once you're suddenly going to be having it.  Heaven knows that's not the truth.  However, when things overrun our mind, it can be reflected in the way we speak and act.  Therefore, I think it's smart to follow the counsel to "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God." (D&C 121:45) I believe what H. David Burton said in a General Conference talk he gave in October of 2009, "As we allow virtue to garnish our thoughts unceasingly and we cultivate virtuous traits in our personal lives, our communities and institutions will be improved, our children and families will be strengthened, and faith and integrity will bless individual lives."

Sidenote:  For those friends who don't know what General Conference is, it's a bi-annual conference where individuals - mostly members of the LDS faith - gather in a series of two-hour sessions to listen to instruction from Church leaders. To see some of the transcripts, click HERE.

One way that I have found I am able to keep my mind in the right place and focus on the right things is to go to the temple.  I love the temple - the peace felt there and just the fact that it's mine and Heavenly Father's time.  I mean, you're serving others, but it's at such a benefit to you... I just am really grateful that I have the opportunity to go to the temple often here in UT.  In fact, I don't believe I utilize the temple as much as I could/should and so my new goal is to go once a week.  I use to do that while in college, and it was an extra mile or two away there... Here I have the Draper Temple basically in my backyard.

I know that when I go to the temple I feel peace and can keep my mind in the right place.  I can truly "keep [my] heart with all diligence," and keep myself on the best path for me.  If you want to learn more about LDS temple and why we have them, click on the picture below.... or just check out the stats. :)

*muah*

Song of the Day:  My Sunday obsession for the past few weeks has been Nichole Nordeman's song "Legacy."  It's so uplifting for anytime of the week and it's catchy... I adore it.  Enjoy!

Amendments

I started this entry a few weeks back, when the incident occurred, but I kept it in drafts by accident... Thus. I'm posting it now.

My mom was verbally attacked for her beliefs... at church.  A place that should be a safe haven.  It's not the first time either.  I just have to say that it's very fortunate that my mother has a strong testimony and knows the gospel is true.  It's fortunate that she understands the church is true, but the people aren't.  I just get so frustrated when she gives a simple opinion and is attacked...

The story.  They were talking about religious freedom and it came around to the Constitution - my mother made a comment about the beauty of the document being created with the ability to amend it when necessary.  She was abruptly cut off and a lady quite literally verbally assaulted her saying she "couldn't stand for such talk."  She went on about how the Constitution should never be changed and was not created with fluidity - that this thinking is what is leading to so many problems in our country.  Well, my mother (who never gets embarrassed) felt slightly humiliated.  I don't blame her- I would have felt awkward too... Luckily some of the women raised their hands a few minutes later and said that my mother should have to opportunity to finish her thought and that she wasn't completely wrong.  Many women emailed her later in the week too - so I think her not finishing her comment was almost more powerful than the comment itself.  See, my mom didn't finish her thought... She waved it off and let it passed, feeling numb.

When I was told about this, I did NOT feel numb.  I felt angry.  I'm over it now, but it's how I felt.  Who have the right to attack her for a belief, and especially in that it was that is in no way going against doctrine?!  No one.

I just want to bring up Amendment 13 - added almost 70 years after the original constitution was created. This amendment abolished slavery in the United States.  What about Amendment 19, passed in 1920?  This amendment allows women the power to vote.  The term amend means to change or modify, and amendment means a change or addition in a document.  The Constitution and the amendments were created with the understanding that times change and thus, changes sometimes need to be made to fit those times.  It's the same in the church.  In 1978, the church amended (after revelation) our "rules" to allow blacks to have the priesthood.  Gordon B. Hinckley wrote about this change and states, "All of us knew that the time had come for a change and that the decision had come from the heavens. The answer was clear." Change happens - and if it happens in the church, it will happen in other aspects of our life.

The lady had a point in her passion for the Constitution upholding certain stable, constant values.  However, she was so concerned with her point that other valid points were pushed aside and assessed immediately as being wrong.

I just needed to voice my opinion, and as this is my blog... I can do just that. Agree or disagree, that's okay.  I just hope that next time any of us disagree with someone, we try to look at it through their eyes and see where they're coming from - we don't attack them.

*muah*

Song of the Day:  I found this song randomly on my Ipod the other day... I was sitting in my ultimately amazing car and figuring out the sound system - I discovered I can speak to my car and tell it to play songs, artists, and albums.  Haha!  Anyway, this song was one a random playlist and I fell in love immediately.  Here is Kris Allen feat. Meiko with "Loves Me Not."  I adore it.  Enjoy!

Guess Who Bought Their First Car?!

For about two years I've been saving up like crazy so that I could buy my first car.  I was dreaming about buying my first car after I had saved most of the money for the actual vehicle.  I wanted to take a minimal loan so I could build credit, and be prepared to really have the majority of the money for a good car.  Today, that dream came true!!!

I bought my very first car!!!

My real dream was always to own a mini-cooper, but things change... I drove one last year and it was just too small for me.  I know - to all my close friends, this is a shocker.  Let's be real - they're also pretty expensive.  I'd rather pay less for more car.  Haha!

Anyway, I've been saving like mad and after saving a HUGE chunk of money, I decided that it was time to look into buying my very first car.  I searched a bunch of websites and autotrader ads.  I went to different dealerships (well, not too many...), and I did my research on the cars I was interested in.  I found one that I fell in love with... and I went after it hardcore.  Haha!

After a week of test-driving, taking the car to a mechanic, applying for a loan, taking through pounds of paper-work, and much pondering and prayer that I was making a good decision (yes, I prayed about my car), I made the leap and today... I became a first time car owner!!!

Is she not beautiful?  I think she is... I haven't decided on a name yet, but it'll come...  It's a 2011 Ford Escape with only 12,500 miles, and looks virtually new, which is AWESOME.  It feel like butter to drive and handles fabulously.  It gets great gas mileage and even has the flex fuel option.  There are also a few other things I love.. It has a great sound system with a 6-changer disc player, and a steering wheel that allows me to control the sound, station, track, and answer my phone by pushing a button or two on the wheel. It has lots of room in the back so friends aren't cramped like they were in the tracker (not in the van, but... according to Mark that van made me soccer mom), the air is powerful and functions fully (should be a given perhaps, but it didn't in my other cars), and... It has a sunroof!  It was a detail that wasn't mandatory, but secretly... I really wanted one!

Let's see her one more time: 

Yep, she's a beauty. I feel like an official "big kid," or adult... I worked hard, I saved, and I got what I wanted.  It feels good.

*muah*

Song of the Day:  I just have to... Here is Taylor Swift's newest, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."  I love it, and it was the first song I played in my new car. Enjoy!

WICKED

So, the other weekend my friend Spencer had the brilliant idea to try and win the Wicked lottery.  If you don't know what the Wicked lottery, let me clear it up for you.  It is not an extremely evil gambling system... On the contrary, it is nothing but pure goodness.

One of my favorite musicals, Wicked, is currently on tour here in SLC for July-August at the Capitol Theater.  The lottery system allows us less financially inclined individuals to try and "win" two tickets to see the musical for $25 each.  You head to the theater 2 1/2 hours before show-time and enter your name (free to enter) into a drawing that takes place exactly 2 hours before show-time.  They usually pull around 10 names (20 tickets), but it depends on the number of access tickets they have for any given show.  If you win (which is often a long-shot with how many names are typically in the bowl), you have to pay right there in cash and you get the two tickets for ridiculously cheap!  It's a fairly incredible opportunity if you win... and I did just that - I won!

 We put out names into the Saturday morning lottery and my name was the second name they pulled!  I could hardly believe it... I screamed.  I ran to the front.  I gave a "mini-speech" to the crowd ("I've never won anything before!  Sorry I yelled - I'm just so excited!  Good luck, everyone - good luck!").  I walked through the doors.  I bought two third row tickets to Wicked.  Two hours later, Amber and I walked into the theater and saw an AMAZING production of one of my favorite musicals.

Now did you catch that I said this was Spencer's idea and yet I entered the theater with Amber?  Yea.  There were four of us going for tickets and the luck took a break for our group after my name was called.  However, the luck did return... a few hours later, in fact, when Amber's name was called for the evening show and Spencer and Mark were able to get into the 8pm show.  Yea... It was awesome - REALLY awesome.

Moral of the story: Sometimes, gambling your time can be quite well worth it.

*muah*

Song of the Day: My friend Darell posted this video of a mash-up of "Bust Your Windows/Why You Don't You Love Me."  It's a fabulous cover by Scott Hoying (from Pentatonix) and Rozzi Crane (AMAZING voice)... Enjoy!

Sports. I Love Them.

I adore the Olympics.  Every two years when  those two-three weeks in winter or summer come around, I am ecstatic, and more than willing to spend evenings in watching my favorite events and/or athletes.  I love sports and healthy competition - it makes me really happy.  Most people know how mush I genuinely love sports.  Another thing I love?  London.  There's not secret there.  Haha!

So needless to say, I have been enjoying these past two weeks immensely.  I watch for the medal count each night, hoping beyond anything that we're beating China and that Great Britain is also doing well.  This year, I reel in catching a view of the Eye or Tower Bridge, all lit up at night.  I re-watch moments from the Opening Ceremony each year.  I Tivo events I'm passionate about (gymnastics, volleyball, and swimming in summer), and look up information on athletes.  I cry at way too many of those "P&G: sponsors of moms" commercials, or when certain athletes win their gold medals... and when they play the National Anthem.  I turn into the untypical softie.  It's a pretty great few weeks...

See, how can you not tear-up after that... OR, how could you not choke back emotion after seeing Aston Eaton's mom bawling and saying, "I knew you could do it!  I believed in you."  So sweet.  Haha!  I'm 100% sincere... I get emotional a lot during the Olympics.

Now, football season (which I am also VERY passionate about), I don't get so outwardly emotional.  I mean, I have plenty of emotion (elated happiness over an epic win to fiery rage over a dramatic loss), but it's different.  I would never cry over football - haha!  So, speaking of football... Tonight was a won for the Eagles and a won for the Chargers.  Thus, I am a VERY happy girl.

Pretty much, sports have a great ability to make me happy... and I just felt like I should write about it.

*muah*

Song of the Day: Like most Maroon 5 songs, it's a bit sultry, but I adore them and love their newest single.  However, the music video was NOT what I expected... It's great, but different.  Here's Maroon 5 with "One More Night."  Enjoy!

So-Far Summer...

Does anyone remember that "Summer List 2012" I made a few months back?  Well, I've been working on it.  I have been hittin' it hard, in fact.  Haha!  It's sad because I have lost absolutely no more weight because I spend my focus achieving the things on that list and not on the gym.  Haha!  On a positive note, I have completed half of my list and am on my way to completing the entire thing.  I make a summer list every year and this is the first year I will probably complete my whole list.  Pretty much, this summer is already legen... wait for it... dary! Yep. Legendary.

Here's some snap-shots on my life during 2012 so far...

 I went to Porcupine Pub and Grille (SO good!) with my sister, Natalie, AND hit up Seven Peaks to chill/tan by the pool!

 This was NOT on my list, but it is a yearly tradition... When Heidi comes to visit we get together to catch-up, talk about Germany and where we all are at in life.  I LOVED meeting up with Anya and Heidi for a dish session - amazing!

 Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches with my mom and Eliza!

 Nature scavenger hunt time I made for E!

 I really wanted to make the melted crayon project off of pinterest, and so I did it with Eliza.  They both turned out adorable, it kept us busy, and was a lot of fun!

Above and below are pics of my FIRST Twilight Concert Series concert, Raphael Saadiq, with Matt and Meg!  It wasn't amazing, but it was a good concert and I had fun!

 Harry Potter Movie Marathon with Derek, Cami, Zoey, and Natalie where I made "Acid Pops" and had pasties, lemon drops, creepy crawlers, licorice wands, and chips w/ salsa for everyone to snack on!

In the middle of our HP marathon we took a break to watch some fireworks (it was the 14th of July, after all) AND write our names in sparklers while taking pictures!  We got some good ones... :)  Check another thing off my list!

(Above: This is one of my favorite things we did.)

 I wanted to play in the fountains at Gateway, but the ones at City Creek are virtually the same thing and so I'll count it!  Taking Zoey was awesome - she loved it! I might still take E to the Gateway to run around in the fountains though... :)

One of the FIRST things Cami and I did together was go see the Up House!  It was on my list and she was all about helping me check things off... We both thought it was worth the 20 minute drive.  Haha!  It was funny too because we read the sign outside the house that said, "...take a few QUICK pics..." and after out ten minute photo-shoot the front door opened and I was SURE we were about to get chastised.  Instead, the owner asked if she could take a picture of us together!  It was super sweet... and she took about five pictures of us together and chatted a bit before we left.  Way cool. :)

 Another thing not on my list was going to Tucanos, but Derek and Cami took the family... so I'm adding it onto the list!  Haha... Check out Zoey's shirt... Yep.  It's truth.

Things are pretty great this summer... I can't complain too much.  I'm a blessed girl.

*muah*

Song of the Day: "No Light, No Light," by Florence + The Machine.  LOVE.  Enjoy!

TIme with Em!

The past week I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with my good friend Emily.  From a trip to Bear Lake with her and her fam to Lois and Clark nights at my "summer home," and closing out with a Real game to cheer on RSL against Colorado, we've been having a BLAST this summer!  Here are some highlights from the past few weeks..

 This was my first time on a wave-runner, and it was a BLAST!  We were speedin' along in sport mode and only ONCE got a little TOO crazy...

 See, Em and I spent the entire time just ridin' around at high speeds and laughing hysterically when it got super fast.  However, Dan (her brother and another friend of mine) and I got a little more insane about things... We spent the entire time trying to hit rough waves to catch air and then flip each other off the wave-runner.  The picture above is one of the MANY times I was thrown off... However, MOST times, if one went down, we took the other with us.  Haha!  The time we got TOO crazy?  I hit a turn a bit too fast and... Dan and I ended up fairly bruised and roughed up.  Needless to say, we had to stop for the day.  Oops.

 Another first of my summer was going to Bear Lake...  Love it there.

 Em getting ready to get on the wave-runner!

While we were at Bear Lake, we all went and saw Forever Plaid at the Pickleville Playhouse.  It was AMAZING!  I really loved the music (which I already knew a chunk of, but not everything), the actors, the staging and lighting... Man, they put on a GOOD show there!

Above are pictures from the Real Game (which we won 2-0!) and the beautiful Utah sunset I saw while I was there... Love it.  Plus, to end out the night, there were fireworks... behold the video below:

*muah*

Song of the Day: I kind of love this song. Here is Cher Lloyd and Astro w/ "Want U Back." Enjoy... :)