Giving Thanks

During tough times in life it is hard to remember the things that we are grateful for, or what to have hope in. Recently I have been feeling stressed and really just having a hard time. Nothing major, just a lot going on. All very important things that need to happen, but are not always easy. This video has a wonderful message that gives me hope. The message of Christ is what gives me strength to endure the hard times.



I also came across this quote that I wanted to share.

President Boyd K. Packer said, " There are three parts to the plan. You are in the second or the middle part, the one in which you will be tested by temptation, by trials, perhaps by tragedy...
"Remember this! The line 'And they all lived happily ever after' is never written into the second act [of a play]. That line belongs in the third act, when the mysteries are solved and everything is put right...
"Until you have a broad perspective of the eternal nature of [the plan], you won't make much sense out of the inequities in life. Some are born with so little and others with so much. Some are born in poverty, with handicaps, with pain, with suffering. Some experience premature death, even innocent children. There are the brutal, unforgiving forces of nature and the brutality of man to man. We have seen a lot of that recently.
"Do not suppose that God willfully causes that which, for His own purposes, he permits. When you know the plan and the purpose of it all, even these things will manifest a loving Father in Heaven." (The Play and the Plan, 7 May 1995)

Life is tough and some terrible things can happen in our lives. But I know that through tragedy, hardships, lonliness, we can know that we are not really alone. That we have a loving Heavenly Father who will weep with us. We have a Savior who has felt our pain and therefore knows how to comfort us. In my darkest moments when I have turned to my Savior I have been filled with his light. I have had some special experiences in those moments when I have come to know that he truly does live and that he truly does love me and that I am not alone.

10 things I love about Town Lake

10 Nice abs on the runner guys (Don't Judge) ;)
9 Riding by all the people with their dogs (did you know there is a dog park?)
8 Cold water provided
7 Being among so many active people
6 The guy playing his harmonica and guitar every Saturday morning on the same turn
5 Riding on the trail amongst all the green trees.
4 The beautiful scenery of the lake
3 Fathers riding their bikes with their kids along with them
2 Mothers running with their kids in strollers (that will be me someday)
1 Riding with Elizabeth

I Love HIM, I Love Him, I Loooovvvve Him!

A little while ago, my previous room mate, Elizabeth, introduced me to a song, that well, I love! I find it hilarious! I shared it with my sister and she enjoyed it as well. I googled the song and found it on Youtube and then was pleasantly surprised to find a song in response to the first. Here they are. Enjoy



The Response:



I love it, I LOVE IT, I LOOOOOVVVVEE IT!

He is the Resurrection and the Life!

I know that Christ lives! Everything I have in my life I owe to him. On a daily basis I have the opportunity to come closer to him and come to know him even greater. I have peace and happiness in my life because of him. I know that relationships I have with friends and family members can continue beyond this life because of my Saviors sacrifice. I know all those who have lost their lives in their youth or in their old age will live again, because there was a man. A man who was perfect, who was better than any man who has ever lived. He was good and yet when the moment came for the people to choose between Christ and Barabbas, they chose Barabbas. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, an Apostle of the Lord, put it this way, "It is one of the ironies of history that sitting with Jesus in prison was a real blasphemer, a murderer and revolutionary known as Barabbas, a name or title in Aramaic meaning 'son of the father.' Free to release one prisoner in the spirit of the Passover tradition, Pilate asked the people, 'Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?' They said, 'Barabbas.' So one godless 'son of the father' was set free while a truly divine Son of His Heavenly Father moved on to crucifixion." Our Father in Heaven watched as his perfect son was suffering and even cried out that he might not drink the bitter dregs of the cup. It was the Father's will that Christ chose to obey. He died on the cross for us, and he was resurrected for us, that we too might live again with our Father in Heaven. That we might have a way for happiness in our lives now and forever. Our lives do not end at death. A good man who loses his life for reasons that are not readily understood is not lost. Our loving Heavenly Father has provided a way for us through our Savior Jesus Christ. Through a perfect man that gave his life so that we might have one and then live again.



http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1032-27,00.html

Something I love!!

I have a love of making new things or trying out new recipes. It always makes me happy to see the finished product. I made snickers and twix from scratch once. I’ll be honest I was pretty proud of myself. It was just so darn cool. I always like to try out new recipes, one of my favorite being Asian food. I also like to try out desserts. I follow a blog that is called

Bakerella which has some fun recipes on it. With Easter coming up I decided I wanted to make the Easter egg basket cupcakes. Mostly because I thought it would be a fun activity to do. My younger sisters and brother joined me, and of course we had a blast with candy, frosting, and well let's just say there was tons of sugar!!! :S

The Picture Challenge

The answer to Sunni's challenge
( http://thecatesfamily.blogspot.com/ )

I thought it an interesting coincidence the pictures I came across. I will explain why there are two.

Tamara Kelm ( http://tck4texas.blogspot.com/ ) I nominate you for the picture challenge. It is your turn to pick the same pic, 4th folder 4th pic, and then explain it, then Challenge someone who reads your blog to do the same; it is kind of fun.

So for the first photo, I went onto my computer to see what was in my fourth folder, fourth picture. I came across this picture of the Dallas, Texas Temple. Inspiring since my most recent post was of temples, but this specific Temple has special significance to me because this is the first Temple I ever entered into shortly after I turned 12. And then later on June 19, 2004, which happens to be the day after my birthday, just before I left for my mission, I was able to enter this temple and make special covenants with my Heavenly Father. I was able to learn more about the special blessings that he has for me as his daughter. It was a wonderful day, one that is often remembered.

So then I went to post this photo to my blog and lo and behold I open up the "insert a picture" box and find that my folders were in a different order. So now my fourth folder, fourth picture is different. I decide to check it out and see what it could possibly be. I opened up the folder and look at the pictures and they are the pictures that I had taken on June 19, 2004 at the Dallas, Texas Temple. The fourth picture was my mother and me. :D I thought God works in mysterious ways and decided to share both pictures, and a little of the special memory that I have of that day.
What a blessing I have found it in my life to attend the Temple often and to enter into a Holy House that has been separated from the world and is the House of the Lord. I have felt His peace, His protection, His power, and most assuredly His love within these walls. I have been taught and learned much for myself and about His gospel. These things follow me throughout my daily life and strengthen me greatly. It has also taught me a great pattern for my life and to keep those things with me wherever I go and especially keep that same type of spirit in my home.

Thanks Sunni for this unexpected opportunity to share a special part of my life and my testimony of the gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Temple Building People

This is a place that has brought me great happiness!! I am grateful for the blessings that come into my life every day because of the temple!