"…cheerfully and with patience…"

My dear friends! So many exciting and wonderful and happy things have been happening in our life! 

don't i have the handsomest man in all the land?!

My cute hubby graduated from the University of Utah this weekend! I am so proud of him and all of the hard work he has put into school and graduating! Now we are making the trek across the country to Atlanta, Georgia this month so he can start the Master of Public Health program at Emory University.

Crazy, right?! But we are more excited than I can even tell you! We went through the long process of deciding where to go and we feel so right about this adventure. And I'm sure that is exactly what it will be -- an adventure!

I also had the amazing opportunity to go to BYU Women's Conference where I learned so much, I felt the Spirit of God, and I was buoyed up. Plus - it was so much fun to spend the day with my fun mom!
{{My mom is in the General Young Women Presidency and had the chance to sit on the stand for the large sessions and to give a five minute talk with the other presidency members. I am so proud of my sweet mother and all the love she has for everyone around her.}}

There was one big thing I was reminded of through our process of deciding where to move, at graduation, at the conference, and again in my scripture study tonight -- fourth times the charm right? Actually, it's been on my mind through the past year. 

Mosiah 24:15 - "yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."

If there is one thing I have learned well this year, it is that everything happens according to the will of the Lord. He knows who we are, and he does "visit {His} people in their afflictions." 

Kyron and I have been so busy and doing so much lately. We've been making life-changing decisions, trying to do our best, and not knowing our plans until little-by-little, things have been falling perfectly into place. I had no idea that we would be where we are today one year ago. And I could not be more grateful for the experiences we've had and for the opportunities that have come our way, all unbeknownst to us. And I know, that as we "submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord," He will provide for us and take us in the path that we need to be on. He will help us grow in ways we never thought we could. 

I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and His love for me and my sweet husband. We feel so blessed and are thrilled to embark on our new adventure together!

Because of Him

Easter is this weekend! And I've been thinking of the many ways I can prepare for it. As fun as all the crafts and treats and everything are on Pinterest, I have a different kind of preparation in mind.

Easter is probably the most meaningful holiday to me. It is a time for me to reflect and rejoice in my Savior, Jesus Christ. 

The power of His glory.

The grace of His love.

The mercy of His forgiveness.

The meaning of His sacrifice.

My preparation was inspired by this short clip: Because of Him. And I want to prepare for this Easter weekend by building my relationship with my Savior. 

And I encourage all of you to do the same, whatever that means to you.

Jesus Christ was born through Mary. He lived on this earth performing miracles through the power of our Heavenly Father. He showed mercy and love, and gave commandments for us to live by so that we can return to live with Him in glory. He suffered the pains of our sorrows and sins. And He died as the ultimate sacrifice. And then, He rose. He broke the bands of death. He died, yet He lives again. 

He lives! I know that He lives. I know that He loves us - each and every one of us. I know that He will forgive us if we come to Him in humility and repent. I know that He will bring us up through the sorrows of life and guide us to do what is right. I know that we can have true joy through Him as we serve others and share our light around the world. I know that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior and Redeemer. He lives. 

And because of Him, I am.

{I think the majority of whoever actually reads/looks at this blog probably knows this - but in case you didn't - I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm a Mormon. And if you want to learn more about what we believe - please ask! Or visit mormon.org.}

The Happiness Experiment

Remember how it was the International Day of Happiness a couple days ago?

And remember how I told you to check out my friends blog, Forever Furness, for her happiness experiment?

And remember how I promised said friend that I would participate?

(Seriously, if you haven't looked at Cortnee's blog, do it now or this won't even make any sense)

Well. You guessed it. Here is me embarrassing myself dancing to Happy for the world to see! Now that you've seen this - and you can probably never unsee this - you should definitely pull out your camera and send your Happy dance to Cortnee pronto! (Or me if you don't have her info.)

{{ Side note: this "I Heart Coke" shirt was not an unconscious outfit decision. But Coke is just one of the many things that makes me happy. Oh the simple things in life }}

my #happyday

Did you know that today is the International Day of Happiness?! 

Thank you Pharrell for making this happen. 

(check out 24hoursofhappiness.com if you haven't heard about this - and listen to that fantastic song that is bound to make you happy!) 
AND check out my best bud's blog Forever Furness to participate in her Happiness Experiment! do it!

Well, this day started off not so happy and pretty stressful for me. But! I made that change pretty quick. In the process of doing things I had to do, I had the chance to take this bad boy for spin at work today. It is a BEAUTIFUL day outside, it's the first day of spring in fact! And just taking a minute and enjoying the things I get to do and am learning at my job - ah, sweet happiness. :)

The University of Utah Marketing and Communications Golf Cart

So go! Be happy! And share with everyone your #happyday! 

being better.

Friends. It looks like I am caught in a terrible cycle. 

I am up and down on my recording of life - and I keep saying that I'm going to be better. I am really good for a few days, weeks, even months, and then I go for a while without doing a thing. 

I guess that's a pretty good sum of my life. Unfortunately. Do you ever find yourself in that vicious cycle? Blogging. Exercising. Eating healthy. Praying. Reading scriptures. Any other habits that are just hard to be consistent with? That's definitely me. But who's to say you can't pick up right where you left off? 

I once heard a talk by Elder Aidukaitis (a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). To paraphrase: "If you skipped brushing your teeth one morning, would you just give up and never brush your teeth ever again? No! You would do better and remember to brush your teeth the next day!" So, why would we stop doing good things, just because we forget to do them consistently?

Now is the perfect time to keep working harder and trying to do better! After all, isn't that what life is all about?!

(photo credit: heavenslds.tumblr.com)

a tribute to friends that have babies

One of my dearest friends had her baby this year! This picture was taken at her glorious baby shower :)

Isn't she the cutest prego lady you ever did see??

And she and her husband have the sweetest baby girl! <3

Maybe someday she'll post pictures of her little princess

toddandcortnee.blogspot.com

Just so you know, Kyron and I love this little family of Furnii. They are the best examples to us. We got to spend some time with them at Primary Children's in a church calling together (that I'll post about someday i promise!)

We've both learned so much from them and just think of the world of them. And they are the best parents this little girl could ask for.

Our Missionary

Last October, President Thomas S. Monson announced that the age for full-time missionaries had been lowered to 18 for young men and 19 for young women. It was an incredible announcement for the church! And it just so happens that my nephew is going to turn 18 in June, right after he graduates from high school. I didn't realize the impact it would have on our family -- what a blessing! He is such an amazing example to his 7 younger siblings and 23 cousins by making the sacrifice to go. He got his mission call just a few weeks ago.

WE LOVE THIS BOY!

We'll all miss you so much. But we know you will be off doing a marvelous work and a wonder in Montevideo, Uruguay!

“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” - Joseph Smith