Another Testament of Jesus Christ

"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

-Moroni 10:5

As many of you know I put out a challenge for you and myself to finish the Book of Mormon by December 31st.  Well I will admit, I didn't finish by the 31st...BUUUUUT I can say that I finished reading the Book of Mormon January 1, 2012!!!!! And might I add that it feels so good to be able to say that I have read the entire Book of Mormon! 

I hate to say that it had taken me 23 years to completely read cover to cover, but now that I have I can say 100% that the Book of Mormon is truly another testament of Jesus Christ! 

As I read the scripture that I put at the start of this post, I had an overwhelming feeling come over me, that what I was reading was true! I cannot deny what I have felt by reading this book! It has strengthened the testimony I already have of the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  It has strengthened my testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith who restored the gospel, and who translated the Book of Mormon.  I am so grateful for him, and all of the trials and tribulations he went through so that I would be able to have the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  

It definitely wasn't easy to finish, but I am so glad that I pushed myself to finally finish it! For those of you who took the challenge, I hope you have gained a stronger testimony of the amazing book that the Book of Mormon is.  I hope that by reading it, it has strengthened your testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Because I know that it has strengthened mine.  

I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Everyday I am reminded of the truthfulness of it, and how grateful I am for that! I am grateful for those daily reminders that I have a Heavenly Father who knows me, and loves me, and wants me to succeed and be happy! How amazing is that! To know that there is a divine being who is aware of you! 

I haven't always had such a strong and firm testimony of this gospel.  But that is the great thing about it, no matter who I have been, or who I am today, as long as I am striving to be the best person I can be, and doing those things that have been asked of me, I will be blessed.  Nobody is perfect! And that is a beautiful thing.  And it's ok that we aren't perfect, because we have a savior Jesus Christ who has taken on our sins and shortcomings, our flaws and weaknesses, so that we can return to our Heavenly Father! How great it is to have a knowledge of that! And oh  the peace it brings to me!

DIY T-Shirt Scarf

 It's Wednesday!

If you took my challenge to finish the Book of Mormon...how is it going? I'm not going to lie....I'm struggling!   But don't worry I am still pushing through! This week has been super busy. I officially moved home this week and I have been working, preparing a lesson for Sunday, moving in, unpacking...blah blah blah. So needless to say its been crazy! So I'm a little behind on my scripture reading but I will get back on top!

Well tonight I was feeling a little crafty. I KNOW! Weird right? Well I had been on Pinterest (no surprise there) and I saw a pin for a DIY t-shirt scarf.  I think they are super cool/cute and so I decided I would take a break from my lesson preparing and make myself a scarf! 

SOOOOOO EASY!

Literally I think it took me 10 minutes tops! I picked out a shirt that I haven't worn in a long time and started cutting! So I'll try to talk you through the process so you can try!

First lay your shirt flat on the ground and cut off the bottom hem! After that, start by cutting 1/2-1 inch strips straight across, ending right under the armpits.

 You will have more strips than this ^^ but I was already on to the next step when I decided to take pictures! 

Gather up all the strips together. I gathered them with all the hems together so when I wrapped them, the hem wouldn't be showing. Once you gather them all together pull at them a bit to stretch them out and to make them all about the same length. Leave one strip out prior to stretching so you can use that to wrap them.

 Once all your strips are gathered and stretched. Like so ^^ cut your left out strip in half.  I am struggling with getting my thoughts together for this next step to I borrowed the directions I used from this website.  In fact if my directions are lame or confusing....just use the same website I did, for directions! 

 Here is what mine looked like all gathered and wrapped together!

Finished product!! 

It's not really a "keep warm" kind of scarf, but it's super cute! And really easy to make! 

here's a challenge

It's 12:18 a.m. as I am starting this post! I should be going to bed, seeing that I have to be at work at 8:30. But as I was just browsing, oh ya know...pinterest I had a small epiphany (Well actually Molly and I had been talking earlier about this, but it really hit me about 2 minutes ago.)  

**Disclaimer...don't judge me for my next statement. For it might amaze some of you.**

I have never completely read the Book of Mormon start to finish.

There I said it. 

I mean, don't get me wrong, I read my scriptures.  But I have never read them cover to cover.  I will admit up until this summer, daily scripture study for me was a serious weakness and I have been trying really really hard to be better at it.  I am by no means perfect at it and I still struggle immensely, but I am trying! SO! I have decided I am going to finish reading the Book of Mormon by the end of the year! It should be super easy (seeing that I'm in 3rd Nephi!)  

My challenge to you!

(The few of you that follow me!!)  

Wherever you are in your scripture study (whether it be 1st Nephi or Moroni) let's finish the Book of Mormon by December 31st!!!!! 

 I know we can do it!

I can say without a shadow of a doubt, that I already have a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon! But think of how much mine, and yours will grow by finishing it! 

I can't wait!  

Let the challenge begin! ;)

We have 32 days! 

GO!

PS. Keep me posted on how it goes for you! If you have any pointers let me know! (Trust me I need the help!) And I'd love to hear personal stories of how your testimonies have grown or did grow by finishing the Book of Mormon cover to cover!

Amputation or dying of Tetanus?

I'VE HAD TO AMPUTATE MY FINGER! 

Okay...not quite but it could have happened!  So I got attacked by a falling picture frame, that ended up breaking, and slicing my poor little finger open! Luckily Molly was there to nurse my little finger and bandage it up! From the picture below it doesn't look that bad, and it makes me seem like a baby...but I promise there was a LOT of blood at the scene, and my finger had a heart beat for a couple hours! 

Well Tuesday when I was home visiting my parental units, my loving father reassured me that since it was a dusty picture frame that attacked me, it was likely I was going to get Tetanus which leads to: lock jaw, fever, and then DEATH. Thanks dad for freaking me out and making the wheels in my crazy, anxiety filled brain turn! So the decision was made that I would go to the Inter-mountain InstaCare and receive a Tetanus shot!  So thanks to thanks to the stupid picture frame for attacking me, and making me get a Tetanus shot, that has now made my left arm extremely sore! You're awesome. 

On a lighter note! 

My old bishop who I love and adore, James C. Christensen is an amazing artist.  And for the last couple months has been working on a series of photos relating to Lehi's dream from the Book of Mormon.  Well I was lucky enough to be a model for him! It was really cool to be apart of such an amazing process with such an amazing person.  Well James C. Christensen paired up with Robert L. Millet and they put together a book about Lehi's dream.  It turned out beautifully!!  I went and visited with my him a couple days ago (which is always a delight for me) and he gave and signed a copy of this book! I would suggest everyone get a copy of it, because it is amazing, get it here. Along with giving me a copy of his book he also gave me a copy (not an original) of one of the pictures he painted of me.  

He truly is such a talented artist.  And I am so grateful for him! He was the best bishop a young single adult could ask for! I seriously love that man, and he has made such a big impact on my life! 

obsession

I have a couple confessions to make.

1. I have been really bad a blogging. I'll be better...I PROMISE! 

2. Life is getting a little more exciting! (I'll get back to this)

And finally...

3. I have an obsession with hoodies....specifically "Zine" hoodies.  You can find them here! Well honestly I'm not the only person who has an obsession with these fabulous hoodies.  My co-worker Molly (whom I have been hanging out with a lot) has the same obsession with them as well! And I would be willing to assume that more people than Molly and me have the same amazingly horrible obsession. 

Can I just be honest here....I don't have just one or two of these hoodies.  I have FIVE...yes....FIVE of them(black, purple, turquoise, blue, and now stripes)! What can I say? They are great! They are super comfy, really cute, and they just are great! I wear them all the time! The only problem I have regarding these hoodies, is I can never choose which one I want to wear! Okay...and they are not super cheap ($39.95 or by one get one 1/2 off) so its not financially smart to own five of them really. 

**Side note.  I just took a ten minute break from writing because my family and I are watching "Crazy Stupid Love" which is probably the funniest movie I have ever seen. I NEED to own it! If you haven't seen it, get up, get your keys, get in your car, and rent it, buy it, whatever! Just WATCH IT! You will not regret it!**

So back to the hoodie!  :) So the point of me writing about my seriously crazy obsession, is that I just bought my fifth one on Thursday! And I think it is my favorite so far! Its super cute! 

Geez I'm obsessed. I'm wearing it now!

Well I guess I will get off my soap box about this grand hoodie! 

So my second confession was that life was getting a little more exciting! 

News- I will be moving back home in December! Kind of nervous but exciting! I'm just ready for a change, and think I have filled my quota for "Happy Valley", so I'm heading back to the Salt Lake Valley! 

Other news-I've been going on dates a lot! Which is exciting news, CLEARLY! Its been a while since I've been on multiple dates with someone, so it's exciting that I've been on multiple dates with multiple people.  Now I will be honest, I'm not usually the type to date multiple people.  Well 1-I usually don't have multiple guys in my life that want to take me on dates and spend time with me. So that's new to me! And 2-I usually just like to focus on one guy! But I'm having fun and getting to know some really good guys! There isn't a whole lot more to say about that! The dating situation(s) are still really new, so I will keep you posted!! 

MAYDAY!!!!!!

It has come to my attention that I have to change the name of my blog...

(Thanks Tony!)

I'm turning 23 next week!!!!! 

My blog can no longer be "Life of a 22 year old single LDS girl"

What shall I do?!

Should I keep it the same just change the age?

"Life of a 23 year old single LDS girl"

I feel like that doesn't sound as cool.

It makes me seem lame.

Ideas?

Also...I don't know how I feel about the number/age 23. 

It just feels lame.  22 and 24 sound cooler to me for some reason.

Oh well!

<3 Loves

Disneyland, the beach, shopping, and pedicures!

I know...I  know its been a little while since I have updated, my bad, my bad! Life in P-town has just been a little busy and crazy I feel...well actually lets just be honest, all of my free time has gone to trying to catch up on all SEVEN seasons of Grey's Anatomy! Don't judge! I literally have spend 90% of my free time in the last 3 weeks trying to catch up...I have failed.  I am only on season 5 so I have not been watching the most recent episodes. And I will not until I am caught up! SO DON'T SPOIL IT!!!  

This last week my family and I spent the week in beautiful California! 

But before I road tripped down to CA I spend all day Friday with my great friend Amelia! We were roommates when i first moved down to Orem almost 3 YEARS AGO! I can't believe it has been that long since I have lived in "Happy Valley!" Amelia was staying up in Salt Lake and so I met her and her mom up at Temple Square.  It was such a fun day with a lot of fun experiences! 

In the General Relief Society office building, in President Julie B. Beck's office there is a picture hanging up above her desk, that Amelia's sweet sweet down syndrome sister Michaela was a model for.  So Naomi, Amelia's mom wanted to go see it! So no big deal we were escorted up to Sister Beck's office by her assistant.  Sadly Sister Beck wasn't in her office that day but we did go into her office and "hung out" for a bit.  It was really cool to be stand in her office! She is such an influential woman! On one of the walls in her office she has a bunch of pictures of her with different people like Michelle Obama, Condolezza Rice, and many other influential women of the U.S. It was sooo cool! I'm still a little shocked that I was there!

After that we were talking to Sister Beck's assistant, Sister Cook, and we were telling her that Amelia and I are both newly called Relief Society teachers.  She asked if we had received the new R.S. book about the history of R.S.  We said that we hadn't and she could say enough about how we needed to get the book.  As we were talking to a couple other people she had left the room and returned about 5 minutes later with copies of the new R.S. book that had been signed by the general R.S. presidency, with a picture of the presidency in the front!!!! I could not believe she gave us a signed copy! That is something I will cherish forever! 

After talking many a pictures, we decided to head down to the basement to see the new R.S., Young Women, and Primary resource center! We looked around for a bit, chatted with the workers and then decided to head back to the car.  On the way to the elevator, Sister Ann Dibbs (President Monson's daughter)was talking to a group of women!! Even if I didn't know who she was it wouldn't have taken long to figure it out...she looks just like her father! We talked with her for a couple minutes, took a picture with her, and then got on the elevator with her! It was such a cool experience talking to her.  She is such a sweet lady! I will never forget that day! It was so cool! I cannot believe the things that happened! 

Me in Sister Beck's office!

Me, Allie, Amelia
Roommate reunion minus Zandrea. And of course we did some shopping!
We can't get together and not go shopping!

So like I said, this last week my family and I spent the week in California! It was such a fun week! We spend 3 days at Disneyland/California Adventures.  Spend some time at the beach.  Did some shopping, and got pedicures with the girl while the boys went to an air show at the local military base.  It was great to spend lot of time with my family! Ethan and Brynlee were so good this week, minus a few minor meltdowns! But for the most part they did great and were so much fun! I seriously love my family! They may be crazy at times...but they are so much fun! We always have such a great time together!

Dad and Kyle were apparently tired from the 12 hour drive....

The fam at the beach!

Holy cow! Ethan loved the beach! He loved running back and forth into the water! If you can't tell by this picture he is soaked, and covered in sand! Ethan's first time at the beach = success!

Love the specks of sand on his face!

Ethan is getting such a bigger personality! He is so fun!

haha Brynlee is figuring out how to make different face! This is her new one! She gives the worst stink eye!
But even with that face...you can't help but love her!

Me, Chels, and Ethan!

Ethan loves his papa! As we were watching t.v. one night after a long day at Disneyland, I looked over to find Ethan driving his "Mater" and "Lightning McQueen" cars on papa's belly! haha so cute! 

We celebrated Ethan's 3rd birthday while we were in CA....surprise surprise he wanted a "Cars" cake!

While at the play ground by the beach, Ethan found himself a redheaded girlfriend!

Disneyland is so cute during Halloween time!

Since Ethan celebrated his birthday he got to wear a "Happy Birthday" pin while we were there.
Brynlee and I also got to wear pins, because our birthday was within the month!
All of us were wished a Happy Birthday by most of the D-Land workers!

Ethan and I at "Autopia" I let him drive.  BIG MISTAKE!

Oh the Teacups! hahahaha
As tradition goes, Dad, Kyle and I piled into the teacup to try to break a world record.  I thought I was going to die....or puke.  So I kept my eyes closed for most of it.  We were spinning so fast people around us were pointing and talking about us my mom said! We are "legen- wait for it, and I hope you aren't lactose and tolerant, because the next part is-dary" (Legendary!!!!!)

Alice and the Mad Hatter!

Toy Story! BEST. RIDE. EVER.

Toon Town!!

Ethan and Brynlee!

Mickey's Soundsational Parade was awesome!

The Little Mermaid

Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Repunzel

Cinderella and Belle

Simba

Tinkerbell

Needless to say, and as you can probably see, we had so much fun in California! We are thinking about making it a yearly thing we do as a family! I would love that!