As is often the case, when I almost decide not to go to church for various reasons but end up going anyway, it turns out that getting out of the house for a bit, feeling the Spirit, and laughing with my girlfriends is exactly what I need to start a new week with a smile on my face.
I started to freak out on Saturday night, because I ended up having more homework than I'd originally thought I had at the beginning of the weekend (don't you just love it when that happens? haha). So pretty much all Saturday night and all Sunday morning, I was debating whether or not I should stay home and get my homework done. I'd been especially looking forward to this Sunday in particular, as it was Testimony Meeting, and I hadn't been to one of those since May...and Marvelous Madison had invited me to have "pirate stew" at her place afterwards. I decided, though, that I would probably feel worse if I didn't go to church. So I went...and I'm so glad I did!! I loved hearing everyone share their testimonies. And dinner at Madi's was super fun! The pirate stew was delicious, and when we were done eating, we watched the LDS version of Pride and Prejudice. It was super cute!!
And now for the best part!! When I got home, I was finishing up a final paper for my BIS 301 class that was due tonight at midnight. I got most of it done last night, but I wasn't feeling too confident about it. My teacher had asked us to bring a hard copy of our final draft to this morning's class with us, so that we could do a final peer review. When he was passing out the sheet with the stuff we were supposed to be focusing on, he said there was a surprise. I started reviewing my paper and wasn't paying attention to the surprise, but then Chris turns to me and says, "Did you see what the surprise is?!" Our teacher had extended the due date to tomorrow at noon!!!
Now just think how I would've felt when hearing that if I hadn't gone to church...haha!
This past weekend was super special, with it being my brother's birthday and General Conference weekend. Chris seemed to really enjoy his special day...18, oh my goodness!! Seriously, I don't think I realize how old I am until his birthday comes rolling around, haha!
General Conference was even more amazing than I'd imagined it would be. I knew it was going to be a very spiritual experience...I just didn't realize how much of one it would be. My love for the gospel and for the Church has grown sooo much after listening to the speakers. I've been encouraged and inspired in so many ways. I can't get over the range of emotions I've felt over the last few days, either...one minute, I'm quietly enjoying the scenery, letting everything sink in, and the next thing I know, I feel like I'm ready to run a race for the Lord, haha!
Anywho, here are just a few of the many wonderful gems I got out of this weekend...
"You must never underestimate the power of your righteous influence."
--Elaine S. Dalton
"Seen or unseen [angels] are always near."
--Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
"Come what may, and love it."
--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
"You don't know everything, but you know enough."
--Elder Neil L. Andersen
"Meekness is not weakness."
--Elder Robert D. Hales
"Every cloud we see doesn't result in rain."
--Elder Quinten L. Cook
"Find joy in the journey--now."
--President Thomas S. Monson
18 reasons why I think I have the best brother in the whole world...
And now for something completely different, haha...an update!! Like I'd said we would in my last post, my mom and I went to church with her super sweet coworker, Ponda, last Sunday. We stayed for Sunday school and RS, too. Mama loved it!! She cannot get over how friendly the people were, and she lovedlovedloved the music and the talks. She even spoke up in Sunday school! And...she wants to go back!!!! Oh my gosh, I am so happy!! I've been praying and praying for something like this to happen!
This past Monday, the 22nd, I had my first lesson with the missionaries!!! I was sooo excited, and Madison got to be there with me, yay!! We talked about the Restoration, and we read a couple of verses that have really stuck with me this week:
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
"And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it."
--Amos 8:11-12
I had goosebumps when I heard that, and I just cannot stop thinking about it! I'm planning on making it to 5th Ward this Sunday. Heather's been trying to talk me into singing in choir...so we'll see what happens, lol.
Anywho, I have to get back to work...love y'all!!
...and it feels like I'm barely keeping up.
Lately, all of my waking moments have been devoted to class, Institute, and homework. At least, that's what it feels like. Surprisingly, though, I'm not really that stressed. But let me tell you, prayer works wonders!! haha. :)
Thankfully, I will definitely be making it to church this Sunday...but I won't be going to 5th Ward. One of my mom's coworkers, Ponda, is LDS, and my mom and I are going with her to her family ward!! It'll be Mom's first LDS service, and my first service at a family ward. We're both super excited, and I can't wait to see how Mom likes it!
"What you believe, you can achieve."
--Mary Kay Ash
What we've covered during the first two weeks of my BIS 301 class can pretty much be summed up in that quote. For our first discussion post assignment, we had to watch Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture." Wow!! This guy was amazing, so if you haven't listened to his lecture, you can watch it here. Just to warn y'all, though, there is some language...and the video's over an hour long. But if you have the time, it's totally worth it!
Anywho, my shift at Hallmark last week went very well. The only big wigs who visited our store while I was there were some Canadian managers, so it wasn't too stressful.
Let's see...what else? Ooh, I'm super happy right now, because I just got done with my Institute class!! I was able to find a class that worked out with my schedule, so I don't have to wait until the spring to take one, after all! Hooray!! I'm taking the first half of Book of Mormon with my lovely friend, Heather, and I can already tell that this class is going to help me a LOT with my Scripture study. It's going to be awesome!! Also, when I got out of class, I ran into my ray of sunshine, Madison!!! Seeing her definitely put the icing on the cake. :)
Other than that, I've just been trying to keep up with all of my assignments. Fun stuffers.
