tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077050782858021732024-03-19T04:19:23.898-05:00But If Not...Dedicated to finding faith & joy while working out the but-if-not's of life!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-59990974016694546632012-10-08T15:56:00.000-05:002012-10-08T15:56:00.143-05:00Missionary Age ChangesThe collective gasp is audible as <a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2012/10?lang=eng&vid=1882743190001&cid=3">you hear the prophet, President Monson, announce </a>that effective immediately, young men that are worthy (and have completed high school or the equivalent) are eligible to begin a mission at 18. Women may start serving at the age of 19.<div>
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What a blessing this inspired change is to the world! </div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-35639522065519571202012-10-07T15:51:00.000-05:002012-10-07T15:51:07.591-05:00Conference Is The Best!Brothers and sisters, boys and girls, it has been a year and a day since I last wrote. I pulled it up today and just couldn't believe it had been so long! I began this blog as an outlet, a place to write my thoughts.<br />
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Today, the thing that is on my mind is General Conference. Twice a year, we have the privilege to watch and listen to our prophet and other church leaders. We have the obligation to pray after conference to obtain a testimony of the truthfulness of what we heard. <a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/october-2012-landing-page?lang=eng">Click here to view the October 2012 conference</a>...it is the best way to spend a few hours!<br />
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(President Monson via <a href="http://www.lds.org/">www.lds.org</a>)Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-70449430159952835682011-10-06T21:32:00.000-05:002011-10-06T21:32:00.288-05:00GratitudeThe other day I couldn't help but remember blessings that have been streaming into my life so I thought I would list a few:<br />
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- Family that is close in proximity and relationship<br />
- Health<br />
- Health of family<br />
- Air conditioned car and home (this was especially true this summer)<br />
- Car that runs and won't leave me stranded in the ghetto<br />
- Job that doesn't require me to travel to the ghetto anymore<br />
- Job where I can help people<br />
- The Gospel (this encompasses a lot and what I am feeling most grateful for)<br />
- Friends who understand my point of view<br />
- Live in America, land of freedom<br />
- Being a woman at this time with all the rights that accompany this time in the world<br />
- Being a woman period.<br />
- The freedom to have a blog and voice my opinions<br />
- Pets. I love small creatures and appreciate having them around.<br />
- My education. My time at BYU helped me solidify my testimony and opened doors. Earning my master's degree in psychology helped me develop emotionally and put me in a position where I can help others.<br />
- The ability to involved politically in my community.<br />
- TechnologyRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-82879209955375555702011-09-28T10:45:00.001-05:002011-09-28T10:45:00.327-05:00What Matters MostI fell in love with this video. I was checking my facebook one last time before going to bed on 9/11/11. I had spent the day feeling a mixture of feelings ranging from sad to agitated to peaceful. I was all over the place emotionally that day. And a relative posted this video. As I watched it, my frustrations melted away and I was reminded that it's okay to laugh, smile, and be grateful to be alive. It's important to remember what matters most.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/l70e1TfN34w?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-14458357897131996402011-09-21T10:43:00.001-05:002011-09-21T10:43:00.180-05:00Peace"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - John 14:27Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-83559066851845341232011-09-14T22:14:00.001-05:002011-09-14T22:14:00.667-05:00The Reality of FaithI stumbled across Elder Richard G. Scott's talk, "The Sustaining Powers of Faith in Times in Uncertainty and Testing." And if ever there was a time that we were in times of uncertainty, now was it. I find that when I take these principles into action, my faith is increased and I am filled with joy. When I don't, confusion surrounds me.<br />
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"...never doubt the reality of faith. You will gather the fruits of faith as you follow the principles God has established for its use.<br />
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Some of those principles are:<br />
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• Trust in God and in His willingness to provide help when needed, no matter how challenging the circumstance.<br />
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• Obey His commandments and live to demonstrate that He can trust you.<br />
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• Be sensitive to the quiet prompting of the Spirit.<br />
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• Act courageously on that prompting.<br />
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• Be patient and understanding when God lets you struggle to grow and answers come a piece at a time over an extended period."<br />
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-80587602309963973782011-09-13T22:03:00.001-05:002011-09-13T22:03:01.134-05:00Reminder of Faith“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” - <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/heb/11.1?lang=eng#primary">Hebrews 11:1</a><br />
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"Only when our faith is aligned with the will of our Heavenly Father will we be empowered to receive the blessings we seek." - <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2002/10/shall-he-find-faith-on-the-earth?lang=eng&query=faith">Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin October 2002 Conference</a><br />
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“Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the <i>trial of your faith.</i>” - <a href="http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/ether/12.6?lang=eng#5">Ether 12:6</a><br />
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-38567250198433582752011-09-11T10:38:00.000-05:002011-09-11T10:38:05.884-05:009/11September 11, 2001 - I was at home in Provo, Utah and my older sister (and roommate) received a call stating that a plane flew into a building in NYC. She and I couldn't get it on tv so we rushed up to BYU campus. I had to work so I ran from building to building, watching the televisions in various buildings with what seemed like all of campus. I arrived at work and stood with dozens of students crammed into a lobby of the business building of campus and watched in horror what occurred. My younger sister was working in the same building and ran to my work with horror on her face as she said the pentagon was hit - we had an uncle that worked in the pentagon. We ran back to the lobby and watched and prayed and waited. Later, BYU held a prayer meeting and the building was packed. We cried and prayed. I felt like my heart broke that day. My uncle lived but so many didn't. <br />
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What I choose to think of today are the brave men and women who fought back on the flight in Pennsylvania. I think of the firefighters, police, paramedics, civilians, preachers, and so on that ran in to save those who were trapped. <br />
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"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - John 14:27Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-38942625639492920512011-09-05T21:52:00.001-05:002011-09-05T21:52:00.201-05:00Love IsWhat a <a href="http://lds.org/pages/mormon-messages-gallery?lang=eng#expressions-of-love"><em>great video</em></a>! Love is good. Binding. Eternal. <br />
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-22784354130310086112011-08-31T21:47:00.003-05:002011-08-31T21:47:00.170-05:00Good Things To ComeI am pretty sure I have posted <a href="http://lds.org/pages/mormon-messages-gallery?lang=eng#good-things-to-come"><em>this video</em></a> before but I had to post it again. It's one of my favorites. I sure love Elder Holland and his reminder that good things are to come. Stay with it. Have faith and be believing. <br />
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"Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come till heaven. But for those who embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come."Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-4900529498557246082011-08-28T21:28:00.001-05:002011-08-28T21:28:00.498-05:00Girl America To The Rescue!Life is interesting. One moment, you're blissful and content, the next you're in the throws of sadness and confusion. It's not that I am bipolar or anything, it's just that every so often, my buttons get pushed. Lately that button has been the "why am I not married with kids" button. And it's come at a weird time. I have been so grateful for my life - good job, close friends and family, church, callings, hobbies...everything is good. And then out of nowhere it seemed, my button got pushed. <br />
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I called my friend <a href="http://sidekickswanted.blogspot.com/"><em>Girl America</em></a> and poured out my heart and soul. (As an aside, one of the things I love about my friendship with Girl America is that I can call and say "my world is falling apart" or "my heart is broken" and we start the conversation there. We don't have to spend 30 minutes working our way into a conversation.) Anyway, one of the things I love about Girl America is her constant connection with the Gospel. She immediately recognized that Satan, or as she calls him, Uncle Lui (Loui, Lewey...not sure how she spells it) was whispering in my ear and hopping up and down all over my insecurities. She was 100% correct and after a few tears, I had regained my perspective. I have a good life. I have been blessed. My Heavenly Father loves and blesses me. And I will be faithful no matter what, even if things don't happen in my own time. <br />
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The blessings of the Gospel are true. You can ignore them or run from them but the truth of the matter is if you are faithful and endure to the end, Heavenly Father will bless you. Heartache in this life due to sin and missteps can be avoided. Eternal joy is possible. Sometimes I just have to be reminded. :)<br />
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-77730530410008694582011-08-26T21:23:00.000-05:002011-08-26T21:23:12.735-05:00Pioneer WomanI have fallen in love with a new blog, <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/"><em>The Pioneer Woman</em></a>. Ree is amazing. I love reading about how her entire life was flipped upside down by the love of her love and she went from city gal to country woman. It's a great blog...check it out!<br />
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-22697463417242078882011-07-31T15:00:00.001-05:002011-07-31T15:00:19.576-05:00SurvivingI know I have said this before, but I love Stephanie Nielson. She is the blogger who suffered severe burns in an airplane accident. What I appreciate about Stephanie, or NieNie as she is called, is that she is surviving. While she survived the plane wreck, on a daily basis she has to make decisions about whether or not she will continue to survive and so it becomes an action verb...surviving. I read <a href="http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/2011/07/blog-about-vintage-pearlwearing-short.html"><i>this post</i></a> and was reminded how simple and easy my life is.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-86863163482434429052011-07-25T02:36:00.000-05:002011-07-25T02:36:32.713-05:00Happy Pioneer Day!Happy Pioneer Day! What a great opportunity to celebrate the sacrifice of wonderful people who have gone before! Pioneers, whether or not they are related by blood, are related by belief. Because of early pioneer efforts, my church family has grown.<br />
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My mom was also a convert to the Gospel and has been a modern-day pioneer. I think of President Hinckley's talk on not being the weak link... I am grateful all the pioneer's sacrifices, which were great.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-1423375580985380662011-07-19T23:29:00.001-05:002011-07-19T23:29:00.598-05:00Awake, My Soul!While watching <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC4aV5WutY0"><em>Elder</em> <em>Jeffrey R. Holland's talk, Place No More For The Enemy of My Soul</em>,</a> several thoughts came to mind and I desired to share them.<br />
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- The first thing that struck me was how much Elder Holland loves his Savior and the people of this church. This message in particular, shows his passion and love. He is pleading with us to make good choices. He refers to unwanted thoughts as "rascals," which I loved.<br />
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- I was struck by how much power righteous children of Heavenly Father have, especially when living worthy of having the Holy Ghost. On a daily basis, I do not think of myself as powerful. I go through my life, day by day, and accomplish the tasks set before me, but rarely do I think of myself as a powerful woman. Imagine superman walking through the world as Clark Kent, having a desire to save others but not knowing his real potential. I was reminded that as children of a loving Heavenly Father, we have endowed powers. If worthy, we can have the Holy Ghost with us always and spread light and life where we trod. When we feel insignificant, it is Satan using the tools at his disposal to chip away at the greatness of our inheritance. We are more than we think we are. If I can remember that, every decision of my day will be better.<br />
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- The final thing that hit me is that I need to make sure that each place I am needs to be a place He could be. If the Spirit cannot dwell in my home or be with me throughout my day, I should change how I live. As I listened to Elder Holland, I found myself evaluating the media of my day. Do the shows I watch or music I listen to invite the Spirit? <br />
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How grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father who loves me and wants me to return home to Him. I love the leaders of the Church and appreciate the sacrifice they make to spread the Gospel. I pray to live the life my Father would have me live.<br />
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<em>“Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.” (2 Ne. 4:28)</em>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-29537417851222276842011-07-18T01:16:00.000-05:002011-07-18T01:16:06.036-05:00Watch Your Step - A Pleading Based In LoveI loved this video and the pleading in Elder Holland's voice. It reminded me of how much Heavenly Father loves us and has given us choice. Satan can tempt us but we have the right to choose. What a wonderful gift from a loving Father in Heaven. May we make choices that lead us home, even in the midst of the but if nots of life.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/gWQ5dPeixdw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-41092872004003484122011-07-08T01:17:00.001-05:002011-07-08T01:17:00.237-05:00Not AloneOne lesson that has become clear over the past month or so is that I am not alone. Sometimes as a single gal, I feel misunderstood which leads to feelings of loneliness. I have been blessed with a wonderful ward filled with sisters from all walks of life. It is a good reminder that there are many different types of heartaches that occur that can lead a woman to feel alone - never married, widowed, divorced, unable to bear children, losing a child...the list goes on and on. What is so important to remember is that a person's life circumstance does not define them. And when someone labels themselves and holds to the label, they can miss out on so much of life. <br />
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Soon I will be moving and leaving the ward I love so dearly. I am grateful for the remembrance of this lesson so that as I enter my new "family," I can focus on the person not the title. As I do so, I believe Heavenly Father will bless me to see each person for who they are.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-24590813323715226472011-07-06T13:14:00.000-05:002011-07-06T13:14:00.120-05:00Missed!Aaahhhh blog, I have missed you. I know I stray from your periodically as life gets crazy but this last absence was too long. Now that the virus has left the computer, I hope to visit you more often. :)Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-46293422732927706372011-07-04T10:34:00.001-05:002011-07-04T10:34:00.595-05:00Happy Indepedence Day!Happy 4th of July! What a wonderful day! I am so grateful for opportunity to live in this land of freedom and liberty. Each year on this day, I read the first chapter in 2 Nephi, which talks about the promises of this country and serves as a warning if we turn away from our Father in Heaven. I have included some of the verses below. May our Heavenly Father be with those in harms way defending our freedoms this day.<br />
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And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of teaching my brethren, our father, Lehi, also spake many things unto them, and rehearsed unto them, how great things the Lord had done for them in bringing them out of the land of Jerusalem.<br />
<a name='more'></a>2And he spake unto them concerning their rebellions upon the waters, and the mercies of God in sparing their lives, that they were not swallowed up in the sea.<br />
3And he also spake unto them concerning the land of promise, which they had obtained—how merciful the Lord had been in warning us that we should flee out of the land of Jerusalem.<br />
4For, behold, said he, I have seen a vision, in which I know that Jerusalem is destroyed; and had we remained in Jerusalem we should also have perished.<br />
5But, said he, notwithstanding our afflictions, we have obtained a land of promise, a land which is choice above all other lands; a land which the Lord God hath covenanted with me should be a land for the inheritance of my seed. Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord.<br />
6Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.<br />
7Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.<br />
8And behold, it is wisdom that this land should be kept as yet from the knowledge of other nations; for behold, many nations would overrun the land, that there would be no place for an inheritance.<br />
<strong>9Wherefore, I, Lehi, have obtained a promise, that inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that they may possess this land unto themselves. And if it so be that they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them, nor to take away the land of their inheritance; and they shall dwell safely forever.</strong><br />
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<strong>10But behold, when the time cometh that they shall dwindle in unbelief, after they have received so great blessings from the hand of the Lord—having a knowledge of the creation of the earth, and all men, knowing the great and marvelous works of the Lord from the creation of the world; having power given them to do all things by faith; having all the commandments from the beginning, and having been brought by his infinite goodness into this precious land of promise—behold, I say, if the day shall come that they will reject the Holy One of Israel, the true Messiah, their Redeemer and their God, behold, the judgments of him that is just shall rest upon them.</strong><br />
11Yea, he will bring other nations unto them, and he will give unto them power, and he will take away from them the lands of their possessions, and he will cause them to be scattered and smitten.<br />
12Yea, as one generation passeth to another there shall be bloodsheds, and great visitations among them; wherefore, my sons, I would that ye would remember; yea, I would that ye would hearken unto my words.<br />
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13O that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound, which are the chains which bind the children of men, that they are carried away captive down to the eternal gulf of misery and woe.<br />
14Awake! and arise from the dust, and hear the words of a trembling parent, whose limbs ye must soon lay down in the cold and silent grave, from whence no traveler can return; a few more days and I go the way of all the earth.<br />
15But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.<br />
16And I desire that ye should remember to observe the statutes and the judgments of the Lord; behold, this hath been the anxiety of my soul from the beginning.<br />
17My heart hath been weighed down with sorrow from time to time, for I have feared, lest for the hardness of your hearts the Lord your God should come out in the fulness of his wrath upon you, that ye be cut off and destroyed forever;<br />
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18Or, that a cursing should come upon you for the space of many generations; and ye are visited by sword, and by famine, and are hated, and are led according to the will and captivity of the devil.<br />
19O my sons, that these things might not come upon you, but that ye might be a choice and a favored people of the Lord. But behold, his will be done; for his ways are righteousness forever.<br />
20And he hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-42099800992747834602011-07-03T15:35:00.001-05:002011-07-03T23:02:35.202-05:00To Be Who We Are Supposed To BeWow, it has been a long time since I last wrote. My computer caught a virus and it's taken me this long to get it fixed. I procrastinate things I don't understand and something I don't understand well is computers. :)<br />
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The lesson in Relief Society today was amazing. It was based on a talk of Elder Maxwell's that discusses foreordination. The point the teacher was making was that there is a role that we have been foreordained to do. Our job is not to look at other's roles and be envious or to try and be something we are not, but rather, to be the best version of who Heavenly Father wants us to be. As we do, HE will plug us into the roles that are best for us. This hit me hard because I have been suffering a little from the green monster - envy. This last week, I was feeling like other people were just so much more advantaged than me in a number of areas - money, marriage, looks, opportunities, etc. As a way to shake it, I have been counting my blessings. The lesson learned through this experience is that I don't know that I will be my version of perfection because what I see is not the full picture. What I pray for is that I can become who Heavenly Father needs me to be. And only at the end of this existence will I see the full tapestry, as President Monson would say. So, in the meantime, I will take step after step, confident in my faith and counting my blessings, like health, family, and wildflowers.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLNCTXA3N1ifQtpdhyHk0gPtPQzwvkSYv1apBpbOoKAWztCJZPKYqNAJYa7Gmachbseh940JV596iYYinKvKaaFRJXzvXYRozOdTGg19Lkm1LfvlcCnCkNhYy5WN_DOcAr7e2nak7rJM/s1600/100_4599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLNCTXA3N1ifQtpdhyHk0gPtPQzwvkSYv1apBpbOoKAWztCJZPKYqNAJYa7Gmachbseh940JV596iYYinKvKaaFRJXzvXYRozOdTGg19Lkm1LfvlcCnCkNhYy5WN_DOcAr7e2nak7rJM/s320/100_4599.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SFEjmN0EZoVgkgfX4D6kYVNrJNBbAgIkIT7PABYyHOEXXSB4VpKTZntwbVGepKYBd0yB15bXxFxkK0o3O4EEFhBF8G7lA2FWNRbK7NPgjOVab1QZIlvPNwydPoMCIQcu9AS_K2AfxJg/s1600/100_4592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SFEjmN0EZoVgkgfX4D6kYVNrJNBbAgIkIT7PABYyHOEXXSB4VpKTZntwbVGepKYBd0yB15bXxFxkK0o3O4EEFhBF8G7lA2FWNRbK7NPgjOVab1QZIlvPNwydPoMCIQcu9AS_K2AfxJg/s320/100_4592.JPG" width="320" /></a>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-83799787870279642502011-05-08T15:48:00.000-05:002011-05-08T15:48:15.021-05:00Happy Mother's DayHappy Mother's Day! What a wonderful tradition of pausing to celebrate such an important eternal role. Motherhood encompasses so much...from bearing children, to providing solace and comfort, to teaching and raising aright. I am grateful for all of the mothers in my life. My mother has given and sacrificed much for me and I am eternally grateful. To those who are mothers around me - thank you for your wonderful example of love, patience, kindness, and dutifulness. I have been blessed to have so many wonderful mothers around me throughout my life. From my own sweet mom to the woman my mom would trust in her place. To good friends and family. And now I watch my sister be a mom and I am amazed. What a blessing it has been to have Sister Dew articulate the truth that all women, whether or not they have children, can be mothers and provide support, love, and teaching moments to the next generation.<br />
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So thank you mothers. Your role is of eternal importance. Thank you for choosing life!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-52950863964462411452011-04-20T23:40:00.001-05:002011-04-20T23:40:00.739-05:00LDS.orgThis week I have been feeling grateful for <a href="http://lds.org/?lang=eng"><em>lds.org</em></a>. I am sure this seems like an odd thing to be grateful for but it is my homepage on my computer. Everytime I log on, I am greeting with gorgeous images tied to articles that serve as reminders of why I am here. I am just grateful to have such a positive reminder each time I log on.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-90631304503550094532011-04-17T23:21:00.001-05:002011-04-17T23:30:07.606-05:00B-day PicsSo I know it's a little late but here are some pics from my bday. I sure love my family...they are so cute!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJsLvzltJCzc5RyayAvUWIWF-trJ5g2n5645SQ_UIqa68CUdIOYnFbXzNVfG4gG8n8PfTOfm5NM8ia3lMaxAAiq18xab20_gpqsF8Ia7_9cXVM0wR6ThOr9a6Kc4wO-Rwo9xH0qem8Q0/s1600/bday+pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJsLvzltJCzc5RyayAvUWIWF-trJ5g2n5645SQ_UIqa68CUdIOYnFbXzNVfG4gG8n8PfTOfm5NM8ia3lMaxAAiq18xab20_gpqsF8Ia7_9cXVM0wR6ThOr9a6Kc4wO-Rwo9xH0qem8Q0/s320/bday+pic.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a yummy spread! Lil sausages, queso, cheese & meat, crackers, veggies, lil sandwiches</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFebovlWNXiZ_8Axffbmi_DcymByKGYJvxHMp_ER98b7jn8Uqi3a7lEHfHfsBlXl_pRozSkMqqH7n9FpGEO5pKtGBsyXyY3Rk7_VuYg8Q7jkeHo9E0Gp-gd2H_cBtmvhQ2LMpHHsz4Y-I/s1600/bbbd.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFebovlWNXiZ_8Axffbmi_DcymByKGYJvxHMp_ER98b7jn8Uqi3a7lEHfHfsBlXl_pRozSkMqqH7n9FpGEO5pKtGBsyXyY3Rk7_VuYg8Q7jkeHo9E0Gp-gd2H_cBtmvhQ2LMpHHsz4Y-I/s320/bbbd.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fondue and yummy orange water!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHH99k5lbILoHJ5mXIG_hZeTxFd5T2Hr3Cefgk6WwQe4txMctIYix36LwqyKu8hLDB2hhPDVOPNJdWFQ5zZxzrRoPp3P-IT29eKW1OWRau-QyF3sTIgLGga7uN85pb72Nt0pKntOK11o/s1600/bd2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHH99k5lbILoHJ5mXIG_hZeTxFd5T2Hr3Cefgk6WwQe4txMctIYix36LwqyKu8hLDB2hhPDVOPNJdWFQ5zZxzrRoPp3P-IT29eKW1OWRau-QyF3sTIgLGga7uN85pb72Nt0pKntOK11o/s320/bd2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Sweet little puppy. I love her so much! She looks like a fox here. She's not, but she's so cute!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-XzZubkuqMqMVyRBIJiYoC4M5cAMTmeHqgYtshHlggtUUd4ktqLSnhGHcXms_e3c7IVzv9PEHFUsVOkeXziVyXmYssQ1vLmJv1oyJncokrHgzviL7IZpR6hxVyWQtSWu8ERY_Axx0o8/s1600/bdcake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-XzZubkuqMqMVyRBIJiYoC4M5cAMTmeHqgYtshHlggtUUd4ktqLSnhGHcXms_e3c7IVzv9PEHFUsVOkeXziVyXmYssQ1vLmJv1oyJncokrHgzviL7IZpR6hxVyWQtSWu8ERY_Axx0o8/s320/bdcake.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Whole Foods cake! I love WFs! The cake is made with organic </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ingredients and eggs from cage-free birds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We played silly games, each of which I won, and my reward for each win was a present. My fam rocks!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Lisa had her birthday celebration a few days later and we went to a Russian restaurant and bath. We didn't do the bath part, but it was certainly a cultural experience! There was a part of the business (in between the bath and restaurant) where I swear the Russians were planning a takeover. They speak with such passion and the language is so harsh, it probably just seemed like a war party. :) Shoes (my bro-in-law) and Lisa have the same b-day so we celebrated his birthday by babysitting Miles so that Heidi and Shoes could go away for a weekend.</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-23503316137765457472011-04-12T09:06:00.000-05:002011-04-12T09:06:36.605-05:00GratitudeToday is such a beautiful day! Sun shinning, cool breeze, spending time with my mom and her puppy...it's just perfect. I am grateful for days like today.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307705078285802173.post-24149567249121325602011-03-21T00:44:00.000-05:002011-03-21T00:44:20.525-05:00Birthday SurpriseLet me set the scene. I was turning 23. I was still in college, was unmarried, and had not served a mission. I felt like a loser and the last thing I wanted to do in the world was celebrate my birthday. I am usually very excited about birthdays but I let it be known, no parties, no dinners, no celebrations of any kind were to be had. Enter my sisters. <br />
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My sisters decided that they would throw a surprise party but not a birthday party. It was a cheese party (because they know I love cheeses) and it was great. They had a friend take me out for a few hours and when I returned, they had me change into a fancy dress. I came out and they were all dressed fancily for my cheese party. We played games and I miraculously won every game. For each game won, I received a "prize" (really a present). They were so creative in finding a way to celebrate me without focusing on my age. I love my sisters and am so grateful for them and their support. What a blessing for me to live so close to them and have their friendship.<br />
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This year for my birthday, my family gave me another surprise cheese party. I don't have the age baggage I had the first time but it was a great surprise with my whole family present. I am so grateful for the knowledge that families are forever and so blessed to be in my family!!!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03619645047139715607noreply@blogger.com0