Stand in Holy Places

I am so grateful for General Conference.  It is truly one of my favorite times of the year.  I look forward to it almost like it is a holiday.  Conference last week was also so great to listen to after an emotionally exhausting week.  I decided that I wanted to write down some of my favorite lines from the Prophet's remarks. 

I recently had been thinking about what I could do to get more out of my scripture study.  So I went onto the Church's website and found a bunch of study aids! PERFECT!  I have also been missing my Institute classes.  I wish we lived closer so I could still participate in those.  So I bought The Book of Mormon Student Manual for Institute classes and have been reading that along with my study of the scriptures.  I have LOVED it!  I love being able to read commentary given by prophets and apostles in relation to the scriptures.  Also, it has been such a positive experience being able to sit and ponder over different questions that they pose in the manual.  I am reading in 1 Nephi and a couple days ago read about why Nephi wrote the plates.  He did is unknowing the reasons why but believing that it would be a help and a strength to those that did read it.  Our Prophets today are teaching and speaking for the Lord.  I have made it a goal to really try and immerse myself in their words - as they are for our good and what our Heavenly Father wants us to know now.

I know that we have living Prophets and Apostles who guide and teach us and will never lead us astray.  I know that The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and that if we but read it and pray to know of it's truthfulness, we will receive an answer.  I know our Father in Heaven loves each and every one of us - that we are His children.  I know He wants to hear from us, He wants us to be close to Him.  And I am grateful for these words of comfort given from our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson.  I hope it gives you even a little boost, like it did for me.  :)

"Our Father in Heaven is the same yesterday, today and forever.  The prophet Mormon tells us that God is "unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity."  In this world where nearly everything seems to be changing, His constancy is something on which we can rely, an anchor to which we can hold fast and be safe, lest we be swept away into uncharted waters."

"We must be vigilant in a world which has moved so far from that which is spiritual.  It is essential that we reject anything that does not conform to our standards, refusing in the process to surrender that which we desire most: eternal life in the kingdom of God.  The storms will still beat at our doors from time to time, for they are an inescapable part of our existence in mortality.  We, however, will be far better equipped to deal with them, to learn from them, and to overcome them if we have the gospel at our core and the love of the Savior in our hearts.  The prophet Isaiah declared, "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever."

"My beloved brothers and sisters, communication with our Father in Heaven - including our prayers to Him and His inspiration to us - is necessary in order for us to weather the storms and trials of life.  The Lord invites us, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me."  As we do so, we will feel His Spirit in our lives, providing us the desire and the courage to stand strong and firm in righteousness - to "stand...in hold places, and be not moved."

Brenda Lee Godfrey

Last Saturday, September 24th, my family got the devastating news that my Aunt Brenda had past away.  She died in a motorcycle accident down by Panguitch, Utah.  My mind has been swimming with thoughts ever since, I supposed I have been scared of writing any of them down because that would only make it that more real.  However, I feel like I need to write some of my own thoughts and memories of my wonderful Aunt Brenda.

When my family moved to Utah in the summer of 2001 we were greeted by Brenda.  She lived only ten minutes away and had now become our closest relative.  She was so incredibly kind to us girls when we first moved here and were so lonely.  She had a hot tub off of her patio and would invite us over frequently on weekends to take a soak.  I loved these times just sitting and relaxing in the hot tub.  These were usually followed up by late nights watching movies with popcorn in her fully decorated Coca-Cola room. 

Brenda had a way of making everyone feel comfortable.  As soon as you met her you felt like you had to have known her your whole life.  I remember in seventh grade, I was attending Crescent View Middle School which was probably just about a mile from her home.  I had to stay late at school to make up a test or something and there was no one to pick me up.  I had been out in a portable and the school was locked to use the pay phone in there.  I remember it raining that day.  And the thought came to me that I should walk to Brenda's house.  I don't know WHY I thought she would be there but I started walking there.  She had told me where her hide-a-key was and I figured that at least if she wasn't home I could go inside and use her phone to call my Mom. 

Well, I walked there in the rain and found the house empty.  I walked towards the back to find the hide-a-key and couldn't find it anywhere.  I felt so silly and ridiculous.  I sat down on her front porch in the rain and waited for her to get home.  When she finally did I remember a stunned face when she saw me - immediately followed by one of Brenda's amazing laughs.  She took me inside, wrapped me in a blanket, showed me EXACTLY where the key was, and I was able to call home.  She would tease me about that frequently. 

Brenda was also the one who cut my hair once we moved here.  I loved being able to sit there and just talk with her.  She would always be so interested in my life and all that was going on.  I remember she was so happy for me when we finally got little Abby, our dog, as she loved her own dogs so much. 

The last time I saw Brenda was in late July.  It was right before Mark and I moved to Denver.  We were home for the weekend to say goodbye to my family and my Dad told me that he was going down to have Brenda cut his hair.  I asked if I could tag along.  I hadn't had Brenda cut my hair since I had moved away for college but for some reason I went with him.  We sat there for a little over an hour and just talked.  She cut my hair, and insisted that I not pay her, telling her it was a going-away present. 

Brenda was always giving, always helping other people.  This last week I became more and more aware of the hardships that she had in her life.  I never knew because she never complained about them.  I loved her so much.  She was truly a sparkling light in the family. 

During her funeral, I was able to have what I feel was a very sweet and tender experience.  The family had chosen sunflowers to be the main flower for the funeral.  This flower fits perfectly for Brenda.  But as we were congregated together as a family I was drawn to one particular flower - a sunflower.  All of the other sunflowers were pointed upwards, facing the light - except for one.  It's face was pointing towards where I knew Brenda's face was inside.  Some thoughts entered my mind immediately.  It is a commonly known thought that sunflowers face the sun.  Whether in actuality this is true or not, this flower has been a symbol and tender thought in my mind over the last couple of days.  That is pointed itself towards Brenda. 

I will miss my wonderful Aunt Brenda the rest of my life.  It is always so tragic when a life so well lived is lost so soon.  However, I don't think I will ever look at a sunflower the same again.  Brenda, you were a light to everyone.  Your laugh and enthusiasm will forever be remembered.  I am a better person for knowing you.  I love you and will miss you - until we meet again. 

Forget Me Not

Over the last week, the words that President Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke during the General Relief Society meeting have been on my mind.  I love that man.  He always seems to know just what I need to hear.  He centered his talk on the small, yet beautiful, forget me not flower.  

He used the five petals of the flower to describe five things we would all be wise never to forget.  

-ONE-

Forget not to be patient with yourself 

"Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.  It's wonderful that you have strengths.  And it is part of your mortal experience that you do have weaknesses.  God wants to help us to eventually turn all of our weaknesses into strengths, but He knows that this is a long-term goal.  He wants us to become perfect, and if we stay on the path of discipleship, one day we will.  It's OK that you're not quite there yet.  Keep working on it, but stop punishing yourself.

Our journey toward perfection is long, but we can find wonder and delight in even the tiniest steps in that journey."

-TWO-

Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice

"An acceptable sacrifice is when we give up something good for something of far greater worth.

How can we tell the difference for our own situation?  We can ask ourselves, "Am I committing my time and energies to the things that matter most?"  There are so many good things to do, but we can't do all of them.  our Heavenly Father is most pleased when we sacrifice something good for something far greater with an eternal perspective."

-THREE-

Forget not to be happy now

"In the beloved children's story Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the mysterious candy maker Willy Wonka hides a golden ticket in five of his candy bars and announces that whoever finds one of the tickets wins a tour of his factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate.  

Written on each golden ticket is this message:  "Greetings to you, the lucky finder of this Golden Ticket...!  Tremendous things are in store for you!  Many wonderful surprises await you! ...Mystic and marvelous surprises...will...delight, ... astonish, and perplex you."

In this classic children's story, people all over the world desperately yearn to find a golden ticket.  Some feel that their entire future happiness depends on whether or not a golden ticket falls into their hands.  In their anxiousness, people begin to forget the simple joy they used to find in a candy bar.  The candy bar itself becomes an utter disappointment if it does not contain a golden ticket.

The lesson here is that if we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses, we could miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots that are all around us.  

This is not to say that we should abandon hope or temper our goals.  Never stop striving for the best that is within you.  Never stop hoping for all of the righteous desires of your heart.  But don't close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day's ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life.  

The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments.  They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives.  These are they who are truly happy."

-FOUR-

Forget not the "why" of the gospel

"While understanding the "what" and the "how" of the gospel is necessary, the eternal fire and majesty of the gospel springs from the "why."  When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight.  It becomes precious and sweet.

My dear sisters, seek out the majesty, the beauty, and the exhilarating joy of the "why" of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The "what" and "how" of obedience mark the way and keep us on the right path.  The "why" of obedience sanctifies our actions, transforming the mundane into the majestic.  It magnifies our small acts of obedience into holy acts of consecration."

-FIVE-

Forget not that the Lord loves you

"Sisters, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten.  No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you many feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you.  In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.

My dear Relief Society sisters, you are closer to heaven than you suppose.  You are destined for more than you can possibly imagine.  Continue to increase in faith and personal righteousness.  Accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as your way of life.  Cherish the gift of activity in this great and true Church.  Treasure the gift of service in the blessed organization of Relief Society.  Continue to strengthen homes and families.  Continue to seek out and help others who need your and the Lord's help."  

I hope that these words can be a source of comfort and peace to all woman out there, as they have been for me.

Seven Months Flew By!

Yesterday was Mark and I's seventh month anniversary.  Must say - PRETTY CRAZY!  Time flies by!  I know I really shouldn't gush too much about how much I love this man of mine, but I really do.  He is so incredibly good to me.  He makes me so happy every day.  Here are some things, especially the last month that he has done, that make me love him even more every day.

1 - He always makes sure to come home and sit down on the couch and talk with me.  For a socially deprived person, this is the greatest thing in the world!

2 - Once he's done with school - he comes home!  I feel so blessed that Mark studies at home and not at the library on campus.  It is completely selfish on my part, but I love to have someone else home at night.  I know that this is a rarity in a graduate student - and I truly am grateful to him for it.

3 - Mark is probably one of the most caring and thoughtful men I have ever met.  He is always there to cuddle and talk with me when I need him.  He is the greatest husband a girl could ask for.

I could go on and on about how much I love him.  But I guess I will just end that we are a very happily married seven month and one day couple.  Seven months down - eternity to go!

Family History

Since apparently I am destined to be unemployed here in Denver I have been coming up with lots of ways to keep myself busy.  I am making Christmas stockings.  I think Mark thought I was crazy when I told him what I was doing when I started last month. I think he reminded me how far away Christmas was more than once :)  haha, they are actually turning out pretty darn cute if I do say so myself - a lot more time consuming then I initially thought but I guess for me right now, that's a good thing!

I am also starting to make our wedding scrapbook.  I have never really done the whole scrapbook thing - but I absolutely love them and so want to have them.  However, as much I love the immense creativity I see with other people's with all of the embellishments and ribbons and things of the sort, I am not sure I am quite up to the task.  I am trying to focus my efforts on journal-ing and the pictures.  It looks pretty simple, but I think I am okay with it.  Maybe once I get a little bit more done I will post some pictures of the pages.  My goal is to never get more that a year behind in our family scrapbook.  By the end of December I want to have the wedding scrapbook DONE!  Next year, I will work on the 2011 scrapbook.  We will see how the goal goes - I am optimistic. 

However, what has BY FAR kept me the most busy is doing family history work.  That has essentially become my full time job.  I spend hours and hours doing it.  In fact, I am pretty sure it is safe to say, the entire time Mark is at school I am on the computer researching.  What has been even MORE fun is that Mark has gotten really into it as well.  He obviously doesn't have as much time to do it as I - he's got that whole school thing going on at the moment :) - but he seems to really enjoy doing it as well.  In fact about a month ago when I first showed him how to look up things and add it onto our Personal Ancestry File and such, he stayed up till four in the morning looking up stuff.  He was bursting to show me all that he found when we got up the next morning.  It is so much fun to have this work to do together. 

We are actually planning on making a book.  We want to have someplace to put all of our research and stories and pictures and journals that we have found about our families.  We want to have something that we can pass along to our little kiddos someday.  It is so much fun to find out so many new things each day.  The one we are really excited about right now is yesterday, I found out that one of my grandpas way back when - was an adviser to the Prophet Joseph Smith.  He is listed in the Doctrine of Covenants four times.  I was VERY excited to say the least yesterday!  I learned that although he was not a perfect man - he was a good man.  Anyway, it is a wonderful thing to find out the legacy that was made before you and to try and continue that on in your own life.

Right now, I guess I am just trying to find my "purpose."  I don't really feel like I am getting any closer.  Just trying to not get discouraged but how un-exciting my life is right now I guess.  A job I interviewed for last week that was IDEAL - absolutely perfect - I got e-mailed yesterday from the principal telling me that they are not sure they can afford to hire me with the budget because they now have to hire another teacher.  Rarr...kind of discouraging.  Oh well, I just keep hoping that something will work out.  I guess for right now, maybe family history is what I am supposed to be doing.  So off I go - more research to do! :) 

Our Day in Golden

This Labor Day we decided we'd better stay close-ish to home (only one day off plus Mark had a test on Tuesday) so I looked up a couple of possibilities and we decided we would spend our day in Golden.  We woke up early on Monday morning and drove about an hour to Golden Gate State Park.  It's a beautiful area just about a half hour drive from Golden.  

They have twelve trails that all look pretty awesome but we decided this go around we would do the "Buffalo Trail."  It was a beautiful day to go hiking but we were a little sad to not see any exciting wildlife (the day before on the trail we went on people had seen a mountain lion and a moose).  But we still had fun!

At the end of our hike were these old historical buildings - some were holding up a little better than others :)

This was called the Tallman Ranch and it was nestled here by this little lake by a Swedish family in the 1870's.  Their family stayed here until the 1950's - pretty crazy.  A beautiful place to be though. 

After our hike we went and ate lunch at Panorama Point.  It was beautiful - perfect day.  

After we were done eating we changed our clothes and drove back down to Golden.  It's a nice little town on the west side of Denver.  We decided we would go to the Colorado Railroad Museum that is there.  I have quickly learned that the railroad is a BIG deal here is Colorado and they have a really neat museum here.  They have made all of these replicas of different trains and the whole countryside with them plus have some other interesting stuff inside.  

This replica was ENORMOUS!  So cool how detailed it was!

Outside of the museum they have a bunch of trains that you can look at and inside.  It was neat to see how this form of transportation looked like inside and try and imagine traveling like that.  

These HUGE trains cleared away the snow on the tracks - they were absolutely MASSIVE!

 

Overall it was a really great day.  We are excited to be here and see these new sights here in the Denver area. 

BYU Football

I think I can pretty confidently say that Mark's favorite time of the year has come and he is one happy little boy.  FOOTBALL SEASON!  And more specifically - BYU FOOTBALL SEASON!  I'll tell you what - I thought my family were die-hard fans, we are nothing compared to the Bernings.  THEY LOVE IT!  And it is quite fun actually.  And I am totally fine with being a BYU fan - until they play the Aggies of course (which by the way, we did pretty darn good on Saturday!). 

But to commemorate this fun new beginning of BYU football, Mark and I decided to make "Y" shaped sugar cookies.  We had fun making and decorating for the big event.  We are SO happy that BYU was able to win on Saturday against Ole Miss (14-13).  I am learning so much about the world of sports.  WOOT WOOT!