Thoughts:

I know it's been a little while since I wrote last.  Sorry about that.

GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!!  How amazing was it???  I love the fact that Conference has the ability to tear me down and build me back up stronger than ever in one fell swoop.  These inspired men and women can make me realize how insignificant and sinful I am and then make me feel more capable and strong than I have ever felt before within a few minutes.  I find it so awe inspiring to look back on all of the talks and be able to find something applicable for me in my life, right now.  How much more proof of the divine Grace of God is there than that?  The tender mercy that he has in answering my prayers and questions through his Prophets and Apostles.  A greater witness of His Love I can't think of.  Such a wonderful experience.  I was truly blessed to be able to watch conference these last two days.  I hope that you all had as good an experience as I did.

One thing that Conference did for me was to remind me how much the Gospel means to me.  It renewed my desire to share with others what I know.  So, I want to share my testimony with any and all who might read this.  I do this for a few reasons.  One of which, is because I want to share the most important gift I  have been given with others.  The other reason, is that I want it to be known, to all who read, to myself, and to God and my Savior that I have a testimony of this restored Gospel.  "I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it."

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the restored Gospel of Christ on the Earth today.  I know that in the year 1820, God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and that through Joseph, this church was restored to the earth.  I know that He translated the Book of Mormon with divine help and that the Book of Mormon is truly another testament of Jesus Christ.

I know that my Savior, Jesus Christ, lived and died for my sins and sorrows and that his Atonement can save me and my family if we will only repent and come unto Him.  I know that families are eternal.

I know that God loves each of us more than we can even imagine and that all he has is ours if we keep his commandments and come unto Him.

I am grateful for everything that the Lord has given me in my life and I cannot express how deeply my gratitude runs.  I thank him with all of my heart and soul in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Family:

So, dear readers, I have been supremely grateful lately for such a great family!  So, this post is all about them.    I recently read a quote that I quite liked.  It says “I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich” 

 I am truly rich.  Here are some of the reasons that I love my family:
-They love me no matter how many stupid mistakes I make
-They are the ones who can make me laugh the hardest
-They understand my somewhat idiotic sense of humor
-They will always welcome me with open arms when I am having a bad day
-They LOVE playing games together!
-They are the ones who first helped me realize that I was a daughter of God and helped me gain a testimony
-They are working to get back to the Celestial Kingdom with me so we can be together FOREVER!

Have you ever thought of that word?  Forever.  It is infinite.  There is no end to it.  Can you imagine being with your family forever?  Never having to say goodbye?  That gives me the happiest feeling in the world!  It really makes me hope that I am being just as good of a part of the family as they all are.

So, to end off, I wanted to share just some of the little things some of my family members have done this week that made me happy and helped me burn some calories by laughing about.
First, I am having a conversation with my Grandma.  My grandpa is gone, as usual.  She says to me, “I always worry about Grandpa when he goes off into the woods by himself with a chainsaw.” Bwahahahahah!  I love it!  Only my grandpa could elicit such a comment!  Oh how I love both of my grandparents.  

The next funny quote comes from my little brother Jaye.  I am cooking dinner on Sunday because my parents are gone for the week and I am babysitting.  I ask Jaye to go outside in the freezer and get some jam and as he walks out he says. “Jam, G-A-M!”  I laughed so hard I cried!  Thanks Jaye for my entertainment for the week!!!  

So, the moral of the story ladies and gentleman who may be reading this blog, is that your family is the most precious thing that you have in this life.  Live worthy of them in this life or you may not get them in the next!

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.  Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.  ~Jane Howard"

Dear readers,

I have been thinking a lot lately about the power of music.   Did you ever notice what a power there is behind such a simple thing as a song?  Think about it.  Music can excite a lethargic crowd, mellow a rowdy bunch of children, bring tears to our eyes, and peace to our hearts.  It can bring to the front of our minds memories of people who are dear to our hearts and experiences long since forgotten.  It can make a bad day turn into a good one.  And, most importantly, the beauty of a melody can remind us of what has been given to us by a loving Heavenly Father.

I think that there is most definitely a reason that we have been commanded to be careful about the music that we listen to and that we share with others.  What use do we have for music that brings darkness and discontent to our lives?  God has plans for us that are unparalleled.  Do we really want to drag ourselves down with the heaviness of loud, destructive, and profane music?  I find that I like soaring with the beauty and peace that comes from good music.

So, readers, here is my challenge to you and to myself.  Take a couple of minutes every day to listen to a song that makes you happy.  It doesn’t need to be a church song but just listen to something that uplifts you and reminds you about all that is good in life.  I promise that music can have an impact for good in your life.

The following is a video of one of my favorite songs from the movie Rigoletto.  It never fails to bring a little tear to my eye and happiness to my heart.  Enjoy!

Well, I have now joined the masses.  I have started a blog.  I admit, this blog is primarily for me.  I find that I organize my thoughts much better when they are written down.  I also feel that I have been blessed with so much in my life, I need to express my gratitude.  This is one way in which I have chosen to do so.

Feel free, however to peruse through my thoughts.  Some might be funny.  Others serious.  But, my goal in this blog is to share what I have an things that have made an impact in my life that maybe, just might impact yours as well.  I hope you enjoy!

To start off, here is a quote that explains perfectly what I am feeling today:

"Miracles are a retelling, in small letters, the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see."
-C.S. Lewis