Family: priority

"In His love, I can do all things" Moleni Brothers

President George Q. Cannon said this about how God has prepared you and me and our children for the tests we will face: “There is not one of us but what God’s love has been expended upon. There is not one of us that He has not cared for and caressed. There is not one of us that He has not desired to save, and that He has not devised means to save. There is not one of us that He has not given His angels charge concerning. We may be insignificant and contemptible in our own eyes, and in the eyes of others, but the truth remains that we are the children of God, and that He has actually given His angels—invisible beings of power and might—charge concerning us, and they watch over us and have us in their keeping.” http://lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/to-my-grandchildren.p35?lang=eng

I'd love read that book!

Hope is never lost

Adversity is the potential for growth

"'opposition in all things' () is not a flaw in the plan of salvation." Timothy Dyches

http://lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/wilt-thou-be-made-whole.p30?lang=eng

Our greatness is not in things we do for ourselves, but in things we do for others.

Lisa Wingate, The Prayer Box

"Sometimes we may ask God for success, and He gives us physical and mental stamina." Bednar

So true.

http://lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/the-windows-of-heaven.p15?lang=eng

Looooyalty

Braaaaaaaaaaaaave

I've been humming/singing the chorus of this song for days and today I finally looked up the chords and lyrics. Surprise, surprise, the title is Brave?! I love the movie and if my hair is any indication, I love protagonist too! Meridaaaa!!!

Have you heard the song? Have you listened to the lyrics? They're amazing. I am so grateful for talented writers who share their ability to put to words the muddled thoughts that jumble around in my mind - even better, they put to words the thoughts that I SHOULD be having.

Even the video is superb. I gotta say, that black man has some mooooves :) Here are the chords. I took it up 1.5 steps. I think it fits better with the key of the song. I wanna see you (and me) be brave!

Rekindle it

The never ending sermon, lol. I'm getting ready for another round of general conference!

Salmon fishing in the Yemen

"He's married!" "You're married!" I kept yelling these in my mind through out the movie. People need to wait 'til the divorce is final.

Christ said: “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.” The peace that comes from listening to the Holy Spirit removes the fear of making a poor judgment in life.

General Conference April 2010 Gregory Schwitzer

Dale Carnegie once said, “If you are not in the process of becoming the person you want to be, you are automatically engaged in becoming the person you don’t want to be.”

Lord, [please] send a revival

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLl7yGF40lY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

This song keeps coming to mind. I'm trying to take the hint.

When our progress seems to be at a standstill, it is well for us to ask who is at fault. Is it I? Am I sufficiently committed to righteous goals? Do I have the courage, fortitude, and wisdom to apply self-examination—or will I be inclined to try and decide which of my associates will fail?

Marvin J. Ashton

“Those who keep a book of remembrance are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives. Journals are a way of counting our blessings and of leaving an inventory of these blessings for our posterity.”

I can't paste into this field from my app. The title is a Spencer W. Kimball quote. Here's my book of remembrance. I have to put more thanks into it :)

Late summer nights lost in conversation with people I care about can never be truly measured. Chocolate molten cakes and cookies will require more exercise, but these priceless moments cannot be sacrificed.

Stuff I read and liked.

Look with your heart. - Christian Brown (donna brown's bro) Look above your trials. - Gordon Hinckley

Psalms 27:1

the Lord is the strength of my life;

Yes!

"We Believe in Being Honest" Mark E. Peterson, Ensign, May 1982

"Half obedience will be rejected as readily as full violation, and maybe quicker, for half rejection and half acceptance is but a sham, an admission of lack of character, a lack of love for Him. It is actually an effort to live on both sides of the line."

No man can serve two masters. Where do my feet stand?

The imperfections of others never release us from the need to work on our own shortcomings.

Neal A. Maxwell

Hmmm

Brothers and sisters, be good member missionaries. Follow the Brethren. Study the new editions of the scriptures. Plant your gardens. Clean up, paint up, fix up your homes and your yards. Live within your means. Be good neighbors. Be good citizens in whatever land you live. Keep the Sabbath day holy. (See Ex. 20:8.) Hold your family home evenings regularly every Monday night. These are my words of counsel to you now, as they have been so many times in the past.

This is the new goal.

Spencer W. Kimball

Galations 6:9

Likened to myself...

Let me not be weary in well doing:  for in dye season, I shall reap if I faint not.

Galations 6:9

Likened to myself...

Let me not be weary in well doing:  for in due season, I shall reap if I faint not.

Sometimes good isn't enough. Striving for better...

Watch "My Brother Hyrum" on YouTube

Sweet :) I need to be like Hannah.

"...pray [to] have the courage to refrain from judging and criticizing others..."

1 Corinthians 15:34

Awake to righteousness, and sin not...

You know when you wake up and there's somo in your eyes and you gotta blink a little to see well...living in sin is like going around groggy-eyed all day long.

I love this phrase because it gets me thinking about the other things to which I need to wake.

Health. Faith. Testimony. Family. Career goals. Etc.

Blessed thought.

"When people won't put in half of what they expect out of you then they probably don't appreciate you." Foaf...big seff

1 Corinthians 2:5
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

You don't have to know everything to follow Christ or have every single question answered to know something's true. Don't let what you don't know negate what you do know.

Read Jeffrey R. Holland's April 2013 conference talk.

In the words of a father desperate for faith, "I believe. Help thou mine unbelief."

Romans 13

12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

I especially like verse 12. The image of putting our darkness away and looking to the light reminds me of king Benjamin's counsel to turn our homes toward the temple. The visual of being armed with light is a  powerful reminder that we once stood with Christ in the premortal world. It is our duty to do it again.

...salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are the Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him?"

—Jeffrey R. Holland, "Missionary Work and the Atonement", Ensign, Liahona, March 2001 Topics: Missionary Work, Trials

When losing $20 seems like a good consequence...today. Make better choices.

The hobble outta bed the morning after racquetball...my reality all too often now, and I'm glad:)

Romans 12

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

I really love these parts of this chapter and the part about not being a snob. Paul confuses me sometimes...I just finished the grace chapters...but it's been good for me to dig deeper and find out what it means.

I have a testimony!

"Knowledge unshared dies."
-Karen Witemeyer

"Don't accommodate any degree of temptation. Prevent sin and avoid having to deal with its inevitable destruction. So, turn it off! Look away! Avoid it at all costs. Direct your thoughts in wholesome paths. Remember your covenants and be faithful in temple attendance."

—Dallin H. Oaks, "Pornography", Ensign and Liahona, May 2005 Topics: Pornography

Color Run!

I'm excited :)

Manatee Gray

LOL, whoops.

https://twitter.com/suZen/status/319303226321162240/photo/1

"Have you prayed about it? Don't stop." Colleen Coble

"If you're going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big." Donald Trump

Was it worth it? Ask me next Friday.

Daily Messages: The Paths Jesus Walked

Posted: 30 Mar 2013 08:00 AM PDT

"We cannot go to heaven in a feather bed. The Savior of the world entered after great pain and suffering. We, as servants, can expect no more than the Master. Before Easter there must be a cross. While we walk these paths which bring forth bitter sorrow, we can also walk those paths which yield eternal joy."

—Thomas S. Monson, "The Paths Jesus Walked", Ensign, Liahona, May 1974

And here I was trying to decide if it was time to get out of bed. *looks heavenward* you're funny, lol

Peanut Slabs.Racquetball&Rules

Guess what?! We've been playing racquetball wrong!! Last night we looked up the rules and had a pow wow today on how OFF our rules have been. It was interesting to realize how misplaced was our arrogance and confidence. It took some real mental wherewithal to reset our minds and follow the correct rules established by USA Racquetball. Although it was frustrating at first, I think we all started to really enjoy the game the way it was meant to be played.

Thursday my awesome friend gave me a pack of peanut slabs from her latest trip to the land of the long white cloud. After scarfing one down, I decided to save the rest for a post workout treat. I had to give one to my pops, but the last one was for Friday's dessert. All day Friday it was in the back of my mind and the foreground of my eyes, but I w a i t e d :) I'm not the most patient person. Ever heard of those behavior tests where you can get an extra marshmallow if you wait to eat the first for a set amount of time? That's what it felt like. *Little Victories*

Conquer your bodies/bridle your passions (food) lol.

Oh my...

Watch "One Man Les Miserables Nick Pitera Medley" on YouTube
This is seriously inspirational.

"However dim our days may seem they have been darker for the Savior of the world."
Jeffrey R. Holland

Racquetball is one of my latest obsessions. Today racquetball drew blood. It wasn't really bad except for the sadness of the player that hit me.

First of all, I know you shouldn't look behind you when someone is hitting forward -- it's just not safe. I have been hit in the cheek, eye and now mouth. The right side of my upper lip is noticeably swollen my lips are not always this luscious, lol. It reminds me of Two Face, the Batman villain, to a lesser extent. I'll post my picture later, if it ever makes it to my email.

Anyway, I say sadness and not remorse because it wasn't his fault. I know better than to look back during a game and I did it anyway. [My aim in breaking all rules of common sense is to watch the hitter so I can gauge the direction of the hit and anticipate the location of the ball when it bounces off the play wall.]

The thought of him not wanting to play anymore because of something I did makes me feel sad. This guy loves Racquetball and plays his heart out every time. Plus he and I make great team mates, haha. He offered me a sad hug on my way back to the court and didn't play as fervently as normal.

I am proud of myself for not crying (just tears), but in all honesty, if I could've seen the blood in my mouth I probably would've cried just because it was me! I've done that before. My lips were already chapped before the incident and my mouth was open when it happened (an athlete's gotta breathe!) so it made the hit worse because the ball deepened the cracks on my lips and my upper teeth cut into the skin inside my mouth. No, I will not post a picture of that. (But now that I mention it I will take a picture for my own records, heh.) Not pretty, but not terrible.

Okay I'm rambling.

Happy Sunday :)

New Music

My new favorite songs.

I wish my friends and I had a water hole as cool as these dudes. I wonder if they're willing to share, hahaa.


I love her classic vibe. Parental Guidance Suggested - there's one offensive word...

The Atonement is not a one time thing :)

Cleaning my room today, I found old notes from a Jim Rohn audiobook I listened to, maybe three or four years ago. My friend Eric recommended I give his Workshop a try and at the time it seemed idealistic, insightful, moderately applicable; but during this season of uncertainty for me, it rings so much more true.

I'm including the questions below and invite you to be honest with yourself as answer each item. You will be surprised how your priorities change over time and the consistency of some unappealing qualities.

Jim Rohn's Goal Workshop

Study this model, implement it and teach it to others!

1.) On a separate sheet of paper, List 5 things you have already accomplished that you are proud of.

When you think about it, you have already accomplished things in life and now it is time to deliberately focus and multiply your effectiveness.

2.) Think about what you want in the next 10 years?

Make a list of 50 things you want to accomplish. Write as fast as you can everything that comes to mind and let your mind run free. This is not a list of what you "think you can get" don't put any limitations on this. Think about what it is you want and imagine you could receive anything and everything you asked for. Make a list of everything you would ask for and list them one under the other. Abbreviate and write as fast as you can anything that comes to mind, from places to visit, investments, education for kids, personal things, business things, skills you want to learn, investment properties, experiences you want to have, and vacations you want to take. If you get stuck keep asking yourself "if I could have anything what would it be."

If you knew you could accomplish anything you wanted what you set out to do? Just think of what you would like to do if you knew you could not fail. Don't let your rational mind take over for this exercise, turn off your filter that says you can't or it would never happen or it's not possible. It might help to imagine you just won the lottery and now have a $100 million to play with.

3.) Go through the list and determine when you want to accomplish each thing. Write down next to each one a 1, 3, 5, or 10. The "1" represents you want to accomplish it within 1 year, "3" = 3 years, "5" = 5 years and "10" = 10 years

4.) Look at all of the items you marked 1 and identify the top 4 and create a new list of your top 4 things you want in 1 years time. This list should be on a new piece of paper or at least on the back where you have plenty of room to write. For each item write down WHY you want it, what will it do for you, what will you accomplish from it? Why did you pick this one, why is it important to you? Make sure you write at least 3-4 sentences.

When your "why" gets stronger the "how" gets easier. When you do not have strong, powerful, clear goals the "how" becomes almost impossible. Purpose is stronger then the objective. For example, it is great to want to live in a Million dollar house. However, there is more power in the why you want it or "what for?" you must understand what you want it for? What do you feel it will bring you?

Just like a story, the drama is in the details. Keep describing why you want your goals and what is it for, what purpose will it serve? This drama, if you will, will start to tap your imagination. The key is to mix your imagination and your emotions with your goals. Imagination is the beginning of reality. Start practicing the skill of developing your imagination and understanding the purpose and you will realize how closely related the imagination is to reality of accomplishing your goals.

You must pay the price to get the prize(reward). Take action and work on a game plan. Keep in mind that the work gets easier as the prize gets larger. Make it worth your own while, don't wait for "one day" or wait for someone else or depend on anyone but yourself. It is crucial to develop self motivation, self-control, self-discipline, self-esteem by focusing on your "WHY" and the prize. You have the capacity to develop the habits and skills to achieve what you want. Turn your wants into goals and develop a plan to achieve it. Break it into daily actions and give yourself a reward for every accomplishment no matter the size. A great skill to develop is teaching and helping others do this same process of goal setting, this in return will help and motivate you.

5.) Go through your list and treat them as goals. Count how many 1, 3, 5, and 10's. Write down how many of each. You do not want all 1's and no 10's. Make sure you have a good balance and plenty to keep you going. You must challenge yourself in order to grow and feel fulfilled in life.

6.) Think about what type of person you must become in order to accomplish your list of goals. Write down at least 3-4 sentences describing the person you must become in order to accomplish your list. 

Jim Rohn's mentor told him something that changed his whole way of thinking. He said, you should make a goal to become a millionaire because of what it will make of you to achieve it. The major reason you should set goals and work to attain them is for what it makes of you and who you become as you achieve your goals. In order to reach your goals you must develop your skills and develop your ways of thinking. By applying what you learn and developing the characteristics that help you accomplish your goals you begin to develop muscle (strength and power) and that is most valuable! That is why you should go for something that is fairly lofty and challenging.

If you want to develop leadership skills, in order to grow, you must not always choose the path of least resistance or just go with the flow. If you keep going with what life gives you and want more out of life you must do more. Don't join an easy crowd where expectations are low or where they don't care, if you do it will be very hard for you to grow. You must go where the expectations are high and you are challenged to learn, change, develop and succeed. It's the challenge that develops the muscle it takes to become better, wiser, stronger and more unique. When you become a unique person worth a million dollars, then money doesn't matter, what's important is the person you have become to accomplish it. This is a very important concept to understand.

You must continue exercises that challenge you and will help you grow. What matters in life is your state of mind, skills, development, personality and all the extraordinary things you can accomplish from within. If you stop this development of personal achievement, you will stop your true potential and short change yourself. This may cause you to feel unsatisfied with life or lack passion. This may cause you to drift through life going with the current, not feeling like you are in control but life controls.

You have the choice right now to make life about development, discovery, helping people, growing, prospering and to fulfill your purpose. We need adventure, to rise to the challenge so you don't leave your life unfulfilled. Don't leave a game not played. You should always climb new mountains, don't spend your time sliding down old ones. Keep going for it, build a huge business or organization, this will keep you stimulated and fulfilled. You must be a student and continue to grow and apply yourself. By continuing to grow you will be able to accomplish the list you wrote down. Let it challenge you to become a unique person and stand tall in your own eyes. Believe in what you can accomplish and take action towards its attainment. You will know when you are doing your best and paying the price to achieve your goals, this will allow you to grow and to take on new and bigger goals.

Take your list of 4 top goals and set a date for when you will achieve them. It is VERY IMPORTANT to take immediate action no matter how small. Carry this paper with you and look at it daily. See yourself already accomplishing these goals, think about how it will make you feel when you accomplish it, get the feeling of your "why" you want them. Every time a challenge faces you or you get negative feelings or you start thinking of all the excuses of why you can't accomplish your goal, focus on your why you want it and the benefit of what you will gain from the goal. Keep taking action and then take more action until you accomplish your goal.

The list you made of your desires is a part of you, there is a gap that is between you and what you want. You must learn to bridge that gap, most people look to fill that gap with many things that are harmful, unfulfilling or distracting. TV and Media are HUGE distractions, if you want to accomplish your goals look at how you spend your time, your habits and the choices you make.

Personal Daily Contact:  Visiting in person, through someone else or by phone with someone who needs daily encouragement. That's what we called it in my mission:  PDC. I'm grateful for the Lord's faithfulness in providing PDC for me.

"...isolating only hinders us from truly dealing with our hurts, habits, and hang-ups."
From a blog abt 10th things you should do to strengthen your marriage. I think it's from letter blogs? It's on my pinterest too.

"Each day ours is the challenge to access the power of the Atonement so that we can truly change, become more Christlike and qualify for the gift of exaltation and live eternally with God, Jesus Christ and our families."
Russell M. Nelson



P.S. I feel like a new woman! In one day I've learned a lot about myself and my deal breakers. Some decisions are hard, but a leap of faith and the support of loved ones is just the kind of medicine I need.

God be with you til we meet again :)

Dig deeper and learn with more clarity.

Words said in anger are sharper than any sword and more deadly than any firearm; remember that when you speak to people you love.

Stinky Feet!

My legs aren't hairy, but it sure looks like it.

pu·sil·lan·i·mous /ˌpyoosəˈlanəməs/

Adjective Showing a lack of courage or determination; timid.

Synonyms cowardly - faint-hearted - poor-spirited - recreant

Watch "The Will of God" on YouTube

I will?

"If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently. You shield it and protect it. You never abuse it. You don’t expose it to the elements. You don’t make it common or ordinary. If it ever becomes tarnished, you lovingly polish it until it gleams like new. It becomes special because you have made it so, and it grows more beautiful and precious as time goes by.

Eternal marriage is just like that. We need to treat it just that way. I pray that we may see it for the priceless gift that it is..."

"From the beginning she knew what kind of marriage she wanted."

F. Burton Howard, “Eternal Marriage,” Liahona, May 2003

Tonight someone asked me if not having a temple marriage was a deal breaker. My answer was a muddled "Yes" and I was bothered by my less than emphatic response.

We're always told to "decide now" and in my mind I thought I already made that determination. With the passage of time and no need to act on that decision, it has lost its definition. I said something like, maybe if I'm desperate when I'm older I might consider it, but he'd have to be amazing.

With a little more time to think about it, this is my conclusion:

If he were amazing I might settle for a civil ceremony, but I don't plan to be dating someone who couldn't attend the temple or wasn't close to being able (equally yoked and all that good stuff); and if he truly loved me, I would hope that he wouldn't want me to give up that dream and settle.

Purely hypothetical ;)

In other news BJ's pizookie is Mmm mmm good. My calorie counter did flips in the wrong direction tonight. Tomorrow's another op.

“The Divine Institution of Marriage,” mormonnewsroom.org

The Church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility towards homosexual men and women. Protecting marriage between a man and a woman does not affect Church members’ Christian obligations of love, kindness and humanity toward all people.

"If you havin girl problems I feel bad for you son."

No, actually I don't, but that's a funny line.

Funniest job post of the day:

NEED CLOSERS, NOT POSERS ... $2K+ WEEKLY!!!

Haha. Man, some of these employers are really funny. They want excellent or highly motivated, but they offer peanuts. Give me two more months and I'll probably be willing to apply.

Still looking.

"you never realize how strong you are until being strong is all you have left." Courage video on Mormon messages YouTube channel.

"There are no enduring relationships without forgiveness."

James MacDonald

"A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:17

You know you've eaten too much when you lose count. Oops.

"Those who are truly reverent are the ones who have paid the price to know the glory of the Father and His Son."
L. Tom Perry

It will rain

I love the rain ... from indoors. I can't remember playing in the rain as a kid. I think I had too healthy a fear of my mother's disapproval to be an all out dancing in the rain kind of kid, but I know I loved jumping in puddles. I didn't get to play in the rainfall, but I sure benefited from the aftermath!

Dancing in the rain is on my bucket list. I don't know why it's taking me forever to do it. There's always rain this time of year. I guess it's not something I really want to do before I die, but an experience that I would enjoy (and I'd possibly catch a cold...there goes my mother again).

My sophomore English teacher taught me that rain is used in movies and novels to denote change. I didn't have much fun during our Shakespeare unit, but the one useful piece of information I came away with is rain = change. It might be a realization, death, windfall, etc. We can't always have sunny days and sometimes the adversity of rain and dark, gloomy days is the kick in the butt we need in order to level up.

It's raining lightly outside :)

The other thing on my mind is planning. Many of us plan our lives. The details aren't always clear, but we have a general idea of where we want to go. When I was a teenager I wrote a letter to myself to be opened in 10 years. I think I ended up reading it at year four or five. I had a whole plan of things I wanted to accomplish and where I wanted to be at...at marriage and baby in a baby carriage, the whole nine. Fast forward 10-15 years and my plan is not coming to pass on my timeline.

It's interesting how many of us make plans without counseling with the Great Planner himself, our Heavenly Father. I hope I can truthfully say that I'm better at including Him in my plans now. I know for sure I didn't plan to be unemployed for this long, but somehow we're making it. I'm grateful for my family's support and non-judgmental stares when I tell them I'm tired after staying home or only working a few hours at my part time job. I'm trying.

He will guide us through the storms of our lives when we let Him. King Benjamin told his people to turn their tents toward the Temple. This is my trying to turn myself in the same direction.

Love & Blessings.

Discipline means guidance, not punishment.

Laura Markham

The hands down best time to read is when everyone else is asleep. The house is so peaceful with the lulling deep breathing and soft snoring of the ones I love. Moe moe pepe :)

I'm reading 50 pages an hour. I'm pausing to look up funny words like "nattered" and other random Aussie stuff, but for the most part I think the number is accurate. I can't imagine reading this book faster, not only because I'm not a speed reader, but because full  appreciation for art should not be rushed...says the slow reader, lol.

Love,

The slow "passionate reader"

God is good all the time.

All the time God is good.

Today is my parents' 41st :)
He wanted me to bear my testimony.
He helped me pay my tithing.

He is God, el todopoderoso.

I love Him.

My parents going for a drive on a Sunday afternoon is their kinda romance. They're not always openly mushy, but I love to see em do the most with that "help meet" principle.

Genesis 2:18
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Truth and Tolerance

Do Not Judge... - http://pinterest.com/pin/516014069774753817/

A. My infatuation with racquetball.
Q. What is my new pastime?

You like how I flipped that around? Jeopardy wizz!

My tennis team has been hitting the racquetball courts and we love it, mostly because we don't have to run after the balls ... LAZY. We've also been doing a little more with our ukes. We're planning a "Spring Fling" in May. Basically, we're going caroling in the middle of the year to our favorite, less mobile/more mature audiences. We're trying to be more cultural and entertaining so our set list is mostly the classic Samoan songs that our older Samoan generation will appreciate. We're working on Tele i'a o le sami, Si fe'e, Tofa my feleni and maybe one more :) I'm super duper excited.

- cluth - shift - gas -

All these entries about my frustrating job search will be funny someday, right? Inspiration hit a couple hours ago and that's why I hopped back on this blasted internet (I spent a considerable amount of time searching earlier today). I remembered this awesome Temp agency and searched their Talent opportunities...voila! I found two, maybe three, jobs that are right up my alley. I was a little concerned about the 12:30 time stamp on my apps, but I decided to submit them anyway. Wish me luck!

- cluth - shift - gas -

'Nite :)

FA'ATUATUA MA GALUEGA

(www.lds.org/broadcast/ces/cesfrsdmcmullin00942890.pdf)

Two things I need desperately.

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in [God] that a man would have to seek [Christ] to find her."

Google attributes the closest match to these words to Maya Angelou. I've added the brackets where my version differs from hers. Interestingly enough, those brackets change the meaning of the whole statement and I like it better this way.

- Me and Maya

Calling it a night. I love a good inspirational romantic comedy. It's been a long time since I've pulled a literary all-lighter. The title is ALWAYS THE BAKER, NEVER THE BRIDE by Sandra D. Brinker. It was a light, fun read. I'm definitely going to check out her other works.

Book worms/night owls gotta sleep too.

Zoned out.

Watch "Mountains to Climb" on YouTube

"If the foundation of faith is not embedded in our hearts, the power to endure will crumble." Henry B. Eyring

Woo! New fav

Watch "Give Me You Tamia Lyrics HD" on YouTube

Watch "Lessons I Learned as a Boy" on YouTube

"Don't be the 13th girl or the 15th. If he's busy on the 14th he's married." David Spade

Funny, but true.

California Home T-Shirt

Q:  Are you up late or waking up early?
A:  BOTH. :/

Start stepping :)

"Zion is the result of people bound by covenant and love."
Henry B. Eyring

Dear Ronaiah,

I was so sorry to hear about your difficult childhood experiences. I hope you feel a sense of relief now that your story has been told. I heard you're getting some threats, hopefully they're all idle.

Big ups to you for being able to fool those voice experts, that was funny. Is our country safe?

If I could be sure you'd read this I would want you to know that regardless of your sexual orientation, you can be "right" with God and your family. I think that's what alarmed Dr. Phil during the show, that you consider yourself a recovering homosexual and want to get right.

You played god when you decided to help Manti by being his friend Lennay. Maybe a friendship with Ronaiah would've been good enough and maybe it wasn't needed at all. I know you didn't plan for it to go so far, but you had the full story and the power to stop it.

I'm not hating on you and I hope you feel the sweet peace of forgiveness. Bro, I hope Manti truly has forgiven you and that you can learn to forgive yourself. I'm praying for you. Please take care. God be with you.

Love,

T.S.M.

P.S. The Lord has the power to help you hit that reset button whenever you feel the need.

Oh Manti...

You make me proud to be Samoan.

I just watched the Katie interview...yes, I'm still wiping those tears away. Family and God over everything, that's the way to live and those are the people with whom we can count.

I love to see families circling the wagons and supporting one another. I have felt that support while on this forced vacation (the first half was nice and the last has been endured with this blasted cough, ugh) and I'm hoping to return it very soon. I have a job interview tomorrow, wish me luck.

Love + peace to the Te'o and Tuiasosopo families.

Watch "Your Potential, Your Privileges" on YouTube

Foreign accent syndrome

It sounds funny at first, but I can't imagine how frustrating it must be. I also can't imagine not hearing the sound of my voice or missing the voices of my loved ones. God bless those who suffer from it.

I Am of Infinite Worth (by Janice Kapp Perry)

All I need do is remember

If ever I wonder if I am of worth

I remember my Saviour what he did for me

When he lived among men on this earth

Pain and unspeakable sorrow

He bore for my sins there in Gethsemane

And he gave up his life as he hung on the cross

And he did it all for me

For I am of worth

Of infinite worth

My Saviour, Redeemer, loves me

Yes, I am of worth

Of infinite worth

I'll be all he wants me to be

I will praise him

I will serve him

I will grow in his love

And fulfill my divine destiny

Lovingly Jesus is watching

He knows I am worth all he suffered for me

So I will fulfill my own mission in life

Ever following him, faithfully

Line upon line I am striving

Not seeking the honor or praise of mankind

I will seek for the joy of celestial reward

Till all that God offers is mine

For I am of worth

Of infinite worth

My Saviour, Redeemer, loves me

Yes, I am of worth

Of infinite worth

I'll be all he wants me to be

I will praise him

I will serve him

I will grow in his love

And fulfill my divine destiny

I didn't like this song when I was younger. Actually, it's safe to assume that I thought I hated it. If you ask any of my sisters, they'll agree that most of the songs my mum taught us for church musical numbers are painful memories of seemingly endless practices, lots of tears and corrections that we didn't understand. Pa'u lua? I never knew what that meant. If someone would've told me, you're singing a little under the pitch, half a step lower; then I would've been able to correct my singing with much less pain. 

Surprise, surprise...

During Sacrament on Sunday I glanced down at my phone and saw my reflection. In my mind I heard myself singing this song. I looked at myself and heard, "All I need do is remember, if ever I wonder if I am of worth, I remember my Savior, what he did for me, when he came among men on this earth...And he did it all for me. For I am worth, of infinite worth, my Savior Redeemer loves me."

For the first time in my life I understood these words. I am of worth. Everyone is of worth to our Heavenly Father and to our Savior Redeemer. A few years ago a friend recommended Aspire by Kevin Hall. I love the words he used and I recommend this book to everyone! The particular word (and definition) I'm failing to remember has to do with inspiring others, probably aspire. Hall contends that when we put others down we are causing them to expire. When I read that, I envisioned a balloon deflating. Often we tear each other down with no thought or consideration to how our words and actions deflate those around us, causing their dreams and aspirations to expire. I don't want to be that kind of person. 

I have a terrible habit of blowing people off. I  forget to return a calls, texts and emails. If I'm rushing off to my next responsibility I will often race past people who I can tell would like to talk to me, or at least could benefit from a little acknowledgement, but I'm too occupied to bother. This neglect of others has burned unnecessary bridges. Anyway, on Sunday I decided to go out of my way to say "Hi" to people. It didn't take long and I actually enjoyed talking to them. I know I sound like an idiot, but really, I did :) Everyone is worth it. I wanna be like Christ - no respecter of persons, but a kind person to all. Well, that's the ultimate goal. I wasn't perfect on Sunday.

Designing Women.

Paranoia

<p>I can see my neighbor's backyard from my kitchen window. They put CD's on a tree to keep the birds away. Sometimes when I'm in the kitchen I forget and think somebody's flashing, taking my picture, lol.

How do you pronounce Nguyen? I just spent the last couple minutes researching and practicing. Fun.

Random movie quote:

That's all right, that's okay. You're gonna pump our gas someday.

Is IT in you?

Do you remember that Gatorade ad campaign?

During my two-week vacation from working, which became three and by next Thursday will be four, I have had a difficult time finding the motivation to wake up early without having anything planned. The first two and a half weeks I didn't care, but as week three neared I realized it's not enough to get up whenever your body feels like it. Life is passing you by little girl. Put away childish things and get the heck up! 

Soooo with the gift of a 2013 calendar and a flaming finger [have you ever played that game? I loved it until I realized it was a cheat, lol.] + pen I have been making loose plans for the day. I have lost my pen so there isn't anything from the 10th on, but now I make a mental plan. Some days it was just one item, Clean. If you've ever been to my home, then you know what I mean, lol. Other days I have lunch dates and job searches or tennis matches to keep me occupied.

My motivation to wake up used to be WORK. Work for money to pay bills so that my family has a car to drive, food to eat, electricity, heated water, water in general, etc. Now I wake up because I have things to do, I'm living. Work used to be my daytime living and I think that's why I slept through those unemployed hours. Now I'm learning to live all through out the day. Yesterday I did my job search, fingers crossed; watched a movie and had lunch with a friend; put my time in at my part-time job and had dinner with my papa :) We visited Aunty Sizzla and it was fun to catch up with him. He totally understands the lack of motivation of the unemployed, lol. 

A good friend has been poling our little group for new year's resolutions. My January resolution is:  GET A JOB! I'm going to do the rest of those resolutions listed in a previous post, but this one seems more time sensitive.

"IT" is the desire to live and accomplish outside the bounds of what is necessary for life, but what is necessary for happiness and fulfillment.

It is in me.

Watch "Ria - Possibility [ Jam-Edit ]" on YouTube

...learn to ice skate

Watch "In 2013 I will... give more of myself" on YouTube

learn to drive manual
simplify my life by getting rid of people and things that don't matter and letting go of past hurts (bucket list:  whittle the number I'd your possessions down to 100 will probably have to wait til next year)
have at least one credit card with 0 balance
go back to the temple

On the prowl...

The huntress is job searching! I'm coming across all these jobs that I would love to be able to apply for, but I don't meet the requirements and definitely do not have the expertise. I'm still undecided as far as a career so it's nice to see the type of job openings out there.

I just read this awesome story on the Tyler Perry fb page. DIG! PEOPLE, DIG!

TRUE STORY!

A few years ago I was getting these really insane water bills. I mean HIGH! So I decided to dig some wells in my yard to have water for my landscape. I live alone, so I know it had to be from watering the grass. So I hired a company to come out and dig these wells. The foreman and I walked all around my yard and as we were walking he was putting down flags. I asked what the flags were for. He said, "The flags represent good places to dig for water." I asked, "Why do you have so many flags?" He said, "I'm not sure if any of these places will produce water." I said, "Hold up, you mean if you dig all these spots and don't hit water I still have to pay you?" He said, "Yes, that's how it goes." I said, "Ok, fine." Needless to say, he dug three wells and never hit water. I said, "Just stop."

I got a few more extreme water bills and called him back. He said, "Are you sure?" I said, "Yes, keep drilling until you hit water." The next well he dug he was down 500 feet and still didn't hit any water. He asked if I wanted him to stop. I said, "Go deeper." He dug down another 200 feet and still nothing. I said, "Go deeper." He drilled another 200 feet and he hit rock. I said, "Blast it, cut it, do whatever you have to do but keep digging." After fighting the rock and breaking his drill and getting a new one we got a little deeper. He said, "We are at 1,200 feet, why do you want me to keep going?" I said, "Cause I'm tired of these water bills and I'm going to do something about it." He said, "But this is really deep." I asked him if he had hit water yet. He said "no," so I told him to go deeper. "But you don't understand," he said. "We don't usually drill this deep, this is going to be expensive." I told him that, "Sometimes you have to go deeper to get what you are after, no matter what the cost." He started the machine and went down another four inches and hit a river of water. Just a few inches separated me from getting my breakthrough. That was five years ago and that well has never run dry.

In 2013 I want you to apply that to your life in all ways. Sometimes you will spend time on a thing and it will produce no water. Don't be afraid to move on to another spot. YOU CAN'T HAVE FEAR. I don't care how much time you put into it. If the well is dry MOVE ON! Nothing lives where there is no living water. Be it a relationship, a job, a business, don't be afraid to move to another spot.

Now, on the other hand, if you are digging your well and you are sure that it is not only where you want to be but where God wants you to be, then keep digging in that same spot. Don't stop digging until you hit a river of blessings. Don't stop praying until you live in the change you've been waiting for. Don't stop pushing until you deliver your breakthrough. Yes, it will get difficult. Yes, you may hit rock. Yes, there will be a cost. But when you get to what God is trying to get you to, YOU WILL RECOVER IT ALL! One of my favorite scriptures says that. "PURSUE AND YOU SHALL RECOVER IT ALL!"

Some people give up when they are only inches away!!

Happy New Year.

DDDDIIGGGGGG! People DIG!!!

February 8, 2012!

Just move on :)

Watch "New Year's: Look Not behind Thee" on YouTube

The proof is in the puddin', piepie

Does he love me?

I wanna know!

How can I tell if he loves me so?

(Is it in his eyes?)

Oh no! You need to see!

(Is it in his size?)

Oh no! You make believe!

If you wanna know 

If he loves you so

Its in his kiss!

(That's where it is!)

My love for oldies started at a young age jamming to K-Earth 101 in the car with my dad. I didn't know half of the words, but when the chorus came around I was ready to accompany my dad's beautiful bass/tenor voice with my enthusiastic soprano and consolation trophy quality alto. That love was forever cemented when Sister Act I came out in 1992. I can remember plopping myself in front of the TV, singing every word and occasionally mimicking those graceful arm movements. When Sister Mary Clarence says she loves the girl groups from the 50's and 60's I can shout, "Me too!" When she sings, "La la la la la la la la la", I send it right back to her. When she runs from the mob I...okay, I don't run very often. 

At the beginning of what will be my 30th year of old, I'm looking at my pudding:  the stuff of his kiss, and taking a good gander at the trail I leave behind me. The following meme seems appropriate.

I hope to learn from and leave behind the disappointing parts of previous years and figure out what to bring with me into the new year. I hope you do the same.

"Tired of all the sinning." Branch President in The Other Side of Heaven.

"Very few of us live up to the level of our knowledge." Lehi Peters

Go and do.