For today's countdown, I decided to focus on music that reminds and teaches me of the Savior.
O Come, Emmanuel- The Piano Guys
How Great Thou Art- David Archuleta
(Disclaimer: I'm not like a big Dave Archie follower, but this was the best version I could find. This is my ALL-TIME favorite hymn.... and I like it best when it's more simple.)
The Mission/How Great Thou Art- The Piano Guys
(I told you.... it's my favorite song. Let's get it on here as many times as we can.)
I Know that My Redeemer Lives
Come Unto Christ
(This is one of my favorite songs. I seriously watch this video on repeat sometimes. Judge me if you will.)
I Believe in Christ
Savior, Redeemer of My Soul- Dallyn Vail Bayles
What songs help you focus on Christ/ the Spirit of Christ?
As I've been thinking about Christmas and the Savior, Jesus Christ, I have also been thinking about His earthly parents. Can you image what kind of people Mary and Joseph must have been?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has produced videos of many stories from the Bible (If you'd like to watch them, they can be accessed here) and I've selected just a few that stood out to me.
This first video is the exchange between Mary and Elisabeth. It's a very simple clip, but I find it very inspiring. Listening to Mary speak makes me think about the feelings that would accompany such a calling. I see her as being a humble, loving daughter of God.
This video is a great reminder to me that God sees potential in us that we cannot even comprehend. All He asks is that we love him and trust him. And when we do that, great things really do come to pass.
You may not be Mary or Joseph, but do you realize just how important you are?
You have been sent here with a purpose. God loves you.
This second video is Joseph and Mary entering Bethlehem.
Last year, I had what I would consider to be one of my better ideas. I created a Christmas countdown for my blog.
I decided to really put myself into Christmas. (Meh he he)
Just in case you missed them, samples are below....
Channeling my inner Jonathan Taylor Thomas.
(Remember how I actually did this race this year? Yep. Adult status. JTT fan adult status.
Be impressed.)
Will Ferrell Buddy the Elf, just sitting on my lap. No biggie.
Doesn't he look happy? Elves and children- they love me.
Who wore it best? Me or Tim Allen?
And, finally, with my Muppet buddies.
God bless us, everyone.
(Do you think this is what inspired the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to sing with the Muppets this year?)
ANYWAY- I've been pondering and pondering as to what kind of countdown I should do this year. My debating has caused me to start the countdown a week late. Oopsy. My bad.
So.... I may post an occasional picture like last year (just to keep things interesting). But I wanted to focus primary on Jesus Christ, who is the reason for the season of celebration.
(If you have any favorite stories, quotes, movies, etc, I would love to hear about them!)
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Without further ado, Countdown 2014...
December 7th= 17 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!
(By the way, did you know that you can count down the hours, minutes, and even seconds, through this website? http://www.xmasclock.com/ You're welcome.)
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Luke 1:26-38
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
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President Thomas S. Monson has described some of the many, many gifts that we receive because Heavenly Father sent the gift of His son.
“Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example, which if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others.
Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence.
Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in trouble or in distress, wherever they may be.
Because He came, death has lost its sting, the grave its victory. We will live again because He came.
Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life.
Because He came, we are gathered tonight to worship Him in bonds of brotherhood and love.
May His precious Spirit be with us, and may He ever be the center of our celebrations and indeed of our very lives.”
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I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I love Him.
I am so grateful to celebrate Him this month and always. I know that He knows and loves each of us. I know because of Him, we can change. We can experience true joy. We can live with our families forever. Because of Him death has no sting and life is so sweet.
I.... I miss school. Judge me if you will. But I do miss it.
Well, okay, parts of it. I can't say that I've missed homework. Or those group projects that make you want to pull your hair out. But... all in all, the missing is there.
Now that I've graduated, moved and find myself in a (somewhat) new situation, I've been wanting to develop new talents and hobbies.
Today, I played my uke. Which will supposedly be the gateway for my new talent- the guitar. So after a few songs, I pulled out my tuner... and tuned the guitar. Little known fact- The guitar has more chords than a ukulele. It was such a tiring process, I decided I'd better save the strumming for another day.
I have been dabbling in a bit of hand-lettering as of late. (It's nothing fancy, so I don't know if it would actually be called "hand-lettering". A more correct way of phrasing it would probably be 'penmanship practice', kind of like how in junior high you'd practice signing your first name with the surname of your crush.) Tonight, I decided to get adventurous and try something really new.
I recently inherited my mom's calligraphy pens, so I figured I could whip up something real fancy.
Let me just tell you what the end result was-- I have black ink all over my skin. Apparently, this stuff is not a close sister to Crayola washable markers. Bummer. But it sure was fun.
Just as a side note: I have some ideas of things to feature on my blog, but as Ariel Mermaid once said "I want mooooore...". Therefore, I ventured to Google to find blogging ideas that require minimal time (and effort- Let's be honest.)
You guys, I'm dying. There are nuggets of genius out there, if you just know where to find them.
A few of my favorite suggestions:
-Criticize someone (Ummm... what? Really? This is a blogging suggestion?)
-Write a conspiracy theory. (Naturally.)
-Write down every thought that you've had throughout the day. (Encouraging simple-mindedness. You've never wanted to think so little.)
-Write about your regrets. (Nothing like an uplifting message, right?)
-Post a lie. (People just love being deceived.)
-Make a list of your bad habits. (You may not want to mention your blog on your Tinder account.)
-Ask a billionaire to write a post for you. (Of course. Why didn't I think of that?)
What are some of the funniest things that you've seen on blogs?
Also... Do you have a gold-mine of hobby that you'd like to see my try? Give me a shout-out and I'll write all about my experience.
The other day I posted some thoughts and resources regarding the topic of goals. As I have continued to ponder this subject, I was reminded of some Ted Talks that I watched a while back (because... we all know that all of life's answers can be found in a Ted Talk).
I thought there were some great ideas presented, but I would like to hear your thoughts (particularly about the first one). What do you find to be the best method for goal setting (and achieving)?
Are there other Ted Talks (or any other resource) that you would recommend?
I thought this was interesting.... But I can't decide how I feel about the idea.
Do you think it's true? Is it better to keep goals to yourself?
Okay, this has nothing to do with anything.... But is he wearing a FitBit?
I really loved this talk!
I thought it was so inspiring. Like Walter Mitty inspiring.
I mean, he hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro!
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles: “Accomplish personal goals in each of four categories … :
spiritual development; physical development; educational, personal, and career
development; and citizenship and social development” (in Conference Report,
Oct. 2001, 48; or Ensign, Nov. 2001, 39).
I especially loved reading about goals that were set by John A. Widtsoe. I want to make a similar list for my own life. I found his thoughts incredibly thoughtful and inspiring. I would invite each of us to ponder where our hearts are and the priorities that we have.
Find more about the list HERE; 17 resolves to guide his life-
“Resolved:
“1st. That religion, the science of sciences, be made my chief concernment throughout life.
“2nd. That I will daily pray to God in secret.
“3rd. That I will daily reflect upon God and his attributes and try to become like him.
“4th. That I will receive Light, Wisdom or Knowledge, wherever or however it may be offered.
“5th. That I never be ashamed to acknowledge my principles, beliefs and religion when I once become fully convinced of their correctness.
“6th. That I never lose one moment of time but improve it.
“7th. That I maintain strict temperance in eating and drinking.
“8th. That I never do anything that I would not do were it the last hour of my life.
“9th. That I daily read the word of God, that I may learn his will and that I may be comforted, strengthened and encouraged by so doing.
“10th. That in any narrations I speak nothing but the pure and simple verity.
“11th. That I always do that which I think is my duty and for the best good for my fellow beings.
“12th. That I live with all my might while I do live, that I may not die a living death.
“13th. That I never by word or manner try to force my opinions on others but that I simply state them and offer my arguments against others!
“14th. That I seek to overcome the habit of being quick tempered, loud speaking, impatient motions and whatever might offend my fellowmen and hurt me.
“15th. That I never for a moment forget my duty towards my mother, she who has made me who I am and who will make what I will become, she who has spent the better portion of her life in my behalf and to whom I owe all the honor, respect, and affection that I can give; also that I always remember my duties toward my brother and all my friends and relations.
“16th. That I complete every task which I begin; also that I carefully consider my purpose and its results before taking upon me any duty.
“17th. That I always remember that the men and women I meet are my brothers and sisters and that I look to the beam in my own eye before attempting to remove the mote in my fellow’s eye."
I love this topic of goals. It is something that I am always striving to better understand apply in my life. If you have more thoughts or resources, I would love it if you would share that information with me.
I hope that all of your dreams and goals come true, my friends! Happy Sunday (and Labor Day weekend)!
Sometimes I think about blogging, and then I think- No, no, I'm not exciting. I don't have anything to write about.
But.... I just remembered something.
I don't know what I'm doing with my life. I guess that's pretty exciting.
I mean, it's such a big deal that I created a hashtag for it.
#lifeadventure2014
Watch for it. It'll be making more appearances in an Instagram account near you.
I've had a lot of people asking about my life... And I will gladly give an update.
I just.... I just.... Need to understand what is happening first.
So watch for an update.
Here are a few updates:
-As of today, I am OFFICIALLY finished with my Bachelor's Degree!
-I was in Salt Lake a few days ago and drove past a hospital..... and there was a man. Outside. At the bus stop, out front. And he was in a hospital gown. A HOSPITAL GOWN. Untied, I might add. I'm pretty sure he was trying to make his escape. It was all so alarming.
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