Mr. Right (Draft II)

My friends know me well enough to know that I am a picky dater.  Ridiculously picky.  But I'm fine with it, I'd rather be single for months at a time instead of go on dates that won't go anywhere but just to date. Really I don't like dating much, but that's what the topic of every bit of life advice I've gotten from people lately has been.  From meeting with my bishop last week to lessons, conversations with friends all the way to an encounter this past weekend I was at the temple in St. George where 67-year-old Jim.  He gave my friends and I some advice since we're all "21 and single".

He says there are only three traits that your husband needs:

1. No bad habits
2. Ambition
3. Intelligence

Well, the length of this list that I made a year and a half ago definitely exceeds the three necessary traits.  Can I fix it?  Maybe.  I guess I don't have to be so particular.  I am though, because I'm sure there is someone out there who sings hymns at church, has my taste in music, a dirty mind but is super spiritual and knowledgeable about the gospel.  Oh and wears corduroy pants with good shoes.  All in all my list is pretty up to date though.  He exists.  Those 3 up there are good though, and necessary but everything can be figured out and really after living with Rachel I could live with anyone. (Just kidding Rach love you).  I have to add a number four and five. Four--has a testimony and five--hilarious, like belly ache laugh hilarious.

I found a paper in my scriptures though that says 

My Future Husband:

After I filled out the characteristics I wanted when I was 14 I crossed it out and wrote

My Future Husband Self:

It's true though, just like you are what you eat.  Kind of, in a way--you are what you marry.  And it will only work if you both are 100% invested and willing.  So I hope that when I get married and am Jim's age that my husband still doesn't have any bad habits, because that's a long time to live with someone annoying me.  It's fine though, I'll be in love.  

CURRENTLY LISTENTING TO:

Testimony

I wanted to share my testimony at church today but didn't.  As the meeting closed a member of the bishopbric said that if we didn't get the chance to speak that we should still bare our testimony to a friend.  I know I've got at least a few friends who read this so I'll say that writing it out here counts as sharing.

I've had so many opportunities to talk about the church with friends who aren't members but are interested or curious in my beliefs.  Sharing my testimony with friends helps me realize what I really do know and believe.

I have a testimony of the teachings of Jesus Christ and His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  This is His only true church here on Earth today.   I can confidently say this because when I am living in accordance with what His prophets teach only within His church I am truly happy.  I see the members of His church following His commandments and they have a light about them and are happy.  Some other churches have true doctrine as well, but The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the complete fullness and truth.  One of the differences between this church and other branches of Christianity is the Book of Mormon.  I have read this book multiple times and know it to be true.  The teachings are the same as those of the Bible but were taking place in the Americas during the same time.  Another thing that sets The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints apart from others is the temple.   I try to go to the temple as often as I can so that I can feel loved, at peace and with a clear conscious.  When I go to the temple I know that I am doing what Heavenly Father wants me to be doing.  He helps me realize which aspects of my life I need to sharpen.  I know the power of prayer is great.  I feel support and love from those around me when I know that I am in their prayers.  I have studied the Ensign Magazine and General Conference talks a lot lately with articles given by the leaders of the church.  The topic most on my mind right now is trials.  Everyone has trials.  With my own trials I usually do not know where they are coming from or why I have to endure them.

"Our Heavenly Father, who loves us completely and perfectly, permits us to have experiences that will allow us to develop the traits and attributes we need to become more and more Christlike. . . . As we understand this doctrine, we gain greater assurance of our Father's love." (Elder James B. Martino)

Christ's life wasn't always easy or according to plan and mine won't be either.  Because of the Atonement He understands everything that I feel though.  He knows pain, sadness, excitement and worry.  When I experience trials I am growing to be more like Christ.  Trials should teach me patience, compassion, understanding, forgiveness, love and any other attribute of Christ so that I can be like Him.  Trials are for our experience, and our experience on Earth is meant for us to become Christlike.  He is our example.

Become

I want to be:

• Happy with my past choices
• Healthy
• Able to say all that I'm thinking
• Financially stable
• Musically talented
• The best friend I can be
• Able to make anyone laugh
• A hard worker
• A good example, consistently
• More charitable
• Without any regrets
• An entrepreneur
• Forgiven by anyone I have offended
• A mom and wife
• Someone to confide in
• The inventor of an app
• Loved and appreciated
• A good conversationalist
• Well educated and teachable
• Approachable
• More patient
• Polished and nice looking (currently at school in rain boots and a beanie :/ eh)
• Full of life, with a sense of humor
• A good, strong member of my church
• A lady
• Able to sit and play anything on my piano
• A good cook

CURRENTLY LISTENING TO:

Elder Busche

If you haven't heard this you should listen.  

I have heard it so many times but it never gets old.

Getting All Churchy For A Sec

My dad sent me the link to this video on Facebook this morning.  It has some of my favorite music in it :/ and is a comparison of life to running a marathon.  "How many people would sign up for a marathon if they didn't think they could really finish it?"  I know it is directed to the youth and that I'm....not technically "the youth" anymore.  I'm TWENTY-ONE, an adult, it freaks me out, shouldn't I have my life all figured out and onto the next step by now?  Nope, sorry.  It's not that I'm "coasting", I know that I'm still progressing towards bigger and better things but I also am content with where I am right now and who I'm becoming.  Even when I hit frustrating experiences I don't feel stuck in a rut.  I came to Earth just like you did because "we must have thought we could pass the test."  And we can, you will.  So please appreciate this encouraging and heartfelt side of me because it's not likely to come out on my blog very often.

CURRENTLY LISTENING TO:

The Hinckleys

They have the best words of advice.

CURRENTLY LISTENING TO:

Out of Character

1. Our basement flooded and the landlords decided to go big and call a plumber! So out of character.  No need to worry, it's all fixed now.

2. Me lately:  staying up late and attempting to function on a few hours of sleep each night, watching t.v. and movies, not making time for institute, not catching onto people's humor, not exercising--too tired, feeling sick. Out of character.  So I'll try to be more normal this week.  Bnd by normal I mean fun, and alive, and rested. 

And so what if I've said this before, it's true.

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

currently listening to:

decisions

school is here. i'm a junior and i'm rushing a greek sorority, i feel old. but with xi gone i don't really know what else to get involved in. i have the opportunity to help open up a chapter of alpha phi at the u, or step into a house that is already built up. don't know what to do. rush was fun, besides the fact that i had a permasmile just to mask my pain of being in the heat and sunlight for 8 hours. ahhhhhhh it was awful.

just a few random quotes i've heard lately that have been good:

"He who takes offense when it is intended is a fool. He who takes offense when none is intended is a greater fool."
Brigham Young

The Abundance Mentality, learn about it. Let everyone be important in your life.

♥

currently listening to:

character

‎"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." - John Wooden

thanks corinne, you're cool.

greatest piece of words.

true, although i don't remember that last time i smashed balloons with a friend while we wore sunglasses inside with reindeer antlers, sorry.

currently listening to:

pretty appropriate.

[quote]

[11.12]

the neeeeeeeeeeeeeew xi officers of 2011-2012 are:

[thanks for the pic brynn!]

these guys :) love them. and we're already on the same page, color coordinated and all.

sisterhood: haley treasurer: stacie president: me vice president: anna  membership: jess secretary: jackie advisor: vicki

on this very first night as officers:

1. we had a port-a-party with phi.
2. someone took their party over towards a lady's car who was watching us.
3. the lady (from california) was so frightened and "appalled" that people danced in parking lots.
4. she wanted to sue everyone. for no reason.
5. apparently people were taking pictures of her car.
6. she had to see the cameras to make sure there were no pictures with her car in them.
7. she ended up taking someones number about the church of jesus christ of latter day saints. and is going to visit temple square. she just moved here because she had a feeling to.
8. success.

[good day]

i have had way too many awesome conversations with random friends today. plus i have a diet coke, it's great. also i get to call my officers tonight.  and it's finally acting like april outside.

no more of.....

THIS.

wretched snowstorm on april 9. 

and some more of...

THIS.

via

spring blossoms. fave.

on top of it all i had 26 facebook notifications, how killer is THAT?

(thanks baba and elise)

good day. good day. right on.

oh and ps i like this song.

[prez]

sooooo last night was a big deal in xi. jessie got released as president. i made her laugh as she stood in front of everyone. then i got sustained as president. and she made me laugh while i stood at the front. awesome, not embarrassing. i'm excited though! i love xi, i'm so happy i get to work closely with our advisor vicki for one more year--especially because it's her last!

if anyone who creeeeeeps on this blog is around the 801...you need to join an lds sorority at the u. they're so amazing and you meet awesome people and have fun times. you don't need to be a student. but you need to enroll in institute, but you should anyway so you can find your ec(duh). you just....can't be over 30. that would be weird if you were 30 and wanting to spend your time with recent high school graduates anyway. look at how much FUN we have.

[sis]

how cute is megan, leaving this message on my computer when they left for a few days on monday.

along with....

and...

my mom and i joke that we have two families, but seriously. we almost do. and i love it.

[sendai]

it's scary to think of all those who are still missing due to the earthquake and tsunami.  8.9 is powerful! recently it has been said that the death toll is near 10,000.  

two of my friends are serving in the sendai mission for the church. through church news it was reported that all missionaries in 5 of the 6 missions in japan were accounted for. because of the destruction it was nearly impossible for communication within sendai.  turns out every single one of the missionaries in sendai were together when the earthquake hit. they were having zone conference. all safe and sound together. on top of this incredible instance is another. my advisor shared this same story with my sorority yesterday about a young man that she knows in this mission as well. she said that the number of missionaries being called to japan in the past few months is nearly four times greater than it regularly has been. 

incredible.

the church was ready to respond to this event before it even happened. one of millions of small occurrences that assures me to know the church is true and led by an inspired prophet.

[dentist]

• do dental assistants have any depth perception?  they always floss deeper than they should and it makes me wince.
• where are you supposed to look when they are 8 inches from your face? awkward eye contact? no. but if you close your eyes you end up keeping your mouth open even once they are done. awkward too.
• do x-ray plates have to be rectangular with sharp edges?  i literally think it cut the roof of my mouth.
• it used to be that leaving the dentist your teeth felt super smooth. now, with the new fluoride, you leave feeling like you just drank root-beer and ate 3 packs of skittles.
• is it not the most painful thing ever when they are resting their hand against your lip as they maneuver a tool around in there? your lip is pinched against your tooth and it hurts! and there is nothing you can do but maybe try to smile to get your lip unhooked? i don't know.
• am i the only one who flosses extra good for the three days before i go so that they don't tell me i have gingivitis?
• is it necessary for them to call a tiny bit of bleeding in your gums GINGIVITIS? that sounds awful.
• i always feel like i'm 7 when i get to pick out my toothbrush.
• is there anyone who really gets cookie dough polish? that is disgusting.
• i am very grateful that dentist chairs are comfortable now, instead of how they used to be.

 

p.s. i'm cavity free. i didn't get a certificate like i used to though. i was ticked.

[Δ]

ok frank, see you on march 21 on our way to saint thomas.

it should be pretty fun.

[here's to happiness]

10 things that make me terribly happy:

1. honest compliments from genuine friends
2. bold colors whether it be on furniture, walls, clothes, or fingernails
3. scooter rides on lucille and the fact that i can't help but smile
4. petrichor:  the smell of rain & driving through deep puddles
5. the happiness of wedding videos & photographs...even those of strangers haha.
6. the scent of citrus
7. the shaky weakness felt after an exhausting workout
8. a good back crack
9. anticipation and surprise of doorbells
10. consistently finding killer deals on everything
11. the burn on my throat from a diet coke

k fine, eleven.

more happiness lists @ the rockstar diaries, just another blog well worth stalking.

[so great]

weheartit.com > stumbleupon & tumblr

because you can find great pictures like this there.

[the view]

sometimes i hate going to the u and sometimes i love it. my hate increased when i moved home about a month ago and became a true commuter. i ride the frontrunner sometimes. it's great. and weird. i drove to my night class on thursday and as i used 1/4 tank of gas driving up the hills with stoplights everywhere, i saw a pretty sunset.

 but that's what i like about the u, the view, it is sooooo pretty. go check it out.

 i am living proof that byu fans can survive there too. at xi last week we were all asked to share our favorite u of u sporting event memory. i said the basketball game last week against byu. only like 3 people got it. hopefully you do.

(it was a good joke)