Whoa! It's February and Time for a Challenge!

Where did February come from??  Sorry I haven't posted in so long ... I've been super busy with classes- here's a typical day for me:

Sleep (as long as humanly possible while still completing all important tasks)
Awake and eat breakfast (sometimes, just a Nutrigrain bar, but hey- it's better than nothing
Rush to class/work (good thing I only live seven minutes from campus)
After class/work is over, rush to the other one
Take a lunch break and eat some food (hopefully, I had time the night before to make something so I don't have to spend money)
Do homework- study for a test- read in a textbook- practice
Rush to final class/work shift for the day
Meander home to finish more homework, read emails, and get ready for tomorrow!

Unfortunately, blogging is not on that list ... but because I am ahead on homework at the moment, I can pause and enjoy letting the creative juices of my soggy brain flow!

http://www.petfinder.com/dogs/living-with-your-dog/dog-valentines-day-date/

Since it is almost Valentine's Day, it's time for my traditional Valentine's Day challenge!  This year will be a little different from in years past, though I still intend to write a letter to my future spouse and encourage all my single friends to do so as well!

This year's Valentine's Day challenge is all about love.  There are lots of small things in every day that demonstrate the love which the Savior has for us- there's a song that I absolutely love which talks about the Savior's love for us.

I Feel My Savior's Love

I feel my Savior's love 

In all the world around me.

His spirit warms my soul 

Through everything I see.

I feel my Savior's love;

Its gentleness enfolds me.

And when I kneel to pray, 

My heart is filled with peace.

I feel my Savior's love, 

And know that He will bless me.

I offer Him my heart;

My shepherd He will be.

I'll share my Savior's love

By serving others freely.

In serving, I am blessed;

In giving, I receive.

Chorus:

He knows I will follow him, 

Give all my love to him. 

I feel my Savior's love,

The love he freely gives me.

(Words: Ralph Rodgers Jr., 1936-1996; K. Newell Dayley, b. 1939; and Laurie Huffman, b. 1948)

The Savior blesses us everyday because of His love for us.  The beautiful trees and mountains that mark the landscape, the glorious sunrise, the little wisps of wind on a hot summer's day, the tiny birds that hop through the garden, the lovely butterflies that land on our shoulder- all of these creations from our Lord and Savior testify of his love for us.  He has done so much out of love for us and even gave the ultimate sacrifice because of it.  I can't even imagine loving someone that much (maybe that's why I'm still single ... ).

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/127789708150780349/

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to help fill the world with love!  In order to show our appreciation for the love which our Savior has for us, share His love with others by serving them.  Small acts of kindness go a long way!  Even just a simple smile can brighten someone's day!  Sit with someone who's all alone during lunch; compliment someone on their outfit; have a conversation with the person behind you in line; tell someone they are loved.  If there's only one person who feels a little more love in their life from me issuing this challenge, then I will have done my part and helped to spread a little love. 

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/127789708150780339/

Do your part.  Share the love!

To: Sweetheart

(Click here to read the challenge.  My Challenge Response Follows.)

Well, here's another Valentine's Day come and gone without you by my side.  Sometimes I wonder not if I'll ever met you but when.  The grand question of my life.  Sometimes I think about what it will be like and I wonder.  I wonder if we'll know instantly that there's something special like in fairytales or if we'll be unsure and on again off again like in Chick Flicks.  (I hope not, because those kinds of couples drive me INSANE.)  Most of the time I wonder if I already know you.  Sometimes, after having an especially trying day, I imagine what you would do and say to make me feel better.

Today in honor of you and I, I tried to think of others first and serve them.  I helped a guy in my class with our assignment when he was having trouble.  I walked and talked with someone who I'd never met before.  I held my tongue and controlled my temper when every inch of me wanted to scream.  I hope you were able to help people, too.  Today is a day to honor love and that love is made manifest through actions of service.

Darling, here's to next Valentine's Day.  I hope we'll be able to spend it together.  Until then, I've a date with a BLT and glass of sugar-free lemonade.

Alone for now, but forever yours,
Leigha

Valentine's Day Challenge Round Two

Hey everyone!  

So about this time last year, I created a challenge from a facebook post I saw from one of my friends.  This year, I've decided to reissue the same challenge.  With a little twist.  Before you write your letter, re-read the one you wrote last year.  Reflect on where you were last year, how far you've come since then.  It's amazing when we just stop and reflect on how much we've changed in such a short amount of time.  So, without further ado, here is your challenge!  

Well, we're a week from Valentines day, 

and soon Facebook will be flooded with "Single Awareness Day" stuff... 

Usually, in the past, I've joined this massive self-pity fest, 

but this year I thought I'd try something different. 

This week, I'd like to challenge everyone, 

(Myself included) 

to contemplate and write a thoughtful letter to your future sweetheart. 

Someday, when the time is right, 

you'll find each other, 

and you'll know how worth it it will be.

I've learned a lot about service lately and I feel that Valentine's Day doesn't have to be about sweethearts and couples.  It's about making people feel special and loved.  So, I also challenge everyone, whether you're single, married, engaged, casually dating, or forever alone, to make at least one person feel special for Valentine's Day.  I promise that not only will they appreciate it and feel a little bit of love, but you'll also feel love for them and maybe walk with a little more spring in your step because of it. <3

You're the Obi-Wan for Me

In response to my challenge from last week: (click here if you don't know what I'm talking about)

Here are some things which I wrote to my lover:

Dear Prince Charming,

       . . .      

            I received an anonymous valentine’s gift today.  Someone wrapped a piece of pink paper around a bag of dark chocolate hearts and addressed it to me saying “Hope your V-day is as sweet as you are!”  It was really nice!  . . . and it made me feel really special.  Maybe it was you that left it.  Or a wonderful, caring friend who wanted to give me a little pick me up :]  Either way, it was just what a single girl needed.

. . . 

            I hope your valentine’s day was wonderful.  I also hope you had someone to love you, or someone to make you feel special, because you definitely deserve it, probably more than anyone else I know. 

. . . 

Neither of us are perfect now, nor will we ever be in this life time.  But we’ll love each other for who we are and who we will one day be. 

. . .            

 There will not be many tomorrow’s until we find each other. I’m waiting anxiously for that day!

           

            Until then, stay true to you and the values we share.  I’ll be waiting for you.

Forever Yours,

Me

Valentine's Day Challenge

Normally, I hate Valentine's Day.

For a gal like me with no significant other (ever), 

it's just always sucked.

Seeing couples on normal days sucks enough 

(kissing and cuddling and kissing and hugging and kissing ...)

but Valentine's Day is ... worse.

So, I was prepared to face Valentine's Day as I always have:

no regard whatsoever.

The End.

BUT

As I was perusing the most popular social network in the world, 

I found a challenge from one of my friends.

And I have accepted said challenge.

It reads:

Well, we're a week from Valentines day, 

and soon Facebook will be flooded with "Single Awareness Day" stuff... 

Usually, in the past, I've joined this massive self-pity fest, 

but this year I thought I'd try something different. 

This week, I'd like to challenge everyone, 

(Myself included) 

to contemplate and write a thoughtful letter to your future sweetheart. 

Someday, when the time is right, 

you'll find each other, 

and you'll know how worth it it will be.

And now I extend it to all my single friends.

This is your mission, should you chose to accept it.

I hope you do.

As for all you ... couples ... tell your spouse you love them.

Again.

And again.

And then do something for someone else

together.

Happy Single's Awareness Day!!