From Within the Shadows of the Everlasting Hills

Gorgeous picture taken from http://www.listentech.com/media/Main_lds_conference_center.jpg

Wasn't Conference so AWESOME?! I love the spiritual outpouring that we get to experience for the ENTIRE weekend twice a year during General Conference.  It really refreshes us and refocuses us on what we need to do.  So, here are some themes and highlights that I picked up on:

1) Share the gospel!
There was a lot of focus on this topic during the Saturday sessions.  President Monson began conference by telling us that now is the time for members and missionaries to work together!  I especially appreciated Elder Ballard's talk which addressed several of my own concerns with sharing the gospel.  It's natural to be apprehensive.  Pray for opportunities and don't be afraid of what you'll have to do.  Elder Nielsen of the 70 shared a lot of animation and enthusiasm about missionary work and sharing the gospel.  We should all be just as excited as he was!

2) Endure to the end!
There was a huge emphasis on this during the Sunday sessions.  Elder Scott talked about losing ourselves in service to others to help us endure and hold fast to the rod, like Elder Hamilton of the 70 reminded us.  President Monson reminded us that we truly need him every hour, whether rain or shine.  Elder Eyring mentioned that this life is to polish us to return to the presence of God.

3) The Law of Chastity
I really loved the laying down of the law by Elder Oaks on what exactly is allowed and that nothing else is appropriate.  Loved it.  SO much.  And Elder Nelson continued that theme, but with a different approach.  Both were extremely wonderful and extremely insightful.  If you have questions regarding what Mormons believe about marriage, homosexuality, and chastity.  Read/watch them.  They both hit it right on the head.

4) The Priesthood
If you know anything about what's happening in the church right now, then hopefully you loved Elder Andersen's talk as much as I did.  I was reminded of a lesson in one of my religion classes when my teacher (Anthony Sweat, if you're interested) taught us about the difference between Priesthood Power and Priesthood Offices.  We all have access to the power of the priesthood, simply by keeping his commandments and honoring our covenants.

I encourage everyone, LDS or not, to watch conference and learn what our modern day prophets and apostles have said and warned us against.  I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true.  I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and and he and the apostles speak with authority and revelation from God.  I know where I want to go and what I need to do to get there. Do you?

Ta-Da!

New blog layout!  Thoughts?  Comments?  Good jokes?

Last night, my roommate and I went to one of our favorite restaurants where the service is always great and the food is always delicious!  But last night- the experience was different.  It wasn't great- the service last night was spectacular!  Recently, my roommate has had to change to gluten-free eating.  Fortunately, this restaurant offers a gluten-free menu.  Usually, we also have to ask for gluten free dressing when the server brings out the food, but last night, the server brought it out immediately after we ordered without any prompting from us.  I drink a lot of water and most servers have trouble keeping up with how fast I drink.  But the superstar assigned to our table last night was on top of things and my glass was only empty once. (And even then, he was there less then thirty seconds later filling it up.)  We didn't have to sit around awkwardly to wait for him and he kept us updated on our orders.  When the kitchen forgot to bring out part of our order, not only did he immediately bring the forgotten item out, he brought extra- and a lot of it!  We left that night feeling very full, and very satisfied.  Our server was observant, and made both of us feel like we were important.

What is this wonderful restaurant with the superhero server?

If you live near me, then you know there's not much competition for chinese cuisine.  There's pretty much Panda Express and PF Changs.  And the quality of Panda doesn't come anywhere close to that of PF Changs (they really shouldn't even be grouped together), so it's not like they have to win us from other chinese restaurants.  But every time we go, we are surprised by some kind act from our server.  And that to me, says they really care about their guests and customer service.  And that's the kind of restaurant that earns the customers it has.  As long as they keep this kind of service mentality, they will forever have my business.

Warning: Hardhat Zone

So ... something happened to my code ... and now I need to fix it ...

My blog is under construction!  And when it's done- there will be a whole new look and layout!  I'll be looking forward to your feedback!

Schoolhouse Rock

School's back in session!  And you know what that means!  

Grand Openings!

First Day Outfits!

Okay ... second day outfit ... but my first day I had work before so I was covered in butter and
pickle juice when I went to class.

And ... New Roommates!!

No pictures yet ... coming soon!

I Love My Job

I remember when my other siblings were trying to get jobs.  And I remember the times they specifically refused to even apply for a job in "fast food".  I know of others whom I am not related to that look down on those with jobs in fast food.  I am here today to stand up for the fast food jobs a.k.a quick service jobs and say that I love my job.  True, it's not glamorous; it's usually very messy; it's not the best pay in the world; it's not easy.  But it's totally worth it to put a smile on someone's face :]

I get to serve people directly and indirectly, every day!  And I get paid to do it!  I get to make every person who I see smile!  I get to work with amazing, honest people!  And the best part about my job is that it's through BYU!  My job works with my class schedule and I'm surrounded by people who are just like me!  They're poor college students just trying to be able to pay the rent on time and pass their classes, and they all believe the same things that I believe!  

I've worked in the Cougareat for three years now.  My supervisors are all great!  My co-workers are super fun, and I love all my employees!!  We opened a brand new store on campus this week (Eat Mor Chikin!) and everyone made it amazing!  I'm proud to be working at our new store, I'm proud that I am part of the Cougareat, and I'm super proud to have a "fast food" job :]

A Reflection Upon a Novel I Recently Read and Other Stories

I received this book for Christmas and had no time to read it until I suddenly had a full day of traveling to the east coast and another full day of traveling back (pics to come ...).  It is simply wonderful.  It's a rather simple read and not what I would usually spend precious reading time on, but I read it out of obligation and I'm glad I did.  If you ever wanted to know about the journey involved with change, this is an excellent book.  Changing is not easy.  It's never been that way, and it never will be.  It takes work, and it takes effort.  Change is something none of us looks forward to, but each of us has to experience.  We must go through the Lord's refining fires to change us from the natural man.  Every day can be a struggle and require so much willpower and force that we shudder to think of the great effort we could possibly put forth.  But the fruits of those efforts are sweeter than the icing on the cake.

I recently related to a friend the old adage that had helped me through so much of my sophomore year: "God won't give you anything you can't handle."  It set off an unpleasant moment and made me feel quite upset.  I've thought about that saying since then and the changes that it had helped me to go through.  I knew that those changes had strongly tested my own abilities and boundaries.  It didn't seem right that God would give me more than I could handle.  After all, I ended my sophomore year on a good note and I've handled everything else that I've been called to endure.  Wasn't I stronger than I had originally thought?  Just yesterday, I found this.

Oh, boy.  What a wake up call.  Christ, through his atonement, gives us the extra power and strength that we need to endure this crazy thing called life.  Yes, friend, you were right.  God sometimes gives us more than we can handle.  But He's there to help us every step of the way.  I didn't do it all and I have never completely handled anything given to me without his help.  No matter the trial, no matter the test, no matter the struggle, no matter the willpower and force, God has helped me to handle what He's given me.  And it's made me realize my reliance on him more than ever.  And perhaps, in a way, that has made me stronger.  But the real glory and wonder of making it, of handling life, goes to Christ and His atonement.  

Happy Independence Day!

Reverse Charades,

Games, 

Food, 

Cookies,

Friends, 

and Fireworks.  

Yep.  A pretty wonderful Fourth of July in Provo.

Next year- totally going to Stadium of Fire.

'Merica.  

It's where we rock.

Pretty much.