Golden Ticket.

Recalling the children's story “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” President Uchtdorf said people were looking for a golden ticket in a candy bar. Unfortunately, the candy bar itself became an utter disappointment if it did not contain a gold ticket, he explained.

"So many people today are waiting for their own golden ticket — the ticket that they believe holds the key to the happiness they have always dreamed about. For some, the golden ticket may be a perfect marriage; for others, a magazine-cover home; or perhaps, freedom from stress and worry. There is nothing wrong with righteous yearnings."

The problem, he added, comes when a person puts their happiness on hold as they wait for some future event — or gold ticket — to appear.

"The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in the pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments."

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I was reading this morning and I immediately thought of the world today, this girl at my work in particular, and how people want an immediate fix to their happiness.  Yesterday I was working later than I normally do and a co-worker came up to me to tell me all about this spiritual healing she had with shakras and gems and blah, blah, blah, yes, I pretty much tuned everything else out.  She went on to say that this woman, who charged her $120.00, told her about all her past lives and how she believes that is why we meet people and we feel connected to them because we knew them in a past life. 

I have to stop there because my instant thought is yes, pre-existence.  We knew people in pre-existence and we are reminded of them in this life by certain aspects of their personality and who they are. But as I look past that to her situation in general and how she believed this woman gave her happiness, it was somewhat saddening.  What an insult to our Savior for another person to believe that spirits and sprays and "healings" can make one happy and take away their problems in life.  First off, nothing can take away our trials, we are human, we will always be faced with trials, but we can have peace in the midst of our trials. I can't help but chuckle that people think Mormons are weird or out of the norm but things like these seances are completely acceptable... oh Los Angeles!

End of the Rope.

Do you ever feel like you are at the end of your rope? Like you are being stretched in every direction and you don't even have time to gasp for air? Although currently I am excited for time to pass, that is until July 27, and then time can go really slow for 5 weeks :), BUT... right now I feel like everything is a blur from day to day.

Almost a month ago my bishop pulled me in to his office and asked if I would accept the calling to be Relief Society president. Without hesitation I agreed.  Then I was to call counselors and teachers and decide what I wanted to do with the ward. What if I make the wrong choices, what if I don't listen to the spirit? All of these what-if's came into my head and I had to just take a few deep breathes and relax. I will officially get called on Sunday, exciting and nervous.

This past weekend I did just that, relax. I was supposed to go to Orange County to take pictures of my nephew but I wanted to run errands and take things easy because church meetings would start at 8am for me on Sunday. After running a few errands I decided to stop at a Goodwill in Glendale. I spent over an hour in there and got so many good gems. It was like everything I found, I wanted. I have never had such an awesome thrifting experience. As I was in line, and the cashier was taking quite some time to ring everything up, this old man was standing behind me.

"Well, I can't really afford this, but I suppose I will get it." referring to a sports coat he had in his hands.
This old man was amazing, adorable, and my heart had this feeling that without any hesitation I turned to the cashier and said, "I would like to buy his jacket for him." The cashier looked at me in amazement, and confusion, so much that I repeated myself two times.  Finally, I turned to the older man and said, "I would like to purchase your jacket for you." He looked at me puzzled and said, "Oh, that is sweet of you but you don't have to." Now I know I don't have to do anything, but I wanted to. I said, "No, I am serious, I want to buy your coat." He said, "But why?" I looked at him with a smile and simply said, "Because I felt like I should." His face turned from worry to excitement as he informed me that the coat is half-priced and it would only be $6.00. In all honesty, I couldn't have cared if the coat was $20, I had a prompting and I followed through. The cashier gave me my receipt and bags and the old man continued to stand there saying, "Thank you! Thank you so much. How can you be so beautiful and kind? Thank you."

I am sure I will never see that man again, but he will always leave an impression on my heart.  The feeling I had from helping him out was one of the most amazing feelings. He didn't expect anything, and I didn't expect anything, it was just an offer to help a stranger. I hope and pray that I may have the same impact on the sisters of my ward.  Although I may not get a chance to know each and every one of them, I hope that through the spirit I may leave an impression on their lives.

Things Happen When You're Obedient.

Sometimes I would love to be God for a day and just sit up there and watch all of us going every which way throughout our daily lives.  We often complain about rough patches or certain trials and when it comes down to it, for the most part, the choices we make, determine the situations we are placed in.  If only we saw the grand picture like our Heavenly Father, perhaps we would make necessary changes sooner.

This year has been full of lessons and blessings, of trials of faith and obedience.  It is amazing how many blessings the Lord is willing and ready to pour unto us, we just have to be ready and willing to accept them. We ask for prayers to be answered but we do nothing more on our part.  I love this quote I heard once; "We give fifty cent prayers and expect million dollar answers."

There are a few things that were holding me back in certain areas of my life, nothing large, but things I needed to overcome or learn from before the Lord would provide me with blessings, with his greater intent and purpose for my life. It is almost instantaneous, as I made the choice to live my life better, or to walk firmly in a new direction, I could immediately see why that choice was made. I dated a non-member for quite some time, we broke up and two months later I was endowed. Recently I made some daily life choices and that next Sunday, I was called to be Relief Socity president. 

I feel close to the spirit, inspired, and open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It never ceases to amaze me that when your ears are open to the spirit, the direct and distinct promptings of the spirit fill you completely. 

You're Never Lost if You Can See the Temple.

Great talk by the way: Read HERE

I will add to that and say, "You can never have a bad day when you're staring at the temple."

This morning I woke up feeling like crap. Close your ears fellas.
Bloated.
Volcanic eruptions on my face. (ok maybe that is an exaggerations but that is how I feel).

I went to make this new recipe called pumpkin bread in a bowl, healthy cereal thing, and it tasted like a dog biscuit. Then I put on a shirt that is a sheer material and ripped my shirt, of course while walking out the door which means I will have that rip in my shirt all day long.

There are two ways this day could go; I could be cranky and upset all day long, or I could smile and get over the fact that things didn't start off on the best foot.

I am covering for a girl this week, (a temp that is leaving on vacation for 10 days) a desk that I actually interviewed for so if I like it, I will be placed in this desk full-time, which let me add made the training awkward yesterday. At any rate, I got situated at the desk and looked up to see this:

It is foggy outside but if you look in the middle of the picture, you can see the beautiful Los Angeles temple. The biggest smile came on my face, it is going to be a good day, or 10 days for that matter as long as I can see the temple!

Did Someone Say Carnival?

I am planning my 30th birthday party which I feel is like planning a wedding! It is carnival themed and my awesome friend Nicole, no I am not referring to myself in third person :), she has this huge house in Orange and is also an event planner and with her master mind and attention to detail, this is going to be the party of the year! Goldfish, churros, soft serve machine, rainbow sprinkles, tacos, popcorn, darts and balloons, stuffed animals!!! Ahh, I get so excited thinking about it.

Things are good, I am happy!