Endowed :)

Saturday was my BIG day, that I was honored and grateful to receive my endowments and go through the temple.  I felt like it was my wedding day, a day that I had planned for quite some time and then finally it was here.  I picked up Cait on Friday night from LAX and we stopped by a party and then headed home for our exciting Saturday.  We decided we were going to have an awesome breakfast so we walked to this amazing little spot called Square One.

Yummy french toast! Second to Sara Beth's in New York.  The interesting part of breakfast was that the patio stares right at the Scientology building.  We were able to have some fun people watching time and get to know, what we felt, a great deal about their wardrobe and religion.  Not going to lie, it was quite odd.  We walked back to the house, went thrift store shopping, bought some cute dresses, headed back home and got ready for the temple.  Halfway through getting ready I looked at Cait and asked her what time it was, she responded, "Time to go." I grabbed my makeup bag, shoes, and purse and we left only to arrive at the temple at exactly 12:00.  I realized I didn't have my camera so Cait, the doll that she is, went home and grabbed it for me while I headed inside to meet Sister Beckstead, my favorite and honored escort.  I don't think I ever stopped smiling from entering the temple to leaving that night. It was a very emotional (happy emotional) day for me. Brother Castleton said to me at the end, "There is nothing greater than how big your smile is right now." I am not going to talk about what happened in the temple because it is sacred and personal but I can tell you that the feelings I felt within those walls were so peaceful.  I could feel the immense love of my Heavenly Father and although it will take a lifetime to understand, things began to click. I couldn't have been more blessed with the people that were there to support me.

• From my childhood (grew up on the same street as me) Brother and Sister Castleton. 
• From Junior High (but I don't remember him then) Jason Ohlwiler
• From 2008 when I first joined the church in Mission Viejo, my first bishop and his amazing wife who was my escort; the Beckstead's
• From Washington, my best friend Cait Hennessey
• From my days in Anaheim, my roommate Shawn Gleason and her boyfriend!
• From my current ward; Bishop Tomas
• ... and my new found good girlfriends in the ward, Karen Sorenson and Caitlin Fitzgibbons.

Although this was my first time, I do know from what others said, my session was very packed! Brother Castleton said, "When it comes to Nicole, she always does it up big!" I did not know the majority of people in that amazing building, but the ones that were there for me, I will cherish and always remember. Now, you can pretend you were there through my pictures!

Everyone

The Castleton's

Sister Beckstead (I love this picture)

The Beckstead's

Bishop, Me, Sister Beckstead, Cait, and Jason

Karen and Caitlin

My message from Heavenly Father

Celebration at BJs

The new and improved Nicole :)

Dad.

I rarely talk to my dad, horrible I know.  My dad is not one of many words.  In fact, there have been times where I have flown to see him and he just sits there and doesn't know what to do with me.  I love him more than anything, I just don't think he knows how to bond with a girl.  We seem to send text messages every few weeks to say hello and tell each other that we are thinking of one another and make sure everything is ok.  When we do talk on the phone it doesn't last for long... that is of course until tonight. Dad sent me a text about buying a Rosetta stone to learn French.  He thought he would share that with his "world traveler." I started to ask him some questions and like we all should do, he decided to pick up the phone and call rather than have a full blown conversation in text!

It was really nice to have that conversation with my dad, makes me kick myself for not picking the phone up more often.  We tend to be so busy with our lives that it's always a rushed conversation when it happens, not tonight! I learned a lot about my daddy in that 30 minute phone call and he ended with some amazing input telling me that I am not like him of all his kids.  That my brother may look the most like him but that I am fearless and will do anything, that he noticed that about me and that he wanted me to know that. I take that as a compliment.  I love being like my dad.

But I Want it Now.

Patience has never been a virtue of mine and it is one that I refuse to pray for because I know how Heavenly Father works :)  In all reality however, I am slightly good at waiting and being patient but for now, I can't wait for Saturday and I would say that it is a wonderful thing to be impatient about! I am getting endowed on Saturday.  For those of you in the Blogger world or friends that may not know what this means, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints there are certain ordinances that take place in the temples.  Some of these ordinances include, marriages, baptisms for the dead (as mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:29, washings and anointings (mentioned in the book of Exodus) and the Endowment.  The endowment is an ordinance in which member of the Church are taught about the gospel and make covenants to live more righteous lives.  As we are endowed, we also receive garments, a constant reminder of the covenants that you have made in the temple. I am seriously sooo stoked to go through the temple on Saturday! If that wasn't exciting enough, my best friend in the entire world, Cait, is flying in from Washington to be there for me.

Now that you have that background, I received a call last night from the Stake President's secretary asking if I would give the opening prayer in the chapel within the temple next Thursday, February 16. I feel so honored that they would ask me this.  I am seriously overwhelmed with gratitude for the many blessings of the temple and everything that surrounds it. As I see so many people struggling in the world, it makes me hurt that they either don't have the opportunity to, or reject, the great blessings of the fullness of the gospel. So many people tend to think that Church Members (aka Mormons) are weird, or odd, they can't do this, they can't do that, but really it's not about can's and cant's, it's about obedience and how much we desire to be happy.  Our Heavenly Father wants to bless us with so much, it's like a giant gift just sitting there waiting to be unwrapped, all we have to do is walk over and receive it.

Pick up your feet!

My work caters lunch every day so on my lunch break, there is no need to actually eat.  Four out of five days in the week, I walk over to the mall to people watch, look at clothes, and get some fresh air.  I walked into H&M to view some things when all the sudden I hear feet, dragging, constantly. I look at this girl and say, "Pick up your fee."  You may think I am kidding, I am not.  She continues.  I couldn't even concentrate or think about the clothes that were right in front of me because she was being so obnoxious.  Who is that lazy that they can't pick up their feet when they walk?! She was so annoying that I actually put the shirt I had in hand down and left the store.

I made my way around the different stores depressed to see there is absolutely NO fashion right now.  We are in that awkward time of year, getting rid of winter clothes and bringing on the joys of summer but what I don't get is why everything has to look the same. Every shirt, every dress, nothing is original anymore.  I decided to live on the edge and venture in to Bloomingdale's, a store I have never been in before because I don't think it's smart to spend more than $50.00 on a shirt. Everything in there, just as ugly as all the other cheaper stores only $300.00. 

I decided to head back to work, a shopping trip has never been so depressing, not even anything I would put on a wishlist.  So depressed I walked right in to Yogurtland, where their menu always has something in style and just right. 

Sallie Says.

Sometimes I am convinced that the world is out to get me; cue pity party and the tiniest violin.  It really baffles me why people do so much to make other's lives harder. Although this could entail many things and many people, the subject of this post is Sallie Mae. I am in school. I have been in school since 2010. I have never stopped being in school since I enrolled.  There is a school clearinghouse that is IN existence for the sole purpose to inform loan companies that you are in fact attending school. Without fail, every 6 weeks, Sallie Mae begins calling, not just me, but my mother.  They call at 8 am on Saturday and Sunday and call until 9pm at night. They are ruthless. I have called them and said, "Hey look, I am in school." These little boogers however do not care.  It is like they feed off of calling people at all hours of the day for no reason. Today I call them up and inform them, "Peeps, I am in school, I have been in school since 2010, please register it." "Well, were you in school on December 22?" "I am sorry, did you not understand my previous statement, I am in school, I have been in school since 2010, that includes December 22, 2011."  I then had to fill out an in-school deferment form, yet again, fax to my school, yet again, and have them fax to Sallie Mae. The lady threatened me to be turned over to collections! You do that lady, I double doggie dare you, I am NOT LATE, I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN TO PAY YOU, I AM IN SCHOOL.

The end.

Wicked.

About a month ago my wonderful friend Kat had asked if I was interested in seeing the show, so we decided to take the hefty ticket plunge and see it. I have seen it a few times before and I absolutely love it, so there really wasn't much thought that went into my decision.  Last week, my beautiful friend Marissa, called me up to let me know our friend Kevin from high school was IN Wicked and asked if I wanted to go up on Wednesday (yesterday) and see the show and have dinner with them. Duh.

I got off work a little early so I could meet them over around 5:30. We all had dinner together and some little neighborhood grill, met Neil Labute, who is a pretty well to do play writer but somewhat of a weird individual, and headed back over for the show. After the show Kevin put us on a list, we felt important, and we got to go backstage, see all of the set, the extravagant costumes, and learn a little bit more about the play. They transport the ENTIRE stage in semi-trucks. Fun. I am excited to go back on Saturday and see Kevin work his magic on the stage yet again.

1:23

For the past three nights I have been waking up around 1:23 and I can't fall back asleep, it is incredibly annoying. I fall asleep at a reasonable time, am asleep for a few hours and then it is like this internal clock that goes off and tells me I NEED to be awake, I need to spend worthless time browsing the Facebook news feed and playing Words with Friends, because at that hour, there is nothing else to do! When I finally fall back asleep, my real alarm goes off and it is time for work and that my friends is the story of my life.

but...

Prior to falling asleep last night, I met with the Stake President and he gave me the green light on getting endowed on February 11. I was excited before but now that I have the official ok and my recommend, I am ecstatic. I went over to the bishop to give him my thumbs up and I told him I wanted to celebrate with pizza. The whole bishopric was in there as well as my friend Brian and they made a joke about me ordering a few extra for them. I was in the giving spirit so I went over to a local pizzeria and came back with two celebration pizzas!

Best friend flies in town in 16 days!

"Just a Small Scratch"

Saturday night was one of the most amazing weddings I have ever been too, it wasn't the location, or the food, or even the amazing cake, rather it was the love between Jon and Melinda that just couldn't be denied.  It was at the Marriott in Marina Del Rey- on top of the helicopter pad, totally awesome! (you can find the photos on my photography blog http://npriestphotography.blogspot.com/)

Anyway- while leaving the hotel at 3 am, I get my car back looking like this:

Upset because that obviously wasn't the way I turned my car IN to the valet, I wanted something taken care of and quick. I have never, EVER, in my entire life, experienced such rudeness and tackiness at a hotel.  Although Marriott claims they are a separate entity than the valet, that valet sets an image for their hotel.  The valet denied all claims, said my car was damaged when it came in and then in the claim description for wrote: Just a small scratch, told my brother to "eff off" when he asked to see the cameras, and had pure incompetence from the manager on duty. 

After calling the parking manager for 2 days, leaving 3 messages with no return, I decided to call the manager of Marriott to track down this guy Aidan who is supposed to be contacting me regarding my car.  Once he finally contacted me, he stated they did not do the damage, the camera shows that my car came in with the damage. Of course I asked for screen shots of the video (since I couldn't just get to Marina Del Rey that fast)  and the photos looked edited.  I replied asking to see the actual photos of me walking OUT of the car, to which he sent and there was nothing on my car but a reflection. 

and my favorite photo of the hour is my expression when I saw my car: 

I understand accidents happen, but own up! He then stated that he would go ahead and agree that my experience had been tacky, but they would not admit to the damage.  Well Mr. Aidan, I just sent all your photos and a 9 page letter to Corporate Marriott, take that and perhaps even your loss of a job you little stinker!

Eternal Families.

There is never really anything good to say when someone passes away- there is no words or condolence that is going to bring that person back so it is always rough trying to figure out what to say or do. As I sat in the funeral for my aunt I constantly thought about how grateful I am to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, that I KNOW where I am going and that I WILL see my family, that they all have the opportunity to come unto Christ, even after death. I also sat in excitement. I am pulling out my endowments in less than a month and I cannot wait to serve those that have passed on, those that haven't had the opportunity to receive the blessings of the fullness of the gospel. As everyone was being sad, I got this glimmer of happiness because I know what is in store for her, I know the blessings that she can be a part of and I am so incredibly grateful for this gospel that I know is pure truth.

Too Late.

Would have, could have, should have.

My aunt passed away on Saturday around 10:30pm and of course a state of shock set in, followed by doubt, and then sadness.  Memories run through your mind as you come to grasp that they are in fact gone. I decided to go through pictures throughout the years and put them together because I knew they would be desired for the funeral service or at least after.  In my mind I had loads of them but when I sat down to get pictures, I noticed there weren't really that many after all. I had only taken one picture of her at Christmas, ONE. It suddenly hit me how precious and valuable pictures really are and how excited I am to be involved in photography. People would stop and reconsider spending money on a photographer because it is not in their budget but once people aren't around to take pictures, all they do is wish they had taken more pictures. I am making it a point to take pictures at every family gathering- even if people don't want them taken, I want them, and I am selfish :)

Captain of your Ship; Master of your Destiny.

With it being the new year and of course new resolutions and goals, this quote really got me to think about things.

No one else can live your life.  You are the Captain of your ship; the Master of your destiny.  Before you set sail, be sure you know where you are heading. Plot your course accordingly, even if you can't see it, it is there just on the horizon.  Even when you have no energy for things, you have energy... you cannot not have it, you would be dead otherwise.  Perhaps you are already dead... dead to the old way of being you, and if this is so, say "goodbye" and dream a new dream, a new life.  For after all, no one else can dream your dream, or live your life.  It is in your hands... so go now, go grab it with a blind faith in yourself that all will be well.

A lot of the time people, myself included, think that someone or something can make their life better.  If I could just have this... things would be better.  As awesome as that would be to have everything fixed by something or someone, we need to fix ourselves and make our own changes or as soon as that something or someone is gone from our lives, we will be right back where we started with the same issues and the same problems. Makes me think of why Heavenly Father should be number one in our lives.  A lot of people may disagree and say, no, your spouse should be number one.  The thing is, people will fail you, there will be times when they don't meet our expectations, or hurt us more than imaged but our Heavenly Father is a constant in our lives and will always be there for us, he will never fail us. I guess what I am getting at, is make your own goals, have your own dreams, that doesn't mean they can't include other people, but don't depend on someone else to make your success or be your happiness.

If You Love Christmas So Much, Why Don't You Merry It?

Christmas this year was wonderful, a newborn, family I haven't seen in 6 years, and good food. Mom, like always, was hounding me to take pictures and as much as I love taking pictures, it is difficult when people on the receiving end do not want their picture taken! Nonetheless, here is my Christmas...

Goose and Colton on his first Christmas :)

Michael and his mittens

Chad and Kelly

Kelly and Michael 

My thrilled brother

Cousin Melisa

My favorite Sis-in-law and baby Colton

Cousin Robbie

Mom

The happy new family

Goose!

Kelly's son Talon

Grandpa Grant

The Grant men

Robbie and Talon

Mom getting the best gift ever and showing it :)

Chad hugging mom

Uncle Bob

Goose and her tin of cookies

Me and my brudder

Chad, me, and Kelly

The Grants: Michael, Francie, Kelly, and Robbie

Plan of Salvation.

For anyone that has investigated the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the above illustration rings a bell. Although I don't remember my life pre-earth, I have an innate feeling that I did exist before and this explanation seems to make everything connect, have meaning, and of course purpose. 

Ever meet a person and you connect so well that you feel you have known them forever? I don't think that is a coincidence, I feel that you knew them in pre-existence.  Call me crazy, many people do, but I know this is true. According to the LDS faith, everyone on earth existed in pre-existence and was in the grand courts with Heavenly Father.  Jesus had made the decision to come to earth for the glory of God overruling Satan's attempt to come to earth for his own glory and thus the war began.  We knew that it would be difficult but we made the choice to come to earth, to obtain a human body, endure life's trials and tribulations so that we could one day return to our Father in heaven. 

I don't write all this to preach, but I write it because today I will be attending the funeral of a good friend, George James who passed away on September 20.  Death gives me the constant reminder about this wonderful Plan of Salvation that we have.  It reassures me that although it is easy to be sad in the present because we have lost a friend, that we know where they are going.  George knew I was LDS and we had quite a few conversations about faith and religion but I never seized any opportunity to invite him to church because in my head, it was never the right time. Why is that for me to decide when the right time for someone is? I have learned from my membership in this amazing church that if we do what we are supposed to do, the Lord will present opportunities to share his gospel.  The Lord will prepare people, we just have to open our mouths. 

General Conference is this weekend... even if you don't have a TV, you can watch it live HERE. I have a testimony of conference and it's power to change lives. I need to hear these words now more than ever and I know there is something for every single person, we just have to open our hearts and listen. 

Happy BirthdayJoseph

On Dec. 23, 1805, as much of the world was preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, another baby boy was born. Like Jesus, this 19th century baby came forth in humble circumstances and in an obscure village.

Though the world didn't know it at the time, the birth of Joseph Smith Jr. would initiate what is arguably the greatest and most far-reaching chain of events in the history of Christianity since the Savior's mortal ministry itself. 

That infant would grow up to hold the apostolic office and thus be a special witness of Jesus Christ, the first mortal man on earth with such authority since the deaths of Peter, Paul and other New Testament figures. But Joseph's role would have further significance, he being the man who, under the direction of Jesus Christ, received the keys of the gospel's restoration in latter days and of the prophesied Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. It was a role with transcendent magnitude, fulfilling scriptural prophecy.

Joseph was foreordained to be a witness of Christ at a pivotal time in world history (see History of the Church 6:364; 2 Nephi 3:7-11).

I am eternally grateful for the work that Joseph Smith has done on this earth. Contrary to popular belief, I do not hold Joseph higher than my Savior, Jesus Christ, however I do hold a very deep and dear part of my life to the man that made the fullness of the gospel possible; whose obedience and perseverance, despite ridicule and persecution brought forth the amazing book I am able to read freely today.

I feel an incredibly strong connection to this man and will continue to spread this beautiful gospel for all to see.  I love you Joseph!

Overpowering the Goliaths in your Life

Gordan B. Hinkley. Ah what I wonderful man. How I wish I would have been a member of the Church when he was Prophet. I love reading his talks.  Lately I have been struggling spiritually. There it is out. We all go through these times and if you say you don't, you are lying! I was at church early for ward council when I overheard a woman giving a talk in the family ward. I didn't hear much of her talk but I did hear her reference the talk, Overpowering the Goliath's in our Lives, by Gordan B. Hinkley. What a name for a talk. I knew right then and there that we all have Goliath's in our lives... therefore, we should ALL probably read that talk.

Just like he mentions in his talk- I am sure you all know the story of David and Goliath. I think there are always going to be things in our life that the world will tell us we can't overcome. Nearly ever single sin or transgression in our life begins with something small... then we start to lose the spirit and begin to justify our actions. If we are lucky, we catch these stumblings before it gets too far. President Hinkley recaps a story:

I recall an assignment some years back to restore the blessings of a man who had been excommunicated from the Church because of his sin. He came to my office with his wife. I spoke with them individually. I asked him how it all began. He held a responsible position in the Church. He was likewise a professional man with high responsibility in the community.

His trouble began, he said, when he picked up a pornographic magazine to read on the plane. It intrigued him. It appealed to him. He found himself buying more of these things. Then he sought out movies which titillated him and excited him. Knowing his wife would be a party to none of this, he went alone. He found occasion to leave town and go to other cities where he could more easily indulge his desires. He then found excuses to stay late at his office and asked his secretary to stay with him. One thing led to another until he succumbed.

With tears rolling down his cheeks, he sat across the desk from me and cursed the day he had read that first magazine. He spoke of his love for the wife who had forgiven him and remained true to him. He spoke of his love for his children, who had been shamed and embarrassed by his actions. He told of the hell through which he had walked from the time of his excommunication. He spoke of his love for the Church and his desire to enjoy again its full blessings.

In the presence of his wife, I placed my hands upon his head and in the authority of the holy priesthood restored his priesthood, his temple endowment, his temple sealing, and all other blessings which he had formerly held. This strong man sobbed like a baby under my hands while his wife, with her hand in his, wept like a child.

At the conclusion of that blessing, they embraced one another and he asked her to forgive him. She said she had forgiven him and that she loved him and always would.

They were happy when they left, happier than they had been in years. And I was happy too. But I thought of the terrible price he had paid and of the price he had exacted of his family through his foolishness and transgression.

Don't let the world make you think you can't overcome something. Remember who are you, a child of God. Remember that you can overcome all things, no matter how small or large.