A Tribute to a Legend

A tribute to the best show on the planet. I have become extremely sentimental because today I finished the greatest series. It taught me a lot about life (I know it is a t.v. show but it still is very moving) and I can't  believe it's all over. It has been a heart wrenching, moving, incredible time watching the 9 seasons of this show. Always remember, there is only one tree hill.

Drowning in the Tribulation

Lately, I've had a really hard time going to church. Don't get me wrong, I love our gospel. It brings me so much comfort and a knowledge that I am not alone and that there is a purpose for why we are here. It's just that I struggle in young womens'. I've always been one who is really good at being in charge. Leadership is really easy for me. I can get up in front of the whole ward if I have to and give a talk or make an announcement. With the change in our bishopric and young womens' presidency, has come a lot of pressure. Instead of doing things for the girls benefit, I feel like they are just trying to "check things off their to-do lists". Mutual is no longer a time to become better friends and do wholesome activities and learn about the gospel. They are about hounding us to get our personal progress done and making sure we are actively what I would call 'attacking" the less active members striving to be examples and befriending those who need it. Those things are both important, but these mid-week activities are for those who come and want to do something that will be fun or help them prepare for their lifes. It's especially hard when you are constantly being reprimanded because you are "always answering the questions" or are being "too controlling". It saddens me to see things like this happening. Satan is definitely trying his best to tear down our gospel is any way that he can. Lots of the girls in my ward that I have talked to feel this same way. Young Womens' is for the young women, not the leaders or anyone else.
If I hear one more thing like, " In the handbook..." I will explode. The handbook is a guideline. It is not a set of rules.
We need to come up with a way to make our activities and Sunday meetings enjoyable and renew the desire to be there.

My favorite boy♥

 This is my most favorite boy in the world. He has been an amazing influence in my life for the last 6 months! I love him to death and I don't know where I'd be without him! 

Help us to get home safely

A while ago, I heard someone say, "When a child says a prayer with the phrase '.. please bless us to get home safely' they are referring to our heavenly home."
Ever since I heard that I've said it in everyone of my prayers. It is an amazing insight that I think everyone should be aware of. I do hope that we all can make it home safely.

At last, the end has come.

The very first day of Sister Dimmick's seminary class, we read these letters all of her past students had written. They were all so sweet. Although, I didn't understand a lot of the inside jokes like I do now, they made me excited for the year to come.

As the last day of her class came to a close, I was anxiously anticipating the handing out of the papers so I could write my letter. I've been waiting since August to write this letter. I've been keeping notes and jotting down thoughts that I would put in my letter. The last 10 minuets roll around, we have a little testimony meeting and then she dismisses the class. I've never been more disappointed in my life. How could we not write the letters? I've been planning and waiting for almost 6 months!!

So I will write my letter here.

Sister Dimmick's class taught me more than just the Gospel. She taught me to love and to look outward. I've never felt so much love for our Savior or the Gospel radiate out of someone so much. She really loves what she does.

Sister Dimmick will most definitely change the world someday. She has already started, spending hours a day teaching and sharing the Gospel truths to High School punks like me. 

She taught me to Spit, and to spit often. Spitting has changed my life, for the better. It's so simple, yet without her class I would have never thought to do it. 

She also taught me that every hymn is my favorite. I mean, they're all so good! 

I learned to "look with my spiritual eyes". 

I learned that everyday scripture study will (and has) changed my life. I made a commitment to her and the lord to read everyday for the rest of my life starting January 7, 2014. I vow to never miss a day.

Sister Dimmick is a huge example to me. She is strong and independent. She has such a strong testimony and a desire to share it. When I grow up, I hope to be like her. She is amazing. 

She taught me about finding the homilies in the scriptures. She taught me that gratitude is an action. You have to actually show it. 

I know that I was put into her class for a reason, God knows our hearts desires. 

I will never forget the lessons I learned in Sister Dimmick's class. She is so wonderful. You are so blessed to have the divine opportunity to be in her class. 

~ Mariah Gaines 

The Pursuit of Happiness

I've never seen two cuter or happier people!
I figured this would make you smile, because I sure did.
*Be sure to watch the WHOLE video*

Ramble-y Sunday

Tonight, as a family, we each picked an article out of one of the Church magazines. (The Friend, New Era, and The Ensign)
I chose my article out of the Ensign. It is entitled: The Best Time to Plant a Tree by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Second Counselor in the First Presidency). (http://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/01/the-best-time-to-plant-a-tree?lang=eng)
This little Article President Uchtdorf wrote really reminded me what new years resolutions are really all about. It's not about making a huge long list of things you never plan to accomplish. It is supposed to help you rid yourself of old habits and take a step further into becoming the best you, you can be! Resolutions in this day and age are mostly worldly. If we take the time to make meaningful worthy resolutions we are so much closer to becoming Christ-like and living with our father in heaven again, and that is ultimately what I want in my life.
I'm very grateful for all the people who have been such great examples to me throughout my journey here on earth. Lots of babysitters, and older girls in the ward are especially ones that I look up to. It's sad to see that a few have fallen away from the church. I understand that they are exercising their agency, but it is still a sad thought.
As I have reflected on my life and seen all the women who have been examples to me. It makes me want to be a better example. A lot of these women probably don't even know I look up to them. How do I know who is watching me? Who wants to be like me? I wouldn't want someone, later in life, regret looking up to me. As I go throughout this new year I want to strive to be a better example.
In 1 Timothy 4:12 it says: "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." This is a scripture I want to strive my best to follow.
And this my dear friends, concludes my Sunday night thoughts.

"Life is short, smile while you still have teeth."

Just to start off, my dad thought it would be a wonderful idea to turn off the wifi at 10pm each night. Like what? Late at night is when I do my best blogging!! What in the world was he thinking?! But, I will not let not using my laptop be that big of a hiderence. So here it goes, from my phone.
Tonight at my second home (taco amigo) I had the best experience of the whole week. I was way ahead on my closing jobs so I was helping my coworker with hers. I was helping take money and hand food out the drive-up window.  A man pulled up to the window and I greeted him as I normally do all customers. I asked how he was and told him his total. He told me he was ornery and handed me his credit card. I then proceeded to apologize for his bad day and charge him for his food. I handed his food and card back out the window and told him to have a great day. He replied, "You have a great night, too! Oh, and keep smiling!"
It is amazing how big of a difference a smile can make. Just turning up the corners of your mouth. It isn't a hard thing to do, yet we as people tend to do less and less of it these days. A smile has such power. When you choose to smile even when you don't feel like it, you could be changing someones day or even their outlook on life! So smile big whenever you get the chance! You never know how many chances you have left!
I'm grateful that that man took a chance and spoke more than the usual few words most people do. So in the words of that very friendly man "keep smiling!" You never know when someone will need it.

Do you have 20 minuets?

Jillian Michaels is a mad woman!
Since school started, I've been going to the gym 3-4 times per week (with a few exceptions). I lift weights, I do cardio, I do abs, arms, and legs. I've definitely seen a difference and I feel a lot better inside, and a lot better about myself. I feel like I'm pretty in shape,  seeing that I run almost 2 (someimes more) miles each time I'm at the gym. Apparently,  I'm not.
I woke up yesterday with absolutely zero motivation to head to the gym. So, I grabbed my Jillian Michael's 20 minuet work out video and put it in. 20 minuets, how hard could it be?
Oh my! I've never sweated so much in all my time working out! All the moves are really easy. Stuff any normal person would be able to do. The way she combined excersizes (for full calorie burning/ muscle toning benefit) was insane! In the first 5 minuets I wanted to die!
It was a great workout and I'm so sore now in my legs and abs that it hurts to walk ( and I may or may not hobble around like a grandma). But believe me, I will never underestimate the power of Jillian Michaels ever again!