Thank you for being a Friend!

Thank you for being a friend

Traveled down the road and back again

Your heart is true your a pal and a confidant.

And if you through a party

Invited everyone you ever knew

You would see the biggest gift would be from me

And the card attached would say thank you for being a friend.

Yes, I know it's the Golden Girls Theme Song, and it's corny, but it's kind of how I feel today! So you may or may not have noticed that I've been a little down for the past month or so. Well, yesterday I was sick of being sad and moved right on in to the angry phase! Everything seemed to make me bitter and angry!

Well I was talking to a good friend last night and she said two things that hit me! The first, "Stop being ungrateful for your blessings" and the three magic words that impacted me the most, "You're allowing it!"

She was right! I am so blessed! And I am especially blessed to be surrounded by true and loving friends! Thanks guys!

President Spencer W. Kimball explained: "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs" ("Small Acts of Service," Ensign, Dec. 1974, p. 5). 

-Gospel Principles Manual

My closest friends are always there for me! They support me and love me, even when I'm difficult to love! Lol! You guys know who you are and I love you! Each of you teach me and inspire me to be better! You are awesome examples to me! What a blessing from Heavenly Father!

Each life that touches ours for good

Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;

Thou sendest blessings from above

Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,

What greater goodness can we know

Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways

Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim

Devotion to the Savior's name,

Who bless our days with peace and love,

We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

-LDS Hymns

Maybe The Older Brother Has A Point!

Luke 15:

11 ¶ And he said, A certain man had two sons:


12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

32 It was ameet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Sometimes I feel like the older brother! Well, not exactly the same, but similar.  I mean, at the end of the story the older brother is angry that his younger brother is being honored and basically recieves the same reward as him.  It seems like the older brother doesn't feel that his younger brother should recieve the same reward, despite the fact that the younger brother has repented.

I think my feelings are different!  I mean, I definately wouldn't want anybody condemned! In fact, I hope we all recieve the same reward: Eternal Life- all that the Father has.  My problem arises when I think sometimes that I'm missing out! I mean look at the Prodigal Son! Let's just define the word "Prodigal" for a second:

prod·i·gal 
–adjective

1.wastefully or recklessly extravagant: prodigal expenditure.
2.giving or yielding profusely; lavish (usually fol. by of or with): prodigal of smiles; prodigal with money.
3.lavishly abundant; profuse: nature's prodigal resources.

–noun
4.a person who spends, or has spent, his or her money or substance with wasteful extravagance; spendthrift.

-Dictionary.com

Now how about "Riotous"

ri·ot·ous

–adjective
1.(of an act) characterized by or of the nature of rioting or a disturbance of the peace.
2.(of a person) inciting or taking part in a riot.
3.given to or marked by unrestrained revelry; loose; wanton: riotous living.
4.boisterous or uproarious: riotous laughter.
5.hilariously funny.

-Dictionary.com

I mean, I'm pretty sure this lifestyle sounds more fun! So what's the point!? Sometimes I look at others (even people I love dearly) and think they "get to have their cake and eat it too!" They've gone out and had a period of "riotous living" and repented and now they have the perfect fairy-tale ending: married in the temple, serving missions, active families.  They got to go out and be wild and have a bunch of experiences and they still get all the blessings of the gospel! I'm so happy for them! I think the blessings of the gospel are amazing and I'm glad that they get them, but what did I get!? I mean really! Sometimes I think I just missed out- maybe I'm still missing out!

I read....

2 Nephi 28:

7 Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us.

8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.

9 Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark.

But then I think: "Bull crap!" Because the scriptures also say:

Docterine & Covenants 58:

42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.

So which one is it? Is it possible to "have your cake and eat it too?" Maybe some of you can enlighten me, because sometimes I just don't really know!

Cameron and Kamrin's Wedding

I am so greatful for the opportunity I have to witness friends of mine follow Heavenly Father's Plan and join together in Eternal Marriage!

“That proclamation on the family helps us realize that celestial marriage brings greater possibilities for happiness than does any other relationship. The earth was created and this Church was restored so that families could be formed, sealed, and exalted eternally.”

Russell M. Nelson, “Celestial Marriage,” Liahona, Nov. 2008, 93

The Bride: Before and After

The Groom: Do you think he looks nervous?

The Happy Couple: Before and After

“Marriage is sanctified when it is cherished and honored in holiness. That union is not merely between husband and wife; it embraces a partnership with God (see Matt. 19:6).”

Russell M. Nelson, “Nurturing Marriage,” Ensign, May 2006, 36

 

"Remember, brethren, that in your role as leader in the family, your wife is your companion. As President Gordon B. Hinckley has taught: 'In this Church the man neither walks ahead of his wife nor behind his wife but at her side. They are coequals' (in Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 68; or Ensign, Nov. 1996, 49). Since the beginning, God has instructed mankind that marriage should unite husband and wife together in unity (see Gen. 2:24). Therefore, there is not a president or a vice president in a family. The couple works together eternally for the good of the family. They are united together in word, in deed, and in action as they lead, guide, and direct their family unit. They are on equal footing. They plan and organize the affairs of the family jointly and unanimously as they move forward."

L. Tom Perry, "Fatherhood, an Eternal Calling," Ensign, May 2004, 71

"Men and women joined together in marriage need to work together as a full partnership. However, a full and equal partnership between men and women does not imply the roles played by the two sexes are the same in God's grand design for His children. As the proclamation clearly states, men and women, though spiritually equal, are entrusted with different but equally significant roles. These roles complement each other. Men are given stewardship over the sacred ordinances of the priesthood. To women, God gives stewardship over bestowing and nurturing mortal life, including providing physical bodies for God's spirit children and guiding those children toward a knowledge of gospel truths. These stewardships, equally sacred and important, do not involve any false ideas about domination or subordination. Each stewardship is essential for the spiritual progression of all family members, parents and children alike."

M. Russell Ballard, "The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood," Ensign, Mar. 2006, 29-30

"There are many qualities you will want to look for in a friend or a serious date--to say nothing of a spouse and eternal companion--but surely among the very first and most basic of those qualities will be those of care and sensitivity toward others, a minimum of self-centeredness that allows compassion and courtesy to be evident. ‘That best portion of a good man's life [is] his . . . kindness,’ said Mr. William Wordsworth (‘Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey’ [1798], lines 33–35). There are lots of limitations in all of us that we hope our sweethearts will overlook. I suppose no one is as handsome or as beautiful as he or she wishes, or as brilliant in school or as witty in speech or as wealthy as we would like, but in a world of varied talents and fortunes that we can't always command, I think that makes even more attractive the qualities we can command--such qualities as thoughtfulness, patience, a kind word, and true delight in the accomplishment of another. These cost us nothing, and they can mean everything to the one who receives them."

-Jeffrey R. Holland

"Against [a] backdrop of spiritual decay, you young adults of the Church enter the stage. You have a firm foundation of faith. You are role models, both in courtship and in marriage. You know what's right and what's wrong! You hold the line! You know the Lord's teachings. And you will teach them to your own children and grandchildren. You are the 'Hope of Israel, Zion's army, Children of the promised day' ("Hope of Israel," Hymns, no. 259). You have far more spiritual power than we did at your age. As you go forward on life's battlefield, you are numbered with 'the covenant people of the Lord, . . . scattered upon all . . . the earth; . . . armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory' (1 Nephi 14:14). We are very, very proud of you!"

Russell M. Nelson, "The Dawning of a Brighter Day," Ensign, May 2004, 83

"One good yardstick as to whether a person might be the right one for you is this: in her presence, do you think your noblest thoughts, do you aspire to your finest deeds, do you wish you were better than you are?"


Ezra Taft Benson, "To the Single Adult Brethren of the Church," Ensign, May 1988, 53

Just Me and My Cuzzy!

Last night I went and hung out with my little cousin Emma! I hadn't seen her in probably 4 months, maybe longer- which is a shame because she just lives in Orange County! But we had a lot of fun! We went to this little Mexican food drive through (which I can't think of the name right now, but it's bomb!) and then just ate in my car.  Then we went and sat on the beach and caught up! Then we went back to her new place and just hung out for a while! I love my cousin! I'm glad that we finally hung out!

[Christ] has offered us the family as an example of an ideal setting in which we can learn how to love as He loves...because the greatest joys and the greatest sorrows we experience are in family relationships. The joys come from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what love is.

Henry B. Eyring, “Our Perfect Example,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 70-71

"It SUCKS to be right now!"

I've been sitting in traffic for the past hour and haven't really gotten that far! I there are like 2 accidents on the 91 westbound, and thinking I would be smart I tried to take side streets to go around the traffic! Unfortunately so did half the world! I'm dead stopped on side streets now and the freeway's not gonna be any better!

So it leaves me plenty of time sit in my car alone with my thoughts! Not a good combination since I was already kind of feeling down this morning! Lol!


"I'm sick of loosing- I wanna ween!"

At least Nacho knows how I feel! Lol!

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