Captain of My Soul

Lately I have been slightly obsessed with a band whose music is deep, moving, and reflective. I love The Lumineers and I'd like to share their music with you. This last week I had the opportunity to go with a dear friend (Lizzy Ungerman) to St. George as a last quick vacation to figure out what we wanted to accomplish this school year. We both had an experience while driving home that made us ever so grateful for each other and for Heavenly Father who knows what is in store for us. It's alright for us to not know. Don't be afraid of not knowing. You have a whole world out there, filled with the unknown- and isn't it a beautiful thing?

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud

 was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." 

-Anais Nin

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, I'm in Love

Today finally felt like summer. Sleeping in, morning scripture study, bowl of Kellog's Krave, late shower, errand run with a friend, finishing touches of a clean room, painting a mirror, trying to darn holes in favorite cardigans, sewing lavender pouches, planning projects to sew hems, book club planning, Harry Potter debating, dreaming of a lavender or mint green-grey-white wedding, quesadilla making, spaghetti eating, no make-up, hair undone, new shoe wearing, purchasing a adorable skirt, and a darling dress, leaving the bedroom window open, journal entry catch-uping, reading, dreaming of a future home, and writing in the thunder. Now that's what I call summer.

My dream house...

I bought 3 of these picture frames. It fits my painting nicely!

The whole in my mint green cardigan that I tried to darn... darn those holes!

Spray painted mirror... check!

To be sewn on this skirt

My dress that I can't wait to wear!

I'm putting up 3 more shelves to replace my bookcase hutch above my desk. I'll be add to more books!

Sorry about the lighting... but this is my new dress I ordered.

My new skirt coming soon...gosh. I love dresses and skirts. (This one cost me a whole $12.48. No tax. No shipping charge!)

I color-coded my books!

Love that figure. Oh, I did find my Inheritance book... it is to the left. :)

Can't wait to put up my new shelves...

The sad pile of books awaiting a home. Everywhere else is full.

Getting ready to stuff

Finished!

What it looked like before...

Looking for the Good

"Whenever humanity seems condemned to heaviness, I think I should fly like Perseus into a different space. I don’t mean escaping into dreams or the irrational. I mean that I have to change my approach, look at the world from a different perspective, with a different logic and with fresh methods of cognition and verification. (Terence sent me this quote the other day. A good battle cry, I believe... and one I wholeheartedly respect.)"
— Italo Calvino

Hello Readers! Day Two of our Inspirational Gala is here! Today's focus is on looking for the good, whether it be in each other, in ourselves, in our talents, in our trials and in our futures.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, the Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints shared this talk:

https://lds.org/ensign/2011/03/looking-for-the-good?lang=spa&clang=eng

that has given me something to be inspired about.

"Have you ever noticed that people can usually find whatever they are looking for? Look hard enough, and you can discover both good and bad in almost anyone and anything...There is no end to the creativity, ingenuity, and tenacity of those who look for reasons to criticize. They cannot seem to release their grip on grudges. They gossip and find fault with others. They nurse wounds for decades, taking every opportunity to tear down and demean others...

President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901) knew President Brigham Young (1801–77) well, working closely with him for many years, both as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and as his counselor in the First Presidency. After the death of President Young, President Cannon wrote in his journal: “I never criticized or found fault with [Brigham Young’s] conduct, his counsel or his teachings at any time in my heart, much less in my words or actions. This is a pleasure to me now. The thought that ever was with me was: If I criticize or find fault with, or judge Brother Brigham, how far shall I go; if I commence, where shall I stop? I dared not to trust myself in such a course. I knew that apostasy frequently resulted from the indulgence of the spirit of criticizing and faultfinding. Others, of greater strength, wisdom and experience than myself, might do many things and escape evil consequences which I dare not do.” ¹

President Cannon’s powerful counsel is something we members of the Church should consider with great care. The word of God admonishes the followers of Christ to be “pure, … peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” For those who make peace, “the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace” (James 3:17, 18).

We have a choice. We can seek for the bad in others. Or we can make peace and work to extend to others the understanding, fairness, and forgiveness we so desperately desire for ourselves. It is our choice; for whatever we seek, that we will certainly find."

I believe that as we strive to seek good things in others, our self worth and respect for others will increase, and will come to make our days brighter, lighter and kinder.

For the Daily Challenge, I dare you, (oh, yes I dare) to find the good around you. To start, look at these photos that portray people and events and see if you can see the "goodness".

(photos courtesy of nationalgeographic.org and campaignforfamilies.org)

A Dream That I Have

Guys: I've came to the realization that my sister Brooke is fantastic. I've always known but today she posted something on my Facebook that has now become my dream. She is going to make me the lion headdress that Luna Lovegood wears in the 5th Harry Potter movie. Its already written in stone and I can't wait for that moment.

This is the example picture she sent me.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thank you for reading and for your support! I'm so grateful for everyone in my life who has helped me become who I am now, who has loved, encouraged, strengthened, aided, uplifted, laughed with me, and who's always been there with a hug and a smile. I'm grateful for my family and that they have never thrown me out of the house, although they might have wanted too.... and or my country and the rights and freedoms men and women have preserved. THANK YOU! Now let's eat!

Just A Little Bit.

Perhaps with the lack of sleep Friday morning (I saw HP 7...) with a little bit of Henry David Thoreau and Ralph W. Emerson, lately you could say that I've been an emotional wreck. One second life is bliss and the next I'm crying because of a dead elf, or I'm crying because of the pressure that will await in the future and wallowing that I'm a lazy lass who really needs to clean her room. *Note: that it is 11:01 and I've been procrastinating my laundry that REALLY needs to be washed by tomorrow and how I'm lounging in my bed that currently is toppled with clean clothes, a viola, HP 7, unblowed-up balloons, ribbon, and my french packet.

I don't however want to vent about my current issues, but my current understandings.
I don't think I'll be able to relate everything though at this time, but I might as well start by telling you a tad about myself. I'll give you a sample of 5 facts underneath me, starting with a BIG fact to the little quirks

1. Well first things first, and the first thing you should know is that I love mainly everything. Its hard for me not to like something, unless you're yellow corn, breaded shrimp, Navajo tacos from school cafeterias or books about vampires. I'm not only talking about food, but people as well. I'm just so grateful that I've gotten the chance to have met you, or in this case be your friend. I believe that we all as human beings have the heart, mind, strength and spirit to help and encourage one another. No one is too small or too busy to give a helping hand and that is, by being a friend.

2. One secret about me, is that I secretly wish to be in a play and from there Broadway. I absolutely love plays and musicals, and I love singing. I have not had the opportunity or the guts to try out for a play or to take a choir class. I'm not a very good singer or dancer and I have no idea about acting. But when I see plays or musicals I just get the thrill of the performances. It just looks fun. Perhaps one day....

3. Yes. I love tucking my pants inside my socks. Its cozy and keeps the draft away. If Cameron Diaz can do it in The Holiday, and if Ash from Fantastic Mr. Fox can. Then I can to. (I'll post pictures.)

4. I think my new favorite color might be red. This is new because for ages it was always various shades of blues. But now, I think red just might be it. I think it compliments things nicely and I love how it brightens and pops just a bit of spice into life.

5. I might as well give you a history of things I have wanted to be when I was younger.
- an artist (4-8 yrs. old)
- a singer (yes, Brittney Spears was once my role model- 4-8 yrs. old)
- an ick-thi-ologist (no idea what it was, or how its spelled, but it works with marine life 8-10 years old)
- a teacher (7-13 yrs old)
- a librarian (8- present)
- an astronaut (7-11 yrs old)
- a firework builder (7?)
- a food tester (9 yrs. old)
- a chief (11-14 yrs. old)
- a clothing/fashion designer (9-11 yrs old)
- a soldier (8 yrs old. I had an obsession with camo in 2nd grade. Hey, it was cool)

Currently I want to be a photojournalist/humanitarian/anthroplogist/ working with refugees and international developments while being a mom and a librarian, married to a German violin/viola/cello maker who plays the cello who is a part time doctor (can come with me on humanitarian trips) who loves reading and has a heart like Gilbert Blythe. It wouldn't be bad if he could also play the piano since I cannot and if he could sew or knit. Oh and also be a Mormon who has a good testimony and wants to get married in the Draper Temple, the Nauvoo Temple or the Rome Temple. Give him my condolences. :)

And to top it all off here is my current favorite quote of the week:

"A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish it by acting"
- Henry D. Thoreau

So my dear friends, I'm challenging YOU this week to write down the facts of your life and share them with someone who might not know you as well as you'd like or think. Pick something you want to share with others, give them a gift to be thankful for: you.