Open House

The Atlanta Temple Open House! April 9th through April 23rd. (excluding Sundays).

http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/atlanta/

The Atlanta temple has been closed for two years for renovations. I'm thrilled about the open house. I'll be home during it too! 

Want to come? You totally can! This is a rare and special opportunity! You can see what it looks like inside a Latter-Day Saint Temple before they rededicate it. It's beautiful. Anyone is welcome to attend! If you want to come with me, let me know!

Also, General Conference is this upcoming weekend! Saturday and Sunday 10 & 2 Mountain Time. My favorite time of the year, April and October. Why you ask? Because I get the opportunity to hear from the Prophet and Apostles of God! I get answers to my questions and I get uplifted by the Spirit. It's just wonderful. Did you know that conference isn't just for members of the church? You can watch it on Satellite Tv on BYUTV or go  HERE . I'm so excited! So many great things happening!

That's all. Have a wonderful week! 

xoxo

Answered Prayers

"Just talk to your Father in Heaven. He hears every prayer and answers in His way. In time, He will answer. He will not fail us." -Richard G. Scott

Recently, I have been very aware of the love of my Heavenly Father. He does listen and answer prayers....always. Sometimes they are immediate results and other times it takes time. On that note the prayers that I have been so desperately giving in the past little while are being heard and more importantly answered. I've been praying for certain things in my life to occur and well in all honesty I have been needing direction in my life. I have been feeling very hopeless and very lost in my journey.  I didn't think those words were being heard. I didn't think that I would get answers--sure eventually I would, but not like this. My prayers have been answered and some of them have been immediate. Well kind of. 

Story 1: I had the impression that it is time for me to move. The Enclave has been fun but I need a change. So I went and posted my ad on KSL and got a few phone calls here and there from people. No one was really wanting it. Fail. Well, I came to the conclusion that yes maybe moving was right, but not now. I could stay here Spring/Summer and then move August when my contract ends....blah blah you've all knew this from previous post. Anyway, I talked to my Bishop one evening and he told me this: "Stephanie you just need to bind the Lord. It says in the scriptures you can do that. You're doing everything you are suppose to be doing so tell Him, 'Hey I'm doing what I need to, so I need you to sell my contract.'" Sounds great and all, but I don't really feel comfortable telling the Lord something like that.  I mean can I do that to the all-knowing,- knows me better than myself,- blesses me when I don't deserve it- Father in heaven? (BTW I realize that sentence is so grammatically incorrect. Deal.) However, I did do just what he said to do. The secret though is this; earlier that day I had already prayed and did something kind of similar and literally like when I finished saying my pray like 5mins later someone called who wanted to look at my place. I didn't think anything of it, others had already looked at the place and it was a no go. After the Bishop had told me to do those things though, I tried again. And............the same girl I mentioned wants to buy it! She told me like the next day. Crazy huh?

Story 2: I have been waiting for an email from school to give me the okay clearance to go back to school Fall and Winter. So, last night I had this dream~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SIDE NOTE: I think I have mentioned this briefly before. Sometimes, well very often actually, I have dreams and like weeks, months, or even years later they come true. I remember my dreams the I had earlier. It's a very deju vu feeling. I've gotten very use to it. No that's a lie, every time it happens it freaks me out a little. I like to think that it's the Lord's way of telling me personally that He is very indeed aware of my life. Let's be honest, I need the constant reminders. ~~~~~~~~~~~ So, last night I had this dream about getting an email from school giving me the okay to go back to school. And then it like went into registering and school...blah blah. I can't remember the little details. It was so real to me. Like I  woke up this morning so very confused because I thought I had school and it was weird. It slipped my mind after I remembered I needed to go to work. Well, later in the day the thought crossed my mind 'Check your email.' Then I remembered the dream I had. Well guess what?! I didn't get an email... haha kidding (But you totally weren't expecting me to write that). I did get an email and it indeed gave me the clearance. I realize most of you think this is just silly, but you have to understand where I am coming from! It was an answer to my prayers in a weird way, but normal for me way.

I had all these other experiences I was going to share with you, but I have forgotten. Bummer. But, life has been falling into place and it's dang fantastic! Keep praying people. The Lord loves you, knows you, wants you to be happy, and is always here with His arms open wide. Go to Him. Kneel in prayer. He'll hear and He'll answer...always. And that I am eternally grateful for.  

xoxo

P.s. Going home to Georgia April 20th through May 16. Minus a week that I'll be in Florida. But yay!!  So excited! 

Music Moment

Kara introduced me to this video from LDS Pearls Blog . Listen/Watch/Enjoy It's beautiful. 



xoxo

Butter Covered Popcorn

It's an addiction. This delicious-made to perfection-perfect amount of salt and butter masterpiece. It's just popcorn right?....wrong! You've seen the commercials but have you tried it yet? It's so good! Especially since at any store it's like $3 or $4, but Winco has it for 99cents! GET OUT! (Winco...oh heavenly winco. That's a whole different story though. Walmart and Costco combined basically but like way good prices and amazing produce and other products. Sorry you Easterners you won't know until you come to the West. More specifically Idaho, Utah, or I think Wyoming.) I've eaten so much popcorn recently. Help!

On another note--I'm reading the Nora Roberts Bridal Series. (Natalie this one is so for you) Oh hello amazing books that fit me perfectly. I'm borrowing them from a lady at work. Yesterday, I wasted (no not wasted, it was useful laziness) half my day reading this first book. I'm hooked! I don't remember the last time I have spent all day practically reading. This is why I love reading. This is why I am becoming a book editor. Books are freakin amazing! 

So, the real reason why I was posting: I'm getting my life together. Yay! 

Okay so have I mentioned I am trying to move out of my complex? I've posted ads and everything. No good! Everyone is trying to sell their spring/summer contract. Gay. So I have decided I will live in Enclave until August. That way 1. I don't have to move all my crap for a while 2. I have a lovely pool to lay by this summer and hopefully get my tan on 3. I can finalize my plans. 4. I can start a brand new contract wherever I want. (Preferably one with my own private room and bath, and amazing parking, and well a good people to make friends with).

That's also not why I am posting.

School! Yes school. Finally going back to school. Hallelujah. I will go back in June sometime and do summer term. Then fall and winter and maybe eventually I will be able to graduate...like 2 years down the road or so. HA! But I am thinking of taking some classes up in Salt Lake at the BYU Salt Lake Center. I think that would be good for me. Smaller classes, easier learning environment, but with the same BYU atmosphere. I am excited. I need school back in my life. 

Today this made me laugh really hard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9oxmRT2YWw

I know there was something else, but eh I forget now. Story of my life. 

Happy almost St. Patrick's Day!

xoxo

Quotes and goodness

“My theory is that when a man is conscious or a people are conscious that he or they are in the path of duty, doing that which is right in the sight of God, they should always be happy, no matter what the circumstances may be which surround them. I think that God has created us to be happy, and my belief is that he placed happiness within the reach of all, and it is man’s own fault if he is not happy and does not enjoy himself every day of his life. This is one of my reasons for liking my religion…because it bestows full happiness and joy upon its believers. They can be happy in the midst of the most adverse circumstances; they can rejoice when their lives are imperiled.” -George Q. Cannon

This quote fits my life. I'm choosing to be happy even though inside I'm kind of not. Don't give me pity, I'm not looking for it. I love to be happy. So even though inside I am feeling completely broken, I can still be happy and find happiness. So I wake up put on my best face and live my day. It's been working thus far.

"Don't forget: one of the saddest things in life is wasted talent." -Thomas S. Monson

"Whatever our calling, regardless of our fears or anxieties, let us pray and then go and do." -Thomas S. Monson

I'm on a quote kick tonight. Can you tell? I LOVE quotes! Well, the two quotes above fit me today. You see I have a calling in my stake (10 wards or congregations make up my BYU 1st stake). Have I mentioned that? My calling is of course Music Director Co-Chair with my fellow co chairman Edward! It's thrilling isn't it? Are you surprised by this calling? I certainly was not.

Anyways, you see I am good in the musical area. I love to sing, I love to be apart of the music, I love setting the mood for an activity through music. But, I also hide my talent. Yup, you got me, I hide my musical abilities. Even though I love to sing and do musical things, I hate being that "person." You know the one, the person that thinks they are the most talented singer or musician on the face of the Earth, and they always do everything right, and everybody loves them! Well, I hate those stuck-up and prideful people. So I don't want to be that person, so i just like to let everyone else have the opportunity to shine. Also, I hate being the center of attention (My oh my we are learning so much about me this evening!). 

Well being called a few weeks ago, I was immediately thrown into the midst of things. "Stephanie, stake conference is soon we need you to take care of the music. GREAT! Thanks for helping out." Not that big of a deal. I chose the songs, practiced with the choir, and put it all together. No big deal. Well, then I found out that I was conducting music. YIKES! Also as a side note, may I just mention I haven't even been set apart yet! So I don't even have the extra blessings from that. 

Stake Conference was today and yesterday. It went fine. I hate those conductors with no facial expressions, and don't look happy to be doing this. So I practiced (silly right? It's not hard to lead music-- 1...2....3...4. But I was really practicing on my facial expressions. haha. I know, I'm so silly.) and it went well. I personally loved sitting on the stand watching everyone and being able to play a personal role in stake conference. It was fun. I wasn't even that nervous. This was the first time that I led so many people before. Pretty crazy! There is like at least 100 people per ward, and there is 10 wards, plus leaders and whatnot. So like 1000 people roughly. Probably not that many, not everyone comes. They think it's slack weekend! No church wahoo! Gay. ha. So it went very well. I enjoyed watching everyone. People are entertaining. I also had the thought while on the stand 'This definitely won't be your last time on a stand. You'll be up here many many more times. Good job, you did this guess what's next?' Haha. Who knows what will happen, guess we'll wait and see! 

On another note. Thomas S. Monson's biography book is so dang good! I mean I loved him before (come on he is a Prophet of the Lord) but this book, I have learned so much about him! He's so inspiring. It's really neat to see his background and how many lives he has touched. He was being trained from the beginning to become a Man of God. I love it!

Come on what's not to love about that sweet face? It's full of love and light. So in honor of the good man, and because he says amazing and insightful things, here are some of my favorite words he has spoken:

"The good you have done, the kind words you have spoken, the love you have shown to others, can never be fully measured." 

"Your mind is a cupboard and you stock the shelves." 

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Watch your step." 

"Heavenly Father has a picture of you on His dresser. He loves you and will help you. Call upon Him." 

"In the private sanctuary of one's own conscience lies that spirit, that determination to cast off the old person and to measure up to the statue of true potential." 

"The principles of living greatly include the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and trial with humility. " 

"Remember who you are and what God expects you to become." 

And my more recent favorite: "Find joy in the journey." 

So kiddies today we have learned: find joy in your own personal journey. Be happy. Use your talents. And most importantly love and serve. There are people that need you out there.

xoxo

Get involved!

Mmmmkay, I just discovered this incredible new website that the LDS church has come out with. I'm telling you the church is doing big things with technology, and I absolutely LOVE it! Plus I get to get more involved. With this website I can utilize my talents and help serve the church. Pretty awesome, I'd say. So check it out. Sign up. Volunteer. Participate. 

Link Here -----> The Vineyard: GET INVOLVED! =)

Also, I would also like to point out the cheesy MormonAd to the left. Some of them are so funny to me. However, they all give a meaningful message in a unique way. And I'll be honest, I am kind of addicted to the MormonAd cheesiness. Ha.

Peace and blessings.

xoxo

Falling in the space between the universe and all we see has gone away

"Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same."

One of my besties, Kacy Sue, quotes the phrase above quite frequently. (Courtesy of The Fray.) Usually, it doesn't cross my mind how true this quote can be. For my life, right at this very moment, that rings true. Very true. 

People will talk. I hate that. So you can hear it from me before you hear it from someone else. Breck and I decided to go our separate ways. Why am I even posting this on my blog of all things? It seems so silly and like none of anyone's business. But, I deleted my fb account and how else are people going to know? (The main reason I deleted it, besides the fact that I hardly use it, is because I can't handle nosy people and the constant comments that may come. Don't worry fb world I'm sure I'll be back on in a few months.) It needed to be done. It was the right decision. Breck and I mutually agreed. I hate that it had to come to this. I still love him with everything I have and he loves me. However, for now it's time to move forward without each other. We both have things that individually we need to work on. It's hard. Extremely hard. The hardest thing I've done in my entire life. We are still friends though, best friends, and everything will be fine...eventually. That's what will get me through this - knowing that things will be fine. Who knows what the future may bring, but the Lord has a plan and I am willingly to do His will, whatever that may be. And each day will get a little bit easier and a little bit brighter. 

xoxo

And just as a side note. I am extremely grateful for family. Especially my family. They always know what to do, what to say, and where to be. The Lord definitely knows what He's doing.