My Christmas Party Fortune

The other night we went to our church Christmas Dinner Party. 

Tamales, Chinese food, jello pudding, potato salad and desserts were served. I can honestly say I've never had mashed potatoes in the same serving as a tamale. It wasn't too bad. I finished off my dinner with my fortune cookie. I wish every meal was finished with a fortune cookie. A yummy little cookie and some words to leave you thinking for the next few minutes/hours/days. Sounds perfect to me.

I really appreciated this fortune.
The time is always right to do what is right.

Whether we are alone or in a large group of people, whether it's night or day, whether we are young or old... it's always correct to do what is right. It may be kind of a stretch but this fortune reminded me of Dallin H. Oaks' talk "Good, Better, Best." In the talk he says, "Consider how we use our time in the choices we make in viewing television, playing video games, surfing the Internet, or reading books or magazines. Of course it is good to view wholesome entertainment or to obtain interesting information. But not everything of that sort is worth the portion of our life we give to obtain it. Some things are better, and others are best. When the Lord told us to seek learning, He said, “Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom” (D&C 88:118)

I like the simplicity of the fortune, to do what is right, but I feel like we can push ourselves even farther and do what is best. 

You can read the rest of "Good, Better, Best" HERE.

Happy Monday

An old photo

This photo always cracks me up. The woman in the back, on the far right, is my Great-Grandma.
I wonder if the photographer snuck up on the women and snapped the photo as they were coming around the corner. Or if they were all ready to take a photo and then the photographer said something shocking to get the reaction. Who knows, I just like it. 

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend was spent camping with friends.

The weekend reminded me to love where I live and to take advantage of it more. 

I'm so excited to return to this location as the leaves continue to change. 

Fall is coming! 

Seek Learning

“Our Creator expects His children everywhere to gain an education as a personal endeavor. He issued this commandment: “Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118; emphasis added). When you leave this frail existence, your material possessions will remain here, but the Lord has declared that the knowledge you acquire here will rise with you in the resurrection (seeD&C 130:18–19). In light of this celestial perspective, if you impulsively drop out or otherwise cut short your education, you would not only disregard a divine decree but also abbreviate your own eternal potential.”

- Elder Nelson 

(photos taken at the BYU-Idaho geology museum)

More Holiness Give Me

"More holiness give me, more strivings within. 

More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin. 

More faith in my Savior, more sense of His care. 

More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer. 

More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord. 

More zeal for His glory, more hope in His Word. 

More tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief. 

More meekness in trial, more praise for relief. 

More purity give me, more strength to o'ercome, 

More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home. 

More fit for the kingdom, more useful I'd be, 

More blessèd and holy, more, Savior, like Thee."

-Phillip Paul Bliss, 1873

I'm so grateful for the power in music and lyrics. Especially hymns. 

This hymn has brought me extra peace this morning. 

It's going to be a nice day.

You can listen to the history of this hymn here.

Mother Teresa

During the commencement speech at my graduation the speaker quoted the commencement Mother Teresa gave in 1982 at Harvard. Today I found the whole speech and it is wonderful. As in, it will make you want to be a better person kind of wonderful. Mother Teresa is an amazing woman. 

You can read the speech here.

(It's worth your time)

Good Girl Gracie

Gracie is Chris' dog.

When we were home we were able to fit in a lot of playing time.

She's a good dog. 

Casa De Fruta

Casa De Fruta is another one of those places you should visit in your lifetime. But beware, you will want to try everything there. I warned you.

Sunset Beach, CA

Talk about a good looking husband. 

On our last day we wanted to boogie board and relax on the beach.

We only lasted about 15 minutes in the water, 10 of those minutes I was only knee deep. I was being a baby. For the rest of our time we slept. It was glorious.

Phil's Fish Market & Eatery

 

Please, if you every visit the central coast of California, have a meal at Phil's Fish.
You will forever be happy if you do.
But really.

Santa Cruz KOA

Last week Chris' family and my family joined together for a camping trip.

We stayed at the Santa Cruz KOA for three days.

During the visit we napped on the beach, ate strawberries with every meal and played at the boardwalk. I'm grateful that our families are close enough to do vacations like this together and things not be weird. It's great. :)