13th Article of Faith

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report of praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

I love these words written by the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1842! I can't think of a better code to live by. These are definitely not values being taught by the world these days; which makes them all the more valuable and important. The truth and standard of God never changes. I love it! I know we will be happy as we live His teachings and follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We each have an important role to play in standing up for these truths. Here are a couple of my new favorite websites for women and youth that teach and show examples throughout history and in modern times of the people standing up for what's right and being examples of truth and righteousness! Let's go and seek for something lovely today....and share it with someone else! :)

Hyperventilating

So, I think it's a sign.....hyperventilating at work....I'm a little stressed. :)

So, to calm down a bit I went for a little walk and ended up at Macey's....of all places. Ha, ha, ha. I hate shopping. But somehow this was peace and relief away from my desk for a minute.

I did find much greater options for stress relief throughout the rest of the day:

* talking to my sister and hearing my nephew say he didn't know where he wanted her to put his band-aid (he just wanted one because his older sister had one)

* crossing a couple of things off the to-do list

* walking around the city a little bit

* May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You

* beautiful fall day and sunset over the Potomac River

* 3 Nephi 17

* dinner

* roommates

* yoga

* biking

* reading

* running

* blogging

Connected

We are all connected! That's one reason I love geography and the gospel -- they teach some of the connections! :) We are all brothers and sisters no matter where we come from or what we do. I love the feeling of being connected to something bigger than myself and to those around me. Lately I've been thinking a lot about this:

* As I have been thinking about 9/11 quite a bit the last few days I have been reminded of how random it was who lived and who died...it had to do with where you sat at work, whether you were late or not, what flight you booked your ticket on. It's quite amazing! Some of these random people will be forever linked together. Really we are all connected. I found people walking around Washington D.C. last Friday being much more friendly than usual. Each person that we pass on the street or cross paths with is connected to us in some way. We share more than I think we realize or acknowledge sometimes.

* I love the song, "Each Life that Touches Ours for Good." I've been thinking about many people lately that have touched my life without them really knowing it. What if we were to share more often the gratitude we feel for those that touch our lives each day -- in big and small ways?

* No man is an island entire of itself;

every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;

if a clod be washed away by the sea,

Europe is the less, as wells as if a promontory were,

as well as a manor of they friends or of thine own were;

any man's death diminishes me,

because I am involved in mankind.

And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;

it tolls for thee.

- John Donne

* Back to 9/11, how selfless and wonderful were those who (after knowing a little bit more about the horrific-ness of the situation) still rushed in to help? Many of the firemen that rushed in must have known they were going to die. Their selfless sacrifice because of a connection to others and desire to help is an inspiration and what life is all about. I realized today that we really do need to be ready to die at every moment. Our lives here on earth are temporary. We don't know how long we'll be here or what's coming next, but if we live our covenants and follow the example of Jesus Christ in ALL that we do -- the big and the small things every day -- we will be ready and that's all that matters. Why do we ever selfishly worry about ANYthing? A project at work that we need to get done when a person in front of us is concerned about something?

* I did some temple sealings a couple of weeks ago. So wonderful! That's the best way to be connected to loving family FOREVER! :)

* I have also been thinking a lot about family history work lately. Have you seen the NEW FamilySearch.org site? It's so neat! And wonderful to think about families being connected for generations. New technologies are helping to make research so much easier. It's so exciting. Just looking around a little bit made me feel like if I really got involved I'd be addicted to helping to solve the puzzle and find the connections. :)

* Jesus loves EVERYone. We can't get to heaven on our own! :) We need Him and we need each other! I am grateful for the connections in my life and know that real happiness comes as we keep our covenants and "are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places (Mosiah 18:8-9)."

9.10.11

It seemed like a special day, so I did something to celebrate: :)

It was nice to get all cleaned up after hauling wheelbarrows full of mulch around Marvin Gaye Park in DC for the 9/11 National Day of Service.

Happiness Project - Strategy

Ever since reading The Happiness Project a few months ago I started working on my own strategy for happiness. Here is a *list* of things that make me happy:

My actual strategy is still a work in progress, but here are a few of the things I have identified that I need to do in my life:

* exercise in the morning

* read scriptures in the morning

* write in my journal at night

* decide to be happy every day

* learn Chinese

* always be reading a good book, write book reports

* plan for my next vacation

* de-clutter

* live simply

* be kind, be humble

* get to know everyone

* be happy, don't complain

* live so that it can be said of me that I never said anything bad about anyone

* spend more time at the temple

* decide where I will spend my time and money -- identify causes to support

* always have an idea for a future job, goal

* remember that it doesn't matter what anyone else is doing....follow the Spirit and do what I think is best for me! :)

* look for a job or opportunity to work with world cultures and people

* come to know God and Jesus better everyday!

* stand up for what's right -- live with integrity -- be ready to stand up and be counted.

Sunday!

I love Sunday and what a special Sunday! :) I'm an aunt again! I sure can't wait to meet little Noah Matthew. :) Two months from today! :)

Another couple of neat insights from the day:

* I love Fast Sundays. It's good to fast. I felt the blessings of the fast today....and much needed direction. I love when there are lulls in the meeting so you can really think about your testimony and love for the Lord. I had some great time to think and almost got up to share a few times my knowledge that God knows us and loves us and leads us. :)

* I love the New Testament. I love studying the words and teachings of Paul. What a neat missionary and leader. Here are a few of the my favorite verses from the week:

"God hat chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty (1 Cor. 1:27)."

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Cor. 2:9)."

"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase (1 Cor. 3:6)....For we are laborers together with God (1 Cor. 3:9)."

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you (1 Cor. 3:16)?"

* I'm grateful for the reminders throughout the day of God's care and blessings:

"Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks; Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabbath, and are recorded with this seal and testament... (D&C 98:1-2)."

"I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up (D&C 84:88)."

* I love the temple. It was nice to get to go twice this week and do different ordinances and learn and think more about what this life is really about....eternally. :) I've still been thinking about that some and the neat and wonderful and important work of family history in finding our ancestors and piecing the puzzle together of how we are all linked back to our Heavenly Father.

* I love the guidance I receive from the Lord.....about where to go, what to be learning and focusing on and following opportunities along the way. :)