OBX and I-40

The perfect way to end a chapter of life on the East Coast is a weekend in the Outerbanks (in a rain storm with friends and a Chinese murder mystery)!  :)  I'll need to come back some time.

Yeah, this is not so much how it looked while we were there, but still wonderful!  :)

I can't believe I didn't take a single picture of the journey along I-40 from OBX to Lehi, UT or stop at a single temple (we passed right by 5 before we even got to Utah)!  We had to have set some kind of record though....over 2600 miles in under 56 hours.....in the middle of February.

Priorities, Purpose, Passion....Potential

On January 23, Doug Conant, the retired CEO of Campbells' Soup came to speak to us at work.  I learned a lot from the discussion and ideas he shared.  Leadership happens in the small moments!  We need to walk through the world thoughtfully and purposefully being tough on standards, but tender on people.  Manage your moments!  :)  Our leadership should be authentic, on-demand and enduring.  Write thank you notes!  Wander around.  Network and find a mentor--Steven Covey was one of his great mentors (see Covey's priority quadrant below).  Good leaders are competent, persistent, build trust, have courage for doing what's right, work hard and purposefully, and are humble and always learning.

I really appreciated these insights and I think they inspired me to focus more on my priorities, purpose, principles, potential and passion....especially as it related to work.  Within the week an opportunity to live with purpose came along and I was kind of surprised by how I moved forward, but glad I did.  :)

2012!

I am excited for the new year and the possibilities and opportunities it brings. :) As usual, I have a long list of goals I want to accomplish and things I'd like to do better, but I have adapted it slightly over the course of the day today.

I really loved New Year's being on a Sunday today. I can't think of a better way to start off the year than by taking the sacrament and renewing my covenants and desire to follow the Savior. Considering my list of goals for the year, most importantly and simply, it comes down to living my covenants, following the Spirit, keeping the commandments, and pressing forward with faith, patience, happiness and love.

I know I won't be perfect in these things and that's why the Atonement is wonderful! Because of the Savior's love and sacrifice I can repent and wake up and try to do better tomorrow. I'm grateful and am determined to do my best this year! I want to be consistent in following the Spirit, being kind and being courageous.

A few specific things I'd like to focus on in 2012 that I think will help me grow and progress and have fun along the way include:

• learning a new recipe every month
• running another marathon
• using my passport!! :)
• taking a Chinese and/or engineering class
• creating a retirement and giving plan
• creating a home
• finding a place to consistently volunteer
• talking to someone new every day

2011 in Review

It was a good year! This was my full-year in DC/Virginia. I learned a lot and had some neat opportunities to grow and explore this year. Here are some of the highlights of 2011:

Family

I gained two new adorable nephews this year, Mason and Noah. :) I got to be at Matt and Megan's graduation, see Mike and Cari's new house and welcome Josh home from his mission!

Travel

I began the year with a weekend trip to New York City! I made another trip up to Palmyra in the summer and a weekend trip to Boston in the fall. I traveled out to Utah twice and spent two wonderful weeks in Hawaii with the whole family!

I also traveled for work a little bit this year. I made two trips to Chicago and a spent a week in Portland, as well as becoming very familiar with the Department of Education building across town. :)

Work

Speaking of work, I learned a LOT about the federal government and challenges managers and supervisors face. I worked with and learned to influence others at several levels. I learned about the importance of good communication and planning, understanding different personality and working styles, being open to learning and improving, working with lots of ambiguity, and the importance of exploring my passions, talents, and career goals.

Service

There are always so many interesting things going on in this neighborhood. :) I decided I wanted volunteer at a different service project each month. Some of my favorites:

• Japanese Cherry Blossom Street Festival (March)
• Community and Neighborhood clean-up (April)
• Passport DC -- Embassy Open Houses: Saudi Arabian Embassy (May)
• Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure volunteer (June)
• 9/11 Day of Service (September)
• ushering at Ford's Theater (December)
• Family Search Indexing (any time)
• translating for Helping in the Vineyard (any time)

Temples

I love the temple. I did really well with my goal of going every week. I think I only missed a week or two. :) I also love visiting new temples. This year I attended three new temples:

• Chicago
• Portland
• Palmyra

Learning

• It's important to be pro-active and involved and stand up for what's right.
• It's more important to love and have charity for all.
• There is great joy in service and relationships and friends.
• Life is about being humble and open, and learning and growing.
• Happiness is setting priorities and finding the right balance in life.
• It's important to know who you are. I find that some of the best places to learn and remember who I am is at the temple, at church, in the scriptures, through prayer and with family.
• DC is a wonderful place to explore at Christmas and throughout the year! :)
• Goals are important.
• I love to read. I accomplished my goal to read 50 books this year and look forward to more learning next year.
• Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and important to my happiness.

It was a good year...and I'm looking forward to an even better 2012! :)

Christmas this Year

I am very grateful for the Christmas miracles and blessings. It was a different kind of Christmas this year, but I enjoyed the magic and reason for the season. :)

Here are some of the highlights:

• Festival of Lights at the Washington DC Temple (and concerts and nativities)
• Handel's Messiah at the National Cathedral
• Capitol Christmas Tree
• U.S. Botanical Gardens
• Christmas Carol at Ford's Theater
• Christmas Tree at the Library of Congress
• Arlington Cemetery wreaths
• National Christmas Tree (and state trees)
• Alexandria Christmas Tree and Boat Parade

Some other important highlights, not-pictured:

• "hangouts" with family and the reindeer :)
• Target salespeople bringing bikes out on Christmas Eve
• several really wonderful church musical Christmas programs
• watching people drop off presents and food to the homeless downtown
• busy airports
• Christmas parties
• ebelskivers
• secret Santa projects
• First Presidency Christmas Devotional and the beautiful new Bible Videos
• "Wise Men Still Seek Him" Mormon Message

Merry Christmas, Everyone! May we keep Christmas with us this year and remember to "seek this Jesus whom the prophets and apostles have written (Ether 12:41)."

Symbols of Christmas

I have been thinking a lot about the symbols of Christmas lately....bells, stars, light, trees. I'm grateful for the symbols of Christmas and think they are really important. They all point to the Savior and His life, His everlasting mission and His love that brightens every life. They remind us to think of Him and share His love at this time of year and always.

Tonight I went to a really wonderful Christmas concert where I was reminded of several important things that I love.....music, the Savior, my testimony of and love for Him, many different cultures and languages all coming together to sing praises to Him and of Him in their own tongue and tradition (German, Italian, French, Ghanaian, cowboy, Celtic, and Brazilian to name a few), the importance of a consistent and confident voice to share the JOY of the message of the gospel (like a trumpet), the light of the Star, the beauty of the bells and trumpets that herald his birth.

"Sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above!" :) We are all citizens of the same heavenly home blessed ultimately with the same wonderful gift of eternal life through our Savior Jesus Christ! I am grateful for the reminder of these important blessings....and a chance to think about my role and responsibility in this story and kingdom! :)

Love

It's all about LOVE! I have been thinking about love a lot lately. 'Tis the season, right? Really...it's always time for love! :)

Here are some of my thoughts about love and its importance lately:

• 1 Corinthians 13 is wonderful! If we "have not charity, [we are] nothing...charity never faileth."

• Christmas is all about LOVE! Jesus is God's gift of love for us (John 3:16). Jesus lived a perfect life of love as an example for us to follow.

• There is a wonderful talk in a recent BYU Magazine by Russell T. Osguthorpe called "When Love is Why." He asks, "What if our only motive were love? What if everything we did, we did out of love?" Wouldn't that be wonderful!?! :) We can reach out and make a difference for those around us.

• I just finished a neat book, This I Believe: On Love, where many different people share where they have found love. Really sweet.

• My cute nephew has been telling everyone this week, "No love you. No love you." That's often how we end a phone call or someone says goodnight to him. He doesn't want to go to sleep or stop talking yet because of the love. :) It got me thinking, why is it that we end that way. Why can't it be the way we greet others or start out? :) Why postpone our love?

Go out and share some love today! :)

More Christmas Miracles

I've decided to not let the joy of Christmas pass this year with the busyness of life. I'm making a plan to see the highlights, be happy, serve, and try to remember what it's all about! In an effort to do that I want to record some of the Christmas miracles everyday this month. :)

December 1 - Fedex is open until 7:00 PM, serving in the temple for ancestors I don't know yet, happening upon the first night of Christmas lights! :)

December 2 - two yellow line trains in a row, hearing my favorite song on my ipod (Love One Another), watching people give to a worthy cause

December 3 - Handel's Messiah at the National Cathedral (wonderful chance to focus on the message of Jesus Christ and His life with other Christians), seeing the Christmas tree and boats decorated in Old Town, watching Hawaii on TV :)

December 4 - testimony, fasting, scripture study, repentance, FamilySearch Indexing, WONDERFUL First Presidency Christmas Devotional, taking the time to visit and talk with good friends

December 5 - family, love, packages, pictures

December 6 - Christmas music

December 7 - health, rain, umbrellas

December 8 - exercise, sunshine, life

December 9 - lights at the Washington DC Temple, the beautiful lessons of the Visitor Center and getting to teach them to a friend, bell choir

December 10 - sleep, exercise, cooking, showing friends around the magic of DC and the National Christmas Tree

December 11 - music, being a part of the ward choir at Christmas, gift of exaltation (and the really wonderful lesson in Relief Society today), visiting teachers, the best Stake Christmas concert ever -- music from around the world celebrating the Savior's birth (everything I love the most: the gospel, the Savior, music, world's cultures, sharing the joy of the Savior with others)

December 12 - direction, lunch break, a little book, a sweet movie, giving gifts

December 13 - Matt, last ED seminar, institute, being an instrument and unpacking your bags (Alma 18)

December 14 - institute, hymns

December 15 - temple, peace, guidance, I am a child of God, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam!

December 16 - Union Station, Capitol Christmas Tree

December 17 - time to relax, neat drive through DC (over the river and through the woods), friends, reunions, Temple, timing, direction, inspiration, Christmas parties, games

December 18 - Church, beautiful Christmas music, friends, invitations

December 19 - Christmas Carol, helpful people

December 20 - gym, Christmas cards

December 21 - packages, good talks, figuring out life

December 22 - kind friends, temple, sleep

December 23 - early release, Library of Congress Christmas Tree, Botanical Gardens, families together downtown, Target workers getting all the bikes ready

December 24 - Arlington Cemetery wreaths, "hanging out" with the family

December 25 - time to reflect, Jesus, ebelskivers, puzzles, more family "hangouts"

December 26 - day off, sleep, organizing, reflecting, exercise

December 27 - taking a vacation day, more time to reflect

December 28 - working from home, the temple

December 29 - pandora

December 30 - early release, relax time

December 31 - gym, phone calls, books!

Christmas Miracles

It's only December 1st and I've already enjoyed some Christmas miracles... :)

Remember who you are....

My trip to Hawaii this last week was AMAZING in so many ways. Just what I needed. It's BEAUTIFUL! Who doesn't love Hawaii? But, it's more than a beautiful place to me. I feel like it's more beautiful to me because it's home, it's family, it's learning and growing, it's where I learned who I was, where I gained my testimony and understanding of God and testimony of Jesus Christ (see Mosiah 18:30).

Those things are so important to me and so helpful right now in life. I feel like I've been searching for a while for the next step, what I need to be doing, etc. I learned a few important lessons:

1. We need to understand clearly who we are and where we are from to move forward.
2. The eternal plan of happiness and gospel of Jesus Christ are consistent and sure.
3. It's all about family! I love my family! Home is where family is. :)
4. It's important to identify what's most important and move forward boldly living and true to those beliefs.

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to grow up in Hawaii. I love the culture of charity, love, care, and aloha. The pace is slower, people are patient and you can be yourself. The pace gives you the chance to stop and reflect and focus on things that are really important (the beauty of the world around helps too).

In contrast (and I realized this trip how stark the contrast is), there are some interesting and wonderful things I have learned living in Washington DC this past year or so. In general, I think the culture is one of pro-activity. No one waits around for anything. It's a culture of busy-ness and getting ahead. Ambition is important and the work ethic is admirable in some respects, but I wonder how many priorities are compromised or forgotten in the busy-ness of life.

In comparing these two cultures I realize the importance of each. We need to step back and remember our priorities -- who we are, what we're here for, what we truly want to accomplish each day, how we can live with the aloha spirit -- and then go forward and do something about it. People focus so much on getting ahead professionally, but I think it's more important to live the gospel ambitiously. :) As we learn in D&C 58:26-29, we should not be "compelled in all things," but should "be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [our] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness."

This all goes back to two things my parents taught me:

1. Dad always talks about how Hawaii is amazing because of the consistency of the temperature. I love that, but I love even more the consistency of the gospel and our Heavenly Father's love and plan. Even in different cultures we know the standards and principles of our Heavenly Father's plan and need to be true to them.
2. Mom often teaches to not let things that matter most fall to the mercy of things that matter least. It's all about love and the Aloha Spirit! :)

"It's always hard to leave this place!"

I LOVE Hawaii! I LOVE my family! It was the perfect two weeks! :) I feel so blessed and it was VERY hard to leave.

Here are some of the highlights and things that I love and miss:

* Kayaking, going to the temple and talking with MOM and listening to her great Stake Conference talk.

* Running the beach, hiking Kokohead stairs and exploring the Waimanalo fishponds with DAD....and watching him distribute cookie dough via airplane. :)

* Hanging out with CARI at all our favorite childhood spots, watching her take thousands of pictures and just being together!

* Discussing politics with MIKE and watching him explain to Kai that the ipod needs to be recharged and how the DVD player is now unfixable. :)

* Making forts for 10 sleepovers and "good mornings" with KAYLA, "running" the beach with her and watching her make friends everywhere she went.

* Building sandcastles, looking for the fish and monkeys, cuddling "at" KAI and watching his first reaction to sand, the ocean and eating shave ice.

* Smiling and making fish faces with MASON and watching him enjoy the tradewinds from the window.

* Debating important issues with MATT and watching him be a dad....it's pretty cute!

* Hanging out and talking with MEGAN in a lot of wonderful places and watching her be a mom. So sweet! :)

* Meeting and holding the adorable and sweet NOAH.

* Running around the lake with JOSH and talking to him about so many fun and important things as we drove all over the island together.

Some of my favorite memories all together are:

* playing at Kalama Beach

* hiking to the bunker and Maunawili Falls

* swimming at Hanauma Bay

* sitting together at church in Kailua

* enjoying Lanikai Beach

* watching the kids play at the "paygounds"

* learning about Samoa and Josh's last two years

* exploring the Polynesian Cultural Center

* eating at Orange Grove

* hanging out on a siblings and spouses night out

* just being all together!!! :)

I learned a lot:

* Family is what makes a house or town a home. :)

* I am so grateful that I got to grow up in Kailua.

* Understanding and remembering where you're from (places, people, experiences) helps you understand better who you are and where you're going.

* Love and the aloha spirit is what it's all about! :)

* I'm grateful for consistency. (More on this a little later.) :)

Live after the Manner of Happiness

We had a nice Stake Conference the last couple of days. My main take-away was what Elder Claudio Zivic taught from 2 Nephi 5 about how the Nephites learned to "live after the manner of happiness." Some of the main things they did included:

• keeping God's commandments
• studying the scriptures
• having families and children
• working hard
• developing their abilities and talents
• receiving direction from the Lord
• building and working in the temple

It's a simple formula really....love the Lord and follow Him! That doesn't mean there won't be wars and trials, but we can be content in knowing we're doing what He would have us do. As we care more about the things of God than of men we will be happy. I was inspired this morning reading the first several chapters of Acts as the apostles are beginning their ministry after Jesus' resurrection. They are steadfast in their witness of Him, even when several people threaten and do put them in prison they are committed to the Lord, saying "We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29)."

Maintain what Matters Most

I just spent a wonderful weekend in Boston! It was awesome to see the leaves, explore the city, take a break.....

.....and attend a fantastic conference with about 500 other single members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The theme of the conference was "Stand Together: Maintaining Perspective on what Matters Most." There were some fantastic speakers and opportunities to think together about how to strengthen ourselves and others in the gospel. Here were some of the highlights:

Elder Matthew Eyring:

* maintain a life-long commitment to Jesus Christ

* remember the power of understanding true doctrine

* treasure up the words of life

* understand that your struggles really aren't relevant because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ

* tie yourself to the feelings you have when you read your scriptures

* gain power when acting in faith even through uncertainty

* we are agents to act, not objects to be acted upon

* we need revelation!

* ACT so the Lord will guide you to receive more light (1 Nephi 16:29)

* are we prepared to listen, feel, act? :)

* the shelf-life of a prompting is very short! act quickly.

* serve, sacrifice, go to your knees and DEPEND ON THE LORD! :)

* boldly declare who you are and what you're about

* don't be afraid to sacrifice and ask for sacrifice from others

* act and invite others; never shrink as members of His Church

* "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ!" (Romans 1:16)

* be unafraid to be who you are!

* sacrifice and consecrate all that we have to the Lord and His kingdom!

Elder Clayton Christensen:

* There are less standard sacrifices asked of us now, but "it is not meet that [we're] commanded or compelled in all things"... but we should "be anxiously engaged in a good cause...and bring to pass much righteousness." (D&C 58:26-28)

* What have you been doing on your watch?

* The standard of sacrifice is ALL things!

* Sacrifice everything for the kingdom -- there is so much to do! Create a plan of action!

* The Church needs you!

* Find out what questions people have.

* Sacrifice time to serve in the temple.

* Remember what matters most -- what matters most to God needs to be what matters most to us!

* Sacrifice for the Lord and you'll be happy.

* Be innovative and creative in your attempts to build the kingdom of God!

* See a problem and solve it. Take the initiative!

* Seek for inspiration and revelation.

* When we hit a roadblock follow the ways of God (Isaiah 55:8-9) and build the kingdom in His way -- by the simple and weak, be humble and open, we're not perfect, create a need, get to know people, go after the one like the Good Shepherd

* Lose yourself in the gospel! (Mark 8:35)

* Come sacrifice all that you have for the kingdom of God.

* Build kingdom in Lord's way....we'll be successful and you'll grow!

Sister Kristen Oaks:

* We are a covenant people to "stand as witnesses at all times" (Mosiah 18:8-10)

* Heavenly Father loves us personally -- you're a child of God!

* Be the best you can be -- be a disciple of Christ!

* Honor your emotions -- you are a celestial being here on a visit!

* Be anxiously engaged! "Real princesses save themselves." :)

* Know and understand who you are.

* Understand the priesthood.

* Sanctify yourselves -- your faith will demand the best of you.

* Prepare to live after the manner of happiness

* "Taste" the principles of eternal life.

* We are in enemy territory, so get up and read the Book of Mormon.

* Recognize the voice of the Lord.

* Be kind to each other.

* Look for service.

* Comfort those in need.

* Stand by each other.

A few other thoughts by some other fantastic speakers:

* Define what spiritual success is for you.

* Live the gospel with ambition!

* Pray for inspiration.

* Come drop my burden at His feet....to do and be what He wants today!

* Choose spiritual success and make a purposeful plan to achieve it.

* God is with us!

* We can't turn back -- it's not consistent with who we are--children of God.

* Know His voice; don't get lost.

* Nothing can separate us from the love of God (see Romans 8:35-39).

* Jesus Christ offers the abundant life.

* Come boldly to the throne of grace for mercy (Hebrews 4:16).

* What if the Lord called you to do something important? What would your response be?

* Do you feel closeness to the Lord in prayer? If not, why not?

* We need to be loved and cherished by others

* People come here to become world experts, but you're the best....the light of the gospel shines in your faces!

* Have courage to live the gospel!

* Leave what you're doing and reach out to others.

We also sang some wonderful hymns that helped me learn some important things:

• More Holiness Give Me (more gratitude, more trust in the Lord, more hope in His work, more fit for the kingdom, more used would I be)
• Onward, Christian Soldiers
• Hope of Israel
• In Humility, Our Savior
• True to the Faith

It was a great weekend! :)

Off to Massachusetts..... :)

Decisions and Revelation

I've learned a lot about decisions and revelation lately. Often you have to make a decision and move forward before an answer will come..... :)