remember why i am...

after my post on friday about the craziness my job entails and the anxiety of the application process, my friend joni said, "I have to rewind sometimes and remember why I am where I am and what it took to get here in order to be grateful for it all" thank you joni for the inspiration and the reminder that i need to be more grateful.

my life is wonderful. i have been so blessed. that's not to say that i haven't had obstacles to overcome and mountains to climb, because i have... but there have been lessons learned and through all of those challenges, i have had the love of an amazing support system cheering me along. Not only love, but also examples of righteous, humble, inteligent and caring individuals.

this new job is a big step for me. and, so amidst all of the crazy toddlers, i need to rewind and remember why i am there and what it took to get me there. as i reflected on why i am where i am i was drawn to the faces of that support system. friends and family who have lifted me up and held my hand along my path, who have embraced me for who i am and given me strength to rise up and be who i need to be.

while reflecting i was reading one of my favorite blogs, and i followed the link she shared to a beautiful talk by president uchtdorf. talks and inspiration like this are another big part of why i am where i am.

the whole talk is wonderful and i would suggest you take the time to read it in it's entirety, but this part really impacted me:

{"May I invite you to rise to the great potential within you. But don’t reach beyond your capacity. Don’t set goals beyond your capacity to achieve. Don’t feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure. Don’t compare yourself with others. Do the best you can, and the Lord will provide the rest. Have faith and confidence in Him, and you will see miracles happen in your life and the lives of your loved ones. The virtue of your own life will be a light to those who sit in darkness, because you are a living witness of the fullness of the gospel (see D&C 45:28). Wherever you have been planted on this beautiful but often troubled earth of ours, you can be the one to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” (D&C 81:5).

My dear sisters, as you live your daily life with all its blessings and challenges, let me assure you that the Lord loves you. He knows you. He listens to your prayers, and He answers those prayers, wherever on this world you may be. He wants you to succeed in this life and in eternity."

click here for the complete talk by President Uchtdorf}

i love how he points out to not reach beyond our capacity. i am so guilty of this, and in return only cause myself more stress and frustration. while i was talking to a friend tonight, we got on the subject of blogs- and how most of the time we put "our best self" out there for the world to see. but, when we read other blogs, we compare our worst to others bests. why do we do this to ourselves? once again, i am so guilty of this. i read these blogs of my amazing friends and incredible strangers who are talented, inspirational and creative... who are super moms and wives, cook like betty crocker, craft like martha and look like a beauty queen while doing it all. i get discouraged and feel crummy about myself... until i remember all of these amazing people are people, just like me. we're all trying to put our best self out there. i need to remember that's what i can do, and all i can do- my best. and that i love reading blogs to be inspired and admire the talent of so many, but not to let it make me feel the need to reach beyond my own personal capacity. and to remember that a lot of these people have had a part in helping me get to the point of where i am.

when it comes down to it all, we are put on this earth to help each other succeed and find happiness. i am so grateful for each of you who have helped me find my place in this world and find my way to where i am.

and for all of you who help me remember how i got here.

sharing time help

This coming Sunday my primary class and I are in charge of sharing time for the senior primary. I have four 9 year olds in my class, and there's probably about 20-25 kids in senior primary.

The topic is: My family and I will be resurrected.

I've been looking for some ideas and have some thoughts, but I was wondering if any of you have any wonderful ideas to share. I've looked online, sugardoodle has some great ideas, as always. Any help would be wonderful!

omedetou Chad!

Chad will be Elder Martinez on June 20th and headed off to serve a mission in {Japan}!!!

We are so excited for you, Chad! You will be a great missionary, the people of Japan will be very lucky to have you! We love you!

my cup overfloweth.

I have been uplifted, edified, inspired, and educated. This weekend was full of goodness and I feasted upon all of it. (Really in two ways... I ate and ate. Breakfast cake, waffles and homemade pizza- yum! but I also spiritually feasted)

General Conference always fills up my cup, and then some. I am so grateful for a living prophet to guide and direct us and for his knowledge and counsel. I was thrilled when they announced 5 new temples to be built, especially for the Rome, Italy temple. Someday, I'll make it out that way and have the chance to visit.

It's hard for me to narrow down a favorite talk because I truly gained something from each talk. President Uchtdorf's talk in the Saturday morning session on hope was wonderful. He said, "No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations."

After conference ended I was filled with a greater determination to be a better wife, a better sister, a better daughter, a better neighbor, a better visiting teacher, a better friend, a better missionary, a better example. I know that life comes at us fast, sometimes too fast for us to handle. But I also know that it's from these great leaders of the church that I can find the inspiration and patience to learn how to handle those fast pitches.

President Monson spoke so simply of a few things I know I can do better....
"Enjoy the journey, now!"
"Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances."
"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."
"Let us relish life as we live it!"
"Express gratitude, always."

So, among the other aspects of my life in which I hope to improve, I also hope to improve my gratitude and happiness. To find the joy in each day and relish life. And to look inside myself and see the good. Life is a grand journey, and I know that if I can take a day at a time with hope on my side, then I will do just fine!

you can access general conference here

inspiration

I am so blessed to have an amazing mother-in-law. (and I don't know about any of you, but I'm personally not a big fan of the in-law part... she's just like another mom for me and I'm so grateful for her!) Today when I opened my mailbox I was actually excited to see there was something other than bills! She is so thoughtful and sent me this incredible book. Mekena and Kirra have been my little buddies today and we're having another sleepover tonight (pictures to come soon...) so I haven't had much time to look at it but from the few minutes I did I absolutely love it! I'm so excited to browse through it all! I highly recommend it for anyone and everyone- it is beautiful and so inspiring... here's quick thought I'll share from the book:
"Each is a child of God. Each of you is a creature of Divinity. You are literally a daughter of the Almighty. There is no limit to your potential. If you will take control of your lives, the future is filled with opportunity and gladness. You cannot afford to waste your talents or your time. Great opportunities lie ahead of you."

Like I said, go get yourself a copy of this one- it's so uplifting! Thanks mom, I love it!

about time

I figured I've been back for a while now and have yet to get some photos up from my trip to Arizona. Not much that I did was very photo worthy- in the sense that I sat at a desk, talked to people, gave them money and that was it for most of the day. We went on some nice walks, ate at some good restaurants (Hong Kong buffet... the guys loved, we ate there 3 times!) watched a baseball game, and my mom and I spent a lot of time laughing at silly things. Unfortunately mom had to leave Tuesday night and we went to the Mesa temple pageant Wednesday night. It was my first time seeing the Mesa temple- I loved it. The spirit that resides at the temple grounds is always so incredible, I love that feeling! The Easter pageant was really spiritual as well...I love being in a place surrounded by hundreds of people you don't know and feeling the incredible strength of the spirit. What an amazing missionary opportunity this was for so many people. The spirit is the one thing that is constant giver of peace and happiness- what a blessing it is to have it.

P.S. I'm playing around with a new lay out- let me know what you think...