Are you up for a challenge?

Who would like to join me for a 40 day General Conference reading challenge?

How does it work?

You read one conference talk per day for 40 days in a row!

You might ask…what is the challenge about this because you usually read it before next General Conference? This time is really a challenge because it starts next Sunday and it will end on Christmas day!  Just think about it…what better gift could you give yourself than the gift of following the prophet and honoring the Savior at this wonderful time of the year when our hearts are filled with gratitude and remembering the life of Christ!

What do you get in return (other than a stronger testimony of our Prophet, the Gospel and an amazing testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ)…a book mark to keep you on schedule. 

So…are you up for the challenge?

Let me know if you would like to join me and I will drop off a bookmark to you.

~Michelle

Team Brylie!

 

My beautiful niece, Brylie, was born with Chiari type 2 malformation. At two years old she had brain surgery at Primary Children's Hospital to have a shunt put in her head to relieve the fluid pressure on her brain which was caused by her Chiari. She has had many struggles to overcome and still has some to get through. She is definitely one of the strongest  and bravest people I know. 

So…today. we had the opportunity to participate and honor Brylie’s courage and participate in Annual Conquer Chiari walk.  It was so much fun.  I am grateful for this little girl.  She has truly changed my life and brings so much happiness into our family.  I love you Brylie.

Hmmm...

Really needed this tonight…

Sometimes, the most important things you do each day are never even on your “to-do” list. You might worry about the things you never get done, but President Gordon B. Hinckley reminds us, “You never know how much good you do.”

There are times in life, when tender mercies come through a message in a little video.  I love those moments.

~Chelle!

Missionary Monday…

One thing that I look forward to every week is Missionary Monday. I love receiving emails and letters in the mail from some of the most treasured young women in the world. I love watching my inbox fill with emails from these precious daughters of God. They are serving the Lord all over the world and not only blessing the lives of so many that they are coming contact with but they are blessing the lives of those here in their home stake. I am so blessed to know them and so grateful that they have come into my life. They truly are precious blessings that I treasure. Would you like to know what they had to say this week? Let me share a couple of comments…

From Russia, Sister Uhl shared her love of the temple with me. She said, “The temple is truly an amazing place and I'm sad that I can't go to one out here. I really look forward to the day when these European countries can have their own temple, the blessings are really amazing!

From Louisana, Sister Black wrote, “Sometimes we have to just let it be hard and trust that whatever it is we're going through is for our good. Like the scripture that says "be still and know that I am God." (D&C 101:16) So good. :)”

From Illinois, Sister Wells, shared, “…as you continue to do the Lords work, I know you will concur to feel reassuring peace come after you face the trials. :D I love you so much!!!”

From Guatemala, Sister Flewallen wrote, “I have learned that all I need to do is listen to the spirit and pray and lean on the Lord. Thank you for your example and for all that you do for me!”

From Poland, Sister Kuchar shared, “I know that God answers prayers and I'm grateful for the understanding I have been given this week.”

From Washington, Sister Hopkins said, “We all have different strengths and weaknesses. Heavenly Father knows this and out of His love for us He places us together so that we can continue to grow and progress towards our ultimate goal, living with Him in Heaven. :) This Gospel is, oh, so true! It is for everyone! It is a perfect Gospel that can touch the lives of us all.”

From Mexico, Sister Beckstead shared, “I feel like I’m in a huge spiritual bubble down here! I love that! 

I love hearing from these missionaries. I am so proud of what they are doing. I love how I feel inside when I read their letters and how my heart is filled with the spirit. They have such powerful testimonies!!! Aw…I love them so much and blessed to know them!!

~Chelle!

Pumpkins…pumpkins…pumpkins

A few weeks ago, I was over at Mom’s and noticed three adorable pumpkins placed in the middle of her kitchen island. I asked her where she purchased them because I wanted some just like them. She said that she made them. HUZZAH!!! Do you know what that means? Well, when she says that…that means she knows to make them and she can help me too. My mom is very creative and talented. I love how she is always making something. She is incredibly talents. I know that she would argue that she isn’t but I know that she is. I have witnessed that for so many years.

Today was the day that we found some time to make some of those adorable pumpkins. I was so excited because they were so simple and It didn’t take too much creative brain power to make them. HA HA  I love how they turned out and I am excited to put them in my entrance way.  AW…I love this time of year.    Thanks Mom for sharing helping me create this cute decoration.

Remembering 9-11

 

I woke up early this morning, finished everything that I needed to do and arrived at work shortly after 7 am.  As I sat my purse underneath my desk, a memory stepped into my thought process. Tears started to fill my eyes as I reflected back on that day…

13 years ago today, I woke up early, finished everything at home and headed into the work.  I arrived shortly after 7 am and turned on my radio.  All of a sudden, the news came across the radio station, I just stared at the radio. Listening and waiting for more information. I remember tears started rolling down my face. Immediately, I called my Mom. She quickly turned on the television and confirmed what I was listening to was indeed true.

By this time, people were arriving at work. We all went to the huge conference room where they had a television on showing what had happened. After a bit, we would return to our offices and then, return to the conference room for more information. I remember going home to my parents home--in the security of their home and watching the recap of the horrific events that took place earlier in the day.

Those feelings are so tender still today as I watched the events replayed and replayed on the television and through the newspapers.  I think Rachel said it perfectly, “In time of tragedy we came together as a nation and I hope we can do that again now in remembrance of those lives lost. May we always remember what we stand for and never back down. To those lives lost, you will always be remembered. To those who have lost their lives fighting for our country, you too will never be forgotten. To those who put their lives on the line to keep us safe, thank you! I am proud to be an American and nothing and no one can tear us down too far where we can't get back up.”

Freedom makes me happy.

~Michelle

Is your life crazy?

 

Is your life crazy? Is it filled with good things and things that may not be best for you? Do you start to forget things because you have so many things in your life? You might have written them down but your daily list consists of more papers than you want to look at. That is what my life seems like lately. Hmmm…kinda like this blog. It definitely was a few crazy months filled with so many things that I kind of felt lost and a little disoriented with many aspects in my life.

A simple fleece blanket made with so much love!

I love to sew!! It is one of my passions that I do not share with hardly anyone. I keep it tucked away in my own little world. Why is this? I have no idea. I won awards in high school for various items and received the departmental award for something that I love…sewing. Then, I realized that I had a comment made about me several years ago and the feelings that I had from a simple and stupid comment made me want to hide my passion for the love of a hobby that I had been so amazing at. So…lately, I have been pondering the love that I have for sewing and decided to dust off my sewing machine and start a few projects.
**whispers** When I am brave enough to go stand up to the comment that I heard several years ago, I just might share what I have been working on. I know…I know…I just need to have the courage to share but that ugly comment rests right there in an opened file folder in my head.
Anyway, my sweet niece asked me if I would help her sew a blanket for her boyfriend who was going to be a soon-to-be-missionary. (He is now at the Mexico MTC learning the awesome language of Spanish to serve the people of Ecuador).

We cut, sewed (Mom appliqued all of the balls letters and words) and clipped this absolutely adorable fleece rag blanket. It was so much fun. We finished it just in time to have it packed in his suitcase. It was awesome!!!  I love spending time with Kaylie. She is so much fun. Love you Kaylie!!  Good luck Nik!!!  You are going to be an incredible missionary.

Sealed forever!

Jordon River Temple

(I took that picture…doesn’t it look like a painting?  I am not sure how I did it but  I did.)

On Thursday, August 21, 2014, one of my dearest friends, attended the temple to take out her endowments and was sealed to her husband for time and all eternity. She has been spiritually working for this moment to happen for such a long time. It was finally here. Her big day—surrounded by so many loved ones-was finally here. Words cannot describe how I felt as I drove to the temple to witness such an exciting event. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be with her in her first endowment session. I loved this opportunity and felt a great amount of love for her as I witnessed something powerful taking place in her life.

 

 

 

Aw…there is just something that I feel when dear friends want me to be a part of such an amazing experience. It does something to my heart when I witness this very first time experience and reminds me of how important we are in the lives of each other…that needing each other and wanting to be with each is extremely important. It is like a million…no, a billion, no… even more…a greater amount of endorphins running through your entire body surrounding every fiber and filling up every ounce with so much happiness that you cannot stop smiling.

 

I am so grateful for Vieve for wanting and needing me to be a part of this when she has so many others that could have turned to. I have been on the other hand of that when I haven’t felt that important and needed when it comes to things like this. So, as for today, my heart is filled with joy and I am grateful to have had this experience and to have such a great friend! Thanks Vieve!!!

Together forever!!

~Michelle

Are you a happy person??

Day 100…

 

Today I came across this picture…it truly made me smile.  Are you a happy person?  Sometimes it is so difficult to be happy in a room full of unhappy people. 

 

...and this ends the 100 days of happiness blogging. :)

Life Cereal!

Day 99…

 

Guess what?  I am bringing back Favorite Fridays. 

 

One of my favorite things to eat is cold cereal.  Lately, I have created so much busyness in my life that I have made it difficult to find time to make dinner each night.  I guess that is one advantage of being single…you do not have to be responsible in the dinner-making area. HA HA So…as of late I have been eating cold cereal for dinner.  Easy Peasy.  One of my most favorite boxes of cold cereal is LIFE.  It is delicious with milk or without.  A handful of LIFE cereal can cure any starving pains

changing it up...

Day 98…

 

This morning I woke up in one of those moods.  The kind of mood that doesn’t bring a lot of happiness or motivation to do anything nor brings a smile to my heart.  As I sat staring at my computer, I knew that I needed to change my attitude but had no idea how to do.  A thought popped into my head to change my wallpaper on my screen.  So…I started searching the internet and look what I found…

 

 

Isn’t that bright and cheery?  Isn’t it awesome to be able to change something minor and it creates a whole new perspective for the day?!

 

~Michelle

Stamping and chatting!

Day 97…

 

I love nights like this…creating…laughing…chatting…creating some more.  Tonight for  Stamp & Chat, we created these adorable cards.  I love helping others create happy cards. I love laughing and chatting with friends.  Aw…what a fun eventful evening.  J

Camp t-shirts...our ward is going to rock!!!

Day 96...

It is time once again to meet with the young women in my ward to prepare for camp.  Tonight we made T-shirts.  It was so much fun.  I cannot wait to wear my blue t-shirt with my anchor on it.  Aw…I love these girls so much. 

 

I love what one of my young women wrote on Facebook. I took a screenshot of it.

Aw...love these girls!!
~Michelle

A change of heart...

Day 95… 

Aw…I found this quote and I simply love it…

 

 

It is such a great reminder!!  What is one of your favorite quotes??

 

~Michelle

a walk...

Day 94...

 

I love to go on walks.  I love to be outside.  I love to look at thinks and let my thoughts wander from place to place.  Sometimes I like to go with a friend but most of the time-I love to just go by myself.  It is sort of like a healing place when I am able to be by myself in nature and just think.  What is something that you do in your life to let your mind wander and heal?

 

~Michelle

Whale Watching...

Day 93…

 

For some reason today my thoughts turned to an adventure that I went on a very long time ago.  One of my roommates in college was getting married and I decided (along with one of my other roommates) to fly to Portland to witness her wedding.  It was a fun and exciting trip.  While we were there, we decided to go whale watching.  I was so excited.  I had never had this type of adventure before.  We boarded the whale watching boat and I could feel the excitement and the endorphins running throughout my whole system.  I couldn’t wait to see a whale!  Then it happened…

Nauseous.

Turning Green.

Throwing up.

Total embarrassment…but thank goodness, another guy on the boat was doing the exact same thing…I wasn’t alone in my misery.

I missed the entire adventure.  I was so sick.  I thought that I was going to pass out.  Depoe Bay will always remind me of this sad little adventure.  BUT…my roommate captured some amazing pictures.  Thank goodness for cameras!!!  J  Oh…how I wanted to see those whales swimming and diving into the ocean. 

Another time.

Another day.

Grateful to be alive!

 

~Michelle

4th of July

Day 92…

Today is one of my most favorite holidays!!!  I love the 4^th of July.  Balloons…breakfast…shopping…crafts…picnics and fireworks!!! 

 

As we were waiting to go to the picnic and fireworks, I decided to take pictures of this darling little one.

 

 Finally....we left and headed to the park.

Popsicles!

Day 91: 

I am tired.  I am exhausted.  I just want to curly up and go to sleep but I can’t…it is too early.  So…instead, I am going to eat a Popsicle.  I LOVE Popsicles.  They are just refreshing and delicious. 

Check the freezer.

No popsicles!

Off to the store I go…

Popsicles galore!!!

Refreshing!

Want one?!  I will share!!

 

Aw...deliciousness!!

 

~Michelle

I love Target!!

Day 90…

 

Ok…I love Target.  Why?  I am not sure.  That store truly intrigues me.  I rarely purchase anything there but it is my place to go to just wander.  Seriously, I have no idea I love it so much.  I can spend so much time in that store looking at anything and everything.  It makes me giggle to think of the time that I have spent there walking up and down the aisles.  It is so intriguing to me.  I don’t go very often because I end up spending too much time wandering but when I do… I LOVE IT. 

 

~Michelle

Buckets, buckets, and more buckets!!

Day 89…

 

In less than a month, I will be attending a long week of Young Women’s Camp.  I am excited.  I am nervous.  I cannot wait for this adventure.  Each Tuesday until camp, we will be trying to get things in order and ready for that incredible week.  Tonight, we painted our buckets.  These will be our chairs for our cabins.  I am so excited.   We had so much fun.  I am not sure if it was because of all the fumes from the can or it was because we were enjoying each others company.  I vote that it was the enjoying each other.  J

 

~Michelel

Good morning!

Day 88…

 

This morning, I realized what I have been missing.  Every morning for the past little while, I have felt a little odd.  I wasn’t sure why but this morning I came to a conclusion.  See…almost every morning for the past several years, I would receive a text or two.  This friend of mine would simply text “good morning” or something along that line.   Well, that certain friend of mine is away for 10 months on an adventure.  So I haven’t received those simple messages each morning and I realized how much I have missed it.  I love that simple phrase.  Good Morning.  I usually do not hear those simple two words since I do not see anyone in the mornings.

 

I used to work with a friend of mine that would say phrase to me every morning when I had arrived at work.  Well, she doesn’t work with me anymore so I do not hear that simple phrase.  Those that I work with really don’t seem to talk in the mornings so…

 

Hmmm….Now I know why my mornings have been so strange. 

 

~Michelle

Faith

 

Day 87…

 

 

Today...my thoughts are on…

 

 Hmmm....

~Michelle

Draper Temple

Day 86…

 

This morning, I had the opportunity and privilege to attend the Draper LDS Temple with some of my most favorite people.  I love these young women with all of my heart and I feel so blessed to be in their presence.  Aw…love them so much. 

 

~Michelle

It is National Walk day....or something similar to that.

Day 85…

Today is National Walk day or something similar to that.  The place where I work encouraged us to go for a walk.  I decided to take along my camera. 

 

 We walked along the Provo River Trail

 

 

 ~Michelle

Oh my goodness! Popcorn

Day 84…

 

I have a sweet friend that is in the Mission Training Center getting ready to serve a mission and I miss her terribly.  SO…last night I decided to make a delicious treat to send to her.  I forget how much I love to bake.  Well…I guess…making Milk Chocolate, White Chocolate, and Carmel Popcorn is not really baking…it is popping, melting and stirring.  HA HA!!! 

 

Want the recipe?

 

 

Oh my goodness!  Popcorn

1 cup popcorn kernels, popped

1 lb. Almond Bark

1lb. caramel

3/4 cup chocolate chips

Place popcorn in a very large mixing bowl. Pour crushed candy canes over the top of the popcorn. Melt the almond bark according to the package.

Once the almond bark is melted.  Mix well. 

Pour over the popcorn.  Pour the popcorn out onto a piece of waxed paper, parchment or foil.  Spread it out into an even layer and leave it alone. 

Melt the caramel and drizzle over the popcorn.  Melt the chocolate chips and drizzle over the popcorn and caramel.  Leave it until the almond bark and chocolate has hardened. 

When chocolate is hardened, use your hands to break up popcorn into chunks.  Toss in a bowl and eat!!  So delicious!!!

 

 

~Michelle

A beautiful day...

Day 83…

 

I spent the afternoon at the Provo Temple with some dear friends of mine as they were sealed for time and all eternity.  It was powerful to witness how far these beautiful friends have grown in the gospel.  It was such a special day.  Aw…what a very special day!!!

 

~Michelle

In the sight of God...

Day 82…

 

 

I found this quote and I absolutely love it.  I love the quote.  I love the font.  I love the colors.  I printed and framed this one and placed it in my room.  LOVE IT!!!  

Want one too…go here  http://www.mmprintables.com/2013/10/where-we-are-willing-to-go-free.html

 

~Michelle

I love to read!

Day 81…

 

Last night, I arrived home from my trip and I was so glad to be home.  I love visiting and exploring places but there is something that feels so right about being home.  Safe and secure.  So, I took the opportunity to just be at home tonight.  I curled up in my chair and read and read.  I love to read.  I love exploring new places, making new friends and feeling every emotion that one can feel as they turn each page of a book.  I just love it. 

 

~Michelle

I love to see the temple!!!

Day 80….

 

On our way home from St. George, Mom, Dad and I stopped off at the Payson LDS Temple to check out the temple.  It is so beautiful.  I cannot wait until it is opened.  Aw…I am so excited. 

~Michelle