Have you read this?

So, I just finished reading this book!  A few weeks ago, one of the priesthood leaders for the MidSingles suggested reading this book.  I saw it at Deseret Book for $6.99, so I picked it up.  It was so great!  He shares a million little ways to help share the gospel.  I tried one of the examples the other day at work, and felt so great about it.  This book makes it seem so easy.  You should read it!

Do you ever find yourself relating to a particular movie or song?  Well, I've had a couple recent experiences that have reminded me of certain movies; not to say that the circumstances are the same, but they relate...

So on Saturday night, we were at the ReAL game.  We have a group of people around us, that have been season ticket holders with us for a long time, so we have fun being with our friends there.  Well, right behind us are not season ticket holders, so we have new people every game there.  The rows are way close together, so we hear a lot of what the people behind us say; likewise, the seats directly in front of us aren't season ticket holders either, so we have new people there all the time, too.  A couple games ago, this guy was telling his mom they should buy the tickets right in front of us, because he got a kick out of us.  It was hilarious!

Anyways, overhearing this girl behind us made me think of "Failure to Launch" with Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew McConaughey.  Remember one of the steps she uses is to have him teach her something.  That's an idea I've pondered often.  I personally love it when someone teaches me something he's passionate about!  One guy I dated, although he wasn't thrilled about this, taught me a ton about website design.  I've been extremely thankful for that knowledge lately!  Then there was a guy I was "hanging" with a few months ago, and he taught me how to build things.  We built a bench and a kiddie picnic table for my nephews and niece.  It's so cool!  I've never done anything like that before!
 
(Hope he doesn't mind having his picture here, but it's just so cool! :))

Anyways, back to the girl at the game.  Over hearing her questions about the game, my first thoughts were, Could she really be that dumb? and She has got to be faking this!  The guy was thrilled to be teaching her about the game, although, it was apparent he didn't know much either.  I was amazed that her, ummm... ditzy-ness was okay with him.  Like her whining because it was 25 minutes into the game... and it should've been a quarter by then... and that's not fair to the players... they need a break.  Oh, my word, really! So bizarre to me!

Another movie that has been coming to mind lately is "The Holiday" with Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz.  I like this show.  There are dumb parts to it, but I love the little old guy in it, and I can actually stand Jack Black in it!  So, I have this friend that's been back and forth with this girl, whether they're dating or not dating, etc.  Well, I've been the sounding board for him, and have had a lot of time together.  One night we were going to Chili's, and I said, "yep, I'm the back-up girl," before we headed out.  He kept saying I wasn't, but I knew I was, and that was fine with me.  He's my friend.  Anyways, somewhere in the midst of hearing ALL the time about this girl, for whatever reason, I started thinking about this movie.  In the movie, Arthur Abbott is talking to Iris about her relationship issues, and tells her she's supposed to be the leading lady, but she always acts like the supporting actress.  I've always related to this, because I'm ALWAYS the buddy that everyone has to talk to, and share every detail of their dating lives.  It's so weird the things that make you want to change, it could be something you feel you want to try or it could be one line in a movie that wasn't even that big of a movie.

Anyways, that's my ranting for the day!

I Know my Heavenly Father Loves Me...

In Primary every Sunday we have a jar that has the names of all of the primary kids and leaders names in it.  As a name is drawn, they come up to the microphone and say, "I know my Heavenly Father loves me, because_____." (and they fill in the blank.)  Then they put a little clear stone in a jar. 

Sometimes their answers are funny things that they say to get a reaction, and every once in a while they're so thoughtful!  It's funny, but a lot of the junior primary (3-8 year olds) answers are the more deep, thoughtful answers.  One little guy, without even having to think about it, rushed up to the microphone and said he knew that Heavenly Father loved him, because Heavenly Father gave him a great mom!  They're just so cute!

My name was picked out a few months ago, and I said, "I know Heavenly Father loves me, because of the responsibilities He trusts me with."  That's only one of a million reasons I know Heavenly Father loves me!

Yesterday we had an amazing devotional given by TC Christensen, director of "Ephraim's Rescue" and "17 Miracles."  I haven't seen Ephraim's Rescue, yet, but I've seen clips, heard from one of the actors, the director, and have heard stories of Ephraim Hank's life.  I do want to see it immediately, though!  TC was an amazing presenter!  That's not what I want to talk about, though.  I want to talk about another way that I know Heavenly Father loves me... 

As I was preparing for yesterday's multiple meetings, I found myself anxiously excited for the day to come.  Then on Saturday, I was so ornery! I just felt uptight, annoyed, and frustrated.  Where am I going with this?  Well, it was a process.  I had to take time to evaluate what was the cause, why I would be feeling this way, etc.  I needed to be able to feel the Spirit, so I'd be able to do my part, and function on Sunday.  So, I came home from shopping and instead of doing anything that I had planned, I went straight to my bedroom, prayed and read from the Book of Mormon.  I read Alma 26 and Alma 27. In Alma 26:27 it reads: "Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth.  Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen."  I know that God is mindful of every people, that means ME and it means YOU, too!  That's another way that I know Heavenly Father loves me!

As Sunday came and went, I felt overwhelmingly grateful for the people that are in my life, that are their when I need them, and that give so freely of their time! 

As I sat down next to TC on the stand, he asked me who I was, and what my job was being there.  I was able to sit with him and joke around and feel completely comfortable.  For some reason at that moment I remembered that it wasn't that many years ago that I could barely stand to call people or have to talk to people.  Like the man in Hungary told me, I'd never be a good missionary, because I never talked.  Wow!  How things have changed!  I'm so grateful for the opportunities I have been given to grow and strengthen my testimony.  I'm grateful for my testimony!!!

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