Let me be myself

I remember reading a friend's blog back in March and it was just what I needed to hear. I keep thinking about it and I want to remember it so I decided to post it here. If you're reading this, thanks for letting me "borrow" your blogging brilliance! This last week has been particularly difficult for many reasons. As I go through the ups and downs of life I keep reminding myself of what truly matters. So, here it goes. Maybe someone else out there needs to hear this too.

I have realized that when I wonder what's wrong with me

the answer is nothing.

When someone decides they don't want to be my friend anymore

or has a problem with me, or doesn't ask me out again

there isn't something wrong with me.

It's just that it's their decision. or sometimes mine.

Not to say there isn't always opportunity for improvement,

but it's not because I'm not enough, or there's something

wrong with me. It's just because they have a choice,

and I may not be what they're looking for right there in a friend

or whatever. And that's okay.

This is not coming from anywhere-I don't think there's anything

wrong with me, and I'm not pining or anything.

But I've been thinking about this for a while.

Because there are some people

who are always there for me, and for whom I am just right.

1. Heavenly Father

2. Jesus Christ

3. My family

I am grateful for you, for this conversation and others we've had

like it. You are pretty inspiring to me. And I'm glad that you

happen to have thoughts along the same lines as me, often,

but happen to also have the ability to put

those thoughts into words.

It's a gift.

One more Laugh...

I found this and I liked it. Not that I have many wrinkles yet but I'm sure I will some day soon.

Dreams

Ok, so I've been having strange dreams lately. I'm not sure where they come from sometimes and it makes me wonder what's going on inside my head. Some of the fun has included being Santa's helper, making a music video to Dancing in the Streets, being in a parade, dancing with Michael Jackson to Thriller, and flying. So I don't know where this stuff comes from but I've been waking up laughing a lot. I kind of like it.

The Last Song

Last week I saw the movie The Last Song. Wow! It totally wasn't what I expected. Surprisingly I think it is one of the best movies I've seen in a while. Just be warned that you WILL cry so bring your kleenex...especially if you've ever had a loved one affected by cancer. This song is featured in the movie and I think it's beautiful. I know a lot is said about Miley Cyrus but you have to admit, the girl is talented!

La Gran Mision Buenos Aires Sur

Last weekend was busy but amazing! Many of you know that I served a mission in the Argentina Buenos Aires South mission. I can hardly believe I returned home 8 years ago this month! I haven't seen my mission president since the mission. He's from Mexico and they haven't had money to make the trip to Utah. This year we decided we wanted to see Presidente (Pte) and Hermana (Hna) Vazquez! So as missionaries we all contributed what we could to fly them to Utah and we spent as much time with them as possible. Here is a picture from the main reunion which happened friday night...this is only the middle section, my camera lens wasn't wide enough but the stage was completely filled!

This is a picture of Pte and Hna with all of the mission "grand kids." The oldest kids there were only 5 so it was a little crazy on the stage!

Saturday night during the priesthood session of conference I got together with a group of the hermanas. We sat and talked for over 3 hours! It was great to catch up on things and to tell mission stories. Pte arrived just in time to take a picture with us:

Sunday night was the highlight of the weekend. We got together again for a fireside. What an experience to sit at the feet of my mission president again! He reminded me of many things I learned on my mission and inspired me to be better. He even made us feel like old times when he called all of the hermanas up from the audience to sing the musical number (he used to do this at zone conferences, call people up to sing a song as a solo, a duet with your companion, or in a small group). Here I am with Pte and Hna after the fireside. He's a small man but a spiritual giant!

Mixed in with all the mission fun I enjoyed General Conference. For the Sunday afternoon session I enjoyed being in the conference center with my friend (her husband just started singing in the Tabernacle Choir this year). It was a spiritually motivating weekend and one I won't forget!

We are doing well when...

"Good women always have a desire to know if they are succeeding. In a world where the measures of success are often distorted, it is important to seek appreciation and affirmation from proper sources. To paraphrase a list found in Preach My Gospel, we are doing well when we develop attributes of Christ and strive to obey His gospel with exactness. We are doing well when we seek to improve ourselves and do our best. We are doing well when we increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help others who are in need. We know we are successful if we live so that we qualify for, receive, and know how to follow the Spirit. When we have done our very best, we may still experience disappointments, but we will not be disappointed in ourselves. We can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when we feel the Spirit working through us. Peace, joy, and hope are available to those who measure success properly."

I love this thought from Sister Julie Beck! If you'd like to, you can read the whole talk here. It's from her talk given in conference last week.

He Lives!

I had a wonderful Easter weekend! I know Jesus is the Christ and that He lives! Click here to watch an amazing video that shares a simple, beautiful message about the the true purpose of Easter. After I watched it I wanted to share it with you.

I'll write more and post pictures from my Easter weekend later...

Where are you?

I love this picture! I mean, how can you not? Especially when you put his voice with it. I had fun going to the Michael Bublé concert last wednesday, March 31. Not only is he an incredible singer, he is funny, entertaining, hot and single! Ok, so he announced at the concert that he's engaged but he's not married yet. Go here to read more about him.

His music is fun and I have lots of favorites. Lately this is the one I love the most. Maybe because I feel like it's the story of my life right now. I mean that never happens to me at a grocery store, maybe I'm just shopping at the wrong places! I'm just sayin'...