happy-ness pt.2

"It is in doing - not just dreaming - that lives are blessed, others are guided, and souls are saved." -Thomas S. Monson 

*I love the Lord & I know He loves me.

It is in the tender mercies that I can see in every

part of my life that I am reassured of this on a

daily basis. Everyday and every moment that I

can feel His Love is a Blessing.

Today, there are soo many things to smile about (literally)...

• Our Father in Heaven hears our prayers.
• Dr. Douglas Sheets is not only a Dentist, he is a Miracle-Worker!
• The Sun was OUT (:
• I had a good cry for lunch (semi-embarrassing).
• I'm healthy and I have a family that loves me.
• 2 Dental apps away from going on a Mission!

 

One,...too many?

The good thing about having siblings is...

They eventually grow up and get married (if you're lucky) and "home" is somewhere totally different from where you and the parents you share reside.

Luckily/Unfortunately - depending on the day of the week - I was given 10 siblings. So far, 6 down...4 more to go, and then I'll be the only child (living at home) just like it was supposed to be from the get-go. Ha!

happy-ness.

happy-ness -noun.
1. the quality or state of being happy.
2. good fortune; pleasure; contentment; JOY.

HAPPINESS results from the possession or attainment of what one considers good: the happiness of visiting ones FAMILY.

About a month ago, on a hot and equally humid Tuesday afternoon, I found myself thousands of miles from what I and the yellow pages consider my place of residence, yet the closest to Home I have ever felt in my 21 years of existence: Temple Square.

As a little girl growing up in the Rose Park suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah, I often dismissed the blessing of being in such close proximity to such a sacred and peace-giving place. My upbringing may only be my only bias but I can say that I also believe that any purely good place could attempt to bring about the same feelings. If words were sufficient for an accurate description of the peace that emanates from such holy ground, it would probably take a lifetime to express.

Living in a society where 'the pursuit of happyness' becomes a coin toss between worldly pleasures and eternal joy, I find great comfort in the peace that radiates from such a beautiful place. Such peace that if transcended continuously throughout the world, we wouldn't just be speaking of it but 'being' about it. I know I am loved and have a purpose and this place confirms that to the depths of my heart. I hope to always remember that feeling of peace and ultimately share it with others through my actions and interactions.

Here's to WORLD PEACE (:

twenty-one.

21 GOALS "i will" accomplish before I turn 22:

1. Write [at least] 1 blog a week.
2. Decide to be "positive" every morning.
3. Read the Book of Mormon in its entirety.
4. Complete Mission Papers.
5. Pray morning & night...and some.
6. Wake up at a "decent" hour.
7. Go to bed at a "decent" hour.
8. Go out of my way to serve someone [at least] once a day.
9. Figure out how to acquire the quality of patience.
10. Do something "physical" for 30 mins a day.
11. Find ways to magnify church calling.
12. Teach little sis some hairstyle tips.
13. Attend Summer Institute of Religion.
14. Attend Mission Prep.
15. Pay Traffic Ticket.
16. Write a letter to Sis. Lautaha.
17. Write a letter to Elder Rivera.
18. Practice teaching Gospel Principles.
19. Memorize Scripture Masteries.
20. Keep room clean & Bed made.
21. Be a Christlike Example.

Routine or Habit?

As productive as I would like to be and try to be, sometimes desire does not necessarily precede action.

For the past 2 months since I miraculously finished a 2 yr degree, I have been on a strict schedule of eat, sleep, occasionally leave the house, and repeat.

For the past week, I have been in Utah.
PROS: I'm hundreds of miles away from home, I get to be with my sister from another mister 24/7, New walls to stare at, Shrimp Burritos from Beto's, BEAR LAKE, overall a rehabilitation of all things "home".
CONS: My routine/habits are still in tact plus or minus a couple trips out of the house, I'm on a budget, excessive eating, no structure whatsoever [but who's complaining?], missing my "boos" back home, no Puerto Vallarta or Menchies?!

I officially go home [to the EVERGREEN STATE] on the 14th; 2 weeks that sometimes can feel like a lifetime in this HEAT.

Productive things I plan on doing before I go home:
-BEAR LAKE next weekend for a friend's Birthday
-Church on Sunday (:
-Fulfill my Secretary duties for mi padre
-Finish reading 'Things I wish I knew Before My Mission' by John Bytheway
-Spend quality time with my Sister from another Mister ((:

HERE'S FOR "trying" TO BE PRODUCTIVE.

Sincerely,
Someone who is constantly TRYING.