Everyday Miracles

This past week has been filled with miracle after miracle.

Direct prayers being answered.

Glimpses of the bigger picture.

Love in my heart.

The power of The Atonement working in every breathing moment of my life.

How on Earth did I get so blessed?

I'm not sure, but to be able to give thanks for all that I have been given I feel that I really need to write about it and share some of my testimony/experiences with others :)

 

 

Ahhhhh. Deep breathe. Here it goes.

Sunday sacrament meeting rolled around and not only did I want to repent, I wanted a deep change. I wanted The Lord to be in control of my words and my thoughts. I wanted to feel the spirit so strong so that He could work through me and make me a better person in the process. That was just the beginning.

As my week progressed I found myself in deep spiritual reflection; strengthening parts of my testimony I never knew existed. The Lord helped me on my midterms, for I am certain the without His help it would have been impossible for me to recall all of that information and do so well.

During my nightly scripture study and seminary preparation the scriptures came alive to me. The words spoken and lessons taught were for ME. Another thing I had prayed for answered.

I prayed extra hard for Joseph this week. But something new that I added to my prayers was that the people he needed to teach could be prepared to receive the gospel, they could be humbled, they could search and then receive. Joseph gained a new investigator this week, and 3 more potential investigators. Seeing the miracles of his mission has changed my life. He also has a baptism next months and a full appointment book. :) I'm pretty proud of him. I told y'all I wasn't lying when I said he was going to be the best missionary evaaaaa ;)

Lastly, I have a friend who is going through a really rough trial. I prayed for her, but while I was praying I has the impression to not pray for a certain outcome, but instead for great peace and a glimpse at her greater future. She went to the temple then told me about her experiences. She used almost the exact same words. It was beautiful. -A miracle that can only be explained by the divine nature of Christ and God's plan.

These experiences don't even scape the surface of this week. Every prayer was answered. Even the small things that only matter to me. His hand was in every aspect of my life, and maybe the only difference between this week and any other week was my enthusiasm to look for it. The Lord is always there preforming miracles bigger than us everyday.

We can open our minds to see them when we give thanks.

 

This is why I started a golden list :)

Every single day write 10 things you are grateful for.

Try to make the list different everyday.

Write it in the sky or in s notebook, just write it somewhere because when you write it down you think about it more and it causes you a substantial about of time to ponder your life and blessings :)

This list has worked flawlessly for me-maybe even changed my life :)

 

I know that The Lord loves us. I know He is the All-Saving Redeemer and The Atonement is real.

He lives.

When we ask, we receive.

-And maybe more of a blessing than the actual blessing is giving thanks.

It has brought SO much joy into my life.

I am what He gives, and it is so much more than I deserve.

 

All my love, Lauren.

Missionary Package: Christmas

I had SO much fun putting this package together!

It was tiring, and tedious, but I am rather please with the way it turned out and it was a whole lot of fun :)

 

THE BOX:

My strategy for this package was to avoid crazy shipping costs by getting a small box and just jam packing everything possible in it. Mission accomplished. I lined the bottom of the box with Christmassy scrapbook paper and the sides with polka dots. I painted the box red and made a "Merry Christmas" banner for when he opened it! It was perfect for the box shape. I'm not sure how I would do that in a box with 4 flaps. Another smart box idea that I didn't think of is getting a flat rate box from the post office. I was kicking myself for a while once the pounds started adding up, but it all worked out pretty well for me. 

 

Gatorade (aka Priesthood PowerAde)

Chapstick

Tic-Tacs (Missionaries can't chew gum)

Hot coco with candy canes

 

Fruit snacks

Goldfish

Beef Jerky

Snickers

Starburst

M&M's

 

Sheet music for Love Story by Taylor Swift

and I Can Show You The World from Disney movie Aladdin

3 bookmarks

-Missionary quotes

-A poem

-My favorite scriptures

 

More "Open When" letters. I made these a couple months back but decided against sending them all at once because I am almost positive Joseph would just sit on his bed and open letter after letter until he had read them all haha! So I space them out, sending a few at a time:) You can find "Open When" letter post here. Making the letters was my favorite part of the whole package. Some of the topics were:

-When you're having companion problems

-When you need a good laugh

-When you're bored

-When you need to feel uplifted

-When you are discouraged

-When you feel like reminiscing

It was so fun writing these! For all of the letters I prayed for guidance on what to write and say. Especially the spiritual ones. It was really uplifting for me as I felt the spirit guiding me what to say, scriptures to share, talks to print out, testimony to bare. It was such a cool experience.

 

Warm socks for the winter months

Lint roller

Hand sewn Hand Warmers.

I just sewed two square pieces of material, flipped it inside out so the seams weren't shown and filled them with rice before stitching them up completely. You can also fill them with oats and they will work the same. You pop them in the microwave for a minute or two and they will stay warm for up to a couple hours! Just slip them in your pockets and they will keep them nice and toasty:)

 



This was the final product before I shipped it away.

I put the letters in the box and wrapped almost everything because I thought it would be fun for him to have something he could actually open on Christmas morning.

Everything has a cheesy saying to go along with it, if you couldn't read them in the pictures just leave a comment on this post and I will send them to you:)

I loved putting this together and any of my ideas are free to be used!

Goodluck!

 

All my love, Lauren.

Just Another Missionary Post

I love the girls I follow on my blog.

I've never met them, but have you ever had that silly connection with someone totally random?

Yea. That's me with them.

They are all super great and I love them.

One of the gals I follow is Aleigh.

I have followed her blog for almost a year now and I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER.

She is the craftiest, sweetest, most fun person ever :)

And no I have never met her but who says I can't think she's awesome?

She has definitely had an influence on my life.

So this post has to do with missionaries.

Sweet Aleigh has a missionary who is coming home in just a few days and I'm crazy excited for her!

For no good reason at all, except for the fact that

1) They are crazy in love and adorable

2) She is proof girls CAN wait for missionaries

3) I have been following her story and can't wait for him to finally be home!

4) I love happy endings :)

 

And what a happy ending this will be.

Check out her blog and her story with her sweet love :)

She posts more and more of their story once a month and I am always left on the edge of my seat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, and I have a couple ideas I'm working on for y'all.

A post about running,

Joseph's Christmas package,

a Young Women Project

just to name a few :)

 

All my love, Lauren.

5 Things

Hey there!

 

 

No need to say I have a really hard time keeping up with myself haha.

Stuff magically piles up...

And where did the time go?

I keep nagging myself to blog, then it takes a friend to nudge me back into it;)

So to get back into the swing, I will list 5 things and bombard you with pictures.

 

 

1. Track season is starting and ohhhhh how bitter sweet haha. Say goodbye to after school naps and hello to sore aching bodies, but it is so worth it. I love what I am doing, but I feel like I know NOBODY in track. Everybody has their own friends and I didn't really branch out last year either. So trying to make friends:) Trying to get back in shape(I thought I already was!?!?!?)

 

 

2. Joseph(because no blog post would be complete without mentioning him, right?) I get a kick out of his stories. Apparently it is totally possible for the inside of your nose to freeze;) Monday emails can't come quick enough.

 

 

3. My friend, Dorian, is getting baptized on the 21st! NO WAY!!! Everyone is so excited because he has been investigating the church forever... Really, though. Has it been 6 or 7 years? I am sooo excited! This is news of a lifetime. I am so excited for him to receive the constant companionship of The Holy Ghost and receive the blessings of The Temple. I'm beyond excited. Maybe even more than Dorian.

 

 

4. I was a vegetarian for 6 years and just started eating meat a few months ago. Boy did I miss out. Cheeseburgers are the best haha. And bacon. And biscuits and gravy is SO much better with sausage. Chicken noodle soup too.

 

 

5. Which brings me to my last topic. I have been sick for going on my... 7th or 8th week now? Fevers, chills, coughs, head aches, nausea, I've seen it all. Gosh dang. Pray for me guys because I'm sick of it. (Pun totally intended)

 

 

Life lately, in pictures.....

 

Finally finished this painting! I'm really proud of it.

Priest and Laurel South Stake Temple trip!

Las Vegas temple

Beautiful and crazy hard hike on a mountain over looking the entire city!:)

 

 

 

I think that's all for now:)

All my love, Lauren.



Come What May and Love It

I'm sure all you people are wondering if I even use this thing anymore!

And I'm wondering if I remember how to

But hey, I'm blogging again so that's better then nothing.

So crazy past couple of weeks I don't even know where to begin to summarize so I will just share the good stuff:)

 

I put some stuff together for my friend, Elder Starsi Scherf!

It's for his Christmas package which I actually had to get together like ASAP because shipping takes 2 months. So I made up a Christmas Story Scripture chase, put it some hot chocolate and water flavoring stuff to invite the holiday spirit and make the water taste a little better down there :) I gave him a lint roller, a tie, and some hand warmers that I sewed myself! Ahh yes, I sewed myself. I'm super proud of that lol even though they are just super basic pouches filled with rice that you stick in the microwave and nuke for a minute. That was really fun for me to make :)

 

I finished my school's quarterly grading period with a 3.8!!!!WHAT!!!

I know this probably doesn't seem like a big deal, but for me, it was. especially because I took up such a challenging schedule this year. I am feeling really proud of myself!

 

I have been pretty productive with my Autumn Bucketlist!

Doing all sorts of fun things and it really does feel like Fall:)

 

Gen Conf talks SAVE MY LIFE!

I've substituted the times I would listen to music with General Conference talks and I never want to go back. Now it's definitely my preference to listen to talks over music! My whole day is noticeably better and more uplifting. If I actually don't get to slip my headphones in and listen to a talk for two during the day I feel deprived of the spirit! It's amazing!!!

So I think I will leave you guys with my favorite talk of maybe all time, here.

 

All my love, Lauren. :)

 

 

 



A Letter, A Cupcake, And A Random Question

Sooooo I have been feeling pretty guilty about this blog thing lately haha.

I've neglected blogging for the past couple weeks for y'all's sake because nothing has really happened since that super embarrassing rainbow post... and I haven't had anything in particular to rant about, but THEN today I realized I actually do have something to say.

So..

I will start off with the best news. Joseph!

Guess who got herself a letter!?

THIS GIRL

And I have read it about 10x and I'm just happy he is safe and doing well!

He's in CO and hasn't been effected by the flooding which is good news!

And he set 2 dates to met with investigators!

I'm really proud of him and so excited for him because well he's excited and has been waiting to be a missionary for-everrrrrrrr.

So I'm feeling pretty happy about that.

Plus I just love to hear from him!

Every letter or email cheers up me week.

 

 

I made 2 dozen cupcakes for my stake's fair this weekend and it was so fun!

a)I love to bake

b)I love my stake

c)I was in charge of (cup)cake walk

It was a good time.

Seriously working the cake walk was so much fun.

I had 3 of my favorite things, kidos, Disney music, and cupcakes and it was a blast.

I was going to post the cupcake recipe on here for some people asking... but it isn't even my recipie so just use good ol' google and type in heath bar cupcakes if you want to make them haha.

I'm so lazy.

 

Look how pretty they were though!

 

 

 

RaNdOm ThOuGhT

If red, yellow, and blue are primary colors..... How do they make things those colors.....?

 

Feel free to answer if you know the answer

And that's about it!

Until we meet again,

All my love, Lauren.

PS. Oh and a good quote by Neal A. Maxwell "Beware not to get caught in the thick of the thin things.." I thought those were incrediblely wise words.



A Lot To Say About Nothing

It's been an eventful week, and a difficult week.

And I have a lot to say, about nothing in particular.

Just a lot to say.

 

First of all, I had no idea how big of a cheese ball I am.

My humor, taste in movies, romance.

I am oh so cheesy.

And you know what?

No regrets.

I love being cheesy, I love watching romantic comedies in my pj's and crying in all the sad parts and practically jumping up and down cheering in all the kissing parts.

Yes. Now you all know.

I'm one of those girls, but ahhh do I love it.

So sweet!

 

 

McKenzie.

My best friend.

The one I go to with all my good and bad.

LET ME NOT EXAGGERATE WHEN I SAY I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE I WOULD BE WITHOUT HER.

She teaches me so much and she is so smart.

Probably the smartest person I have ever met.

And yesterday she left for college.

Uhh, it aches to say goodbye.

But Provo, you're lucky.

I've been saying goodbye a lot lately and I don't think I can take one more.

Here are some pictures of us, and my favorite memories with her.

And then the dreaded goodbye. :(

 

 

 

 

 

Being sick is awful.

I seem to have had EVERYTHING wrong with me lately.

Infections, cough, migraines, achiness, "that time of the month"

You name it, I've had it.

And accompanied by an awful rash was an awful sigh of depression.

I think I was just so sick and stressed out I lost my mind for a couple days there haha.

But with a trip to the temple and some support from great friends and family I made it through!

I'm just done with being sick.

Getting better and on the road to recovery!

 

I got this nifty planner and I am way too excited about it.

It's purple and has lilacs on the inside.

I has a monthly calendar and DAILY!

I keep looking at it and flipping through the pages and it brings me SO MUCH JOY.

LIKE I CAN'T EVEN. I'M SO HAPPY.

But I can't use it until the 2014.

Life is hard.

 

Advice Corner: Everything happens for a reason.

I know I'm a broken record and it's so cliché but seriously guys.

Everything. Happens. For. A. Reason.

I'll share something personal.

This week 2 am I was miserable.

One of the worst pains I have ever experienced.

It was physical, emotional, physiological, spiritual pain.

Everything ached I can't even explain.

And I prayed and felt pretty angry.

I didn't feel relief when all I wanted was comfort.

But I needed to feel that pain.

Gosh I had to, because the very next day I experienced the most beautiful miracle that I would have never been able to witness if I hadn't survived the pain from the night before.

God answers all prayers, but He has His own timetable.

Trust in it.

Endure it.

And He is waiting to bless you.

My testimony burns tonight.

1 Nephi 20:10

Alma 40: 23

 

Phew writing that took a lot out of me.

I look at the title of my post and laugh because it should probably say

"A Lot To Say About Everything"

but I'm too lazy to change it :);)

So oh well

All my love, Lauren :)

 

 



He Hears My Prayers

Heavenly Father hears my prayers, and He answers me.

Gosh I have no idea how this is all going to come out!

So I will just be blunt and get on with it.

 

Elder Joseph Rosequist.

Not a day goes by I don't miss him, but today I reeeeaaalllllyyyy missed him

The past couple days I participated in an eagle project and a private school in town and it was great, but the whole weekend my heart ached and missed him.

We have so many memories there.

We did an eagle project there last year, and he used to go to that school so there's pictures of him on like every wall..... Or it just seemed like there was.

Anyways, the past couple days I've just missed him.

I've wished he was here.

I'm so proud of him serving a mission, but who wants to say goodbye to a great friend for 2 years?

So last night I prayed.

I prayed I could feel close to him and receive comfort.

I prayed that I could have peace and more than anything just a connection with him.

So I went to church like normal and it was a great day.

I came home and napped and then made dinner for the missionaries coming over.

Our Elders just transferred and we got Sister missionaries!

It was our first Sunday with them(and my first time ever meeting them)

And for some CRAZY reason, I felt prompted to ask if one of the sisters had ever met Elder Rosequist. (She just got out of the MTC)

AND SURE ENOUGH....

 

Yes! She had met Joseph!

AHHHHHHHHHHH

They sat next to eachother at orientation and had met again in the mail room!

And of course she told me allllll about how great and impressed by him she was.

I told y'all he would be the best missionary.

And we talked about him, and it was just what I needed.

It was just what God knew I needed.

I know for a fact that this was an answer to my prayers!

It was just so cool.

 

And that's not the only answer I have got to prayers lately.

It's everything.

It's in every breathe.

In every step I can see The Lord's hand in my life.

There's a short poem here that I love.

It totally describes my life lately.

I am what He gives me, and I am so grateful that He has been so generous.

 

All my love, Lauren.

 

 

Enduring Love

I'm sorry I seem to have so much to say lately.

A couple weeks ago the missionaries in my ward showed me a Mormon Message.

They warned me that I might cry (Not a shock because I cry at everything), but boy is this powerful.

I was writing my bestfriend tonight who is on his mission and I remembered this video.

I had to share it with you guys.

 

 

Isn't that beautiful.

I love the scripture they opened the video with..."Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." -Ephesians 5:25

That's what got the water works going and gets me every time.

 

While I hope that as I grow old I can remain healthy, I know that things happen that aren't planned.

And you can't control the situation or the circumstances, but you can control how you handle them.

And lets talk about how sweet that husband was.

I feel like no matter how much I say no compliment could do him justice.

I guess writing my bestfriend reminded me of this video because I can picture his parents.

Both of them are very much healthy, but the kind of love that was displayed in this video is that of the love they have.

The love I hope to someday have.

And I know I can have if my life and marriage is centered around Christ and the gospel.

 

Anyways, I'm glad I could share. I love that video so much.

 

All my love, Lauren.



A New Light

I'm well aware I sound like a broken record, but everyday I learn something new.

New about myself or about life.

I'm beginning to understand who I am. A tiny part of who I am, because I think life isn't "discovering" who you are it's inch by inch making decisions and choosing who you are going to be, but anyways I'm rambling and just going to get to the point.

 

1. God will never leave you comfortless. NEVER. He is bound by covenant that if you are faithful and ask for His help He literally cannot and will never deny you.

 

 

2. Forgiveness doesn't have to be a 2 way thing. Stop holding onto grudges because you are only hurting yourself. Honestly the person you are mad at could blatantly not give two craps how you feel about them, but you know who cares? You. Do what's right and what you can to fix things and then let it go. It's not hurting anyone but yourself. And if you don't forgive others you can't be forgiven.

 

 

3. I always consider myself to be afraid of commitment, but I actually think the opposite is true. Recently having something I love dearly being ripped away from me, I want love more than anything else. I just want something and anything to cling onto. Maybe my being afraid of commitment was just mistaken from fear of committing to the wrong person, because it couldn't be anymore more clear than it is now how badly I just want to feel secure in the right things.

 

And that's a wrap.

All my love, and good night. Lauren

Mail for Missionaries

Is it seriously July already? SERIOUSLY!?

You all know that boy I seem to talk about a little too much? Yea well he leaves on his mission in what is it now.. 22 DAYS?

I thought I had more time, but let me tell you, it goes by fast.

Anyways, when I realized my time was cut so short to find Elder Rosequist a gift before he left I about had a heart attack.

I want something that he will actually be able to use and not just sit on his night stand until the next transfer.

I want to give his something that will make him laugh and cry and feel a little bit more at home!

It can't be heavy or bulky because he has to lug it around for 2 years.

Everyone will be getting him ties.

So that's when it hit me ya'll, and thank goodness for Pinterest...

"Open When..." Letters!

If you don't know what Open When letters are they are letters you write ahead of time and label then "Open When..... (fill in occasion)"

A couple of my ideas were:

-you are sick

-you leave the MTC

-need encouragement

-the weather is bad

-you are home sick

-miss me

-you need a pump of patriotism

-you need to be uplifted

-you get your first baptism

-you need a good laugh

-you have 6 months left

-its the last day of your mission

 

 

 

And to make this idea even cuter! This is where Pinterest comes in Make your own envelopes!

I swear to you it's totally worth it!

They come out soooooooooo cute! And I'm going to show you how to do it!
Thank me later.
 

Start with a store bought envelope that is the size you want your envelopes to turn out. This is going to be your template.

 

Next break the seams on the envelope and unfold it.

 

 

Place the envelope on the construction paper, scrapbook paper, cardstock, or whatever you used. I used a mix of cardstock and scrapbook paper for cute designs.

 

 

Then trace the envelope, make sure when you are tracing you trace very sharp corners and straight lines. If you mess up the markings retrace or when you fold it back up it may not fit together right.

 

 

 

It will look like this when you're done tracing.

 

 

 

Next cut your trace again with very sharp edges.

 

 

 

Voila! Now it's time to fold!

 

 

I always start folding with the bottom flap (the one with a dull edge.) Then each of the side flaps. This is tricky, so make sure when you are folding the flaps over they line up perfectly.

Glue where the arrow lines are then press over onto the middle flap. You can use liquid glue, a glue stick, mod podge, or a hot glue gun which is what I used. I just think it's sturdier and less messy.

 

 

And there you have your envelope!

  I even got a little bit witty with my envelope design choice. I'm using this one for the patriotic letter.

 

... And this one for "The Last Letter" Haha! Sometimes I think I'm so funny!

 

 

 

 

 

To fill the envelopes I filled some(most) with letters. I filled some with talks and uplifting quotes.

Stories or inside jokes.

I plan on putting a tie in one so he can spruce up his wardrobe when it's needed.

And a little bit of spending money when his guy appetite needs to be fed.

You can use these "Open When" letters for a missionary or just for cute cardstock, but feel free to use any of my ideas!

 

 

All my love, Lauren

 



Words of Wisdom

Lately I have made it a point to ask for advice. /it all started a couple weeks ago when my friends were passing around this horoscope app on their phone. Horoscopes are total bull and I usually never waste my time with them but In the odd occasion we read mine and it was hilariously accurate. It probably could have been fitting for 50% of the population and I just fell in there, but it was ironic, and hilarious and apparently I need lots of help. So here I am, inspired and thirsting for advice!

 

I have asked a large range of people from my best friend, to strangers, to the churches missionaries. I asked for one piece of advice on life and one bit of relationship advice. I have gotten some really great stuff back. Here are a few of my favorites!

 

LOVE

 

Communicate. Often times the source of problems in a relationship is bad communication so don't wait to tell the person how you feel about something whether it is good or bad. Be ready to talk and understand and solve the problem at hand. If they do something you like tell them! Share the joy and let them know that you appreciated what they did!

 

Don't kiss your boy friends best friend in revenge. It will just be bad for everyone.

 

Timing is everything, slow and steady wins the race.

 

Really get to know the person you are dating. Take a sincere interesting in getting to know them and who they really are. Don't rush into the idea of being in love, instead take things slowly and enjoy getting to know them. Really, really getting to know them. It's so common in the LDS culture to spend little time dating before rushing into marriage but make sure you know who the person you are dating and if you want to spend your life with them.

 

Don't be close minded, date lots of people and do lots of things. Other wise how will you know what you really like?

 

LIFE

 

 

Pray about everything. Every decision, every opinion. Pray in faith that you will get an answer then be ready to accept it.

 

 

Don't worry about what other people think about you because God made you the way you are now for a reason. Do what you want and say what you want (not bad) because you should be happy. Don't care what other people might think.

 

 

Be patient, people are going to frustrate you and make you really mad all the time, but what can you do? Being angry isn't going to help anyone! Just forgive them and be patient. Life will go on, there are so many other and better things you can focus your energy on.

 

 

Never procrastinate the day of your repentance.

 

 

Whatever you are going through, the answer is to always keep your eye on the temple and your relationship with Heavenly Father and Christ stronger then any other relationship in your life.

 

 

 

So I guess I just have some pretty awesome people in my life who are incredibly wise.

I'm feeling extraordinarily blessed.

So I suppose I should leave you all with my advice.

 

For life, wherever you are whatever you do be in love. Even when you are going through a really crappy time find something to be absolutely ridiculously head over heels in love with. Find something you can focus all your energy on and just be happy! Don't let the storm sink you! Adjust your sails!

 

For relationships, don't change who you are to please anyone. If they love you they should be falling in love with YOU. Not someone who adjusted their personality to appeal to that said person. Just be you! Or you will never be happy and may end up resenting the person you changed for. I'm not saying be stubborn and not willing to progress, because I am not saying that at all. In a relationship both people should be expected to give a little and make sacrifices to accommodate but don't change who you are as a person to fit somebody else's ideal.

 

These are things I really wish I had learned sooner, I speak from experience. But all I can do now is just move forward, focus myself in the Lord and give gratitude for all that I have been blessed to learn.

 

 

All my love, Lauren.

 

 P.S. Feel free, in fact I am encouraging you to leave a bit of advice for me below un that little comment box!

 

 



When Exhastion Takes Over

I have been up every night the past two week until at least 12.

AT LEAST. Up journaling, reading scriptures, projects, homework. It's unbelievable really. Lack of sleep is starting to take over, but thank goodness only 2 more real days of school right? All my projects are in and I'm feeling good for the most part. I'm just ready for summer to start. to get a full night of sleep.

 

So mostly I'm just trying to play catch up and let y'all know what I have been up to. Thank goodness my blog isn't a child or a pet because it would probably be dead by now. I apologize again.

So where were we..?

 

 

Elder David Scherf is now an official missionary. Woah, felt like yesterday we were walking around neighborhoods passing out flyers and taking polls for the presidential campaign but I guess it was really 7 months ago. It's depressing how time flys. I feel like I never got enough time with him. All those times he invited me over to watch movies or go out to eat I'm regretting a little too much that I turned down. I miss him, I will miss his stories and I will miss his advice, but he's only 7-8 business days away! Czech/Slovakia is very lucky. Well currently the MTC is very lucky but you get the point. He's a great guy and will serve an uber wonderful and faithful mission. I'm excited to see all he will accomplish.

 

 

 

I'm trying this dating thing out. It's hard. I don't think I will ever get a hang of it. Being so natural and comfortable with one person is easy, then you try to mix it up and date around more and then all the sudden I'm a beginner again. This sucks, but I guess I have got to live what I am always preaching.

 

So recently I have realized I only have like 3 good friends. Many friends but only 3 friends. You know the solid stick with ya ones? I think I value the concept quality over quantity so there is that. It's not a good or bad thing, just an odd realization.

 

 

SO I AM TOTALLY TICKED AT MYSELF. I never wrote about this super awesome race I ran in a couple weeks ago?! Grr... Really? Where have I been? Because this was monumental to me. I was invited to go to another stake's track meet. There was a 5k and some sprints/relays. The 5k was amazing, I ran it with this adorable 11 year old. I can't explain the bonding we had but we were besties by the end of this race. I loved her, she's what kept me going. Then I ran in the sprints! I subbed for the Young Women position for a ward in the stake and it was intense. First a Relief Society woman would run, then pass it to a Primary child, who passed it to the Young Woman me, who then passed it to an Elder who took it home. I was ready. Only I would take this silly little track meet and race so seriously, but I was there. Standing at my starting line. I watched us take an early lead once the Primary kid got ahead of the crowd and passed it to the Young Man who was flying. He got closer and closer to me, it seemed like he was flying he was running so fast then next thing you know I picked up his momentum and was running right along side of him. I finished my 100 before passing it to the Elder and there were no Young Women running beside me. That was a great feeling. I love going fast. We won too! And I got this cute little trophy, I adore it. I set it up in my room. I know it's cheesey but hey, it finally feels good to be good at something.

 

And that's about it! I went to Hawaii and cracked my head open, but that's no big deal. If you really want to know just leave me a comment and I will create a post with all the juicy details, but I doubt there is anyone that interested.

 

All my love, Lauren.



I think I like who I am becoming

I learn a little more about myself everyday. It happens slowly in bit and chunks, little things that come to my realization. Things are confirmed, and some things blow my mind.

Everyone has a concept of "who they are".

At least I thought I did, and maybe I did, but maybe I'm changing.

Maybe I'm growing. And that's not a bad thing.

 

 

If somebody had asked me 6 months ago to describe myself I probably would have said stubborn, head strong, independent. Some one who knows what they want and wont settle for less. Good at arguing, or making her point at least. Loud, outgoing, sometimes too bold.

 

I read this now and don't see me. They aren't bad qualities at all, some I wish I still acquired. It's just not me anymore.

 

 

Now I would describe myself as a bit quixotic. I keep to myself quite a lot, not because I am shy, but because I just don't speak unless there is something of worth to say.

I'm more hopeful and willing to work things out. I think a good word would be soft hearted. I am trying to be more understanding of people and their mistakes including my own. I've been trying to be less critical. People make mistakes and I've realized its not my job to judge them. I realized I need to love everyone, love them for their flaws, their talents, everything. Because God made them and everyone is perfect in His eyes. He gave everyone just what they need. When that clicked for me my whole mentality changed. A whole new part of my heart was opened up to love.

 

 

I notice the changes in small, quiet moments or self reflection.

Looking in the mirror with no one else around to observe.

Late in the night when my door is closed and I am kneeling in prayer.

Babysitting, holding a baby in my arms.

Walking home from the bus stop sometimes from school.

In the shower.

Walking through a friend's house admiring family pictures on the walls.

 

 

The youth theme of the year for my church is "Stand Ye In Holy Places."

It didn't click until this moment reflecting on all the places I was able to analyze myself and the changes. Each one of those places has become a spiritual action or place to me. I feel peace in those quiet moments and they are personal just for me.

And I think I am very lucky.

I'm thankful for the changes because I think I am becoming who Christ wants me to be.

 

 

 

 

 

I think I am becoming, who Christ wants me to be.

 

 

All my love, Lauren.

Stay Beautiful

Women are their own worst beauty critic. It's true, why do we pick at each little thing about our self that we don't like? Take a minute to watch this video, please. Absolutely incredible.

 

 

 

Good stuff, right? If you know me it's probably not too hard to imagine me crying right now. If that were me I probably would have talked about my less then flawless skin and Pinocchio nose. I probably would have thought about all the mornings I've looked in the mirror and felt sorry for what I saw. Women are their own worst beauty critic. But what if instead not looking in the mirror and seeing something we don't like we loved what we saw. What is we pushed all of the insecurities and negative thoughts out of our heads and saw our self as the world does? What if we saw our self for the beautiful daughters of God we are?

 

STOP degrading yourself, STOP judging yourself, STOP nit picking, STOP looking for flaws, STOP over working yourself, hurting yourself, and being something that you're not. You are perfect in the design God made you in. You are beautiful and you deserve to feel like you are.

 

Whether it's your hair, body, clothes, talents, whatever it is just STOP. Because you are only doing harm. Why spend another day at war with yourself. Be a little nicer, because the only person you should be trying to be better then- is the person you were yesterday. You are unique and were built to stand out that way, so be proud of who you are.

 

I promise to work harder and try more to accept myself. It's hard giving advice on a topic I need help on but we will do it together.

We are beautiful.

 

 

All my love, Lauren.

 

The Last Time

When you're in the middle of a trial and searching for advice I really do think the advice you need is hiding within yourself. Right now Im heartbroken. I feel invisible to one of the most important people in my life and it sucks. It sucks to feel neglected. It sucks to feel forgotten and when you talk they rather be with anyone else. It sucks to know that you used to be their top priority but somewhere along the line you messed up and lost your status. It hurts and makes me feel totally worthless that I care so much about a person that shrugs me off.

My friend texted me about a problem shes having with another friend. It was something silly, one forgot to do something the other had asked them to do so I offered this advice... "You can't go back and change the past so why dwell on it? Lets just figure out a solution." And in the middle of my fortune cookie moment it came over me.

Its true. You can't change the past. Sometimes I think if I play my best playlist of good ol' heartbreak songs and take long bubble baths he will send me a text or ask to hang out but things don't workout that way. Sometimes and for some people they do, but you can't rely on that thread of hope because its very unlikely. If something is meant to be, it will be God's will to put you two together. So instead of sitting around and making myself miserable I will forgive him and accept the friendship between us. "Let's figure out a solution" crying wont help anything.

There's a quote that says it perfectly.

"If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present."

-Lao Tzu

Its ok to be upset and miss good times but don't let it consume you. There are better things to come, I promise.

All my love, Lauren.

A Perfectly Good Heart

Boy talk. I've had my fair share of crushes, breakups, makeups, fall outs, and misunderstandings but boys have never in my life been more difficult or confusing as they are right now. I turned 16 a month ago and being mormon thats kind of a big deal. Its a big deal no matter how old you are! You can date, drive, work, you become "double the age of accountability" and you get a whole knew level of responsibility. This should be the time of my life right?

I don't mean to complain, Im pretty happy in my life! I guess Im just saying that dating is hard! Ever since the mission age change for guys turned to 18 I feel like every guy I talk to wants a girlfriend of MG (missionary girlfriend) and one day I hope I get that opportunity, but I just want to date! I want to go out on lots of dates and get to know lots of different people. I want to explore different personalities and find out what I like. If I don't ever try it how will I ever know what I could have missed out on?

When I was younger and watched my older sister and friends go out on dates it seemed like everyone had a date every weekend! Mormons are famous for loving going on dates right? All the sudden I turned 16 and nobody seems to be an active dater anymore? I have even heard some of my guy friends complain about not going on any dates!? What did you expect? That girls would pick up that initiative? Sorry no, I would feel like Im taking your man card. I guess to sum up my rant, girl want to go on dates, boys want to go on date, girls don't want to ask, guys its your job to so start asking!

I know that is extremely bold of me to say, but definitely needed to be said.

All my love, Lauren.

Head First, Fearless.

There's no better way to jump into a blog then with a good story, but I'm hesitant about posting this because it's so personal to me. I couldn't shake the feeling I had last night telling me how important it was to share this so here is goes.

During the summer of 2012 my parents were in the middle of a divorce. They're working things out right now, but at that moment in my life it was defined by my parent's fighting. I had a concussion at the time (that's a whole other story!) and I was kicked out of my house living with my Mom.

Long story short, I was sitting on the side of the road alone, hungry, confused. I had no where to go and nobody to run to. I hadn't eaten anything in a full day. The only means of contact I had with anyone was on an outdated flip phone I had no idea how to work and was hanging on a 20% battery.

Life was looking pretty hopeless. I couldn't wrap my mind around the idea that this was really my life, this was really happening to me. Im a good kid. I have good grades, I am active in my church, I have great friends and I was sitting on the side of a street bawling my eyes out with no where to go.

I remember praying. I didn't even know what to say I just said "God, please take this pain from me. Please clear my mind and help me understand. Help me help myself because I don't know what to do. Give me a familiar face, please" I pleaded. I prayed out loud and I remember feeling the Holy Ghost wrap around me. It was one of the most powerful spiritual experiences I have ever had, I was so comforted. I prayed that I could feel loved and just be helped. Whatever God's plan for me was, for it to come forth and His will be done. The second I opened my eyes I couldn't fully see through the layer of tears but I remember the familiar car pulling up beside me on the side of the road.

My friend Joseph rolled down the window and asked me why I was sitting on the side of the road. When he saw me crying he didn't ask anymore and just helped me into his car and took me back to his house. I can't explain the miracle of his timing. God sent him to me to comfort me and answer my prayers. When I got back to Joseph's house he gave me medicine for my headaches. He asked me if I needed anything to eat and then served me up a bowl of pineapple. He didn't know this was my first meal in a day. He hugged me lots and didn't ask questions. He took my phone and plugged it into a charger that used to work for his old phone. We went to his basement and he put my favorite movie on and just sat and watched it with me. I felt like it was the first time I was able to relax in a week. I felt safe. I knew that everything has going to be ok. He let me sleep, and when I woke up still didn't ask questions he just constantly provided for me.

I write this and feel so humbled. Im embarrassed. Im grateful. I know God answered my prayers with Joseph and I know Joseph was worthy enough for God to work through him. He showed the ultimate service to me. I know that through the Atonement Christ suffered for me and took my pain away. He filled me with peace and contentment.

Joseph's dad gave me a blessing. It was the most comforting Father's blessing I have ever received. He's not my Father, but the peace He gave me was unexplainable. There isn't a day that passes that I don't think of his blessing. It propels me and keeps me moving forward when things get hard. When the blessing was over he bent down behind me and wrapped his strong Fatherly arms around me. I didn't want him to let go because I hadn't received a hug from my own dad in at least a year. It was relieving to be in his arms I every time he hugs me I can remember the safety and security I felt.

Just like his blessing to me promised, things settles down and I was welcome back into my home. Things got worse before they got better, but they got better. My testimony grew along with my relationship with God, my Eternal Father, and Christ, His son and my Lord and King. I am so grateful for that day. As awful and wonderful as it was I reflect on it in bittersweet memory and it remains in one of the closest and most sacred places of my heart.

I am a child of God and he hears my prayers and loves me. He only gives me trials he knows I can over come and become stronger in. I am so blessed that He trusted me with such a difficult trial. I am eternally grateful to Joseph and his whole family who continue to love me and treat me as family today. I thank his Mom for the comforting words of advice she gave me, Im thankful to his Dad for giving me a blessing, I thankful to his parents for teaching their son how to serve and having such an amazing home where the Holy Ghost constantly dwells. And I am eternally grateful to Joseph for the lessons of service he has taught me. He's one of the people who can never give enough. Im thankful for all he has done for me and the service he still gives.

I know God lives and loves me.

I say these things in the name of Christ my Savior, Amen.

All my love, Lauren.