This past Sunday I had the pleasure of driving around the prsident of the California Federation of Republican Women. Carol Hadley is her name and she was the sweetest woman to be around. How did we meet? Well my friend put us in contact as she was going to be out of town and needed someone to help escort Carol around. (yes we are on a first name basis). I was delighted to be able to help her get to church and to her hotel room. I picked her up in Sunday morning at 9:00am (I had to wake her up) and we went to one wards Sunday School and then another wards Sacrament meeting. The meetings were great in the family ward. One young man was giving his mission farewell talk. Low and behold, the woman sitting in front of us was on the same plane as Carol so they were able to bond a bit after the meeting was over. One thing I have to say, the bishopric and Stake President are amazing in the Great Falls Ward. They all went out of their way to notice that we were visiting in the ward and welcomed us with bright cheery smiles. I haven't felt that at church in a long time.
After church I informed that we were going out to eat as she would not let me take her back to my place to make something for her. We went to my mom's favorite restaurant Olive Garden. We were able to bond over talking about our favorite musical Les Miserables. We also talked about books and love for history. She used to be a history teacher.
Carol asked me if I ever thought about running for office. I have never thought to go into politics. I have too much of a tender heart for such things I think but Carol seemed to think that I would be really good at it and they needed more young people to get out and be active. I thought of April Lyman when she said that. Who knows what could happen to me down the road. I just need to focus on my other organizations first.
I then took the scenic route into the city through GeorgeWashington parkway and Georgetown to her hotel. I pointed out all the buildings and gave some historical facts that I have in head from my tour guide days. She loved it all. It was sad to have to drop her off at her hotel but we exchanged information and will be staying in contact for sure.
I feel so lucky to have been able to meet such a wonderful adn accomplished woman with a lot of spirit. She gave me such great compliments that I really needed to hear to get me through this work week. Never pass up an oppurtunity to serve. You never know who you are helping out.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
That's Not Superman in the Sky
After seeing all the pics on facebook from my friends who work in DC, I knew I needed to make my way outside to see if I could spot a plane in the sky. But this was not just any plane. This was a 747 airline with the space ship Discovery strapped to its back. And sure enough I, while standing outside my building, I looked up and coming over the trees right above me flying very low was the 747 carrying the Discovery on its last flight ever before resting in the Udvar Hazy Museum. That is definitely something you don't see everyday.
Here is the memo that was sent to the Dept of Education employees. Not your typical office memo.
"The Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to fly over Washington, D.C., and the National Mall, within the next 30 minutes or so. Employees are advised that they may wish to look at the window or go outside of your building to view this historic moment.Space Shuttle Discovery left from the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard, Fla., and is riding atop a 747. The plane is scheduled to soar just 1,500 feet over the nation's capital, flying over the Potomac River, Reagan Airport and National Mall before touching down at Dulles Airport.NASA officials did not release full details of the flight path because of security reasons. But NASA encouraged people in the Washington, D.C. area to try to spot the shuttle. If all goes according to plan, employees may be able to catch a sighting sometime between 10 and 10:30 a.m. eastern time.After 39 trips into space, NASA's oldest surviving shuttle will settling into its retirement home at the Smithsonian institution's Udvar-Hazy facility at Dulles International Airport, in Northern Virginia."
Pictures above are courtesy of yahoo.com as I didn't have my camera with me at work today. :(
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Remember Titanic
100 years ago today a great tragedy occurred in the Atlantic Ocean. A grand ship, the biggest man made vessel of the time, struck an iceberg and sank to the bottom of the ocean. That's right. 100 years ago today the Titanic, on its one and only adventure sank to the bottom of the ocean taking with it over 1500 lives.
I thought of no better way to commemorate this event than by seeing it happen today on the exact day 100 years from when in happened. Off to the theater I went to watch the classic movie Titanic starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. I have to say I love Kate Winslet. She has so much fire and spunk in her while maintaining a sense of propriety. A true British lady she is. And Leonardo, well I am so lost in his blue eyes.
The viewing of the show was in IMAX 3D and I have to say it was pretty neat to see it on such a big screen. There were times when I definitely felt like I was on board the ship. The detail of the interior was incredible. The filmmakers and director did a fantastic job of portraying the richness and grandeur as well as the terror and tragedy. I even read an article that said the stars in the sky were as they would have appeared the night the Titanic went down.
Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) shared some great words of wisdom. He said to make every day count. So true. You need to make sure that you are living your life to the fullest each and every day since you really don't know what tomorrow will bring. And, when tragedy does strike, he tells Rose (Kate Winslet) at the end to keep holding on and will yourself to live. Just as the song says, "my heart will go on."So true. You need to go on and live.
Something that I find interesting in the story of the Titanic. The ship was built to be the largest of kind and was boasted to be unsinkable. Because of this boast and vanity for appearance, they only boarded half of the life boats needed on the ship to accommodate the number of passengers on the boat. Very cocky. When the ship hit the iceberg, it scrapped away at the sides causing small holes. While at first this appeared minor it was enough damage that it completely stopped the Titanic from moving on its course and within a few hours fell beneath the surface into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.
Let this be a lesson for life. You need to make sure that you have confidence in yourself to set sail but don't be so arrogant to think that nothing can stop you. You need to make sure that you are filling your life with life preservers and life boats to help you when trials arise as they always do.
I thought of no better way to commemorate this event than by seeing it happen today on the exact day 100 years from when in happened. Off to the theater I went to watch the classic movie Titanic starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. I have to say I love Kate Winslet. She has so much fire and spunk in her while maintaining a sense of propriety. A true British lady she is. And Leonardo, well I am so lost in his blue eyes.
The viewing of the show was in IMAX 3D and I have to say it was pretty neat to see it on such a big screen. There were times when I definitely felt like I was on board the ship. The detail of the interior was incredible. The filmmakers and director did a fantastic job of portraying the richness and grandeur as well as the terror and tragedy. I even read an article that said the stars in the sky were as they would have appeared the night the Titanic went down.
Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) shared some great words of wisdom. He said to make every day count. So true. You need to make sure that you are living your life to the fullest each and every day since you really don't know what tomorrow will bring. And, when tragedy does strike, he tells Rose (Kate Winslet) at the end to keep holding on and will yourself to live. Just as the song says, "my heart will go on."So true. You need to go on and live.
Something that I find interesting in the story of the Titanic. The ship was built to be the largest of kind and was boasted to be unsinkable. Because of this boast and vanity for appearance, they only boarded half of the life boats needed on the ship to accommodate the number of passengers on the boat. Very cocky. When the ship hit the iceberg, it scrapped away at the sides causing small holes. While at first this appeared minor it was enough damage that it completely stopped the Titanic from moving on its course and within a few hours fell beneath the surface into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.
Let this be a lesson for life. You need to make sure that you have confidence in yourself to set sail but don't be so arrogant to think that nothing can stop you. You need to make sure that you are filling your life with life preservers and life boats to help you when trials arise as they always do.
Friday, April 6, 2012
My Future Husband from the Past
I must say I have some dear friends who are trying to find me a boyfriend/potential husband. I am very touched that they are all so concerned about my happiness. Thank you ladies. I think the best match up has been from my roommate AnnaLisa who knows me well. She works at the archives extracting Civil War soldiers pensions.
I came up with this theory that my husband and I made an agreement with God before coming down to earth. The agreement was that we would come to live on this earth at separate times, him during the Civil War era to fight to preserve our nation, and me during the last days to help study and preserve the Civil War legacy. We were promised by God to have all rights and priviledges granted to other married couples when we were reunited in the next life.
My roommate took this to heart and found me who she believes is my future husband from the past. That's right. He died in the Civil War. Below is his pension records. I feel like this huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders now that I know who I am going to spend eternity with. But don't worry, he knows that I have to do a little flirting while here on earth. In fact, he encourages it :)
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I look forward to the opporutnity to hear the words of the prophets give guidance and counsel during General Conference. To have living prophets and apostles on the earth today is a tremendous blessing. Being able to listen to their words of counsel for two days is truly a tender mercy of the Lord. I am able to hear the words of the Lord, spoken from the mouths of his prophets and apostles, that are able to uplift me and speak words of comfort to my soul. This conference was no exception. There were several talks that I know were directly at me and gave me the direction I needed to redirect my life to become a better person and disciple of Jesus Christ. Here are some of the messages I received from Conference.
President Thomas S. Monson spoke about how no unhallowed hand can stop the work of the Lord from progressing. He urged each of us to live our lives so that the Lord could use you as one of His instruments in helping to fulfill his work on the earth. He also spoke about how we live a day where our lives are lived in the fast lane and we need to learn to slow down and not focus so much on the trivial things in life. We need to focus on what is truly important and make time for those things by seeking moments of clarity. We are here to not flow with the current. Blessings are earned through strigingly seeking, learning, repenting and then succeeding.
Elder Boyd K. Packer talked about how we need to do the best we can with what we are given and blessings from the Lord will come. Repentance and the lasting measure of forgiveness will be well worth the effort put into the repentance process. Don't overlook the Spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks talked about the atonement and sacrifices that we are asked to make. He said that Christ made the ultimate sacrifice to do the ultimate good for you. There are sacrifices that Christ asks us to make but those sacrifices will bring mortal and eternal fulfillment. There is no sacrifice too great, too heavy, too burdensome, to stop you from recieving the blessings of the Lord within His temple.
Elder Henry B Eyring spoke about adversity and trials and how there are great challenges in life and opportunities to be met. There are great blessings that come from adversity. While adveristy and challenges will come, the Lord has promised that He will not forsake you. We need to take the time to build a foundation of faith within your heart so that when adversity arises your faith will not crumble. Building foundation on solid ground requires personal integrity. You should never think that it is because you have done something wrong that you are going through tirals, but rather the Lord is polishing you to become more perfected on your path to return to him.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland talked about the parable of the laborers who were called to serve in the fields during different hours of the day. When the end of the day came all workers were compensated the same amount no matter the time spent laboring in the fields. Elder Holland went on to talk about jealousy and how we need to not be envious of those things that we believe to be unfair. We should not be jealous because god chooses to be kind to someone else when he has been just and fair with you. You should not allow your own judgements get in the way of thinking that others do not deserve the blessings they have been given. Coveting, putting others down or tearing them down does not raise your standing or self image. Don't dwell on old views or grievances. Let it go and move on. You should also not let things that were done or said in the past keep you from moving on in the future. No matter what you have done, you have not traveled far enough to escape the love and mercy of God. It is never too late to return to God so don't dealay any longer.
Elder Robert D. Hales counseled us to prepare ourselves to partake of the sacrament each week. We need to prayerfully seeking for forgiveness of sinsa nd shortcomings while partaking of the sacrament. You should allow the atonement to be active in your life. The temple is a great motivater. Go to the temple often and encourage those around you to go to the temple. The standard to hold a temple recommend is not too high to achieve.
Elder Quentin L. Cook counseled us to be intune to the music of faith and be in harmony with the Spirit.
Elder Richard G. Scott spoke about revelation. Revelation comes by learning to ask through prayer and scripture study. You need to create an environment that will allow the spirit to be present which means removing loud laughter, exageration, keeping good health practices including sleep. Dreams can also be a way to receive revelation. When it is for the Lords purpose, He can bring anything to our remembrance. You should record impressions and revelation so that they be able to be recalled later. When you are acting as an instrument for others, you can more easily feel and receive inspiration from the spirit because you are not thinking about yourself.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf emphasized the importance of not judging others and learning to forgive. Everyone depends on the Savior as no one can be saved without Him. Therefore, you must repent and forgive others. Because you require the mercy of the Lord you must also extend mercy to others. You should not try to justify your anger as righteous or your judgement as correct. You do not have all the information to hold someone in contempt. The moment you judge someone else, you condemn yourself. You are required to forgive all men including yourself. Yes it's hard and it requires a might change of heart, but that is what the gospel of Jesus Christ is. You can over come hard feelings and emotions with the love of Christ so open your heart to Him. Because God loves you so much, you to must love one another. In the end it is the merciful who will obtain mercy. If you are holding on to grudges, not allow yourself to forgive others, with holding mercy, STOP IT!
Elder Russell M. Nelson reflected on the greatness of the creation of God. It is unreasonable to believe that we came about because of some big bang in the universe. The bodies that we have are one of Gods most amazing creations. Our spirit is important and its growth is of eternal consequence. You must remember that God is the same yesterday, today and forever, but you however, are not the same, everyday you grow and change.
Elder L. Tom Perry encouraged members to share their love of the Book of Mormon with those around you in a natural and normal way. The Book of Mormon teaches us in a pure and correct way the doctrine of Christ. By reading the Book of Mormon you learn how the Lord has continuously delivered his people. It is through the atonement that we are offered deliverance from both physical and spiritual death. The Book of Mormon is a great book.
Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke abotu the importance of family. He noted that people who are successful have values that they live by which bring about success. Everyone tends to lose their way at some point in life, but we have the spirit of the Lord which is a far better tool than a GPS unit. If you have fallen away, you can return the course as the Lord teaches in the parable of the lost coin, the lost sheep and the prodigal son. You can return to the Lord who with your spiritual GPS can tell you where you are and where you are going.
Elder Neil L. Anderson gave some questions to think about. Does my life reflect the love and devotion I feel for the Savior? What does Christ think of me? Does he think I am a child in his kingdom or a hypocrit? The Lord will bless you with customized direction from the messages you have received. Come follow me is not a call to compete in a spiritual olympics. When you are on the road to discipleship, you are on the right road.
I have been very inspired by the words of the prophet and apostles this weekend and will be seeking to earnestly strive to change my life to be a better disciple of the Lord and follow His teachings which He has spoken to me through the spirit.
President Thomas S. Monson spoke about how no unhallowed hand can stop the work of the Lord from progressing. He urged each of us to live our lives so that the Lord could use you as one of His instruments in helping to fulfill his work on the earth. He also spoke about how we live a day where our lives are lived in the fast lane and we need to learn to slow down and not focus so much on the trivial things in life. We need to focus on what is truly important and make time for those things by seeking moments of clarity. We are here to not flow with the current. Blessings are earned through strigingly seeking, learning, repenting and then succeeding.
Elder Boyd K. Packer talked about how we need to do the best we can with what we are given and blessings from the Lord will come. Repentance and the lasting measure of forgiveness will be well worth the effort put into the repentance process. Don't overlook the Spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks talked about the atonement and sacrifices that we are asked to make. He said that Christ made the ultimate sacrifice to do the ultimate good for you. There are sacrifices that Christ asks us to make but those sacrifices will bring mortal and eternal fulfillment. There is no sacrifice too great, too heavy, too burdensome, to stop you from recieving the blessings of the Lord within His temple.
Elder Henry B Eyring spoke about adversity and trials and how there are great challenges in life and opportunities to be met. There are great blessings that come from adversity. While adveristy and challenges will come, the Lord has promised that He will not forsake you. We need to take the time to build a foundation of faith within your heart so that when adversity arises your faith will not crumble. Building foundation on solid ground requires personal integrity. You should never think that it is because you have done something wrong that you are going through tirals, but rather the Lord is polishing you to become more perfected on your path to return to him.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland talked about the parable of the laborers who were called to serve in the fields during different hours of the day. When the end of the day came all workers were compensated the same amount no matter the time spent laboring in the fields. Elder Holland went on to talk about jealousy and how we need to not be envious of those things that we believe to be unfair. We should not be jealous because god chooses to be kind to someone else when he has been just and fair with you. You should not allow your own judgements get in the way of thinking that others do not deserve the blessings they have been given. Coveting, putting others down or tearing them down does not raise your standing or self image. Don't dwell on old views or grievances. Let it go and move on. You should also not let things that were done or said in the past keep you from moving on in the future. No matter what you have done, you have not traveled far enough to escape the love and mercy of God. It is never too late to return to God so don't dealay any longer.
Elder Robert D. Hales counseled us to prepare ourselves to partake of the sacrament each week. We need to prayerfully seeking for forgiveness of sinsa nd shortcomings while partaking of the sacrament. You should allow the atonement to be active in your life. The temple is a great motivater. Go to the temple often and encourage those around you to go to the temple. The standard to hold a temple recommend is not too high to achieve.
Elder Quentin L. Cook counseled us to be intune to the music of faith and be in harmony with the Spirit.
Elder Richard G. Scott spoke about revelation. Revelation comes by learning to ask through prayer and scripture study. You need to create an environment that will allow the spirit to be present which means removing loud laughter, exageration, keeping good health practices including sleep. Dreams can also be a way to receive revelation. When it is for the Lords purpose, He can bring anything to our remembrance. You should record impressions and revelation so that they be able to be recalled later. When you are acting as an instrument for others, you can more easily feel and receive inspiration from the spirit because you are not thinking about yourself.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf emphasized the importance of not judging others and learning to forgive. Everyone depends on the Savior as no one can be saved without Him. Therefore, you must repent and forgive others. Because you require the mercy of the Lord you must also extend mercy to others. You should not try to justify your anger as righteous or your judgement as correct. You do not have all the information to hold someone in contempt. The moment you judge someone else, you condemn yourself. You are required to forgive all men including yourself. Yes it's hard and it requires a might change of heart, but that is what the gospel of Jesus Christ is. You can over come hard feelings and emotions with the love of Christ so open your heart to Him. Because God loves you so much, you to must love one another. In the end it is the merciful who will obtain mercy. If you are holding on to grudges, not allow yourself to forgive others, with holding mercy, STOP IT!
Elder Russell M. Nelson reflected on the greatness of the creation of God. It is unreasonable to believe that we came about because of some big bang in the universe. The bodies that we have are one of Gods most amazing creations. Our spirit is important and its growth is of eternal consequence. You must remember that God is the same yesterday, today and forever, but you however, are not the same, everyday you grow and change.
Elder L. Tom Perry encouraged members to share their love of the Book of Mormon with those around you in a natural and normal way. The Book of Mormon teaches us in a pure and correct way the doctrine of Christ. By reading the Book of Mormon you learn how the Lord has continuously delivered his people. It is through the atonement that we are offered deliverance from both physical and spiritual death. The Book of Mormon is a great book.
Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke abotu the importance of family. He noted that people who are successful have values that they live by which bring about success. Everyone tends to lose their way at some point in life, but we have the spirit of the Lord which is a far better tool than a GPS unit. If you have fallen away, you can return the course as the Lord teaches in the parable of the lost coin, the lost sheep and the prodigal son. You can return to the Lord who with your spiritual GPS can tell you where you are and where you are going.
Elder Neil L. Anderson gave some questions to think about. Does my life reflect the love and devotion I feel for the Savior? What does Christ think of me? Does he think I am a child in his kingdom or a hypocrit? The Lord will bless you with customized direction from the messages you have received. Come follow me is not a call to compete in a spiritual olympics. When you are on the road to discipleship, you are on the right road.
I have been very inspired by the words of the prophet and apostles this weekend and will be seeking to earnestly strive to change my life to be a better disciple of the Lord and follow His teachings which He has spoken to me through the spirit.
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