Saturday, April 7, 2012
Happy Easter!
Hello, followers (and whoever else might periodically view this blog)!
I know... it's been a long time since I've blogged. Life comes and suddenly you're coming up on Easter. Where'd the time go?
Before I begin, let me start by saying that I hope that you all went to General Conference with some questions in mind. I also hope that you were able to see or listen to at least one session, and that you took something away from General Conference!
And now, Easter! Candy, eggs, and the Easter Bunny (who my brother insists is not real) all are here to make people happy.
But I am not here to talk about the earthly pleasures (although I am looking forward to a bunch of chocolate :D). I am here to talk about the sacrifice made for us and the miracles that happened on this day.
Easter is the day that we celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection. What a glorious day that was!
Here is a picture I found that I just love...
On this day, Christ rose from the dead. Previously, He had atoned for all of us - our sorrows, our pains, and our sins.
So, while enjoying your chocolate bunnies or whatever else you may be having tomorrow (unless, of course, you're having Fast Sunday), please try to remember our wonderful Savior.
I love you all and sincerely hope you have a Happy Easter!!!!!
Love,
Sally :)
I know... it's been a long time since I've blogged. Life comes and suddenly you're coming up on Easter. Where'd the time go?
Before I begin, let me start by saying that I hope that you all went to General Conference with some questions in mind. I also hope that you were able to see or listen to at least one session, and that you took something away from General Conference!
And now, Easter! Candy, eggs, and the Easter Bunny (who my brother insists is not real) all are here to make people happy.
But I am not here to talk about the earthly pleasures (although I am looking forward to a bunch of chocolate :D). I am here to talk about the sacrifice made for us and the miracles that happened on this day.
Easter is the day that we celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection. What a glorious day that was!
On this day, Christ rose from the dead. Previously, He had atoned for all of us - our sorrows, our pains, and our sins.
So, while enjoying your chocolate bunnies or whatever else you may be having tomorrow (unless, of course, you're having Fast Sunday), please try to remember our wonderful Savior.
I love you all and sincerely hope you have a Happy Easter!!!!!
Love,
Sally :)
Sunday, March 18, 2012
The Illusion
Thanks to a comment on my last post, I now know exactly what to write about today!
I need to tell you about a problem that sometimes comes up in our church. Now PLEASE! don't think of me as bad, or that I'm about to go away from the Church. But I think it's important to adress it.
By the way, this is mostly for girls. I am going to write it for girls, but guys, you can put yourself in place.
Many times in meetings, the Young Women Leaders and other leaders will tell us that, as long as we marry a return missionary in the Temple, we will be alright. Everything will turn out and it will all be okay.
Today I would like to tell you that this is not true. Marrying a R.M. in the Temple does not ensure our eternal happiness. There is so much more to it than just that. Although it is unpleasant, there are people who will lie, or that will have problems come up after marriage. Sometimes people are not always as they appear.
I believe that we have to work hard to be able to achieve happiness. The hard work doesn't end after the Temple. In fact, I think it might only get harder. I feel like it's important to recognize that, while it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to marry in the Temple, it is not all that is necessary. Myself being a teenager, not knowing any of this, I believe that we need to prepare for life after the temple as well as when we go.
Again, I am not saying that the Church is wrong. They are right on all accounts. But please, please do not fall to the illusion that as soon as you are married in the Temple, life becomes hunky-dory. This is part of Satan's illusion - he wants us to believe that everything after the Temple is easy, and that is how he binds us with the flaxen cords.
I love you all, and thank you, Jacy, for your comment. It was wonderful and well recieved.
Encourage others to follow my blog! I love to see the members, and it helps me figure out who I should direct my comments towards.
Be Strong and Courageous! Let your Light Shine!
Love,
Sally
I need to tell you about a problem that sometimes comes up in our church. Now PLEASE! don't think of me as bad, or that I'm about to go away from the Church. But I think it's important to adress it.
By the way, this is mostly for girls. I am going to write it for girls, but guys, you can put yourself in place.
Many times in meetings, the Young Women Leaders and other leaders will tell us that, as long as we marry a return missionary in the Temple, we will be alright. Everything will turn out and it will all be okay.
Today I would like to tell you that this is not true. Marrying a R.M. in the Temple does not ensure our eternal happiness. There is so much more to it than just that. Although it is unpleasant, there are people who will lie, or that will have problems come up after marriage. Sometimes people are not always as they appear.
I believe that we have to work hard to be able to achieve happiness. The hard work doesn't end after the Temple. In fact, I think it might only get harder. I feel like it's important to recognize that, while it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to marry in the Temple, it is not all that is necessary. Myself being a teenager, not knowing any of this, I believe that we need to prepare for life after the temple as well as when we go.
Again, I am not saying that the Church is wrong. They are right on all accounts. But please, please do not fall to the illusion that as soon as you are married in the Temple, life becomes hunky-dory. This is part of Satan's illusion - he wants us to believe that everything after the Temple is easy, and that is how he binds us with the flaxen cords.
I love you all, and thank you, Jacy, for your comment. It was wonderful and well recieved.
Encourage others to follow my blog! I love to see the members, and it helps me figure out who I should direct my comments towards.
Be Strong and Courageous! Let your Light Shine!
Love,
Sally
Friday, March 16, 2012
Isaiah... the Scary Old Testament Book
You know that time when you committed to reading the entire Book of Mormon and then you hit Second Nephi? And for some strange reason you don't ever finish the Book of Mormon as you planned? Some people say that it's because they lose interest. Others say that they just 'don't have time'.
But the weirdest one is "It's Isaiah. I can't read Isaiah."
The only time I ever say "can't" is when I'm talking about sins. No, scratch that. That's when I say "I won't. Ever. You'd have to drag me down kicking and screaming and fighting."
In short, 'can't' is not in my vocabulary.
I would like to let you all know that I have proudly finished Second Nephi over two times (I'm only a teenager, remember), and Isaiah is NOT boring. Or hard. Or something I 'can't' do.
Today in Seminary we talked about Isaiah. The "scary book" in the Old Testament. Why is it so scary? I think it's because Isaiah uses a lot of riddles and imagery.
So, with that in mind, here's my "Diving into Isaiah with a Helmet and Knee Pads" list:
1. Bring your creativity: Before looking at the footnotes, try to think about what Isaiah might be saying.
2. Bring your imagination: Figure out the parables and all will be well.
3. The entire message of Isaiah is Christ, His mission, and His coming. So, just like when a confusing riddle is made clear with a picture, keep the image of Christ in your mind as you read.
4. Bring your courage. You won't get through unless you are fearless!!!
And, when you get stuck in Isaiah or Second Nephi, here's your encouragement:
Come on! Just ___ more chapters to go!!!
Don't give up now! You're _/_ of the way there!
Go! Go! Go!!!!!!!!
I am so proud of you!!!!!!!
As you can see, I HATE exclamation marks. Just HATE them. And if you're like my friends, who have a hard time getting sarcasm... That up there was sarcasm.
Love you all!
-Sally
But the weirdest one is "It's Isaiah. I can't read Isaiah."
The only time I ever say "can't" is when I'm talking about sins. No, scratch that. That's when I say "I won't. Ever. You'd have to drag me down kicking and screaming and fighting."
In short, 'can't' is not in my vocabulary.
I would like to let you all know that I have proudly finished Second Nephi over two times (I'm only a teenager, remember), and Isaiah is NOT boring. Or hard. Or something I 'can't' do.
Today in Seminary we talked about Isaiah. The "scary book" in the Old Testament. Why is it so scary? I think it's because Isaiah uses a lot of riddles and imagery.
So, with that in mind, here's my "Diving into Isaiah with a Helmet and Knee Pads" list:
1. Bring your creativity: Before looking at the footnotes, try to think about what Isaiah might be saying.
2. Bring your imagination: Figure out the parables and all will be well.
3. The entire message of Isaiah is Christ, His mission, and His coming. So, just like when a confusing riddle is made clear with a picture, keep the image of Christ in your mind as you read.
4. Bring your courage. You won't get through unless you are fearless!!!
And, when you get stuck in Isaiah or Second Nephi, here's your encouragement:
Come on! Just ___ more chapters to go!!!
Don't give up now! You're _/_ of the way there!
Go! Go! Go!!!!!!!!
I am so proud of you!!!!!!!
As you can see, I HATE exclamation marks. Just HATE them. And if you're like my friends, who have a hard time getting sarcasm... That up there was sarcasm.
Love you all!
-Sally
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Proverbs
Today in Seminary we studied Proverbs and made up a few for life. I have made up a few more (some of them may sound familiar... I like to steal from different sources).
-Be slow to anger
Careful to judge
And quick to forgive
-When life gives you lemons
Fall on your knees and give thanks for them.
-The world will not spin out of orbit.
Even if you get an F.
-When you bark up the wrong tree
Make sure you bark your apology to the person you chased up the tree
-Some people say to keep stupid people stupid.
I say take stupid people and educate them, so that they can make the other people look bad.
-He who is foreign to deodorant is lonely
He who showers often has many friends (Thank you Maleny, my friend from seminary who let me use this :D)
-Those who fear* God
Can enter the darkness of the Devil fearlessly
OR
-Those who fear* God
Can enter the darkness of the Devil with light.
*Fear in the case of God means to revere, respect, honor and love.
I'm still unsure about the last one...
Tell me what you think!
Love,
-Sally :P
-Be slow to anger
Careful to judge
And quick to forgive
-When life gives you lemons
Fall on your knees and give thanks for them.
-The world will not spin out of orbit.
Even if you get an F.
-When you bark up the wrong tree
Make sure you bark your apology to the person you chased up the tree
-Some people say to keep stupid people stupid.
I say take stupid people and educate them, so that they can make the other people look bad.
-He who is foreign to deodorant is lonely
He who showers often has many friends (Thank you Maleny, my friend from seminary who let me use this :D)
-Those who fear* God
Can enter the darkness of the Devil fearlessly
OR
-Those who fear* God
Can enter the darkness of the Devil with light.
*Fear in the case of God means to revere, respect, honor and love.
I'm still unsure about the last one...
Tell me what you think!
Love,
-Sally :P
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Understanding vs. Knowing
What is understanding? Understanding is 'getting something'. It's what happens after it's been explained to you (sometimes maybe about a million times :P). It involves facts and proof until it makes sense to you.
What is knowing? Knowing is having a confident belief in something. It's what comes with a testimony. Sometimes it just clicks in your brain.
You know those little kids that come up every Fast and Testimony Meeting? "I'd like to bury my testimony, I know this church is true."
You never hear anyone stand up there and say, "I understand that this church is true." Why?
Well, first of all, it just sounds lame. And weak.
But secondly, it has to do with the definitions. So, I have a couple of questions for you.
1. Do we need proven facts and someone explaining the Church to us for us to "know" that it's true?
2. Do we 'understand' the Church to be true, or do we know that it's true?
And, a Thought Provoking Question (that I will ask in Seminary tomorrow): How do we come to KNOW that the Church is true, rather than UNDERSTANDING that it's true?
So, now that you've thought about it, here's what I think.
1. I personally do not need facts to explain that the church is true. I don't need to cross-examine the Book of Mormon with the Bible to see that it's true.
2. I know that this Church is true because I have asked. I have felt not a burning feeling, but a still, small, good feeling inside. I cried when I was in third grade after singing "I am a Child of God" for a group of ladies in a neighboring ward. I have felt the power of Christ in my life and have wept for joy when my sins have been forgiven.
So, now I challenge you to find out for yourself. I want you all to KNOW that this church is true. None of this wimpy "understanding", not for us Princes and Princesses! Pray, read your scriptures, and have a little faith!
Love,
Sally :D
What is knowing? Knowing is having a confident belief in something. It's what comes with a testimony. Sometimes it just clicks in your brain.
You know those little kids that come up every Fast and Testimony Meeting? "I'd like to bury my testimony, I know this church is true."
You never hear anyone stand up there and say, "I understand that this church is true." Why?
Well, first of all, it just sounds lame. And weak.
But secondly, it has to do with the definitions. So, I have a couple of questions for you.
1. Do we need proven facts and someone explaining the Church to us for us to "know" that it's true?
2. Do we 'understand' the Church to be true, or do we know that it's true?
And, a Thought Provoking Question (that I will ask in Seminary tomorrow): How do we come to KNOW that the Church is true, rather than UNDERSTANDING that it's true?
So, now that you've thought about it, here's what I think.
1. I personally do not need facts to explain that the church is true. I don't need to cross-examine the Book of Mormon with the Bible to see that it's true.
2. I know that this Church is true because I have asked. I have felt not a burning feeling, but a still, small, good feeling inside. I cried when I was in third grade after singing "I am a Child of God" for a group of ladies in a neighboring ward. I have felt the power of Christ in my life and have wept for joy when my sins have been forgiven.
So, now I challenge you to find out for yourself. I want you all to KNOW that this church is true. None of this wimpy "understanding", not for us Princes and Princesses! Pray, read your scriptures, and have a little faith!
Love,
Sally :D
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Defying Gravity!
So, I was watching the Idina Menzel concert on TV today, and she was singing Defying Gravity. And then BAM!!! It hit me!
Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through will playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
...
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free.
To those who ground me,
Take a message back from me!
Tell them how I am
Defying gravity!
Okay, so, now I'm going to do the church version of it.
Something has changed within me,
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game (someone else being those people who try to lead me off the path)
...
And if no one stands up with me,
At least I'm free from sin.
To those who try to drag me down,
Take a message back from me!
Tell them how I am
Defying them all!
It might not rhyme, but I think that that whole song can be connected to us. How many times have my
"friends" said, "Oh, come on, just try it."
And how many times have I heard, "You'll never be able to do it. You won't be able to wait for marriage. You can't wait until you're sixteen. No one else does."
Well, here I am to tell you that I am not sixteen yet and STILL haven't had a boyfriend (yeesh) and I will wait.
So, to those who try to knock you off the path and make you loose your way, always remember that you're a chosen son and daughter of a Heavenly Father, who loves you enough to set lights on the right path. You can always find your way, because He has sent angels to you in the form of many different blessings.
So, defy them all and be righteous. You will be blessed in heaven, and you can hopefully now sing this song (if you haven't heard it, look up Wicked) with a new perspective on it.
Have a fantastic day!
-Sally
Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through will playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
...
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free.
To those who ground me,
Take a message back from me!
Tell them how I am
Defying gravity!
Okay, so, now I'm going to do the church version of it.
Something has changed within me,
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game (someone else being those people who try to lead me off the path)
...
And if no one stands up with me,
At least I'm free from sin.
To those who try to drag me down,
Take a message back from me!
Tell them how I am
Defying them all!
It might not rhyme, but I think that that whole song can be connected to us. How many times have my
"friends" said, "Oh, come on, just try it."
And how many times have I heard, "You'll never be able to do it. You won't be able to wait for marriage. You can't wait until you're sixteen. No one else does."
Well, here I am to tell you that I am not sixteen yet and STILL haven't had a boyfriend (yeesh) and I will wait.
So, to those who try to knock you off the path and make you loose your way, always remember that you're a chosen son and daughter of a Heavenly Father, who loves you enough to set lights on the right path. You can always find your way, because He has sent angels to you in the form of many different blessings.
So, defy them all and be righteous. You will be blessed in heaven, and you can hopefully now sing this song (if you haven't heard it, look up Wicked) with a new perspective on it.
Have a fantastic day!
-Sally
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