Quotes, graduation party, new chapter.

All right. This post might be a little long.

Okay, so today I had my graduation party. So many people came! I felt so loved!

I'm so grateful for my Heavenly Father. He knows me, guys. He KNOWS me!! He knows exactly what I need and when I need it.

I love these!! We need to just relax and enjoy what life has given us that is good. We just need to "find joy in the journey". There is no competition with anyone else. You are only competing to be the best you that you can be, and do the best that you can with what you have been given. God has told us to 'come unto Him', but even if we don't, He will not leave us alone. He is changing us into who He knows that we can become, and who He needs us to become. He has a plan for you and He knows what He is doing. I'm so glad that He does, because I have no idea what's going on!! I'm kind of nervous about the future, but I'm so excited for this new chapter in my life!!! :)

Graduation!!

Guys, it's official: I'm graduated from high school!!!!!!!! I graduated last night!!!! It was a very emotional time, and I'm going to be very emotional all summer long. I'm so grateful for everyone I met in high school; I learned something from everyone that I met. Though I don't know everyone in my graduating class, I know/know of quite a lot of them, and I love them all and wish them the best! It's been one heck of a ride, and I'm so glad that I was able to meet so many people who made an impact on me. I'm a better person for it. I'm excited to start this next chapter of my life, even if I'm a little scared to. I know God will help me and be there for me.

Come Unto Christ.

Hi guys! Today I'm just going to post a collection of inspirational pictures I saw on Facebook today, and one video. Hope you enjoy! They really spoke to me. <3

His mercy is our healer. <3

I love his analogy of relating the gospel to music. <3

I love this! <3

God will always keep us on our feet, even when we feel lost and forgotten. <3

Here is the video about Patience. Hopefully it will work!

I love you guys! I hope you know that you can always turn to Christ and He will always listen and help you. He loves you so much and just wants to to come back to live with our Heavenly Father. The way to do that is through Jesus Christ. Trust and put your faith in Him. He suffered and died for you! He wants to help heal you. The scriptures tell us, "Come unto Christ." He is your Elder Brother and He wants to bring you home. <3

Keep moving forward. Your story isn't over yet.

I might be posting more often because school is winding down to a close and I have nothing else to do but go back through my Facebook and blog posts. So, sorry! But this was something I said a couple of years ago and I really needed it the other day.

"Don't stop in the middle of this chapter of your life and don't look back. If you need to pause, go ahead and pause. But don't look back and keep moving forward. You are who you are. Accept it and move on. Be yourself, because there's no one like you, and no one can be you better than you."

And this is what I said today about what I said a couple of years ago:
"Sometimes I say really deep things, and sometimes I need reminders of those deep things because some days are really hard. We just need to keep moving forward. You can't change the past--you can't change what's happened. If it's happened, it's happened. You can, however, change your perspective. Don't look back. Looking back only makes it hurt. Keep your eyes fixed firmly ahead. You might not be able to change the past, but you can change your future with what you do today. <3"

Your story isn't over yet! You are still writing it! You are still living it. I know that we all do things that we are not proud of and we stress over them or we can't forgive ourselves. But we can't change the past. That part of our story has been written. Our future, however, is blank! It's open for new ideas and possibilities! If you regret your past, learn from it. Don't make the same mistakes that you did. Keep moving forward, and make your story a good one.

Be positive about who you are.

"I am a unique, amazing, superhero kind of person. There will never be another me. I am the one who will decide how I will feel about myself. I am my goodness, my character, my talents and my kindness. This is who I am. What other people think of me doesn't matter. If they say mean things about me, it doesn't change my value. I am still the same me. I can ignore mean comments because I am a good and important person, and nothing will ever charge that. I know who I am. My value comes from the fact that I am unique. I don't waste time comparing myself to other people. I am the perfect me and they are the perfect them. Our differences make us both amazing. My life is a classroom and I am here to learn and grow. Every experience I have teaches me something. I am right on track in my process of leaning. I am doing great. If I make a mistake, I apologize and work to do better in the future. I am still a good person. It was just a lesson. No one is better or worse than anyone else. We all have the same value. I choose to see every person as the same as me. I never gossip, criticize or judge other people. We are all doing the best we can with what we know. We are all learning and growing. I can forgive others. I am here to help other people. I am always looking for people who need help or friendship. I am a friend to all. I have the power to treat people with love and kindness, even when they don't deserve it. I do this because I am a kind person. I choose my attitude in each situation. I can choose to feel bad about myself and scared. Or I can choose to feel like a superhero--strong, safe and loving. I choose a positive attitude every time. I believe in myself. I have everything I need to succeed in life. I am the amazing me."

I was going back through my Facebook posts, and I found this one. This is from a piece of paper that I assume I got in Young Women's, but I don't remember. Anyway! I love this!!! It's very uplifting and inspirational. You are who you are meant to be, and you are so amazing! "There is no one alive who is you-er than you!" (Dr. Seuss). God loves you and He made you just how He wants you to be. Be positive and happy about who you are. Attitude is everything.  

Worries, the future, and how Heavenly Father can help me.

Sometimes I feel like I'm not ever going to go anywhere. I feel like it's not going to work out. I feel like I'm never going to accomplish what I want to accomplish and what I want to do. I feel like it's just not going to work--I'm never going to be famous, or well-known, and I'm never going to get married. Like, I have two friends who recently got married and my cousin is getting married next Saturday, and my other cousin got married several months ago. And I just can't see how it's going to work out for me, and that scares me. It's scary.

Thinking about the future is not always my favorite thing because it scares me. I just...who would ever want to be with me forever? I just...I can't see it. And I'm scared that I'm never going to find someone, and I'm scared that what I want for my future--a music career, and a family--I'm scared it's never going to happen. I'm scared I'm going to fall back. I'm scared that I won't ever find someone who'll love me when I tell him what I did. Because I have to. I am going to have to tell him what I did. I haven't told very many people about it--less than five, myself included. But I am going to have to tell my future husband, and I am going to tell him before we decide to be married because I feel like that is right. But I'm afraid that it will scare him away.

I know that Heavenly Father can help me. I need to talk to Him today. But I'm just so afraid. I know that He knows what is best for me, and I know that He knows all about me, and I know that He knows all about my future husband, and I know that He loves me. But I'm still scared. I'm still afraid. I love Him and honor Him and know that He will help me make it through life, but right now I can't see it. I'm blind to my future. We all are. When we can't see what's ahead of us, sometimes we shut down. We feel like we can't do it, and it won't happen. I know He loves me, and I know He's helping me. I need to turn to Him–I'll admit that it's been a few days.

I'm going to miss high school. I was walking through the halls today, and I just thought, "Man, I'm going to miss this." But then I was walking up the steps home, and I thought, "I'm not going to miss high school." My mind is so torn. I am going to miss my teachers (mostly my orchestra teacher. I love her so much and I have learned so much from her and I'm so glad that I have gotten to know her these past three years.) and my friends. But I'm also ready to move on. I'm just so ready to be done. But I'm scared about the future. I'm frightened that I won't be able to do what I really love. I'm scared that I won't be able to find someone to love me for me. I want to be married in the temple, and I'm worried that I'm not worthy and that I'll never find someone who'll love me–bruises, mistakes, scars, and all.

I've been told I worry too much, and it's true. But I can't help it. I don't know what else to do! I think that's part of the reason why I'm always happy and bubbly and bouncy–because it keeps my mind off the worries. When I'm alone with my thoughts, I worry the most. And that's not always a good thing. But that is why we have a Savior. He is there to help me, and take away that burden. Sometimes I forget. But He did not just suffer and die for my sins and mistakes. He suffered and died for my heartaches. For my miseries. For my sufferings. For all of the worries I've had. For all of the deaths that have affected my life. For all of it. He suffered and died so that He could help. He suffered and died so that I would not be alone.  So that I would have someone to turn to who knew exactly what I've been through. So that I would not be afraid.

I'm grateful for Him. I love Him. I know He loves me, even when I've made mistakes. Even when I've turned away, or fallen, or forgotten. Even when I doubted, He still loved me. And I want a relationship like that. I want my future husband to love me, even when I make mistakes. Even when I might close up to him. Even when I feel afraid. Even when I feel left out. Even when I feel alone. I want him to still love me. I want him to still care. I want him to still be there for me. My daddy and my Savior have set the bar very high, and I will not take less than what they have shown me. I'm a princess, and I deserve a prince. I'm grateful that my Heavenly Father knows what He is doing, because I sure don't know what I'm doing!

Gratitude for leaders and seminary graduation.

Today all of the Laurels went to Relief Society for third hour, and Kelsie and Savanah and I all received a gift from our Young Women leaders–and also one from the Relief Society–because we're graduating. In the notebook from our Young Women leaders, there were notes from a bunch of the leaders that we've had, and I'm so grateful for their words of love and encouragement. They said many things that I needed to hear. I'm so grateful to have been able to get to know these women!! I love them all so much and I'm so grateful that I have been able to learn from them. I have grown so much in this gospel and I know that a lot of it was because of all of my leaders. I'd love to thank them for everything!! <3 <3


P.S. That ^^ was from earlier today--about noonish. Now, I'm officially graduated from seminary!!! Yay!! One graduation down, and one to go! I received so many things today: the notebook with a necklace from my YW's leaders, the pack of notepads from the Relief Society, my seminary diploma, and I also got another necklace with my diploma. It's so cute! It says my name, 2015, and "Doubt not fear not" and has a little key, a little book, and a little stone. I'm so grateful for everyone that has helped me get me to where I am today. I would not be here if it wasn't for my leaders, for my seminary teachers, and for my school teachers. I have learned so much about this gospel and about the world. I know that this next step might be a little challenging, getting used to it, but I know that it will be worth it, and I know that I can do it with the help of my Heavenly Father.

We are here for a purpose.

I want to tell you a story. 

Once, a long time ago, there lived a child. Now, she (or fill in with 'he', boys) lived in a place where she was loved by so many! She had many friends and people who loved her. One day, she had to leave her home for another home, but in this home, she would have to forget who she was, and that she was loved. One day, when the girl was around 14 or so, she had a few questions: Who am I? Where did I come from? And what is my purpose? Well, in order to find the answer, she searched. She searched and searched the scriptures for an answer. And she found her answer: She is a daughter of God. She came from Heaven, and her purpose is to accept and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others, and to make a healthy home for more of God's children on earth.

I know that sometimes life is hard, and we lose our focus. But I just want you guys to know that we are here for a purpose. There is a God, and He does love you. I know it. I know that we are here to have a family, and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. I know sometimes we doubt, but it's okay to have questions. Just 'doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.' Don't lose track of who you are. You are a daughter or son of God, and He loves you. He cares for you. He knows exactly what you're going through, and He knows how to help you. Life will get hard–I'm not going to lie to you. Life is hard–but if you have faith in Jesus Christ, you can do it! I know that sometimes there are unexpected curveballs thrown at you, and sometimes they're really rough, but you can get through them with the help of our Savior and Redeemer. I love those names for Him: Savior and Redeemer. They remind me that He is there–and wants–to save us, and He is there and wants to redeem us. He loves us and wants us to be able to return to our Heavenly Father. I know it and I love Him so much. He is there for me, even when I feel unworthy. Even when I feel alone. Even when I feel unloved, HE IS THERE! He will never leave you alone. He will never leave you. He will never leave. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Happy Mother's Day!

I am so grateful for my mother! She has taught me so much! She has taught me how to be helpful, how to be compassionate, how to be considerate, how to be kind, how to be loving, how to be honest, how to be resourceful, how to serve, how to be tender, how to be musical, how to be sweet, and how to be respectful. But mostly she has taught me how to be a daughter of God. I am so thankful for her and for her example. She is Super Mom and Wonder Woman because she takes care of all nine of us kids every day, and my little brothers are a handful–all six of them. She is my role model and she is my angel on earth. If I turned out to be half of who my mom is, I would be happy. I love her so much and I am so thankful that she is my mother. This song always reminds me of my mom. I am so thankful for all of the mothers in my life. I learn so much from each of them and I love them all so much. Happy Mother's Day!

Being an instrument in the Lord's hands.

I have a story. It's actually a very longish story, so bear with me. 

Tuesday night (so, yesterday, May 5th, 2015) for Young Women's, we made truffles for our mothers for Mother's Day. Me being the kind and sweet person I am, I decided to make an additional one for my orchestra teacher--this year is her first Mother's Day with her baby outside of her womb. So, I okayed it with Sister Johnson and I made another one.

Today I had an AP test this morning, which means that I missed first period (my TA period for my orchestra teacher) and second period (orchestra), as well as third (not important, but it was Foods). After my test, I got lunch and ate with my friends and then went to the orchestra room to relax and tell my teacher how it went. Anyway, we talked a lot and she told me how her weekend was and I told her how my test went. I could tell she was a little stressed, annoyed, and tired. She's got a lot going on--our concert is on Tuesday and we have an awards banquet on Monday, and school is coming to a close so she's got grades to do, and we are playing at graduation. So, I went to fourth period, and, after okaying it with my teacher, I left a little early to help my orchestra teacher [Because a), she had asked me to. 2) I wanted to. Three) I felt bad that I had missed my TA period even though she'd already told me before that it was no big deal]. I helped her check and make sure she typed some of the awards correctly, and then I had to go. I later contacted her about something my brothers had done, and then I sent her a music pun:

Realizing as I read it that it may have sounded like I was calling her an angry conductor, I quickly clarified that I didn't think that she was an angry orchestra conductor, I just thought that "tempo tantrum" was hilarious. And then she told me that she'd locked her keys in her car (When I get a car, I am sure I will do this several times) and I felt so bad for her because she'd been having a rough day, and so I sent her this picture: 

And then I just told her that I was sorry that she'd had a bad day. I let her know that I know that she works hard and that I know she's trying and I said that I really admire and look up to her and I know that she's amazing. And then she thanked me and I felt all warm and fuzzy inside, like when you know you've done something good. And then I realized about an hour or so ago that I was giving her the chocolates on Friday! She loves chocolate. And I was like, "I've been an instrument in the Lord's hands! I'm going to be an instrument in His hands! I'm going to make her week awesome!"And I just know that the Lord helped me know what to say to her, and when to say it to her, and I know that He inspired me to make a box of chocolates for her so that she would feel loved, important, of worth, and that she was doing something right. 

In the October 2000 General Conference, in her talk "We Are Instruments in the Hands of God", Sister Mary Ellen Smoot said, "Service is a key to being an effective instrument." And today I served my orchestra teacher by letting her know that I saw her, and that I know that she is trying. I let her know that she is amazing, and I admire and look up to her. She may have felt like she wasn't doing a good job, but I let her know that she was, and I didn't even know that she felt like she wasn't doing a good job. 

God works in mysterious ways–I only knew part of the story, but I was able to address the whole story, and I know that that was because of Heavenly Father. I know that He watches out for us. I know that He loves and cares for us. I know that He sends us what we need when we need it through others. I know that we are instruments in the Lord's hands when we serve others and when we do anything Christlike. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

Learning the difference between the Spirit and your own thoughts.

"Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart." (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2) As you continue to listen and learn how the Holy Ghost speaks to you, you will be able to recognize the Spirit more and more often in your life and there will be no doubt that it is the Spirit. It takes practice, but you can do it. <3