Always there.

Sometimes, when all your homework is done, and your friend won't talk to you, and you're sad, or bored, or both, you just need to take a minute or five and read your scriptures and pray. The Lord won't let you be alone if you actually work/study. He'll give you answers, or He'll just talk to you, let you know that you're not alone. Or if you didn't get a part you really wanted. He can let you know why (I really hope I get a solo, though. Then I can tell Him thanks). He is ALWAYS there. Even when your friend is not. He is your friend, and He will always listen. Even when you're blubbering because your friend isn't answering or something. He will always listen and He always understands. Always. Forever and always He will love you, listen to you, help you, and be a shoulder to cry on. Or He'll send people to love you, to listen to you, to help you, and be your shoulder to cry on. But His influence will always be there. 

Temples.

I love temples. They're so pretty and it's a whole different experience in there. There's church reverent, with little children crying every now and then or the whole time; and then there's temple reverent, where it's so quiet, even whispers sound loud. Doing baptisms for the dead is so great, and a great testimony builder for me. Even just sitting outside the temple, looking at it is a testimony builder. Because my parents, my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, one of my cousins, and several other family members, as well as other people who hold special places in my heart, have all been married in the temple. I want a love like that. Forever. And I can only get that in the temple. And so I am trying to live my life in such a way that I can enter the temple worthily with the right person. And I have some of the best examples in my life to look up to.

Isn't it gorgeous? I can't wait. This is one of my favorite Children's Primary Songs:

"I love to see the temple I'm going there someday To feel the Holy Spirit to listen and to pray. For the temple is a House of God a place of love and beauty I'll prepare myself while I am young This is my sacred duty." 

Happy life recipe.

I love The Lord will all of my heart. He sends me people and experiences that I need to become the best me I can be. He knows who I need and what I need to become the best me. I love His gospel with all of my heart. I love the way it makes me feel. I may be biased because I've been learning about it my whole life, but it just makes sense. I know it's true, and I know that my Savior lives, and I know that He loves me. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet today, and I know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon. I love it all, and I am so, so grateful for my parents, family, leaders, friends, and teachers that all help me live my life the way I've chosen to, which is by following The Lord and my Savior.

I found this "recipe" somewhere and I love it. How good are you at following the recipe for a happy life?

Just look.

Some days it is just so much easier to see the hand of The Lord than other days. Sometimes it's some weeks, sometimes it's some months. But I love it. I love recognizing His hand in my life. I love realizing that the world is so much bigger, so much better than I've thought. One of my favorite hymns is "How Great Thou Art" because it's so pretty and I love the message it gives. There are miracles in our lives everyday. We just have to look for them.

It will be worth it.

I cannot wait for this cultural event to all come together!!!!! It is going to be sooooo amazing!!!!! I'm super excited!!!! It's going to come together and it will be worth it all! For all the business that is my life, I know it'll be worth it in the end, and I know I wouldn't have/couldn't have/won't be able to have done it without the help of The Lord. He has been touching my life so much these past couple of weeks and I know He will continue to do so for the next couple of weeks more (at least six). I have been so, so, so busy, but I have been able to get everything done on time. I know that He will continue to bless me as long as I follow His commandments and try to live His teachings. I am trying so hard to be a good example and a happy person and a kind person and I am trying everyday to become more and more like Christ. Each day is different, and some days are harder than others, but I am getting better every day. And I know that, in the end, it will be worth it. So, so worth it, and I can't wait. :)

Stand Ye in Holy Places.

Satan or The Lord? Who do you want to stand with or for? I want to stand with The Lord, and I want to stand for The Lord. The theme this year for mutual is "Stand Ye in Holy Places." The reference is Doctrine and Covenants 87:8. In order for me to stand with The Lord (I don't know who you picked, but considering you're probably still reading this, hopefully you picked The Lord. If you didn't, you're reading the wrong blog), I need to know His teachings. Everything is always coming back to knowing His teachings. Maybe it's because that's what's most important. We need to know what The Lord stands for before we can stand with Him or for Him. The basis for everything surrounding this gospel is to know the word, and live the word. You can't teach it if you don't know it, and you can't teach it or know it if you don't live it. "I'm a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it." ~~Ann M. Dibb. I love that quote. You never know who is watching you and following your example, so you need to be the best you can be so that they don't get confused or something. But by being the best you you can be, you are setting an example to those around you that you have high standards and that you will not settle for less.

It must be done from the heart.

"To make a house into a home it must be done from the heart." This works for just about anything. If you want something to be or feel home-y or anything else, you have to do it from the heart. Service must be done from the heart. Repentance must be done with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Prayer must be done with faith, and it can be done from the heart. To become Christlike, it has to be done from the heart.