Monday, September 17, 2012
I am a Mormon.
Who are the Mormons? Are they crazy people with horns and multiple mothers/wives that worship some man?
I don't know. Am I? For all of you that grew up with me, went to school with me, were my best friend, and have participated in plays and community service with me, do I fit the description you've been presented?
Do I?
How many of you know without a doubt that I am a Christian? That I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that He atoned for my sins? How many of you know that I am a good person, or at least I try to be in every way?
How many of you have seen me do something kind, without any personal gain or reward?
Hopefully all of you.
How many of you have genuinely seen me do something cruel or undermining?
None of you. Because that's not who I am. Why am I not like that? Because of my faith and my knowledge of Christ.
If that's not who I am, why would you assume that the rest of an entire religion is any different?
When you're thinking negatively of the LDS church, do you forget that each and everyone one of you know someone that's LDS? If you're reading this blog, then you obviously know me. Do you ever consider that when you're laughing at something mean about my faith or my people that you're also mocking me?
I must say that I do also find it pretty humorous that this is a country claiming freedom of religion while its own administration participates in the mockery of mine and its citizens won't vote for a man because of his. Funny, right??
No, I guess I didn't really think so either.
Don't think I'm offended or hurt by the actions of certain people lately. This is something that the LDS church has faced since its origin. Mormons were driven from state to state until they had to flee the existing United States entirely.
Men, women, and children were killed because of their participation with the LDS church. Simply because it was easier for people to believe horrible things than open their eyes and see that this religion wasn't that different.
Oh. Did you not know that LDS people were killed just for being LDS?
Did you know that in Missouri it was okay to kill someone as long as they were Mormon?
No? I guess they don't teach that in school.
Did you know that law wasn't done away with until 1976?
Yeah, I didn't think so.
So, while even my friends mock and are unnecessarily afraid for the same reasons mentioned at the beginning, remember one thing. I'm LDS and I've never hidden it or been ashamed of it. Remember who it is you know that's a member of that faith and who it is you're mocking and afraid of. Then remember me.
And then do one thing. Find out for yourselves about the Mormons. Don't go to a Baptist to learn about a Mormon. No offense, Baptists. ;) But really. Go to the source, learn for yourself, then make an informed opinion. That's all I ask.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Mustaches, cigars, shots, and margaritas.
Well everybody, it's official. I'm fully legal. Not that that really changes anything about my life but that's ok! My birthday was pretty much fantastic! Last Saturday I had a party and lots of my friends came to hang out and celebrate. It was a BYORB. Also known as bring your own rootbeer. We basically just played games and talked and had fun. Or at least I did!
Then at midnight on my birthday Elizabeth and I went to the 7Eleven by our apartment and I bought a beer. Calm down everyone. I poured it in the grass. We contemplated driving around to find a homeless man to give it to but that seemed too sketchy so the grass seemed the best place to dispose of it! That was a fun adventure though and definitely one of my favorite memories now!
After sleeping and skipping all of my classes for the day, Erika, Eric and myself went to Maria Bonita's! So good! Erika and I got virgin margaritas. They were HUGE and so so so sour! They were kinda expensive though so we made ourselves drink all of it. Needless to say we felt really sick afterwards! Never again will I buy a margarita. Ever.
That night a few friends came over and we played poker and made shots with combinations of grenadine, raspberry lemonade, orange juice, tonic water, and pina colada mix. We had fake mustaches and tootsie rolls for cigars. It was pretty great.
Now for the important part of this post! 21 things for 21 years! I guess this year I'll do things I'm grateful for or events that have made me happy/influenced me in the last year. Prepare yourselves for awesome to come at you in no particular order.
1. Having a private room. This is just so fantastic. Like seriously. I love having my own room.
2. My family. Seeing them last month was just what I needed. I had missed my parents so much. There's just something great that happens when you get to be with your parents. It kinda makes me sad to think about not being close. So I just don't think about it ;)
3. Target. This seems silly but Target makes me so happy. If I had all the money in the world, I'd buy myself my own Target. It's like Disney to me.
4. Having dated someone. After actually dating someone, my life has really changed. That sounds weird. But seriously. Even though it didn't work out, I'm ok with it. I learned so much about what I want in my future husband and what I am and am not willing to sacrifice.
5. Being happy. I've noticed in the last couple of weeks how happy I am. There are so many things to stress me out but through it all, my heart feels light and I feel joy. I know that's they way life is supposed to be and I am so grateful for the ability to be happy no matter what circumstances I face.
6. Good weather. It has seriously been the most perfect beautiful weather lately and I absolutely love it! I wish I could spend all day outside! It's just gorgeous!!!
7. Forgiveness. I am so grateful that I have been able to learn how to let go and forgive people. I think it's a lesson that Heavenly Father knew I needed to learn. I am also grateful for the ability to know that I can be forgiven for my mistakes. It's such a beautiful thing!
8. School. I LOVE my classes this year! All of them are so interesting (well, maybe not D&C...) and just fit what I want to learn about so perfectly! Love it!
9. Jobs. While I am a little worried I am going to have a complete mental breakdown by the end of the school year, I am so thankful to have not just one job but two. Money is getting tighter and tighter so I can use all the help I can get. Unless someone wouldn't mind like sponsoring me or something... I wouldn't mind quitting... :)
10. My car. Ethan is awesome. I love having a car! I love being able to be independent and go where I want when I want!
11. Being capable and competent. Need I say more?
12. Laughing. I love funny people and things and I LOVE when people think I'm funny. Because I am. But it makes me happy.
13. My nieces and nephew. I love having tiny people that adore me so much and miss me. It's so nice knowing that there are people that look up to me (no pun intended) and a good reminder to always do the right thing so that I am worthy of it.
14. Trials. Boy have I had trials this last year. But without them, I wouldn't be who I am today. I'm grateful for a Father that knows where to push me to prepare me and strengthen me for future challenges.
15. The priesthood. I love knowing that if I ever need extra help or a blessing, there will always be someone near by that can give me a priesthood blessing. I also love guys that respect and honor that power and genuinely realize how important and special it is!
16. Mountains. I just can't get over how great the mountains are. People in Florida will never fully realize how awesome it is to just look out your window and see massive mountains just sitting there. They are so beautiful and such an awesome reminder that this world really was created for us.
17. Accents and dialects. After studying this for the past two weeks, I can't help but listen on all of my calls at work to the accents and dialects people have and use. It's so interesting and curious how and why people speak the way they do. Pretty cool :)
18. Daisies, dahlias, and zinnias. Look them up on Google images. Then you'll know.
19. Comfortable pillows. I am so grateful for comfy pillows. They just make sleeping so nice.
20. Life. I am now working on my third decade of life. So many things have happened and there are so many more things that will happen. I want to live every day to the fullest, not because of that YOLO garbage ("You only live once" for you old people) but because I don't want to have any regrets in this life. I want to have fantastic memories and experiences that I can share with my children and I want to make every single day count.
21. The Gospel. So much of my life has changed in regards to the Gospel. I love this Church and the truth I have in my life. I love that God has a purpose for me and that I have the opportunity to be His hands. I love that this life isn't the end and that I will have my loved ones forever. I genuinely love the plan that has been set for us and the path that was laid before us. I also love my Savior and all that He did to make it possible for us to follow Him without any guessing games or dead ends. I love it all.
There are my 21 things for my 21 years. I hope to always be happy and thankful enough that coming up with one thing for each increasing year never becomes a challenge!
Then at midnight on my birthday Elizabeth and I went to the 7Eleven by our apartment and I bought a beer. Calm down everyone. I poured it in the grass. We contemplated driving around to find a homeless man to give it to but that seemed too sketchy so the grass seemed the best place to dispose of it! That was a fun adventure though and definitely one of my favorite memories now!
After sleeping and skipping all of my classes for the day, Erika, Eric and myself went to Maria Bonita's! So good! Erika and I got virgin margaritas. They were HUGE and so so so sour! They were kinda expensive though so we made ourselves drink all of it. Needless to say we felt really sick afterwards! Never again will I buy a margarita. Ever.
That night a few friends came over and we played poker and made shots with combinations of grenadine, raspberry lemonade, orange juice, tonic water, and pina colada mix. We had fake mustaches and tootsie rolls for cigars. It was pretty great.
Now for the important part of this post! 21 things for 21 years! I guess this year I'll do things I'm grateful for or events that have made me happy/influenced me in the last year. Prepare yourselves for awesome to come at you in no particular order.
1. Having a private room. This is just so fantastic. Like seriously. I love having my own room.
2. My family. Seeing them last month was just what I needed. I had missed my parents so much. There's just something great that happens when you get to be with your parents. It kinda makes me sad to think about not being close. So I just don't think about it ;)
3. Target. This seems silly but Target makes me so happy. If I had all the money in the world, I'd buy myself my own Target. It's like Disney to me.
4. Having dated someone. After actually dating someone, my life has really changed. That sounds weird. But seriously. Even though it didn't work out, I'm ok with it. I learned so much about what I want in my future husband and what I am and am not willing to sacrifice.
5. Being happy. I've noticed in the last couple of weeks how happy I am. There are so many things to stress me out but through it all, my heart feels light and I feel joy. I know that's they way life is supposed to be and I am so grateful for the ability to be happy no matter what circumstances I face.
6. Good weather. It has seriously been the most perfect beautiful weather lately and I absolutely love it! I wish I could spend all day outside! It's just gorgeous!!!
7. Forgiveness. I am so grateful that I have been able to learn how to let go and forgive people. I think it's a lesson that Heavenly Father knew I needed to learn. I am also grateful for the ability to know that I can be forgiven for my mistakes. It's such a beautiful thing!
8. School. I LOVE my classes this year! All of them are so interesting (well, maybe not D&C...) and just fit what I want to learn about so perfectly! Love it!
9. Jobs. While I am a little worried I am going to have a complete mental breakdown by the end of the school year, I am so thankful to have not just one job but two. Money is getting tighter and tighter so I can use all the help I can get. Unless someone wouldn't mind like sponsoring me or something... I wouldn't mind quitting... :)
10. My car. Ethan is awesome. I love having a car! I love being able to be independent and go where I want when I want!
11. Being capable and competent. Need I say more?
12. Laughing. I love funny people and things and I LOVE when people think I'm funny. Because I am. But it makes me happy.
13. My nieces and nephew. I love having tiny people that adore me so much and miss me. It's so nice knowing that there are people that look up to me (no pun intended) and a good reminder to always do the right thing so that I am worthy of it.
14. Trials. Boy have I had trials this last year. But without them, I wouldn't be who I am today. I'm grateful for a Father that knows where to push me to prepare me and strengthen me for future challenges.
15. The priesthood. I love knowing that if I ever need extra help or a blessing, there will always be someone near by that can give me a priesthood blessing. I also love guys that respect and honor that power and genuinely realize how important and special it is!
16. Mountains. I just can't get over how great the mountains are. People in Florida will never fully realize how awesome it is to just look out your window and see massive mountains just sitting there. They are so beautiful and such an awesome reminder that this world really was created for us.
17. Accents and dialects. After studying this for the past two weeks, I can't help but listen on all of my calls at work to the accents and dialects people have and use. It's so interesting and curious how and why people speak the way they do. Pretty cool :)
18. Daisies, dahlias, and zinnias. Look them up on Google images. Then you'll know.
19. Comfortable pillows. I am so grateful for comfy pillows. They just make sleeping so nice.
20. Life. I am now working on my third decade of life. So many things have happened and there are so many more things that will happen. I want to live every day to the fullest, not because of that YOLO garbage ("You only live once" for you old people) but because I don't want to have any regrets in this life. I want to have fantastic memories and experiences that I can share with my children and I want to make every single day count.
21. The Gospel. So much of my life has changed in regards to the Gospel. I love this Church and the truth I have in my life. I love that God has a purpose for me and that I have the opportunity to be His hands. I love that this life isn't the end and that I will have my loved ones forever. I genuinely love the plan that has been set for us and the path that was laid before us. I also love my Savior and all that He did to make it possible for us to follow Him without any guessing games or dead ends. I love it all.
There are my 21 things for my 21 years. I hope to always be happy and thankful enough that coming up with one thing for each increasing year never becomes a challenge!
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