A Dream is A Wish Your Heart Makes

This is what I would look like if I were a Disney princess. Maybe I should have tried out. I wonder if I'm too old now?! :) Hehe

Some things just get you through the day...

Aragorn. Need I say more?

I LOVE the Temple!

Temples are beautiful, both inside and out. But more important than their beauty is their purpose. Within temples, faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make covenants with God that will help qualify them for exhaltation. Certain ordinances within temples seal families together forever. I cannot even express the gratitude I feel that this is a reality in my life. I am sealed to my family and I will be sealed to my future family. And if we remain faithful to our covenants, we are promised to be together again even after we are separated by death.

I've been re-reading "The Holy Temple" by Elder Boyd K. Packer. I first read this book nearly 10 years ago when I was preparing to make higher covenants with my Heavenly Father in the temple. One of the chapters discusses symbols. Elder Packer says, "The temple itself becomes a symbol. If you have seen one of the temples at night, fully lighted, you know what an impressive sight that can be. The house of the Lord, bathed in light, standing out in the darkness, becomes symbolic of the power and inspiration of the gospel of Jesus Christ standing as a beacon in a world that sinks further into spiritual darkness."

One of my favorite sites to see in the Washington D.C. area is the Washington, D.C. temple. I live about 5 miles from it! It's awesome. As you're driving from the Baltimore or Silver Spring area of Maryland, going west, you come around a corner and at one point you will see the temple directly in front of you, as if you are going to drive right into it. It is most impressive at night. When I read that quote above, that's what it reminded me of. And as I look at any temple bathed in light, I am reminded of what it stands for. It is a place of power and learning. I invite you to go to the temple nearest you. If you are a worthy temple recommend holder, go often. So many of us live within miles of a temple. If you are not yet worthy to enter the temple, please take the time to go visit the temple grounds and feel of His peace, even as you sit and ponder outside the temple walls. And as you do that, make a plan to prepare yourself to enter the temple someday to make those essential covenants with our Heavenly Father.

I am blessed to have the opportunity to volunteer at the Washington, DC temple once a week. It is a blessing because I get to escape from the world and feel true peace and happiness. If you are a temple worthy Young Single Adult and you are reading this right now, please consider volunteering your time as a temple worker. I know that you will see more clearly what Heavenly Father has in store for you as you serve Him.

If I remember correctly, I've been to 27 temples, but unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity to go inside all 27. Here are pictures of the temples that I've been to.

Can you name them all?

The Big Freeze

Remember when we went to work on time and then found out that we had a two hour delay? Um, yeah, that happened to us this morning. So what did Ashley and I do? We went to Melissa's house and watched "Waking Ned Devine" (which if you haven't seen, it's a must see) and drank hot chocolate. Made for a great pre-work activity.

I was actually quite shocked when I walked outside to see a thick layer of ice over everything - trees, the street, my car....It was a Kristi Yamaguchi experience just getting to the car! AND It took us about 10 minutes to chip the ice off my car.

In case you want to see what it looked like, here you go!

I love you, David Tutera

My roommates and I have "My Fair Wedding" with David Tutera on our DVR recording series. Why? Because we love David Tutera and we love watching him transform weddings. More than once we have laughed out loud and the "Bling Bling" episode had us rolling; it was one of our favorites. Pay particular attention when she and David are talking about her ideas for her wedding.

About My Fair Wedding:
A bride knows what she wants for her wedding — the dress, the flowers, even the icing on the cake! But with only three weeks before the big day, wedding planner David Tutera shows up and changes everything. How exactly will he tackle these brides’ outlandish ideas to give them a wedding beyond their imagination? Watch My Fair Wedding, a WE tv original series, to find out... you won't want to miss these tranformations!

Did You Think to Pray?

Today in church, someone played a beautifully moving rendition of LDS Hymn #140, "Did You Think to Pray?" This guy plays the piano so well and with so much feeling (and I think he just came up with the arrangement on his own). It's incredible to listen to people with so much talent.
From the moment his fingers hit the keys, I was overcome with a strong feeling of the Spirit. Not only was the music beautiful, but the words are very inspiring. Read the words as you listen to the Tabernacle Choir sing this wonderful song.

1. Ere you left your room this morning, Did you think to pray? In the name of Christ, our Savior, Did you sue for loving favor As a shield today?

Oh, how praying rests the weary! Prayer will change the night to day. So, when life gets dark and dreary, Don’t forget to pray.

2. When your heart was filled with anger, Did you think to pray? Did you plead for grace, my brother, That you might forgive another Who had crossed your way?

Oh, how praying rests the weary! Prayer will change the night to day. So, when life gets dark and dreary, Don’t forget to pray.

3. When sore trials came upon you, Did you think to pray? When your soul was full of sorrow, Balm of Gilead did you borrow At the gates of day?

Oh, how praying rests the weary! Prayer will change the night to day. So, when life gets dark and dreary, Don’t forget to pray.

LOTR Marathon

We proved that we could at least complete one marathon...a Lord of the Rings marathon! My roommates and I watched the entire Lord of the Rings series (extended version) today. I think it took about 12 hours and we didn't really even take any breaks in between. I actually only saw The Two Towers and The Return of the King. (I was running errands earlier in the day so missed The Fellowship of the Ring). But I'll make sure to watch that one again soon enough.

I just LOVE the entire story. It reminds me so much of setting off on a mission, being gone from my home for a year and a half and then returning home without a clue how to adjust back to "normal" life. I think that's why The Return of the King is my favorite. I watched it soon after I returned from my mission in the Philippines. I related very well to the Hobbits, especially when they return home and no one in the Shire even knows what they have been through and probably didn't even realize that they were gone (at least that's how the townspeople treat them). They truly built a fellowship and love for eachother and in many ways I feel like mission companions are like that. You are assigned to be with different companions throughout your mission and experience great miracles, enjoy fun times, and even go through difficult times as well.

Here's one of my favorite parts in The Two Towers:

Sam: I wonder if we'll ever be put into songs or tales.

Frodo: [turns around] What?

Sam: I wonder if people will ever say, 'Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring.' And they'll say 'Yes, that's one of my favorite stories. Frodo was really courageous, wasn't he, Dad?' 'Yes, my boy, the most famousest of hobbits. And that's saying a lot.'

Frodo: [continue walking] You've left out one of the chief characters - Samwise the Brave. I want to hear more about Sam. [stops and turns to Sam]

Frodo: Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam.

Sam: Now Mr. Frodo, you shouldn't make fun; I was being serious.

Frodo: So was I.

[they continue to walk]

Sam: Samwise the Brave...

I need to find myself a Samwise Gamgee. He is loyal, optimistic, brave, kind, helpful....He is by far my favorite character.