something to smile about.

I hope that everyone has had a good weekend! I have been writing and reading a lot and there is so much to share:) ... 

Yesterday I had the chance to listen to the Women's Broadcast for the LDS church. It was beautiful and had some really powerful messages. I recommend listening to the entire broadcast on lds.org, but I wanted to touch on some of my favorites. 

"There are two important days in a woman's life. The day she is born, and the day she finds out why" - Elaine Cannon. 

We are all here for a divine purpose and our divine nature has incredible potential. Once we discover that in ourselves, we can begin to see it in others. Because we are Gods children, He knows what we can become! Sometimes I think we underestimate that potential and the power we have. If you are searching for yours, pray to God and ask Him to help you find it. It is time to find out why you are here on this earth:) 

'Through test, trial, and fear....be valiant.'

Elder Ucthdorf, one of my favorite apostles, told a story about faith, hope, and love. The old lady in his story was one of the happiest. Even though it was obvious she had had several trials in her life, she went along the path skipping and being joyful. When someone asked her WHY she was so happy, she gave a beautiful response. She said that there were enough things in life that didn't go right...we could be quick to focus on those things, or decide to be joyful no matter the circumstance and find the good in everyday. She had been very miserable at one point in her life, but the tool that turned things around for her was FAITH. That faith turned to HOPE. "No matter what happened in the past, your story can have a happy ending. You have a glorious future! Let faith give you the hope to live joyfully now--fill your life with meaningful things". That hope then turned to LOVE, which is the central focus of the gospel and life. 

My heart grew so full after these talks. Some of the things that I have been trying to work on and learn more about are Faith & the Atonement. The messages encompassed these topics so well and gave me a greater understanding. If we are filling our lives with meaningful things and doing all we can to follow the Savior, we have nothing to worry about. He will not let us "go amiss". 

Walk along a bring path and let hope open up your eyes to what God has in store. Let faith be in every footstep. I felt overwhelmed with the Spirit after this conference and for the first time in a long time... I felt my Heavenly Father's arms wrapped around me. I couldn't hold back the tears. I had let myself lose the Spirit for what seemed like so long.. and I had lost hope...and even though I am still working everyday, the progress I have made fills my heart with so much gratitude. I knew in that moment that my Heavenly Father was there and was truly taking care of me. I KNEW that he was aware of me and had been there all along. He knows my heart and my true intentions, and He is shaping me into someone better. Someone stronger and more valiant. For the first time in a long time I was crying happy tears... and it felt so good. 

I know that for faith and the atonement to truly work in my life, I first have to believe and HOLD on to that belief. You too... hold on to Heavenly Father & believe in His plan for you. Know that His atonement can and will work in your life according to His timing and that the person you are and are becoming is extraordinary. "Don't give up! Don't you quit! ...trust in God and believe in good things to come" 

Fill your life with meaningful things and try to find the good in everyday!! :) 

"God did not design us to be sad. He created us to have joy!" 

It's okay.

Hey blogging world. Thank you for letting me share my thoughts & get things down in writing. I feel like I have so much to share & hopefully you can get something out of it :) I'm grateful for people's willingness to allow me to do what I love. 

A lot has happened lately... and for this post, I just want readers to know that they are great. that they are doing a great job. and that they are never alone. In the last couple of months I have been through some of the hardest and lowest moments of my 24 years of life. It was like one minute my world was happy and bright, and the next this dark cloud took over all of my sunshine. Literally...it was quick and powerful. I lost my love for everything. and I lost me... 

We will all go through moments where we get hit with an unexpected curve ball and our world seems dark and gray. I know for me, I always try to make it seem like things in my life are good, put together, and that I am always happy... but hey.. you aren't always going to be like that, and it is okay to let others see your weaknesses. That just means you are human... we are all just these imperfect people trying to find who we are and our places in the world.. and I think there is something so beautiful and real about that. 

My situation does not even compare to those that suffer from clinical depression and anxiety, but I recently went through a psychic blow that left me seeing a psychiatrist and taking medication. Those that go through this fight daily and for many years are my heroes... I imagine that it is hard thing to catch and take care of before it takes over. I thought that I was just going through a rough patch and a lot of changes, but that things would go back to normal soon... but they didn't. 

Each individual suffers from things that we can't begin to comprehend. I just want you to know that there is hope. That there IS light, and it doesn't just have to come at the end of the tunnel...it can be there throughout. You are never ever alone and you have a Heavenly Father that will never desert you... and hey. It's okay! It's okay to admit that you are going through something really hard and that you need help. For the longest time I just tried to square my shoulders and fight it, but there is nothing wrong with taking a step back and letting people help you. Seek a counselor or psychiatrist if needed... there is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. 

Be gentle with yourself. 
Know that just because you have thoughts doesn't mean that you are those thoughts... try to observe them but not place judgement on them.
I want you to know that you are beautiful. 
I want you to know that you are doing a great job. 
I want you to know that through Heavenly Father, He can not only help you with whatever insecurity or experience you might be in... but that He can literally heal you. That is what the Atonement is all about. 

Be patient. Be kind. Don't be afraid to open up and be vulnerable about hard things... we are on this earth to help people. I know that God has sent me so many angels to help me get through this difficult time in my life, and as hard as it has been, I am so glad that I have been able to open up and admit that I need help. I know what it feels like to want to keep things locked in and hide from everyone. To feel so far gone that you think there is no way you can climb out of this dark hole... but I promise you...you can. Don't give up. 

If you or someone you know is going through a really hard time, tell them to read The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister. Someone recommended it to me and it has been a huge blessing:) 

Now lets all get back on a healthy and happy track eh? ... It has been really hard, but I am taking steps everyday! Not all days are good, but that doesn't mean that progress isn't being made. You can do it too.