Earl Had to Die

I leave in 3 weeks! THREE WEEKS PEOPLE!!!

I'm trying really hard not to freak out (but as you can see by the caps lock usage above, I am obviously freaking out haha).

Last night me and my little brothers and sister and their friends watched The Woman in Black.

(I was going to put a picture here, but they were all too scary and I immediately regretted searching for them on Google- it brought back bad memories.....)

I've watched the movie before, a few years ago, and I remembered it being not too scary.

FALSE.

About 30 minutes into the film all 6 of us were sharing one cushion on the couch and gripping onto each other like our lives depended on it.

Here are some quotes from the night....

*a few minutes into the movie*

Nathan: "Jeff, go turn the lights off."

Jeff: "Amanda, go turn the lights off."

Amanda: "Natalie, go turn the lights off."

"Gross, I have earwax all over my fingers from plugging my ears so hard." (Jeff)

"I need to get a drink. Pause it. NO, DON'T PAUSE IT THERE, NOW I CAN'T GET HER FACE OUT OF MY MIND!!!" (Nathan)

"Why is it so scary when a door opens or closes? Whyyy?" (Treyson)

"Treyson.... are you holding Amanda's hand?" (Natalie)

"Oh my gosh, I just farted five times in a row." (Jeff)

"Jeff, have you even opened your eyes once?" (Treyson)

And then, after it was all over, 

Nathan: "That wasn't scary at all! Jeff, go turn on the light."

Jeff: "Amanda, go turn on the light."

Amanda: "Natalie, go turn on the light."

Once we finally turned the light on, Nathan put in a Cosby Show called "Happy Land" to lighten the mood.... To be honest, it was almost as creepy as the movie.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

In other news, me and Jeff recently discovered a song by the Dixie Chicks called "Goodbye Earl," about a guy named Earl who was mean to his wife, so throughout the song they repeatedly sing "Earl had to die."

We think it's hilarious because Jeff's middle name is Earl, which I call him all the time, and the song is actually pretty funny.

So tonight I got home from work, and immediately ran downstairs to tackle Jeff, 

screaming that he had to die.

His response:

"Ow ow ow stop stop!!! My back! I have sensitive shoulder blades!"

Sometimes I just love my family.

Sunsets and Tapping Moments

I love NieNie's Mormon Message. 

If you haven't watched it yet, you need to. 

Stephanie Nielson inspires me. She is boss at raising a righteous family in a non-righteous world. She is confident, courageous, and also an adorable, amazing wife and mother.

However, I'm sure her life isn't perfect. Besides her horrific accident, I'm sure she also faces daily trials just like the rest of us. I'm sure people belittle and make fun of her for her stands and beliefs, she gets stressed out and busy, some days she is tired and doesn't want to get out of bed, and some days she just asks, "why me?"

No one is exempt from those daily struggles.

In a world that's become so devoted to carelessness, ease, and simplicity, it is becoming harder and harder to take a stand for what is right. It takes effort- it takes HARD work- and sometimes, even with all our efforts, we are still ignored, ridiculed, or just simply not noticed.

But thank heavens that it only really matters if ONE person notices, 

and we can safely rest assured that He does.

In her video, NieNie talks about tapping moments, or times when we are
reminded of Heavenly Father's love for us.

I love that.

I believe Heavenly Father sends us those tapping moments to give us the strength to keep going, to remind us why we are here, and why it's WORTH IT to keep fighting for what's right and good, even when there isn't much that is right or good to be seen.

As I look back on my past week, I can see many tapping moments. Small, but simple, things that let me know, without a doubt in my mind, that someone is watching over me.

What are some of your recent tapping moments?

God IS aware.

He knows my struggles, my worries, my heartaches, my fears, my joys. And yours too.

As I was driving to my grandma's house tonight, I looked out my window and saw the most beautiful summer sunset. I was stressed out, frustrated, tired, lacking in spirituality and annoyed.

But as I looked at that sunset, breaking through the clouds with rain falling in the distance, the thought came to my mind "God is over all things," and I felt such peace and comfort. 

Even the sun shines through the rain and clouds;
to me that is a more beautiful sunset than any other.

And so it is with life. God's light is still there during our struggles.
We just have to look at the big picture. 

And often that picture is more beautiful than any other.

Bring on the Truth

Every once in a while I come across something that reminds me why I'm doing what I'm doing, and this song is one of those things. 

I've always had a thing for acoustic guitar, and this guy's versions of hymns and primary songs are pretty dang sweet.

God's work is moving forward- and we are so BLESSED to be a part of it!

The Best Advice I've Ever Received

Two years ago, when I was an awkward, terrified, newby, freshman at BYU, 

I was struggling.

I'm a perfectionist, a worrier, was going through a lot of change, stuck in the "want-to-be-independent-but-still-don't-know-how-to-make-my-own-dinner" stage, and I was unhappy.

I was regretting a lot of things about the life I had, but I didn't know how to change it.

I wanted to be happy, but I felt STUCK.

I felt like I wasn't good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, fun enough,

worth enough.

One day I was visiting my aunt and uncle (see my aunt's awesome blog ---->)

and their family in Spanish Fork.

I was talking to my uncle Desi 

(he's the coolest guy on the planet, and always has good advice).

He started talking to me about EXPECTATIONS. About how we have expectations for others, and expectations for ourselves. And it's when those expectations aren't being met that we feel sad and discouraged and depressed. So we have to let those expectations go.

What?

Let go of expectations? But what about everything I need to accomplish in life? What about building relationships with people? Shouldn't there be expectations for that? How do I know where to draw the line- when to expect something and when not to? What if I'm trying too hard? What if I'm not trying hard enough?

Then the answer hit me-

Let go of YOUR expectations, and live by GOD'S.

Boom. It all makes sense.

I mean, he's always saying stuff like, "Be still" and "Men are that they might have joy" and "Do not labor more than you have strength." And when God says something, he probably means it.

Let HIM be the one in control. Life needs to have expectations, but we don't have to worry about coming up with them. They are already put in place by our loving Father.

When I live by His expectations, I am SO much happier. 

He is merciful, joyful, peaceful, patient, and forgiving.

If I start living by my own expectations, I become my own worst enemy.

When I live by HIS expectations, I find true joy and peace.

I feel content, because I know He is content with me- just the way I am, flaws and all.

He's in control. He's got this. We just need to LET him.

Be still, and TRUST that he is YOUR God.