Finding Strength

Next week, I get to team teach a lesson to a bunch of kids ages 14-17 on "Faith in Challenging Times". We decided that the most important points we wanted the kids to get out of this topic were

1 // The gospel is the key to getting through anything,

2 // You have the gospel, therefore you CAN get through anything, and

3 // We can learn and be strengthened through our trials.

We were given the opportunity to experience mortality so that we could be tested - and often, that testing comes through trials. Everything we go through is meant to strengthen us, so that we can become more like our Heavenly Father. Leaning on Him and accepting His help is the only way we can get through our trials. The most important aspect of the trials is that we learn from them. If we can't do that, they're kind of wasted. 

I know that I need to work on developing the humility necessary to rely on God's help, and to learn whatever it is I'm meant to learn from the challenges in my life. That's the only way I'll get where I need to be. It's the only way I'll become the imperfectly perfect me I want to become.

Happy Monday, and here's to the amazing week ahead of us!

****Don't forget to enter the FIRMOO GIVEAWAY!****

Be sure to check out this Nautical Inspired Giveaway from The Daylee Journal, too!

Making It Up on the Spot

{Such an interesting leaf....}

top: thrifted {from the boys' section...} // skirt: thrifted //
shoes: target // necklace: earned, church

Today I gave a talk in church (Mormons do this thing where members of the congregation give little "sermons" during our meetings). I printed off my notes before we left for church and stuck them in my purse...except apparently I didn't. So I had to go up there, armed only with my scriptures and "Preach My Gospel" manual, and make it up on the spot. "Let the Holy Spirit guide", you know. And naturally, this happened on the Sunday that both the Stake President and the mission president and his wife were visiting (they're kinda a big deal, locally). 

So I guess you could say I was a bit nervous. 

Fortunately, though, it all went just fine. 

I talked about developing Christlike attributes and true conversion. The gospel wasn't made for perfect people; it's for every normal, flawed human being. God doesn't give us impossible tasks - He's given us everything we need to become like Christ, and by doing so, to become like Him. Consistency in developing these attributes leads to conversion: a change of heart, when we really only want to do good. The saying "every member a missionary" is a something we hear pretty often. I'm coining a new phrase, though: "Every member a convert". 

****Don't forget to enter the FIRMOO GIVEAWAY!****

It's a Glasses Giveaway!

So obviously by now you've all heard about Firmoo.com.

In their words:

About Firmoo
Firmoo is the World's Most Popular Online Eyeglasses Store. We have always been committed ourselves to offering customers the best quality products at the most affordable prices which start at 8 dollars- 80%-90% lower compared to that in local store. Furthermore, Firmoo has launched First Pair Free Program for new customers to test our products and service for free by paying shipping only.

In my words:

Guys. It's awesome.

Firmoo is basically the best thing to happen to the world since glasses became cool again. 

Which is why you should all be head-over-heels about this giveaway - FREE GLASSES, people!

Here's how it goes:

If there are less than 40 participants, TWO lucky winners will be receiving the frames of their choice (not including shipping) off of the Classic Series page (the most popular glasses on the site). And if there are more than 40 participants, a THIRD winner will receive an ENTIRELY FREE (shipping and all!) pair of glasses!
The giveaway closes on August 10th.

Let's go!

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A Week in Review

1 // On Monday, I walked dogs. I have this awful fear of dogs, so that was pretty huge step for me. And the best part is - they didn't even try to kill me!

via

2 // Kenny Chesney was in town for a concert on Wednesday! And a local radio station was throwing a pre-party, with performances by Kenny and a local country group called Leaving Austin (they were on America's Got Talent a while ago). Except there wasn't really a performance by Kenny. The advertising was misleading! Or maybe it wasn't and I just assumed Kenny would be there so that's what I told everyone... Fortunately, I can write it off as a blonde moment and no one questions it. A couple friends and I showed up 3 hours early to make sure we got spots (when Hunter Hayes came, the bar was packed!). We probably should have taken the fact that the bar was still practically empty an hour before the show as a sign Kenny wasn't actually performing...but we remained blindly optimistic. Leaving Austin was still good though! They had a lot of great covers, and I loved their original songs. I can't wait for them to get big!
Oh, and one of the workers at the restaurant bar ended up giving us our drinks for free, so that was kind of awesome.

3 // "Speed-dating" with the Chinese students was just as fun as it promised to be! Between the guy who refused to tell me his American name, trying to get me to say {more like butcher} his Chinese name instead, and the guy talking about his three girlfriends, there were a lot of laughs.

4 // Obviously the Royal Baby was a highlight - adorable!

5 // Hold the phone - I have a snapback. And that pretty much completes my wardrobe. I should be giving it a makeover soon...so check back for that sometime next week!

Tourists and a Grandma Skirt

top/undershirt: thrifted // skirt: thrifted, vintage // shoes: target

First of all, I'd just like to preface this by saying that taking pictures in the garage seemed like a good idea at the time. In my head, the lighting was much better. Also, a laughing amateur photographer means blurry pictures. But I really like this skirt, so the pictures get posted anyway. The skirt has this great paisley pattern - and POCKETS. Score! It reminds me of something someone's grandmother would wear...and apparently in my book, that's a good thing.

 Second of all, are Google Reader and GFC not the same thing? 

Because I assumed Google Reader was the list of posts that show up on my Blogger homepage. But Google Reader died this month (unless it didn't), and the list of posts is still there. If anybody would care to, I'd love an explanation of what this Google Reader is. Or was. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Earlier this week, I had the chance to give a campus tour to a group of Chinese students who are visiting California. Personally, I think this is a strange city to choose to spend so much time in if you're visiting from that far away. I mean, they could be on the coast - but no, they're in the Central Valley. The hot, sweaty armpit of the Golden State. Anyways, that was a pretty interesting experience. They were not shy at all. They were totally comfortable asking us questions, even with their limited English. They had no problem asking to take picture after picture with us. I'd be too shy to do that if I were visiting another state, let alone another country! We're getting together again tomorrow for ice cream and "speed dating" to help them practice their English...and after how entertaining the tour was, I can't wait for tomorrow.