Inspiration

I'm grateful for friends who share talents, lessons learned, and inspiring words.

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

Rudyard Kipling

General Conference...and Apples!

So I love, love, loved general conference. It may be partly the delicious apples, time with family, and incredibly awesome food, but of course I loved mostly the messages that the Prophets and Church leaders have been inspired to give us. That is the biggest reason for my excitement.
I admit, there are moments, because of family that I get distracted and don't hear what is going on. There are also moments that I get sleepy and the soothing voices of the speakers lull me into a prolonged doze. I love the spirit that I can feel no matter what. I also can feel of the love God has for me, and the love of my church leaders. I know that the Revelations given to the servants of God are for our benefit. They are the guidelines, and precepts we need at this trying time of earths history. (Thank goodness we get to hear and read them over and over! just in case I missed something the first time!)
Morals, and ethics, are being questioned everywhere, and in every setting. It's a comfort that God still speaks to His servants the prophets, and counsels, cautions, and even commands us still today. His guidance couldn't be more necessary.
I do admit that I have favorite speakers, who have a certain way of speaking and telling things just how it is, that I really enjoy; Elders Bednar, Holland, Oaks, and Packer to name a few. I enjoy the refreshing upfront way that things are said. Especially this last conference.
I honestly got a little riled up when I found out that there are certain groups of people who are trying to get Elder Packer to rescind certain comments he made in his last talk. I had to re-read the talk, to even get a clue as to why someone would be upset with what he had said. He was blunt, but other than that there wasn't anything in what he said that went against or beyond the teachings and doctrines of our church. There are examples from the Old Testament, to the New Testament and even in current revelation, that supports everything Elder Packer taught. It even saddens me that there are people who share my same faith, that have questioned whether or not what Elder Packer said was Christlike. He said everything he did in Love. I think the things he said were needed to be heard at precisely this time.
I know there will come a time that we cannot be fence sitters anymore, we will have to be either Hot or Cold, not "lukewarm" as it says in the bible (Rev 3:15-16). We will have to stand up for the things we believe we will have to choose whose side we are on. The Lords or Satan's. I stand with the Lord, and support Elder Packer in all of the words he spoke.
I know we have a loving Heavenly Father, He loves us. I know He wants all of His children to return to Him. He has provided a way. We have a Loving Elder Brother who paved that way for us, by sacrificing Himself as the ultimate gift. I am so grateful for Him, His example, and his Atonement. I know that we are given challenges, and temptations, to try us and help us be better people, but it is only by overcoming those things, and sincerely repenting that we can become who God has intended us to be, and return to Him and His loving arms.
I know God wont give us more temptation than we can handle, but with that temptation make a way for us to escape. (1cor. 10:13) God loves us, ALL of us, He wouldn't suffer us to be born someway, or with a certain challenges, and not be able to overcome them. We can choose to act, or react. We choose our attitude, our beliefs, and what we each deem important, and moral. God has given us that gift of agency, to act and choose.
I know God loves His children, and isn't exclusive in that love. At times in may be harder to feel His love, but honestly that is often only the fault of the individual, by distancing him/herself from God, and not the fault of the Father. God Loves and Forgives. I choose to be on His side.
To end this overflowing and drawn-out thought on conference, ...let me just say I stand behind the words of All the Prophets and Apostles, including Elder Packer, But specifically at this time the words of Joshua when he said "choose you this day whom ye sill serve; ...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15) and "serve him with all your heart and with all your soul." (Joshua 22:5)
If you're going to do something, do it good, and with meaning! Stand up for what you Believe and Are!

So I've been reading a lot... a whole lot...

I've been reading almost a book a day... yep...it's true, ask my roomies!...maybe it's a good thing that I've decided to try to get part time job on top of my Pastry job. Maybe occupy some more of my time...

Although reading has been pretty great. I've been reading everything from Shannon Hale's Goose Girl, and the rest of the Bayern books... to the Wheel of Time series...
throw in a couple vampire books...my cookbooks and even some Nicholas Sparks... and well that's my life right now.
I probably should figure out when institute is so I can be a little more involved with people instead of hiding out in my apartment with yet another book...or not... Maybe.... maybe not... I admit.. I'm not ready to give up my books. Maybe some other day... :D Until then...any suggestions on what I should read next?

Tay's Wedding...and Cake

I wish I had more photos, but I didn't use my camera, so I'm forced to wait till my sisters get around to giving me copies.
I must say that this wedding was incredible. I absolutely enjoyed the sealing. The temple President, Pinegar was inspired, to say the least! I felt like I was enlightened by the spirit, completely and utterly happy, and just good. It was something that God definately is smiling down on. I'm so grateful to have Kyra as a Sister. I love her, and probably would take her side if Taylor ever did anything stupid...which is quite possible! ha ha! Just teasing Tay. I love you too!
I had a blast making this cake, and am thrilled with how it turned out.
We all had a lot of fun. WELCOME to the Family Kyra!

The Best Week EVER!

This weekend my little brother gets married. I can't believe it...really. Is he even old enough? ha ah... well At least I get an awesome sister-in-law out of the deal-io. I really like her. (I don't know if she realizes yet what she's getting herself into!) Our family is pretty crazy! if you've met us...you know! Anyway. I'm very excited! I'm making the wedding cake. It's gonna be intense! You should come to the reception just to see it! The whole thing is going to be pretty neat.
ANYWAY! things are awesome!...oh..and I saw Despicable Me. OH MY GOODNESS!!! THE BESTEST MOVIE EVER!!! 5 stars plus! I'm gonna go see it again it was that good!

Invictus by William Ernest Henley

Invictus by William Ernest Henley


Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley


I redboxed Invictus...I really should have seen it on the big screen. It's message is incredible. And I love this poem! I LOVE THIS!

Validation