Beautiful weekend

I love these pleasant days... the seasonally transitional days. You know, saying goodbye to Summer while saying hello to Fall days. The warm sun rays streaming through the sky to warm your insides, and at the same time feeling a cool breeze brush across your face is the best.

I also love Conference weekends. I anticipate it and I love sitting down and hearing the warmth of the Lord's servants' voices echo throughout my tiny apartment. Throw a little Mo Tab in there and I'm completely content.

I also love making special breakfasts for Conference weekend. I'm pretty sure every Mormon household does something special for their families, whether it's Saturday or Sunday mornings. This weekend, we had waffles topped with fresh fruit... and my own personal touch of powdered sugar. Yum.

I'm so bad about uploading pictures... so this is my only one! But it sure is pretty isn't it ;)

I also love spending the time with my husband. In every way you can show that... love... ;) Hey, we're young! But in all seriousness, I love having him around. Our weekdays get so consumed in our individual tasks, that it's nice to catch a break on the weekends.

So, as you can see, there was a lot of loving this weekend. P.S. wasn't the Mormon Tab amazing when they sang that last song, God Be With You Till We Meet Again? I was dozing off on our bed towards the end of Conference, but I distinctly remember hearing the choir begin. If a soul can smile, mine definitely was. A warmth and comfort came over me. A great love for my faith and for the opportunity I have to listen to living Prophets speak swelled up in me as my ears listened to that sweet melody. At the same time, I felt sad that this wonderful Conference was coming to an end.

I am a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it.

Gospel Quietbook

I'm almost done with this project. Quietbook: Take 2. Theme: the Gospel.

Much smaller than the first, but much more detail than the first. Stay tuned.

"Wait, are you serious?"

That was my response when Dr. Pikul called "Ashley Garrett" during the lottery this morning for the Human Anatomy class. I couldn't believe my ears. 

I went to a class last night and didn't get picked. I skipped the second section that evening because I was already home and I doubted I would have gotten picked...plus The Bachelor was on. HA. 

This morning, there were 3 sections which meant 3 chances to be picked out of the lottery. I left, thinking I had plenty of time for the 9:30 class. I got to campus in time, but due to the HORRENDOUS traffic and parking, I was late and knew I couldn't just waltz into the classroom 5 minutes after and expect him to have not already started the lottery, let alone let me add my name to the list after being tardy.

So, I waited an hour and a half for the next section. Just chillin' in my car. Time came and I started for the classroom. As I approached the building, I realized I locked my keys in the car. GREAT. I came all this way, and I probably won't get picked.  Not to mention, this is the 3rd or 4th time I've locked the keys in the car and it's such a hassle! I called my dad really quick to ask him for a really, really big favor. I told him I'd call him back after calling the apartment complex about letting him into my apartment to get the spare key. All the meanwhile, I'm getting my name added to the list of 60 other names. I wait for the lottery before stepping out to call the Apt. complex. 4 spots. 4 chances. 60 names. Crap. 

At this point, I'm already zoning out. Going through the motions type attitude, thinking "Get it over with so I can get my dad on his way to come pick me up!" 4 numbers are drawn. First name: "Ashley Garrett."

Say what?! 

I was so shocked, students had a good chuckle at my astonishment. All the sudden, locking my keys in the car wasn't looking so bad :) I did not think I'd be in school this semester. Glad I was wrong!

I had been praying lately about what I'm supposed to be doing with my life. I know my calling in life is to be a mother. There is no doubt about it and it's all I think about and dream about. But I knew I needed to provide a way for myself to earn a living should Max ever leave this life unexpectedly. Read this story to see where this realization hit harder than it has before.

And let's face it, it feels good knowing I can have a job that's really worth it. Can't say that being a cashier at a grocery or retail store is life changing, you know?

Back to prayers... I needed help. Help push me in any direction that I should really pursue. You get a little lost when you're feeling down and I needed reassurance. The fact that I was the first name pulled, with all the odds against me, was an answer to my prayer and an act of God nudging me in the direction I should keep pursuing. I am feeling pretty grateful and I know it's because of Heavenly Father that I'm in this class right now. 

All good things come from God.

Brooke is official

Isn't she beautiful? Eight years old and now an official Latter-Day Saint. 

I love baptisms. Children have the sweetest spirits and in turn, allow me to feel the tender presence of our Heavenly Father the most. I love being a part of it. Every second of it!

Gospel Doctrine

Well, Max and I have been called to teach the 17 year olds. Last week was our first week and we were not so prepared with the lesson. Luckily, the Gospel Doctrine manual is very well planned out like the Primary manual, so we were able to skim by for the hour.

Now, if you don't know, I like to be very prepared. I like to plan out lessons and know what I'm talking about. I don't like to come across like I don't know things whether it's Gospel related or not. I want the kids to know that I care about the Savior and what He had to say. I want them to see what I see when I really get to study the material; I want their testimonies to grow. I promised the 17 year olds, a whopping 3 of 'em, that we would be MUCH more prepared come this Sunday. Well, when I say we, I mean me. Max is still a skimmer.

Before receiving this calling, I had been asking myself, "What's it going to take for me to really study the scriptures?" "What's it going to take for me to diligently pick up my books and really read the messages and not just the words on the page?" I knew I had the right intentions, the right desires... I was just failing on the action part. It's kind of like when you plan to go to the Temple at least once a month and somehow 30 days seems to go by really fast without you ever stepping foot inside the doors (When I say you, I mean me).

"Faith without works is dead"

Boy, is that statement true and I have felt the consequences of not doing the work. It's something kind of special to recognize that there is a difference between really putting forth the physical, emotional, and spiritual effort opposed to just doing the physical part--the "going through the motions" side of it all.

I was listening to my mom today talk about her lesson preparations and her thoughts (she teaches the adult gospel doctrine class) and as I was watching her, I could see her pure love of the Savior and of the Gospel. She talked about Him as though they were the closest of friends. She talked of the scriptures with passion, tearing up as she testified to Max and me what she knows is true. There is a light in her countenance and I thirst for the same. 

If I'm thirsting, I must be in need of replenishment and I know this calling has been the answer to my prayers. To just skim the lesson, as I did last week, will not increase my faith. Heavenly Father gave me the opportunity to increase my faith and testimony and now I must act on it. I know Heavenly Father knows me. He loves me. He wants me to find joy in this life and it's through my Savior that I can. I'm so blessed to know Him as I do and I'm so blessed to get to know Him ever more as I magnify my calling.