My Testimony

Since my new calling as a ward missionary I have been asked to practice sharing my testimony with others. I usually don't share things like that with just anyone but I better get used to it and give it a try!
I do have a testimony of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! I without a doubt know this is the one and only true church. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet that gave his life to serve. I know President Monson councils with the Lord daily to help guide the members of the church. If we heed to the words of the prophets it is like heeding to word of God. I have a strong testimony that paying a full tithe will yield blessing after blessing in ways we think impossible. I know that attending church meetings regularly refines our spirits. I know following all the commandments can seem difficult but if we do follow them faithfully it is for our benefit, and we will become closer as families and ward families.
A couple years ago I had a really hard time paying a full tithe. I realized at that time that I needed to prepare myself for the temple and make that change to pay tithing. As I began to pay a full tithe it was so difficult and I always seemed to be pressed for money. As time went on and I continued to pay my tithing my life changed. At that time I was having a very difficult time at my previous job with Coldwell Banker. I was hoping and praying to find somewhere else where I could work with people that were LDS or work with someone that respected my religion and me. I also was hoping to find a good enough job so Matt and I could afford to purchase a townhome together. I wanted a job close to where I was going to be living. Circumstances came about by the will of God that I would find a WONDERFUL new job, find a GREAT home in a good neighborhood in an awesome ward all within a few miles of each other. As I look back and just feel amazingly blessed for that entire situation thoughts come to mind: If I truly follow the commandments I will be blessed and I will have the opportunity to be happy during this lifetime in this world.
Just the other day our home teacher came to visit me and Matt. He said that about a year ago they started a ward fast that lasted several months. They prayed and fasted that new families would move into the ward. In the past 6 – 8 months MANY families have moved into that ward. The ward members fasted us there. Isn’t the church cool? AMAZING! Had I not been praying and striving to live the commandments to the best of my ability I don’t know if Matt and I would have found that home and I don’t know that I would have been able to leave CB and find a better job. I continually recognize the hand of the Lord in my life. He is with me and watches over Matt and I constantly. When times get rough and testimonies dwindle put your faith in our Heavenly Father. If we do that and give of our time, talents and abilities, HE will not leave us alone and we WILL be blessed more than we can imagine. During this time in our lives we hear such grim news every day. Either it's about the housing market, bad loans, bank problems, stocks tumbling, layoffs, etc. What I know is that if we put our trust in the Lord and do all that is asked of us we will be blessed and protected from what is ahead. What a comfort it is to be a member of the church especially today and in the future for we don’t know what it holds.
When you see a person that seems heart broken or worn from the perilous times don't you wish you could share the gospel with them, to lead them to true happiness and blessings? I hope that the people I go to visit and teach will fill the spirit and let it testify and soften their hearts to know what is being taught is true. There are so many people that wonder in the world and I so much feel sadness for them but then I remember that it is my (and your) duty to share the gospel with them and guide them to the church. The church is true!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOdatUaGen8

my poor little car

So, I was driving out of my driveway this morning and the window in my wrecked car decided to fall out. Luckily the window only fell off the track into the door. I thought the window would break since the door was crushed in but it didn't. Matt came out and helped me and saved the day! He pulled the window out of the door and made sure it didn't break. I then had to drive it straight down to the repair shop so my poor little car can get fixed. I hope the lady who was driving the other car has to pay for her own damages since she wasn't paying attention. The car place gave me a rental and its perfect. I have to do flowers for a wedding this weekend and I wasn't sure how I was going to figure out the car situation but the rental I got is a sweet red Mazda 5. It will fit all the flowers perfect from pick up to drop off. Whew... Oh yes... if you don't have your proof of insurance in your car and get in an accident, you can get a HUGE ticket of $420 bucks! The cops that came to my accident were pretty nice and only cited me for the left turn. Needles to say I called up my insurance and had them e-mail me my proof of insurance. Word of advice: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR PROOF OF INSURANCE!!! Ha ha.

Ooooops

So, last night I was driving home in the storm and I got into an accident. I was waiting to turn left onto my street when I nice person waved me through the lane. I thought I was paying attention (and I was) but once I started turning left a car came out of nowhere and crashed right into the passenger side door. The door is completely crushed in. I was the one who got the ticket but I really feel like it was unfair - of course. That is probably what the other lady would say if she got the citation. I was turning left so I guess I automatically get the ticket. She wasn't paying attention and was driving way fast for the conditions. Both lanes of traffic were almost backed up to my street, that is why the person was letting me through - they had nowhere to go. Anyway she came out of the other lane to pass everyone else and crashed into me. The first thing she said to me was, "I shouldn't have been talking on my cell phone"! Duh. Oh well. I guess I should have been paying more attention. Now we have to fix my car and her car. Stupid cars. I am not happy about this and I feel really bad. Learning lesson I guess. So... EVERYONE PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!!!!

Happy New Year!

Can you believe it’s already 2009?! It seems like just yesterday Matt and I got engaged let alone married. It’s almost been a whole year since we got engaged and almost five months since we have been married! It seems like last year went by really quickly and I am sure this year will too. Time seems to fly these days.

Matt and I had an awesome Christmas! On Christmas Eve we went to my grandma’s house and had the traditional family Christmas dinner. Yummy ham and potatoes! Mmmm! Every Christmas Eve at grandma’s house all the little cousins dress up and "perform" the nativity scene as my grandpa reads the story out of the scriptures. It’s always funny watch the little cousins. On Christmas morning Matt and I got up early and opened our presents! We were both so excited to finally be able to share Christmas morning together. We made hot chocolate, turned on the Christmas tunes and turned on all the Christmas lights (which I put up all over the house). He he he. When I download the pics from my camera I will post them. After Christmas morning at our house we went and visited my parents. They made us a huge breakfast and then we got to open each others gifts. Matt and I got a new grill! Be prepared for summer BBQ's! After we had Christmas breakfast at my house we went and visited Matt’s grandma Rose and Grandpa Don. They are so cute! The cousins from California were here too so we all had a good time visiting. After that we went to Matt's parents house where the other side of his family came to visit. We had turkey and salad to eat and a little performance by Matt's sister in law and his cousin. Those two Christmas Days were awesome and tons of fun. I can't wait till next year! I can't believe how fast the holidays seem to come and go.

For New Year's Matt and I wanted to go downtown and see what was going on for First Night. First we ate dinner at P.F. Chang’s which was delicious. After our meal we decided to walk around Gateway and go to the Clark Planetarium. Gateway seemed like a ghost town and no one was really out. It was FREEZING too!!! We walked into the Clark Planetarium and started to just look around when a security officer came by and said they were closing! What? On New Year's Eve? Oh well. Matt and I then decided to go to Temple Square thinking there would be way more stuff going on. When we got to Temple Square it seemed a little quiet too with a few concerts going on. We walked around and looked at the lights and played hockey with a frozen snowball. We were going to go to the Gallivan Center but decided not too because we were bored and couldn't find anything to do. We watched New Year's Eve on t.v. instead! It reminded me of the years we spend with friends going to Las Vegas and I missed spending New Year's there. Maybe next year although I think a New Year's Eve cruise would be SWEET! I'll start saving. Ha ha.

Matt and I also just got a few new pet fish! They are pretty cute. We got a little fish tank so now we can have fish. One is named squishy and he is a little brownish orange. Then we have two really orange long ones and the brightest of the two is named cheeto. We haven't named the third one yet. Any ideas?

I hope everyone had a great couple weeks!