*CHRISTIAN THE LION*

So many people have already seen this, but I just LOVE it. It touched my heart so much. It's worth watching again. :)

*A VERY SPECIAL PEN*

Two days ago I went to read my scriptures before bed and found an older Book Of Mormon of mine. I have a new set now but sometimes I like to look at the old ones because I've marked different things. So, I open up the book to where a pen was marking the page. I then stopped and stared. Two seconds later I was busting up laughing. Helaman chapter 1 had a *Viagra* pen that was being used to save the last place I had been reading. Bah hahahah I got this pen from a friend who's roomate worked for some pharmacy and had brought home a 4 foot empty container that had *Viagra* written on it. It sat proudly on top of their t.v. and it was the big joke at their pad. He also brought a handful of pens. Obviously some kind of promotional thing. So I stole my friends pen because I thought it was funny. For those of you who may be thinking this story is fabricated and that it's my own pen that I got from my doctors office, let me remind you of two things.
#1 Women do not use Viagra. They use something with a different name (see, I don't even know what it's called.) #2 I am a 34 year old, single, MOLLY MORMON. If I need something like *Viagra* in the future...I'll be sure to blog about it! :) Until then, my pen is going to stay where it is. Tucked nicely in my scriptures for a future day when I need a good laugh. :D

(Although, it would be funny if I stuck it in my purse and used it to sign for groceries or other purposes. ha ha I would love to see the look on peoples faces!)

*A HEART ATTACK :)*

When you have an illness, it is really difficult for family & friends to know exactly how to help. I have been on both side's of the fence and I always have searched my heart for way's to lift or help carry the burdens of others. Not always an easy task. But usually, it is the small simple things that actually lift and sustain us the most. A great example came this week from my brothers family. I was so sick and and so frustrated with this neverending battle of depression. It had been several nights since I had slept and that causes a lack of appetite. Which then triggers all the others things. At these moments when I feel I literally can't take one more second, something from heaven will come to strengthen my back and my will to go forward.

I got a text from my niece to go open my front door. And as I did, I saw that it was covered in hearts! They had messages of hope and love for me. My heart was so full and even now it is full of gratitude and thanks for the incredible support system that I have. I keep thinking of when the Lord spoke to the Prophet Joseph in one of his greatest times of need and spoke these words of comfort;

"7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.
9 Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands."

D&C 121:17-9

Truly, my friend's & family have stood by me and continue to. I am so thankful!

*WASHINGTON*

I had the opportunity to go to Port Angeles, Forks, and La Push Washington for a "girls only" Twilight trip. There are no words to express the beauty that I beheld. I would love to share the details of the trip but not only are there far too many to share, but I am super sick right now.
I took 300 photos, but I'm only going to show my favorite one. *Raising my glass* I say, "Here's to the beauty of the earth!"

*TRENDS GONE WRONG*

(My personal opinion starting at top of page)

1- What in the "H" are those shoes? Not only is "Osama 'bin Shoppin'" wearing them, but so is everyone else. I think my sister might have had a similar pair in the 80's and I guarantee I thought they were horrible then too.

2- The beaded/braided headbands. Unless you or I are Indian princess's, NO one should be allowed to wear these.

3-Bug eye/Humongous glasses. I know how many of you have these and at the risk of offending you, they are hideous. If you want to use them instead of sunscreen, more power to ya. Obviously they cover up most of your face.

4- Leggings?! No, no, and NO! Everytime I see someone wearing these, I assume they are off to their ballet class.

5-High waisted "MOM JEANS." Don't you remember when your mom use to wear these high-waisted huggers? If your tempted to buy these, watch this!

http://www.hulu.com/watch/10333/saturday-night-live-mom-jeans

6-And in the lead, comes the Trends of Katie Holmes. Not only is she responsible for the "Bang Movement" (I totally fell into that trap. Some of you look great with bangs, but I looked like I was 12!) And now she is attempting to bring back the baggy *Fold & Roll* Jean. Wow. I'm speechless. (Oh, I failed to mention the socks with the shoes!)

So, as your choosing which trends you would like to follow, I offer the words from the Prophet Jacob;

"Oh be wise, what can I say more?"

(btw, there is no mockery of this scripture. It happens to be one of my favorites and I think it applys to EVERYTHING! ;)

*I HEART GLASSES*

So, I LOVE glasses. Even though I don't need to wear them, I still do. I found these little gems at a store in San Fran. The pic is of me trying to decide whether or not I truly like them. I DO! My mom wore a pair similar to them when she was my age. I remember looking at her picture and thinking they were so nerdy! And now I'm wearing the same kind. I'm sure the day will come when I say, "I was such a nerd to wear those!" hahhaha

ps. I know that's my "mirror face" that I am famously known for! Stop laughing!!! :P

*TRUMAN G. MADSEN & THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH*

(I wrote this on June 29th 2008)

One of my greatest modern day heros is Truman G. Madsen. He is truly one of the greatest Mormon philosophers of our time. The man is brilliant. And I am always trying to get my hands on anything that he has written or said. I love the cd's I have that he did on the Prophet Joseph Smith. I have gained a deep testimony and love for the prophet since I've listened to these cd's. (I highly recommend them!) I have books and journals full of quotes as I've listened and studied. This week I wrote down something that Truman shared about a man outside the church and his words on Joseph Smith. When I find these little treasures, I like to share them...

"A book has appeared by one of the greatest literary critics in the world today, Harold Bloom. An author and professor at two prestige’s universities, Yale & New York. Paraphrasing his conclusion on Joseph Smiths writings and life;

“Not in the history of America do we have anyone who can reach his stature. The greatest religious minds of America, including David Thoreau, William James the founder of the great Baptist movement, Emerson and others are by comparison, pygmies, (sp?) and this essentially because of the product of his mind."

”Bloom doesn’t even want to argue the question of where their ideas came from, doesn’t even want to beg the question of whether there was any divine inspiration. He simply says, look at the product and you know that nothing short of wonder is possible for this man."

~Truman G. Madsen

Photos,

Truman G. Madsen

Harold Bloom

Joseph Smith (I believe this was painted by Liz Lemon Swindel...but I'm not sure)

*BELLA'S BRACELET*

The *Twilight* nerd strikes again! hahha My niece & I bought these bracelets and we think they are RAD. Everytime I look at it, I think "TEAM EDWARD!" Bah hahahhah
My blog is not always going to be about Twilight, but this month it will be! This month holds many Twilight surprises! ...wait and see! heh heh heh

*IT'S GREAT TO BE 8! *

My two nephews, Jaxton & Taylor, are getting baptized on the same day in a few weeks. I just took some photo's of them and they turned out super cute. I love the little guys. They truly are strippling warriors & rascals all at the same time. I'm proud to be their aunt. :)

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"Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually. "

~Alma 57:27

*STOP ALL THE CLOCKS*

I have this great love for what some may call "Depressing poetry." It all started with the music I loved growing up. In my opinion it is it's own form of poetry. I was always drawn to the meloncholy ones. But not for reasons others would think. It rarely make's me depressed. If anything, I feel comforted in knowing that others can say the things I can't... or that others have walked a similar road or perhaps are still walking it. Each having the ability to offer a piece of themselves through their sorrowful expressions... a piece of their unique understanding for the one who will read or listen to what they have to say.

This paticular poem truly pricks the heart of mine...because it is truly a lament. But I don't see it just as that...but as a person who loved someone so much that they are asking all the world to stop and offer reverance and attention to a person they so dearly loved...and lost. And to declare to anyone who will listen, that THAT person meant something to him or her. THAT person meant everything.

*STOP ALL THE CLOCKS*

~W. H. Auden

"Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,

Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,

Silence the pianos and with muffled drum

Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead

Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,

Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,

Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,

My working week and my Sunday rest,

My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;

I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;

Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;

Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.

For nothing now can ever come to any good."

*TWILIGHT MEETS FABIO*

Okay, I just saw this morning the new cover of "Entertainment Weekly" and I about vomited. There, in all it's FOUL glory, is a picture of "Edward & Bella" FABIO style. This is not a soap opera! It is so embarrassing I can hardly look at it. Sick!

*THE COUSINS & THE 4TH OF JULY*

Over the last week my cousins from Bakersfields, CA. came to visit us. I have not seen them in over ten years! It was so great to spend some time with them. I felt such an instant love for them, like no time had passed. We all had a great 4th of July together. I took a billion photos, but will only share a couple handfuls of my faves. Good times!