Our Own Worst Critics

I recently read a really good talk. I highly recommend it. Elder Maxwell said, "Some of us stand before no more harsh a judge than ourselves, a judge who stubbornly refuses to admit much happy evidence and who cares nothing for due process. Fortunately, the Lord loves us more than we love ourselves."

We are our own worst critics. We are hard on ourselves. Maybe it's just me here, but I have a feeling it's not. I've been thinking about this lately. It is so important to have compassion towards ourselves! Heavenly Father doesn't want us to beat ourselves up. We are His children. He loves us so much. Honestly (and sadly), I've spent a lot of time feeling inadequate and beating myself up. And that's not at all what the Lord wants.

So, today, and everyday, talk to yourself like you would to someone you love. 

I'm going to work on being better at it.

I Love to See the Phoenix Temple!

 

Two years ago I moved to North Phoenix. I was so excited when I found out I lived less than ten minutes away from the new Phoenix temple which was under construction. I couldn't wait to stop by.

I've made a few stop-bys the past two years. It has been so fun to see it progress. It was always fun to see what was new since I had last visited (one time it was the windows, or the grass, etc.). It's kind of sad there's nothing new now, but I'm happy it is finished. I look forward to spending time on the inside.

This beautiful place has already brought me so much peace. When I first moved here and didn't know many people, I'd drive to the temple site, park, and sit and just contemplate. I felt so much peace and comfort doing that. I knew I wasn't alone. I've continued to do that. 

I was able to attend the open house for the second time yesterday. I could hardly hold back the tears as I walked into the celestial room. It was a beautiful time of day and the light was shining brilliantly through the windows. It was more beautiful than anything I could describe. 

I don't think it is an accident I ended up here at this time. I love that I have the opportunity to be part of the Open House. It is truly a special experience. I will cherish it forever. One day when I have kids I will bring them to the temple and tell them all about how their mom saw it being built. 

It is in temples that ordinances are performed which make it possible for families to be together forever. Temples are places of peace, service, and holiness. They are Houses of God. They are truly a little bit of heaven on earth.

January 2013

March 2014

Sometime at the end of 2013.

                                                   
                                                                         Aug. 2014

First time seeing it with all of the lights on!

                                                                          Sept. 2014

                                      

To learn more about temples, click here.

Blessed.

Two years ago today I packed up my car with as many of my things as I could and started my move to Arizona. I cried all the way to St. George, Utah (where I was staying for a couple of days). Looking back on it, I'm not sure how I made it there safely since I was such an emotional wreck and my eyes were so wet with tears!

I wondered if I was making a huge mistake. I had quit my job and had no job lined up. I didn't even know where I was going to live. Thankfully I was able to stay with my brother's family in Gilbert.

Despite my fears, I knew I had been prompted to make this move. I knew deep down it was right. 

Within a few days of being in Arizona I had several job interviews. I arrived in Arizona on Halloween and by mid- November I had an interview for the job I have now. I found out I got the job in December and I started in January. It seemed like a long process at the time, but looking back on things I was very blessed it only took a couple of months to find a job.

There were several miracles that occurred with this move. It was a huge lesson to me. Sometimes we just have to move forward in faith and rely on the Spirit and The Lord and things will work out.

I feel so blessed. 

It Won't Always Be This Way

This quote popped into my head tonight after I popped open my dinner - a can of Campbell's soup. As I opened the soup I thought, "My life is pathetic. My dinner is ready in less than two minutes." It was just one of those moments when I definitely felt like a 28-year-old single girl living the apartment life.

Don't get me wrong, my life is pretty good and I am happy overall. But there are those times (ok, maybe everyday) when I yearn for a family of my own. But I'm thankful to know that things won't always be this way. I won't be single forever. I won't be living off canned soup forever (okay, so I don't necessarily "live off" soup, but you get the idea). I know there are such great blessings in store for me. I will definitely remain faithful and endure now so I can enjoy those blessings when the time comes.

(Quote by Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

Know Ye Not?

"Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power?..."

-Mormon 5:23

In God's Time

I heard this song on the radio on my way home tonight. I was touched by the lyrics. It also reminds me of a saying I came across one time: "God has perfect timing; never early, never late. It takes a little patience and it takes a lot of faith. but it’s worth the wait."

                                                            "In God's Time"

In God's time
A million years might only be a single day
And everything He does gets done His own way
In God's time

And in God's time
You'll find that certain someone you've been praying for
And they'll be everything you dreamed of and a little more
In God's time

Oh, but no one knows
Not you or me
It might be tomorrow or it might never be
Oh, but don't lose faith
Put it in His hands
'Cause it might be that He might have a bigger plan
Than you had in mind
Miracles happen
In God's time

And in God's time
You'll finally get the chance to hold your baby girl
And all the sudden everything'll make sense in this crazy world
In God's time

Oh, but no one knows
Not you or me
It might be tomorrow or it might never be
Oh, but don't lose faith
Put it in His hands
'Cause it might be that He might have a bigger plan
Than you had in mind
Miracles happen
In God's time

And In God's time
You go to sleep and wake up with wings and learn to fly
And you finally meet your loved ones on the other side
In God's time

The Sunflower Miracle

The other night I was thinking about how much I need to stop thinking about myself and think of others more. As I was thinking this, the thought popped into my head that I needed to visit a friend the following day. And, I needed to take her flowers. Definitely a good thing. I was excited about it.

I got off work and headed to the store to pick out some flowers. While I was looking at what flowers they had, I noticed some beautiful sunflowers. I decided those would be good - bright and cheery.

I arrived at my friend’s house and she said something along the lines of, “Did you know?” I was confused. She proceeded to tell me she had been in the hospital for a couple of days and had been discharged the night before. I had no idea.

And then, I presented the flowers to her. She told me sunflowers are her favorite flowers. Again, I had no idea.

It was a powerful experience for me. God loves His children. He looks out for them. It reminded me that I should “never postpone a prompting" (Thomas S. Monson). I’m definitely not perfect at that and I’m sure I've missed millions of opportunities. But, for some reason I had things together this time and was able to act on the thought I had. And I’m so very glad.