It's that time of year again! Time to make those new commitments that you pray you'll be able to keep and remember (don't forget to write them down!), and time for Martinellis Apple Cider as we all count down to a glorious new year.
I'm posting my New Year's Resolution a few days early, because I want to get started on it now.
Here's my thought:
You've heard of unconditional love, right? The kind of love that sees beyond weaknesses and struggles, into the heart and soul of a person and loves them anyway for it?
Well, my goal for the New Year is unconditional friend and familyship. That means that whatever friend I make, whoever they may be and whatever situation they find themselves in, I will be their true friend, unconditionally.
I will not look at a friend and judge them for an action or word that I may not agree with. I will not critique how a person is dressed, point out flaws in another's character, or gossip about anyone in a poor light. (I'm all for the positive gossip, though!)
It's not going to be easy; human nature judges people so quickly. But I know that if I'm striving to become a better person and more like Christ, it's something that I definitely need to work on.
Unconditional love=Charity=Pure Love of Christ
I want to share quote that I found in my scriptures that goes along quite well with my new goal.
"Charity is, perhaps, in many ways a misunderstood word. We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more.
Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. It makes the thought of being a basher repulsive.
Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.
None of us need one more person bashing or pointing out where we have failed or fallen short. Most of us are already well aware of the areas in which we are weak. What each of us does need is family, friends, employers, and brothers and sisters who support us, who have the patience to teach us, who believe in us, and who believe we’re trying to do the best we can, in spite of our weaknesses."-Marvin J. Ashton, Ensign, May 1992
I really like that quote, and it makes me realize how much I can do better in showing Charity to all men. So, that's my New Year's Resolution!
If you'd like, you are welcome to post your own here in the comments section, or on the springvilleseniors2009 blog.
Happy New Year, everyone! :D
South Korean Flag!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Kissing Fudge
Oooh, how much I love Christmas time! Of course, there is always those wonderful goodies that come along and add to the spirit of Christmas. Besides the music, service, giving, and loving that is always found, there must always be some form of sugar. It's an absolute necessity!
So, after creating all of our magical desserts, we are left to sort out them each into equal plates to give away to friends and family. Here I am, in the kitchen, Christmas Eve morning, with an audience of children to make sure I am completing each proportion with perfect accuracy.
They stare down each slice of fudge, gaze sternly at the handfuls of popcorn being placed, glance to make sure the pretzel sticks are properly aligned, and watch carefully the amount of Baklava I put on each plate or tin. All the while, of course, looking for an opportunity to sneak something in such inconspicuousness so that I, nor any of the lookers-on can tell anything has gone missing.
Such was this morning's activities, until Tyson (the older brother who has all power) shoos them all out of the kitchen. The ironic thing? He was scooping up fudge leftovers after all of them were sufficiently frightened enough and had run quickly away. I have no room to complain, as I can't help it if a few crumbs drop onto the counter. What is a girl to do? The tragedy! I had to fulfill my natural responsibility for the environment in cleaning every last piece. They just happened to fall into my mouth...
Well, Tyson hadn't quite shooed every last child out; we had a straggler. I was busy cutting more fudge, and Tyson was looking for something productive to do in the kitchen when I noticed Elias sitting innocently at the bar, a tin of soft fudge in front of him. I should have done something about it, but I felt he had been warned plenty, and he wouldn't dare.
He did.
I looked up to see my tiny brother's face stuck in the first layer of fudge, kissing it with quite a smack. I couldn't help it; I burst out in streams of laughter while Tyson asked "What's up? What's wrong?"
All I could do was point then double-over because my sides hurt so much from laughing. "He's kissing the fudge!" I cried, giggling.
Needless to say, we did not give that batch away.
So, after creating all of our magical desserts, we are left to sort out them each into equal plates to give away to friends and family. Here I am, in the kitchen, Christmas Eve morning, with an audience of children to make sure I am completing each proportion with perfect accuracy.
They stare down each slice of fudge, gaze sternly at the handfuls of popcorn being placed, glance to make sure the pretzel sticks are properly aligned, and watch carefully the amount of Baklava I put on each plate or tin. All the while, of course, looking for an opportunity to sneak something in such inconspicuousness so that I, nor any of the lookers-on can tell anything has gone missing.
Such was this morning's activities, until Tyson (the older brother who has all power) shoos them all out of the kitchen. The ironic thing? He was scooping up fudge leftovers after all of them were sufficiently frightened enough and had run quickly away. I have no room to complain, as I can't help it if a few crumbs drop onto the counter. What is a girl to do? The tragedy! I had to fulfill my natural responsibility for the environment in cleaning every last piece. They just happened to fall into my mouth...
Well, Tyson hadn't quite shooed every last child out; we had a straggler. I was busy cutting more fudge, and Tyson was looking for something productive to do in the kitchen when I noticed Elias sitting innocently at the bar, a tin of soft fudge in front of him. I should have done something about it, but I felt he had been warned plenty, and he wouldn't dare.
He did.
I looked up to see my tiny brother's face stuck in the first layer of fudge, kissing it with quite a smack. I couldn't help it; I burst out in streams of laughter while Tyson asked "What's up? What's wrong?"
All I could do was point then double-over because my sides hurt so much from laughing. "He's kissing the fudge!" I cried, giggling.
Needless to say, we did not give that batch away.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
More Random Christmas Thoughts! :)
Hi again!
Haley's back with more random thoughts, simply because she likes to think so much... ;)
-Lemon Bars (really good ones, too!)
-Christmas trees that nearly scrape the ceiling (yay for the smell of pine! Go Eric!)
-Transferring computer mouses
-Long emails
-Christmas hymns
-Soft piano music
-Blankets and movies
-How thankful I am when my family is healthy
-Rigalletto
-Fudge, popcorn, baklava, all manner of good things to eat!
-Nyquil (Argh!)
-Family
-Suits, hats and ties
-Peace on Earth
-Beautiful Christmas Stories read by family members
-Christmas is coming!
-My little brother's present (I'm making him a rag-time blanket with fleece. It's going to be so warm and fuzzy!)
-Hot cocoa
-Keys
-A car that used to be black, but is now very much white
-Snow-dancing
-Service been rendered shoveling walkways and driveways
-Charity, and what a blessing it is this Christmas season!
-Dreams
-My daddy
-Scarves, fuzzy hats, mittens, coats, mismatched boots and warm socks
-Joy, joy, joy!
-Music, lots of music
-The love I can feel so strongly with my family round Christmas time
-How grateful I am for Christ's birth and sacrifice for me. There was never a greater Man.
-Snowflakes the size of pin-heads, snowflakes the size of baseballs, and snowflakes that fall on eyelashes
-Stories and poems
-Hope, and President Uctdorf's talk on it
-Tithing, and how I need to remember to pay it!
-Just basically all of those 'warm and happy feelings' that you get around Christmas time!
Merry Christmas, all!
Haley's back with more random thoughts, simply because she likes to think so much... ;)
-Lemon Bars (really good ones, too!)
-Christmas trees that nearly scrape the ceiling (yay for the smell of pine! Go Eric!)
-Transferring computer mouses
-Long emails
-Christmas hymns
-Soft piano music
-Blankets and movies
-How thankful I am when my family is healthy
-Rigalletto
-Fudge, popcorn, baklava, all manner of good things to eat!
-Nyquil (Argh!)
-Family
-Suits, hats and ties
-Peace on Earth
-Beautiful Christmas Stories read by family members
-Christmas is coming!
-My little brother's present (I'm making him a rag-time blanket with fleece. It's going to be so warm and fuzzy!)
-Hot cocoa
-Keys
-A car that used to be black, but is now very much white
-Snow-dancing
-Service been rendered shoveling walkways and driveways
-Charity, and what a blessing it is this Christmas season!
-Dreams
-My daddy
-Scarves, fuzzy hats, mittens, coats, mismatched boots and warm socks
-Joy, joy, joy!
-Music, lots of music
-The love I can feel so strongly with my family round Christmas time
-How grateful I am for Christ's birth and sacrifice for me. There was never a greater Man.
-Snowflakes the size of pin-heads, snowflakes the size of baseballs, and snowflakes that fall on eyelashes
-Stories and poems
-Hope, and President Uctdorf's talk on it
-Tithing, and how I need to remember to pay it!
-Just basically all of those 'warm and happy feelings' that you get around Christmas time!
Merry Christmas, all!
Army of the Lord
Toward the Light, marching on
Following their inner song
Calling out for righting wrong
The Army of the Lord
To the enemy they go
Fearing nothing, faith bestowed
Spirit’s strength to fight their foe
The Army of the Lord
Flowing banners ringing true
Sunlight steaming ‘round and through
Each warrior’s eyes alighted new
The Army of the Lord
Swords erect and faces bright
Heaven’s message sent in light
To the hearts for victory’s fight
The Army of the Lord
“Peace, be still!” The Master cries
The vision draws His servant’s eyes
All time is stopped; strained for the wise
The Army of the Lord
And though the battle rages still
The inner man He wished to heal
Yet such decides the human will
The Army of the Lord
So standing, He, to knock comes by
The call goes out both far and nigh
“Believe me, live, and never die,
Oh Army of the Lord!"
Take my heart, oh Conserlor,
My sword is Thine forevermore
My shield to guard my heart in store
I’ll come, I’ll join
The Army of the Lord
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Laughter is the Medicine of Life
Okay, you guys, I just have to say: Thank you so much for laughing! Thank you for being the positive, happy, beautiful people that you are, for it surely makes my life a little brighter every day! :D
I just spent a few hours over at Eric’s house watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the first time, and I am so thankful I did! That movie is now my official favorite Christmas movie.
The best part, though, was after the movie, telling stories with just Eric, Logan, Scott, Allyssa and I. I don’t think I’ve laughed that much in a while.
Another thing I learned today and had to share: If you are ever feeling down on yourself, get out at serve someone! If you are having trouble accepting a person, or even liking them, serve them. Say something nice about/to them whenever you can. Think positively about your life, for it truly is such a blessing to wake up every morning, still living in it!
Yay for life! Yay for friends and family! Hooray for Christmas!
And on that note, a very merry, happy, joyful, exuberant, and marvelous Christmas to you all!
I just spent a few hours over at Eric’s house watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the first time, and I am so thankful I did! That movie is now my official favorite Christmas movie.
The best part, though, was after the movie, telling stories with just Eric, Logan, Scott, Allyssa and I. I don’t think I’ve laughed that much in a while.
Another thing I learned today and had to share: If you are ever feeling down on yourself, get out at serve someone! If you are having trouble accepting a person, or even liking them, serve them. Say something nice about/to them whenever you can. Think positively about your life, for it truly is such a blessing to wake up every morning, still living in it!
Yay for life! Yay for friends and family! Hooray for Christmas!
And on that note, a very merry, happy, joyful, exuberant, and marvelous Christmas to you all!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Peace
Ahh! So many things to say...
First of all, isn't it interesting how a single event can either brighten or crumble your day? That is, of course, if you let it. A comment, smile, situation, glance, or just a word each has their effect, thought we may not realize it at the time.
I'm learning to let myself be aware of the needs of others without letting it affect my day in a poor way. Do you know what I mean? Yet I still wish the world were a completely confusion-free, 100% happy place sometimes. I know that would be ridiculous, and that you really learn to appreciate all of the good when you are presented with the bad, yet sometimes....
There is another thing. You know how we are supposed to keep our lives in balance? That is difficult at times! My life is very much like a teeter-totter at times, or maybe a trampoline. Yes, a trampoline works as a beautiful analogy.
But beautiful things surround me, how can I remain in a discontent state?
The snow! How I love the snow!!! I love to go dancing in it, on days where it is warm enough to turn the snow to slush. This brings me so very much joy! :D
Plus, when you have lots of free time, and go writing in the snow.... that’s fun too. Eating it is a marvelous experience, though some would say it is poor for your health. That is one thing they can say all they want to, any manner of statistics on germs, bacteria, or pollution won't change my mind. Heavenly Father made snow to make the world a peaceful place, and also for eating!
Ooh, and if you are a girl and happen to be reading this, try wearing a skirt or dress, and heavy boots that don't match someday to school. You have no idea how much fun it is!! :)
First of all, isn't it interesting how a single event can either brighten or crumble your day? That is, of course, if you let it. A comment, smile, situation, glance, or just a word each has their effect, thought we may not realize it at the time.
I'm learning to let myself be aware of the needs of others without letting it affect my day in a poor way. Do you know what I mean? Yet I still wish the world were a completely confusion-free, 100% happy place sometimes. I know that would be ridiculous, and that you really learn to appreciate all of the good when you are presented with the bad, yet sometimes....
There is another thing. You know how we are supposed to keep our lives in balance? That is difficult at times! My life is very much like a teeter-totter at times, or maybe a trampoline. Yes, a trampoline works as a beautiful analogy.
But beautiful things surround me, how can I remain in a discontent state?
The snow! How I love the snow!!! I love to go dancing in it, on days where it is warm enough to turn the snow to slush. This brings me so very much joy! :D
Plus, when you have lots of free time, and go writing in the snow.... that’s fun too. Eating it is a marvelous experience, though some would say it is poor for your health. That is one thing they can say all they want to, any manner of statistics on germs, bacteria, or pollution won't change my mind. Heavenly Father made snow to make the world a peaceful place, and also for eating!
Ooh, and if you are a girl and happen to be reading this, try wearing a skirt or dress, and heavy boots that don't match someday to school. You have no idea how much fun it is!! :)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Random Info
Ahh...I've been tagged by the infamous Erin. Though I have so much else to do, (you always seem to have something else to do, eh? ;) here goes, all!
The 8 List...
8 T.V. Shows I like...
1. I don't really watch TV....but....
2. Used to watch Pokemon and most of the ones below with my lil' siblings
3. Digimon
4. Avatar
5. Fetch (remember that dog show-host?)
6. Arthur (I love that show...)
7. BYU TV
8. Hey Arnold
8 Things I Did Yesterday...
1. Wore an amazing BYU shirt that my friend won for me during Homecoming week
2. Slept past my alarm (second time I've ever done that!) and had a Tender Mercy getting woken up by my six-year-old brother 45 minutes before school started. ("Haley, wake-up, your going to be late for school!" How did he even know?)
3. Bugged Jared until he felt bad about breaking his promise (hopefully he will stick to it now...)
4. Danced in the snow/carried Lexi on my back with her slippers on
5. Wrote two articles; one for Newspaper and the other for our school newsletter
6. Went out for the best school assignment ever: critiquing a restaurant to do an article for the newspaper. Ottavios is the best!! (Plus another Tender Mercy; it ended up being a free meal!)
7. Nearly got someone tardy to their class...oops...
8. Played with my family
8 Things I am Looking Forward To...
1. Tomorrow!
2. The Christmas Dance, it should be very fun!
3. Going to the Temple
4. Getting to be with people I love
5. Returning my Mary Poppins skirt
6. Finishing my college application to BYU (Now that I don't need to have the GED!! Yay for another blessing!)
7. Singing!
8. Being alive :D
8 Favorite Restaurants...
1. Ottavios
2. Tepanyakis
3. Sweet Tomatoes
4. Golden Corrall
5. Hogi Yogi
6. T-Bone
7. Red Robin
8. Anyplace Chinese
8 Things I Wish For... 1. To dance! To dance the whole night away.... :)
2. A little fairy, just on my shoulder
3. Wings made of something lovely
4. That my college finals were over...ooh...
5. Peace for everyone I know and love
6. That I might be a little better tomorrow then I was today
7. Christmas Spirit all year long
8. That I knew everything. Including what people are thinking. Wouldn't that be nice? ;)
8 People I Tag...
1. Stephanie
2. Samantha
3. Eric
4. Logan (yet those two kind of go together anyhow...)
5. Alecia
6. Jeremy
7. Breanna
8. My Mother....hahaha!
The 8 List...
8 T.V. Shows I like...
1. I don't really watch TV....but....
2. Used to watch Pokemon and most of the ones below with my lil' siblings
3. Digimon
4. Avatar
5. Fetch (remember that dog show-host?)
6. Arthur (I love that show...)
7. BYU TV
8. Hey Arnold
8 Things I Did Yesterday...
1. Wore an amazing BYU shirt that my friend won for me during Homecoming week
2. Slept past my alarm (second time I've ever done that!) and had a Tender Mercy getting woken up by my six-year-old brother 45 minutes before school started. ("Haley, wake-up, your going to be late for school!" How did he even know?)
3. Bugged Jared until he felt bad about breaking his promise (hopefully he will stick to it now...)
4. Danced in the snow/carried Lexi on my back with her slippers on
5. Wrote two articles; one for Newspaper and the other for our school newsletter
6. Went out for the best school assignment ever: critiquing a restaurant to do an article for the newspaper. Ottavios is the best!! (Plus another Tender Mercy; it ended up being a free meal!)
7. Nearly got someone tardy to their class...oops...
8. Played with my family
8 Things I am Looking Forward To...
1. Tomorrow!
2. The Christmas Dance, it should be very fun!
3. Going to the Temple
4. Getting to be with people I love
5. Returning my Mary Poppins skirt
6. Finishing my college application to BYU (Now that I don't need to have the GED!! Yay for another blessing!)
7. Singing!
8. Being alive :D
8 Favorite Restaurants...
1. Ottavios
2. Tepanyakis
3. Sweet Tomatoes
4. Golden Corrall
5. Hogi Yogi
6. T-Bone
7. Red Robin
8. Anyplace Chinese
8 Things I Wish For... 1. To dance! To dance the whole night away.... :)
2. A little fairy, just on my shoulder
3. Wings made of something lovely
4. That my college finals were over...ooh...
5. Peace for everyone I know and love
6. That I might be a little better tomorrow then I was today
7. Christmas Spirit all year long
8. That I knew everything. Including what people are thinking. Wouldn't that be nice? ;)
8 People I Tag...
1. Stephanie
2. Samantha
3. Eric
4. Logan (yet those two kind of go together anyhow...)
5. Alecia
6. Jeremy
7. Breanna
8. My Mother....hahaha!
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