Power, Love, and a Sound Mind

I love this place. Since the first time my husband took me to Utah, I have fallen in love with those amazing Mountains. Majestic and built by my Savior and Lord.

Its been a difficult week for me, one full of so many emotions. Although I know I have not been as diligent and attentive to my Heavenly Father, I know that he has been of me. Today I felt impressed to read the scriptures, something that I have neglected for far too long, I saw on Facebook (yeah didn't last too long) a scripture that was shared by one of the various pages I have "liked", it was 2 Timothy 1:7-13. As I am typing this I have not actually read the whole thing yet, I started and was stopped with this verse.

7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Hmm...in the footnotes (of the King James Version with explanatory notes and cross references by the LDS Church) it has the word fear marked also with the word courage. The Lord has blessed not only with the power to overcome temptations and Satan's various influences, but he gave us the courage to face down that adversity. He gave us the ability to love and be loved, such a powerful emotions that binds people together in powerful ways. He also gave us a sound mind; he gave us agency, to choose for ourselves how we are to use these powerful and wonderful gifts to make it through this mortal existence. I also love with this chapter heading it says 'Christ brings immortality and eternal life through the gospel -- Be strong in the faith' I love that last 5 words, BE STRONG IN THE FAITH. As we go through the various trials in our lives; remember, to be strong in the faith. If we believe that all will be well and that the Lord will not give us anything that He knows that we can't handle, we can do anything. I know that Heavenly Father knows ME, personally, better than I know myself. I know that my Savior went through all the pain I have gone through and will go through, he knows the anguish in my heart, HE KNOWS.

Now, reading through this I stop again at verse 5.

5. When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

I love that he has not just faith, but unfeigned faith. Unfeigned, for those who don't know, means sincere, honest, genuine, and real to name a few. He has an honest faith, something that is genuine and true. When reading further in this verse I learned that it was something he learned from his ancestors. What a marvelous thing that can be taught to our children, unfeigned faith. I hope that my children learn that kind of faith from me someday, I hope I am humble enough to teach them. There is so much that we can teach our children and so much that they just learn from our actions and words we use everyday.

The last verse I really stopped me was this part of verse 8.

8. Be not though therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord

I never want to be ashamed of my testimony, of the gospel that I was so blessed to be born in to. Even though I have suffered and been tested and have fallen and gotten back up again, I am SO grateful for the testimony I have received from every time that I have stumbled. Because of His tender mercies I was able to be Sealed for Time and all Eternity to my best friend and other half in the Logan Temple in December. Although things in my life did not go as I originally thought they would, things turned out well through faith. I stumbled often, but thanks to my Savior and Father in Heaven, they picked me back up. I learned so much from the trials that I was blessed to go through and though they were hard and I often thought I would never make it, I did. I have an amazing ward, with some of the kindest people I have ever met. I have a great family and amazing in-laws whom I love. I am blessed. If there is one thing that my children learn from me, I hope that it is not to be ashamed of their personal testimony. I struggled so much as a teenager and young adult, believing that my testimony was inferior to those around me. It has taken me quite a few years to realize that my testimony is just that mine..different than other based off of my experience, no better or worse than those around me..and continually growing everyday.

I still am not sure where I am going with this blog, but for now this is perfect. I don't know who reads this, but feel free to comment and tell me what your favorite scripture is and why. Share your thoughts with me, no judgement will be given here.

Facebook Hiatus and other stuff

You know what? Facebook is addicting!! I rarely post anything but I have to check it every 10 minutes, especially when I am bored. This week has been a stressful week full of so many emotions, lots of things going on right now. So, I decided to take a break from facebook and I tell you what NOT easy!! But I am on day 2 and it is better and I feel better, facebook should be called Bragbook cuz that is exactly what it is...a place where everyone brags about their life or complains about it...honestly what other purpose is there to it? My husband is always getting on my case about it and he is right, as much as I hate to admit it.

On another note we got another dog! So now we have two Sammy and Kimber. Sammy was such a breeze compared to this stinker, she is 9 months old and just a brat! She chews everything, always seems to be choking on something she decided to taste and pees all over the place. She is super cute and friendly, but definitely a stinker! I can't wait until she is out of this stage she is in! So now we have 2 dogs and 3 snakes...oii! This year my husband isn't deploying, which is a first, (always a chance of that changing) I am hoping we will at least get to spend my birthday together since he will be gone for his! We are slowly making our way through the holidays and such, we have spent most major holidays, except Independence day together and our birthdays..so we are getting there! Ahhh the life of being a military family.

I just want to say that I love my husband and he has been the biggest support in my life and I am so glad that we met and fell in love. He is my other half, from the moment we started talking one on one it has felt natural together. I guess I have looked for that big moment when its like taadaaa...or something like that, but never had it. I was thinking about it last night during prayer and realized that from that first night where we just talked for hours snuggled up in a hammock, things with him just felt right. Like everything was the way it was supposed to be our life was perfect. Things just always felt the way it was supposed to, it has always felt like we have known each other forever and I really believe we have, we just took a 24 year break :-P I have had my ups in downs, only dating a few guys but everyone has taught me something about myself and prepared me to meet my hubby. Its so funny because at the end of the relationships I have been in it seems like the world was ending, but really it was just opening up and beginning.

Yesterday I was sealed to my sweetheart for time and all eternity, what a beautiful day it was :)

Breadsticks...yummm

I tried this recipe tonight...and boy was it DELICIOUS!!! I may of sliced my finger while making them, but they rocked! This is the link where I got this Recipe...click the word to travel to the original post. Or continue reading :)

Dough: 
1 1/2 cups warm water 
2 Tbs sugar 
1 Tbs yeast
1 Tbs salt 
4-5 Cups flour 


Topping: 
3 Tbs butter melted 
sea salt 
1 tsp garlic powder 



For the dough, pour the water into a stand mixer with the sugar and yeast, let that sit and froth for about 10 minutes. Add salt, butter, and 2 cups of flour. Mix the dough on low. Add the rest of the flour a half cup at a time, until dough scrapes the sides of the bowl clean. Mix the dough about 5 minutes on medium speed, until its soft and easy to work with.
Let the dough rest in the bowl until doubled in size, about 1 hour and then roll it out. Roll the dough out into a long log, spray a knife with cooking spray and cut the dough into 12-14 pieces. Roll those pieces into about 6 inch long snakes. Spray 2 large cookie sheets with cooking spray, ( I usually only use one) and lay the breadsticks out leaving about 2 inches between each one.
Place them in the oven with the temperature turned to 170 degrees. Let them rise for about 15 minutes, or until doubled in size.( I have also let them sit at room temp until they are doubled in size and then bake them in the oven)
Once risen, brush them with the 1 1/2 T of melted butter and sprinkle them with salt. Now preheat the oven to 400 degrees and bake them for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. While they are baking combine the rest of the melted butter with 1 tsp garlic powder. When the breadsticks are golden brown, remove them from the oven and brush them with the butter/garlic mixture.

The Works of God Continue

Today was one of those days where I woke up and felt so happy and at peace. Before even getting out of bed I began to watch the movie Emma Smith, and I was in awe of her strength and faith that she had. She lost 6 of 11 children, watched her husband be persecuted and beaten time and time again, moved time and time again, and in the end lost her beloved husband Joseph to a mob. She is one marvelous woman, that I want to look up to, she is my hero. I thought I had it tough but then I look around and see so many others who struggle through rougher waters than I do. The past few years have been a struggle for me, through anger and doubt, betrayal and fear..I have found my peace and with each day I feel it growing stronger in my life, I feel my heart opening up and I feel so much hope for the future.I have found my wonderful husband who cares so much for me and never lets me doubt, constantly beating me to saying "I love you more" He has healed my heart and strengthened my testimony. I don't know what I would have done with out Heavenly Father in the past few months, for they surely have been tough. My husband was injured overseas and its been a struggle for us both and humbling for us both. He is doing remarkably well and is back up walking and running(sorta). I am going to the temple next month to receive my Endowments and for so long I was afraid that I would never be ready, but someone in my ward gave a wonderful talk that made me realize I am ready and so EXCITED!! December, my husband and I will be sealed for time and all eternity, and I can't wait for that!! I feel so wonderful today and I plan to strive ever farther to become the strong, independent, faithful woman that I know I can be. Its a good day :)

Chicken Pot Pie

One of mine and my husband's favorite meals and its SUPER easy!!

 For one pie I get the Pillsbury ready-made crusts (comes with 2 pieces)!
 1 bag of California blend mixed vegetables (really any type of vegetables you want)
 1 Can of Cream of Chicken
 2 chicken breasts (maybe 3 if you like chicken)

 Thaw the vegetables (1/2 bag per pie...if you get the large bag)
 Cook chicken( I found the easiest way to do this is to cut the chicken up first, then boil it..cooks faster and you don't burn your hands cutting chicken up!)
 Mix the vegetables, cooked chicken, and cream of chicken soup together in a bowl and dump into your pan (first spread the one pie crust on the bottom) then take your second crust and put it on top, make sure to cut a slit in the top to vent!
 Pop it into the oven at 350 for about 45 minutes or until the crust is a nice golden brown and doesn't feel doughy any more.

 Sorry it isn't perfect directions, but I have never written out my recipes before. Any questions just ask! Enjoy!! :)

Humbled by the strength and grace of so many of my wonderful friends

Growing up, when I imagined myself married I never imagined the blessings that I would have and how fortunate I would feel. I'm 21 and have been married almost 9 months to the man of my dreams! We have our own home, 2 snakes, a bearded dragon, and our child-dog Sammy. I never thought this is where I would be at this stage in my life and I am so grateful. I look at my friends, so many are students, young mothers, student-wives, going through those tight-budgeted but blessing filled lives and I give them props, I don't know if I could do what they are doing and have that kind of strength. They learn so much and I can just see their growth through their words. Even looking at my own family, I don't know how my mom does what she does, she is SOO good at budgeting money. Same with my Mother-in-law, she always finds a way to make more income...she is fostering kids right now, and doing a wonderful job! Don't get me wrong everyones budget is tight, with our economy and I don't want for a second for it to seem like I am boasting in any way...just trying to express my thanks and the humility I feel having such great friends who are such an example of optimism and listening to Heavenly Father's wisdom and guidance. I suppose I have a different kind of strength being married to someone in the military, he is gone 70% of the year. That means it will take 4 years of being married to be make it to 1 year of actually being together..crazy. (Well maybe a little less since he was injured and he is home...)I am grateful for all the things I do have, but also grateful to my friends who through their examples, have kept me humble. I just wanted to put that out there, now I have to go finish my homemade pot pie...mmmMMMM...I should post this recipe of mine later! Its relatively cheap to make and could feed a family of 2 or 3 for at least 2 days! Yes, I think I will start adding my recipes and other housewife/homemaking things I learn through being a newlywed :)