I also wanted to write some of my general blessings because I don't do that too much and should in honor of Thanksgiving:
I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for:
- A place to live.
- Money and food and my needs and wants.
- A wonderful family that loves me.
- The gospel, my Savior.
- School, all of the things I have learned this year.
- My recital. That it went well.
- My mom - I invited her to come and I'm pretty sure she was there. Why wouldn't she be?
- I'm grateful for temples.
- Fast offerings and tithing - I got to give a talk about it today.
- My talents.
- I'm going to Mexico to study abroad! in one month and one week - I can't believe it.
- My friends. My school friends, friends from the branch, and other friends I have. I love them all.
- My calling. It means so much to me. All of the callings I have received this year.
- I can be forgiven of my sins. How wonderful is that?
- My Heavenly Father loves me.
- and all the growth and progress I have made in the past year. Looking back through all of the experiences I have had, I know I have grown and am grateful for every one of those experiences.
Love,
Stephi
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Gratitude List in Honor of Thanksgiving :)
Wow, so many wonderful things have happened. I've had a really great break.
I am thankful to my Heavenly Father that:
-On Friday I had a wonderful time with Debbie, Mary and Mary's friend Lisa. I got spoiled and my dress worked - I'm really grateful for that.
-On Saturday I worked and then went on an awesome date. I was nervous, but it was still fun and towards the end I got more comfortable and it was fun to get to know eachother better. He's a really great guy. Oh - and what's better is that yesterday I got a letter in the mail from Steak 'n' Shake. We went there at the end of our date (and I think that was the most fun part.) When we were there, I expressed my frustration to the waiter (he was really nice though) that they changed the menu, they took off my favorite shakes. No more cookie dough or fruit and frozen yoghurt?! He said they were trying out a smaller menu, and I wanted to give my feedback. He said to go online so I did that night and yesterday I got a $5 gift card from them. How awesome is that? I should give feedback more often! Anyway, I thought that was a good story, and a very small but awesome thing to be grateful for.
-Sunday - church at the good ol' KUB. I sat next to Jami and she was really awesome and supportive. Brian came - I was nervous of course, and it was awkward.. but church was still good and the lessons were good, even if I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have. I especially remember Desi's lesson even though I don't remember what it was about right now. I remember that we have a lot in common and I like that about her.
-Brian and I were able to talk too - we have actually had some good times together. I was able to spend some time with his family and with him and we were still able to be friends. I am SO grateful for that. I think the best was last night. I went to his house to play games with his family and afterwards him and I talked. He was really understanding and encouraging as he has been all week (he's good at that). Before I went to his house I prayed and found comfort that I just need to wait right now, either wait for Brian or for someone else. I need to just wait and see what the Lord has planned for me, and focus on other things. It's hard and lonely for me right now. It is especially hard to wait. I am not good at that. but I still have good people all around me that I can serve and that serve me and the Lord comforting me.
-I am grateful that I kept the promise that I made to myself that we had to be just friends and to live by it.
- I am sooo grateful that my recital on Tuesday went well! All of my friends were encouraging me and I had a good turn out. My favorite part was the dress rehearsal because my teacher was so impressed - YES! when a wmu string faculty is impressed and compliments you, I'm telling ya, it's an amazing feeling.
- I got to get tons of hugs afterwards - Everyone was so sweet and they loved it. I was pleased with myself that after Mr. Fedotov came back and told me not to be scared I just went out there and stood up to my fears. It was a good feeling.
- I am grateful for the REST I have gotten. I have been relaxing and watching a lot of tv - too much, but it was fun. I got to spend time with my family. I love them.
- I had an amazing thanksgiving - yummy food, and I helped with the meal!! I did the yams and the stuffing! Everyone was in a good mood this weekend. With 12 (1/2) people in the house that's something to be grateful for. :)
-I was able to get things done, well, at least able to get things ready for my student visa. That is a pain to do.
-I bought a bamboo tree! I needed something to love and take care of, and something easy. I love him! I think he'll brighten my apartment up a bit. :)
I have many more blessings but I think this is enough to read for now. From what I've heard everyone seems to have had a good break. I am so grateful for that.
Love,
Stephi
I am thankful to my Heavenly Father that:
-On Friday I had a wonderful time with Debbie, Mary and Mary's friend Lisa. I got spoiled and my dress worked - I'm really grateful for that.
-On Saturday I worked and then went on an awesome date. I was nervous, but it was still fun and towards the end I got more comfortable and it was fun to get to know eachother better. He's a really great guy. Oh - and what's better is that yesterday I got a letter in the mail from Steak 'n' Shake. We went there at the end of our date (and I think that was the most fun part.) When we were there, I expressed my frustration to the waiter (he was really nice though) that they changed the menu, they took off my favorite shakes. No more cookie dough or fruit and frozen yoghurt?! He said they were trying out a smaller menu, and I wanted to give my feedback. He said to go online so I did that night and yesterday I got a $5 gift card from them. How awesome is that? I should give feedback more often! Anyway, I thought that was a good story, and a very small but awesome thing to be grateful for.
-Sunday - church at the good ol' KUB. I sat next to Jami and she was really awesome and supportive. Brian came - I was nervous of course, and it was awkward.. but church was still good and the lessons were good, even if I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have. I especially remember Desi's lesson even though I don't remember what it was about right now. I remember that we have a lot in common and I like that about her.
-Brian and I were able to talk too - we have actually had some good times together. I was able to spend some time with his family and with him and we were still able to be friends. I am SO grateful for that. I think the best was last night. I went to his house to play games with his family and afterwards him and I talked. He was really understanding and encouraging as he has been all week (he's good at that). Before I went to his house I prayed and found comfort that I just need to wait right now, either wait for Brian or for someone else. I need to just wait and see what the Lord has planned for me, and focus on other things. It's hard and lonely for me right now. It is especially hard to wait. I am not good at that. but I still have good people all around me that I can serve and that serve me and the Lord comforting me.
-I am grateful that I kept the promise that I made to myself that we had to be just friends and to live by it.
- I am sooo grateful that my recital on Tuesday went well! All of my friends were encouraging me and I had a good turn out. My favorite part was the dress rehearsal because my teacher was so impressed - YES! when a wmu string faculty is impressed and compliments you, I'm telling ya, it's an amazing feeling.
- I got to get tons of hugs afterwards - Everyone was so sweet and they loved it. I was pleased with myself that after Mr. Fedotov came back and told me not to be scared I just went out there and stood up to my fears. It was a good feeling.
- I am grateful for the REST I have gotten. I have been relaxing and watching a lot of tv - too much, but it was fun. I got to spend time with my family. I love them.
- I had an amazing thanksgiving - yummy food, and I helped with the meal!! I did the yams and the stuffing! Everyone was in a good mood this weekend. With 12 (1/2) people in the house that's something to be grateful for. :)
-I was able to get things done, well, at least able to get things ready for my student visa. That is a pain to do.
-I bought a bamboo tree! I needed something to love and take care of, and something easy. I love him! I think he'll brighten my apartment up a bit. :)
I have many more blessings but I think this is enough to read for now. From what I've heard everyone seems to have had a good break. I am so grateful for that.
Love,
Stephi
Thursday, November 27, 2008
For Yesterday - a small prayer answered, many blessings
Today Heavenly Father answered a prayer for me to be able to purchase my gift for my siblings. so many awesome blessings happened today, little, but big for me, especially when they added up. I got rest, i passed my quiz, I had fun at the mall with Debbie and Sam, I bought a bamboo tree that I'm in love with. I overcame my struggles with my thoughts, I did the dishes and cleaned the fridge! I did some things on my to-do list. I talked to Frank, I thanked people, I had good times with Debbie. She has been really amazing! my recital was awesome. I am so pleased with myself - mainly with my progress this semester. I really have worked hard!! I am excited to see where it goes. I made a to-do list, and I accomplished some of the things. Especially having the dishes and fridge clean makes me feel accomplished lol. Oh, and I have been feeling this real inspiration to give, to donate, I guess it's that Christmas spirit! but my box, I have been saving up for a breast cancer donation - I think it was going to go into the change machines at first, you know, for the salvation army, but maybe I'll use my fast offering for that. I guess that's a good place to put it. I love the Christmas spirit - I found my christmas CD and started listening to it. I am SO grateful that the Lord shows His love to me in so many ways.
I still will have to tell you about my date with Justin which was pretty awesome, and also my friendship with Brian. It's going well, but it's still hard.
I pray that I can give back to the Lord.. I don't know if this counts as a PSS but I hope that all goes well. I say this in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I still will have to tell you about my date with Justin which was pretty awesome, and also my friendship with Brian. It's going well, but it's still hard.
I pray that I can give back to the Lord.. I don't know if this counts as a PSS but I hope that all goes well. I say this in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Focus on Today - lessons I'm learning
I would love some feedback or just to hear from you. I miss you all! I hope everyone has been having a good week.
I have been trying really, really hard to be more independent. I think I have been doing a good job, but the problem is, when I try to be independent, sometimes I forget to focus on God. okay, a lot. How can I remember? It's not that I don't want Him, I just plain forget.
One of the things Mary said was to not be depressed about the past, and not anxious about the future, just live in today. What can I do today to glorify God, to better myself, what can I accomplish today?
Yesterday, I really tried to do that, and I felt great, I slept in, I worked on cleaning the room, I took a shower, I practiced. I read scriptures the night before, at least I've been reading, but I haven't been applying it as much, I've been reading some great things. I think I need to write down what I learn and how I can apply them to today.
I am trying not to stress out. I am a bit stressed because I had such a fun but long evening with Debbie, Mary, and her friend Lisa who is awesome. We went to the mall and I got toes, hands, and eyebrows made over and ready to go for my recital. I also got a new dress, nothing like how I expected, but it looks so awesome, I can use it for anything! It was an amazing time, totally being girls and just crazy. But I just feel bad spending money, even though I know that it's okay because it is a special occasion, it's okay to spoil myself, right? I just need to cut back on something else - I think I'm not going to get a haircut like I was wanting to, that will help. I need to pay my tithing. That will help too. I also got shoes but I'm returning them, Debbie said I could borrow hers (which are way cuter, it is definitely a win situation for me)
Writing in a blog really helps me think about what is best for me, how to come closer to being that princess of God my Heavenly Father knows I can be. I hope that I can better glorify him.
It was also great to spend time with Debbie, she has been a real help for me, and it has been a long time since either of us have had a girls night out. I'm so glad that I thought to invite her - It must have been the Spirit.
This weekend, I'm going to rest, I'm going to work, I'm going to have fun, I'm going to do stuff I don't want to do, a bit of everything. I would love any advice and feedback, I'm sure all of you have had big things that you were nervous and excited about.
I am also excited because tomorrow I'm going on a date with Justin - I am going to cook dinner for him and then maybe practice some of my recital for him since he might not be able to come to it. Well, I hope that it goes well, that I have a fun time. It's good to go on dates.
Brian and I have still been able to be just friends, there have been some hard times, but what can you expect? I am really determined, and he is too. I think he knows that I am really working hard to make this happen, to make things different than how they were, and I think it's working. That's one of the main reasons I am trying so hard to be independent. Pray for me. Pray that we can be friends, and that I can feel the Spirit and find comfort. Well, there is this scripture saying that if we are pure in heart that our confidence will wax strong in the presence of God - that's it! that's what I want. I need to focus on my Heavenly Father and Savior.
Stake conference was amazing. I felt real inspiration to be better, to think, what can I do to be better, it's just hard to remember past the morning or night, to remember throughout the day. What do you do?
I hope everyone has a great weekend and I love you all dearly.
Love,
Sunshine
I have been trying really, really hard to be more independent. I think I have been doing a good job, but the problem is, when I try to be independent, sometimes I forget to focus on God. okay, a lot. How can I remember? It's not that I don't want Him, I just plain forget.
One of the things Mary said was to not be depressed about the past, and not anxious about the future, just live in today. What can I do today to glorify God, to better myself, what can I accomplish today?
Yesterday, I really tried to do that, and I felt great, I slept in, I worked on cleaning the room, I took a shower, I practiced. I read scriptures the night before, at least I've been reading, but I haven't been applying it as much, I've been reading some great things. I think I need to write down what I learn and how I can apply them to today.
I am trying not to stress out. I am a bit stressed because I had such a fun but long evening with Debbie, Mary, and her friend Lisa who is awesome. We went to the mall and I got toes, hands, and eyebrows made over and ready to go for my recital. I also got a new dress, nothing like how I expected, but it looks so awesome, I can use it for anything! It was an amazing time, totally being girls and just crazy. But I just feel bad spending money, even though I know that it's okay because it is a special occasion, it's okay to spoil myself, right? I just need to cut back on something else - I think I'm not going to get a haircut like I was wanting to, that will help. I need to pay my tithing. That will help too. I also got shoes but I'm returning them, Debbie said I could borrow hers (which are way cuter, it is definitely a win situation for me)
Writing in a blog really helps me think about what is best for me, how to come closer to being that princess of God my Heavenly Father knows I can be. I hope that I can better glorify him.
It was also great to spend time with Debbie, she has been a real help for me, and it has been a long time since either of us have had a girls night out. I'm so glad that I thought to invite her - It must have been the Spirit.
This weekend, I'm going to rest, I'm going to work, I'm going to have fun, I'm going to do stuff I don't want to do, a bit of everything. I would love any advice and feedback, I'm sure all of you have had big things that you were nervous and excited about.
I am also excited because tomorrow I'm going on a date with Justin - I am going to cook dinner for him and then maybe practice some of my recital for him since he might not be able to come to it. Well, I hope that it goes well, that I have a fun time. It's good to go on dates.
Brian and I have still been able to be just friends, there have been some hard times, but what can you expect? I am really determined, and he is too. I think he knows that I am really working hard to make this happen, to make things different than how they were, and I think it's working. That's one of the main reasons I am trying so hard to be independent. Pray for me. Pray that we can be friends, and that I can feel the Spirit and find comfort. Well, there is this scripture saying that if we are pure in heart that our confidence will wax strong in the presence of God - that's it! that's what I want. I need to focus on my Heavenly Father and Savior.
Stake conference was amazing. I felt real inspiration to be better, to think, what can I do to be better, it's just hard to remember past the morning or night, to remember throughout the day. What do you do?
I hope everyone has a great weekend and I love you all dearly.
Love,
Sunshine
Monday, November 17, 2008
Countdown
That countdown is scaring me a bit, I don't like those seconds ticking! I can't believe it's only 47 days until I will be living in a foreign country! It's exciting, but I will miss Kalamazoo and everyone terribly!
Jami's Happiness Questions
Jami -
Wow, what an interesting post. I think that that is something that I learn about every day, but I wouldn't mind answering your questions.
1- What makes me happy?Knowing who I am. Whether it's the Gospel, my friends, my family, my Savior, or my talents, when I learn new things about myself, or feel confidence about the things I already know, I think that that is a big factor in making me happy.
2- When I'm unhappy, what do I change? Usually I'm unhappy because I feel like I'm lacking something, or because I'm worried what others think, or because I'm not doing something I should. A lot of times, it has to do with my prayers and scripture study. I also usually look for help in my friends or in PJ. I try to take their advice to heart to know what I should change.
3 - How does religion affect your happiness?Well, of course it makes me happy! With the gospel, we can know who we are, we can know how to change, how to make up for our mistakes. Stake conference really gave me a good desire to change and filled me with peace. Last night I was able to pray and read scriptures and that helped too. Our religion is a lifestyle that revolves around the Savior, around always becoming better, about friendship and family, about so many wonderful things that make us happy.
4- Do you think you have control over your own happiness?I think the time when we are the least happy is when we blame things on others. I heard a quote that says, "The only disability in life is a bad attitude." At times we find ourselves in situations where that is the only thing we feel control over. It's a hard thing to remember, but focusing on the Savior, on bettering ourselves, can really help with that. We have control over our actions, and happiness is also feeling good about the things you do. We definitely have control over our own happiness.
I think I'll post this on my blog as well, maybe it can help me remember what makes me happy. I love you, Jami! :)
I also really like what your friend said before me, I didn't read it until after I wrote my comments, but it's really awesome. It's going right along with the emphasis on service in our Stake Conference yesterday! :)
Wow, what an interesting post. I think that that is something that I learn about every day, but I wouldn't mind answering your questions.
1- What makes me happy?Knowing who I am. Whether it's the Gospel, my friends, my family, my Savior, or my talents, when I learn new things about myself, or feel confidence about the things I already know, I think that that is a big factor in making me happy.
2- When I'm unhappy, what do I change? Usually I'm unhappy because I feel like I'm lacking something, or because I'm worried what others think, or because I'm not doing something I should. A lot of times, it has to do with my prayers and scripture study. I also usually look for help in my friends or in PJ. I try to take their advice to heart to know what I should change.
3 - How does religion affect your happiness?Well, of course it makes me happy! With the gospel, we can know who we are, we can know how to change, how to make up for our mistakes. Stake conference really gave me a good desire to change and filled me with peace. Last night I was able to pray and read scriptures and that helped too. Our religion is a lifestyle that revolves around the Savior, around always becoming better, about friendship and family, about so many wonderful things that make us happy.
4- Do you think you have control over your own happiness?I think the time when we are the least happy is when we blame things on others. I heard a quote that says, "The only disability in life is a bad attitude." At times we find ourselves in situations where that is the only thing we feel control over. It's a hard thing to remember, but focusing on the Savior, on bettering ourselves, can really help with that. We have control over our actions, and happiness is also feeling good about the things you do. We definitely have control over our own happiness.
I think I'll post this on my blog as well, maybe it can help me remember what makes me happy. I love you, Jami! :)
I also really like what your friend said before me, I didn't read it until after I wrote my comments, but it's really awesome. It's going right along with the emphasis on service in our Stake Conference yesterday! :)
Saturday, November 15, 2008
A bit late
Debbie and Stephi looking cute!
These are some old pictures that Deb just put on Facebook. They were so cute I couldn't resist posting them on here. the pumpkin is one I made myself - I'm quite pleased with it! worked pretty hard - this is the first time I've ever carved a pumpkin myself. :)
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