Black, White, and a Shade of Gray

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints... Mormons... are often told that living Church standards is pretty much black and white.

I've recently learned from my EFY roomies, who live all over the US, that this is true.

Where they're from... Las Vegas, Wisconsin, California, and Texas... they are numbered in the minorities. Like, they're the only Mormons in their High School...

I learned from them that it's a piece of cake to tell who's Mormon and who isn't, which is where the black and white comes in. Mormons are different. We don't smoke,

drink,

be immoral,

swear...

that kinda thing. In all these places if you're a Mormon, people know and they watch. It's as simple as

Black and White.

Utah, however, is a huge mess of gray. 

I've lived in Utah my whole life, so I haven't really noticed until lately, since I've been in High School really, how... shaded... things are.  I think, because it's Utah and LDS is pretty much the predominant religion, we get kinda lax in our choices and how we present ourselves. 

In school we are a majority, not a minority, so perhaps it doesn't seem like people are watching, like in a school where you are one of three. I think because of this, people act as if the line isn't as defined.

In my high school, you walk around the halls and the student center, but for the most part any guesses are complete speculation.. then, when you get to seminary you see a kid and say to yourself

Wait, that kid is Mormon??

My roomies actually told me that they're grateful they live in areas where it's so defined. The choices are easier and the lifestyle less of a challenge,

 because you know what's right and you know people are watching

Where the rest of the world is black and white

Utah is all shades of gray... not so simple.

Don't get me wrong though, I love Utah

Seminary is during school :D

We have amazing mou'ins... mountains :)

There's zero humidity and hardly any bugs

It's home :D

Chirp chirp!

After work I grabbed a book and sat on my front porch to read.

Not only was it a warm night, but it wasn't quite dark and the birds were chirping and eating from our birdfeeders and playing on the walk in front of me.

You should know,

we have 3 birdfeeders, yes 3, and we are constantly filling them, yes all 3, with more seed at least once a week.

The birds are monsters...

but they're pretty cute :)

I was watching them hop around and I realized how small they are.

It helps that we have about 5 babies frequenting our feeders and living in various places around our house...

but as I got to looking, they are tiny!! 

They're legs are, like, way puny, and everything about them is so delicate and fragile.

I swear, for at least 10 minutes I was just staring at them, watching them play around, and totally marveling at the wonders around us.

There's a God, there has to be.

I wouldn't know how else to explain it.

Have I Done Any Good Today

1. Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?
Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,

A blessing of duty and love.

2. There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today.
’Tis noble of man to work and to give;
Love’s labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be known.

Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,

A blessing of duty and love.

I sure hope I did some good today...

Did I help someone,

give a compliment,

or do a favor??

I hope so.

Reading this song makes me want to try harder to be there for others.

I know what it's like to be on the receiving end of a smile that turns my day around,

and I just hope that I can do that for someone else.

Mismatched

I'd like to think I'm original...

Old Pioneer Cemetery in Nauvoo...

Yeah I know, writing on your shoe isn't original... I just think that's the saddest smiley face I've ever drawn. Not to mention, the rocks are ancient :) 

Mississippi River

I've been to both places..

obviously.

Why else would my funky shoes be in them?!

This summer I decided I needed something I can call my own so,

not only do I wear mismatched shoes, but I document my travel and fun with pics of my shoes.

Weird and so unoriginal, I know.

But for serious, I LOVE that pic ↑ 

Okay, on to business now.

Bailey got her learner's permit today...

and insisted on driving everywhere.

Well duh, 

I don't know why I expected anything less.

So, besides the nerves and the butterflies and seeing my life flash before my eyes multiple times, she did all right.

Until.

 We're driving home from the movies, it's dark, and Bailey's driving...

Who wooda thunk??

When she says:

"Did you guys see that shooting star?!"

(Hey Dad, remind you of anything, hahaha :D )

 Hahaha, funny right?? 

NO!!

I kid you not, my stomach dropped and my heart skipped a beat.

But besides the small issue of stargazing while driving, Ba did pretty good... for her first time :)

44th

This is my 44th post.

Why is that so important/cool/noteworthy you ask??

Well, 4 just happens to be my most favorite number of all time :D

Most people make a note when they get to the hundreds, but not me...

I stick to the 4's.

44 is a lot of posts.

For me anyway, since I just started :)

And lately a lot of people have been telling me they read my blog, which if you're still following me and my first draft ideas, then kudos to you.

You hear my thoughts, but... well, I rarely get to hear yours.

So.

For all you who have read my blog, 

what do you think??

Falling Skies

Normally, I especially hate sci-fi movies, books and the like.

Falling Skies is a new TV series, but see, it's as sci-fi as sci-fi can get... aliens take over the planet, kill the adults and use the kids... the whole bit. 

The thing is, I LOVE this show!!

Why? Well there's a couple contributing factors:

Lots of action and suspense

Creepy aliens that both kill and care

and last but not least...

Awesome/ hot actors :D

The actors are definitely a huge part in me liking the show

Okay, so obviously Drew Roy is hot... he's the younger guy :D

The girl to the left of him, Sarah Carter, she plays the tough chick. Guns and scouting with the guys.

The lady in the purple she's my favorite... Her name, her legit name is Moon Bloodgood. How cool is that?!! 

So yeah, usually I can't stand science fiction shows, but with these actors and with the catchy storyline, it's one of my new favorites.

Granted... 24, Alias, and Drop Dead Diva are higher up on that list, but still.. it made my top 4 :)

Quote of the day:
Max, from across the street, came over to pet my dogs.
Me: How has your summer been so far?
Max: Good. We're leaving in 3 days.
Me: Where are you going?
Max: San Diego.
Me: Oh, that sounds like fun!
Max: Yeah.. We're going to our sand house..?
Me: ...
Max: Beach house

Hahahaha :)
It was probably one of those
you had to be there
moments :D

EFY in... yep that's right. Nauvoo, Illinois

Going to Nauvoo for my very first EFY experience... I think YES :)

It was so super awesome!! We got to see and do so many things that both strengthened my testimony and were a lot of fun...

Joseph Smith home and more old Nauvoo sites

pioneer cemetery

Carthage Jail

Trail of HOPE

Baptisms for the dead in the Nauvoo temple :D

Jazz Concert/ Missionary Show

Devotionals and Morningsides

Testimony meeting

Variety Show

All these things were so amazing!! I would have to say my top experiences were baptisms, Carthage, and studying in front of the temple each morning. but also...

"...One of the few big bands that swings the way swing should be swung." - In the opening prayer before the jazz concert :D

I finished reading the Book of Mormon in the Nauvoo Temple, right after we did baptisms, then I bought an 1830 version Book of Mormon :)

And friends :)

My roomies were awesome. We got to know each other and became really good friends by the end of the week.

Melany, Emily, BreAnn, Diana and Melissa I miss you all SO much!!!

Mary, our counselor, was terrific :) I loved listening to her and just being around her. She's just one of those people, fun and easy to talk to.

I didn't particularly like the humidity 

or the bugs 

or the plane rides

or all the walking

or leaving

But I LOVED the experience!!

Top: Zach, Ryan, Zach, Eric

Middle: Brian, BreAnn, Melany, Emily, Diana, Bradlee, Hope, Mary, Miki, Brooke, Zach, Sean

Bottom: Melissa, Dani, Cherie, Taylor, and me

This was my company, and as I said before my roomies Melissa, Melany, Emily, Diana and BreAnn were awesome and I miss them tons! Mary, too :D

Carthage Jail

In the room were Joseph and Hyrum were killed...

Great picture though :)

Night and day of the

NAUVOO TEMPLE