It is that time again to order checks because I only have a few left in my checkbook...and because I know you have nothing better to do I have linked my favorite site so you can browse and vote on the ones you like. Tell me what you think.
click here
I am thinking I like Serene (page 1), Cherry Blossom (3), Climbing Ivy (3), and Ivy Vintage (6).
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
JOY TO THE WORLD
So today I was at the gym doing my weights and I was listening to my totally random music selection when Joy to the World came on. Now I haven't bothered to figure out how to make a favorites list so I have everything from Latin, to Pop, to Jazz, to Classical, to Religious to Christmas on my mp3 player. Normally when it isn't Christmas time I just skip when I get to a Christmas song but when I went to hit skip today I stopped myself because this is just a good statement.
"Joy to the world, the Lord is Come"! How wonderful is that?!
I remember once several years ago in the middle of the summer (or maybe not the summer but many months away from December) the member of the Bishopric that was conducting the meeting got up to close and told us that he had changed the closing hymn. He said he knew it wasn't Christmas but after looking at everyone in the congregation he decided it was a good message to sing at the close of our meeting. We then sang Joy to the World.
A few weeks ago I was driving home and I was down and discouraged and feeling very sad. I decided I needed to remember my testimony of my Savior and be happy. I may have had to force myself a little but I sang out loud "Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her King." I sang as many versus as I could remember. Here are a few great lines to consider.
-While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy
-Let earth receive her King
-Let every heart prepare him room
-And Saints and angels sing
"Joy to the world, the Lord is Come"! How wonderful is that?!
I remember once several years ago in the middle of the summer (or maybe not the summer but many months away from December) the member of the Bishopric that was conducting the meeting got up to close and told us that he had changed the closing hymn. He said he knew it wasn't Christmas but after looking at everyone in the congregation he decided it was a good message to sing at the close of our meeting. We then sang Joy to the World.
A few weeks ago I was driving home and I was down and discouraged and feeling very sad. I decided I needed to remember my testimony of my Savior and be happy. I may have had to force myself a little but I sang out loud "Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her King." I sang as many versus as I could remember. Here are a few great lines to consider.
-While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy
-Let earth receive her King
-Let every heart prepare him room
-And Saints and angels sing
-Rejoice! Rejoice when Jesus reigns
-No more shall sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground, He'll come and make the blessings flow
Monday, January 17, 2011
Good News: Good Music
I love good music! I love words that inspire, I love melodies that uplift! I love medleys that bring memories of sacred and meaningful hymns of experiences past. I love the spirit that music can bring!
The other day at the gym I was listening to my random music selection that has anything from Latin to Pop to Religious to Classical, and the first movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony came on. Most people are familiar with the last movement which is "The Song of Brotherhood" or "Ode to Joy" as most would recognize it as, but I love the first movement because it is so neat and I love the little fragments of the "Ode to Joy" that are snuck in there. I enjoy the hint of what is to come!
I decided at the end of today that I needed a pick me up so as I was working on my cards for this month's card club, which I have procrastinated until now, I put it on and am currently enjoying the third movement anticipating what was hinted to an hour ago when I was listening to the first..."Ode to Joy"! I love it!
The other day at the gym I was listening to my random music selection that has anything from Latin to Pop to Religious to Classical, and the first movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony came on. Most people are familiar with the last movement which is "The Song of Brotherhood" or "Ode to Joy" as most would recognize it as, but I love the first movement because it is so neat and I love the little fragments of the "Ode to Joy" that are snuck in there. I enjoy the hint of what is to come!
I decided at the end of today that I needed a pick me up so as I was working on my cards for this month's card club, which I have procrastinated until now, I put it on and am currently enjoying the third movement anticipating what was hinted to an hour ago when I was listening to the first..."Ode to Joy"! I love it!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Good News: We Also Have Inspired Local Leaders!
I usually put this kind of stuff in my journal but I feel that others out there may need it.
We had a great ward conference last Sunday and I have enjoyed studying the lessons taught by our Stake leaders. Also I was able to reread a wonderful talk given by our Relief Society President. One scripture that stood out from her talk was Mosiah 4:9
"Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend."
I hope it helps you as much as it helps me.
We had a great ward conference last Sunday and I have enjoyed studying the lessons taught by our Stake leaders. Also I was able to reread a wonderful talk given by our Relief Society President. One scripture that stood out from her talk was Mosiah 4:9
"Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend."
I hope it helps you as much as it helps me.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Good News: We Have Prophets and Apostles Today!
I believe most of my readers are LDS (Mormons) like myself but just in case I have some unknown non-LDS readers out there, I will start by saying we believe that like in the organization of the Church when Christ was on the Earth we have prophets and apostles that give direction from Him for our day. If you want to know more go to mormon.org/restoration and scroll down to How God Talks to Us Today.
Why is this good news? Well since they have direction for our day I like to take advantage of the teachings to help me know better who I am and what I should do. Two of my current favorite talks from two of the Lord's apostles are "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character" by Elder Richard G. Scott and "Continue in Patience" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
Why is this good news? Well since they have direction for our day I like to take advantage of the teachings to help me know better who I am and what I should do. Two of my current favorite talks from two of the Lord's apostles are "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character" by Elder Richard G. Scott and "Continue in Patience" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Good News: I Finished My Kitchen
One of the blessings of owning a home is learning to work. I believe it is a blessing to work. With this home improvement project I learned I could do things I didn't believe I could. For example the thought of tiling and cutting tiles was overwhelming and I never thought I would be able to do it. Step by step and with a little push I have once again been taught that I can do about anything. Let me show you what I mean...
(above) This is when I moved in, boring white and I wish I could find the picture but a freshly removed blue and yellow plaid wallpaper from under the cupboards. Notice the lovely turquoise counter tops. Bellow might be a better shot of this. 
Here I have painted the kitchen a happy yellow. I really did like it and felt it lifted my spirits. 
So it took some time but I was finally able to get the counters redone. I love them and you can see that I changed the faucet and knobs to make things blend better. I also choose to repaint the walls to match the counters and floor better and the yellow was a bit much even though it was cheerful.
The floor was my next project. I have really disliked it from day one but again it took some time to be able to get it done. 
Here you can see that there were multiple layers to rip up.
It was a long process, I put a few hours in each day for several days but eventually found a tool that made the work move a lot faster.
Here we are mid tile. This is the part I actually helped with, I did some of the laying here.
Here is the finished product. A billion thanks to Shane and Robert who did most of it. Shane did all the cutting and Robert most of the laying. There were many other helpers when it came to prep work and follow up work too. Thanks everyone, you know who you are!
The goal when Shane and Robert were here was to also do the back splash. Unfortunately they ran out of time and since I had the materials and we had borrowed the tile cutter I was forced to take this part on alone. It frightened me but it had to be done so I dug in and did it. 
I think it turned out rather well. Here is the final product.
(above) This is when I moved in, boring white and I wish I could find the picture but a freshly removed blue and yellow plaid wallpaper from under the cupboards. Notice the lovely turquoise counter tops. Bellow might be a better shot of this. Here I have painted the kitchen a happy yellow. I really did like it and felt it lifted my spirits. 
So it took some time but I was finally able to get the counters redone. I love them and you can see that I changed the faucet and knobs to make things blend better. I also choose to repaint the walls to match the counters and floor better and the yellow was a bit much even though it was cheerful.The floor was my next project. I have really disliked it from day one but again it took some time to be able to get it done. Here you can see that there were multiple layers to rip up. It was a long process, I put a few hours in each day for several days but eventually found a tool that made the work move a lot faster. Here we are mid tile. This is the part I actually helped with, I did some of the laying here.Here is the finished product. A billion thanks to Shane and Robert who did most of it. Shane did all the cutting and Robert most of the laying. There were many other helpers when it came to prep work and follow up work too. Thanks everyone, you know who you are!The goal when Shane and Robert were here was to also do the back splash. Unfortunately they ran out of time and since I had the materials and we had borrowed the tile cutter I was forced to take this part on alone. It frightened me but it had to be done so I dug in and did it. I think it turned out rather well. Here is the final product.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Good News and New Goals
Tis the season for setting goals and I don't usually do this publicly but I am going to this time and I will explain a little bit why as I talk about "good news."
This past year in Relief Society we often started the meeting with sharing good news moments. During this time anyone who had something exciting or new to share could share it. For example someone might tell about a graduation, a birth, a visit to an old friend, summer starting....anything. I never shared anything. Not that nothing anything good never happens, just never shared it.
One particular Sunday the good news was postponed to just before the lesson, after the teacher was up and ready to teach. If I were to share good news on this particular Sunday it would have been that my roommates fiance had come over one evening and did some home improvement projects for me that I was particularly nervous to get done. I was very excited that he completed the tasks that would have taken me many hours and much stress. But alas, I did not share my good news.
The teacher then went into a lesson on gratitude and noted that as we shared our good news we were expressing gratitude for the good things that were happening in our lives. I felt guilty for not having expressed my excitement that these tasks were taken care of and no longer a worry for me.
With this thought in mind I will share some goals I have, one being that I want to post more on my blog about some of the good things that have happened to me. I have always hesitated in the past for fear of sounding boastful or showy.
I share some of my goals (New Years Resolutions) so that you can all celebrate with me in my accomplishments that I hope are shared not as bragging but with a element of gratitude.
Laura's Life's goals starting 2011
1-be a better person...follow through on promptings for change and improvement to be the person my Father in Heaven wants me to be
2-work on my calling
3-continue to work on my weight
4-make better use of my discretionary time
OK, so really the first goal covers the rest so maybe it should be a main goal with 3 sub goals, but I will leave it at that.
Posts to come...recognition of what successes I have already had on these goals and general accomplishments in life that are to be considered "Good News".
This past year in Relief Society we often started the meeting with sharing good news moments. During this time anyone who had something exciting or new to share could share it. For example someone might tell about a graduation, a birth, a visit to an old friend, summer starting....anything. I never shared anything. Not that nothing anything good never happens, just never shared it.
One particular Sunday the good news was postponed to just before the lesson, after the teacher was up and ready to teach. If I were to share good news on this particular Sunday it would have been that my roommates fiance had come over one evening and did some home improvement projects for me that I was particularly nervous to get done. I was very excited that he completed the tasks that would have taken me many hours and much stress. But alas, I did not share my good news.
The teacher then went into a lesson on gratitude and noted that as we shared our good news we were expressing gratitude for the good things that were happening in our lives. I felt guilty for not having expressed my excitement that these tasks were taken care of and no longer a worry for me.
With this thought in mind I will share some goals I have, one being that I want to post more on my blog about some of the good things that have happened to me. I have always hesitated in the past for fear of sounding boastful or showy.
I share some of my goals (New Years Resolutions) so that you can all celebrate with me in my accomplishments that I hope are shared not as bragging but with a element of gratitude.
Laura's Life's goals starting 2011
1-be a better person...follow through on promptings for change and improvement to be the person my Father in Heaven wants me to be
2-work on my calling
3-continue to work on my weight
4-make better use of my discretionary time
OK, so really the first goal covers the rest so maybe it should be a main goal with 3 sub goals, but I will leave it at that.
Posts to come...recognition of what successes I have already had on these goals and general accomplishments in life that are to be considered "Good News".
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