Humble Way Now.

Lets talk about being Humble. Well I guess we will talk about humbling ourselves. First, Lets listen to a song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArEw-EF_iaI

The song is from a movie called Saturdays Warriors. That movie is amazing. I was talking to... And by that I mean eavesdropping on some guy who was talking to my friend... And by that I mean my acquaintance. BUT he said that Saturdays Warrior was a dumb movie. OH YES. How dare he say such a thing! Don't worry! I told him! I told him how wrong he was... He was shocked. His face was just blank. He didn't even try to fight back. I won my battle. But that song and story have nothing to do with what I want to talk about. Haha

I was told I need to look and act more like a lady. And I have accepted that. BUT I didn't before. I was angry. I AM girly enough! I don't need to wear heals and fancy dresses! I am fine the way I am! And thought I am still like that, I am slowly.... humbling myself and trying to act like a lady. Today I let my sister dress me up! I let her do whatever she wanted. I was her little doll. She had so much fun! And OF COARSE She wanted to take pictures of me... And this was what we ended up with:

 Not too bad... OH But the work it took to get this picture..... I want to spare your eyes... But here are some of the others....

Try not to scream too loud. I know. Kinda scary. SO yeah... I guess I need to humble myself and try to act more lady like. Wish me luck guys. There is a stake dance coming up, so we shall see if all this pays off!

-See Ya Later Raccoon

Merry Christmas!

       Merry Christmas everyone! Wow. It came so fast. But this post is not about Christmas. I know... don't cry. You will be fine. I'm sure you all know the true meaning of Christmas.

           Today we will be talking about smiling and compliments. Eek! I know! So exciting. You all know my opinion on smiling. It is my favoritest! Smiling is the best thing anyone can wear! Okay? Next, Compliments. Who doesn't love compliments.... I wont mention names.... But Most people love compliments! They make me so happy! And when I am happy I smile! You see? They go hand in hand!

There are some compliments that make me SO happy, Here are my favorites... Not that I have favorites... but... never mind.(:


ok...... Natalie, you are like the best friend I have ever had or want to have. even though you talk with me from so far away, when I talk with you.....it feels like you really really far away AND THAT HURTS! so thank you for being so awesome........and for those of you reading this that are not Natalie, well I like her more then you

Oh and Then there is this one:

You are stunningly beautiful, Natalie! I don't care if you push this aside as flattery, but the only words that I type are solid truth. You shine a light in my life of happiness that is refreshing and oh so wonderful. You are going to win the Freedom Bowl by a landslide, simply by smiling and showing the world that you are 100% amazing.
So there!

See? The thing I love about them is that they were honest! I didn't feel that they were just "Saying it" I felt that they meant it. I think that is the thing about compliments. You have to mean it. You can not just say it and not mean it. I have set a goal to go and email every person in my contacts and tell them how amazing they are. I will mean every word I say though! Because I love making people smile! It makes me feel so happy! 

When I tell a joke and people laugh it makes me happy! Making people smile makes me so happy! I seriously hope you all know how amazing you are, because you are all so amazing and are great examples to everyone around you! So There! I love you all and thanks for reading my blog!(:

-See Ya Later Raccoon

Talks...

I had to speak in church today! Here is my talk:

A lighthouse does not go out searching for ships to save. It simply stands there, shining for all to see, guiding lost ships safely into the harbor.  We should all strive to be a lighthouse.We should stand firm, wherever we are, living our lives true to the gospel, so that Christ's light can shine through us for all to see.

In the Young Womens theme it states, “ We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us and we love him. We will stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places.” But what does it mean to stand as a true witness of God?

Elder D Todd Christofferson said, “We are witnesses of Christ when we receive a sure, personal testimony that He lives.” End quote

I think having a personal testimony for ourselves is really important.I like to think of a testimony like a toothbrush and how you want to have one of your own and don’t want to have to rely on using someone else's toothbrush.

In Mosiah 18:9 it says, “ Stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places.” Just like in the Young Womens theme!

I think something that is important is the word “all.” It doesn’t say to stand as a witness sometimes, or whenever you feel like it. It says “at all times.”  To be a true witness of God, we need to stand strong all the time.

I believe someone who was a really good example of being a witness of Christ was Joseph Smith. He was true to the gospel. He stayed strong at all times and in all things and in all places. If he didn’t stand as a witness at all times, we probably wouldn’t be here. He inspires me, because I don’t think he realized at that time how many lives he would change! It makes me challenge myself to try and stand as a witness at all times, because you never know whose lives you might change.

When we stand as a witness, it not only brings us closer to others, but it brings us closer to our Heavenly Father. I think most of our goals are to be like Christ, and I think that is something we as Latter Day Saints strive for.  I know that no one is perfect and we will never be perfect without our Savior, Jesus Christ, but as we try to emulate Him, we will become more like him.

In first Timothy chapter 4 verse 12 we read, “ Let no man adespise thy youth; but be thou an bexample of the believers, in word, in cconversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, indpurity.” End quote.

So let us all be an example of the believers. Let us each be a lighthouse, standing firm, and letting Christ's light shine through us for all to see.

Moving Madness...

         Im so sorry I have not kept you updated! Today is just going to be a rant. Since moving I have realized what a weirdo I am. So let me give you and update on everything! ( Oh and if you keep reading I might post pictures... (: Haha Okay. So school has started... Well it started a while ago, but now it is go time!

NaNoWriMo- I have started! I spend hours writing this story! Some days all I can do is think what is going to happen next and Other days I want to quit and give up. My story I am writing makes me so happy though! It is a LDS romance novel! AGH! So cute....even though I know nothing about romance... Back in Utah I would go to the library and they had a whole wall full of LDS romance novals! ( I'm pretty sure I read them all) This week I went to the library here in Washington and there were no LDS romances! I'm pretty sure I almost died! And so after I write this book, every female Mormon will love this book!

Choir- So I love to sing! It is my life. I sing, play piano, and write music. I would not be alive if I didn't have music. I am in this stake choir for the youth, and WE ARE AWESOME! We sound like a mini MTC! Hahah and by MTC I mean Mormon Tabernacle Choir! Haha

Friends- I have made friends! I know. You are all so proud. Haha I really feel welcomed here. Everyone includes me and invites me to hang out with them. I really appreciate them all. When moving the thing I was most worried about is that my friends in Utah would forget about me. They haven't! They email me and still love me! I could never ask for better friends than what I have right now.

School- So I am taking two classes at the public school! I am taking Seminary, ( WHICH IS THE BESTEST!) And Treble choir. Treble choir is an all girls choir. It is difficult being in that choir, but It will work. I have to sit in the Cafeteria for an hour before school starts because my sister has a class before school. It is kinda scary sitting in there. Since I am homeschooled, I am pretty sheltered. Sitting in there has changed me! I have never heard so many dirty mouths! It drives me nuts! I am going to need to write a post on clean language!

That is really it... I know I said there might be pictures... but I will make you wait... Mwahaha Until then...

-See Ya Later Raccoon

Hard

Moving is so hard. I didn't realize it was going to be this hard on me, but it has. I have kinda felt like a loner. I was crying one day because I felt friendless and I was the only one at home. SO I got on my email and my friend named Javan was on! ( Yes, Noah's grandson was named Javan too! I think..)  He helped me through so much! He also writes amazing music! Go check it out:

 http://www.reverbnation.com/neverendsmusic/songs

He is such a great friend and example! 

Pahah This picture is awesome. He is super cool. Friends like this make me so thankful! Friends are so great! Sometimes when you want a great friend you need to be one first! SO My challenge for you is to go introduce yourself to someone new and try to be their friend! 

FLAAASH BAAAAAACK! Okay. The Day I Met Javan:

It all started when I got an email from this weird, crazy, creeper, stranger named Javan. I started freaking out ! How did this creeper get my email!?!?! He never sent me an email again.... UNTIL

2 Months Later:

I was going to my friends play and this guy came up to me and said, " Hi. Im your stalker." Yes, that was Javan and we have been friends since.

But please don't send a random person emails.....

The Move Has Come

So it is official I do not live in Utah anymore..... now that I think about it... IM HOMELESS! Okay, so maybe that is not entirely true. We sold our house in Utah, but we still own in for a couple of days and we don't own our house in Washington for a couple more days. For now we are staying in Idaho with my grandparents.

Sorry I haven't posted in... 2 weeks? Last week was general conference so I took a break. Man. It has been so stressful. Let me give you a look of the last week before I moved.... FLAAASH BAAAACK!

Tuesday- It all started when I woke up at 6:20am. I went to seminary came back and the fun began. Shortly after I got home the movers came and packed our things in boxes. All the packers were women which made me feel a little better about them touching all of my things. I still felt a little uncomfortable with a bunch of strangers touching all of my things though.... That was the end of day 1.

Wednesday-  The driver came. Once I got back from Seminary the driver of the truck came.... He was an interesting character.... ( Okay. I will be honest. I was scared he might murder me!) Haha He was great. He got all of our furniture ready to move. That took him a long time.

Thursday- The movers. I got back from Seminary and the movers came. They got all of our stuff and put it in a truck! AGH! MY STUFF IS GONE. That is when the cleaning began.

We cleaned... and cleaned.....and cleaned. Did I mention we cleaned? So we woke up on Friday and cleaned some more.... and more... and more... And then we left to Idaho.

It is so weird to think that we are in Idaho and aren't going back to Utah. Yes. I do miss it a lot. I think the thing that is keeping me going is my friends. They tell me I can do it and they believe in me. I called one of my friends and even though I only talked to him for about 5 minuets me made me feel peace about the move. I really turn to my friends for strength. I hope I can be there for them when they need strength.

This quote is so true. I didn't realize it until I have come to a hard time. My true friends have been there. I am so thankful for them and for their great example in my life! I love you guys!

That is all for now. Until next week!

- See Ya Later Raccoon

True Friends

"Everyone needs good and true friends. They will be a great strength and blessing to you. They will influence how you think and act, and even help determine the person you will become. They will help you be a better person and will make it easier for you to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. Choose friends who share your values so you can strengthen and encourage each other in living high standards. "

- For The Strength of Youth

I'm leaving all my friends. Do you know how hard that is? Sure I have email and stuff, but I can't go to their house every week. They will be going to all these activities and I won't be there. As I look at these friends I think to myself, " Who are my true friends? Who will not forget me when I leave? Who will I still be friends with 10 years from now?"

I have had friends kinda back out on our friendship when they found out I am moving. That made me realize who my true friends are. As I look over my true friends I realize how blessed I am. Some of my best friends are guys and they look after me like I am there sister. Some of my guy friends are not aloud to email girls, which I respect. It makes it hard moving and not really having any contact with them, but they were good friends while I was here and I will never forget the influence they had on my life. I encourage you to ask your parents if you are aloud to email the opposite gender. Your parents know best and they watch over you. They may also want to read all of your emails. They are trying to protect you. The world is a scary place that we can not face alone. This is another great reason to have friends.

The above quote brings tears to my eyes. I have not realized how blessed I am to have such good friends. Now that I am leaving I realize how lucky I am to have all the friends I have. Each and every one of them have blessed me in significant ways. I could go through all of my friends and tell you how they changed me. But they changed me for the good. We need to make sure we pick good friends that will make us want to be better people. 

- See Ya Later Raccoon 

The Amazing Mother

Mothers are amazing.

           This week has been so hard on my family. Let me walk you through it. The family that bought our house backed out. ( WHAT? Why? Ugh!) We bought a house in Washington, but my mom has to work this all out from Utah. ( She is simply amazing) I am a crying mess. ( She makes me feel better about the move) All this is happening and my Dad is already living in Washington. She is doing this all by herself. I know. My mom is outstanding. My mom also is homeschooling her 6 kids who are in all different grades. 

          Does anyone remember the 2,000 Stripling Warriors? Those were brave young men. And they gave credit to their mothers. They said, “Our mothers knew it” (Alma 56:48) Wow.  I really admire those mothers. What if they let their sons do whatever they want? I am sure the story would have come out differently. 


         Being a mother is something so special. You get to help raise the next generation of children! I know that If I didn't have the mother I have today, I would have turned out much differently. I am eager to one day have the privilege of becoming a mother. Heavenly Father need mothers! Every child feels a close connection to their mother. They nurture us. They care for us. They make sure we are happy. 
         Fathers are also so outstanding. They provide for us. They watch over us. They are the head of our family and are righteous priesthood holders. Together, our parents make the best team! They are like super hero's raising us! 
         Parents know best. They know everything. I know we teenager think we know everything and think that they don't understand, but they do! They used to be our age! They had some of the same trials that we did! Oh And don't even think about lying to them. They find it out. They know when something isn't right. They will help guide us back to the Iron Rod. They really know what is best for us and want us to be happy. Sometimes we think we know what is best, but they know. They know when we are up to something and they will find out. 
         Remember that no one is perfect. Our parents will make mistakes just like we have, but they know much much more than us. We are all human and we all make mistakes. That is why the atonement is such a blessing in our lives. I encourage you all to thank your parents. They pray for you, they worry about you and they love you. Just like our Father in Heaven loves each and every one of his children on Earth.

Will You Be happy?

              That has been my motto this week. Be Happy. 2 words. It is so simple, but not many people are happy. We determine whether we will be happy or not. No one can make you angry or sad. We choose what we feel. We choose whether we will be happy or not. Will you be happy?

           Teenagers have a rather difficult time being and staying happy. I know. Go ahead and blame hormones, but you choose if you are going to be happy. I know people aren't perfect. People are going to come into your life and make you want to cry. They will make you angry. You will want to get back at them, but the best way to get back at them is to be happy. All bullies want to do is make you angry and sad, but if you are happy, they won't know what hit them.

This is one of my favorite talks:
       
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2000/04/living-happily-ever-after?lang=eng&query=be+happy


           

I encourage you all to read it, but if you don't, here are some of my favorite points she makes:

" In the Book of Mormon, Lehi explained to his son Jacob that happiness is a result of obedience. He told Jacob that eternal laws have both punishments and opportunities for happiness attached to them. When we disobey God’s laws, we suffer the punishments, but when we obey, we reap the happiness (see 2 Ne. 2:10). Part of what creates happiness is the absence of regret, guilt, and sin.

Happiness is not only simple, but it is here for us to experience each day. Happiness is all around us. It can be as immediate as now. Some children said, “Happiness is a big word with flowers all around it.” Another said it looks like “a rainbow.” “It looks like the sun.” We need to remember that despite all of life’s challenges, our time to be happy is now."

Modest is Hottest?

               We have all heard the saying, Modest is hottest! But is it true?  I asked some guys their opinions, this is what they said:

 -"MODEST IS HOTEST! It's more attractive if a girl is actually wearing clothes."

- "It makes me feel more more comfortable around them when there modest, I feel less nervous."

- "(Immodest clothing) makes things really awkward and uncomfortable. It may sound cheesy, but when a girl is wearing sweet modest clothing, it says a lot about the character and personality of the girl, and that is the kind of girl most guys like to be friends with. "

 Wow. Maybe modest is hottest! Lets read the For Strength Of Youth:

Your body is sacred. Respect it and do not defile it in any way. Through your dress and appearance, you can show that you know how precious your body is. You can show that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ and that you love Him


Wow. Isnt that great? We can show we love Christ by being modest? 

Watch this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=31aK2Y9yvZc#t=78

Girls. Please. Please be modest. You know what is modest. Live those standards! Modesty is huge! Represent our church! Be an Example!

Todays blog post is kinda short, but I hope this got the message across! Here is another good modesty video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6jSXCUJ9jY


-See Ya Later Raccoon

Open Book

Open Book tests are the best! You get a book that basically has the answers to all the questions! It is the best! All you have to do it right it down. You can't just read it and put something totally different! You would get the wrong answer! So you read it and do what it says!  Simple! 

Take a look at this:

“Within the covers of our standard works is a modern-day ‘school of the prophets,’ where class is constantly in session and the tuition is free. On the faculty is a team of spiritual giants, many of whom have conversed personally with the Lord. All we have to do is open and read in order to be tutored by [these great and wise men in directing us to the way of joy].” –John Bytheway

Wow. That is a lot to take in. Actually, no. It is really simple! Our Earth life is our test! And Guess what? It is Open Book! The scriptures are the open book! Just read and obey it! Wow. Easy right? Now, we all mess up! Big or little, We can erase it! It can all disappear like it never happened! Thanks to the atonement we can be forgiven! 
The Gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is amazing! Last October, Sister Ann Dibb gave a talk. She said something I will never forget. "I'm a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it."

Im just going to add something to it, Im a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it. I'm proud of it.
I have met too many people who are ashamed to follow the standards! Arise and Shine forth! You are doing what is right! Carry on and be proud that you are a child of God. Life is an open book. Open it. Follow it. 


-See Ya Later Raccoon

My Blog

Sorry, My blog kinda freaked out and made the last post look weird... Hahah Sorry about that.

A Heavenly Pep Talk

This week I have been working very hard to get my house ready to sell. We would work from 7:30 in the morning to 8:30 at night. By the end of the day I was tired. I was ready to quit. I just wanted to stop and cry and quit. I was done with the whole moving thing. So I got on my email and I saw one of my friends was online. I started chatting with him and I told his I was exhausted! I asked him if he could give me some words to help keep me going. This is what he said,

"First,

Your amazing. Second  People WILL love you for who you are  Third  and YOU are the one who'll decide where to go... ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!   Forth  I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended  up where I needed to be. ― Douglas Adams " I don't think my friend realized how much he helped me. After I read that I got up and I cleaned with a happy attitude! Go read it one more time, but imagine Heavenly Father telling you this before he sent us to Earth. Imagine him saying, " Your Amazing. People will love you for who you are. You are the one who'll decide where to go. "                                But Im going to change this last piece a little bit. " You may not go where you think you are meant to be, but you will end up where you I need you to be" Take a minute and imagine yourself in Heaven. Imagine saying goodbye to your Father, Your  Heavenly Father, to come to Earth. I imagine him giving me a little pep talk. I could imagine him saying exactly what my friend told me. I read a great quote today, "The Lord knows who we really are, what we really think, what we really do, and who we really are becoming" - David A Bednar After passing through the vale, we forgot everything! But we know that Heavenly Father loves us! He knows us  and wants whats  best for us! We have the blessing of being able to talk to him! So when It is hardest to stand up, kneel. Kneel  and pray to him and tell him your worries! He wants to know! I challenge you to get on your knees and pray to him every morning and every night. -See Ya Later Raccoon

Here it comes...

I can feel the move coming closer! It is kinda scary.... and exciting... all at once! If you have been around me lately you know I am still my happy self! I am a happy person on the outside.... but lately on the inside I have been slowly cracking. We have been packing and cleaning! I have realized that I can't avoid the move! I also realize that God is in control! Why would I not want something he can give me? He would never take away something without giving you something better in return!

I realize that Satan is trying to grab hold of me and drag me under! He wants me to be depressed! He wants me to think I am alone! Last night I read a great quote that said something like, " Satan has had more than 1,000 years of experience in tempting people." Isn't that crazy to think about? Since 4000 BC ( Adam and Eve) Satan has been tempting people. He is trying to get people to be as miserable as he is. The Lord has given us our protection! He has given us armor! We just have to put it on and keep it on!

Our Armor includes:

-Scriptures
- Commandments
-For the Strength of Youth
-Church
-Temple
-Leaders
-Prophets
-Prayer
-The Atonement

And so much more! What would happen if you were in battle and didn't put your armor on? So you just go to battle with nothing? You would be easy to kill right? If you put your armor on and prepared for battle, you would last! You would be able to make it through the whole thing! We have been handed out armor! We just need to put it on! Are you going to put on your armor?

-See Ya Later Raccoon

Chapter 1 Of the Move...

How do I put this....Im moving to Washington. 

My feelings at first about this:

AGH! NO! HOW COULD YOU! THIS IS THE WORST DAY EVER!

My feelings about it now:

 Life goes on. The Lord will put us where I am meant to be.

Moving seriously stunk when I found out. I felt like life would never go on. The more I prayed the more I understood, the more I read my scriptures the more I accepted. Life is hard, but we have trials to strengthen us. 

Heavenly Father put us on this earth to make us prove ourselves. He loves us and wants whats best for us. He would never give us a trial we could not overcome. He loves us and has a plan for every single one of his children. We are all his children! So that means every single person who is reading this is loved and watched over!

If you ever have 5 minuets I would encourage you to read/watch this talk: https://www.lds.org/youth/video/learning-through-trials?lang=eng

When I found out I was leaving all of my friends I was scared and worried! I was scared my friends would forget about me. But I remember learning about the pioneers and how they left everything for the lord. They left their homes and friends to follow the Lord! I like to think of myself as a pioneer leaving my home and friends to follow the lord. We are all pioneers facing our own bumps, hills, and trials.

 I will end this post with one of my favorite quotes:

"Yeah, Sure our future can be uncertain at times, but how exciting that is! How exciting it is to know it's guided by God." -Al Fox

Stay Strong.

- See Ya Later Raccoon