"She is more precious than rubies"

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." --Proverbs 31:10

Beautiful Monday here I come.

I had a great talk with some friends today.  I asked them how they felt their self-image was, and how they got to the point they are now.  

I came away from our discussion resolved to do BETTER.  I was shown through these women's testimonies how strong and amazing humans are.

We all have our life journeys. It was good for me to hear these women talk about their struggles and insecurities, and what they do every single day to combat them.  

I want to share a couple of the thoughts:

1.  One woman shared how she realized that pornography and other sexual images don't just 'affect' men, but have a VERY negative affect on women as well.  She talked about how just as she would hope her husband wouldn't look at those kind of things, she now turns the other way as well.  I think sometimes as women we tell ourselves that seeing sexual images/media only hurts men, but it affects us just as much.  Our spirits can't see something like that and not have it do something.  I thought about this in my own life: there is sexual media ALL AROUND ME.  But I CAN choose to not focus on it, or watch it, or read it, and I CAN turn away.

2.  Another woman bore testimony of how important prayer had been in her journey.  She described some difficult things, and talked about how talking to her Heavenly Father had been her saving grace.  She described not only praying in the morning or evenings, but all throughout the day. She would drop to her knees and plead with Him to help strengthen her.  

3.  Someone shared how they had decided to teach themselves about nutrition and the power of food for our bodies.  She said she felt empowered learning about good foods, and how they help our bodies be healthy and strong. She said she had to learn that when one is eating good foods and exercising, we must learn to be happy with the product.  

4. We talked about how beautiful people SHINE because of their virtue and purity.  This talk by Elaine Dalton was brought up. https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-young-women-meeting/2012/03/now-is-the-time-to-arise-and-shine?lang=eng&query=shine

It is an amazing message, but she shares: "I wish every young woman assembled here tonight would know and understand that your beauty—your “shine”—does not lie in makeup, gooey cream, or the latest clothing or hairstyles. It lies in your personal purity. When you live the standards and qualify for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, you can have a powerful impact in the world. Your example, even the light in your eyes, will influence others who see your “shine,” and they will want to be like you. Where do you get this light? The Lord is the light, “and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.”⁸ A divine light comes into your eyes and countenances when you draw close to your Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. That’s how we get the “shiney”! And besides, as all of you can see, the “shiney cream” didn’t really work on my wrinkles anyway!"

The truly beautiful people in our life are those who are SHINING.  Literally shining. 

5.  We talked about how hard it is to really take all of this to heart.  We all shared examples from our lives in which things were done or said that were heart breaking.  We all expressed desire to help raise our children so that they know who they are, and they understand their worth.  As one woman shared about her mother, "She just truly understood that she was a daughter of God."  

Last week I challenged us all to stop the negative talk.  For me, I think it actually made a difference. When I would see myself in the mirror, instead of looking at a body part in disgust, I would instantly replace it with: "I have a beautiful smile."  I found myself being happy that I can smile and be happy. :)

This week I want to challenge us with this strategy: 

Think Nice Thoughts Instead: Research has found that girls who feel good about themselves, regardless of their weight, are more likely to be physically active and eat healthy. They are less likely to gain unnecessary weight and they make healthy lifestyle choices way into the future. Remember that what we THINK about our bodies has a strong connection to how we TREAT our bodies.

Like last week, I want to replace my negative thoughts with positive ones.  When I start comparing, or feeling down, I will think the thought "I am grateful my body does this: or, I love that my body allows me to do this:   "  I will treat my body with love and respect, by feeding it good foods, working my heart and getting good sleep. 

Finally: I want to share another role-model of mine.  I think this woman is one of the most beautiful, radiant person ever.  

Marjorie Hinckley was the wife of President Gordon B. Hinckley of the Latter-day Saint church.  She is an amazing example of wisdom, love, service and beauty to me.  When I think of the person I want to to turn out to be, I think of her.  

Two of my favorite quotes by her:

“I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.” -Marjorie Hinckley

“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow what a ride!" -Marjorie Hinckley

Happy Monday!

Life lately...

Time is flying by!

Thanksgiving is TWO DAYS AWAY!!!!

wow.

 Last week, our court did a neighborhood potluck, so I tried my hand at these rolls.

Delicious!!!!  Baby C helped cook, and it was so fun.

This past weekend, we got to watch my cute little brothers while my parents were on a cruise in Europe.  

It was so fun!  Baby C LOVED playing with both of them, and loved being able to run around a big house.  I loved having people to play with, since Mr. H has still been so busy.

We played battleship, monopoly, mario kart and watched Nacho Libre. :)  

I also was able to throw my friend S a baby shower.  It was really fun to see some old friends.

My brothers and Mr. H really helped me with that---I seriously have the best family.

My parents had an awesome time on their cruise, and brought us back amazing pastries, chocolate and cute aprons. :)

Mr. H was called to be the 2nd counselor in our bishopric for our church.  He is excited, and I know he will do such a great job.  Mostly it will be fun to make faces at him in sacrament meeting while he is on the stand. :)

We have a fun filled week ahead of us, with thanksgiving and a trip to Moab coming up.

So I did a random photo shoot of baby C on the playground.  Gotta live up the nice weather while we can. 

I'm loving the stage that he is in.  He has recently started folding his arms on his own before we eat now.  We were so excited that some of our parenting rubbed off!  He is such a sweetheart and we constantly tell ourselves how lucky we are to have him. :)

Elder Sam

So I have a little brother.  And his birthday is today.  His name is Elder Sam. :)

Elder Sam is serving a mission for the LDS church.  He voluntarily left his country for two years to go and preach the word of God.  

He is currently serving on a tiny island in the Micronesia Guam Mission.  He is doing wonderful!  You can read his letters on this blog: eldersamgerber.blogspot.com

Anyway.  Elder Sam is 20 today.  

It's kind of crazy.  Right now I am 23, my sister is 21 and Elder Sam is 20.  We were all kind of right in a row.  :)

Elder Sam is such a great brother.  

He was always willing to tag along with me and try and help me feel better about things.  

He is such a goof.  He is always wanting to make people laugh.  His letters CRACK me up.  

He was always there to look out for me.  The picture above was taken the day that I hung out with Mr. H for the first time.  I was freaking out, so Elder Sam took me up the canyon behind our house and helped me calm down.  

Elder Sam is one of the most musically talented people I know.  He is an awesome guitarist, harmonica player, vocalist, and pianist.  

Elder Sam will be home in another year.  I am so proud of what he is doing, and I'm excited and grateful that he is so happy. 

WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Conference Weekend

Every six months, my church hosts a General Conference.  

It consists of 4 two hour sessions of our apostles, prophet, and other church leaders speaking to us and counseling us.  

It is amazing.  

I believe that our prophet is a spokesman for God.  I believe that the messages shared over the pulpit during the conference is what God needs me to hear.  

People gather in the Conference Center to listen, but it is broadcasted live all over the world.  

I got to watch it on TV.  

I love hearing from these inspired men and women.  They always speak straight to my heart.  

Their messages are always loud and clear.

God loves us and wants us to be happy.  

Some thoughts I walked away with from this conference:

God is ALWAYS there, reaching for us with open arms NO MATTER WHAT WE HAVE DONE.

By keeping temple covenants, I can have the power of God, (the priesthood) in my life.

Do I understand who I am?  

"Never look back.  Look at what we still have to do."

Faith is ALWAYS pointed to the future.

Keeping the law of tithing brings simple, but significant blessings. 

There is room in the gospel for everyone.  As President Uchtdorf said, "Come Join With Us"

A mother is on an errand to do God's Work

Our decisions determine our destiny.  

And much much more.  

I collected some graphics I really liked. 

We spent our weekend watching General Conference up in Centerville.  Saturday night, C and I went with my mom to dinner and hung out at the mall.  It was really nice, and baby C loved the fountains!  We spent Sunday morning session at the H's, and it was so nice to see everyone.  

Then we spent the afternoon session with my family.  We missed my dad (he was on a business trip) and L and J, but we still had a great time with my brothers and mom.  

It was  a great weekend.  Click on the link above "General Conference" to browse some of the messages shared.  

:)