This past week in my New Testament class we talked about Acts 12. We talked about when Peter was in prison and the people were praying for him to be released and their prayer was answered. But when a child came to tell them that Peter was released they didn't believe or even pay any mind to the child and continued to pray. I think this can perfectly apply to our lives. I find that sometimes I pray for things without fully believing that what I'm asking for could happen. What good does a prayer do if you don't pray in faith? I think also we may ask for things then not wait and be ready to receive the answer. We just go on our way having said the prayer but not really anticipating receiving an answer.
It is important to first pray in faith, fully believing that you will receive an answer to that prayer. Then after you've said that prayer be ready and willing to accept the answer you receive, whatever it may be. This is something that is hard for me. I struggle with receiving answers I don't like. It's something I need to work on. I'm also working on being more open and ready for the answers and promptings as they come. I often catch myself saying a quick prayer asking for this and that then not taking the time to receive an answer. This week I am determined to work on this and get better at being open to the Spirit to give me promptings and answers to my prayers.
Monday, January 28, 2013
A Perfect 20th Birthday
Two days ago I turned 20. For 2 decades I have been roaming this earth creating great friendships and memories. It's been one incredible party, let me tell you.
I'll admit I was not super excited to be turning 20 because that means I can't do dumb things and blame it on my "teenage brain." Now I'm kind of like a full-fledged adult. Only kind of though.
Even though I wasn't thrilled with getting old I had the best birthday ever. This birthday trumps all others. The whole day I felt overwhelmingly loved and cared for by my friends and family and that is the best gift I could have ever asked for.
Let me give you the run down of the terrific day.
I woke up facetimed my cute mom and then went to get breakfast (or breakfrist as I like to call it) with my sister and Shaunessy. We got delicious crepes and I received my gift from Sara and a gift from my parents. Both gifts extremely practical and perfect for my upcoming events (Africa, Mission).
After such a perfect breakfrist I came home to find a exquisitely wonderful surprise from my amazing roommates Makenzie, Alex, and Kyla. As I go to walk into my building I find these on the doors:
Even greater than my face plastered on every door in da hood is the surprise I found next. They had printed out pictures of my friends and family and put their heads on other bodies and put them all around my room. It is the most hilarious thing I think I've ever seen. I was dying laughing. They are so clever and just the best roommates I could ask for! Here are some examples:
After I laughed to my hearts content I got a call from a dashing young gent and told me he would like to take me shooting! What a pleasant surprise it was! His roommate took us up the mountain to a shooting range and let us use his gun! It was scary but one of the greatest things I've ever done! Turns out I'm not that bad of a shot! I'm not quite as good as the dashing young gent though. Then this dashing young gent took me to one of the best kept secrets in Provo. It was so great!
Then I came home and played some Banana Grams to kill time before dinner. After a few rounds a few of my favorites and I went to Malawi's for dinner. Twas delicious. What a great bunch.
To end the day right we had a dance party at my apartment. As most of you loyal blog readers know I love to shake my groove thang whenever I can. So my amazing roommates made an endless amount of cookies, put up beautiful decorations, even bought glowsticks and got the party started! We danced the night away it was perfect.
Overall I got everything I asked for. From cookies to just love it was all there. I am so blessed to have such amazing people in my life that I can count on no matter what. So a HUGE thanks to everyone who had anything to do with my perfect birthday! Seriously you don't know how much all the love, gifts, and sweet words mean to me.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Annie Turner will run that errand for Him.
For my New Testament class we are asked to write a blog about our thoughts from the reading from that week, so now I'll be posting every week about churchie stuff. I'll be honest and say this makes me a little excited!
So for this week we read Acts 7-12 and as I read one thing in particular kept jumping out at me. Whenever any of the apostles or disciples were told to do something from the Lord they, "immediately" did it, or "went straightway" to do the thing which the Lord asked, or "ran," or arose and went...nothing doubting." What an amazing example that is to us. I want to have that much faith that without hesitation I go and do whatever it is the Lord is asking of me to do.
It reminds me of a quote from Pres. Monson, "I trust Him implicitly, and will always do my best to fulfill my responsibilies. I've always said that if the Lord has an errand to be run, I want Him to know that Tom Monson will run that errand for Him."
I want the Lord to know that about me too. I want Him to trust me enough to know that no matter how crazy it might sound or out of the ordinary the errand is, He can trust me to run it for Him without hesitation. I have a lot of improving to do before I'm there that is for sure, but I'm starting now to look and pray for ways to fulfill my responsibility as a follower of Christ.
I love this gospel and I hope that instead of ignoring my churchie posts you take the 5 minutes it might take to read them and think about them a little. That's all I ask! Love you all loyal blog-readers!
So for this week we read Acts 7-12 and as I read one thing in particular kept jumping out at me. Whenever any of the apostles or disciples were told to do something from the Lord they, "immediately" did it, or "went straightway" to do the thing which the Lord asked, or "ran," or arose and went...nothing doubting." What an amazing example that is to us. I want to have that much faith that without hesitation I go and do whatever it is the Lord is asking of me to do.
It reminds me of a quote from Pres. Monson, "I trust Him implicitly, and will always do my best to fulfill my responsibilies. I've always said that if the Lord has an errand to be run, I want Him to know that Tom Monson will run that errand for Him."
I want the Lord to know that about me too. I want Him to trust me enough to know that no matter how crazy it might sound or out of the ordinary the errand is, He can trust me to run it for Him without hesitation. I have a lot of improving to do before I'm there that is for sure, but I'm starting now to look and pray for ways to fulfill my responsibility as a follower of Christ.
I love this gospel and I hope that instead of ignoring my churchie posts you take the 5 minutes it might take to read them and think about them a little. That's all I ask! Love you all loyal blog-readers!
Monday, December 31, 2012
In and Out List of 2013
Here are my lists of things that are in and out for 2013:
IN:
Self-Confidence
Happiness
Scripture Studying
Blogging
Service
Good Grades
Exercise
Africa
Cooking
Dancing
Music
Reading
Sisterhood
Unity
Certainty
Love
OUT:
Laziness
Hesitation
McDonald's (well at least not as often...)
Wasting Time
Anatomy and the tears that accompany it
Worrying what others think of me
Broken hearts
Thursday, December 20, 2012
God is Still Good.
A week later and my heart is still aching for those affected by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I've tried not to think about it too much so that it wouldn't sink in because it it had sunk in I would surely be a mess. I was scared to even attempt to write about it because I knew that my thoughts would never be described eloquently enough and my words would never give any comfort. But, I've decided it's time to let it sink it and for the sake of myself try to put into words my emotions.
I can't imagine the pain and suffering the poor families are feeling as they strive to make sense of this tragic loss. Literally no words are coming to mind to even begin to try to sympathize with these families and loved ones who have been affected.
Since I saw the news that Friday morning I've been looking at every child and parent differently. I keep thinking, it could have happened to that child, or that child, or that parent, etc. I think of my Summer Fun campers and how it so easily could have been them. I think of me in a few years teaching at a school and how it could have been me. All this and still I can't even begin to fathom the pain and the heartache.
The only conclusion that I can come to is that God is sending his love and his support to these people when they need Him most. We may not be able to understand why this happened or know how to help but Christ does know. So I continue to pray and I continue to have faith that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will take those people hurting and hold them and comfort them in ways we may not be able to. That is why God is so good.
I can't imagine the pain and suffering the poor families are feeling as they strive to make sense of this tragic loss. Literally no words are coming to mind to even begin to try to sympathize with these families and loved ones who have been affected.
Since I saw the news that Friday morning I've been looking at every child and parent differently. I keep thinking, it could have happened to that child, or that child, or that parent, etc. I think of my Summer Fun campers and how it so easily could have been them. I think of me in a few years teaching at a school and how it could have been me. All this and still I can't even begin to fathom the pain and the heartache.
The only conclusion that I can come to is that God is sending his love and his support to these people when they need Him most. We may not be able to understand why this happened or know how to help but Christ does know. So I continue to pray and I continue to have faith that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will take those people hurting and hold them and comfort them in ways we may not be able to. That is why God is so good.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Just a Little Something..
My roommate Alex showed me this quote and it has become my phone background. Every time I start to think I can't get through this dreaded finals week, I read this quote.
"The way seems so long, the road so steep. My dear young friends, never lose faith in yourselves or in your capacity to do worthwhile things. And call on the Lord for help that your minds may be enlightened and your understanding quickened. Then go to work with that assurance inside you that somehow you can do it."
-President Gordon B. Hinckley
What a wonderful quote. Thanks Gordon. Onward and Upward! Good luck with finals fellow college students!
Monday, December 3, 2012
Oh Africa!
I feel like you loyal blog readers deserve the whole story behind my deciding to go to Africa this Summer. So, here is the full story:
A little background. I've always wanted to go to Africa. Not sure why, but I just always have. Everything about Africa fascinates me. Ok. There is your background.
So on a random day I had been figuring out my schedule for next semester and on a whim I decided to take a Peoples of Africa class. I choose this class over one that I needed for my major so it seemed strange but I wanted to take it so I am.
Then later that week I had been in class and struggling to stay awake and thought, man I would love some Hot Chocolate right about now. So after class I made my way to the Wilk to get some Hot Chocolate. Then to my surprise HELP International was giving out FREE Hot Chocolate. I was thrilled. I graciously took the Hot Chocolate and continued on to my study spot. Once I got settled I went to HELP's webpage and before I knew I was about to hit submit to apply to go to Mbale, Uganda in Africa.
I quickly realized what I was about to do and decided it was probably a good idea if I talk this through with my parents and plan a little bit more for this. (Good idea right?) I called my Dad and told him what was going on and he was understandably surprised and yet so supportive. He calmly asked questions and urged me to take some time to think about it and plan things through before hitting submit. What a brillant man. He said, "Trust you to find these random things to pursue. This is so you!" Which I took as a compliment. Thanks Dad for talking some sense into me.
I didn't hit submit but I couldn't stop thinking about it. The more I researched and the more I thought about it the more excited I got. To add to my excitement HELP called me about my application. (Keep in mind I still hadn't hit submit!) He answered some of my questions and urged me to hit submit. I was on my way to meet my sister for lunch and so I told her about these little coincidences and asked if she thought they meant anything. She said, "Annie if I've learned anything through all this stuff I've gone through this year it's that nothing is a coincidence. Go to Africa." Best advice ever. She is the best sister ever.
So I went home and hit submit. Yup I just did it. I had a minor freak out after I hit submit. Oh man it still doesn't seem real.
The next day I called my Mom to talk to her. I'll be honest and say I was a little nervous because I knew she was super nervous about me going to Africa. She was great though. She did express a lot of concern but she also expressed a lot of love and support. Which I greatly appreciate.
So anyways to make this long story somewhat short, I had an interview with HELP and I think it went really well and then I got an official acceptance email the other day and well, I'M GOING TO AFRICA! I'm planning on going June 15 - August 15th then serve a mission after that. I'm still trying to figure out all the timing and details but that's the plan for now! Don't worry, I'll keep you updated on everything! Thanks for the support!
A little background. I've always wanted to go to Africa. Not sure why, but I just always have. Everything about Africa fascinates me. Ok. There is your background.
So on a random day I had been figuring out my schedule for next semester and on a whim I decided to take a Peoples of Africa class. I choose this class over one that I needed for my major so it seemed strange but I wanted to take it so I am.
Then later that week I had been in class and struggling to stay awake and thought, man I would love some Hot Chocolate right about now. So after class I made my way to the Wilk to get some Hot Chocolate. Then to my surprise HELP International was giving out FREE Hot Chocolate. I was thrilled. I graciously took the Hot Chocolate and continued on to my study spot. Once I got settled I went to HELP's webpage and before I knew I was about to hit submit to apply to go to Mbale, Uganda in Africa.
I quickly realized what I was about to do and decided it was probably a good idea if I talk this through with my parents and plan a little bit more for this. (Good idea right?) I called my Dad and told him what was going on and he was understandably surprised and yet so supportive. He calmly asked questions and urged me to take some time to think about it and plan things through before hitting submit. What a brillant man. He said, "Trust you to find these random things to pursue. This is so you!" Which I took as a compliment. Thanks Dad for talking some sense into me.
I didn't hit submit but I couldn't stop thinking about it. The more I researched and the more I thought about it the more excited I got. To add to my excitement HELP called me about my application. (Keep in mind I still hadn't hit submit!) He answered some of my questions and urged me to hit submit. I was on my way to meet my sister for lunch and so I told her about these little coincidences and asked if she thought they meant anything. She said, "Annie if I've learned anything through all this stuff I've gone through this year it's that nothing is a coincidence. Go to Africa." Best advice ever. She is the best sister ever.
So I went home and hit submit. Yup I just did it. I had a minor freak out after I hit submit. Oh man it still doesn't seem real.
The next day I called my Mom to talk to her. I'll be honest and say I was a little nervous because I knew she was super nervous about me going to Africa. She was great though. She did express a lot of concern but she also expressed a lot of love and support. Which I greatly appreciate.
So anyways to make this long story somewhat short, I had an interview with HELP and I think it went really well and then I got an official acceptance email the other day and well, I'M GOING TO AFRICA! I'm planning on going June 15 - August 15th then serve a mission after that. I'm still trying to figure out all the timing and details but that's the plan for now! Don't worry, I'll keep you updated on everything! Thanks for the support!
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