We Lived After the Manner of Happiness

As many of you know I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This past week I got to hear and attend a worldwide meeting called General Conference where our Prophet, apostles, and other leaders of the church speak. It is a perfect weekend where we can re-evaluate ourselves and make goals to improve. It's a time to hear what the Lord would have us hear. It's truly a remarkable opportunity.

You may also know that I'm big on happiness. During my senior year of high school I became more and more interested with the idea of choosing happiness. I thought it was just a little phase but almost 4 years later I think it's become more of a life mantra. I have come to know that you are the only person who can determine your own happiness.

 I have such strong faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ because it leads to true and lasting happiness. 

I wanted to count how many times the words happiness and joy are found in the scriptures, talks, and other church resources. But that was too lofty of a goal because it is mentioned far too many times. The very plan that Heavenly Father has created for us is called the Plan of Happiness.

I believe in Christ and in His gospel simply because it makes me happy. I have found in my own life that as I am doing what the Lord has asked me to I find true and lasting happiness. Too often we are searching for instant gratification and so we turn to things that are easy and quick options for what we think is happiness. But I would dare to suggest that those things, whatever they may be, do not provide happiness. They provide a terrible substitute of true happiness that is short-lived satisfaction. How quickly after one episode on Netflix do we click to watch the next one? How soon after one piece of chocolate do we wish we had a second? How easily does a quick 20 minute nap turn into a 2 hour slumber? I'll tell you from experience that it is far too quickly.

I have come to rely on the gospel of Jesus Christ when all those other impostures fail me for peace and lasting happiness. When I return to the Savior by studying the scriptures, saying my prayers, looking for opportunities to serve, and so on, the stress and struggles of life are more easily carried. I find true healing and strength through my Savior.

So why do I still turn to Prison Break to try to relax me after tough day? Or why do I get a Diet Coke when I am in search for some happy? Well, because I am not perfect. (And honestly Diet Coke brings me happiness, but that's beside the point.) The point is that we are imperfect beings who make mistakes, but through Christ we can be made whole again and return to live with our Father in Heaven and our families. Christ takes our best efforts and says, "It's ok, I'll spot you the rest." The Atonement is what gives me hope for the future and joy along the way.

I invite you to do something that will bring you true and lasting JOY. There are many things that can do that- scriptures, prayer, reading a talk from a prophet, visiting lds.org, going to the temple, or even more simply- watching this video.

 

"I know that [Christ] has created a better plan for me and when I follow His plan I am much happier, I am at peace."

Mama Knows Best

I don't know how it happened but ever since I get married I have a greater appreciation for my Mom. I find myself wanting to call her more often and get her opinions and advice on everything. She is my go to person when I have any kind of issue I need to work out or solve. And thanks to my Mama, she has given me confidence once again on one particular issue.

In one of my classes our teacher gave us a list of his top ten tips for living on a teacher's salary. Most were pretty good tips that I agree with but some got me worried I wasn't cut out for the wife/mother part. They were things like, "learn to coupon," "cook everything from scratch," and my least favorite, "use cloth diapers." Not to say that any of those things are bad- but I cannot even bring myself to think about using cloth diapers. (Even if he said you would save $4,000 a year, call me high maintenance but that's not enough to compensate for the thousands of times I would throw up.)

I'm betting I'm not alone in this based on all the blogs and such I've seen about it. I guess here are my two cents.

I think maybe it's part of the LDS culture to picture the perfect wives and mothers who stay at home, have their children well-dressed, orderly, and clean and have a perfectly cooked (from scratch) meal waiting for their husbands when they get home from work. During their day they spend hours couponing, quilting, canning, and crafting. I guess when I got married I had this crazy idea that once you were a married woman all these handy skills would just naturally be bestowed upon you. Well, shockingly enough that didn't happen. I know, I know, you can pick your jaw up off the floor now.

I told my mom about these woes and here was her perfect response:

"Don't believe for a minute there is one cookie-cutter kind of wife. Make the decision NOW that you will be you. Period. If something appeals to you and makes sense, do it. If you only feel like you should do it because others do it and there is some silly comparison going on, LOSE IT FAST. That's the quickest, surest road to misery -- trying to be someone you are not just to fit in with a stereotype that others try to conform to. Honestly, make a promise to yourself right now that you will live up to your best, not someone else's. If cloth diapers and coupons aren't your thing, liberate yourself from that expectation and do what feels right for you. The minute you feel yourself trying to be the perfect wife, mother, etc. because of perceived standards set by others, you are headed for trouble. I could go on about this forever. Satan's greatest tool over women is to make us feel "less than" other women. When he succeeds at that, he saps all our power out of us. We start losing our strength trying to become someone we are not and then we are never happy with ourselves."

Can I get an AMEN? Comparison has and will always be one of Satan's greatest tools against us. Who cares that I don't know how to make my own jam or save $100 bucks with coupons every grocery visit. I have other great strengths that I have faith will be perfect for my own family. And for heaven's sake I've been married not even 3 months yet! I've got plenty of time to figure out what skills I think are important for my family and I have confidence that all isn't lost because I don't know how to make my own bread, yet.

I guess I should end this rant before I offend anyone because that was not my intention. I hope you blog readers get that I am seconding my mother and telling you that comparison is a terrible game to get involved in. I am far too guilty of it. If couponing excites you and saves you money and cloth diapers don't make you gag than more power to you!

My mom said it best and I second her plea and extend it to you, "I want you to be the trailblazing wife and mother just like you've been the trailblazing girl in every other way -- cutting your own path, sticking to your standards and doing what you know is right for YOU. Please don't start creating some ideal based on what others are telling you. WE support you no matter what but if you start reading and adhering to all those perfection blogs written by all the couponing, trying to be like everyone else women, I'll drop kick you into next week."

What a Year...

I celebrated my 21st birthday yesterday and it got me reminiscing about how many amazing things have happened to me this past year. I mean truly amazing things. I started a journal last year and in my first entry I wrote, "I have a very strong feeling that this is going to be a great year." Boy was that inspired. Allow me to recap these life-changing events in some pictures.

The mission age was changed and I was heart-set on serving a mission along with my 2 best friends Makenzie and Alex. As you already know that plan quickly changed but Makenzie and Alex held true and are currently serving the Lord in New York and Brazil.

Then I pushed back my mission a couple months in order to fulfill my life-long dream of going to Africa! Although before I left I had already made the decision of not serving a mission and to prepare to for marriage! I spent an incredible month in Uganda learning and loving. 

Before I left Josh and I had made things pretty clear that when I got back we would soon be engaged. So 3 days after I got home from Uganda Josh surprised me in DC and proposed! 

We spent a semester planning and preparing, then were sealed Dec. 21st in the Salt Lake Temple and had 3 amazing receptions to celebrate! 

And now here I am, 21 and married to the perfect man. I want to say that I couldn't be happier but last time I said that I was proven wrong. So I guess I'll say that I am the happiest I have ever been. I can't wait to see what this year brings me. 

Winter Wedding Break

I'll admit I've been avoiding my blog. So much has happened these past three weeks I am overwhelmed just thinking about attempting to summarize it all on one blog post. So..I guess I'm not going to. Sorry! 

Just know that Josh and I's weddings #1, 2, and 3 were incredible and I am the happiest girl alive. I am so ridiculously grateful to all who worked so so hard to make everything happen those 2 weeks of wedding craziness. I am overwhelmed by the amount of love and support Josh and I have received during our whole engaged and marriage process. Thank you just does not cut it. 

Married life is fabulous. I still struggle to believe that I'm living real life right now. I didn't know it was possible to be this happy! Josh is a great roommate, best friend, and husband. We are really enjoying married life. We think it's the bee's knees. 

Since I can't summarize the wedding weeks in words I will in pictures. Thanks Griffin Harrington and Kati Ann for capturing everything so beautifully! 

My dress had a big stain from Formals so my mom surprised me and replaced the
panel with the stain the week of the wedding. One of the best gifts I received. Thanks mom! 

Some of my BFFs flew all the way from VA to be there!

We got pedicures with my girls and my fancy flip flop broke while leaving..

Who says it's bad luck to see the bride the night before the wedding?

Getting ready with some of my bridesmaids the morning  of!
Bekah was skyping her brother on a mission and Emily was on a plane rushing over! 

Married!! 

Of course a Snapchat was necessary. 

Just sassin it up with my favorite girls. 

At the Reception my Dad surprised me with a tender video
that made everyone cry. Another perfect gift. 

Then we had the best dance party of my life. Even Grandpa danced all night long! 

Then to DC, so fun to see so many good friends from
high school come out to celebrate with us! 

Such a fun night! 

We finished up our celebrating in Colorado with yet another amazing reception! 

Again thanks to everyone who made all this not only possible but perfect! Josh and I are eternally grateful!

I Love to See the Temple

Tomorrow I am getting on a plane to fly home for the weekend! I am really excited. I'm going home for 2 bridal showers and most importantly to go through the Temple! I am so excited for the whole weekend.

Going through the Temple means that I receive my endowments. Receiving my endowments means that I make covenants with God and He in turn makes covenants with me in which I am entitled to blessings if I keep those covenants. I feel ready and excited to make those covenants. While I don't know all that goes on in the temple I do know that it is all ordained of God.

In preparation to receive my endowments I had to have an interview with my Bishop and my Stake President. My Stake President said something that I loved, his advice to me was to "chill and feel." He reminded me of a song I learned when I was a little girl called "I love to see the Temple" the words go like this-

 

I love to see the temple.

I'm going there someday

To feel the Holy Spirit,

To listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God,

A place of love and beauty.

I'll prepare myself while I am young;

This is my sacred duty.

 

I love to see the temple.

I'll go inside someday.

I'll covenant with my Father;

I'll promise to obey.

For the temple is a holy place

Where we are sealed together.

As a child of God, I've learned this truth:

A family is forever.

 

 

 

 This song pretty much sums up the purposes of the temple! I've had it stuck in my head all week. With all this wedding hoopla Josh and I have tried to remind each other that the most important part of the wedding is the Temple Sealing. If everything else goes wrong it doesn't matter. We will be sealed for all time and eternity blessed by Heavenly Father. That is what is most important.

My Day of Thanks

This Thanksgiving I got to spend with my new family! Josh's family came down from Colorado and picked us up in Provo and we drove down to St. George to be with Josh's Grandparents and brother Rob.

We got to go to the pool and to encourage Bekah as she swam laps to stay in shape for Swim Team. When I say encourage I mean we messed around a lot while Bekah worked hard. Luckily we got Bekah to join in our fun as we made ridiculous relay games where we practically drowned our way across the pool. Life-threatening yet completely enjoyable!

We also played lots of games. I quickly learned that when it comes to games the Burtons mean business. We had some good competitions all in good fun of course. Rob and his smooth talking got me to share the glory of winning with him causing contention between us and Josh and Bekah. Which made Bekah retaliate by kicking me in my sleep. (ok, ok, it was unintentional...I think..)

On Thanksgiving we Josh and Rob entertained us by pulling up one of their Grandparent's dead trees in the backyard.

After a couple fun filled days in St. George we made our way back up to Payson to be with Josh's other grandparents for our 2nd Thanksgiving meal. I think after all the food I've eaten this week I will be full for weeks!

I really enjoyed being able to spend Thanksgiving getting to know my new family. I think I'm pretty lucky to have the Burtons as my in-laws. This Thanksgiving I have so much to be grateful for. My amazing family (new and old), all my loved ones that have done so much for Josh and I to make this special time in our lives the most memorable and perfect time ever, my opportunity for an education at the greatest university (ok I may be a a little biased..), my job, and my very favorite- only 20 more days until I am sealed together with my best friend! So many great things going on I can't even handle it!

Why Being Engaged Rocks!

Recently Josh and I have been complaining about being engaged. It's a little embarrassing and slightly pathetic. We keep saying that being engaged sucks. But what kind of attitude is that!? We just get overloaded with planning and such that it stresses us out. We are just ready to be married! But good things come to those who wait right? So in honor of my life's motto of "Just Be Happy" here are couple reasons why being engaged is the bees knees:

• Having excuses to get me nails done. So many pictures, people looking at my ring, etc! I can't have ugly nails! Right? 
• Looking Pretty. With all our pictures and meeting people and attention I've got to look good right? I get to get my make-up and hair done for pictures and such and what girl doesn't like getting pampered?
• Excuse to be lovey dovey. I like to think that Josh and I aren't one of those annoying couples who can't sit more than 2 inches away from each other ever, but who doesn't like to be close to the ones you love? I get to hold my man and me a little more affectionate, which I'm not sure he likes, but I love it. haha
• Parties and Celebrations! So many reasons to celebrate and so many people to celebrate with! I mean I have 4 bridal showers planned! How awesome is that! I love parties and people so being engaged is the prime state to be in for those things. 
• Overwhelming amount of Love. This one is my favorite reason. Not only do I have an immense amount of love for Josh but for our families and friends who have been working unbelievably hard to make our wedding day exactly what we want it to be! I feel so loved and cared for it is such an amazing blessing to have such awesome people willing to do anything and everything I ask of them! Their incredible amounts of patience as I change my mind constantly and go blindly into planning a wedding astounds me. Josh and I are so so blessed with such great support from our family and friends. This wedding or even marriage would not be possible without them. Thank you, thank you, thank you!