Your Happily Ever After

This past Sunday, one of my Laurel advisers gave a wonderful lesson that was centered around this talk, by President Uchtdorf. (He is my favorite!! :D)  This video captures the highlights:

 

This talk is incredible, and I know that it is, without a doubt, inspired for us as young women today.  If you haven't read it recently, I would strongly encourage you to do so. :)

 An amazing song, with the same title, by Jenny Phillips:

I want to testify that each and every one of these words are true.  I know that each of us have a "happily ever after" just waiting for us.  Along the way, however, we each will face temptation, trials, sadness, and heartache.  But these things are each just a part of the adversity we have to overcome in order to reach our "happily ever after".  Adversity will help us to learn and grow in ways that we never thought possible. And what is even more wonderful, is that the Lord is with us, every step of the way.

Never forget who you are.  A beautiful, courageous, and strong, daughter of a King. (:

With Love, Brianna

It's Christmas Time

Christmas. I LOVE it. :) This time of the year is my absolute favorite. The decorations, the lights, the music, and the snow (usually :)).  There is just something magical about December.

However, it is definitely the busiest time of year. It can be hard to find peace amidst the hustle and bustle of the season. Sometimes we just need a silent night. :)

During this time of year, it is so easy to get caught up in the rush of Christmas, by shopping and buying gifts...but Christmas means so much more than that. I hope that this year we can each stop and come back to the heart of Christmas, Jesus Christ.

"The Heart of Christmas" talks about just that. Matthew West, the songwriter, tells about the source of inspiration for this song:

"At just thirteen months old, little Dax Locke was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. He was given two bone marrow transplants as a part of emergency treatment; one from each of his parents.  The doctors then told his parents that Dax would most likely not make it to see Christmas. Well, this song is inspired by the true story of the love of a family, and the coming together of an entire community to make sure that this little boy could have one last Christmas.  His dad, determined that his son would see Christmas, put up the decorations early.  The neighborhood caught on, and did the same.  The whole town soon followed suit.  A website was built telling his story.  Soon, pictures were sent from all over the world of Christmas decorations that had been put up in his honor.  Incredible! Dax did lose his battle with Leukemia, but not before he got to see one last Christmas."

This song brings up an amazing point that we need to "Live while you can, cherish the moment, and the ones that you love, make sure they know it."

I hope that throughout December, we can each remember that Jesus Christ is truly the heart of Christmas. If we keep this in mind, we will be able to draw closer to Him, and  this Christmas will be so much more meaningful.

"The magic of Christmas isn't in the presents...but being in His presence."

Merry Christmas! :)

With Love, Brianna

Thanksgiving Daily

Thanks for watching! :D
Brianna

Gratitude

^{I absolutely love this time of year when I have a chance to stop and reflect on the many blessings I have been given. I have been blessed with so many things, and my heart is so full because of it. :)}

 

<sup>I am so grateful for my family. We have been through some hard times together, and yet, I feel like we have grown so much closer to each other because of it. They love me for who I am, and they inspire me to be my best self.  Simply, without them, I wouldn't be who I am today.
My Dad - an amazing father, and provider. He is such a hard worker and he does so much for me and my family.
My Mom - an amazing mother, and nurturer. She serves constantly and is an incredible example of charity. She is my best friend! (:
My little brother, Cameron - an amazing brother, and example. He is so tender-hearted and he is always looking out for those around him.
My little brother, Brenden - an amazing brother, and the toughest 9 year old you will ever meet! He is so strong amidst the trials he has been given to deal with.   

I am so grateful for my friends. They are incredible, wonderful, and amazing, and I couldn't ask for anything better. :) They are each amazing examples to me and I love them so much!!

I am so grateful for this gospel. It brings me indescribable joy and I can't imagine what my life would be like without it.</sup>

I am so grateful for the scriptures.  I know they contain answers to my questions, and I am filled with peace as I feast upon their words.  I know they are true and I would be lost without them.

I am so grateful for music. It is such a huge part of me and my life, that I truly can't imagine life with its absence. I am so grateful for the gifts I have been blessed with and all of the wonderful opportunities I am given to share them with people.

<sup>I am so grateful for my Father in Heaven.  I know that He knows me personally, and loves me perfectly.  I know He loves me enough to let me have trials and disappointments that will eventually shape me into the person He knows I can become.  I am learning to be grateful for those challenges because I know they will be for my own good in the end.

I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ.  Barely any words describe how I feel towards Him.  He died and suffered for ME and my sins.  He is with me always, and, because He walked the path alone, I don't have to.  He is my older brother and the best friend I could ever have. (:</sup>

This list is so short, and I could go on and on, but I will leave it at that. :)

"No matter how good or bad you think life is, wake up each day and be thankful for life. Someone somewhere else is fighting to survive."

 

"We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."
- President Thomas S. Monson -

"Gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and a refined character. We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to brighten all around them. They make others feel better about themselves. They tend to be more humble, more joyful, more likable....
"If we only look around us, there are a thousand reasons for us not to be happy, and it is simplicity itself to blame our unhappiness on the things we lack in life. It doesn't take any talent at all to find them. The problem is, the more we focus on the things we don’t have, the more unhappy and more resentful we become."

- Joseph B. Wirthin - 

"We have all experienced times when our focus is on what we lack rather than on our blessings. Said the Greek philosopher Epictetus, 'He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.'"

- President Thomas S. Monson -

"My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."

- President Thomas S. Monson -

"We'll give thanks to You, with gratitude..."

Love, Brianna

Thankful

Some days we forget
To look around us
Some days we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for

Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more...

There's so much to be thankful for.

Preference, Please? :)

Last night I asked a guy to Preference. (: My friend Jessica was my partner in crime and we executed the plan quite nicely. :D

At Kholer's, I got a donut box and taped the scrambled letters of my name at the bottom...one problem. I didn't realize this until this morning, but I forgot one letter "r". :P Whoops!! ha ha

Yum? Yeah, I think so! :D

But he still was able to figure it out, so it's all good!! :D This was his response...

I am so excited!!! :) :) :) December 15th...here I come! :D haha

Lots of Love, Brianna

A part of God's Plan

 This past weekend was pretty amazing. On Friday, I had the opportunity to audition for the Jenny Phillips Choir. This choir will perform in her firesides next year, in between the months of January and September. My audition time was at 6:00 pm, and I auditioned with 7 others during that time slot. The funny thing was, I wasn't super nervous like I usually am for an audition. I felt, next to a few butterflies in my stomach, a sense of peace and calmness.  It was over before I knew it, and looking back, it seems like such a blur. (: She (Jenny Phillips) said she would send out an email to everyone by 10:00 that night, to let us know if we made it or not. I thought, "Wow! That's awesome! I don't even have to wait for very long!" Well, it turns out that she accidentally missed my name on the list, and so, after emailing her directly, Saturday at 4:00 I got a reply. The beginning said:

"Brianna, I'm not sure how I missed you. Yes! You made the choir."

I was SO happy and excited and grateful!!!!! :D :D :D The incredible thing was, that after letting it sink in that I had made it, I felt this sense that this is exactly what was supposed to happen. It just was. I knew that Heavenly Father had put this opportunity in my path and He led me to realize that I couldn't let it pass by. He had known all along that I would make it, and it is a part of His plan for me.

The hard part of it all was that I had a friend also try out for the choir......but she didn't make it. I felt so bad. I thought, "How can I tell her I made it when she didn't?" But I had to tell her, otherwise she would find out from someone else and that would hurt even more. I told her through a text, she responded, congratulating me, but then we didn't talk anymore after that. The next morning, Sunday, I received a couple of texts from her.  She shared with me an incredible experience she had that morning that completely changed her jealousy and anger to understanding and peace. I was in awe at how in tune to the spirit she was and that she was willing to let that spirit alter her perspective. She is an incredible person, example to me, and friend...and she knows who she is. :D I know that this just wasn't part of her plan and she was supposed to have this experience to learn and grow from. (:

I just want to share my knowledge that I know this is true.  I know that God has a plan for each and every one of us. We don't know exactly what it is, but if we put our faith and trust in Him, He will guide and direct us to it.  And, most often, His plan is so much bigger than what we want, or think we have planned for ourselves.

I am so very grateful and feel very fortunate to have this opportunity  and I look forward to the amazing experience it will be.

I am so blessed to know I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and wants the best for me. I know He loves us so much - enough to give us disappointments and challenges in life to mold and shape us into the people He knows we can become.

With Love, Brianna