A Little Extra Reassurance

"Opposition turns up almost anyplace something good has happened.  It can happen when you are trying to get an education.  It can hit you after your first month in your new mission field.  It certainly happens in matters of love and marriage... With any major decision there are cautions and considerations to make, but once there has been genuine illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing.  If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted in it and lived for it, it is right now. Don't give up when pressure mounts...Face your doubts.  Master your fears. 'Cast not away your confidence.' Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you."

~Elder Holland~

The Best Thing Ever!!!
aka Phillip J. Brandley

This is my new favorite quote.  It explains perfectly what I battle every day.  For almost 6 months I have been in a storm of doubts, temptations, fears, and pressure to retreat from something amazing.  But, I have never once thought of giving up.  I am clinging to those moments of genuine illumination that point me in the direction that I am meant to be heading in my life.  This quote is such a strong foundation for me, a little extra reassurance, that I am doing what I need to be doing.  And there will always be something trying to pull me away, but I am thankful for the challenge.

The Call

Every year some 53,000 missionaries phone home from all around the globe to talk to their families.  And in case you forgot my best friend just happens to be one of those 53,000 missionaries and he also just happened to call for Mother's Day yesterday. Win, win. I was lucky enough to talk to him...."Win, win, win" (The Office).  I can easily say that I have not been in that good of a mood in 5 months.  It was so awesome to talk to him! I love knowing someone so well that despite being apart for so long you still think the same, act the same, and feel the same. He is without a doubt one of the greatest things in my life...not to get all sappy or anything, but I don't know where I would be if I didn't have Phillip in my life. And I am endlessly happy that I got to talk to him, hear how he is doing (awesome by the way), and hear his voice talking just to me. Love him!

You Never Out Grow a Mom ♥

There are not enough positive words in the world to describe the amazingness that is my mom. She is the greatest example to me of selflessness and love. She has an unbelievable power to love anyone she meets unconditionally. I learn so much from her and strive every day to be like her. Despite crippling adversity my mom powers through and teaches me the power in persistence and faith.  My mom is a pure magic, she can talk me out of any stressful situation, calm me down in any panic attack, she is by my side through all my trials and I would not be who I am today without her amazing influence. I LOVE YOU MOMMY! You are my strength, my role model, my sanity and one of my very best friends. I honestly could never say thank you enough for the joy and hope you give me every day! "All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother" -Abraham Lincoln.