Christ's Love...

WATCH THIS

This semester I am taking a New Testament class and the last couple of weeks we have been studying and discussing the crucifixion of Christ. For my final I am writing about benevolence. The dictionary describes benevolence as the “desire to do good to others; goodwill; charitableness…an act of kindness; a charitable gift (dictionary.com).” I found a perfect example of an act of benevolence when I was reading in Luke chapter 23:34. This is when Jesus has been hung on the cross and is being crucified and Jesus pleaded with Heavenly Father saying: “…Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do…” After Christ had been mocked, spit upon, scourged, had a crown of thorns put upon His head, and had been nailed to the cross to suffer and die, He was asking His Heavenly Father to forgive these Roman people who were in the very act of murdering Him. He forgave Pilot who whipped Him 39 times and tore His flesh more and more with every whip. Before all of this was even over, He was forgiving them. He was not holding a grudge on them; instead He was worried about their well-being. There is nothing that shows more benevolence than that act; that act perfectly fulfills everything that the dictionary had to say about benevolence and then some. Christ was miraculously able to show love and compassion to the very people who were in the act of killing Him. If you watch the video I put a link to at the top you are given a visual of just a small part of what Christ went through for us and to atone for our sins. I am eternally grateful for my Savior and what He went through for me and for my sins. I know without a doubt in my mind that He really, truly loves each and everyone of us. He brings so much happiness into my life every single day and I would be completely lost without Him and His love in my life.

 

HUNGER GAMES......

The Hunger Games Premiere was probably my favorite night of life. It was a pretty big deal for me. I had been counting down for about 57 days. I also got goosebumps every single time the trailer came on tv and I may or may not have cried a few times during the movie.....but the point is I am a big fan! So what kind of fan wouldn't dress up for the premiere right? I guess the lame kind and let me tell you I am no lame fan, which means that I became a blonde Katniss Everdeen. Jealous? I thought so. LP and I went out and bought Mockingjay pins and bow and arrows. And in case you didn't know plastic bow and arrows with suction cups on the end are considered weapons and are thus not allowed into the theatre. I mean you could definitely poke an eye out with those suckers. So you have been warned. The bow and arrows definitely kept us entertained in line and the rest of the kids in line next to us...definitely worth the $6. After we bought the pins and bow and arrows and put our hunting gear on we pretty much became the spinning image of Katniss (pictured below).

But all joking aside The Hunger Games was one of the best movies I have ever seen and had some incredibly talented actors. If you have not yet seen it....shame on you. And if you haven't read the book....you probably shouldn't read my blog anymore. Here's some pictures from one of the best nights of my life.

Life's Instructions...

I found something quite lovely on pinterest today.....wanna see?

It came from here. I loved this because it teaches so many ways to live life to the fullest and they are simple things that we can do everyday! I love that they are things that will not only make our day a little better but everyone around us as well. My favorite might possibly be....
Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know. 
I think that these are words that we should all learn to live by. A wise man once said: "life is to be enjoyed, not just endured (Gordon B. Hickley). I'm going to make an effort to enjoy every part of everyday that I am alive. So here's to enjoying life!!

7 Days and Counting......

I feel like every post I make is about something that I'm an over-the-top fan of.....what can I say, I guess I'm just a faithful fan! So if you already think I'm ridiculous I recommend not reading on.....

So earlier today I was picking up a few essentials at Walmart and while I was patiently waiting in line I started flipping through the People magazine Hunger Games Collectors Special (which I was SO tempted to buy but it was $6!).

But I decided that it was necessary for any die-hard fan to head back to read it....and I definitely consider myself a die-hard fan. We are Hunger Games fanatics over here! So tonight Alex and I headed to Walmart to set up camp (with camping chairs and everything!) in the toys aisle to read up.

And boy did we read those things cover to cover! We read every single word on every single page. We may have even spent nearly an hour there.....If you have not yet read it (and you cannot afford to spend $6 on a magazine...) I definitely recommend heading over to your nearest Walmart to read it. That thing is jam packed with behind the scenes exclusives! I wish I could tell you the looks that we received because of our nifty set-up (I think people were secretly jealous)! And if you did not believe that we are Hunger Games fanatics here are a few pictures from mine and LP's trip to Toys "R" Us (don't ask) that might change your mind.....

Personally, I'd rather be making kissy faces at Gale...but sadly they did not have a Gale cut-out. If you think we're crazy now just wait until you see what we have in store for the premiere! So here's to the HUNGER GAMES....may the odds be ever in your favor.

Sometimes....

"Sometimes the most ordinary things could be made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people." -Nicholas Sparks

I don't know how many of you have read The Lucky One....if you have not I highly recommend it! This past week (yes it only took me a week) I have been rereading it in preparation for the movie coming out on April 20th! Watch the trailer here. Anyways....that quote is probably my favorite from the entire book...because it is SO true. I have so many people in my life that make this statement true on a daily basis! Wanna see?

These are a few of the people who make my life worth living. It never ceases to amaze me how in such trying and troubling times Heavenly Father never stops sending me blessings...in fact, He sends me hundreds a day! And He has sent me these people to laugh and to cry with and to lean on in times of need. I have another favorite quote, I wish I could remember who said it (but for some reason I did not write it down...). But it says: "Every day may not be good...but there's something good in every day." So here's to celebrating the blessings in life! 

Home Sweet Home.....

Last week I got to take a trip HOME! I drove to Utah on Thursday morning and then flew to Portland with Courtney and Harper that night. It's sad how much I took for granted when I was living at home: endless amounts of family time, the home-cooked meals, Burgerville, Nordstrom, laundry being done for me (I have a reallyyyyy nice mommy), my adorable puppy, friends, green everywhere (I'm sorry but Idaho is quite a hideous place compared to Washington......if you ask me!), going to church in a church building, having a Target closer than 30 minutes away, the list could go on and on. So having the privilege to go home was quite a treat and I enjoyed every last second of it! Unfortunately it was not on my mind to take pictures while I was there.....but here are a few.

Harper is such a big girl now that she even had her own seat on the plane.....even if it only lasted like three seconds.

 

We got to go to my parents new house at Cannon Beach for the weekend and oh my is it heaven there! I have never stayed at the new house before and it is RIGHT on the beach....I fell asleep listening to the hUgE storm and when I opened my eyes in the morning the first thing that I saw was the ocean. Needless to say....it was paradise!

I got to spend time with my puppy Trixy! She is the best dog everrr for me. She snuggles up on my lap always and I adore it. 

I desperately miss living at home and spending time with my family. I'm the only person in my family who does not have a member of the fam living in the same town....but fortunately Utah is only a mere 3.5 hours away. I can't wait to go home for Spring Break in just 5 weeks!! So here's to my family! :) 

Blogger MIA.....

I guess I have been a little Blogger MIA for a while....but I think today is the perfect day to blog because it was definitely a day worth celebrating! Because it was this guys birthday....

When I woke up this morning I knew it was going to be a good day...sometimes you just know. Living in Rexburg where there is not a whole lot to do, you use any excuse to celebrate. Make fun of us if you want...but we've got the Bieber Fever over here. Today he turned the BIG 1-8!

(That's us holding up 18...sappy I know.)

We started the night eating Kiwi Loco...

(don't judge the excessive amount of goodies we piled on.....March 1st is kinda a big deal don't you know.)

Then we decided it would be appropriate to take pictures with our Justin Bieber wall....If you're confused by what this picture is you are obviously not a big enough JB fan, but the picture we are attempting to reenact is on the calendar to the right of the door.

(no your eyes are not tricking you....our couch is in our kitchen)

This is Marcy....she is the biggest JB fan out of all of us, clearly. 

We are currently finishing up the birthday extravaganza by watching Never Say Never....could life get any better??

The night may or may not have also included singing Happy Birthday to Justin Bieber, singing and dancing to his music in our living room, and other things that will not be announced. We may seem like freaks.....but if you aren't making yourself look like a fool, how much fun are you really having? So Happy Birthday to the Biebs.....we clearly love you. So here's to having the best day ever with my best friends and acting like a complete idiot (what you see here is not even the beginning of it....most is for our eyes only :)!

PS..I also bought my Hunger Games ticket for the midnight showing!! Countdown=22 days!

PSS....watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMAMVLcy_t8&feature=youtu.be