It has come to my attention.... that clearly I am doing this blogging thing wrong.

Okay so it has come to my attention that to be a better blogger I need to change some things about myself. The blogs that I stalk every once in a while that are popular and have a hundred million followers usually fit into these qualifications-

1. Long hair that has been died blond.

2. A unique/ eclectic sense of style.

3. Being LDS is a plus.

4. Awesome creative abilities.

5. A DSLR camera.

6. A rich and {may I add} very attractive husband.
7. A toddler or two or four.
8. An Etsy account for all their crafty things they do in their "spare" time.
And 
9. Go on very posh vacations with their attractive husbands and cute children.

I am 2 of the above. Clearly I am doing things wrong..... :P

And {random} I LOVE this quote. 

Marvin J Ashton said, "No person will ever be totally free who is living a lie.. We should ever bear in mind that a wrong isn't right just because many people do it. A wrong deed isn't right just because it hasn't become visible."


That was in the ensign this month. 

Differences between right and wrong.

So, I'm 20 and have now had 20 years of agency. As I've gotten older I've had more of it. Moving out and going to college has given me pretty free range in whatever I want to do.
I used to think I'd love making all my own decisions. Not so anymore. I wish people would tell me what to do when it comes to the really hard things. Because if i've learned anything it's that-

Doing the right thing and doing the wrong thing are very different. The wrong thing is easier. It's always easier to give in. The right thing is so hard.

the other thing i've learned about right and wrong-

The wrong thing will not hurt you at the moment. It'll most likely make you feel good and relieved. It's what the bad side of you wants because no one likes to be hurt. The right thing though, will hurt at the moment sometimes. And sometimes it'll make you feel like you could never feel worse.

But, the most important thing I've learned-

The wrong thing's "feel good" stage will leave. And in replace, you'll feel worse than you would have if you made the right choice in the beginning. Making the right decision may nearly kill you, tear you're heart to pieces, and then feel like they're stomped on, but in the long run, things will be better. You'll know you made the right decision and no matter how hard it is in the beginning, there's a {very} faint light at the end of the tunnel calling your name.

After making the right decision, you'll most likely at some point want to give up. You'll probably think at some point while you're feeling awful, you want to rewind and have a re do because human nature is not to want to feel bad. And the whole time while making the right decision, there will be both people rooting for you, and there will be people booing you while trying to make you feel worse.

More things I've learned-

Associate yourself with people who make it easier to do the right thing. People that are pretty darn good shoulders to cry on, because I promise, you'll need it at some point. people that cheer you on in the good things, not the bad. It makes life easier ten fold.

“It takes less time to do things right than to explain why you did it wrong.” -Henry Longfellow

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.” -Theodore Roosevelt. 

“The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.” -H. Norman Swarzkopf 

And to end on a happier note, Betsy and I went to the temple yesterday. :D And also to the mall yesterday. We'd never been to the cache valley mall. {okay, I went to bath and body in it once but no other stores} and it is by far the smallest mall I've ever been to. Maybe has 25-30 stores. The best store in that mall though, was the video store. It was so awesome!! There were stacks and stacks just laying around. Stacked as high as the ceiling. VHS, DVDs, Records, Cassettes, CDs, games, everything. We found some gems in there. I asked the worker guy if I could do a photo shoot in there some time and he said yes! So, i'm excited about this. :D Here's a picture I took of Betsy while there.

I Want to Marry a Stripling Warrior.

I mean, there were 2 thousand of them. Can't I just have one??

Alma 53: 20-21

 "20 And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for ^acourage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.

 21 Yea, they were men of truth and ^asoberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to ^bwalk uprightly before him."

I just copied and pasted that part from lds.org.

they sound like wonderful men. :D I'm a big fan of them.

Some goals of mine

This summer, as you all know, I'm going to Europe. Well, I have been thinking of goals that go along with it.

• Read the entire Book of Mormon while i'm there. I'll be gone nearly 2 months. This is doable. 

While in Euorope i know that i'll be introduced to things that i've never been introduced to before and be tempted to do things i've never been tempted to do. I'll be away from home and with people I don't know as well as my friends and family here in utah. Along with this, it'll be the first time in my entire life that I won't be in close proximity to a man that holds the priesthood. Honestly, this makes me a little worried. If i've ever needed a blessing, I know there'd be someone very close that could give me one in less than a moments notice. I won't have that on my trip. Therefore, i know i'm going to need the spirit with me more on this trip than i ever have in my life. I know that reading the Book of mormon will help with this and I know will lead to an increase in my spiritual strength on this trip.

• my physical healthiness goal. Not going to write exactly what that is up here cause it's personal. But, I've been doing really good at it this semester.

I want to be able to look back on the pictures i have of myself from this once in a lifetime opportunity for me to go on a study abroad and be proud of how I look. Right now, I can run farther, longer, and faster than I think i've ever been able to do, and i am actually enjoying it! {most of the time} I feel happier when i'm done, and I can start to feel like i'm actually accomplishing something. It's a good feeling.

• Learn to make myself happy instead of basing my happiness on the opinions of other people. 

I like to make other people happy. I don't think it's a bad thing... I just am realizing that by doing this, I make myself unhappy sometimes. How i'm going to do this, I have no idea. I'm still working on it. I think it's going to take a lot of work though.

This is all for now.

In case you were wondering.....

I'm a big fan of my institute class. 


Here are some things that stuck out to me in the lesson that were good reminders for me.

If we allow God to guide is in our lives, we can do much more with it than we can on our own.
This, my friends, I'll admit, is hard for me sometimes. I like being in control of my life and when things don't go the way I want them to or plans change, I have a hard time. But, it's always good to be reminded I can do more with my life if He's guiding me than I can do with the little knowledge I have.

Stop letting fear govern your life. Start letting your faith guide it.
I loved this! Life's kind of scary sometimes. I feel like the more you strive to have faith the more it will grow. I need to have my faith grow.

Don't choose to be happy based on circumstances, choose to be happy all the time.
Also one that I need work on. Especially this semester, I fear.

In all things commanded, the Lord will provide a way.
ALL things.

And finally,

Create a "to be" list rather than a "to do" list.

I have never thought of this. But I like it

I've never had an institute class as big as this! Although I'm pretty sure it's a fire hazard as to how many people are in the classroom! I think it's a class with 60 desks and is sort of like stadium seating. There were at least 15-20 people sitting on the stairs and in extra chairs around the room.} I guess word travels fast as to how good the class is! My normal institute classes from past semesters are usually around 20-25 kids.

First two days, blessing, and nothing to do but blog.

"Spring" semester has begun.
woot.

no exclamation marks.

I don't think it's going to be a bad semester. And i so far feel like it's going to be easier than last semester.... but none the less it's school.

and I love school. But i am kinda having a bad attitude starting out this semester and really need to change that muy rapido. I feel like i can make my semester better if i'm actually {even pretending} to be excited about it. So, it's a new semester! WOOT!

That's better. haha

Yesterday was the shortest day i think i've ever had in the history of me going to school ever. i had 2, 50 minute classes. And one doesn't count because it's Institute. Which there is no homework in ever. Well, minus the normal reading your scriptures and such. Which isn't much different than any normal day.
Public speaking class. umm.... Yeah, public speaking and I will have a love/hate relationship.
why?
Because i want to be more confident in front of groups of people, i want to learn how present myself better, and i want to learn better persuasion skills. So, that is why i took this class {well... ya know, that and it fulfills 2 requirements in 1, and it's only a 2 day a week class which allowed me to have Fridays off of school.... but those were just a small deciding factor...}

Then i went to the gym. WOOT! This is going to be a normal occurrence to write on my blog now. Because i really need to start going more often. Betsy would try to get me to go with her last semester and usually it wouldn't work. But this semester, i'm going to go. Because i'm going to do it at the same time and day every week so it's like a class i'm in that i am going to tell myself i can't miss. Sometimes i use psychology on myself that'd never work if someone else tried to do on me.

I had nothing to do after 2. And i felt like i really needed to read my patriarchal blessing. If you don't know what this is, go here to learn more about what it is and how important it is. So, i went to grab it out of the manilla envelop i keep it in. but guess what? when packing this past summer i had grabbed the wrong envelope! instead of my blessing, it had a dumb high school award in it. So, instead of sending my mom searching through a box in the garage i called my grandparents because my grandpa made a copy of it to keep with other family's blessings. My grandma found it after a minute and read it to me over the phone. I laid on my bed, closed my eyes and just listened. I haven't listened to it since i got it on my 16th birthday {also the day president Hinckley died}. I'd read it several times, but never have listened to it. I love that every time i read it/listen to it i pick new things out that i'd never seen before. or some things have very different meanings to me. It was really really good to hear it and remember the blessings that are in store for me if i do what is right and keep the commandments.

***random side note.
I have missed the laughter of my roommates. Natalie has the BEST laugh out of anyone i've ever heard. she'll seriously laugh over nothing and her laugh is so contagious that i will always, always always etc etc etc start laughing a lot over watching her laugh. I've missed that. My stomach has already hurt over laughing so hard from this twice in the last 2.5 days. haha. As much as i wish i was back at home right now, i really have missed my awesome roommates. It's so fun living with these girls and i'm glad i get the opportunity to have them as friends. :D***


today. I woke up with plenty of time to get ready. knowing that i had plenty of time made me take my time. and guess what, i ran out of time and didn't finish my top romen for breakfast. {don't judge, i love non-breakfast things for breakfast} and still had time to get to school on time. but guess what? some big shot who runs the Aggie Bus shuttles thought they'd pretend it was April fools day and cancel one of the busses on south campus express. {just kidding i don't really know what happened} but here's the thing. that was the bus i needed to take! and i would have taken the other bus that goes close to the fine arts building but the bus for campus loop didn't show up either! so here i am, thinking for sure the bus would come for 20 minutes. finally, i decided {at 5 minutes after my first class started} i'd just walk. and right when i started walking up the hill, the bus decided to come. so now, i look like some 7th grader on the first day of junior high running to their classes, trying to catch the bus because it'd end up being faster, instead of a dignified {haha....} junior in college gracefully taking the bus to her photo portfolio class.

let me just tell you. i wasn't too happy. why? because not-a-once have i ever been late to a photo class. why? Because i hate being late. the phrase "fashionably late" gives me the shivers. especially to things that matter like photo classes where i feel like i always have to show my professor that i really do deserve to be in the program.

so, first day of class. i walk in. the class is full. and of course, the only desk chair thing that is available is clear in the back so i have to walk through everyone. So not the best start to a semester.

This class is probably going to be my hardest class this semester.

Art history {second half of the survey of western art} I believe it's called "Renaissance to post-modern" or something like that. Which is really code for- want to fall asleep in class but can't because then i'd fail. I don't understand art history. Okay, so it's kinda cool to learn about old art, but what i don't like doing is analyzing it and comparing it and telling the symbolism and importance of it. {yes, i know, as an artist i'm supposed to "find the deeper meaning" in everything art.... but i just CANNOT.} Regardless, my professor talked today about "art historiography" which is the study and history of art history.
correct me if i'm wrong,  but art history is bad enough... why would anyone in their right mind WANT to study the history of art history. Seems a little... off... to me. I guess everyone has their thing... i'm just glad mine is different than art historiography. haha

next class- independent projects in photo-alternative cameras and processing. or something like that. This is going to be kinda cool. i get to build my own cameras! I feel as if it's going to cost me a lot though. but, i'm determined to spend the very least amount of money i possibly can this semester. going over the syllabus for this class took like 20 mins max, which leads me to why i'm blogging.
Because art classes are 3 hours, i have had a 2.5 hour break with nothing to do and didn't really feel like going home just to come back in a little bit.
my last class of the day is modern photo history. I like learning about photo history. it has something to do with what i am doing. Art history has little interest to me because i don't really care that much about drawings, sculptures, paintings, etc. except looking at them if they're pretty. I'm really excited to learn more about modern photo rather than about tin types and daguerreotypes and old processes. which are really cool {and am taking a class next semester learning how to do them all} but i'm interested in the newer stuff more probably.

Well, I'm off to go watch the bachelor on HULU because i still have tons of time to burn because i don't have homework beside textbook reading. and no textbooks have come in the mail for me yet. Which is bad, but i guess good too. cause i'd rather not read them yet.

p.s. i need a good adventure up here in Logan. Does anyone have any ideas?? I have way too much time right now which makes me go into Brianna's mode of over analyzing and stressing about things i don't have control over.

p.s.s. i had a pretty good dream on sunday night. :D

welp, I'm sure i'll blog again soon.

XOXOxoxo

also, in case you were wondering, it is apx 16.5 days till i'm 20 years old. *big smiles*

Thankful Post

i'm thankful for-

My family-

Mom

Dad

Ash {and nathan AND baby girl}

Q

Ems

my puppy, Kandi

G&G Cobb and Dickerson

Aunts and Uncles 

Cousins

My really close friends. Especially

Betsy & Lauren. 

Taylor 

and my roommates from this year and last year-

Allison, Anna, Melissa, Tara, Ashley, Natalie, Michelle, Shanna

The people in my major. They keep things interesting.

USU. Aggies. Best school EVER!

electric blankets

Christmas time

church music and playing the piano

photography

my beliefs and the church

laughing

my cameras

my freedoms

etc

happy Thanksgiving!

Cool Pants, Pearls, Ashleigh's baby, and excited for Friday.

So today i went to my friend's sister's roommates's work party. {Not kidding} and there was the most adorable baby girl there. {like newborn} and i just wanted to hold her the entire time. It made me even more excited for my sister to have her baby! i just really want a little girl. If {on friday!} she finds out it's a girl, i'm going to learn how to make really cute baby headbands with big bows and flowers.

Every time i go to a store i want to look at all the cute baby clothes. This isn't even MY child and i'm kind of in love with it a lot! I love that little baby sooo much already and i don't know it's gender. I think about it all the time, and their not even close to being done baking in the oven. *sighs* I can't wait to be an aunt to this {no doubt} darling baby. I hope it has red hair. I honestly don't think i've ever in all my life been more excited about anything than i am about meeting this little one. :D

Dear end of March-
please get her UBER fast!
love,
      an excited {and the favorite} aunt .


in a different note:

Dear Friday-
please get here super fast too. I can't wait for the institute dance amongst other reasons. If you take forever, i will not be a thrilled personage.
love,
       Bri


So today is Halloween. I dressed up. and walked around campus in my costume. ALL DAY. and guess what? no one dresses up. but i did. why? because i got a lot of extra credit in my 3D design class. so it was worth it.

I love these girls lots and lots and lots. 

i didn't wear this outfit today, this is what i wore on saturday for the halloween party i went to. i'm a fan of my pants. I wore an awesome dress today! everyone is really jealous of it.

Tonight i went to my ward's halloween party. and it was wonderful! super super fun. My friend {and roommate from last year} Anna, had this on her facebook page- ‎"I miss the days when Halloween was about showing off your costume rather than your cleavage" so true. Amen. Agreed. Etc.

This weekend was really good. It was stake conference. I almost didn't go to the evening session saturday night, and i am SO glad that i did. Ya know those talks that seem to have been written for you? Well every one of them were written for me. and sunday's session too! It was like the happiest thing ever. I literally had a few tears fall because of it. I love church. :D I love the overwhelming feeling i get sometime that i know i can handle everything i'm thrown. It was comforting. :D

also, it was my 3/4 birthday last week. so if someone wants to buy me some real pearl earrings i'd be fine with that. I'm a big fan of pearls. And i'd be an even bigger fan of you if you bought me some real pearls

Betsy is struggling through her math homework and i just keep having to help her ;) so i finally told her "Betsy, you're going to have to figure this one out on your own, you'll learn more if i don't help you with this one." and she busted her gut. It was pretty funny {for those of you who don't know, betsy is a math major, and i don't know math at all.}

I love you all. Why? i have no idea. JOKE! because you read my blog! But here's the thing, everyone tells me that they read it, but no one follows it. So your challenge of the day is to go push follow. Cause it'd be nice to know who reads it.

alas i am done writing.
xoxo

-Bri

Thought Thursday- I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

 I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Click here, and follow along with the lyrics provided on the screen. It's a little jazzed up, but still good!

My church is getting a lot of media attention right now because of Mitt Romney's presidential candidacy and Jon Huntsman's too.

Also, watch this video. I love Elder Holland, he always tells it how it is and has such a powerful testimony.

"... I am deeply hurt when I am called anything but a Christian. ... The thing that defines me is my love of God, my commitment to Christ, my Christianity. ... What is different about Mormons, and why would anybody say you're not a Christian?

The two most distinguishing characteristics that come to mind that would separate us from other institutional religions, including institutional Christianity, are these: One is our view of the godhead. We believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Ghost are three separate, distinct individuals. ... The other is priesthood authority: ... the right to speak and act in the name of God. ... One of these foundational pieces [of Mormonism] ... is the restoration of the holy priesthood, whereby actual authority is conveyed from heaven to us on earth to perform this ordinance; "us" being the Latter-day Saints." -Jeffrey R. Holland

I feel as if I should share what I believe.

I know with all my heart that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and another testament of Jesus Christ. I know that it was written for the people of this time and that if we read it and apply its principals that we will be happy. It can give us guidance in a time where the world is confused and help us to return to live with our Heavenly Father.

I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. That no matter what anyone says he saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ in the sacred grove that morning. He translated the Book of Mormon and restored the fullness of the gospel to the earth again. I know that the gospel will never be taken from the earth again and will be spread throughout the whole world.

I know the priesthood to be the power of God given to worthy men. I can feels its power and it has created SO many miracles in my life. I know I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for the power of priesthood blessings. I am extremely grateful for a wonderful dad that honors his priesthood and will give me a fathers blessing of comfort to me whenever I need him to. 

I know that Christ suffered for my many sins. I know that because of his atonement I am able to be forgiven and that I can have him for a best friend and an older brother. I know that he hears my prayers and helps me through my roughest of times and understands everything that I have gone through and everything I will go through. I am so grateful for him.

I know that families are forever. That the ordinances in the temple seal us together forever. That when I find the love of my life it won't be "till death do you part", but "for time and all eternity" because of the sealing power in the sacred temples. What a great blessing this is and such a comfort to me! To know that when someone dies it isn't the end and I will see them again. I don't know how people can get through the death of a loved one when they do not know of this eternal truth.

I know that Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet today. That he guides this church in the way that my Heavenly Father knows is best. I know that when I follow his teachings I will be a happier person and that i will receive blessings for it.

I know that I am a daughter of God. That he is my Father and that he loved me enough to send me to this Earth to receive a body so I could return to live with him some day. I love him and cannot wait to return to his presence. 

This church is true. The blessings I receive from it and the principles taught by it have made my life wonderful. I'm not perfect but through this church and Jesus Christ I can be.

I say these things humbly today, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I hope that any of you have read this will find out for yourself if what i say is true. I know that the missionaries would be so happy and willing to teach you and if you listen, and find out for yourself, you will be the happiest you've ever been.

visit this website to find out more information.

Thought Thursday-Logan Temple

So... I kind of really stink at thought thursdays. I'm ashamed of myself. ;)

I really liked the one of the salt lake temple like this so I did my own.
I'm going to print this out, matt it, and frame it. It'll go on our
wall of religiousness. :D

yesterday was so wonderful. I took some time out for myself and did the most relaxing thing that I could do. no, not a bubble bath, I went and took pictures. And on the Logan temple grounds. It was off and on raining but didn't rain at all while i was at the temple. it was so perfect. I had a very nice time. I shot for more than 2 hours of different places around the temple. My life is so content sometimes. I just have to take more time out to enjoy it sometimes. Sometimes I just get way to caught up in being busy and going crazy with school that I forget to relax.  Anyways, here are some pictures. And I think I just might want to get married in this temple one day.

Since I've been gone.

People are kind of crazy sometimes {hold the kind of}. Just throwin' that out there.

So since i have last blogged, here's what i've done-

• watched a very intense, very disappointing, very sad, football game at BYU's football field.

• took 3.5 hours to get home to Orem when it normally takes 2.
• ate some pretty darn good home cooked meals
• spent at least 36 hours in the advanced darkroom.
• watched 8 hours of conference
• updated my photo blog's look. i think it's pretty. 
• Saw on FACEBOOK AND NOT FROM THE INDIVIDUAL that Melissa Q is engaged! {my roommate last year!}
• thought about going scuba diving.
• saw Ashleigh's belly. it's not even big yet. sigh of disappointment. 
• got new car mats 
• drank a dr P.
• had fries at 5 guys {my VERY favorite fries}
• got a glitter kiss tattoo on my neck. haha {the kind you put on with water}
• dollar store run

• walmart run. had to buy CR2 batteries for my NEW camera! :D :D :D  {do you realize that these batteries are 5 bucks a piece??? and i need 2 for my camera!} have you met the newest addition to my camera bag? meet goldy. she works like a babe.

This is my new camera. i need to
get a strap for it now.

• learned some awesome moves for swing dancing. craved to go swing dancing but couldn't cause i was locked in the darkroom. 
• finally feel like a BFA photo major instead of just BA art major. 
• got to know the people in my major a lot better. it's crazy how well you get to know each other when you're all crammed in a nearly pitch black tiny room sniffing photo chemicals that may or may not be good for your liver. 
• ate a lemon poppy seed muffin during a photo guild meeting. 
• helped change the name of photo guild to.... the 18%ers. get it? we're getting 18% gray shirts that say 18% on them and aprons that say "photographers do it better in the dark". pretty cool. if you get the 18% gray part, i know you have knowledge of photography. if not, don't worry about it. you can google it if you really want to know.
• used a mono rail 4x5 camera with paper negatives with an ISO of 5 with the cool vintage style black cloth and such. i feel like i came out of the movies aristocats when i use it.

• watched Hawaii 5-0 and ANTM. 
• forgot my conference notes at home. :'( this is sad cause i was going to quote some of my favorite lines from conference for ya'll.
• got stoked about a SECOND temple in provo!!

• came home to logan.

I saw this on facebook and loved it!
I love the castle temples the most and this
statement is so true!!

and now.... I'm going to bed. night ya'll.

and thing #3 about Ashleigh for my niece {or nephew}- She’s a good listener. :D

Thought Thursday-Womanhood

sometimes i feel like i'm one of those domestic goddesses. Like everything that Mormon women are known for or stereo typed with i kinda do.... for instance-

• i cook
• i decorate
• i like crafts and creativity
• i'm a photographer
• i want lots {well in the world's eyes, not mormon culture} of kids
• i want to be a homemaker and not have a huge career after I get married and have kids

i think mormon women are most known for their homemaking. And i can already see that when i have my own home i will be just the same...heck, i only have an apartment and i already do this!

I'm pretty sure that 70% of mormon housewives are self proclaimed "photographers". which kinda drives me nuts. And for the record, i Loved photography and wanted to be a photographer long before i ever made the connection to this fact. haha

i want to be a stay at home mom. This is what the LDS church teaches is best for the family. And i've never had a problem with this. I think it sounds perfect, actually.

and i cook too. basically, i was made to be a mormon women.

many cultures outside the LDS faith find a lot of those things archaic.

But i don't.

Yes, maybe it's "old fashioned"

but i don't care.

I've never had a problem with it.

I know that men and women have different roles in the church and in this world. I've never felt left out because I can't hold the priesthood. I feel blessed because instead, i have the gift to one day become a mother. Which in my humble opinion is super awesome!

here are some quotes that i really like on womanhood and motherhood.

“During my professional career as a doctor of medicine, I was occasionally asked why I chose to do that difficult work. I responded with my opinion that the highest and noblest work in this life is that of a mother. Since that option was not available to me, I thought that caring for the sick might come close. I tried to care for my patients as compassionately and competently as Mother cared for me.

Many years ago the First Presidency issued a statement that has had a profound and lasting influence upon me. “Motherhood,” they wrote, “is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.

Because mothers are essential to God’s great plan of happiness, their sacred work is opposed by Satan, who would destroy the family and demean the worth of women.” -Russell M. Nelson.

The family is the basic unit of society and is ordained of God. It is through the family,

that children progress best and ultimately find happiness eternally.

"...one of the greatest things a father can do for his children is to love their mother." -Howard W. Hunter.

"Sisters, we love you. We pray for you. Be strong and of good courage. You are truly

royal spirit daughters of Almighty God. You are princesses, destined to become queens. Your

own wondrous story has already begun. Your 'once upon a time' is now."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf. from one of my all time favorite talks.

"Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely

daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and

respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the

horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth" Gordon B. Hinckley

I have a testimony of my divine right as a women. It's a gift and blessing. It's not holding me back from anything; it's helping me become more. I'm grateful for my dad, Dean, and grandpas, for being such great examples of how a daughter of God should be treated by their husbands. I'm also grateful for my mom and grandmas for teaching me what a mom should be and about the special gifts women have.

Thought Thursday- Standing as a witness

My very first thought thursday! are you peoples excited??

This first week of school has made me realize how much i have to stand up for what i believe. from the ages 12-18.5 i repeated what is known as the "young women's theme".

We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him.

We will "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things,

and in all places" as we strive to live

the Young Women values, which are:

Faith

Divine Nature

Individual Worth

Knowledge

Choice and Accountability

Good Works

Integrity and

Virtue.

We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values,

we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants,

receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

So when thinking about what to write about today, standing as a witness came to mind immediately. I was in my first day of English 2010 and we had to debate some issues because it's a persuasive essay writing class. My professor took the side, in every issue we debated, that goes against what the {LDS} church teaches. I know that everyone has different views and beliefs. that's fine. He told us that for every issue we write a paper on we will not get to choose which side we write about. That's fine if it's an issue that doesn't matter like "i phone vs droid" or "batman vs spiderman" but if it's making me write about something that i know to be morally wrong like pro abortion or pro gay marriage then i care. I know that it's "just a paper in a class" but would that be "standing as a witness"? I was taught to stand up for what I believe in and i'm learning that it's not nearly as easily done as it is said.

second item. Being an art major, i run into photography, drawings and paintings, that i do not feel comfortable with. I was happy to find that because of a series of extremely inappropriate photographs taken by this one guy last semester in a photo class, this paragraph was put into my syllabusses/syllabi {however you may say/spell the multiple of syllabus} "pornography will not be tolerated". All because {mainly the girls} put up a big stink about them. So, standing as a witness can make changes.

my first semester of college i was in a drawing I class and we had to draw nude models. I've never understood why a model just can't put on a swimsuit. Anyways, i seriously didn't want to do it, but my professor gave us little say in the matter. At 18, i was extremely panicked at the thought of seeing a nude male anatomy. Not that i'm okay with it now still. I said, not kidding, at least 20 prayers that morning that i wouldn't remember any of the drawing session and i don't. Honest to goodness. Looking back on the situation, i wish that i would have been more brave to say i wouldn't do it. If this ever happens to be something i have to encounter again as an art major {i don't think it will because i'm done with drawing and painting} i will not attend the class period.

Mosiah 18:9 "Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life"

I believe those that do choose to stand up for what they believe in will be blessed. Although hard, i know that my testimony of this grows every time i make the choice to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ.