strengthening my conviction of the ideals & confronting the non-ideals

Last general conference, I was struck by how many speakers spoke so beautifully and powerfully about family and its importance in society and eternity. Many of the talks struck a sensitive chord in my heart, and they were hard for me to hear initially. As a single adult, I went to conference seeking solace and comfort, but I walked away feeling confused at why my prayers had seemingly not been answered and my concerns were only intensified.

As I have gone back and listened to all of those talks again and again, my testimony of family has been strengthened in a quiet and sensitive way that can only happen through the Spirit, the master teacher. I believe in family! And marriage between a man and a woman! These talks (all from the last LDS general conference in April 2015) are phenomenal and help me understand and feel why traditional family is important to everyone and in the eternal scheme of things:

The Family is of God 

Defenders of the Family Proclamation

The Plan of Happiness

We'll Ascend Together

Why Marriage and Family Matter- Everywhere in the World

Why Marriage, Why Family

In addition to my testimony being strengthened of family, I have realized that there is ample advice for those of us that are not currently living in the ideal circumstance. I decided to pool all the advice given to that demographic of people and share it with you all. Basically, I have done all of your work ;) You're welcome.

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“To declare the fundamental truths relative to marriage and family is not to overlook or diminish the sacrifices and successes of those for whom the ideal is not a present reality. Some of you are denied the blessing of marriage for reasons including a lack of viable prospects, same-sex attraction, physical or mental impairments, or simply a fear of failure that, for the moment at least, overshadows faith. Or you may have married, but that marriage ended, and you are left to manage alone what two together can barely sustain. Some of you who are married cannot bear children despite overwhelming desires and pleading prayers.
Even so, everyone has gifts; everyone has talents; everyone can contribute to the unfolding of the divine plan in each generation. Much that is good, much that is essential—even sometimes all that is necessary for now—can be achieved in less than ideal circumstances. So many of you are doing your very best. And when you who bear the heaviest burdens of mortality stand up in defense of God’s plan to exalt His children, we are all ready to march. With confidence we testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ has anticipated and, in the end, will compensate all deprivation and loss for those who turn to Him. No one is predestined to receive less than all that the Father has for His children.”- Elder D. Todd Christofferson Why Marriage, Why Family (GC April 2015)

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“We each belong to and are needed in the family of God. Earthly families all look different. And while we do the best we can to create strong traditional families, membership in the family of God is not contingent upon any kind of status—marital status, parental status, financial status, social status, or even the kind of status we post on social media. We belong. 'We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him.'

“Our sphere of influence isn’t limited to our own family members...Sister Yazzie doesn’t limit her love and influence to her biological family. She understands what it means to expand her sphere of influence as she goes about doing good, blessing, nurturing, and defending the family of God. She understands that 'whenever a woman strengthens the faith of a child, she contributes to the strength of a family—now and in the future.'' -Carole M. Stephens The Family is of God (GC April 2015)

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“May I point out something obvious? Life rarely goes exactly according to plan for anyone, and we are very aware that not all women are experiencing what the proclamation describes. It is still important to understand and teach the Lord’s pattern and strive for the realization of that pattern the best we can.

Each of us has a part to play in the plan, and each of us is equally valued in the eyes of the Lord. We should remember that a loving Heavenly Father is aware of our righteous desires and will honor His promises that nothing will be withheld from those who faithfully keep their covenants. Heavenly Father has a mission and plan for each of us, but He also has His own timetable. One of the hardest challenges in this life is to have faith in the Lord’s timing. It’s a good idea to have an alternative plan in mind, which helps us to be covenant-keeping, charitable, and righteous women who build the kingdom of God no matter which way our lives go. We need to teach our daughters to aim for the ideal but plan for contingencies...Everyone, no matter what their marital circumstance or number of children, can be defenders of the Lord’s plan described in the family proclamation. If it is the Lord’s plan, it should also be our plan!” -Bonnie D. Oscarson Defenders of the Family Proclamation (GC April 2015)

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“When we speak of marriage and family life, there inevitably comes to mind, 'What about the exceptions?' Some are born with limitations and cannot beget children. Some innocents have their marriage wrecked because of the infidelity of their spouse. Others do not marry and live in single worthiness.
For now I offer this comfort: God is our Father! All the love and generosity manifest in the ideal earthly father is magnified in Him who is our Father and our God beyond the capacity of the mortal mind to comprehend. His judgments are just; His mercy without limit; His power to compensate beyond any earthly comparison. 'If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.'
“There are so many of us who are thrashing around, as it were, with feelings of guilt, not knowing quite how to escape. You escape by accepting the Atonement of Christ, and all that was heartache can turn to beauty and love and eternity.” -Elder Boyd K. Packer The Plan of Happiness (GC April 2015)

rafting the san juan + latest epiphanies

Family is the best. Sometimes I forget how great it is to have people around that know you, love you, and that will just be around for a long time. I was reminded of this again these past couple of weeks as I got to spend time with three of my siblings and their families. Being an aunt is the best and fills a void I sometimes don't realize I have until it's filled (ignorance is bliss).

Not only is family the best, but time in nature with no cell reception or distractions is the best. It forces you to enjoy the moment -- a treasure that is lost with all the new luxuries of technology. I was recently listening to an awesome BYU speech (because, let's be honest here, that's all I do these days...that, and hike mountains...) that has really made me, and is still making me, reevaluate the cost of my technology. Some of my favorite quotes from his speech include:

"Allow yourself a space of quiet wherein you can add to the knowledge of the good and learn to curb your restlessness. Build spaces of quiet into your lives, be patient, and I think you will be surprised by the results."

"Build absence into your lives...embrace today's gifts [technology] but realize what they ask in return."

Being on the river for a week made me realize how freeing it is to let that go for a while. I'm working at doing more of that, but it's hard as it is everything we do.

Another epiphany I've (re-)had lately is that every challenge, sin, whatever you want to call it - is a matter of self control (natural man vs. spiritual man). Overeating? Battle of self control. Being unkind to those around us? A matter of acting vs. reacting, or controlling your initial natural reaction. Sleep longer than is needful? Self control. Fasting? Self control. Paying your tithing and living within your means? Self control. Law of chastity? Self control. Exercising? Self control. Reading your scriptures when x,y,z are reasons not to? Major self control. Although I've known this cognitively my whole life, I've felt it's importance poignantly the past few months as I've become aware of my complete lack of self control in one or more areas of my life. It's been a struggle, but it's one we're all in for for the long run, so, might as well start now. Or ten years ago. Late bloomer much?

This scripture is rediscovered gold in my life:

 "19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

tangent. wow. back to my family and river trip...

June- month of freedom

I have been really enjoying my new-found freedom since school got out June 9. I've been doing lost of hikes, bike rides, traveling, and relaxing. It's been pretty great. Here are some pictures of my recent happenings.

My current roommates & I (Alex & Nicole)

My former roommate, Ronnie, came to visit & we got pedicures

The view from my favorite trail run (Rattlesnake Gulch + Pipeline)

Trail run with my sis Angela in MOAB! Love her.

New baby niece Felicity! So adorable.

Mountain biking with Ang. I always hate it in the first 30 minutes & then love it :)

RAINBOW

Angela made me a DELICIOUS pie & I spent my birthday with these adorable kids. It was delightful.

Hannah banana is growing up so fast.

My principal Teri and I. She has made a big difference in my life & is a great example of true leadership that I will always be striving to emulate!

I dated this guy Karl. Here we are at the Red Butte venue concert up on the hilltops.

This is my last "have lunch with your teacher;" you can tell how excited they are ;)

My third year of teaching class picture!

Went hiking with my friend Sarah. Check out that view though

It's been fun to hike to where ever I want for how long I want.

Also celebrated newfound freedom by going paddleboarding for my first time. I loved it.

 I went to visit my friend Mary Christina in Chicago for five days. It was a blast!

Us biking along the lakefront.

THE BEAN!!!

Buckingham Fountain

Downtown

I loved how the buildings were disappearing into the clouds :)

At the Art Institute of Chicago~ the lady wouldn't let me take out my umbrella :(

We went to Chinatown & got real Chinese food. Mmm

we took a water taxi back and this was our view!

More biking on the lakefront- this time to Navy Pier (north)

tree in my face...

This was the most amazing dish- a blend of my two favorite foods (Korean + Mexican= Korean tacos)

I went to her Presbyterian Church with MC. Beautiful chapel no?

View from the top of the Hancock Buildling

This is the view from a hike I went on with Karl. The storm clouds were rolling in. It was beautiful!

My typical Grandeur Peak hike was accompanied by one thousand bugs biting me through my spandex & 90+ degree temps, but it was still beautiful! :)

i love to see the temple, still!

Found some Korean tacos here in Salt Lake = score!

Bought clipless pedals after this ride up Emigration Canyon. So beautiful & the only real plausible form of exercise when it is 90+ degrees all day. Everything is especially green in Utah because of the rainy month of May. :)