Finally! I'm posting something :)

I've wanted to post for awhile, but I never know what to write. However, I have come to the conclusion that even at the risk of writing something completely boring, I still want to write something, so here's what's on my mind right now...

Things this summer have been incredible so far! I am working 2 jobs, the first at the hospital in Provo, and also drug testing (I know how repulsed you all were knowing I watch people urinate, but I can guarantee that I see worse in the hospital, lol) Thankfully, even while being uber busy with my two jobs, I have still found time to play. I am still getting to know my new roommates, but luckily when I need a break from my quiet apartment, I have my two lovely visiting teachers (Sam and Mimi) living right next door. Things with Jed are still going great, sometimes I still find it hard to believe it's all working out this way when just a few months ago I was struggling and didn't even think there was a chance things would happen like this! Through everything that has happened I know our break was for the best and God really does know what's best for each of us!

Here are some things I've missed about you girls:
Mimi: You singing or whistling in the shower when you thought no one was home
Sam: You always being willing to listen to my frustrations and laugh at what I said...even when it was ridiculous.
Elise: Your genuine concern for each of us...and March Magnification goals that helped us grow
Kelli: Yoga! I made my sisters do sun salutations with me a few weeks ago and they thought I was crazy...
Sereen: You making cookies, but leaving some cookie dough for me to munch on later

I love you girls and am so glad I had the opportunity to live with you and learn from you! I'll try to keep ya updated on what's happening and share any funny experiences I have with you.

~*~Bethany~*~

p.s. No, that picture of Jonah didn't have anything to do with my post; I just wanted to post a picture and that one made me smile :)

Internet

I just had a little thought....remember how the apostle's have been encouraging us to find ways to use media/internet to build testimonies...well, after reading your most recent posts I am just beginning to see the importance and impact of what they really mean! We have living prophets on the earth today!

All my love,

Elise

Gratitude

Hello My Beloved Sisters,

Just wanted to let you know how much I love all of you. You are each in my prayers and in my heart. Thank you for blessing my life with your remarkable testimonies and examples. What a tender mercy our Father gave in blessing us with each other. You are truly angels in my life and I hope to send prayers of gratitude to Heaven all my days for each one of you!

Thank you,

Leesee

Mothers day has been fabulous! I love the feeling in my home, it was like everyone made an extra effort to be kind and loving. My family has always been wonderful, I absolutely love them and for the most part we all get along very well but for some reason there was just a little different feel today. Maybe it was just me becoming more sensitive to any little thing and even more aware of the many blessing the Lord has blessed me with. Since my mom has made similar comments several times today I would guess that there has been something different between my family today, I loved it and hope we can continue to grow closer together so we can have this more often.

When was the last time any of you read D&C 31? one of the talks in church today was on that chapter and I was thinking that this is one of those chapters that pretty much everyone has heard of but it isn't commonly discussed yet it is so important for us to remember. I propose that we as women should read/study it at least once a month. Like the girl who gave the talk said "if women have one flaw it is that they forget their worth."

I love you girls. Don't forget how amazing each one of you are.

Love,
Sereen

How old am I?

So today I was the mall with my cousin Eric. We were in Eddie Bower because Eric likes their "really big shirts". I was looking at a blazer for the mission when this old man came up to me. This how our conversation went:
"Hello miss, can I ask you a favor?"
"Sure, what can I do for you?"
"How old do you think I am?"
I smiled coyly and said, "that's a very dangerous question".
He said, "well, I just turned nintey and I wanted to see if I really looked that old!"
This old man was possibly the cutest thing I had ever seen and had a wealth of life experience. He told me about how he was drafted into WWII. He wanted to serve in the Navy but because he was partially colorblind, they put him in the Army. He was married to his wife for 65 years but she passed away. Then he described a period of loneliness in his life and how much he had missed her. He remarried his sweet Hazle (who was in the dressing room at the time) after they had met on a blind date. My favorite thing he said was, "we met on a blind date and I took her dancing and she's the best dancer I ever danced with!" He then did a little dance in place a smiled a HUGE grin. Although our interaction was short, this man has made me realize how many blessings we have and how beautiful life is. When we turn 90 and talk to people in the mall, what will we tell them?

Hello sisters,
I can't explain all the details but I feel the need to share with you my love of the Savior, his atonement, and the power of prayer. As you all know David and I have had some struggles to work through. Since October (when more serious issues had surfaced) I have been praying for him and myself so that we could finally get married. Here we are almost seven months later and I have told him I can't do it anymore, I'm not sure I will even want him after my mission. I have never felt so much physical pain for something that is emotional. This whole experience has really challenged my faith and the way I thought about life and trials. I had hit the bottom, even after getting my mission call I have been very confused and just trying to keep myself afloat. I had made the decision and had a call, why weren't things feeling any better? Yesterday, after meeting with the stake president to get my temple recommend, I broke down wondering if I was even going in the right direction or if I have been totally off.
I turned to the only place I could, that was our Father in Heaven and told him every little feeling I had been struggling with. He listened. The atonement is the most powerful thing I have felt in my life, it's not there just so I could repent but I could almost feel as the gaping holes in my heart began to heal. It will be a process but there is hope and there is joy in the journey. I still didn't know what to do or feel about David but I was, without reservation, finally ecstatic about my mission call. That was enough for now. Before, I felt like it was the right thing but was still very torn because I was supposed to marry David.
I was happy that prayer was answered but the Lord loves me and knew it was time for the prayers prayed at the expense of countless tears to begin to be answered. I had already decided David and I were done but it still hurt to know what he was struggling with and he wouldn't accept my help. I saw David today and he told me things that I have been wanting to hear for months, I couldn't believe it. He still has a long journey ahead of him but he's finally starting to make the sacrifices necessary. I may never marry David but the greatest miracle in this is that I am okay with that and am just happy that he is finally able to make these changes that I have been waiting for so that he can be truly happy again and I can let him go.
I'm sorry if this didn't all make sense but I just want you to know that the atonement is one of the greatest gifts we have ever been given and it does have the power to heal and strengthen. I do not want any of you to have to struggle and feel pain but I'm pretty sure it is inevitable so I hope you all have felt that power of the atonement. I also know that prayers are ALWAYS answered. Prayers that I had almost given up on because I was trying to move on to another stage of life were not forgotten.

I love you all. Thank you for all of your love and support. It has made all the difference in who I am today and how I am able to cope with my trials.

Love,
Sereen