{Big Brother}

I have spent a lot of time today at the Hospital waiting for my cute little niece to be born. My Brother is awesome and got married three or so years ago.
When I found out that he and his wife we expecting, I was so happy for them. It was so awesome to see how excited they were and they will be the best parents!!
 But I was also a little sad because I knew that things would be different now. He is going to be raising his little family. Which is totally awesome. But still hard for the little sister to grasp. 

Because of all of this going on, I was thinking about the BuzzFeed post that talks about the 10 Reasons why having a little brother is the greatest. This got me thinking. Why isn't there a post going around about big brothers? Is having a big brother such a terrible thing? There may be times when you want to wring his neck, but I think having a big brother is awesome. 

Here are my

 10 Reasons Why Having a Big Brother is the Greatest!

1-He Got Blamed For All The Bad Stuff You Did As A Kid

It's Sad, but it's True. When we were little, Bradon Convinced me to call 911 and tell them that Ed's Mailbox was on fire. Which I did. and then of course they called back and talked to my dad, and Bradon got in trouble for it. Haha. Pretty much any less than idea thing that happened as us kids, me and him were involved in together. Including the time we were throwing waffle blocks at each other, both of us having fun, and then Bradon gave me a bloody nose and got in trouble for it. Haha.  

2-He Looks Out For You

I'm pretty sure that it was a blessing in disguise that Bradon was on his mission while I was going to High School, I'm positive that he would be all up in the face of any date that I went on and would have been overly cautious. Which isn't a bad thing. I know that he just wants to have a happy little sister and he will be the one to answer to if I ever shed a tear.

3-You Get To Watch Him Grow Up To Be An Awesome Person

Bradon was always the big brother (obviously) so I got to see him graduate high school, go on a mission, get married, and now have a kid. I aspire to be like him. If I had been older, I think I would be so focused with my own stuff that I might not notice his. Him being older is the best because he will be protective, but not overshadow me. 

4-He Tells You How It Is

He's not afraid to tell me that I'm wrong and then explain why. He isn't afraid to say if an outfit is questionable. He also isn't afraid to say that I look nice or that He likes my jewelry. He says it how it is, like any best friend should. 

5-He Loves You

He's the big brother, he is the ultimate protector because he Loves you. Bradon doesn't have to come right out and say it for me to know. But it's an awesome thing to know. 

6-He'll Tell You Why You Should Get Over A Guy

He may have already killed the guy, but he will tell you all the reasons why a guy isn't good enough for you and that it's really for the best that you didn't end up together with him. 

7-He Invites You To Do Stuff With Him

Even though our interests may be different, he still invites me to go places with him and spend time with him. It's nice to know that he isn't  "too cool" to hang out with his little sis. 

8-He Teaches You Manly Stuff

There are countless times where he has taught me to play the guitar, or a Red Hot Chili Pepper's bass guitar part. He'll teach you how to do the things that he does so you can spend more time together. He'll even ask you to teach him some of your hobbies. 

9-He Is Kind and Compassionate

Even though he has to put on the man suit, he is really just a kind guy that wants to best for you. Bradon always asks me the right questions because he cares to see me happy. He'll be the first to throw a basketball and invite me to play Horse. It's the little things that show his kind heart. 

10-He'll Always Be There For You

At the end of the day, I know that I could always ask Bradon anything. Irregardless of the subject. He's always there to lend an ear or an advice or two. He'll keep secrets, he'll give hugs, he'll do all the stuff that a big brother shouldn't do, but does because he cares and loves you.

Shout out to You Bradon for being the best big brother in the world. 

I Love you!

-Until next Time

Peace & Blessings.

{Trust}

As many of you know, I recently got a new job. And it has been an amazing change for me. 

But I haven't taken the opportunity to show the amazing tender mercy that the Lord has shown for me since I changed jobs. 

Let me explain..

When I had first got the feeling that I should look for a new job, I fought the feeling. I had applied to get into the MSW graduate school program at the University of Utah and I was supposed to find out if I got in within a couple weeks. I knew it would be what was best for me, but I am definitely afraid of the unknown. The thought of being the new girl all over again wasn't something that I was prepared for. 

I prayed about it, and the Lord and I came to the same decision. If I got into grad school, I wouldn't look for a new job. It wouldn't really make sense to get a job for a few months. If I got in, I would quit when school started. 

If I didn't get into grad school, then I would get a new job. 

I was very happy with the decision. 

It made an exceeding amount of logical sense.
I could wait out two weeks to know if I should make a major change in my life. 

Just a few days after I had talked this decision over with the Lord, I had a strange, curious urge to look and see if there were any job postings. 

To this day, I have no idea why I did it. 

It must have been from Heaven, because I was just trying to survive a couple of weeks. 

My current job's listing was up and was the only SSW position anywhere near my home. 

The second I saw it, I knew that I would get the position if I applied. 

Unlike when I applied for my last job, I had excellent experience now. 

I was confused. Should I apply for this job? The Lord and I together had made a plan. 

This was not part of the plan!!!!

I decided to apply for the job. 

Within a day, I received a call for an interview. 

I went in for the interview and felt great about it. I talked about grad school and if they would be willing to work around my schedule. We talked about money. It was an excellent interview.

Later on that same day, I received news that I hadn't got into grad school, but that I could be placed on their wait list. 

I was devastated. 

I am infuriated. 

I was hurt. 

I remember sitting in my office, complaining to my Father in Heaven.

Saying "If this is some sort of sick joke to get me to quit my job, I don't think it's funny!"

(a bit dramatic, I know. But would you expect anything less from me?" :)

I was offered the position and I decided to take the job. 

I had a long month of the notice I was required to give at my last job. 

And then I began to love my change and be so grateful to my Heavenly Father for helping get me into such a great environment and such a great thing for my own well being. 

I was again playing the wait game with grad school.
As time went on, I got less and less hopeful that I would get a spot. 

I had decided that it would be okay, I could work for a year and save some money.
Maybe go on a trip to somewhere exotic. 

Who knew. 

Then I found out that a spot had opened up for me to go to grad school!

I was SO excited!

I was SO happy!

I was SO grateful!

And then one day, I made the connection of how intricate that Lord's hand in my life was. 

He had done exactly what was best for me. 

I had learned to Trust Him, even when it was hard. 

At times I didn't even realize how much trust I was putting in Him.

He had done exactly what I needed in order to do things to better my own life. 

As a social worker, I spend so much time focusing on the well being on others, that sometimes I care more about helping them than myself. 

I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father helped me get to where I am today. Even though it may have felt like a bump on the road, sometimes a giant turn in my plan, He definitely did exactly what would make me improve my own life.

With more and more experiences like theses,

I'm sure that I'm not running this show. :)

Until Next Time...

Peace & Blessings. :)

8th Quote of the {Rainy Days}

"Remember. 8:30"

-Kelly Baldwin

This quote may not seem like much. 

But, when I was in high school. I was having a really hard time with something. To this day, I don't remember exactly what it was. I'm sure that it had something to do with how people that I thought were my friends were treating me. But I was obsessing over it. I would think about it all the time and it had gotten to the point that I could no longer concentrate on anything but it and I was becoming really negative and upset over it. 

At the time, I had a wonderful Young Women's Leader named Kelly.

 She and I were really close and always saw eye to eye. 

One night I was talking with her about the problem that I was having. She told me the following advice.

Every time the thought comes to mind, tell yourself "I will think about it at 8:30. 

The time itself has to be set by you, it should be a time that you will always have available to you.

When 8:30 comes, you are going to think about the problem. You can cry, scream, punch pillows, whatever you have to do. For as long as you have to do it. But only beginning at 8:30. 

The first night, it may take to hours. 

But the second night, it might only take 1 hours and 55 minutes. 

Sooner or later you will never have to tell yourself 8:30. And the problem won't bother you anymore.

This wisdom was definitely used and I am grateful for it to this day. 

Whenever a struggle comes to my life, I hear her words.

"Heidee. Remember. 8:30"

{Through Heaven's Eyes}

"A single thread in tapestry, though its color brightly shines can never see its purpose in the pattern of the grand design. And the stone that sits at the very top of the mountain's mighty face, Does it think it's more important than the stones that form the base? So how can you see what your life is worth or where your value lies? You can never see through the eyes of man. You must look at your life through Heaven's eyes. A lake of gold in the desert sand is less than a cool fresh spring. And to one lost sheep a shepherd boy is greater than the richest king. If a man lose ev'rything he owns has he truly lost his worth? Or is it the beginning of a new and brighter birth? So how do you measure the worth of a man in a wealth or strength or size? In how much he gained or how much he gave? The answer will come to him who tried to look at his life through Heaven's eyes. And that's why we share all we have with you though there's little to be found. When all you've got is nothing. There's a lot to go around. No life can escape being blown about by the winds of change and chance. And though you never know all the steps you must learn to join the dance. So how do you judge what a man is worth? By what he builds or buys? You can never see with your eyes on earth. Look through Heaven's eyes. Look at your life through Heaven's eyes."

Doctrine and Covenants 1:30 reads:
"And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring forth out of obscurity and out o darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, and well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually-"

The restoration of the gospel happened in many stages where different vital ordinances and principles were restored back to the earth: baptism, the Book of Mormon, the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood, the sealing power, personal revelation, temples, the plan of happiness, the word of wisdom. The list could go on and on, and each item brings us closer to the Savior.

Isaiah 25:9 reads:

And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

 We often hear the phrase "waiting on the Lord' in this church. We say that we wait upon him for answers to our most sincere prayers, but I often wonder how often the Lord is waiting upon me. He is waiting to help us, but we need to ask. 

Joseph Smith History verses 11-13 state:

While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbaideth not; and it shall be given him. 

Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of a man that this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible.

At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to "Ask of God" concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture.

Later on, verse 17 reads 

It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them speak unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other- This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

The way that our Father in Heaven called unto Joseph has always struck me hard. To be honest, most of us don't even address each other by name, we just shout "Hey!" and usually get the desired response that we want. But the significance of the Father referring to Joseph by his name taught Joseph and us a powerful lesson. Because even though there are times in our lives when we are blinded by our humanity and cannot see the Lord's hand in our lives, He can always see us and He knows us! He even knows our name. He knows exactly how to speak to us in a way that we can understand and in a way that we will respond to. It also brings me to ponder that if I had the faith and strength of a 15 year old who knelt in a grove of trees, I may have fewer instances when the Lord is waiting upon me. 

I recently got a new job. And through the whole process of looking for a posting, filling out the application, going to the interview, accepting the job, putting in my notice at my last job, and even starting the new one. I hated it. I didn't want to do any of it. But during the experiences, I could think of {what I thought was} very logical reasons why it was the thing to do. It wasn't until a week after I'd started the new job that I saw how much The Lord care about me and loved me enough to push me through that "enemy which held me bound." I truly felt like Joseph in the grove. That I was searching for this answer but every time I thought to ask, something stopped me. And even though I couldn't see Him, He kept saying "Heidee! You need to do this! It will be scary and hard, but I know what's best for you!" And it took me a week to look back and see the Savior guiding me to make, quite possibly, the best decision I've made for myself in a long time. 

Everything about this gospel that you and I share is linked to Christ. Because the gospel has been restored it has brought us the knowledge of Our relationship with our Father in Heaven and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

When I was about 14, I can remember first gaining a testimony that I still hold dear to me today about my relationship with my Father in Heaven and Savior, Jesus Christ. I was having a really hard time late at night. I remember being sad about something that had happened with some friends and I was having a hard time sleeping because of it. I remember praying, asking if He could help me calm down just long enough to sleep. I remember feeling comforted, but still, no sleep came. I remember looking t my ceiling and saying, "Heavenly Father, I love you. Do you love me?" To this day, I remember that arms that wrapped around me and answered yes. 

Ever since that day, I have been able to look at my life through heaven's eyes on occasion and it has helped me through the minor and major decisions of my life. I know that I am a Daughter of God. And I know that Jesus Christ is my Brother. 

I definitely don't know everything that there is to know about the Gospel or even the restoration of the Gospel. But I believe that you don't have to eat the whole pizza to know that it's good. And I know that this church is good. I know that it is true. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me and that they love you too. I know that Joseph Smith knelt in a grove of trees and prayed to our Father in Heaven, and that because of it, the world was forever changed. And even more importantly, my life was changed because of it. I am grateful for the restoration of the gospel because it brings me closer to the Savior and the opportunity that it gives me to sometimes see my life through their eyes. And I know that with Him I can do anything. And that because of Him I can return to Him and our Father in Heaven.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

{Candid Camera}

Do you all remember the show, Candid Camera? I swear that it was only on air for a couple of minutes. (Exaggeration much?) Actually to be exact, the show was on for a very long time; it was stopped and then started again in 1998. I don't think that the show lasted very long after that.

To fill in those of you that may have been born under a rock; Candid Camera was a hidden camera show that played various jokes on various people in various situations. For example, a veterinarian suggesting that the dog receive glasses so that they can see better.

Does the idea make sense? Good.

The reason why I bring this up, is because of some advise that I gained during the week.

Someone had said something about me that had got under my skin. Something that was partially true.

I sought advise from a mentor.

And he told me this story.

One episode of Candid Camera took place at a candy store in Manhattan.

The register said that "No Change Will Be Given"

So everyone would come in and buy their $5 worth of candy, give the lady $20. She would take the money, say thank you, and go about her business. When they asked for their change, she would show them the sign. 

Everyone freaked out.

Except one.

One gentleman was shown the sign, and he literally whistled as he left. 

When the stopped and asked him why he didn't get upset he said,

"I'm not going to let this waste space in my thoughts."

Never let what anyone else says waste space in your thoughts.

Until Next Time...

Peace & Blessings!

{Quarterly}

At my work, we have little care plan meetings for each of the residents every three months. In other words, it is a quarterly meeting. We talk about how the resident is doing and if there are any things that we can do to help improve their stay at the facility. In some ways, they help look forward to the annual review, where we hope there is some form of improvement.

Today I experienced an amazing quarterly. But this one was for myself. I have reached the point in my schooling where I have completed a quarter towards graduation. I have 300 practicum hours until I can say that I have a Bachelor's degree from Weber State University.

This is an accomplishment that I will be so relieved to have and so proud to have fulfilled.

I look forward to the 2 other quarterlys before I finally reach my annual. The big thing that I have worked so hard to receive!

Until Next Time
Peace & Blessings!

{YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME}

I HAVE ME AN AMAZING BEST FRIEND. SERIOUSLY. I DON'T KNOW THAT I COULD FIND A BETTER ONE. HER NAME IS SAM. 

SAM IS A ROCK DURING THE WINDSTORM.

SAM IS THE CALM BEFORE AND AFTER THE STORM.

SAM IS THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS.

SAM IS MY SOUL SISTER.

SAM IS MY KINDRED SPIRIT.

SAM IS AN ANSWER TO MY PRAYERS.

SAM IS AMAZINGLY HILARIOUS.

SAM IS GENUINE.

SAM IS EMPATHETIC.

SAM IS THE BEST DISNEY PARTNER.

SAM IS EVERYTHING THAT I NEEDED. AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR HER EVERY DAY!

I LOVE YOU SAM!