8/29/11

My Little Brother.

My younger brother, Chris, inspires me so much. He is in a city called Aix-En-Provence, France right now serving a mission for the LDS Church. His emails always inspire me & help my testimony grow. I want to share his words with you all...

"I have some really neat updates about Sergio (an investigator of the Church).  We met with him 3 times this week and got to know him a lot better.  We were able to have several very spiritual experiences together.  I have grown to have a very deep love and compassion for him even though I haven't known him for that long.  During the course of this week he opened up to us even more about his life.  I don't want to share any personal or sensitive information but what I can tell you is that he has not walked and easy path.  He is currently between jobs and has been without a place to sleep for quite sometime.  As soon as Elder Smith and I learned about his current situation, we began to pray and fast for him.  We began talking with just about everyone we know to see if there was anyone who could offer him a place to sleep while he tries to get back on his feet.  We spoke with many many people but no one was in a position to help us.  Yesterday, near the end of our fast we had the strong feeling that we needed to ask one of our other investigators if she happened to know anyone that could help Sergio.  We called Sophie (our investigator) and she agreed to meet with us.  We prayed together, shared a spiritual thought and then explained his situation to her.  Her reaction was rich with pure charity.  Without even a moments hesitation she offered that he come and stay at her house.  I was so touched.  I knew that it was God who was helping Sergio through Sophie.  With tears in our eyes we called Sergio to tell him the good news.  He was so happy and grateful that he could barely speak.  I'm so grateful for this experience.  I desire with all of my heart to become the kind of person that acts as Christ would act if He were walking among us.  I was so moved by Sophie's Christ-like example.  I know that if we do every single thing that God asks us to do, but have not charity, it is all without worth.  We must be filled with charity so that Christ will recognize us as His own when He returns.  I testify that one of the best ways to show others who Christ is, is to act as He would.  My testimony was deeply strenghtened through this experience.

I love being a missionary.  This is the best thing I have ever done.  I challenge every one of you to do all you can to follow the will of God in your every action.  I invite you to seek His will.  Ask Him what He would have you do.  Pray to Him with a humble heart, being ready to do whatever He asks of you.  And then, once you have your answer, act with courage and faith.  I promise you that if you do God's will, you will be happy.  I know that is true because I have put it to the test.  God loves us deeply and desires to guide us.  He wants us to return and live with Him.  If we ask Him to guide us, He will."


I hope you are all having a fantastic Monday & that if you weren't, this somehow helped.



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8/28/11

The Amazing Pancakes!

Remember those awesome pancakes I was telling you about the other day? Well, I talked to Brittany & she hooked me up with the recipe to share with all of you!

French Toast Pancakes
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 TBS. sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 TBS. unsalted butter, melted [plus more for the skillet]
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Whisk the ingredients together but don't over whisk.
Pour 1/4 cup into a hot skillet.
Cook until golden brown on both sides.


So now you need to turn off the computer [I know it's difficult] & go make these pancakes right now for Sunday breakfast! Whether you are making them for you, your husband, or your kids - just go make them! They are delicious.

Enjoy & have a great day =)


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8/27/11

Pumpkin Bread (Cake)

My mom makes the BEST pumpkin bread ever. [She really makes the best everything!] I have been telling my sister, Brittany, about it & she has requested the recipe. So, I decide to just post it here so everyone can have it! It's so delicious.

Pumpkin Bread
4 1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup oil
6 eggs
1 cup water
4 1/2 cup flour
1 Lg. can of Pumpkin (3 cups)
2 1/4 tsp baking soda
2 1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
3/4 tsp cloves
3/4 tsp ginger

*Preheat oven to 350.
*In blender/mixer mix sugar, oil, eggs, & water until smooth.
*Pour into bowl & add remaining ingredients.
*Mix well.
*Bake in well greased & floured bread tins for 1 hour.

-Makes 3 loaves.

Have a great weekend!

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8/26/11

Happy Sumo

Reese, Sami, & I went to Happy Sumo today for lunch. 
It. Was. Delicious. 
Sami [my 17 yr. old sister] had never had Sushi before. 
It wasn't her favorite, but at least she has tried it now. 
My little sistew is all grown up now!
I love it. It's one of my favorite foods. 
Reese & I have only eaten Sushi together once & he'd NEVER eating at Happy Sumo. 
We had to remedy that immediately.
Isn't it weird how good food can totally help your crappy week turn into a pretty good one?

Me & Reese at Happy Sumo

Me & Sami.

The Samuri Roll.

The Panko Popper Roll & The Vegas Roll.
[The Vegas Roll is my fave.]

I love him with all my heart!

Yeah. I love Sushi.

We ate it all!

So, there you have it! Pictures & proof from our delicious adventure today. 
We didn't end up having time to go to IKEA, but I'm not too upset about it - since I got full on deliciousness.

Sorry that I'm being obnoxious & posting 2x in one day, but I couldn't resist.
Now I'm off to watch Sami play some soccer & kick some balls butt.
Have a fabulous weekend!!!



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Friday Confessional

Right now I am in Utah with my family & I have been busy playing with them, but now it is TIME TO CONFESS!!! So, do what you know you want to & head over to *OurDandelionWishes* so you can confess it all. 


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I confess…
I hate being away from Reese.
I had to be apart from him most of last week & it was the worst.

I confess…
Reese & I are going to Ikea today.
I've never been & I hope we can find a great table!

I confess…
I like shopping.
I do pretty well with saving money & not shopping excess.

I confess…
I did just get some REALLY cute new shoes though…
I had to get rid of an old pair before I could get these - that was Reese’s stipulation.

I confess…
I HATE when I am posting a comment on someone’s blog & it makes me type that dumb word verification.
I don’t care if I’m offending someone who does it; I hate it that bad.

I confess…
I lied. I actually do care about offending people, but I do hate doing the word verification.
I also hate when music starts up right away. - Let me decide whether or not I want to listen to music you like.

I confess…
I’m worried that my last two confessions were a bit too snotty, but I don’t want to delete them.
Some people tell me my opinions are “too strong”.

I confess…
I have a family reunion tomorrow with my Grandma’s side of the family; mostly people I have never ever met.
I’m excited to see some of the people that I do know & meet new family members.

I confess…
This has been way too long, so I better say goodbye!
I'm still thinking I may need to delete those 2 snotty confessions.


I hope you all have a glorious weekend =)



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