Saturday, March 9, 2013

Acceptance

I'm a really lucky girl. Even though I argue with them, I have really amazing parents.

My mom has a huge heart. She's funny, she's caring, she's a lot of fun. I can talk to her about anything, whether it be about friend issues or just joking around. She's the best mom I could ask for.

My daddy is spontaneous, funny, and outgoing. He's a lot of fun to be around, too. He makes me laugh and he shares my love for shooting and country music. He's the best dad I could ask for.

They both are very open minded. At first, I didn't really think they were, but I've realized they are. I mean, their daughter is going to a church they don't really know anything about, and they let me go every Sunday, every morning for seminary, every Wednesday, every church dance, and even to other things going on at the church. I'm very grateful for them.

Yesterday, I was sitting on the couch playing with Allie (a 2 month old baby at my mom's daycare) when one of the moms came to pick up her daughter. The mom saw my quad in my church bag and asked "Are ya'll Mormon?" to my mom. My stomach dropped, what was my mom going to say?

"No, thats Casey's, Casey goes to a Mormon church. I'm Catholic, Keith's Baptist. We're a big mixed up family" She laughed. It made me feel really good because my mom recognized that I go to the LDS church, and wasn't afraid to say it. She accepts that thats who I am.

My parents have accepted my standards, too. Which makes me feel even better. They warn me when they're watching an R rated movie, they order me Sprite instead of Coke when we eat out, my mom helps me find dresses with sleeves, they realize I don't like when they swear and respect it.

I am very blessed to have the family I have. They accept me for who I have become, and they respect me. I love my family a lot. :)
 
(This was at the beach, thats why we're all red.)
 
 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Today's Mutual

Today is Wednesday and that always means mutual. :)

We had Sundae Service today. That means that we all get split into groups and go to different parts of Allen to serve someone and then they give us ingredients for icecream. My group had some deacons (that honestly I don't know very well...) and the lovely Megan and Bailey. :) Megan is Savannah's little sister. She has the same sparkle in her eye as her big sister. Bailey is a huge inspiration to me. She is the strongest person I know.

We were sent to help the Zaugg's clean up. They have four kids: Jeffery, Dylan, Dawson, and Brooklyn. The girls did the dishes and then played with Brooklyn and cleaned her room. (She has so much room now!!!!)

So we got back to church and we had our icecream and it was fantastic. We went on a hunt to find Emma (Savannah's other lovely sister) and then we came home.

Some of the beehives seem to be in an argument, though. This bothers me greatly. I love my beehives, and the thought of them not getting along breaks my heart. I hope they work everything out.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity

Image

My beehives will be okay. I know they'll end up sorting things out. :)




(Like my signature? I stole the idea from Sister Thunell <3 I love you, Sister Thunell!!! )

Monday, March 4, 2013

Wondering and Pondering

Yesterday in church one of the people who got up to bear their testimony said something that struck me. He said to "never abandon your converts."
Me and my missionary, Ben, haven't spoken for three months now. And I did feel abandoned. Honestly, I still do at times.

At the beginning of my seminary year, my teacher told me she believed I was converted to Ben and not the gospel. I was devastated. I ran to the girls bathroom and cried my eyes out. I had experienced a fight with Ben right before that happened, so when Ben walked in and heard the end of the conversation, he said nothing. Right then I felt completely alone.

But with this experience I have learned that I am not converted to Ben. I have realized that this testimony is mine and, although he sparked my interest, I have grown it into a giant bonfire because I wanted to.

Which leads me to wonder this:

Does Ben really understand what he's given to me and how thankful I am? Sometimes I see him in church and I want to go personally thank him for everything he's done, but there's a barrier between the two of us.

I also wonder of Ben ever thinks about everything we went through when I was a brand new investigator.

What if he reads these too?

He answered my questions that I wrote in this notebook, he looked after me constantly because of my medical issue, he never got frustrated when I asked something about church, he lets me use his LDS.org account for various things (which he still does, he specifically told me I could still use it) and many more things.

Ben was a great friend while it lasted, and I hope with all my heart that he stays on the right track and has a wonderful life, even if I'm not by his side. He was a huge blessing in my life, and he opened doors for me.

Even though its ended, I'm grateful I was given him as a friend. He had a huge heart and I hope he continues to have it when he's on his mission. Love is the most important thing.

Check out the Mormon Ad for youth called Dare To Stand Alone. It's a fantastic one.



Sunday, March 3, 2013

Personal Progress and my Beehives

I'm sorry I haven't gotten to write for a while.

Today was just such a huge day for me, I had to let everyone know.

Today I received my medallion for finishing personal progress. It was such an amazing experience. I loved it so much.

During young women's everyone would talk about personal progress, but I didn't know what it was. So I leaned over and asked Savannah (the sweetest little sparkle in my life, go check out my previous posts and you'll hear all about her and her beautiful mommy) and she got me the book. That night, I went home and read through it, and quickly got discouraged. "Family home evening? I can't do that!" I thought. As I continued to read I continued to pull myself down, saying I couldn't do it. I ended up shoving it in my bag and forgetting about it.

A few months later, I saw how happy the other girls were. One of my friends from school had finished hers, and told me all about it. So I started to look back into starting again.

And I did.

It was such an amazing experience. I had to find my own ways to complete the experiences, which made it more of a challenge but it made my testimony grow more than it would if I had just never picked it back up. I learned that everything you put your mind to is possibly through our selfless Father in Heaven. He wants the best for each and every one of us.

But as I sit here, pondering what has happened today, I realized that something else touched my heart.

I am close to the beehives in my ward. They are the sweetest things. They have this light to them that I can't get enough of. They are truly amazing.

The other day at mutual, I was sitting reading scriptures. Two little beehives walked over and sat down next to me, we talked for a few minutes, then they went on their own conversation. I went back to reading scriptures, partially listening to what they were saying.

One of the girls was having trouble with a girl at school who just didn't like her. She couldn't figure out why. She would send her mean texts and say mean things at school. She ended up replying to one of the texts with a not so nice response and this is what the two little ladies were talking about.

I looked up from my scriptures and said her name (which I won't say on here because I don't want to spill her secret)

"____, what did you say to this girl?"

"I'm not really sure, I deleted it and I don't remember exactly."

I turned so I was looking her in the eyes and said:
"I'm going to tell you something I learned. I know what it's like to not be liked by some people and you don't know why. At first, I wanted to do just what you did, I wanted to put them down and make them feel just as bad as they made me feel. But then I heard a lesson about forgiveness and service. So I forgave them. Now I know they might not have been sorry at the time, and they might never be. But I forgave them. Then, I started doing small acts of service towards them. Whether it be holding the door open, smiling at them, or just simply not be mean to them. Soon, they stopped being so mean towards me. I think you should try this. Be kind to this girl, she might be going through a hard time. Forgive her. Be kind to her. It might not work at first, but you know you will be doing the right thing."

She said okay and we went home. I didn't expect her to take my advice because its a hard thing to do.

Today the same girl came running to me exclaiming that I was right. When I asked what I was right about her response was "I started being nice to that girl and she complimented me this week!!!"

I am so proud of my little beehive for standing for what's right and being a loving daughter of God.

I think this meant as much to me as finishing my personal progress did, of not more. I am so happy that she did the right thing.

I know that if you are kind to those who are hurtful to you, your kindness will rub off on them. I know that if you ask Heavenly Father for help, He will help you. Everything is possibly through God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.