since when does getting a good grade mean more work LAMENESS

Today we have our group speeches and it went well.

We are all "compeating" for the spot to represent our class in the Communication convention. Every comm class is participating and one group from each class goes. So we all wanted a good grade but we didnt want to be the one to go to the convention .. more work .. YUCK!

Well after all the groups went our teacher had to make a choice and he couldnt choose. We had all done well and the grades were veary good. We knew he was going to choose the group that got the best grade and wanted the best grade but didnt want to have to do the convention. Well .. he said the prophet group and everyone cheered and the 5 of us "uggggggg"ed.

my group gets to be in the comm convention on thursday. kinda excited and nervous and not really wanting to do it .. but well we have to.

So we got the best grade in the class .. and becuase of that we get more work .. so we get to repeat of speech like 3 or 4 times for 25min as people walk around and judge and what not...

well thats it .. class is starting. I will end this with our group outling.

Speech Outline


PRESENTATION:
-Introduction
--Hook: “If you have a chance to something great, take it. You may never have that chance again.”
--Relevance: These men of the LDS church had their chance, took it, and did through effective communication.”
--Credibility: Prophets of the latter-Day saints church have always been examples of effective communication
--Topic: Today we wish to explain how different prophets communicated during their era of service.
--Preview: The Prophets featured will be
Joseph Smith
Brigham Young ability to listen prevented him from reacting in a violent manner.
Joseph F. Smith stood his ground on what he knew was true and right.
Spencer W. Kimball was able to lead and communicate without words.
Gordon B. Hinckley preserved the name of the church during an era when communication was globalized.
-Transitions(1): Your duty is to organize a religion, How do you Persuade people to follow you? This is the major challenge Joseph Smith had to face during his era.

-Point #1: Joseph Smith—Trust and Expertise

-Transition(2): The organization is growing, now you must move them across the country. How do you organize a cultural exodus? Brigham Young was faced with this challenge after Joseph Smith’s death, but successfully completed it.

-Point #2: Brigham Young--Listening

-Transition(3): Your cultural lifestyle is challenged, how do you state your path without rebellion? With the removal of polygamy Joseph F. Smith had to face the opinions of the members, and the persecution of the government.

-Point #3: Joseph F. Smith—Sticking to your story

-Transition(4): Membership is growing, but you vocal chords are removed due to cancer. You still must lead the church despite the fact that your voice is altered. The example Spencer W. Kimball set was through his ability to communicate without words.

-Point #4: Spencer W. Kimball—Non-verbal Communication

-Transition(5): Membership has now reached a worldwide scale. How do you adjust your communication to this vast audience? Gordon B. Hinckley faced this challenge, and proved himself to be a world renown leader.

-Point #5: Gordon B. Hinckley—Focus on your audience.

-Conclusion:
--Summary Statement: During each critical time during the church, these Prophets skillfully communicate properly to preserve order.
--Call to Action: When the time comes that you are faced with a crucial conversation, take the lessons you have learned from these men and communicate your way skillfully back into safety.
--Memorable Closing: Remember, “when a chance comes to do something great, take it, for you may never have the chance again.”


so the count downs are
1 week and 2 days
1 week and 5 days
2 month and 4 days
3 months and 24 days

oh and that 1 week and 5 days one ... its snowing out and makes me cry ... it HAS to be nice and warm and sunny on that day//weekend// well how about the 9-(at least)19


<3 Erin Christina

ummm an Insight

Name: Erin Christina Elliott Rel. 122 Section: 25 Word Count: 385 Date: March 30, 2009
1) What is the reference of the insight?
Ether 9:34
2) What principle or doctrine is taught?
Compelled to be humble
3) What message for improvement is taught?
On when it was that they were to parish is when they fall to their knees and started to repent. We do that so much in our world today. We do what we want, when we want, how we want, where we want, and only when something bad is to happen we fall to our knees and repent of the deeds that we have done as so the Lord does not strike us down and reject us from the kingdom of God. It really is to many times in the world that it is seen people only repenting during sacrament, or praying for help on a test and never praying other times, or even repenting just so they can get a temple recommend.
4) How can I apply this principle, doctrine, or message in my life?
In my life I know that there are plenty of times I have been compelled to be humble. Starting off in high school, I would pray for help on tests, and sometimes during sacrament. Times I would pray in the temple to be forgiven and times that I would pray only at certain times. I wasn’t doing regular prayer and scripture. I got out here to school and it hit me HARD! I was compelled to be humble by the most extreme power. Soon I slipped again and again I was compelled to be humble and again I have been compelled to be humble. I HATE the feeling of it; you know more than anything that you have done wrong and it feels like you are being stared down my God himself. At those times I wanted to run and hide but I couldn’t, nowhere to run and hide, I had to face it. I never want to be compelled to be humble again. I am living the commandments, and praying every night and reading my scriptures. I am going to the temple and doing the things the Lord has asked me to do. I hope that I won’t ever have to be compelled in any way again, and if I do, at least not in those extreme ways – those kill!



<3 Erin Christina

heh

ok... so its not a super exciting post just another video that makes me smile!!




had a good friday!
had 2 concerts back to back.
A&E movie night and amy spent the night and we made cookies. now we are baking muffins then maybe going to the temple.

i am stll kinda sick and feeling it bc i went to sleep without drugs and havent taken any since 6 yesterday. but none the less i am getting better!!

ttyl!


<3 Erin Christina

Being Sick Makes Me Depressed

Maybe it is because i am sick or maybe it is becuase the drugs have worn off and I feel misserable right now but I just want to cry, and have for a while now. I have reached a week of being sick, have spent close to the last of my money on medicine to help me feel better, and I just dont seem to be getting better. I have kinda started stressing about being sick and its making me worse, and I dont know what to do anymore.

So I was sitting in my science class on Tuesday and looked at my grade, I have an 82 and i started crying. It is not good enough. I will never be good enough.

I am trying my best in all my classes, but when my grades get sent home I will get a phone call saying, why arnt all those Bs As?

All my life nothing has ever been good enough for my paretns...My Dad. I cant ever seem to make him happy or to be good enough for him.

he hates the fact that I am LDS, that I go to a church shcool, he hates my belifes nad that I believe them, he has never liked any mormon boy I have dated, and I just feel like I can never make him happy. I spend so much of my time trying to get a "good job" "I am proud of you" anything like that from him, and it really be meaning full. Anytime in my life I have done something I am proud of and I go to my parents they compare me to someone else better then me.

Nothing I do will ever be good enough. I try so hard. I do my best, I cant be anymore then I am.

BUT when I mess up, the whole world knows. I cant get anything out of doing my best, but when I stumble, its hell on eath from my dad. Its one of the most scary things in my life is for him to be mad at me. I try and I try and I try. I dont ever get the same praise and joy and love that my brothers get, and I get worse punshment then what they get.

It scares me .. will I ever please my dad .. will I ever do anything to make him happy. I just wish I knew what to do to make my parents happy, what do I do...being me just isnt enough. I have to be more. I have to be greater. Do I go off and do something that i dont want to do with my life. I could be a special ed major and make my mom proud. I could leave the church and hate mormons and make my dad happy. BUT those wouldnt make me happy...it would infact make me miserable. I love the major I am in, I dont think I would be happy anywhere else..I made my mom happy by changing my major because she NEVER thought that I could do what I wanted to do. I love the church I go to. I love my religion. I know what I believe ... I am a daughter of God who loves me, I know who I am, I know Gods plan, I am a memeber of the only true church on this earth, I wouldnt leave it for anything!!

I am the black sheep of my family. I am the out cast. I am the person that doesnt fit in. I dont know how to, I dont know what to do. I am my own person, and it is not good enough. I have never felt accepted by my family. I just want to feel apart of them, but I have to be my own person.

Sometimes, I just dont know what to do.

Will I ever be good enough for my parents, for my family, for myself?



<3 Erin Christina

Facebook

saw this ... love it. dang funny!!

made me smile in my sick state

so i bought drug to help me sleep and so i am sleeping now

nini


<3 Erin Christina

A week later and still sick

I am sitting here in my science class just wanting to go home. I feel so horrabul and yucky and gross. I have an 8 page paper to write tonight.
I dont want to be here ... I really really really really really dont.
I was up late last night coughing. I couldnt stop coughing, for 2 hours I was coughing over and over again. Today I have had a horrable headach and cant breath and have been super dizy all day.
I laid in bed last night crying. I kept trying to tell the things my mom would say but it just wanst the same.
How big of a baby am I. I am almost 20 and I was laying there crying in misseray and wanting my mommy becuase I have a cold. I am so done with this cold...I just want to be healthy ... I really do want my mommy..


<3 Erin Christina

Ok, I'm a dork .. but I am in the major I should be then

So I am getting things put together for my 5min presintation last night .. and well I went to youtube to see if i could find anything for Erik Erikson's 4th stage of child dev. and well ... I did find something and I was trying so hard not to luagh out loud because my roommate was sleeping ...
I might be the only person who finds this funny but I thought I would share it with you!!




So I need to get ready for class ...
yay for class 10:15-3, a presintation in that mix, and right after I get out of my last class I have to go take a test. and I am still sick .. and since friday night have drank over half a bottle of cold medicine .. :(
So for prayers to be with me would be wonderful, because .. well I dont pass tests when I am sick .. I dont study well, and I havent for this test.
Tonight and tomorrow is the task of writing my 8 page paper due wednesday.
14 school days left!!!
and 2 weeks and 6 days till I turn 20!

ok well gunna be late now .. loves


<3 Erin Christina

A Quick thought

i think the spirit is an amazing thing.
i have been soooo sick and feeling just a 100% blah ... but have been carried through the spirit that i dont feel that way all the time.

another great thing in my life right now, is, well i have been helping lots of people lately with the problems and things like that .. i love it, i learn sooo much from them, and they help me so much.

it makes me feel good knowing that i am doing good.


i had a scary thought the other day...
my life is in great order now. i am living the commandments, and doing everything the lord wants me to do ... and it hit me ... that the next step in my life just could be a guy...am i really wanting to be dating, i dont want to get hurt, i dont want to hurt a guy. i really hate dating, i hate those aqward dates and kind aleading guys on or getting led on by guys. i dont want to go through that.

but it doesnt change the fact that i feel that way. it just might be that next thing in my life .. and well if its meant to be by my savor i am welcoming it into my life .. though its scary well i am praying ..

sry if this is all confusing my writing has been veary scrabled from the cold!!

i will write more latter ... loves!!


<3 Erin Christina

Oh How Lovely was the Morning

I went to the temple this morning with my ward, and it was amazing. When I say morning, look at this time, I am posting at 9:30, i got home at like 9, i woke up at 4:30am to be at the temple at 6am, yes, Erin woke up at 4:30am. Well I didnt get out of bed till 5..BUT none the less!! Its amazing having a temple walking distance!! I went two weeks ago and had the experince of a life time, and the feeling is still the same. Knowing I am worthy and doing the Lords work is the best blessing the whole world!! I love the temple!! I made up my own little version of the primary song.

I love to see the temple
wish I could go everyday
I feel the Holy Spirit
I listion and I pray
For the temple is the house of God
a place of love and beauty
I've prepared myself these past months
this is my sacred dutey

I love to see the temple
I go as much as I can
I cov'net with my father
and I promise to obey
For the temple is a holy place
I cant wait to be sealed forever
As a child of God
I have learned THE truth
A family IS forever

So I love the temple more and more as I keep going!! I worked so hard and guess what .. it was SOOOO worth it!! I feel so blessed.

So the temple isnt the only reason I am so amazingly wonderful, while sitting in the temple reading my scriptures, I came to the words .. THE END .. I finshed the Book Of Mormon. I started reading last Jan. and so a year and 2 months later I finshed. There were times I just wasnt reading at all. But I kept picking up where I left off. This is the first time I have read stright through the scriptures. I have always known the truth of it, but sitting in God's house and read the words the Moroni wrote in the last chapter, those words ARE for our time and this book IS for us. I have always known and testified of it, never thought by truly reading though the it would change. I felt the Holy Ghost testify to me the truth of it.

So even though I am sick and still not feeling well I feel amazingly wonderful!! I love life. I hope every has a wonderful day!! I know that I will!!!

My goodness .. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Chist of Latter-day Saints .. and I am dang proud of it!! The even better thing, I know that I am a member of the only true church upon the face of the planet. Holy Crap how good that feels, and to have that knowledge and well I want to screem it from a MT top. In fact I could I'm in Rexburge this is like a MT right!! hah!!


<3 Erin Christina

Eating Disorders

So in my Health&Welless class we are talking about eating disorders which brings me back in time.

For those of you who have known me for a while might know that I have struggled in the past and even yes the presesnt with eating disorders ... not only that but with self-immage. They are kinda linked together.

Growing up I never really had a great body immage of myself. I really did hate me and everything about me.

My freshman year of high school I took a health class where we learned about eating disorders, where the opposit of what was supposed to happen happened. It didnt teach me to not have one but gave the ideas I didnt think of to lose weight.

My softmore year of high school I was told by my guard instructor that is was fat and had to lose some weight. I was hurt, BADLY by that. Not only did I already have a bad self-immage but now she was telling me that I HAD to lose some weight.

My Jr. year is when I crashed. I perposely bought a dress that was to small so that I HAD to lose the weight to fit into it by banquit time. I started skipping meals, working out extra hard and couting calories. I didnt even want to hit 1000 calories .. I was living off of 100 calorie packs almost. I would eat the school lunchs so my friends wouldnt think anything was up .. but poeple could see the weight I was dropping. I had droped 20lbs in 3 months, and everyone knew that something was wrong with me .. oh and 5 of those lbs came off in 1week.

I fit into my dress!! It was even kinda big on me, and I also had a better body immage, but, I wasnt healthy.

That summer I droped another 5lbs. I was upset that after hiking in the Mts for 2 weeks I hadnt lost as much as I wanted to. That summer though I did work on getting myself healthy again...I kept the good body that I had but gained the muscle and good body things I had lost.

I got back on the scale ... and got mad, I was gaining weight again!! and well I looked in the mirror and there was a new person and I hated what I saw.

I strugled my whole Sr. year with not going back to those ways.

Ever since I have gone back and forth with an eating disorder. I will eat 3 times a day but I wont eat right in hopes that I will start to look better.

I droped 15lbs my freshman year of college -- in 1 month. I want home for a wedding and everyone there said that i looked sick and was way to skinny for my own good. I looked unheathy. Back out to school I tried to get healthy again, and fought the fight to put some weight back on. All and all had shunk a pant size that 1st semester. I am happy that I am still wearing that size, though I could fit into a good friends wedding dress who is smaller then me, kinda scared me. I am afraid to try on a smaller pant size becuase I am getting to the point that these jeans as well dont fit me. Its scary! My mind thinks one way, but once I see the numbers on the scale I see something else in the mirror.

I have felt me putting on and losing weight this semester, though my not eating and eating and not eating. A few days ago a friend of mine from home commented my wall telling me to eat that I was too thin. It really does scare me when people tell me that. It makes me worry, I dont, I cant get cought in in my circle again. Though I already hear myself doing it, by planning to go running every MWF of next semester -- well not running but jogging/walking ... burning calories!!

I took a servay today for my class and it told me that I am sitting in the signs of haveing a bad self immage. That this is dangerious becuase that leads to eating disorders, WELL DUH!! I KNOW THAT. I was happy to see though the other half of the servay said that I didnt, but I did lay dangeriouly close to getting traped in one ... again I know that. I am working on it!

Sitting in my class talking about this stuff doesnt help me with stuggling, it kinda hurts and brings back all the memories of what I have done to myself in the past. It scars me that I might subconciously start going back to that.


anyways .. that was on my mind


<3 Erin Christina


the pics are out of order bc this thing wont put them how i tell it too..but the fact is to show how i changed over time .. i kinda skipped from June '08 to Feb '09 bc my weight also went crazy while i was at home and it would just end up to many many pics and I got tired of finding them.

( jr year of high school -- the dress i had to fit in!!)
( jr year winter guard)
(softmore year banquet)
(family trip 8grade/9th grade)
(8th grade graduation)
(now)
(june '08)
(feb '08)
(feb '08)

My last message for my calling for next week

I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living Head.
I’m trying to be like Jesus. I’m following in his ways. I’m trying to love as he did in all that I do and say. At times I am tempted to make the wrong choice but I try to listen as the still small voice whisper
Searching in darkness, nations have wept;
Watching for dawn, their vigil they’ve kept.
All now rejoice; the long night is o’er.
Truth is on earth once more!.
Though outward ills await us here,
The time, at longest, is not long
Ere Jesus Christ will reappear,
Surrounded by a glorious throng,
Soon the battle will be over;
Ev’ry foe of truth be down.
Onward, onward, youth of Zion;
Thy reward the victor’s crown
In faith we’ll rely on the arm of Jehovah
To guide thru these last days of trouble and gloom,
And after the scourges and harvest are over,
We’ll rise with the just when the Savior doth come.
Then all that was promised the Saints will be given,
And they will be crown’d with the angels of heav’n,
And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,
And Christ and his people will ever be one
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.
I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.
He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.
And when temptation’s pow’r is nigh,
Our pathway clouded o’er,
Upon the rod we can rely,
And heaven’s aid implore
He answers privately,
Reaches my reaching
I draw myself apart,
Searching my soul?
Thru test and trial we’ll have our fears,
But we will not despair.
We’re here to serve a righteous cause;
Truth gives us strength to dare.
We’ll love, and learn, and overcome
Cast thy burden upon the Lord,
And he shall sustain thee.
He never will suffer the righteous to fall
let us in his footsteps tread,
For thus alone can we be one
With God’s own loved, begotten Son.
The truths and values we embrace
Are mocked on ev’ry hand.
Yet as we listen and obey
We know we can withstand
The evils that would weaken us,
The sin that would destroy.
With faith, we hold the iron rod
And find in this our joy.
He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
glory great and bliss are ours,
If we, throughout eternity,
Obey his words, “Come, follow me.”
While on our journey here below,
Beneath temptation’s pow’r,
Through mists of darkness we must go,
In peril ev’ry hour.
In many a temple the Saints will assemble
And labor as saviors of dear ones away.
Then happy reunion and sweetest communion
We’ll have with our friends in the beautiful day
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Lift up your hearts in praise to God;
Let your rejoicings never cease.
Though tribulations rage abroad,
Christ says, “In me ye shall have peace.”
He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.
Where can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole?
When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years.
The night is dark, and I am far from home
What though our rights have been assailed?
What though by foes we’ve been despoiled?
Jehovah’s promise has not failed;
We face the challenge of our day
And pledge we will be true
We’ll sing a joyful song,
As Zion’s youth in latter days,
Triumphant, pure, and strong.
See the foe in countless numbers,
Marshaled in the ranks of sin.
Hope of Israel, on to battle;
Now the vict’ry we must win!
Hold to the rod, the iron rod;
’Tis strong, and bright, and true.
The iron rod is the word of God;
’Twill safely guide us through.
He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
Where, when my aching grows,
Where, when I languish,
Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.
Constant he is and kind,
In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.
For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior’s name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above
Though Satan rage, ’tis all in vain;
The words the ancient prophet spoke
Sure as the throne of God remain;
Nor men nor devils can revoke
I try to remember the lesions he taught, then the Holy Spirit enters in to my thoughts saying…
“Of me thou hast not been ashamed.
These deeds shall thy memorial be;
Fear not, thou didst them unto me.”
I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will
I’ll live with him once more
He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death:
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.
All arrayed in spotless white,
We will dwell ’mid truth and light.
We will sing the songs of praise;
We will shout in joyous lays.
Earth shall then be cleansed from sin.
Ev’ry living thing therein
Shall in love and beauty dwell;
Then with joy each heart will swell.
Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene—one step enough for me
So long thy pow’r hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
Fam’lies can be together forever
Through Heav’nly Father’s plan.
I always want to be with my own family,
And the Lord has shown me how I can.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone.
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!
He asked if I for him would die.
The flesh was weak; my blood ran chill,
But my free spirit cried, “I will!”
Lord, I would follow thee
Though deep’ning trials throng your way,
Press on, press on, ye Saints of God!
Ere long the resurrection day
Will spread its life and truth abroad
This work is moving on apace,
And great events are rolling forth;
The kingdom of the latter days,
The “little stone,” must fill the earth
In thy word is life eternal;
May thy light show me the way
He lives, all glory to His Name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
I know that my Redeemer lives!
Where, in my need to know, where can I run?
Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?
Who, who can understand?
He, only One.
Love without end.
God loved us, so he sent his Son,
Christ Jesus, the atoning One,
To show us by the path he trod
The one and only way to God
Oh, how glorious from the throne above
Shines the gospel light of truth and love!
Bright as the sun, this heavenly ray
Lights ev’ry land today
I’m trying to love my neighbor, I’m learning to serve my friends. I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again
All glory to his holy name
Who sends his faithful servants forth
To prove the nations, to proclaim
Salvation’s tidings through the earth.
We must the onward path pursue
As wider fields expand to view,
And follow him unceasingly,
What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
My eyes are wet; my heart is full.
The Spirit speaks today.
As testimony fills my heart,
Love one another as Jesus love you. Try to show kindness is all that you do. Be gentle and love in deed and in thought, for these are the things that Jesus taught.
It dulls the pain of days.
For one brief moment, heaven’s view
Appears before my gaze.
He lives, all glory to His Name!
He lives, my Savoir, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
I know that my Redeemer lives!


This is my testamony. But none of this is my own words. this is all parts of hymns put together. but this is my testamony. hymns are more then just words that we sing. each have meaning, each have thought, and each haver perpouse. I leave this with you sisters that you can sing with more heart and love and faith when you sing the hymns, becuase, i am sure the words you are singing are your testamonys as well. i ask you to read the words as you sing and to listen for the spirit testifying to you that the words are true. I know that they are.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

i havent posted one of my insights in a while ...

Name: Erin Christina Elliott Rel. 122 Section: 25 Word Count: 554 Date: March 8, 2009
1) What is the reference of the insight?
3Nephi 18:16
2) What principle or doctrine is taught?
Follow Christ’s example.
3) What message for improvement is taught?
We are taught to follow Christ for he is the light. He has told us that he is the example that we must follow. We need to strive in all we do to show his light through us and as well be examples to others so they can learn of his gospel and teachings.
4) How can I apply this principle, doctrine, or message in my life?
I read this verse and I all of a sudden started singing: I’m trying to be like Jesus. I’m following in his ways. I’m trying to love as he did in all that I do and say. At times I am tempted to make the wrong choice but I try to listen as the still small voice whispers…
I’m trying to love my neighbor, I’m learning to serve my friends. I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again. I try to remember the lesions he taught, then the Holy Spirit enters in to my thoughts saying…
Love one another as Jesus love you. Try to show kindness is all that you do. Be gentle and love in deed and in thought, for these are the things that Jesus taught.
The reason why I typed out the words to the song is because that is really how I feel. All my life I have felt so strongly related to the hymns and songs that we sing, that I can pull a song out for most anything. When I was assistant chorister in my homewards primary for the primary program they sang this song and I was in tears. To hear those little kids sing thoughts word, though they might not fully understand it now, the commitment that they are making, to be like Jesus.
I’m trying to be like Jesus and I am following in his ways. I am trying to love as he did, in everything I do and everything I say. At times I am tempted and I do make the wrong choice but I often hear the Holy Ghost talking to me.
I need to love my neighbor, no matter what and I am trying in that. I am trying to serve my friends. I can’t wait for that great day when Jesus will come again, I wait and watch, and as I do that I think of his lesions that he taught us, I think of the person I am supposed to be and I strive to be her and in all my doings the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts and is always there leading me and guiding me.
I need to love everyone as Jesus has loved me. I need to show kindness in all that I do. I need to be gentle and loving in every deed and every thought, I need to do all these things, because this is what Jesus taught.
He was and is the greatest example, he is my role model and I will forever follow him and forever try to be like him. He was perfect and I know that I am not. My work is never done, but I want to make him proud.



<3 Erin Christina

A Life Changing Event

For those of you who read this and are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or you might know as Mormons) then this could be kind of confusing for you. My day and what happened and the realizations I came to happened in the temple, the house of the Lord. Inside the temple sacred things are done like; the marriage/sealing of two people and families for all eternity, work for the dead, and other very sacred things. Any questions about those things find one of those guys in the white shirts and ties and name tags – they can help you out!! :D

Now to enter the temple you have to be worthy and clean and pure. Clean of sin and hold a temple recommend. To get one of those you have to go through an interview with a church leader. Oh you also have to be a member of the church to go into the temple.

Now a little background on me so you understand maybe a bit more why this was such an experience for me.

Before today I cannot remember the last time I have gone into the temple and done work there worthy and with a worthy temple recommend since 8th grade. I know, that’s a long time for me.

I have not been myself lately. I have been a bit on the depressed side and stressed and just worried about every little thing in my life. I just feel that even though taking my trials as blessings has helped, but I have just been too weak to even know how to do anything. My nutrition has been bad, bits of depression have appeared in my life, and just my life style has not been the best for me lately.
Along with my trials I have had issues with people giving me service, I guess a bit of a pride thing, that I, I just couldn’t let anyone help me. This was mine and mine alone to deal with. Don’t help me with food, money; washing clothes, or anything, I can do it myself. I just couldn’t let other serve me, I didn’t need help, and they didn’t need to get dragged into my mess.

My roommate, Alisha, and I had planned to go to the temple today a week ago. We got a later start then we wanted to and when we got up there we were told it would be a 3 hour wait and that didn’t sound too good to us because we had homework and things that we needed to get done today. We considered not going and coming back later in the week. We talked about it and decided to talk to the other temple worker in the right part of the temple, since we went through the wrong door. We were there told an hour and a half wait and again considered it and I said yes we should so we did. That was the best decision that I think I had ever made.

To me I was thinking I have worked and waited so long to enter into the temple worthily and I KNEW that I needed to be there more than anything.

I had never felt the spirit so strong there, it such a change and different feeling being there when I actually am worthy to be there and do the work there. The temple is such a wonderful beautiful place, and I plan to go back every week while I am up here at school.

Sitting there in the temple I prayed and asked for help, I asked for guidance, and I prayed for those I love and for those things I was thankful for. I read my scriptures and I also read some church articles that became very close to my heart.

After I had changed into my white jumper I looked in the mirror, I saw myself dressed in white and felt so wonderful then saw my face and how much the world was shown on it from the makeup I was wearing. I don’t ever need to wear makeup like that. The scripture 3Nephi 13: 28 “And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the alilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.” Lilies are as they are, they don’t need anything added onto them to be beautiful. I am beautiful the way that God made me, I don’t need the ways of the world to make me who I am, I am who I am and I am beautiful to him.

After leaving the temple and spending 3 wonderful hours there I felt so much better about everything. I did not go straight to my room and lock myself in there; I went there to sit down and try to pull something out for my speech in my communications class. I had been working all week and just couldn’t get anything down for it. It came to me, my topic sentence and the 3 points. I was happier as well, bouncing around helping people out with things they were doing, and for the first time in a LONG time, loving m y life and smiling inside and out.

As I went to change out of my nice clothes I had realized that “Mt. dirty clothes” was missing. Basically I was out of clean clothes, everything of mine was dirty and I was starting to hand wash things in the bathtub again. I realized that my roommate Cathy had taken all my clothes home to wash them. I almost started to cry, I felt so blessed, and she didn’t have to do that.

I talked to my mom as well today, and remembered the promise I made to her on Friday that I would go to the store and buy some food. I was a bit scared but I went. I thought about the things I NEEDED but then thought that I needed food no matter what. I needed some fruit so I got some grapes, and I needed some veggies so I got carrots and spring mix. I got some sausage to put into the Mac and cheese I bought, because well, that’s a lot better than how I have been eating, and it’s a bit better of a meal for me as well. I got some bread and turkey and cheese and well a few other things as well. For a little snack I even got myself some PB cup ice cream and I got wheat thins as well. I was scared that what I got would bust my bank account, that I just didn’t have the money for it. But I as well had confidence that the Lord would provide for me, he would take care of me. I spent under $100. And I also bought something special to make for my roommates for how wonderful they have been to me through my really hard time.

My heart is full today. My life is greatly blessed. My eyes that have been over shadowed by darkness and just getting through with the hope of light, have been lightened and I really truly can see the light again.

In my search for and the progress of becoming the person I am supposed to be, the better daughter of God, the better dispel, the person that I know I am, the girl and the job that I was sent here to do, I know I have taken that next step. I worthy myself to enter the temple and I am living my life in the way to stay that way that I can go back each week. Adding the temple back into my life is just what I needed, and not only that but the feeling of finally being worthy to be in there and doing the work for the dead after 6 years was the most amazing thing in the world

I guess it really comes down to the fact that I cant 100% describe the true feeling and emotion and spiritual aspect of what happened today, but I know what happened. The feeling in my life, I know that I am again who I am supposed to be, and I will not stop being this person. I never want this feeling to go away again. My testimony of the temple grew today, the things that people always say about them, I experienced them. By just being worthy to be in there and holding a temple recommend I got without lying to get made a world of difference in being there and what experience I had.



<3 Erin Christina

blessed

this is gunna be short but sweet -- bc i am gunna hit the hay early tonight.

i look around me, and get off my self-pitty horse..i am truely blessed. to live the life i live, to have the friends i have, to have the trials i have. i am blessed. i am so greatly blessed, and it just blows me away how often people can over look the small things when going through a hard time. so what if i am struggling. i am so blessed in these times. the Lord wont let you fall, he has everything planed out, and has your back -- thats were your friends come into play, he has blessed me with some of the greatest who as well dont want to see me fall. i just wish that i in return could do something for them, bc i am truely thankful for what i have recived. all i know that i can do is say thank you. i am eternaly greatful and i am so blessed to even know you and have you in my life.


i thank my Heavenly Father everynight for you and the ways you have touched my life and my heart. somethings maybe little in your eyes but they do mean the world to me.

Thank you, thank you so much, thank you from my heart.


<3 Erin Christina