Sweet Sixteen

I always imagined my 16th birthday to be big and exciting. 16 is a pretty important age after all. But now that it has finally come, I'm not as excited as I thought I would be, I'm not as smart as I thought I would be, I don't have as many friends or pink jackets as I thought I would have and overall it seems to be a pretty disappointing birthday. But my life is definitely in the middle of some big changes.

Last week my mom got a phone call from a friend in the ward asking if I was looking for a job. My mom told her that I was and she gave us the information that Wood Connections in Layton was looking for a 16 year old girl to hire. So the next day I went down to Wood Connections with Sister Haruch and met Dawn, the franchise owner. This is pretty big stuff! I'm also going to be nanning for another family in the ward, Brother and Sister Charles.

I finished my drivers ed. course and now am finishing up the drivers portion with an instructor. My final test is on Friday and I am pretty nervous. Driving is not really my thing, I see the need for it but I don't see why I need it. However I should have my license a few days after my birthday.

Last month my mom and I put on a performing arts camp, it was a huge success and I got to work with a lot of awesome youth. One of the young men I was privileged to work with was Joseph Hampton. His mother, Cindy, contacted my mom this week and asked if I had turned 16 yet, my mom said no but my birthday was on Wednesday. She responded with regret that Joseph had wanted to take me on a fun group date that was planed for Tuesday. I'm nut sure whether to be relived or regretful but either way it surprised and flattered me, that was not something I was expecting to happen.

The Biesinger's and Moore's are moving this week, to New York. I really can't bring myself to believe that they will be gone and I won't see them again. Having them back in Utah after they went to Hungary was really amazing, we had a lot of good times.

That's it for now, one week at a time.
-Color Girl

Why aren't compliments a thing?

I don't know very many people who...actually I don't know anyone who doesn't like to receive a complement. Do you know someone who just overflows with compliments wherever they go? I love those people :) they always inspire me to give compliments (which is something I struggle with...) I always think the compliments but I never say them-I think that happens a lot. But why?

What makes us 'shy' to tell someone they look nice? Why do we hesitate to tell someone we liked their paper or hair or singing or dancing? 

I know that not everyone struggles with this and if you don't then you deserve a prize because sincerely complimenting people, is really a gift! And I have a lot of awesome friends who are really good at it.

Another important thing! Please, please, please:

It ruins the compliment and makes the person not want to give compliments. They said somthing nice about you-if you don't know what to say then just give a compliment back!

There are lots of problems in the world. No one is perfect and we all have a lot of different opinions and ideas-it makes it really hard to connect to each other! But when you give/receive a complement from someone, don't you feel connected to them? So what if we all tried this and told the people around us that they looked nice, or that they do a good job? Isn't that one way we can relate? AND when we compliment others aren't we praising God in His creations? So what's the downside to this? I think it sounds great! Let's make compliments a thing-if you don't give compliments often look for opportunities to compliment people and if you already do that then look for ways to make them super sincere

Remember how good it makes you feel, how awesome to have the power to make someone smile, to make their day, to compliment them and to connect to them even for just a second. :)

-Color Girl

What's around you?

Close your eyes and listen. 

What did you hear? Cars, children, music? A page of a book turning? Your own breathing? Someone cooking in the kitchen or playing with blocks? Are you thankful to hear?

Open your eyes, look around you.

What did you see? A bookshelf, shoes, a computer screen? A window? Did you look out a window, and see trees and cars and pets and growing plants? Are you thankful to see?

Feel the things around you, what do you feel? Take a deep breath, do you smell anything? There is so much going on around you, what are you missing? 

Lately I have noticed that everyone is looking down...usually at their phones. :) We might be walking around, in the store, at the park, in cars or at play performances and yet what are we doing? Talking or texting or playing on our phones. For example, as I write this blog post I am sitting in a room with two other people who are, like myself, on their phones. (I would gladly talk to them if I wasn't finishing an assignment that needs to be finished.)

So my question is, what are we missing? What conversations or learning experiences are we not having? There is so much that we aren't appreciating because we are not recognizing it.

So how do we change it?

I think something really important is being aware of what's going on around you which means we have to put down the phone. The phone will always be there and wouldn't it be cooler to talk to the people around you or at least smile to them? 

In my previous post I talked about connecting by compliments but I think this is another way to connect to the people around you.

And last of all be thankful! There is so much we have been blessed with so get out in nature, look up from the phone and look out to the world. This is for us to enjoy!

-Color Girl

P.S. Here is a link to an awesome video about this!! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7dLU6fk9QY

The gift

Imagine you are in a group of people and you are each given a gift. Each gift is the same type but is incredibly personal and special. You all are told that in order to keep the gifts, one person in the room must give theirs up.

What would you do?

In life, few of us realize that every breath is a gift, that every time we pull into the drive way its a gift; or that each family member or friend is a gift. There is so much around us to be thankful for, so much to enjoy, why waste life on worrying? Why waste it doing something you hate to do? Why be full of discontentment or sorrow? Live life to the fullest!

In Heaven we all received a gift, the gift of life, each life was personalized to fit each person. But in order for us all to keep the gifts and one day return to Heavenly Father someone had to save us, someone had to completely give up their life-their gift- so that we could have ours.

So who did?

Christ did. He volunteered because he loved us. He didn't want any of the glory, He gave up his gift so that we could all live and live again. What a miracle.

But some threw away their gifts. Satan and his followers threw them away in pride and foolishness. And even though we all chose to come to earth we still must make the choice to 'live' everyday. In order to live we must repent, try harder, listen and obey. Just because we are on earth doesn't mean we are done. And though our job is not easy, do you think His job was easy?

He was born in a stable
He learned to work hard
He fasted for 40 days
He was hated
He was ignored
He saw much pain
He paid the price for everyone's sins
He felt the pain, sorrow, sickness, quilt, and so much more for the entire world
He has nails pierced into  Him
He was cut
He was spit upon
He wore a crown of thorns
He was mocked
He was put on a cross
He forgave them
He forgave everyone
He died for everyone

And that's not all. So tell me now, how hard is it to go to church? How hard is it to pay tithing? How hard is it to simply do what you know is right? Keep the commandments and covenants and standards? How hard is to to say kind things? How hard is it to live?

Is it not wonderful to know that He conquered death? That He lives now? That He is the one we can trust in, the truth and the light the one we must believe in? The Savior, the Redeemer?  And all because He loves us.

Because He gave up His gift we can have ours. Because He died we can live again.
-Color Girl

People are awesome!

When you were a kid, did you have a hero? Someone you looked up to, who you wanted to be like, who had adventures and trials but always ended up standing on their own two feet. You know, the hero type.

Do you have a hero now? Real or fictional, present day or past, who do you look up to?

Heroes are people who change the world, they stand-up for themselves! Sometimes they are alone, and we forget that. Being a hero isn't easy, and even after you have accomplished something no one else could do, you are often still alone. Think about it.

But heroes are awesome! They make life better for people, they make life possible, who are our heroes? Who are they now? Where are they now?

Who are you? A human, a teenager, an adult, a child? A teacher, friend, sibling, parent, person.... Who are you?

When you wake up in the morning, what do you think of? Food, activities, people? When you look in the mirror who do you see? I mean really?

That person in the mirror, is that you? Is that what you look like? Is that who your friends see? Do you see a reflection of someone you know, or who you don't know? Have you figured out who you are? Probably not completely... Not very many people do at first.

What if no one knows who they are? What if we are all going through our individual life's, driving our individual cars, listening to different songs, learning different things, seeing different reflections in the mirror.

Who will change it? We need heroes, and fast! We need to change the world, so who is going to do it? When they wake up, who do they see in the mirror. Cause the only person you can change is you. So the only person who can change the world is you.

When you look in the mirror, do you see a hero? That's who you are, or rather, who you can be, could be, should be. I should be too, but how?

Being a hero isn't easy, remember? Being alone, standing up, pressing on, are you up for it?

 When heroes get up in the morning who do they see in the mirror? Someone who is awesome? Someone who wants to change the world? Someone who will? 

Will you?

Old-Fashioned Girl

What is it that makes ideas and traditions change? What makes us, as human beings, change our ideas and standards? What makes us forget "Old Fashioned things" and create new "modern things"? Is it a desire for change? Is it pride? Is it right?

In a part of "An old-Fashioned Girl" the girls are gathered around eating lunch and talking about "the perfect woman" they want her to be strong yet gentle and kind. This is what I saw Polly doing throughout the book.

The first time I saw her strength was when she went to visit Fanny and she chose to stay with her 'old fashioned ways' even though the girls around her were trying to grow up. It takes lots of courage to have high standards but it takes even more courage to stick with them.

The next time was when she decided to teach music. She started out on her own and went at it with a will and a way. Even though it got pretty hard she didn't give up, she didn't stop, she kept at it.

The next time I saw her strength was after she went to the party and she had to see through the fun and know that she should not do it again. I think this took strength because it is hard to see the fault in things that make you so happy, but you have to realize that it can't make you happy forever.

Then there were her lovers and she had to have strength in staying away, giving up Sydney, holding out on Tom and all the time staying at her work

Over all she had to endure to the end, through everything. Being old-fashioned isn't easy, and even though being poor was hard I think that was the only way for Polly to be old-fashioned.

Was she more beautiful because of it? Was she blessed for it?

Sometimes I feel like I'm being forced into being old-fashioned like Fanny was, how did she still have a good attitude about it, even when she didn't necessarily want to become old-fashioned? I think that she started focusing on other rather then herself. And that is what it means to be truly beautiful.

"Yes, give me a young woman who loves home and family, who reads and ponders the scriptures daily, who has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me a young woman who faithfully attends her church meetings, who is a seminary graduate, who has earned her Young Womanhood Recognition Award and wears it with pride! Give me a young woman who is virtuous and who has maintained her personal purity, who will not settle for less than a temple marriage, and I will give you a young woman who will perform miracles for the Lord now and throughout eternity." -Ezra Taft Benson

Dear Friend,

Do you know Him? Do you know what it feels like to follow Him, to trust Him, to seek Him? Do you know what its like to find Him? He is always there, He is steadfast and immovable. It is us who drifts away from Him, so how do we stay with him? How do we know Him?

What does it take to know Him? "Let no man be afraid to lay down his life for my sake; for whoso layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again." Is that what I must do? Give up my life for Him? Then that is what I will do. My life is His, whatever He would have me do, according to God's will shall be done. 

Do you know Him? If you do where have you found Him? Have you found Him in your church meetings, in your service projects in your home? Have you found Him in holy places and in the secret places where you pray? And did not He welcome you with open arms, and a loving voice?  " Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance." (2 Nephi 26:27)

So tell me, do you know Him? For I am longing to find Him, this is why I keep my standards high, this is why I honor my father and mother, this is why I try with all my heart to listen and obey His word. I have been told that if I ask I will receive, seek and I shall find, knock and it shall be opened and if I search will not I know? For I long to know Him.

He is my Savior, my Brother, my hope, my Friend. And I feel Him near me I feel Him apart of me, He loves me-He loves you.
-Dassia

Dear Friend,

I don't like how this is drawing us a part. I remember when we didn't have worries or struggles like this and I wonder where it all went wrong. I hope that my thoughts are as pure as my feelings are true because I truly care about you. I hope I am not blinded by other things in my life. I have been trying to live righteously this month so that I can better help you to see the light-but I am not perfect. Please try to understand.

I know your life didn't come easy, no life ever has. Yet I know that the struggles you have been through and will go through were made for you at that time. Heavenly Father doesn't enjoy making us suffer; rather, He loves watching us grow. I have seen you grow and change, you are not the person you were five years ago but you are still a child of God, He and I both want what's best for you.

You have always had high hopes and dreams, some I never though possible but you are working to them with such excitement and passion it makes me smile. It's not easy to balance everything in life but I know if we put The Lord first, every other good thing will fall into place and the bad will fall out entirely.

It makes me so sad when I see you make choices that cannot help you with your mission. We are not perfect or complete on earth, yet we are still able to know right from wrong. No matter how right the wrong may feel it will always be wrong. How easy it is to be deceived how easy to give up! But together we can have the strength of millions. Two people can do anything as long as one of them is God.

And now I quote from President Gordan B. Hinckley: "Thou shalt not be stupid." And I fear I have not done this myself. I can't ever start to mention the stupid things I have done, but God has forgiven me and He can, will, and wants to forgive you. Repentance is the most wonderful gift, I hope you know that you can use it anytime.

Where are the youth of yesterday? We have all changed by our hardships and trials. There have been times when you have not been what you were before, our friendship at times seemed troubled and doomed and I was not sure what I would do.

That we have had our struggles, is the least of my worries, that I have awakened out of the most glorious childhood and found life here to greet me, that is something I can master. But that our friendship might be over, intirely, decidedly, and instantly, that is something I cannot do-I cannot do it!

And I hope I never will have to. :) I am here when you need to talk and I am here to listen. I will love you for your weaknesses and hardships, you know I always have. I love you for a person and I don't want to leave that unless it is my last choice. Please don't let pride cover your eyes until you are blind, for the light is to wonderful to leave. And yet, if pride and other things pull us apart, know I will be here with open arms, never to be closed off to those who wish to come back.

And above all know that He is there, waiting, watching, wishing for both of us, along with everyone here in earth to come back to Him, to once again be loved and to be rewarded with the highest of blessings.

-Dassia

100 words

Here are 100ish words to describe this picture:

 

Awesome. Around. Amazed. Angelic. Above. Appreciate. Believe. Big. Beautiful. Bold. Care. Color. Crest. Center. Calm. Clean. Clouds. Connect.  Defined. Direct. Decision. Deep. Everything. Empty. Elegant. Enchanting. Fast. Forever. Fresh. Fly. Giant. Guest. Heights. Incriedible. Inside. Insight. Inspire. Indescribable. Jump. Just. Knock. Laugh. Large. Longing. Listen. Let. Longer. Magestic. Magic. Mellow. Mentor. Meant. Much. Meaning. Neat. Nice. New. Open. Ocean. Oh. Perfect. Precise. Performance. Peace. Quiet. Quest. Rest. Rise. Reach. Round. Redo. Reassure. Right. Sight. Soft. Sing. Star. Sharp. Speak. Sleep. Shine. Silent. Sparkle. Secret. Test. True. Try. Tell. Universe. Understand. Unblock. Unsure. Under. Venture. Wonder. Well. Wish. Wise. X-celent. Yesterday. Young. Zest.

-Dassia :D

The Temple

I love to see the temple

I'm going there someday

To feel the holy spirit

To listen and obey.

For the temple is a house of God

A place of love and beauty

I'll prepare myself while I am young

This is my sacred duty.

I love going to the temple. The peaceful feeling I get there, the happy temple workers. The service that is done there and the closeness you can feel to your ancestors. I wish that I was able to go more often. Sometimes I get so caught up in my own life and my own busyness I forget to set aside time to go and serve and listen. But when I do find the time I love begin able to sit and feel comforted.

As I was singing the hymn "High on the Mountain Top" I was thinking of how, when there weren't temples, they used mountains to feel close/speak to God. Spending time on the mountain, in nature really helps me to feel peaceful. Even just taking a walk to process everything really helps to calm me down.

We are told that our homes should be like temples. I know that that isn't the easiest thing in the world. Sometimes, (especially since my home is also my school) I feel the most chaotic at home. But there are just as many times, when everyone is calm and the spirit it there that I can see the similarities of my home and the temple.

Our bodies are also temples. A place where God's spirit can be and a place where God's spirit can guide. One of my favorite things to do is to listen to a spiritual song in a quiet place, and then when the song is over to just stop and listen. I close my eyes or write or draw as I'm filled with clean, silent wonder.

Each of these places are gifts from God. Each of them are holy. Each of them are pure. Each of them can bring God's love and light. I love feeling the comfort, assurance, and peace each one can bring.

I love to see the temple

I'll go inside someday

I'll covenant with my Father

I'll promise to obey.

For the temple is a house of God,

Where we are sealed together,

As a child of God I've learned this truth,

A family is forever! 

-Color Girl :D

Which way do you face?

    

I feel like I'm facing lots of different ways. I'm trying to go different directions. Some of them connect, but not all of them do, and so I'm being pulled in different directions. It's like a stretching machine (which isn't helpful because I'm tall enough already.) So how do I choose one direction?
    I know that there is A TON of stuff I need to study and learn for my education. I have talents that I want to build upon. I have friends and family, choir and acting, and I can't continue to do everything. So what should I choose?
    This is a difficult decision for me, but I realize it is one of the best parts of homeschooling. I can have so many interests and I can choose what direction I want to go. So which direction will I face?
    Prayer is definitely a big part of this decision. I also want to get my patriarchal blessing. Studying conference talks and books that the apostles and prophets have written. I know that so many youth my age struggle with this too: unsure of what to do with your life, unsure which direction to face. The only part I'm sure of is that I want to face towards my Heavenly Father. So for those of you reading this, what has helped you decide? Any suggestions for me?
-Color Girl

P.S. Here is the talk by Lynn G Robbins, which way do you face?