Gratitude Sunday

Today I want to share with you about the one decision I made today that left me grateful for the rest of the day.

Last night I went to a friend's birthday party and ended up chatting to a couple of friends into the very early hours of this morning. I'm talking 4:30am people!

The birds were chirping as I drove home to go to sleep.... -_-

I eventually got to sleep around 5am and woke up at various times throughout the morning.

As it got closer and closer to the time I was REALLY needing to get up to be able to make it to church on time, I thought "I really just don't want to go today. It won't matter if I miss one week."

That thought, was very unlike me. I actually quite enjoy going to church. It is my reboot for the week.

It was at this very moment, that I thought "No, I need to go, despite how tired I am."

So I dragged myself out of bed.

*Turning point*

Once I arrived at church, I instantly felt the spirit and had one of the most amazing Sunday's I have had in a very long time. 

If I'm completely honest, I've been struggling a lot lately. But there was just so much that was said today that I needed to hear. 

I enjoyed 3 hours of spiritual bliss.

And then I stayed around to go to the CES fireside.

WELL! I have no adequate words for just how amazing it was and how I was touched. 

So add another hour to that spiritual bliss!

My favourite quote from the Elder Holland's talk was:

via

I am so grateful that I was able to make the decision to get up and go to church, instead of staying in bed to sleep...I wouldn't have had as amazing a day as I did without it.

Who I Am Wednesday - A little info

Bridget over at Tales of Me and the Husband had a few questions for her readers on Monday,
so I thought I would answer them here so you can see my answers.

Here goes:

Where you from?! Where do you live now?
- I'm from Mackay, QLD originally, but I live in Hobart, TAS now-

Male/Female? Age?
- Female, 21 -

How'd you discover my blog? Long-time reader? New?
- I can't remember exactly how I came across Bridget's blog...but it was her & Steve's love story that really caught my attention. I've stayed around ever since -

What do you do? for work? for fun?
- I'm hopefully just about to graduate. I'm currently a babysitter and pizza delivery driver. I want to be a teacher and I have the most fun when travelling the world -

Are you religious? Atheist? Something in between?
- I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints...or Mormon. -

What's your favourite song? Band? Book?
- I don't really have a favourite one of any of these. My favourites depend on the mood I'm in. The song Landslide by the Dixie Chicks is a personal favourite...and I am currently reading the Harry Potter series and enjoying it more than I thought I would. -

What's your favourite vacation spot?
- I've been lucky enough to travel a fair bit with my family, and a little on my own. I'd probably say my favourite trip has been Japan. Just because it was so different and a good chance to use my language skills. -

What would you like to see more of on the blog? 
- I think blogs should be whatever the blogger wants it to be. But if you've got suggestions, feel free to let me know. It's always good to write on different things. -

Are any of you famous?
- I am not. Though I'm glad I'm not, because who wants people stalking you all the time...no thanks!
However if you're famous, sweet deal! -
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Now it's your turn to answer them for me. You can either do it in the comments, send me an e-mail, or do a post of your own. If you do, leave me a comment with a link so I can check out what you said.
I want to get to know you readers more too! :D

Who I am Wednesday...I'm a Mormon

Today is a little different. I am still doing my post but you will find it over at Anna's blog.

We've swapped blogs for the day.

Anna is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as Mormons.

We both grew up in Mormon families and so we decided to talk about it was like growing up in the faith.

Without further adieu, here's Anna.

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Hello! I’m Anna from The Days When I’m Not a Nurse!

I’m a 23 year old currently stuck living in Idaho and I’ve been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints my whole life.

Religion is one of those things I never really expected to blog about. It’s one of those sensitive topics…like politics. Or money. Or war.

According to the internet (because the internet is always right), the way to bring up a sensitive topic is to say things like, ‘I need to talk to you for a minute,’ or ‘there’s something you should know.’

So, readers… Can I talk to you for a minute? (Ha. I just think it makes it more awkward.)

 I’m a Mormon. 

Where's Waldo Anyone?

This is my family. I’m the youngest of eleven children. I’m an aunt thirty-three times over.

At this point you’re probably saying something like, ‘bless your mom’s heart.’ I couldn’t agree more. I don’t feel like growing up Mormon was that different: it meant 3 hours of church every each week, no dating until 16 yrs old, early morning seminary through high school, spending spring break at the family history center in Salt Lake City, no cussing/smoking/drinking, and chili/popcorn on Sundays. Ok, the last one was just a weird family quirk; it had nothing to do with Mormons.

My parents did an excellent job teaching us to love each other. For example, as children, if we did something mean to a brother/sister, our punishment was to name 5 nice things about the other person. It was hard sometimes (and probably a little insincere) but it put the focus back on positive qualities. Somehow we all formed friendships to some degree and now, as we’re all older, we still get together at least once a year and reconnect. Since we believe that families can be together forever, we better get used to it now. :)

Married since 2008

I met husband through singles ward at church. He grew up in a Mormon family too. You know how great it is to automatically have something in common with the cute boy you’ve got your eye on? And part of growing up as a Mormon, you’re taught the importance of marriage. This quote from one of our church leaders sums it up nicely: “Latter-day Saint spouses should do all within their power to preserve their marriages…they should be best friends, kind and considerate, sensitive to each other’s needs, always seeking to make each other happy.” (Dallin H. Oaks)

Here’s the most important thing I’ve figured out in my years of being a Mormon:

I like who I am.

I like the kind of person I’ve become, and it’s all thanks to the way I was raised and the way I live my life. I’m happy. Content. I’m thankful for the experience of growing up in a Mormon family and for what it’s done for me. I couldn’t imagine myself any other way.

Thanks for letting me rant!

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So go check out Anna on her

Blog, Facebook and Pinterest.

And don't forget to go over and read my post for today :D

A Sister Missionary

One of my very good friends Makere left today to serve a mission for my church.

She'll be gone for 18 months and is serving in New Zealand.

It is weird because it doesn't really feel like she's gone...

I'm sure it'll hit soon! At least I'll have someone to write to...snail mail style :D 

I can't wait to see how she changes :D Love you girlie!! 

An old friend

Today while shopping I ran into an old friend who is currently serving a mission in Japan.

Oh boy was I shocked to see this face

Randomly I noticed some guys in suits parking their bikes and I thought..."I wonder if they are missionaries?". Then I noticed the face of one of them and the look on my face must have been priceless. 

I was so shocked to see Elder Triffitt. Approximately 1.5 million people live in this city, seriously what are the odds?

What's even weirder was that I wasn't even going to be there when I was. It's a small world!

Glad I got to see him and hear that he is well. Unfortunately his Japanese is way better than mine...having lived here for almost 2 years and all. I chose to just talk to him in English instead.

He seems to have changed a lot. In a good way. Missions have a way of doing that to people.

Gratitude Sunday

This week I am grateful for:

- Getting to go 'shopping' as part of study time

- Everything Christmas related starting to come out! 

- Curry rice...three times this week alone

- Snowman shaped donuts :D

- Arcade games and photo booth fun

- Free hugs from strangers

- Finding Milo!

- Funny English tags

- New food...the good and bad

- Getting to ride a ferris wheel! :D 

- Managing to find church and getting there on time 

- Cute kids

- This wonderful opportunity to be in Japan

- Having a lesson on just what I needed.

And so much more!! I really have so many things to be grateful for and need to take more time to be grateful for it.

Gratitude Sunday Series

This week I am grateful for:

- Being home with family

- Getting ready for Japan...excitement and nerves there!

- The Priesthood

- My nieces funny as laugh...I seriously need to record it one time

- My nephews smiles...adorable!

- Testimonies; others and my own

- Spending the afternoon helping a friend and catching up

- Imagination!

- Slowly getting better from being sick

- Friends who help me out when I really need it

- The Gospel being all around the world

- Love

- My morning wake up...also known as Darcey (it's nice to be so wanted :D)

- Life

- Skype and technology...amazing!

- Being finished with Uni for the semester

Gratitude Sunday Series Guest Blogger: Makayla Graham

Hey Everyone, Today I'd like to introduce you to an awesome girl from right here in Tassie.

We share the same birthday, so from the beginning she just HAS to be awesome!!

She also is studying to eventually be a teacher, like me.

I guess we are both pure awesomeness :D

Say hello to Makayla!

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Hey there everyone, isn't Lisa just awesome? :) 
I'm Makayla, i am the face behind Makayla Graham Photography. I also have a personal blog. 
I am so excited to be a guest blogger in the Gratitude Sunday Series. I am seriously SO blessed, but also super busy and need to take more time out to be grateful. 
Here are some things that i am grateful for (in no particular order):

- Awesome, fabulous, amazing friends who are SO much fun, who make me laugh and who know me so well 
- The freedom that we have in our awesome country  
- The ability to get an education and to follow my dreams to be who i want to be (a teacher & a photographer) 
- My family. They are a little but crazy but i love them ;) 
- The Book of Mormon. This book is seriously awesome. I love reading it! (i have posted a challenge over on my blog at the moment actually if you want to check it out ;) 
- Sunshine! It makes me happy :) 
- My great-grandparents, they are seriously awesome - i love them to bits! 
- My nursery class at church - they are the cutest little kids! They constantly make me laugh, and also surprise me with the things they say and do, i love working with them each sunday.
- Amazingly strong relief society sisters whose example inspires me to do and be better. I love my sisters :) 
- My photography - it gives me a creative outlet and a chance to make something pretty. Taking pictures makes me happy 

And i am especially grateful for this last one: 
- My faith, without it who knows where i would be. I am very grateful for the gospel in my life and the blessings & teachings that it brings me

To celebrate gratitude, if you book a photoshoot with me in November you can recieve a 40% discount. Just tell me when you contact me that you saw me on Lisa's Gratitude Sunday Series :)

You can find me at my personal blog

and my photography blog

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So what are you waiting for??

Go check out Makayla's blog...and if you live in or are soon visiting Tasmania, take her up on that discount!

This week I am grateful for:

- Seeing happiness in people's faces, particularly their eyes

- Kat finding an echidna in our front 'garden'

- Evaluating my life

- Blessings

- Life Lessons

- Music, for every mood

- Church...made me think a lot today

- Getting to sit with my Bro & SIL in church

- Seeing how cute my Bro is with children...oh man they need to have a kid soon!!

Gratitude Sunday

This week I am grateful for:

- General Conference!! Seriously amazing!

- Funny messages from my brother

- Photo booth fun with friends :D 

- Picnics...even if it is indoors because the weather isn't very nice

- Chastening...we all need it to grow

- The opportunity to go to University

- Work to help pay for Japan

- Scholarship for Japan :D 

- My family!

-Life

So very grateful for General Conference especially! It is definitely what I needed right now.

Now I just have to survive the rest of this semester and exams. Not too long now!!

Then off to Japan...to study even harder! 

I'm a Mormon... Erick Lund

Apparently this week I have really liked posting videos...I hope you enjoy watching this one.

He is very blessed to be alive.

Random Ramblings

Sometimes I get on here sure of what I'm going to write...and then I get Blogger Brain (i.e forget what I wanted to talk about). I blame it on the cold weather right now... I really need to invest in an electric blanket!

So be grateful people who are enjoying summer right now...I wish I were you. I am really cold but SUPER thankful for what warmth I do have.

Lately I've been trying to redesign my blog. I didn't like the look it had but I am seriously computer dumb! I am reading up on how to change things I want to but if you have any tips they'd be greatly appreciated!

Sooo I'm not sure where I was going to go with this but it is going to end here...

I am SOOOO excited to be going home for a good solid few days to enjoy time with my family. We are going out on Dad's boat on Saturday if the weather is nice to us and I get to see my nephew blessed on Sunday at church. My family is everything to me and I can't wait to be all together for the weekend :D

I can not wait to see this little man again!

Gratitude Sunday

Please excuse the lack of blogging this week...we have gone over our internet allowance and so it is going REALLY slowly!!

But I couldn't miss this post...I have too much to be grateful for.

This week I am grateful for:

- Technology to allow me to be able to watch General Conference over the last 2 days

- My brand new nephew Eric David James Travers who was born this morning :D :D :D Can't wait to meet him!!! (His name is very family orientated, which I love)

- My sister in law for having my nephew and enduring through all the pain and problems during the pregnancy

- Catching up with friends

- Mj leaving a packet of Jersey Caramels for me in my letter box :D

- Random e-mails to participate in projects

- Extra work

- Plans being freed up so I can go and meet my new nephew!

- Fun games nights

- A comfy bed

- The sound and smell of rain

- photos! They are truly awesome!

and many many more!

Confronting Experience

You know it's going to be an interesting class when your lecturer basically singles out missionaries from your church for an example....and not necessarily a good one.

I am not ashamed to say that I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Today I had the opportunity to stand up for those beliefs and to be honest I was surprised at how I reacted. As soon as my lecturer mention the proselyting missionaries and asked if any body had heard of them, I kinda blurted out "I'm a mormon". It was a surreal experience. All eyes were immediately on me.

My declaration was quickly followed by a new boy in the class who said that he had previously been a Mormon and that he no longer practiced. Of course my lecturer first gave him the opportunity to speak. I was kinda shaking this whole time because I had just opened myself up to a whole lot of criticism. I felt like I was then representing not only myself, but also the beliefs of others in my church. I don't know what would have been said, had I not been there.

To cut a long story short...we basically discussed the pros and cons of missionary work as volunteering work. I was pleasantly surprised that when asked at the end if anyone had changed their opinion on missionary work or at least had to stop and think more deeply before judging missionary work, that particular boy said that "unfortunately it had. (jokingly) I was quite happy with my stereotype."

I personally, as an individual..not representing anybody else, believe that missionary work is a good thing if performed correctly. I hope that before judging me on my beliefs people would at least try to understand them.

I don't want this post to be a big do-da about me but I felt like I needed to get this story down and share it in some way. I will never try to force my beliefs on anybody. We all have our agency to choose what we will, but I feel that I should still be able to share what I believe with others.

I have not been in a very good place lately and have really struggled with some trials. I think that it is in our darkest times that we are really tested. This is the first class of the week that I have been to because I have just stayed home and tried to deal with how I was feeling. I am really glad that I went because I learnt that I do have a testimony and I am willing to stand up for my beliefs. I also really enjoyed discussing differing opinions with a class full of my peers.

I'm sorry if this all doesn't make sense. I just needed to get it out. Thanks for making it through all this text!

I'm a mormon...

I love these messages! This woman is seriously inspiring with all those languages :D