tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70161994767449635162024-03-13T07:54:38.215-04:00The Freckled CanvasElliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-53156507789637310922015-04-02T10:30:00.000-04:002015-04-02T10:30:01.465-04:00Highlights from #tfc365thankfuldaysI have loved doing the #tfc365thankfuldays project. Somedays, I've been a bad mood and I don't want to find anything to be thankful for. Other days, I've just been lazy and didn't make time to post something. I just wanted to share a few of the ones I loved so far. I have seen the difference in my life, will you start finding something to be thankful for everyday?<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/xafNHIgHKD/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">January 3, 2015 | day 3- I'm thankful for my gramie who instilled a love of the old classics, like The Music Man, by saying watch the first five minutes and if you don't like it we'll turn it off. I only asked to turn off one movie! #tfc365thankfuldays #themusicman #goodnightmysomeone #onegrecianurn</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A photo posted by Ellie Murphy (@murphy_ellie) on <time datetime="2015-01-04T01:38:16+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 3, 2015 at 8:38pm EST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/xkyc7XAHLg/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">January 7, 2015 | day 7- so thankful for amazing people like @katarina91096 in my life! She made me this super awesome scarf that I got to wear in Harry Potter world! #tfc365thankfuldays #caldwellsandmurphysdoorlando</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A photo posted by Ellie Murphy (@murphy_ellie) on <time datetime="2015-01-08T01:38:51+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 7, 2015 at 8:38pm EST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/x5k32dgHG0/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">January 15, 2014 | day 15- I'm thankful for apps that brighten even the dullest of classes! #tfc365thankfuldays #thisisnteventhebestone #dubsmashusa</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A video posted by Ellie Murphy (@murphy_ellie) on <time datetime="2015-01-16T03:24:14+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 15, 2015 at 10:24pm EST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/yOTA1MAHN8/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">January 23, 2015 | day 23- I'm so, so thankful for the opportunity I had to support my brother this morning at his regional competition for Skills USA! The bus never picked them up, so he got there an hour late, caught up to the other kids in no time, and then placed second! He gets to compete at state in a few of months! I love the kid so much and I'm so proud of him! #tfc365thankfuldays #skillsusa #skillsusageorgia</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A photo posted by Ellie Murphy (@murphy_ellie) on <time datetime="2015-01-24T04:32:14+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 23, 2015 at 11:32pm EST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/y6D184AHIH/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">February 9, 2015 | day 40- I'm thankful for this little girl and the crazy love she brings to my life! Is she not adorable cheering on our @byucougars!! And Cayle was so excited for her! Look out for her in a few years @byucheer! #nannyellie #ryneerynryn #cayleewhalee #tfc365thankfuldays #gocougars #byu #byucougars #isitfootballseasonyet #byucheer</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A video posted by Ellie Murphy (@murphy_ellie) on <time datetime="2015-02-10T04:26:16+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 9, 2015 at 11:26pm EST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/zWacPYgHCz/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">February 20, 2015 | day 51- I'm thankful for monthly sleepovers with this gang! Cully loved playing with my wand. Does he not look adorable? And Coryn just wanted to cuddle while we watched Toy Story That Time Forgot, I'll never say no to cuddles. #nannyellie #cullywhully #ryneerynryn #tfc365thankfuldays</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A photo posted by Ellie Murphy (@murphy_ellie) on <time datetime="2015-02-21T04:42:28+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 20, 2015 at 11:42pm EST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/zdFA7PgHC5/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">February 23, 2015 | day 54- I'm thankful for talents. I designed these flyers for youth conference. We sent them out to about 24 units to share with their youth. I saw it hanging in a ward yesterday and it stopped me in my tracks. I was so excited it was there! My work hanging there. I can't really describe it. I know going into graphic design is what i'm meant to do. #geekingout #tfc365thankfuldays</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A photo posted by Ellie Murphy (@murphy_ellie) on <time datetime="2015-02-23T18:49:55+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 23, 2015 at 1:49pm EST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background: #FFF; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: -webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width: 99.375%; width: calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/zpmDfXAHFB/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">February 27, 2015 | day 58- I'm thankful I get to see this little boy grow up. He's discovered taking pictures on phones and loves to take pictures of himself and sometimes other things. It's the cutest! Did I mention these aren't even all the pictures he took? Love the kid! #tfc365thankfuldays #nannyellie #cayleewhalee</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A photo posted by Ellie Murphy (@murphy_ellie) on <time datetime="2015-02-28T15:29:31+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 27, 2015 at 10:29pm EST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-71565255614711399682015-03-26T10:15:00.000-04:002015-03-26T10:15:00.064-04:00How to Play Human Hungry HipposSo no doubt you've seen the video below by now. (Click play, I'll wait)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_vF-p1S5wvM" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
I was instantly obsessed with wanting to play it. We almost made it happen for a Stake Youth Activity, but then we realized we'd be on carpet. :( I got in contact with the creator, Tanner Nielsen, and got all the details!<br />
<br />
I've asked Tanner to share it all with you. So here's Tanner-<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi everybody! It was really easy. So all you need is: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 furniture dollies </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 couch cushions (to put on the dolly to make it more comfortable) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 ropes </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">like... 200 balloons (because they get popped) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 helmets </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 laundry baskets (we found ours at Walmart for like 90 cents a piece) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Masking tape (you will use the tape to make perimeters in the 4 corners of the room) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rules are simple </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- You cannot leave your assigned corner </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- You must use your basket facing down </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- You must wear a helmet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And maybe just a couple warnings not to run your fingers over, and keep the rope away from your feet. We had 2 injuries. 1 rope burn to the foot. 1 rope to the neck (wasn't as bad as it sounds).<br /><br />At first we tried running the game until all the balloons were gone, but it was better when we used 2 minute intervals.<br /><br />I don't know if you can tell in the video, but there were also some small balls in the game, and we used those as extra points.<br /><br />1point for every balloon </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 points for ever ball</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a running total for every team, and after everyone in the team had participated we did a grand total for the victor.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
I want to say thank you to Tanner for sharing everything with us today! Hope y'all love playing! And be sure to take a minute to pin the image below so you can find the instructions later and so others can find it too!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F5vzAhaB6us/VRNTZFw-VHI/AAAAAAAABC8/kEPlZ41AsP4/s1600/How%2Bto%2BHHH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F5vzAhaB6us/VRNTZFw-VHI/AAAAAAAABC8/kEPlZ41AsP4/s1600/How%2Bto%2BHHH.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-pin-color="red" data-pin-config="none" data-pin-do="buttonPin" data-pin-height="28" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com%2F2015%2F02%2FHumanHungryHippos.html&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-F5vzAhaB6us%2FVRNTZFw-VHI%2FAAAAAAAABC8%2FkEPlZ41AsP4%2Fs1600%2FHow%252Bto%252BHHH.png%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%2F*&description=How%20to%20play%20Human%20Hungry%20Hippos%20on%20The%20Freckled%20Canvas.%20Great%20for%20mutual%20and%20youth%20activities!" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_red_28.png" /></a></div>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" defer="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-18288596856284704662015-03-19T10:00:00.000-04:002015-03-19T10:00:00.309-04:00My oldest best friend is HOME!!Y'all I've been waiting 18 months for yesterday! Well, I've been waiting a little longer than that, I've been waiting since she got her mission call. I just couldn't imagine my life with out her and 18 months was going to be a long time. We've known each other since my first sunday in the Bradley Park Branch, or as the locals call it "The OTTC" which stands for The Only True, True Church. It was coined by a dear old man who has already joined the party upstairs and I'm a little jealous, but that's besides the point.<br />
<br />
That first sunday I wore the best lands end dress that had a gardening pattern, that dress was the bomb! I loved that dress, I gave it away one day cause my young womens leaders made me so a girl would come to church, she never came back and I never forgave them. Okay, I did but I never gave away any of my dresses again. And again, besides the point. Riley wore some super fancy white dress that made me not like her. Her brother, Ian, wore a tux. I thought they were rich and snobby and I wanted nothing to do with them. That first impression couldn't have been farther from the truth. They were average and super nice.<br />
<br />
My mom and her mom became fast friends, which meant our whole families became friends. We hung out all. the. time! We used to do this thing where we would hide in each other's cars when it was time to go. Our parents would try to get us to say goodbye and when the other was nowhere to be found they'd figure out and make us get out of the car. I'm pretty sure we never got away with it.<br />
<br />
I remember this one summer when we pretty much spent the entire time at each other's houses. Like a couple days at my house and when she finally had to go home, I'd go with her and spend a couple days and then it would be back to my house. That was the best summer ever!<br />
<br />
We weren't without our fights though, there were sometimes when we wouldn't talk for days. Like I would have been okay not talking to her ever again, then I would miss her or she'd miss me and we'd call each other and it'd all be back to normal. A couple months ago she sent me a card, on the front it said "I'm glad we locked down our friendship during childhood, since meeting each other today would be a total disaster." It's totally the truth though.<br />
<br />
18 months ago, I sat in a room waiting for her to be given a blessing and set apart as a missionary. And then after realizing there'd been a mistake in scheduling, running over to the Stake President's house. It was so amazing to see my best friend transform into a set apart servant of the Lord.<br />
<br />
I've hated her being on the other side of the country for 18 months but man I've loved her serving the Lord on the other side of the country for 18 months. I've loved seeing her testimony grown. I'm so proud of the woman she's become. I wouldn't have missed her getting off the plane last night for anything in the world! Love you Riley! Have since for forever, and always will!Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-49406918620212017482015-03-16T10:00:00.000-04:002015-03-16T10:00:00.260-04:00This I BelieveI believe a lot of things, some things I'm really love - like the gospel of Jesus Christ. Find out what I believe by clicking on the "I'm a Mormon" box over in the sidebar! Other things, I might be a little embarrassed about, like if I'm under the covers, I'm totally safe.<br />
<br />
This I Believe was a five-minute CBS Radio Network program hosted by journalist Edward R. Murrow from 1951 to 1955. Then a half-hour European version of This I Believe ran from 1956 to 1958 over Radio Luxembourg. Now it's home is National Public Radio, NPR. There's also a This I Believe website, <a href="http://thisibelive.org/">thisibelive.org</a>. I recommend going over and reading some of the essays, I've really liked the ones I've read.<br />
<br />
In my english class we're asked to write an This I Believe essay. This is mine.<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Dancing It Out<br />
<br />
I believe in dancing it out. I
believe it helps work through emotions in a way nothing else can.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
I don’t remember what happened at
my first dance class, but I remember the feelings it gave me. I felt like I
belonged. I felt beautiful in my brand new ballet shoes, tights, skirt, and
leotard with my hair in a bun. I felt like I was actually good at something. As
the weeks went on I loved learning a new routine. Mastering routines made me
feel accomplished. I loved performing on stage. I loved everything about it,
even the pre-show butterflies. I loved dance so much I was certified by the
Royal Academy of Dancing. It was the best day of my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
Soon after my certification my life
changed, and dancing took a back seat for more important family things. My
parents adopted three boys from Russia who became the siblings I had prayed
for, for years. My dad got a new job and we moved across the country. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was adjusting to a new life and didn’t make
organized dance a priority. Three years after our move, my brother died in a
one-car accident. I never bothered finding a new dance studio once things finally
settled down. Eventually I forgot how much joy dancing had brought me, since I
had buried it so deep down inside of me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
It wasn’t until I was watching <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grey’s Anatomy </i>that I remembered. I
know, remembering while watching a medical drama is strange. But when Cristina
got Meredith to dance it out after a hard day, I felt myself connect to them. That
day had been exhausting. I was a junior with few to no friends. It was made abundantly
clear to me when I was not invited to hang out with all the other Mormon kids
at my school before a football game. To top it off, I was having a hard time
understanding what we were learning in chemistry. Sure, I hadn’t lost a patient
or seen the man I loved going home with his wife, but somehow it was like we
were all on the same crappy level. I felt like Cristina got me, she and
Meredith understood me, when she said, “Mer, you just need to dance it out.
It’ll make everything okay.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
Sometimes, life is too hard to write
or talk or sing about. But you don’t have to say anything when you dance it
out. You just put on a good song and dance. It doesn’t have to be pretty; it
just needs to get you moving. Dancing is like exercise; it releases endorphins
and makes you happy. For that moment you are happy and you forget what is
weighing you down. When you finally come back to reality, you can deal with
whatever may be troubling you with more control. More times than not, when I
put on a song and dance it out, everything comes into focus and I don’t feel
overwhelmed or angry, or even sad anymore. Instead, I feel determined. I know
that I can get through whatever is coming my way. That is why I believe in
dancing it out. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2tl2pKyIX44/VPU1Vn5A8vI/AAAAAAAABAM/jyzb1aauPQE/s1600/dance%2Bit%2Bout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2tl2pKyIX44/VPU1Vn5A8vI/AAAAAAAABAM/jyzb1aauPQE/s1600/dance%2Bit%2Bout.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/MerylFox94">MerylFox94</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-87950366127359441232015-03-12T10:00:00.000-04:002015-03-12T14:27:37.531-04:00Frosty Voxbox ReviewDisclaimer: I was sent these items to review, but all opinions are my own.<br />
<br />
Did you watch my unboxing video? I loved trying to create a stop motion video, can't wait to try another one soon. Watch it below!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i_Im9dmZIt8" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
So I have two top favorites! The first being the EcoTools brush. I got the Sleek and Shine Finisher Hair Brush. I was hesitant at first because I hadn't used a hairbrush in years. (I comb my hair, but I just hadn't used hairbrushes.) I thought I would give it a try. It usually took me about 10 minutes to blow dry my hair so that I could straighten it. Using the EcoTools Sleek and Shine Finisher Hair Brush took me less than 5 minutes to dry my hair! I've used it every day since! Y'all buy this bad boy!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Buy it? Definitely!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6m_gzcWmUE/VPVATnMIbxI/AAAAAAAABAc/s5uAuDeWd48/s1600/ecotools.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6m_gzcWmUE/VPVATnMIbxI/AAAAAAAABAc/s5uAuDeWd48/s1600/ecotools.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">available at target or on the <a href="http://www.ecotools.com/hair/sleek-shine-finisher-hair-brush">EcoTools website</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The second thing I love the most is Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover! I've been a loyal user of another brand but their eye makeup remover has always bothered me. It says it's oil-free but it leaves something oil-like behind and it always leaves me a little blinded for a moment. When I got Rimmel's I thought why not? I was hooked after the first use. Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover leaves my eyes cleaner faster and not oil-like! I'm hooked for life!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Buy it? Definitely!<br />
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7afBk6EOwxI/VPVCCx8zJYI/AAAAAAAABAo/OmhNEY0yVng/s1600/Eye-Make-Up-Remover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7afBk6EOwxI/VPVCCx8zJYI/AAAAAAAABAo/OmhNEY0yVng/s1600/Eye-Make-Up-Remover.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">available at cvs, rite aid, target, walgreens, and walmart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
They also sent me a second Rimmel London product. I got the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner in black. It' available in 10 colors, and I totally want to try brown. I love this stuff y'all! It was easy to apply, and didn't streak or cause a mess. I loved the way it looked too! The only thing I didn't absolutely love was it was a little difficult to take off, but ya give and ya take. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Buy it? yes</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zC6tTJnpCQI/VPVDSd_DGxI/AAAAAAAABAw/CtEJgqQ7rl0/s1600/eyeliner2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zC6tTJnpCQI/VPVDSd_DGxI/AAAAAAAABAw/CtEJgqQ7rl0/s1600/eyeliner2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">available at cvs, rite aid, target, walgreens, and walmart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
They sent me a full-size bottle of McCormick's Gourmet Thyme. The bottle was beautiful and made it look clean and inviting - like it was saying "Cook with me!" The bottle had a new design, which the graphic designer in me loved it! And bonus - it was all natural! It tasted good and was fresh! Pick it up at your local market. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Buy it? yes</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vCKPDbVpooc/VPVFvJXhTDI/AAAAAAAABA8/nbiWBwfD0Yc/s1600/thyme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vCKPDbVpooc/VPVFvJXhTDI/AAAAAAAABA8/nbiWBwfD0Yc/s1600/thyme.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">available at your local market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm not a huge fan of tea so I had my brother, who loves it, review this and the Fruit Vine Bites for me. He was excited about Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea because he loves their brand. He felt let down after he drank it. It didn't taste good he said, it was too sweet and they should just stick to their other flavors.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Buy it? pass</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WgpyS-RPQWY/VPVHgo67dzI/AAAAAAAABBI/7WnuUsdCxbk/s1600/candy%2Bcane%2Blane.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WgpyS-RPQWY/VPVHgo67dzI/AAAAAAAABBI/7WnuUsdCxbk/s1600/candy%2Bcane%2Blane.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">available seasonally at local markets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I got a lipstick, NYC Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum to be exact. I loved the lipstick feeling and how it lasted but I wasn't a fan of the color on me, but it looked good on a friend of mine.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Buy it? In a different color</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcekd_4yd1g/VPVIk8btBhI/AAAAAAAABBQ/6bcSMIOXHQM/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-03-03%2Bat%2B12.36.51%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcekd_4yd1g/VPVIk8btBhI/AAAAAAAABBQ/6bcSMIOXHQM/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-03-03%2Bat%2B12.36.51%2BAM.png" height="320" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">available at cvs, duane read, family dollar,<br />
kmart, target, and walmart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
When I asked my brother to try the Fruit Vines Bites, his friends were over so they all tried them. We got the Strawberry flavored ones. Drumroll please...they all loved them! They thought they were great and the only thing they wished there were more. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Buy it? yes<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KdiuRtAASqc/VPVKHfQL5gI/AAAAAAAABBc/UI2Pmk0CU1I/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-03-03%2Bat%2B12.43.24%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KdiuRtAASqc/VPVKHfQL5gI/AAAAAAAABBc/UI2Pmk0CU1I/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-03-03%2Bat%2B12.43.24%2BAM.png" height="320" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">available at your local market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Besides the coupons, the last thing in my box was No7 Protect & Perfect ADVANCED Serum. The smell wasn't that great, but it wasn't bad. I didn't love the way it felt on my skin but after a bit, I was fine. I didn't have enough to really see a difference, and even though they sent me a coupon my small college budget can't really afford it. But I say if you've got the money, spend it!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Buy it? yes</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ycjyXl-I88/VPVM0jnODiI/AAAAAAAABBo/TJBBAh0gCPY/s1600/no7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ycjyXl-I88/VPVM0jnODiI/AAAAAAAABBo/TJBBAh0gCPY/s1600/no7.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">available on <a href="http://us.boots.com/product/no7-protect-perfect-advanced-serum-30ml-bottle">their website</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-48662746384480472812015-03-10T10:30:00.000-04:002015-03-10T10:30:01.001-04:00Running Out of Time | Book Review<i>Running Out of Time</i> was one of my favorite books as a 5th grader. So you can probably already tell, I definitely recommend the book - but let me tell you why!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJ2bQlONsrU/VPUsaXYM5AI/AAAAAAAAA_8/0fhojUZBhfU/s1600/Running%2BOut%2Bof%2BTime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJ2bQlONsrU/VPUsaXYM5AI/AAAAAAAAA_8/0fhojUZBhfU/s1600/Running%2BOut%2Bof%2BTime.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jessie, the heroin of the book, and her family live in an 1840 village. Only the adults know that the year is really 1996, the kids are living in ignorance. When Clifton Village started they were told they would be able to leave and go as they liked, have modern medicine and be able to tell the kids when they reached a certain age. Now none of that happens and diphtheria has come to Clifton Village. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When protesting by posting quarantine signs doesn't work and Jessie's little sister, Katie, gets sick something has to happen. Jessie's mom sends her to get help.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Y'all this book stands the test of time, and I loved re-reading it last week. So pick it up and read it by yourself or with your kids!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Read it: yes!<br />
<br />
I'm almost finished with a series I'll review next month and need some suggestions of books to read. What's one book you can't live without or you love reading to the kids in your life? Tell me a little bit about the book and why! If I pick your book I'll include your comment on my post and link to your blog!</div>
Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-72773138098158732902015-03-05T10:00:00.000-05:002015-03-05T10:00:00.522-05:00The Best Baby Shower EverI started this post and never got around to it last year, I was always putting off loading the pictures from my camera to my computer. Well, sometime between then and now they were loaded onto the computer but have since disappeared. All I have is this one that I managed to save from a text message.<br />
<br />
I remember the first time I met Keri. The elders serving in my ward took me with them to teach her husband about our church. She was such a happy person. I loved her instantly! Then a couple months later we found out Keri was pregnant! I was so excited for her.<br />
<br />
My mom and I threw a baby shower for her with a couple people from our church, so as not to overwhelm her! It was so low key, at one of Columbus's favorite restaurants-El Vaquero. Keri's nursery colors are red and pink which was perfect because we waited til after Valentine's day to buy all the supplies. We got all our supplies on sale.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NA_XwpEPaoM/VOlkLVisC0I/AAAAAAAAA-s/5NDyIz4PapM/s1600/IMG_4561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NA_XwpEPaoM/VOlkLVisC0I/AAAAAAAAA-s/5NDyIz4PapM/s1600/IMG_4561.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">prep before the big party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We got a package of adorable red with white heart straws, some adorable pink cards in a couple different designs, some Valentine's pens, some red and pink ribbon, and lots of red and pink candy.<br />
<br />
We had it all waiting at each seat. We used the cards to have each person write a note to the cute baby girl and/or advice to Keri. We tied it up with a cute ribbon and attached a pen. We used all the candy to make gift bags since we were having it at a restaurant, we wanted everyone to go away with a little something. The waiter was a little slow bringing out the waters for us to put the straws in so we just put them in the bags.<br />
<br />
We ate yummy mexican food and then Keri opened her presents. It was so fun to celebrate Keri with some great people! And now Little Baby Ruthie is gonna be a big sister to what is going to be an adorable little...brother! How cute are the invites I designed for their gender reveal party with family?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtWvvz7_ybg/VOln6R2oViI/AAAAAAAAA-4/JvwVEAFSZvo/s1600/edited%2Binvite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtWvvz7_ybg/VOln6R2oViI/AAAAAAAAA-4/JvwVEAFSZvo/s1600/edited%2Binvite.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So excited to meet the little tyke!</div>
<br />Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-76967628695387840322015-03-02T10:00:00.000-05:002015-03-02T16:57:35.601-05:00The Best Love Letter I've Ever WrittenMy English class is all about writing essays. I've learned a lot by writing them and it felt like such a waste to work so hard to only show them to a couple people. So I'm gonna post them here. The first one was a love letter. I was not excited about it at first. What single girl, who's never been in love wants to write a love letter. Then I actually read the directions and realized we were supposed to write about an inanimate object. I picked books.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z-Nsc-BVItM/VOlq1wMby_I/AAAAAAAAA_E/L4yVSrH_nIw/s1600/beauty-and-the-beast-library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z-Nsc-BVItM/VOlq1wMby_I/AAAAAAAAA_E/L4yVSrH_nIw/s1600/beauty-and-the-beast-library.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what little girl didn't dream about this being her own as a little girl?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Every Love Story is Beautiful but ours is
my Favorite<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dear Book,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
remember the moment when I knew I loved you. You were sharing a story of a
magical land with wizards and witches, evil dominating but good triumphing,
family and love. I stayed up late to spend time with you, my old neighbor saw
my light on late and told my parents. I didn’t even mind getting in trouble.
That’s when I knew I would do anything to spend time with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
was nervous after that story, would I still love you or would this be a one-time
thing? Had I fallen too much, too quickly? Before then I felt we were like the
young Odette and Derek from The Swan Princess, pushed together but resenting
each other for it. My mom loved you, and thought we would be a good match but I
didn’t like you or any of the stories you tried to share with me. My teachers
tried to pair us together and even that didn’t work. I will forever be grateful
for our friend, Craig, setting us up with that first story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I got better at hiding the signs of
time spent together as our relationship grew. I made curtains for my window so
my old neighbor wouldn’t see. I started using that lamp that sat on my
nightstand collecting dust. I started playing my music while I read the stories
you shared (since at the time I played music to fall asleep). To this day I
can’t listen to Clay Aiken’s <i>Measure of a
Man</i> CD and not think of the beginning of our relationship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I love holding you in my hands and
feeling you share each story through your pages, into my hands and then my
heart. Each time you regenerate and bring me a new story I love you more. Belle
said it best: “[You take me to] far off places, [with] daring sword fights,
magic spells and a prince in disguise.” You take me from my humdrum life to
places beyond my wildest dreams. I’m better having been with you, you expand my
mind and vocabulary like no one or thing has. We have become like the adult
Odette and Derek, loving each whatever the future may hold. You will forever be
my first and deepest love!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">With all my love,
Ellie<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">What inanimate object would you write a love letter to? Share a paragraph of it below!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-38244012037533166132015-02-26T10:00:00.000-05:002015-02-26T10:00:03.096-05:00Where Rainbows End | Book ReviewY'all I love Buzz Feed! Have you read <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/justincarissimo/not-all-water#.qxGxnm6R8">this post</a>? It's by far my favorite! I can't hold back my laughter and tears while reading. But that's all besides the point.<br />
<br />
I saw <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/books-to-movies-2015#.otbLaROKw">this article</a> on my Facebook feed about books to read before they become movies in 2015. Let's be honest, I'm not even gonna read a fraction of them. 50 Shades of Grey? How about 50 Shades of No Thank You!! #abuseisnotlove I was interested by <i>Where Rainbows End.</i><br />
<i><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sk7YOJ4XaKM/VOk5CkMw1XI/AAAAAAAAA-c/GzSLhWdqmUI/s1600/Where-Rainbows-End.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sk7YOJ4XaKM/VOk5CkMw1XI/AAAAAAAAA-c/GzSLhWdqmUI/s1600/Where-Rainbows-End.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">courtesy of <a href="http://daydreamersthoughts.co.uk/">A Daydreamer's Thoughts</a><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i><br />
The book is about two english (how cute?) childhood friends and everything they go through as they grow up. It starts when they're like 12 and then ends after they're eligible for senior citizen discounts. I don't want to ruin the story for you, so I won't share the details. I wanted to like this book, but it was bad! It skips large amounts of time and doesn't tell you, it just expects you to get it. I only finished it because I'm not a quitter. So will I watch the movie, maybe but probably just on DVD.<br />
<br />
Read it: pass<br />
Watch it: maybe on dvd<br />
<br />Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-60876398449073349352015-02-23T09:30:00.000-05:002015-02-23T09:30:01.642-05:00Water is a Valid Life Choice!!Back in 2009 I was watching some beauty video on youtube. She was answering questions viewers had submitted. Someone asked what she did to keep her skin so clear and one of her answers was that she didn't drink soda. This girl was 16 and I was 19 and I thought if she could do it, then I should be able to. Plus as a college student, money was tight and I didn't want to spend precious money on soda when water was cheaper and I could spend the difference on fun things and clothes!<br />
<br />
I started then to try and phase soda out of my life. I tried to go cold turkey at first and was slipping a lot. Then I decided to just say to myself "Hey, let's choose water and maybe next time we'll choose soda!" It was a lot easier to say not now than never. Then after awhile I almost never wanted it. And when I did, I wanted it really bad but after a sip or two I had had enough because it didn't taste as great as I remembered it. I knew I could never completely get rid of soda, as a highly selective eater/drinker my options are limited. I don't like lemonade, or really any juice, so I only ever drank water, sprite or root beer. I just wanted to change my habit from soda first, water second to water first, soda a far second.<br />
<br />
A couple years later I was watching a show and learned that the carbonation in soda causes cellulite. Now we all know I'm not a size two and I have tons of room for improvement but not drinking soda was something I could do to help myself.<br />
<br />
So fast forward to current day. At parties I'm almost always okay with just having water. But at nice restaurants I run into a bit of problem. I drink waters fast, almost two glasses of water to anyone else's one and waiters look at me crazy when I ask for two waters. Which is to help them because if you can't keep me above half a glass then why should I give you a great tip? Water, and wanting lots of it, is a valid life choice!!<br />
<br />
There's also the issue of when you go to lower scale restaurants. You know, the ones where you order, ask what size drink you want and they hand you the cup and you go sit down. (not to be confused with fast food places) When you ask for a water you get a cup the same size as a kids drink or smaller. I just paid a pretty penny for your food and you can't even give me a decent size cup for water? It's not like it even really costs you anything. I'll even pay for a soda if you catch me drinking one. I just want a decent water cup!<br />
<br />
And since I've opened a can of worms let's get to fast food places. Before I go off on some places let me give a huge kudos to Chick-fil-A! Chick-fil-A will give you any size water you want, for free with purchase! Now that's my kind of place. But McDonalds? Zaxby's? and I'm sure many others, NOPE! They make you pay soda price if you want a water in anything larger than their small cups. Hello people! WATER IS A VALID LIFE CHOICE! I just paid to eat your food, which to be honest there are plenty of copycat recipes that I could use to make the stuff cheaper at home and you can't even give me a free water or charge me a nominal fee for water? I'm good to up to a dollar for a large cup of water. But you want me to pay you $3-something for a water?!? From the drive thru?!? I couldn't even cheat you out of money if I wanted to! (which for the record, I don't!)<br />
<br />
Anyone else have a huge pet-peeve you've kept to yourself, kept not so to yourself, you'd like to share?Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-7185403940391920702015-01-05T10:30:00.000-05:002015-01-05T10:30:00.596-05:00One Little Word 2015 - BreatheIt's amazing how sometimes things just fall into your life. Last year I saw a few of the people I follow on Instagram post a word for their life in the following year. I kinda just scrolled past them and didn't really give a thought about it. Then in the beginning of December I started to see the words pop up again. After reading a couple people's posts I felt like I should ponder if one little word was for me, and if it was what my word should be. I rested on breathe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlYiOmE4gbw/VKdIZV5VV6I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/dYhr8cPDt0w/s1600/onelittleword.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlYiOmE4gbw/VKdIZV5VV6I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/dYhr8cPDt0w/s1600/onelittleword.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
While trying to decide on a word I thought back to the things I'd learned last semester through Pathway. I kept coming back to the word breathe for several reasons. About 4 years ago I started to realize I had anxiety. I get overwhelmed a lot! I have a hard time prioritizing because it all seems important to me. I have a hard time not freaking out about things because everything seems big to me. I have a really hard time not having a plan for everything, and then get anxiety when things don't go according to plan. I found last semester that when I breathe, I can regain control. When I just take a breath, step back and put things into perspective I can find peace.<br />
<br />
I wanted to really get this through me this year. I have a short attention span and I wanted to make sure I really committed this word for the year. So I decided to search #onelittleword on instagram and found out that One Little Word was a real thing, with a year long workshop for way cheap!! So I signed up, and I am so excited to really breathe this year.<br />
<br />
Is anyone else participating in One Little Word this year? Want to join the class? (<a href="http://aliedwards.com/shop/classes/one-little-word">click here</a>)Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-20418045127691608162015-01-02T19:14:00.000-05:002015-01-02T20:44:52.156-05:00The Freckled Canvas 365 Thankful Days ProjectI loved being happy for 100 days last year! I thought about doing 365 happy days but I wanted to make it bigger and more meaningful. While I was thinking about what to do, from somewhere deep inside me (read the Holy Ghost) I was reminded of a talk Henry B. Eyring gave. He talked about how each night he wrote a journal of gratitude and could see the Lord's hand in his life.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Qiolf73SSc/VKcztK6WWGI/AAAAAAAAA9A/ZWOTM5MPTVk/s1600/TFC365thankfuldays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Qiolf73SSc/VKcztK6WWGI/AAAAAAAAA9A/ZWOTM5MPTVk/s1600/TFC365thankfuldays.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I've decided that 2015 is my year! This year I'm <b>breathe</b>-ing (post to come about my one little word) more and I want to also come closer to my Heavenly Father. So I'm starting The Freckled Canvas 365 Thankful Days Project. It's easy, each day find something to be thankful for. That's it, just one thing that you are thankful you have, you saw, you did, anything! Take this year to make a change in your life with me!<br />
<br />
I'll be posting on my instagram everyday and recapping here. So will you join me? Will you be thankful for 365 days? I know you can do it!Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-19355877412968721952014-12-11T12:35:00.000-05:002015-02-12T00:46:34.350-05:00A Christmas MiracleI'm a co-chair of my ward, or congregation, Christmas party. Last night was decorating night, we had a bunch of adults and youth from the ward help decorate. It's really coming together but we still have lots of work to do. This week had been crazy for me so I decided to get to the church early so I could do my homework undistracted.<br />
<br />
By the time the other co-chair showed up I had finished most of it. All of a sudden things got busy and I left all my notes (20 pages) on the table. At the end of the night I realized I hadn't seen them in hours, and the table I had last seen them on was gone. I searched everywhere and was having a minor panic attack. I had dug all through the trash, which was another reason to have a panic attack, and still couldn't find it. Everyone that was left helped me search for a couple minutes and then moved on after we found 3 sheets and couldn't find anymore.<br />
<br />
I knelt down in the middle of the gym, crying because my quiz was due at 11:59 and I didn't have time to print it all out and take notes again before it was due and I was completely overwhelmed, to say a prayer. I prayed for help in finding it, calming my anxious heart, and to know of His love for me. I got up and my anxious heart was still. I knew my Heavenly Father loved me and would help me complete my assignment, even if it wasn't with my notes.<br />
<br />
I continued to search, looking everywhere again (including the trash, twice). And then after I had given up, I found the other 17 pages under a lid to a storage bin. I even shouted out "It's a Christmas Miracle!" The pages were all intact, nothing had harmed them. I was so thankful that His plan was for me to have my notes.<br />
<br />
Just after finding my notes I saw my co-chair had left her purse behind, with her phone and wallet. It was almost 9:30 and my anxiety about getting my assignment done on time was starting to creep in. I knew she would need her wallet, but I also I needed to get my assignment done and my brother needed to get his homework done. So I drove my brother home, drove to her house and dropped it off, ran to the store for my mom because she needed something for seminary, and then drove home. At this point my anxiety was gaining momentum.<br />
<br />
I got home at 10:45, my computer was running slow and driving me crazy! by 11:15 I was done with my quiz and by 11:30 I was done with my discussion board post. God is good y'all! Sometimes God calms the storm, and sometimes he calms the child. And sometimes, when you're really lucky, he calms them both.Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-54202307532233366882014-11-24T09:35:00.000-05:002014-11-24T09:35:00.818-05:00Here's to 2015They say bad things come in threes. I remember the first time I heard the phrase, I was watching a Feature Films for Families movie called "The Best Bad Thing." And in the movie, bad thing did come in threes. Even deaths come in threes on Grey's Anatomy (because Grey's a legitimate source), and I swear celebrity deaths too. I'm hoping that applies to bad years too, because I know I didn't drop a mirror.<br />
<br />
I had such high hopes for 2014 after having two bad years. While I did have some great moments during 2014, it wasn't the banner year I was looking for. My whole year was tainted. Years from now I probably won't think so but from where I stand everything has been touched by that one moment. By spring I was a shell of a person, so devastated and confused I didn't know what to do with myself. I even gave up on my 2014 goals because what was the point?<br />
<br />
That's why I decided to really prepare myself for 2015, because I want with everything that I am for it to be a banner year! I decided to look for and focus on the good in my life instead of being blinded by all the bad that had happened. That's why I'm participating in the <a href="http://100happydays.com/">100 Happy Days Challenge</a>. I wanted to be in a different place when the new year came around, to be prepared to see the happy things next year. If you want to see change, you have to be the change. I can see that change taking place in my heart and mind a little more each day. I start the day looking for something to smile about, even if it's in the mundane details of life. Because I want to live life joyful.<br />
<br />
What are you doing to prepare for a great new year?Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-6976175797404947302014-10-25T16:26:00.002-04:002015-02-12T01:08:32.649-05:00Why I still wear my LIVESTRONG wristbandI remember the first time I saw a LIVE<b>STRONG </b>wristband. I was visiting my extended family in Utah for the summer and I was sitting at my aunt and uncles dining room table, it was hanging on the fridge. My uncle had gotten them because his mom had been battling cancer. He bought an adult one, back when they were two sizes-adult and child, for my aunt but she had tiny wrists and it was too big. I loved my uncle's mom and wanted to support her, so I asked if I could have it.<br />
<br />
I flew home at the end of that summer wearing my LIVE<b>STRONG </b>wristband. I felt so cool, I remember my dad asking about my wristband a couple days later. We loved watching the Tour as a family and supporting Lance. I don't remember if I remember watching the Tour de France for the first time before or after I got my wristband. But I remember my dad getting LIVE<b>STRONG </b>wristbands for all of us. I remember feeling connected, it didn't matter where we were or what we were doing because we all had that yellow wristband on.<br />
<br />
My brother, Nathan, had his LIVE<b>STRONG </b>wristband on when he died in an accident and when we buried him. We were still connected. I remember crying the day a kid at school accidentally ripped my wristband in two. I felt like I would never feel connected to him again. I remember going home that day and ordering another wristband, and checking the mailbox everyday until it came. I remember slipping on the new LIVE<b>STRONG </b>wristband and feeling like my brother was right there.<br />
<br />
When all the stuff with Lance went down, I still kept my LIVE<b>STRONG </b>wristband. Because my LIVE<b>STRONG </b>wristband was never just about Lance. It was about being a family and supporting one another. Did Lance make some bad decisions, yes but does that mean we shouldn't support the LIVE<b>STRONG </b>foundation? No! I can tell you each and every time I have taken off my LIVE<b>STRONG </b>wristband. I even worn the wristband in one of my best friend's wedding pictures-sorry about that! I've wore it in each and every family picture.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-juaSI5qdZ4U/VEwEM56KfNI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/mM7RX6VhDA0/s1600/10575257_10204187291140450_8943753505599994586_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-juaSI5qdZ4U/VEwEM56KfNI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/mM7RX6VhDA0/s1600/10575257_10204187291140450_8943753505599994586_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with my cousins Kira and Brynn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was at a work party a couple months ago and one of the guys there noticed by LIVE<b>STRONG </b>wristband. He couldn't believe I still wore it. He said as soon as he found out about all the stuff with Lance he tore it off. He didn't want to do anything that would support him. I tried to tell him that it was never about just supporting Lance, it was about my family. Seeing my LIVE<b>STRONG </b>wristband reminds me that I need to live strong because my brother didn't get the chance. It reminds me to make my life count.<br />
<br />
I still wear my LIVE<b>STRONG </b>wristband because my brother still wears his.Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-22418721567652997452014-08-04T13:00:00.000-04:002015-01-26T17:00:44.469-05:00Sinful Colors Nail Polish ReviewSo a couple years back, before I moved home, I was all about painting my nails. I blame one of my besties, Sara, who was always painting her nails some new color. Then with pretty much everything in my life it passed it's utility maximization point. While prepping for a party with my cousins I started painting my nails so dust off my skills and so I'm back on my nail painting kick!<br />
<br />
Influenster and Sinful Colors asked me to review one of their new colors - Eva So Bright. I'm not normally a bright girl. I usually stick to pale pinks, white (for french manicures of course) and skin tones. So I was a little hesitant to try it but what's the worst thing that could happen? I hate it, that's what nail polish remover is for.<br />
<br />
Here's what day one looked like. I liked that it easily came off the skin. Since I am horrible when I paint with my left hand and do more clean up than anything.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBx0geQ34SQ/U97kh6ezysI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/nOJtDLEhVSY/s1600/IMG_2313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBx0geQ34SQ/U97kh6ezysI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/nOJtDLEhVSY/s1600/IMG_2313.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's day 3, when I just couldn't stand it anymore. The chips were so bad! And it was a light week for me, the week before I did a lot more and my nails didn't look half this bad. Which it may not look horrible to you but I'm a perfectionist.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9tQO-x7IQFg/U97kqxivV_I/AAAAAAAAAqg/ryKxrN-0FpY/s1600/IMG_2310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9tQO-x7IQFg/U97kqxivV_I/AAAAAAAAAqg/ryKxrN-0FpY/s1600/IMG_2310.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I was still okay with the polish and the color but then I took it off. And this is what I was left with…</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk0ONTxhjmI/U97kpIvGQtI/AAAAAAAAAqY/jhar51u-olY/s1600/IMG_2311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk0ONTxhjmI/U97kpIvGQtI/AAAAAAAAAqY/jhar51u-olY/s1600/IMG_2311.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My nails have never been stained like this before. And one week later they're still stained. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So the final word:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Great color, but stains really hard! I'll try two clear base coats before the color next time. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-15044083834888957762014-06-13T12:00:00.000-04:002014-07-16T11:22:20.056-04:00Personal Progress Guide Book | Now What? and Honor BeeThanks for coming on this journey with me! I truly enjoyed making these for you! I hope you use them! So you've completed your Personal Progress and now what do you do? Be sure to click the first picture below to read a message from me! You can also visit the second picture, it has guide sheets for working on your Honor Bee! You go girls!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bit.ly/TFCNW"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANrP1BIlPrg/U5UyGBm0l6I/AAAAAAAAAnQ/UBpwvNKu__I/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-08+at+11.58.15+PM.png" height="320" width="249" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-pin-config="none" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F06%2Fpersonal-progress-guide-book-now-what.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ANrP1BIlPrg%2FU5UyGBm0l6I%2FAAAAAAAAAnQ%2FUBpwvNKu__I%2Fs1600%2FScreen%2BShot%2B2014-06-08%2Bat%2B11.58.15%2BPM.png&description=What%20a%20great%20idea%20for%20Young%20Women!%20The%20Freckled%20Canvas%20Personal%20Progress%20Guidesheets%3A%20You%27ve%20finished%20your%20personal%20progress%2C%20now%20what%3F%20%20%23youngwomen%20%23personalprogress"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bit.ly/TFCHoBee"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPlngGujzd8/U5UyRqMDpfI/AAAAAAAAAnY/mw05Qu3XjVk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-09+at+12.03.53+AM.png" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-pin-config="none" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F06%2Fpersonal-progress-guide-book-now-what.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-MPlngGujzd8%2FU5UyRqMDpfI%2FAAAAAAAAAnY%2Fmw05Qu3XjVk%2Fs1600%2FScreen%2BShot%2B2014-06-09%2Bat%2B12.03.53%2BAM.png&description=What%20a%20great%20idea%20for%20Young%20Women!%20The%20Freckled%20Canvas%20Personal%20Progress%20Guidesheets%3A%20Honor%20Bee%20%23youngwomen%20%23personalprogress%20%23honorbee"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
</div>
<br />
<br />
Did you miss previous installments?<br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/05/personal-progress-guide-book-integrity.html" target="_blank">Integrity and Virtue</a><br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/05/personal-progress-guide-book-good-works.html" target="_blank">Good Works</a><br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/05/personal-progress-guide-book-choice-and.html" target="_blank">Choice & Accountability</a><br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/05/personal-progress-guide-book-knowledge.html" target="_blank">Knowledge</a><br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/05/personal-progress-guide-book-individual.html" target="_blank">Individual Worth</a><br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/04/personal-progress-guide-book-divine.html" target="_blank">Divine Nature</a><br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/04/introducing-my-new-personal-progress.html" target="_blank">Introduction & Faith</a>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-28834593203410981622014-06-09T08:00:00.000-04:002015-02-12T01:10:58.680-05:00Personal Progress Guide Book | Integrity and VirtueSo life has been crazy. Started a new job, that I LOVE! But I'm a whole lot busier now. Then we had some technical difficulties with my laptop of choice. But the laptop is back and good as new! Sorry for the wait, as penance here is the Integrity and Virtue sets!<br />
<br />
Now I know what you're thinking. I can't believe it's over, what will I do now? Well guess what! I'll have something for you Friday, so come back!<br />
<br />
Click the images below to be taken to the downloads for each set!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bit.ly/TFCInt"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWGGSjUs0Y8/U5UsenT1bNI/AAAAAAAAAm8/VD8e8plljg4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-08+at+11.35.12+PM.png" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-pin-config="none" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F06%2Fpersonal-progress-guide-book-integrity.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-bWGGSjUs0Y8%2FU5UsenT1bNI%2FAAAAAAAAAm8%2FVD8e8plljg4%2Fs1600%2FScreen%2BShot%2B2014-06-08%2Bat%2B11.35.12%2BPM.png&description=What%20a%20great%20idea%20for%20Young%20Women!%20The%20Freckled%20Canvas%20Personal%20Progress%20Guide%20Sheets%3A%20Integrity%20%23youngwomen%20%23personalprogress%20%23integrity"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bit.ly/TFCVirt"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-auuITzz3e8k/U5UsgKuSKxI/AAAAAAAAAnE/XK80VR4TH9E/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-08+at+11.37.16+PM.png" height="320" width="247" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-pin-config="none" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F06%2Fpersonal-progress-guide-book-integrity.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-auuITzz3e8k%2FU5UsgKuSKxI%2FAAAAAAAAAnE%2FXK80VR4TH9E%2Fs1600%2FScreen%2BShot%2B2014-06-08%2Bat%2B11.37.16%2BPM.png%26quot%3B%20height%3D%26quot%3B320%26quot%3B%20width%3D%26quot%3B247&description=What%20a%20great%20idea%20for%20Young%20Women!%20The%20Freckled%20Canvas%20Personal%20Progress%20Guidesheets%3A%20Virtue%20%23youngwomen%20%23personalprogress%20%23virtue"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
</div>
<br />
Did you miss previous installments?<br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/05/personal-progress-guide-book-good-works.html" target="_blank">Good Works</a><br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/05/personal-progress-guide-book-choice-and.html" target="_blank">Choice & Accountability</a><br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/05/personal-progress-guide-book-knowledge.html" target="_blank">Knowledge</a><br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/05/personal-progress-guide-book-individual.html" target="_blank">Individual Worth</a><br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/04/personal-progress-guide-book-divine.html" target="_blank">Divine Nature</a><br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/04/introducing-my-new-personal-progress.html" target="_blank">Introduction & Faith</a>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-68666245287393751912014-05-23T18:58:00.000-04:002015-02-12T01:12:27.671-05:00Personal Progress Guide Book | Good WorksQuick thought today about good works-<br />
<br />
There's a girl I used to follow on instagram who is the best at good works! At least once a month she loads up her starbucks card, and posts a screenshot of it for any of her followers to go grab a drink on her. I'm not a fan of starbucks, not even their hot chocolates. But I'll give you one guess of what I'm a fan of. That's right Chick-fil-A! My favorite way to do some covert good works is to pay for the person behind me in the drive-thru line at Chick-fil-A!<br />
<br />
What's your favorite way to do some good works?<br />
And don't forget to click the picture below to download the Good Works guide book<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bit.ly/TFCGoWo"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nqmIIIL51Fs/U3_Q4GbQdGI/AAAAAAAAAkY/OM_FQlpKkiI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-23+at+6.47.40+PM.png" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-pin-config="none" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F05%2Fpersonal-progress-guide-book-good-works.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-nqmIIIL51Fs%2FU3_Q4GbQdGI%2FAAAAAAAAAkY%2FOM_FQlpKkiI%2Fs1600%2FScreen%2BShot%2B2014-05-23%2Bat%2B6.47.40%2BPM.png&description=What%20a%20great%20idea%20for%20Young%20Women!%20The%20Freckled%20Canvas%20Personal%20Progress%20Guide%20Sheets%3A%20Good%20Works%20%23youngwomen%20%23personalprogress%20%23goodworks" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a></div>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<br />
<br />
Did you miss previous installments?<br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/05/personal-progress-guide-book-choice-and.html" target="_blank">Choice & Accountability</a><br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/05/personal-progress-guide-book-knowledge.html" target="_blank">Knowledge</a><br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/05/personal-progress-guide-book-individual.html" target="_blank">Individual Worth</a><br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/04/personal-progress-guide-book-divine.html" target="_blank">Divine Nature</a><br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/04/introducing-my-new-personal-progress.html" target="_blank">Introduction & Faith</a>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-10791430632730929132014-05-16T12:00:00.000-04:002014-06-10T10:02:30.374-04:00Personal Progress Guide Book | Choice and AccountabilityA couple of weeks ago I got to support a friend at his Ranger graduation. If you ever get a chance to go to a Ranger graduation-GO! It's so fun to see the demonstrations!<br />
<br />
The speech given to graduates is different each time and I was so glad I got to hear this one. This one was given my a Colonel Major Special. He talked a lot about the Ranger motto - Rangers Lead the Way! The one line I want you to know is this.<br />
<br />
You are a Ranger now. People will look to you to lead the way. You do not get to decide when you lead, you will lead always. You are the example.<br />
<br />
Young women, you "stand as a witness of God." Not when you want to but, "…at all times, in all things, and in all places!" It is your choice to do it the way God wants you to or to fall short. Young men, you do too!<br />
<br />
For all youth "You are LDS, YOU lead the way!"<br />
<br />
Click the picture below to download the Choice and Accountability guide sheet set!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://bit.ly/TFCChAc"> <img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R_5K5qq5MNk/U3VqfjfeMeI/AAAAAAAAAjg/Oy2LOgo24ts/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-15+at+9.30.30+PM.png" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-75038313785386263632014-05-09T23:50:00.000-04:002015-01-26T16:58:26.194-05:00Personal Progress Guide Book | KnowledgeWhen I think of my favorite college classes, by far two classes stand out. One was called Genres of Film, which is a whole other story. The second was Foundations of Learning, I touched on it in my "keynote speech" on the <a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/04/personal-progress-guide-book-divine.html" target="_blank">Divine Nature post</a>. Here's another little nugget of wisdom from that same professor, Brother Adrian.<br />
<div>
<br />
We ask Heavenly Father for help all the time. Do you ask him to help you when you study and are trying to gain knowledge? He asked us to consider to try praying before and after you study every time for about a week.<br />
<br />
I didn't immediately notice the difference but when test came I definitely remembered things that I didn't even remember studying. Which leads me to one more really neat thing.<br />
<br />
I had a friend who had a professor at BYU who taught her about the Libraries of Knowledge. Before you take a test, say a prayer. Ask for the Libraries of Knowledge to be opened and the things you studied to be brought to the front of your mind. Asking for that will help you remember small things, maybe even the things you heard in passing.<br />
<br />
It takes <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/james/1.5?lang=eng" target="_blank">James 1:5</a> to a whole new level, y'all!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">P.S. Did a little code work this week so just click on the picture to download!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bit.ly/TFCKn">
<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7LNOnvNd_Y/U25Kxcx2emI/AAAAAAAAAjI/TznCaLN1RM8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-05-10+at+11.33.21+AM.png" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-pin-config="none" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F05%2Fpersonal-progress-guide-book-knowledge.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-r7LNOnvNd_Y%2FU25Kxcx2emI%2FAAAAAAAAAjI%2FTznCaLN1RM8%2Fs1600%2FScreen%2BShot%2B2014-05-10%2Bat%2B11.33.21%2BAM.png&description=What%20a%20great%20idea%20for%20Young%20Women!%20The%20Freckled%20Canvas%20Personal%20Progress%20Guide%20Sheets%3A%20Knowledge%20%23youngwomen%20%23personalprogress%20%23knowledge" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a></div>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Did you miss previous installments?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/05/personal-progress-guide-book-individual.html" target="_blank">Individual Worth</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/04/personal-progress-guide-book-divine.html" target="_blank">Divine Nature</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/04/introducing-my-new-personal-progress.html" target="_blank">Introduction and Faith</a></div>
</div>
Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-484307072546826232014-05-05T10:36:00.003-04:002014-05-05T10:46:21.637-04:00Personal Progress Guide Book | Individual WorthI am so sorry this didn't post last friday. Somehow the scheduling was off.<br />
<br />
Here's the Individual Worth set of guide sheets. Be sure to check back next week (this Friday) for some fun insights. Click the image below to view and download the book!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.bit.ly/TFCInWo" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tDyPNLs9qew/U2ehUe2axAI/AAAAAAAAAio/WLxEmmMmKqY/s1600/Individual+Worth.png" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/bit.ly/TFCInWo" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-pin-config="none" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F05%2Fpersonal-progress-guide-book-individual.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-tDyPNLs9qew%2FU2ehUe2axAI%2FAAAAAAAAAio%2FWLxEmmMmKqY%2Fs1600%2FIndividual%2BWorth.png&description=What%20a%20great%20idea%20for%20Young%20Women!%20The%20Freckled%20Canvas%20Personal%20Progress%20Guide%20Sheets%3A%20Individual%20Worth%20%23youngwomen%20%23personalprogress%20%23individualworth" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a></div>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Did you miss last weeks? Or the first installment?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/04/personal-progress-guide-book-divine.html" target="_blank">Divine Nature</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/04/introducing-my-new-personal-progress.html" target="_blank">Introduction and Faith</a></div>
Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-15414092551897513452014-04-25T12:00:00.000-04:002014-04-25T12:00:01.232-04:00Personal Progress Guide Book | Divine Nature and my Keynote SpeechSo that Personal Progress Dinner I was asked to speak at. I was asked to speak for 15 minutes, and honestly I was worried! I had never been asked to speak for 15 minutes before. I know, I'm 23, I should have had chances and I should be okay with it. But I spoke loads of times as a youth for 5 minutes. Then when I was in my students and singles wards I was only asked to speak for 7-10 minutes, and not to go over. Because we had such a high turn over they wanted to have plenty of time for everyone. And somehow in my ward now, I've just flown below the radar despite my dad being in the bishopric.<br />
<br />
I got to the dinner and all was well, a little nervous and then bam! They call me a keynote speaker. Now this is not meant to be a humble brag, I am terrified at this point! I've never given a 15 minute talk before and now I'm the highlight of this event! I just thought I was going to be a small part! To make it worse, I had my dad on one side cracking jokes and making me more nervous and my mom on the other. The walk from my table to the front of the room was terrifying. I was prepared, I'd been preparing for weeks. But nothing had prepared me for keynote speaker status.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Want to hear my talk instead of read my summary? <a href="http://soundcloud.com/murphy_ellie" target="_blank">Head over to sound cloud to hear it or download it</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer - it's not the best quality. I know, if I had used a microphone it would have been better but I hate holding them and speaking!</span><br />
<br />
I started by introducing myself and my parents, since they were there. I've lived in this Stake for over half of my life so most of the parents and older young women knew me but the younger ones didn't. When I'm nervous I talk fast and make lots of jokes. So I started out with one. I introduced my mom told how amazing she was and then said "and then there's my dad" and rolled my eyes. To make him feel a little better I shared his exciting news, just a few days before he had gotten about half a million bees. "Pretty excited about that, well he is, I'm staying away!"<br />
<br />
Before I really started in on my talk I asked the girls, their parents, and their leaders to pick up a piece of paper and a pencil from the center of the table. I talked about the importance of a firm foundation (pun intended, see <a href="https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/how-firm-a-foundation?lang=eng" target="_blank">LDS hymn 85</a>). When the Saints started to build the Salt Lake temple they laid the first foundation and had to cover it up. Later, when they uncovered it, they found the foundations were cracked. Instead of forging ahead, they started over-repeating about a year's worth of work. Having a firm foundation is that important. When you are listening to the Holy Ghost and the things it has to say to you as someone is speaking you are building that firm foundation. I took a class called Foundations of Learning my first semester at college and that is where I learned these next two things.<br />
<br />
These two pieces of wisdom may very well be my favorite in the entire world and since I heard then I have made a considerable effort to make sure I am following it. <a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/richard-g-scott" target="_blank">Elder Richard G. Scott</a> (a member of the 12 Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) has said in visits to missions that when we write down what we hear and feel in meetings that we are showing our Heavenly Father that we are "treasuring it up." When I was told this by Brother Adrian Juchau, a teacher at LDS Business College, he paired it with this piece of wisdom "Your pencil/pen is a revelation or lightening rod to the Spirit"<br />
<br />
Then my movie geek came out. Sweet Home Alabama is one of my favorite movies. In the movie Josh Lucas's character, Jake Perry, works with glass. Towards the end of the movie you see Jake out on a beach sticking rods into the beach. When lightening strikes sand it makes beautiful glass abstract sculptures, these rods attract the lightening. That's like the Spirit and the pen. "It's exactly what you're doing, you are building an amazing testimony when you write down what the Holy Ghost is says to you." I invited them to listen to what the Holy Ghost was saying as I talked that night.<br />
<br />
Then I tried to paint a picture for them of what life and young women's was like when I was their age. When I turned 12 there was one other beehive (girls 12-13) and we didn't have a lot in common, we tried but we were just very different. The next girl closest to us had just become a laurel (girls 16-17) and we had even less in common with her and the other laurels. When you're that far apart, it's hard to find common ground. I told them about my Aunt Lindsay. Lindsay and I are six years apart. When I was little I followed her around whenever I had the chance and wanted to be just like her. For her 16th birthday she got brown leather scriptures, her name embossed in gold cursive, and a pink and purple scripture case. For my 8th birthday I got brown leather scriptures, my name embossed in gold cursive and a pink and purple scripture case. I think we might have even had the same cake. But I'm digressing, one of the the things Lindsay liked to do was watch Dawson's creek with her cousin. Dawson's creek wasn't really appropriate for me at my age. So it was hard for Lindsay to find something she could do with her cousin and me, and still have fun. (Since then I've apologized to Lindsay, and now feel her pain when I have little cousins follow me around at reunions when I just want to watch Friday Night Lights or Friends)<br />
<br />
That's what it was like for me in young women's at first. It was hard for us to do the same activities and have either one of us get much out of it. I didn't feel like it belonged. But I found a way. Soon after I turned 12 I was given some worksheets to help me with my personal progress. I threw myself into those worksheets! I worked on them whenever I got the chance. I like to write things down, it's the best way for me to organize my thoughts so this was perfect for me.<br />
<br />
About six months after I turned 12 we moved into a new ward and I became the only beehive. Every once in awhile we'd have one beehive move in for a couple months and then they would move out. The benefits of being a military ward. (sarcasm intended) That's the way things were until I was about 14, then within a couple of months two girls moved in and stayed in the ward until graduation.<br />
<br />
But although we would all go to the same high school we didn't really have much in common. In fact, they were in the popular crowd and I was most definitely not. Those popular kids they were friends with, they were the same ones who teased me all during middle school. I had this dream that I would have friends just like you see in all the movies. A group of a few girls who did everything together and were always at each other's houses. That didn't happen for me. I'd have a a couple girls that I would do a couple things with and then a couple weeks later they weren't talking to me. I wasn't mean, I was actually kind of a push over. I thought I was pretty cool, I thought I was pretty smart. I was nice to everyone and I just didn't get it. I didn't understand why on friday nights I'd be at home playing with my brothers, and when I was 12 it was mostly making them play barbies with me. When you don't have friends you don't realize that barbies aren't cool at 12, okay…<br />
<br />
But through out this all, I was working on my Personal Progress. Every Sunday I would update the sheets of the value experiences I had worked on that week and then pick at least one value experience to work on that week. By the time I turned 14 I had done a big chunk of it. I had spent countless hours working on my Personal Progress and working on something important.<br />
<br />
I then asked for some audience participation. I asked them what they thought it took to make a great relationship/friendship. I got loads of great answers! Including: respect, caring about them, mutual interest, communication, feeling comfortable around each other, trust, time spent together, work.<br />
<br />
Relationships/friendships are a lot like faith. "You can't just let it sit there, you have to work on it and continually grow. And that's what I did with Personal Progress." I had a girl in the audience read an excerpt from the sixth page of the Personal Progress book.<br />
<br />
"Personal Progress will help you strengthen your faith in and testimony of Jesus Christ as you learn his teachings and regularly apply them in your life."<br />
<br />
"So for three years when I didn't have friends, I build a friendship with my Savior, Jesus Christ." I didn't really realize what I was doing until it was tested." And looking back those three years, were by far the best of my Young Women's experience. "I wish I had realized what I was doing. Do you ever do something and think it's great, and then...later look back and think 'That was super amazing! I wish I would have put more into it!'? Even though it was great experience?"<br />
<br />
Then to illustrate my point, I shared a rather embarrassing story. Which if you want to know it, you'll have to listen to my talk over on Sound Cloud. The reader's digest version was that I was at Disney World, with my family-including aunts, uncles, a cousin, grandparents, and great grandparents. I was miserable for two days because I was sick. When I look back, I remember all of the good stuff and it's almost all happy memories but I'm bummed that I let being sick bring me down. Because that's the only time I ever went on a vacation with my great grandparents and I can't ever have that opportunity again.<br />
<br />
"It is never too late to build a relationship with our Savior!" Then I got nervous and rambled for a minute. I did my best to pull myself back together and said "Our Savior loves you more than you will <i>ever</i> know!"<br />
<br />
I got nervous again so I segued to talking about my parents. You may not get along with your parents "at all times, in all things, and in all places" (<a href="https://www.lds.org/young-women/personal-progress/young-women-theme?lang=eng" target="_blank">Young Women's theme</a>) but they will always love you. And sooner or later, you'll realize you loved them all along. "Mom and I have never disagreed ever, have we, right Mom?" I asked and being the good sport that she is, she said "Exactly!" with all the sarcasm it deserved. "No, perfect!" Y'all, I might even to venture to say that I was hilarious here! When we become closer to our Savior, we become more Christlike and that starts at home and radiates outward. I became nicer to my parents, although as you've read we never disagreed so I was already amazing! And then I started helping out more, and trying to help others feel good about themselves.<br />
<br />
I shared a couple things from <a href="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/36035_eng.pdf?lang=eng" target="_blank">The First Presidency letter on the first page of the Personal Progress book</a>. Let me let you in on a couple little secrets. Our brains, no matter how hard we fight it are drawn to the first and last sentence of paragraphs. Text book writers know this! If you are just trying to get the most important facts (besides definitions-which they purposely hide in the middle) just read the first and last sentences of each paragraph. You can thank me later. And even when we write and speak we're doing it. Don't believe me, go read a conference talk. The second piece, the most important information in booklets is put at the front and end for the exact same reason. So when you see that The First Presidency letter is on the very first page, that's a huge blinking sign saying 'IMPORTANT!!!'<br />
<br />
"You are a beloved daughter of Heavenly Father, prepared to come to earth at this particular time for a sacred and glorious purpose. You have a noble responsibility to use your strength and influence for good."<br />
<br />
"Always use your influence to lift and bless your family, other young women, and the young men with whom you associate"<br />
<br />
I then bore a quick testimony about The First Presidency's love. "They love you. They know who you are. They may not know your name, or recognize you when then they see you, but they care about each and every one of you. Our Savior cares about each and every one of you and they know that."<br />
<br />
After, I just <i>had</i> to share a personal experience to drive this home. "You may not realize the impact you have on the other young women in your ward, the young men in your ward, or even in your stake." I set up the scene, I was going to school in Utah. A <b>small </b>school. It was 1 building, 10 floors, and only about 4 floors were used for classes at the time. This school was only a two-year school so the turn over rate was high. Most of the friends that I had made the year before were gone. For either a mission, moved to a four-year university, or had graduated. Even though there were a couple girls still there, I felt like I was starting over. I had done a year, and then a girl came from my stake came out to do a semester. It turned out that her room was right across the hall from me.<br />
<br />
One night, during the first week of classes, I sat on the phone crying, talking to my mom. I felt alone and I didn't have any friends. She, being way more in tune with the Spirit than I was at that particular moment, suggested I call those girls and go do something, and get out of my room. She said I would feel better. I wasn't really feeling it. I said something like "Uh huh, sure mom. Thanks! I love you, thanks for listening and trying to solve my problem. I love you!" She saw right through my bull crap answer and said" Just do it!" So I did. I called the girls, we all decided to go. So we picked a movie and a showing for a couple hours later. Then I felt something whisper in my head and my heart to go ask the girl next door. I tried to rationalize not going over. "She's got other friends here. She probably doesn't want to talk to me." And then again I felt the feeling to go over, so I listened.<br />
<br />
It turned out that she was talking to her mom on the phone. I told her a few girls were going to go to the movie and asked if she'd like to come along. I let her know that there was no pressure, I was trying to play it cool. Because by then I had realized that I was not cool, not at all and I just fooled lots of people. She told me she was on the phone with her mom but that she would love to go. We went to the movies and I thought that was the end of the story. By the way, my mom was right- I did feel better.<br />
<br />
A couple weeks later my mom had the chance to talk to the other girl's mom. She shared this part of the story with my mom. She had been talking to her daughter on the phone. Her daughter said that she was so homesick, was done with school, and that she was ready to come home. Her mom suggested they pray together over the phone. They prayed that someone would help her feel like she belonged, that someone would come along and be an answer to their prayers. They had just finished their prayer when I knocked on the door. The two of us already had a relationship of being kind to one another, and loving one another even though we didn't really know each other. But by using each other's power to influence each other we were able to answer each other's prayers without even knowing.<br />
<br />
I challenged the girls to work on Individual Worth experience 3. This one invites girls to build other's self-esteem. For two weeks, look for other's positive qualities and attributes and vocally recognize them. And promised that if they did that, they would feel better about themselves.<br />
<br />
I shared one last quote from The First Presidency letter after sharing one more thing about myself. I tend to get overwhelmed and feel like I'm alone. I lose sight of the big picture. I forget that my problems are small. I asked them to please remember this quote.<br />
<br />
"As you participate in Personal Progress, you join in thousands of other young women who are striving to Come unto Christ, 'to stand as a Witness of God, at all times, and in all things, and in all places.'" (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/18.9?lang=eng" target="_blank">Mosiah 18:9</a>)<br />
<br />
My favorite part is that you are joining with thousands of other young women. You <i>are not</i> doing this by yourself. You are doing this with every other daughter of God that wants a relationship with their Savior. And that is powerful! It is a huge army, that wants to be just like you-working on being closer to their Savior.<br />
<br />
That was my favorite part of Personal Progress, coming closer to Christ. I am sad that I didn't realize that it was until my testimony was tested. But it doesn't have to be that way for you!<br />
<br />
Below is the link to the Divine Nature value set. Don't forget to pin it!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUVv3xGp8wY/U1kbMALAK8I/AAAAAAAAAiA/66Hxg0t9L2w/s1600/Divine+Nature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUVv3xGp8wY/U1kbMALAK8I/AAAAAAAAAiA/66Hxg0t9L2w/s1600/Divine+Nature.png" height="400" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bit.ly/TFCDiNa" target="_blank">Click here to download Divine Nature value set</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-pin-config="none" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F04%2Fpersonal-progress-guide-book-divine.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-wUVv3xGp8wY%2FU1kbMALAK8I%2FAAAAAAAAAiA%2F66Hxg0t9L2w%2Fs1600%2FDivine%2BNature.png&description=What%20a%20great%20idea%20for%20Young%20Women!%20The%20Freckled%20Canvas%20Personal%20Progress%20Guide%20Sheets%3A%20Divine%20Nature%20%23youngwomen%20%23personalprogress%20%23divinenature" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a></div>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<br />
<br />
Did you miss last week's?<br />
<a href="http://thefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com/2014/04/introducing-my-new-personal-progress.html" target="_blank">Introduction and Faith</a>Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-79770410603160595802014-04-18T12:00:00.000-04:002014-04-24T10:10:54.018-04:00Introducing my new Personal Progress guide sheetsLast week I was asked to talk to the Young Women in my stake (a large geographic group of Mormons) about Personal Progress and how it brought me closer to Jesus Christ. I showed them the worksheets I used to work on my personal progress. I wanted to be able to share one with them that I liked but I couldn't find one, there was something big I wanted to change on each one. So I decided to make my own!<br />
<br />
I'll be releasing a set of value guide sheets each week on friday. Today I'm releasing the introduction page and the Faith value set. Click on the caption of each picture to view and download!<br />
<br />
I've set up these sheets in away that it guides the girls to what they need to learn instead of telling them what they should be learning. Each guide sheet is comprised of a mix of three sections. Ponder and Prove, Teach One Another, and Act make those three sections. This model was influenced by The Learning Model that I was introduced to at LDS Business College. For more information read offer the Introduction sheet.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMl8GEeHFt4/U1FG2LYTljI/AAAAAAAAAhk/24-99f15XMo/s1600/Introduction.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMl8GEeHFt4/U1FG2LYTljI/AAAAAAAAAhk/24-99f15XMo/s1600/Introduction.png" height="400" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bit.ly/aTFCpp" target="_blank">Click to download Introduction Sheet</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-pin-config="above" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F04%2Fintroducing-my-new-personal-progress.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-CMl8GEeHFt4%2FU1FG2LYTljI%2FAAAAAAAAAhk%2F24-99f15XMo%2Fs1600%2FIntroduction.png&description=What%20a%20great%20idea%20for%20Young%20Women!%20The%20Freckled%20Canvas%20Personal%20Progress%20Guide%20Sheets%3A%20Introduction%20Sheet%20%23youngwomen%20%23personalprogress" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a></div>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R5xtizzD1FI/U1FG4HTav1I/AAAAAAAAAho/oyaPL93q9xY/s1600/Faith.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R5xtizzD1FI/U1FG4HTav1I/AAAAAAAAAho/oyaPL93q9xY/s1600/Faith.png" height="400" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bit.ly/TFCfaith" target="_blank">Click to download Faith value set</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-pin-config="above" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthefreckledcanvas.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F04%2Fintroducing-my-new-personal-progress.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-R5xtizzD1FI%2FU1FG4HTav1I%2FAAAAAAAAAho%2FoyaPL93q9xY%2Fs1600%2FFaith.png&description=What%20a%20great%20idea%20for%20Young%20Women!%20The%20Freckled%20Canvas%20Personal%20Progress%20Guide%20Sheets%3A%20Faith%20%23youngwomen%20%23personalprogress%20%23faith" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a></div>
Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7016199476744963516.post-58776179944350229282014-03-25T13:38:00.000-04:002014-12-11T00:13:06.488-05:00Wedding Thank You Notes AdviceI'm a planner. I like lists and making preparations so everything goes perfectly. So a long time ago I started asking for peoples wedding invites, like people I barely knew. Why did I do that? So that when the time came to write and make my own I would have plenty to draw from.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-REe4tf4lzzU/VIknlgHaS9I/AAAAAAAAA7s/SSoySMyiWok/s1600/thank%2Byou%2Bnotes%2Badvice.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-REe4tf4lzzU/VIknlgHaS9I/AAAAAAAAA7s/SSoySMyiWok/s1600/thank%2Byou%2Bnotes%2Badvice.jpeg" height="232" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via k. holly photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My favorite to this day is from a friend I met at Institute in Salt Lake. He and his fiance had their friends write a little something about them. Either how they met, what they were like as a kid, what their talents are, and their missions. Then they made their own little newspaper and sent it as the announcement and then also a color picture. Seriously, I told some of my friends about it and then everyone wanted to see it. I would take some pictures but it's packed away in Utah.<br />
<br />
I also collect the wedding thank you cards. I've been known to take pictures of wedding thank you cards or even take them. Some of my favorites are ones who take a picture on their wedding day with the words "thank" and "you" or even use pictures from the engagement shoot. I also really like when the wedding thank you cards match the wedding colors because then it's like a little reminder of the fun reception!<br />
<br />
But the best part of the wedding thank you cards are the personal notes. Ladies (and gentlemen who are helping your wife write thank you notes) please make it personal! Don't use some poem that someone else wrote that has no connection to you and the gift-giver. The person you're writing to took the time to pick out a gift, write you a card, get dressed up, and come celebrate with you. I know you are writing <strike>quite a few</strike> a ton of thank you cards but take the extra couple seconds per card and make it personalized. Because the people you are sending it to will realize that you just BS-ed your way through this. And then when it comes time for your baby shower, they might not be so generous. And let's be honest, gifts are the best part of the baby shower!<br />
<br />
Write something like this:<br />
<br />
Dear (people's names-first names if you're close, last names if not),<br />
<br />
Thanks so much for your (lovely gravy bowl, sweet gift card, awesome mr. and mrs. hoodies, or what have you)! We (loved it/can't wait to use it)! Thank you for supporting us!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Mr. and Mrs. (your new last name)<br />
<br />
Because you should take every chance you can to write your new last name while you still get excited about it!Elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00854931332021118071noreply@blogger.com0