July... THE BEST MONTH EVER!!!

I have had so many things to cheer me up, I haven't had time to post here! To each of these angels mentioned below and all involved in making this month amazing, Thank you. You are a blessing in my life. I am so loved. My Father in Heaven loves me. It is so apparent. July 2014 has been one of the best, if not THE BEST, month of my life. 

• Started out the month with a Mother/Daughter date to a festival downtown! We wandered and giggled and ate and enjoyed ourselves! Dole Whips and Kettle Corn and special bonding time!
• A few days later I got to celebrate our wonderful country with my family. Yes, I worked on Independence Day/Night and didn't get to see the fireworks with the family, but we got to celebrate the day/night before bbq-ing and firework-ing. After work I went out and danced my heart out. I am so blessed to have a body that works, and to have found something I am good at and enjoy so much.
• Later that weekend I got together with extended family at the cabin- a long needed mini-vacation and had alone time in the hammock. I just sat there completely relaxed. My mind hadn't been that free in who knows how long!
• After that I was a counselor at Be The Best You- an amazing camp for girls, helping them to realize and achieve their full potential. God placed me there with those girls. I cannot believe all of the prayers answered and miracles I saw daily. I was closer to my Father than I had been in a LONG time. Those girls changed my life. I sincerely hope they Believe in themselves and in Christ. Not to mention the awesome BEYOND 5 CONCERT with these ladies! We did service and learned and played and grew together. One of the best weeks of my life.
• I had lots of sister time this month doing nails and shopping and babysitting... these ladies take care of me. I'm so glad we're all together for now! One of my sisters even rearranged a schedule that had been in the works for MONTHS so she could be a part of my schedule and special family time.
• I got a raise at work!
• We had another BBQ with family and made our own rootbeer from scratch! It was delicious and super fun!
• I went to the Jordan River Temple for the first time with twelve family members. 12 loving relatives supported me in a huge step in my spiritual progression. What a special experience! It was new, but I knew it was God's plan. The day ran smoothly and I knew that God wanted me there.
• I was able to perform at the conference center- sort of... I did voice over work for the Church. After I finished recording a testimony of President Monson, I found out that my recording was to be part of a piece specifically for President Monson about the Sabbath day and his influence! PRESIDENT MONSON WILL HEAR MY TESTIMONY OF HIM! So cool!!!
• Most temples are closed on Mondays, and if open, only for a few morning hours. Because of that recording session, I was unable to go to the temple. BUT, I went for the next two days and plan to go the rest of the days this week. I keep learning and loving and growing! I feel like I can conquer the world! Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are right beside me, helping me continue on!
• Also this month I had the privilege of going on many lunch/dinner dates with an old friend and was able to reconnect with and enjoy his company. We used that time to escape the craziness of life and relax and eat good food!
• Today a trip to Walmart turned into a reunion with a friend! All I wanted was to return something, but the timing worked out perfectly that I ran into a friend -nay- a SISTER of mine and was able to connect with her and her husband and feel the love and joy that comes from true friendship. We haven't really talked in months! But that didn't matter! They are my family and I love them. Thank you.

I see my Heavenly Father's hand everywhere! I feel His love. I feel my worth. I know He is proud of me for the decisions I have made to follow Him. Life has been so wonderful lately, I am almost scared that something will go terribly wrong. If it does- I CAN HANDLE IT! With Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ taking my hands, WE CAN DO IT! Yeah, life is hard, but there are so many more happy things to help us along! Today at work I was talking with a cute, young customer and he mentioned that the last time he came in, I was having a wonderful, cheerful day! He went on to say that I must have a lot of those. I responded with, I'd much rather have happy than sad! Who wants that? IT'S THE TRUTH! I am a happy person! No, I'm not perfect, and I do get discouraged, but I feel like I am generally happy! I was amazed that a customer could see and admire that! ... it also helped that he was cute ;) You know, I have had insecurities and car trouble and a swollen sausage finger this month, but they are forgotten as I think about the wonders of this month. WHO KNEW JULY WAS GOING TO BE SO AWESOME? I am blessed! I love it! 

30-Day Happiness Challenge (8)

Today I am thankful for:

1. RAIN... free carwash and moisture :)
2. An employer who will call me when I mix up my shift times
3. A working computer!

Something Meaningful yesterday:

I was able to go to the Provo Temple grounds yesterday even though the temple is closed. I just sat there, took pictures, laid there, and enjoyed the peace and spirit. A truly meditative afternoon at the Happiest Place on Earth! It kinda kills me to say that, but it's the truth! Happier than Disneyland!

I am going to be a camp counselor and have training and camp coming up in the next few days, so I won't be posting regular happiness posts. I guess you'll have to make your own! Also, that whole reaching out/praising thing? It's AWESOME. People feel great, then I feel great! It's wonderful!

30-Day Happiness Challenge (7)

This morning I am thankful for:

1. Sassy Old Spice Advertisers
2. Sharp scissors 
3. Work that keeps me busy

Something meaningful:

I was worrying about a spiritual decision I made and I talked to my mom about it. She reassured me, as did the Spirit, and now I have no worries creeping in. This is the right thing. I know it, the Lord knows it. :) And I feel him closer to me than ever because of it!

And today I will do all of those other things too ;)

30-Day Happiness Challenge (6)

Things I am thankful for today:

1. Church leaders that believe in me and support me
2. Family members that get excited for my big life decisions
3. Heavenly Father's loving direction and support so I can be happy and reach my full potential

Something meaningful over the past 24 hours:

I made plans for a family trip to the temple and started inviting family members. When I approached my sister about it, she said she had made plans months ago for a meeting that is school/work related. I felt awful that I was trying to plan something right in the middle of her commitment. She got to work right away and contacted those people, trying to meet another time, even though it has been planned for months. She let me know that it was all taken care of and she would be able to participate in our family day. I love her! She is such a wonderful support and example to me. :)

Today I will try to get my cardio in, even if it's just a walk, and I will meditate and contact/praise a friend. I am LOVING this happiness challenge! Seriously, it's the simple things in life that we forget about. 

30-Day Happiness Challenge (5)

This morning I am thankful for:

1. a loving Bishop that supports me
2. having a facebook page so I can keep up with all of my friends and family and be updated on their lives regularly
3. gel pens ;)

Something meaningful in the past 24 hours:

Last night I climbed in bed with my older sister while she was on the phone. It bugged her... a lot. I was just being silly and lovey dovey. She complained loud enough that my younger sister came and joined us on the bed. She snuggled in there and did the same thing to me. It was awesome to have that sister time with us all being silly. I've always been closer to my older sister because of our ages, but it is great to find connections with my younger sister as well. I love them!

Today I will also get in my cardio and reach out to a friend. ALSO - SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THIS: I will meditate for at least 5 minutes. Hopefully more. I need that personal time to relax and I can't wait!

30-Day Happiness Challenge (4)

This morning I am thankful for:

1. family gatherings and our ability to joke around
2. a family that will be silly with me and think I'm funny, not strange
3. hair products that make my hair look AWESOME!

Something meaningful in the last 24 hours:

At our family gathering last night, I went downstairs to look around. I knew there were hammocks, but when I saw them I just couldn't resist. I sat in one by myself for the rest of the night. It wasn't lonely, it wasn't because I was upset. I had me-time. I sat in that hammock and my mind was clear. There was nothing. I could just relax and hang there by myself. It was BEAUTIFUL. I haven't had a moment like that in such a long time. It meant so much to me to just relax in the mountains. I always have worries and a million things running through my head. I want to relax and be comfortable. There is no reason to worry, but I do anyway. Camping has always seemed to do that for me. If I am out in the mountains, or anywhere camping really, I can let go and just be in the moment. It is an amazing gift. I love it!

Also today I will reach out to a different person and praise them, AND I will get in at least 15 minutes of cardio. I'm headed to the gym so I plan on more, but that's the requirement for the happiness challenge!

30-Day Happiness Challenge (3)

Today I am thankful for:

1. Cute robes to make you feel fantastic when you get out of the shower
2. Waking up and starting the day with the first alarm
3. Stuffed animals so I can sleep comfortably with extra pillow/animal support

Something Meaningful over the past 24 hours:

I was able to spend lots of time with my Mom yesterday. We had a date to see a street fair and got a Dole Whip float- a favorite of ours. :) Later, when shopping at the grocery store, we were looking for the pudding aisle and both said something about finding it. Perfectly together we said, "Winner, winner, chicken dinner!" We then busted up laughing. I love my mom and we have been so busy that we haven't spent much time together. Quality time with my mother is always meaningful. :)

Day 3 is also time to reach out to someone and praise them. I won't do that on here ;)

30-Day Happiness Challenge (2)

I was supposed to do this when I woke up... oops. It's new for me. I'll get the hang of it ;)

Today I am thankful for:

1. Toes to grab things when I am too lazy to move my whole body
2. My natural ability to follow while dancing with a partner
3. q-tips to clean out nasty ear wax!

Something Meaningful in the last 24 hours:

I was alone last night, the 4th of July. I decided to go dancing. I haven't been Blues Dancing in a long time. It can get kind of gross if your partner likes to dance dirty. Also, I'm not one of the most sought-after partners... I don't normally dance a whole lot. It's probably because I don't know them well enough and there are many single girls there. For whatever reason, it was my night. I danced with almost every man there, and danced multiple times with some of them. The final dance of the night was like a dream! What a connection with my partner! That's what I love about blues- you create a story. It's just two people communicating with their bodies and creating something beautiful. At the end of the night I said goodbye to two men by the door. They hugged me, talked for a bit, and ended up telling me that I am a great dancer who brings class to that Blues venue. Wow. I felt so great! I'm classy! They know my limits when it comes to dancing and respect it! So cool!!! There were 4 or 5 men who complimented me on my dancing that night. Very meaningful to me. 

30-Day Happiness Challenge (1)

"Harvard-trained happiness researcher Shawn Achor sat down with Oprah Winfrey recently and shared some tips that he believes will effectively turn anyone into a positive person. Based on his advice, we created a 30-day challenge that we're confident will take you from zero to happy in just a month. You'll notice that this challenge isn't like others in that you'll be doing the same thing for more than 21 days. We wanted you to practice these habits for more than 21 days because that's the amount of time it takes to start a habit. We're hoping that you'll keep this going, perhaps in a modified form, for the rest of your happy life.

This is what I have decided to do. I am a generally happy person, but there is always more I can do! I would like to create new habits because I have been pretty disappointed with my current habits, especially now that it is summertime. Day one of the challenge is naming three new things I am thankful for. 

1. Disney movies to relate to and laugh about when they come up in every day life... like this morning when I looked like Anna from frozen on "cornoration day" ;)
2. Fuzzy blankets
3. Fun nail polish to help me when I feel I need a change. It's simple and easy and saves me money- instead of the big changes which I would love, but would bury me

So, almost no one reads this blog. If you are reading this, it means you have to participate because no one else is going to. So, come on! Get happy!