Choice 1 Acts 19-20

Five Priesthood ordinances Paul performed:
Baptism
Holy Ghost
Prophecy
Sacrament
Raising the Dead

1.) Baptism
2.) It's critical for a person to be baptized by the right authority, because if it's done with the wrong authority, it doesn't count.
3.) He laid his hands on their heads and gave them the Holy Ghost.
4.) The sabbath was on the first day of the week.

Choice 2: 2Peter 2 Teaching

1.    Read 2 Peter 2:1–19. Record the characteristics of false teachers described by Peter. Explain in writing how your list helps you recognize false teachers today.
 Deny the Lord
Lust after things
Deny Government
speak evil of things they don't understand
speak words of vanity
I feel like after making this list, it'd be pretty easy to spot false teachers, but that isn't the case. False teachers are also the master of disguise, slowly leading you down to destruction. When I think of false teachers, I can't help but think of the preachers on TV shows (like the 700 Club). Whenever I watch those types of shows, I just get an uncomfortable feeling. I know those preachers are doing it for the money, it's all for show, which just makes me uncomfortable. But on the outside, it looks pretty good, on the inside, I can't help but feel their false teachings.
2.    Read 2 Peter 2:20–22; Doctrine and Covenants 82:3, 7. In your own words, write a few sentences describing the dangers of returning to the “pollutions of the world.”
I think one of the biggest dangers of returning to the ways of the world is that for a person do to that, they must deny everything they once knew to be true. It's denying a part of you, giving up yourself for momentary satisfaction. The "happiness" you gain from following the world is not eternal, and when you die, it's like a slap in the face with the realization that you made the stupidest mistake ever.

“Be Ye Doers of the Word and Not Hearers Only”

1.    Read James 1 and respond in writing to the following items:

o       What words or phrases encourage you to look for direction from God?
 Ask in faith

o       How did James further define the phrase to “ask in faith”?
Have unwavering faith and you will receive your answers.
o       How do Matthew 6:24 and 1 Kings 18:21 add to your understanding of James 1:8?
They help clarify that a man eventually HAS to choose to follow the Lord or to follow Satan. You cannot follow both, it's not an option.
o       From James 1:13–15, 19–27, make an outline of how we can better live the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Do not lust after things
Be quick to hear and slow to speak
Be clean and cling to the scriptures
Be doers of the word, and not just hearers 
o       Give a few modern examples of how you have recently seen individuals exemplify James 1:22.
Being a "hearer" of the word but not a "doer" gives people a false sense of security. Going through the motions are not enough, people need to actively be engaging in the gospel, improving themselves daily. Those that are both "Hearers" AND "doers" are constantly on check with their spirituality and don't get lulled into a spiritual rut.
2.    Read the institute student manual commentary for James 1:5–6, “If Any of You Lack Wisdom” (p. 409). Make a list of reasons why Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said these verses have “had a greater impact ... upon mankind than any other” scripture.
It helped Joseph Smith ask God to know what church was true, which lead to the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Investigators of the Church have this promise that if they ask God, they will get an answer

Choice Three, Hebrews 13

Paul concluded his epistle to the Hebrews with some brief teachings and statements of counsel. Read Hebrews 13 and find statements about the following questions:

• How should we treat strangers and those “in bonds”?
 We need to be kind to strangers and those that are in bonds. We need to treat them how we would treat friends, family or how we, ourselves, would want to be treated. Treat them like we are the ones in bonds or the ones who are suffering.
• How is marriage looked upon?
 Marriage is an honorable and sacred thing.
• What warnings are given about covetousness?
 We should keep coveting out of our conversations and be happy with what we have. We have the Lord on our side, what more could we want?
• What is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”?
 Jesus Christ
• How are we sanctified?
 We are sanctified through the blood of Christ.
• How do we respond to those who rule over us?
 We are supposed to obey and submit to those that are over us.
• Who did Paul ask the people to pray for?
Paul asked the people to pray for their leaders.

Choice 5: Hebrews 1-2

• What Christ is Superior to: The Law of Moses, Prophets, Angels, Moses, High Priests of the law of Moses
• Truths Paul taught about Jesus Christ: Christ is appointed heir of all things, Christ is made better than the angels, Christ laid the foundation of the earth
• Reasons why Christ came to mortality: To descend below every human being so He can understand everyone sorrows, He needed to be tempted so He can understand those that are tempted, So that He can be merciful towards us at our judgment because He will know what we've been through, He had to fulfill the prophecy, Loose the bands of death,

Choice 1 Phillipians 1-4

• Phil 2:1-8,14-15: We are supposed to love one another and have no contention among us. We are commanded to not murmur or fight amongst the saints.
• Phil 2:12-15: We are supposed to gain our own testimony, not rely on our parents. It's so difficult to do what is right if we have always only relied on our parents, when our parents aren't there, then we might fall and not be able to obey.
• Phil 3:7-16, 4:13: If we are dealing with a family member that will disown us because we join the church, then we need to have faith that everything will work out. Christ will not punish us for doing what is right He wants us to succeed and He will strengthen us when we are weak.
• We need to rely on the scriptures to guide us through our daily life. Often times people think that the scriptures don't apply to them because they were written thousands of years ago, but they are just as relevant today. The Book of Mormon was written for US and will help guide us through our lives.

Gratitude

I would be extremely ungrateful if I did not express how blessed I am. I have the most AMAZING friends in the world. There is no doubt in my mind that the friends I have, have been placed in my life for a reason. My friend Jeff texted me this morning to be strong and keep my head up, not that anything was wrong, just a friendly reminder. It got me thinking, I really can do anything if I have God on my side, and my friends. Both Heavenly Father and my blessed friend will lift me up when I cannot bare to hold myself up. I am so so so grateful for the wonderful men in my life who exemplify what being a man truly is, their wives are gonna be treated like angels! I know that these men are going to do great things in their lives and I'm so grateful that I've been given the opportunity to know them.
Now for my lady friends.
I cannot express how grateful I am for Kaylynn, Lisa and Brianna. It's the small things they do for me that add up to the big things. Kaylynn letting me cry on her shoulder while I cry on the phone with Nate. Lisa being my comic relief. And Brianna, oh how I miss her. There are days when I ache for my best friend. I don't like being this far apart for so long. But I am so grateful that we are still the same, 747 miles away from each other. I am grateful that I can call her up whenever I need to vent, really vent without any hesitation. I'm grateful that she makes fun of me and is completely honest and can tell me when I'm being dumb. I AM SO BLESSED!!!!!!!
I love my life. With all it's ups and downs, trials and heartaches, laughs and embarrassing moments. I know God has a purpose for me. I'm still trying to figure it out, but I know that He will direct me wherever I need to go. Life is good and I'm PUMPED!

Forgiveness

Choice 2: 2 Corinthians 2:1-11

• The people are commanded to forgive those that hurt them, as well as love them. I think the second part of this commandment is the hardest. It's not something that is easily done. It's our human nature to hate someone when they have hurt us, whether they pushed us down on the playground, stole money from us or said something mean, we automatically don't like someone when we are wronged. But this is not the Lords way. We are commanded to love our neighbor. Jesus Christ LOVED those that crucified Him on the cross. He LOVES those that do wrong to us, so we must be like them and love them too. I don't believe that means you have to trust them again, or that the relationship will be the same, but we need to move on, and just be nice to people. Being nice is what it's all about.
• I think one of the main blessings we receive from forgiveness is peace. It's hard to hate someone. It takes a tole on our bodies. I think this is because it hurts our spirit to be angry with someone. When I was young, I had a family member hurt me deeply. It took me years to get over it, and in some ways, I'm still not over it. But eventually I came to understand the power of forgiveness and through help from my bishop, I was able to forgive them. It wasn't easy. I think often times the forgiveness process is very similar to the repentance process. It's long and hard, but at the end we are blessed with comfort and strength.
• One of the greatest dangers in refusing to forgive someone is that it hurts us in the long run. We are warned that if we do not forgive others, we cannot be forgiven. It's pointless to hold on to grudges because it doesn't affect the other person at all, just ourselves.

Need to catch up!

I'm back in Rexburgggg! Thank goodness! I love being home and working, but school is where I belong at this time in my life. A lot has happened in this short month, and yet I feel like I've been at school this semester for a lifetime! There has already been plenty of laughs, a few tears and lots of sleep deprived nights and thoughts of changing my major. I am in a drawing class... Lets just say the teacher pointed out that I am NOT good at drawing in front of the whole class. It was just fantastic. I miss being in a photography class, but I will be in THREE this coming Winter semester, so I guess I should cherish the fact that I'm not in the photo-lab 24/7, but I still hate drawing. I LOVE living in a house up here at school, it is seriously the coolest experience! We have so much space and it's just a lot of fun! My roommates are awesome, a little loud at times, but they are all fun. Oh, have I mentioned my calling? Relief Society Secretary... Guess that means I have to pay attention. It's cool though, I actually like it... Most days. Here are just a few pictures and highlights from the semester. I'll post pictures of more of my roommates and the house soon. 

Life is good.

 

 This is my roommates Alex, Me and Kaylynn. For FHE we had an Ice Cream drop... which just turned into an ice cream fight! It was awesome! (October 1st)

 Evan Johnson came home! I met Evan up here at school my very first semester and we have been friends ever since! The top picture was taken September 23rd 2012 (the first time we had seen each other since he's been back and the Bottom picture was taken in July of 2010) It's crazy how time has flown and I'm so excited for him to be back so we can party it up!

 This is my bestest friend Nate. His birthday was October 1st so we threw him a surprise party on September 30th! It was so much fun and I'm glad he was ACTUALLY surprised! He knows me so well that I figured he'd know, haha guess not. It was fun and lots of good food! (Which I made! I'm perfecting my cooking skills! Yumm)

This was taken right before the above picture. I seriously LOVE this picture. It describes our friendship so well. Him taking his sweet time and me saying "Naaaaaate!" haha it's a marvelous friendship.

Week 3 Choice 1

• Something that is required of the Lords servants is to be Faithful.
• The group specifically selected to be examples to the world are the Apostles of the Lord.
• As Latter-Day Saints, we all need to be an example to those around us. We need to act and be the kind of people that we say we are. 
• If we only KNOW good but do not DO good, what is the point of knowing what is right. We have a responsibility to KNOW what is right, then ACT upon that knowledge. We are judged just as much on our actions as we are on our knowledge.
• I think a benefit of living what we know to be right is that ourselves and others wont have to question our intentions, if we are always doing what's right, then no one will have reason to doubt us later.

Week 2 in New Testament.

Choice 1

1.)  Paul started in Pisidia then went to Attalia, Paphos, Seleucia, and Antioch.

2.)   Three things I found in Acts 13:1-5 that would help struggling missionaries  is to remind them that they have the Holy Ghost with them, He will tell them what they need to know. Another thing is for them to remember that they have been set apart and this is a special calling, they have the tools to do what is necessary to be god missionaries. The final thing is that if they are still discouraged, it would be appropriate for them to fast, pray and get a blessing about their trial.

3.)  Barnabas was a man who was highly favored of many. He wasn’t an Apostle but was often regarded as one. He was a Jew and served with Paul. Barnabas was so highly favored that he was given the name Jupiter. One of the advantages of sending missionaries out in twos is that, like with Paul, one of the missionaries may not be as experienced as the other. Often times, new converts go on missions, barely knowing the doctrines themselves, it’s helpful when there’s another person so that things wont get mixed up.

4.)  People loved Paul and Barnabas because they were good men, working miracles. The people gave them live stock and clothes and fine things. When they heard about it, Paul and Barnabas told them to turn away from worldly things and turn to God.

5.)  In 14:19-22, it was a complete opposite response to Barnabas and Paul. The people stoned Paul and thought he was dead, but he wasn’t and he went to another city and continued preaching the Gospel.

Acts 1-8,10-12

Disclaimer: I am taking a New Testament class and I have to write some blog entries. Don't read them if you aren't interested, they are just my thoughts on the readings :) I will update it on my normal life soon because I'm back at school and actually have stuff going on!

Choice 1: 1-12 Introduction and Overview

• As I was reading over the chapter headings, I realized a common theme, which is the cost of discipleship. It is not easy to be a follower of Christ, both in New Testament times, as well as in 2012. We may not be killed for our beliefs today, but I can testify, that as a Latter-Day Saint, I have learned the hard way that being "killed" emotionally for what you believe in, can be just as bad as being killed physically. Other themes that I found in the chapter headings are repentance, the restored gospel will come, saints unite, and the gospel is preached.
• While all these things were going on, Peter was very busy himself. Here is a list of his activities listed in the chapter headings:

1. Peter testifies of Christ often
2. Peter preaches repentance
3. Peter heals a man
4. Peter is arrested
5. Peter is arrested again
6. Peter goes to Sumaria to get the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands
7. Peter takes the gospel to the gentiles
8. Peter is freed from prison by an Angel

25lbs deserves some pictures :)

February 2012

Starting Weight: 260

June 7th 2012

235lbs, Down 25 pounds!!!

BAGGY jeans, I have to wear a belt (I'm not picking a wedgie :))

3 inches off my waist, I used to barely  be able to cinch it up

 I'm starting to feel wonderful! It's kinda hard finding a balance at school, but I'm doing it! I'm 1/4 way to my goal! Still got a ways to go, but it's doable! 

Sweet Sweet Victory

The Sun is shining, stake conference is wonderful and I'm exploring cooking! This whole life style change has been both easy and oh so difficult. I love my sweets. But I'm discovering that eating healthy is GOOD! It makes you feel good about yourself for choosing something healthy. It is, however, a little more expensive, but I'm down 18 1/2 pounds(!!!!!!!!!!) so it's sooooooo worth it! I'm really starting to tell a difference. My clothes are way looser and I'm just feeling better. It's wonderful.  I'm grateful for Sundays because I get to rest! Since I've been back at school I've been trying to find good, healthy things to eat. So far I've tried Enchilada soup (SOO good! Thanks to Brianna), Carb Free Cloud Bread, Vegan Fresh Tex Mex and Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers (my personal favorite!). These recopies are a lot for one person, but I save them so I can eat it throughout the week, which leads to less mistakes. They are all so good and just radiate healthy and are super delicious. Healthy can equal delicious! That is a great realization. Now, don't get me wrong, I still cheat. Kaylynn and I went for a midnight Taco Bell run last night, it was so worth it! But, only once in a while, not every other day. I'm loving this!

A little reminder.

14:08

I'm not sure if these updates are interesting to anyone besides me, but that's ok because this is really for ME!
The past few days I've been so busy that I haven't been able to work out that much, however, I have been eating FANTASTIC because I know that if I can't workout, I don't want to ruin my progress. My diligence has made my weight loss a total of 16 POUNDS! I was shocked to get on the scale and see the numbers shrinking ever so slightly, yet consistently! Everything is working! I have the lovely Kris Ward working out with me every other day, so that helps keep me motivated as well.
After doing our 40 minute workout, and eating Jimmy Johns with Brianna and Terry [I splurged, but it's as many calories as subway and WAY more delicious, so I figure it's ok ;)] I decided to go for a run, just to see what my mile time was. The last time I ran the mile was 16minutes and 6 seconds. Not amazing, but not AWFUL for not running the mile in YEARS. Well today, I am proud to announce that I ran the mile in 14 minutes and 8 seconds! Almost a two minute improvement! Oh, and I also did it without stopping, at all. Not even when I thought my legs were going to crumble underneath me. I kept pushing. I'm not dumb, I know at 14 minute mile is slow, but it's IMPROVEMENT! All my pants are starting to get too big for me, and pants that haven't fit since my second semester(TWO years!!!) fit now, they are a little snug, but Aubrey says it's the good kind of snug. haha! I'm so grateful I have so much support from my family and friends!
Life is good.

Update

The total lbs lost is 14!!! It's been interesting trying to find time to work out, but I've done it every day since I've been back. I'm a tired girl, but my schedule works out so I get to take naps in the afternoon :) Yay for progress!!!!!

There's always something.

Ah, it's so nice to be back in Rexburg. This town is full of life! People who have ambitions and are planning on going somewhere with their lives! It's great! Seeing my friends and getting settled into the apartment has been wonderful, especially the friend part! I missed them with all my heart. The last few days have been crazy! Full of getting books, dropping and adding classes, shopping, more books, shopping and no sleep! Our internet has been awful, most of the time not working, which causes problems when you need to do homework! On Tuesday night I ended up having to go over to Nate and Jeff's apartment to do homework because our internet would NOT work! Then, last night it only worked for two minutes! Just in time for me to find out I have a 10 page paper to read, then write a 1000 word essay on it... Great. I got them done though! Both were late nights, today I think I'm going to stay on campus and do my homework, I cannot be up till the butt crack of dawn again! I may die!

Irony

It's funny, when the scale is going up, and you pass a certain number, you feel disappointed. But when the scale is going DOWN and you see that number again, you rejoice. It's weird, but that's how I'm feeling right now!!! Down 11 lbs :) I think I can actually do this!

Kevin

Over the years I've gotten to know how the Lord speaks to me. It's not often that I get that heart pumping, palm sweating feeling when I get a thought but when it does, I know it's what I need to do. On Monday I was driving to meet Paula after work to go for dinner, when I saw one of those signs that homeless people carry. It said "I need a sleeping bag, it's cold". Usually I ignore those things, and since there was no actual person there I normally wouldn't think twice about it, but then my heart started pounding. Then I saw the man who looked like the owner of the sign. It felt like my heart was going to explode. So I pulled over and asked the man if he was the one with that sign. He said yes, and then I gave him my sleeping bag that I had in my car for work. The shock and happiness on his face was great! I'm sure he was wondering why I had a random sleeping bag and pillow in my car. I also gave him my dinner that I packed for work, since I was going out to eat with Paula, I wouldn't need it anyway. I said a prayer for him that night, hoping he'd stay safe and warm.

His name was Kevin.

Running

Today is beautiful! The sun is out! We've been so blessed with a few sunny days. So last night I decided I'm going to try to improve my mile time. But first I had to find out what that is. My alarm clock started buzzing at 7am, I hit snooze 2 times and got up at 7:15. It's always the GOING to work out, not the actual workout, that gets me. I could be SLEEPING! I decided the most accurate way to track my mile was to go to the High School track and just go. The sun is deceiving, that's one way Washington is like Idaho, the sun can be out but it's still freezing. I wanted to get there early enough so I wouldn't see any hoodlums. I got through my first two laps then the descended on me like vultures. I survived. I even saw Blake Stever. That was a pleasant surprise. When I finished I was a little disappointed in my time, 16 min and 6 sec, but I haven't run a mile in a year and a half. So I figure, you have to start somewhere. My goal is to eventually get it down to under 10 minutes. But my goal before I go back to school is under 14 minutes. So that is taking off two minutes. I'm going to run 3 times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I'll let you guys know how it goes. Now time for Insanity...

"Run from bills, run from mortgages

run from work, run from routine

run from your fears, run from

worry, run from relationships,

run from commitment, run

from handicaps, run from

disadvantages, run from

your wants, run from

your needs, run

from this, run

from that,

run run

run"

Atlas Shrugged

In August of 2010 I took on the impossible task of reading one of the most controversial books of all time, for pure enjoyment. This book is one of Nate's favorite books. I was in need of a summer read and followed his advice and got the book. Little did I know the book was full of complex ideals and words I didn't understand. The 1,064 pages of the book should have been a warning to me. The small print and long chapters should have been another warning. After a year and a half of dreading, complaining, and frustration over this book, I have finally started to like it. Not only like it, but I am unable to put it down at points. I still do not understand all the politics of the book, Nate helps me with that, but I enjoy reading about a world that I know nothing about. Isn't that why we read? To escape reality into a world that isn't like our own? I will never be an owner of a transcontinental railway or discover a revolutionary new metal that will change the way the whole world functions, but I can read about it. The dynamics of Dagny and Reardens relationship both fascinate me and frustrate me. I think that the government in the book is stupid. I hope our world never comes to the world they live in. I am proud of my progress in the book, I am about 100 pages to HALF way... I plan to have it finished by the time I head back to Rexburg. An impossible task, but if Rearden did the impossible, so can I!

In case you were wondering...

Sweat is fat crying.

Dreams

It's that time of the night where people start to wind down from the day and get ready for tomorrow. All I can think about is how much I would love to get on a plane and go. Go to England, Italy or Spain. Visit my friend in Korea or just go somewhere where no one knows me. Not have to worry about work, school, relationships or money. Just be alive. Someday, probably many years from now, I'll do that, and just be. It'll be an adventure.

Challenges.

Well, Insanity has officially killed me.... But I love it! My only challenge now is the food part. We don't have healthy stuff in this house and I'm too broke to go buy food for myself. I'll be stuck eating granola for the next 50 some odd days. Yummm...

Insanity

Day two of the Insanity work out proves to kick my butt. On the first day it was the Fit Test. Some of the things we had to do, I was just flabergasted with! Today I was yelling and screaming. Now, I'm sitting here on the couch, throbbing with pain. But it's a good pain. The kind of pain that lets you know you did something worthwhile. So for the next 60 days, I'll be sweating, screaming, hurting and most importantly IMPROVING! Wish me luck <3

Bucket lists with things to do!

Things to do in life:
Get married in the Temple
Give Birth
Ride the Subway
Go to Tennessee
Travel Europe
Speak Spanish
Be an extra in a movie
Skydive
Save a life
Get a Masters Degree
Scuba dive
Pet an Orca Whale
Tell someone how I feel about them*
See a Broadway play in NY
Own a saint Bernard
Read all of the standard works
Find my talent
Read Atlas Shrugged
Go to New Zeland
Go to Africa and Help little kids
drive a race car
Meet a Big Celebrity
Get a 4.0 one semester in college
Go to a Panthers football game in NC
Learn to change oil in a car/change a tire
Run 5 miles at one time
visit every state
visit every temple
go on a safari
kiss in the rain
Have a Secret posted on PostSecrets.com*
Be in time square at midnight on new years eve

Indian Food

To be honest, not that impressed... I feel bad for Parker and I hope he doesn't die from the food. I'm a big texture person and when I'm eating something smooth, I don't like to find chunks of hard bones in there. It wasn't awful but I wouldn't want to eat it forever. Good luck Park! You're gonna need it...

A Laugh is a Smile that Bursts

I love laughing out loud.
Not "LOL" or "haha" or "tehehe"
Just plain and simple laughing.
I love how it starts with a smile that can't be contained
Then turns into bursts of sound.
It's a wonderful feeling.

Every day routines

Back home in Washington. Where we have freak snow storms and flash floods. A wonderful place. Since I've been home I've settled into my routine of work work work and wishing I'm back in Rexburg. That mixed with cloudy days, makes things less than pleasant. One thing I love about my job is that I get a lot of time to think in between showering clients and cleaning up pee. I've decided I need to make some changes in my life for me to perk up.
1.) Keep in good contact with the outside world.
My almost daily chats with Devin along with random conversations with Nate, Michelle, Kyndra and Tod have saved me these past few weeks. But I need to take Tod's advice, more Shelby time. And that includes, more Hokanson time! As well as spending time with Garritt and Sam on occasions.
2.) FINISH ATLAS SHRUGGED!!!
I have been reading this book since August of 2010. I need to get it read! It's just embarrassing to be reading a book for that long. It will be finished.
3.) Exercise. A lot.
Ok, not a LOT, but at least 4 times a week, ideally every day, but I know my habits and will power. Luckily I have a client that has the same goal and we are going to start working out daily! AND Jennifer and I are going to be doing Zumba Saturday mornings! It's going to be fun.
4.) Finish updating my journal, then keep up on it!
I've already gotten caught up to my birthday weekend from this last fall semester! It's going great!... So far...
And last but NOT LEAST!!!
5.) TAKE MORE PICTURES!
Photography is my therapy. I need to do more of what I love. Starting Saturday, my next day off. I can't wait!
The Lord wants us to be happy, but He also wants us to DO something about our happiness. So I'm going to do something about it!
Here I go... Wish me luck :o)