Just Be Held -- Grace

So tonight I had a beautiful experience....

I'm a dreamer.  I have been a dreamer for ever since I can remember.  My dreams have changed over time, but one has stayed true ever since I was four, nearly twelve years ago.  Now, this particular dream has been the subject of many a conversation among my friends and me.  We have talked about it and dreamed about it and...it's been the basis of so much that I have founded my life upon. 

And now I'm faced with a situation that could potentially rip that dream right from my fingers. 

And so I went in my room and I turned on Pandora, and what do you know, but the first thing that played was Just Be Held by Casting Crowns.  I sat back and I thought of the promises He's given me...not only that He'll always, always be near, but the promises He's given that this wild, wonderful hope of mine will come true.

So yeah...for now, I'm going to...just be held.  <3

https://youtu.be/yutmTFtalKs

Preparing for a Weekend Trip -- Grace

I found out some exciting news this Sunday!  The Women's Department at my family's church is going to Ohio in April for a weekend!

Why Ohio, you might ask?  Kirtland, Ohio, is quite important in our Church history.  Our Church was formed in 1830, and later our founder, Joseph Smith, was instructed by the Lord to build a temple in Kirtland, Ohio.  The people were valiant in witness and testimony as they gathered together to help build the Temple of God.  It was dedicated on March 27th, 1836.  It is said that that was one of the most beautiful services ever held. 
    I have been there once, and it was the most beautiful experience I have ever had.  I truly felt God's love physically for me, and I also felt a very real guilt for not living up to His expectations.  Ever since that experience in July, I've been dying to go back.

So when I found out our WD is going in April, I was SO excited.  My mind is now buzzing with things that I have to do before I leave.  Here is my to-do list! :-)

1. Spiritually Prepare
Spiritual preparedness is the most important thing, anytime, anywhere, but especially for a pilgrimage like this.  Before I went in July, I was not preparing myself.  Then, during choir practice one afternoon, I was chatting with one of my friends.  He told me, "I KNOW that if you will pray and set your heart in the right direction, you will have an AMAZING experience."  I took his words to heart...and I had the best experience I have ever had.

2. Clothing
Remember to find out what you'll be doing, and plan your wardrobe accordingly.  For me, we'll be driving for 24 hours round-trip, thus I'll need two days' worth of comfortable clothes.  We'll be having two worship services in the Temple, so I'll pack two dresses. Then we'll take a day for tours, so I'll pack one more days' worth of jeans and a t-shirt.

3. Don't forget toiletries.
If you'll be staying in a hotel, you could be okay if you forget your shampoo, conditioner, and soap.  However, I like to bring mine anyways. 
You should make sure to bring your toothbrush and paste, deodorant, a hair comb/accessories, and other things like that.  If you have glasses, make sure to bring your case.  If you have medicine, bring those as well. For instance, I take Vitamin C on a daily basis, and when I eat lactose I take Lactaid.  I'll bring both of those just in case.

4. Bring something to entertain yourself.
Like I said, it's going to be 24 hours round-trip.  I'll be packing a book, my Scriptures, a journal, perhaps an easy-to-carry craft, and stationery and pens to write letters with (since no one else in my family is going, I'll write them each letters, and write some of my other friends letters as well while I'm on the road). 

Another thing: Don't forget plenty of extra cash.  You never know when you'll run out of something or find some cute souvenir, or have an emergency. 

Comment if I should...should...do a how-to-pack-your-suitcase tutorial!!?

The Box -- Grace

Have you ever had trouble giving your burdens to God?  I definitely have.  There's one I've been holding onto for seven years.  Last night, this came to me:

I gave to Him my burden;
"Please take care of it, Lord," I said,
Knowing just how gently
I'd cradled and kept it fed.

He took it from my grasp then;
I reached out -- what else to do?
He smiled, looked down at me --
"I will hold it here for you."

"Lord, I shouldn't have done that --
I'll care for it on my own."
But I knew just how much
That pain had made me moan.

"No, My sweet child, I've got it.
Go rest in My peace alone.
You are very weak now,
But I have called you My own."

I turned and smiled at Him;
"You'll take care of it, Lord," I said,
As His hands closed around it,
Beautiful and scarred and red.
~ Grace, February 24th, 2016

Feminine Pink Makeup ~Promise

 Hey guys! Today I thought I would show you my makeup from a recent get-together with some of my bffs. I was wearing a cobalt blue skater dress, so I figured I'd balance out the look with some more girly makeup. I used a rose gold shadow and a pink shimmery highlighter. I finished off the look with a soft pink lip butter and black mascara. Hope you guys like the look! Comment if you want a tutorial...~Promise 

Top Five Puns -- Grace

...I like puns.  And if you're not fond of puns, you might as well skip this post.  

But if you DO like puns, well then, feel free to laugh with me...These are my top ten favorite puns.  Either they were made up by friends of mine, myself, or I saw them somewhere on the Internet or even heard them on my favorite show, VeggieTales (yes, I'm five years old at heart). ;)

5.  So last night I was at a Valentine's Dinner with some friends.  We were going to be doing the entertainment for the dinner -- singing hymns about Christ's pure love for us.  It was nice.  Before we did the entertainment, we all ate our dinner.  Aaaaannndddd...I ate cheesecake.  Aaaaanddddd, I'm lactose intolerant.  

So I was standing by my friend after eating cheesecake and my stomach started cramping.  And I said to my friend, "Oh, so and so, I ate cheesecake and I'm lactose intolerant."  She smiled -- always one to have a positive view on things -- and said,

"What a way to go!"  

4.  Yesterday, I saw this picture of a raincoat made out of none other than my favorite thing...bubble wrap!  I was joking that I'd wear it to Church when someone said, "Hahaha!  It would pop when you sat down and people would be hugging you just to pop it.  I'd have to leave from inappropriate laughter!" My reply?

"I can see my parents and me on the way home. 'How was your day, honey?'  'Great, Mom, but I'm popped.'"

3. What do you call a really great farmer?

A man outstanding in his field.

2.  What do you call a traveling monk?

A Roamin' Catholic!

1. What did the bass clef say when he moved up in the world?

"Oh great; I'm in treble now!!"

Grace's Top Ten Favorite Quotes

Hey ya'll!

If you know me in real life, you know I love quotes!

So here we go...

10. Sleep in peace tonight.  God is bigger than anything you will face tomorrow.
I love this...

9. Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path that will lead us to the best things that will happen to us.
So true.

8. Don't look back -- you're not going that way.
This one hit me.  I have a tendency to look backwards...when in reality, I need to look forwards.

7. Stay humble -- work hard -- be kind.
This and loving others are the real guidelines to life.  :)

6. Stars can't shine without darkness.
Sometimes we need the rain to see the flowers.

5. If Plan A didn't work, don't worry.  The alphabet has 25 more letters!
A reminder to breathe deeply and trust God.  ♥

4. There is always, always something to be thankful for.
So true, and one reason November is my favorite month of the year.  :)

3.  You are capable of more than you know. 
Let God show you what you can do through Him.  ;)

2. Don't shine so others can see you.  Shine so that through you, others can see Him.
I remember reading that with my girls' group when we were younger.  I loved it then, and I love it still!

1. And who knoweth but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Taken from Esther 4:14, I love this scripture so much.  It makes me realize that yes, these are dark and trying times, but God would only put me here if I could stand it.  And Zion is coming.

I hope you liked this as much as I did!!!! :D

~ Grace

More Music with Promise

Hello everyone! Promise here. I'm honestly not sure what to post about...Hmmm. Music? Music is always good...Oh! I know. I'll make a list of 10 songs from movies I like! That will be fun, right? Right. Let's see...


1. Tomorrow from Annie (2014 version)
I loved this song. It's so cheerful and optimistic.

2. Pippin's Song from Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King.
This song is beautiful. Billy Boyd has such a melodic voice, and words are mysterious and foreboding.







3. The sound of Music...from The Sound of Music.

Julie Andrews had an amazing range and voice. This movie in general is really good.

4. Singing in the Rain from Singing in the Rain.
This song is just plain fun! I'll admit...About every time it rains I go outside and sing this at the top of my lungs...When the neighbors aren't around.

5. Getting to Know You from The King and I.
This song is so sweet! This movie is a great watch. I grew up watching this.

6. White Christmas from White Christmas.

This sweet song is sung with such childlike wonder.

7. When You Believe from Prince of Egypt.
This song is stunning. The harmony and message from this song is inspiring.

8. Jonah was a Prophet from Jonah.
You had to know there would be a veggie tales song in this mix, right? ;) This is a fun one.










9. Supercalifradulisticexpialidocious (Or however you spell that!) from Mary Poppins.

So fun and addictive.

10. Do Re Mi from the Sound of Music.
I think of this song whenever I'm in choir...












Hope you enjoyed this, I know I did! ~Promise.

I Surrender All -- Grace

This morning I had a really deep conversation with my grandma.  She told me something I've never heard before, and it really hit me.

She said that one time, she was listening to an Andy Griffith tape, and he was singing the old Protestant hymn, "I Surrender All".  I love this hymn -- it is so pretty and I, too, had a testimony about it once -- and so I knew exactly which one she meant.

Grandma said that when she was listening to "I Surrender All", something occurred to her which she had never thought about.  She realized that God doesn't want just her good, perfect, acceptable, beautiful side.  He also wants her tarnished, rusty, grimy, dusty side.  And when we give Him that side, He can change it and make us totally perfect.

That really hit me, especially later on this morning.  And then I wrote this poem.  Grandma entitled it, "I Surrender All".

I held out my hand to the Master;

"I did this for You," I said,

Hiding from Him behind me

My sins of remorse and dread.

He took my gift of richness,

And smiled at my prize.

Then putting it with the others,

He looked into my eyes.

"Your work is greatly needed,"

He said, with smiling face,

"But dear, there is more you have done;

Come, freely accept My grace."

"But Lord, that work is dirty!  

See it stained with grime and dust.

And Lord, You in Your glory

Are gracious and good and just."

I looked to the things I'd hidden...

What else could He see in there?

Faltering, I took my sin,

And gave Him every care.

He smiled and took my pain --

He'd known it all along.

And in my very weakness,

He took me and made me strong.

And then He took my garment,

And washed it in His blood,

And now I stand unashamed,

Washed in the cleansing flood.

~ Yours Truly, February 9th, 2016.

I love this verse --

"He smiled and took my pain --

He'd known it all along.

And in my very weakness,

He took me and made me strong."

:)

~ Grace

15 Glasses Problems -- Grace

Okay, I've been posting a lot of serious stuff lately.  I figured now was the perfect time for some comedy... :D

So, here we go!  15 problems only glasses-wearers understand...

15. Swimming is a nightmare.
Wait, I have to take my glasses off?!  But I'll miss EVERYTHING!!!!!!
(Frankly, I just don't swim anymore).

14.  Sunglasses.
I have never had a pair of sunglasses.
I WILL GET PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES.  (And it will cost me my life's savings.....)

13.  You just don't lie on your side while wearing glasses.  You just don't.

12. When it's cold outside, and you walk into a warm room.
"What?!  Everything's white!!" Meanwhile, your family is laughing at you because it looks hilarious.

11.  Not to mention opening the dishwasher.

10.  Or the oven.
"Wait, are my cookies done?  All I see is white..."

9.  And forget about drinking hot chocolate....

8.  People asking if they can try on my glasses.
HELLO.  THESE ARE MY EYES.  I AM LEGALLY BLIND WITHOUT THEM.

7.  When you lose weight and your glasses constantly slide off your face.
Me right now.......

6.  You get OCD about cleaning them.
"A FINGERPRINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

5.  Don't get me started about raindrops......WORST NIGHTMARE EVER.

4. 3D movies.  "Um, do these weird red and blue things they pretend are glasses fit over my REAL glasses?"

3.  When you didn't know how to choose glasses as a 12-year-old and you hate all pictures until you were 14 because...those glasses...EWWWW!!!!!

2. When you've passed your yearly anniversary and you can feel your prescription getting weaker.
What...is....that thing?  A SPIDER? ...a cricket??  Oh.  It's a crumb.

1. WHEN YOU'VE LOST YOUR GLASSES AND YOU CAN'T FIND THEM BECAUSE YOU NEED YOUR GLASSES TO SEE.
How many hours have I spent crawling on my hands and knees, praying I don't crush them underfoot???

~ Grace