...Pros and Cons of being Single...~Promise edition

   Hey everyone. I read Miss Grace's post about the pros and cons of being single...and well, I have some opinions of my own (SHOCKER, I know). Here's my take. I'm actually kinda bummed for a variety of reasons right now, so this is kinda therapy.

Pros.
1. Less drama. If your looking for drama, you're gonna find it, but most unwanted drama comes from romantic relationships.
2. You can make plans without having to work around your boyfriend/girlfriend's sheduel. FREEDOM. I feel like going to this movie today......wait.......boyfriend.....what if he wants to do something else? No boyfriend, less problems with schedules.
3. More time to focus on God. In the new testament, Paul says that people that are married (or in this case boyfriend/girlfriend applies too) have to balance time with God with serving your spouse. He's not saying that being married or having a boyfriend/girlfriend is bad, he's just addressing the fact that people who are in a relationship have to think about another person.

Cons. The BIG FAT HORRIBLE CON.
1. Sometimes you feel lonely, and wish you had somebody that thought you were attractive and possibly wanted to spend his/her life with you. I know I get this way. I just have to remind myself that my joy flows from God, and that if I'm not happy with just him, I'll never be content or satisfied.

   So, that's my take on this "pro/con of being single. Maybe you can relate? I'm sure we all have been lonely at one time or another, but take heart. If you haven't met 'the one' yet, don't despair. God's got it, and he's got an amazing plan for you that nobody else could do. Love you guys. Comment below if you're still waiting for your true love to show up! I know I am. ~Promise.

Pros and Cons of Being Single -- Grace

Okay, so in case you weren't aware, I'm a girl.  And girls tend to get a little...shall we say....emotional.  I'm feeling emotional tonight after a night out with friends....so I'm doing a post about the pros and cons of being single.  Sensible thing to do, right?  (Perhaps I'm trying to prove to myself that there is a blessing in waiting...)

Promise and I are in high school.  It seems like most of the people I know are pairing off (or about to).  I can't quite put my finger on this feeling, but it has something to do with feeling lonely...

Cons: (I'll admit, these are weak arguments....)
-- You have no one to stand next to when not currently engaged in a conversation.  So you're awkwardly standing there...like the wallflower you've always been.
-- Who are you going to tell every single little thing to?  (Note to self -- God might feel like a blank wall at times, but He's always there 😊). 
-- There's a part of you missing.

There.  I put my feelings into words.  I feel like a part of me is missing.  I feel like I'm half a person. 

PROS!!!!:
-- Who cares if I want to go see that new movie or not?  I CAN DO WHATEVAH I WANT  TO.  ;-)
-- Seriously.  There are no "I can't, I'm not feeling well today"'s when youre single.
-- There is literally no jealousy. 
-- I don't have to remember any anniversaries.  This was the first time I went to the library by myself?  Great!  Let me breaK out the ice cream and Aristocats DVD and eat/watch them in bed.  BECAUSE I MAKE THE RULES IN THIS RELATIONSHIP!  ;-)

That being said, I'll be excited for that day that I'm no longer only "half a person"...and if I stay single forever, well...MORE ICE CREAM FOR ME!!!!! 😊

My Personal Review of Frozen. ~Promise

   Hello my blog buddies! It's Promise again. Today I'm doing a movie review of Frozen. These are just my personal opinions on the movie. A friend gave me the idea for this post, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. Let's get to it, shall we? 

    Overall, I really do like this movie. It's well thought out and relatable. I like that the point of this movie isn't about the 'true love' that Disney seems to define as the love between a man and a woman, but the love that egsists between siblings and family. It's refreshing to see a new take on true love. ( not that the love between a man and a woman isn't important or meaningful, it's just gets a little cliché from time to time.) 

   The music is good, but can get INCREDIBLY annoying if you're hearing the 75th verse of 'Let it Go.' Most Disney songs have this effect...It makes you wonder if they're brainwashing us...

   If I'm honest, I'm not really a fan of Kritoff, I feel like we don't get to know him as much as Anna or Elsa. Yeah, we get that he's the typical introvert that like raindeer better that people, but you don't see as much emotion from him. That's just me. 

   As for the climax, it was decent. This is a Disney movie, so you know Anna and Elsa won't die. I was a little bored. 

   Anna, through the movie, loses my respect. I'm sorry, but I don't care for the kinda stupid way she falls for Hans, then goes off to rescue her sister (who she hardly knows) without a half thought out plan. 

   I know lots of people like Olaf, and this might get me into trouble, but I don't really care for him. He has some good quotes, and a cute song, but he lacks depth. 

   *A note to those who love kristoff...don't read the next few sentences.* 

   One of my least favorite parts in the movie is when Kritoff leaves Anna with Hans. My brain was screaming " oh brother, here we go again. Boy leaves girl so she can marry her 'true love.' Are. You. Kidding. Me. FIGHT FOR HER YOU WIMP!!! Don't just go without at least meeting your rival!" Now, I understand the sacrifice. I just think it's stupid that he doesn't at least make sure this other dude is worthy of her. There. Rant over. 

   Don't get me wrong, I do like this movie, I'm just venting...

So, there you go! What would you chang  about the movie? Comment below! I think frozen is a great movie, but I think it's a little overrated. I think it's time we just 'let it go...'  ~Promise. 

Vintage Makeup with Promise

Hey everyone! It's Promise with the double H blog. Yesterday Grace and I went makeup shopping, and had a blast, might I add. Today I'm wearing a vintage look I created with the liquid eyeliner and red lipstick I got. I REALLY like the shade of lipstick I purchased. It's called 'fire and ice' and it's a shade people would wear in the 50s. It's such a happy, bright, bold red. To create this look I filled in my eyebrows, used my liquid eyeliner to do wings, and contoured my eyes lightly with a grey eyeshadow. I then used my lipstick and applied a soft coral blush to my cheeks. I really like this look, and I hope you do too! Love you guys! God bless. ~Promise

My New Favorite Bible Story -- Grace

     Yesterday, Promise and I were talking on the phone.  We were both doing artsy activities while we talked, and I decided to write change the scripture on the chalkboard in my room (I keep a kind of "monthly theme" for myself up there.  December was a Christmassy scripture and last month was one about repentance.).
     I wanted a neat scripture for my board, one that resonated with me, and so I began to think back.  One surfaced in my mind.  It was one that my Sunday school teachers had taught me a few months ago, and then my teacher used it in a sermon the next week.  I had always loved the story and thought it was cool, and for some unexplained reason (except that I have a weird brain) I somehow memorized the reference for the passage.  This is taken from 2nd Chronicles 20 if you want to look it up, but I'm going to try and explain it here in modern-people terms.  :)
    So if you like a good story, settle in and buckle your belt.  This one is amazing.

     Back in the days of the Old Testament, there was a kingdom called Judah.  They had several kings -- which tended to swing back and forth from good to evil to good again.  The king at this time was named Jehoshaphat.  He was a righteous king (at least, in this story.  I haven't taken the time to read about his life :D ).  Anyways, one day, the people of Moab and the children of Ammon decided to attack Judah.
     When the people of Judah found out about the impending attack, they became afraid.  They went to King Jehoshaphat for help.  Now, when the King heard that what the Moabites and Ammonites were planning, he became afraid too.  He knew his little kingdom didn't stand a chance against these people.
     So the people of Judah did a beautiful thing...they gathered together and prayed.  Jehoshaphat prayed a beautiful, long prayer, asking for help.  Then, the Lord answered him, right then and there.
     The Spirit of God rested upon a man named Jahaziel, and marvelous things were told to them.  My favorite quote from that passage is this:

      "Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's...set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem..."

     That was the verse I happened to remember yesterday while talking to Promise.  It's 2nd Chronicles 20:25.  :)

     So, after Jahaziel spoke to the people under the influence of the Spirit, they all fell to the earth to worship God.  And then some of them got up and praised God at the top of their lungs.  :D

     The next morning, everyone got up super early to get to the battle scene.  King Jehoshaphat came to them and told them to believe in God.  Then King Jehoshaphat gathered together a....choir.  Yeah, he gathered together a choir.  They went out before the army and sang praises to God even before the battle began.  

    And God won that battle for them.  The enemies...actually attacked each other instead of Judah.  

    And the people of Judah?  They rejoiced and praised God for a really long time.  :)

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!!?