Present loves.

p90x 
-you are kicking my bootay! Two days of you, and i'm already feeling happier. You made me realize how out-of-control my out of shape-ness has become, but make me excited to obtain my dream body haha

trail runs w/ aunt Jane and cousin Liz :) 

-why haven't we done this sooner girls? yesterday was an absolute blast!

salt lake is too beautiful to not get out and enjoy it, while getting fit.

i'm so grateful for such amazing people in my family,

can't wait to spend more time with you the next six months!

my lil bro Parks

-i don't know why, but he just makes me SO SO happy :)

i am loving being able to see him everyday. he really is one of

my best friends. i could just laugh with him all day long.

lovin' the movie nights, drives, food runs, and all the rukkus  with my little man parks. boy is he growing up. 

and can i say...what a STUD!! look out girls!

the joys of work

-it definitely hasn't been my favorite thing in the world at times, 

but i am SO grateful for my new job.  i am learning so much about

gardening, and get to appreciate nature all day long! how amazing is that?

for some reason, on days when i go to work feeling sluggish, i always leave feeling

so much happier!  i am grateful for the friendships i am building, 

and for the rewards that come from working hard. it is such a good feeling :) 

my girls :)

-i love being able to have girls nights at least once a week.

i seriously so look forward to bachelorette nights! 

There is nothing better than getting together with girls 

that make you happy and that you can just laugh and laugh and laugh with :) i am forever grateful for the friends i have in my life. it really makes life a joyful one. 

distant friends

-things have not been easy, but i have found that i am never alone.

i feel so blessed for these people Heavenly Father has put in my life. 

Even if i can't always have in-person contact with them, i am able to talk with them 

by letter or by phone, and they are always able to build me up when i need it most. they seriously mean the world to me and make me want to be a better person. 

thank you guys!

i feel like things are looking up :)

thank you to all of you who have been such a joy and blessing in my life. 

i hope you know who you are. 

when things are hard, i've learned the most important thing to do is open your eyes to what you have. not what you are missing. you will be amazed at how blessed you truly are.

no matter what, just keep keepin' on.

and turn to the Lord, even when it's hard.

it can only get better.

xoxo little m

  

dear change,

i always seem to be excited for you.


but when i get right in the middle of you, why do i allllways freak out??


i finally feel ready to accept you.


so here is to you, change :) 


i am excited to find happiness, success, and peace amid you.




sincerely,


mads :)






cherishing the old..

i just want my girls to know how much i love them. i seriously had such an incredible year. i grew so much, and learned so much from each of you. i miss you girls so so muuuuch!! i hope you all know how incredible you are! i look up to each of you more than you can ever know.

and my beautiful St. George Temple, i miss being able to see you from everywhere i go. i miss running around the little neighborhoods surrounding you, and being able to enjoy the serenity of your grounds. Thank you for providing me with the greatest peace i have ever experienced, for giving me strength, the Spirit, and instruction. 

embracing the new...

fun reunions. bachelorette nights :) 80's dancing on non-80's themed nights--haha. new room!!! friendships rekindled :) new friends. best times e'er with the family. summer night hikes and bike rides.


salt lake... you aren't so bad :)


...especially when you give me such beautiful sunsets and mountains to look at while i run :)


i'm trying to enjoy every moment.


soak up the change.


the new adventure :)




love, m

I love it when the Lord is my DJ

when things are    UP 
                             &DOWN




all you need are the following go to's that I am going to tell you.  Yeah, you can go get Nielson's, eat everything at your grasp, watch sappy movies, go do adventurous things to take your mind off of it, but myyy ultimate go to's are the following:




one.  read something inspirational. 
yesterday -being an "i quit everything" kind of day- i decided to start by reading a ton of  blogs. -one especially inspired me yesterday: the cute blog of Fleurry Staniforth :)  most of the time the Lord teaches us through others.  i definitely saw that yesterday.  one of my favorite posts of hers is entitled "angels." it reminded me of all of the angels in my life and the blessings i receive everyday that i need to stop  overlooking!  the best part is that she has been one of those angels.  a month or so ago, she emailed me and said the sweetest things.  there is nothing better than receiving a compliment or comfort from someone out of the blue.  most of the time, the giver has no idea how much you needed it --in this case, it came at a time of much need!  She truly was a little angel for me that day.  i have received so many emails/texts/you name it from people that have meant the world to me!  so thank you to you all -you know who you are :)


two. go outside, get fresh air, and if you really want to get the ultimate results, go for a run! 
running is the best thing in the world.  if it is stressful for you, you need to get past that, because it is the most relaxing thing ever if you let it be so!  especially if you are having a hard time, going for a run is almost your way of proving to your self, "i can do something hard. i can reach my goals. i can overcome."  it is therapeutic and an accomplishment.  And if you listen to good music, all the better :)  After my hours of reading blogs, i decided to finally do something.  i have an album entitled "inspirational" on my iPod.  it is mostly church music, with a handful of instrumental songs.  love it with all of my heart.  when i need to be guided, or to feel more peace, [which is all the time because when do you not need that, right?] this album is just what i need.  and with running, there is nothing better to calm you down when you'd normally be stressing about the activity.  i don't know how people listen to "pump up" music. that just reminds me that much more of the energy needed to go as far as i'd like! ha


anywho, this is where the title of my post comes in.
i love it when the Lord is my DJ.


every time i run [without fail], the music seems to be timed to perfection.  it builds when i'm about to hit a rough spot, giving me the push i need to keep going.  it soothes when i'm feeling comfortable and able to enjoy the moment.  it goes right with my thoughts.  and the words come at timing that is impeccable.  this was especially evident by the time i was done with my run, and was walking into the temple grounds.  which brings me to my number three. go to the temple! inside or out! i feel like each provide different things -both are so comforting and helpful.  
i cannot tell you how many times i've gone there feeling troubled, and left feeling hopeful and at peace.  annnd the St. George temple is the best place on earth!  Ah :( i'm going to miss it so much!  There is no other temple like it!  it truly is the center of St. George.  i have never seen a temple so loved and enjoyed to its fullest by the people.  

[the temple on Palm Sunday <3 pure, pure white]

anywho, back to the point. the Lord being my DJ. okay, so when i sat down at my usual spot on the grass, to look at the perfectly white temple, a song came on who's words perfectly described what i would say to my Savior in prayer at that very moment. It was River God, by Mindy Gledhill :)


Rolling River God      little stones are smooth       only once the water passes through.      
So i am a stone      rough and grainy still      trying to reconcile this river's chill.


But when i close my eyes      and feel you rushing by      i know that time brings change
and change takes time.      And when the sunset comes      my prayer would be this one
that you might pick me up      and notice that i am      just a little smoother in your hand.

Sometimes raging wild      sometimes swollen high      never have i known this river dry.
                          The deepest part of you      is where i want to stay      
and feel the sharpest edges wash away.


And when i close my eyes      and feel you rushing by      i know that time brings change
and change takes time.      And when the sunset comes      my prayer would be this one


      that you might pick me up and notice that i am
              just   a little smoother in your hand.




i thanked my Heavenly Father and Savior for that.  i told them that i want to change, and i know it will take time.  But i pray that they will let their waters wash over me.  i want them to shape me.  i know i can be smoother in His hands.


The music continued to be perfect.  They certainly know me well :)
i returned home feeling strengthened and just had to write this blog.  The last go to's are:


four. Take the time to read and even memorize The Living Christ document.  
Our Stake Relief Society felt so strongly that we should all take this challenge upon ourselves, and that in doing so we would come to know the Living Christ.  i felt the Spirit so strong, and knew that i needed to do it.  it took me some time to get started, but i am almost finished! :)  i have the strongest testimony of doing this.  it has been the greatest blessing to me in my life at this time.  i truly have come to know my Savior so much better, have felt peace, strength, a better sense of purpose, and even help in my school work and all knowledge aspects -which is something they promised.    The testimony of the apostles regarding the Christ was inspired and has been put together with the Spirit.  it is remarkable!  do this!  take on the chalenge!  i promise you that you won't regret it!


five. listen to the words of the Prophets and leaders of the church.
Go here, and you can download the entire audio version of the conference and put it into your itunes!  Just download, and then open it with itunes and it will be there for good :)  This past conference was incredible.  The messages shared were the messages God wants to give to us at this time.  if you are searching for peace and answers, turn to this.  This is where God can speak to you.


six. turn to your scriptures :)
Last week being easter [which was incredible by the way. once i'm done with finals and am home i PROMISE i'll write about it] i decided to turn to some of the scriptures nate gave me in one of his letters [he wrote out each of the seven days of Christ's last days, death, and resurrection. he included the events that occurred on each day and scriptures to turn to to read about them- love that boy]. i got so involved in those scriptures!  it is such an incredible thing to read about the Savior while He lived on this very earth!  All that He taught.  All of the evidence of His being the Christ.  The New Testament is amazing, i can't wait to read more.  Seriously, turn to the scrips :)  you will receive your guidance and peace.


and lastly, seven. pray
i have realized that my biggest problem lately is that i have been lacking when it comes to putting my trust and faith in my Heavenly Father and Savior.  They are here to help us.  if i want satan to get out of my head and stop making me feel like i can't amount to anything, then i need to pray with faith for Their help.  if you make the effort to pray every day and night, i can promise you will never be digressing.  you will be acting, and will therefore always be working towards something better.  




i know these are all typical gospel answers, but they are mentioned so much in our lives because they are important!  
They are the answers to all of our problems!
i realized it for myself even more yesterday :) 


before doing these things, i felt helpless, afraid, and doubtful of myself.  after turning to these resources that God has given us, i felt capable, faithful, and confident in myself --with Their help, of course.  


Thank you to my Father and Savior for always teaching me.
my hope is that this may be of some help to others :) 

[four days before easter, at the Dixie Rock]

I know that They live :)
always, madi       
   


      

we cannot do it alone.

The past few weeks have not been easy :)


i feel like that can be said for most of us, for some reason?


it all began one warm day :)  i could just feel myself slipping.  i wasn't where i wanted to be.  so i prayed.  i prayed that my Heavenly Father would help me to figure out what i'm doing wrong, or just anything He needed me to know at that time.


An hour later, i sat in my institute class, and my answer came.
This was our class lesson: Don't let your guard down.  It is always after times of enlightenment, that the opposition comes.


i had just written my blog entitled "constantly learning" ... i was so happy.  i was so sure.  i felt enlightened and was feeling the Spirit so strongly.  --I knew that this lesson was my warning. 


Well, my life took a turn that i never anticipated, and i won't lie -- i was really struggling!  But that lesson just kept popping into my head!  I knew i needed to try harder.  i am so happy to say that i feel like i am finally on my way up again. and as we are promised, our trials are for our experience.  Hopefully when all of my experiences are just one big compilation in the end, I will be able to come out as gold :)


There is one thing that i felt very strongly about all throughout these trying times-- we cannot do it alone.

I have been amazed as I have witnessed all of my sweet roommates take care of each other.  Whether it was--         

                                 .a little note.    .a surprise cookie.    .a back scratch.    
                                               .an errand taken care of.    .a car lent.    
                                    .a compliment.    .a hug.    .or just someone to talk to.


we took care of each other.  ah.. it amazed me so much :)


i was writing nate about it all, but had to stop for a minute to go to institute.  The lesson was on section 127 - 129.  Joseph Smith is near the end of his days and he is talking about the temple.  He really emphasizes how important it is that the saints do not take the temple, and their duties therein,lightly.  They need to perform the work.


in verse 15 of section 128, something really struck me.  it reads:

"And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters,

let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead 

and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation.

For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation,

as Paul says concerning the fathers-that 

they without us cannot be made perfect

-neither can we without our dead be made perfect."

we asked ourselves, "why do we need them?"

one person said that when we go to the temple, we are serving those we are doing the work for --which is helping us to become more like Christ [which is our ultimate goal, right?].  And by doing this work, and being in the temple, we receive blessings.

we also talked about how we are told that the Lord's angels are round about us.  --maybe, we will receive even more protection from them if we do the work!

it just amazed me... we need each other!

My favorite part was a story.

i don't know it exactly, so bear with me :)

A man was caught up in a vision and saw two groups of people standing in two circles.

The angel with him asked, "what is different about these two groups?  what do you see?"

The man answered saying one group looked absolutely miserable, and the other did not.

The angel asked, "why do you think that is?  look closer."

The man looked closer and replied, "they are thirsty" 

He noticed that the miserable group all stood  

facing a pot of water that lay on the ground in the middle of their circle.

Each person held a spoon that had a looong handle.

They were able to reach the pot, and scoop out some water, but they never managed to drink, because the handle of the spoon was much longer than their arms.

They remained thirsty.  They remained miserable.

He looked to the other group.

They were in the exact same situation, 

but they had figured out a way to quench their thirst!

They scooped up some water with their spoons, but instead of trying to serve themselves,

they were serving the water to each other.

in serving each other the water, all of their thirsts were quenched.

in serving each other, they all received.

pow.

--isn't it so true?

if we all focused on each other instead of ourselves,

 we would all receive comfort in our time of need.  

whatever we are thirsty for, or in need of, we would be satisfied.

as i returned to my letter to nate,

 i got right back into telling him about how amazing it has been 

to see all of us taking care of each other.  

Then it hit me 

i was so touched by what i had learned in my institute class,

but here it was.  evident.  in my very own life.

we all were giving,

and we all were receiving.

i felt the Spirit so strongly as i wrote sweet nate.

and it occurred to me -- in anything we do in this life, or in this church, we cannot do it alone.

.creating life.

.being blessed.

.being baptized.

.receiving the Holy Ghost.

.being ordained.

.receiving the Priesthood.

.doing work for the dead.

.making covenants.

.being sealed for eternity.

we cannot do it alone.

we need --not only another person,

but the priesthood.

i have become more and more aware of just how great the power of the priesthood is.

is baffles me.  we couldn't do anything without it.

and most of all,

we couldn't do anything without our Savior and His sacrifice.

without the atonement.

we cannot do it without Him.

we need Him to be given extra strength each day.

we need Him to become better than we are on our own.

we need Him to put our sins into remission when we use the atonement,

and we need Him to plead for their complete removal in the day of judgement.

we need Him in order to be resurrected.

we need Him to have eternal life.

we need Him in order to have a chance to be like Him.

we need Him to live in happiness 

:)

it is only through Him and Their plan.

 my mom told me about this painting just today. 

i love this.  even Christ found comfort in another.

   

i am so grateful for all that i have learned throughout the last four weeks.

i have learned that happiness comes from putting others before yourself.

i have learned that i can't be afraid to treat people the way Christ would treat them.

i am far far far from being like Him, but it brings me joy to try to be. 

i have learned that we need to have our hope centered in Christ.

we cannot let satan take our hope away.  That is when we are lost.

i have learned that if we have hope in Christ, and act on that hope, 

we are exercising faith in Christ.  And faith is required for all things to be possible.

i have learned that if we put our hope in Christ rather than material/worldly things

we will not fear when things get scary.  The rest of the world will.

i have learned that because we have the priesthood keys on this earth,

the Lord's work can never be stopped.  it continues on.

i am so grateful that i have the chance to witness it.

i know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

is the true church of Christ on the earth today.  

i can never thank my Heavenly Father enough for letting me be born into the church.  

i don't know what i would have done without it.

no where else, can you find peace in its fullness.

no where else can you find joy in its fullness.

His plan, truly is the plan of happiness.

i just have to tell my family that i love them.

looking at this picture the other night made me so happy.

i am so grateful for every single person in my family.

i know we were meant to be here together.

i wouldn't want it any other way :)

love ya for eternity guys!

and lastly,

thank you to my sweet roommates for being such Christ-like examples.

i love you all so much!

  

love always :)

madison jane