Mustering the Courage

Shekinah. 

She is my 70 year old friend that is moving out of my apartment complex in three days. 

She kindly let me borrow her dolly to move boxes when we moved in.

After that I had seen her around the complex walking her two dogs.

We would stop and chat about our day and I would pet her dogs.

In a place full of unfamiliar faces I would always hope she would walk by.

A little while ago I had the feeling to share my beliefs with her.

I had the feeling to share the happiness I have that comes from believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

But how would I do it?

Give her a Book of Mormon? Invite her to church? 

I knew she liked rocks so maybe I could bring up the gospel that way?

Maybe I could read part of a talk from an apostle that makes a connection with rocks.

Something with rocks?

I knew I had to do something, but I was nervous.

Nervous because I've never done something like this before, and nervous of rejection.

Then my thoughts changed.

She can reject my message. She can think I'm a fool. But I was going to listen to the prompting that I got to share my happiness with her.

Today is the day.

I pray for guidance.

I read church talks.

...I make cookies.

There's no way she'll reject me if I have cookies.

I print out a cute quote and a short passage of a talk.

I'm ready.

Deep breath.

She opens the door with a smile and we chat.

I tell her I've been thinking of her and that I'm going to miss my friend when she moves.

I tell her I read a talk written by an apostle of my church and I asked if I could share it with her.

Are you mormon?

Yes.

There seems to be a lot of you moving in around here.

Yeah, there's a lot of us (nervously).

Well, I have direct line to my divine being. I don't need to go through any church. My duty for this life is to find energy areas and where I'm moving is full of them (continues matter of factly with confidence).

Interesting. Does that have to do with all of the rocks you collect?

Yes, in a matter of fact it does. That is also why I changed my name (proceeds to tell me her full name that I didn't catch because I have never heard any of those names before).

They are all names of archangels. Changing my name legally helps me be more in tune.

She talks more about her beliefs.

We say our goodbyes.
I give her the talk and the quote...and of course the cookies.

I remind her one last time that I just wanted to stop by to let her know that she is loved and I'll miss her.

She gives me a hug and it's finished.

Did I do anything?

Did I make any difference?

Will she ever come to find the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

In the end, it seems like the prompting I received was to help me all along.

I was blessed to testify of what I believe in.

I was blessed to hear her so confidently state what she believed it without even a flinch.

I want to be more like my friend Shekinah.

Not just because she loves rocks, but because she is not afraid to share what she believes in.

Today I followed a prompting from the Holy Ghost.

And I grew.

Don't You Quit

I have always loved taking the time to watch Mormon Messages because they uplift and give hope when you might not have been feeling it before.

This video: Good Things to Come is one of my favorites. Go ahead, watch it. Love it and love Elder Holland.

There are times of discouragement in everyone's life, but we must all take comfort in the words "There is help and happiness ahead".

I am doing my student teaching right now at Zaharis Elementary School in Mesa, AZ. I am showered with love from my students and my mentor is talented, helpful, funny, and kind. I feel so blessed to be at such an amazing school full of teachers and a principal that loves learning and loves kids. I am learning so much and am having such a great time, but like I said, there are times of discouragement in everyone's life.

There have been times when I have questioned my career choice, questioned why I got the answer from Heavenly Father that being an Elementary School teacher would be a great choice for me, and questioned if I have what it takes to teach little kids. I have had my days when I have gone home in tears from the stress, hard work, and mistakes I have made while teaching. Some days I am tempted to get swallowed up in my discouragement, but the words "Don't you quit" come into my mind and I try my best to change my attitude to a positive one. I think about what went wrong and how I can learn from it. I tell myself that I can't give up and I can't let these things get me down. I have to get back up and try again. I have to keep walking and keep pushing. I have to turn on the radio and listen to pump up music (Thank you Katy Perry, for your song Roar, it has never failed to make me feel like I can do anything) and tell myself that if I just keep on going and keep on learning from my mistakes that tomorrow will be a better day.

We were not put on this earth to be sad or to feel hopeless. God put us on this earth so that we could have joy and find hope through Him. He put us here together so that we could have people who love and support us. He sent us here with a plan. He sent us here with a purpose. He will watch over us and if we keep walking and keep trying He will bless us for our diligence and perseverance. He will be there to help us and show us the light.

We are all given trials to help us grow. During these trials is when we figure out who we really are. What is really important to us. We find out that our attitude about life is our choice. Do we seek out storms or look more to the sun? This video is a sweet reminder that during those times of feeling lost, helpless, and discouraged there is hope. We must never give up or quit walking. God is on our side and He wants us to succeed. You better believe that He has a plan for how we will overcome our trials. You better believe He has happiness in our future. Even during the hard times when you feel like you can't go any further....He even has happiness there for you too. We just need to look for it.

The Gift of Exercising

I read an article by Brynn Harrington's called "10 Things I Want My Daughter to Know About Working Out" and I was so excited to share what she had to say! It's so important to go outside and enjoy the beauty of nature that God has created for our enjoyment. He also created our bodies for us to enjoy life here on Earth. We need to use these bodies to seek out nature by exercising outside where we can feel the wind move across our face and feel the warmth of the sun spread throughout our bodies. Here are reasons why we should keep our bodies strong and active:

1. Fitness opens doors.  Being healthy and fit can help you see the world differently.  The planet looks different from a bike or a pair of skis than it does from a car or an airplane.  Out in the elements you have the time and space to notice details and meet people and remember smells and bugs and mud and rain and the feeling of warm sunshine on your face.  And those are the moments that make up your life.
2. The bike is the new golf course.  Being fit may help you get a seat at the table.  Networking is no longer restricted to the golf course, and the stronger you are – and the more people you can hang with on the road and trail – the more people you’ll meet.
3. Exercise is a lifestyle, not an event.  Being an active person isn’t about taking a class three times a week at the gym.  It’s about things like biking to the grocery store and parking your car in the back of the lot and walking instead of taking a cab and catching up with friends on a hiking trail instead of a bar stool.
4. Health begets health.  Healthy behavior inspires healthy behavior.  Exercise.  Healthy eating.  Solid sleep.  Positive relationships.  These things are all related.
5. Endorphins help you cope.  A good sweat session can clear the slate.  You will have days when nothing seems to go right…when you’re dizzy with frustration or crying in despair.  A workout can often turn things around.
6. Working out signals hard-working.  The discipline required to work out on a regular basis signals success.  Someone recently told me they are way more likely to hire marathon runners and mountain climbers because of the level of commitment that goes into those pursuits.
7. If you feel beautiful, you look beautiful.  Looking beautiful starts on the inside.  And being fit and strong feels beautiful.
8. Nature rules.  And if you’re able to hike/run/bike/swim/ski/snowshoe, you can see more of it.
9. Little eyes are always watching.  We learn from each other.  You may have a daughter—or a niece or a neighbor or a friend – one day.  And that little girl will be watching and listening to everything she hears you say and do.  What messages do you want her to hear? 

• In the end, exercising outside and seeing the beauty of this Earth will simply make us happier. Have fun when you exercise. Feel good about yourself and exercise for you. 
• Life is about hearing the pine needles crunching under your feet and knowing what if feels like to cross a finish line, and how special it is to see the world on foot. It's about hard work and self sufficiency. It's about time you stepped out into nature.

Heavenly Father Sees Us in Terms of Forever

My heart is so full of love for the Savior. He lived His entire life on Earth for us. Not at all for Himself. He suffered for us. He died for us. He did this so that our imperfect selves could be forgiven, so that we could try better every day, so that we could feel peace.

I am so grateful for Heavenly Father and for His selflessness in giving the Savior to us so that we could be full of pure joy. I know it wasn't easy for Heavenly Father so see awful things happen to His only begotten son. I also know it wasn't easy for Jesus Christ to go through all of the pain and anguish that He did. But the moment we realize that these momentous acts were done for us, and would still be done if it was only for any one person on the Earth....the moment we realize that, is the moment that we should know that we are so perfectly loved. This knowledge makes me want to give my life to them. To do everything in my power to repay them.

I am no where close to perfect, but I do want to give Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ everything. I know that sometimes it is hard to put them first in everything that I do, but the more love I have for them the easier it will be.

I am so grateful for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's love for me. I am so grateful that they are patient with me and that "Heavenly Father sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming".

We can't look at our lives in terms of what we haven't accomplished or what we aren't. We need to see ourselves and our loved ones in terms of forever, and see what we have accomplished and all that we are. We need to see ourselves and others as the Gods and Goddesses that we WILL become. 

Hallow's Eve

Our first Halloween as a married couple was a success!

My class was cancelled for the day so I got up and started cooking Halloween themed food!

 I like the idea of decking out our apt. with decorations as well as making delicious Halloween themed meals. This is difficult when you only have a few decorations from the dollar store...but we made it work. #youngmarriedcoupleproblems
My mom would always use her creative juices to make Halloween food to celebrate Halloween so I followed this tradition and started making mummies and fingers (with breadstick dough and little pieces of tomatoes), hot chocolate with floating eyeballs (one m&m shoved in each marshmallow), and just your average taco soup (soooo gooood). I was proud of myself.

I went over to my sister-in-law Katie's house to sew my costume together. I'm not much of a seamstress, so Katie mostly took the reins. Thank goodness for her sewing skills! After my costume was complete, Zach and I were ready to trick or treat with the nieces and nephew!

It was really cold and a little rainy, so we didn't trick or treat for long, but it was so fun being with them. Another one of my sister-in-laws, Geri, and her two kids had come to Idaho to be here for when Katie had her little baby Matthew, so our trick-or-treating crew was quite large and full of love.

Henry isn't in this picture but he was a cute chunky cow. Left to right: Mallory, Lily, Kaylee, Riley, and Makenzie.

After spending quality time with family, Zach and I had a friend Halloween party with the Quigley's and cousin Quigley's! I felt so blessed this Halloween. I just stopped and felt how truly happy I was and I loved that feeling. I love that my family and my friends give me that feeling of joy. I can't wait until Thanksgiving!

By the way, Zach and I were Ben Franky and his trusted kite. It was so much fun!

Newlyweds

    My name is Rachel Lynn Howe. I married my sweet husband, Zachary, 85 days ago in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple. Yes, I know how many days it's been. Apps make life so much easier. July 26, 2013. We spent a month in California working with Zach's grandpa. It was days full of hard, tiring work going from the L.A. temple to church buildings all around Southern California to fix, clean, and install drapes. We would come home and go on bike rides, make healthy spinach-filled smoothies, and watch LOST. That was a special time in our marriage for a lot of reasons, but mostly it was just special because I got to be with Zach all of the time and I wasn't used to this.

    After that adventure we moved to Idaho to finish our last semester at BYU-Idaho. It's been a long time coming (especially for Zach...wink), but we can't believe that we're at the last leg of our experience here in Idaho. It's so beautiful here and we are so blessed to be close to some family and friends. My sister-in-law Katie and her cute little family lives here in Rexburg so we get to see them a lot! We're only 3 hours away from the majority of my family in good old Farmington, Utah too. We're going to see them next weekend (Hoooray!).

    We have our very own apartment together and it's so fun coming home to my handsome husband. We're trying to take advantage of our short time left here in Rexburg, so amidst the homework we are fitting in little adventures here and there. I'll try to post adventure tales as they come, but we rode my dad's dirt bikes that he so kindly let us bring up here a few weeks ago. That was fun. We hiked Lower Mesa Falls. That was so beautiful. We ran a relay starting at the Rexburg Temple and ended at the Idaho Falls Temple. We have created our Halloween costumes, carved pumpkins, and watched a pluthera of scary movies. I wish I could remember all of our adventures. This blog will help me do that very thing.

    Anyway, that is all for this blog post. Zachary is my world and I love him with all my heart. This is my favorite picture of us on our wedding day. I love this man.

The Beginning

When one gets married one needs a blog. Maybe you need one before too and I was just unaware. I am not one to blog, so I can't be sure. This blog has been created because I want to spread joy to all of my followers (nobody right now). So for now, this will bring me joy.