Day 17

A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.

ok. well, this'll sound cheesey and everything inbetween, but it's the honest truth.

The Book of Mormon changed my life.

I remember the first time i read it. I was in seminary my 9th grade year of high school. And that year we were learning about the Book of Mormon, so I though, "Hey, I need to read that." And I did. And I remember sitting there after I finished it thinking "Okay, so now I pray to see if it's true." I took the challenge listed in Moroni 10:4-5, got on my knees, and prayed. The thing is, I knew it was true. I knew it. It teaches me wonderful things. That Jesus is the Savior of the world, and that there can be true happiness. It teaches me to be a better person, more optomisic, and patient. I need all of those things as much as i can.

The second time i read it was during my senior year of high school. I prayed again to know if it was true. And I felt like God told me "Duh. You already know."

I read it again my sophomore year in College. It was when President Hinkley challenged us to read it. Because I read it I recieved so many life blessings.

When I went on my mission, I read it everyday. I finished it around 5 times.

I remember one time reading it and afterwards saying out loud to myself, "How can I read that and not have it change my life?"

So, I'm just going to write a bit about The Book of Mormon, the book that has influenced my life more than any other book in existence.
I know it's true. I know it. You can't tell me that I don't know it, because I know it just as I know that my name is Mindy. It was truly written by people that lived in the Ancient Americas, preserved for us, for ME, to read and learn today. I know that it contains the fullness of the gospel. It teaches about priesthood, prophets, Jesus Christ, baptism, and the Plan of Salvation. Through this book we can KNOW that Jesus lives, he loves us, and we can know God's plan for us. I know that it's true. I know that it was translated by the power of God by Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. I know it without a doubt.
This book is true. Any person who lives by what it teaches will be a better person. I also know that the promise in Moroni is true. ANYONE who reads that book and prays with a sincere heart and with real intent will know the truth of it. I've tested it, and I've seen it.
I lived in Korea for a year and a half and testified of these truths. I would never have done that if I weren't 100% sure that what I was sharing was true.
Nothing means more to me than this knowledge I have.

Nothing has changed my life more than this book.

day 16

Someone or something you definitely could live without.

um..........................................

?? maybe i'll think of something. but i'm tired.
ugh.

day 15

Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.

my time in korea taught me a little bit about this.
i guess the things i missed the most are the things i can't live without, right??

1. my mom. i missed her everyday.
2. my sister. i hated not being there with her.

3. the rest of my family. the times i would feel most homesick was when my family was all together for dinners or events and i wasn't there. it really got to me. i don't think i could have survived without knowing that one day i'd be back with them.
4. dan. it was weird to be without him. i'd been best friends with him for years and years. i got to be with him at the mtc for 8 weeks. but that night that i had to say goodbye to him for good broke my heart. that was one of the first times that my whole district saw me cry. i thought that we'd grow apart on our missions because mail took about 3 months between countries. and after i got home and he was still gone it was so hard somedays to accept that he wasn't there. i'm SO glad that we picked up right where we left off after he got home. he's my very best friend. and although i know one day we'll both get married to different people and not be able to hang out every day, i hope we can be great friends forever.
5. cheese. oh, i missed having cheese around. i don't think i can live without eating cheese. it's great.
6. milk. just ask my mom.
7. peanut butter.

that's probably about it. i love a lot of things and a lot of people. so don't be offended if you think i can live without you.

i'm sure God puts people in my life at certain times because he knows that I couldn't live without them otherwise. I'm absolutely certain that I could not get through life as I live it now without my roommates, annalie, my nursing class, sarah, and other people. like the people who send me random text messages and say "I was just thinking about you. I love you." MAKE MY DAY! :)

So, thanks everyone.

day 14

A hero that has let you down. (letter)

Dear Dumbledore,

You don't know me. (Which is really too bad.) But I just wanted to tell you a few things.

You used to be one of my heroes. Super intelligent, quirky, powerful, humourous, and helped out our pal Harry when he was seemingly unloved, stupid, and powerless. I admired you for that.

But then you go and die. And I understood that part. And I even guessed Snape had to do it for you because you asked even before most of the world did. Because I believed in you. And I knew you would trust Snape for good reasons.

The thing I have trouble with is how you didn't tell anyone about your life. You left it all up to mystery. I guess it was yours to tell and you probably didn't just go around saying stuff like, "Guess what? I was best friends with that evil Grindewald guy I helped defeat." But even then, come on! A little bit here and there isn't going to kill you. (No pun intended.)

I also don't like that you left Harry basically nothing about destroying the horcruxes. You better be grateful he had Hermione with him. He would have been dead within 3 minutes of Book 7. If you would have told him how to destroy them, or even why he should trust Snape, then lots of things and deaths could have been avoided. It just peeves me that you meant so much to him and yet offered him so little help.

Oh, and the being gay thing. I've got nothing against people who are gay. But why didn't you just tell us? It was frustrating finding out you were different than what I knew.

I guess just stop being someone you're not. Or at least tell SOMEONE SOMETHING about yourself. You don't want people looking up to you and figuring out later that you lie.

Anyway. I still like you. I cried for a good hour when you died. But I just needed to express this disappointment.

Thanks & Love,
Mindy

Day 13

A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough days. (write a letter.)

Dear He Is We,

Thank you for being so amazing and helping me cope with life. I couldn't have done it without you. You've made the hard days bareable, my unspoken feeling speakable, and the good days even better.

When I got back from living in Korea it was really tough to get back into the music scene after being out of the loop for so long. It was actually really hard to just get back into life. I love music, but I like good music. It was hard to know what to look for, so for a while I didn't even look. Then one day I wanted to find a new band. I got onto my favorite music site, purevolume.com, and saw a link to a list of the year's top unsigned bands. I clicked and found you at the top of the list. I instantly fell in love with the song "Light a way." 

I listened to you non stop! I loved how your songs spoke what I was feeling. I quickly loved the song "I wouldn't mind," and loved the happy days of life.

Then life took an unexpected turn and I found myself a little down and depressed. That same exact weekend I got onto your site and you had posted a new song. "breathe" spoke my feelings so well. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect way to describe what I felt. And although the song was sad and so was I, it made me feel so much better. :)

I listened all the time to your songs. I'm sorry I couldn't go to your concert this summer. I owe you one.

Life's been better to me. And I was so happy to buy your new album last week. I already relate to "Love Life." and I think "and run" perfectly puts into words what I feel about where I'm going with life.

You did it again. Thanks for being there to help me. And thanks for sharing your talents.

Your fan,
Mindy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaOdeN2_1T8&sns=em

day 12

Something you never get compliments on.


No one EVER compliments me on my feet. Or my opera singing abilities.

but in all honesty......
I can't really even think of anything that I don't get complimented on. I surround myself with the best friends ever. Everytime I'm around them I get complimented on something. Like my hair bows. hahaha. Or not even anything about my looks. People are kind. They tell me I'm smart, I'm funny, I'm nice. So either I'm NOT any of these things or they truly mean it.

So I apologize. I guess this could have been another soul spilling blog. But I'm a disappointment.

the next one

Something people seem to compliment you on the most.

Easy.

The bows I wear in my hair.

It all started in Korea. Those cute little Asians just have fashion figured out. And I admit I was hella jealous that they were wearing cute outfits and awesome hair bows while I was wearing long boring skirts and blouses.

*shudder*

I bought some hair bows on my mission. Like a bunch of giraffes, a head band or two or three, a couple hair clips, and some bobby-pin type bows. I was excited to buy them all to wear them when I got home. Until one of my companions told me that I wouldn't be able to wear them in America. She said that fashion in America would think that wearing stuff like that in your hair was ridiculous. Only babies can pull it off.

Well, call me a baby. Cuz I'm pulling this off.

I love wearing bows in my hair. And I get a compliment almost every single time I do wear them.

For instance:
Went to a new ward this summer. Guy comes up to me in the hall. "Hey! Are you new?" Me: "Uh, Yes." Guy, "I REALLY like that bow in your hair." Me: creeped out.
My boss this summer: "You always wear those bows in your hair and it reminds me of what I put in my daughter's hair." (daugher is 4 months old.) Me: "Oh, so I guess I remind you of a baby?" Her: "Uh, Yeah. But I love that you wear them."
Julia in class, "Mindy!" Me:"Yeah?" Her: "I found this head band in my house today and I'd never be able to pull it off! But I thought of you and your awesome hair bows and I had to give it to you." Me: Not sure how to take that. But said thank you anyway.
James at the hospital: "Hey! You're wearing a bow in your hair!" Me: "Don't I usually?" James: "Yes, you used to do it all the time but lately I've noticed that you haven't worn them as much." Me: "Oh. Well, I like wearing them. But I think they make people think I'm three years old." James: "I like them. You should wear them more often."
Dan: "Why didn't you wear a bow in your hair today?" Me: "Uh, I didn't know I had to wear one everyday. Sorry." Dan: "I like when you wear bows in your hair."
Patient in the hosptial: "I really like your bow!" Me: "Thanks!"
Girl at work this summer. We figured out that not only did we both go to SUU, but we were in the same ward. Me: "We were in the same ward! I didn't know that! How did you figure that out?" Girl: "Well, at first I didn't know it was you. But then you wore a bow in your hair one day to work and I remembered how you would wear those when you taught Relief Society." Me: "Haha... my little bows." Her: "I like them! They're cute."

I could go on. Really.

Anyway. Vive le hair bow. I even wore one today. I just love them.