Christmas Movie Marathon

As I sit here "taking a break" from working on my research project that's due in 2 days, I am thinking about Christmas movies that I want to watch. Here's on my watch list for the coming month/month & a half:

1st, probably  my favorite Christmas movie (or at least one of my top picks...can't let Christmas go by without watching it):

Home Alone

Dad's favorite that always gets us laughing:

Christmas Vacation

What would Christmas (post 2003) be like without Buddy???!!?!

Elf

I've been thinking about this one lately. Funny stuff:

Christmas With the Kranks

This one keeps me dreaming (even though White Christmases have never been a part of my life):

White Christmas

Oh, George Bailey! A must-see every year:

It's a Wonderful Life

A classic I've loved my whole life:

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Maybe even this version too:

The Grinch

Another childhood favorite:

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Lesser-known family classic:

Trapped in Paradise

I just watched this one a couple weeks ago, but I think I'll probably need to rewatch it soon:

While You Were Sleeping

This one per my roommates suggestion (I don't think I've seen it all):

Jingle All The Way

And there's a good chance I'll throw in a few others along the way as the mood strikes (or the TV brings to my living room). Also, I may likely watch some cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies (the best!)

What would you add?

Life Goals

When I was in my early 20's (maybe late teens), my dad had us all write up 50 things we wanted to do in our lives. I was thinking about those things lately. I thought it would be fun to see where I am now and how many I've accomplished...and what I have left.

AND, I thought I'd share them all with you. :)

(Please ignore any weird ones that may appear...I was young, and these were private. :))

50 Things I Want To Do

1. Finish School - Graduate from BYU
2. Go on a mission
3. Get married in the temple
4. Start an eternal family
5. Learn to play the guitar
6. Become fluent in Spanish
7. Learn a 3rd Language
8. Buy a house
9. Get a car (any)
10. Get a credit card
11. Get a NICE car
12. Attend the temple often
13. Go on a cruise
14. Go to Hawaii
15. Visit historic Church sites
16. Improve on the piano
17. Exercise @ least 3 times/week
18. Learn how to cook a roast
19. Learn to make candy...yummm
20. Get a laptop
21. Memorize favorite scriptures/quotes
22. Go to Disneyworld
23. Live in Cali (@ some point) 
24. Become a better friend
25. Become a better sister
26. Become a better daughter
27. Become a better disciple of Christ
28. Read good books
29. Study God's words
30. See General Conference in the Conference Center
31. Go on Ward Temple Trips
32. Learn to clog
33. Learn to Ballroom Dance
34. Get (fun) books from BYU Library & read them
35. Take floral arranging
36. Learn Calligraphy
37. Learn to cut hair
38. Get a stereo w/ Karaoke function
39. Go out of the country
40. Speak Spanish on vacation
41. Give away a Book of Mormon
42. Go Scuba Diving
43. Meet a General Authority
44. Go to as many temples as possible
45. Swim in the Atlantic ocean
46. Ride lots of roller coasters
47. Become a neater person
48. Go to @ least 3 of the places from "Kokomo" by the Beach Boys
49. Go to Europe
50. See the Statue of LIBERTY

And, at some point, I added one more:

   51.  Go to the circus

From my calculations, I've accomplished about 50% of these goals in the last decade. Not too bad. Some of these are ongoing too, so maybe I could count more, but I left them for now...I can always improve on becoming a better Disciple of Christ and becoming a neater person, for example, but I feel like I have gotten better than when I wrote this list.

I am going to ponder on what I want to accomplish now. Obviously, I still want to keep most of what is on this list that has yet to be accomplished, but I want to add to it now. Fun to look back though!

Thanks for the idea, Dad!

Woven

I've just spent over an hour chatting on Facebook to a dear, dear friend. The conversation has made me think about the idea that we are so intertwined. It reminds me of Elder Maynes words last weekend when he said something to the effect of "We are woven into stories that affect other people's lives, so we need to the Holy Ghost to guide us.". We can have a profound effect on those around us, sometimes without even realizing it.

I'm humbled to be reminded of that. I'm grateful for any part I can play in lifting someone up. I just try to live my life as best I can according to what I know is true.

I'm reminded again of one of my favorite quotes:

God is so, so good. I'm grateful to know he is aware of me and those I know. It helps me know he is aware of all of us. Like Nephi, I don't know the meaning of all things, but I do know that God loveth his children (1 Nephi 11:17)

HAPPY EASTER! 

Follow the example of our Savior and go out an do some good (weave your thread)! That is my plan.

Mind. Blown.

I feel like I've been learning a lot lately. I think maybe my heart is just in the right place. I can feel change ahead. Not only do I need it, I know it's there on the horizon. So, I've been turning to the Lord a LOT (a lot, a lot) to figure things out. I've learned to recognize these feelings, and it's best to figure things out. :)

Mind Blowing #1
In the last month I have definitely been taught (for the millionth time) a very important lesson:
The Lord Knows Each of Us and what we need.
There is nothing I am more sure of at this very moment in my life. It's a lesson I'm taught over and over again...I'm a little hard-headed sometimes...either that or I just let life drift me away from that truth sometimes.

It's too personal to detail on a public blog that anyone can stumble across, but I had an experience recently where I simultaneously felt chastised and comforted. I know for myself that my life is going EXACTLY as He planned. He has been and always will bless me. I need to stop assuming that he's delaying some blessings. He IS blessing me. He loves me. More than I can understand. And, He will fulfill all of the blessings he has promised.

Mind Blowing #2
I was recently an instrument in the hands of the Lord. I think this happens more than we know, but I'm grateful that this person let me know. It's humbling to be reminded that thoughts are often from a much greater source than my own "good ideas". 

Mind Blowing #3
Although I'd gladly give it up for a family, I am grateful to be able to attend some amazing conferences because I am single. It's a unique opportunity that I try to take advantage of at this stage in my life (especially since I know that the Lord wants me right here right now - see #1). 

This weekend I attended the Silicon Valley LDS Education Conference. I met some cool people, and I received many answers to my prayers. I learned so many amazing things. I wanted to document just a few here.

• Have "more faith than fear". We'll still have fear at times, we just need to rely on faith and have more of it than fear. - Elder Richard J. Maynes, Presidency of the 70
• We are woven into stories that affect other people's lives, so we need to the Holy Ghost to guide us. - Elder Maynes
• Remember, Remember that God loves broken things (dreams, hopes, righteous desires) - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

• Just hang on through the broken things because God can fix all things
• Broken clouds -> broken ground -> broken grain -> broken bread -> nourishes man
• Remember as long as you live that the 1st principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is FAITH - Elder Holland
• The Children of God are required, by covenant, to sacrifice - Elder Holland
• Don't flee your chance to make your sacrifice
• You get the sacrifice back; that's the meaning of resurrection/restoration
• You're stronger than you thought; you have seeds of divinity within you - Elder Holland
• Maybe the more you suffer, God loves you more than at any other time in your life - Elder Holland
• If we truly love God, why not bend to his loving care?
• Go to the Lord early & often; don't give your priorities mixed up; make certain things non-negotiable
• We must find joy in the journey no matter the potholes along the way
• You may be small, but that's a STRENGTH in the eyes of the Lord (like David & Goliath)
• Be World Class in all that you do
• Real forgiveness involves a deep understanding that there is evil in the world
• Sacrifice is what we give up, consecration is what we give (D&C 64:23)
• The Lord always answers our prayers, just not always in the way we think
• 2 Nephi 27:21 - The Lord can do his own work, it's our privilege to participate
• If you're intent on making something happen, you have to be a DOER
• Don't dwell on failures & spiral down. "fail quickly" - pick self up & carry on
• Don't wait for perfect. If you like it, go for it.

I promise that is just a few of the thoughts that touched me. :)

And I just wanted to share this video. This was one of the amazing speakers at the conference. He showed this video as part of his portion. I thought it was really fun, so I wanted to share. Happy Sunday!