I Love to See the Temple

Mariah here!

I would like to inform you that I am not, in fact, dead. I am here! Sorry, Emma, when you get back! I took a blog hiatus. Laura, you should blog for us. :)

Today I went to a soccer game with my mom, Savannah and Russell, grandma Mary, and myself! Alyvia scored a goal, and she worked very well with her team! I am proud of that girl. I think I will keep her!

After the soccer game we were famished! So we went to IHOP to get some yuummy pancakes. Man, I was so happy we went. Won't have IHOP for another 18 months!

Since we were on Riverdale we decided to go shopping! I got two pairs of the comfiest shoes on earth for my mission. Man, I am certain I will be praying my thanks about those after a while. I really needed some good, sturdy shoes. It was so nice of my mom to get them for me! I love that girl!

To cap it all off-- I went to the temple today with mi madre and some choice people! It was really so wonderful. The peaceful feeling felt there and the symbolism are my favorite things. I expected to feel super weird, but everyone was so helpful. I have had to change desires, habits, and choices so that I could enter into the Lord's temple, but it was no sacrifice.

President Monson says it 29054x better than me! :)

"Why are so many willing to give so much in order to receive the blessings of the temple? Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings. There are never too many miles to travel, too many obstacles to overcome, or too much discomfort to endure. They understand that the saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort." 

(President Thomas S. Monson, "The Holy Temple--A Beacon to the World," April 2011 General Conference)

I hope your Saturday was wonderful!

Mariah

In My Heart of Hearts I Do Trust. ... No thanks to Ali and Kelly.

Once upon a time, I said something like, "In my heart of hearts, ... (I can't remember the rest)." Kelly and Ali made fun of me for that, but I thought it was a perfectly legitimate and common phrase. Apparently it was campy and cliché.

Maybe Ali and Kelly thought I was silly or foolish for using that phrase (I think I just sounded like an old emotional lady).  BUT I discovered today that the phrase comes from one of a larger repute than I--and he is not an old emotional lady!

 Shakespeare.

Act 3, Scene 2 of Hamlet:

"In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart, as I do thee." 

So yeah, it might be outdated, but if that's the case-- so are "all of a sudden," "dead as a doornail," "fight fire with fire," and "wear my heart on my sleeve." Plus, some of those are pretty campy and cliché, too. So, there. 

Love,
Mariah

Day 4 of GISHWHES

It is over half-way over. How can this be? GUYS, I have to tell you that I love GISHWHES so much. PLEASE do it next year. Laura, this has your name written all over it. Find a team, win the wooster. Do some charity. Por favor!

Tonight I am making a robot costume in order to...

WEAR IT TO WORK.

How abnosome is that?*

I can't post pictures now, but I will after the Hunt.

Things I will miss about GISHWHES/things that I love about GISHWHES

• Watching Merlin while wigmaking
• Getting injuries while wigmaking
• Making abnosome costumes to wear in public places
• Asking people on Facebook for the most random favors
• Being part of a community of total strangers who are willing to work together in order to, get this, help other total strangers
• Having something to be totally, whole-heartedly pumped about

{Please consider GISHWHES next year and write me all about it!}

Love,

Mariah the Grand

* Abnosome: abnormally awesome

Before GISHWHES

This is me before GISHWHES.

I go to BYU, and I love art. I am a friend to many, a lover of books, a proud Harry Potter nerd, and above all, a normal, testimony-bearing, young adult. 

In 5 minutes and 34 seconds, the world will break!

Love,
Mariah

3 Days, 17 hours, 59 minutes, and 03 seconds until GISHWHES

Oh my gosh, I am so scared for this.

WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR GISHWHES? SEND ME THE LIST! aaah

I am dying inside from anticipation and fright and excitement and emotions  This is going to be great! I am psyched!

Love,
Mariah

Pepsi, Buzzfeed, Cleaning, and Sleep or the Lack Thereof

I tried to go to bed at 12:30 tonight (well, actually, I tried to go to bed earlier but I ended up in my bed at about 12:30), and just could not sleep! So of course, I meandered on Pottermore for a half hour or so until I felt sleepy. But then I decided a Pepsi sounded good (and I never ever have pop so why did that sound good?), and then I really couldn't sleep.

Now, here I am at 3:30 in the morning looking at buzzfeed's articles on cleaning. I want to get up and clean right now, but I know I need sleep and also I will be one ornery gal tomorrow if I don't sleep soon. Also I hate sleeping in. Then I decide maybe I can stay up all night and tomorrow! That is a horrible idea, though, and I know it. But what has become of my life?!?!

LIKE, really?!

Well, I hope I can clean a lot tomorrow and that I still feel like it.

Good night/good morning!
Mariah

Emma's Safe, Bloggers Needed

Emma got to Mexico safe and sound with little trouble!

Read about her adventures at makingnerdyohsoclassy.blogspot.com :3

ALSO -- someone should really blog, because this was never meant to be just Mariah's blog.

LOVE YOU ALL,
Mariah

Google is Coo-gle. That Means Cool.

Hello, people!

Did you know you could do this?

Because I did not and that is some fancy stuff that I can't wait to partake in! For various reasons. ... Nah, I really have no reason to use this. hahaha BUT it is awesome!

I can't believe I hated google just two years ago. ... I still don't know why. Actually, I thought they were going to be too big of a business, and I was right about that. ... So nevermind, I know.

HAVE A GOOD DAY,
Mariah

There is no Title For This Post

I was beginning to think this blog was gathering cobwebs and becoming an old haunted blog, so I am happy to see Emma Rose posted TWICE! Twice, people! Now we will just work on Laura. ;D ... And Kemyla. And Charlotte.  Oh, my. ;)

Lately my life has been work, work, work. I mean, I only work like 35 hours a week, and my mom won't let me get another job. But it has been good for me! I am happy I get to save for my mission, and with most of my friends out and about, I have nothing to spend my money on besides my mission! haha It is superb.

Also, today I said almost goodbye to one of my very best friends, Emma Rose. You guys, I don't know if you can understand the impact knowing her has made in my life. She makes me want to be my best self, who is a daughter of God! She is so easy for me to be CER-AZAY with, and I just love that. Her service-mindedness and love never cease to amaze me! I so would not be the same without that girl. Just knowing how she has blessed my life makes me feel 100% okay with her leaving for 18 months to Washington. She will truly be a tool in God's hand, doing His work and spreading His love and joy. What a pleasure and what a blessing.

Love,
Mariah

PANIC ATTACK

As if I am not stressing out enough due to the fact that I am speaking in front of people tomorrow, I just had the most horrible moment of my existence.

I had been working on completing my farewell talk this morning when I realized I had no idea where by scriptures were. I looked around every place I could have left them, but with no avail. So I notified my parents about my concern over my missing scriptures. But they were busy working on the house and said, well why don't you look were you last had them. Which I had! So I started stressing out to the tenth degree.

I ended up putting off finishing my talk so I could run my errands all across Utah. I came back eight hours later and went straight to finishing my talk. One major problem though. I still had no idea where my scriptures went! So instead of focusing on what I was writing all I could think about were these words that were running through my head:

"Seriously, who in the world loses their scriptures the day before their farewell! Emma, how completely un-together you must be!"

Huh, not really the kind of thoughts you want whirling in your head while you are writing a talk! So I went searching for my scriptures again. But this time it was the panic searching where you look in every completely unlikely spot in your house because you are so frazzled in where the thing must be! I was looking behind couches, underneath dirty dishes, and in every dark corner of my home. I went to my mother again for help, plus you know that your mom is the best finder of anything. Only she looked and couldn't find them either! So then I knew I was hopeless, cause if yo mamma can't find it, ain't nobody finding it. 

Well, to keep this story short, a miracle was sent to me! I was directed right to the place of their current dwelling. My nieces had been playing house and for some unknown reason they had stuffed my scriptures in a purse and left it in my mom's office. A room I only go in biannually. 

Well, now if I can just calm down, I will go finish my talk. Technically looking at time amount I am done. It is only to be 10-15 minutes. But with just my introduction and conclusion I am at 12.... Thus is my life. So now I get to shorten and write up a storm! Then tonight I will be posting my farewell post, for tonight will be my last personal post for a year and a half! 

Love you lots!

Life is stressful, but at least it is interesting. 

And shout out to my nieces! I love you! And I love that you love my scriptures! But next time.... Return them afterwards please! They are very dear to me! 

Oh No, Someone is in Trouble....

This is full confession time from Emma.

I have become weak... I have falling into a poor habit of mine again. This isn't good. I found my soft spot for country.... I thought I had killed the country liking part of my heart until:

Hunter Hayes.

Oh man, he voice is like the rebirth of Rascal Flatts to my ears and it reawakened my apathy for country.

I'm actually a bit mad at him! I have been trying so hard to let go of country and leave as a bittersweet part of my past! I don't want to be a country lover! But oh, when Rascal Flatts soul come again into my ears by way of Hunter Hayes, I had no hope. I'm a gonner.

Check out his song "I Want Crazy"
-EmRo #theunlovingcountryliker

Nothing is Really Ever Impossible

The other week, Emma and I decided to try and do the impossible. While others desire to fly, or go to the moon, Emma and I have often held loftier goals.

Like nailing jell-o on trees.

We set out on our adventure on the eve of the 17th of July.  It was about 5:45 pm by the time we began fixing the jell-o. We tried one with the normal recipe and stuck it in the freezer. We also tried one jell-o with half of the water called for and stuck that in the fridge. It was good stuff! We watched an adaptation of Persuasion while the jell-o was gettin' hard.

We watched the version with the "most handsomest man" that I have ever laid eyes upon!!

It was ridiculously cute--except for this guy below.

He just came in in all the wrong parts and was a general no-do-gooder!

Don't worry, she doesn't choose Mr. Elliot. 

When the jell-o was good enough to nail, we set outside and decided to make an event on the spot.

None of our friends came, but we did only give them like a two minute notice.

Here's the jell-o making business going down:

Love,

Mariah

My Life is Equivalent to a 15 Second Firework Show

Hello friends!
So I have been successfully avoiding obligations for the last three months...

UNTIL TODAY.

Then all of my ghost responsibilities started to haunt me! All demanding my life here and now.

So now I feel like this incident: a firework show in California last year accidentally sent itself off all at once. Resulting in a 30 minute show being reduced a 15 seconds EXPLOSION. It is actually quite hilarious.
Check out the video.

Disclaimer, no one was hurt in the event! Click on the link below!

Firework Fenzie

haha from
EmRo

Blessings, ftw

Hola, Mishamigos!

You know what are great? BLESSINGS! Ah, I just love those things. (★^O^★)

Today, I challenge you to a duel to count your blessings--because maybe you don't think you are all that blessed, or maybe you do! But there is so so much to be grateful for. Good music, great friends, the summer sunshine, dusty books, old hands to hold, tasty Subway sandwiches（・∀・）HA HA, new people to meet, and especially a lovely temple only a mile away.

Dudes, life is great even if it doesn't feel so all the time.

And you know what?! SO ARE YOU!!

--m

One Nursery, Two Children, Three Wardrobe Changes

For the last few weeks I have been the on-call Nursery sub in my ward! Whoo! Perks of having your mum in the primary presidency. I actually have really enjoyed my hours with these cute sweet little children of God! :) <3 p="">
But today I got to stretch my nursery experience! Due to one of the nursery workers moving away and the other being sick and unable to come to church, my mom asked me if I could manage the nursery all on my lonesome. I was a bit nervous! But all went well! Except there was a need for three wardrobe changes... From just two children... HAHA. That was an interesting component of my day.

love
EmRo

Goodbyes and the Time in Between

Goodbyes are never fun. Never. 

Okay, unless you are saying goodbye to your kidnapper. 

No, that is not fun. Just happy.

ANYWAY-- Kelly just left for her mission and is in the MTC. 

Right now. 

I am so proud of the decision she has made to serve, and I know she will be great. Emma is going to the MTC at the end of July, which is really only LIKE ONE MONTH. ONE MONTH AWAY. I have never been without Emma for so long! I mean, I guess I have. We only became hanging-out-friends since 9th grade. But 18 months is a long time! And then Penni is leaving for the MTC in September! We basically hang out all the time, so that will be sure dang weird. We have some time though, so I am happy about that. And Ali is in Washing-Pashington... Kemyla and Charlotte are in Logan now. Laura is in SLC.

Basically my friends are forever everywhere. hahaha

BUT guess what! I have the best friends ever, and I am so happy that I know them. That's the over-reaching message. It would be a little sad if it wasn't so hard to say goodbye. So for now, I am content to live up all the time I have now with these amazing people who have touched my life for good. I have learned hard lessons with them, and even though sometimes I may get annoyed at them or we don't see each other for a while...

I know we will always be friends.

Love,

M

Less Wise but More Content

Today I got my wisdom teeth out! I wasn't put under since I went to my dentist instead of an oral surgeon.  I guess I had the option to be put out, but they didn't tell us about it and then when we got there they said that they needed a heads up so I could come early enough for it to kick in. Welp, we missed that boat! Haha

At first I was a little worried, but I decided to take it like a Winchester (hello, Supernatural). They gave me some laughing gas. I mostly just felt really happy and okay with that stuff, though I did laugh at nothing three times. That's all! Not that much. I told myself to stop because I did not want to be that crazy girl laughing by herself while the dentist waited for her numbing shots to get working.

The teeth themselves were mighty stubborn, but we got them out after two hours or so. I was so numb that I really only felt the intense pressure or digging in my mouth and then pulling teeth that were clearly really happy where they were. I had to get nine sutures, and it was really weird watching the string and needle come out of my mouth and then back in.  Sort of surreal.

I expected to hurt a ton more. Right now I mostly feel a pressure in my mouth, but I feel fine. Just really sleepy.

On a spiritual and somewhat unrelated note, as I read my scriptures today I felt so calmed and peaceful. I know that the Book of Mormon is true guys. I am so grateful for this gospel and I am so so so excited to share it with the El Salvador and Belize peoples! I am so so happy! I know that the Lord asks us to do hard things, but He does it so we can learn to trust Him, and so that we can become like Him one day. It needs to be hard so we can do that. I am grateful for the path I have taken, and I know it will lead me to my Father and my Savior one day.

Welp. Just be grateful for your sound and healthy teeth! And a diet that does not have to consist of liquids...

Love,
Mariah

P.S. My awesome friends Penni and Pemma brought me ice cream!! How nice of them! <3 p="" yuuum="">

Notes from a Paper Doll

Yesterday John Mayer gave a great anniversary present to me! Ahhh I love him.

Now don't panic here. I'm not crazy. I don't think I am in a relationship with a celebrity I have never met.

The anniversary I celebrated yesterday was the marking of a year since my first college class. Wow. I can't believe it has been a year. John Mayer's music got me through my first term and I couldn't thank him enough. And then he came out with such a beautiful song on such a special day. John Mayer, you are the man.

Love,
Em Rosy

No Greater Call

I am going to the El Salvador Santa Ana/Belize Mission, and will report on October 30th, 2013.  

I have quite a bit of time left to prepare and work hard, and boy am I ready to do so!  Every penny saved is worth it, every page read of the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel is a blessing, and every weakness examined and evaluated is beautiful.  I am so ready to serve the Lord, and I will do so with a full and willing heart.

I cannot tell you how amazing it was to open my mission call and find it to be El Salvador Santa Ana/Belize mission, Spanish speaking.  I am so excited to learn Spanish, teach people, and strengthen my own testimony at the same time.  Tonight I was pondering my testimony.  Opposition is a real thing, and I have been feelin' it!  But I was reminded tonight of what I have known for so long.

I know that this gospel is true.  I know that my Father in Heaven sent me here for a reason, and that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I can return to Him.  I am so so very grateful to Jesus Christ for His Atonement.  I have been forgiven when I myself doubted I could be.  I have felt peace and comfort in knowing that the Lord knows what I have been through because He went through it too.  I have gained a sweet assurance of His love for me, because He was willing to die for me. Without Him I would be utterly lost and I know that for a fact.

I am so excited to share this great news!

The Lord lives, He loves us, and He has a work for us to do.

Until next time,
Hermana Avocado

The Return of Priest and Laurel Camp

Hello everybody!

I just came back from an amazing experience and my heart is so full! I am so excited to share my feelings about it. Can I just thank the blog for always being here to hear me out? I am in deep gratitude.

Background: Two years ago I went to Priest and Laurels (PAL) Camp. It was a delightful experience, rain and all. I must say it was a turning point in my life.

Almost three weeks ago my Bishop told me that I had been invited to come to PAL, even though I was a year too old to go. Me and my fellow lifetime "wardie" and friend Syd was invited also to come as newly called sister missionaries. I quickly remembered how much the last PAL camp meant to me and was quick to want to go! But then I was told the dates. It clashed with my family trip to go participate in Dirty Dash which my sister and I have been planning for almost eight months. So I thought I couldn't go.

As soon as I thought I could not go something seem to nag me that I should check my options. But I brought up the date clashing concern to my mom and she didn't suggest any other option so I let it go, kinda. Something kept on nagging me that it would be best if I could go.

Well, two weeks later my mom was talking to my Young Women's President. She had been told by Syd that I was going to PAL. My mom brought up the Dirty Dash conflict but by the end of the conversation she had signed me up for coming up two days. She told me this and the nagging feeling and myself were quite excited and relieved! And so I went!

And now I am back! And wow. It was something special. In fact it was another turning point, in so many I ways I could not explain them all! I so got out of my comfort zone {THIS IS A HUGE THING PEOPLE}! And I can't believe I had enough motivation to do so!

Usually when I go to camp I am with all girl and I act all nerdy. Everyone loves to be entertained by me {at least I hope they love it}! But I am always acting quite strange. Well this time it was different but in the most awesome of ways! I was put in a group that seemed to click the moment we all met! And guess what? They loved to act just as crazy as I do! So we became the crazy annoying group that got along so awesomely well! We became family in less than 30 minutes flat! So much so that when I went to leave early I went to my parents crying asking if there was a way to let me stay. Now crying sounds dramatic but coming home from college I have learned that goodbyes are HARD. So hard. And it reopened those not completely healed wounds.

Well, I love my OLIVE group family, my M&M duo, and our crazy CRAZY times together.

Oh wow. I can't believe I was blessed so much in less than 48 hours.