Back when I was in High School I would walk down the halls and I would look at all the girls that would pass me. I would think to myself about how beautiful they looked, how happy they seemed and how successful they were in their sports, talents, school and life. Then as I would pass a window or mirror or display case I would look at my own reflection and wonder if I could ever become someone that others would notice as stunningly gorgeous (or even pretty would have worked for me), someone who seemed to easily get good grades and could fall into conversation with nearly everyone. I never saw myself for what I was worth. In my church callings I tried to always go above and beyond. When I was president I tried to do everything to make everyone else's callings easier, when planning young women event I would go all out on the desserts and try to make the room look as spectacular as possible. Even with the compliments of others I still never saw my work good enough. Junior year I won first place in the city art contest, Senior year I won third in regional's and fifth in state for baking at a Skills USA contest- yet I never saw these accomplishments as good enough.

     Sometimes we are so afraid of becoming prideful or boastful so we allow Satan to convince us that what we have done and accomplished is simply not good enough. He has convinced us that there is always someone that could have done it better, or faster or that we didn't put our best efforts in. I know that I fall into this all the time, I dont want to admit that I did a good job. It's so hard for me to see the good that I do; when people come up to me and give me compliments my first reaction is usually one of two things: 
1) I try to reflect it off and say that its really not true
2) I say thank you and then quickly change the subject
Fact of the matter is I dont allow myself to grow and become better. 

     When I was staying in the hospital one of the nurses complimented my hair one day. Not even thinking I kind of brushed it off and said something along the lines of "Oh its really nothing," She sat me down and told me how detrimental it is when I do that. She explained to me that when I tell everyone else that what I do is really nothing great and it could be better then I start to believe that and then I dont believe in myself and become great discouraged with everything that I do. She challenged me to just smile and say thank you when someone complimented me on something, then later that day repeat that compliment in my head. At first I thought that this was stupid and I really didn't want to try it..... and honestly I didn't do this for a few months. But then one day when I was struggling with my self worth I was laying in bed late at night silently crying to myself. Then I remembered that a girl in one of my classes told me that she really liked my outfit that day. Remarkably my tears stopped and I felt like maybe I could make it through that night. 

     I have a testimony that women have great worth and that they make an amazing difference, but I know from experience that it is hard to include yourself in this realization. I would like to challenge you to look at yourself the way that others see you, to take to heart the compliments that they give you (because honestly no one gives a compliment just because they feel bad for you, they give them because they are true and they mean them) and eventually believe in yourself. If you dont see yourself the way others do then maybe you are standing in the wrong light. I promise you that in Christ's eternal light you are an extraordinary woman, I believe in you and I know that you are beautiful just they way you are because you were created by a perfect God who does not make mistakes. 

     So this is going to be just a short little post today. But I wanted to share my own personal story with you and how I got motivated to exercise. As a baby I was a chunk.... and I mean a CHUNK!!!! And growing up I never really lost that baby fat. In elementary school I was teased a lot. I couldn't run as fast as the other kids, so they laughed.... I couldn't play on the monkey bars, so they laughed..... My thighs barely fit going down the slides, and again they laughed. In middle school I was usually one of the last when running the mile, I was always the last to the end of the field when playing sports and I always felt so uncomfortable in health class when we got to the section on nutrition and being healthy. I remember one day freshmen year in Mr. Dillon's LA class some boys who sat behind me were laughing at how big my arms were, again I was usually last and the slowest when running and in sports and I sometimes would get winded when I would run up the stairs in a rush to class. 

     I never really told anyone this because I was always so embarrassed. But it's what happened after freshmen year that I am proud of. Freshmen year of High School I was something like 179-185 pounds. Sophomore year I decided to change that. I signed up for an aerobics class and I was determined to change my health and become more fit; and if I lost a few pounds while doing it and went a few jeans sizes down then HEY I wasn't going to complain. I worked my absolute hardest in that class, my teacher often pulled me aside to tell me how well I was doing- this just further motivated me. Next year I took the class again and again I loved it. Senior year I took a dance and conditioning class and this was when I discovered that fitness can be fun! I also discovered ZUMBA this year and I fell in love with that. I have tried running, hiking, trail running, biking, weights, ZUMBA, aerobics, pilates, dance work outs, kick boxing, yoga and so many others.

    So where did I get my inspiration from? Honestly for me it was hearing the comments from others, being embarrassed for being a size 14. For you it might be that you want to tone up your arms, be able to play out in the yard with your little kidlets without becoming winded, not feeling exhausted just from carrying in the weeks groceries or wanting to go on a romantic summer hike to watch the sunset from atop a mountain with your sweetheart. What ever your inspiration is make sure its something you want. If you want to workout more and loose weight simply because it sounds like a good idea or because you think it would be cool to shrink a size or two then you most likely wont keep it up. You want something that you honestly truly want to work towards, something that will keep you moving forward when it gets hard and you hit a "plateau." Ways to do this could be in setting small goals for yourself. EXAMPLE: I wanted to able to run from the mailbox and back in less then 3 minutes, that's a little over 1/4 a mile. so I would speed walk it for 2-3 days, then I would jog it, and slowly speed up from there. Eventually when I felt I could do it easily I broke out the stop watch and started timing myself. Eventually I did and I celebrated! Thats another thing, reward yourself and tell yourself "GOOD JOB!!!!" Let yourself know that you are doing good and accept the acknowledgments from others. 

     Find a buddy. Maybe a family member would like to work with you, or a friend or maybe the mother in your ward who had a baby 2 months ago and is now ready to start working off that baby fat. There is always someone who is willing to work with you supporting you and encouraging you to keep moving forward. 

     Dont compare yourself to others!!!! That has always been one of my biggest downfalls but I did as Uchtdorf told us to do. When I compared myself to others I would say "STOP IT!"

     I promise you that working out is never going to be easy 100% of the time. I have hit multiple roadblocks. There were so many times when I would loose 8-9 pounds and then  I would gain some of it back. There were days I was tired, or "not feeling well", or there was something more fun to do or it suddenly got harder. But I found a end point I wanted, and I wanted it bad enough I kept working towards it. It may have taken me till I was 19 to get a body I am comfortable with, to finally realize that I am pretty and I have worth.... but I did it. And it may have taken me 4 1/2 years to reach my goal of loosing weight but I am proud to say I have gone from the 185 pound girl who wore size 14 jeans to a size 7 and glorious 153 pounds! Honestly this is all just personal knowledge and it really may mean nothing in the world of fitness, but I want you to know that you are not alone when you wake up and say "I just dont feel like working out today" and you are def. not alone when you find yourself wishing to be skinnier or more fit. Keep moving forward and know that you can do!!!!!

      Once in an interview President Gordon B. Hinckley was asked what he wished for his his wife, to which he responded "That we might live together for as long as the Lord wills and that when the time comes for us to move on, that we might go together or very close together, without one lingering a long time after the other. We've lived together for a long time. I hope we'll continue to move on together." These two were so cute together and a real LDS love story. They were often seen holding hands, walking together and smiling; You could just see the love they had for each other simply from looking at them. Never did you see one walking in front of the other, pulling the other along for the ride, or even leave the other behind. Together they walked through life side by side hand in hand as equal partners.

     "Research has demonstrated that couples who have an equal partnership have happier relationships, better individual well-being, more effective parenting practices, and better-functioning children. Researches have consistently found that couples who share power are more satisfied and have better overall marital quality than couples where one spouse dominates......"
(Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives)

     When we get married we are entering into a kind of contract, whether it be an earthly or heavenly, that we have certain obligations to uphold in order to keep that contract strong. The Family: A Proclamation to the World outlines these responsibilities: 
     HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

     Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.

Marriage, in its truest sense, is a partnership of equals, with neither exercising dominion over the other, but, rather, with each encouraging and assisting the other in whatever responsibilities and aspirations he or she might have

Gordon B. Hinckley


Tenderness and respect—never selfishness—must be the guiding principles in the intimate relationship between husband and wife

Howard w. Hunter


True love is a process.  True love requires personal action

Marvin J. Ashton

     I will just come right out and say it- I am a sappy romantic kind of girl! I love nothing more than spending my Saturday nights in pj's with a box of tissues, chocolate, girl friends and a good chick flick! I love to gab with my sisters and roomies about boys and dating. I love to hear how couples met and how he proposed and all about their wedding day- oh and let us not forget the cute/funny/embarrassing first kiss stories. I simply love love!!!!! I was lucky and got the cutest parents, they love each other so very much and they still act like they were just married yesterday. My dad calls my mom at the very least once a day to check in and tell her that he loves her. My mom surprises my dad with cleaning his work shed and she brings him lunches at work. They will stay up late at night laying in bed talking about everything under the stars and then do the same thing in the wee hours of the morning. They go to the grocery store together to "stand in the produce section to gaze off into the distance at the star-fruit" (my dad's exact words). I mean really they are so adorable and good for each other. My sister followed in their footsteps and married an amazing young man and they too are so cute together, so gentle to each other and always showing affection for the other. They do everything together!!!! 

    These stories are an inspiration to me to someday find my own Mr. Right but I have realized that in order to find my own prince charming I have to date and be careful. "A date is a planned activity that allows a young man and young woman (or husband and wife) to get to know each other better. In cultures where dating is acceptable, it can help you learn and practice social skills, develop friendships, have wholesome fun," (taken from For the Strength of Youth pamphlet) but I would even like to add that it is a time to find what works well with you and discover more about yourself. I also realize that it is important in dating even after you are married.

     In Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives, It talks a great deal about nurturing love and friendship. "What can married couples do to nurture love and friendship?.... Get in sync with your partner's love preferences. Find out how your partner likes to receive love and then do those things often.... Talk as friends. Sometimes our couple conversation is all about the business of life: the job, the kids, problems. Of course, these things need to be handled, but it is also important to make time to simply talk as friends..... Set goals for couple interaction. 

• Respond to bids for attention, affection, humor, or support. An announcement of "I've had a rotten day" can be met with an acknowledgement of feeling ("I'm sorry to hear that"), a hug, and an invitation to talk more about it. 
• Make an effort to do everyday activities together, such as reading the mail or making the bed.
• Have a stress-reducing reuniting at the end of a busy day to see how things went, and listening to and validating one another.
• Keep track of how well you are connecting emotionally with each other, and make enhancements when necessary.

     I strongly believe that when you continue to date after marriage you are renewing that love and strengthening your feelings for each other. And did you know that there are some serious health benefits to being in love? YES there totally is.... and believe me they are the good kinds of health benefits. 

1. It may bolster your immune system.
   
2. It can make you physically fit. 
   
3. It might help you live longer. 
   
4. It may clear up your skin. 
   
5. It can improve your heart heath. 
   
6. It can reduce feelings of pain. 
   
7. It can regulate your menstrual cycle. 
   
8. It can improve your mental well-being. 
   

(http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/8-surprising-health-benefits-of-love-115600)
Now arnt those some pretty sweet health benefits.

     So today is "Monday Me Day" and you are probably wondering why I am talking about dating, strengthening your love as a couple. and the health benefits of being in love. Well it's very simple- its a fun subject to talk about and when we are in a relationship that we love then we are more happy. At stake conference one of the speakers said "Being in a relationship you like is fun." If we love the relationships we are in then wont we just love the life that we are living, wont that make the dirty diapers and screaming children more bearable after a sleepless night, wont that just be the icing on an already delicious cake? God gave us love because it's fun and it just makes life so lovely. So for my message to you today I want to encourage you to go out and have fun, love your husband, love your boyfriend, love love and love your life. (now with all that love I must sound like a hippie!) So go out and live the cutest love story there ever was!!!!! Because I know I am- someday I will tell you my cute love story :) (but let me just say only 7 1/2 months)

     Halloween night, it was my turn to cook and I wanted to make something super delicious and kind of fancy! I mean we did have dollar tree plastic Halloween goblets and sparkling cider- the least I could do was make a dinner to match. So I bought a spaghetti squash (one of my more favorite fall foods) and had grand plans of making paremesan chicken..... Well dinner was a success and everyone loved it.... Well actually this was my roommates first time having spaghetti squash and Auri didn't really know just what to think of it. Anyways, back to the story. The chicken was delicious but it was nothing worthy for a fancy Halloween dinner. After all my hard work my paremesan chicken tasted more like a fancy gourmet chic delicious chicken nugget. But hey who was there to judge on my "fancy dinner" my roommates ate it and we all enjoyed it..... we enjoyed it so much actually that I decided this wasn't a fatal mistake and in fact I am going to share the recipe with you!

     How many of us had grand goals for our futures? How many of us went to school and obtained massive amounts of knowledge and degrees? How many of us wanted to travel? How many of us wanted to make a significant difference? As a student in college, I obviously am thinking about these questions a lot. I think about what I want to do for a career: a Child Life Specialist/Therapist and a liaison for families in a children's hospital (I want to run the play room, organize events, organize camps and fundraisers as well as be there for the kids to have fun. And then work personally with the families to make plans for after their hospital stay) To do this I need a BA or a Master's in Therapeutic Recreation (Im emphasizing in art and dance) and then become certified in Child Life- that's a lot of education) I would love more than anything to travel and hike all over Europe. I have looked into programs that help build schools, work in orphanages and hospitals around the world- I would love to do something like that. For now I volunteer every summer for a camp at the children's hospital in Seattle. I would love to be a missionary, and bring the gospel to others. I would love to bring happiness to people all over the earth!!!! But above all of these dreams, hopes and ambitions.... I want to be a mother. In my mind I cant see any greater thing that I could ever do with my life than to raise God's children and be their to wipe their noses when they are running, clean the rocks out of a scrapped up knee, cook dinner for a hungry family every night and then clean the dishes, read Dr. Seuss 100+ times, potty train a toddler, suffer through high school math homework late into the night and support my kids in their music, dance, and sports events. 

     When I talk to friends and we discuss our futures we often talk about getting married and having kids. Many of my girl friends talk about waiting till they are in their mid 30's to have kids. That way they have had time to build a good foundation for themselves, they have traveled and "lived up their young years." But I want to have kids a year or two after marriage, I want to spend my "young years" crawling around a kitchen floor littered with Cheerios cleaning up split milk, playing on the swings and play sets at the play grounds, throwing Frisbee, making sugar cookies in the holidays and dancing to MJ late at nights with my kids. When I think about my future family all I can do is smile. I think about all those beautiful spirits sitting on a cloud watching me, cheering me on as I go through my life and anxiously waiting to come down and be wrapped up in my arms as I sing them to sleep. I dream of the day when I will have children to read to, play with and keep as my own for time and all eternity. Truly I believe that I was born to be a mother and that is the one career that I have dreamed of since I was a little girl playing with my 2 dozen baby dolls in my room.

     For years it has been debated on the importance of a mother's role and if being a mother is the right career for every woman. Now I am in no position to start listing off reasons why women should be mother's or why they should choose a professional career over having children (although in my mind mother's are the most professional people there are on this earth). But I can give my testimony that there is not a greater, nothing more divine, no greater joy than being a mother and raising God's children. 

God trusts women so much that He lets them bear and care for His spirit children.
--Elder Neal A. Maxwell.

Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.
--The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

The true spirit of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gives to woman the highest place of honor in human life.
--The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints