Sunday, November 30, 2008

Counting the Days for Christmas...

Day One:

"In each of us there is at Christmastime something of our childhood. We all revel in the fun of Christmas—of giving and receiving tinseled presents, of singing favorite carols, of feasting on goodies we never miss at other seasons, of gathering together as family and friends, all having a wonderful time. But there is something else, something better, and that is to sit together as families and read again the fascinating story of the birth of Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem of Judea.

It is proper during this season when we commemorate His birth that we remember the Lord Jesus Christ in reverence and with love. He has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. He has brought meaning to our mortal existence. He has given us the gift of eternal life.

When all is said and done, when all the legions of the ages have passed in review, when man’s terrible inhumanity to man has been chronicled, when God’s great love for His children has been measured, then above all stands the lone figure of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, the living Son of the living God, the Prince of Peace, the Holy One.

Isaiah spoke of Him centuries before His coming: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Nephi, long before the Master’s birth, was given a vision of His coming. He saw in that vision the mother of Christ, “a virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins” (1 Nephi 11:15).

Of her He was born in Bethlehem of Judea, and the angel said unto Nephi, “Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!” (1 Nephi 11:21).

And Nephi “beheld that he went forth ministering unto the people, in power and great glory; and the multitudes were gathered together to hear him; and … they cast him out from among them.” And He “was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world” (1 Nephi 11:28, 33).

All of these ancient visions were fulfilled. He came to earth. He walked the dusty roads of Palestine, teaching the people, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, raising the dead, giving His life on Calvary’s cross, and rising on the third day to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

He had been the Creator of this earth, under His Father’s direction, for as John records, “without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). He was the great Jehovah who spoke with the prophets of old.

He was the lowly babe who came to earth in the meridian of time and brought to us the gift of Christmas. He was the Resurrection and the Life, who brought to us the wonder of Easter.3

There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection.

I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal, Living God. None so great has ever walked the earth. None other has made a comparable sacrifice or granted a comparable blessing. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. I believe in Him. I declare His divinity without equivocation or compromise. I love Him. I speak His name in reverence and wonder. I worship Him as I worship His Father, in spirit and in truth. I thank Him and kneel before His Beloved Son who reached out long ago and said to each of us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”

(Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Glorious Season,” NewEra, Dec 2007, 2–5)

I'll post the second part of the article tomorrow.

Merry Christmas! Yeah! Already! 'Tis the season!

I'M GRATEFUL FOR... (Plus other stuff)

So I never posted my last day of gratitude...

I'm grateful for knowing that my Redeemer lives, and that I will meet with Him again, if I choose the right :) He's the greatest gift the world was given :)

And coming back to the regular posts: A little about Thanksgiving Day. I went to Burley (South Central Idaho) to the Handy residence. They are the COOLEST family in the world!!! They are all dancers and are always involved in performances, etc. But dancing apart, I had the coolest Thanksgiving with them! We had a fun day, and there were 29 people for dinner. How cool is that! I didn't take any pictures, and maybe I should have... But oh, well.

Tomorrow I go back to classes... Two more weeks and I am done with Fall Semester. Time really flew by...

As of news, I am putting together a Photo Album to send to my parents for Christmas... I am designing it and I am having a ton of fun! (But it's hard work as well...)

Happy Monday!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

I'M GRATEFUL FOR...

I haven't been able to post for a while, so there is goes... I better catch up :)

Roadtrips - There's nothing better than take the road with friends, or even by myself, and reflect on life.

The Scriptures - They are a source of inspiration and answers for me.

My work - My bosses are so nice and understanding. Plus I get to work outdoors.

TLC - I could watch that channel all day!

Carmex lip balm - For the dry and cold weather of Rexburg, there's nothing better!

Laughter - really, there's no better medicine!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

I'M GRATEFUL FOR...

Having the opportunity to get an education...

... And for accomplishing so many things in such little time!

Hard work pays off. I had to put together a Business Ethics Seminar today at school. I wasn't expecting but it was a TREMENDOUS success! We had about 45 students come and participate, and it was a great opportunity! It's all about announcing in the classrooms and talking to teachers that you know as well. Now I have to prepare the report, measure the success of the event, and hopefully, go to SIFE Regionals!!! Yay for me!!! ;) Happy Thursday

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

I'M GRATEFUL FOR...

Microlending Organizations - Even though I don't benefit from them directly, I can see the difference that they make in other people's lives. 

See the difference for yourself, and maybe help those people with some hope:

www.grameenfoundation.org

www.kiva.org

Happy Tuesday!

I'M GRATEFUL FOR...



Animals.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

I'M GRATEFUL FOR...


I'm grateful for wonderful sunsets that allow the most wonderful pictures EVER!!!

I'M GRATEFUL FOR...

14. Brazilian Hot Dog Parties... Boy are they good! And the fun is awesome as well!

15. Visiting and Home Teachers... Who always have a great message and care so much for us!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

REASONS TO BE GRATEFUL

I decided to follow Kika's example and am going to express my gratitude for little things and big things that happened in my life. Since this is the 13th day of the month, I'm going to try and put down 13 of the things I am grateful for. There you go:

1. I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ, and for His infinite Atonement, that makes it possible for me to go back to Heavenly Father's presence someday.

2. I am grateful for my parents, who are WONDERFUL and so good to me... "I, Helga, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father (and mother); and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days." They are my rock and my life.

3. I am grateful for my friends. All of them who give me love and support, and all the ones who surprise me with the craziest text messages during the day, like Kika: Eh babalu? Eh big big? hehehehe... Love you Kikete!

4. I am grateful for attending a wonderful school, that really teaches me how to be a true and faithful disciple.

5. I am grateful for the knowledge I have on many subjects. I feel so smart!

6. I am grateful for my bishop. He is an amazing man, so loving and caring for the ward members!

7. I am grateful for the sun and the skies... There's nothing better than contemplating a beautiful clear sky with the sun shining...

8. I am grateful for my jobs, both at the Grounds and at the Career Services. They both give me an opportunity to serve and to grow somehow.

9. I am grateful for my roomates. They are so fun and drama-free! I love them!

10. I am grateful for people who contribute to the BYU-Idaho scholarship fund. Thanks to people like them, I have had the opportunity to relieve the financial burden on tuition and school-related costs.

11. I am thankful for my pets and for the joy that they bring me. Even though they are thousands of miles away in Brazil, they bring me joy. Suffering as well, but they fill my life with love and happiness.

12. I am thankful for Latin Dances. They are the cheapest and best Friday night activity!!! For only a dollar I get to dance my mind off, meet some nice people, and especially cute guys ;)

13. I am grateful for Dairy Queen's Banana Cream Pie Blizzard ;) There's no better anti-depressant.

Have a great Friday!!!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, NAME THEM ONE BY ONE...

Sometimes the Lord catches me off guard... It's quite interesting! I guess I must report here. Maybe this will lift some people up, if not myself. And think that a couple weeks ago I was living in the middle of HELL. With the death of Billy and other issues that came along, I was feeling very desperate and hand-tied at the same time. You know when motivation doesn't come to you and you just want to give up? Give up on what? School, life, all sorts of things. And there was my mom to lift me up. Whoever knows her really well and for a long time, knows that for many years she has been inactive in the Church. Well, the picture changed about a year ago, when she decided to come back for good due to things that I was going through while I was living in Washington. I have been recovering from a hard heartbreak. Sometimes I still think about it, but more as a lesson than anything else. Anyways. coming back to mom, she came back to Church and has been active. Probably more than me. But she has taught me some valuable lessons.

During those hard days for my family, I took a lot of time to reflect on my life and to ask the Lord to give me some direction concerning my academic life, as well as in other aspects. I was still a little hesitant, but amazingly, in the course of two weeks things seem to be falling into place. I decided to go to school during the Winter Semester instead of going off-track. Being almost 27 and not done with my Bachelor's Degree is something that bothers my parents, especially my dad. So with his support, I am going to be able to complete Winter Semester and hopefully in December 2009, prepare yourselves because there is Graduation!!! Yay!!! 

Mom and Dad getting Willy was another blessing, They got him yesterday but are completely IN LOVE with the dog. Dad called me tonight and we were talking, and when I was about to ask him about Willy, he went off saying how he is SO CUTE and how he eats so much hehehe... The Dog is 70 days old and already weighs about 9 pounds... HOLY COW!!! He's a little big though, but I don't think he'll grow a whole lot more. He's the new king of the house. Of course, I was talking to Dad about Billy and asking him if they missed my little Billy and he said: "yes, we still miss him a lot, we compare him to Willy (in a good way), and it has been hard on us, but at the same time we are excited about Willy. He will be another distraction for us."

Also, whoever knows my Dad and has known him from the past, he was a very hard person to deal with. My mom said though that he changed completely. He is extremely serene and in my opinion he's getting faithful in the blessings that Heavenly Father has poured upon our family. One day he will be baptized, I am so sure!

I miss my family a ton. But at the same time, I know I have a purpose for being here. As Elder Bednar once said, all the students that are at BYU-Idaho HAVE a purpose for being here. We are not here by chance, and I can tell and testify: this is a disciple-builder institution. I am living proof of that. I have grown SO MUCH in these past seven months. I am privileged and honored.

If I am to count my blessings I will spend the whole night here. So, just to end, I just encourage everyone who reads this post to be grateful! Be grateful for the challenges that make you grow, for the pain and suffering that you go through, and for the blessings that come as a result of being obedient. I love this Gospel. I love my Savior, and I know I don't deserve many of the blessings that I have. But through His mercy, He makes everything possible.

Count your blessings, name them one by one... Count your many blessings, see what God has done! (Hymns #241)

Uma a uma, dize-as de uma vez... E veras, surpreso quanto Deus ja fez! (Hinos #57)

NAME CORRECTION

The name of the puppy is actually "Willy" and not Billy the Second as I mentioned on the last post. Mom and Dad changed the name because the vet told them that her mom named her pets the same as the previous one that had died, and they died fast... Supersticious :) But I LOVE THE NEW NAME! And I also LOVE Willy, even though I haven't seen him! Just based on what my mom and dad told me last night ;)

Have a good Wednesday!

Winter Semester here I come! IBC and some other classes... 

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

NEW FAMILY MEMBER

About an hour ago my mom called me to inform me that she got another Billy. One of her best friends, knowing of my mom's suffering, went to the Kennel Club and got her a little Billy. It's a wiener dog, but instead of being black like Billy was, he's red. Mom is totally in love with him! My dad might be knowing at this moment, and I'm excited to know his reaction. According to mom, if dad doesn't want the dog, she will be kicked out with the dog as well. That's how much she already loves him. I'm happy because they need another puppy, and I'm so excited to see Billy, The Second. (That's how mom is going to call him hehehehe)

To end this post I just want to thank my Savior (and I should probably just pray) for the wonderful miracles that have been happening in my life lately.

Have a heck of a Tuesday! I'll post more later ;*

Sunday, November 2, 2008

BILLY

A lot of people didn't know him, but I did, and very well. Billy was my dog, a wiener dog, who passed away this last Wednesday, October 29.  I didn't know it until the night of the 30th, when my mom finally had the guts to let out the bad news. 

Those have been a very bad couple days. I've been about to melt down, and I don't know what to do. Not only because of the fact that I was really attached to that dog, but also because there is a whole bunch of other problems that are coming along, and not letting me sleep very well at night.

Sometimes I wonder why problems come all at once. Heavenly Father probably has a reason for that. Go figure... (my new favorite expression)

All I know is that, together with trials, come the blessings. I have also been blessed this weekend. I will just make sure tomorrow that the blessing really came. Again I don't think I deserve half of the blessings I'm given, but again... GO FIGURE Heavenly Father. His infinite mercy has played a big role in my life, especially lately.

Coming back to my dog, it has been a hard process of overcoming his death. My mom and my dad are trying to get used to the house without him, and mom told me it has been hard on both of them, and also on the other animals that we have: another dog named Suzy, and the two cats. They wonder around the house looking for Billy, they are quiet and not wanting to do anything... Animals have feelings and sensitivity as well. At least I am not there, and wasn't not there to witness what happened, otherwise I'm sure it would have been even harder on me.  I have kept for a long time three little doll dogs that look just like Billy, and a picture of him, as well as a sign that says "Our perfect companions never have fewer that four feet" in my room since I have moved to Rexburg. That's how important he was for me. 

People keep telling me "it's just a dog". Again, we are "just people", right? And still it hurts on us. Just who knew him would know what I am talking about.

Now it's about overcoming everything. This week has potential to be great, and I hope it will be. I'm departing to San Jose, California this Wednesday, in search of an internship. Maybe I'll have some success there.  I better organize my stuff and start packing, so I don't stress over all the crap I have to get ready before the trip.

Hope you all have a great week. I'll be posting Halloween pictures soon.