On myyyy own...

It's late so this is just going to be a picture heavy post (mostly for my family). I got the key to my apartment today and took a few pictures while I was there. Warning, it's not as ghetto as the pictures make it look. Yes the carpet in the living room is...well barely carpet and a little stained and yes the tiles in the bathtub are ancient and yes the kitchen is small but there are very lovely things about it and once I clean the carpets, scrub the kitchen & bathroom and move my stuff in I think it will be just right, if for no other reason than it is my apartment and I don't have to share it. The living and bedroom are both very big and the kitchen has a full size stove and refrigerator. More than I can say for all of the other apartments I could afford on my own. :) Enjoy the pictures and come visit so you can see that it really isn't so bad. :)

This is the fireplace in the living room!

The front door and a window that is in desperate need of curtains.

The teeny tiny kitchen. BUT it has a dishwasher and a window. I love having a window in the kitchen. It doesn't happen enough in apartments.

There are two closets this size in the hall and in the bedroom!

My very own bathroom. No more waiting in line to shower or wearing my hair up because I can't finish getting ready!
Part of my bedroom. (or just a picture of wall and carpet...) Obviously I got bored of pictures at this point. There is a window on the right wall and the left wall is all closet!

Blessings of Service

I have the opportunity to give a talk in church this Sunday. As I try to figure out which direction to go with my talk I have read some incredible talks. One of which is called Service, a Divine Quality by Elder Carlos H Amado. To be honest I would like to just stand up there and read this talk because it gives me goosebumps. The talk is short but powerful. There is one section that I just keep reading again and again and I want to share it.

I know that the Savior came to this earth and lived a perfect life. He is our perfect example and I want, more than anything, to emulate His light. The Savior never stopped serving and I have made covenants to do the same. It is so easy for me to say I'm too tired or too busy or too overwhelmed and feel justified in going home to lay on the couch and watch So You Think You Can Dance instead of going to visit someone who has been on my mind or to invite that person over that I know might drain my energy but could use a friend. I get caught up in the "thick of thin things". I also know what it feels like to genuinely put my whole heart into loving and serving others and that feeling is one that is worth the effort. SYTYCD may make me happy for 2 hours but being a blessing in someones life brings joy. (To both people, I would know, I have the greatest people in my life that serve me endlessly. Although at times it is difficult to accept, I am always filled with joy.) (PS this doesn't mean I'm going to stop watching SYTYCD but it does mean I'm going to use my time wisely.) Ok, now the quote that I wanted to share. It's long but, in my opinion, worth reading.

"Blessings of Service

I testify that through serving our fellowmen we come to know the Lord.

Service makes us strong in our faith and useful in His kingdom. Service gives us purpose and courage in life. It brings us closer to God and helps us refine our divine nature. It teaches us to love and understand our fellowmen, and it helps us forget about our personal desires, eliminating selfishness, pride and ingratitude. It teaches us to think of the needs of others, which allows us to develop the virtues that the Savior possesses.

Kindness, love, patience, understanding and unity will increase as we serve, while intolerance, jealousy, envy, greed, and selfishness decrease or disappear. The more we give of ourselves, the more our capacity to serve, understand, and love will grow.

Those who serve will always seek to please God and live in harmony with Him. They will be full of peace; they will have a cheerful countenance and a spirit of kindness.

Those who serve will strive to ennoble, build, and lift their fellowmen; therefore, they will find the good in others, and they will not find reason or have time to become offended. They develop the virtue of praying for those who criticize. They don't expect recognition or reward. They possess the love of Christ.

Those who serve will always be willing to share what they possess and what they know at all times, in all places and with all people.

Those who serve even in adversity will maintain a living hope of a better future. They will continue to be firm in the midst of a crisis because their hope is in Christ.

Those who serve will accept their assignments with humility, recognizing their limitations but convinced that two people can do all things they propose to do as long as one of the two people is God.

With divine inspiration, King Benjamin declared, "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17). Those who serve will have greater understanding of the personality and attributes of God.

Those who serve with devotion, even when things don't turn out the way they would like, are not easily discouraged, fatigued, or frustrated because the promise of peace of mind and the companionship of the Holy Spirit will never abandon them." -Elder Carlos H Amado

I know that what Elder Amado says is true. When I am lost in selfless service, no matter what comes my way, I am filled with hope, faith and a love for my Savior, my Father in Heaven and for His children. Service will heal anything that is broken because "through serving our fellowmen we come to know the Lord."