Happy Easter

My heart is feeling rather tender this morning.  Today's a big day for me.

I'm celebrating the birth of our child.

I'm celebrating the resurrection of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
I'm listening to prophets and apostles of God.

I thought it only fitting to tell you what I know on this beautiful Easter morning.  In our church we call it "bearing our testimonies."

- I know my Savior, Jesus Christ, lives.  I know that He suffered in Gethsemane and was crucified for me.  I know He was resurrected on the third day, and that because He was, I can be, too.

- I know the amazing power of the Atonement.  I have utilized it so many times in my life - both to repent of my sins and to enable me to do more than my capacity.

- I know Thomas S. Monson is the prophet for the world, and that he is the Lord's spokesman today.

- I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him when he was 14 years old.  They told him there was no completely correct church on the earth at that point, and then under their instruction, he restored Christ's true church on the earth.

- I know the Book of Mormon is scripture, and that it was translated by Joseph Smith through the power of God.  I know that it works together with the Bible to give us the fullness of Christ's gospel.

- Because of my Savior, my family gets to be together forever.  Christ has given us temples to make special promises that allow our family ties to extend beyond the grave.

There are many more things that I know and believe, but these six are what I feel are most important.

Happy Easter my friends.  May God send bounteous blessings to you! 

I'm back! (General Conference)

Woo-hoo!

For all my LDS friends - General Conference was amazing, no?  I definitely wasn't disappointed.  My two week social media fast made a huge difference as well!  

One of the biggest blessings I saw was that I was able to hear the answers to the questions I had asked and pondered about even though I was dealing with Joey (he was having a hard time sleeping during those two days for some reason and was WAY overtired.  We finally swaddled him - which we haven't done in months - and he crashed in my arms during the second session on Sunday).

I think the biggest thing that I will remember though is that Heavenly Father knows I'm trying really hard to make sure I do the "little things" (like study my scriptures daily, say my prayers, teach Joey about Christ, etc.), and that He will bless my family and me for the effort that I make.  The Spirit really touched my heart as I had that thought and told me it was very, very true.

I'm so grateful for a God who is intricately involved in the details of my life.  I really see tender mercies like that from Him often.

Something else I've decided to do is take Facebook off my phone.  I want to see if it will help me feel closer to my Heavenly Father more often as it has done over the last two weeks.

What was your favorite part of Conference?  What did you learn?  Did you do a social media fast, too?

It's that time of year again

The holidays!!!

Ok, not quite yet.

And not what this post is about.

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we have a general conference for our entire church every six months.  Every April and October actually.

Literally millions of people gather at the Conference Center in Utah, in church buildings across the world, and as families in their homes to hear the words spoken by living prophets and apostles.

In April we didn't really get a chance to pay attention because we had a baby that was hours old in our arms.  And I missed it dearly.

So I'm excited for October's conference.  We'll be gathering with our family in our home to watch it.  In fact, if anyone needs a place to watch it (or if you're not a member of our church and would like to come listen and learn more about our church) you're more than welcome to come to our home.  Just let us know :)

With that being said, I'm doing something special to prepare for this conference.  I'm doing a "social media fast."  For the two weeks before conference I will be removing Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Blogger, etc. from my phone, and not checking it on the computer.  Instead, I'm going to take the time to be with my son, ponder what the Lord wants me to learn, and try to really draw closer to the Spirit.  (Last time I did this I had a pretty awesome experience.  Read about it here.)

If you'd like to join me in this effort, I strongly encourage it!

See ya'll in about two weeks!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

On Sunday, our sacrament meeting was all about gratitude.  I learned some pretty cool things, and also was reminded of some pretty cool things.  One thing that was said that I feel is worth sharing is something the youth speaker, Adam, said.  "An attitude of gratitude is a disease we should share."  I thought that was pretty profound for a teenager.

On Monday, Neal and I did a Family Home Evening where we made a list of some of the things we are grateful for, and then said a special prayer just to thank Heavenly Father for the things he's given us.  It was pretty awe inspiring to sit down and write out a list, and then realize that we could never write down every single thing we are grateful for.  We have been so blessed and given so much.

Here is just a short list of some of the things I am so incredibly thankful for:

1. My faith in and testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ - I know that I am a daughter of God, and that Christ is my Savior.  I know they both love me tremendously.

2. Neal - I can't even begin to explain to you how incredible this man is.  I thought I knew, but he has become even more amazing to me over the last few months.  He does so much service for me, works so hard to provide for us, and strives to be obedient to the commandments.
3. My family - Over the last few months I have come to realize how much I have taken my family for granted in the past.  I am so grateful for how much they love me and support me.
4. This little guy that we hoped for for what felt like so long, and that has already started changing our lives in the most incredible ways.
5. My job - I have one of the most rewarding, frustrating, enjoyable, crazy, awe-inspiring jobs in the world.  Its something I can't put into words.
6. That we always have enough for our wants and needs.  That we always have food, clean water, and shelter.
7. That we live in the US.  Things may not be going exactly how I'd like, but its still one of the best places in the world to live.
8. Scriptures - I love studying the scriptures so much, and I'm grateful for the guidance and direction I feel I get from them.
9. The trials I've been through - They've helped form me into the person I am today.  There are a lot of positive things that have come from trials I've been through.
10. That we get to work with and teach adorable 4 year olds every week on Sunday.  It truly is one of the best callings I've had!

I hope you all had an incredible Thanksgiving!  What are you grateful for this year?

Super fun week!!

So I don't normally post specifically about what we did during the week, but the week of May 5th was a super fun, awesome week for us!  It seems like we did a whole lot more than we usually do in a week! (Sorry there aren't a whole lot of pictures...I didn't do very well at that this week.  I figure with me posting our wedding pictures lately though, you've probably had enough pictures for a bit!  Haha)

Sunday night we went to my grandparent's house because my cousin Stephanie was in town visiting.  We had a delicious dinner, and then roasted marshmallows and made smores!  It was super fun to see her and spend time with her.

On Monday night we had our friends from church come over for family night (we call it Family Home Evening, or FHE for short).  Our friends Kevin and Ashley with their son Ryder, and Mike and Bekah with their daughter Carmen all came over.  They each brought a yummy treat to share, and I made some things, so we ate and played "Pirate's Cove."  After they all went home, our friends Frank and Sarah came over (they couldn't come earlier because the sister missionaries were at their house) and we played "Apples to Apples" with them.  It was a really enjoyable evening, and great to get to know our new friends better!

Tuesday the sister missionaries came over to our house, and explained that their mission president has requested they teach members the missionary lessons so that we can each be better prepared to share the gospel with those around us.  We accepted their offer, and they taught us the first lesson about the Restoration.  It was so wonderful to have them in our home, and we really look forward to continuing to have them there!

Tuesday night I tried a new adventure with cooking.  I made The Pioneer Woman's homemade pizza dough and homemade cal-zones.  They turned out delicious!!  You can see the delightful meat and cheese mixture in the pictures here...

The problem was, I had to double the pizza dough recipe because I accidentally doubled the yeast (I used a full packet when you're only supposed to use half).  We ended up with about 12 cal-zones.  Too much for Neal and I to eat by ourselves!  We took a few of them and delivered them to the dispatch center I work for so my coworkers could enjoy the fabulous-ness (and because they made us feel guilty on Facebook when I posted the pictures!)  Then Neal and I went to TCBY on a date and had delicious frozen yogurt.

Wednesday before work, Neal and I went shooting with Bekah and Mike.  I got to shoot my gorgeous new pistol (a Springfield) and automatically fell in love!  Neal also became very happy that I chose this gun when he shot it, and loved it as well.

On Thursday Neal's parents took us to lunch at Olive Garden to celebrate our birthdays (which are two weeks apart).  We also celebrated the fact that Neal took his last two finals for the last two classes he needed for this Associate of Arts degree!  We knew he was going to do really well in his English class, but he was worried about his math final.  He discovered later that night that he did really well on his cumulative final, and would be able to graduate!  (He didn't walk because we were in Las Vegas when FRCC had their commencement ceremony...more on that next blog post!)

The rest of the week we spent working and getting ready for our anniversary/birthday trip to Las Vegas!

May 13, 2011 - Part 3: Neal and Amanda at the temple

All photographs are ©Kelsey Hansen Photograph

Walking out the temple doors right after being sealed :)

Neal's so excited ;)

I love this picture because I think it captures how happy and excited we are

Walking along the south side of the temple

This series of pictures is ridiculous, but I love it.  Basically, Kelsey is taking the picture of Neal, I realize what is going on in the process, and try to photo-bomb him!

     

These are also some of my favorites!

These pictures were all me!  I LOVED what my dress did when I spun around, so I wanted pictures of it!

Click to see Part 1 of our pictures (with our families)

Click to see Part 2 of our individual pictures at the temple

To read about our wedding day click here

Social media fast and General Conference

A couple of weeks before General Conference, I was pondering how I could best prepare to hear the messages in the talks that were directed to me.  I was also wondering how I could be more in tune with the Spirit, so that I could have my questions answered and understand the things that Heavenly Father wanted me to know specifically.  As I was pondering on this subject, I had an experience brought to my mind from about 3 years ago.  A talk was given in our singles ward, and the topic was about doing a media fast to prepare for General Conference.  As I reflected on my memory of this talk, I realized how much time I wasted on social media each day - especially the days I worked when we weren't busy.  I decided that a good way for me to prepare for General Conference was to do a "social media fast" for the week before conference.

At midnight on the Saturday (or Friday night...whichever you prefer) one week before conference, I deleted the social media apps on my phone (including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest) and made the commitment to stay off the websites for the whole week.  It was hard at first.  I wondered to myself, "What in the world am I going to do with this idle time at work??"  There were even a few times when I almost accidentally got on Facebook merely out of habit (I caught myself before logging in thankfully).  I instead filled my time reading, working on things for committees at work, starting the book by Elder Bednar titled Increase in Learning that I've been trying to start since I bought it over 6 months ago, working on baby blankets, and playing games with my co-workers when we were slow.  I actually watched tv shows and actually listened to Neal when we were talking instead of zoning out on my phone.  I was able to spend AT LEAST 30 minutes each day studying the scriptures, and my prayers were more meaningful.  I felt less like I was rushing all the time, and more like I had the time to accomplish all of my goals.

Most importantly (because it was my goal) I was able to ponder questions that I had specifically for conference, and I was able to go into it listening for answers.  I truly listened to the talks and wasn't distracted by my phone buzzing with social media notifications.  I can truly say I felt strengthened, and that I received answers to most of the questions that I had pondered throughout the week.

To take it a step further: I ended my social media fast Sunday after the last session of conference.  Last night I was looking back on the past couple of weeks, and was thinking to myself, "WHY have I felt so rushed?  Why haven't I been able to squeeze in my scripture study, and why are my prayers so...sucky (because, lets face it...they have been because I've either been rushed that it's just been the "normal" things instead of thoughtful or so tired that I've almost fallen asleep while praying).  It suddenly hit me, that it's because I've fallen back into my trap of social media zoning instead of focusing on other things that I can be doing...like these very essential and important things that I was failing at.  Did I learn nothing?!?  Hahaha.

So, my goal is to focus a little less on refreshing my Facebook home page, or my Twitter feed on the off chance that maybe in the last two minutes a notification or tweet has magically appeared...at 2 am...when no one but me and my coworkers are awake... *rolls eyes*...

Tonight has been better.  I've read more of my book.  I've talked to my husband.  I've read my scriptures.  And it feels good!

It's March. Why is it snowing??

Earlier this month we were asked by the leaders of our church to pray and fast for moisture sufficient for the needs in our area.  We had so many wildfires last year, and it drained the area of water supplies putting them out.  There also has been a lack of snow and rain in our area, and so there hasn't been enough water to replace the water that was used last year.

The day after this special fast, it snowed.  It wasn't supposed to snow at all, and we got about an inch of snow.  Since then, we have been blessed with several days of rain and snow.  It has been wonderful to know that Heavenly Father has heard our prayers, and blessed us with the moisture.

Here are a few pictures of the last storm we had of super wet, heavy snow.  It was absolutely beautiful. 

Things I learned the hard way this week

I have been debating writing/posting a blog about this for the past week.  I've decided to move forward with the post because I want to share what I have learned this week, amidst all of the saddness and heartbreak I have been feeling.  I also find writing rather theraputic, so I'm hoping this will help me out as well.  I won't give a detailed account of everything that happened this week, but I will explain the things that led up to my "learning experiences."

As most of you have probably heard, my sister-in-law (Neal's sister) Angela passed away Monday, Feburary 4, 2013.  It was completely unexpected, and came as a shock to all of us.  Angela spent all of Sunday with family: we had Olivia's baby blessing that morning, and the evening she spent with Shauna watching the Superbowl.  She seemed completely happy and healthy.  She even told her parents at one point that she was feeling better than she had ever felt.  We had absolutly no indication that we would get halfway through our day Monday before everything changed.  Neal's mom called us around noon to tell us what was going on, and Neal answered the phone.  I couldn't hear exactly what was being said, but I could tell something was wrong. 

This leads me to learning experience number one: we will react in the way we are taught/trained to react.  Neal immediately handed me the phone and went into what we call his "technician mode," packing up the things that were strewn everywhere since we had been staying at my parents' house.  I immediately went into "dispatcher mode" while talking to Judy, trying to help her calm down until EMS arrived.  We were packed up and ready to leave in about 7 minutes.

The second thing I learned this week is that even when we don't feel like we are making a difference or touching people's lives, we are.  As soon as word got out about Angela's death, people started posting on her Facebook page about memories, and how much they would miss her.  By the end of the day Monday, there were over 400 notifications for her page, and it just continued from there.  We estimated around 800 people at her funeral.  Numbers that astounded us, and that we know would have absolutely amazed her.

The third thing I learned was how grateful I am for the sealing covenant.  I know that because of the sealing covenant, I get to see Angela again someday.  I also cannot put into words my gratitude that I know if anything happened to Neal, I would be married to him for time and all eternity, and that death could not part us.

The fourth thing I learned is that I need to do everything I can, everyday, to be as worthy as I can be.  I guarantee Angela had no idea she would be waking up in the arms of Christ rather than in her bedroom.  She didn't have time to prepare or to think about it.  This inspires me to do everything I can, each and every day, so that if someday this were to happen to me, I could look my Savior in the face and honestly tell Him I did the best that I could.

The fifth thing I learned this week is to love, unconditionally, and to tell people you love just how much you love them.  Hug them, give them kisses, hold their hands, spend time with them, whatever you do, show your love.  Don't worry about the small things that truly won't matter in five minutes, or even the next day.  There are so many things I did not tell Angela that I truly wish I could have, and so many things I worried about that truly did not matter. 

The sixth thing I learned this week is how protective I can get of Neal, but also how there comes a point when I have to let go of the control and allow things to happen.  I would have given almost anything to take his pain and his worry away. I took the whole week off so I could be by his side every moment that he needed me.  The few moments I was away from him were difficult for me (because I would have been able to protect him from his own emotions anyway...that's logical...).  Tonight we both went back to work, and it was hard.  I can't really explain why, but it was, and it was because of us being seperated instead of together.

Speaking of work, I learned I have one of the best jobs, and a lot of my reasoning for that is because of the people I work with.  I texted the supervisor that I thought was on duty on Monday and even though she was on vacation, she still took care of all of my leave time issues.  On Wednesday night Neal and Shauna and Kelsey and I were up making the slideshow, and I had multiple coworkers text me and talk to me for a little while, which was super comforting.  We walked into the viewing on Thursday and saw a gorgeous floral arrangement from my "family at PECC," which I was not expecting at all.  When I got back to work today I read an email from a coworker that described exactly how I was feeling, and it helped lighten my burden just a little.  I truly have a second family at work :)

The last thing I have learned is how amazingly faithful my in-laws are.  They both have been such a shining example to me through a very dark week.  Yes, they are sad, but every word they have said, every action they have taken, has been with complete faith and trust in God.  We don't have any answers, and there is a  very real possibility that we may not get any answers in this life, and although answers would be nice to have, they have both made the comment that they are at peace and know that what has happened was God's will.

Throughout the week I was also reminded of many things that I knew already, but just needed a little confirmation.  Some of these things are that the Lord blesses us with tender mercies (especially in times of trial), there are many good people in the world who are quick to serve, and that I love Neal more than I can put into words.

So now come the awkward part - the part where I need to end, but don't really know how (this always has been my weakness...my English teachers always loved my papers until the ending).  So instead, I'll end with a song - a song that Neal and I have always loved, but that has even more meaning now.

Angela, we will be singing for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkWJTlleSHg