Tuesday, January 19, 2016

book review: "More Than the Tattooed Mormon"

 
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A few weeks ago, a long-awaited moment for me finally arrived; More Than the Tattooed Mormon came back in stock on Amazon after the holidays. I can't tell you exactly how excited I was for this book. The best I can do is paint a picture of what unfolded.

My family has Amazon Prime, so I knew what day it was supposed to arrive thanks to the glorious, free 2-day shipping once it came back in stock. I checked the doorstep almost every thirty minutes, waiting for a package. However, as it got dark, I began to lose hope. That was until, around 8pm, I heard the mailman. I jumped up, ran downstairs, and opened the door.

It was raining. With lightning.

But oh no, that didn't stop me. I threw all cares to the wind and ran into the rain towards the mailbox. And guess what was inside? Nothing.

After returning to the comfort of my house, I closed the door and turned around. "Looking for this?" my dad inquired. In his hand was the book. I let out a giddy squeal and grabbed it, mumbling a quick, "Thank you!" before sprinting up the stairs. And then I proceeded to do a happy dance around my room. Don't believe me? Ask my friend, who had the wonderful opportunity to witness it while Facetiming me.




Needless to say, I was PRETTY dang excited to read this book. And after reading it, I can say with assurance that I did not put my faith and excitement in the wrong book. I'm an avid reader, and this book is definitely in my Top 3 books. Which is saying a lot, considering how many books I've read.

One of the many things I love about this book is the way it's organized. It's sectioned into two parts; "My Story" and "Your Story." Al begins by sharing her conversion story, and it's an amazing one. Her personality shines through her writing, and I couldn't help but be enthralled in her storytelling. I laughed as she explained how two faithful missionaries won her over with steak. My heart ached as I read about her hardships and trials once she chose to follow God. It began as a biography, but eventually grew into a self-help book.

This book strengthened my testimony immensely. Her testimony inspired me. It was truly refreshing to be reminded of who I should put all of my faith in; God.

I read her entire book in one sitting. I could. not. put. it. down. Through her example, I was able to commit to reading the Book of Mormon more often everyday rather than just before bed. And what a change it has brought to my life!

And yet, like her, I find that as I cling to the gospel more and more, hardships arise that weren't there before. But like her, I can face them with newly discovered strength that comes from our Heavenly Father.

Through this book not only will you become immersed in the story behind the wonderful author, Al Carraway, but you'll also come to develop a new love for the gospel and a better understanding of your amazing purpose and infinite worth.

Definitely worth the read. I even bought another copy just to lend to friends because I may or may not have stuck sticky notes all over my copy with quotes and thoughts that stuck out to me.

Buy on Deseret Book | Buy on Amazon

Sunday, January 17, 2016

16 SMART resolutions for 2016 // Guest post by Madi

Hey guys! So I'm so excited to have Madi guest post on my blog! I absolutely love her blog. It's so creative and cute, and she is such an amazing person! Go check out her blog to see my post, too!

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Hello everyone!

My name is Madi and I blog over at Madison Custer. My blog is all about my life- school, church, mission prep, friends and family. I am so excited to be working with Eden on this post!

I thought since it was January it would be appropriate to write up some resolutions. I'm trying to be smart about my resolutions this year and plan things that are actually attainable. Feel free to take any ideas from this list! Here's 16 resolutions for 2016.

1. Drink More Water.
Last year I was probably always dehydrated. No more! I'm excited to see what being more hydrated does to my skin and hair.

2. Read the Book of Mormon Again.
I read it last year, I can do it again this year!

3. Pick up Piano.
I quit when I was in 8th grade, and boy oh boy do I regret it!

4. Become More Familiar with Preach My Gospel
My projected availability date for my mission is less than 365 days away (*eek!*) so I want to become more familiar with this awesome book!

5. Write More Letters.
Who doesn't LOVE getting a card or letter in the mail? Yeah, I don't know either.

6. Less Screen Time.
I definitely need to be less tied to my phone! I can come up with so many more productive things to be doing!

7. Do All My Homework!
I'm honestly so bad at this. I'm almost a second semester senior, but I guess better late than never.

8. Help my Little Sister on Personal Progress.
I loved doing Personal Progress so I can't wait to help her do it too!

9. Write More.
I go to an arts school where my focus is Creative Writing, so I do it for more than 3 hours a day anyway, but.... I have some ideas for later this year of things to write.

10. Blog More.
I love blogging. I love reading blogs. I need to do it more often.

11. Read More.
There are so many good books in the world and I'm afraid to pass any up! I want to get my hands on some really good ones this year.

12. Learn Lots of Little Recipes.
I'm going to college soon, so I need to learn this ASAP.

13. Be More Organized.
I just really really really want a clean desk and room. Is that too much to ask? (Apparently, it is.)

14. Expand my Music Taste.
I'm kind of boring when it comes to music, so I definitely want to listen to more. If you have any suggestions, drop by my blog and leave me a message!!

15. Learn to Study.
I don't really know how to do this effectively, but it's a skill I'm going to need for sure on my mission, so I want to learn as much about it as I can now!

16. Take More Pictures!
I love photography! I may or may not be buying myself a nice camera for a graduation gift, but I love documenting my life with pictures!

Well, thank you for reading this post! I hope you enjoyed it. I had so much fun coming up with this, and I hope you'll stop by and check out my blog in the future!

xoxo

Thursday, January 7, 2016

awkward & awesome thursday!

Awkward
- Getting stopped by multiple people to inform us that our truck's back brake light was out. Much appreciated, but still awkward nonetheless when we had to roll the windows down...
- Walking down a hallway to class and hearing multiple (and I mean MULTIPLE) cases of, "Yeah, my religions project was on Mormonism. I had Eden help me!!" and "Dude me too!!"
- Being asked multiple times throughout the day why I was reading a book called, "Tattooed Mormon." Um it's MORE THAN THE Tattooed Mormon. Jeez can't you see that fine print. No? Yeah me neither...
- Handing my teacher a $100 bill and praying she could make change for it.

Awesome
- She actually had change.
- Getting Al Carraway's More Than the Tattooed Mormon in the mail after waiting for it to come in stock on Amazon (book review coming soon)
- Being one lesson away from finishing my online driver's ed course!
- Realizing I don't have to go to school tomorrow because a Student Council Leadership Convention
 (we get lunch AND dinner)
- Turning two projects in on time :,,)
- THIS DANG BOOK LIKE IT'S JUST SO GOOD!!

Okay ... that is all.

What awkward and awesome things are going on in your life? Leave me a comment!

Don't forget to follow this blog on Follow

Saturday, January 2, 2016

2016 is MY year to GLOW!

Before I forget to say this, please take the time to fill out this survey here. It's short, but it will help me so much! I really want to know what ya'll would like to see from this blog in 2016. Okay...that is all :)

I am feeling so inspired right now. Maybe it has something to do with the new year. Maybe it has something to do with Glorious by David Archuleta playing downstairs. Or maybe it has to do with the fact that I just watched all of Al Fox Carraway's YouTube videos. Who knows? Either way, I'm lovin' it.

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2015 was a tough year for me. It brought with it the challenges of being a teenager in today's society. Feeling like I'll never be good enough. Like I'm doing everything wrong. That I'm "too skinny" or not as good of a member of the church as I should be.  However, it was also a great year.

Originally, as I typed the draft for this post, I started off with the great things first and ended with the tough things. I quickly switched it around, because I prefer to dwell on the wonderful things that changed me. I met amazing people. I attended Youth Conference in April and EFY over the summer. I participated in my stake's Youth Christmas fireside. I started this blog. I began to uncover my true worth. I discovered talents I never knew I had. And I think, best of all, I became closer to my Heavenly Father.

I'm still not perfect, though. And I never will be. Not in this lifetime, anyways. But through Christ, I CAN become perfected. It takes effort on my part. And wordly sacrifices. It takes recognizing my weaknesses and being humble enough to seek God's help in turning those weaknesses into strengths.

About a week ago, a weakness of mine that I had tried ignoring for the longest time was shoved in my face. It was embarassing. But above all else, it was truly humbling. I know now that I must take action, and look to God for help.

I didn't realize this at first, though. As I was beating myself up about it, I read the January edition of the New Era. In it, I found a scripture that really resonated with me. It was Ether 12:27. It reads:

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

Isn't that such an amazing promise? Especially the last part, "...then will I make weak things become strong unto them."  We all have weaknesses. That is part of being human. But I KNOW that through having faith in God, we can turn those weaknesses into strengths.

This year, I want to make a difference.

I'm going to dive head-first into the gospel.

I'm going to finish my Personal Progress.

I'm going to STUDY the Book of Mormon, not just read it.

I'm going to keep a prayer in my heart, and increase my communication with God EVERYDAY.

I'm going to use social media for more good by sharing uplifting messages.

I'm going to start memorizing scriptures and truly pondering them! I did that earlier this week with the 2016 Mutual Theme; 2 Nephi 31:20, and it was truly amazing!

I'm going to fast monthly and consistently.

I'm going to share my testimony more often!

I'm going to become more selfless.

This year, I want to GLOW. I want to SHINE. To RADIATE the happiness that I feel inside thanks to the restored gospel. I want to laugh more. Smile more. Compliment more. Build people up more!

Most of all, I want to dive HEAD-FIRST into the gospel like how Al Fox Carraway, one of my rolemodels, does everyday. I bought her book and it should come in the mail soon, and I am beyond excited. She radiates happiness, love, and hope. She really is a great rolemodel and example.

Man, I can't wait to see what 2016 will bring.

Oh, and here is a link to the survey if you haven't taken it yet! Click here!

Don't forget to follow along on Follow for updates whenever I post!

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

5 cute, modest outfits for the winter season!

Hey ya'll! So a few weeks ago, I found a SUPER cute Instagram account called all___things__modestly_mormon. It's run by this 16-year-old Mormon girl who not only creates funny memes, but also super stylish, modest outfits using Polyvore! I absolutely loveeeed going through her feed and liking basically, well, everything. I thought it would be a cool idea to team up with her and create five cute outfits to wear this season, including hair styles and where you can purchase everything. I hope ya'll enjoy, and I definitely recommend going and following her account. You won't regret it!


top:silkfred.com jeans:wraplondon.com boots:stevemadden.com earrings:nordstrom.com scarf:luxurydivas.com
This one is definitely one of my favorites. I love how everything compliments each other; the shoes, earrings, sweater and scarf!

top: hm.com vest: madewell.com pants: vestiairecollective.com shoes: shein.com scarf: stylebop.com
This hairstyle is super cute and chic, and the pants really brighten up the outfit! Not to mention those cute, leopard-print shoes!

dress: beautifulhalo.com, shoes: newchic.com, necklace: pinterest.com
This outfit would be really nice for church! I dream of the day I can style my hair like that.

top:hm.com, jeans: matchesfashion.com, flats: jcrew.com, necklace: calypsostbarth.com
Maybe it has something to do with the tumblr-looking messy bun, or the red nail polish, but I think this is a really cute outfit for a more laidback day!

And last but not least ...

sweater:amazon.com, skirt:net-a-porter.com, shoes:zooshoo.com, necklace: maxandchloe.com
Honestly, this is what I would totally wear for a dress-up day at school! Hahaha! Very fun and creative.

I hope you all liked some of these outfits, and don't forget to go check out more of her super cute ideas on Instagram! I hope you guys had a lovely Christmas :)


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