you MUST go see.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!


I know this guy did...


Cutest guy ever. This video makes you want to cry.


Anyways, I actually wanted to talk about this...


Oh my gosh.

Les Miserables is my favorite musical ever, and I have been listening to the music since I was three.

And if you don't remember me blogging about it before school even started, I have never been more excited for a movie in my life.

So me and Sydney very, very excitedly went last night.

We even took a pic of us by the poster, but it was outside and at 1:00 in the morning, so it's crappy.


The movie was incredible. i.n.c.r.e.d.i.b.l.e.

It was everything I hoped for and more, and even the singers I was worried about ended up doing great.

And whoever decided to have the actors sing live while filming was a genius. 
Because they sang with so much emotion, and quite honestly, I'm shocked it was live because they all sounded so fabulous.

And it's one of those movies that is so moving, and you feel so uplifted when you leave. (Kinda like Lincoln was, but better... ) :) We all even clapped at the end.

And we might as well just give the Oscar to Anne Hathaway right now. To say she was the best Fantine there has ever been is a huge understatement.


Oh and Hugh Jackman did fabulous as well.


EEeeeee!!! I just loved it. Go see it asap!!!

Plus now I'm in the Les Miserables mood so I've been listening to the new soundtrack all day and I think I'm going to spend some quality time with the book tonight.



Have a great day! Talk to me after you've watched the movie. :D

wise men still seek him

Merry Christmas everyone.

I hope that the Christmas Spirit touches your heart and that you will remember the reason for the season.


Remember HIM who came to save the world. To save you.



And let the joy and love that is the Christmas Spirit touch you and carry you through the rest of the year.

It's a wonderful feeling - and everyone feels it. Christians, Jews, non-religios folks... everyone, I think, is touched by the holidays.

And if someone could always feel that holiday joy radiating off of you... even during, say July... think how many people you could touch. Think how many people you could bring to the gospel.


Mmmm it's a nice thought.


Anyways,

Have a wonderful day tomorrow.

Spend it with family and friends and keep in mind all that your Savior has given you.


You guys are awesome.

what legacy will be YOURS??

"Every once in a while when we look up at the stars, we get a glimpse of the scale that's beyond the human scale, and it's fascinating and great," - Klaus Volpert


Do you ever feel... just lost in the sea of humanity?

Up until a few years ago, I never realized how big the world truly is. How insignificant I am - and how pretty much nothing is in my control.

I can see light and darkness all around me. In the people all around me.
And then - well, what am I? Who am I exactly in this sea of humanity?

And why am I here? I breathe the air. I learn from brilliant minds and I am touched by the love of others. So what do I owe the world in exchange for all this?

And God is the reason I exist. He is the reason the whole world exists.

So what do I owe him for that?

---------

"You are good. But it's not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others."—Gordon B. Hinkley

----------

We only have a few short years to live this life - and an eternity to remember it.

By serving I can become good for something. I will help the people around me.

Even with small things. Because you truly never know - never have any idea - how your actions and words affect those around you.

Have you ever wondered of your legacy?

Will people remember who you are after you've died? Will they hear your name and think "I am grateful to her..."?

And what people? Many or just a few?



Do you think people might read my name generations from now and wonder if I laughed, cried, told jokes, did math... if I believed in Jesus?



Well they might not need to wonder. Could you leave a legacy that lasts for generations?


I believe that even if you touch one human heart - one of God's precious souls -

Well, what a beautiful legacy. Because not only will those people remember you, they will tell of you.


Your body may not live forever... let's face it, everyone dies.
The hope is that we will create something that will live forever.

You can continue to serve and inspire people even after your death.



So create many beautiful moments, beautiful memories, beautiful friendships, and a beautiful love of people and of God.


Because giving back is the Christmas spirit.

And by giving back, you create a Legacy. 

i'm feeling christmasy.

I really dig these pictures from some reason... :)

So in the spirit of Christmas, after we just watched the Christmas Devotional last night (here), I wanted to do a Christmasy post.

Because I love Christmas.

I love the music...
the snow...
the music...
the christmas lights outside...
hot chocolate
presents
the music
the feeling in the air
the cold outside...
I love boots...
and the fact that people get a little more humane this time of year :)
and I love love White Christmas. I've already watched it twice.

(Did I mention I love the music?)

A fabulous lady in my ward shared the following video on Facebook...

I love myself a good flash mob, especially the kind where everyone kinda joins in... But a Christmas one? I'm sold. Let's do one.



Ooooh don't you get the chills big time when you watch that? I can feel the Spirit when I watch that.


Mmmm.... Christmas.

What a perfect time to renew your relationship with your Savior if needed.

Because His birth is truly what we celebrate - the Child who came to save all.

And He came in a manger.

So I will fall on my knees and I will worship Him whose birth the angels sing. 
(name those songs. hee.)

Let's do what President Uchtdorf said - and be gracious and grateful receivers.
Let's do what President Eyring said - and give gifts that will create feelings of love and joy.

And let's do what our Prophet said. Let's remember Him. Let us love and serve. And be thoughtful and make others happy.
Let's give without a thought of getting.
Let's seek the star.
Travel to Bethlehem.

Seek the Savior.

Let's let the Spirit of Christmas enter into our hearts.

Merry Christmas!

The Painting

I heard a really good story in seminary today... enjoy!

-----

 The Painting

Author: Unknown

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction, as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors round the world.

As winter approached, war engulfed the nation and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.

Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season - a season that he and his son had so looked forward to - would visit his house no longer.

On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you.

As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man's son had told every one of his - not to mention his father's - love of fine art. "I'm an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man's son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man's face in striking detail.

Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace.

A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.

During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy's life would live on because of those he had touched.

He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief.

The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received.

The following spring, the old man became ill and passed way. The art world was in anticipation. With the collector's passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas day, the day he had received his greatest gift. The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings.

Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim "I have the greatest collection." The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum's list. It was the painting of the man's son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. "Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked.

Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of his son. Let's forget it and go on to the good stuff." More voices echoed in agreement. "No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer.

"Now, who will take the son?" Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. "Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That's all I have. I knew the boy, so I'd like to have it." "I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone." The gavel fell.

Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!"

The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it's over? We didn't come here for a picture of some old guy's son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what's going on here!"

The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes The Son... gets it all." 

Thoughts on Christmas

I was saving a Christmas post until... Christmas...
But I want to write down a few of the things I've been thinking, because they are things that should be remembered throughout the whole holiday season.
I listed a few things in another post that I love about the holiday season (I'm not providing a link to that post... They keep getting screwed up on this tablet I'm using.)
They included music, food, decorations, well... Everything!

The world has forgotten the meaning of Christmas... The whole reason we celebrate it... There are people who celebrate Christmas for no reason. They just do it because that is what a lot of people celebrate. They want to be a part of the Christmas season. They don't do it because of Christ. Maybe some people say they do, but that isn't what they are putting near to their heart.

We are celebrating His birth.
His life.
We are celebrating everything that we have because of Him.



Just remember this during the Christmas season...
Just remember...