honoring the past

I got chills while watching this. If you want, you can look into the Warsaw Uprising, which is what they're commemorating in this video, but basically it was an uprising that took place in Warsaw, Poland during WWII where the Poles tried to liberate themselves and over 200,000 ended up being killed.
It's so neat that even today, decades later, the lost lives of these people are still being remembered and honored.

I was able to attend the funeral of my great-grandpa this week, and it was such a special day spent honoring him and all that he did in his life. How long will he be remembered on this earth? How long will I be remembered on this earth?

It is so important to remember and commemorate our history. You are the person you are because of those who came before you. The world is the way it is because of centuries upon centuries of decisions and events that have shaped it. Literature is the way it is because of the literature that was written yesterday. The same can be said of music and movies and pretty much anything else.

The things that we do today will affect the future in ways that we can't fully realize.

The history of the world is just one long story that includes the lives of many people who have helped write it and will continue to help write it.

What are you going to contribute to the world's story? And how will you remember those who came before you?

Sorry this was a quickie post, I've just been busy! Have a great first week of school! :)
Haley

real beauty

Are you beautiful as a person?
I'm not referring to makeup or nice clothes or the way you appear.
But as a person. Are you a lovely person?

Do you appreciate God's creations? Do you pay attention to the little things and take pleasure in simplicity? Do you make others feel good when they are around you?
Today is Memorial Day, and today we celebrate all of the amazing people who have gone before us and the sacrifices they made for us. Are you doing good things with the life you have?

Your life is a gift. You have so much potential to do good things and leave the world better than you found it. Take the opportunity today to consider the legacy you will leave when you die.

How will people remember you? Will they remember you as someone who loved God, someone with a beautiful personality, and someone who taught others to appreciate the world around them?

Sometimes we forget what beauty truly is. We get caught up in our daily lives, and we don't often stop to smell the roses.
We won't live forever. Memorial Day reminds me that I have a finite amount of time on this earth, and I want to spend it appreciating beautiful things and making the world better for those around me.

Appreciate what you have, folks. Take pleasure in the simple things around you. Give love freely, and open up your heart so you can feel joy and love deeply.

Happy last week of school! :)

Haley.

soldier girls

Happy April everyone! I hope you all enjoyed General Conference! If you missed it, you can watch/read/download here! You won't regret it!!

I've been sooo busy with school and am consequently so excited for summer.
And this trip.
And my best friend Sydney is coming with our family for two weeks to California! Yay!
What do you all have planned for the summer??

Hmmm... I'm trying to think of something interesting that has been going on in my life... I pretty much worked and watched Doctor Who all Spring Break. So not much to share there. I took the ACT this morning for the second time.
There's nothing more joyful than a good ol' standardized test!!!

And I'm really into Dancing with the Stars at the moment. Okay sorta into it. I watch most of the episodes. haha.

I got a letter in the mail the other day. It brought serious joy. Turns out it was just from this Radiothon I participated in... but yeah you should all mail me letters because I rather enjoyed finding that little surprise in the mailbox.

And here's my new favorite picture.

So I wanted to share this spectacular music video with y'all.
If you are familiar with T.C. Christensen (think 17 Miracles), he has a new movie coming out soon called Ephraim's Rescue. I'm so excited!


So here's a spectacular music video from it! Go get tissues (you're welcome)!



Here's my favorite line:

"We reached for God from where we stood."

God is closer than you think! And He can be reached by anyone! No matter where you're calling from!

You're never too far away and the Atonement is always accessible to you. Our Savior's grace and mercy extends to all, even you.

Don't you forget it!

Love to you all, have a great Sunday!





P.S. You can find this song on iTunes!! I've been listening nonstop!

help a friend. change a life.

I often wonder what sort of impact I could possibly have on the world.

There are billions of people who have died - and most of their names ends up becoming just that - another name. One little name - a few syllables among billions and billions.



The people that are remembered are the helpers. The lovers, the fighters, the thoughtful, caring people.
The people who make you rethink who you are - and make you want to be a better person. The people who make you feel like a better person just because they treat you that way.

The people who get up and do something productive. The people who try to make others' lives better.

I think everybody wants to be remembered for something like that.

Ask yourself - Do I really care about my fellow man? Really truly? What kind of person am I? What will I be remembered for?

Your actions and decisions determine which blessings you are worthy of.
The way you treat people and how much you truly care... it comes right back around.

So... don't just pray for the poor/sick/sorrowful/suffering man.
D.O. something to help them. Show that you really, truly care. Make an effort.

And people will really. truly. care about you in return.

Be the helper, the lover, the fighter. Don't forget that every little tiny action contributes to and shapes the mosaic of humanity. You can save lives. You can be remembered.

What do you guys think of the above quote/picture? What does it mean to you? And how much do you care?

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.