Confession

I don't think I'll ever be a fashion blogger.

Here are a few reasons why:

1. I don't feel like anyone would be inspired by my outfits no matter how much I love them.

2. I'm not comfortable spending someone else's time taking pictures of me in said comfy but cute outfits.

3. Fashion blogs are booooooring! Not all, but if that's all they talk about, yes.

4. The duck face. It seems to be mandatory.

5. Uploading photos is not a hobby of mine.

6. There are more interesting things in the world to talk about than clothes.

Not that I talk about fascinating world subjects that often.

But I do feel that I write about things with a little more depth than heels and cardigans at least once a week.

I think what made me consider if I would ever do this is this button

I think the badge is a great idea to connect women who want modest fashion advice and ideas from each other. But sometimes I feel left out. To me it's a little online clique for girls that fit a certain style. I know that there are few limitations and the widget is freely shared with whomever wishes to participate.

My hope is that the badge never becomes a way to say "Hey I'm Mormon and I do this because it's cool" . I respect people who are willing to share their testimony much more than a knee length skirt or a cap sleeve tee. Now if there were more posts about why modest fashion is so important as a symbol of respect to our bodies and divine creation I would support that. Sadly that is not what I find from many blogs. 

I'll be the first one to state that I love clothes. I really really really love clothes. My focus in school was Clothing Construction. But too much attention on clothing becomes a major distraction for me. Do you remember my post about my hunt for mission clothing? I'm realizing more and more that paying so much attention to my wardrobe is a waste of time. I love to dress up and I want to look nice and presentable, but that doesn't mean I have to spend a lot. And thank goodness I'm losing that desire to have brand names emblazoned across my chest.

I don't want this to sound like I'm hating on well dressed women. And yes, I adore designer things, I just don't buy them! I think this issue hits close to home because it is a weakness of mine that I will probably have to always work on.

 I just want to be better at being like the Saints in Alma's time who "did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely" (Alma 1:27)

Therefore, I don't think I'll ever be a fashion blogger because it would just give me more reason to live with my head in the closet when it should be doing more productive things.

Tell me what your thoughts are on Fashion Blogging/self labeled Mormon fashion bloggers

Light of the World

I met a new coworker a few weeks back and as I got a chance to talk to her she just smiled at me and said, "I could tell you ware a Christian."  Now think a moment about that. I was just wearing all black and a hairnet like all of my other  coworkers. We hadn't spoken a word but to introduce ourselves before, and she knew it.  She wasn't surprised in the slightest when I told her of my faith and that I'm going to share my testimony with strangers for a year and a half.

How did she know? How could she tell? What she could see in me is what we call "the light of Christ".  There is something special about a person who knows that Jesus Christ has atoned for our sins and that life is more than just a series of mindless obstacles.

The world today is getting darker and more depressing every moment. My parents don't watch the news anymore because it is just a depressing stream of information that they don't want affecting us in our home.  What is amazing though is that as times are getting harder more people are turning to the Lord for their strength.  His path is the only sure way to eternal happiness. A great quote from the scriptures to share this point is found in Mosiah 16:7-9 "...the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.  He is the light and life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened".

When we are faithful in our obedience to God's commandments we will have that light of Christ that other's can see and just feel from being with us. Its obvious in our countenance and it is alluring to those that are seeking truth.

I know that many bloggers don't share anything about religion or their faith for any number of reasons. I want all of my blog readers to know that isn't me. I think that holding back from sharing my love of the gospel of Jesus Christ is denying other people the blessing of knowing their Savior and it holds back blessings from me as well. That's a main reason that I am so excited to serve a mission, because that's all I will be doing for a year and a half! Bringing joy into other people's lives! If you want to know more you can go to this website!

A Letter to My Brother

I've been contemplating how to share this information in the blogosphere and it seemed to me that this letter I wrote to my brother would be the best way.  This has been one of the most spiritual and poignant moments of my life. It is taking me in a direction that I had never planned for myself. It has been a few weeks and everything is coming together so well! I'll be updating more about the process as I go but for now, here is the story of how I realized that I was on the road to serving as a full time Sister Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: 


James James James. 
I have a story to tell. 

So it has been my plan since graduation to stay in Rexburg for a while and save money to start Cosmetology school in January. I changed my start date to October because I didn't want to put it off longer than I needed to, but that didn't work either. I'll be going home for Christmas in 5 weeks and school would start as soon as I got back and I felt totally unmotivated to get ready.  

On Tuesday this week I just thought to myself, Elle, why are you doing this? Why do you even want to spend so much time on doing hair and crap and have to go into debt for it when you already have a perfectly good education? I was thinking about moving to Provo. I was thinking about going home and living there and going to the hair school in Eureka. But none of it was right. 

One of my co-workers suggested that I call my home teacher and have him give me a blessing. I texted him right away and we made plans for him to come over as soon as I was off work.  Jonnie and Brian showed up right when I got home and I just started sobbing as I explained how lost I was feeling and wanting to know what the Lord wants from me.  They were understanding and it was a relief to have a few people to talk to.  Jonnie gave me a blessing and in it I was told that I am on the right path and that Heavenly Father will continue to bless me as I am diligent in following the commandments. I was also given a blessing of peace and comfort. They left and shortly after I headed upstairs to read my scriptures.  

D&C 60: 2 and 13. That was my answer. Immediately.  You need to read that section as soon as you can because it is my motivating force for the next year and a half. That's right. As soon as I opened my scriptures and started reading that verse (I had a note I took at a meeting that I wrote the verses on and just turned to it) I had the strongest most overwhelming feeling that was "Here it is Elle. This is what you must do as soon as possible or you will lose everything you are working for." 

I am meeting with my Bishop tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon to start mission papers!!!

The first time that I considered a mission it was just a good idea. It was a step in the right direction.  I felt that it was necessary for me to begin preparing myself and I think that preparation made me ready to accept the revelation when I was explicitly told to go.  I still tear up every time I have explained this story to someone close to me.

I am pretty sure that I won't be leaving until you get back because of the time to get papers done and everything, and yes. You get the car back. Lucky you! Ha ha! I'm so proud of you for setting such a good example to me of being a dutiful servant to the Lord. I've seen you grow up through the letters you've sent and I can't believe I'm going to have that experience for myself! 

Love you,

Elle

Missionary Monday

My brother James is currently serving in the Florida Orlando Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and on Mondays he gets to e-mail us updates!  This picture is from a recent baptism of a girl named Brittany (she rocks because she has PINK hair!).  The sister missionaries in the photo taught her and she requested that my brother be the one to baptize her.  He told us a little bit about her and how strong her testimony is of the gospel. She's had to change a lot about her life to be in the great place that she is now.  Stories of members in his area and the people that he is teaching are my absolute favorite about his letters.

And Elder Van Buskirk here hasn't seen The Hangover yet, but I'm going to make sure he doesn't call that a man purse. It's a satchel.  Although he's pretty flamboyant about wearing it, so maybe it is a man purse.

In other news I'm eating apple pie for breakfast. SO good! Kristin came over last night and we baked up a little storm and laughed our faces off at SNL. The perfect ending to a slow weekend.

Lovely Sabbath

Miss Kaelah Bee posted this today and I just wanted to record my nice Sabbath and list the things that I did. 

2. I wore my new sweater with a skirt that I made and a skinny belt. Cute.

3. I say please and thank you all the time so I'm sure they were said today.

4. I talked to my Mommy this morning before church as she was walking the dogs.

5. Erika and I broke our fast with Tres Leches Attack Cake. (I'll have to do a post on the wonderfulness of attack cake)

7. Always. Today it was Sensual Amber by Bath and Body Works

8. We had some giggle fests throughout the day.

10. Erika and I made dinner and shared it with Brent and Brandon. 

11. Seth came over and we all wished each other a good day about 5 times.

12. Singin' in the Rain as I was doing some paper crafting

13. Uh, see 11?

Also, although it was stake conference for both of us, Erika and I decided at the beginning of the week that we were going to fast together for her friend Elder Darren Dearden.  He is one of her best friends and his father has been battling terminal cancer. About the time that Darren left on his mission he came to accept the fact that he will most likely not see his dad again during his time on Earth.  Best friends carry each other's heartache with them and in his last letter it was obvious how much Darren is struggling.  Erika came to me streaming with tears and we knew that there was nothing we could do for his family but pray.  We set aside today to fast and pray for their family to be at peace and that Darren will continue strong in his missionary service.  

I know that this story probably doesn't mean much to people who don't know the Dearden family, but I just wanted to share the power of prayer and how grateful I am that I know my Father in Heaven is always listening to my prayers and knows what is best for me.  I can't even comprehend what eternity is going to be like but I know that I want it to be spent in my Heavenly Father's presence.  By obeying a simple commandment of going without food for 2 meals and keeping a good cause in my heart I know that Erika was blessed with peace as well as Darren and his family.  Small things produce great miracles when they are done in faith.

Update From Missionary Monday

I'm so proud of my little bro! James is serving in the Florida Orlando Mission, Spanish speaking.  He has been out since April of 2009.  These pictures came in his weekly e-mail.  They are of a family that was recently baptized.  The work is good and his only complaint is humidity!