Big life choices

Dear blog,

   Remember when we were little and adults used to tell us to "dream big"? Well then you turn 18 and realize you're graduating high school and you have college mission friends boys family jobs and
everything else in between to think about. Yup, you realize you're an adult. Well this year all that
dreaming big hit me like a brick wall. My dreams, my hopes and wants are right at my finger tips!
   So many decision to make. Thats the world today. Its sometimes a seemingly overwhelming world that we live in. But! When we take moments to pray, to ponder and to search, the world gets a whole lot simpler.
   Throughout my life the gospel has been able to teach me to make decisions. Every day. With my future so close, I have come to realize how my small and simple daily decisions affect my big decisions. Heavenly Father has been mindful of my needs and desires. As I have been studying the book of Mormon in seminary, I came across a prophet that helped me. The brother of Jared. The brother of Jared was commanded by God to build eight ships to sail across the sea, to the promised land. The brother of Jared began to build these ships with instruction given by the Lord. He then went to the Lord and asked him how would his people breath in the ships? The Lord commanded that he put a hole in the top of the ship as well as the bottom, then make a stopper for the hole so water would not come in. The brother of Jared realized he had yet another problem with these ships. How would he steer? The Lord told the Brother of Jared to not worry about steering, the Lord would command the winds to steer them to the promised land. Finally the Brother of Jared came to the Lord with his final question, how would his people see in these ships? The Lord did something unexpected, he asked the Brother of Jared to come up with his own solution then to bring it back to the Lord. So he did. He asked the Lord humbly to touch sixteen stones with his hand to provide light. The Lord was so impressed with the Brother of Jared's faith, that he did.
   The Lord teaches often times in three ways; first he provides "instructions", second he guides us, third he lets us make our own choices. The Lord sure let me experience all three of these. With much fasting and prayer I decided my job, college, and mission. Soon I will be able to start my mission papers! And I'm going to! I'm so excited. When it comes to college I will start at the U of U when I return home from my mission. And I know have a good stable job to help save money for both college and a mission.
   The Lord listens, and when we exercise faith (little or big), he answers. It may not be when or how we expect. But he ALWAYS answers. "Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you." -Matthew 7:7.

Silence, listening, looking

Dear Blog,

   Oh man. I have ignored you for so long. Why? Well.. I've been wondering that myself lately. I guess its because I have't had much to say.
I've changed a lot since the last time I posted something on here. A lot in my life has changed, and thats ok! It took me a long time to accept that change, and be ok with it. Hence, why I have not written.
   My house is oh so silent today, and that silence gets my brain thinking. Thinking about life, my goals, my expectations for me and those around me, life, boys, life, friends, future. My brain is just racked with thoughts. It's over whelming sometimes.

  Then I remember. Oh how I remember to stop, take a deep breath and look up. The silence of my home, lets me listen.

Listen deeply.
He hears me.

   He listens to all those thoughts running through me. And he cares. He knows how it makes me feel. He knows the heartache I feel and he loves me, he understands when even I have a hard time gaining that understanding.
In Alma 22-26 we were talking about how they buried their swords and weapons of war. I was asked a question that I pondered for a long time. What is a weapon I need to burry deep? I thought hard about this. I decided my weapon I need to burry deep down in the ground is my lack of faith.
Faith is one of my biggest struggles. Not lack of love or caring. Its faith. Faith that he does in fact hear my prayers and hear the pleadings of my heart.

   When life gets tough, its important to remember. Remember who we are. Where we came from. Where we are going. And how to get through the time in between. Pray. Read. Listen. Be worthy. This is how we gain faith, we trust in that faith and make it through. I love him. I love him with all my heart and soul and I trust in his plan for me. His plan for me has never been the same as my plan. Sometimes that bring me great joy! Other times it tries my faith. Don't give up. Its easy to fall and hard to get up sometimes. But look up, because he is there to lift you. As he does for me :)
I love you, and I will try to keep blogging more often!

“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.” 
― Mary Anne Radmacher

I can do hard things

Dear blog, 
Guess what! Its that time of year again when things are kinda tough, change is in the air. 
   

   This weekend I had a chance to go on my final date with my dear Stewy before he leaves on a mission. We went down town to go walk around temple square. We went to dinner at The GardenI. It was delicious! (Try their fried pickles, seriously, yum!!) Then possibly my favorite part of the date we went to the Joseph Smith movie at the legacy theater. Never have I felt Emma's example impact me so much. 
   I know these next couple years are going to be so tough without my best friend by myself to listen to everything I have to say, good, bad, funny, literally everything. Emma conquered so many hard and difficult things in her lifetime, I can't even imagine the heart ache and pain she felt and over-came. I realized then and there I was very capable of doing hard things. Faith is what kept Emma going and serving everyone around her. That faith is what I crave, that service is what I hope to achieve. 
  After the movie, Stewy and I went and found a nice spot to just look at the temple and talk about the future. The future of service that lay in front of us, that sacrifice both of us are willing and grateful to make, as hard as it may be. If Emma did it, I can do it. 

  God is testing me, because he wants me to grow. I may not always understand why he asks me to do the things he does, and I won't lie trusting him and not knowing why, is difficult, but ever so worth it! 
   In seminary today we talked about 1 Nephi 6:4-6 and 1 Nephi 9. Something new I learned today was that Nephi was so faithful. He was asked to keep two records, he said in 9:5, "Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not."
   We don't always have to know God's purpose, we just have to know God has a purpose. Why? "But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning, wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And this it is. Amen" (verse 6)

  This gospel is so perfect and real. It brings me lasting true happiness, God knows all things, he has a beautiful perfect plan. Learn to come to his plan, his will and you will grow and become like Him and His Son :)
   Know that we, you and I, can do hard things, through Christ! 

#usetheinternetforgood #shareit

-Whitney 
(Watch this video on the new church website to help prepare missionaries!) 

I can't express enough gratitude for the positive feedback I have heard so far! Thanks for all your support! Spread the thanks today, thank someone you normally wouldn't :)

(Interested in the app that I made these beautiful clips with? shoot me an email!) 

My Journey: Positivity!

The night before school starts my dad always gives us a fathers blessing to help throughout the school year. 

   I'm not going to lie when my dad gives us these blessings sometimes I tune out and don't listen, not on purpose theres just so much said its hard to pay attention. However knowing that my senior year is approaching and change is abundant in the year I prayed that I would pay attention to what I needed to hear and remember most! My dad asked me to go first, and I accepted graciously. Looking back there's still a lot I don't remember about that blessing I received but sometimes lines come back to me when I need them. However my dad mentioned that this year I really needed to work on remaining positive! 

   I have to be honest. Remaining positive is something I struggle with. Anxiety I feel is sometimes my best friend and I have a tenancy to let it control my thoughts, which are not positive. No need to fear. I am remaining positive now! I can promise you that I know it helps! It is a real power that is ever so contagious! It spreads! Positive thoughts and comments turn into positive actions! This = SERVICE! Serve. Serve. Serve.  

   Look to those around you, neighbors family, friends, relatives. Anyone and serve! Make dinner, cookies, clean or even write thank you notes! I promise it spreads! 

   We came to this earth seeking happiness! So lets spread this everlasting happiness to all those around us! 

   I feel like I need to talk about the importance of the priesthood. The priesthood has always been in my home. So I have been at a disadvantage to take it for-granted. The priesthood is so important and I know many people who don't have it in their homes, and I know how difficult it is. I have to thank my dad and brother for being worthy to hold the priesthood because it truly is a blessing!  

   If you are struggling or not struggling. If you are lonely or not lonely. Ask! Ask for a blessing from those people around you who have the authority. Don't wait until its too late! Its a real existing power that changes lives! 

   Tomorrow I'm singing with my dad at church. I'm singing the song Praise To The Man. I'll post the lyrics because when I sat down and really read them it taught me so much more about Joseph Smith and the priesthood he restored to the earth! Keys that will never be taken again. 

Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!

Jesus annointed that Prophet and Seer.

Blessed to open the last dispensation,

Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.

Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!

Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.

Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;

Death cannot conquer the hero again.

Praise to his mem'ry, he died as a martyr;

Honored and blest be his ever great name!

Long shall his blood, which was shed by assasins,

Plead unto heav'n while the earth lauds his fame.

Great is his glory and endless his priesthood.

Ever and ever the keys he will hold.

Faithful and true he will enter his kingdom,

Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old.

Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven;

Earth must atone for the blood of that man.

Wake up the world for the conflict of justice.

Millions shall know "Brother Joseph" again.

  Let Gods mercy touch your hearts and turn to being positive! Its a strength. It will help you in times when being positive is the last thing you want. Pray. Ask for strength. Overcome. Remain positive. God blesses! 

   I love serving and if you are ever in need of a friend or someone to talk to email me! Write me! I'll try and reach out to you before you even ask :) I love this gospel. I love that God never leaves us. Christ is always there. We are truly never alone. ASK God! Plead with God.  Hard times will always be there but so will Christ. 

I'll keep on posting! 

-Whitney 

My favorite book!

Want a copy of my favorite book? 

I'll mail it to you, any where you are in the world! Anywhere :) A gift from Whitney to you! Along with heart felt note :) Just email me! misshallywood@gmail.com 

Hungering Faith +updates on me!

Sad news, I stayed home from school sick. No fun. Thats oaky though! I let my body rest so it could heal, hopefully fast!! 

Now to the fun stuff!! Yesterday when I was driving to school I saw the most beautiful sunrise! You could say I'm a morning person. I love looking out my window at the sun rising over the mountains and through the clouds. I think its because thats what I in-vision when I think of Christ coming again. Because he will. He is real. He is loving, caring kind and generous. He is the light! Maybe thats why I love it so much! 

   I try to see the small miracles all around me!

Now to some fun news! My birthday is October 28th! I've always wanted a pet hedgehog, for some reason they just make me so happy and I think they are so cute! Story book hedgehogs sell them and they are located in Logan. A week ago, my baby hedge hog was ready for pick up! Ali, the breeder named her Gavi and I just fell head over heals for her! Oh man she is so stinking cute! At the moment she's kind of awnery because she's growing in her adult quills but she is still snuggly as every and loves to explore! Anyways thats my super exciting news and update about myself! Here is a picture of the cute baby!! :) 

More exciting news! For those of you who know me, know I have an important person in my life. His name is Stuart Nielson! He is my best friend and I really look up to him. His mission farewell is this Sunday at 11:00 (if you would love to come please email me!). He is going to  be such an amazing missionary! He had a really neat experience with the missionaries last night. The missionaries told him it was time for him to go out and do the teaching! So he was given a companion and they went out and taught! They were at someones house and they gave them the lessons on families. It was going great until something changed. They were asked to leave. 
At first Stuart (soon to be Elder Nielson) felt a bit discouraged that it happen, but his companion asked Stuart what he felt like went well, and then most importantly he asked Stuart what he could have done differently to improve for next time or what he should have done different. 
What was said wasn't as important as the example Stuart's companion left on me personally. How often do I find myself seeing faults in others rather than myself? I really feel that sometimes we need to step back and look at ourselves and say, ok I messed up what can I do different next time? I love this so much because God wants us to improve! We didn't come to earth to act perfect but we came here to become perfect!! 
This is so very possible because God gave us his perfect son Jesus Christ! WE all need him. He is perfect! Take time to strengthen and recharge. Energize. Pray. Improve. Love. Serve. God is real! He is loving forgiving and merciful! 
I love blogging and writing! #try it :)

  

I'm back! This one is for the ladies~ :)

   How do I even begin this blog post that I've been thinking about for weeks? I guess I could start by trusting in God knowing he has wanted me to do this for a long time, so he'll help me.

   On August 12th through the 16th I went to EFY (Especially For Youth) in Rexburg, Idaho. This program helps youth gain stronger testimonies and really just have fun! I experienced many spiritually building events and I might talk about some of them in later posts but I do want to talk about something that impacted me. 

   As I walked through the BYU store found these stickers for scriptures, I thought they looked rather fun! So I picked up the purple set, I realized this set I was holding was for women in the bible. I loved this! So I decided it would be a good purchase hoping their example could eventually help me be a better missionary and mother one day. Good purchase indeed.
   The week after EFY I invested in going to Education week up at BYU Provo, I was excited for the musical programs mostly and some of the adult classes that sounded interesting. On Tuesday Aug. 20th Elder Ballard gave a devotional, no classes were happening this period everyone was expected to go to his talk. I looked around at the audience and saw that the majority of the people there were in fact women, righteous women. He began his talk right off the bat expressing he would focus on women and their divine roles and responsibilities. I was so excited! In his talk he read a quote saying that women and men have equal yet different responsibilities. He also stated that women need to know the doctrines of Christ and preach at all times! In every way! We need more influential women in the church. 
    Women and men need each other! He talked about how the mission age, which was originally 21 for girls and now 19, was changing everything! For the first time in the LDS history women have exceeded men in serving, 51% women! How exciting! This talk empowered me to find my divine responsibility in life as a women! 
   As education week continued on I remembered a teacher I loved so much last year and made the best effort I could to get to his class! The class Brother Adre was teaching, the only one I could make it to, was about women as well. I dragged two boys to this class as well as my mom and felt a bit guilty knowing it was too about women then I remembered how much we talk about men in the church and realized it was equally as important for them to be there. 
   He began with wonderful examples of women and in a bit I'll talk about four examples that have inspired me! He shared a quote that was also shared at EFY. WOMEN listen up ladies! Do you want to become appealing and completely irresistible?

 "Women should serve others as the handmaidens of God, they must find their diving feminine inner beauty, intuition, quiet strength, genteelness, dignity, charm, graciousness, creativity, sensitivity, radiance and spirituality" -Ballard

   This quote, those qualities, are the ways women will change the world, change families and fulfill their divine responsibility.
   
   Four women that I owe incredible amounts of gratitude towards are firstly:

Sisters and wives of Nephis family. There's a scripture in 1 Nephi 17:2 

"And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings." 

Raw meat, I can't even look at raw meat without feeling queasy... "without murmurings". This scripture hangs on my wall in a beautiful poster! It reminds me to not complain in my daily life.

Emma Smith. 
   That name alone brings me to tears and my heart sorrows for her. There is a song by Nashville Tribute band that describes her life to me as perfectly as it can. She is faithful, courageous, loving, kind, prayerful. I'm sure the angles did in fact kneel when she prayed. If I were looking down on Emma, I know I would have kneeled. If you have a little time, close your eyes and think of her life, while you listen to this song. She makes me want to be closer to Christ. 



Al Fox (now Carraway) 
Al is an inspiration to me everything single day! I read her blogs watch her YouTube videos I hope to go to a devotional by her one day and hopefully meet her. She is also known as the tattooed Mormon. She is always standing up for what she believes in and she's also the one who inspired me to blog again! 
--------------------> Modern Pioneer! The Al Fox   In the head of Al Fox   <----------------------------

Last but most defiantly not least Stephanie Nielson.

I'm currently reading her book, Heaven Is Here. What an incredible women. She is the soul reason of my first blog entry and why in writing again today. She describes herself better than I do so please watch her Mormon video. I love her and could never thank her enough for helping me so personally and not evening knowing me. 

I'll end with a short testimony. I know that God lives and he loves me and you. He sent His Son here for us. Jesus Christ is my perfect example. I need him! I love him! I hope you enjoy this little snip of my life and expect more posts to come as the days go on! I'm going to use the internet for good! 

-I am simply Whitney Hall 

After the smoke was gone

     On June our little cove that we live in in Herriman looked like it was going to go up in flames. The smell of smoke filled our homes and I knew we were going to have to evacuate. This is Herriman's second fire, but after living in our home for almost a year, we missed the first one. I knew that we didn't have must time until we had no choice but we had to leave. My dear mom told me to pack up some cloths. We were supposed to leave for the cabin that day, so this task was simple. Next I wanted to help my brothers. My dad was away on a business trip. 


     Cooper, upstairs could see from Skyler's window the mountain in flames. As a ten-year old, this is scary. I heard his cries from downstairs and wanting to provide comfort to my little brother I knew I needed to do something to help him. I held him in my arms and told him he was brave and that he could do this. I reassured him that our home would be safe along with our neighbors homes. We then proceeded to say a prayer of safety and comfort. 

   My trial was that I needed to drive the car without a parent with me. I'm already terrified of driving. Driving through smoke is even more scary. After a pep talk from my mom and our cars packed up with what few things we could grab, we left our home. 

This isn't a photo I took, in the rush of things, I didn't have a chance to take one. But this is was it kind of looked like when we left our house. (taken from: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=21052342&nid=460&page=19#1)

     Luckily today we had a home that didn't have smoke damage to return home to, like so many fortunate people in my neighborhood. The lords had was truly evident in this whole emergency. I will forever be grateful to those firemen and police that risked their lives to keep our homes safe along with all of our friends and loved ones. 


    Today we had an extra long sacrament. The spirit in that room was truly amazing. It brought our ward a sense of gratitude and unity. The testimony's that were shared made me stronger, it taught me to listen to promptings, pray for strength and help, and to do all that you can and rely on the Lord. Many homes were spared in the event, I know it was because of our faith and prayers. I learned to have faith that in life when we can't see through the smoke and we don't know what we have or what we have lost, that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. We just have to have enough faith to trust in him, and once the smoke has cleared and we can see our trails more clearly we will be able to learn from them. 


Here are some photographs of the fire, I didn't take these but I thought they were pretty amazing. I can see the lords hands in all of this. 

Look at how the houses were saved,
there really is amazing stories from
each of these families

While my dad was in the plane, I can only
imagine the panic he felt when he realized
Herriman was on fire

My house is somewhere in the smoke
we were lucky enough to have
very minor smoke damage

The helicopters took water from the
little pond we have to go fishing in 

   

Friends, Answers and Family

I haven't update my blog in a while so I thought today would be a great day!

     This last week has been really nice for starters Thursday I got into a chalk fight with some of my best friends. It was so much fun! What happens when teenagers are left with blue chalk? Well we smear it all over each other. It took me a good shower to get all the blue chalk off of me and my hair. 

Next I had a wonderful Saturday with friends and then to end off the day I went to the General Young Women's meeting with my mom. The talks were amazing! 
    I was fortunate enough to receive an answer to my prayers that night. For a couple of weeks now I have been trying to decide if the career path I'm working towards is a good idea for me. I have been trying to decide if choosing to do my CNA (Certified Nurses Assisting) was a good option for me next year. 
   Sister Mary N. Cook gave a talk called, Seek Learning. (If you get a chance you should check it out, https://www.lds.org/youth/video/seek-learning?lang=eng) She talked about seeking out learning, and being selective.

    She said, "Arise, young women! You determine your goals. You decide what enters your mind and heart." 

   There was my answer :) I get to determine my goals. I felt very strongly that the decisions I was making about school would bring me so much happiness and help me so much in my life. 


   Now up to date, last night my family from New Zealand came in, they came to watch conference. I have never met them before so when my mom introduced me and they responded. I fell in love with their accents. Friday we will get to learn more about their culture along with the rest of my family. 


  Its amazing how the gospel can bring so many people together. For me its given me the answers I have been looking for. I love my family so much and getting to know them has been a really amazing experience so far! 

Seemed long, but a nap always helps ;)

My day was incredibly long today... I didn't particularly like my bus ride home.

But the good news is that I came home, exhausted and took a two hour nap! If you know me, you know I don't have a tensity to take naps, which just goes to show how tired I was.

I feel a million times better, happier and more smiley :)

After my nap I decided to take care of my neglected room, poor thing. It was so messy. Luckily I took my time on it and listened to pandora, usually I find a song that's my favorite for the day. Today it just happened to be 'A Drop In The Ocean' by Ron Pope. I kind of love it :)
Music has a way of just lifting me up

After my room was completely clean and it looked more like "my room", I had vocab I needed to go over, fun stuff.

My friend texted me and told me to watch this music video, the song is really cute! Haha but the video is so funny! Made my day a little happier! Watch it ;)

Call Me Maybe 

Plus my really great friend that tends to make me happy and smile all the time, wore a cookie monster tee-shirt today that made me super happy!! (I adore cookie monster!) 

Also also found this pretty great skirt, that I'm kind of dying to own :) I love Old Navy.


-Whitney (:

P.s. Smile

Grateful for my Mom

Sunday ended with my mom making a delicious Orange Zest Bunt cake, it was delicious!

Then I got a surprise visit from a friend, it was really nice to see him! He also really enjoyed the cake :)

I went to bed that night, tired after a good spiritual Sunday, only I didn't sleep long. I woke up with a terrible stomach ache. My dear mom felt so bad, she stayed up with me most of the night, and cared for me by calming me down and rubbing my back. At sixteen this seems silly to me, but I realized just how lucky I was to have a mom who cared so much about me.
She didn't wake me up to take the bus, she just simply let me sleep, which was exactly what I needed. She let me sleep all the way until 12. I woke up to a banana, and toast! Always helps me feel better :)

I'm so grateful for my loving mom. She is always there for me to talk to, not only is she a wonderful mom she is my best friend. A best friend everyone would love to have. She always has the best advice even if its something I don't necessarily agree with. She has always been there to help me

Its never fun staying home sick, but when you have a wonderful mom like I do, it makes it a little easier :)

Little Miracles

Day 1:
Miracles, there are so many miracles in our lives and when we stop to notice them and thank Heavenly Father, we are blessed.
I've noticed this is my life more and more.

I'm so impressed with the power of prayer and how it can influence so many people around me, and how it can bless them. When I stop for a moment and ask for Heavenly Fathers help. It always comes.
These last couple of months have been really tough, I would consider them a "trial".
Us teenagers have it really tough sometimes, I think the adults look down on us and say, "Well you have it easy, you don't have to worry about, paying the bills, feeding the kids, walking the dogs, cleaning the house, going to a job every day... ect." Yet we really do have it tough. There are so many temptations, things leading to dark rode's and bad choices. And there are some really tough people to be around.
Its really nice though, when you get a chance to just sit back and watch high school go by. I've been trying to deal with so much lately I forgot to take a break for myself, and ask for that help. Well this last week I did, and I received so much inspiration and help.

Mosiah 24:14, currently my new favorite scripture. It says,  "14 And I will also ease the ^aburdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as^bwitnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their ^cafflictions."
This scripture has helped me so much. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father.


Lately I have been feeling like, I need to keep track of the "miracles" in my life, and I am hoping this blog can help me do that, I was inspired by Stephanie Nielson. Take a few moments to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHDvxPjsm8E 

Thank you so much to all those that have been an inspiration to my life.