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