Miracles...Cudami...Un Miracle

I am currently trying to study for finals, review a huge paper that holds 40 percent of my final grade, and get some work in. These things have been ruling my life lately, and I hope that today will bless me with a change of heart.

I woke up this morning, remembering that I forgot to cancel a membership that would put my already slim bank account into the negative. I was so stressed, as I believed they would NEVER refund me. My phone had also recently taken a little... shower...Ugh! It had been a very stressful week for me, and I was feeling extremely overwhelmed.

Yes, I am aware that my stresses are TINY compared to the lives of so many, and I apologize for this rant, but the point is, it isn't a rant. I need to share my miracles

Miraculously... my roommate let me use her phone, and the man on the other end gave me a membership refund. Miraculously, my cousin had a spare phone she was willing to let me use. Miraculously, I still have great friends, great opportunities, and the University mercy card which enabled me to print my late research paper at no cost. Miraculously, my life is made of miracles.

I rarely notice them, and I'm praying that I can have more of a grateful heart because, when we get down to it, there are more important things. My worth is not based on my grades, my ability to multitask 8 million things at one time, or the amount of money I can spend on my parents for Christmas. My worth, who I am, is innate. How I progress is based on how much I love others, what time I take to do those things that REALLY matter, and my willingness to try and try again.

This was a reminder to me at a stressful time. I believe in Jesus Christ. He is the purpose behind this time of year. He is why I have hope at Christmastime. There are so many in deep need. How may I bless them? What can I do to help lighten their load, as others have lightened mine?
Joseph Brickey, The Road to Bethlehem

Liz Lemon Swindle, She Shall Bring Forth a                                                                                                                 Son

I don't know who reads this blog, if anyone does:) However, Christian or not, I would ask you a question... How have you helped another today? How will you show love tomorrow? How did you feel while doing it?

I love this video, it reminds me of the power of God in my life. I believe that a Savior was born, and that He lives for every one of us. We are the instruments in His hands in helping those around us. His love is all-encompassing. It can surpass any depression, stress, distance, sin, and fear. It is powerful as light is in combating darkness. I believe in this very strongly.

This clip is short, but the Spirit of it is powerful:)
#ASaviorisBorn

Remember this, if you feel lonely or in need at this Christmastime. Serve others, and love yourself:) The Worth of Souls is Great in the Sight of God"

I hope my prayers for you to feel God's love at this time can be fulfilled even by reading this post:)
Much love! Z miloscia!
Ali

Life is Great!!!

For the longest time, I was able to claim myself as a 

Recently-Returned-Missionary:) I had to relinquish this title this summer... I think a lot of people experience similar feelings and so I thought I'd share mine with you.

This summer I worked as a counselor for EFY. That is a youth program for kids who are looking to come closer to Christ and spend some QUALITY time with other youth who have similar values.

It was the most amazing experience ( next to my mission) and I loved every minute. 

However, one day I remember one of the kids I was with asked me how long ago I came home, I thought for a minute and I responded.... 10 months.

That whole day I started thinking... 10 months. 10 months ago I was in Poland, talking with Polish people, enjoying Polish food, loving the culture and the architecture and personality. 12 months ago I was eating at "Dziurka od Klucza" literally the best restaurant on the whole earth! 10 months ago I was serving these people, mowiac po polsku:) 

I. Miss. Poland.

I also began to think, what have I even done with my life this past year!? I went to school, worked, did homework, and flirted with boys. Literally, I thought...." wow, Ali, you really wasted this!" Why were you not out there, talked with people on the streets? Why did you not serve others better, or ask more people to take the discussions? Why are you not married?? Thank heavens, at this point the part of me which is not a perfectionist kicked in. I looked around. Here I was, at a camp with all of these wonderful kids who need help in their lives with questions and concerns. These children of God who want me to share with them what worked for me, how I was able to overcome trials and act in faith. I began to have flashbacks of all the wonderful opportunities I'd had since coming home... all of the miracles, and the chances to come closer to my Savior.

I'd been blessed to work at Deseret Book( a miracle since the manager just saw me and said he felt good about hiring me!) I'd made lots of friends and had chances to serve them and share my testimony in less-formal situations. I'd spent lots of time with my family, who I missed with my whole soul while I'd been on my mission. I'd attended church and taught classes and been to so many precious temples. I'd made mistakes. I'd been lazy, and I'd also grown so much from praying to be better than my weaknesses and laziness:) (I still love to watch a good movie on occasion:) I'd fallen for some cute boys ( some worked out... others not:) I'd experienced life! 

I suddenly found myself so grateful. I do miss Poland, I'm dying to go back again. However, I saw how Heavenly Father allowed me to experience so much and apply the gospel in my life. 

I am so grateful that I am learning lessons still, about doing things for the right reasons, and only caring what the Lord thinks. 

If any of you feel like your life doesn't have purpose, or if you just need some things to be grateful for, I have an idea for you:) 

Make some goals, try new things, experience joy( true joy:) Realize that every day you have is a chance, an experience, and a time to draw closer to God by learning through life's ups and downs.

Life is great! 

Love,

Ali

http://www.lds.org/

"Happy Girls are Prettiest"~Audrey Hepburn

What is it that makes us women feel beautiful? What is femininity? How can I really 
embrace my own self and my own femininity? 
Since I've been down here at school sensed myself becoming more and more aware of what others think, what others look like, their styles. I've become, in essence, more self conscious. 
WHY????
I've talked with friends and roommates, I've seen them obsessively eat small amounts of food. I've seen us all comparing and competing. And then, one day I actually recognized what it was we were doing. Since that day of reckoning, I've actually pondered the idea of beauty often. 
We just want to be loved. That's it. The bottom line.
We want love stories like Allie and Noah, like Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, like Elder Richard G. Scott and Jeanene:) We want to be the object of love, and the embodiment of it.
Media has told us that we need to look or act a certain way to embrace this, but it is just the opposite, we need to embrace ourselves. Love ourselves. 
Here are some of my favorite quotes about loving ourselves and embracing our feminine beauty!     
"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."

~Audrey Hepburn

"“deep beauty”—the kind of beauty that shines from theinside out. It is the kind of beauty that cannot be painted on, surgically created, or purchased. It is the kind of beauty that doesn’t wash off. It is spiritualattractiveness. Deep beauty springs from virtue."
~Elaine S. Dalton

"People are like stained - glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."
~Eliabeth Kubler-Ross
And so my dear, wonderful, beautiful women:) Let us love ourselves? 
One Week. For this one week, when you begin comparing yourself to others think about what makes YOU happy? Service, Love, Fun, Spontaneity. Find your femininity, or make it! Life is to be created, not found! See your curves, your beauty points, find what you love about yourself. If you like wearing makeup, do it! If you don't, don't:) 
If any of you try this out, please let me know how it affects you:) Hopefully someday we can all change this enough that we "rid ourselves of vanities;)"(Thanks Jason). 
Joy comes from light. God has given us His light to shine, the light of Christ. So let's live the idea that " Happiest Girls are Prettiest" and love ourselves a little more. 
If you want another AMAZING essay on this, see....
https://lifeisrozie.wordpress.com/2015/03/08/are-you-beautiful-i-asked-100-men-what-physical-beauty-is-and-the-results-shocked-me/