Be Grateful and Learn to Laugh

Well, it's my birthday. And I'm 26. It's weird how life turns out. My life is SO AWESOME! I have the world’s best husband! I have a few really great jobs! And Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Boy do I have a lot to be thankful for.

First of all, Austin is so wonderful! He makes every day bright and happy. He is ‘the butter to my bread and the breath to my life!’ Speaking of which, I made some delicious home-made bread the other day. We’ve been using it as sandwich bread. Mmm, mm.

 Things are going really well at The Center. I am loving teaching art, which is still a little surprising to me. I am sad that this is the last session I’ll have before The Center closes to move to the new building. I hope I will get to start back up soon!

I have been making a lot of art lately for various shows. I also got some into a local shop. I’m really excited about being able to reach my goals as an artist while working two other jobs! It’s hard, but worth it.

My last job is working in home delivery of high quality meats. I work with the owner of the company, Paul’s Fine Meats, and I really enjoy it! I have even bought some from him, myself! It’s seriously SO good! I’m one of those people who has always had a hard time eating red meat. For the longest time it grossed me out so bad that I couldn’t eat it, then I got myself to eat it at well-done. Now, I can eat it at medium-well! I am really good at this job too – which is a little surprising, since I am shy and I had never even cooked a steak before this job.

Paul and I have fun together. He jokes with, saying things like, “You owe me a dollar…” if I correct his math, and stuff like that. But he always tells me I do a good job. He is a kind and generous man, who I am honored to be able to work with. And I make pretty good money here off of commission!

We have had such a hard time with our housing situation. When we were looking for a place before we got married, I found one I really liked, in a convenient location, got the contract, and when I was signing it got a call that they couldn’t rent to us any more due to a family emergency.

Then we found an even better one, fully furnished, with less rent. We got that one, moved in, and then found the hiccup of the apartment. We figured out how to fix everything, or live with what we couldn’t change, and we’re really happy there. We live across the street from our church building and have a really nice ward.

However, we found out that our landlords don’t have clearance to have renters, so we are going to have to move! I could be really put out about this and feel completely discouraged, but all I want to do is laugh! It’s just the weirdest trial to have. But now, we are looking in to buying a home. Which will be so much better than renting.

I am so glad for this time of year! It reminds me to be happy and to be grateful. It’s beautiful!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Agency Talk

I was asked to speak today on agency, and have decided to use President Monsons talk from the October 2010 conference: The Three Rs of Choice.

He says, "I have been thinking recently about choices and their consequences. Scarcely an hour of the day goes by but what we are called upon to make choices of one sort or another. Some are trivial, some more far-reaching. Some will make no difference in the eternal scheme of things, and others will make all the difference."

At the beginning of this year, i made a few goals for myself. I try not to make goals that i can not realistically reach. that is, goals that require someone else to use their agency to make your goal possible. nevertheless, these are the goals that i made:

1st Make art everyday. This goal was simple enough for me to achieve. I recently graduated with my BFA in Studio Art from BYU, and i take it very seriously. I have kept this goal. i got a job teaching art at the community center in provo, which i love! and i am also working on some works on paper for a show in Texas next month. i have chosen to make art a priority in my life because i feel like it can influence people to be better, and come unto Christ. i choose to make uplifting art that makes people think about something more that what's there.

my 2nd goal was to exercise regularly. i haven't really reached this goal. i have made excuses for not reaching it, like "i'm too busy" or "If there were less hills around here..." but in reality, i could make time to go running everyday. I have used my agency poorly in this case.

finally, my 3rd goal was to get married, but that was one of those unreasonable goals, so i adjusted it to this: apply Alma 38:12 Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness. 

i am very happy to tell you that i reached this goal. my original goal. all because i used my agency to be bold, but not overbearing. not only did i use my agency to choose to love and marry a wonderful man, but he used his to choose me.

i met Austin last August. we were in the same singles ward and lived across the street from each other. we became friends easily and quickly. over time, we became better friends, establishing a good foundation. in late October he asked me out on our first date. we went to a Mexican food restaurant. we had a nice time, but it didn't lead to a second date. he came to my final exhibition in November, and help me move in December. After Christmas, we started flirting more and more. In late February I invited him to come cross-country skiing. after that, we started spending more one on one time together. in early march he invited me to go sledding with him and his family. i spent the day with them, and by the time i went home, i knew i would someday marry him. on Sunday, March 25th, we became "official". 19 days later he told me he wanted to marry me. We bought a ring, and on April 17th, while dancing on a stage in the middle of a park in Orem, he knelt down on one knee, and asked me to marry him. we spent the summer apart. he was working out of tow. i was working here. we skyped. a lot. then, on August 3rd, we became an eternal family. BEST choice i ever made!

While the first two goal are important, and can have a long-lasting effect on my career or physical well being, the last goal has impacted my eternal life and progression. I have a responsibility to do my art in returning to my Father in Heaven, and, through a miracle from God, it paid off.

President Monson explains, "As I’ve contemplated the various aspects of choice, I’ve put them into three categories: first, the right of choice; second, the responsibility of choice; and third, the results of choice."

The Right of Choice

The Savior used His agency to atone for all of us. "[He] offered Himself as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of all. Through unspeakable suffering He became the great Redeemer, the Savior of all mankind, thus making possible our successful return to our Father. " 

We must remember our eternal journey. The purpose we are here on this earth: to return to live with God in His eternal glory forever and ever. President Monson speaks of a goal that we must all have. This goal should be renew each day, and not forgotten about until the next new year. He implores, "May we keep our eyes, our hearts, and our determination focused on that goal which is eternal and worth any price we will have to pay, regardless of the sacrifice we must make to reach it."

this makes me wonder how many goals have i made that are worth great sacrifice in order to achieve them. to no matter what choose good over evil, The prophet Mormon tells us, 'The Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil.'  even if it's harder, or more work, or less fun. I think of a visual demonstration I saw when I was in Primary that incorporated a large jar - representing your day, some rocks - representing the most important things that had to get done, sand and water - representing the less  important things needed for you day. In order to fit everything into your day, or the jar, you had to insert them in a specific order. Rocks, sand, and then water. if you were to put them in backward, they would not all fit. through this demonstration we learned that we must use our agency wisely to prioritize our lives so that they are the fullest they can be.

President David O. McKay said, “Next to the bestowal of life itself, the right to direct that life is God’s greatest gift to man.” 

In 2 Nephi 2:27 we learn that "men are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

President Monson assures that, "within the confines of whatever circumstances we find ourselves, we will always have the right to choose."

The Responsibility of Choice

We, especially as latter-day saints, have a responsibility to make good choices. to further the work of God. to serve others. 

we can use our agency to do productive things to better ourselves and others, we can an education, work hard to provide for our families, study the scriptures, get to know the people around us so we can better serve them and the Lord; or we can use our agency to do wasteful things.

President Monson says, "Our Heavenly Father did not launch us on our eternal journey without providing the means whereby we could receive from Him God-given guidance to assist in our safe return at the end of mortal life. I speak of prayer. I speak too of the whisperings from that still, small voice within each of us, and I do not overlook the holy scriptures. Each of us has come to this earth with all the tools necessary to make correct choices."

one of my students in my adult pottery class is such an innocent and sweet guy. he would come into class ready to work hard on his project. he engaged the rest of the class in interesting, yet, sometimes silly, conversations about if we were ever going to progress technologically. he would ask if we had seen certain movies. when we would tell him we had not seen them, he'd ask why. we'd tell him we didn't have time. his simple answer was to make time.

making time to watch a movie for entertainment might not be the best way to spend our time, but for things like exercising to take care of your body, going to the temple, fulfilling your calling, or serving others really can be. 

We are surrounded—even at times bombarded—by the messages of the adversary. 

“Just this once won’t matter.”

“Don’t worry; no one will know.”

“You can stop any time.”

“Everybody’s doing it, so it can’t be that bad.”

The lies are endless.  

When faced with significant choices, how do we decide? Do we succumb to the promise of momentary pleasure? To our urges and passions? To the pressure of our peers?

President Monson relates a story I'm sure we're all familiar with.

Let us not find ourselves as indecisive as is Alice in Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. You will remember that she comes to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions. She is confronted by the Cheshire cat, of whom Alice asks, “Which path shall I follow?”

The cat answers, “That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t matter which path you take.”

Unlike Alice, we all know where we want to go, and it does matter which way we go, for by choosing our path, we choose our destination.

Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage is needed—the courage to say no, the courage to say yes. Decisions do determine destiny.

C. The Results of Choice

All of our choices have consequences, some of which have little or nothing to do with our eternal salvation and others of which have everything to do with it.

My decision to date, fall in love with and marry my sweet husband has a great deal to do with my eternal salvation. The choice I make every morning to stay in bed instead of going running has much less of an impact. however, i should try harder to overcome that temptation.

The Apostle Paul has assured us, “God will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” or in my case, walk and not be weary, and run and not faint.

President Monson says, "We have all made incorrect choices. If we have not already corrected such choices, I assure you that there is a way to do so. The process is called repentance. I plead with you to correct your mistakes. Our Savior died to provide you and me that blessed gift."

I know that repentance is real. It is not a scary thing. We can use the atonement everyday. to repent of small things or large things. to overcome challenges. to defeat satan. all we have to do is choose to use the gift our Savior and Redeemer gave His life for.

In closing, I want to share President Monsons plea, "may we be filled with gratitude for the right of choice, accept the responsibility of choice, and ever be conscious of the results of choice."

I know that our Agency is an incredible gift that we can use everyday. i know that if we choose to use it for good we will be blessed beyond measure. i know that Jesus Christ came to earth to be an example for good and that He gave His life to enable us to overcome this world and continue our journey with Him in eternal glory. I love Him. And I am grateful for the blessings of agency.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Something Wonderful!

I thought I would follow up on how I am doing on the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year. I am happily surprised with how well things turned out! http://lisamakesart.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-years-goals.html

Goal #1. Make art everyday

Alright, I am doing a great job on this one! Something I had not been anticipating in January is that I would get a job teaching art to the community. I really enjoy it. I always knew I loved art, but I never thought I would love teaching it… When I started working for The Center in Provo, back in March, it was really challenging! I had no idea what to expect or what was expected of me.

I know how to make art. GOOD art. Art that has meaning and adds to the larger Art Conversation. I don't know how to teach "hobby" art to adults and children of all ages. Luckily I have resources nobody else has. Sure, the experiences and education I have received has really helped me, but more than that, more than perhaps anything else, has been my mom!

My mom is an extraordinary woman with an abundance of gifts, talents, and abilities. She made sure to provide a well-rounded childhood for me and my sisters. From the countless fieldtrips, projects, and programs she came up with, the arts and crafts she created have been a strength to me in this job.

During the first session especially, I found myself searching for activity after activity to do with my classes, and ending up calling my mom for advice nearly every week. I am really grateful to have a mother capable of so much! I have been able to come up with a really nice schedule of lesson plans to fill the whole 5 weeks/10 classes that’s in each session. My students enjoy the work, and love having me as a teacher as much as I love having them as students and making a difference in the community.

In addition to the art I have been teaching and making due to my job, I have also been working on the art for another wedding – MINE! I created some really awesome announcements (you have to acknowledge your own greatness, or nobody else will…) that are super cute and descriptive of our relationship. I have been working on the animation for our reception but not confident that I will get it done in time, I only have TWO weeks (yikes! (yippee!)).

Goal #2. Exercise regularly

Uh... we’re back to this goal already? Okay, so here’s my proposal: I submit that stress should count as exercise. I’m sure it burns calories and makes you sweat just as much as running around the neighborhood would. Okay, fine! It’s not a recognizable form of exercise, but let’s face it, people, I don’t have time to run down the street unless I’m late to work or picking something up for my wedding. Life is busy right now. Maybe I’ll be better at this goal after I get married… (don’t judge)

Goal #3. Apply Alma 38:12

Let me share what I wrote about this goal back in January:
Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness. I love that it says to use boldness, but not overbearance. I want to incorporate this into my everyday life, and into the parts of my life that are not as successful as others. Okay... Do you want to know a secret? The scripture wasn't exactly the goal I wrote down, but I think it is a more reasonable one. I'll leave the actual one up to Kimber this year... Oh yeah, I think i'm doing okay on this goal too.

In case you put two and two together and came up with 7, let me spell it out for you, my original goal was to get married.

In January, this seemed like an unreachable goal for this year. I could maybe meet the guy I would eventually marry, but I really had no expectations of it actually happening. Then something wonderful happened. Someone I considered to be a good friend, and always enjoyed talking with became something more to me. After trying to spend less time with him, because I didn't want to give him the wrong idea, I began to really MISS him. I needed him in my life. He made me happy.

After a series of events, including game nights, cross-country skiing, a hot spring trip, and (most importantly for me) sledding and spending the day with some of his family, we became official. 19 days later he told me he wanted to marry me. We bought a ring, and on April 17th while dancing on a stage in the middle of a park in Orem, he knelt down and asked me to marry him. Of all the days to forget my camera, this was not it. Thank goodness for camera phones!

I love this man with all my heart. He is so good, kind, and thoughtful, and just look at that smile. He goes out of his way to make my life better, and I am so excited to spend the rest of eternity with him!

A Beautiful Occasion

My younger sister got married last month to one of the greatest guys in the world. I couldn't be happier with her choice of a brother for me! They are perfect for each other. I had the opportunity to help them in a few ways. After they got engaged I took some engagement photos and I made their announcements, which look awesome!





Once those were complete and ordered, I got to work on their video. So... you know how when couples get married they have a slide show of all their pictures growing up. It goes on for a while, but you get bored with it, so you see a couple pictures of one of them, and go into the next room where the food is... that's not what I did.

I am an artist. An artist who makes animations out of still photographs. I created a video showcasing their love story. Using their childhood pictures in a more interesting way, as a background. The video evolves as it goes, the photos show them getting older, and the music underlines their search for one another until that magical moment when they meet. The whole world stops as their pasts merge together and they begin their new life together.



Well, I'm not gonna lie, I made my mom cry and I liked it. I am really happy with the way it turned out, I think everyone else was too. It was a beautiful occasion!

snippets and sneak peaks

Art Historical context

When I was in Italy we went to a place called Paestum, a Graeco-Roman city, founded around 7 BC by colonists from a Greek city. It was abandoned during the Middle Ages and its ruins were noticed again as recently as the 18th century, following the rediscovery of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. While the main features of Paestum are currently the standing remains of three major temples, what impressed me the most is what I found in the museum. There are tomb paintings and stone busts, along with many other incredible artifacts, but nothing fascinated me more than the Illuminated manuscripts. I studied them for a long time, impressed by the great amount of detail, and whimsical little markings. I spent a long time documenting them in my sketchbook. 

Since then I began adding to the pages of my sketchbook more and more intricate designs and patterns I found anywhere from the most unusual places to the most beautiful and renowned works of art. The idea of using these ancient designs in a contemporary way intrigued me, and I felt passionate about drawing for the first time in a long time. 

This experience influenced my decision to get my BFA in Drawing and Painting. I created many paintings that incorporated the patterNs and designs I found during my exploits in Italy. There is one symbol that I adapted as my own, which I included in all the paintings, drawings, and prints that I made. 

I was excited when I got accepted into the program, however, I found that I did not completely understand why I created these compositions, or what they meant. Now I can see that they are emphasizing the details that make things as wonderful as they are, although they may go unnoticed if you do not look for them and make the effort to recognize them. It is what kept me going as an artist, so I could get to where I needed to go.



I continued to make these designs in my sketchbooks, but moved on to more conceptual art. I was pushed and challenged in the Installation class and really enjoyed the Digital Art class I took in the Fall of 2010. In these classes I created art that exploited my feelings. It was very uncomfortable, but I have found that it is in the uncomfortable situations that push you out of your comfort zone that you grow and progress most. It is there that true greatness is discovered.

In these classes, along with Studio Seminar, I was introduced to contemporary artists who excited me. They broke the rules that I was taught to keep and took new approaches to art that I had not thought of before. Contemporary art is the art that is being created right now. Some museums consider any art created since WWII to fall into this movement. It is conceptual. It holds meaning. It can make you look at things in a different way. Which may be why distinctions between the high and low arts have started to fade, as contemporary art continues to challenge these concepts by mixing with popular culture.

While I was in NYC I saw firsthand some of the work I had learned about. Incredible works from the artist John Baldessari were stunningly more impressing in person that they were on a computer screen. The meaning was the same, however. John Baldessari dared to take familiar images, with recognizable subject matter, and replace parts of it with a flat color. He challenged the meaning and context by doing this. His works are amazing, but not because of the effort put into flawlessly painting the images, capturing the accuracy of what is depicted. It is because of the poignant meaning and subtle references. It is because the concept is strong, and the execution is clean.

I also changed the context of the images I used in my animations and digital collage by taking one person from a photograph, already loaded with a history of its own, unrelated to my art, and combining it with many others. I like the baggage these loaded images brought because it allowed my compositions to hold many histories, just as each person at a party brings a different history or life baggage with them in reality.

Annie Poon is another contemporary artist who has greatly influenced me. She creates lighthearted animations that have an unfinished quality. This is something I really enjoy. It brings a life to the animations that I admire and relate to. 

I tried to accomplish a similar rawness in my own animations by allowing it to lack a seamless or overly finished quality. It looks as if I took a bunch of people, all the friends that I have collected like some kind of kleptomaniac, and pasted them into one setting.

Another artist of this movement who I have thought about in consideration of my own art is Emily Fox. A fearless artist who puts her pride aside to perform somewhat ridiculous and embarrassing things for the videos she creates. Whether it is swimming in a pool to perform aquatic dances or exhibiting her ballet skills in a skintight leotard.

There is a sense of raw, unadulterated exposure that is something I desire to find in my own animations. While I am not exposing myself physically, I do use stop animation to expose my feelings. Specifically the uncomfortable feelings I have when I am alone in a social environment.



I created animations to explore my feelings and desires. I found this process challenging because I wanted to the crowd to be made up of people I know, my friends and loved ones. I wanted to make sure all of their faces could be seen, because they all mean something to me. This would not make a natural looking composition, though, so I had to remind myself of Rembrandt.

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was an artist in the 1600s. He was a Dutch painter working during the Baroque period. Baroque is a style that is used to exaggerate motion and easily interpret detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture and painting.

Rembrandt was a determined artist who took risks and did things differently. In his painting, commonly known as The Night Watch, he composed a group portrait of a division of the civic guard in an unusual way. Instead of painting them in a neat row or sitting at their annual banquet, he depicted a moment in time in a natural way. To have someone hidden behind another person, or obscured in some other way was uncommon because paintings like these were paid for by the group.



I proceeded with my compositions, taking care that they looked natural, swallowing the importance of the face of my friend in order to create an environment that represents a potentially real moment. They are still in the image, which means they are present at the event depicted, which is just as significant as if their faces were visible to the viewer.

My Signature Origin

When I was in Italy we went to a place called Paestum, a Graeco-Roman city, founded around 7 BC by colonists from a Greek city. It was abandoned during the Middle Ages and its ruins were notice again as recently as the 18th century, following the rediscovery of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. While the main features of Paestum are currently the standing remains of three major temples, what impressed me the most is what I found in the museum.

There are tomb paintings and stone busts, along with many other incredible artifacts, but nothing could fascinate me more than the Illuminated manuscripts. I studied them for a long time, impressed by the great amount of detail, and whimsical little markings. I spent a long time documenting them in my sketchbook. Since then I began adding to the pages of my sketchbook more and more intricate designs and patterns I found anywhere from the most unusual places to the most beautiful and renowned works of art.

The idea of using these ancient designs in a contemporary way engaged me, and I felt passionate about drawing for the first time in a long time.

This experience influenced my decision to get my BFA in Drawing and Painting. I created many paintings that incorporated the patters and designs I found during my exploits in Italy. There is one symbol that I adapted as my own, which I included in all the painting, drawings, and prints that I made. I was excited when I got accepted into the program, however, I found that I did not completely understand why I created these compositions, or what they meant. Now I can see that they are emphasizing the details that make things as wonderful as they are, although they may go unnoticed if you do not look for them and make the effort to recognize them. It is what kept me going as an artist, so I could get to where I needed to go.

I continued to make these designs in my sketchbooks, but moved on to more conceptual art. I was push and challenged in the Installation class, and really enjoyed the Digital Art class I took in the Fall of 2010. In these classes I created art that exploited my feelings. It was very uncomfortable, but I have found that it is in the uncomfortable situations, that push you out of your comfort zone, that you grow and progress most. It is there that true greatness is discovered.

Go Forward with Faith

Have you ever been to Disneyland? It’s the most magical place on earth! it’s full of fatty foods, cartoon characters, awesome rides, and the longest lines you will ever stand in! I love it.
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you don’t think about the lines when you prepare to go. that’s why you get blisters on your feet. but in reality, you are spending hours of your day in LINE! why would you do that?
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in some cultures, people will get in line because it means food. i had a professor who tried out an experiment with a couple friends. they stood in a row and within minutes there was a line forming. as they realized they had created a false promise for these people, they sheepishly, one by one, left the line.
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at Disneyland, all the lines lead to good things. and you can choose which one to get in. you either get a deliciously hot churro, a picture with Mickey Mouse, himself, or a thrilling and adorable ride.
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not only do you get what you’re promised, but the atmosphere while you’re waiting is fun and inviting. AND you have your family and friends to talk to creating wonderful bonding experiences!
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i have heard that standing in line is what hell is like, but i would like to submit that is it what life is like. Heaven is different. Heaven is what we’re standing in line for. only, it lasts a lot longer than a ride at Disneyland, and is infinitely better!
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you see, what we don’t always realize about standing in line, is when we move forward. slowly but surely, we go from the back of the line to the front. and if we are wise, we spend our time in line growing closer to the people we love, recognizing the beauty around us, and becoming better for the wait.
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when i was asked to speak on “going forward with faith” i almost laughed out loud. this topic is one that i have been dealing with a lot lately, and honestly, i think this was the answer to my prayers. i am grateful to have the opportunity to study this topic and share the things i have learned.
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President Packer shared a story about a time when he felt a difficulty moving forward. He said, “We once had a major decision to make. When our prayers left us uncertain, I went to see Elder Harold B. Lee. He counseled us to proceed. Sensing that I was still very unsettled, he said, “The problem with you is you want to see the end from the beginning.” Then he quoted this verse from the Book of Mormon, “Dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6).
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He added, “You must learn to walk a few steps ahead into the darkness, and then the light will turn on and go before you.” 
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one of the key principles i discovered in moving forward with faith is patience. 
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President Uchtdorf describes patience as the ability to put our desires on hold for a time. He says, “Patience was far more than simply waiting for something to happen—patience requires actively working toward worthwhile goals and not getting discouraged when results don’t appear instantly or without effort.”
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in the Strength of Youth, we learn that much is required of us. but we are taught that we are capable of reaching our full potential. we should ask ourselves two questions: 1. Am I living the way the Lord wants me to live? and 2. How have I been blessed by living these standards?
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when we put the Lord first, He will make much more out of our lives than we can do by ourselves. (just as in institute this week. A member of the temple presidency spoke, and he said, talking about marriage, look for someone who loves the Lord more than he loves you. Because if they love the Lord most, he will love you more than he could have if he thought he loved you more) He will increase our opportunities, expand our visions, and strengthen our ability to meet lifes challenges.
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President Uchtdorf said, “Never give up on anyone. And that includes not giving up on yourself.”
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even when things seem to be going all wrong, if the Lord is first in your life, you can know you are right on track! Place the wisdom of the Lord above your own, for He is the source of all wisdom.
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Elder Holland said, “Every one of us has times when we need to know things will get better. Moroni spoke of it in the Book of Mormon as “hope for a better world.” For emotional health and spiritual stamina, everyone needs to be able to look forward to some respite, to something pleasant and renewing and hopeful, whether that blessing be near at hand or still some distance ahead. It is enough just to know we can get there, that however measured or far away, there is the promise of ‘good things to come.’”

​He counsels, “Cling to your faith. Hold on to your hope. “Pray always, and be believing.” Indeed, as Paul wrote of Abraham, he “against all hope believed in hope” and “staggered not through unbelief.” He was “strong in faith” and was “fully persuaded that, what God had promised, he was able to perform.”
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when we choose to get in line, we have faith that whatever we are getting in line for will be worth the wait. likewise, when we chose to come to earth we knew it would be worth it. and we can choose to endure well while we’re here if we exercise faith we can know it will all be worth it. 
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President Uchtdorf said, “Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can—working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!”
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go forward with faith. in whatever you are working toward. 

Elder Holland encourages us, saying, "Don’t give up. Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead—a lot of it. You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”
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Pray to our Heavenly Father daily. express to Him your gratitude, and the desires of your heart. Study the Scriptures and apply what you read to your life. Go to church every Sunday, feel the Spirit, and let it change your heart. these are the "primary" answers, but they really do make all the difference, if you apply them.
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When You go forward with faith, you will gain a stronger testimony and find true joy as you come to know your Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and feel Their love for you.
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testimony

A Special Guest...

Hi!

I'm Tiny Lisa. I'm really shy, so I don't say a whole lot, but people really like me anyway! They always come up to me to have their picture taken with me. I don't do anything to provoke them, I'm usually just standing in the corner -smiling at them. What can I say? I'm a people watcher and I have a happy disposition. I don't see why I wouldn't, life is beautiful. When I am around, I can't help but be noticed.  I go to lots of parties and  have lots of friends. Will you be my friend, too? 



Alright, I'll be honest, lately, I've been working on some top secret detective work. No one catches on. They just think I'm standing in a dark garage for fun, I guess. I'm not gonna lie, I think it's pretty funny how they jump everyday when I startle them. It's not like I jump out screaming (like some would) I just stand there, in the light of the moon, or really just a little night light thingy... 

I'm hungry. I haven't eaten anything... (ever)! When I turn sideways it's like I disappear. 



Well, until next time! I'll be standing here.

I got sham and it ain't glam, it's talent!

As some of you may know, I really love plays, especially musicals. Who doesn't like it when people break out into song and dance?! I actually do know someone. When I was in NYC on a field study last year, one of my art professors showed he was a snob to plays. He liked operas, but he said that plays were the kitsch of the theater world. Low shot. I've been to an opera. In Milan. I fell asleep*.

Well, last night I had a dream and many of my friends from my last ward were in it. We were talking and someone said something descriptive using the word "sham". Someone turned, seeming confused (I think it was someone from my new ward) so the person who said it broke out into song, "I got sham, and it ain't glam..." waving her finger with attitude, then the rest of my old ward-ies joined in, finishing by raising their arms theatrically as they held out the last word, "it's talent!"

Who knew that was a thing? I learn so much while i'm asleep. I should do it more often...

I like my new ward well enough. The Bishop is phenomenal! And the people are pretty nice. Pretty and nice. But it's kind of different than what i'm used to. All the people are, well... they come from rich families. That's not a bad thing, but they just seem like they are still in the mindset that daddy will get them whatever they want and fix all their problems, and pay all their bills. They dress really immodestly - glamorously, and many of the comments people make are really shallow. It's like they mostly abide by the 'rules' of the church, but don't understand the gospel or live it's principles because they love it and WANT to live it. It's weird, but It's giving me a different perspective, which is always a good thing.

I think my dream was addressing the different dynamic of people and caliber of character. The one thing I wrote down in my notes at church yesterday was this:

I realized today that I am more attracted to those of spiritual strength than to any other kind of strength or physical attribute. If someone is doing their best, and seeking for virtue, they are the kind of person worth having in my life.

In movies, tv shows, or plays, the main character will more than likely be physically attractive. As the plot thickens, however, we may learn that they don't believe in God, or are lacking some other virtue, like chastity or they may have a drinking problem, or chicken pox, but we still root for them to win the heart of the heroine because they are the main character, and they are SO attractive!

But in real life, if I meet someone like this, I stop rooting for them. I don't mean I stop rooting for them to make good decisions, I just don't bring them closer to my heart and I don't see them in a romantic light.

In short, I guess I feel my old ward is more worthy of musicals, not because of how glamorous they are, but because they have what it takes to be in my heart. And that's sham. Apparently. So says my dream. :)

I got sham and it ain't glam, it's talent!


please forgive me for this image... it's more of a journal entry for a sketchbook about a dream I had than art I should be showing to people. It's not even completely accurate, there were guys singing too. But it applies here.

*I probably wouldn't have fallen asleep if it had been a more beautiful opera. and if I had been able to see the stage more easily (our seats were the ones rich, famous, or royal people would have sat in a long time ago to BE SEEN, and not to SEE).

Danger

I was just thinking about some of the dangerous situations I've been in and thought I'd share a few.



One time, when I was in Rome, two of my friends and I heard about this gelato place that was supposed to be the best gelato in Rome or something. We were told, "it's located in a creepy little alley that  normally you would never want to go down..." Well, that sounded like a good enough description for us, so we embarked on going down every creepy alley we could find. We never found the gelato place, but boy, we saw some stuff... I wasn't really scared, but looking back, maybe I should have been.

One time, when I was swimming in the freezing waters of Lake Como, I almost drowned. The current combined with the low temperature, combined with my less-than-expert swimming abilities dragged me toward the small pier, and under the water. It was completely worth it though. One of the most fun things i can claim living through!

One time, I got my heart broken.

One time, when I was in New York, I was trying to meet up with some friends, but I kinda got lost and took the subway to a part of town that was sketch. It didn't take long for me to realize I wasn't in a place I wanted to be in -alone- so I got back on the subway. I don't know if I was in any kind of real danger, I HAD been coming from the temple, but anything could happen.

One time I was in this souvenir shop with my dad, but when I tried to leave, the witch locked the doors with her dark powers and cackled. She tried to to attack us, but I woke up screaming. I don't have many dreams that make me wake up in such a way, but since we were on vacation, I also woke the rest of my family. (sorry)

There are more serious dangers I have been in, but who wants to read about those? I can make art about those, and not have to talk about it with words... I think these are the things that inform the way I view life. They broaden my outlook. Sure, dangerous events make good stories, but they can also build character, and strengthen my abilities to conquer even more.

New Year's Goals

I'm not the best at making new years resolutions, but I am pretty good at setting goals for myself and reaching them. Over the break I was thinking about how I'm going to spend my time this semester now that I don't have classes. I am still working on a couple reports I wasn't able to finish because of an emergency that came up, but I need to be creative and feel fulfilled.



Goal #1. Make art everyday

I didn't get a degree in Studio Art for nothing so my first goal is to make art everyday. So far, I have done this. I have worked on a portrait nearly everyday, and now I have quite a few more self portraits. I need more faces, so let me know if I can do a portrait of you! I have also been working a lot on my younger sister's wedding announcements - which has been really fun and exciting. I've made a few different ones and they all look great. I'll post them after they have their official debut.




Goal #2. Exercise regularly

Well, this is awkward... I don't know what to say here... Haha. Okay, in my mind, I was thinking I would go running every morning. That hasn't happened yet. I think I do better with a running buddy. Anyone? I can say this, however, there are 2 flights of stairs in my new apartment (mom, that's TWO), and I have to go up and down them everyday. Multiple times. I have also walked to and from campus...



Goal #3. Apply Alma 38:12

Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness. I love that it says to use boldness, but not overbearance. I want to incorporate this into my everyday life, and into the parts of my life that are not as successful as others. Okay... Do you want to know a secret? The scripture wasn't exactly the goal I wrote down, but I think it is a more reasonable one. i'll leave the actual one up to Kimber this year... Oh yeah, I think i'm doing okay on this goal too.