Fast Sunday

Today is fast Sunday, meaning I chose to go without food for two meals and donate that money to help the poor. I also usually fast with a purpose: today was for me to have more benevolence, which turns out to be charity. After studying the Bible and Book of Mormon about this topic, I found a few scriptures. In 1 Corinthians is the famous scripture of charity in chapter 13:4-8. It says "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth..." I know I've read this scripture a million times, but this time as I was thinking about being benevolent and looking for the good in people, this has really struck me. I want to be like this. I don't want to think ill of people or be mean just because I feel bad about myself. I can be confident in myself when I act more charitable towards others.

Another scripture that has stuck out to me is in Doctrine and Covenants 64:33-34, "Wherefore, be not weary in well doing, for you are laying the foundation for a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind..." The small things that I do are being prepared for something bigger! I am helping people when I am kind in a small way or when I don't keep track of how I was hurt by them. I love the scriptures! I love praying and knowing that Heavenly Father does hear my prayers and wants to help me overcome these natural tendencies! This post is more for my own journal, but I thought I might put it out there in case there was someone who needed this, too.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was pretty fun this year! During the day, Scotty and I just piddled around the house, carving his pumpkin and waiting for the evening festivities to begin. Jeremy had gone riding with a friend, Kevin, and when they came back, we carved Wyatt's, Cozette's and Atalie's pumpkins. It was fun watching the kids carve them and not wanting to get their hands dirty. I had to reach in to several pumpkins and get the "guts" out of them. Jeremy and Kevin were good sports helping the kids with that job as well. Around dinner time, we went to my parents house for Sloppy Joes and trick or treating. The older kids all ran ahead of us because Scotty and the other kids couldn't walk as fast. Cozette even put on roller blades to make her time more efficient! Scotty and Charlotte were trick or treating buddies and kept saying the cutest things. Charlotte would say, "I trick or treat you!" and after each house Scotty would run down the driveway and say "I got trick or treats!" That little boy is talking up a storm! Sometimes you can not get him to be quiet or whisper! He has so much to say. He also loves to sing! It's fun being at home with him and enjoying this time with him!

Since Halloween is my birthday, we had pumpkin pie and some brownies that Bronwyn made. I got some cool gifts as well. Jeremy got me a Garmin 610 GPS watch that I can use while running. I've used it twice already and have already seen myself get faster! It's so awesome!

Thanks to all those who remembered me on my birthday and those I got to spend time with. That's my favorite: being with people I love!

Zombie workout girl! My shirt says Workout or Die...

The girl's screaming with "Justin Bieber" around!
Gramma and Evelyn the Tootsie roll!

Wyatt had his last soccer game yesterday. He has really loved soccer this year and it's been fun to watch him enjoy it so much. He scored the one and only goal, but he was right there with that ball for most of the game. It was great having Isaac be on the same team as well and getting to know other really great families around here.

Here are some pictures from our events lately!

Last night, I was able to take the girls on a date to a choir concert. It was the Master Chorale and they sounded so good! A friend of mine got me some tickets. Poor Cozette had a stomach ache, so we had to leave before the end, but we really enjoyed dressing up and listening to live music. There is nothing like it!

I got that cute hat and scarf for my birthday from my mom! Thanks mom and dad!