general conference!

Posted on April 2, 2012 by tara

This weekend was The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints‘ General Conference! It only comes twice a year, so I really look forward to it. Conference can be an inspiring and uplifting experience for anyone, whether you’re a member of the church or not!

There were definitely a lot of talks about devoting time to strengthening the family. President Boyd K. Packer said, “Family time is sacred time, and should be protected and respected. We urge our members to show devotion to their families.” I think his talk may have been my favorite. I’ve made a goal for Michael and I to do better at holding family home evenings and regular family scripture study.

I also really wanted to take a family photo (including the piggies!), so Michael humored me and dragged the tripod, chair and pigs outside. I think this might be a nice tradition to hold every conference!

a family is forever!

Posted on March 8, 2012 by tara

This past weekend, we were so excited because we had the opportunity to go to the temple together! Monday was Michael’s grandparents’ 59th wedding anniversary, and they like to go to the temple to commemorate it, so we went with them!

It seems like it’s been FOREVER since we last went to the temple for anything other than a wedding. It was wonderful to be inside, not feel rushed, and be able to enjoy the peace and Spirit the temple has.

I’m so thankful for the temple, and that because of it, our family can be together forever. My family is the best gift I will ever have. I love them all so much!

november family scripture study

Posted on November 8, 2011 by tara

As Latter-day Saints, we are counseled to have family prayer and scripture study each day. Our family’s got the prayer part down, no sweat. The scripture study has always been a little more difficult, so this month, I decided to take a new approach. Our institute did an “OctoberFeast” scripture study program on knowledge, so I used the idea of choosing a topic and planning out all the readings.

Since faith is the first principle of the gospel, that’s what I chose! So far it’s really been helping us out, so I thought I’d share.

You can download the faith calendar to use in your own family!

conference weekend!

Posted on October 2, 2011 by tara

This weekend was pretty exciting because our mom and dad came up to visit! =) I always love seeing them (it’s like an instant-happiness inducer)! They even brought us a brand-spanking-new mattress as a gift for our graduation. I’m so grateful because we’ve been sleeping on an air mattress for a little while now.

Of course we went out to a Chinese buffet! That’s practically tradition these days. Lelia even came, since she’s pretty much part of our family now!

Mmmmmm.

This weekend was also General Conference! I love hearing the Prophet and Apostles speak and feeling the Spirit. I have no doubt that the Church is true. Look, even Maggie enjoyed watching!

where i need to be

Posted on June 17, 2010 by tara

Sometimes life happens differently than what you plan for, but I know I am right where my Heavenly Father wants me to be.

Right now I have a summer job where I am part of the "grass-roots" in the operation. There are ten of us in total, and we really do work hard. In past summers, I had worked one of the other positions, but you work your shift alone. When I applied to work there this summer and received the position I'm in, I was a little unsure. I wasn't sure I could do it; it just seemed like such difficult work.

Now, a few weeks later, I'm doing just fine. And the best part is that I have 9 buddies to work with, and never have to be alone, unlike the other position I originally wanted. I'm glad I have faith in God and know that He puts me where I need to be, whether it is to help me out or to be His instrument and help others. I know that all of us have a Father in Heaven and He really loves us. He does. I've felt it, and you can too, if you just ask Him.

Easter

Posted on April 4, 2010 by tara

Happy Easter everyone! Hopefully you had a fantastic day. We watched the rest of General Conference. It is such an uplifting time of year, when we get to listen to modern-day Prophets and Apostles, as well as reflect on our Savior's sacrifice for all of us. I am so thankful.

We didn't do too much else. Being away from our families makes holidays a little less exciting, I guess. I didn't make a traditional Easter dinner (since really, it's just the two of us) but I did try to make something nice. So I made some breaded lemon chicken, white rice and broccoli, with a new bread recipe- ciabatta stiratta, which is basically an Italian flat-bread. It turned out yummy!

search and rescue, car wash, greek

Posted on April 4, 2010 by tara

Today, we went to a Search and Rescue demonstration (organized by my awesome friend Katie!) that focused on rescues done with horses! A very kind lady brought her horses down along with all her equipment and everything just to show us how they do their work. The most amazing thing was how bomb-proof the horse really was! They made all these loud noises around him (horns, shaking cans, dragging milk jugs, etc) and he didn't even flinch. He was also a Peruvian Paso, which is pretty cool, since I've never seen a gaited horse in real life.

So then… we went to wash the car! It was about time. I even helped… when I was a kid, scrubbing the car was one of my favorite things. The sad thing is, we saw pollen on it this morning. Which means my allergies can't be too far away.

Then we went home and watched General Conference.I love it because it is so full of great ways to improve yourself. Michael slept during most of it though!

I've been wanting to go out to eat for a while, so we went back to the little Greek place downtown for our "date". I looooove Greek food and thankfully, so does Michael!

What a great day!

date!

Posted on March 28, 2010 by tara

It's Sunday! Today we had our ward Easter program, and it was amazing! The choir sang three songs (Michael played the piano for each of them, and of course he was amazing). The Spirit was definitely there as we sang, and I hoped the congregation could feel it too. I am really grateful that our Savior came here and was willing to sacrifice His earthly life to be able to save the rest of us. How amazing is that?

Yesterday we tried to go on a date, but basically, we realized that I am probably the most indecisive person ever. In the entire world. So Michael just got me in the car and we went out! We ended up going to Cici's Pizza for dinner- I haven't been there in forever but it was fun! My family and I used to go there sometimes and Karl would always try to take full advantage of the buffet!

We also had a Coldstone gift card and someone (aka Michael) was anxious to use it so we went there too. Yummy! I do miss real Italian ice cream though.

At the end of the night, we also ended up getting "Toy Story", which includes a free movie ticket for the third movie. Pretty good, huh?

Earlier in the week, I asked my mom to send me some of Maggie's "baby pictures". Look how sweet my girl was (and still is!):

blessings

Posted on February 28, 2010 by tara

Well, today's the last day of February!! Whoa, already!

This weekend was overall very busy, but very uplifting.

Yesterday morning, we went to a Memorial service for my good friend's baby daughter, who left the earth just ten days after her birth. The Spirit and the love in that meeting was extraordinary. I am so thankful for such a great friend, to see her strength derived from the faith that she has in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Thanks to our Savior, we can partake of the blessings of the temple, which include eternal marriage. Being married in the temple means we're sealed together forever as a family. No one will be lost. As long as we live righteously, we will all be reunited one day. Yesterday, the truth of that principle was reaffirmed to me.

I am so grateful that Jesus Christ lived, and died, for me. For you. For everyone who ever has lived and will come to live on this earth. Come unto Him. Get to know Him. He truly loves all of us, no matter what we do or say. He's there, always waiting.

(almost)weekly weekend update

Posted on October 11, 2009 by tara

Well this weekend was great!! We had Stake Conference for church, so basically everyone in our surrounding area got together for one huge meeting. It's so much fun! I love church.

Today we went over to the pond with some friends and had sub sandwiches. It was great to just sit in nature (although it is getting quite chilly here!) and enjoy one another's company. There weren't many ducks around, mostly just annoying little gnats.

Michael and I came home and I fell asleep for almost 2 hours (sleep deprived I guess)… Then we had ice cream sundaes and went for a walk! I just love spending time talking with my sweet hubby.

In other news, although I'm not a huge football fan, the Hokies CRUSHED Boston College yesterday and we are now #4 in the ACC. Boooooo ya!

Hmm… so also this week, I got a 96.5 on a test, and then I (re)declared my double-major in Animal Science and French. I guess we'll see how that goes…