By their fruits, ye shall know them.

As I was doing my scripture study today, I was reading in 3 Nephi chapter 14.  This is when Christ has come to the Americas and is teaching the people.  

He warns in verse 14, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

This verse especially got me thinking.  Although there are many literal false prophets in our day, there are also so many distractions in our world that are the same thing.  Just think about it.  How many things do you see everyday that promise "happiness" and "peace"?  We are constantly bombarded by things of this world that claim to make people happy, when in reality they only bring temporary satisfaction and ultimately.. sadness.  When it comes to material things of this world, we will always feel incomplete.  We will always want more.  What we have is NEVER going to be enough.  There will always be a newer, better, trendier version of what you have.  Clothes, technology, cars, diets, followers on social media, likes on your Instagram picture, etc.  The madness never ends!!!  It's kind of discomforting actually.

While these material things can ultimately bring us down, they aren't all bad.  But how the heck are we supposed to tell the difference between a good thing and a bad thing in this world full of constant contradicting messages??  Jesus shows us how in these next verses.  Starting in 16,

"Ye shall know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."

Then skipping down to verse 20, "Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them."  

This didn't quite make complete sense to me at first; I had to go back and reread it a few times, but finally it hit me.  It's really not all that hard to know a good thing from a bad thing.  All you have to do is look at what it brings about.  Look at the end result, not the immediate, temporary one. 

Whenever you are faced with something promising you happiness, although it's much easier said than done, just look at the big picture.  Is this really going to matter later on in my life?  If it will affect your life in a positive way, pursue it.  If not, is it really worth wasting energy, time and possibly your eternal wellbeing over?  

Life gets pretty crazy and extremely difficult at times, but it doesn't have to be all that complicated.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ provides a simple answer to our lives.  

3 Nephi 27:16: "And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world."

I know without a doubt that my Savior loves me.  He loves all of us individually.  He died so that I can return to live with Him again and have eternal happiness.  He will never leave me in a state of confusion, but He will lead me and guide me to do what's right.  I know that He will receive anyone and everyone that comes to Him with a sincere heart, He loves you.  With Him, I can conquer over every hardship and trial that is placed in my path.  He will never leave me comfortless.

(C.S. Lewis nails it.  Every time.  ^^^)

xoxo

brookelle

Resting Hour

Things have been pretty crazy lately, and I've been a little down.  Life is happening right before my eyes, and no matter what I do, I've realized it's not possible to slow it down.  I, like so many other college students in my position, have so many big decisions to make.  It's been stressful, but today I got a much needed letter from the sweetest boy, my missionary. :)  

I usually try not to tell him all the things I'm having a hard time with, because his mission is his first priority and the last thing I want to be is a distraction.  In the last letter I sent, I just told him I was having a bit of a hard time, and his response was priceless.  It's such an incredible blessing to have his eternal perspective on what I've been going through.  His words helped me, so I'm sure they can help some of you.

The Lord is so aware of each and every one of us, and He gives us trials and hardships so that we will turn to Him for help and comfort.  He truly loves each and every one of his children more than we can even try to comprehend.  In Adam's letter, he sent me this little quote:

"God sent a man to push a large boulder.  The man pushed and pushed on the boulder.  Satan came by and said, 'why are you pushing on that boulder?  You'll never be able to move it.'  The man became discouraged.  He went to God and asked why he had been sent to push a boulder he would never be able to move.  God said, 'I never expected or told you to move the boulder.  I told you to push the boulder.  In pushing the boulder, your arms, back, and legs have been strengthened and you have become strong.'"

When times get rough, we need to turn to the Lord, and He will show us how he is strengthening and shaping us.  Blessings will always come from turning to the Lord, and by putting our trust in God, we will be able to get through anything we may face in this life.

"Righteous sorrow and suffering carve cavities in the soul that will later become reservoirs of joy."

D&C 122:7-9

"7 And if though shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape opn the mouth wide after thee, now thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. 

8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all.  Art thou greater than he?

9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass.  Thy days are known and they years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."

 God loves us.  God loves you. 

His hand is stretched out for you, all you have to do is reach for it.

xoxo

brookelle

"When we are broken we’re not forgotten
You will be strong
And even though that fight that we’re facing
Leaves you burned out and shaken
You’re not alone

 Give it all to me
I can be your resting hour."

a 2014 objective

Here I am on New Years Eve, just chillin by my lonesome. 

And guess what.

In less than 2 hours, I can officially say that I'll see my best friend next year.

GAHHH!

Anywho, I'd just like to thank everyone who has stuck with me through this past year, it's funny how days seem to drag on, but years fly by.  It just makes me glad that we can live forever.  Although our time on this earth is limited, we'll still be able to live for eternity.  I love that, and I'm so glad that I have the gospel in my life.  Without it, I don't even want to know where I'd be.  

Now for this new year, I'm going to make a resolution.  Actually, let's not call it a resolution, because those never seem to stick.  I'm going to call it my objective for 2014.  And that objective is to enjoy every moment that I'm given.  Whatever life throws at me, I'm going to get through it with a smile on my face and the Savior by my side.

2013 has been good to me.

Now I'm going to be good to 2014.

xoxo

brookelle

Blessings

Time to catch up on the past few weeks!  

This past month has seriously FLOWN by.  Actually..this past SEMESTER has flown by.  It's crazy to think that I'm almost done with my first semester of college.  

SO MUCH has happened, and I've learned SO MUCH.  I honestly think I've learned more in these past 5 months living on my own than I ever have before.  

Here are a few things I've learned:

        You cannot (I repeat) CANNOT be a fence sitter.  You have to choose what you're doing, and DO IT.  If you don't make a choice, life will make a choice for you, and I can guarantee the result will not be what you want. 

        Don't settle.  Ever.  Don't even think about settling.  Have high expectations for yourself.  If you don't like the path you are on, get on a different one.  If you're not happy with your life, do something about it.  You have more control over your life than anybody else.   So use it.  

       Don't be afraid to care.  Care.  Please, CARE.  Contrary to popular belief, you cannot care too much.  In fact, you should care.  Carelessness is glorified in our world wayyyy too much.

Anyways, here are some of my adventures from this past month:

It was Thanksgiving a couple weeks ago!  I got to spend some quality time with my favorite people.  

HAPPY SPANKSGIVING! ^^^

I cut my hair!

It snowed AND I got a letter from Adam in the same day!

As an institute choir, we got to sing at Manti Seminary's morningside.  I walked all the way across campus from my apartment to the institute building in below zero degree weather.  That was arguably the worst decision of my life.  I sure do love these quality people though.

This weekend, my roommates and I have been studying for finals nonstop.  So we took a break and went sledding last night.  We didn't exactly have a sled..or a hill, so we used a car hood and a road.  I seriously love these girls so much.  I've been blessed with these beautiful roommates! 

To end this wonderful week, these beautiful girls and I all went to church together.  ♡ 

Anyways, these past few weeks as well as this past semester have been a grand adventure, I've really come to know how blessed I truly am, and I've been able to recognize the Lord's hand in my everyday life. :)  

Now it's time for finals week, BRING IT ON!

♡brookelle

The Most Powerful Love

I had a very abrupt realization today.  It's kind of hard to explain, but I'll do my best.  

I was sick of cleaning up everyone's messes in my apartment, but I knew if I just did the kitchen without complaint, I would be happier.  As I was doing the dishes, something popped into my head.  Christ cleans up my messes.  Everyday.  Even when I don't thank Him enough for it.  He cleaned up everybody's messes.  He does everyday.  He suffered for each and every one of our mistakes, innumerable times.  Without complaint.  And most oftentimes, without a thank you.  He is there for me even when I make wrong decisions, or don't give Him as much time as I should be giving to Him.  

How selfish had I been for wanting something in return?

So selfish.  

So UnChristlike.  

Christ even asked His Father to forgive the people who nailed his hands and feet to the cross.  The ones who spit at Him with disgust.  Who relentlessly put Him under that excruciating pain.  He took it upon Himself to make sure they were forgiven for the pain they inflicted.

He didn't give it a second thought. 

Most times, as human beings, we expect that to forgive someone, we need lots and lots of time.  Time to be able to heal from the pain brought upon by somebody else.  When our Brother and Lord forgave those who were causing him so much pain, he was still in the midst of that pain.  

But He forgave them.  

Then and there.  

Without hesitation.  

I know that this is something that I should be working on with much more devotion; to be more Christlike.  He loves me unconditionally, so much that He took upon Himself my sins, mistakes, hardships, pains, trials, burdens, and afflictions.  

How powerful is that Love?  

I will take it upon myself to become like Him: the perfect example.  I challenge anyone reading this to do the same.  Living in this day and age makes it difficult to lose yourself in the service and love of your fellow beings, but I know with all my heart that it is what will bring true happiness. 

 After all, we owe it to the Lord, don't we?

xoxo

Brookelle

High Expectations

So many people say you shouldn't expect anything.  "Have low expectations to avoid disappointment."  Even William Shakespeare agreed: "Expectation is the root of all heartache."

I'm here to disagree.  

I'm not saying that you should have extremely high and unrealistic expectations, but why not have the highest expectations possible?  Without expectations, what would we do? 
 We would settle. 
 There is nothing worse than settling.  

Expect big things from yourself. 

Expect great things to come in your life.

Expect to be happy.

Robbing your life of expectation is the equivalent to robbing your life of hope.  

Aren't expectations what give us hope?  

Without expectation, we are without hope.  Without hope, we are without drive.  Without drive, we are without hard work.  Without hard work, we are without valuable results.  Without valuable results, we are without progression.  

So is it fair to say that without expectation, we are stagnant?  

Expectation brings about your hopes and dreams.  

I'm not saying that our expectations will never be shot down, or that our hopes and dreams will always be fulfilled in the way we want.  But when these dreams don't quite work out, when we fail, all that matters is that we get back up.  Try again.  Maybe fail again.

  That's life.  

Even though each expectation may not be fulfilled the way you had hoped, that's no reason to quit having them.  

I mean, it's probably a good thing that not all of our high expectations happen.  When I was little, I was convinced that one day I would be a famous singer and Disney Channel star.  (we can now thank the heavens that that didn't happen.)  

God has a funny way of showing us what our lives have in store for us, and sometimes, we come to that knowledge by failing.  And failing again.  And feeling disappointed.  But we must keep trying; we must keep high expectations a part of our lives.  

You have a chance to make this life incredible.  

Expect the best from yourself.    

Don't settle.

xoxo

brookelle

YOU ROCK

This video I found is a definite MUST WATCH for EVERYONE.  Especially women and girls.  

As human beings, we tend to see ourselves more negatively than positively.  This really opened my eyes, and hopefully yours as well, to how often we sell ourselves short.  Why are we so hard on ourselves?  

Don't sell yourself short.

Don't be so hard on yourself.

You are a child of God.

Choose to see yourself through His eyes.

xoxo

brookelle

October

It's October 22.  Where the heck did October go??  Honestly this month has gone by SO fast.  Anyways, here are some of my October highlights.  

Before going home for Conference weekend, my roommates and I got to play in this hail storm!  It's little things like these that remind me of the beauty of this life.  

GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!   On the 4th and 5th of this month, we had the opportunity to listen to the Lord's words through His called leaders of this Gospel.  Let me tell you, it was seriously incredible.  One of my favorite talks was President Uchtdorf's talk Come, Join with Us.  He totally nailed it.  "..please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.⁸ We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."  To read his entire talk, click here.  To read, watch, or listen to any of the talks that were given in the October 2013 General Conference, click here.  

On October 10th, I got to finally say that my best friend has been out in the mission field for 6 WHOLE months.  6 MONTHS ALREADY!  I'm already a quarter of the way done with this wait!  Days seem to drag on, but honestly the weeks fly by.  I was so excited, I sent him a "happy six months" package.  He's such an amazing example to me, and I couldn't ask for a better best friend.  I can't believe I've already gone a whole six months without him by my side.  Just under 18 more to go!  :)

 Midterms were last week..Let's just say I'm extremely thankful that most of them are over.  I totally aced my psych test though!  I literally teared up and almost hugged my professor when he handed the test back to me.  #winning 

FALL BREAK was last week as well.  So after those awful midterms, I got to go home and chill with my crazy family for a few days.  That was definitely a relief.  We had lots of sister time.  :)  The break was definitely not long enough though.  

Sister date!! ^^

Pumpkin Patch with this little squirt.  ^^

I recorded a new cover!  You can listen to it on my soundcloud profile by clicking here.  

I'm sure there will be many more highlights of October as it comes to a close, but this is it for now!  I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the month; enjoy these beautiful autumn colors while they're still here!

xoxo

brookelle

So Much To Live For

One of my best friends showed me this video a while back, and I came across it this last week.  

Please watch it, it's incredible. 

I'm going to keep this short and sweet; there is so much to live for.  Don't give up because you want to be noticed, or heard.  You are loved, and you make a difference.  

This world would be a different place without you.  Nobody can fill the role that you fill.  

There is so much to live for, and if you haven't found that to be true, find something worth living for.  This life is truly an amazing thing, and you only get to live it here on this earth one time.  

Make it count, find something to live for.

It doesn't matter how far you feel you have gone.  

There is never a point of no return. 

That's the beauty of this life; living.  

Always remember, you are loved.  

xoxo

brookelle

special

Wow.  That about sums up today.  Honestly I've never felt so loved.  Like a ton of bricks, it hit me today how blessed I am.  Today is my 19th birthday.  Yep, the big 19!  Holy cow, I really can't even believe how blessed I am. 

Friday started out as a normal day, then around 1 o'clock, I decided to check the mail.  I opened up the mailbox to find a letter and a package from my best friend in the whole world!  

Elder Adam Grant Hunter sent me a birthday package.

  I can't even describe the joy I felt in that moment.  Then, I realized I needed to wait until Tuesday, my birthday, to open it.  I took it up to my room, and just stared at it.  It's pretty pathetic, but I have no self control.  I made my roommate Hannah hide it in her room so I wouldn't rip it open any second.  Then I was able to focus and actually do my homework. :)

(He's doing great, by the way. ^^^ Almost a quarter of the way there!) 

Monday night came around, and I decided I wanted to open the package at midnight.  I could NOT wait any longer.  My roommates took me to WalMart around 11:15, and we got an Oreo ice cream cake and some candles.  :) 

 We got home and Hannah put the candles in the cake.  Finally, I looked at my clock, and it was midnight!  Time to open the package that I'd been DYING to open.  It took forever to get through all the tape, but at last, I got it open!  He gave me a cute card, a letter, a little missionary folded paper thing, and a new pillow pet.  He knows me too well.  Ha he knows I'm in need of another cuddle buddy while he's gone.  :) 

I saved the letter to read for when I was alone.  (bad idea bad idea bad idea) I guess you could say his letters make me crazy.  (and by crazy I mean emotional)  He's seriously the most adorable thing to ever happen to me.  Oh how I love that missionary.  

Anyways, before I get too carried away, my roommates and I ate the cake after that.  Anything with oreos=heaven in my opinion.  Then I decided I should probably go to bed! 

This morning, I was awakened by a phone call.  The one and only...wait for it.....

JARED KOTTER! 

I'm pretty positive I sounded like a smoker, since I just woke up, but that's ok.  It's just a good thing we're close. :)  Honestly, this made my day 10 times better.  Waking up to this wonderful boy's sweet phone call wishing me a happy birthday was just what I needed.  Thanks Jared.  :)

I skipped my first class of the day...I mean you only have a birthday once a year, may as well do what you want, right? So I got to sleep in, and let me tell you, it felt AMAZING. 

I went to my other two classes, and while walking home, a good friend of mine saw me and decided we should go get some ice cream.  After getting my roommates, we all went to the Malt Shoppe.  Some people are seriously the nicest.  

I had practice for Arise at 4:30, and that was so great.  Arise is the institute choir here at Snow College, and it has been such a blessing in my everyday life.  They made me get up on the stool in front of everyone while they sang Brother Boothe's rendition of Happy Birthday TWICE.  Really.  Twice.  I was DYING.  My face was so red.  Ha at least that's over!  We had a wonderful choir practice, and the spirit was so strong.  I love that choir with all my heart, and I can testify that the Lord loves each and everyone of us.  

To finish off my day, my Mom, Dad, and Sophi came down to Ephraim and took me to dinner.  They even bought me a new set of scriptures, which I'm so stoked about!  It was so nice of them.  I really have the best parents out there.  

I came home to a cute little baked treat from our neighbors Brooke and Maitlyn,  Can I just say that these girls are the sweetest people out there?  Honestly, they are such beautiful girls inside and out. 

All day, I received text after text, instagram post after instagram post, and facebook posts after facebook posts wishing me a happy birthday.  I couldn't believe how many people went out of their way to make my day wonderful.  

Today got me thinking.  Why do we have to wait for a special occasion to do something nice for someone?  Everyday you're alive is a special occasion!  I decided to make it my responsibility to treat everybody like it's their birthday, no matter the day of the year.  Every single person deserves to feel loved, and not just on their birthday.  So why shouldn't I go out of my way to make someone feel loved and special on any given day??  There's no point in waiting until there's an extraordinary reason to celebrate life.  Everyday you're still breathing is a reason to be happy.  I'm challenging everyone reading this to go out and make someone feel special.  Anybody.  It could be your best friend, your brother or sister, the girl you see walking to class everyday but haven't introduced yourself to yet.  

Go out and make someone feel special, and in turn, you will feel special, too.

Thank you to all who made today such a wonderful day, I love you all.  Seriously I am so blessed.  The Lord's hand is everywhere.  It's amazing really.  

I also just found this video, which made my day 10,000 times better.  All girls reading this, please watch and pass it along.  

xoxo

brookelle 

see you soon

It's crazy that all throughout childhood, everything leads up to "when I grow up.."  And now.. it's actually happening!  It's time to begin the next chapter!  I have so many mixed feelings, which is expected.  I'm moving down to Snow College this Saturday.  By myself.  I don't even know my roommates.  I'll be completely on my own.  I don't think it's really hit me yet.  I'm so excited, yet so sad.  I'm going to miss so many amazing people I've grown up with, and now it's time to set off in our separate directions.  Goodbyes are here, but they are not forever.

My first real goodbye that I had to give was back in April.  My very best friend left to serve the Lord for 2 years.  2 YEARS!  It's been extremely hard without him by my side, but I know it will all be worth it.  I love him so much, and I'm so proud of him.

His letters keep me sane.

In his last email, he told me that he was "jealous" of my uke, so he made his own.:)

Anyways, I could go on all day.  I'll move on now. :)

I said some other goodbyes this Summer to the amazing boys that I am lucky enough to call my brothers.  I don't know where I would be without them and their amazing examples.  They are all out serving LDS missions, right now (except Skyler leaves in September). 

Ben

 Kolton

Skyler

Jory



Now for my amazing Sisterhood.  I don't even know how to put into words how much these girls mean to me.  Each and every one of them is so beautiful inside and out, and our friendship is so dear to me.  I'm so sad to be without them, but I'm so excited to see where life takes these incredible girls.  Our sisterhood is forever, so I'm not worried. :)

Ella and I have been best friends since the 7th grade.  I don't know what I would have done without her friendship, she's truly incredible.  She's going to have so much fun down at Dixie!

Rachel and I have had quite the history. :)  Going from pretty much hating each other through childhood to becoming best friends in the 9th grade. :)  She is such a strong and beautiful daughter of God, and she deserves the best.  Hopefully she doesn't find a hubby at BYU this year! ;)

 Kayci is the first person I go to when I need to talk.  She has a real gift when it comes to giving advice and just listening to someone who needs to vent.  She's going to have an amazing year at BYU this year. :)

Each one of my sisters are seriously so incredibly amazing.  I can't wait until each of them find their eternal companions, because these guys are going to have to be incredible to be worthy for these girls. :)

The Brotherhood and Sisterhood. 

Jared is one of my dearest friends.  He's been such a great friend to me always, no matter the situation.  He even took me to THE Ed Sheeran concert.  I know, right?  He's going to do amazing things in life. 

 And now for my amazing family.  I know these goodbyes aren't forever, but that doesn't mean they aren't hard.  I have such an amazing family; extended as well as immediate.  I have received so much support from these people through everything.  I can trust them with anything, and I love them all so much.  I'm really glad families are forever. <3

My closest cousin, Josh, is one heck of a guy.  We have been like two peas in a pod since he was born.  I love him so much, and I couldn't imagine life without him!  I always wished we lived in the same town, so we could have gone to school together, but we're still as close as ever. 

My other cousins are such amazing kids.  I'm so glad that I'm able to be as close with them as we are.  :)  Tyler and Andrew.  These guys are total bosses.

My mom is such an incredible example to me.  She is so honest in all that she does, and she always knows when I need to talk.  I'm going to miss being around her so much, but I know she's only a phone call away. :)  (and she hates pictures..so I have none with just her)

My sister, Britney, is one of my best friends.  Even though we fight, I know I can always talk to her when I'm having a hard time.  She's such a beautiful person, inside and out. 

My daddio is such a great man.  I'm so glad we got to spend so much time together during my softball years.  He supports me in everything I do, even though he would rather be on the field than a choir concert. ;)

 Aaaaand little Sophster.  Sophi is seriously the light in my day, and I love her so much!  She has been such a blessing in our family, I couldn't imagine life without this little bundle of craziness. 

The beautiful thing about this life is that goodbyes aren't permanent.  They aren't forever.  I'm so thankful for these people and their positive influences on my life.  I don't know where I would be without each and every one of them.  This life is an adventure the whole way.  I'm so ready to begin this new chapter of living; my adventure. 

SNOW COLLEGE HERE I COME! 

and to everyone else, see you soon.

xoxo

 brookelle