The past couple of weeks I have been thinking about this question(s): What is true reality? And how do we perceive it?  For example, I was trying to figure out if true reality is the way we as individuals perceive things or the way others perceive things.  But I came to this conclusion: True reality is what God perceives. These are eternal truths.  But I think seeing true reality is looking at the world through eyes full of charity.  Charity is this beautiful love of God that is so great and enveloping.  It's a perfect love that we are all trying to emulate in our journey of becoming more Christ-like and closer to Him.  But in reality, it's hard to see the world that way.  Fantasies get in the way.  These fantasies distort reality because they include instant gratification to our pleasures and desires which are often wrong and bring us further away from God.  So, how do I as an imperfect human grow closer to seeing true reality?  Answer: the Atonement.  The Atonement is the ultimate sacrifice Christ made so I could repent of my sins and trials and become "at one" with Him.  Repentance isn't this one time thing.  It's an ongoing process that requires change.  In this way- we won't be healed from our trials and temptations but rather learn how to see past our fantasies and realize what we need to do to change so we can go out and help others. It heals our souls.  I think getting to know and see true reality is applying the Atonement in our lives and allowing charity to change our perception of the world. Charity transforms the earth from something filled with hatred, war, and poverty to one where there is hope for humanity to change and improve itself and there is always time for someone to be loved.

So go out and serve someone today.

  

mission and BYU nostalgia

Life Update: I will enter the MTC July 22, 2015 to serve a mission in Washington Vancouver for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a period of 18 months.  To say I am a little excited is an understatement.

AND THIS IS HOW TO COLLEGE:

JFSB balcony is a prime spot for studying...and throwing paper airplanes.

Midnight explorations are a must, especially when they include buying plants

Make best friends out of the girls you live with because they will turn into BFFE (best. friends. for. eternity.)

Never miss a temple Tuesday.  The temple is such a wonderful place.

Adventure and hike on neighboring mountains to see and appreciate nature.

Take lots of awesome selfies with nature.

Wear bright colors.

Ponder about life.

Laugh and create real candid moments.

Take some classic "white girl" pictures too.

Look up and down when exploring so full understanding can take place, and so you don't trip.

BTW, Mount Timpanogos is beautiful. Especially with a light snow fall.

Selfie.

Don't be afraid of failing and falling but know that failure is not an option.  Rather it is an opportunity for growth and improvement.

Learn how to balance all aspects of your life.

And do yourself a favor and buy a disposable camera to take "treasure photos" because you don't know what the photos look like until the film is developed.