Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice

General Conference was this past weekend. I really enjoyed listening to it. I wasn't sure if I was going to have the chance to listen to Conference because Chris and I are planning on moving into a house pretty soon and our apartment is a mess. I've been packing and putting things in our garage to get ready for our move. I'm excited to move into a house because we will have more space, but I think I'm more excited about Buddy and Bella because they will finally have a yard to run around in! In our apartment complex, they have nowhere to just run around. I get worried that both of them will run off, but with a yard, I won't have to worry about that as much.

On Saturday, the first session was awesome! I really enjoyed listening to President Boyd K. Packer's (he's the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) talk. He stated, "The two ingredients for a marriage are a cookie and a kiss." I thought that was so cute. That quote needs to be put on a sign and placed in every person's home around the world today. ;) President Packer also said that as we have children, we will become closer with our Father in Heaven and that true love requires an everlasting marriage. That's why being married in the temple is so important.

This quote should be in everyone's home. :)

I also loved Sister Linda K. Burton's (she's the Relief Society General President) talk. She discussed the importance of a marriage and a family. She stated, "Lift your husband. Let your husband lift you and we will ascend together." I liked listening to Elder Dallin H. Oaks's talk. He stated, "Long-term members can slip into a condition where they have no root in themselves...If we are not rooted in the teachings of the gospel and regular in its practices, any one of us can develop a stony heart which is stony ground for spiritual seeds. Spiritual food is necessary for spiritual survival especially when the world is moving away from belief in God and the absolutes of right and wrong." Elder Quentin L. Cook's talk was pretty amazing too. He talked about the family. He said, "So much in life is extraneous, but the family is the real thing, the substantial thing, the eternal thing, the thing to watch over and be loyal to." I loved listening to the Saturday sessions. The messages were just what I needed to hear.

I enjoyed listening to Sunday's sessions as well. One of my favorite talks was from Elder Jose A. Teixeira. He stated, "Our lives don't fit on a 4-inch screen." I thought that was really good. His whole talk was on technology. It really opened my eyes to how much I, personally, am on technology. I should be taking more of a break and spend time with my family instead of staring at a screen for hours and hours.

There were so many talks that were awesome. I really enjoyed President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk as well. His talk was all about grace and the grace of God. He stated, "His grace helps us become our best selves. ...With God's grace, the path of discipleship does not lead backwards. It leads upwards." I thought that was pretty good. He really opened my eyes to what having grace really means. Grace means humility. We must become humble and have more grace of we want to be with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and our own families for eternity.

Another talk I really liked was given by Elder Kevin W. Pearson, of the Quorum of the Seventy. He said, "When adversity comes, don't let something you don't fully understand unravel everything you do know." That was AWESOME! :) One other talk I want to mention was the very last talk given in General Conference. It was spoken by Elder Russel M. Nelson. He stated, "The Lord can only teach an inquiring mind." I thought that was pretty profound, wouldn't you say? :) He goes on to say, "Faith in God renders a love of the Sabbath. Faith in the Sabbath renders a love for God." Elder Nelson's talk helped me find out for myself if I'm truly keeping the Sabbath day holy. I think I do a pretty good job. Let's hope Heavenly Father agrees. ;)

Sunday evening, Chris and I were able to go to Nancy Ford's house (Nancy is our Relief Society president) and have dinner. She had a lot of family there. I don't know her kids very well, but they are so fun to talk to. Bishop Hagey and his wife, Lori, were also there. It was so good to catch up with everyone. I'm really glad Nancy invited us over. We have such good people in our ward.

I know I've said this a lot, but I say it because it is the truth and I will say it time and time again. I sure love listening to General Conference. If you really know me, you'll know that I am a freak about General Conference. When I was living with my parents, we would usually go and see my mom's family and watch Conference at my Gran's house. I would always tell everyone to "Shhh!" while I was listening so I can get every word and take good notes. My whole family told me that I was a freak about it. Yeah, that hasn't changed very much. My excuse is that I don't want to miss out on anything important. :)

I love the feeling I receive after I listen to the musical numbers or listen to one of the talks given by a church leader. Sometimes, when I listen to one talk, I think that talk was written just for me because it's what I needed at that very moment. I tried to go into conference with a more open mind and open heart. I tried to think of some questions that I've been needing an answer to. I think listening to General Conference this time around, I found those much needed answers to those questions.

I'm so grateful for General Conference. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father has given us a prophet on the earth today and that he leads and guides the church. I'm grateful for the inspiration he receives and I know that it is from Heavenly Father.

Welcome Home Elder Cook!

I was fortunate enough to travel back home to Shelley, Idaho and stay for the past two weeks.

My cousin, JD, came home from his mission on Monday, March 2. It was so fun to see him again. He served his mission in Seattle, Washington. I really enjoyed catching up with him. I can't believe that he's home!

When I got off the plane, I came home to this! Okay, so I wasn't actually at home yet, but I still felt so loved! If you can't read the signs, they say, "Long Time No See...Longer for You than JD!" (I thought that sign was so hilarious because it is so true. JD had to come home because he had to have surgery on his knee. But after his surgery, he went straight back to Washington to serve the rest of his mission. What a good example!), "Welcome Home Laney", "Delaney" (with an Idaho drawing and a Texas drawing under my name), and the last one says, "We love you Laney Loo! and your little dogs too". I thought all the signs were so creative and adorable. They made me feel so loved! I have one awesome family, don't I?

       I love my welcoming committee!

My flight came a few hours before JD's flight. While the family and I were waiting for JD's plane to land, I went shopping at JC Penny with Gran, Brigham, Luke, Kay, Heather, Erin, Dad, Mom, and Aunt Tacky. I got a really cute dress.

I also got to see this new small camera Addie Belle got. You take a picture and then it prints out a really small photo. I thought it was so cute. Belle and I took a picture together. I think it's pretty darn cute. 

I know it's not the greatest picture, but I still think it's pretty adorable so in my opinion, this picture is still bloggable. :) The sign Belle is holding says, "Welcome Home, Delaney" and it has a drawing of Idaho and a drawing of Texas on it. Isn't that precious? ;)

After a while of shopping, it was time to go back to the airport for our missionary's arrival! :) While we were waiting for JD to get off the plane, we all searched for a suit and tie to track him down. We saw about five or six people dressed in suits until JD finally came down the escalator. All of us cheered and applauded JD as he slowly rode down the escalator. After hugs from the family, JD gave me a hug and said, "Thanks for coming down." I told him that I wasn't missing this for the world! :)

I adore this picture of JD and Josie together. For as long as I can remember, JD has always been so good with the younger cousins (the family and I call them the "5 and under crowd" even though some of them are much older than five now). He always greeted them with kindness and was always the first "older cousin" to spend time with them. I think it made the "5 and under crowd" feel special. Because of that, I think JD has that "fatherly instinct" deep down inside of him. Lucky duck! :)

Isn't my cousin a stud? I look so small standing next to him. Sad day. ;)

After we picked him up, we all went to Aunt JoDee's house to celebrate. The whole family (with a few friends of Aunt JoDee and JD) had the chance to hear all about his mission. I love hearing mission stories. Maybe it's because I never went on a mission. I don't know. ;)

On Tuesday, I stayed with my family in Shelley. I noticed the house looks the same. Heather and Erin moved downstairs to the basement after Kay and I moved out of the house. The basement is not finished. McKayla and I used to sleep downstairs in those rooms. We were both so upset because all we wanted was a bathroom so we wouldn't have to go all the way upstairs to get ready for the day. And the day I come back home to Shelley, my dad finishes the bathroom. I was pretty upset about it because I didn't get to enjoy it. Oh well. What can you do? ;)

In the afternoon, I went to see Chris's family. Chris told me I had to go get my "puppy fix" since they have dogs and my family doesn't. Their dogs are so cute. They have this one dog (this one's in the video below) named Skippy. He has three legs, but that doesn't stop him! :) He wanted to play with Lizzy, Chris's sister. It's pretty funny.

         

Later Tuesday evening, Miss Sheryl Bitter stopped by to see me! I was so excited to see her. I gave her the biggest bear hug I have ever given someone in my whole life. She couldn't stay very long, but she had to come and see me before I went back to San Antonio. I am so glad that we grew up together and have become lifelong friends. Miss Sheryl is truly a one of a kind! :)

          After 15 years of knowing each other, we have literally become Best Friends Forever Always! Isn't that fantastickilicous? ;) 

On Wednesday, I hung out with Mollie. We went ring shopping. I even got my ring cleaned for free! I didn't notice how dirty it was until the jewler cleaned it for me. I kept telling Mollie, "It's so shiny!" She laughed at me. It was so much fun. 

After we looked at rings, we shopped around a bit. I saw this head thing (I don't really know what you call it) and Mollie laughed at me because I thought it was so cute. I didn't buy it, but I got a pretty funny picture out of it. Don't ya think? :)

I felt like a little flower girl. Awww! ;)

This one's not the greatest picture either, but I still think it's fun to look at. I think there was too much lighting in the background. Oh well. ;)

On Friday, I went to the Idaho Falls temple with Dad, Mom, Heather, and Erin. Mom and I did inititories while Heather and Erin did baptisms for the dead. Dad baptized them. 

I love being in the temple. I'm so glad that my sisters and I can go to the temple together. What a wonderful place to be!

On Saturday, I went to Heather's volleyball tournament. She did really well. The referee drove Kay and me crazy, but Heather played really well. Mom, Dad, and I didn't stay for all of Heather's tournament, but I hope she did well. 

Isn't my sister cute?

After watching Heather's first volleyball game, Mom, Dad, and I had the opportunity to attend the temple again. Miss Sheryl took out her endowment. After her endowment, Sheryl gave me a hug, thanked me for coming, and told me she loved me. I'm so proud of her and I'm so happy that I got to be there for it. I would've been really sad if I missed Miss Sheryl's endowment. Being in the temple is the greatest place to be. :)

The family and I went to Aunt JoDee's house and had fun hanging out with the rest of our family. Brynne made games that we played. They were all about what happened while JD was on his mission. It was a lot of fun. 

       Me and my cousin, Brynne. Isn't she gorgeous? She has always been such a wonderful cousin and friend to me. I'm so glad that we've always been close and I hope we always stay that way.

Me, Brynne, and her husband, Clark. I cannot believe that they've almost been married for 5 years now! Wow! Time sure does fly by! Aren't they cute? :)

Brynne did a "Top 10" things of what the family was doing while JD was on his mission. It was so fun to visit with everyone. :)

   
 Left to Right: Addie Belle, Erin, Heather, Halle Bear, McKayla, me, and Ally singing "Glorious" by David Archuleta. We sounded so good! :)

Addie Belle, Brigham, Kay, Luke, Erin, Brynne, Clark, Heather, Halle Bear, Ally, and I all stayed at one of Aunt JoDee's neighbor's house because there wasn't enough room at Aunt JoDee's house. We had a dance party on Saturday. It was AWESOME! It's not the greatest video, but it's still fun to watch. :)

On, Sunday, JD spoke in sacrament meeting. He did really really well. He talked about what happened on his mission. He had so many wonderful experiences on his mission. 

I'm so proud of the person JD has become. I'm glad that he decided to go on a mission. He has set a wonderful example for the rest of the cousins. His mission is an experience that he will remember for the rest of his life! :)

I also got to see Kori Ann Briggs on Wednesday, March 11. We had a lot of catching up to do! ;) She and her sweet son, Benz, came to see me. We went to Pizza Hut and got two boxes of a small pizza. Then, we ate it back at my parent's house. It was really good. We talked about how life is going. I cannot believe that Benz will be 2 this year! He is getting so big!

On Thursday, McKayla and I got to see Gabriel and Shanley Nii. Gabe and Shanley are both my age. We went to school together. I met Shanley when I was in third grade and I met Gabriel when I was a freshman in high school. They are both so kind to others. I'm glad that I had the chance to grow up with them. They are really nice people. We went to Arctic Circle and ate some shakes together. Mine was divine. It was so fun to catch up with them. We shared a lot of stories and had a wonderful time together. I'm so glad I got to see Shanley and Gabe! 

Typical Gabe Part 1! I love how Shanley just goes along with it. Then again, Gabriel is her hubby! ;)

Aren't they a darling couple?

Typical Gabe Part 2! You like my reaction? ;)

I'm so grateful to call these two my friends! 

On Sunday, I went to church with my family in 5th ward. My dad is the bishop of the ward. I happen to show up the day Kewel Eric Searle is reporting about his mission! Eric and I have always been really good friends. I was actually his first date in high school. I asked him to a dance and it was the most fun date I've ever been on. We had a blast. Kewel Eric went to Peru on his mission. It was so cool to see how he's changed like JD has changed. It was so good to see him and his wonderful family. I love them to pieces! :)

This is an old picture. This was from a dance my senior year of high school. I asked him to the dance. I was so excited because I was his first date! :) This was a memorable date from high school (well, it was memorable for me. I hope it was memorable for Kewel Eric as well). And Kewel Eric and I have been friends ever since! :)

This is an old picture as well. This was from my seminary graduation. These two pictures are the only pictures I have of Kewel Eric and me. I thought they would be fun to share. I will say this, though: I cannot believe how much he has changed! He seems more in tune with the Spirit. I'm so proud of my "little brother". Isn't he a stud? :)

Later Sunday evening, I got to see Mike Rogers and his sweet fiancee, Savannah. We literally talked for about four hours. It was so fun! Mike and I have been friends forever. We were in show choir together from my sophomore year to my junior year in high school (Mike is a year older than me). He even took me to my Jr. Prom. That was so fun. We were also in ballroom together that same year. Before class started, I would always circle around him with my arms folded (to this day, I'm still not sure why I ever did that). He would move just to annoy me. Then I'd playfully get mad at him. It was so fun. When class began, our teacher would always tell us to pick a partner. So, I'd always grabbed Mike's hand and told him that he was going to be my dance partner (during class, we switched parters). He didn't have a choice, but he was always so willing to dance with me. Ballroom was so fun. After high school, we saw each other again in single's ward. Mike was even my home teacher for a while. That was a ton of fun too. We have been best friends ever since.

Aren't they so cute together? I'm so happy for them!

On our way to the airport on Tuesday, Dad and I went to Huntsville, Utah and saw some of his family. We had the chance to see my Grandpa and Grandma Richardson. I was welcomed with a big hug from both Grandpa and Grandma. It was so good to see them.

Aren't my grandparents the cutest?

I also got to see my cousins, Joseph, David, and Sadie. I got big hugs from all three of them. It was so good to see them. I have to say...I have one awesome family! :)

I'm so glad that I got to see mostly all of my family while I was home! :) I'm truly blessed with the people that are in my life. They care about me and are always thinking of me. I'm so glad that I have these people to call my friends and my family. I don't know what I would do without them! :)

P.S.- I went on a walk in Shelley on Tuesday (March 10), the week after JD spoke, and I saw a fire hydrant and I just had to take a picture of it. You have to admit, that fire hydrant made your day too! You're welcome! :)

Me? A Dog Person? Yeah Right! :)

How did I ever receive a love for dogs? How? To this day, it still blows my mind because ever since I was little, I have been terrified of dogs. I was riding my bike one day around the neighborhood and for a few days, this dog would come out of nowhere and start running after me. I remember trying to scare the dog with my foot and screaming as I rode away.

When my mom and my sisters came down to see Chris and me for a week last August, this was Buddy's greeting to my mom when she came to our apartment and this was her reaction to it. If you know my mother, you will understand. If you don't know my mother, his video pretty much sums up how she feels about dogs in only twenty seconds. ;)

A few months ago, I was talking with my family. My aunt texted everyone and asked, "What is it with everyone getting dogs all of a sudden?" It was funny because it's true. Two of my aunts have dogs now as well as me. My mom and all of her sisters are exactly alike. They all look alike and they are all terrified of dogs (just a little FYI).

I never thought I would become a dog person. When Chris and I were first married, he told me he really wanted a dog. I told him "No" so many times. Then, he asked one more time and I told him that the dog is not coming into my house. And then, Danielle (Chris's coworker) dropped Buddy off. He was only supposed to stay for a night and then Danielle was going to find a home for him the next day. When she dropped him off, I fell completely in love with him. He was so affectionate towards both Chris and me (Buddy still is). Who would have thought I would become a dog person?

Awww! Buddy wanted a hug from his daddy! :)

Buddy likes to keep me company while I do my homework. It's too bad he doesn't fit in the chair with me like he used to. ;)

I love Buddy's face in this picture. Cyrus tackled him and Buddy looked over to Chris and me. It almost looked like he was saying, "Why the honk is Cyrus on top of me?" It was pretty funny. :)

Sometimes life can surprise you in ways you could never imagine. I never thought I would be where I am today. I'm so grateful for life's little surprises. I wonder what other little surprises Heavenly Father has for me down the road. I guess I'll have to wait and see! ;)

You Are Enough!

I don't think there is anything left to say except that title right there! ;) For me, sometimes it's hard to grasp that I am enough. In the world around me, most things are screaming at me, "You are not enough, Delaney! You need to change all these things about yourself!" In my opinion, it's really annoying. I have always felt like I have to act a certain way or be anything but myself around certain individuals. I don't appreciate feeling like I have to change everything about me to make others happy. It's too much to take in.

If you aren't yourself, who else is going to be yourself for you? No one can take your place. You are unique. You are special. You are a son or daughter of Heavenly Father.

I was fooling around on YouTube one day and I came across this speech by Lizzie Velasquez. In her speech, she talks about her condition. She says that she has a syndrome that is so rare, it doesn't even have a name for it. Basically, what it does to Lizzie is that she can't gain weight.

In an interview with Fox News Latino last year, Lizzie stated, "I hated my condition because it caused so much pain in my life. Not physical pain, but emotional pain. I mean, being a teenager is hard enough, but being a 13-year-old girl with this syndrome, who is blind in one eye, who weighs 58 pounds, and who is constantly picked on by people is almost unbearable. Now I actually look at my condition as a gift, I honestly think of it as waking up every morning and it's Christmas day and it's something that I'm blessed to have and I want to share this gift with anyone who will have it." 

That is why I admire her so much. She calls her condition a "gift." For as long as I can remember, I have always called my short-term memory loss a gift. I call it this because I personally believe that nothing Heavenly Father gives you is bad. He is either going to praise you or teach you a lesson.

My short-term memory loss has caused me some pain. It is so frustrating to not remember even the most simple things. I can't remember what I did yesterday. I can't remember how tot do certain tasks. I have to write everything down. If I write it all down, I will remember.

School was really hard for me as well. When I was in elementary school, my mom would always ask me what I had for lunch that day and I could never tell her because in my mind, that was so long ago. As I attended middle school and high school, I would have a checklist every single day. My mom made it for me. It would have my schedule with directions how to get to my locker and to the class that I needed to be at, my locker number and combination, and my mom would write down if I had to turn in any assignments that day or talk to a teacher before class, etc. It was a life savor. It was how I survived school throughout my life, literally.

Driving around has also been difficult for me. I'm not good with directions. I know my lefts and my rights. I don't know north, south, east, and west. So, I have to have a GPS with me everywhere I drive unless I've been there many times and finally get it locked inside my brain, which is rare, but it happens every once in a while.

I took P.E. in eighth grade. One day during class, we were playing baseball or dodgeball (I can't remember what sport it was) and I threw the ball to the wrong team. I was so embarrassed and I ran into the girl's locker room sobbing my eyes out. One of my classmates followed me into the locker room. We talked for a little bit and I told her that I just wanted to know why I received this gift (I call it a gift because nothing from Heavenly Father is bad. It is simply a gift in disguise.) and she said something that I have never forgotten and will never forget. She said, "Because you have this gift, you were one of the highest followers in the war in heaven." That day, I realized how important I was to my Heavenly Father. I realized how much He loves me and is mindful of me. I realized that I am His daughter and I am precious in His eyes. I realized that I am enough for Him.

It may not seem that you are enough right now, but let me assure you, you ARE!

I saw this video a few months ago and I encourage every woman to see it.

I saw this video, made by the same man as well and I encourage every man to see it.

All these things have helped me remember how blessed I am to know that God lives. I am His daughter and He will always love me no matter what. I am enough in His eyes. As long as I am faithful, He will guide me in the path that He wants me to take. I am grateful for all Heavenly Father does for me and I hope to become more like Him every single day for the rest of my life.

If I feel that I am enough in God's eyes, I know He believes that you are enough in His eyes too. If you are struggling with your faith or feel like you aren't good enough for anyone, trust me. You are good enough for me. :)