Friday night with the family

It's Friday. It's Friday and I'm really missing my family back home in Texas.

I always enjoyed Fridays back at home because we had an even better excuse to stay up late and watch movies. We usually stay up late anyway but on this day it didn't come with any feelings of guilt. On this day, we may have even headed to Fito's. Man, I love Fito's. Feed me Fito's everyday and I'll be happy. And obese; but that's not the point.

Then we'd head to Red box and take about 30 minutes and a couple phone calls to finally decide what movie to watch. We'd have five in mind. This is the problem with having a very indecisive family. I would want the girly movie. My brothers would want an action packed movie. Yadira didn't really care as long as it wasn't Rated-R. Sarahi would call us to hurry up because it was getting late and she would have to drive home with the babies. So I would hurry because I wanted to get home to my munchkins as soon as possible. Oh! And then Brianna, Adriana, and Jayden would want a kid movie. It would turn out that the only appropriate movies there were the kid ones so they would always win (which, by the way, I was totally okay with. Especially if there was singing!).

So we'd drive home. Lalo would probably be driving and would be listening to 97.9 fm or 104.5 because those are his jams. Then we'd pass by some cops and get all afraid because, well, we're in Dallas and those cops are not always the nicest. Then we'd finally arrive home to our humble abode. We'd do the "secret knock." I always found this so humorous because every person in the world knows this knock sequence. However, it worked for us and that's all we cared about. Mom would already know it was us (because of the knock of course) and would still ask "Who is it?" just to be sure. So we'd walk in to all the usual craziness that goes down in my house. Levy would be running around finding any scraps of food to put in his mouth. Joshua would be playing with Jayden, Adriana, and Bri. They're cute cousins like that. Sarahi would be chasing after Levy. Heck, we all would be. That little boy ALWAYS has energy. Mom would be chatting with Sarahi while watching some Univision. William Levy would somehow find his way into their conversations. As well as the latest episode of their new favorite novela.

Now it's movie time! We put the movie in and then my whole family spends an additional 30 minutes talkin' it up. We're Mexican. It's kind of what we do. Brianna, the oldest niece, would mention the movie to all of us and then we'd remember that we had "Despicable Me 2" in the DVD player. So we'd laugh about it. Fernando would probably say something funny because he usually does. And we'd proceed to play the movie. In other words, Yadira would fall asleep 20 minutes into the movie. It's true. She could probably sleep through a tornado, like Dorothy. Except she was hit by a window and knocked unconscious. This is why I still compare Yadi to Dorothy. 

Nevertheless, having all the brothers and sisters together with Mom, and having the little ones there as well, would be the highlight of my night.

I miss you family. I hope you know that. Los amo. Gracias por ser una familia que me ama y que me soporta en todo. Que tengan un buen dia como lo que acabo de escribir: con felicidad, rizas, y amor.

Find Peace as Paul Did

There are so many times when I find myself completely in deep thought with a story from the scriptures. In particular, this past week I was impressed with a certain chapter in Acts, which is found in the Bible. Acts was written by Luke and "Indeed, a more complete title for the book of Acts could appropriately be something like “The Acts of the Resurrected Christ Working through the Holy Spirit in the Lives and Ministries of His Ordained Apostles.” Now, having said that, you can see why someone voted for the shorter title-but my suggested title is more accurate!"  This great quote was said by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve in a CES conference at BYU. I've been having to read the Book of Acts for my Christian History class here at BYU-Idaho and can absolutely agree with Elder Holland. 

Now, one day during my scripture study I came upon Acts chapter 16. There was a certain verse in this chapter that made me ponder and deeply think of what Heavenly Father was trying to teach me when I read that verse. However, I would like to first explain the context behind this certain scripture. Paul and Silas, after casting out an evil spirit, were thrown into prison. Having read those verses, I began thinking of times when I feel like I have been thrown in my own "prisons" even when my actions were righteous. I continued to read and I came upon Acts 16:25:"¶And at ^amidnight Paul and Silas prayed, and ^bsang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."

In my hardest of times, do I turn to the Father with faith as I am experiencing this trial? How many times do I pray and sing praises to Him throughout my day? Is it higher than the number of times I complain about my trial? I want it to be! So, I started asking myself a question that I truly feel the Holy Ghost had prompted me to ask in that very moment, and it was: Marisol, where do you turn for peace?

Where do I turn for peace? I have to admit, sometimes I find it in a Taylor Swift song (the depressing ones that make you hate guys for about 4 minutes). Sometimes I find it in food (don't we all?). And sometimes I find it by complaining and being angry with myself. Does this help? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Moments after listing these things in my mind, I began listing the things that I want to turn to for peace always, at every moment of the day.
Oh boy, I received such peace by listing the things that will bring me peace! Isn't that just marvelous? I thought so!
So take a moment of your day, take a moment right now to receive some divine peace. Let's take a moment and sing or read over Where Can I Turn for Peace?

So? How was it? Awesome? Divine? Peaceful? I'm sure it was.

I leave you with this my dear readers, carefully observe the things you turn to when you are in your very own "prison" as Paul was. Where do you turn for peace? I know that our Heavenly Father is filled with joy when we turn to Him, always. He wants to comfort us because He understands. So open your hearts to Him and find that peace you've been aching for in His loving arms.

                                          Where can I turn for peace? 

Let's make it better: Let's become

I found these two rocks the other day. 

So I picked them up, put them in my purse and walked away.

It may have seemed silly to pick up some rocks. 

They're just rocks.

Well, that's what I usually think.

However, this time was different. It may be because I'm taking a natural disasters class and have become a tiny bit obsessed with nature. 

(especially volcanoes)

I picked up these rocks because I felt them to be one of the closest things I have to Heavenly Father. 

They were created by Him.

And then I began thinking of the formation of these rocks.

These rocks didn't just exist as they have come to be. They were formed together through weathering, erosion, or through cooling. It was a process. Now, these rocks are strong, unbreakable rocks. 

I began relating this to us, to people.

We were not born into this mortal life with our purpose already fulfilled. We were not born perfect. 

But through life's experiences we can progress and we can become. 

We can become those strong foundations and one day be perfect. 

This short amount of time we have here on Earth is a time for progression. 

Take advantage of it and become the person God wants you to be. 

The Saratov Approach

Parents anticipate the day their child's mission call will come in the mail. 

The decision of a young man or young lady to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an honorable one.

The excitement, dedication, and love of a missionary is something I look up to very much. 

In 1998, 2 LDS missionaries were serving their honorable missions in Russia and were abducted and ransomed. 

I forget how strong the adversary will work to stop the work of the Lord. 

And in this case, these 2 missionaries had to experience being kidnapped. It's frightening to think of what these missionaries had to experience. So, I watched their movie, "The Saratov Approach" and was absolutely moved. 

In this movie, you will experience the very nightmare these missionaries had to go through. And through their trial, you will be inspired and uplifted. Their faith and submission to the will of God is the main focus of this movie, at least to me. 

I know these two young men had a very important purpose on their mission. And although the adversary tried to stop them, they came out victorious. 

I absolutely loved this movie. It was such a testimony builder. And I encourage everyone to go out and experience this movie. It comes out in theaters nationwide on December 26, 2013. 

GO & WATCH IT.

The Saratov Approach was absolute greatness! 

Special Needs Halloween Party

This was such a special event to help out at. So grateful for the Service Activities here at BYU-Idaho.
Here are some pics of the Halloween party! Great way to spend a Friday evening! 

Photo Credit: Laken Bowling