on a new path

looking to change the way things are going...who knows where things will go...

july visiting teaching done!

i did it! i finally completed my Visiting Teaching project for July! they'll be dropped in the mail by tuesday to my sisters i visit teach. take a look :)

I'm already starting at ideas for this month's message, which is on a subject that I'm particularly interested in and love - the temple! But, I'm going to take a break for a week or two before I start it LOL.

hot days of summer

sometimes i feel like i'm an ice cube melting...ehm, rather vaporizing, away in Death Valley. this humidity is absolutely insane! but yet i want to move to florida or out west to Utah, or someplace similar..what am i thinking sometimes??

i'm currently awaiting the arrival of one of my newest toys - a Garmin GPS! i've been refreshing the page for the last couple of hours, and it still says that it's "on truck for delivery." over 4 hours...and the depot where it's coming from is only 1.45 away!! i want it NOW!!! :D going to keep my fingers crossed that it comes by the time i have to leave for my evening class. a plus i just found out today, is that i can download an app to my Garmin to go geocaching! that's going to be so much fun! has anyone done that before?

one big thing that's happened recently, is that i received my patriarchal blessing on June 19th, the day before my 1st anniversary of being a member of the church. go here to see a review of my baptismal day, along with pictures, if you're interested. since i've been a member of the Church, here are some things that have changed in my life, and most importantly, changed who i am - for the better:

1. I truely have faith in the Savior and Heavenly Father
2. I've gone to the temple three times, soon to be four or five, to perform Baptisms for the Dead. I cannot wait until the day when I can enter into the House of the Lord and receive my endowment, then perform and help my ancestors receive those same blessings.
3. I feel as if I have a real purpose for my life.

and the list goes on...more will be added to this post later, but for now...back to work! :(

this is life

i've been faced with a couple of big challenges and trials lately in my life, from my car to financial worries, and even a situation at Church.

but i realized today, that no matter what happens, as long as i keep leaning on and using the Atonement of Jesus Christ and do my best to endure to the end, things will work out just fine. i just have to keep going and not give up when i'm feeling lazy or afraid to do something. i will be blessed for all the trials i have to go through.

and this made me realize something else: life is good :)

update on the car

well, it turns out that not only was the head gasket bad, the actual head was cracked and missing small pieces :(

but, on the positive side, it ended up being 1300 dollars to be repaired and i'll be picking her up tomorrow morning/afternoon!!!!

back to the grind

today was the first day back after my four-day weekend. my car is still in the shop, unfortunately. turns out the head gasket went out. they'll be checking to see if the actual head is cracked. if it's just the gasket, then it'll only be 800 parts and labor. if the head is also cracked, it'll skyrocket to 2200-2300 bucks....precious money neither my mom or i have...

classes have since ended, and summer commenced. boy am i glad this year is over with!! the last part of this semester was very stressful. things aren't that much better either.

on my way home from attending a couple of graduation parties, my car started to break down, and i barely coasted into Wirt's Towing in Moreland, which is about halfway between Wooster and where i live. we're praying that it's not the engine, but instead the fuel pump (or whatever my grandma said) X_X or something even less than that....

i ended up being hired for the summer through the College's summer work program. i work in our main library, which has been very interesting but nice and enjoyable. we're working on shifting some materials to different levels, which will continue on through the coming academic year. looks like it will be really nice, and a lot more logical than our current arrangement!!

this summer i will be taking a class through the University of Akron's Wayne College campus. it's three days a week (TWTH) from 6-8:15p, then on TTH's i have lab from 8:25-10:25pm. it sounds like it will be very exciting!

sorry to be cutting this short, but i'm very tired and need a nap. maybe i'll even end up just going to bed early, who knows!

free copy of Laura's favorite book!

if you're interested in getting a copy of my favorite book, send me a message here
and i will send one to any place in the world, along with a message just for you!

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FTSOY: Gratitude

"He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious" (D&C 78:19).


The Lord wants you to have a spirit of gratitude in all you do and say. Live with a spirit of thanksgiving and you will have greater happiness and satisfaction in life. Even in your most difficult times, you can find much to be grateful for. Doing so will strengthen and bless you.


In your prayers, before you ask for blessings, pour out your heart to God in thanks for the blessings you have already received. Thank Him for your family, for friends and loved ones, for leaders and teachers, for the gospel, and for His Son, Jesus Christ.


You can also express gratitude to the Lord by the way you live. When you keep His commandments and serve others, you show that you love Him and are grateful to Him. Express appreciation to everyone who helps you in any way.


Luke 17:12-19


*Laura's thoughts and reflections*
this to come later after i've had more time to think about it! lol