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!
Monday, May 31, 2010
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!
Friday, April 9, 2010
get more money back on your textbook buybacks and rentals!
Did you know that the average student will spend over $500 per term buying textbooks? Seems like an awful lot of money to buy textbooks that often get opened one time, right? Well, with Chegg.com, you will save hundreds!
So stop wasting your money and start renting from Chegg.com. I’m on the bandwagon and I’ve saved enough to buy all my term papers! Not really, but I have saved some serious cash by Chegging my books. I have a promo code that will save you an additional 5% off your total order, useCC121309.
Want proof?
Essential Biology by Campbell, Reece & Simon is $83.18 if you buy it on Amazon.com. If you rent it on Chegg.com, it’s only $11.78. That’s a savings of over $71!
It’s so simple, just search for the books you need and place your order. Chegg will ship them to you fast and at the end of the term you ship them back for free. What’s really cool is that they plant a tree for every order.
Don’t forget to visit Chegg.com and use promo code CC121309.
*For a limited time, you can receive up to 11% off the cost of your book rentals!*
So stop wasting your money and start renting from Chegg.com. I’m on the bandwagon and I’ve saved enough to buy all my term papers! Not really, but I have saved some serious cash by Chegging my books. I have a promo code that will save you an additional 5% off your total order, useCC121309.
Want proof?
Essential Biology by Campbell, Reece & Simon is $83.18 if you buy it on Amazon.com. If you rent it on Chegg.com, it’s only $11.78. That’s a savings of over $71!
It’s so simple, just search for the books you need and place your order. Chegg will ship them to you fast and at the end of the term you ship them back for free. What’s really cool is that they plant a tree for every order.
Don’t forget to visit Chegg.com and use promo code CC121309.
*For a limited time, you can receive up to 11% off the cost of your book rentals!*
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
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
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
Thursday, November 19, 2009
FTSOY: Agency & Accountability
"Wherefore, men...are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death" (2 Nephi 2:27).
Your Heavenly Father has given you agency, the ability to choose right from wrong and to act for yourself. You have been given the Holy Ghost to help you know good from evil. While you are here on earth, you are being proven to see if you will use your agency to show your love for God by keeping His commandments.
While you are free to choose for yourself, you are not free to choose the consequences of your actions. When you make a choice, you will receive the consequences of that choice. The consequences may not be immediate, but they will always follow, for good or bad. Wrong choices delay your progression and lead to heartache and misery. Right choices lead to happiness and eternal life. That is why it is so important for you to choose what is right throughout your life.
You are responsible for the choices you make. you should not blame your cirumstances, your family, or your friends if you choose to disobey God's commandments. You are a child of God with great strength. You have the ability to choose righteousness and happiness no matter what your cirumstances.
You are also responsible for developing the abilities and talents Heavenly Father has given you. You are accountable to Him for what you do with your abilities and how you spend your time. Do not idle away your time. Be willing to work hard. Choose to do many good things of your own free will.
Your Heavenly Father has given you agency, the ability to choose right from wrong and to act for yourself. You have been given the Holy Ghost to help you know good from evil. While you are here on earth, you are being proven to see if you will use your agency to show your love for God by keeping His commandments.
While you are free to choose for yourself, you are not free to choose the consequences of your actions. When you make a choice, you will receive the consequences of that choice. The consequences may not be immediate, but they will always follow, for good or bad. Wrong choices delay your progression and lead to heartache and misery. Right choices lead to happiness and eternal life. That is why it is so important for you to choose what is right throughout your life.
You are responsible for the choices you make. you should not blame your cirumstances, your family, or your friends if you choose to disobey God's commandments. You are a child of God with great strength. You have the ability to choose righteousness and happiness no matter what your cirumstances.
You are also responsible for developing the abilities and talents Heavenly Father has given you. You are accountable to Him for what you do with your abilities and how you spend your time. Do not idle away your time. Be willing to work hard. Choose to do many good things of your own free will.
Matthew 25:14-29 (scriptures at the end are also good reference points)
*Laura's thoughts and reflections*
I've come to learn that Heavenly Father gave us agency, the ability to choose for ourselves right or wrong things, in order for us to learn to always choose the right things that will help us return to heaven and to His presence in the life to come. However, agency isn't necessarily about good 24/7. With agency comes the ability to choose things or situations or what have you that can harm us, both physically, mentally, and spiritually. Another key role in this gift, is that of accountability and being responsible for our actions and choices, and being able to suffer the consequences whatever they may be, whether positive or negative ones.
Like it states above, we were placed here on this earth and given the gift of agency by Heavenly Father as sort of a test, to see whether or not we would be able to use it in order to choose good things that show the love we have for God by obeying His commandments. He did this for us so that we could be happy and not have our progression hindered by having to live through agony and dispair and unhappiness. Would you want to waste such a precious gift as that by making choices that hurt you and in turn make Him hurt? I wouldn't!
Accountability runs through the principle of agency like blood does through living beings, it goes hand in hand. We are accountable for every single thing we do, say, think, and believe. We are held accountable for how our time is spent, whether in idleness or in earnest hard work, and also in how we cultivate our many talents and abilities that we've been granted, in whether or not we develop them to their full maximum potential or whether or not we just don't act like we care. He made each and every single one of us in a unique image of Himself with individual talents, strengths/weaknesses, abilities, and circumstances that are apart of Him. By not wasting our time and talents, and instead working hard and developing the gifts we've been given, we are again using our agency to make the right choices and show God and Jesus Christ how much we love and care for them.
new idea
i haven't been particularily active in posting here, so i think i've figured out a good idea of something to do that will help me keep this more regular, and therefore more interesting.
the Church has a pamphelt aimed at youth, but can be used by members of any age, called For the Strength of Youth. it contains standards, or guidelines rather, that help us to make the right choices and live our lives in such a manner that will pave the way for us to receive many blessings, including being worthy to go to the temple. they also help us to make good decisions and choose the right things to do and in act that will enable us to return to our Heavenly Father.
so...i've decided that i will discuss each section or mini-chapter of this booklet every day, along with my thoughts on what it means to me, etc. this is going to be my little mini project for the next 3 weeks :) wish me luck!
the Church has a pamphelt aimed at youth, but can be used by members of any age, called For the Strength of Youth. it contains standards, or guidelines rather, that help us to make the right choices and live our lives in such a manner that will pave the way for us to receive many blessings, including being worthy to go to the temple. they also help us to make good decisions and choose the right things to do and in act that will enable us to return to our Heavenly Father.
so...i've decided that i will discuss each section or mini-chapter of this booklet every day, along with my thoughts on what it means to me, etc. this is going to be my little mini project for the next 3 weeks :) wish me luck!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Love of God
This talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf was...just...amazing. I've copied and pasted the first part of it here. Check out the link for the rest of it. It was so inspiring it made me cry!
The Love of God
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Second Counselor in the First Presidency
Love is the measure of our faith, the inspiration for our obedience, and the true altitude of our discipleship.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is continually growing and becoming better known throughout the world. Although there will always be those who stereotype the Church and its members in a negative way, most people think of us as honest, helpful, and hardworking. Some have images of clean-cut missionaries, loving families, and friendly neighbors who don’t smoke or drink. We might also be known as a people who attend church every Sunday for three hours, in a place where everyone is a brother or a sister, where the children sing songs about streams that talk, trees that produce popcorn, and children who want to become sunbeams.
Brothers and sisters, of all the things we want to be known for, are there attributes above all others that should define us as members of His Church, even as disciples of Jesus Christ? Since our last general conference six months ago, I have pondered this and similar questions. Today I would like to share with you some thoughts and impressions that have come as a result of that inquiry. The first question is:
How Do We Become True Disciples of Jesus Christ?
The Savior Himself provided the answer with this profound declaration: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”1 This is the essence of what it means to be a true disciple: those who receive Christ Jesus walk with Him.2
But this may present a problem for some because there are so many “shoulds” and “should nots” that merely keeping track of them can be a challenge. Sometimes, well-meaning amplifications of divine principles—many coming from uninspired sources—complicate matters further, diluting the purity of divine truth with man-made addenda. One person’s good idea—something that may work for him or her—takes root and becomes an expectation. And gradually, eternal principles can get lost within the labyrinth of “good ideas.”
This was one of the Savior’s criticisms of the religious “experts” of His day, whom He chastised for attending to the hundreds of minor details of the law while neglecting the weightier matters.3
So how do we stay aligned with these weightier matters? Is there a constant compass that can help us prioritize our lives, thoughts, and actions?
Once again the Savior revealed the way. When asked to name the greatest commandment, He did not hesitate. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” He said. “This is the first and great commandment.”4 Coupled with the second great commandment—to love our neighbor as ourselves5—we have a compass that provides direction not only for our lives but also for the Lord’s Church on both sides of the veil.
Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk.
When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden.
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1117-7,00.html
The Love of God
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Second Counselor in the First Presidency
Love is the measure of our faith, the inspiration for our obedience, and the true altitude of our discipleship.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is continually growing and becoming better known throughout the world. Although there will always be those who stereotype the Church and its members in a negative way, most people think of us as honest, helpful, and hardworking. Some have images of clean-cut missionaries, loving families, and friendly neighbors who don’t smoke or drink. We might also be known as a people who attend church every Sunday for three hours, in a place where everyone is a brother or a sister, where the children sing songs about streams that talk, trees that produce popcorn, and children who want to become sunbeams.
Brothers and sisters, of all the things we want to be known for, are there attributes above all others that should define us as members of His Church, even as disciples of Jesus Christ? Since our last general conference six months ago, I have pondered this and similar questions. Today I would like to share with you some thoughts and impressions that have come as a result of that inquiry. The first question is:
How Do We Become True Disciples of Jesus Christ?
The Savior Himself provided the answer with this profound declaration: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”1 This is the essence of what it means to be a true disciple: those who receive Christ Jesus walk with Him.2
But this may present a problem for some because there are so many “shoulds” and “should nots” that merely keeping track of them can be a challenge. Sometimes, well-meaning amplifications of divine principles—many coming from uninspired sources—complicate matters further, diluting the purity of divine truth with man-made addenda. One person’s good idea—something that may work for him or her—takes root and becomes an expectation. And gradually, eternal principles can get lost within the labyrinth of “good ideas.”
This was one of the Savior’s criticisms of the religious “experts” of His day, whom He chastised for attending to the hundreds of minor details of the law while neglecting the weightier matters.3
So how do we stay aligned with these weightier matters? Is there a constant compass that can help us prioritize our lives, thoughts, and actions?
Once again the Savior revealed the way. When asked to name the greatest commandment, He did not hesitate. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” He said. “This is the first and great commandment.”4 Coupled with the second great commandment—to love our neighbor as ourselves5—we have a compass that provides direction not only for our lives but also for the Lord’s Church on both sides of the veil.
Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk.
When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden.
http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1117-7,00.html
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
i'm back!
i was a seriously busy little girl this summer and early fall! not that obvious by my severe lack of posting, isn't it? :P
life has changed quite a bit these past couple of months. i finally received my first calling in early September! i'm now a Primary teacher, where i'm co-teaching the Sunbeams class. they consist of our 3-4 year olds. so far, things have gone fairly well. one day when the other teacher wasn't there, and it was my first full lesson to teach, i almost had a breakdown...one of my Sunbeams was having a difficult time listening, following directions, etc. at one point, he grabbed ahold of the container of crayons, grabbed handfuls, and was throwing them up into the air and thereby hitting the ceiling as they were raining down!! but so far things have been going pretty well ever since then. i'm starting to really enjoy it. one of the lessons i'll be teaching very soon is on music!! YAY!!!!!!! that will be awesome. i'm already starting to make plans for it :)
the missionary who baptized me, elder henrie, was transferred out towards the end of august. the elders we have now are still elder cardenaz and now elder jensen. they are the most hilarious pair together! they've also worked to start a family home evening with us every monday night. it's a great thing to look forward to, especially when you have some difficult moments during the week. family home evening is a night each week that Latter-day Saint families spend together to grow in the Gospel and just enjoy spending time with one another. families can be loosely defined as is in our case here at college :P
lets see.....what else is new? classes are going ok so far. i'm really trying to stay on top of my grades and homework and everything so i can get a decent boost in GPA. i've had a few minor mess-ups in German, but that's nothing i can't make up if i keep up with my writing journal, grammer homework, and whatever other assignments she has us turn in, along with tests, etc.
my favorite uncle is getting close to passing away. he's terminal with cancer, and lately he's been having more and more issues. headaches have been becoming more and more frequently as of recent, and we should be getting news about whether or not his cancer has spread to his brain. preliminary findings show that it hasn't! i've been very worried about him a lot the past couple weeks, and i finally broke down and asked the elders when they called this past monday to confirm again the FHE time, if they could come just a little earlier as i wanted a blessing of comfort. it's unbelievable how much better i feel and how much my outlook on life has improved. that same night, i slept the best that i have in over a month! after FHE was over, i went back into the same little side parlor and sat into the chair that the elders had me in when they gave me a blessing, and just read my scriptures. it was like i was hungry to keep reading! most importantly, i've been able to feel the Spirit more consistantly ever since they blessed me. that hasn't happened for a while. i forgot how much of a precious companion the Holy Ghost is, and i can truly say that i've missed feeling its presence and influence beyond measure :)
another post to come later this afternoon/evening. i'm heading home after a JOB INTERVIEW!!! at 3:30 to clean the upstairs of the house at home in preparation for OOS (out of state) family flying in next week. also, general conference is this weekend!!! i'm hoping i can make it to the chapel to watch. if not, i know i also have the option to view it live online :)
life has changed quite a bit these past couple of months. i finally received my first calling in early September! i'm now a Primary teacher, where i'm co-teaching the Sunbeams class. they consist of our 3-4 year olds. so far, things have gone fairly well. one day when the other teacher wasn't there, and it was my first full lesson to teach, i almost had a breakdown...one of my Sunbeams was having a difficult time listening, following directions, etc. at one point, he grabbed ahold of the container of crayons, grabbed handfuls, and was throwing them up into the air and thereby hitting the ceiling as they were raining down!! but so far things have been going pretty well ever since then. i'm starting to really enjoy it. one of the lessons i'll be teaching very soon is on music!! YAY!!!!!!! that will be awesome. i'm already starting to make plans for it :)
the missionary who baptized me, elder henrie, was transferred out towards the end of august. the elders we have now are still elder cardenaz and now elder jensen. they are the most hilarious pair together! they've also worked to start a family home evening with us every monday night. it's a great thing to look forward to, especially when you have some difficult moments during the week. family home evening is a night each week that Latter-day Saint families spend together to grow in the Gospel and just enjoy spending time with one another. families can be loosely defined as is in our case here at college :P
lets see.....what else is new? classes are going ok so far. i'm really trying to stay on top of my grades and homework and everything so i can get a decent boost in GPA. i've had a few minor mess-ups in German, but that's nothing i can't make up if i keep up with my writing journal, grammer homework, and whatever other assignments she has us turn in, along with tests, etc.
my favorite uncle is getting close to passing away. he's terminal with cancer, and lately he's been having more and more issues. headaches have been becoming more and more frequently as of recent, and we should be getting news about whether or not his cancer has spread to his brain. preliminary findings show that it hasn't! i've been very worried about him a lot the past couple weeks, and i finally broke down and asked the elders when they called this past monday to confirm again the FHE time, if they could come just a little earlier as i wanted a blessing of comfort. it's unbelievable how much better i feel and how much my outlook on life has improved. that same night, i slept the best that i have in over a month! after FHE was over, i went back into the same little side parlor and sat into the chair that the elders had me in when they gave me a blessing, and just read my scriptures. it was like i was hungry to keep reading! most importantly, i've been able to feel the Spirit more consistantly ever since they blessed me. that hasn't happened for a while. i forgot how much of a precious companion the Holy Ghost is, and i can truly say that i've missed feeling its presence and influence beyond measure :)
another post to come later this afternoon/evening. i'm heading home after a JOB INTERVIEW!!! at 3:30 to clean the upstairs of the house at home in preparation for OOS (out of state) family flying in next week. also, general conference is this weekend!!! i'm hoping i can make it to the chapel to watch. if not, i know i also have the option to view it live online :)
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