Having trust in Him.

I love playing the piano. I don't know if you knew that, but really that's because I have no idea who reads this... but I can play most of the hymns (known hymns.. not like I'm a Pilgram I'm a Stranger) and if I haven't played it before,  I usually don't have a hard time playing it (Exception- True to the Faith)
I have been playing the piano for about 10 years. I know, that sounds like a long time. You would think I would be this really good piano player. Well, I'm not. It's not my talent or skill even a little bit. I do not come from an extremely musically talented family... I have had to work like a crazy person (I usually sit and play the piano for about 30min-1 hour a day) just to be able to play the hymns. The thing I hate about it, I can only sight read. I have no musical ability whatsoever; so sitting and making up a song will never happen. I can't even hear it or pick something out... I can only read the music. Which has been a very good thing for me, and I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father has given me the ability to do it.
Ok. Enough on that.
I was thinking about it the other day... I am probably going to lose a lot of my piano playing ability on my mission. We won't have a piano (obviously) and I will probably never have to opportunity to go to a church on my p-day to practice for a while. Besides that, how much do you think my companion would like that?
So it was kind of bumming me out. But then I remembered a conversation with a costumer at Costco that I had a while back. She was telling me about how her granddaughter wanted to serve a mission, but was an amazing gymnast. She was afraid that she would lose everything if she went on a mission for a year and a half. The grandma then told me that she explained to her that if she had faith, did what Heavenly Father wanted her to do, and trusted in him, that it would all work out for the best. The best meaning that she could come back and pick up where she left off. Or come back and be even better than she was before. Or maybe come back and not be able to do it anymore, but find a different path to go on.
When I remembered that I was soooooo happy. That little dumb fear of losing my piano playing abilities was completely gone. I know that what I am doing is exactly what my Heavenly Father wants me to be doing. And that's all that matters. If we follow him and do what he asks, everything else will work out the way that it is supposed to. :)

Letter to me

There is a song by Brad Paisley called "Letter to Me." And before I go on, I think you all need to listen to it. It is truly awesome. Here ya go.
But I was listening to it and I was like ok if I could write one of these letters. Number one, it would not be as good as this one. But number two I have no idea what I would actually put in it...

I'd probably say to pay more attention to the road when you are driving Emily's car. I wouldn't mind going back to fix that. I have learned to pay a LOT better attention to the road from that. But I wouldn't call the cops so I could have saved 200$ and an hour of my life from traffic school.

I'd also probably tell myself to be a better girl friend to Austin. I know I know. Bear with me. I was horrible to him. In my small defense he was my first, but I just never learned how to be a good girlfriend for the whole year. You'd have thought that I would have figured it out by then. But I do nto regret actually going out with him. Mainly because I learned SOOO much about myself, friends, and relationships. It was a HUGE learning experience, and we had a TON of fun! That, I wouldn't take back.

I would have warned myself to pay a little better attention in Math and Astronomy. My first 2 C's were in my Junior year in those classes.

As of right now, I really can't think of anything else. But As you can see, it is hard for me to think of really anything huge that I would have changed in my life. Some people would think I would like to warn myself of my dads brain tumor earlier so maybe they could have done more. Of course I would give anything right now to have my dad with me. But you know what, I do. I get to have my dad on my mission with me. That, really is a true blessing for me. But really- I don't have any real regrets.
I have learned so much in my life from my mistakes. They have made me who I am today. If I were to change anything, I wouldn't have as strong of a testimony, or as good of friends. I wouldn't have as much knowledge about the "real world" either. Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us. It is meant to try us and help us grow, because sometimes their aren't any other ways to learn things than by making our own mistakes. Although those times can be extremely rough, if we come out on top with our Heavenly Father's help we will grow more than we ever even thought possible. And that is why looking back I don't have any real huge regrets, because I would not be the person I am today without them. :) and that's how life is designed to be. (I still love you Brad Paisley)

Saturday MOTAB Christmas Concert

We got tickets to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert on Saturday! We loved it last year and were excited to go again.

Saturday morning was spent playing Phase 10... all the way through. We always finish that game. No matter what. Then we headed to pick up Danny and go to Salt Lake.

We wanted to go somewhere nice for dinner, but everywhere was packed and the wait was too long for us to make it to the concert on time. We ended up eating at Panda Express and this other Chinese place at the Gateway. Not really what we wanted at all, but it was fine.

Then we headed to the concert!

To be honest we didn't really like the music as much this year, but it was still really beautiful and fun! The big surprise was the story at the end of the concert. I can't even try to explain the story because I know I will just butcher it. It touched me so much and I just wanted to cry. They even had the real man from the story that happened a long time ago! He was like 90 years old and still looked awesome! But ya. It almost made me cry. But you know how I can hold in my crying... unlike my laughter. They even dropped parachutes with candy from the celling. It was cool, but like I said also very touching and spiritual. I even ended up sending the story to Elder Miller and some pictures :)

On our way

We got pretty good seats 

After words :) 

Wicked!

We got tickets to see Wicked for Christmas last year. But, it wasn't until July! So, it was a LOOONGGG wait! Yesterday was the day! We got to see it!
We know a lot of the songs, but we didn't actually know the story line. Boy were we surprised! It was beyond amazing! Besides that, it was hilarious! I wouldn't hesitate for even a second to go again right now to see it. It was completely worth the wait! :) We went with the Gocken's because Cindy was the one that found the tickets way back when and told my mom about them. Let's just say, it was the perfect present for us!
We went to dinner and did some shopping before. It was so much fun :)

When push comes to shove

I don't care what anyone thinks (including my mom) Rascal Flatts is the best band out there. The end. I love every single one of their songs and the lyrics are phenomenal. 

So! I was listening to them right now and I just love the lyrics to the song "Stand" but especially the chorus! 

Cause when push comes to shove

You taste what you're made of

You might bend, till you break

Cause its all you can take

On your knees you look up

Decide you've had enough

You get mad you get strong

Wipe your hands shake it off

Then you Stand

Ya. That's it. It's pretty good stuff. 

Joseph Smith

I have been meaning to write in my blog FOREVER! I've just been so busy with work and vacations I haven't even had time! So, I had to make a little note in my phone about what I wanted to write about! Be prepared for updates! 

One of my favorite things to do is just sit down and play the hymns. It relaxes me and for some odd reason! I just love it a lot! I can play most of the well known hymns now and it excites me because now I may even be able to play for church a little if they needed me :) But I was sitting playing one of my favorite songs- "Joseph Smith's first prayer." As I played I sang the words out loud to myself and really thought about them. Then I had this overwhelming feeling of joy. I couldn't help from smiling. The spirit was unbelievably strong and it was surrounding me like a big giant hug! I knew with all my heart that the words I was singing were true. Joseph Smith was a true prophet and he did do all of those things that he said he did. I already had a strong testimony of this, but that just shows that there is always room for your testimony to grow, even if you think your testimony is already super strong, it can always grow! :) It was an amazing experience! Then today I was playing Praise to the Man, I have played this song more times than I can count, mainly because I did it for a recital piece and for my pageant, it's one of my favorites and I know it well. But the words "Jesus anointed that prophet and seer" stuck out. I know that he did. Joseph Smith was a man called of God and nothing will ever change that. He was chosen before he came to earth to restore the gospel to this church once more. I can never deny that. I don't know how someone could. The book of mormon is a completely true book and was written for us in this day and age, and the prophet Joseph Smith Junior translated it. 

It's funny to think all of these thoughts came into my mind through 2 little songs. Music is powerful! Imagine what else it can do! 

Fun.

Andrew and Zach are awesome.

The only problem is, they listen to music that I really do not like. I am for sure a county girl. But NOT a alternative, indie, folk rock, weird, creepy kinda music girl. At. All. But, to be fair, apparently there is a new thing we do when we get into the car.

It goes a little like this,

Nicole- “I’m pretty sure it’s my turn to go first.”

Andrew and Zach- “Ugggg. Fine.”

Nicole- “(silent yessssss again) Ok I pick Rascal Flatts.”

*the song is going at this point. They are groaning through the whole thing while I turn it up as loud as I can while singing along.

As the song is half way done…

Zach- “Andrew, what do you wanna listen to?”

Andrew- “Something fun.”

*now this is where it gets interesting, here Zach will either turn on fun. or will turn on something that I actually like to listen to (bonus for me) like wicked, hairspray or something of that sort. Or, he’ll do exactly what I dread every time it comes to either of their turns. Turn on fun.

Depending on which song Zach picks Andrew will either be like, “this is not what I meant.” Or “oh I love this one!”

Nicole- *groaning “fine”

Halfway though the song…

Zach- (ok he doesn’t even say anything. We all know what’s coming… fun.”

So I sit though it singing my own song in my head while they jam out to fun.

(I have to put some input in on this… Zach converted Andrew to fun. which makes me super mad. Blah. Whatever)

Then it comes right back to me. Yes.

So that’s pretty much the story of the car rides we go on together. The same thing everytime.

Untillllllll last time.

I had a stupid fun. song stuck in my head because of these car rides. Great. So, this might sound a little crazy, but to get songs out of my head I have to listen to them. Plus, I really just kind of (kind of kind of) like this fun. song…. (do not tell anyone I said this…)

So, on my turn, I picked a fun. song. Zach almost cried and I think Andrew was cheering. I think it was one of their proudest moments… (it so wasn’t, but maybe the proudest of the day).

Now don’t think I’m a fun. person now. Cuz I’m not.

I adore “We are Young” and “One foot” but that’s about it!

And that’s the end!

I hope… 

Day #6

A song to match your mood...... weird...
Mmmmmmm right now I'm going to have to go with...

My Wish- Rascal Flatts

It's very cute :)

Day #1- your favorite song

This is not going to be easy. I already made a blog post about this... ok... at least I thought I did... 

Anyways, here's a list of my favorite songs. 

I am a lyric person. Of course if that music is great that fantastic. But I listen full heartedly to the lyrics of the song. So, while listening to the song, you should listen to the lyrics :) some of them are really powerful to me. 

Also, I am a county fan. Sorry about that... 

This was actually in a blog post earlier, so I just copied it :) 

If you click on it or put the mouse over it, that will do it. 

So Small- Carrie Underwood 

This one reminds me that the small little trials in life really add up to nothing and that we need to cherish every moment of our lives. Happily Ever After- Jenny Phillips 
This one has some cute stuff before it that I just love that makes me cry every time ;) Plus, I totally know the girl that's in some of it, and I met Jenny Phillips too :D
I Believe in Christ- Mormon Tabernacle Choir 
This one just gives me goose bumps!
Consider the Lilies- Mormon Tabernacle Choir 
This one just has special meaning to my mom and my whole family concerning my dad :) 
My Kind of Perfect- David Archuleta 
This one is just super cute and needs to be shared ;) I listen to this one probably more than is healthy ;) 
In the Strength of the Lord-Jenny Phillips 
This one is by Jenny Phillips, but I couldn't find where she sings it on youtube... 
We Seek After these things- Jenny Phillips 
I know there is a lot of Jenny Phillips, but she is just so good! All her songs are inspirational!
Live Like you believe- Jenny Phillips 
This one reminds me of one of my best friends baptism that my other friend sang to her after she was actually baptized :) 


Ok sorry, I'm just going crazy on the songs here.... but I have to keep going... 
Skin- Rascal Flatts 
OK now this one is just super cute and might make you cry a little bit.
Cinderella- Steven Curtis Chapman
This one makes me sad a little just because I had always imagined dancing with my Dad at my wedding, but now I don't get to... but that's ok because I know that I'll get to someday ;) Besides that, my mom cries every single time she hears this one... every time. 
Like my Mother Does- Lauren Alaina 
Ok now that I put that one this is for sure the last one. This one without fail every time reminds me of my Mom because she is the most perfect person that I know :) 

Let it hurt- Rascal Flatts

I'm a big Rascal Flatts person. I really love the lyrics of this one because it's so true! I'm not going through this right now, but I was, I wish I had this song at that time! 

Come Wake me up- Rascal Flatts 

I love this one as well! Me and Ash listen to it at least once a day! 

There is one by Lady Antebeullum called, "One day you will" I can't find a good one on youtube so you'll just have to look it up. 

Ok, well I have a million more favorite songs, but that will have to do for now.... :) 

Music's impact!

Music has such a profound impact on all of us. I'm sure we all know that. Your favorite song comes on and you jam out to it, singing at the top of your lungs. It puts you in a good mood, or a bad mood. My music really defines who I am. If you were too look through my iPod you would instantly know what kind of person I was. I would hope... 

So music. I love music so much. Music really just is a huge thing in most people's life. We usually see more people with headphones in, then without. 

So recently my Book of Mormon teacher was talking about music. He really only talked about it for a second, but it really made me think. He just said something along the lines of going through our movies and music and making sure that we aren't embarrassed if the Savior or prophet was looking through our music. We have all heard this more than once I assume; but this time, I was determined! I decided that there were a couple things I had on there that I would not be comfortable if the prophet saw on my iPod. Not that I have super bad songs, but maybe a couple things that I really shouldn't. 

So, I started. I went though iTunes and deleted stuff without hesitation. It was nice because I needed to clean out my "little kid" music anyways. So I went thought and it felt amazing! It was like a game! It made me feel so much better! Now I can just listen to my music and not have to worry! 

I seriously encourage everyone to do it! It might be hard at first. But then you will end up wondering why you spend a dollar on some of the crap you have! But you will feel AMAZING and it will be just one more small and simple thing that will bring you closer to the Savior and help you live a more virtuous life.