General Women's Broadcast ~ September 27

Yesterday, I took the opportunity to listen to the speakers at the General Women's Broadcast with my roommates on a cool rainy day. All of the speakers gave great messages that I would like to share.

Linda K. Burton

• We can receive inspiration and revelation in the temple
• "As the temples are prepared for the people, the people have to prepare for the temple," ~ Russell M. Nelson
• To be consistent is to be steady and constant

Jean A. Stevens

• Marriage is not just about the deep love between a man and a woman; it's also about the love of the Lord
• Your choice to believe and live righteously will leave you rich blessings of life
• Every mighty change matters to the Lord

Neill F. Marriott

• Every one of you is valuable and essential in Heavenly Father's plan
• If you want to be a light unto others, you have to glow yourselves
• Temples contain truth and eternal purposes
• Doctrine & Covenants 3:16

President Uchtdorf

• You will forever and always be a Daughter (and Son) of God
• God knows things that we don't
• He is constantly raining down blessings in our lives (*It's our umbrellas that block the raindrops)
• Find peace, uplift others and make a commitment with the covenants
• You are loved and dear to your Heavenly Parents (*Heavenly Father loves you no matter what, even in the midst of darkness)
• He not only loves you for who you are, but for the glory of a person that you are
• Live the Gospel joyfully

*The temple is the source of happiness

I hope while you look through the notes I've written down that you will feel Heavenly Father's love that He has for you... Every one of you.

Enchiladas

Well, it's back-to-school for me this semester. It will probably be my last semester here at BYU-I because I recently applied to BYU as a transfer student. Two weeks from today, I will find out whether I got in or not. It feels great to be back at school, although I'm anxious to getting my associate's degree taken care of already. Leaves are turning from fresh green to dry yellow and scarlet colors and falling. Fall is coming and so is the cold.

Usually at the start of a new semester, I have new roommates. They are nice and I think they'll be the best roommates I've had. I don't have to be at a new apartment this time. I'm staying at La Jolla, one of the best places to stay for the semester.

The day after school started, it was September 16, a day of independence in Mexico. Cinco de Mayo may sound like Independence Day, but it happened after September 16. To celebrate Día de la Independencia, I cooked some homemade enchiladas and warmed up some refried beans. It was very good and I felt like I was home.

Even though I'm not biologically Mexican, I'm grateful for the people who fought for Mexican Independence so that we can live in peace and harmony, as well as for the Americans who fought for our freedom and independence.

¡Feliz Día de la Independencia! ¡Viva México!

Temple Baptisms

Yesterday evening, I made a proactive decision to go to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. The last time I did baptisms was last Thanksgiving with my future-married sis, Breana, at the Timpanogos temple. Long time! There was one opportunity open in Rexburg to do baptisms with my ward, but sadly missed due to me being busy with schoolwork. But, I'm happy about being proactive.

I wasn't the only one to go to the temple. I invited my good friend and neighbor, Jade, to come with me and she was happy I took her. While we were in the temple, we couldn't help but listen to the silence and the peaceful music that was playing inside. We were in a good place. The right place.

Breana and her fianceé finally made a big decision to get married in the Manti temple and I'm happy for them. A good friend of mine once said, "Good choices equal happiness."

As we did baptisms for those who didn't have the opportunity of doing so, I was taken back to the day I was baptized at 8 years old. I didn't get baptized on my birthday as most LDS kids do, but I thought it was the best Christmas present I got. I was baptized and confirmed as a member on Christmas Day.

I'm grateful that I have made the decision because I wanted to be with my family for time and eternity as I still do today. I remember that happy day; after my dad baptized me and confirmed me, I felt clean. Not just physically clean, but spiritually clean. I was happy.

That feeling always comes back to me whenever I do baptisms for the dead in the temple. It helps me to feel closer to my Savior.

As mentioned before, I'm happy that I was proactive on going to the temple. For a person with autism, it's hard to be proactive when I want to do something important, but then I hesitate and become afraid. Although, I practice and try to take that big step. Overcoming my autism is a process for me, including those who have it. It was hard for me when I was little and learning to speak to other people, including strangers. But I gradually overcame my autism through therapy and the support of those who believed in me, such as my family.

Being proactive is hard for me, but isn't it hard for all of us whether we have autism or not?