"Two Unibrows--One Forehead" by Elder Breeden

Hello my friends! As you all know I just got home from my mission in Florida a couple weeks ago. When I was in Florida I met some pretty cool cats that I became good friends with. Last week I got an email from one of those friends named Elder Breeden. Elder Breeden and I served around each other near the end of my mission and he's a pretty funny missionary. I liked the story he shared so much that I asked him if I could share it with y'all. Enjoy!

-Whit

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I want to tell you a story that I was reminded of this morning. You've all heard it at one point or another, but I believe it'd be fitting to illustrate what's happening in Minneola this week. The was I was reminded of it was because of this old picture of me that Elder Carver found.

Most of you have seen that unibrow in real life. Some of you have not. I won't go into details on the brow itself, but I will tell you what it did for me. It drew teasing when it first emerged from my forehead in middle school, and it still turned heads all the way into my missionary service. It was a source of pride in high school. It was essentially a brown hairy mormon birdie to the world, and the world responded with a thumbs up. All the world, that is, except Florida. Elder Husbands, if any of you remember him, wisely said "That is the ugliest thing I have ever seen on anybody's forehead! If you do what was that thing today you will never baptize anyone, and you will fail at your mission!" He and many other missionaries begged me to tear the two caterpillars apart, but I would not, until the gentle nudging of Elder Hawkins persuaded me to try it out, and grow it back if I didn't like it. 

Though I wasn't instantly converted, I liked the attention. So I would let it grow back and then wax it each time I got a haircut. Although Elder Carver did have a big part in thinning back the hair on the bridge of my nose the real confirmation came after the trial of my faith. Only after I had declared to the world through a photo sent home that I had two eyebrows instead of one did I receive an email which brought me the satisfaction I needed and the giddiness I sought after. An old friend replied, and though I couldn't find the email itself today, I remember the words she wrote exactly. (Pay attention to the gender specific pronoun I used and to the fact that I like that gender a lot.) "Why are you hot now?" were the words, that joyous phrase! Not only did someone think I was hot, but a girl did! A girl who lived over 3,000 miles away, and had no reason to be anything less than honest with me! Through the gentle nudgings of friends, I had achieved what I had never even dreamed of achieving with my unibrow! Yes, it was good and beneficial at the time I had it, and it even propelled me forward at times, but it needed to be pruned back before it outgrew itself. Although I miss it some days I don't long for it, because as my dear old friend says, I am "hot now." And that hotness came from the beauty that change is, and that it brings.

Don't think this email is about my hotness, because if you've seen Jonny Bravo, you'd know I am far from being the hottest youngster on earth. The change I went through in that story is meant to reflect what has happened this week. Lots of changes have affected this area, and I'm anticipating a lot of growth and development in my missionary abilities. We had a zone conference on Thursday where I found out that I'm actually terrible teacher, and if I'm right everyone else in our mission did too. But Elder Dodson and I have studied up on goal setting and planning, and we hope that that will bring the discipline necessary to change. Our ward boundaries also got realigned. For those of you who don't know, a ward is what we call a congregation in our church, and its geographical boundaries are determined by serious study of the number of church members and the speed of the current growth and projected growth, and after serious consideration and a lot of prayer, the Spirit confirms to them whether their plans for are the Lord's will or not. So yesterday, the Clermont ward essentially annexed part of the Minneola ward. We lost a lot of strong members, including those who inspired last week's email that I made friends with. But with the strength that's left the Lord will prosper us as long as we work hard, trusting in His direction.

Even though change is difficult, and differences are scary, I know that we can change for the better and still be true to ourselves. Just like Dr. King said, "It's all good." Here's a video the church made in the '90s, it's pretty funny.

First Video

And another one you can actually take seriously that's related to change.

Second Video

-Elder Clay Breeden

Guest Post by Shelby {Good Things to Come}

hola amigos!

Yesterday I was teaching one of my preschool tumbling classes when one of my three year old students that doesn't stand much taller than your average American Girl Doll (that's actually not true, but you get the point) gave me a hug and said "Teacher, you have skinny legs." 

And people wonder why I love my job so much. haha

I have something super awesome for my blog post today! Even better than hugs... and even better than three year olds that tell you that you have skinny legs...

The following blog post comes from one of the coolest chicks in all of blog land. Her name is Shelby and I've asked her to take over my blog for a day! She's kindly accepted. So enjoy her lovely writing, and then stay tuned for a guest post I wrote for her blog!

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Hey Guys! My name is Shelby and I am so excited to be here guest posting for Whitney. You may remember me from this post. Whitney also did an amazing post here that you should definitely check out!

A little bit about me:

    - I blog over at Moore Light Shine

    - I love photography and design

    - I also love music.

    - I am Mormon. I try my hardest to live it and I absolutely love it.

    - I think the youth program is one of the most amazing things ever.

It is now February 4th, you probably set some awesome goals 35 days ago.

I know I did. How many have I completely stuck with? I don't know if I have 100% stuck with any of them, but I'm trying my hardest.

I’m not discouraged or disappointed because I’ve come to realize that the only way for me to be perfect is through Christ. So I’ll keep running towards him. I’ll keep trying my hardest. And he’ll keep standing there with his arms open wide ready accept me and you and help us become perfect. Isn’t that amazing?

Today I’m here to talk about keeping goals and sticking to things, whether they are new years resolutions or not. I’m talking about the kind of things that can seem tiring or worthless to some. The repetitive things that make you wonder if you can possibly learn anything else from it.

Everyone has something like that.

A standard they struggle to keep.

Something they just want to skip one night. Until it becomes 2. Then 3. Then 4 months.

It may be prayer, scripture study, going to church, media standards. Anything.

But I’m here to tell you to keep going. To keep moving. To not give up.

Because something bigger and better is waiting for you right around the corner. Your dreams are about to come true. Heavenly Father will be near you soon with his arms around you. Your Savior is ready now to give you hope, and peace, and joy.

All of these wonderful things are about to happen. But they won’t if you give up now.

You may want it so bad. You may feel like your prayers are being said to air. You may want to quit, But don’t. Because I promise your Heavenly Father is listening. He hears your prayers. He wants to help you. But he knows what’s best, so he waits until the perfect moment. You think you know the perfect plan, the perfect time. We humans think we have everything figured out. Ha! We don’t. Not even close.

We are so far from seeing the big picture we simply have to trust God and realize that his timing is not our timing, it is the best timing.

Don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed if you are getting discouraged. It happens to the best of us. While reading my scriptures the other day, I noticed a verse in Nephi that had never caught my attention:

“And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all.....” (1 Nephi 15:5)

Even Nephi, the great prophet and a faithful servant of God became discouraged. He became dragged down because the world was beating down on him. He let others affect how he felt about life and himself.

Later it goes on to say “And it came to pass after I had received strength(1 Nephi 15:6)

I love this verse because he received strength. He didn’t become strong through himself. He received strength from The Lord. And our Heavenly Father is ready and willing to do the same for you.

He is ready to comfort you and encourage you. He may not be ready to fix everything. But he is ready to help you. To strengthen you. To love you.

I know this is so true.

I absolutely love the quotes below.

“There is help. There is happiness. There really is light at the end of the tunnel. It is the Light of the World, the Bright and Morning Star, the “light that is endless, that can never be darkened. It is the very Son of God Himself….Cling to your faith. Hold on to your hope… Don’t give up.... Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead—a lot of it…... You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”

{quote source}

Please don’t give up. Please keep going. Whether it is a new years resolution, just getting through the day, or deciding if you beleive in your Savior. Please don’t lose hope. Know that you have devine capabilities and that you are loved beyond comprehension.

I hope you all have a wonderful, spectacular, amazing day!

-Shelby

Letter from a new convert {guest post}

Hello friends! Happy New Years Eve! I'm celebrating with a morning of yoga, breakfast, books, and blogs, and a super awesome guest post!

Today's post comes from Marie-Rose who is the author of one of my favorite blogs, Hope Always and Pray Constantly. Marie-Rose is a new convert who was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day saints in the middle of November. 

This is her letter to all members of the church titled "Letter From a New Convert" and it is addressed to all members of the Church. In return, you can find my letter to her called "Letter To a New Convert" over on her blog. My letter is addressed to all those who, in the words of Jeffery R. Holland, "[are young in the church...] young in years of age or young in years of membership or young in years of faith. One way or another, that should include just about all of us." So don't forget to click on over to her blog after you've spent some time here!

Letter from a new convert,

My baptism was last month and it was amazing. Do you remember yours? The Spirit was so strong :) the water was so warm and welcoming when I walked into the font. Everything melted away for a minute, other than the words spoken, and suddenly I was underwater. I had waited for this moment for so long. I'd already had one baptism date fall through, cuz my dad wasn't sure if he was okay with my choice. For two years I knew, deep in my heart, that Heavenly Father wanted me to get baptized. I just had to wait for the right time. 

I'm so excited that I've been able to go to church regularly since I've been at college. In 2013, I took the sacrament exactly once (in like July, I think). It was not a fun time, having to miss church. Sometimes, sitting in sacrament meeting, it feels like you've heard all these things a million times before. But it's so easy to forget them if you're not hearing them! And feeling the Spirit at church is my favorite part of the week. Being surrounded by other people who love you is amazing. I think they call that a ward family.

That's a thing about us new converts, we're still getting used to the lingo :)

Have you talked to your ward's missionaries recently? I bet they're pretty awesome. My sister missionaries are the best. We've been meeting weekly since I've been at college and I love them so much. I haven't figured out how to serve them dinner yet, cuz I'm in a dorm with no kitchen and live off of a meal plan, but you should see their faces when I bring snacks to lessons :)

Speaking of missionaries, you've probably heard that you should be a member missionary, right? Guess how I first heard about the church. My friends are pretty good member missionaries. They weren't afraid to mention church things in my presence, and they certainly weren't afraid to answer my questions, even if it meant hunting down an answer and getting back to me later. They invited me to activities and seminary and church and dances and girls camp and youth conference. They gave me a Book of Mormon. Most importantly, they let me go at my own pace. They never pushed me to investigate faster than I was comfortable with doing. So when you hear that you should be a member missionary, think of new converts like me. You wouldn't be reading this letter if it weren't for member missionaries.

I have a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that Heavenly Father loves us and is always there for us. I know that Jesus Christ is our savior. I know that prayer is powerful. I know there's a Plan, and eternity is bigger than whatever trial I might be going through at the moment. I know the Book of Mormon is true, and I can feel that when I read it. 

I am so happy to be a member of this wonderful church. 

Thank you for your missionary work, 

<3 Marie-Rose

hopealwaysandprayconstantly.blogspot.com



p.s. I'm searching for some awesome New Years Resolutions. What are some of yours?

Guest Post by Shelby from This Little Light of Mine

Hello my lovelies!

I just had the realization that school starts in exactly two weeks from today. That means my last summer before I become an adult ends in two weeks. I don't know how I feel about this...

Today I have something special for you! The amazing Shelby from This Little Light of Mine  is guest posting for me today! I did a post for her a few weeks back so she was nice enough to do one for me. She is amazing and I can't wait for you to get to know her! So here you have it... The incredible Shelby!

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Hi Guys!

My name is Shelby and I am so excited to be guest posting on Whitney’s blog!! A few weeks back she did an amazing job over on my blog- you should really go read it!

Hmmmmm….the dreaded introduction. I never know what to say. When asked to talk about myself I forget everything and say something dumb. Maybe when I write it will be different.

My name is Shelby (whoops already said that) I’m Mormon. I love being a member of this great gospel! It brings me SO much joy.  I love photography, blogging (duh), and graphic design.

A few other random facts about me:

1. I have been to 4 different countries (lived in 2)
2. I love music (I play the flute and guitar)
3. I live in the south. No I do not have a huge southern hillbilly accent. Yes I do say y’all.

But enough about me……..

Today I want to talk about YOU…. Yes you.

You are beautiful.

You are special.

You are never alone.

You’re worth more than gold. (extra credit points if you get the song reference)

You can change the world!

Here are 2 song references because I’m awesome like that.

     

Except here’s the tricky part- the world is going to tell you you’re worthless.

Satan knows your amazing potential. He knows you can change the world for the better. And Satan hates when things are made better

So he is going to do everything in his power to stop you.

I love this flash mob so much (please watch and listen to the lyrics)

And we are as the Army of Helaman we have been taught in our youth.

For those of you who don’t know the story of the army of Helaman here’s a quick recap. The people were being attacked, but they had covenanted with their Father in Heaven that they would never kill others again. The Lamanites were really tearing up the Nephites, but the Nephites were determined to keep their covenant. Their young men were valiant and courageous and had great amounts of faith. They soon realized  that only their parents had made the covenant. So they decided to fight to defend their parents. Imagine a group of thousands of young men walking out to defend their faith with unfailing courage and the spirit of The Lord surrounding them. The miracle of it was that none were killed- a few were injured- but none died. One of my very favorite scriptures from this story is:

45 And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.

 46 For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.(Alma 56)

So why did I just tell you this whole story?

Because we are as the Army of Helaman.

We have to go forward with faith. Never fearing, trusting that the Lord will protect us and always be by our side.

We have to share the gospel with all our hearts. Knowing if it’s true. If you don’t know for sure, that’s ok.

Pray about it. Read the Book of Mormon. Trust in the Lord with all thy might mind and strength.

And he will make it known unto you. I promise. It may take time, but through hard work you will come to know the truth.

“I know this work is God’s very truth, and I know that only at our peril would we allow doubt or devils to sway us from its path. Hope on. Journey on. Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe.” (Lord, I Believe by Jeffery R Holland- look it up on lds.org to read the full talk)

So back to my original topic.

You’re beautiful.

You’re gorgeous.

You shine like the sun.

But most importantly…

You are a witness of Christ.

Most of us grew up singing the classic childhood song:

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/scottheffernan/5349351385/

The words still ring true, whatever age you are:

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam to shine for him each day!

Another personal favorite:

Source: http://crazy3rdward.blogspot.com/2012/12/mandys-mission.html

Called to serve him Heavenly King of Glory

Chosen e’er  to witness for his name.

Far and wide we tell the Father’s story far and wide his love proclaim!

Onward, ever onward as we glory in his name! (x2)

Forward, pressing forward as a triumph song we sing!

God our strength will be, press forward ever called to serve our king!

So, never forget to shine. No matter what the world says. No matter what Satan tries to make you think. I know you’re beautiful, Heavenly Father knows you’re beautiful. You know you’re beautiful. Our God is with us and he will not suffer that we should fall.  So shine on sister (or brother, whatever works)

Have a wonderful amazing day!

-Shelby

PS: I saw this quote the other day and it really struck me. It really emphasizes how important it is to truly let our light shine and not hide it under a bushel!

source: http://mormonmommyblogs.com/2014/04/happiness-conference-printable.html

Guest Post!

Hey Friends!

I had the opportunity to guest post on the blog This Little Light of Mine written by Shelby from Kentucky!

Check it out HERE!





feel my sunlight