TRIX - Is It Fruity Fun Cereal, Or Eternal Life?

            I have always hated the Trix cereal commercials. I always felt so bad for the poor rabbit. All he wanted was some cereal. And those nasty kids wouldn't let him have any, because he was different. Because he didn't fit their standards. I call it specieism. Then I started thinking about it, why anyone would want to eat Trix after seeing such a hateful commercial?
           There is a scripture in the New Testament, Matthew 18:4, that shed some light on my dilemma.  "Whosoever therefore shall ^ahumble himself as this little ^bchild, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." As I sat there thinking about this scripture, I realized that the prejudice children preventing the Rabbit from eating the wonderful and delicious Trix, were not nasty little brats.
            Children are teachable, moldable, willing to do as they are told (most of the time). In order for each of us to be able to attain the Kingdom of Heaven, we need to submit to the will of the Lord. Or in other words, become a child. When we finally allow this to happen, we are then able to partake of the wonderful and delicious goodness.
            THEREFORE!!!! The Rabbit isn't being prohibited from having Trix. He literally can't eat it! His body is not prepared for the glory!!! He needs to humble himself, and become as a child. Hence, You silly Rabbit, Trix are for kids!!!!

"And they lived Happily Ever After..." RIIIIIIIIGHT

           "And they lived Happily Ever After..." Don't you wish that was really possible? We are surrounded with Fairytales, beginning at the time we are toddlers. We hear stories of handsome princes rescuing princesses. Of perfect matches consisting of talented, pencil-waist, outrageously gorgeous princesses, and square-jawed, buff, perfectly proportioned, not a hair out of place princes who would die for their woman within 5 seconds of meeting them. Now let's be honest, does that really happen? Surprisingly, YES!
           I'm not crazy, I promise.

           Now, we may not all look like a Disney princess (I definitely don't), and not every guy looks like a Greek God. The point is the story line. Mind you, I doubt I'm going to find my true love while I'm singing and dancing alone in a forest (although I tend to do that on occasion). Then discover mid- graceful leap that there is a ridiculously good-looking man watching me... but maybe that's only because I would be completely creeped out. ANYWAYS, it doesn't necessarily happen like that. But you can meet someone. You may not have to be rescued from a fire-breathing dragon, an evil step-mother (that seems to always be the case), a lady who's a little too obsessed with your hair, or from anything at all. The poor soul who finds me will have to rescue me from a Dad who likes to randomly attack people with a wooden spoon... Don't ask. Instead, you both get to defeat the cruel battle of the dating period. Dun-Dun-DUN!!!! Eventually, you get to live the Happily Ever After.

Look at that stomach!!!

           However, Happily Ever After does not mean that everyday is going to be a blissful walk in the clouds. The reason fairytales stop at Happily Ever After is so that kids don't end up crying because they can't figure out why Prince Charming is balding and has a beer belly. Suddenly those tights of his more frightening than sexy. Or maybe because after 6 kids, Ariel suddenly doesn't look so great in a shell bikini. Things change, and trials happen. Cinderella loses her cool and goes into hysterics because Prince what's-his-name can't put down the toilet seat. Consequently, she's fallen in one too many times. Prince Erik likes to drink out of the milk carton. Princess Jasmine doesn't like to shave her legs anymore. Pocahontas became addicted to plastic surgery.

           What ever the case may be, it's not something kids really want to be watching. Hence the Happily Ever After. Knowing that, now you realize that Happily Ever After is achievable. In fact, most people have found it. There will be bad days, but we are supposed to hold tight and work them out. That's how we know we have found our own Happily Ever After. It's when we realize that working out our problems and differences is more important than the problem themselves.
            This is not meant to say that there are not exceptions. If you are in an abusive relationship, GET OUT.

Caught in the act!

            DISCLAIMER: this blog is not intended as an insult to men with beer bellies or thinning hair. Also women who don't shave their legs are beautiful... in their own hairy way.

Be Positive? Gross.

        I am a true believer of the power of positivity. I believe that if you think the worst, if you never have high hopes, then you will NEVER be happy. Depending on certain people's circumstances in life, many turn towards always expecting the worst. That way, they figure they'll never be disappointed. Make sense, right? WRONG!
          Don't get me wrong I totally understand that kind of mentality. I am naturally a negative person. Mainly because if there's a chance something bad will happen, it will happen to me. The way I saw it, I had bad luck, and everything malfunctioned around me. I never won anything, was never smart enough, never good enough, so why bother? Life just never worked out for me, it was a fact and I chose to accept it.
          Then - I had an epiphany!!! Maybe why I'm so down, why I never feel happy, why I just can't seem to make anything work, is because I don't believe it will. AHA! I was finally slapped by the sensible stick, and I realized what I was doing wrong! I had to BELIEVE that good things were going to happen, to know that I CAN be happy! It was difficult at first. After all, it went against my nature, but then things slowly started to turn around! 
          When you think positively, you can still be happy even in times of trial and tribulation. Mainly because you know that things will get better. No matter what happens, things will change. You just have to have the attitude to let them :)

In Memory of Andrew T. Britton-Mihalo, My Uncle, My Friend, My Hero

             I recently lost someone very close to me. My uncle, who was more like a big brother. His influence has made me into the person I am today. Green letters, for the Green Beret that I loved and looked up to. Andrew had a light about him. He drew people, like a light bulb draws moths. He was kind, loving, and helpful. Not to mention, a hero. He fought for our country; for the freedom of others.

Andy and Me!

            I have learned many things in life, and I can honestly say, that I learned most of those things from Andrew. He taught me how to climb a tree (in result, you couldn't get me out of one), how to say cinnamon, how to shoot a gun, how to play video games, that its not ok to run around naked, the importance of being on time, how to stand up for myself, how to wrestle, the importance of family, how to gut a fish, how to choke a dog (if it ever attacked me)... don't ask,
to never marry a lazy man, to run as fast as I can when he had a booger, to serve the people around me, that chemical dusters burn, to never feel safe when its too quiet (I can't count how many times he's scared me), that its good to be frugal, to have confidence, that snorting soda hurts, roller coaster rides really are fun (especially sitting next to him), that some people say things we are not allowed to say, that I need to do the right thing even when no one is looking, that constantly switching lanes lets you know if someone is following you, that mean girls are NOT attractive, that life is worth living, and that it is FAR too much fun to take him to a dance performance! Along with a lot of other things. You can say that he pretty much raised me. He took me everywhere, and together, we would find some sort of adventure to be had in teeny-tiny Simi Valley.

            Andrew was someone I could always depend on. No matter what I did, he would always love me. His opinion was the one that mattered most, in anything! In fact, it was he who talked me into accepting my mission call to Northern California. I was upset at the fact that I was called to the same state I lived in. He told me how proud he was of me, of my decision to serve, and that I should accept the call. It made all the difference, and it meant the world to me. I could go on and on about everything he's done, and who he was. But I'd rather point something out instead... it'll take much less time than the other option.

I Love You Andy

           I have been talking about him in the past tense, when I should be talking about him in the present tense. Yes, my uncle Andy has died, his body will be buried; but his spirit, who he is, LIVES! Because of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, I know that I will see my uncle again. I know that he is learning about the gospel and having an even greater understanding of the work that I am doing here on Earth. And even though I miss him terribly, I know that he is still so very proud of me.

           I am grateful for the knowledge that I have today. For a prophet who receives revelation for the world today. And I am eternally grateful for the time that I was able to have with Andy, and the Plan of Happiness, that allows me to one day see him again. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!

Andy with my dog Poopy

I was really jealous of this pic

My first rollercoaster ride, he convinced me to go on.

Andy with wife Jesse

Andy and Me!

At his graduation, that's my head...

Crash and Burn

             One of my favorite songs is "Crash and Burn" by Savage Garden.  I was thinking about the song the other day, and I had an epiphany!! This song states exactly what Jesus Christ says to us, through the teachings he has left, through the whisperings of the spirit, and through his Prophets and Apostles on the Earth today.
             Whenever things get too hard, He invites us to come to Him and let Him heal us. That in the moment we feel like we are about to break, we kneel in prayer, and allow Him to help us. The trials we face are there to make us stronger. He is there to lift us up and carry us when we fall, and loves us with a perfect, unending love. And no matter what, no matter how many times we mess up, in the end we are always forgiven, if we ask for it.

 When you feel all alone
And the world has turned its back on you
Give me a moment please to tame your wild wild heart
I know you feel like the walls are closing in on you
It's hard to find relief and people can be so cold
When darkness is upon your door and you feel like you can't take anymore

Let me be the one you call
If you jump I'll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You're not alone

Where's the Nearest Cave of Wonders?

            I have to admit, there are days when I really wish a Genie would come and just fix everything the way I want it. Think of the possibilities!! You could wish for money so you never have to worry about having enough again! You could wish for world peace, and all of the wars would end. You wouldn't have to worry about losing a loved one in the fight. You could even wish to change small and simple things, like losing weight (that would be nice, to have it just melt off!), making eggplant taste good, fix a broken item, make the day not so uncomfortably hot, to always be able to find your keys... the possibilities are endless! There are so many things you can wish for to make life just a little bit easier. Not to mention, you'd have endless entertainment with Genie from Aladdin. (If I could pick a genie, it would be him!)

"I can't believe it, I'm losing to a rug!"

            Yes, life would indeed be easier, but then what would we learn from it? If things were just handed to me, how would I ever feel accomplished? When all is said and done, how could I stand before my maker and admit that I did nothing for myself? That it was all handed to me with whipcream and a cherry on top. I don't know about anyone else, but I would personally be drowning in shame.

          I'm grateful for the experiences that I've had in my life. They've made me into who I am today. I wouldn't want to give up what I've learned, or the feeling of satisfaction when I look back and see the trials that I've beaten. A lot of the principles of the Gospel have become more precious to me because of these trials. I'd much rather know for myself that they are true, than live off of someone else's testimony. Even if they are a genie :)

           You know what? Just give me the genie without the wishes, I just want to laugh myself to death! I'm going to sit in my corner and have sing-a-longs with Genie; and we might just play chess! GENIUS!!!

I Have A Dream... About Swords, Warhorses and Fried Chicken

            I had a dream the night of April 17 (you can already tell this is going to be a good one), about mission life. It started out awful, but the ending was spectacular to say the least. I can't remember exactly how it began, all I know is that it had something to do with fried chicken... but that's not important. 

Lets just say in my dream, he didn't look quite so happy...

            My companion, Sister Powell and I were teaching someone about the gospel, and he just kept fighting it. It got to a point where he said, "why are you doing this, what's the point?" I remember feeling my heart break for him, and I began to feel pointless. He suddenly turned to look outside, following his gaze I turned to see a huge dragon, that looked like one of those Chinese parade dragons, and I instantly knew it was Satan, the Devil himself (this dragon didn't have dancing, happy people underneath). I turned to look at this man, in the process of putting on some armor made of wooden beads (don't ask me why it wasn't metal, that would have been more assuring), and said, "that is why I am here, to fight HIM!" I took off running and whistled for my war horse, and did one of those cool, ninja jumps off the brick porch onto my already galloping horse. I unsheathed my sword (I don't know where I was hiding it before...) and made my attack on Satan. With my weapons and training, I was able to defeat Satan, for a time. 
            Victory was bittersweet. I knew he would be back again. It wasn't until the battle was over that I looked around and saw other missionaries dressed in the beaded armor (seriously, what's up with that?!) and ready to support me in my fight. The dream went on, but the rest doesn't matter. 
            As missionaries, we are here to help people with their battles against Satan. We show them how to fight temptation, and how to repent when mistakes are made. There are times when we as missionaries get discouraged, but at the end of the day, there is always some small victory made. In the end, we are all fighting for the same thing. Happiness. It just so happens to be the thing Satan wants to take away.
           
            I really wish I could remember what was going on with the fried chicken...