The Impact of Example

In 1 Corinthians 4:2, Paul tells us that we must be faithful to be servant of the Lord. He has called apostles to be our examples. But being an example is not limited to the apostles. We can be examples by following the counsel of the apostles and the prophet and applying that guidance to our lives.

In Alma 39, we are told that it is not enough just to know what it right. We must refrain from sin because sin can effect others' testimonies. We must not lead people away from righteousness through our iniquity.

Those who live what they know can be cleansed from the bonds of sin and work miracles.

Acts 19-20 Proper Authority and Ministering to the People

There are 5 priesthood ordinances that Paul performs in Acts 19 and 20:

1. Baptism (19:5)
2. Confirmation (19:6)
3. Blessing the Sacrament (20:7)
4. Blessing the Sick (19:12)
5. Raising the Dead (20:10-12)

When Paul came across Corinthian saints, he asked them about their baptism and confirmation. They had never been confirmed with the Holy Ghost so Paul baptized and confirmed them in the name of Jesus Christ. When Paul bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost to the Corinthian saints, he laid his hands on their heads.

Many people not of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints wonder why it is necessary to be baptized again in our church if they have already been baptized in their church. Baptism must occur under the proper authority-- which is the priesthood. Without this priesthood, the baptism and confirmation cannot be done in the name of Jesus Christ and recognized in the eyes of God.

In Acts chapter 20, it talks about the disciples coming together and breaking bread. This happened on the first day of the week which is Sunday. In John, it talks about the Resurrection, and the Savior returning to the earth on the first day of the week and appearing to Mary and his disciples. This is why the Sabbath day was changed to Sunday -- because of the Resurrection.

Back in School Hitting the Ground Running

I'm back in school! Not that I ever took a break. But I'll be staying home doing online classes. I'll be using my blog to post assignments for my New Testament class. Enjoy!

The Disciple Stephen --

Stephen shows attributes of the Savior. While on the cross, the Savior spoke to the Father saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:43). Stephen’s last words were similar saying, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). Being Christlike is what Latter Day Saints have been taught to strive for. If the hearts of Saints are turned toward Christ, every day brings the actions one step closer to Christ. Stephen shows a selfless love for those, even his persecutors. In Matthew 5:44 the Savior counsel us to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Stephen lived that principle even up to his death.

In Acts 7:55 Stephen preaches saying that he was filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 7:54) and the heavens were opened and he saw “Jesus standing on the right hand of God.” This teaches that God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three separate bodies therefore being the Godhead.

Abinadi and Stephen both died deaths because of angry men. They died preaching the word of God to wicked people. Their deaths were slow and painful. The men that killed these men of God had hearts hardened by the devil. I can only imagine how miserable those men must have been to have killed these great men.

Holy Skating

You always hope that someone can tell who you are by the way you present yourself.

For me, it's the hope that people can tell that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Tonight I was roller blading on a date and my date, Joe, pointed out a group of three married couples. He said something to the extent of... "How much you wanna bet they are Mormon?" They not only looked Mormon but they acted like it too. Modest stylish outfits and fun, goofy personalities.

At one point of the night I was sitting on the side while Joe skated and two of the girls from the suspected Mormon group sat on both sides of me and started chatting. They suspected me and Joe too! It was so fun! We talked about dating and where we were from and what wards we were in.

At the end of the night, I met up with three couples once again. One of them asked me if I had any older sisters and then asked me if I was a Hogge! She knew Mindy from college and the fact that she could tell that I was her sister just from my looks was pretty flattering.

You hope people can tell who you are by the way you look, act, live...

I would like to believe that I might be doing things right if someone can pick me out from a crowd. Maybe I just skate holy.

sin capitals.

hummmm, hummm, de dummm dumm dummmm.

oh what did you say?

i'm sorry, i was humming.

i work in an office.

i am the first one you see when you arrive

and the last when you depart.

it's generally quiet at work.

sometimes that's a problem.

take thursday for example.

i had about 500 manila folders to label and as you can imagine:

that takes forever.

i'm not bold enough to turn on pandora.com.

so what do i do?

i couldn't take the silence any longer and started humming.

have you ever tried to hum realllly realllly softly?

it's dang hard.

i am getting flustered just thinking about it.

why am i telling you this?

for the same reason i am not capitalizing anything.

because it's amuses me and i want to.

lesson: soft humming only makes me more frustrated over the silence i can't quiet quench.

quench. that's a good word.

Tangled up in "Tangled"

I might have an obsession with Disney’s newest princess movie “Tangled”.
Why? There are several reasons.

1. I am Rapunzel. I mean… minus the super long hair. She’s my Disney princess and I thank Disney for creating her.
2. Her “prince charming”, Flynn Rider aka Eugene Fitzherbert… He is a babe. And I’ve always wanted a guy that can be bad but chooses not to.
3. The music is awesome and I am constantly singing “The Healing Incantation” and “When Will My Life Begin?”. I’m determined to memorize the first and sing it as a lullaby to my children… when I have children.
4. Maximus and Pascal. Who wouldn’t want a super smart horse that acts like a dog or a chameleon that has your back? I know I would.
5. It’s wholesome entertainment and an all around great movie.

Seeing it in the theater a second time made it even better and the laughter wasn't scarce.

If you haven’t seen “Tangled”, do it. And if you don’t like it? Don’t tell me. I’ll probably see you in a different light. And that light will be dark and gloomy.

Happiness of Home

Ohhh where on Earth do I start?

First off, I'm back home in Cali. Yep. Buh bye Rexburg for 4 months! Quite bitter sweet but I know I am where I belong for now. Mom, Dad, and Spence came up to the Burg to pick me up along with all of my belongings. I have found that my father hates driving in snow. Sorry Dad, you're a trooper.

Anyway, coming home was really hard for me and until Sunday, my attitude about it was pretty sour and made everyone at home feel bad. I'm a fixer. So naturally, I tried to fix myself. On Sunday, I was at Sarah's ward and in her young women's they all wrote down gifts to give to Christ for Christmas. Snazzy right? I chose happiness. College is amazing. But so can be being home. There are so many things about home that can call for a "shouting of joy". For all who know me well, you know I'm a big "list" type of gal. If you didn't know that, well, now you can feel like you have a special connection with me.

Here's my Reasons Why I'm Happy To Be Home list:

1. Being able to see my parents.

2. Being crazy (not in the head) with ma Sister.

3. Seeing snails on the ground.

4. Driving a car.

5. Seeing the world go to bed at 9:30. (Okay maybe I shouldn't be happy about this but it amuses me.)

6. TiVo

7. Hearing the rumors spread about me. (No I don't get mad about them. I find it amusing that people have nothing better to talk about than me.)

8. Candy making

9. Good Sushi by legit Asians.

10. Not buying all my food.

Good list. I know. Because I have nothing better to do, I'll explain some of them.

Sarah is my crazy partner. Goofy crazy. It's a treat. Tonight we were making candy with Grandma Hogge and I started singing "What you said" to the tune of "Jingle Bells". Sarah refused. I'm proud of her. But I can always count on her for a good "Up", "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" or "Nail Salon" quote. Glorious.

Snails. Carma. It's a female perro. While taking stuff out to my car today, I saw a snail on the ground and thought to myself, "Heh, heh. Someone is gonna step on that and it's going to be hilarious." After putting some stuff in the car I was running back inside and "Smash/Crackle/Pop"! Yeah. Crap. All over my mocs.

TiVo. I'm not a big "watch it while it's on" fan. It must be convenient. It doesn't tend to be convenient in college so I'm catching up on all my favorite shows.

Rumors. LOL. Literally. If any of you are reading this--I am not dating anyone. Nor have I been close to dating anyone since Ry. Sorry to burst your gossipy bubble. My life isn't a big secret. Ask and you shall receive.

Candy making. 7 hours of it? No big. Well, yes big. But it wasn't a bad thing.

My wonderful roommate and best friend, Lisa, got me in this bad mind frame of thinking I can be crafty when really, it's just me copying her steps and calling it good.

Oh and I'm also a horrible photographer. Can't ya tell?

The weirdos of the World Dance Team.

Love.

Them.

The new BYU-Idaho Center!

Boo yahh.

Yeah, we know.

It looks like the Conference Center

Roomies at the Dedication!

Alyssa and Jaronia.

They are kind of special.

And we love them anyway.

P.S. I got excited about getting a platter from my grams. Domestic much? Yes.