Fall Calls

Fall is now upon us in Utah! To celebrate, I broke out my dusty box of beanies, boots and never ending supply of booties (for the guys, this is a type of shoe). I keep telling myself that I will never buy another pair of suede booties (again, for the guys, a type of shoe), but I figure I'll just give myself the benefit of the doubt for the thought. With falling leaves and crisper morning runs, it invokes a series of mixed emotions for me. Of course I strive to love and appreciate each of the seasons; however, I will be the first to admit that I simply wasn't made for the cold.

I've had a really fun time since inheriting Mark's old camera (as he recently bought a new one). The photos I've included here are a few I took. Gradually I'm learning more and more about it. More than anything, I just need to get out more after work and practice. Does anyone else feel like it's incredibly difficult to go out and do things after work?? I'm always just so tired. Not to mention, it's pitch black after 6:00 pm. Mark and I are also realizing that we are now "old." We are Fox News junkies and get so pumped if we can be in bed before 10:30 PM. Anyway, a few weeks ago we went up the canyon with the intent of capturing the grandeur of the Utah landscape. The problem is, photos simply don't do it justice. It may just be my tendency of getting tangled in the details (in so many ways...). I did find myself drawn to the more smaller details and capturing the tiniest pieces of an incredibly "big picture". 

 Mark often sends me on little adventures that often require me to trek to random/difficult areas and often "sketchy" locations, alllll to be a "faceless silhouette" for a shot he wants. This last trip to the mountains took me to a large rock nestled in the forest. I may or may not have encountered a large family of deer that were making strange sounds and running too fast toward 'my rock.' By the end our little mountainous rendezvous, I was "covered" in nothing but nature and a deeper appreciation for the Fall. My already stylishly distressed jeans were now literally torn by adventure. It's important to take a minute away from our lives to appreciate the world we live in.

Quick update on my latest spiritual thought that I've been wanting to share. In my church, we believe that God still chooses Prophets and Apostles (yes, like Moses and Noah from the Bible) to speak to the world. Twice every year they take the chance to speak to the world in what's called "General Conference." I don't know why it's called that, but it is. Some people might find the idea that we have a Prophet today strange and hard to believe. I do believe that God still chooses mouthpieces by which He reveals what He wants us to know. This is something that I really have come to treasure about my faith. We obviously believe in revelation through ancient scripture (in the Book of Mormon & the Bible) but there is something so cool in knowing that God still can communicate to us through a Prophet.

I wanted to share a few of my favorite quotes from General Conference. We were actually in Hawaii during the conference, so I've been trying to listen to one talk each day, since we've been home and I've been amazed at how uplifted and motivated I've been since learning from these talks. I've felt inspired to be a better wife, sister, daughter, co-worker and person in general. You can listen to/view the talks here, if you are curious.  Enjoy a few of my favorite quotes below!


When we offer our broken heart to Jesus Christ, He accepts our offering. He takes us back. No matter what losses, wounds, and rejection we have suffered, His grace and healing are mightier than all. Truly yoked to the Savior, we can say with confidence, “It will all work out.” (read more here)

Begin exercising your faith in every area of your life. If you don’t, you will suffer what I would call “faith atrophy.” The very strength needed to exercise your faith will be diminished. So exercise your faith every day, and you will “wax stronger and stronger … and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ.” ^{read more here}

We must act, expecting that the Lord will fulfill His promise to lift us from the darkness if we draw near unto Him...'doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.'” (read more here) 

We show our love for God—and our faith in Him—by doing our very best every day to follow the course that He has laid out for us and by keeping the commandments that He has given to us. (Read more here)