There is Sunshine in My Soul!

I know I'm a broken record when I say this, but it truly has been far too long since I have sat down and blogged.
I can't even describe how beautiful it was outside, and I believe the highlight of my entire day was probably sitting in the sun and reading between my morning classes. I really wish is wouldn't be so obnoxious to lug my camera around with me everyday--you miss so many amazing photo opportunities!

Though I was up pretty late, I was spoiled to have family friends who had been visiting back home, drop off oatmeal cookies and bread-sticks straight from my own (mom's!!) kitchen--there's no taste like home!

Tonight though, I really want to just count my blessings--a friend lent me a book called the Continuous Conversion, which is exactly what I found myself reading in the sunshine today, and right now the book keeps coming back to the concept of perspective. Then I had a psychology class this morning that addressed the same concept in a different light. I am constantly amazed at how simply beutiful this life is, and the over-powering love our Savior has for us. The book I mentioned addressed how we "learn, not earn, heaven." How true is that?! It isn't a matter of hanging on until we finally make it, then letting go of that lifestyle. This life is designed to help us reach and become like heaven. With this concept, the crude words or humor, or the questionable song or movie, don't even have a place. As sons and daughters of God, our spirits are far too precious to allow those things to fill any of our time; take a piece of your life.

Of course we sometimes wonder what things would look like if we had worked harder, or taken a different road. I feel like we often doubt our own abilities as well. Today, while I had the chance to stop and read before heading home, I heard singing--vocal point was doing an improv concert on campus. It was wonderful to hear them in the distance, but in all honesty, it brought back an entire part of my life that I have dismissed for the last six months, and all of the hopes and dreams that I had originally brought with me to BYU. I had planned on being in choirs, and working my way up to being in Noteworthy, but life got in the way of life, and plans changed, and priorities shifted. I called my mom as I headed home, and the gist of what I poured into her ear was that the last six months had been nothing like I thought it would be. I finished talking to my mom, and headed home.
Note: On the way, there was a section of the path covered in red, rose-petals. (someone probably got engaged last night.....) It's crazy, because those petals were originally roses, and if they could talk, would have told you they would much rather have been on a dinning table, in a vase. But there they were, scattered over the landing--after having the chance to be part of something much bigger, and far more important.
I guess....well, I know.......that is why you trust. He has a plan far greater than you, and a vision far truer than we are able to see.

So, as the title of this post says, "there is sunshine in my soul!" 

Yes, I am so grateful to be me--as imperfect as I am. In a world where we are constantly told we are not the right shape or size, too plain, too boring, not strong enough, not talented enough--a world that has lost its sense of true humor, its ability to see the blessings we are surrounded with, the experiences that make us truly rich(that fill our hearts), the value or a person, and the love our Heavenly Father has for each and every one of us--I am determined to be happy!

So what if I am not perfect today, or tomorrow, or even years down the road--I am becoming everything I can be, and the person I want to be.
 And in my opinion,
that is a beautiful thing.

Lots of love, I believe in you!
Tayler

When Life Gives You Apples.......Make French Toast.

They say that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade..........

What the saying should say, is:
 when life finds you at two in the morning with apples that are going to go bad soon, and you're craving french toast for breakfast the next morning, but you realize you don't have butter or syrup......
                            Discover and create the best french toast you have ever had in your entire life! Really though, I thought I had had french toast until this morning. :)

In all seriousness, how I got to this was just as a mentioned above--I really wanted to make french toast this morning, so last night I was sitting there wondering what on earth I could put with it because I didn't have any butter or syrup on hand. Add the fact that I had four apples that were about to go bad, and I ended up with the equivalent to apple-pie french toast. I do have half a mind to call it Tayler Toast.....how convenient my name starts with a "t." ;)  (When I made it, I just threw a ton of stuff together, and improved it, but I have included my "recipe" at the bottom of the post.)

Anyways, I was pretty excited as you can probably tell--it's awesome when something looks like a problem (i.e. no butter or syrup) but in reality it is an opportunity to learn, grow, and discover.
Now that, is where this whole "Tayler Toast" tangent is going,

Life is a lot of times like a recipe: if you take out vital parts, it won't work. If you don't give it the correct amount of time, it can get messy, fast. If you aren't prepared before you begin, then you will run into issues later on. Like life, there are sequential steps or chapter, pieces or ingredients, and many opportunities to succeed and fail.

I find myself trying to write my own recipe sometimes though--what I want to do, and when. I'm talking big-picture things: School, job, mission, marriage, family, etc. I don't forget, but I don't really remember 100% of the time, that heavenly Father envisions and knows the end result, and knows my potential. More importantly, He knows how to get me there, and leads me along the path that exposes me to the opportunities and often trials, that have the potential to help me reach my goal; to be like Christ. Back to the french toast analogy, it is kind of like how I sat there at two in the morning, wondering why I would even make french toast in the morning if I didn't have anything to top it with. But if I had had syrup or butter or jam conveniently in the pantry or fridge, then I would have never figured out how amazing Apples were on french toast. French toast is far different than our eternal plans, but the basics are parallel in the sense that:

A) It may not make sense now, and it sounds crazy, but it is more incredible than you could ever imagine.
and....
B) Problems are often opportunities to explore who you really are, and what you can do/become. You could go down a road you never would have otherwise.

Anyways, I know that I often need to be reminded that "everything is for my good" or "experience."
That most certainly doesn't mean it isn't hard or it makes complete sense to us now, but looking back, look out at that sunset, we often get to see a glimpse of the plan He has always had prepared for us.

Well, have an amazing week, and a wonderful Sunday evening.
Love,
Tayler


_________________________________________________________________

Tayler Toast :) 

Apples: In a crock-pot

8  apples cored and sliced (I left mine with peels on) 
4+  Tbs. Cinnamon
2    tsp. Ginger
1    tsp. Cloves
3/4    c. Water
4    Tbs. Brown Sugar (optional, depending on personal taste)

Throw apples, and spices in crock pot, pour water over and cook on low for 3+ hours. I left them in for about 6, and they melted in your mouth, but I would probably go shorter.

DON"T THROW OUT SPICED APPLE JUICE WHEN DONE COOKING!!!

French Toast: Aprox. 10 pieces

Loaf of Bread
8 eggs (if you want more of a custard texture, stick with egg yolks, and add milk)
1 Tbs. Vanilla
1 c. Vanilla Almond milk (good old milk is just as good/ maybe better)
1/2 Tbs. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Cloves
2 tsp. Ginger

Mix it all up, dip the bread in, and throw on the skillet. After just cooked, layer bead, then apples, then bread. Top with more apples, and about 2 Tbs. of juice from the crock-pot. 

In reality, you could add whipped cream or even vanilla ice-cream, easily. Enjoy!!

My Day: French Toast and the Temple. That's a Wrap, People!!

So....though I did have classes and I was running around like crazy, it was a pretty good day. I seriously bumped into everyone-under-the-sun from my old apartment. I can't even believe it's been almost a month and a half--some days I can believe that it really HAS been that long, (and some) but on a general scale, time is moving pretty quickly. 

I have to say though, that the best part of my day was first going to the temple. I'm back on my weekly track, and life is so much better. Truly, just those few moments impact your entire life. I walked up to the doors, and the big pool's fountain was shut off so you could see a crystal-clear reflection of the temple and the sun lighting up the glass, in the fountain. Then as I got closer I saw that crazy girl, in the doors, and I have to smile, because this is where she belongs, and the reason she does everything she does--to be worthy to return to her Heavenly Father someday. 

I had an interesting thought this trip to the temple. Being at BYU, and young......and more importantly, single, I obviously wonder every blue moon, when I'll meet my man--my best friend.  (Please note, that I am in no rush, and I am leaving the timing to Him who knows all) Really though, I have learned to not sit and try to profile every guy walking down the street, but to just keep going the direction I need to go, meet people, and some day, there will be someone going the same direction. But this is the amazing part--the closer I grow to my Heavenly Father and Savior, the closer I am to my husband; even though I have no idea what makes him laugh, or his favorite food, or the sound of his voice, or what he even looks like, or how it feels to say his name! It's because when you're searching for someone who is close to Christ, and you too, are close to the Savior, then as people spiritually in tune, you'll both be guided by the Spirit when the time comes. That doesn't mean just sit on the front steps of the temple, and wait--you have to figure out who you are and the entirety of the definition of you with the help of Heavenly Father. Will we reach that level of perfection within a year--most definitely not. In a lifetime? Well, that is what we strive for. :) 

It never ceases to amaze me how as soon as I put one more thing in His hands and say that I am A) Ok to trust that it will work out, and B)  willing to work and do whatever necessary to come closer to my Savior, then it is an understatement to say that the "windows of heaven are opened."  As soon as I reach that point, I rediscover that the Lord was simply waiting for me to be ready, but knew that I had to make that decision, whether it was discouragement, disappointment, a dream, or forgiving myself. He was simply waiting for me. 

Well, I need to say goodnight. I have one of those days that is almost booked to the minute, and I'm not quite at 100% yet. But before I leave, let me leave you with the latest addition to the definition of me--maybe my latest and greatest discovery. ;) 

I write love letters. Now before anyone goes, "HEY!! HOLD THE PHONE!!" let me explain. First off, I love letters and mail, and surprisingly, I've never done the whole missionary writing thing, or had long time pen palls, but still I (the magic of a mailbox is a post coming soon : ) ) enjoy how letters are like pieces of their sender, that you can read over and over again, and always look back on. So, I was in the bookstore and found these postcards. Needless to say, I now enjoy my detour in the morning, to the mailbox. (But only family gets a lipstick kiss.... : ) Truly, it is the best part of my day. getting up, writing a note to someone, and sending it off, knowing they have no idea it is coming. It's so simple, but I just love it! 

Well, anyways, I REALLY need to go to bed now, but for those who read my blog, thank you. :) 

Lots of love, 

Tayler 

"These Aren't Beets, Are They?" and the many other things that made today ok :)

So, the short version of my day would be that I spent most of it home, sick. I had the sore throat and chills going on all night, and then today, my bones have just hurt, and my back has decided that is is just out to ruin my day......but let me reassure you that it didn't. :) I successfully "got ready" this morning, which going with today's definition meant sweats, hair in a bun, and glasses--which reminds me: I had a girl ask me today if they were real :) .

When I got up this morning I was crossing my fingers that I had slept most of it off, but to my dismay that hadn't happened so I essentially began preparing for war on whatever I have. I was going to make my mom's chicken noodle soup, but then I thought about how I have so many neglected cookbooks on my book shelf, and thought I would go for an adventure--you have to do something even if you aren't feeling that great. So, I found a recipe, made my grocery list, and headed to the store. I am one of those people who actually really enjoys grocery shopping, and believes every romantic comedy should start in the produce section. ;) (maybe not all.......but some. )

So besides the fact that I didn't feel good, it was good to get out, and a rather pleasant trip to the grocery store. I grabbed lemons for hot lemon and honey, tea that I've been downing by the hour, ginger(which happened to be on sale, another little blessing) to soak in to try to get the toxins out of my system, and everything to make a crock-pot style chicken noodle soup. I wasn't kidding when I said that I am declaring war on whatever this is. Finally, I got to the register, and my day was made. First, the cashier was a super tall and thin college guy with an extremely deep voice--just a very cool and collected guy. I beat him to asking me about my day, by asking how his had been, and then he proceeded to scan all my groceries, until he got to the last item, put in on the scale, paused for a moment, puzzled, and said, "these aren't beets, are they?" I tried not to chuckle, and said "no, I am pretty sure they're turnips." The poor guy looked all over his cheat-sheet to find the code, as I continued to say that people probably didn't come and buy turnips very often. He finally found it, and soon I was off and on my way. I got to the car and actually laughed, because the combination of his voice, and the sincerity of having to ask what it was, was priceless--Really though, who cares if you can tell a turnip from a beet. I am honestly grateful that there are moments like that--as simple as that--that can be so entertaining. I'm grateful for the ability to laugh; There is nothing better than letting go of your worries for a moment, and laughing. :) (like when a girl asked me today if my glasses were actually real. ;)

As I've got the crock-pot going, and a mug of tea, I would have to say that the other little(or more so, very big) tender mercies of my day included going into work to just pick up my check, (the shop happened to be completely empty) but ending up talking with one of my coworkers for over an hour about life--it feels so good to truly talk about anything and everything with someone you can relate to. I happened to get a close parking spot which is divine intervention, and though my back isn't doing so hot, someone came up with the idea of a rice bag/snake, and it has made a world of difference today.

Well, tomorrow marks the middle of the week, and I have decided that no matter what, every day is important, even if all we have are our tiny victories. Lots of Love,
Tayler