I LOVE THIS GOSPEL, and I Know It to Be True!

With everything going on with our great nation and just the world in general, I have really been struggling to find peace and hope. I know that faith and fear cannot exist in the same place, so I have been trying to do all I can to replace that fear with faith. This does not come easy for me, but there is an experience I had just now, that brought me success in my endeavor.

One thing I have always loved to do when I am feeling scared or sad in life is to get my Book of Mormon out and randomly turn to a page with faith that God will guide me, speak to me, and answer my prayers with his holy Spirit with the words I find in this great book. This has always worked and has been a source of much peace, many times over, ever since I was a young girl. Today proved to be no different, and somehow felt more profound than ever before, leaving me in absolute tears because of the great love of my dear Heavenly Father and his words of counsel and comfort that I so greatly needed today. I randomly turned to D&C 59:1-4;23 (which I had highlighted in my scriptures with a the word "HOPE" written in big letters to the sides of these verses. This whole chapter was so perfect for today, but I would like to share just these five verses:

"1 Behold, blessed, saith the Lord, are they who have come up unto this land with an eye single to my glory, according to my commandments. 2 For those that live shall inherit the earth, and those that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them; and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them. 3 Yea, blessed are they whose feet stand upon the land of Zion, who have obeyed my gospel; for they shall receive for their reward the good things of the earth, and it shall bring forth in its strength. 4 And they shall also be crowned with blessings from above, yea and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time-they that are faithful and diligent before me. 23 But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come."
 

This brought so much peace to me, and I hope it does the same for someone who may be reading this. This world may seem to be falling into darkness, but God is perfect in his goodness, and is still very much apart of this world and what is happening in it. That knowledge is what tells me that no matter what happens, everything will work out and be okay, if I do my best, and trust the rest to the Lord. I LOVE THIS GOSPEL, and I know it to be true!
 

The paintings below by Greg Olsen, perfectly capture the world I picture when we let Christ and the Gospel into our lives. He will help us to find the beauty in the world, will walk by our side, and will even raise us up when we fall into the rivers of despair and darkness. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I love how perfectly this great artist captures the love and light of the Savior.

Creating Good, Hope, and Happiness in a World of Evil, Despair, and Sadness

This world is quickly becoming SO heartbreaking and scary! Just reminds me that we need to work on our spiritual strength, and prepare ourselves temporally so we can face what lies ahead, while creating a heaven on earth in our homes to give our children the best safe haven from the world that we can. The scriptures testify that it will get worse before it gets better (a fact that quite often make...s me sick with worry-especially with all that is happening lately, and how quickly it is coming to pass), but at least we know, that in the end the good will indeed conquer all the evils of this world. We just have to endure and remember that, and stand valiantly and courageously to defend that which is good and right. Remember there are so many who wish to do evil, but there are also a great number of those who go to great measure to do good, there can be despair, but with faith there is hope and peace, and most importantly, there is sadness in this world, but there is also an abundance of happiness!

 

P.S.-All pictures (other than the last one of my family), and quotes I found on the Church’s website at www.lds.org and Google.

This is my little happy corner of the world.

  

10 things for 10 years

Ben has been a part of my life for just over a decade now, and I thought a post was in order to list the 10 things I love most about the person I have known and loved for about 10 years now. Plus, with all the past time post as I catch up, I figured a present one was in order. I can’t believe how fast time flies! It seems like just yesterday I was sitting next to the cute blonde boy, who had just told me how much he liked me, as we were flying home from Branson, Missouri. I am so grateful for every year since then, and this post is dedicated to the 10 reasons why.

Disclaimer: This post is about to get VERY cheesy. I love how Ben treated me so wonderfully as his friend, just to treat me better as his girlfriend, just to be even sweeter when I was his fiancé, just to be even more incredible when I became his wife, and got even more amazing (if that is even possible) when I became the mother of his child. It seems so often, relationships diminish in the romance department as time goes by, and I am so lucky to be with a man who cares enough to keep things fun and keep finding ways to show me every day just how much he loves me, and proving just how lucky I am. I tell ya, folks-I got the better end of the deal when it comes to marriage. Ben, I love you and thank you for making me the luckiest girl in the world!

#1-I love how Ben pretends to not want something just so I can have the last piece of pizza or cake or candy or last anything really. I have to really fight him to take it when I am not even interested and he really wants it.

#2-I love how he helps around the house, like ALL the time, without being asked. This is rare-I know-and being the OCD neat freak that I am, it means so much to me! He has even stayed up until 3 a.m. to help me get the house perfectly clean. I also love that every time he vacuums he lets me be the first to walk on the carpet. I just love the way the carpet feels after it is just vacuumed on my bare feet. Yup, I am a weird one. He also helps out by cooking. He cooked pretty much the entire time I was pregnant with Jayden, due to horrible 9-month long morning sickness, and can now cook pretty much everything I can. I have been cooking since I was 8, so that is saying something!

#3 I love how Ben will (and always has) randomly turned up a song and insisted he dance with me. Whether pulling over randomly on the side of the road in high school, to stealing me away from the mop to romance me in the middle of one of the late night cleanings mentioned above. It is so adorable and romantic and I just love it!

#4-I am SO grateful he loves and honors me, and took me to the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. I am so grateful I get to call him mine forever.

#5-I love that after a long and hard day I come home to a relaxing bubble bath, candles, comfort food and music or a chick flick waiting for me. I am especially grateful for those times he does this for me after I have vented and taken my frustrations out on him. That is love on his part right there-BIG time!

#6-I am grateful for what an incredible priesthood holder he is and how hard he tries to better himself as a person to be the best he can be. He is a good example of bettering yourself every single day, and inspires me to do the same.

#7-I am SO grateful for what an incredible husband and father he is. He loves Jayden and I SO much and sacrifices so much to take care of us, and show us just how much he  love us. Jayden and I just adore him, and for good reason too!

#8-I love how sweet and tender he is with me. I am spoiled all too often with amazing massages, romantic love letters, and sweet surprises. He always finds a way to turn a hard day into a happy one, and a tear into a smile. I love him so much for that. He is sensitive and that is a strength in men, my friends, not a weakness.

#9-I love his eyes and his smile and his broad shoulders and just all of him! He is so handsome and I am so lucky to have landed such a good looking and absolutely incredible man to be my best friend, my husband, my companion and the father of my children. I am SO overwhelmed with gratitude every day for him!

#10-I know that this post has focused on a lot of the wonderful things, but the thing I love most about Ben is his willingness to work through the not so wonderful times in life alongside me. We have been through so much the past 10 years, and it is so comforting to know that through all the times of weakness in life and in our relationship, we have come out that much closer and stronger and better for it.

Love is not the passion and romance and everything being perfect, but the little things. The patience, the forgiveness, the friendship, the compassion, and the charity. The passion and romance is amazing, don’t get me wrong, but it is the much deeper emotions that keep love alive and strong.

I LOVE you SO much Ben! Thank you for the past AMAZING 10 years and here is to many, many more to come! I am so excited for life and eternity with you!

Always and Forever!

Adventures with Alyssa

Alyssa and I spent a LOT of time together that summer and had many of our own adventures just the two of us. From hip hop dance classes together to laying out to playing at the pool to working out to shopping trips to 80’s dance parties in honor of Michael Jackson, the week of his death to watching t.v. programs on pregnancy, and talking about how fun it was going to be to have children one day (while Alyssa was pregnant and did not know it yet, I might add) to what ended up being about a 2 hour workout one morning getting her very large bean bag to fit in her trunk so she could get a head start on moving since she was going home for a bit. We laughed and giggled and played and did all sorts of silly things together and it was fun to be around someone as fun, silly and crazy as me.

The birthday present I found for myself on one of our shopping trips for Ben to give me (I may or may not do that a lot), but when you find a treasure like this and it is the last one on the shelf-you just have to buy it, don’t you? And what better justification than your birthday coming up, right?

80’s dance party-also known as the music video we never finished because of having too much fun getting dressed up for it and goofing off too much. It happens.

And this was what became known as the 2 hour morning bean bag workout.

I am happy to tell you, that we conquered it! Take that bean bag!

Sister Adventures: 2 weeks, 2 different states

While enjoying a summer day out and about with Alyssa back in 2009, I got a random voicemail from a guy I used to babysit for asking me if I would be willing to fly back to Utah and babysit his 4 children with my sister Cami, while he and his wife were away on a business trip. It sounded like a great opportunity and I was very flattered. A free plane ride home, seeing my family, about a week with my sis, watching 4 adorable children, and the chance to earn some extra money sounded amazing to me! I did not have long to decide since they needed me to take the flight early to get to Utah first thing in the morning the very next day, but I talked it over with Ben, packed my bags, slept for a couple of hours and Ben drove to the airport to catch a very early flight. I was a little out of it on the flight there with it all happening so fast (less than 12 hours from getting the voicemail to the time of my flight) and I also had not been on a plane for 6 years, and this would only be my 3rd airplane trip (REALLY hoping to travel more one day-it is probably on of my BIGGEST passions and dreams in life-next to becoming a famous singer, of course). I was SO nervous to fly alone for the first time in my life (I get anxiety over silly things sometimes), but it worked out. Thank goodness! Even if several people did keep asking me if I was okay during the flight. I must have looked really out of it. I know I felt that way. Let’s blame it on the short notice, no sleep, early flight ( I am no morning person), and first time flying alone, shall we?
 

When I was picked up from the airport, I still remember how nice it felt to be home for a little bit. The babysitting was great! The children were so much fun! I LOVE these kids! This was my first time meeting the baby, Cayson (who was adorable-wouldn’t you agree?), and although it made for some long days and sleepless nights, it was kind of fun playing Mom and getting a better feel for the role. Growing up as the oldest of 10 children gives you a lot of experience, but with children, there is always room for more! It was really fun tag teaming as their babysitters with Cami, but I really missed Ben, like A LOT! Good thing I had my amazing sister, adorable children and an occasional visit from my Mom and the rest of my family to keep me preoccupied.

Seriously, aren’t these kids adorable? And you would not believe how sweet and fun and well behaved they are. Meet Carter, Taylor, Cayson, Celeste and Chassie the Chihuahua.

After saying goodbye to the kids-which was a little hard after so much time together, Cami and I spent the night at my parent’s. We had fun doing makeovers and all sorts of girly stuff while having a sleepover, before our flight together in the morning! That’s right, last minute Cami decided to exchange her babysitting money for a round trip ticket to Colorado! I was SO excited to show her around Colorado and get the honor of taking her on her first plane ride ever! If you can’t tell, I was pretty excited! First plane ride: check! First plane ride alone: check! Assisting someone on their first ride: check! I’d say I was moving up in airplane experience!

 

We got to the airport thinking we were late and missing our flight, but it ended up being delayed by 2 hours and so we grabbed some snacks as a fix to our munchies, walked around, and then spent the remainder of the time taking silly photos (a ton-I spared you and only shared a very select few) trying to pass the time. I will never forget the excitement that spread across Cami’s face when they announced it was time to start boarding the plane for our flight. It was so neat getting to be there with her and share it with her.

Just before take off, it was stormy outside and I still remember Cami saying “This is the perfect weather for my first flight!” thick with that famous Ahlstrom sarcastic humor. That storm made for one bumpy ride to Colorado and since I had given her the window seat (a must your first time, right?) I got really a bit sick and claustrophobic. Cami handled it all like a champ and luckily it is only an hour flight after all-thank goodness for that!

We spent our time in Colorado together out grabbing junk food, buying more junk food to take home with us to accompany our chick flicks, goofing off, taking pictures, having deep philosophical conversations about life, shopping, grabbing Jamba Juice, laying out by the pool, playing in the pool, visiting cousins, having a blast together at Water World and chilling at the lake. It was such a fun few days and all went by much too fast. Before we knew it, I was dropping her off at the airport for her first plane ride by herself. Her plane travels have come a long way since then. She just got home from Ecuador today. She spent the past 5 months volunteering in an orphanage, and is now spending a couple months back home in Utah, before leaving to serve a mission to Oregon. I am so very proud of the person she is and all she has and will accomplish. She is without a doubt incredible, sweet and absolutely amazing. We have had our ups and downs over the years, (as sisters and best friends often do) but I am so grateful for all we have together and all we have gotten through together and I love her so very, very much! After all, I strongly believe it is not where you have been in life, but what you have become that is important with any situation or relationship. Thanks for being such a good example to me of living life to the fullest, being compassionate, and for carrying with you such an amazing light and testimony of Christ and the Gospel. I love you, Cami!

It's the little things that mean the most

Especially when it comes to our children and the sweet, tender things they say and do. It truly is the little things that end up being the big things in life. I have felt overwhelmed with this little blessing of mine today and just had to write this post to express myself. I am spending a lot of time reminiscing in the past (which has been fun), but wanted to take a minute to write about some of my present feelings. I am SO blessed with so many of those wonderful little big things in my life, but the biggest “little” thing that means the most in my life would have to be this sweet little boy whole stole my heart. He calls me Mom.

He was born so perfect, so precious, so special and I feel so blessed to know him and to get to help him through his earthly journey. When it comes to children-I won the lottery, folks! There are so many amazing blessings he has contributed to my life that have made it so grand,  so wonderful, so glorious! I owe so much of my happiness to him and to a loving Father in Heaven who entrusted such a sweet gift to me.

LOVE those little toes, fingers, lips, eyelashes, ears and feet

LOVE his adorable smile (6 months, 9 months and 1 year old)

LOVE all of these cute and silly faces. My favorite is on the right, one that has come to be known as the famous “cheezer smile”.

LOVE his loving nature and playfulness! He brings so much fun into my life!

Most of all I LOVE the love he has for the Savior. This picture was taken while he was looking at a picture of Christ I have on display in our home. He teaches me so  much about the love of the Savior-charity, in its purest form.

I LOVE my son!!! He gives the sweetest hugs and kisses (especially when he runs up behind me and hugs my legs while saying "awe"), has the cutest giggle, likes to be silly and tease and squeal and has the cutest cheesy grin I have ever seen, helps me feel better when I am having a rough day, he even helps me pick up his toys, exclaims "wow!" whenever he is excited about something, dances on demand... while chanting "dance! dance!", he folds his arms for prayers, gets excited when ever he sees a picture of Christ and exclaims "Jesus!", plays so cute with his "doggie" and other children, but most of all...he is the sweetest, purest, most special spirit I have ever known and I am so blessed to have such an incredible child call me "Mom". I am SO blessed!!! It is the little toes, smiles, giggles, words, mannerisms and testimony that make up one of the BIGGEST blessings of my life! I love you with all my heart, Jayden Benjamin Ostler!

I love you always and forever, my sweet angel. Always and FOREVER!

Married Life Rocks-Especially With a Hubby Like Mine!

My husband is incredible and always has a something up his sleeve to surprise me with and brighten my day. January of 2009 I got really sick for a week-not fun, but my amazing guy surprised me by bringing me these flowers to me when he got home from work one day and proceeded to make me soup to enjoy on the couch while we watched a chick flick together, complete with one of his famous foot rubs! It was so incredibly romantic and sweet. Turns out being sick when you are married is kind of nice-the getting taken care of and pampered part anyway.

How sweet is he?! If you know me…you know I LOVE wild flower arrangements!

A couple weeks later, I had a not so fun day at work and Ben knew just the thing to get me back to happy Danae land once again. Back when I was attending Snow College, we had this tradition we called the “Denny Run”. When the stress of college life built to be too much or when we just felt like some extra fun, we would all pack into the car and drive the hour to Salina to hit up the Denny’s in the middle of the night. Blasting the speakers with the best music, an hour drive away from it all, giggling, visiting, enjoying some yummy food at midnight and getting back in the wee hours of the morning was a tradition that holds fond memories for me. Ben, knowing this, whisked me away one night for a “Denny’s Run”. It was perfect! In fact, I think I like them with him even better! We only got a 20 minute get away to Ogden, but we did blast the best music and giggle and talk and enjoy yummy food and got home in the wee hours of the morning and it was all so much fun!

Me and my new Denny’s Run pal and the best I have ever had-trust me, I had really AMAZING roomies, so that is saying something!

He makes me OH SO HAPPY!!!