CALLED TO SERVE

After out beloved Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, made the announcement a year ago that missionaries would be able to serve at a younger age, I began to realize that lives were about to change.

I have never been the perfect (or close to it), poster-child for the Church, but ever since I was baptized, I've always had a love for the Gospel and for helping people. These two things combined with the many experiences I have had throughout my youth that have testified to me that serving a full-time mission is what I should begin preparing for, have driven me to foresee a mission in my future.

When I went to my cousin's farewell talk (years ago when the thought of a mission was waaaaay beyond my consideration at the time), he said something that changed me that day; he said, "Decide today if you are going to go on a mission. Make that decision now."

So I did. I decided right then and there, in that very chapel in Houston, Texas that I was going to go on a mission when the time came.

So after hearing the announcement, I prayed, fasted, thought hard about my priorities, prayed, considered the pros and cons, tried to push the idea of serving right now out of my mind just to make sure I couldn't actually put it out of my mind and that it really was what I wanted, prayed some more, and I soon began to realize that everything that tugged at my heart pointed toward a mission. Of course the last thing I want to do is leave behind people I love, BYU, starting my major, good job opportunities, the usual, etc...

but,

I love this Gospel so much and I even love people that I have never met before. How is that possible? I don't really know, but I know that love is from the Lord, who IS our Savior, Jesus Christ. I want to share this message of truth, not because serving brings me happiness, but because the Gospel and the divine love from above can bring others happiness and everyone deserves to feel that love and know where and who is it from. I KNOW that when we sacrifice good things for better things and work according to the Lord's timing, things work out for us. And it works that way because the Lord loves us so much.

So after months of working on my mission papers and trying to ignore the temptation to put my mission off for later on down the road I finally got my papers in and....

I finally got my call.

Dear Sister Howle,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Canada Toronto Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months. You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, February 26, 2014. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language.

I'M GOING TO CANADA AND I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER.

happiness

I'm not always happy, but I'm never unhappy.

There will always be things that make it hard to smile, but to always remember and never forget why we even smile in the first place is what being happy is all about.



Have a happy Tuesday!
Court

bloglovin

I'm becoming all sorts of familiar with the social networks.
So, follow me on Bloglovin?

Thaaaanks a bunch! Have a happy Wednesday!
Court

talks

Long talks.
They're so perfect. It really is through long talks that we learn about all that really matters in our jumbled/confusing/crazy/overwhelming/but-oh-so-beautiful lives, but they teach us so much about ourselves, too. I always come out of them feeling so grateful and enlightened.

Sometimes I think we focus a lot on what we are not and what we lack and what we wish we had and were. But sometimes, I think it is important to recognize what we are and what we have and what we know and what we can become. This reminds me of when Elder Holland talks about our quest for faith in his talk Lord, I Believe when he says "I am not asking you to pretend to faith you do not have. I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have."
I think life is about never forgetting what we do know and have and who we have become now and then from there moving forward being better and better day by day. Elder Hollands put it beautifully when he said:

"The size of your faith or the degree of your knowledge is not the issue--it is the integrity you demonstrate toward the faith you do have and the truth you already know."

Day by day, precept upon precept.<--that is life.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Oh, and thanks to a certain blog I follow, I am now officially obsessed with this song.

As if I wasn't already obsessed with "Royals". It's fine.

Happy Tuesday.

xoxo,
Court

rain, rain, never go away

(thursday's post that was never actually posted)

Today has consisted of rain, good reads, and some camera play. And may I just say that I'm in my happy place. Sometimes there is nothing more tranquil than just being alone doing what you please while listening to the rain drip outside your window. (I can also hear native-soul-searching music outside, so that adds to my happiness).

This morning I read about the power of the Holy Ghost. It's really cool how we
have the ability to learn things that man doesn't know
to remember things when we need to
to be comforted in times of trouble
to know what to do even when we really don't know what to do
and so much more all by our worthiness through the power of the Holy Ghost. It's such a blessing. I love being able to feel so happy when I try a little harder to be a little better.

So, I was playing with my camera this morning. I finally figured out how to get the effects that I've been dying to capture, therefore, I will be taking a much needed trip up the canyon soon to take some shots. All parties welcome.

I also read this story this morning

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same
hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an
hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from
his lungs.

His bed was next to the room's only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on
his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their
homes, their jobs, their involvement in the
military service, where they had been on
vacation..

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the
window could sit up, he would pass the time by
describing to his roommate all the things he could
see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those
one hour periods where his world would be
broadened and enlivened by all the activity and
colour of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while
children sailed their model boats. Young lovers
walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour
and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen
in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in
exquisite details, the man on the other side of
the room would close his eyes and imagine this
picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window
described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band -
he could see it in his mind's eye as the
gentleman by the window portrayed it with
descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring
water for their baths only to find the lifeless body
of the man by the window, who had died
peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital
attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man
asked if he could be moved next to the window.
The nurse was happy to make the switch, and
after making sure he was comfortable, she left
him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one
elbow to take his first look at the real world
outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window
besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have
compelled his deceased roommate who had
described such wonderful things outside this
window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and
could not even see the wall.

She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage
you.'


Chillllllllssss. 
Yep, it was just too good not to share.

What if we all looked for ways to make someone's day a little more beautiful?

Happy Saturday,
Court

What will you choose?

So I know I'm super late, but last Thursday I celebrated the big 2-0. It's weird because 20 year-olds used to be the people that I thought were considered old. So yeah, I guess now I'm OLD. It's cool, though. Another year older, another year wiser... I mean, that's how it works, right?

So thank you to everyone who made my birthday so special. I felt very loved and I am so grateful to have such good people that care so much about me. Seriously though, I really felt super cool every time someone posted on my wall...so thank y'all for all the posts, emails, and birthday wishes. I love y'all.

But really, this past year has been the best year of my life because I've learned so much.
about what is right
what is wrong
who I am now and who I am meant to be
what I really want out of life
what is important and what is not
how to be more selfless and considerate of others
how to let go of things that I can't control
how to trust in and rely on the Lord with all the energy of my soul
that good things and happiness come to those who are worthy
that we experience things because they help us to be who we are supposed to be
that listening is sometimes more important than always having an answer
how to be patient and loving of people, even if they're hard to love
that everyone has something to share
to not make excuses
that humility really helps relieve daily struggles
that sharing and giving of myself is more important than always looking out for myself
to find beauty in the small and simple things
to be grateful for everything, even when I struggle
to always remember what I know, where I stand, and what my purpose is
to be forgiving of others as well as myself
to be willing to sacrifice good things for better things
that just because others may seem like they are okay doesn't mean they aren't struggling on the inside
to be there for others
and that the Lord really does love me and you so much, despite our imperfections.

I just want to say how grateful I am for the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I've really come to love this Gospel with all of my heart. It really lights this fire inside of me that just makes me feel so happy and at peace. Our Heavenly Father knows us, even better than we think we know ourselves. He knows what we are capable of and the worth of our each of our souls is sooo great in His sight. We are so precious to Him. I know that He loves each of us with such a love that I don't think we even comprehend sometimes. I know Christ lived and died for us because of the pure love He has for each of us. He completely and perfectly understands us. He knows exactly how we feel when we are sad and frustrated, but also when we are excited and happy. This Gospel is true. If anything is true and right and good, it IS this Gospel.

This weekend, a bunch of good people and I gathered to watch the CES Devotional given by Elder Russell M. Nelson called Youth of the Noble Birthright: What Will You Choose?. In this enlightening and inspired devotional, Elder Nelson posed eight questions:

1) What will you choose to increase in learning?
2) What manner of living will you choose?
3) Will you establish priorities to help make choices in life?
4) With whom will you choose to associate?
5) Will you choose freedom or bondage?
6) Will you choose to follow the Lord or the philosophies of men?
7) How will you prepare for your personal interview with the Savoir?
8) In whom will you put your trust?

Wow, right?
This life is the time for us to prepare to meet God. Life after death isn't just something people talk about and hope for-- it is a real thing. We are going to stand before our Heavenly Father one day.

Are we ready for that?

We can't forget how much God loves us. We are capable of living righteous lives, even if it is hard. It is through those struggles that we find out how strong we really are and it is through those struggles that we realize who we really are and who we really can become. Elder Nelson put it so perfectly when he said "As you choose to live on the Lord's side, you are never alone. God has given you access to His help while you move along mortality's perilous pathway. As you diligently, earnestly pour your heart out to Him in daily prayer, He will send His angels to help you." 

It's just really awesome how beautiful life can be.

Happy Monday-ish,
Court

PS- Don't forget: YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS

I promise, I still exist.

    8.2.13

Have you ever had a rootbeer float that not only came with unlimited root beer, but also came in a glass that was bigger than your head? I hadn't. Until I went to this cute diner in Lehi. 

Sooooo worth the 30 minute drive. Go there ---> *One Man Band Diner*

    8.9.13

I got my wisdom teeth pulled. 

Now, I am a big baby when it comes to stuff like this. Like, it kinda freaks me out. So of course, what do I do? I start YouTubing videos of people that had just gotten their teeth taken out. (Literally the funniest things I've ever watched) Anyway, so my friend gives me a blessing the night before. And honestly, it brought me so much comfort. #priesthoodpower I was sooo much more at peace--before. Now afterrrr is a different story. Afterwards, I was wacko. We won't go into it, though. My healing process included some High School Musical, some ice packs, and some really great friends that stayed by my side the whole time. 

Shout out to...

Hayley for driving me and changing my bloody gauze.

Braeden for making sure I took my medicine and changing my ice packs.

Will for giving me a blessing and babysitting me while I slept.

and Kelly for getting me everything I needed and always checking up on me.

    8.11.13

Q: What is better than a picnic in the park?
A: Going to a picnic in the park on a sunny Sunday with some really cool people.
Sundays always seem to be the most beautiful day of the week. Sundays make it really hard not to recognize the beauty of the earth and reflect on the wisdom of God.

Looking at theses pictures and thinking about how beautiful the earth really is reminds me of the primary song My Heavenly Father Loves Me:

Whenever I hear the song of a bird

Or look at the blue, blue sky,

Whenever I feel the rain on my face

Or the wind as it rushes by,

Whenever I touch a velvet rose

Or walk by our lilac tree,

I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heav'nly Father created for me

But really, though. Heavenly Father created all of this for us. Why? Because He loves us. Everything He does He does because He cares so much about us and loves us.

    8.21.13

Today my Carls Sister Case reported to the MTC.

Omaha, Nebraska sure is in for a treat for the next 18 months. Love this girl.