I Am a Mormon Monday: Meet Kirsten

I am Kirsten and I grew up in a military family. We moved often and now I love to travel, see new places, and meet new people. I have been studying health for about 5 years now and am pursuing my bachelors degree in microbiology. I love learning and progressing any way that I can. I am a novice blogger so give it a little time before checking me out at essentialhealthfoodie.wordpress.com. ;) 

I went on a mission to the best mission in the world, the Arizona Mesa Mission! I loved every minute of it and still think about it every single day. I had the most amazing experiences and met incredible people. Two weeks after getting home from my mission I met the man of my dreams in Provo, Utah. We went on our first date a month later and were married in the Manti Temple ten months later. Over the last 9 months of marriage, we have lived in three states and have now settled in Las Vegas for the time being. A fun start to the eternal journey I get to have with my best friend!!

I was born into an LDS family and was raised by incredible parents. Although I have been a member of The Church my whole life, I have not always followed the gospel principles. There was a time that I thought that I knew how to live my life and I could figure things out on my own. I lived life the way I thought I wanted to, the way everyone told me would make me happy. Pretty soon I was falling faster than I could catch myself. One particular evening I had gone to work as normal, but something was definitely not normal. I had this scary feeling in my heart that would not leave. One of my best friends and roommate at that time found a Book of Mormon at our house and brought it to me when she picked me up from work. It was the only thing that made me feel better and brought me the comfort my soul was searching for. That night, It became clear that I was far from happy living my life the way I had. It was a very tangible realization that I needed to make some significant changes in my life immediately. I know that it was a warning from my Heavenly Father. Through the power of Christ's Atonement, I was able to change. I was able to feel the burden of sin lifted from me. I felt hope for the first time in a very long time. I will forever be grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who continued to reach out to me with loving and forgiving arms. I started to meet with the missionaries to relearn all of the lessons taught by the gospel of Jesus Christ. I started to read in the Book of Mormon and felt its cleansing power. I started to pray to my Father in Heaven and I felt Him so close to me. I made the changes that I needed to and have seen non stop blessings and miracles.

I know that no matter how far lost we feel, out Heavenly Father is only a prayer away. I know that if we will just reach out to Him, even if it is only a little bit, He will take us by the hand. I know that the Book of Mormon is a book from God. It was translated by the prophet Joseph Smith. I know without a shadow of a doubt, that by reading the Book of Mormon we will be comforted and
will receive guidance in our life. Our Heavenly Father prepared a Plan of Happiness for us, His children, so that we can live with Him again. I know that He loves us more than we could ever even imagine, even if we are made mistakes. He loves us even when we continue to make mistakes. He will help us to overcome any trial we are faced with. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God's church.

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Hope, to me, is the combination of faith and trust. The faith portion is the action or actually doing something. I believe with all my heart that we must put forth the effort and action necessary. That is how we obtain faith in this. In combination with faith, we must trust. We must trust our Heavenly Father and our Savior, we must trust the prophets and apostles, we must trust the Spirit. Hope is that internal beacon of light that shines in the midst of any trial or hardship. It is the motivator to continue forward, even when we don't completely understand why. Hope is what pushes us beyond our own sphere of comfort and helps us to progress in ways we never thought we could. 

I hope for many things. I hope for good things to come into my life. I hope that I will become a better wife and future mother. I hope that I will be able to get my education and do well at it. I hope to be able to bless the lives of all of those that I come in contact with. I hope to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ. I hope to be able to inspire hope in others.

How do you live your faith?

I live my faith with everything that I do. It is a part of everything that I do and say. I love listening to conference talks and reading the Ensign magazine. I strive to be the very best wife I can be and show respect and love to my wonderful husband. I try to become the woman I need to be for my future children. I love to serve others, especially my Relief Society sisters.I am the Relief Society Secretary and love it so much. I love to go out and teach with the full-time missionaries in my ward. I do all that I can to be actively involved in ward activities and participate while I am at church. I love it when people share their experiences and insights because that is how we learn from each other. I truly believe that we come in contact with different people for a reason and if we will just take the opportunity to get to know those around us, we will be amazed at what they can teach us. Heavenly Father knows who to put in our paths at the perfect time, either for us or for them. I am so grateful for the constant guidance of the Spirit in my life to lead me to where I need to be.

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/ktaylor2050

https://www.pinterest.com/essentialfoodie/

Thank you so much for having me Kimberly!!

I Am a Mormon Monday

My name is Madeline & I am married to my Canadian sweetheart Tyler! I started my blog, Mr. & Mrs. Vance, to document all of the exciting adventures with my husband during these first few beautiful years of marriage. (It’s not all rainbows and roses though) I didn't know if I would stick with it or not, but I have ended up just LOVING to blog! It’s my little outlet and I love the friends I have made. 

What is hope and what do you hope for?

I like to think that hope is similar to faith. Hope is a feeling of trust and the desire for a particular outcome. My hopes are simple: I hope to better myself in this crazy life, I hope to be a mom, I hope to spend my life serving, I hope for years ahead full of laughter, family trips as well as spending it by my husband’s side. I hope to have a life revolved around the gospel, my family, and love.

How do you live your faith?

I think the best way that anyone can live their faith is by example. Live your faith by the way you walk, talk and dress. Speak kindly of others, do good. Invite others to feel the same joy you do. These are all parts of living by faith. I work everyday on living by faith, and not by fear. Above all, I live my faith through love.

I also want to say thank you to the beautiful Kimberly for asking me to be featured on her lovely blog! What a great opportunity this was, thanks again!

XOXO,

Madeline

Let’s be friends!

Blog link: http://madelineandtyler.blogspot.com

Bloglovin: https://www.bloglovin.com/madelinevance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madeline.ashcraft.7

Instagram: @mrsmadelinevance

.................................................................................................................................................................. If you are interested in being apart of I Am a Mormon Monday, please contact me! Email: bostonksox@gmail.com

I Am a Mormon Monday: Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley and I blog over at The Power of One Girl (link). I have competed in nine different pageants and never took the crown, it was after the last pageant that I realized I was never meant to win, it was all about the journey. After trying to please and impress judge after judge, I came to the realization that Christ was the only one I ever need to please. Now I'm making it my life mission to empower girls to have strong self esteem through being comfortable in their own skin as they get on the journey to draw closer to Christ. I love speaking to young women groups about this message as well as writing down my life lessons and adventures. I am a Mormon because this gospel brings me a sense of peace and hope that can't be imitated. I am forever changed day by day through this gospel.

How do you live your faith?

I live my faith by striving to focus on my Savior daily. Christ-like attributes are something I strive to live my life around. The more I focus on humility and integrity, two attributes Jesus Christ was perfect at, the more my I draw closer to Christ and my confidence grows. As I devote my life to the will of my Heavenly Father, I find a greater sense of peace and happiness that can't be found anywhere else in this world. Making my faith part of my every thought, every word, every action, and every aspiration is what draws me closer to my Savior and builds a greater strength in my life that I would be lost without. 

What is hope to you?

Hope to me is believing things will get better and work out when you are at your lowest point. Hope is moving forward and always believing there is room for self improvement. Hope is the desire and expectation that promised blessings will come. Hope is the belief that Christ is always there and He will carry you through the difficult times in your life.

I hope to get married and become a mother. I hope to make an impact on teen girls and the way they feel about who they are and what they look like. I hope to make every day of my life a day for self improvement and becoming my absolute best self. I hope for success, happiness, love, and many opportunities to give of myself and serve others.

Blog - www.ashleyfrederickson.blogspot.com

Website - www.powerofonegirl.com

Twitter - www.twitter.com/powerofonegirl

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/powerofonegirl

Instagram - http://instagram.com/ashleymariefrederickson/

Pinterest www.pinterest.com/ashley5524

I Am a Mormon Monday

About Me:

Hi there! My name is Harley and I blog over at Harley and Jane. My friend Jane and I started blogging about two years ago when we realized that we probably wouldn't live down the block from each other forever. The blog keeps us updated on each others lives and makes us talk more than we ever would other wise. Now that she lives in Logan, Utah and I live in Chicago, IL it is the glue that holds us together. We blog about journaling, fashion, cooking, our lives, pretty much whatever suits our fancy that day. We blog to capture those brief moments of loveliness and beauty that surround us.

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Hope to me is a brightness. I think this quote from The Great Gatsby sums it up perfectly "Reserving Judgement is a matter of infinite hope." How beautiful are those words? Hope is to give people the benefit of the doubt. To trust others. To let yourself be swept away by an idea.

How do you live your faith? 

I think that I live by faith everyday when I wake up in the morning. To be happy requires faith. To choose to look for the best in this world is to attribute both the good and bad in life to some divine plan. I work in advertising which is a extremely creative field. I feel that using creativity daily also allows me to live my faith because I think we have a Heavenly Father that wants us to create. I think the most fulfilling thing in this life is creating a family. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to be able to do that one day. I also live my faith by being kind. Often there just isn't enough of that in the world. 

Thank you so much for having me Kimberly! 

I Am a Mormon Monday: Meet Courtney

 Follow me on Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest // Bloglovin // Twitter

About Me:

My name is Courtney and I blog over at All Things Unpredictable & Chic! My blog focuses on affordable fashion and encourages women to express their own personal style. I also love sharing DIY projects, new recipes, modest fashion trends, and my newlywed adventures living and working in downtown Salt Lake City!

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Hope is what fills my life with happiness. Hope is often misunderstood and hints at uncertainty. I believe it is a gift of the Spirit allowing us to look forward to the things ahead. I hope for a happy life! One filled with happiness, laughter, and memories with the ones I love. I want to have a life I can look back at with no regrets and fill contentment with the things I have done here on Earth.

 

How I live my faith:

I live my faith through service. It is important to look for opportunities to serve others, to give the benefit of the doubt to someone in need, to look for ways to comfort others when they are in difficult times. When you love someone and prayerfully seek ways to help them, your service speaks more than your words.


Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be featured on your blog Kimberly!!
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Interested in being featured on my blog for I Am a Mormon Monday?
Email: bostonksox@gmail.com 

I AM A MORMON MONDAY: MEET PAOLA

I am a wife to a very handsome man, a mom of an energetic little flirt, a dedicated, loving, committed friend and an individual that knows that faith can move mountains. I am a social butterfly, a great Colombian cook, I am an individual that feels honor to serve and love others. I am a fun kind-hearted gal, I am a MORMON! 

ABOUT ME

I could probably write a book about my unique life, but I'll do my best shot to make it short... Hey I can talk and talk and talk for hours. I was born and grew up in Bogotá, Colombia ( South America ), and yes,  I have an accent and a lot of people have compared me with Sophia Vergara's personality. A little sweet and corky! I was raised by an incredible loving mom and a very social and talented father who sacrificed the best they had to give me a good education and a comfortable life. 

I learned about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 2001 during an open house of the Temple in Bogotá. I remember entering and thinking that I was in the most beautiful and peaceful place in the world. I felt purity, love, a feeling I never felt before...my life was never the same after that day, I knew I wanted to learn more and I didn't want that wonderful feeling to go away.

 After getting baptized in 2002 my life took a 360. To make the story short and not get into too many details, my family's life was in danger and we had to leave everything behind to protect our lives from a terrorist group that decided to threaten our family. To avoid risks,my parents had to rush our way out of the country. I was in school in class and the next thing I was hiding in the back seat of a car on my way to the airport. No goodbyes, there was no time to take it all in, everything happened too fast.

 I said goodbye to my parents and didn't know if that was the last time I will see them again. I was only 15 years old!  All of my goals, my dreams, everything had vanished and we moved to the United States with nothing, as a refuge of the USA, and had to start all over again. I remember that feeling.. it was like leaving the perfect life, closing your eyes and waking up in a strange place. 

I knew I could never go back and didn't know what to expect and what was ahead.

Years passed, and we learned how to live and cope with this event. I was a Catholic before getting baptized, but regardless of my religious background my parents made sure that we knew and loved Christ, and taught us to have faith. I became inactive, in a different country, not speaking the language, without any friends and with a new identity, what do you expect? Even thought my life was a little  complicated at that time, I always loved the gospel and regardless I kept my baptism covenants and tried my best to live a righteous life. Believe it or not, I attended more than 12 different religious groups and meetings for 3 years, but I never felt like l was in the right place.  When I turned 21, I started feeling empty hearted, I knew that spiritually I was missing something and started searching and attending a non denominational christian church, I really enjoyed the meetings, but I still felt like my heart was not where it belonged.

My life took another 360 degree turn when I met a new family that consisted of two brothers and a sister ( Herman, Carlos and Carolina) who just moved from Colombia, best part is, they were LDS(Mormon). I started attending their ward and became active again. 

I felt extremely happy and complete when I walked in that church building for the first time. 

But regardless of all the obstacles in my life I never lost faith, never forgot who I was, an important daughter of Heavenly Father, and never doubted for a minute that there was always a TOMORROW, a tomorrow to be better, to improve and succeed. All that pain that I endured was the best blessing I could ever asked for, it made me who I am today. I am a strong kind hearted woman who loves others unconditionally and is always willing to listen and help. These events shaped my character and through them my testimony grew so strong and it continues to grow today.

Two months after returning to church my parents moved and we were all reunited. Big YAY!  The best part was that I met an incredible man, who didn't care or was scared about my past. A man who took my heart, melted it with love and took my hand in marriage. I have an amazing husband, and incredible in laws!  We celebrated our 6 year anniversary just this past May and now have a gorgeous, incredible fun 2 year old boy. 

I can tell you that life cannot be better! I have no regrets, no sorrow, no why's, all I can say is thank you Heavenly Father for every blessing that I have and for making me learn the hard way. I love myself and who I am and always look forward to defeating any challenges.

 IT'S NOT THE DESTINATION THAT YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS INTERESTED IN, IT'S HOW YOU MAKE THE JOURNEY! 

So I feel like you don't know me that well yet, yikes, this defeats the whole purpose!!! I love dancing. I'm known for shaking my hips like there is no tomorrow. My favorite workout is Zumba, I love fashion ( just started a new blog (Fit Fun & Faithful), I love cooking and inviting friends over (I like decorating the table and plates, my friends get a 5 star treatment when I have them over for dinner) 

I love camping, shopping, traveling, making jewelry, socializing, movies and new adventures. I'm a very easy going person that is always in the mood to laugh and have a good time. But what I love the most is spending time with my family and creating beautiful memories. 

WHAT IS HOPE AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR?

I am in between the walls right now, I think because of all the life events I had to endure my definition of hope is very different and unique. Hope for me is knowing that there is always a tomorrow, knowing that here are better things to come and never giving up and dream big. Hope is knowing that there is a Father in heaven that wants the best for us. A Father that loves us unconditionally and that He has not placed us on this earth to fail.. in the contrary, to succeed and be the best we can be!  I like to be sarcastic and say with a little of tuff love! He knows us better than we know ourselves and that is the reason why we need to put all of our trust in him regardless of the situation.

I don't know what to hope for. Uh thats a bad thing to say, nutty me! I live day by day counting my blessings and trying to be the best person that I can be.  Oh... and needless to say, I hope to always be kind hearted and the best example for my children to follow.  Wow that's a big expectation!!! 

HOW I LIVE MY FAITH

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, very hard question! I know I am not perfect in anyway, but I'm conscious that I can live my faith by example.  I live my faith by serving and having compassion for others needs and  feelings and trying my best, with realistic expectations, to help them in any way I possibly can. I live my faith by trying to have a Christlike attitude.

Thank you my gorgeous friend for allowing me to share my story with everyone. 

I really enjoyed sharing my testimony! 

Want to participate in I Am a Mormon Monday?

Email me: bostonksox@gmail.com

I Am a Mormon Monday: Meet Stephanie

About me: 

I drink too much Coke, drive a little too fast, get way too involved in my OCD tenancies... why? Because I work full time and go to school with six kids, two dogs, and a fish. They call me mom, I call them The Circus.  You can just call me Steph.

Why am I Mormon? 

Technically speaking you could say I was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) but I'm not Mormon because my parents told me to be.  My parents didn't attend church regularly and didn't expect me to either.  But even as a child of 8 years old I knew that going to church was something I needed and loved to do. So I would go to church by myself.  The church house was close enough for me to walk to, and I lived near my grandparents so I was able to sit with them at church on most Sundays.  As the years passed my grandparents grew ill and weren't always able to attend church.  On those Sundays in my teenage years I still went to church by myself, but I never felt alone. The gospel of Jesus Christ has always rung true to my heart and soul and I can honestly say I live it, not because anyone has ever told me I had to, because growing up the choice was always optional and always mine, but because of my own accord and convictions that it is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. And that's something that has always been with me.

What is hope and what do I hope for?

Hope is the idea that life is good, solid, and okay.  Even when it doesn't feel like it at the moment.  Hope is knowing that whatever it is we face in this life, it is worth it. Life gets difficult, but in the words of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, we can "hope on."  ( https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/lord-i-believe?lang=eng )  Doctrine and Covenants 45:62 says, "For verily I say unto you, that great things await you;" I hope for that.

How do I live my faith?

I would hope I live my faith with real intent.  Marjorie Pay Hinckley summed it up perfectly when she said, “I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”

You can find out more about me here:

Blog: http://www.circusofmine.blogspot.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thecircus6

Or you can also find me here:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/circusofmine.blogspot

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/thecircus6

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thecircus6

Thank you, Kim, my heart is full.
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If you are interested in being apart of the I Am a Mormon Monday series on Diary of a Brown Eyed Girl, send me an email and I will fill you in on all the details.  Email: bostonksox@gmail.com 

I Am a Mormon Monday: Meet Sarah

About me:

Hi! I am Sarah Kolar. I live in Utah County, Utah. I love where I live. I love the mountains, the diversity of people, & the fact that there is so much to do here. I love running, although you wouldn't know it with how slow I am and the fact that I would rather eat a cookie ;). I have been married for 6 yrs to my husband, Shawn. I am a full-time mom to 2 beautiful kids, Charlotte, 1 1/2yrs, and Ryan, 6 weeks. I also work full time as a dental hygienist in Salt Lake City, I love everything about my job. It's hard to work and be a mom & wife, but it's well worth it. 

Why am I Mormon?

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints because after deep and humble prayer in many situations in my life, The Holy Ghost has born witness to me that what I have studied, read (The Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine & Covenants, & The Pearl of Great Price) is true and that the principles of which I live by are true. Some of these situations are: dealing with death of a non-member grandparent, reading and finishing The Book of Mormon, miracles of watching a nephew be healed, etc. I can't imagine not having the knowledge that I have about this life and not being LDS. 

What is hope? And what do I hope for?

My favorite definition of hope is from a book called, "I Hope You Dance", by Mark D. Sanders & Tia Sillers. It's a beautiful book. It says, " What is hope? To want? To desire? To expect that what's envisioned may indeed happen? YES to all the above. Is hope that gun feeling that it's worth holding out and hanging on just a little longer? ABSOLUTELY. Is hope the core of the human condition? CERTAINLY. Can you have hope without faith and humility and wonder? THAT'S TOUGH. Just the thought that there's something bigger, something truer, something totally surprising out there waiting for us is... priceless. What would you be without hope growing deep in your bones, thriving in every inch of you? NOTHING. What does it take to hope? Hope takes never ceasing to be amazed...wearing your soul on your sleeve... Holding your breath, waiting to hear "I love you, too..." Believe that tomorrow could be better than today... that you'll get a second chance... that you'll make a difference... that you matter." 

I hope for the good things in this world. That people are better than they seem. That my life, through the way I am living, will influence someone else for good. 

How do I live my faith?

I live my faith by befriending and serving individuals as much as I can. I want people that know me to want to get to know the Savior better. Through prayer and listening to the spirit, I try to be guided in who I can help by just listening, offering advice, serving them, or letting them know that they are important. Through my job as a hygienist and a mom, I have these opportunities everyday. I love when President Ezra Taft Benson said, Those who love the Savior " Not only would...die for him, but more importantly they want to live for him." 

You can contact me by:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/snkolar5

Blog: sandskolar.blogspot.com (email me at sbuzz5@gmail.com to be added)

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/sbuzz5

Thanks, Kimberly for featuring me! 

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If you are interested in being apart of this fun series, shoot me an email and I will add you to the list to be featured on my blog! Email: bostonksox(at)gmail.com

I Am A Mormon Monday: Meet Sarah

 

About Me

Hey readers!! I am a blogger over at mrsdrapersstories.blogspot.ca.  I have been blogging for almost two years now and I love it! I just blog about whatever I feel like. Whether thats about my day, my opinion on something, or just blog some cool pictures. Blogs shouldn't have rules! Blogs are meant to be a reflection of you! And I am random!

What Is Hope and What Do I Hope For?

I feel that hope ties with faith quite well. I know I hope for things all the time. I hope to be better tomorrow, I hope one day that I will be a mother, I hope that I am a good wife, I hope for exaltation. I guess you could compare hope to wishing, but I feel like hope is more realistic, when wishes sometimes aren't as serious. If that makes sense! This is a hard question! Hope is the feeling of something better to come.

How Do I Live My Faith?

I am no perfect Mormon by any means, but I try really hard to be good. I think the most important thing you can do to live your faith is to just be a good example to those around you. When you are a good person, and have the spirit of Christ with you always people will notice the difference in you, and they will want to know what makes you special. I try and do that. I try and be compassionate, and a good friend to those around me. I also live my faith by fulfilling my callings. Right now my husband and  I are primary teachers, and my faith gets stronger when I teach these children of God the gospel. Also most importantly I try and pray to Heavenly Father often, and thank him always for the life I have been given.

I have a strong  testimony of this gospel. I believe it 120%. It is the most real, true thing in this world. I know God lives, and loves me, I know we have a prophet on the earth today. I believe the Bible to be the word of God. I also believe the Book of Mormon to be a true book. I am grateful I have the gospel in my life, for without it, I would not be as happy, as I am today.

 Thank you so much for having me Kimberly! It was so much fun! ...............................................................................................................
If you are interested in being featured on Diary of a Brown Eyed Girl for I Am a Mormon Monday, please contact me and I will send you all the details.  Email: bostonksox@gmail.com    

I Am a Mormon Monday: Meet Kaycee

A little about me! I live in Scottsdale, AZ for half of the year, and Oakland, CA the other half. My husband plays baseball for the Oakland Athletics, and we are a busy, traveling baseball family. Our life is pretty crazy [understatement], but we have been immensely blessed [also an understatement]. 

I was raised Mormon, but spent the majority of my young adult life away from the church. After getting married, my husband and I decided to start going to church. We weren’t like many of the stories you hear, where things were going terribly wrong, we had hit rock bottom and we needed to find something more. In fact, it was pretty much the complete opposite. Our life together was amazing, we had all we needed, and were very blessed and happy. Needless to say, we began going to church anyways and found exactly what we didn’t know we were looking for.

Being Mormon has brought nothing but happiness to my life. Following the teachings of Jesus Christ fills my life with joy, and helps me to have a long-term outlook on the day-to-day aspects of my life. I have never been happier than when I am living my life in a Christ-like way, and am so grateful for this church and it’s teachings in my life.

What is hope and what do you hope for?

For me, hope is the desire for something to happen. What do I hope for? Oh goodness. I might need the next 2,375 blog posts to answer that question! I think what I hope for most is complete happiness in my life. For a happy marriage, happy children, and to bring happiness to everyone that crosses my path. 

How do you live your faith?

I am not the type of person to hand a Book of Mormon out, or talk a lot specifically about my faith (unless of course someone asks!). I would like to think that I live my faith my living a good, Christ-like life and by being an example to those around me. Whether it’s helping someone in need, or simply being a good friend. I have been SO blessed by this church and am so grateful for it in my life.

Twitter: @kayceesogard

Instagram: Kayceesogard

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If you would like to participate in I Am a Mormon Monday, please contact me!
bostonksox@gmail.com

I Am a Mormon Monday: Meet Landon

I am a twenty-something gal, married to my best friend, mom to the cutest 2 year old boy in the world, foster mom, hoping to adopt, piano and voice teacher, with depression and anxiety, a deep love of theater and Coca-Cola. I am a Mormon!! 

Hello there.... I'm Landon!  I have been married to my prince charming for seven years.  We got married in the Portland, Oregon temple after meeting at BYU and have been enjoying life together ever since!  We had a difficult time getting and staying pregnant, but then we were blessed with our miracle child - he is now 2 and we simply adore him.  I can't have any more biological children, but we have always known that we wanted to adopt.  We felt very directed to pursue foster care and are hoping to adopt.  When I'm not chasing my kiddos, you can find me at the piano or singing.  I teach piano and voice lessons and love it!  I also love theatre and hope to go to graduate school to get my MFA in directing. I was raised in a Mormon household.  And, while I was baptized when I turned 8, my conversion to the church came when I was 12.  My family moved from Detroit MI to Portland OR when I was 12.  I was very unhappy about it and complained to everyone about having to leave the only home I'd ever known!  I prayed that our house in Detroit wouldn't sell so we wouldn't have to move.  Well, we moved anyway and lived in an apartment until the house sold.  One night, I broke down.  I felt so bad about seeing my parents so stressed and unhappy.  I knew they wanted to be in Portland and be closer to family.  I prayed (more liked begged!) that our house would sell - I remember pleading with God that the house would sell the next day!  When I came home from school the next day, my parents were at the bus stop waiting for me - I thought someone had died!  Turns out they had gotten and accepted an offer on the house!  It was then that I knew that God knows me, listens to my prayers, and cares about me!  This one experience has shaped my life.  I have always known that I can turn to God in prayer and He will listen with all the care and love of the perfect father. 

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Hope has been my anchor word, especially since becoming a foster mom.  My go to scripture lately has been Hebrews 6:19 "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."  My anchor is rooted in Jesus Christ because I know that he is firm and secure and never fails.  I have depression/anxiety and often times my worry spirals almost out of control.  But Christ is always constant and has the perfect balm to my fears.  Hope isn't just a nice idea.  Hope is a real and living thing.  It brings peace and reassurance.  I hope for happiness for myself, my husband, and children.  I hope for a successful adoption soon.  I hope for an eternal family.  

 How do you live your faith?

I live my faith by choosing moment by moment.  This life isn't easy.  But it's not meant to be.  Life isn't so much about who has it harder or easier, but about how we choose to deal with our challenges.  I choose faith.  And while my sphere of influence is small right now, mostly within the walls of my own home, I try to keep my focus on Christ and in such a way that would make Him happy.  I choose to pray with my children.  To pray with my husband.  To pray by myself.  I choose to smile, to share the happiness and love that I feel inside, to serve, to be kind and generous.  One of the things that I am working on is letting my faith be bigger than my fear.  Where faith lives, fear cannot enter.  I am working daily on putting my trust and hope in God.  It's not easy, but it's a much happier way to live! 

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Instagram is @landonetw and @bannersoflove 

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If you are interested in being featured on my blog for I Am a Mormon Monday. Please contact me and I will add you to the list! Right now I am booked out through November.  

Email: bostonksox@gmail.com ***I look forward to hearing from you!***

I AM A MORMON MONDAY: MEET KALI

Happy Monday to you! I hope you had a fabulous weekend! Our weekend was filled with new house projects, gardening/yard work, and family. 
Guys........... today I am so excited today to announce that I Am a Mormon Monday is back!! I have had a few emails asking "Why aren't you doing I Am a Mormon Monday anymore!?!" I guess my answer to that is life kind of got in the way. Once I was done with my last feature on my blog, I kinda forgot about it until I got another email and decided that I should start it right back up again! So here we are!!
Today I am featuring Kali Matthews. She is wonderful. She is so devoted to the Gospel and has such a love and testimony of Jesus Christ. Her two boys are the cutest and just about two months ago they decided that they would like to become foster parents with an intent to adopt which is so great!
Take it away Kali!

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Hello. I'm Kali Matthews, blogger at www.kalimatthews.blogspot.com. I am one of 8 children and an Air Force Brat, so I've lived all over the United States, but ended up in Sunny California. Here's where I met a tall, dark, and handsome, mysterious basketball coach from the Singles Ward, and we were married in the Oakland Temple 7 1/2 years ago. We were blessed almost right away, with 2 wild little hooligans-- boys. They are crazy, fun, and keep us on our toes. We have felt very prompted lately to pursue adoption through Foster Care and are halfway through the certification process. We are very excited! When I'm not chasing my two boys around or macking on my Husband, you might find me photographing anyone and everyone, at church with the Young Women, or relieving stress in the weight room. You might occasionally find me in the kitchen or cleaning my house, but probably not.

I was blessed to have been born to an LDS family, a convert mom, and a dad relating all the way back to Brigham Young, but as I got older, and we moved around a lot, I had the opportunity to learn about many different cultures and religions. In New Jersey & Ohio, I attended several different churches with friends. There were great qualities about these churches, but for me, nothing could compare to the warm, peaceful, Spirit I felt at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Even though I grew up in the church, I took the missionary discussions at the age of 14 to further acquaint myself with the doctrine. I was also attending seminary and took the challenge to read the Book of Mormon daily and to pray and ask if it were true. I did just that, and for awhile, I wasn't really sure. Then one night, I had an experience that changed me forever, and I realized, that all along, I already knew. I'll never forget that powerful witness. Reading the Bible and Book of Mormon, daily, strengthen me and remind me of who I am and what my purpose is. 

What is hope? 

Well, I just Googled it & my favorite definition to come up was, "a feeling of trust". I LOVE that! I definitely feel like hope and faith are trusting in our Heavenly Father that good things are to come. I am a worrier by nature, so this is an important reminder for me. I hope to see my children raised to become people who change the world for the better. I hope to adopt in the next year or so. I hope to grow old and serve a mission alongside my husband. I hope I never ever get bedbugs {I have an irrational fear... see? worrier by nature}.

How do you live your faith? 

I live my faith by striving to be the best mommy and wife possible. I do believe the most important work you will ever do is within the walls of your own home. I also serve as Young Women's President in my ward. I told them I was probably too disorganized and inappropriate to be Young Women's President, but here I am anyway, and I'm working on both. I have a special love for today's youth, and feel like the girls in my ward are my own little sisters. It's been such a blessing and privilege to work with them and learn from them. I also love serving in the temple, and try to go as often as possible. It is such a beautiful place of peace and refuge from the world. Another way I live my faith, is just by trying to forget myself and serve others. I love Martin Luther King Jr's words,"Life's most urgent and persistent question is: What are you doing for others?" I've just realized that by serving others, my own problems are minimized, and I feel closest to my Savior, Jesus Christ, which is the greatest blessing of all. 

If you would like to know more about what I believe, click HERE.

Thank you, Kimberly for having me on your beautiful blog! I look forward to getting to know other featured bloggers!

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If you are interested in being featured on my blog for I Am a Mormon Monday. Please contact me and I will add you to the list! Right now I am booked out through November 3rd. Next open slot is for November 17th. Email: bostonksox@gmail.com ***I look forward to hearing from you!***