Girls Night Out and TWILIGHT!!!

Last Thursday night was freakin' fantabulous!! First, we had a great GNO! We went up to the Texas Roadhouse. It took a long time by the time we left home, and actually started eating, but it was well worth the time spent! My Moms birthday is on Monday, so the waiters came to do their own unique version of a Texas Happy Birthday, and gave her some free ice cream. As you can see, my mom doesn't mind the attention to much! 

Getting my family together isn't always easy, but we are trying to make it happen more often. I love my family. I gotta say, there isn't anything better in this world that Aunts. If you need any thing done, call your Aunts! They are so fabulous. I hope that me and my sister in laws are as close as my Aunts all are! 

Believe it or not, the best part of the night was yet to come. After dinner, Mom, Maria, her friend Katelynn and I went to the mid night showing of TWILIGHT!! It was such a great night. We waited in line for a while, then they let us in the theater about an hour early. So all of us "Twilighters" sat patiently, but excitedly for our movie to start. Which it finally did (about 15 minutes late) then the sound didn't come on until right before the movie came on. Then about 15 minutes into the movie, the freaking fire alarm went off!! I'm talking movie off, lights on, siren blaring, and a message repeating "You are in extreme danger, exit the building or die." (or something similar) But do you think the simple threat of imminent danger would tear all the die hards away from their year long anticipated movie, you'd be wrong. No on moved!!! We took our chances with the fire, refusing to loose our seats! Talk about dedication. I can see the headlines now..."Death by Twilight!" Crazy fans! Luckily it seemed to be a false alarm and the movie started a few minutes later! 

As far as the movie went! I LOVED IT!!!! Sure, it was different than the book, and of course Edward was nothing like he is in my head, but it was great. Yeah, I could totally pick the movie apart and say that the make up was way too over done, it was obvious that the film was low budgeted, Bella started to bug me so much (I mean some emotion please woman!) But I will just separate the movie from the book, and enjoy it for what it was! I would defiantly go and see it! 

On my mind...

I usually don't watch the news, but with recent happenings with the elections lately, I can't help it, and I was struck with such a realization as to what a terrible world this can be. I can't help but think that God, looking down on us, must be so sad with the choices we (as a whole world) have made. Focusing my thoughts so much on all these things can get overwhelming and scary. I was talking about these things with Stephanie, my sister in law. We jokingly said that we just want to move to a ranch somewhere in the middle of no where and cut our family off from all the out side world. It can be daunting to face the responsibility of raising a family in a world where there is so many terrible things storming about.  As we were discussing some of our fears and concerns, she shared with me some council she had once received. It said that she would raise her family in a time of great wickedness. But it was her responsibility to make sure that she, and her family, are standing strong in the midst of that storm that would surely rage about them. That they must do those simple things: reading their scriptures, holding family  home evenings, going to church & LIVING those principles, if they would then they could stand firm with the Lord. Although the world seems to have lost all sense of right and wrong, if we can stand true to the principles that God has set forth for us, then we can stand face to face with Him one day, and know that we have done what we were supposed to do. I felt such comfort from that counsel. I know that things are going to get bad before they get better, and sometimes that is daunting, but if I can hold on to the things I KNOW to be right, then I will stand worthy in the sight of God and that matters so much more than what the world thinks of me. I am grateful that I know what is right and wrong, and if I am ever unsure, I know where to turn to get my answers. I can't imagine living in this world and not having that solid true foundation to stand upon. Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works (Mosiah 5:15) Thanks Steph, for chatting with me, and thanks to all my friends and family for being strong, good examples in my life! 

On a lighter note, the other day our Young Men and Young Women did a Thanksgiving Scavenger hunt. We went around our neighborhood asking for food donations to give to families in need this Thanksgiving. This year, we even asked for Turkeys, something we didn't do before. I was so amazed when every one got back, at the amount of food that was brought in!!! Our floor was scattered with food, we even brought in about 15 turkeys! I was floored! I thought we would get 4-5 turkey maybe. It was so great! What a great neighborhood I live in! Everyone was so generous in their giving, I was feeling so grateful for my calling, for working with my amazing girls, and for my neighborhood!