" Love One Another As I Have Loved You "

As I have been planning my wedding, I've realized that I have become my 

worst nightmare: a Bridezilla. I swore I would never be the controlling, 

ungrateful, inflexible fiance and here I find myself. Getting upset over too 

much money, not the right shade of purple, or uncooperative family members. 

My fiance and I were fighting. Getting annoyed at almost everything we said to 

each other. We were way too sensitive. That is when it hit me: I'M GETTING MARRIED.

Why am I freaking out? 

I'd rather have a loving family and a happy home then the perfect assembly 

of arrangements. I'm happy to be loved by a man who would lay down his life 

for me. I want to start a family based on the characteristics of Jesus Christ. If 

I don't start NOW, there will never be a "right" time to start.

"Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. 

Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts out 

fear (see 1 John 4:18). Such love is the desire of every human soul.”

More Diligent and Concerned at HomeDavid A. Bednar

So stop wasting time like me & go give your spouse a hug and kiss 

And if you don't have any one to kiss remember

Keep Calm & Wait On

xoxo

Carly

What's Winter?

In case you aren't in the loop, California hasn't really had a winter season.

Its basically been nothing but sunshine and blue skies.

Eight Minute Date You Just Might Hate

Behind the Scenes:

MISSIONS

*Create your desired amount of missions 

*Be sure to include a task and a place

DARES

*Create 2 dares per mission: one for you and your date.

*Be sure to make the dares embarrassing, but not ego shattering.

PACKAGING

*Cut out your dares and missions 

*Fold them all up

*Make sure to label your missions (if you want them done in order)

*Package your missions and dares into two separate baggies

RULES

Welcome to the Eight Minute Date You Just Might Hate. 

Here are the rules:

MISSIONS. There are (enter number) missions in the game. Each mission takes place in a different location (or not). Each mission must be completed in (desired amount of time, I said 15 minutes).

DARES. Eight minutes into the game an alarm will go off (be sure to remember to set an alarm). Each of you must stop whatever you are doing and reach into the dare bag. Read your dare out loud and complete it. YOU MUST COMPLETE IT.

*REMEMBER* Have fun and be a little adventurous. 

FINAL PRODUCT

If you are a missionary girlfriend and don't have a boy to take on this date, take a best friend. And remember to:

Keep Calm & Wait On

he will be home soon :)

xoxo

Carly

Happy New Year!

Goodbye 2013.

Hello 2014.

As I welcomed the New Year I decided I would do something a little different:

I actually made a list of goals

The New Year isn't about setting unrealistic goals and procrastinating our excellence till next year. Its about doing the best with another year God has blessed you with. So embrace the beautiful gift God has given you. 

Smile more. Judge less. Laugh at the little things. Laugh at the big things. Stress less. Pray more. Be happy with what God has given you. Stop trying to change what you can't. And learn how to change what you can.

I encourage you all to make a real list. Right. Now. 

This year I want to:

Finish the Book of Mormon twice

Read the New Testament

Complete a service project

Volunteer somewhere

Get married

Start journalism internship

Take a random class

Run weekly

Do a weekly video diary

I hope we all can accomplish our goals this year, but if not: 

Keep Calm & Wait On

there is always next year ;)

xoxo

Carly

Christmas With The Kozaks

This year Taylor and I decided we would divide the time evenly between our families.
Since my family is "complicated" we were running around everywhere it felt like haha.
But it was so much fun and so worth it being able to spend time with everyone.

Christmas morning and part of the evening we spent time with his family.
It was fantastic. I love being around all the madness the little kids bring, and just being able to laugh with them over nothing. I can't wait to be an official part of their family!

I couldn't help, but feel a special Christmas Spirit yesterday.
What a better way to remember the Savior than to spend time with the amazing people he has placed in your life.

Merry Christmas 

Keep Calm & Keep Christ in Christmas

xoxo

Carly

Be Thankful For The Good

Q: If there is a God why would he allow bad things to happen in the world?

A: (Found in 2 Nephi of the Book of Mormon)

"32 And again, the Lord God hath commanded that men should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain; that they should not envy; that they should not have malice; that they should not contend one with another; that they should not commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them shall perish.

 33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

23 For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness.

 24 He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation."

     God has given us the guidelines to be happy (the commandments). He literally commands us not to do things that will hurt us or others. If we all followed the commandments we would live in a world that was free from murder, lying, stealing, cheating, hurting. 
    God does not wish any of us to experience the effects of bad choices. But because God loves us and wants us to chose for ourselves, he gave every man their agency. We have the privilege to choose between good and evil. Do not blame God for the bad in the world, but be thankful that He has brought good into the world. And all that is unfair about the world can be made right through his atonement :) 

Smile, and remember you're a child of God. He wants you to be happy!

When life seems unfair remember:

Keep Calm & Wait On

I promise there are brighter days ahead :)

Learn more at mormon.org


xoxo
Carly