4 years.

Four years ago today I was baptized and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was, by far, the best decision I have ever made. I have received so many wonderful blessings because of that decision and my continued faithful and righteous pursuits. My testimony is continually strengthened and I have found myself doing things that I thought weren't even possible for me. I recognize God's hand in my life, and I am so grateful for the people He has placed on my path to help me shine. I have come so far in the past four years and I shudder to think about where I would be without the church in my life. It has given me the strongest of foundations to build my life upon. This is my testimony.

Not that this photo has anything to do with the topic, but we all hate it when blog posts have no pictures. Am I right?

Carli

Grateful Sunday: Temples

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to the Brigham City temple open house. If you not familiar with any of that sentence; well your in luck, because I am going to tell you. As I have said several times before, I am LDS (Mormon). We believe that Temples are the house of the Lord, and dedicated to Him. They are the closest place to heaven while here on earth. We perform sacred ordinances inside temples for ourselves and those who have passed on. Members of the church are required to have a temple recommend that proves they are worthy to enter the the house of the Lord. In the temple, worthy church members can serve those who are dead by performing proxy baptisms, sealings, and other ordinances. We believe that families can be together forever. Heaven wouldn't be heaven without those we love. Marriages in the temple are not until death do them part, but for eternity. Sealings are to bind family members together forever. 

After a temple has been built, the church opens the temple doors to anyone who would like to see what is inside before it is dedicated and closed off to the public. This is great opportunity for non-church members, and church members, to see all the different parts of the temple and where these sacred ordinances are performed. 

Yesterday was my first temple open house experience. It was the first time that I was able to go into many parts of the temple that I have only heard about. While the outside of the temple is amazing, the inside is perfect. I cannot even begin to describe the feelings I had. There are so many small details that have so much meaning, and the craftsmanship is superb. I often got lost in the architecture and art work. Even the carpet had details that lifted your soul. The chandeliers were probably my favorite. They had this unmistakeable divine quality that brought tears to my eyes. I remember gasping when I laid eyes upon the chandelier in the Celestial room. I can't even begin to illustrate how perfect it was or how I felt. All I kept thinking is that if heaven is even half as glorious as it was inside the walls of the temple, I want to be there. I am so grateful for temples.

I hope that if you live close to an LDS temple you will visit. Even a walk around the temple grounds is uplifting. If your fortunate enough to live close to a temple open house I urge you to go no matter what you believe. I can guarantee that it will be a positive experience. If you have any questions about temples please feel free to email me! I would love to answer your questions to the best of my ability. 

Carli

Three years.

(Manti Temple)

Although this blog of mine is a pretty honest reflection of my life, I decided to keep it mostly secular. My intentions were, and still are, to keep this a place where religious/political beliefs don't affect friendship, creativity, and growth. Because most of my readers (thank you!) aren't of my faith, I don't want to push anyone away by being preachy preachy about it. I have noticed that I have been a little afraid to bring up my religion here ,and anywhere else for that matter, because my faith is so misunderstood. I don't like confrontation. At all... and I have found that people become very forward with their opinions about my religion. Honestly it scares me. With that being said, I would be really ungrateful if I didn't talk about it at all, because I have been so incredibly blessed. By now your probably wondering what I am talking about.... 

I am a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints. Yes that's a mouthful. We are most commonly referred to as Mormons or LDS. I wasn't born into the church, my parents aren't members, I am the only one in my family, and this comes with it's own set of trials, but the blessings outweigh them. I was baptized three years ago today, and if you told me then where I would be now I wouldn't have believed you. In no way did I even dream of going to school in Utah, majoring in business, and starting a blog. It's funny to think about who I was back then, and who I am now. I often think about where I would be if I never joined the church. I honestly don't know what my life would be like. It's these little decisions that turn your life upside down and then back around again. Somehow you land on top. 

With that being said, I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for God's hand in my life. I know that all that I have done, and will do, is accomplished through the strength that Heavenly Father gives me. I know that we are created in the image of God, and someday we will live with Him once again. I am grateful for Jesus Christ and the atonement. I am grateful for the perfect example that Christ is, with his guidance I can be better. I am grateful for the trails in my life. They have helped me grow closer to God, and through them I have become stronger. Life doesn't get easier, but it does get better. I am also very grateful for choice and accountability. If three years ago I hadn't made the choice to be baptized my life wouldn't be on the road that it is. A road that only leads up. I may fall every now and then, but I can always count on the hand of God to help me back up again. With that knowledge I know that I can do anything.

If you made it through this post, thank you. I really do appreciate your support, love, and friendship. I hope that this hasn't pushed you away. My blog will continue on as normal, but every now and again I might post a little bit about my faith. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to comment here or email me (carli.randolf@gmail.com). All I ask is that you be respectful. If you would like to know more about the church here are some trusted links:

mormon.org

My mormon.org profile

Frequently asked questions

About the Book of Mormon

Carli

A couple things I don't say enough.

When I created this blog I decided that it would be a place to share adventures, stories, do it yourself, and just anything on my mind. I also decided to make it mostly secular. I didn’t want to offend, pressure, or push anyone away with my beliefs. I chose this because a lot of my friends and family that do read my blog (Thanks!) are not of my faith.

Today I realized that I would be really ungrateful if I didn’t at least share at least a small part of such a huge part of my life. 

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). AKA Mormon.

I wasn’t born into the church. No one in my family are members. I chose this religion for myself and have never doubted that decision.

I am so grateful for the experiences and people that lead me to the church, because I honestly have no idea where I would be today without it. I know that I am on the right path and I know that if I continue to walk on it I will be forever happy. 

I have never felt as loved and blessed as I do now, and I know that this is just the beginning.

Carli

P.S. If you have any kind questions, comments, or personal stories that you would like to share please feel free to contact me. Please keep it nice.

P.S.S. If your familiar (or not) with Mormon.org this is my profile.

Two Years.

This morning I woke up and remembered what today is. August 9th. This date has always been in my mind. Pretty much since the summer before high school. Eight years ago today my best friend Kristy got her braces off. I don’t know why I remember this. I just remember that I couldn’t seem to forget that date. Six years later I realized why I never forgot August 9th.

Two years ago today I was baptized. After my long haul as a non member who practically was a member, I made the decision to make things official. I was in the church for almost Seven years before I was dunked. I came to church just about every Sunday, I went to every activity, and followed most of the commandments. I think that the reason it took me seven years to make a commitment was because I was afraid to hurt my family.

Now I look back on it all and think… What took me so long! Two years ago I would have never thought that I’d be in Utah, attending BYU, and experiencing all the things that I am. I don’t think I would have ever left Texas. As much as I love Texas, I really just think that it’s not the place that I need to be right now. Someday I will go back.

I just feel extremely blessed to be where I am, with the friends that I have, and with a family that supports my decisions. I love the LDS church and all the amazing things that it has done for me.

Also, today as I was about to get into my car to head to work, this huge (and when I say huge it was huge) fly on the drivers side door. I moved to the door and he flew at me and then landed back on the door. I was sooo pissed. and afraid. This massive fly looked as if he was wearing a tuxedo. Maybe he was a James Bond Fly who was fully loaded with venomous fluids in his little mouth or whatever. So I go to the other side of the car and climb across to my seat. Ridiculous right?! I then think that the fly will fly away once I start the car. Nope. He stayed. I tried many different things to get him off. Accelerated fast, braked fast, swerved around… all did not work. Even on the highway he stayed put. He even turned his little deadly body to be aerodynamic. Seriously!? Finally he flew away as I pulled into the parking lot at work. I was relieved. Until, he flew at me from the opposite direction of the truck! He flew off the truck and then followed it to my parking space and attacked me! I know it was him and not an other little James Bond fly because he had those creepy little legs. There is no way that all of those bugs could have those legs. Luckily I survived. I am just worried that he will be waiting on my truck all day until I leave the office. Then come at me with all his creepy friends.

I don’t understnad wy he hated me so. But he sure is one dedicated little bug.

Carli.