I don't know why you'd want this, but just in case you do...

The search is over...

I HAVE FOUND THE MALE COUNTERPOINT TO LANA DEL REY.

His name is Josef Salvat.

The similarities are uncanny.

Same tenor to the voice, silly lyrics, dark mood, "vintage" film...

it's all there. 

Here's his song:

Time to watch conference...again!

Conference technically ended a little over 16 hours ago, and we already have videos, transcripts, and podcasts we can share. It really is amazing. I'm especially excited to listen to priesthood session, and re-listen to talks that I wasn't the most...uh...attentive to. Jaja. I was going to share with you some of my favorites from this weekend, but it's not letting me embed like I want to. Below are some of the links:

Dieter F. Uchtdorf - I love the comparison of the gospel to light. Also, the importance of our choosing to be in the light.

L. Whitney Clayton - I loved his description of what marriage should look like. equal partners raising and caring for their children, having dinner as the highlight and center of the day, praying together. So needed.

Rosemary M. Wixom - Her example of a father who preferred to be on his phone instead of connecting with his child made me so sad. So many of us choose not to be present in the moment. I'm actually sort of glad that my computer broke and I don't have a smart phone. They can easily become too much of a distraction from real life.

Jeffrey R. Holland - Just beautiful.

What were some of your favorite messages from conference? It's been interesting to talk with my roommates and family members about the conference themes. We all hear the same talks, but take-away different lessons. I love it. 

A Pre-Conference Thought

A few months ago, my roommate lent me her favorite book to read, "The Blue Castle".

Don't let the cheesy cover dissuade, I like it! It's by the same author as the Anne of Green Gables books if you're into that sort of thing. There's a quote from the book I've been holding onto for the past few months that I wanted to share.

"Fear is the original sin. Almost all the evil in the world has it's origin in the fact that someone is afraid of something, It is a cold, slimy serpent coiling about you. It is horrible to live with fear; and it is of all things degrading."

At the risk of being too simplistic, I think this is mostly true. Fear can keep us from growing. That's where this scripture from the New Testament comes in.

1 John 4:15-18

15. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 

16. And we have known and believed that the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 

17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement: because as he is, so are we in this world. 

18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear...

 I'm so excited about General Conference. These scriptures and quotes are kind of guiding what I hope to get out of it. I'm working to build my testimony in the love of Christ, and hope. 

A Poem for Thursday: "Try to Praise the Mutilated World" - Adam Zagajewski

Try to praise the mutilated world,
Remember June's long days,
and wild strawberries, drops of wine, the dew.
The nettles that methodically overgrow
the abandoned homesteads of exiles.
You must praise the mutilated world.
You watched the stylish yachts and ships;
One of them had a long trip ahead of it,
while salty oblivion awaited others.
You've seen the refugees heading nowhere,
you've heard the executioners sing joyfully.
You should praise the mutilated world.
Remember the moments where we were together
in a white room and the curtain fluttered.
Return in the though to the concert where music flared.
You gathered acorns in the park in autumn
and leaves eddied over the earths scars.
Praise the mutilated world
and the grey feather a thrush lost,
and the gentle light that strays and vanishes
and returns.

The best 5 years...

On this day, exactly 5 years, I entered the MTC to start my mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I had no idea the profound effects that the mission would have on my life, essentially changing it's whole trajectory. I had my highest highs and lowest lows at that time in my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything, and I think about it everyday. t's hard to believe that all this started 5 years ago. They say that the two years on your mission (or the year and half if your a sister) are the best two years of your life. Despite the challenges and changes that came after my mission, every year since that has been my "best".

My room in Ica

True sisters. I miss you all.

La Huacachina. 

Back in Bolivia to finish my mission.

My last day as a missionary. It still brings tears to my eyes.

Since my mission, I've tried to continue being a disciple of Christ. Some days I'm better at it than others. I remember one of my mission presidents telling me that the level of spirituality we have on our mission is as high as it can get. He was both right and wrong. As a missionary,my purpose was to focus and serve others, all day, every day. That's not what life is like now, and I miss it so much. But I do think I've spiritually progressed since then. I am more confident, more understanding, and more patient. And I know there is still more I can become.

Music for your Midweek: Chris Garneau, Seth Avett, and Elliott Smith

Here's that voice from my mix last week doing a cover of my first favorite Elliott Smith song:



and here's Seth Avett with "Angeles". Beautiful guitar:



ps. You should check out all the crackerfarm videos. They are so good.

and for today, a special bonus. I haven't watched the whole thing. It makes me too sad. But maybe you'll like it.

The Chickeneers

Happy April Fools! I laughed too hard at this:

Their clucking is just so sincere.