Flecks of Gold

I was reminded of this story in church today!

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" There was a young merchant from Boston in 1849. He was caught up in the fervor of the California gold rush. He sold all of his possessions to seek his fortune in the California rivers, which he was told were filled with gold nuggets so big that one could hardly carry them.

Day after endless day, the young man dipped his pan into the river and came up empty. His only reward was a growing pile of rocks. Discouraged and broke, he was ready to quit... until one day an old, experienced prospector said to him, “That’s quite a pile of rocks you are getting there, my boy!”

The young man replied, “There’s no gold here. I’m going back home.”

Walking over to the pile of rocks, the old prospector said, “Oh, there is gold all right. You just have to know where to find it.” He picked two rocks up in his hands and crashed them together. One of the rocks split open, revealing several flecks of gold sparkling in the sunlight.

Noticing a bulging leather pouch fastened to the prospector’s waist, the young man said, “I’m looking for nuggets like the ones in your pouch, not just tiny flecks.”

The old prospector extended his pouch toward the young man. He looked inside, expecting to see several large nuggets. He was stunned to see that the pouch was filled with thousands of flecks of gold.

The old prospector said, “Son... it seems to me you are so busy looking for large nuggets that you’re missing filling your pouch with these precious flecks of gold. The patient accumulation of these little flecks has brought me great wealth.”

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This story has always been precious to my heart. You can compare it to many concepts in the Gospel, but today it reminded me of the simple things in life that make it so beautiful. 

Yesterday I watched as the sun went down. The clouds and light reminded me of heaven. The colors were GORGEOUS. Yellow turned to orange, then to pink, blue, and purple. I was in complete awe as Heavenly Father's beautiful sun was setting. I'm so thankful for the small things I see each day that make me happier. A little old lady gave me a warm smile, a friend sent me a sincere message, I feel the warm sun on my face, the sweet spirit of the Gospel touches my heart. I LOVE LIFE! 

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you will realize they were the big things." 

Let the little flecks of gold be the biggest treasures in your heart! 

Love, Karli Sue

Grow Old With

"Have you ever fallen in love with someone you haven't even talked to? Or seen somebody, and you knew that if only that person REALLY knew you, they would (first of course dump the perfect model they were with) realize that you were the one that they wanted to just... grow old with."


This quote was on the movie "While You Were Sleeping." I've been thinking a lot lately about my future husband (when am I not haha), and I always wonder how we're going to meet or if we have met already. On campus there are so many guys, so many faces, so many different people that I don't know. If I start to care about a guy, how am I going to make him know who I really am? How can I stand out when I'm up against the perfect models that all the guys go for? 


When I care about someone, I care about them forever. I love people with my whole heart... but I don't know how I can show that to someone who I watch from a distance or care about when we just met. These General Conference talks from April 2011 answered my questions  


President Monson's talk: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/priesthood-power?lang=eng 


Elder Scott's talk:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwHmjd70cso


One of my favorite lines is, "Marriage isn't about finding the right person... it's about BEING the right person." 


I may not stand out in a crowd, or have the most in-style fashions, but if I'm focusing on BEING the right person, then the right guy will notice me. I'm so thankful for President Monson and Elder Scott. These are probably two of my favorite talks. I LOVE hearing talks about marriage and love 


I'll find him someday... the one I want to grow old with!

Love, Karli Sue

The Tomb Is Empty

I cannot even describe the peace and holiness that I feel from going to church today. I am BURSTING with joy and love for my Savior, and I wish I could declare my feelings to the WORLD! If this feeling is so amazing and I'm on earth, I can't even imagine the feelings we will have when we actually meet the Savior in heaven.

I look back on celebrating Easter in my family, and I am so grateful that my parents taught me what it truly is about. Yeah, we got candy and small gifts... but the greatest gift of all that I've learned from them is that the tomb is empty.

Someday when I have sweet little children of my own, I want to have an Easter egg hunt. I want my kids to have fun searching for the eggs, but not open them until the end. Then have the eggs be empty, to signify that Christ's tomb is empty... and he lives. I'll explain to them that in life there will be worldly things (the candy) that might distract us, but we need to "hunt" for the right things in life. Of course I will give them some gifts after that lesson, but I hope when they look back at Easter, they remember the true meaning... just like I do when I look back. I can't wait to someday have a family of my own! I can't wait to love them with all my heart and try to teach them to understand and gain a testimony of their own.

I'm so HAPPY right now! This life is truly amazing! I'm grateful for Christ, and his resurrection. I wish I could tell anyone and everyone the testimony I have!
Remember, THE TOMB IS EMPTY!

Love, Karli Sue

Umbrella...

"The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead."
-Marjorie Hinkley

"Worrying is stupid. It's like walking around with an umbrella waiting for it to rain."

I heard these two quotes today, and they really inspired me. They are both so true! Life is absolutely AMAZING! Things in your life might not be perfect, but just LIFE itself is perfect :) Just being on this earth is a blessing. Living, breathing, laughing, loving, smiling, ALL OF IT is perfect!

I have come to see this while being at college. I used to worry too much and wish my days were better while I was in high school. Then once I got to college, I found out who I really was and what I was going to make of myself. You can't sit around hoping you are somewhere else or wishing your life was different. You NEED to love every situation, even the hard/bad ones. I've learned to not let little things bug me and to just love everyone! College has been the best thing that's ever happened to me :)

Stop worrying and start loving :) Throw away your umbrella. ENJOY THE RAIN!!!

Love, Karli Sue