Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

   This summer I had the opportunity to act as an extra in the New Testament Project short films made by the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Not many people know about these videos, but they are short litttle clips of the savior's life with the purpose of helping people get to know Him better. I felt so blessed to be a part of it and I met so many wonderful people! The videos I got to be a part of were when Jesus feeds the 5,000, Jesus heals a man blind from birth, and Jesus foil a Pharisee's scheme. I had to get my hair and makeup done so I could look like a girl from ancient Jerusalem. They even painted me brown and put yellow/brown stuff on my teeth to make them look dirty! Pretty much I showed up on set clean and showered just to get dirty again. Haha! 

   When we were shooting outside, every day was at least over 95 degrees. We had a few people that got overheated and passed out or got delirious when Jesus was feeding the 5,000 (which actually happened to be about 300, I believe). Who could blame them? We were all wearing thick, rough fabrics that covered everything but our feet, hands, and faces. At least one of the hotter days we were able to shoot inside the Jerusalem Set. That set is amazing. It is not the actual size of the places in Jerusalem (duh) but it was built to look as authentic as possible and made so that the camera will be able to make it look bigger. Like I said, it's amazing.

   During the filming of the blind man receiving his sight I was able to be one of three women who sat by the pool he washed his eyes in and observe the miracle happening almost as if it actually were. The emotions on the actor's face were so real I nearly cried once. Every day I was there I could feel the spirit. It was one of those unforgettable experiences that strengthened me and my testimony.

   The last few shots I was in were taken after the sun went down on the last day and Jesus was near the temple talking to the pharisees. The crew got out their handy dandy rain making machine and it was pretty much the real thing. I enjoyed being able to act as if I was really experiencing life as one of those who knew Jesus when He was on the earth. The cool thing about it was that it gave me the opportunity to think about what I would really do if I had been there. Would I know it was Him? Would I give up everything to follow Him?  

   You will be able to find the videos at biblevideos.lds.org. I don't know when these will come out, but I will keep everybody updated. I would also have uploaded some photos of a brown me in costume, but I am not allowed so here is a little introductory video. :)

BYU Education Week 2012

This year was my first year ever to attend education week at BYU. I was able to stay with a really great friend of mine, Alisa. She's so awesome and we had lots of fun hanging out. :) The week was packed with fun classes on the BYU campus. I attended classes on the quest for self-mastery, foreign languages, understanding the spirit, how to be healthy, and some fun dance classes. I sorta know how to tango now! Sorta. I was able to take some notes so I will put a few of them up here. A few of the speakers were David A. Christensen, Tad R. Callister, S. Dee Barrett, R. Kirk Belnap, Stephanie Halford Taylor, and Stan G. Crippen. I will of course only put a few of my notes up since there are so many. I filled up at least half a notebook!

A Few Notes from David A. Christensen
- "When a man wages war against his weakness, this is the most holy war he can ever enter, and the joy of accomplishment is the most exquisite."
- If you're on a quest for self-mastery you need to keep your priorities straight. Our first priority should be to build/maintain our own spiritual and physical strength.
- In overcoming weaknesses, you must be very careful about what you decide you need to overcome.
- "Let no person give up prayer because he has not the spirit of prayer, neither let any earthly circumstance hurry you in this great duty." -Brigham Young
- "If we ignore what the Lord has given us (Book of Mormon) then we may lose the very power which we seek." -Benson
- "The spiritual control over the body may be secured by starting with the physical appetite." -Ballard
- God does not expect you to walk out of here and change everything, only to use wisdom and be a little better. If you can do this, He is pleased.
- Miraculous powers are available to those who seek diligently, kneeling before Him on a regular basis.
- When was the last time you knelt before God and pleaded for the gifts of the Spirit that could eliminate your weaknesses?
- The harder you try the more Satan is going to come at you.
- We can only move so fast and must be patient in our eternal quest for perfection. BE PATIENT.

A Few Notes from Tad R. Callister
- Knowing God, man becomes like God.
- If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to ask for the gift that will make us perfect.
- Is it more Christian to seek partial godhood? Don't short-sight yourself by choosing the easy way.
(The devotional he gave was packed with really good stuff. I couldn't write notes fast enough so that's why I have just a few bullet points for him.)

A Few Notes from S. Dee Barrett
- Anything that is above what God wants us to have is called lust.
- Satan's biggest secret: If he can get us to want something so bad, to lust after it, then he can get us to do really stupid things.
- Prayer and scripture study is like putting a cowbell around Satan's neck; we will hear him coming.
- Pray for meekness, and attraction to meekness. Being meek is confidence, knowledge of where our power really comes from.
- As we pray and plead we slowly find ourselves getting back in line, getting rid of excess desires.
- No matter what, the Lord will do something; it's His nature.
- Once you have done what He asks, go back and report. Keep the Lord updated, tell Him how you feel.
- In the morning decide what you are going to do that day, then run it by the Lord.
- What do you do when you don't feel an answer to your prayer? Thank the Lord, it is evidence of His trust.
- If we feel no confirmation immediately, we should act on our decision. (If we are doing all we can do)
- When He answers YES it is to give us confidence, NO it is to prevent error, and when He doesn't answer it is to help us grow in Him.

Avery Lawton Photography

I got to be a model for my best friend who is an amazing photographer. The shoot was super fun! Here are a few shots. If you want to do a shoot with her just get in touch. Her facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Avery-Lawton-Photography/160142104028006.