...

Tonight was kind of an incredible night. I was able to spend it with the English family. I love being there. I love how they welcome me with open arms and how much love I feel at that home. I was having a hard time tonight with some anxiety and not feeling so well. Trent offered to give me a blessing. It was such a powerful blessing and I knew it came straight from Heavenly Father. I left their home feeling at peace and I had a smile on my face. I will forever be grateful for tonight. 

.healing.power.

I had an eye-opening conversation with my sister, Jessica, the other day and there were things that were said that I will never forget. Our conversation involved so many topics but a topic that really hit home for me was the topic of missionary work. A few months ago I started and finished my mission papers. All that was left was my interview with my stake president and bam. They were done. However, I never had that interview. I needed to take a step back and figure out WHY I, Anna Marliyn Pinnock, was wanting to serve a mission. I needed to figure out WHY I was wanting to put my life on hold for 18 months to serve my Heavenly Father. I found myself confused and discouraged. I decided to take time to figure this out. Mission papers were put on hold. This was one of the hardest decisions I had made in a really long time. But I knew it was what I needed to do. I then auditioned to be a young performing missionary in Nauvoo. After receiving an email saying I hadn't made it, I called my mom in tears. I was scared to tell her I didn't make it. My biggest fear in life is disappointing people and putting my mission papers on hold and then not making this audition was a huge disappointment to me and I would hate to disappoint my own mother. After telling her the news, she immediately comforted me and told me she loved me and was proud of me. Her next comment came as a shock to me. "Let's look into India. Let's get you over there this summer!"....India...of course! My next course of action was applying, getting accepted, interviewing and preparing. It felt like preparing for a mission almost. 

Now this is where my conversation with Jess comes in. There are still times I feel like I have disappointed people by choosing to not continue on with my mission papers. I told Jessica that I still feel like I have disappointed loved ones by choosing India over a mission. I said, "I know that I won't be PREACHING and TEACHING the gospel to children of God." Jessica then said something that really hit home for me.... she said, "Ya, but Annie, you will be HEALING the souls of children of God."...wow. Wow. HEALING the souls of children of God. This really put it into perspective for me. 

When Christ walked this earth, he taught and taught and taught. He shared the gospel and taught people gospel principles. Not only did Christ teach, but he HEALED. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to HEAL. Will I make the lepers clean as Christ did? Will I be able to make their sores go away? No. BUT. I will HEAL their hearts and souls. Thank you Jessica for helping my focus on my current mission in life. 

Healing the souls of the children of God.

.another.missionary.

Welp so far in the year 2013 the Pinnock family has had 3 grandchildren open mission calls. Sarah to Argentina, Stephen to Italy along with Josh. I was surprised to hear that my cousin Rachel had received her call in the mail yesterday. I didn't think she was putting in her papers in until the end of the summer. We all gathered together at Nate and Ali's house to anticipate where Rachel was called to. I sat there with my cousin Sarah and we watched another one of us Famous Four open a mission call. It's so surreal to me to see Rachel who has been one of my best friends since the day she was born embark on an amazing experience.

Dear Sister Pinnock,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are called to labor in the Puerto Rico, San Juan mission! Reporting to the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MTC!

I am so happy for this girl! I am so proud of her decision to serve a mission and I know that the people of Puerto Rico are going to love her!

Good speed Sister Pinnock!

.god.is.good.

I know you have all seen bunches of posts on Facebook about a historical evening the Pinnock family witnessed last night but I just have to blog about it. Without knowing, cousins, Josh and Stephen put their mission papers in on the same day. We had planned on watching them open their calls on March 6th since that was the day we expected their calls to come....however....they didn't arrive. Josh and Stephen, being the amazing boys they are, didn't mind one bit. Stephen would tell me, "It's okay! I've been called and it will come eventually. That's all that matters. I'm not worried one bit!" What a guy! March 7th comes around and I receive a text from my mom: "It came!!" And as luck would have it, Josh's came too. Welp...saddle up! Time for lives to change in just a sentence or two! 

We all gathered at my Uncle Jon and Aunt Laura's house for this moment.  A few minutes before they opened their calls I told Jon that they had to go to the same country...they just had to. Not the same mission...but we were hoping at least the same country. In past conversations our family had talked about predictions as to where we thought Stephen would go. My mom was convinced he was going to the Philippines. I thought either New York or Italy. Jess thought Italy...only because she WANTED him to go there (she is our little Italian). We gathered around these two boys (okay men...) and anticipated to hear the assignment of where they were to serve the Lord for the next 2 years. Stephen, being the oldest of the 2, went first. 

"Dear Elder Pinnock,

You have been called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the ITALY, MILAN mission!!"

I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed. Is my little brother seriously going to his DREAM MISSION!? Is he going where I predicted?! Is he even old enough to do this?! 

After a lot of cheers, shouts and tears...it was Josh's turn. We again...anticipated.

"Dear Elder Pinnock,

You have been called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the ITALY, MILAN mission!!"

Again...even louder cheers, shouts and tears! I thought he was joking, but Josh put his hand to his mouth and immediately started sobbing. This was no joke. This was real. This was happening. This was amazing.

The 2 elders embraced in a long, much needed, hug. They just held each other. Laughed. Cried. Hugged. These 2 brothers from 2 mothers have been called to 1 mission. The Italy, Milan mission. Departing on the SAME day, July 24, 2013.

God is good. He is real....and well...funny. 

I still can't believe this moment happened. I can't believe that my little brother and his side kick of 18 years are old enough to go on missions....let alone, the same mission! Good speed Elders Pinnock!

My Aunt Laura asked me to make a video of this moment and so here it is!

.best.cousin.

I am so excited and proud to announce that my best cousin and friend is going on a mission!!

"Dear Sister Pinnock,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Argentina, Bahia Blanca Mission!!! Report to the MTC June 19, 2013"

Words cannot describe how proud I am of my cousin Sarah! We have been best cousins since the day she was born. She was my go-to growing. If Sarah couldn't play the day....I was doomed! She was the one who lifted me up when I was down. She did that a lot. I'm older than her and yet, she comforted me. She is literally my best friend and I couldn't be more excited for her!

Watch out Argentina! Sarah P. is coming to dominate that mission!!!

I love this girl so much!

.healing.

My friend Elsa sent me this video.

It got me through the night and I am forever grateful.

Thank you.

Opposition in all things...

Tonight I had a neat experience.
I was getting ready for bed and Trent called me
and we decided to read scriptures before we headed to bed.
I was wanting to go to sleep due to a head ache
but Trent helped me pull out my Book of Mormon and read.
We read out of 2 Nephi in chapter 2.
I have never really paid close attention to this chapter.
Tonight I did.
After we finished reading,
I asked Trent what he liked about the chapter.
He went on saying some pretty neat stuff that I feel like I should share...

"There is a need for opposition in all things. If we didn't experience the bad things in life, we would never know the good things. (verse 13) Sometimes people ask the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" We look at sad times like the Sandy Hook shooting and 9/11. Those experiences brought our country together and because of that, the lives of future elementary school students and flight passengers will be saved. We need sad times to know the good things in life and to appreciate what we have been blessed with."

I loved everything he said that I hurry and grabbed my laptop to type it up.
We really do live in a cruel world.
I am one of those people who ask, "Why do bad things happen to good people?"
I remember when my car got broken into 2 times within 2 weeks.
I asked that question over and over again.
Asking Heavenly Father why in the world he would do that to me.
I was angry.
Precious things were stolen and those are things I will never get back.
But this, however, taught me to be more cautious and safe.
It goes back to what Trent said.
Bad things happen so we can feel happiness.
If Adam hadn't partaken of the forbidden fruit,
he would have never known happiness because he would have never felt misery.
I never really understood that teaching until tonight.

I am truly blessed to have people in my life who motivate me
to go to school and try new things and help me open up my scriptures to read every night.

Truly blessed.

Thank you.

Firm Believer.

I am a firm believer in many things.
One belief that I have that I will never question nor deny is the gospel.
I am also a firm believer in the saying, "things happen for a reason."
Today was a day where that belief will never be denied.
I had the day off from work to attend doctor's appointments.
I couldn't for today to happen.
Late last night, my friend Sarah asked if I would go to the temple with her this morning.
I realized it had been a while since I had been and I couldn't turn that opportunity down.
I woke up at my usual time.
As I was pouring my cereal, I noticed that my scriptures were right next to my bowl.
I read my scriptures as I ate my honey nut cheerios.
I wanted to be prepared for my visit to the temple.
I needed to be prepared.
Something amazing was going to happen.
I could just feel it.
Got to the temple around 9:45.
There was hardly anyone there.
I was in the font area waiting for my turn.
Waiting for a miracle maybe?
Just waiting.
This older man was in the font talking to the temple workers.
He had long grey hair pulled back into a pony tail with a scruffed up beard.
In walks an older looking lady.
She had long grey hair pulled back into a pony tail and braided.
She was his wife.
They had a big stack of family names.
I could wait.
I watched as this man baptized his wife in honor of their family members who had passed on.
He began to cry.
She began to cry.
I wanted to feel what they were feeling.
So badly.
I listened to his words.
I watched him.
I felt it.
I began to cry.
I had a prayer of mine answered right then and there.

After I did my work, Sarah and I were getting ready in the women's room.
The lady come out in dry baptismal clothes ready to be confirmed.
I asked her about her family names.
I asked her about her husband.
She goes on to tell me that he looks like a biker dude and not to worry because he is "very LDS".
"He's a high priest!" she said with enthusiasm.
I couldn't help but smile and admire her love for her husband and this gospel.
Another girl came out to get ready to leave and I had noticed that the temple workers knew her by name.
She comes every Monday and has been for the past year and a half.
She just put in her papers and will receive her mission call on Wednesday.
I smiled at the fact that for a year and a half, she has been doing what I should be doing every week.
That she has such love and excitement for the work.
Again, my prayers were answered right in that room.

Sarah and I proceeded to the waiting room.
I knew that the temple was closing soon but I wanted to read The Book of Mormon for a little bit.
We sat and read.
A sweet old man came up to us and thanked us for being worthy to enter into the Lord's house.
Again, I smiled.
I read and felt the spirit so strongly.

There was no mistake that I was there at that time.
There was no mistake that Sarah asked me to go on my only day off of work.
There was no mistake that the lovely couple was there doing work for their ancestors.
There. Was. No. Mistake.

I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason.
That people come in and out of our lives at the most perfect times.
I didn't meet strangers today.
I met angels and friends.

Things happen for a reason.
I believe it.
Do you?

Angels were there...

Sundays have been nothing but stressful for me lately.
Isn't it supposed to be a day of rest?
From preparing Sunday school lessons...
To trying to get to family dinners on time...
To attending multiple homecomings in one day...
To not being able to take my traditional Sunday nap....
Sunday's seem a little hectic.
Today was hectic.
BUT.
I witnessed a miracle.
A miracle that may or may not have even occurred.
But I saw and felt something amazing.

I was sitting in my friend Brian's homecoming.
During the sacrament, I looked over across the aisle and saw a little girl.
She looked about 13 and had long, beautiful brown hair with a yellow bow in it.
She was severely handicapped.
She had the mind set of a 3 year old as she would sit on her mother's lap, resting her head on her shoulder while cuddling up in her pink baby blanket.
She was smiling and I knew that she felt the security, warmth and love of her mother.
Then something incredible happened.
This little girl sat up and just stared at the vacant aisle.
Her head and eyes moving along as if she was following the movement of something...or someone.
She motioned to her mother.
Not being able to speak.
Little grunts were the noises she made.
She pointed.
She waved.
She smiled.
This went on during the entire time the sacrament was being passed.
I couldn't help but sit and watch this little girl witness something that I dream of witnessing myself.
Angels.
I have heard stories before of children seeing angels in church.
I have a firm belief that this little girl saw angels.
You can judge me all you want and think I'm wrong and strange.
I don't care.
I know what I saw and I know how I felt.
Angels were there.
I have no doubt in my mind.

A Sure Foundation...

I spent 90% of my Saturday preparing my sunday school lesson.
This was my first lesson to prepare and I didn't know where to start.
Well I knew that I for sure had to start on my knees.
After I said my prayer, I stood up and jumped right into the manuel.
Who knew that preparing a lesson was this difficult?
It was tiring.
Hard.
Emotional.
Confusing.
I felt like there was no hope.
I felt like no one in the class would understand what I was trying to say.
I felt lost.
I felt very immature in the gospel and I was really discouraged.
Why did my bishop give me this calling?
Why was I given this lesson to prepare?
Why was I only given 2 days to prepare it?
I found it all to be so unfair.
I finally put on Jon Schmidt's album, "Hymns Without Words"
It shut out everything that was distracting me and making me doubt myself.
The obnoxious motorcycle the kept driving by.
My roommate and her friends watching TV.
The people in the pool outside my window.
The air conditioning blowing like crazy.
It was all gone.
It was peaceful.
I found myself applying myself to the lesson.
I found myself smiling.
It was getting easier.

I woke up this morning and finished preparing my lesson.
I taught it to myself in the bathroom mirror while getting ready.
Tears filled my eyes at some points of the lesson.
I finally understood.
I finally got it.

The lesson went pretty well.
There were a few people who participated.
It was helpful.
I was nervous and shaky but I got through it.
I got through it with help from the spirit.

It was stressful preparing this lesson.
But it was all worth it.
Our Savior is our rock.
Our redeemer.
Build your life upon the rock of our Savior.
Never doubt Him.
Never give up on Him.
He never gave up on you when He was on the cross.
I love my Savior...so much.

Answered...

Heavenly Father listens to prayers.
I know it.
Have I ever questioned whether or not He's there?
Yes.
Has it ever led me down a nasty road?
Yes.
But am I finding my way back to Him?
Yes.

Life will throw rocks at you.
Life will give you people who may break your heart.
Life can be hard.

However...

Life will throw rocks at you...throw them back with courage.
Life will give you people who may break your heart...kill them with kindness.
Life can be hard...but it will be so worth it.

I know through experience that the Lord encourages us to do better in life.
He is our biggest cheerleader.
Do Him a favor.
Make him proud.

I know through experience that by choosing to live right,
the we will be blessed.

Yes.
Heavenly Father is on the other side listening.
Yes.
He cries with me.
Yes.
He laughs with me.
Yes.
He loves me.

Prayers are answered.
In the most bizarre way.

Day of Blessings...

"Where much is given...much is required."

I love this saying....especially today. 

Today at work, I was stressing about money and not working enough to make it. 

Synergy is costing me and my parents a lot of money.

So work has been more stressful that usual.

Today, I received an email from D. Kim Clayton.

Director of Clayton Productions.

Long story short...blessings were received.

An international foundation donated a great deal of money towards Synergy.

$1,300 is now off of my back.

I have been working hard to pay my parents back.

They have been so great to help me pay for Synergy this year, 

but inside...I want to pay for it all myself.

I WILL pay for it all myself.

As I read that email, I gasped and cupped my hand over my mouth.

Phone calls were made to family and friends.

Jessica even called me right after receiving the email just to catch up.

She has this sisterly sense.

I couldn't help but cry as I read the email over and over again.

This is a huge blessing for not only me, but for every single member of Synergy.

Because I received such an amazing donation, it makes me want to push even harder.

It makes me want to put my whole heart and soul into Synergy 2012.

Rehearsals are 6 hours long.

They are tiring and hard at times.

It is all worth it.

I've done this before.

I'll do it again.

I express a large amount of gratitude to that foundation who was so kind and generous to help us all out.

I have found that by living your life in such a way that draws you unto Christ, keeps you close to the spirit and just being obedient, that you will receive multiple blessings.

It makes the hard things in life so worth living for.

Tears were shed.

Smiles were present.

And hugs were given. (thank you Aubrey)

I am a happy and grateful girl.

I am blessed and filled with joy.

THANK YOU.

P.S. Nothing is better than coming home from work to a huge hug from your roommate and having her say, "I just love you Ann!" I love YOU Aubrey! I have the best roommate ever!

Thought of the Day...

"When life gets too hard to stand...kneel."

Power of the Priesthood.

Today is another hard day here at the Pinnock home.
Dad hasn't made much progress in his health.
But he's home from the hospital which is great.
He was a trooper yesterday.
Went to the emergency room at 10:00 in the morning.
Come home at 5:30 in the evening.
No results yet.
Today Tom Burton and Ryan Wright (Counselors in the bishopric) came over to visit the sick Bishop of the 27th ward.
Updates of the ward were shared.
Even though my dad is sick to the point where he can't walk, he still shows concern about the ward.
If he could walk...he would totally be at church today.
I love my dad.
There past few nights have been crazy.
I look up to him in so many ways and I have such a high respect for him.
Ryan and Tom gave him a blessing.
I love watching priesthood blessing being given.
There is such a spirit in the room.
Now that I'm older, I am never hesitant to ask for blessings.
Whether it's for health reasons or just to feel peace about a situation.
I love the power of the priesthood.

Kneeling Helps.

Ever since I moved out,

I find myself on my knees a lot more.

I find myself reading my scriptures late at night a lot more.

I find myself at the temple a lot more.

I find myself fasting a lot more.

I just rely on my Savior everyday.

For some reason,

it's easier for me to do all of those things while in Orem rather than in Salt Lake.

Today I'm in Salt Lake.

I'm praying.

Hard.

Dad is in the hospital.

He's been there since 10:00 this morning.

I hate being home alone when things like this happen.

Jess and Jake in New York.

Beth and Andy at there own home.

Hugh in Provo.

Stephen running errands for his dance tonight.

Mom at the hospital with Dad.

Good thing I have my dog, Oscar.

It's times like these where I go to my Savior in prayer.

He knows what will happen.

He knows the pain my dad is feeling.

The pain we are all feeling.

"When life gets too hard to stand.... KNEEL."

TaKe WhAt YoU nEeD...

A few posts ago...
I talked about this piece of paper that
was left on our fridge.

Still to this day, we don't know where it came from.
I'm so grateful for that anonymous person.
Today.
I took...
PEACE.
I need nothing more but peace right now.
There are things in my life that aren't too easy right now.
Peace will calm my heart.
Peace will make me happy.
Peace will help me overcome fear.
Peace will lighten my cloudy day.
Peace will wipe my tears away.
Peace.

Last final will be taken tonight at 7 PM.
I couldn't be more happy.
I need to feel peace and confidence in this final.

Other feelings of sadness fill my heart.
My feelings get hurt.
I hurt other people's feelings.
I don't feel confident in decisions that need to be made.
I need to feel peace that everything WILL BE OKAY.

Some wise people in my life have been telling me this lately.

IT WILL BE OKAY.

After ripping off "peace" from the "TAKE what you NEED" paper...
I was already starting to feel the peace.
By praying, attending the temple, reading my scriptures and having faith...
I will have peace in my heart.

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you."
2 Thessalonians 3:16

Faith...

Faith is not without worry or care, but faith is fear that has said a prayer. ~Author Unknown

Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens. ~J.R.R. Tolkien

Faith is like radar that sees through the fog. ~Corrie Ten Boom, Tramp for the Lord

A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but a lot of faith will bring heaven to your soul. ~Author Unknown

Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to. ~George Seaton

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Faith makes the discords of the present the harmonies of the future. ~Robert Collyer

Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death. ~Author Unknown

Faith is believing that the outcome will be what it should be, no matter what it is. ~Colette Baron-Reid

Faith can move mountains, but don't be surprised if God hands you a shovel. ~Author Unknown

Reason is our soul's left hand, Faith her right. ~John Donne

Faith makes things possible, not easy. ~Author Unknown

Faith is courage; it is creative while despair is always destructive. ~David S. Muzzey

Faith is a passionate intuition. ~William Wordsworth

To me faith means not worrying. ~John Dewey

Faith is reason grown courageous. ~Sherwood Eddy

Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother. ~Kahlil Gibran

Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. And lo, no one was there. ~Author Unknown

By Small and Simple Things...

"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass..."

This has been my little motto for the past few weeks.

About a month ago, I was having bad luck in life.

Bad days at work.

Mean professors.

Sickness.

And just crummy days.

I decided to make some changes in my life.

Going to bed a little earlier.

Eating healthier.

Studying harder.

Praying every night.

And making better choices in my life.

These small choices made HUGE changes in my life.

Things are going very well and I couldn't be happier.

I find myself having more energy.

A bigger desire to be adventurous.

More willing to meet new people.

And draw closer to my Savior.

I'm not the only one who has experienced this in my life.

I hear about stories from other people who have experienced this too.

I heard one today.

It was living and walking proof that by

keeping the commandments,

being more positive,

communicating with your Heavenly Father,

being healthy,

etc. etc.

you will be blessed.

I don't know what this year would be like if I hadn't made the decision to move out.

It was a scary decision because I still wasn't 100% sure if coming to UVU was the best choice.

But after these past 2 weeks...

I am 100% sure of my decision.

I've gotten to know Aubs in a different way.

I got lucky with 4 other incredible roomies.

My relationship with my family has improved.

And my relationship with other people in my life has improved as well.

I'm stronger in testimony.

I'm more independent.

I'm more motivated to do well in school.

I'm working on going to the gym.

I'm working on managing my time and money.

I'm working on my confidence in myself and others.

But I know I am blessed to be where I am at in life.

Yep...

"By SMALL and simple things...are GREAT things brought to pass."