The Introduction;

Personal Progress is something I used to take for granted. It's something that I used to brush off, "Oh, I have six years left." "Oh, I have five whole years to do it." "Four years is a lot of time still." This was my mindset until only a few months ago, when I realized that I only had almost two years left. I've really been going for it since then. Currently, I have only 12 value experiences left to go and 5 value projects. I'm working on one value right now and actually 3 projects, now that I've started this: four. My goal is to finish by June 9th of this year, which from today is 2 months and 3 days away. I will keep you updated as much as I can, and to share any valuable experiences that should be told.

The value I'm working on right now is Individual Worth, experience three. It asks that for two weeks, I do all I can to notice and acknowledge the worthwhile qualities and attributes of others. I really like this experience because it'll not only help myself become a better person but it'll also help other people feel good about themselves.

Although four projects sounds like a lot, it's not really. I balance them and it all works out. My Knowledge and Virtue projects are kind of connected. The project for Virtue is already decided for me, which is to read the Book of Mormon. I've been reading almost every night since around Christmastime of last year. I'm in Alma right now. For my Knowledge project, I'm trying to accomplish the "Monster" award for seminary (or so my seminary teacher likes to call it). That encompasses reading the entire Doctrine and Covenants (which I have been reading alongside my Book of Mormon), passing off all 25 scripture masteries in D&C, and having 80% attendance to seminary (which really isn't a problem for me). Right now I have 14 scripture masteries passed off and I'm in Section 45 of D&C, which is pretty good considering I only started on March 11 and it's been less than a month. For Faith, I'm working on a poem about Christ. It's not done yet and it has a lot of work to do, but I'll post it when I finish. And four: this blog. This blog is my Individual Worth project. Hopefully, the work I put into this will help me and maybe some other people who happen upon this. I also love writing and dream of being an author when I'm older so this will also help develop those skills (my INDIVIDUAL WORTH...hint).

Recently I finished my entire Integrity value (my first one all the way completed, thank you very much). For my project I found three frames at Goodwill. The end. Good idea for a project, I know. You can use it if you want, just give me credit....Just kidding, fooled some of you, huh? After I got the frames, I took a bunch of old magazines I had and cut out words or phrases that went along with Integrity and reminded me to have it. In the middle frame, I put a picture of Christ. It's on my wall now and I hope it will be a constant reminder of who I'm striving to become. (I just tried to post a picture but it's being difficult).

I also just did Individual Worth experience 2, which is basically to learn about patriarchal blessings and then to prepare to recieve your own. I really want to recieve mine because it's personal revelation from my Father to me. Not to everyone, not to our own church, but ME: small, simple, yet He knows me. Individually. That makes me feel so important in His plan and I cannot wait until I get it. It also helps that my sister's father-in-law in the patriarch so I already know him ;)...

-Carlisa Johanna Cramer
BTW: I go by Carli. I just think Carlisa looks a lot cooler so I'll probably write that out most of the time.