On the way back from Hawaii, the flight Michael and I were on hit some pretty rough turbulence. There was some yelling and screaming even- it was pretty unsettling for a few moments.
As the plane reeled up and down and back and forth, I couldn't help but think what would happen if our plane went down and we were to die. The first thought I had was who would take care of our kids! We don't have a will and we should probably take care of that! I would be so sad to leave them at such a young age and for them to lose both of their parents.
But then I wondered- would I be ready to meet my Maker at that moment? Was I ready for my life to end? Had I used my time wisely and become what I was supposed to? While I don't think anyone is ready, I felt a peace knowing I have tried to be good and seek God's will in my life. I have tried to serve Him and to serve His children.
I've since spent some time thinking about how I would have felt in that moment WITHOUT the knowledge that there is life after death. I realize I would be frantic in that situation without my faith. The prospect of leaving those I love forever and dying without anything after would be totally devastating.
If I didn't know there were life after death, I would also live my life totally differently. I would be more concerned about recreation and leisure and enjoying my life- instead of working to become a better version of myself. I would avoid discomfort and growth. I would do what I thought was best and easiest for me and my life with little concern for others.
As I've studied in the Book of Mormon this week about the Atonement of Jesus Christ I've been more aware of how much I know about life after death because of the Book of Mormon, and the knowledge it gives me about the Atonement. I am so grateful for that knowledge, and the knowledge that the monster of death has no power over me, or any of us, because of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for my Savior, and his grace and mercy.
Happy Sabbath friends.
❤️ I LOVE hearing others' love stories! Here's ours! ❤️
How did you two meet: Online! My profile said I was looking for an "intellectual cowboy" and he sent me a message saying "I'm exactly what you're looking for". I was like, "Sure you are cowboy 😏.." Guess he got the last laugh on that one!
Where was your first date: He drove from Roosevelt (2 hours) to take me to Texas Roadhouse for dinner in Provo! Then we drove up and down Provo Canyon and talked til almost midnight!
What is your age difference: 9 months- he's older! 40 next month!!
Who was interested first: Both?
Who is taller: Michael
Who said I love you first: I did! I actually went to break up with him and somehow ended up telling him I loved him instead...still not sure how that happened 🤔 but I'm sure there was some divine intervention involved.
Do you have/want to have kids: We have 3 stinkers!
Who is most impatient: We both have our moments but probably him
Who is the most sensitive: Probably him
Who is the most crazy: definitely me.
Who is the loudest: Me for sure.
Who is the most stubborn: Me all the way. Michael is so easy going and mostly just wants to make everyone happy. Unless it comes to truth and principles. He won't budge on that no matter what.
Who falls asleep first: With his job we almost never sleep at the same time. But he can sleep through a baby crying, that's for sure!
Who cooks better: Probably me- but he's amazing at smoking meat
Who is a better morning person: Michael. Without a doubt. I'm sort of a 👹👿 in the morning...
Who is the best driver: Well he is a professional driver BUT he's also the one who most recently got a speeding ticket (like 4 years ago) which I constantly remind him of.
Who is the most competitive: Oh does this even need to be asked?? I am pretty much the most competitive person on the planet...
How long have you been together: Married 6 years. First date 7 years ago March 1st!
"It's hard to be happy when you don't have the energy to smile."
This clip is 3 minutes and is a beautiful capture of my experience with Plexus. Please take a moment to watch it. (link in comments)
Sometimes I forget the dark place that I was in before I found these supplements. I'm not trying to be dramatic, but I think it's important to remember. There were days I wished I didn't wake up. I wish that I would no longer have to go on living. And no one knew.
I'm so grateful for my friend Wendy that took a chance and posted randomly on Facebook 2.5 years ago. What if she was too prideful and didn't want to be "that person". What if she hadn't said anything?
I'll be grateful every day of my life that she did so that God could help me have the miracle I so desperately needed. I had no idea my body so desperately needed help that medication and doctors could not provide.
Almost everyone who is building a business with Plexus started because of a personal health miracle, and that grew into sharing with people they love, that also were waiting for a miracle.
I'm now in the top 1% of 1% of the company, leading a team of beautiful, God-led women who also had a health miracle and want to help others. It has been one of the most transformative and rewarding experiences of my life- both with health, finances and personal growth. I wasn't looking for a JOB. But God does have a work for me to do, and He's my CEO. So I keep showing up because He's said I'm not done, and he's been very clear about that. Even though I feel like I'm building a boat in the wilderness, He continues to provide the miracles to go forward.
It's been a HUGE blessing for our finances- from $10,000 worth of dental crowns for our kids, to trips to fly my family of 5 to see my dad and my grandmother, to other unexpected expenses that would have easily drown us in the past.
I'm not interested in helping people build a business here because they are good at "sales". I'm not interested in building a team of people who are hustling just for big money. I'm praying to find those who are praying for a health miracle or a financial miracle and being an answer to their prayer. I'm interested in building a team of people who are other-focused. I want to find those who are looking for any spark of hope for a health or financial miracle, and then are willing take that blessing and bless others.
If you are curious about this business, the compensation plan, the training, what is required in terms of hours and activity, the trips I take, being part of a community that uplifts and helps, or you just want to feel more alive and engaged in life, just send me a message. I'd love to chat.
It might not be a good fit for you- and I'll tell you if that's what I think! Trying to convince someone to do something they don't want to is a HUGE waste of time. I am just here to help those who want to be help. So if you're curious or feeling a stirring in your heart, maybe you should dip your toe in the water. It might just change everything for you too.
You guys. coming back from island time is no joke. 12:30am is the earliest I can fall asleep and Caleb's 6:30am wake up call feels like I'm being raised from the dead.
I'm basically a zombie until 10am and these kids want someone to feed them every.single.morning.
Also I need some sunshine and a pina colada. Someone send help.
You guys. coming back from island time is no joke. 12:30am is the earliest I can fall asleep and Caleb's 6:30am wake up call feels like I'm being raised from the dead.
I'm basically a zombie until 10am and these kids want someone to feed them every.single.morning.
Also I need some sunshine and a pina colada. Someone send help.
traveling to
Just a 60* temp change. Memories of that Hawaiian sun will have to get us through until June. Back to winter.
Also the sleep we got 2 days ago will have to get us through to tonight....there was no sleep to be had on that red eye!
Nicole Kay Brinkerhoff is at Kaua'i Hawaii Island.
We have been soooooooo spoiled the last 4 days!! From getting lucky enough to see whales breach, to enjoying the most beautiful beaches, to eating the best food. But by far the best part has been these beautiful people. These are my people and I feel so blessed that they see the best in me while also helping me be better.
We've got 15 hours of traveling ahead of us but we're going home with full hearts, full bellies, and so excited to see our babies!
Gratitude transforms life.
In the Book of Mormon, Laman and Lamuel and Nephi experienced THE SAME life and circumstances together. The same desert. The same ocean. The same father, the same upbringing, the same angels. And yet their perspectives and feelings were polar opposite.
Nephi CHOSE to be grateful and look for God. Laman and Lamuel CHOSE to be angry, bitter, and look for how they were wronged. These choices became their character. Our perspectives change not only how we see the world, but how we feel and WHO WE ARE.
You will find what you are looking for. What you focus on grows. If you are angry and looking for all the evidence of how you've been wronged, how you are broken, or how someone or something is bad, your life will be filled with finding that evidence. Your brain is literally activated to find the evidence of the beliefs you have. You will become skilled at seeing the things that are wrong- in you and others. You will be unable to see the good, forget how to see God and over time, your character becomes one of negativity, anger, and isolation. Because you cannot see the good, you often repel it as well. You don't have an ability to see it, feel it or accept it.
Gratitude will change everything. If you shift to looking for the good in people and situations, it will change you. If you are looking for how you've been blessed, in time you will become skilled at finding the good in life- and it will make you feel happy, no matter the circumstances.You will be increasingly able to see good in people and yourself, and see GOD in your life. As you see the good, and surround yourself with good, you also FEEL good and become good. If you are radiating goodness, gratitude, happiness, you will also attract those kinds of experiences and people into your life.
Gratitude is not just SEEING the good, it will also enable you to bring those things into your life, and to become those things. It enables you to feel and receive more joy.
Gratitude is a skill. It is a choice. And it will define your life and character. It can turn a prison cell into a sanctuary.
So decide to flip the switch when you feel angry, hurt or can only see the bad. Choose to look for good. It may take some time and practice, but things will change.
Gratitude TRANSFORMS life.
Tubing and beach bumming today! There are SO many chickens here!!
What day is it? Thursday? Is it morning or night? Winter or summer?? I have no idea. I'm so disoriented! My whole world has been upside down for about a week. We dove into some self development at my business retreat and I've had some revelations that have rocked.my.universe.
What I do know is that I'm sure glad I have this guy by my side. He flew in last night and we get 4 days together alone. He's my greatest supporter. He thinks I'm amazing. He lets me be myself and even loves me for it. He listens to me decompress all the things, the overwhelm, the self revelations, the sorrow for my weakness. All of it. And he's here for it. Forever. I feel like I can do anything with him by my side. What a gift he is to me.
I miss my babies! It's been 6 days and I miss my Caleb smiles and my Alida's "I love you so much mom" and my Levi telling me all about his games.
But I'm sure loving the 75* weather and the time alone with this guy for the next 4 days. I thought I'd never want to come home, but I do. I ache for my family. It's what gives me the strength to fly and what I'll always comes back to.
So beautiful!!
I found my happy place! All the way in Kona, Hawaii we found a Nubian goat farm, goat cheese, raw honey and baby goats. I'm definitely moving here.
I've been too busy enjoying PARADISE to even take pictures! I'm never coming home!!
Hawaiian Sunday selfie!
Nicole Kay Brinkerhoff
Pizza for dinner ✔
Laundry to last my family for 10 days ✔
Packing for winter AND summer ✔
Up til 1am, 4 hours of sleep ✔
3 hour drive to the airport ✔
Parked car, friend taxi to the airport ✔
Checked bags ✔
Security ✔
Boarding ✔
Sitting next to a stranger for 7 hours ✔
Listening to a baby cry ✔
Secretly loving that it's not my child ✔
Laundry to last my family for 10 days ✔
Packing for winter AND summer ✔
Up til 1am, 4 hours of sleep ✔
3 hour drive to the airport ✔
Parked car, friend taxi to the airport ✔
Checked bags ✔
Security ✔
Boarding ✔
Sitting next to a stranger for 7 hours ✔
Listening to a baby cry ✔
Secretly loving that it's not my child ✔
Realizing I'm actually going to Hawaii!!!! ✔
See ya later snow!!
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