Just Thinkin'

This Sunday has been very contemplative for me and I would like to mention a few thoughts that have touched me. In church we spent a lot of time discussing lost souls. My bishop asked us an interesting question...If the Savior entered a room full of people, would He sit by himself and wait for someone to come talk to him? I have always thought this tactic was futile, but it had never before hit me that it is un-Christlike. So much time is devoted to getting my needs met, I wonder how many others I don't notice.

Henry B. Eyring has said that if you assume everyone you meet is carrying a heavy burden, more than half the time you will be right. I've had a tragic experience that taught me that, and ever since then I have been very careful to try and not add to the burdens of others, but it is also a comfort to me to know that Heavenly Father will never allow me to suffer alone. He is always near me, but he has given me family, friends, a ward, and roommates who know what it is to struggle and be mortal with me. I think I am pretty typical in that when I encounter trials I am far more concerned with getting through than with learning something. I never thought I would be grateful to go through what are now my worst memories, but I am. Some of the people I love are struggling and I would have nothing to offer them, had I not overcome what I did.

Today Trev and I were talking about when he moves away from home, and he was saying that college separates families. I started thinking about our Heavenly Parents sending us away from home. If my Heavenly Parents are anything like my earthly ones, I bet there were tears. The reason they let us go is because they knew the blessings of living away from home. Physically college has separated me from my family more than I ever dreamed (now I regularly go 2 months without going home.) But emotionally I have stronger ties to them than I ever thought possible. It's amazing how distance can do that. As freaky as it is for me to see my *little* brother move away from home, I am so excited for all the blessings that await him as he makes his own life and the blessings that await me in the future as I continue my trek back to my home in Heaven.

Happy Birthday to MEEEEEEE!

Hello friends, family, all. I bet I know what's racing through your mind right now, "Wasn't her birthday a while back?" Well yes it was. So glad you remembered. This week was not my birthday. I have this in common with most people I know.

My birthday was over winter break and it was great. It had everything that makes me happy. Almost. The only thing missing was my gorgeous roommies. Well last night they remedied that by having a belated party for me. One that included singing and a gift that I did not anticipate.

My "birthday" was much improved by the presence of Jason, who kept us laughing and graced us with his beautiful voice throughout the evening. He also brought us the ice cream. We love you Jason. Much hugs and a few pictures ensued! You guys are wonderful. Thank you thank you and thank you.

Mad Skills

Okay so we all know I'm somewhat intellegent, right? No sarcasm please. So when we play smart people games I should at least be in the ballpark. Not so. I give two examples...Racko and Scrabble.

When I was in Thatcher I got to play Racko with Clel and Sherri and my new friend Jaime. At least I was only 75 points behind Clel in the end. The difference is that he played 3 less games than I did. And I still came in 1 game behind him. Don't get me wrong, that was a wonderful night and I loved every minute, but that is because I have accepted a simple fact...I loose.

Fast forward about a week. I was in Tempe playing Scrabble with Katie, Jason, and Jarod. Now let's be honest, I talk a lot and I know a lot of words. Do I know how to shut up? This may be the million dollar question. Fortunately there was a nameless person that was just as bad as me so I only came in a little ways behind.

Not to fear, my place (last) in the gamer hall of fame is assured!

When it rains it pours

No joke. Okay so I had my first day of school today and it was intense. For starters I was on campus for 12 hours. Yeah, 7:30am to 7:30pm. It was fun. When the day began I was happy to see that it was overcast because I love the clouds. Then it started getting chilly. When my class ended early at 7pm I got to walk back to my car in the rain. That would be one mile away in case you were wondering. I parked my car where my day began, not where it ended. I was glad I hadn't worn the sandals, but the lacy shoes were not good either. Hey, it's not my fault that I couldn't find my tennies this morning. Keep derisive hoots to a minumum on that comment please. By the time I got home I had a puddle on top of each foot and another one I stepped in every time my foot came down. I was cold. I was shivering. I was cranky. And I did it. Did anyone else walk a mile in the rain? Well did ya? That's what I thought.

My new motto for life

My philosophy is that one must have a theme song to succeed in life. Last semester it was "Into the Fire" from The Scarlet Pimpernel. Well I did go into the fire and boy was I refined...I think, maybe...anyway it was hard. And wonderful. Nothing went as planned. I didn't get into music, I now have a boyfriend, my roommates constantly challenge me to stretch and grow and become my best self. I liked my plan. It included music therapy and violins and violas. My plan had me in the Tempe University 5th Ward. I love that ward and all the people in it. I got my appartment so I would be in 5th ward. Obviously I didn't figure in possible boundry changes. That plan is not working out like I pictured it. However, my plan did not include Jeff Sparks. In my defence how could last semester's plan include someone I had not met at the time? But now I do have Jeff in my life, and that changes my plan on how to spend some of my evenings, among other things. Talk about a surprise blessing. (for more detail on Jeff go to http://spark-a-smile.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-big-brother.html)

So now that we have established that my plan is out the window my response to it is "You Know Better Than I." I know that Heavenly Father must have something in store for me. I know that everything I have suffered and all the blessings I have received are not for nothing. This plan is not making sense to me now, but I have faith that it makes sense to my Father in Heaven. I will not venture to say that any of these things are divine intervention, but whether they are or not I know that He will consecrate them for my good and the good of others. The song is wonderful and I intend to hold it in my heart through every new challenge I face and blessing I receive this semester. This link will take you to the song and if you click more info in the gray box under the screen you will see all the lyrics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RddBWJgvKDY

News Flash!

So a lot has happened in my life since I updated last. First all the stuff that most of you already know. I didn't get into the music program so my major is now elementary ed. Even though I have yet to get the necessary clearences I want to go into special education. That is where the most teachers are needed and students need to be loved for who they are and what they can do, as opposed to everyone who sees them for what they can't.

I went from school to Prescott where I got my best present ever. This wonderful guy asked to be my boyfriend. We met over conference weekend and started dating on Dec. 20. It is exciting and fun and we are both enjoying getting to know each other. Be for you ask how serious we are let me tell you...we're not. Right now we are having a great deal of fun getting to know each other. I like things the way they are and if we can maintain the status quo for a while I will be perfectly content.

I made bank at Christmas and loved every thing I got. I was probably most excited to get the GPS because of how much I needed it. To give you an idea, I used to get lost in Thatcher AZ. The town is small enough that getting lost there is an accomplishment. I succeeded many times. We are not even going to mention how my sense of direction fares in Phoenix.

I got to spend a week with my aunt, uncle, and two of my cousins when they came to Tucson. That included family bonding and enough shopping to make me sick. Thank you Sara.

After that came my birthday. Again, I got more than I thought to hope for. The best part was that Jeff (the aforementioned boyfriend) came to Tucson for it. It was interesting getting used to being together with him. He goes to NAU and I'm at ASU, so we don't actually see each other all that often, about once a month for a weekend visit. This was four days and it was fun to spend the time with him and my family. There was a lot of jazz and dancing, as well as movies and laughs. It was good times.

Today is my dad's birthday, and we have been spending the day together until I leave to vacation in Thatcher tomorrow. I love the time with my family and I will miss them a lot when I am gone. I guess it's a good thing, but it's still hard for me to move away again each time I do it.

That's me in a nutshell, I'll try to have funny stories next week.

New Years Resolutions

Hi there friends and family. I have made a whole list of resolutions that I will now share with all of you. This way I can be doublly motivated to keep them.

-Update my blog weekly. Yes I know that I falied last year but this year will be better.
-Exercise every day and eat more healthy.
-100% visiting teaching
-Think twice, speak once

Maybe I should set higher goals, but I'm pretty sure these will keep me busy. Thank you for all votes of confidence and for the mocking taunts and snorts. These resolutions might just last all year!