Love of Trials

So many people I know, myself included, have gone through some trying times lately. It is interesting to see the way that people react to the trials that they are given whether it be the death of a loved one, a sickness, a hard decision or anything else. My sister and I were talking about this the other day and she sent me this poem. As I read it, my thoughts turned to some of my many friends who have been struggling.

The Monument

God,
Before He Sent His children to earth
Gave each of them
A very carefully selected package of problems.

These,
He promised, smiling,
Are yours alone. No one
Else may have the blessings
These problems will bring you.

And only you
Have the special talents and abilities
That will be needed
To make these problems
Your servants.

Now go down to your birth and to your forgetfulness.
Know that I love you beyond measure.
These problems that I give you
Are a symbol of the love.

The monument you make of your life
With the help of your problems
Will be a symbol of your Love for me,
Your Father. "
- Blaine Yorgason

He loves us and knows what is best for us! Sometimes we do not understand why we are going through what we are going through, but their is a reason. If we respond with faith and love, we will be strengthened. I can see how trials of the past have shaped who I am today. Though I am unsure why I must go through some struggles, one thing I do know is that He loves me and will be there for me always! My thoughts and prayers are with those of you who are struggling.

A Night in Virgina.....

that is, a night in Virgina, Idaho!!!

Here is the story. After high school ends you always hear stories of people growing apart, or lives changing soooooo much, or whatever. A group of friends, some whom I have known since elementary school and others since high school, decided that we needed to have one of our famous "Girl's Nights". We have been trying to plan one for quite a while, but it finally came to fruition.



It was interesting trying to plan around the schedules of six girls in four different places, with interesting things in their lives. Needless to say, we met on middle ground in Virgina, Idaho. For those who don't know, that is around the Downey area. Here is a small play-by-play about what happened that night.

ARRIVAL: Two showed up around 6ish, and ended up waiting for the other three to get there. Turns out that they got lost and phone calls were made to help them find the house, as well as a welcoming dance.



MENU: There was some good food there. We started out eating as soon as everyone was there. The menu consisted of Pizza, vegatables, fruit, Little Debbies snacks, cookies and Cheesy Bread. That last one was exciting for me because it was first time ever making it and it turned out super good and it was really easy!!!



After the food, there was good times outside, lots of great conversation, and some good laughs!!! Below are some pics!
Jenny pretending to be at a Port-o-Potty (really a root cellar)


Lisa's kids joined us for a little bit and her son and I had a good time. Apparently, I am just as funny looking as always because all I had to do was look at him and he started laughing. Then, he started imitating me and my laughing, which explains the next two pictures.


I would love to share all the pics and stories, but there were too many!!! It was so much fun and I am so glad that even though some are married with kids, others are single, we are all in different places and having different experiences in our lives, we are still able to maintain our friendships and have a good time.!!! Thanks girls for one fun and crazy night!

A New Addiction!!!

Nobody get scared, this is me we are talking about. I have found a new addiction and it is just what I need in my life right now. When I was living in Pocatello and trying to decide what to do with my life and where to go, there was one thing that coming to mind. I wanted to live in a place where there was a temple, so that I could try and make it to the temple more than once a month. When I moved here, my goal was to try and go once a week. I did not do so great with that one, but I did make sure that I went often. At the end of November, I had some interesting health issues and it was hard for me to go for a while.
I have been taking an institute class on the Pearl of Great Price which is amazing. I have learned so much and had some amazing experiences. It has encouraged me and inspired me to be a better person. The class has helped me to really focus how grateful I am for the opportunity to go to the temple.



A couple of weeks ago, I went and got a new recommend and really felt like I wanted and needed to be there. My ward had a temple night that Thursday and I cannot even begin to express how happy I was to be there and what a great experience it was. I left there feeling like I was glowing and I was so happy. This past week, I was not necessarily struggling, but lacking the patience and wanting some answers. As I sat in my room Tuesday night, a friend sent me a text and told me she was going to the temple. As much as my body wanted me to say no, I felt the need to go; and now I am addicted. That one night in the temple has helped me to really feel the peace and serenity that is present there. I went again Thursday night and received even more help and comfort. Saturday, I will probably go again to the temple, because I cannot seem to get enough of going there. What a special place.
So while the rest of the world is battling their addictions of whatever they may be, I encourage everyone who reads this, though I am not sure how many do, to become a little more addicted to the temple. It truly is the House of the Lord and a place where we can slow down and feel peace.

Unwired

Gone are the days of being a "metal mouth" or "brace face" (not that anyone was mean enough to call me that to my face). That is right. I am now BRACE FREE!!!!!

Needless to say, it made today exciting for me. My mom loves taking pictures, and since my Orthodontist is in Pocatello, she insisted on taking pictures of my post-braces.

Here is the new smile :)

So Much Fun!!!

My life tends to go in spurts. Some weeks are very relaxing and there is just enough to do and others are just plain busy. Last week was a busy one. To celebrate making it through the week, I headed to Poky to spend some time with friends and relax.
On Friday night, we had a girl night and tried to be "girly". I am not the greatest at being girly, so this was quite an experience. We ate food, watched a movie and did a facial thing with lime juice and sugar. Here are some pics of the "masks".



Four of us with the stuff on the face.



Yes, they did taste pretty yummy!



What is looked like when they dried.

Saturday became cookie day. My friend Alycia and I made cookie bars for a dinner for the missionaries in her ward. They were quite delicious. She and I got together later that night and made more cookies for a church thing the next day. They were yummy, but there were tons of cookies and not enough frosting.

Sunday was church and I was able to go back to my University Ward in poky. It was good to see so many people and to feel of the spirit that was there. I also took so time on Sunday to start prepping a lesson that I will be giving in a couple of weeks and spend some time with some great people!

Monday was the day to get things done, get packed, and head back. Before I left, I was able to go to lunch with a friend. Once I got back, a friend from the mission came up and visited me. We spent the night talking and reminiscing of old times.

With all this fun, it was hard to go back to work and focus. It didn't help that my sleeping schedule was completely off. Thanks everyone for such a great weekend!!!

Well, I am off to bed so I can get back on schedule. Good Night!

Lessons From The Past Week

1. Even though bread with cheese looks harmless, it packs a powerful punch especially if it is made in a pizza place. My taste buds loved it, but my stomach, not so much.
2. Getting to sleep at 2:00 a.m., after some rough times, and then waking up at 8:15 to get you out the door and to church before 9:00 is not easy or fun.
3. A Sunday full of meetings cannot be looked at as a day of rest in some ways. There was church, a meeting during the Linger Longer, another one after that, and one more after that. Between all the meetings and getting done what was discussed in those meetings, I was sick and tired by the end, thanks in part to #2.
4. Heavenly Father really knows me. I received a blessing on Monday. I was told some things that those guys who assisted with the blessing, did not know about me. In fact, at one point, I just about started laughing when something was said, but I did not want to take away from the spirit that was there. There were things that I needed to hear in that.
5. Family Doctors probably will not ever want to take care of me. Within five minutes of talking with one, he decided I needed to see a GI doctor because he thought all my issues were related to my lovely stomach.
6. Apparently, the “pins and needles” feelings that I have been having constantly since #2, are not low potassium like I thought. I got a call saying that everything in my blood tests came back normal, and I was pretty sure I was really low.
7. I have a wild imagination to feel these feelings, when they are not really there.
8. It takes forever to get into a specialist, even if your body is going crazy.
9. There are some random places on your body that can feel the “pins and needles”. For example: knees, bottom, cheeks, lips, back, neck, and others. Basically I think it has been everywhere but not at the same time. Right now, it is in my cheeks, lips, hands, and right upper quad.
10. Life can be crazy, but you have to take care of yourself first and then worry about the other things that need attention.

Reasons I Love My Pillow

This morning, I rolled out of bed around 8:15. I usually try to be at work by 8:40 so that I get a little lunch break. By 8:35, I was out the door and driving through the falling snow to get to work (which is only a couple of blocks away). Once I got to work, I realized that today was not going to be the greatest day in the world. It has made me so grateful for my pillow.



Here are the reasons that I love my pillow.
1. It is super comfortable and makes those last few moments in bed worth the
rush to get ready in the morning.
2. It is durable. No matter how much it gets thrown around, hit or rearranged,
it has not yet fallen apart.
3. It hides sounds pretty good. If I ever feel like a good scream or
a frustrated growl, it always gives me a place to let go.
4. It is just the right size!
5. There is a nook in it, where my head fits perfectly and is formed exactly to
my perfect sleeping specifications.
6. Look at the colors! Need I say more :)
On a rough day, it is nice to know that there is always at least one thing that you can count on to make you feel better.