What?!?!

Alright Groundhog, do you realize I live in REXBURG, IDAHO! 6 more weeks of winter is 6 weeks to long! Seriously! How am I supposed to excel in school under these conditions? Do you understand my nose hairs continue to freeze as I slip and slide on the ice running to classes at 7:45 in the morning! Not to complain or anything, but that can't be healthy! I'm not trying to expose your bad judgements. I'm just politely insisting that you recall your prediction and try again. I would be ever so grateful!

Current Study: Angels

I can't stop thinking about them: the angels in my life.

I love Elder Holland's description of Adam and Eve's experience of stepping into mortality:

"They knew this telestial world would contain thorns and thistles and troubles of every kind... [And] God knew the challenges they would face, He certainly knew how lonely and troubled they would sometimes feel. So He watched over His mortal family constantly, heard their prayers always, and sent prophets to teach, counsel, and guide them. But in times of special need, He sent angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near."

I can't seem to get that out of my mind. Elder Holland continues, "Seen or unseen they are always near."

They are always near. My heart is full of gratitude for the many tender mercies I've received when I haven't been left "lonely and troubled." I have been sustained by angels, seen and unseen.

"Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."

It blows my mind the many MANY times a friendly hug, a sincere greeting, a look of concern, a check-up call, a small note, words of encouragement, a quick email, a simple act of kindness, a long talk, an expression of love and hope, or just a simple post on this blog has been a tool of the Lord, and the giver-an angel. I don't have words to express the deep gratitude for the divine help I've received from both sides of the veil.

I add my own witness to Elder Holland's, "I testify of angels, both the heavenly and mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face." I know now I can face challenges to come, both global and personal, both great and small. And even I can act as an emissary for another in need.

"I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left... my Spirit shall be [with you], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." D&C 84:88

Hearts

Do broken hearts heal?

You can do it!

"I salute you as kingdom builders and as a generation of destiny.

A whole nation can be leavened by a righteous rising generation... You bright spirits could not have chosen a better time to be born, with more neighbors waiting and needing to be shown the gospel.

I know you have been properly placed because God did it."

-Elder Neal A. Maxwell

BYU Devo "All Hell is Moved"

Dear Mr. President

Dear Mr. President,

Congratulations on making history today.
Please treat my country well.

A little concerned...

A note we had to write our apartment complex managers a few weeks ago...

To whom it may (hopefully) concern:
Despite our three previous urgent requests our stagnant water filled, disease infested dishwasher is now leaking toxic waste. As much as we appreciate its efforts in helping us wash our floor, the toxicity of the rank liquid is contaminating the IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) of our once beloved apartment.
To our great relief no serious side affects have developed (to our knowledge). However, we are afraid that any day now one of us will wake up with a case of severe vomiting, discoloration of the skin (green is not good for the complexion), and possible loss of limbs, which would greatly affect our finals.
We appreciate any prompt action concerning this smelly issue. Thank you!
Apartment #8

Let it snow!

Ryan and I made the BEST snowman EVER!

Christmas Challenge!

# of pages in the 4 Gospels: 178

Days left until Christmas: 7

Experience of Reading the 4 Gospels in the New Testament to truly remember the reason for the season: Priceless

If you want to do it with me- it is 26 pages (rounded up) a day from Matthew to John!

Mysterious

The Lord works in mysterious ways. He really does. But I guess its not so much the mystery of his works, but that He works.

I've been emailing a friend and was relating a few difficult experiences that have happened recently and I made this observation:

Something I've been contemplating is how sometimes we hit that point where we think we just can't handle life anymore. Yet, the Lord always seems to test our limits further. But when he does, and we realize we can't handle it anymore, we learn that we can find strength in the Lord when we literally have none left. And by doing so prove to God and to ourselves what we are actually capable of.

I'm realizing how true that is. The Lord has a heavy hand in our lives. He is there and he is actively participating in my life! But however true that is I've noticed that sometimes when life is hard it just gets harder. No matter how hard I pray (and work) it just doesn't go away, neither does it get easier for awhile. But I've discovered the Lord does it on purpose. I'm supposed to be learning and becoming something.

And those times that I just can't handle it, when I literally don't have the strength, he does. I find it in him. So when I do push forward and I keep enduring to the end is when I prove to Him and to me that I can do this and I do it with Him.

As my roommate would say, "What a blessing!"

Meet the roommates...

I've always been grateful for good roommates. Thankfully I haven't had hardly any bad ones. However, this semester has been exceptional. So I want to introduce you to Apt. #8 (except for the men of course)!

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As you can see we have done an incredible amount of traveling together. And we all know what great bonding moments you experience on various travels. I know its pretty amazing that those fat bodies can make it up such high mountains. We all seem to have some weight issues.
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So thank you girls! For being "such a blessing!"
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I would just like to note that I am the tallest person there!
(That never happens!)

A tasty treat...

I shouldn't... but I do... and I like it!

Just combine a few of these:

*mint preferred

With a mug full of this:

*hazelnut is best

Hmmmmmmm. And enjoy!

It just makes me happy.

Study: Gratitude

I'm a copy-cat! Thanks for the idea Shalyn!

100 Things I'm Grateful for...

1. My incredible mom!
2. Uplifting music
3. My beautiful mountains!
4. An all to sensible father who keeps me in line
5. Christmas lights! (Yes ours are already up)
6. A good education
7. Fall leaves
8. Disney movies
9. Trials that continue to remind me of all my blessings
10. Laughter
11. Phone calls from my grandparents
12. Hugs
13. True friends... you know who you are!
14. Family History!
15. Jamba Juice
16. My blog!
17. Snowball fights
18. Good memories
19. Temples!
20. Scrapbooks
21. My journal
22. Thank you Cards
23. New friends
24. Good crys... yes I am grateful for them
25. Rain
26. Snowboarding
27. The Spirit helping me along the way
28. Horseback riding
29. A certain country song I like to sing REALLY loud
30. Books
31. Conference Issue Ensign
32. Brandon playing football with me all day!
33. My quilts tied by grandma
34. My house
35. String cheese
36. Views that take your breath away
37. My little shadow... Brittany
38. Chocolate Cake
39. Missionaries: Sis. Briggs, Sis. Smoot, Sis. Jones :D
40. My bishop
41. Smiles from strangers
42. Pictures!
43. A good recipe
44. Journey... yes the Band
45. My super duper laptop
46. Spending time with my family
47. New markers
48. Catching up with friends I love
49. Familysearch.com Indexing! You should all do it!
50. Impromptu get-togethers
51. Peace
52. Quotes. I'm a sucker for a good one
53. My jeep!
54. Hazelnut hot chocolate...hmmm
55. Kind words
56. Those good people who fix my computer!
57. Inspirational moments
58. The scriptures
59. Those inspirational moments WITH the scriptures!
60. My cell phone. At least I think I'm grateful for it
61. Men who will change my oil so I don't have to
62. Hymns:
63. If You Could Hie to Kolob
64. O My Father
65. I Stand All Amazed
66. Lord I Would Follow Thee
67. Praise to the Man
68. Scarfs... especially in Rexburg
69. BYU Idaho
70. Piano Music
71. Opportunities
72. Service
73. Good Health
74. Highlighters
75. People who REALLY care, and don't judge
76. Times to sacrifice
77. The BYUI Activities Program
78. Ivie Family Christmas Party
79. Card games
80. My tennis shoes
81. Hope...I'm VERY grateful for that
82. Those times you feel your heart ache and the only thing you can do is give it to the Lord
83. My camera!
84. Jokes
85. Hitting my target heart for an extended amount of time! Yeah for exercise!
86. The Quiet Study Section of the library
87. Flowers
88. Sunshine
89. Modern Medicine
90. Warm homemade bread
91. Holidays from school
92. A competitive game. Me competitive?
93. Temple Square
94. Tender Mercies
95. People who are FILLED with optimism
96. Sincere Compliments
97. Elastics
98. The Atonement
99. The Gospel
100. My Savior

A night out...

Daddy-Daughter Date: The Holy War Duel

I'm pretty sure this man is the best date around! There is nothing like wearing blue in a sea of red.

Me!

Photos by Stacey Gold. Isn't she awesome!!!

Book Report: Running with Angels

I really enjoyed this book. It's an easy read, but it has some powerful lessons about life and about learning to love ourselves.

It's Pamela Hansen's very real experience with morbid obesity, life's trials, and how to endure and overcome. What I really appreciate is her application of Ether 12:27 of making weak things strengths. Its a success story of self-mastery, and that is absolutely inspiring to me!

"Dreams can be achieved when they are turned into goals" (pp 185)

I would recommend it for a quick, inspiriation read! For sure! I'm going to have to go run a marathon now! :)