Some day a SuPeR StAr

2011-07-03T22:41:00.000-07:00

Christmas's Past

2009-12-21T15:22:00.000-08:00

The Spirit: Laying Upon the Word

2009-10-05T22:33:00.000-07:00

In one of my classes, we have been studying the decision making process in reference to the armor of God. I've had a blast working on my summary papers - so I wanted to share them with you. It's just some fun thought for the day. Take it or leave it, just for kicks

Personal Revelation:

Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edge sword piercing even to the diving asunder of the soul and spirit, and the joints and the marrow, and is the discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart.”
The word of God is always referenced to the scriptures and modern revelation. I know that to be true. I also believe His word to us, that whispering of the Spirit is our personal revelation, our own scripture.

According to the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, (an excellent resource by the way), the word ‘quick’ in Greek means; “to live, life, lifetime, live, alive, lively…”“For the word of God is [alive], and powerful, and sharper than any two edge sword…”

God’s words are alive within in us and we have access to know, feel, love, trust and discern. That is our revelation, our scripture.

Revelation in the Scriptures:

More than we realize, the voice of the Lord is ever present during and after we have immersed ourselves in the scriptures. In 2Nephi 32:3 we can know the language of angels. They speak by the power of the Spirit, the words of Christ. When we feast on His words, our soul will be pierced and we can discern and be instructed to all things that we should do.

Against the battle of sin, in declaring and defending the faith, we can know the answer to every question. When we have the Spirit, we can proceed with the tongue of angels.

Continuing on in verse four of 2Nephi 32, if we cannot understand what we should do in our decisions, it’s merely because we did not come to the door of the Lord and knock. We’ll be left in the dark if we don’t reach for our sword, reach for the rod, and become alive in His word.

Jacob Lake Redo..

2009-09-17T21:04:00.000-07:00

Smiles with Kylie

2009-08-02T19:47:00.000-07:00

Staffantastic Squireln'

2009-08-02T19:17:00.000-07:00

Antime, anywhere...

2009-08-02T15:17:00.000-07:00

Norah's debut

2009-08-02T14:38:00.000-07:00

sky rockets in flight ;)

2009-08-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

Staffantastic 09 (see more of the pics on facebook)

2009-08-02T13:44:00.001-07:00

Patrick was our fav celeb! Yaya for KaRaOke!

love dat Spidy smile!

Maya's newest best buddy, my Mamma

cute Kylie!

they were jumpn' pews and shouting...

Norah's love of her life

yep, we're related and only a month apart ;)

Uncle Merrill hooked us up, WAy Cool!

blast off!

Fun-filled night of family!

No Mans Land...Seriously

2009-06-25T15:09:00.000-07:00

Ok, so here's the dealio. The phrase ‘NO MANS LAND,’ is so applicable to where I currently reside. Last night, I was catching up on my facebook life to hear the ‘melodic’ roars of cows – yes cows. SO, I’m submerged into nothingness. I’m not use to this having been raised in suburbia. And that’s not all, there are literally NO men, yes I say men. I storm the campus and church with the wee little young’ns that are male. I’m usually 10-7 years older than they. So, (I’m going to continue to vent here for a second) spring really does bring out something in the teenagers that I see around me. Couples are captured spellbound in each other’s arms, lying in the grass, EVERYWHERE. Lingering kisses that verge on the side of ‘get a room,'…They are so young and naïve, it’s like they are playing grown up, ya know?

Now, I’m not saying this as an hold bitter hag, but as a 28 year menace to society, who would definitely not play grown up with a boy, but be a grown up with a man! (Mmm, I like that) Come on young’ns of BYU-I, can we just turn the PDA down a notch?

I’ll continue on my educational quest, trying to avoid this scene, but I know it’s useless. The majority of you who actually read this are married, so embrace the fact that this part of life is over and continue to play with your cute kiddos! In the mean time, set me up would YA, help me get out of ‘no man’s land,’ or I might just have to succumb to the precarious world of romance that some find online…oye…ok, now I’m done, venting complete ...for now ;)

Life for thought...

2009-06-01T09:47:00.000-07:00

The Washed Car Parable
Since I can remember, I was taught that “Saturday is a special day; it’s the day we get ready for Sunday.” The song continues listing various chores that will prepare us to worship the Sabbath. Having that ingrained into my brain and the diligence of an excellent trainer on my mission, who taught me the value of what preparation day should be; I know that weekly clean up helps us physically and spiritually carry forward with our Sabbath and for the rest of the week. Being dutiful, I did just that.
Somewhat early, I went to clean my Church meeting house. The janitorial mop and I twirled and slid through the bathrooms and kitchen (may it be noted, the boy’s bathroom won the title for large and brown spiders). After the completion of the cleaning of the Church, I was onto household chores which included a major deep clean of my car.
I cleared out the trash in my car that had accumulated over its winter hibernation and sorted out the necessities. I shook, vacuumed and washed the mats. I vacuumed the interior and cleared the dust. I pulled it through the local car wash and scrubbed it down. The neon green foam that gurgled through the car wash brush seemed to sense my enthusiasm, and caught the vision as it produced excessive suds. Life was good. A fresh start, a fresh week. The droplets of water vanished as I sped by on the country roads. My car and I had a mutual sense of satisfaction. Even after the major detailing, I discovered an air-freshener neglected in my driver’s side door pocket. The scent was coconut. Fresh island discovery. I pulled into my driveway and continued with the tasks that awaited me. With the energy I had left, I concluded the day of dutiful work by climbing into the shower. Rewarding myself, I carried my CD player into the bathroom and allowed Norah Jones to sing several duets with me, for a shower is not complete until you sing at least one song.
I returned to my room only to hear the violent rustling leaves outside my window. The sky was gray and I knew what was approaching. Being out in the country, and especially Rexburg, wind is not just wind, its debris and gunk. My heart sank. I knew that my sparkling burgundy Nissan was about to plastered with dust and rain. I sat on my bed disappointed. Not even a day to display my shining car about town. Only a few hours and the transformation was lost, the clouds rolling in appeared to be bellowing destruction of everything that I had accomplished that day. Even the birds were in on Mother Nature’s nasty trick. The decided that my car should be target practice for their completed digestive cycle.
It took me a moment, but within that moment, I switched gears and began to laugh. What else can be done? My super powers were not quite in tack, I couldn’t prevent nature from following its course, so I shook my head, rolled my eyes and laughed. I know the formula for rain; newly washed car=a dusty rain storm. The following morning, I reread my letter from my brother serving his mission. He said, “This week has been really interesting, and by interesting I mean a little discouraging. We were facing a lot more fall through and rejections than normal and we were really trying to figure out what we were doing wrong…Somehow we kept laughing about everything. I asked him one time after yet another fall through, "why are we laughing?" Probably because it was just so ridiculous (and maybe some laughing gas from above). But among it all has been some really good experiences.”
I flashed back to the day before. My efforts, just like my brothers have purpose. My washing of the car became my new parable. As in life; his efforts in serving the Lord are for a goodly desire and duty. Even though he was rejected, he and his companion laughed and continue to. In our lives, sunshine will warm our faces and life can be fun and fulfilling. As the uncontrollable clouds descend upon us; that is when we prove who we are by how we react. What is our attitude? Can we “Come what may, and love it? ” I could even go as far as to say that just like my interior cleaning of my car; it’s the internal cleansing of our spirit that leads to eternal destination. When we clear out the clutter in our lives and throw away sin, that’s the cleansing power that smells so sweet and fresh.
It’s also rewarding to have that first passenger to enter into our newly cleaned car without feeling worried of what they might see or find. So it is with the Spirit of the Lord, only He can be the ultimate cleansing agent and the eternal passenger that can accompany on us any journey, especially when the rains descend. He’ll bring warmth in the cold, light in the darkness, and direction on the path; the only key is to open the door to let Him in.
The gospel is a gospel of good news. The Lord wants us to be happy and our efforts are not unseen. Mortality is full of rain. We knew that before we came. We can find laughter and joy in each drop, and allowing the Spirit of the Lord to get us to our ultimate destination. Our preparation day is now. We are in the Saturday of the duration of the final days of the return of the Savior. Our spiritual and physical labors will prepare us internally and eternally for Sunday.

[1] Wirthlin, Joseph B. General Conference. October 2008. http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-9,00.html

Edlers and RS pres sweet swimm'n

2009-05-11T16:14:00.000-07:00

Talent show goodness...

2009-05-11T16:05:00.000-07:00

My friend Shanda-pants

2009-05-11T15:53:00.000-07:00

My roommie Pili

2009-05-11T15:37:00.000-07:00

Stinky Fridge Syndrome

2009-05-04T19:31:00.000-07:00

Help!

My roommate was so sweet to make pancakes for me on Sunday morning. I was excited to actually eat breakfast before Church. As I was getting ready, the nastiest stench wafted into my room. It was obvious that the pancakes had some major casualties. I tried to ignore the smell, and was summoned to come to breakfast. I asked her what the smell was, and she said that she had burnt some pancakes. I opened every window, and eventually the smell left our house...or so I thought. I haven't confronted her yet, but I think that she must have set the pancakes on fire or something and shoved them into the fridge. The all the food in the freezer and fridge have absorbed this stench. You can taste the burn even in packaged foods. I placed a box of baking soda to hopefully take the smell away - but it hasn't done anything. HELP ME! I don't like this new diet plan of not eating my food in the fridge cause it taste bad! Any suggestions?

Aloha Hawaii and YeeeHa IDeeho!

2009-04-23T14:08:00.000-07:00

My roommie took me around my last real day on the island.

My fam gave me a great aloha birthday, I provided their style ;)

On my own...

2009-04-07T17:45:00.001-07:00

I have mornings free from work, so I steal Rita's car and head off for adventures. This morning, you'd be so proud! I went snorkeling all by my lonesome! Check it out...

shaken' some island bootay

2009-03-31T01:15:00.000-07:00

more fun at the PCC

2009-03-31T01:10:00.000-07:00

PCC fun

2009-03-31T00:57:00.000-07:00

Amazing show

hot dancers

the fishie I made

I wanna marry a Somoan

before the show, windy as usual!

2009-03-31T00:36:00.000-07:00

our luau amazingness, sooo yummy

unveiling of the pig

coconut tree climbers...not too shabby on the eyes

scenic north shore drive

fabulous rainbow

2009-03-25T17:05:00.000-07:00

the stairs of insanity!

Diamond Head hike

2009-03-25T16:57:00.000-07:00

inside the tunnel/cave

these stairs scared me the mostest

we made it to the top, oye!

Trip to Laie

2009-03-25T00:02:00.000-07:00

soO green here!

I love this flowers!

fountain on the temple grounds

sad, the temple is closed until 2010 for remodeling - still purdy to look at though!

We finally made it to the top, oye uber windy

2009-03-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

Hike to a light house

2009-03-23T20:10:00.000-07:00

walk with me...

2009-03-22T02:09:00.000-07:00

2009-03-19T17:06:00.000-07:00

Today is a GORGEOUS day! These past couple of days have been nice, overcast though. The sun is out and the water is all shades of blue, it actually looks a lot like bear lake. You can see our two twin islands from our dining room table. Andy says that we should kyak to the twin islands, but that makes me really anxious. We went to Pearl Harbor today. It was an overwhelming and incredible experience. I didn't realize that the USS Memorial was located right on top of the ship, that was a fascinating discovery for me. The museum was nice, but the movie was excellent and it created a reverant tone. We had about an hour before we went on the ship, so I got a little photo happy.

I am learning the ropes with Rita. Today is our first day together. Our care includes, bathing, cooking, taking her to the bathroom, changing her clothes, pretty much 100% full care. We are trying to build up her leg muscles so she can walk. She just received a walker today, and we'll see how that goes. She doesn't have any severe health issues, and she can eat pretty much anything - her favorite things are cookie dough and bacon, (you'd never guess cause she's such a bird). You can tell that she's not sure of me yet. Just getting from the wheelchair to bed took us 15 minutes of conversation to talk her into allowing me to help her. She's asked me over 20 times where I'm from and where I live here in Hawaii.

I have experienced the cockroaches, but as I was opening up the window slats to get more air circulation - I found 3 geckos. We were both frightened by eachother, but I guess the gecko's are good to have around because they eat the bugs. Maybe you already know all of this, but this life is a whole different and enchanting ball game for me. This morning I woke up to a chorus of birds in the palm trees and the sun rising at 5am. I was wide awake and could not figure it out until I realized that according to UT time, it was about 8-or 9 I think. I could not fall back asleep. This time change might take a while, either way I'm going to try to get up every morning to walk along the beach. I might take my scriptures or finish my book. I'm in this whole new utopia and I keep pinching myself. Tonight, I'm either going to a BYU-H basketball game or a belly dancing class...ya don't laugh.

Hawaii arrival

2009-03-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

I SOOO wish you could be here with me! This place is so heavenly! I keep looking outside to see if I really am here! Our view is right outside the beach, we live on a rock side so it takes us about 10 minutes to walk to the sandy part - that will definitely be a daily routine! Andy and I went on walk today, and I was just in awe.

16 Monday 2009

12:35pm - with an excitement/anxiety I board the plane and head off to Hawaii. After 6hours, I learned that sitting next to a 6.4'' man+tonz of turbulance+a plane full of kids=a very long flight.

3:00pm - arrive in Hawaii. You can smell the fragrant flowers and instantly feel the humidity. Andy arrives with my Hawaiian leis in hand. We drive to our home in Kailua. The ride is amazing, the mountains are majestic and so unique. 4ish-I made it. My room is perfect. The house is older 70's style. The windows and doors are constantly open for air circulation - no AC. I'm sweating like CRAZY, Andy says I'll get use to it - says the girl half my size...it doesn't matter I'm in HAWAII

5:20pm-dinner, Andy made a yummy meal and I get to meet Rita; the woman I'll be caring for in the afternoons. She is more with it than I realized. She's witty and has a good disposition. She's hard of hearing so our conversations our louder than most.

7:00pm - go with Christy and Krystal (my other roommates - why cute and easy to get along with) to FHE at Kenui's. The branch is awesome. Greeting me with hugs and kisses on the cheek. After Krystal gave the lesson, we had an activity of 'guess the name on my back.' Kenui made some fantastic hawaiin food; Kailua pig (pork and cabbage), glass noodles with pork and chives, fresh salsa salmon-not my fav very fishy, fresh cut pineapple, bread and banana bread smeared with frosting. There was SO much food! It was soo yummy and a great introduction to the Islands!

9:00pm - the branch is going to the dollar theater and Christy asks me if I want to join. I can barely keep my eyes open, I'm sOO wasted. I decided to pass.

10:00pm - I get ready for bed and discover a new friend in the bathroom...can you guess it, yup a cockroach, it was about the size my thumb. Apparently they are every where. Krystal told me an interesting fact. Apparently they like to crawl all of the dishes in the cubbard, so she uses her shirt to wipe them off...

10:30pm - it's about 2:30am UT time, so I can't last any longer. Being spooked about the cockroaches finally wears off and I succumb to sleep. The crashing of the waves soothes me into slumber.

17 May 2009

I got up and finally unpacked. I was going to do it yesterday afternoon, but it was so hot in my room, I couldn't. I'm still paranoid about the cockroaches...YUCK! After breakfast, I walk on the beach with Andy and see more of the neighborhood. We had lunch with Rita and play a mean game of scrabble. She gets tired so is napping while I catch up on email and Andy is working on her lesson for Sunday and will soon work on St. Patty's decorations ;) I'm going to go help now. Tonight is institute and we might go to Pearl Harbor in the morning!

2009-03-12T23:42:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been overwhelmed with choices? For the past 3 month-ish, life has been so, so odd. Bouncing between Rexburg and Kaysville, not knowing what I should be doing was driving me CrAzY. Even though I struggled with indecisiveness, I had the greatest support. My companion from my mission who lives in Malta offered me a place to stay and would help me find a job. My cousin Hilary extended her arms to me to stay with her and her adorable family in Powell Wyoming. My other cousin Chelsea found a sweet deal on a town house and offered me an empty room. Then, one of my dearest friends from the 32nd ward was trying to get rid of her scandalous roommate and wanted me to take her spot for a great deal, knowing that I would be there only for a short while. I wanted be with them all! I was overwhelmed by the amazing generosity and thanked the Lord for such amazing people in my life. Needing some more direction, I turned to Him for some added guidance. I was instructed that I should be with my new roommie down the street from the 32nd ward. Little did I know that I could be here for her during an interesting time and turn of events for both of us. My karaoke nights with Tiff and Gentry have been such and highlight, and I especially loved my gal pal nights with Leslie, Jenny, Karen and Dot.

Then a phone call came last Thursday night with an offer that I couldn’t refuse. I have been asked to help take care of an elderly lady for a couple weeks until school starts. You question the offer now, weeelll let me tell you where this lady lives...she lives on a little island called Honolulu. I fly out on Monday and come back on Wednesday, April 15. My dear friend Andrea from the Madison Branch in Rexburg is working with this elderly lady out there and needs an extra buddy to help care for her. It's free housing and food, plus we live on the beach. I've never gone to Hawaii and I am getting paid to go, it's perfect timing!!! This picture is a part of the back yard, and I'll definitely send you more pics along the way! I can't wait and I wish I could take you with ME!

Hair nets rule...

2009-02-25T13:41:00.000-08:00

After 3 full days of lunch lady land, I've decided that lunch ladies are incredible. They can carry anything, lift anything, tolerate extreme temperatures, and provide an amazing meal for hundreds. The days of mystery meat are over, the food is fantastic and fresh. The idea that school lunch is gross is all talk. Kids these days (I can't believe I just said that) eat so much better than any body I know. So, parents - thank your lunch lady cause they rock my socks!

Birthday-ing/Valentine-ing

2009-02-15T12:43:00.001-08:00

My darling little sister Gentry, has had a fabulous week of events. She has reached the age of 12, which in Mormon culture and religion is monumental. I believe the countdown began the hour she turned 11. She will relinquish her title as a child from the primary and become a young woman. Each week she will stand up nervously-until memorized and repeat with the other young women how she is indeed a 'daughter of her Heavenly Father, who loves her, and she loves Him.' She will gaze up at the confused Mia Maids and the towering, 'all knowing Laurels' with envy - not realizing that life as a Beehive is ignorant bliss. She now possesses the YW charm and the maturation classes are over, so let adolescence BEGIN!

Granty came home yesterday to join us in all of the festivities. Ushering Gen through the baptistry with all the fam (carrying Rhett in our heart ofcourse), was truly a delight. There was discussion on the way to the temple that what would happen if we told Gentry to 'cannon ball' it into the font. The conversation might have been irreverant to even discuss such a thing, however, it was a pretty darn funny thought.

As we both awaited our turn to be dunked, (no cannon ball, though I whispered it to Grant as I exited the font after he baptized Gen and I), I saw Gentry's jittering anticapation. With my arm around this little girl, now young woman, my heart was full. Her big brown eyes full of love and the unknown, made me realize that she was probably the most pure soul in the font. It made me reflect on a snowy February morning. 12 years and 2 days ago, the nurse allowed me to be the first in the family to greet this angel into our home. After 16 years of waiting, the day had finally arrived that the Lord granted me a sister.

Today, my heart was mixed with emotion; saddness now that she's going to face the big bad world, but joy to know that she is one of the most valaint and capable to do so. However old she may get, she will always be my baby sis. I love that girl!

Gen Jive'n

2009-02-13T11:58:00.000-08:00

When I was in the sixth grade, I had to dance the Virginia Reel with with boys that I had no desire to get close to. Sweaty hands and unsure/extreme egos. Kids these days get to lip sync and shake their bootay, dos-see-doh-ing just doesn't cut it. I'm jealous, well I guess I know what I am doing this weekend.

2009-02-11T21:55:00.000-08:00

Ok, here's the dealio. I have been offered to start as a lunch lady aka: sub cook for Davis County schools. This means that after a 30 hour week of training, I could sub cook if the manager liked me. So far this is the only job that will hire me. I will get to work a maximum of 4 hours a day at $9.50 an hour. I could work up to 3-15 hours a week when hired on after training. I need more hours...but I'm currently getting nothing but this is more than nothing, right? I love accessories, so bring on the hairnet and call me Doris I guess!

There's just this small voice of pride that says, "What in the world are you doing? You have an associate’s degree and a cosmetology license under your belt and you are going to be slopping goo on trays of the hungry children of Davis county?!" and then there is the bloody voice of reason that pesters in my brain, "Some money is better than none, and besides you know that you don't work well in a salon - if you had your own house, you have your dream salon. Since you feel you gotta go to school, this is what works."So, here I am crossing off the days until I can go back to Rexburg. I am missing Rexburg A LOT! I miss my branch and friends, but am not sure what to do up there until April 20, (that's when school starts). "Come what may, love it," right? What do you guys think?

Ps. Gentry enters young womanhood tomorrow, it's her official big one two on the 12th!!! Can you believe it?!

Every guys dream, 4 hotties on a 4 wheeler

2009-02-10T16:17:00.000-08:00

Malta ID fun!

2009-02-10T15:59:00.000-08:00

Nick and I had a mini mission reunion with Scottie in her Malta. She has 2 adorable kids, Trevor-2yrs and Bryson 5 months. Bryson and I are the of best buddies, Trev doesn't like me so much. We ate some amazing home cooked meals at the local ma and pa places. Scottie waitresses at one of them and has a key, we broke in late one night to get some homemade pie (which was totally cool by the owner). I was really anxious to four wheel, but the trails were crazy rocky. We had a great time!

Better at Blogg'n

2009-02-03T10:21:00.000-08:00

So, thanks to my couz Hilly (seen below with her gorgeous daughters), I'm officially a blogger! Whahoo! I'm still learning, so be patient. I am digging the fun aspects of a blog vs. facebook such as the playlist below. I hope that one day facebook will convert to customizing and letting profiles be more personal. For now, I explore my creativity in this realm. No worries facebook, I'm not abandoning you, you are my first love...

2009-02-01T21:07:00.000-08:00

2009-02-01T21:06:00.000-08:00

Learning How To Blog

2009-02-01T19:55:00.000-08:00

Yea! I'm expanding my horizons from Facebook. My WONDERFUL cousin Hilary is teaching me.

The most GoRgEoUs temple on earth!

2008-08-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

Another amazing sunset near the Mississip'. Donno and I enjoy a splendid evening with our tour group a few weeks ago. The Nauvoo pageant was wonderful as usual. It was so fabulous to see Joanna perform and receive a hug from Bro. Douglas!