A Little Bit Stuck

So, we all knew this post was coming...the one where I talk about how all my friends have moved away and started school, and how I am stuck here at home...I guess I shouldn't really call it "stuck" because things have worked out this way for a reason.  Some people might say that I should have done things a bit differently my first few semesters of college, but I honestly have no regrets.   I'm where I am supposed to be right now, but that doesn't really change the fact that I am currently in a position that is making my life seem a little bit...slow-paced.
 I have been taking care of my mom, and we know that it is a miracle that I am home from school right now for that reason.  However, she is getting more and more independent so I am going to start working soon.  I had a job interview at Legacy Junior High this morning, and it went really well until I told the principle that I would be going up to Logan in January.  I guess not many places are willing to hire for such a short amount of time...Mortuary job it is, then!!
As far as social life goes, like I said, most of my friends are all moved away.  What?!  I just barely got them back!  However, Brenna's sister, Meryl and I are good friends and she lives at home/in the ward too so I think we will kinda stick together through this phase of stuck-ness.  I am also really excited to make some new friends in my ward.  I'm in the welcoming committee so that is the perfect place to be!
This next one is probably the one that gets me the most.  I'm getting fairly restless in the Gospel.  I want to be doing so much more!  I am definitely feeling that "pull upward" that Pres. Eyring talks about.  I guess that's why the possibility of serving a mission has been on mind a lot.  I'm really hoping to do Savior of the World again because maybe that will help me not feel so...in-a-rut-ish and so I can serve and accomplish anything the Lord wants me to.  I want to give my life to the Savior and want to be contributing to His great work!! I'm trying to do everything I can RIGHT NOW to do so, but sometimes it is easy to feel like I am falling short.  Keep working, though, eh?
Anyway, I guess we all go through these little phases of crazy busy times and slower more relaxing times.  Complacency is what we are wanting to avoid here, though.  I love progress.  Progress, progress, progress.  Well, there ya go.  Just some brain-spewing going on up in hurr.
  Ta-ta for now!

Shout Out...

...To Brenna...

Brenna.  Bren.  Brenzie.  B-ren.

This is Brenna McFarland.  And I love her a lot.  She's pretty awesome.  Brenna and I have been friends since we were little tiny.  I can't even remember the first time I met her, it was that far back.   Growing up, one minute we would be in a fight, then five minutes later we would be sticking fresh peas from the garden and a note of apology under the other's bedroom door.  Back to playing right after!  Bren and I are pretty dang different.  Opinions, sense of humors, sometimes priorities etc...but still...we seem to get each other pretty well.  We know each other's buttons and we know the lines not to cross.  Don't you dare cross any of those lines while she and I are together because the other will be right on your tail about it  - sticking up for the one attacked.  I love Bren because she unfailingly makes me laugh.  She's hilarious!  And we are hilarious together!  Playin' off of each other's jokes and all.  Brenna loves and let's love.  She has a way of making heavy things much lighter (without discrediting its actual hardness).  It just makes some of the hard things in life much more bearable.  She is honest and real, but kind and thoughtful.  She is ALWAYS herself - never two faced. The little things matter to her, and she helps others to realize their importance as well.  She is, in my opinion, very intelligent and logical, but has a heart of gold as well.   Bren is such an example to me of obedience.  She is obedient because she loves the Savior and does whatever He asks and expects.  I was lucky enough to live with Brenna for two years and not once did I see her skip her scripture reading/journal writing/prayer saying routine at night.  Not once did I see her refuse to do a calling, or do her visiting teaching.  It will be weird to not live with this girl anymore.  I am going to miss it like crazy!  I love it when Brenna laughs and I love it when Brenna sings.  I love that she loves Taylor Swift and finds joy in her music.  Heck, I just plain LOVE my Bren!  I love that she and I will be friends forever and I cherish the memories we have already made and the ones we have yet to make!

...To Becca...

Rebecca.  Becs.  Becca.

This is Rebecca Anne Cowan.  I love her a lot as well.  Obviously.  Becca and I have been friends since 7th grade.  However, we didn't get along for the first while that we knew each other because one time at one of my very first dances, she came up to me in the middle of dancing with a really cute boy and she told me I was doing it wrong.  It's okay...I made up for that a while later when I tackled her to the cement in 9th grade.  Now its just a whole bunch of lovin'!  Becca.  Becca.  Becca.  She is an angel.  She is a feisty, firecracker of an angel and it makes me love her that much more.  What a hoot!  Becca is the kind of girl who is selfless no matter what.  Asking her to do a favor doesn't happen because there is no need to ask.  She is already doing it, or offering to do some kind deed.  She notices and appreciates, more than a lot of people I know, the little things like the color and detail of a complete stranger's eyes, or someone's bracelet or ring.  She sees.  And what's better - she shares.  She shares the good things in life and helps me and so many others around her, to love life even when we don't feel like loving it quite so much.  She never ceases to be able to talk some sense into me with all of the wisdom that is bundled up in that little lady.  She is one of the most empathetic persons I have ever met.  She celebrates my joys with me, and is sometimes even more excited than I am.  She also, hurts when others hurt.  She does everything in her power to help and let me tell you, she.  Is.  A.  Powerful.  Help.  I honestly can't explain just how much I love my Becs.  I don't know where I would be, or what I would do without her.  She pulls me and lifts me.  She looks out for and defends me.  I trust her with my deepest darkest secrets, my crazy jokes, and with my life.  She is an eternal friend and incredible example to me.  This world is so much better because of Rebecca Anne Cowan.  I am truly blessed. :)

Favorite Songs of the Summer

• Don't Be Shy - Cat Stevens
• It's Time - Imagine Dragons
• You Make My Dreams Come True - Graham Blvd
• We Are Young  - Fun.
• Good Time - Owl City & Carly Rae Jepson
• Nothing Fancy - Dave Barnes
• Wake the Sun - The Matches
• Turn Back Around - Lucy Schwartz
• Pony (It's OK) - Erin McCarley
• Brand New Day - Joshua Radin
• Blood - The Middle East
• One Day - Jack Savoretti
• Also, the whole "We Bought a Zoo" soundtrack.  Phenomenal music by a crazy Icelandic group called Jonsi.  Big fan of thems Icelanders! :)

There ya go.

Golden Days

So, I cannot tell a single lie...there are perks to being the daughter of a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Being such, I got to go to President Monson's 85th Birthday bash!  Okay, so it was an actual concert that was actually broadcasted, and 20,000 people were there, but still!!  The cool thing about this time was that I got invited to be a flower presenter to the guest artists that would be performing there.  I was given 3 tickets for myself and 2 friends, and was told what to wear and how to behave and so on and so forth.  I even bought the most beautiful J-Lo blouse to wear because it had to be kinda fancy/nice.
Finally tonight came, and I spent way too much time doing my hair in a fancy-dancy bun, went to dinner with the fam, and headed straight to the adventure that awaited me!!

The security/host people gave us instructions and told us what to do, and then they informed me that even though they told me that I could wear a white or pastel top (mine was really pretty cream), I had to put on a member of the choir's black shirt because I would be the only one not wearing black.  Lovely. Oh well.  So I changed in to this fantastic gem of a shirt...

Sequins and all!!!

   Anyway, the concert was beautiful.  Adam and Becca (my two guests) and I got to sit on the very front row so we were able to see all of the general authorities and the first presidency really well the whole time.  It was so fun to see their reactions to things and to watch them.

As I watched President Monson, it was just confirmed to me once again that he is a prophet of God.  I have so much love for that dear, selfless man.  During the concert, a narrator said that when Pres. Monson was called as a young Bishop, he had a picture of the Savior hanging in his office.  During hard times and rough situations, he would turn to that picture and ask himself what the Savior would do.  Ever since we have been little, we have been told to ask ourselves, "what would Jesus do?"  We wore those little wrist bands that said, "WWJD," right?  I guess just the way it was said tonight made me realize how beautiful and sacred that concept really is.  We should all really genuinely ask ourselves that question way more often.  Becoming more like the Savior allows us to more fully know Him, and it is remembering Him.  I loved that little story about President Monson.

My favorite songs performed were probably the beautiful arrangement of You Raise Me Up, which started with an extraordinary intro of just french horns (G-dooze!!), and Bring Him Home.  The latter song was performed by soloist Dallyn Bayles, who I know and love from Savior of the World.  He sings that song with perfection.  His solo alone got him a standing ovation from 20,000 people including the prophet.  What a humbling experience that would be.  Well, he deserved it.

So, as you can tell, I had quite an enjoyable evening being surrounded by people I love and doing things that I love - laughing, singing, etc and so forth.   I was grateful to be a part of it, and had fun going on the stage to give the guest artist his flowers.  The whole time I was just praying that I wouldn't fall or do anything embarrassing.  It turned out just fine!  No biffs, faceplants, flower-drops, or anything!
I'm so grateful for our dear prophet and can still remember it so clearly when I met him at my grandma's funeral.  His kindness was poignant and actually quite visible in his sweet, glowing smile.  For a little girl who had just lost her grandma, he shook my hand with so much care and concern.  We are so blessed to have living prophets to lead and guide us!  "What a birthday" he said as the concert ended.  What a birthday, indeed!  I hope it was a good one!!  I love President Monson!!

The Future is Bright

cleave

¹   

verb (used without object), cleaved or ( Archaic ) clave;cleaved; cleav·ing.

1.

to adhere closely; stick; cling (usually followed by to ).

2.

to remain faithful (usually followed by to ): to cleave to one'sprinciples in spite of persecution.

The other night I was feeling a bit discouraged about some things, and  was feeling quite unsure about a lot of things in the future when I read the scripture, Helaman 4:26 I believe it is.  It talks about cleaving to the Lord our God.  The image of me literally clinging to the Savior during storms of uncertainty immediately came into my mind and a feeling of complete peace came over me.  Then just last night, I reread that verse and read the verses from D&C 122 when Joseph Smith was in Liberty Jail.  Those are some beautiful, beautiful verses, and they went along perfectly with what I was feeling.   No matter what we face in this life, no matter what hardships come upon us, even if the very jaws of hell open up to swallow us, as long as we are cleaving to Christ as the verse in Helaman says, there is nothing NOTHING that can defeat us.  As we cleave to and put our faith in the Savior, there is nothing about the future, no matter how daunting it may seem, that we need to fear.  I guess President Monson said it right when he said that "the future is as bright as your faith."  I have loved that quote for a really long time now, but was able to see it in a new light just these past couple of days.  I AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE THE SCRIPTURES!!  

So.  Next time you are feeling low and discouraged, take the time to picture yourself cleaving and clinging to the Lord just as He so powerfully and willingly clings to us.  My friends, the future IS as bright as your faith.  I am so grateful to witness the miracles that come from the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  

Happy Sabbath.  

Seven Peaks Madness!

This summer my sister's family, Adam, and I all got passes to Seven Peaks for a really good deal.  Adam has been workin' hard and hasn't been able to come much, but Shand and the kids and I have gone several times.  We just pack a lunch, head over in the morning, then play until we can play no more.  I love going to help Shandee with the little ones.   It has actually just been one more thing to make me really excited to be a mommy one day.  Sometimes while Shandee is off with the older three, and I am left alone with the babe, I guess people there probably think he is mine.  He looks enough like me haha.  I don't really want the eye candy life guard who has been there every time to think that, but he is probably only like 17 anyway.  Oh well.  One can admire from afar.  So!  Here are some fun pictures of a few of our excursions!   

Lunch time!

Me and the boys!

Little squishy lovin his mama.

Dinosaur kiddie pool.   We probably spend most of our time over here.  

Jacksonian and Cabes gettin' ready to cross the monkey bars of death!  Not really.  The water is only like 3 feet deep, so it's fine.

Jarom even likes the occasional slide.

Awesome picture of Lyndee.

Jare-bear kept sayin' "raaaawr."  He really likes thems dinos.

One of the babe's favorite things to do is sit on the edge of the pool and lean/fall in so I can catch him.

Little squishy lovin' his "nah-nah" (as they all call me before they can properly pronounce my name).
I sure don't mind.

Lynds likes the dinos too.  I think she mostly likes to sit up there in order to catch the cute lifeguards' attention.  Ahh...like aunt, like niece.  ;) I was totally like that when I was little - had crushes on all my siblings friends and all.
Good thing I've learned a few things since then, eh? haha.

Such fun wears us right out!!  Ha, he fell asleep on me while we were riding the waves in the tidal pool.  I can't get enough of this tender little guy!

Well, there ya have it!  I have sure enjoyed getting to spend extra time with this cute little family, and would highly recommend getting passes next summer!  That's all for now.

Decades

Like I've said before, 

Sometimes the vintage way is the only way to go. :)

Purchased at Decades store in Salt Lake.
Love it!!

Summertime

...and the livin' is easy...
actually, it's not easy most of the time.  But still, it's wonderful.  There are always things to remind us of just how blessed we are.  For me, summer is usually when I do a lot of reckoning.  It's a time to take a step back, and look at my life - to slow down, enjoy, and appreciate.  Tonight I think about seasons.  Literal seasons and figurative seasons. I think about how very different each of my summers have been in the past few years.  I think about how seasons of friendships change just as the seasons of the earth surrounding us change.  Sometimes friendships come and go and wax and wane, but it doesn't ever change the fact that those seasons did indeed take place - that those people became a part of and, in fact, helped write our life stories.  Tonight I think about how grateful I am for the friendships that we experience for a time but learn to let go of, and for the friendships that are quite unpredictable, and for the friendships that you know will last forever - that when we speak of being with our loved ones in the eternities, they are included.  I am grateful for these "seasons of love" if you will.   For the friendship seasons that last as...however long they are supposed to.  And for the peace and satisfaction that comes even with changing seasons.   I'm grateful for friends who will make me laugh one moment, then hold and rock me in my broken-hearted sobs.  I'm grateful for friends who will be exactly what I need at a certain point in my life and for friends who I will continue to need forever. Mostly I'm grateful for one wise and merciful enough to send these angels to me.

Sharing is Caring

Remember THIS post?
  Well I've been thinkin' a lot about sharing today.  Today in sunday school we talked about how in Alma 36-38, Alma teaches each one of his sons individually, but to each of them relates his conversion story.  Now, let's think about this.  The story of Alma the younger's conversion is probably one that these boys had grown up hearing.  They were probably familiar with this story.  Ha, I think of the stories that my dad has told me over and over and over again in order to teach me something.  However, Alma took the opportunity to testify once more to each of them by sharing his personal experiences.  This is something that I have always appreciated about my parents (even if some of the stories are indeed repeats), and it's something that I think we can all learn a great deal from.  I feel so edified when others share their experiences with me.  I believe that sometimes it is through sharing that we are able to participate in the "succoring" that the Savior does because He experienced all things.  Perhaps He hand picks people who have had particular experiences to come into our lives, because what they have to share will make all the difference.  I can't remember which general authority said it (I want to say Holland), but by serving and caring for others by being close enough to the Spirit to know when we need to go to them, we are able to participate in the Atonement.  We are able to be the tools the Savior uses to have this "succoring" and healing take place.  My mom and I were talking about how sometimes we pray to know how to help someone we love, but what we really should  be praying for is for whoever it is the Lord has assigned to help that person because it may not be ourselves.  We do all we can, but trust in the love of another to help that loved one.  Maybe it's someone else's experience that we need to trust will be shared.
I love sharing.  I love having people share with me, and I love having people share with people I love and believe that it really can make all the difference.
We need each other, I say!
We have so much to learn...and to teach.  :)