November 7

I am so thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I know that the gospel is what brings me happiness.

I know that by following the teachings of the gospel that I can become a much better person.

I know that we are led by a living prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson.

I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He loves me and you!

I know that there is power is prayer and in the atonement.

I am grateful for the Book of Mormon.

I know that the book is true!

I love the gospel!

Want to know more???

www.mormon.org

Thankfulness

I love this time of year!! I love the fall and the holiday season

Last year, for each day of November I listed something that I am grateful for.

But since I was in The Bahamas last week (pics to come) I need to back up and name a few things.

November 1st

I am so thankful for the change in seasons. I love how we have each season in Idaho and the beauty each one brings!

November 2nd

I am thankful for vacations! I love how nice it is to visit other places. It is so amazing to see other cultures and the beautiful scenery that is around.

November 3rd

This goes along with vacations, I am so thankful to come home. It is such a blessing that I have a warm place to come to. I have amazing roommates and friends here in Idaho Falls.

November 4th

I am so thankful for funny moments in life.

I love the little moments each day that just me laugh!

I can't imagine a day without laughter!

November 5th

I am thankful for cozy blankets!

Is there really anything better then a cozy blanket on a cold day??

November 6th

I am thankful late night talks with friends.

I love that we can just stay up way to late

and laugh or cry or both!

I am grateful for those great little moments!

STRESSING!!!!!!

Wow, it has sure been one of those weeks!! So instead of having a giant meltdown I decided to just blog it hahaha..

Don't worry it will end happy...

I have been so stessed about grad school.. I have SO much to do and it never ends!

Really it is a TON of work.. By next week here is a portions of what I have to do

only watch about 10 lectures

2 videos

2 video forum posts

3 readings

3 papers on readings

Language development chart from 0-60 months

speech sample analysis

quizzes

and thats just the beginning!

Brittany and I started Book of Mormon Challenge a month ago.. Yup already behind..

I have so many IEP's for work to write/ attend..

Plus a ton of therapy to plan..

I have to attend ISHA Thurs and Friday..

I just feel so unfocused!! I can't get anything done..

Today I was hoping to get a lot accomplished but

that is not happening. I swear everything goes

right over my head... AHHHHHHHHH

I just need time to stop even for a few hours

or at least disappear for a few hours...

Anything to clear my mind!!!

Now for the things that are getting me through..

Great Roomies/friends to let me have giant meltdown..

31 days until the BAHAMAS... yep you read right.. Michelle and I are leaving town..

That will be a much needed vacation..

Amanda being postive about her crappy day today...

Institute Runs haha ;)

Dinner tonight with Chris, Michelle, and Aimee..

General Conference Weekend..

Fishing with my dad (hopefully)

....

Confession...

I didn't escape the meltdown....

hahahaha

P.S.

I know its not fall yet but I loved this background.. for

Plus I am ready fall...

I have had some amazing adventures since my last post.

I got to help out with Extreme Home Makeover

I went night canoeing in Island Park

Swimming in Yellowstone

Lagoon

Officially started grad school

Sleep over with Jacie

Pranks might have been pulled

Started back to work

Laughed a ton

Cried a little

Started a Book of Mormon challenge with my sister

Nacho party

Lava camping trip

In other words I have so many posts to do..

Hopefully tomorrow and Sunday I'll be able to post some pics!

Lessons Learned....

I was recently told that I need to update my blog more often! I have lots of fun summer pictures that will come hopefully this week.

Today however a lot has been on my mind the past few weeks so I thought I'd share.

Some are thoughts ...some are lessons learned.. some are new goals...

1) I am very blessed... I have some amazing friends

2) My Savior knows me and knows what I need

3) Even when you truly look for the good in others sometimes people will still tear you down, but it is still my choice on how to react

4) Patience is a Godly virtue, is more than just waiting, it's waiting well.

5) I can love people who are not easy to love!

6) Being impatient is a form of selfishness.

7) It is at times when we try to really improve our lives, that satan attacks us more

8) Change is a good thing..

9) Good friends never stop being your friend.

10) Seeds you plant whether good or bad are the fruits you bear.

11) Though sometimes it's hard to be nice or to bite your tongue it is well worth it.

12) Trials give us two choices to become more like our Savior or more like the adversary.

13) Tender mercies are everywhere, we just have to look.

14) Don't sweat the small stuff....

15) It's all small stuff..

16) The temple really is a place of refuge...

17) My family is absolutely amazing..

18) A simple "Thank You" when sincere can go a long way.

I am so grateful for those people who inspire me to be better. I am thankful for new friendships and old friendships. I am thankful for lessons learned even they hurt at the time. I am thankful for the truth I know because of the gospel. I am thankful for th atonement and how when applied it can heal sadness and pain. I love my life and where I am at now.

The biggest lesson and one of my many mottos is

COME WHAT MAY AND LOVE IT!

P.S. Happy May

Welcome spring..

The smells are back..

Thunderstorms..

Backyard BBQ's

Buds Blossoming

Isn't it wonderful!

One old white window

+

Spring green paint

+

A Cricut

=

Pics coming soon...

Happy Spring Cleaning! I hope you find treasures too!

The halfway house...

If you want pure comedy check out our new blog..

Living with a zillion girls gets interesting

So obviously it needs to be blogged about!

We will be updating it a lot so follow us!

Enjoy!

http://lifeatthehalfwayhouse.blogspot.com

Service

Today in gospel principles we discussed service.

There are two types of service..

The first is service in general,

this is the kind of service that we do, just because someone needs something.

The second is Christlike service.

This type requires love.

We need to serve because of the love we need to have for those around us.

Service has been something I have really been trying to make a part of my life.

Today we talked about how service can be a lifestyle.

I hope someday to be the type of person that service is just a part of who I am.

I am grateful for service and how it impacts each of our lives.

I have had the opportunity to serve and to be served.

Each time a serve I know that I am blessed.

Recently a few of my most favorite people made me a small scrapbook.

Each of them wrote a little note to me.

It was so amazing.

I am so grateful to be around such amazing people.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes on service:

"The road to success is not crowded. Because while most are looking for ways to take, the truly successful people are finding ways to give. With a giving attitude, every situation is an opportunity for success." - Unknown

I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives. - President Thomas S. Monson

Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others. -Barbara Bush

Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves. -Helen Keller

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." -Gandhi

CHALLENGE: This week take a moment to serve someone

It really is the little acts of kindness

that bring us close our Savior.

Just a few thoughts...

This week has been interesting! So many things have happened that have made me so grateful for what I have. I have also been taught a few lessons.

1) We need to surround ourselves with good people. As we associate with good people, we are inclined to become better ourselves. I am so grateful for those good people in my life you lift me up. Many of them I am striving to be better just because of who they are.

2) The next lesson is the importance of testimony. It is a rock that can hold us down with things are thrown at us. I had an experience that happened this week. A few friends and I met this man who told us that the prophet will always lead us astray and that we can't base our thoughts on the church on feelings that we have..

This man was wrong..

I know the prophet is an inspired man, called of God

And will never lead us down a wrong path.

I know that if we obey all he says and follow his teachings we are only following our Savior.

I know that the church is true because I have felt it..

The gospel is perfect.

It's that simple.

The church is absolutely true.

3) Lesson 3.. I have attended a lecture on the constitution the past few weeks..

What an inspired document.

Our Heavenly Father had a huge part in creating it.

This country was made for us!

I am so thankful to be an American.

I am thankful for the freedoms I enjoy.

I love the truths and principles about the constitution that I have been learning

4) God is aware of us.. This past Monday we were supposed to go to Star Valley to Jordan's dad's funeral. Monday morning Michelle's dad called her and begged her and us not to go.

We decided not to go. Then another friend texted me cautioning us to be careful, he too was relieved when we told him we were not going.

I am glad I never found out why we were not supposed to go.

I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who watches out for me.

5) A thought from the confidence lecture: It is not confidence but jealousy that binds us down.

Such a true principle!

When we have the confidence in something it is then we excel, however we we doubt those little jealousies creep in and we live in doubt and not faith.

It is though the faith and confidence we have in ourselves that allow us to grow and better our lives.

Happy Birthday!!

Today is Stefan and Austin's birthday...

These two are wonderful friends!

Here are the top ten reasons why they deserve the best birthday ever!

Stefan

10. He ALWAYS wins at thumb wrestling.

9. He has a good looking twin..

8. He is a master of Ninja Distruction.

7. He is nice to animals.

6. He talks to dead people.

5. He calls people awesome nicknames.

4. He has a fan club.

3. He gives good hugs.

2. He thinks I am hilarious.

1. He is always looking for ways to better himself and those around him.

Austin

10. He know all the words to the tiny turtle song.

9. He has a good looking twin..

8. He thinks of funny games like poky poky, slapy slapy,

7. He is nice to old people.

6. He wears a suit to hockey games.

5. You can bribe him with yummy treats.

4. I know girls who stalk him...

3. He is a friend to everyone.

2. He has an amazing talent to teach.

1. Always has a big smile no matter what!

Happy Birthday Friends!!

You are the best ever!

Creation..

MY HEAVENLY FATHER LOVES ME
Words and Music by Clara W. McMaster
Whenever I hear the song of a bird

Or look at the blue, blue sky,

Whenever I feel the rain on my face

Or the wind as it rushes by,

Whenever I touch a velvet rose

Or walk by a lilac tree,

I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heavenly Father created for me.
He gave me my eyes that I might see, The color of butterfly wings.

He gave me my ears that I might hear, The magical sound of things.

He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:

I thank him reverently, For all his creations, of which I'm a part.

Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.

This is how I have felt today...

I am so incredibly grateful for the gospel and the part it play in my life.

I know that everything that is good in my life comes to me through Jesus Christ.

I am so blessed!

I know that my Heavenly Father loves me!

Everyday I see his tender mercies all around me.

Here are some things I have been grateful for this week

Scriptures

Family

Friends

Chirping birds

Sunshine

Girl Scout Cookies

Pillow Talk..

Water

Rain

And those are just a few!

I know that I am where I need to be,

I know that as I draw nearer to my Savior I will become a better person.

I am grateful for the atonement

I am thankful for prayer

I love this gospel.

A must watch....

A good friend shared this video with me..

I love it!!!

Its only 6 min so check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snAjZ8mfoYw

life...

So I have been thinking a lot lately about life in general....

I am back in school... which can be quite stressful..

I just moved into a new house

with 5 other girls...

I love it.. We always seem to have fun...

Still single... which sometimes really just sucks..

I can't wait to be a mom...

Life can be hard...

Last night I went to the temple...

amazing..

Peaceful.....

Everything is going to be great...

I need to exercise patience..

Tonight I attended institute..

The lesson? The Temple..

Inspiring...

My new goals..

Daily Scriptures.... no matter what..

Morning and evening prayers... Every single day...

Temple attendance... at least twice a week...

Life really is wonderful...

...Resolutions......

Where did 2009 go????... It really flew by...

I have been horrible at making and keeping resolutions the past few years,

so this year I am determined to keep them...

Here is what I have came up with....

1~ Train for and complete a triathlon-sprint... My Rachel friend is doing this too.. It will be nice to train with someone...

2~ Try at something new...

3~ Learn a new skill...

4~Attend the temple 2 times a month..

5~ Make my scripture study more meaningful..

6~This one goes along with number one.. but get in better shape..

7~ Take more risks...

8~ Pass all my classes in grad school

What are your resolutions...

Happy New Year...