The Way It Is

I love snow globes. I love Rochester. I miss Rochester at this time of year, and I've never had a snow globe. This post may not make much sense to you, but to me, it perfectly describes the way it is.

Thanksgiving

We went to Washington for Thanksgiving to spend the holiday with my sister and her cute lil family. While we were there we watched movies, played games, had family pictures taken, and ate some good food. I'm so grateful we were able to go because we don't get to see our loved ones up that way enough. It was a fun filled 18 hour drive up and 19 hr drive back through snow packed roads, but we made it safely. Blessings! I am posting a video of my niece Olivia. She has taken to hitting herself in the face, when I asked her why she was doing that she answered, "Because I'm mean." Well, she's not really mean, but I thought it was really funny, so here it is for you to enjoy.P.S. Sorry it's so grainy.

"Everything happens eventually. All the stuff you think never happens, it happens, you just have to be ready for it."

"Fade Away"

I learned from the past
not everything lasts
I understand that now
Everything changed
when you walked away
But I'll survive somehow
though I have regrets
I'll learn to forget
and just keep moving on
cause when love is gone
you have to be strong
Once touched by pain
you're not the same
But time can heal
your heart again
so let the clouds
that bring you down
just fade away
Away
So I try to smile
But after awhile
the memories come back
But I won't give in
cause I know that then
my heart will fade to black
And this time I learned
That love can burn
It's an all consuming flame
There's no right or wrong
I've got to be strong
Once touched by pain
you're not the same
But time can heal
your heart again
so let the clouds
that bring you down
just fade away
I know that one day I'll find that feeling again
But until I do I'm doin fine by myself
Once touched by pain
you're not the same
But time can heal
your heart again
so let the clouds
that bring you down
you know that
Once touched by pain
you're not the same
though time can heal
your heart again
so let the clouds that
bring you down
just fade away
Away
-Celine Dion

Creative Missionary

So my little brother Kevin just stepped off the plane today from his mission to the Brazil, Salvador South mission. We were all really excited to have him home finally! He looked thin but good and as we began to examine him a little more closely we realized very creative with minor problems that can arise when you are serving the Lord every day all day. Broken shoe laces? No problem, just cut up some headphone wires and a receiver cord and you're set. Holes in the bottoms of your shoes? No problem, just put a plastic bag over your sock before you put your shoe on. Belt broken? No problem, simply take off the buckle and put it in the middle of the belt, this way you can put the belt on backwards and as long as you wear your suit jacket it looks like you've got a working belt still! I just thought this kind of creative means to an end was too funny to NOT be posted somewhere, so here it is. I love missionaries, and I love Kevin.

Fitness - Prison Cell Workout

Intensity, Intensity, Intensity!

I found Zuzana on BodyRock and I'm hooked! She has the most awesome short but effective workouts because they are intense! I always say, intensity, intensity, intensity. That's what it's all about right? You don't need a gym or a ton of time for these workouts, you can find more at Bodyrock.tv or on Youtube: search bodyrock tv. Enjoy!

Water, Water, Water!

My fitness tip for the day is hydrate! Did you know that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated? In humans the thirst mechanism is so weak it is often mistaken for hunger, so the next time you are feeling hungry try drinking a glass of water before you eat and see if you are really just thirsty. Even mild dehydration can slow your metabolism by up to 3%! Lack of water is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue. Drinking enough water may give you that energy boost you've been needing to get through your day at the office or keep up with your kids. 8-10 glasses of water a day may significantly ease back and joint pain and aleviate headaches. A mere 2% drop in body water is capable of triggering fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page. Water is free, it has no sugar, and no calories. Water quences thirst better than any other beverage. Sodas and juices can add unwanted and unsightly pounds to your waistline and slow you down if you are an athlete. Lets all show ourselves a little love by striving to drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water every day. Need some flavor? Try adding lemon or a tablespoon of sugar free cranberry juice. Drink up! :)
http://www.extremenutrition.co.uk/

So...

So I realize it has been awhile. I've decided to post the rest of the pictures from our little project, phase two. (Phase three will be with it all furnished and looking amazing. ;) Also, just a little side note that has nothing to do with anything, I twisted my ankle at the gym and ran on it anyway, so it swelled to twice it's size. :( I then gave it exactly three days to heal and went running again thinking it would be fine...it is once again swollen to twice it's size. At least it doesn't hurt as badly this time around. :) I'm wishing my body could just keep up with my bad "A" self. Ok, here's the pics, plus a before and after of my hat! :) (sorry about the second pic, I couldn't figure out how to rotate it.) Pictures of the bathroom are still to follow, so stay tuned...

Sometimes...

Sometimes I'm confused about why I even bother to post on here. I know the only people who read it are you and mom Kate. Haha. Maybe it helps me to clear out my head or something. Today I went to school and was there all day it seemed. English, Auto, German. Why do we have so much homework? I've decided that I like being up in the artistic/technical part of campus better than any other part. I loved the semester I was in music and interior design up that way. Maybe this is a sign of what I should major in? Who knows. Here I am staying up too late once again, but I can't help wondering, "What is going to happen?" I'm feeling a little apprehensive. Everyones trying to push me into dating and I really don't think the old ticker can really take it. I know, "No guts, no glory." But I just think I need some more time in that area. I'm also wondering about school and what career field I should go into. Today I had a thought that made me really happy, "What am I going to do for a living?" "Whatever I want." That's it. I don't have to pick one thing and stick to it, I can do a bunch of different things and mix it up along the way. Life is pain. You gottta scrape the joy out of it. Amen Rod.

Phase Two

Jack and I got the living room primed up to be painted and finished up the ceiling and walls in there. We mudded, sanded, primed, and painted the bedroom wall as well. All that's left is the trim and the bathroom. Woo! Here's some pictures of the living room being primed, and the bedroom wall being mudded. Enjoy.

Paint covered bum.

I surrender.

Exhaustified

So we have done some good work on the apartment but it's late and I'm tired, so I will post about it later. I thought going for a run after the crazy German class I had today would clear my head and relieve the stress. All it did was stress me out physically on top of the previous mental stress. haha No, but seriously, sometimes you just have to think about other stuff for awhile. Like remembering how to breathe, or wondering why you like running in the first place. "I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful." Baby steps finish school...

Right Hand

Today as I was sitting in sacrament meeting I got to thinking, as I often do, about the purpose for taking and passing the sacrament with the right hand. I've noticed in the past that sometimes people take the tray with their right hand and partake of the bread and water with their left to save the person next to them from having to hold the tray too long. It's always bothered me, and here's why: your right hand is your covenant hand. It is the hand we raise to the square, the hand we put over our heart when we pledge to something, the hand we partake of and pass the sacrament with. The church is full of symbolism and ritual, partaking of the sacrament is no different. It reminds us that we are making a promise or pledge to be like the Savior. It reminds us that if we continue faithful we will be gathered at the right hand of God in the end. It reminds us that the Savior will stand at our right hand and be an advocate with the Father on our behalf. The right hand is symbolic of truth, spirituality, strength, and power. Perhaps strength and power that is given us to overcome temptation and sin each time we partake of the sacred emblems of Christ's sacrifice for us. Perhaps the truth we gain from personal revelation as we worship in His Holy house. Perhaps the added spirituality we acquire through inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives to help us and give us guidance throughout the week. There are so many scriptures that refer to the right hand of God.

Mosiah 5: 8-10 "And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives. And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ. And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take upon him the name of Christ must be called by some other name; therefore, he findeth himself on the left hand of God."

Mosiah 26:23-24 "For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand. For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me they shall come forth, and shall have place eternally at my right hand."

Alma 5:58 "For the names of the righteous shall be written in the book of life, and unto them will I grant an inheritance at my right hand. And now, my brethren, what have ye to say against this? I say unto you, if ye speak against it, it matters not, for the word of God must be fulfilled."

These next two talk about the Lord being at OUR right hand.

Psalms 16:8 "I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."

Psalms 109:31 "For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul."

Psalms 118: 16 "The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly." (speaking of us as the Lord's right hand? Maybe.)

Ecclesiastes 10:2 "A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left."

Matthew 25:33 "And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left."

Acts 2:33 "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." (a promise we remember and renew each time we partake of the sacrament)

D&C 29:27 "And the righteous shall be gathered on my right hand unto eternal life; and the wicked on my left hand will I be ashamed to own before the Father;"

Exodus 15:6 "Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy." (We also have the power to crush the enemy of all righteousness as we are obedient and keep our covenants)

Also, Moses 7:56 , D&C 133:56 These are just a few. I realize which hand you take the sacrament with is ultimately a small thing, and perhaps irrelevant. Will you go to Hell if you use your left hand? Probably not. But I like to think it's part of remembering. How many times does it say "remember" in the scriptures? A lot. Count them sometime. I think maybe it's pretty important. So next time you partake of the bread and water, consider these verses and the promises that are given us, think about the place we are working to attain at our Father's right hand, joint heirs with Christ. Pretty meaningful, isn't it?

Spiritual Uplift

My mission is the first to test out internet proselyting, to find out what kinds of things these awesome missionaries do check out any of their blogs. They are also on Facebook! It's a great way to spiritually recharge your day. :) Check it out: Sister Smoot, Elder Hunt, Elder Cook, Elder Harris, Elder Watts, Elder Erwin, Sister Meaders, Sister Jones, Sister Watts. Don't forget to share with your friends!

Undaunted, (for now)

Today we made some good progress, we got the ceiling almost done and the other wall in the living room sanded down. (it's smoother than...well, you get the idea) Tomorrow we clean up and tape and get ready to put the primer on. This is the moment we have been waiting for, ever so patiently. This is hard work! And even though my eyes are blood shot from all the paint powder that is in them, and my back is full of knots, I'm having a lot of fun picturing what it will look like when we're done and the transformation that will take place. :)

Progress

So progress is being made! Yesterday we got more of the ceiling scraped and we got an entire wall sanded down. (It's smoother than a baby's bottom) I don't know how well you can see it in the picture but...I'm trying. :)

Project!

My brother will be moving into the apartment that is in my grandmas basement soon, but it needs a lot of work. We are going to repaint the ceiling and walls in the living room, bathroom, and bedroom. We were scraping paint off the ceiling and removing wallpaper all day yesterday. I love this stuff! I got nice and dirty. :) I will be posting pictures of our progress. This is phase one.

Now what?

So I came home from my mission and the month of July was a whirlwind of fun and excitement. First, a trip back to NY with the fam, and then of course the lake, and now I find myself wondering, "What the heck am I supposed to do with myself?" I find myself in a state of mourning for the life I've left behind and understand I have to start a new one, it's a little daunting and a little exciting. I get to start fresh. School, work, whatever else comes my way. So many decisions to make. It's at times like these I'm going to have to rely heavily on the only person who knows whats ahead and what I need to do, the Lord. Deep breath. Here it goes, I'm diving in!

WHAT?!

Eighteen months! I can't believe it's almost over.