"This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our
opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world
today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who
minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help.
We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to
remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an
attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then
gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."
-Thomas S. Monson
Best Thanksgiving ever. I have so much to be grateful for
I'm not really even sure where to start. But I think this might be a place to
start:
I have been blessed with two of the best brothers ever and I was even lucky enough to have both of them home with me :) I am grateful for that opportunity that I had to come home and that Matthew was able to return home to us safely. I don't think I've ever been happier to see someone in my entire life. I'm pretty sure that I even cried more than my mom did...
I also happen to have a great family that I love so very much. Thanksgiving together as a family again = priceless. I am so grateful that I know that my family can be together forever.
I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. That through Him all things are possible. He will not forget, nor forsake me. I was important enough for Him to give His life for me and for that I am eternally grateful.
There are a million and one more things that I am grateful for, but I think it would take forever to list them and I'd rather be spending time with my family :) So, I figured I'd be good with just listing the most important ones :)
The weeks really have flown by this month, it's kind of ridiculous that today is November 23rd which happens to be the day that my brother gets home from his mission!!! TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! aaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! not that I'm freaking out or anything...okay...maybe just a little...
Good news: I survived the ridiculous week, just barely That week was missionary week in the dorms. As an RA I got the opportunity to be a "zone-leader" of one of the missions (Idaho, Pocatello) and Kirk, my partner in crime, actually served his real mission there. It was a neat experience and I particularly enjoyed having Kirk as my companion, he being a very intelligent and insightful individual. We had an activity almost every night for missionary week and then on top of that I had two tests to take and a paper to write as well as classes to attend and a job to do among all sorts of other random things.
The paper that I had to write was for human development and was about developing social competence and for it we had to observe kids in the preschool or kindergarten. It was rather enjoyable. It was so neat to see the kids interact in their "natural setting". There was a child in the class with Down syndrome and it amazed me how the other children treated him. They were so kind and understanding of him. They worked very hard to include him in activities and did not react badly when he did things that were out of the social norm. It was truly a beautiful thing.
Team Taylor had it's last soccer game. We lost but fought a good fight (we played the whole game down one while the other team had four subs) and, most importantly, had lots of fun.
{us = definition of awesome}
That Friday while I was at the TRC I got to see one of my friends from Spanish class last year!!! I was sitting in the room waiting for the next set of missionaries to come when my friend Keenan popped his head in. Talking to him was a weird mix of Spanish, Portuguese, and English but it was so good to see him :) That night the girls on my floor and I went to Slab pizza. It was so yummy and they literally give you a entire slab of pizza.
{veggie pizza...yum}
Then was the culminating event of missionary week: the annual showing of "The Best Two Years". So many memories...I just love missionaries. AND it was 11/11/11 so I'm pretty sure I made the biggest wish ever at:
{yes, it's sideways} [I'm not sure why, but it is]
It was a busy week but Heavenly Father certainly blessed me that I was able to get everything done, even some sleep :P
Here's a scripture that I found one day that really helped me to push through: 'Peace I leave with you. my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.' -John 14:27
Last week we also had a ward temple trip, which was a really great opportunity to get to know some of the kids in my ward.
{what a fine looking crew ;)}
That day I also randomly decided to make cookies (it happens a lot...don't judge :P) really yummy chocolate chip cookies, probably my favorite yet.
{oh yeah}
While I was working that night a boy came and gave me a candy bar and a note from one of the coolest people alive: my friend Jill. The note was so sweet and while I was reading it I found myself being bombarded with m&ms. Jill was indeed the culprit. She stayed to chat for a while and it totally made my night. Everyone should have a friend as awesome as Jill.
On Sunday I had to give a talk in sacrament meeting which, of course, always terrifies me until I'm actually up there giving it. The topic they gave me was an interesting and rather obscure topic: Taking personal responsibility: Being a strong link between our ancestors and posterity. It was really neat to write about and I'm pretty sure I went way overtime while giving it. But talking about temples and temples work is so important that I just couldn't help myself :)
No work is more of a protection to this church than temple work and the genealogical research that powers it. No work requires a higher standard of righteousness. Our labors in the temple cover us with a shield and a protection, both individually and as a people. So come to the temple--come and claim your blessings. It is a sacred work.
-Boyd
K. Packer, The Holy Temple
Last week I got 3 whole missionary letters!!! talk about exciting. One each from Kade, Brandon, and Kade's companion. Explanation: I wrote to Kade's companion because Kade said that he doesn't often get letters so I decided to write him one and he happened to have written back. I just love getting missionary letters; they're always so uplifting and encouraging. And something that Kade asked in his last letter really got me thinking. Life has been fantastic and he asked me why it was that every day was so fantastic. When I first read his question I really wasn't sure. But I thought about it for a while and have an answer. The past 8 or 9 months have been the most difficult of my life and I've learned to depend on Heavenly Father as I never have before. At school my family isn't around and Kade is gone so He is all I have and I have discovered that He is more than enough. I have truly learned to wait on the Lord and He has truly blessed my life. And THAT is what makes life so fantastic.
This Thursday was our 3200 Third Thursday Thanksgiving dinner!!! I made some yummy baked mac and cheese for the occasion and spent a lovely evening with my sistahs :)
{I love us <3}
On Sunday I had dinner with my lovely cousin Cathy then the two of us went to go see our cousin Richard sing in a choir. Monday night I made some cream cheese filled pumpkin muffins to use up stuff before the break and they were delicious :)
Then on Tuesday it was finally time for Thanksgiving break (after two papers and two tests of course :P)!
And the most epic thing of all, for the past couple of months I've been plotting to surprise my family by coming home for Thanksgiving and it worked!!! I flew out Tuesday evening and when I showed up on my doorstep this morning, boy, were they surprised!!! I just stood on my front porch at about 7:30am and rang the doorbell holding my little sign. My dad answered the door and at first he didn't recognize me, but then he started laughing. My mom was still asleep so I went upstairs and woke her up. She looked at me, looked at the clock, looked at me, and said 'what are you doing here?' and then she finally came to her senses and gave me a hug :)
{love my family <3}
So, I'm home and I get to see my brother at the airport and be at his open house and hear him speak in sacrament meeting.
Ahhhhh...It's November!!! You know what that means? It means my brother will be home in 15 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In case you can't tell...I am unbelievably excited : D
Last week ended the perfect way with the success of a new recipe! For my floor meeting last Sunday I made mint chocolate-chip cookies and let me tell you...they were so yummy!!! I will definitely be repeating that one.
{you know you want one}
Last Saturday night was Helamanoween (the Halloween dance here in the dorms). It was definitely a lot of fun dancing and hanging out with everyone. Then Monday night was Halloween and trick-or-treating! I was on duty, but I still dressed up...as a ballerina. Yes, a ballerina. A really awesome ballerina. Evidence:
{heeheehee}
This past Tuesday I had the very special opportunity to hear from the beloved prophet Thomas S. Monson at devotional. It was a truly wonderful experience and was totally worth the hour and a half that we waited outside in the rain and cold to get good seats. His message was to be an example of the believers. Our opportunities to shine are limitless.
{us, waiting in line outside the marriot center} [it was just a bit cold and perhaps a tad wet as well :P]
That night for staff meeting we made caramel apples! I had never had one before and they were so good! A lovely braeburn apple dripping in caramel covered in pretzel pieces, shaved chocolate and nuts = deliciousness.
On Thursday I tried another new recipe: applesauce oatmeal muffins. They turned out quite well (well enough that I ate a whole bunch of them :P).
{hellooo breakfast}
Friday night I went on a double date with Graham and it was fantastic! We went up to Salt Lake for piano concert given by Ludovico Einaudi. His work is simply amazing, so beautiful (if you haven't ever heard any of his music you NEED to go look him up RIGHT NOW, just sayin). The concert was in an old church and the lights were down, creating the perfect atmosphere for his music. After the concert we drove around Salt Lake and found a wendy's and got some frosties. Then we played bananagrams until I was about ready to fall asleep. It was a great evening, spending time with some awesome people.
{Ludovico, Clark, Trista, Graham, and me :)}
This video is a recording of his piece Nuvole Bianche, one of his better known songs. Enjoy :)
Saturday was fun as well. Saturday night I went on a group date with Mark, for which, we played sardines in the wilk. After I got home I got to hang our with some of the amazing girls on my floor :)
Sunday was kind of rocky, not gonna lie. Actually this whole past week has been kind of off and on rough. This week is just going to be a scheduling nightmare and I just have so much going on, it's ridiculous. But my day kind of turned around when I went and sat with my wonderful friend Lisa as she played the piano after church and just sang with her. It was a beautiful thing and definitely brought the spirit. Sunday night Elder Packer came and spoke for the CES fireside.
This week is going to be ridiculous. I'll let you know if I survive :P
Note to self: 'Look inside yourself. You are more than you have become. Remember who you are.' ~ Lion King
What a blog slacker I am! Life has just been kind of ridiculous lately...no joke. Anywho...
Well, two weeks ago, we had stake conference and for the adult session I got to conduct the music and the special musical number!! It was so much fun. I almost forgot how much I LOVE doing it. Music is just such a special thing. I read somewhere that "music is what feelings sound like" and it's totally true. It has a was of expressing the inexpressible and communicating. Good music has the amazing power of inviting the Spirit, more than almost anything else. That week I also made some delicious chocolate-chip cookies with my friend Mark.
{Mark and I}
{the delicious cookies we made}
Last week was a really fantastic week as well.
On Tuesday had a dentist appointment an then went straight to devotional. I was sitting there by myself when two rather attractive guys asked me if they could sit next to me. In my I'm like 'yes!!!!!!', but then I came to the realization that have my face was still pretty numb and I could neither smile nor speak properly...dang it! So I just kind of mumbled and half-smiled and hoped that they didn't think I was a total idiot. Oh well, I guess it just wasn't meant to be :P
On Wednesday, I was standing in line at Subway and I happened to glance at the guy behind me in line and I was like 'whoa, I recognize him'. who was it? you may ask. well, it happened to be one of my brother's companions who had just gotten home. why did I recognize him? because Matthew had sent a picture of them to me and told me to keep an eye out for him. So I awkwardly asked if he was who I thought he was and he says 'you must be Emma'. Huge sigh or relief there. I was afraid he wouldn't recognize me and just think that I was a total creeper. We talked while we waited in line and it turns out he's a pretty cool kid.
For Spanish class, for a cultural activity, I watched 'La Misma Luna' or (en ingles) 'Under the Same Moon'. It's a really fantastic movie that gives you a whole different perspective on immigration. It is also very touching and I'm pretty sure I teared-up at least once. I definitely recommend it.
Thursday was our 3200 Third Thursday, which was fantastic (as always).
{us and our ridiculousness :) }
Last Friday I had the wonderful opportunity to go with Graham, one of my RA friends, to the MTC and volunteer in the TRC. That's where missionaries who are learning a foreign language go and they get to practice by teaching volunteers in that language. It was a really great experience and a wonderful opportunity to work on my Spanish and help the missionaries out a little bit. There is such a beautiful
spirit in the MTC among the missionaries.
Speaking of missionaries, my brother gets home in 25 days!!!!!!!!!
I saw this video and I'm pretty sure I teared up a little bit:
This week in Human Development we talked about worth in connection with self. Dr. Nelson reminded us that we have worth because we are children of a loving Heavenly Father. Nothing we do can rob us of our intrinsic and eternal worth.
Last Saturday I went to the BYU vs. ISU game with my cousins Cathy and Richard to watch my cousin Dustyn cheer for ISU. And then on Sunday Cathy and I went over to Richard's for dinner (Richard made some really yummy chicken enchiladas).
{Cathy, Dustyn, me, and Richard at the game}
This past Tuesday I tried a new recipe for cinnamon roll cake. It was so good!!! luckily I was on duty that night so I could pawn it off on people or else I might have eaten way more of it than I should have.
{cinammony, glazed goodness... yum}
Wednesday night was the traditional Helaman Halls RA Thriller dance-off! I was so much fun to do and our make-up and costumes were pretty sweet. I also got my hand mixer in the mail!! It makes me feel so legit :P and I'm really excited to try some new recipes.
{us, doin our thing. you know, being zombies}
{us, being cute :) }
RA class on Thursday was fantastic! We had a beautiful discussion about upcoming missionary week here and about missionary work in general. One of the hall advisers had a quote that included the phrase "pray as a missionary prays" and it really got me thinking about how I'm doing and how I can be better. I went the the TRC again yesterday and that was also a topic that came up. We discussed prayer and revelation in the first two discussions and then the last companionship of missionaries that we had taught us about the Restoration of the Gospel, but it was different than any discussion about the Restoration I have ever heard. They focused on the love of God and that the Restoration was a manifestation of that love that He has for us. He loves us so much and wants to bless us. Like Joseph Smith, all we need to do is ask.
{trees :) }
Life is just really fantastic right now. The weather has been gorgeous, I got a letter from my best friend, I love school, I have so many amazing people in my life, I have a family that I love with all my heart, I am so blessed to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have a Heavenly Father who loves me, I know that I am of great intrinsic, eternal worth. Does it get any better than that? I don't think so.
It certainly has been a while...a long while...so much to catch up on...*sigh* Well, here it goes...
So, September 25th (that's a Sunday) I went with my cousin Richard to my cousin Cathy's house for dinner (which was so yummy, especially the peach crisp). I love having family so close! Even though I don't get to see much of my extended family, when we're together I feel at home.
{ :) }
Tuesday night I went to the library to study and, until then, I had kind of forgotten how nice it is to make new friends. You know, those people that you meet and you just click with. Something else I have noticed recently in my life, is how much people actually care. Especially people who don't really have a reason to care or reason to even remember that stuff is going on in your life. When people ask how I'm doing and actually want to know the answer, it makes me feel good :)
This past week has been pretty typical. Exercising, studying, class, temple, farmer's market, the usual. The only unfortunate thing was the fact that the temperature dropped about 40* in 72 hours. Wednesday and Thursday were just plain cold and miserable and we were even lucky enough that Timp now has snow on it. But it has warmed back up to a lovely 60ish and sunny. Absolutely gorgeous weather the past couple of days. On Friday I tried out a new recipe for chocolate chocolate-chip muffins and they turned out pretty well.
{yum} [you know you want one...]
On Saturday I had a fantastic culinary experience when I went to The Awful Waffle with some of the girls on my floor and got the most delicious crepe that I have ever eaten in my entire life, no joke. I got a crepe with pumpkin pie filling, cream cheese icing, and raspberries, with cinnamon sprinkled on the top.
{if you ever come to Provo, you must eat here. it's a requirement.} [so yummy...]
{I'm afraid I didn't get a picture before I actually ate it} [yes, it was that good]
Sunday was probably my busiest day of the week (go figure...). For dinner I went to Codie's apartment where her and her mom had made curry and rice and naan bread. The curry was so delicious it had sweet potatoes and onions and red peppers and bamboo and peas in it...yum. I'm pretty sure I need to get the recipe. And on Monday night I went over to Daniela's apartment and we made pumpkin chocolate-chip pancakes (the best kind) for dinner. I love it when people are kind enough to feed me :)
{mmm...} [yes, I know what you're thinking. this is indeed a waffle , not a pancake] (we tried doing waffles first, but it just didn't quite work out)
Yesterday the weather was perfect. I wish it could stay that way all year round. I also randomly felt like making some muffins yesterday...so I did. This time I made pumpkin chocolate-chip muffins (I just can't get away from the pumpkin, it's just so good...one of the best things about fall). They turned out relatively well. Well enough that I've eaten too many of them.
{gorgeous weather}
{pumpkin chocolate-chip muffin. mmm...}
Today was pretty fantastic. The weather was again, really gorgeous and I got to play in a soccer game and run a 5k. My time wasn't even that bad, I managed to run close to my high school best.
{me and Bre and Nicole (two other fantastic RAs) after the 5k}
And now I'm sitting at my desk writing this when I should be going to bed...so I must bid you farewell for the time being. I'd like to promise that I'll be better at keeping up, but life gets in the way of promises like that, so I won't :P
One of those awesome days, that is :)
I absolutely love general conference weekend! It is so wonderful to be able to spend hours just sitting there listening to the servants of the Lord and hearing them tell me what the Lord would have me hear. That is one of the most fantastic things about it, even though everyone hears or reads the same words, we all get something different and uniquely personal out of it.
I started off the morning by getting up nice and early and going on a lovely run. I ran up by the temple and decided to just go and have a sit for a few minutes on the temple grounds and what a great decision that was. Just being near the temple, you can feel the special spirit that it holds and it gave me a jump start to preparing to listen to conference. Then I made pancakes and scrambled eggs and had breakfast with Terra and Morgan (two of my wonderfully fantastic co-RAs). And the best thing about this breakfast was that it was all natural and local. That's right. We had 16-grain pancake mix from the farmer's market, real maple syrup, and fresh raspberries from the farmer's market...yum :) This is the kind of thing that just makes me so excited, it's kind of ridiculous. I just love buying and making and eating food that's good for my body and makes me feel good. Then came the first session of conference and President Monson announced that they are renovating the Provo Tabernacle and that it will become the the second Provo Temple!!! So exciting :D
Both sessions were great and I look forward to tomorrow.
Today I also cleaned my room, did some laundry, did some homework, and took a nap. so...a very productive and uplifting day indeed.
