Words

Desire.

Motivation.

Productivity.

All good words. None of which describe me in the past two weeks.

Priesthood

I am so grateful for the Priesthood in my life.
I sat down to talk with my Bishop the other night and we had a really good conversation. I left feeling recharged. I am amazed at the inspiration that he receives as my Priesthood leader.

I am grateful to know that there are those around me who hold the power of God and can use that power to help me when I am in need. I am grateful for those who know and recognize that power. I have so much respect for those that hold that power in humility and who willingly want to use it to bless the lives of others.

Whirlwind of Acitivties

Sometimes people are very different than you think they are. Sometimes in a good way, sometimes not so much. But oh how I'm grateful for those good surprises!

This semester continues to be a whirlwind of activity. I'm already feeling burnt out and we're only a few weeks into the semester. Maybe one of these days I will learn that I'm not super woman and I can't do it all. But for now, here I go.

I've only taught institute once so far. It went okay. I had almost 15 minutes left at the end and that was very frustrating. But now I know for next time that I need a longer lesson plan. I loved the students and can't wait to go back in a week.

I'm teaching Relief Society this Sunday. It will be the first time in a few years. I'm kind of excited though. I get to pick the topic and I'm doing it on Psalms 46:10 "Be Still and Know That I Am God." President Eyring talked about this in general conference when I was down in Hawaii (October 2010). It is a saying that has stuck with me ever since and gotten me through a lot of hard times. It holds so much power in it and can help in so many different situations.

School is going. I like some of classes, can't stand some of them, and love a few of them. Okay I love one of them - my SPED class. I love kids with disabilities. They hold such a special place in my heart. I have a hard time majoring in child development because I know that I am academically capable of more difficult classes (hence the computer science major and math minor). It is when I am around these kids or learning about these kids that I remember why I am a child development major. I know that my Heavenly Father has a plan for me that involves kids with disabilities. It's hard to explain. But when I'm learning about these kids and spending time with them, I know that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.

In a week or so my neighbor and I are going to sing in Sacrament meeting. I can't wait! I miss singing so much! This morning I went down to the lounge with a few friends and played around on the piano. I miss playing the piano. I miss singing. They're two things that I need to take the time to do more often. They both provide such a relief for me. Singing is the best way for me to bear my testimony. I can't always put my heart into words. But I can put it into music.

Callings

I'm back here in Rexburg. It's a bittersweet thing. Mostly sweet but it's a small town and it's cold! The sweet is that I needed to get away from home. I love my family and I had the best job ever but people tend to settle at home and settling for something that is less than what I can have is not something that I ever want to do, so getting away from little Marysville was a good thing. And I only have 2 semesters left after this. My plan is to do go to school spring and fall semesters so that I can walk in December and then go and do my internship somewhere else.

I got back to Rexburg on a Tuesday. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday getting moved into my new place (where I know no one) and getting ready for school. I started school on Thursday. Friday I was called to be the Relief Society president. I had to have the names for my counselors put in by Saturday so that they could be called on Sunday. I had to have the rest of the names for my board in by Tuesday. I had just moved in and hadn't even met all of my roommates yet let alone the girls in my Relief Society.

The only other time I have had to call counselors was when I was in the young women class presidencies. Then it was with people I had grown up with all my life. I knew them and they knew me. But this time I knew no one. I had a list of my girls with their pictures. I spent hours staring at their pictures and reading their names. Some girls I had really strong feelings about what calling they should have. Other girls I just could not figure out where to put, every one of those girls ended up with another calling in the ward that fit them to a tee. I have been absolutely amazed to see the hand of the Lord in this organization. This has been such a testimony building experience for me that this really is the Lord's church. He wants and needs specific people in specific places and He will do what He needs to to get them there. I am so grateful that I am a member of His church. I honestly do not know where I would be in my life without it.

2012

Things don't always go according to plan.
A few months ago I finished filling out my mission papers but when I went in to have my interview with my branch president something didn't feel right and we decided that this was not the right time for me to go. So, here I am back in Rexburg!
I'm interested to see what 2012 has in store for me!
I'm going to have a very busy semester but I am so excited for it!

I am taking 18 credits so that I can graduate in the next few semesters.
I will be teaching the special needs institute class about every other week and I cannot wait! I am so excited for the opportunity and the challenge!

List 21

A little explanation for the things on The 21 List

While I'm 21 I will...

1. Become the person I want to be

“You become what you want to be by continuously being what you want to become.” I absolutely love that quote. That’s kind of what this whole list is about – a to be list. These are the things that I want to become.

2. Become an early riser

There is a reason this is still on the list. I just hate to get out of bed. Waking up – not a problem! You can come in and talk to me. Just don’t expect me to get out of bed.

3. Dress up every day

It’s a proven fact that you do better on tests if you dress up to go take them. So why not apply that to everyday life? I feel better about myself when I dress up and get ready. So no more rolling out of bed, throwing my hair in a ponytail and running out the door.

4. Finish reading Jesus the Christ

I started this book a few weeks ago. Oh man! It is one of the hardest books I have ever read. It’s a really good book. It’s just that it’s so hard to read that the thought of it makes me run in the other direction.

5. Exercise more

Well, there’s a reason this is on the list again this year too…

6. Volunteer more

I want to start volunteering with children or the elderly.

7. Finish my bachelors degree.

I only have 3 more semesters left. So I’ll actually finish right after my 22^nd birthday but the majority of it will be during year 21.

8. Eat less fast food!

I eat so much fast food! It’s sick! And not healthy. And it’s breaking my bank. So it’s got to stop.

The 20 List

Being 20 was fun. But now I'm on to bigger and better things. Here is a look at how I did on "The 20 List"

1. Learn to live without a plan.

2. Take life as it comes.

I feel like I’ve done very well with these two. I don’t think they are things that you can accomplish and check off the list, I think they are things that you have to continually strive to do. But I feel like this year I’ve been able to step back and say ‘It’s okay if my life doesn’t go according to plan. It’s okay if the plan changes. As long as I am having a good time along the way.’

3. Finish reading the Doctrine and Covenants.

This one didn’t go so well. I got about half way through and then I just found it to be so boring. But I did continue to read my scriptures! But like living without a plan it is a work in progress!

4. Learn a new craft.

I learned to sew. I’ve always known how to sew a little bit. But this time I really learned. I even made my own pair of jeans! (Yes I can actually wear them). I really enjoy doing it too.

5. Eat healthy.

HA!

6. Exercise more - yoga!

HA!

7. Be spontaneous.

This is one that I want to keep working on.

8. Talk to strangers.

9. Be independent.

I think I have done very well with this one (I think I always have). Sometimes I do a little too well and I have to remind myself that it’s okay to let people in.

10. Volunteer more.

I need to work on this one more too!

11. Become an early riser.

HA!