Mary, Did You Know?

One final left in the semester....D&C...piece of cake! already checked in for my flight (i'm A36, love it) and this time tomorrow i'm be in sunny california with my adorable brother. gotta love christmas time. its the best. so in all my christmas music listening one song i love is Mary Did You Know by Clay Aiken, its one of my favorites especially this part.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

Its so amazing to me. I know that Mary knew she was carrying the Son of God, but can you imagine that moment when she looked into that baby's face. Did she know all he would do for every one of us? Including her? I'm so thankful for her.

The painting is one of my favorites its titled "Kissing the Face of God" by Morgan Weistling its been in our dining room at home for as long as i can remember but its always touched my heart, especially at Christmas time.

No Empty Chairs

officially finished with stats, and could not be happier. stats was not my favorite class of this semester...only two more finals and i'm officially finished with the semester.

trying to think of a Christmas thought today was kind of difficult cause i've been so busy and it was the last thing on my mind. so this isn't exactly Christmas but i love it and its inspiring a Christmas present i'm doing for someone, and its about family, what could be more Christmas-y than family?

Please No Empty Chairs
President Ezra Taft Benson said, "God intended the family to be eternal. With all my soul, i testify to the truth of that declaration. May he bless us to strengthen our homes and the lives of each family member so that in due time we can report to our Heavenly Father in His celestial home that we are all there - father, mother, sister, brother, all who hold each other dear. Each chair is filled. We are all back home. "

you're a mean one Mr. Grinch

So let's see life update: one final down (A) three to go, hopefully with similar results, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. today i took church history and wasn't worried about it, but i'm glad to be done and able to move on to the next test. i'll most likely take stats tomorrow geography wednesday (worried about that one) and then take D&C on thursday and fly home. can't wait!

Christmas thought for today comes from one of my favorite books. i wish i had it here, i'll just have to wait till i go home. If you have it go read it, it will make your heart grow three sizes :)

"Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot, but the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville - did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Christmas season. Now, please don't ask why; no one quite knows the reason. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. Or it could be that his head wasn't screwed on just right. But I think that the most likely reason of all may have been that his heart was two sizes too small."

you all know the story, the Grinch takes all of Christmas, the decorations, the presents, even the feast, and then he waits to hear the Whos cry when they realize there will be no Christmas. Suddenly he hears them singing together.

"He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more! And what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day."

Let's remember this Christmas season, that the true meaning of Christmas doesn't come from finding the perfect gift, it comes from the spirit of Christ and his birth and life and of loving those around us.

j

Gate 67

Last Sunday, a week ago, the First Presidency of the Church gave a Christmas Devotional. It was a wonderful devotional filled with powerful words and beautiful music, but nothing touched me quite like the story President Monson told, I was able to find it on LDS Church News.

"By way of illustration, he spoke of an incident that occurred in December 1970, when an ice storm caused thousands of travelers to become stranded in the airport in Atlanta, Ga., as flights were delayed for many hours, lessening the chances for them to get wherever they most wanted to be for Christmas --— "most likely home."

The midnight hour had tolled and passengers clustered around the ticket counters, conferring with ticket agents.

"When an occasional plane managed to break out, more travelers stayed behind than made it aboard. The words 'standby,' 'reservation confirmed' and 'first class passenger' settled priorities and bespoke money, power, influence, foresight – or lack thereof."

President Monson said Gate 67 in Atlanta was a microcosm of the whole cavernous airport. Except for a few passengers traveling in pairs, there was little conversation. A salesman stared into space, a young mother cradled an infant in her arms and a man in a finely tailored gray flannel suit seemed impervious to the collective suffering. A person observing this busy man might have identified him as an Ebenezer Scrooge.

"Suddenly the relative silence was broken by a commotion. A young man in military uniform, no more than 19 years old, was in animated conversation with the desk agent. The boy held a low-priority ticket. He pleaded with the agent to help him get to New Orleans so that he could take the bus to the obscure Louisiana village he called home.

"The agent wearily told him the prospects were poor for the next 24 hours, maybe longer. The boy grew frantic. Immediately after Christmas his unit was to be sent to Vietnam – where at that time war was raging – and if he didn't make this flight, he might never again spend Christmas at home."

President Monson said the agent was clearly moved but could only offer sympathy – not hope.

Finally, the agent announced that the flight was ready for boarding. Travelers, who had been waiting hours, shuffled onto the plane until there were no more seats. The agent turned to the frantic soldier and shrugged.

"Inexplicably the businessman had lingered behind. Now he stepped forward. 'I have a confirmed ticket,' he quietly told the agent. 'I'd like to give my seat to this young man.' The agent stared incredulously, then he motioned to the soldier. Unable to speak, tears streaming down his face, the boy in olive drab shook hands with the man in the gray flannel suit, who simply murmured, 'Good luck. Have a fine Christmas. Good luck.' "

President Monson said no more than a few among the thousands stranded at the Atlanta airport witnessed the drama at Gate 67. "But for those who did, the sullenness, the frustration, the hostility, all dissolved into a glow. That act of love and kindness between strangers had brought the spirit of Christmas into their hearts." (Taken from "Drama at Gate 67," by Ray Jenkins.) "

The Spirit of Christmas

So fun fact about me: i love christmas, i know a lot of people say that, but really, i LOVE christmas, its my favorite time of the year, i love the food, the decorations, finding the perfect gift, the smells, the happy spirit everyone has, the grinch and other favorite christmas stories, even the perfectly white snow on the groud outside my apartment.

but this year, i've been so distracted with finals that i'm not in the cheery christmas mood that usually accopanies me at christmas time. i was ms. christmas when i was home with the family decorating our house after thanksgiving, but since then i haven't been very christmas-y, i try to listen to christmas music (like i am now :) ) so that i can get in the mind set, and it helps sometimes, but my christmas sparkle is not shining through, i think it has something to do with my complete focus on concentration on finals and my school work and me me me, i'm being the selfish mr. scrooge, worrying less about everyone else and more on myself, and i know finals are important, and i've been working hard to get to this point and there's no way i'm not finishing on a high, BUT there's no reason i can't be carrying that feeling of christmas that normally follows me in my daily activities while i do it. so i decided to make a little post everyday ill christmas (hopefully), my ode to christmas and the true spirit of christmas. i stole the daily post idea from my friend ashley, she's great :)

on my last day of D&C my professor gave us this quote:

"This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more.
"Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and the speak it again...Christmas is a celebration, and there is no celebration that compares with the realization of the true meaning of Christmas - with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended itself unselfishly in the things that matter most." - President Howard W. Hunter

and in case that wasn't enough, here's the most adorable video from Mormon Messages

http://www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages#p/a/u/0/tXXwtFWpAI8

love and merry christmas season!

j

time to give thanks. part 2

when i finally had to leave home to come back to utah i left at 7am, (yes i was up at 4:30am quite a rude awakening) and was back in utah for one of the more intense days in utah, the Holy War (aka. BYU vs. Utah football game) totally worth the lack of sleep!

BYU won! in overtime 26-23 it wasn't the best played game at all, but it was so intense to have the score so close throughout the entire game and it was a proud day to be a cougar.
jan ash and ash jan <3 - we love cougar football

loved the throw-back royal blue jerseys they were amazing

final score!

storming the field

on the field after our victory :)

time to give thanks.

Oh my goodness it has been a while since i've updated this. let's see, we'll hit the highlights in two different posts:

HOME!! the best highlight of them all. After sitting in the airport forever! my flight was delayed, by 2 1/2 hours and i was 2 hours early for my flight (at least i had people's sexiest men alive and peppermint hot chocolate :)) i finally made it back home to my wonderful family who i love more than anything in this world. we didn't do anything incredibly exciting. my mom and i went shopping, i got my nails done, we bought band hero and rocked out for days, oh, we saw New Moon with my best friend, her mom, and both of my sister's best friends. it was so great! alex and i loved it...what more can i say?

Thanksgiving was low key this year it was just my family and then my grandma and grandpa. we watched up after we ate and just hung out all day - i wanted it low key though, all i wanted was to just hang out with family.

i didn't take many pictures but here are a few...
the best friend and i at new moon

the four of us kids on thanksgiving, yes i know they're all getting taller then me :*(
momma and i at new moon


dad and i on thanksgiving

love from provo,

j

today's the day

somehow i survived this week and all the many tests and things that have come my way, i'm not quite sure how i did and i still can't believe i'm getting ready to fly home, i don't feel like i am, but i'm so excited. 3 1/2 hours till i take off for danville, the best place in the world! and home to the best family.

2 days and counting

so only two more days till i fly home for the week!

but i have three tests to take and it feels like eternity till i'll get there. i'm currently trying to study for my rock test tomorrow morning, and i'm at a loss at how to study, i feel like i've done everything i can think of, now there's just review tomorrow before and prayer. and then i need to take stats tomorrow sometime, geography early friday, be at the airport by at least 5:30 and be on my flight at 7. craziness!

but in exciting news, I sat FRONT ROW, COURTSIDE to the BYU men's basketball game last night! i had no idea i was going to, it was pure luck! i was with karissa going to the game and her dad's friend had two extra seats and next thing we knew there we were, courtside to jimmer fredette, jackson emery and all the AMAZING players! it was so much fun and of course a cougar victory! it was awesome, i took pictures on my phone, but i'm not sure how to get those on to my computer...still working on it. but hopefully i'll be able to.

can't wait to go home, even though it doesn't even seem like i am. last year i was counting down every day, and i mean i am this time, but there are just so many other things on my mind right now.

but 2 days yeah!

j

5 days

happy sunday!

sundays are always my favorite. the only bad thing about them is the next day is monday :) but what can you do? nothing too exciting going on, just counting down the days till i get to go home for a week and trying to get ready for my three tests this coming week.

one exciting thing: i'm drawing again. for anyone who knows me, they know that i love to draw, its my thing, its a talent i've been blessed with and it helps to de-stress my life. i've been feeling all over the place so its been so great to just draw and get all that emotion out. i've finished two drawings in about three days (a couple hours a day) which is probably the fastest i've ever done, but they turned out great which makes me happy.

so i found yet another michael buble song that defines my life. look it up, love it

5 more days till california sunshine!

Haven't Met You Yet

I'm Not Surprised
Not Everything Lasts
I've Broken My Heart So Many Times,
I Stop Keeping Track.
Talk Myself In
I Talk Myself Out
I Get All Worked Up
And Then I Let Myself Down.

I Tried So Very Hard Not To Loose It
I Came Up With A Million Excuses
I Thought I Thought Of Every Possibility

And I Know Someday That It'll All Turn Out
You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid That I'll Give So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

Mmmmm ....

I Might Have To Wait
I'll Never Give Up
I Guess It's Half Timing
And The Other Half's Luck
Wherever You Are
Whenever It's Right
You Come Out Of Nowhere And Into My Life

And I Know That We Can Be So Amazing
And Baby Your Love Is Gonna Change Me
And Now I Can See Every Possibility

Mmmmm ......

And Somehow I Know That It Will All Turn Out
And You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid I'll Give So Much More Than I Get
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

They Say All's Fair
And In Love And War
But I Won't Need To Fight It
We'll Get It Right
And We'll Be United

And I Know That We Can Be So Amazing
And Being In Your Life Is Gonna Change Me
And Now I Can See Every Single Possibility

Mmmm .....

And Someday I Know It'll All Turn Out
And I'll Work To Work It Out
Promise You Kid I'll Give More Than I Get
Than I Get Than I Get Than I Get

Oh You Know It'll All Turn Out
And You'll Make Me Work So We Can Work To Work It Out
And I Promise You Kid To Give So Much More Than I Get
Yeah I Just Haven't Met You Yet

I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Oh Promise You Kid
To Give So Much More Than I Get

I Said Love Love Love Love Love Love Love .....
I Just Haven't Met You Yet
Love Love Love .....
I Just Haven't Met You Yet

9 days

So i just have a few minutes between my study time (i've been studying biology for the last hour and a half, and i already had class for five hours today) and my physical science review (i'm in this lab and my final, which is 50% of my grade is a test on identifying rocks, to me a rock is a rock so to say i need this review would be an understatement haha) and i thought i'd just write a little about life. I'm doing well, i cannot believe the semester is nearing a close, this one flew by, i feel like i just got back to provo. It has been really stressful, i found out i have three tests next week not one like i thought and i have to take a test tomorrrow, but i've been able to see the fruits of my labors (high test scores and good grades in my classes) so its all worth it.

only 9 days till i get to go back to danville and i cannot wait, i love my family so much and cannot wait to spend time with them over thanksgiving.

so amid all the craziness of school i have been reading the Conference addition of the Ensign which has been amazing. i have been told multiple times that the conference talks should be our walk and our talk for the next six months and that they should be treated like scripture and i've taken the challenge to really put that into action. i've been reading one a night and trying to remember the principles i've learned and focus on them. its amazing how they can have the answers or just the comfort i need waiting for me to find. that's the power of the church.

time to go learn some more, 9 days, can't wait

love,

j

13 days

after a week of three stressful exams and the craziness of life to say i'm a little tired would be an understantment. But its ok, because the weather is beautiful, i have amazing friends, and in 13 days i get to play with this crazy kid.


(this was taken a couple years ago, yes he's a pilgram - i thought it would be good in honor of thanksgiving!)

love from provo,

j

blessed.

so last night i had to sign up for classes and by some miracle i was able to get into sixteen out of the eighteen credits i need for next semester. i couldn't believe how blessed i am by my Heavenly Father because without him watching out for me nothing would be possible.

President Uchdorf of the first presidency of the church came to BYU yesterday for a devotional and it was wonderful. the spirit was so strong there and i loved hearing his testimony.

Today is my daddy's birthday! i adore him so much and i have been so blessed to have him in my life. it's funny when i think back on my life how much who he is as a person has influenced me as i have grown. He isn't my biological father, but he is my dad in every sense of the word. He has always been in my life as long as i can remember. the expression the apple doesn't fall far from the tree rings true in my mind. i may look exactly like my mother and possess some of her wonderful traits, but i am mostly my father through and through. thank you for being who you are daddy, i love you have an amazing day!

(yes i caught that fish! a proud day for my dad)

home in 17 days! cannot wait.

stressssssssssssssssss

so its that time of the semester where we have to sign up for classes and i was so excited to start signing up for my major classes. the order you get to sign up is based off of how many credits you have thus far in school. i only have 30.5 so i don't sign up for 4 more days. so you may be wondering where the stress is coming from? well day by day i've been watching every class i want fill up before my eyes and have been realizing i have NO IDEA what i'm going to do next semester. some classes only have like 17 spots left total and i'm worried i won't get in or i'll have to try and beg the professors to let me add into them once the classes start, and all the times aren't working out, all the classes are running into each other and i'm worried that i won't know what to do....not fun!

ps: happy almost halloween!

ACCEPTED!!

waiting...and waiting...and waiting....

Oh goodness let's hit the highlights since my last post...

well nothing too big or important has happened. I've had many tests and am still doing well in school (knock on wood). I've noticed that i have a heavier work load than last year, but i'm handling it better than i did as a freshman. Probably due to my increased amount of time spent in the library...My cousin Scott went into the MTC yesterday to serve a full-time mission for two years for my church. He's serving in Cleavland, Ohio and i'm so excited for him. i've never had an older brother so he's the closest thing to one. it was so amazing to see him set apart for the work and to have one last goodbye dinner with him and his family on tuesday night. i know he's going to be an amazing missionary.
Here's my cousin Sean, me, and Elder McClellan at their house after his farewell on Sunday. I spent the weekend at their house in Lindon, it was so fun to hang out with all my extended family, they are such amazing people, i don't know if i'd survive away from my family in California if i didn't have them.

So why the title of this blog? well i'm getting very very anxious to say the least waiting to hear back from the elementary education program. next semester class sign-ups start on monday and they never said when i'd hear back or how just that it would be at the end of October. i should probably go in and ask, but i mean they have to let people know before they sign up for classes right! i have my schedule planned for next semester as if i'm starting, i'm just trying to throw out good thoughts into the universe.

i'm also waiting to see my daddy on sunday! he currently is fishing in yellowstone with two of his best friends and will be here saturday night/sunday i'll only get to see him on sunday but i am so excited! it has been about two month since i've seen any member of my family and it will be another 32 days or month, until i go home and see them for thanksgiving. (if you can't tell already i love my family!) :) so i can't wait to see him even if its only for a day.

life is going well, i'm grateful for all my blessings.

love from provo,

j

Reunion!

Best moment of my life! Today was the reunion of the besties (ash, hil, karissa, stacy bex, and i) and it was wonderful! i forgot how much i truly love those girls and how being with them makes me so happy. it was so great to see becca again! we haven't seen her since her wedding reception and to hear about her life was so fun! ah i adore her! and it was so great to see bryan her husband and her parents, they are both wonderful. We went to Costa Vida, just us girls, and talked for about an hour and a half, it was so fun to hear about married life, and to girl talk with her, then we went to BYU bookstore (where we met up with bry and her parents) :) and looked around. ah, words cannot explain how great it was to be with them again, they are my family here and i love them so much! there will be pictures on facebook soon of our reunion. its funny how even if we're only together for a couple hours we still manage to take a million pictures. :)


life has been going well i guess, i miss my family, i talked to blake for about twenty minutes and he was telling me all about second grade, and his class, his teacher, his friends, his halloween costume, and that he needs new shoes :) i adore that little boy so much and the only thing i hate about being in college is that i don't get to watch my little siblings grow up. i feel like i miss so much of their lives.

school moves on as always, i'm getting anxious waiting to find out about the el ed program! my dad comes to utah in two weeks and i'm so excited for a little bit of home, even if i only get to see him for a day because the only reason he's coming is because he is going fishing with his buddies in yellowstone for four days...oh dad

love from p-town

j

Just Thinking...

So you know those moments when you got back through old pictures, or read old journals and you remember those moments in your life that have past you by? whether they were silly fights, amazing random nights, a special moment with someone who meant everything to you in that moment, but you haven't seen or talked to in forever? As i've been looking back on my life, mostly high school, but i guess this would be applicable to my last year in college, it amazes me how many amazing moments i have been blessed with. amazing friends, the perfect night, conversations that i never wanted to end. its amazing looking back, i have been so blessed. Moments are timeless, most of the best moments in your life you don't realize until they have already passed you by, but sometimes there are moments that come and you realize that this moment, every part of it, will live on forever, you will always remember it as the moment something changed, or something wonderful happened. i think i've had less of these moments as i've gone through my life currently, but i love to reflect on the past and realize how wonderful they were. i'm glad i wrote about them, and have taken too many pictures, because honestly, the best moments you should never regret.

as i looked back on my life, i found two things i wrote that i just love. i wrote them my junior year in high school (we had a project where we had to write poems, and it was my favorite thing i've ever done in school, to write about my inner thoughts and put them on paper in such a unique way was so thereputic for me) and i totally forgot about them till now. i don't normally like to share things i write because usually they are very close to my heart or i get embarrassed, but i figured what the heck, why not share a little of myself :)

For this first one we had to pick an emotion, i chose love, and describe what it would look like, taste like, smell like etc.
Love...
it has the color of a dark sky with white shining stars
it tastes of chapstick and mint gum
it smells of cologne and fresh laundry
it has kind eyes that understand, strong arms to protect you, and hands that fit yours perfectly
it sounds of "i love you" "you're beautiful" and "i'll always be here when you need me"
it feels like goosebumps on your skin, butterflies in your stomach, and a warmth that starts at your toes and fills your entire body
Love.

For this second one, we have to write a poem with the title "These i have loved" we could do anything with it, it just had to fit the title - i loved doing this one because it allowed me to think of my favorite little things in life that often go unnoticed, but make me so happy

"These I Have Loved"

the laughter of little kids and the innocence reflected in their eyes
the smell of Christmas time, and the constant spirit of giving
the feeling after i finish a drawing, knowing how much time and effort i put into it, and that in the end, it was all worth it
the taste of pink jelly beans, and the color they turn my tongue
long conversations with friends that never seem to end
looking at someone, and realizing how much you love them, and feeling their love for you
spending late nights stargazing in the arms of someone who cares
being wrapped in a blanket by a fire with a warm cup of coco in your hands
the feeling of complete happiness that comes when you laugh
the smell of rain and the joy of jumping through puddles
the feeling of piano keys on my fingers and the music i make
these things i have loved, the smells, the sounds, the emotions, and the joys that make life worth living.

Love from provo,

j

Living Vicariously Through the Friends...

So as fall rolls on here at the Y it brings new crushes and new relationships and all the wonderful things that go along with it. First date, first hand hold, first kiss...well, this isn't my lot in life currently, but this would be the place that a couple of my lucky friends are currently in. Over the last few days i've seen first hand holds, heard about first kisses at about 1 in the morning :) its all so fun and so wonderful and i couldn't be more happy for these girls in my life. I know that one day it'll be my turn, so until then i just live vicariously through them and am so happy for them, and love being here every step of the way :)

conference tomorrow! i can't wait!

love,

j

Life rolls on...

so my life has now fallen into a nice pattern of homework, playing, and trying to balance all the other things i need to and want to do. I have my first round of tests coming up this week and next, and i'm a little nervous to say the least. i really want to do well this semester, like better than i've ever done and i know the only thing stopping me is myself, i have a tendency to procrastinate or just think things aren't very important when they are. haha, so i'm trying to stay on top of everything which has been relatively easy seeing as i don't have any major distractions in my life at the moment. i would say that isn't a blessing, but i know it is. heavenly father is just trying to help me, so he's keeping all the boys away :) or maybe he's helping my parents...
Speaking of parents and family i do miss mine a lot. they are wonderful and i enjoy hearing from them. i talk to my mom at least every other day and i'm so thankful for her and what a blessing she is in my life.
Oh, i got a calling in my ward yesterday, i am a relief society instructor. i taught my first lesson yesterday on family, and it went really well! i was so nervous to teach by myself and to teach all these girls i don't know very well, and who don't know me. but it all went really well, and i was so thankful for that. now i don't have to teach for another month! yeah :)
i am so proud of myself. yesterday i sat down and wrote all the missionaries i've been saying i would write for ages. i wrote eight letters and mailed all but the international ones today and i'm going to mail the others tomorrow. it amazes me how many boys i know serving the Lord in so many different places. i am so proud of them and know that they made the right decision to go and serve.

j

We Thank Thee Oh God For a Prophet

So its been a week since my last post and i figured its been a great week so i needed to write a little.

Well i officially turned in my application for the Elementary Education program here at BYU and will be hearing back at the end of October. So i'm a little nervous about that, but all is well and whatever is supposed to happen will. Other than that life has been just the basic day to day activities. There was one exciting event however! President Thomas S Monson, president and prophet for my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) came to BYU this week for a devotional and gave a great testimony about all the prophets of his life and because i need to write this down in my journal and typing it once would save the time, i decided to write about it here. :) First of, it always amazes me how when the prophet comes to town, the marriott center (which holds 23,000 people) is completely packed an hour before it starts you're lucky if you can find a seat! Well i sat there for an hour with my friend Amy from back home and we talked about life and caught up on what we were doing, and then about five minutes to eleven the prophet came, and if you've never been in a room when the prophet walks in, let me tell you it is an experience. the entire room becomes completely silent and everyone stands and shows their respect and honor for this man of God, it truly is a moving experience. Where else could you find a place where simultaneously 23,000 18-25 year olds will become quiet and show there respect?

So here is a summary of my notes:

First he started out with saying that by being here at BYU "you are the heart and soul of your parents" "a glorious site" and we are "in the prime of your lives, where there are difficulties and exceptional opportunities" "destined to meet challenges and solve problems.

He then started talking about past prophets and informed us he wanted to talk a little about every prophet that has served during his life, including personal stories and anecdotes about each one. He said that every prophet that has been has taught us a lesson that we can apply to our lives. He said that since he was born there have been nine prophets, ten if he were to include himself.
1. President Heber J Grant - He told how President Grant was the prophet of the Great Depression, and how times were different then. Anyone could come and see the prophet anytime they wanted. Since he served during the Great Depression he set up the great welfare program of the church and as an individual he always practiced at difficult things. As a child when we wanted to become a better pitcher he would practice by pitching at a small target on the barn, and when he wanted to have better penmanship, he practiced until he was proficient. His favorite food was bread and milk, and his favorite song was "Do What Is Right - Let the Consequence Follow". His favorite quote was from Ralph Waldo Emerson, "That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself becomes easier, but that our ability to perform it has improved" So what is the lesson we learn from this man?
** Persistence - to persist in all things which are good and noble

2. President George Albert Smith - He was the one who helped organize supplies to aid the suffering in WWII. Because of him, the saints were ready to provide foreign aid after the war when meeting with President Truman. He always had a compassionate heart. Once when he was walking on South Temple Street he saw a man working without a coat on. He told the man it was too cold to be outside without one, and when the man told him he had none, President Smith took off his coat and gave it to the man. His favorite song was "Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words to Each Other" and his favorite food was apple pie. He would often say "There is a great tug of war going on between the Lord and the adversary, stay safely on the Lord's side of the line."
** Compassion - always have a compassionate heart

3. President David O McKay - He was the President who extended the call to President Monson to the quorum of the 12 apostles. He told a story of a lady who painted a picture for President McKay of the house where he was raised, it turned out to be wrong home, but he hung it proudly in his office anyway. His favorite song was "Oh Say What Is Truth" and his favorite food was chocolate. His favorite saying was "True Christianity is love in action"
**Consideration - Always be considerate of others

4. President Joseph Fielding Smith - He wrote a letter to President Monson while President Monson was serving the people in the South Pacific away from his home and family saying "all is well, i am pleased you're in the South Pacific, and will be there to welcome you home when you return". He was a prolific writer, and has educated generations on adherence to gospel principles. His favorite song was "Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire" and his favorite food was sweet pickles. His favorite quote was "Wickedness never was happiness"
** Gospel Scholarship - be studious, be students of the gospel, at test week, when you are tested on life, you will be grateful you were studious.

5. President Harold B Lee - He once was at an interview with President Monson in NYC, where the woman interviewing him was asking him controversial questions about our church. President Lee turned the controversial conversation to one on the church's welfare program and outstanding educational program. He had a persuasive ability, and was a teacher to all. Once President Monson’s son’s had a leg tumor, and President Monson called President Lee for help, and when President Lee went with President Monson to give his son a blessing he said, “There is no where in the world where I would rather be than by your side giving a priesthood blessing.” His favorite song was "Praise to the Man" and his favorite food was bread and milk. His favorite quote was "Stand Ye in Holy Places and be not moved"
**Be In Tune and Responsive to the Whisperings of the Holy Spirit

6. President Spencer W Kimball - He often said that "Obstacles were Opportunities" - He would often were the same shoes, ones that had large holes in them, his assistant would try to hide these shoes, but he would always find them. He would say, "My life, like my shoes, is to be worn out in the service of the Lord" His favorite song was "I Need Thee Every Hour" and his favorite food was a piece of break, broken into chunks and stirred into a glass of milk. His favorite quote was "Lengthen Your Stride"
** Dedication - Be dedicated to the Lord and God

7. President Ezra Taft Benson - He was a very generous man, once President Monson was in his office when he noticed a very beautiful ridding saddle. He complimented President Benson on it and President Benson said "thank you, would you like it?" He was voted "most preferred" man at BYU and went to war torn Europe for 10 1/2 months providing physical nourishment and everlasting hope to the people there. His favorite song was "I Need Thee Every Hour" and his favorite food was fresh raspberries. His favorite quote comes from Christ which says "What manner of men ought ye to be? Even as I am."
** Love - Love one another

8. President Howard W Hunter - He was a very courteous person, always thanking those around him for all that they did for him. His favorite song was "Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?" and his favorite food was Alaskan Crab. His favorite quote comes from Proverbs 27:2 "Let another man praise thee and not thine own lips"
**See the best in people - See them as God sees them

9. President Gordon B Hinckley - President Monson and Hinckley served together for 41 years, they were beloved friends. President Hinckley was kind, and taught and lived tolerance. He was a wordsmith, well-read, and a scholar. President Monson told a story of how when driving the underground tunnels to go to their weekly meeting in the Salt Lake Temple, President Hinckley knew instinctively when they were on temple grounds and would remove his hat in respect. His favorite song was "God of Our Fathers" and his favorite food was pie and ice cream. He loved Joseph Smith and the Savior. His favorite quote was "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father"
** Do Your Best in all that you do

He then closed by saying that we, like all these prophets who have gone before us, must "never waive, falter, or fail in our faith and efforts"

I'm so grateful for the prophets that have gone and for ours today and for the message which he shared for it is truly one we can all take something from and apply to our lives.

Applying!

So i've been crazy stresses lately as I've been preparing to apply to the elementary education program here at BYU. I've finished all the paperwork and the four required tests and now i'm just getting the papers all together to submit. let me just say, i am sooooooooooooooooo nervous! i want nothing more than to get into the program and keep my life plan moving. this is something i've worked, waited, and prayed for for a long time and its so crazy to see it finally all coming together.

i also cannot believe i've only been in school for almost 2 weeks, it feels like i've been here for like 6 months! i constantly have to remind myself that i've only been here for two weeks and the fact that i haven't been on a date yet isn't an issue! haha, anyway, i'm loving my apartment and my roommates, and things are going quite well. something i always remind myself is that Heavenly Father has a plan for me and that whatever is supposed to happen will and that i just need to have faith and continue to do the best i can.

the only bad thing right now? i miss my family. its been about a month since i've seen them and i miss them like crazy. i'm such a home-body and love just being with my family. i was blessed to be with them all summer so its hard to not be around them right now.

love from utah,

j

I'm Domestic!

so i am so proud of myself! people may make fun of me, but i am proud none the less. so in my apartment we decided that we were gonna take turns cooking dinner monday through thursday and tonight was my night to cook. i was nervous because i've never really cooked a full blown meal on my own without help from my mom or dad. but i found a recipe for chicken stir-fry that sounded like it would be good so i bought the ingredients, and cooked the meal tonight. it was delicious. i made brown rice as well, and it turned out splendid. i was super proud of myself.

here's the recipe if anyone wants to try it!

j

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 package shiitake mushrooms
• 2 to 3 carrots, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 1 (8-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1 cup chicken broth
  
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

In a large skillet, heat the oils over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, pepper, and onion and cook an additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the water chestnuts. In a small bowl, combine broth, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, ginger, and cornstarch. Add to chicken mixture and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium to medium-low, and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, or until sauce thickens.

** recipe is from www.foodnetwork.com :)

Update on life from Utah

so its been a while since i've updated this and realize i have so much i need to write about!

1. Tennesse and Becca's Wedding - my friend Becca is married! it was so awesome to go to her hometown and be there for her as she took this big step in her life. i adore her and i was so glad i was able to be there and support her. she was so beautiful and looked so happy as she walked out of the temple with her husband. i love temples and the knowledge that they can be together forever. i can't wait for that chance. (no worries it won't be for a while i promise!) haha yeah the wedding was gorgeous and i met some of the most loving people. every person we met was so kind to us and made us feel like we were at home (by us i mean, karissa, ashley, hil and myself.) we were able to represent the besties and be there for bex which was an amazing experience and it just made me so excited for the future and for the men that we will marry and that we will all have the opportunity to be that happy and have that joy. here are some pictures :)
the Seaborns after they came out of the temple
the besties (minus stacy) i love this picture :)

2. After Tennessee i fly back to Utah to begin my sophomore year at BYU! i cannot believe i am a sophomore! it is the strangest feeling, i can't believe how time just keeps flying by and i'm getting older every second and all i want to do is not grow up! haha but in all seriousness i can't believe i'm getting so old! well, school started today, but we'll get back to that! So i moved into my new apartment four days ago, i live in liberty square just south of campus. i live with five girls i didn't know before i moved here and they all new each other. that has been quite an experience for me. they are all beautiful and so great, but its been an adjustment trying to find my place in their group. but things are going well and i'm looking forward to spending this year with them. (funny story - my roommate's name is Becca and now i'm all confused when i tell stories, no one knows who i'm talking about...) haha

New ward: so i now attend the BYU 159th ward, its great to be back in a student ward again, i always feel the spirit so strong whenever i go to church which is wonderful. i'm overwhelmed with all the people i'm meeting and can't really remember anyone, but i'm sure things will become easier as time goes on.

School started today! let me just say my day was INSANE today! i had five classes in a row with no break today (but i only have one tomorrow so that was the trade) i went from D&C to Stats to Geography to Biology to Church History and then called my mom and was so overwhelmed but i'm excited i think it'll be a good semester but i'm definitely gonna be tired on mondays and wednesdays. i'm already tired and today was only syllabus day, i can't even imagine how i'll be once we start learning things! :)

and because my mom likes to take pictures of us whenever we start school i took a first day of school picture :)

love from utah

janelle

Last Day at Home

its crazy how time passes so fast. i feel like i just got home, but i've been here for four months and now i've already packed all my things (they're in utah already!) and i'm getting ready to fly tomorrow to tennessee to be reunited with the besties and to be there for becca's big day :) i'm so excited for her and still can't believe that she is getting MARRIED! so strange! but today is my last day at home, which i am quite sad about, but i already had an amazing picnic with friends and will have a fun swim party tonight at courts for a final horray before i leave for school.

so yesterday my family and i went to six flags (where they have fun rides and my favorite animal in the world! a dolphin) and i was able to feed and play with the dolphins and i fell in love



i'm nervous for what is to come, but like ash always tells me, its gonna be a good year! i can feel it!

t minus 18 hours and 58 minutes till i'm flying

j

2 weeks and counting....

So...only 2 weeks until i fly to tennesse for Becca's wedding and then fly to Utah for school. i cannot believe how fast it is all going! where did the last 4 months go? what have i been doing? who knows!

Feelings about going back to school? apprehension, nervous, excited...i have no idea what to expect and what this next year will bring. i hope it brings laughs, smiles, hard work, and happiness. i'm ready for my life to start moving. i want to take major steps this year. the biggest? getting into the elementary education program at BYU, i apply in a little less than a month, so to say i'm nervous is an understatement. this is my entire future career on the line. i need to do better than i've ever done in school and work harder. i know i can do it i just need to focus and prioritize my life :)

becca's wedding: i'm so happy and excited for her. i cannot believe one of my close friends is getting married. she's a wonderful girl and i know she'll be happy. i'll just miss seeing her face everyday cause she's moving to canada with bryan. but i'm glad my parents are letting me go to tennesse and that i'm able to spend time with her and say a final "goodbye" (not really goodbye, but you know what i mean)

last two weeks: i can't believe my time at home is almost over. i adore my family, especially my mom and having all this time with them has been amazing and i don't know how i'm going to go another like 4 months without seeing them. thank goodness for skype! it saves my life

j

Stuck in a Rut

so lately i feel like i'm stuck in a rut. i feel like all i do is work and then come home, possibly hang with the fam (if they are even here, we all go 500 different ways all the time) or i'm off babysitting for another family. i mean, i cannot say that i am ungrateful, i am making money for school which was one of my main goals when i came home this summer. but i can't help but feel like i am missing out on something. last summer was full of work, but also full of fun. maybe its cause i've been to a year of college and now most the boys my age have left for their missions...and my friends are, like me, working and trying to be with their families. but i don't know, i feel like i'm never having fun anymore, which is totally lame! i've tried talking to mom and dad about this, but they just keep telling me "welcome to being an adult" (if this is true i'm flying to never never land because i don't want to grow up!) all joking aside i know adults have fun, but i don't feel like i'm enjoying and appreciating my time here. i only have about 27 days i think at home before i fly to tennesse for the wedding and then to utah for school. 27 days left to try and have the best summer i can possibly have! crazy

i mean i have had some amazing nights and moments. dinner and a movie with john dana and joyce (his momma) is always a treat, courtney coming over for bones marathons and snacks, spending time laughing so hard it hurts with my bestest friend ever alex (including when she my mom and i went to wicked for my b-day), and having fun with my momma have made for some amazing times this summer, but overall i feel like i'm stuck in a rut and not sure how to get myself out.
but (of course there's another "but") i know that sooner then i think i will be back in utah complaining about school, friends and boys (or the lack there of). school in general is going to be another chage that i'm worried for. i mean yes i did make it through the first year with some of the most amazing friends one could ever hope for, but next year i won't have them as constantly in my life as i did this last year, and i have to apply for the teaching program....ah just thinking about my future makes me nervous. i HATE change i've gotten better, but once i get into a comfotable routine i like to stay that way and i can totally see myself wishing i was back at home safe in my room in my bed with my family who loves me.

well tomorrow is a bbq and pool party at court's (much like the old days) hopefully that'll be a fun night (i'm sure it will)

xoxo

J

New Blog....About Me :)

So one of the besties ash has been bugging me forever to get a blog, so here it is...

some basic things about me:

The Fam:
Dad, Mom, Shelby (12), Marissa (10), and Blake (7) and of course Daisy! They are my life and i adore them. i cannot imagine my life without them.

The School:
I'm about to begin my sophomore year at BYU and i 1. cannot believe i'm a sophomore and 2. absolutely love it there. i hate, i mean absolutely hate being away from my family. it is so hard for me to not be with them all the time, especially my mom. she's a rockstar. she is the most amazing person i know and i cannot imagine life without her.

The Besties:
My freshman year at BYU i met some of the most amazing girls in the world. Ashley, Hilary, Becca, Karissa, and Stacy. we soon became the besties and life with them is amazing. i adore them! Becca is getting married this summer so we'll be one short next year, but we'll always have her in spirit.

Me:
I'm 19 i love to sing all the time, no matter what i'm doing. i enjoy playing the piano to pass the time. i am studying to become a teacher (i'd love to teach 2nd grade). i love to dance, and above all i love to draw. not many people know that about me, but i draw all the time. it's my release. i love to have fun, life isn't worth living if you can't smile and enjoy it. well that's enough for now :)

xoxo

J