Letters

Ems and I with the cousins!

Dear Aunt Christie, Ethan, and Clancy, Thanks again so super much for making this Thanksgiving one of the best ones I've had in years! We got to do so many fun things, but the best part was just getting to know you and feeling so blessed to be a part of such an amazing family. I love and miss you guys!

Dear Shakespeare Paper, I'm not a fan of you at the moment. How bout we stop debating over silly details that don't matter and start making what we write actually applicable to our lives? You probably wouldn't understand--your from the Humanities department.

Dear FHE Family, Decorating for Christmas last night by making paper snowflakes and hanging lights and putting up a Christmas tree (one that smells AMAZING) was super fun! Thanks for being so happy and fun to be with. I really like laughing.

Dear Sarah, I'm glad that I went to the Women of Faith play with you in the HFAC last night. It was a good excuse to skip weight lifting and the stories of the women in the play were inspiring. And, as always, being with you was fun!

Dear Emily and Quaelii, I really enjoyed watching The Amazing Spider-Man with you two on Saturday night! I think we should do it again sometime soon!

Dear Derrik, Decorating your Christmas tree (and rearranging your apartment) on Sunday night was fun! Thanks for the invite!

Dear Brady, I enjoy talking with you outside the apartments in the cold at night. Seeing Divine Comedy this Friday will be fun!

Dear Week, You insist on being crazy and fun and stressful and exciting and tired all at the same time, don't you? Guess I'll take it.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thanks for being patient with me when I'm grumpy and stubborn and prideful and sluggish and frustrated. I promise I'm trying to do better now!

Things that Make Me Smile

Dear Sis. Davis, It was so fun to run into you on campus Monday! It totally brightened my day and helped me have the motivation to do extra awesome on the test I was on my way to take. Thanks for being an amazing Young Women's leader. The lessons you gave always encouraged me to become better and do better. I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving at your in-laws!

Dear Scott, I liked talking yesterday during lunch. You're sketches are pretty sweet, but you're even sweeter. Thanks for your complements and support. You're a fantastic brother!

Dear Gentry, Talking to you yesterday was also super fun! Thanks for understanding how to use sarcasm and for playing along when I don't quite catch on; it makes me laugh a lot. Have a super fun Thanksgiving break with Mr. Scotty!

Dear Sarah and Brady, Thanks for talking with me last night, even though I was in a little bit of a down mood. I promise I won't be feeling down next time, so let's do it again soon!

Dear Ennis', Emily and I are SO EXCITED to get to spend Thanksgiving with you guys! I hope you're ready to have fun!

Shaun and I at the top of the Y! (Stephanie's behind the camera)

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Morrison, ...Sorry--I guess you two aren't married quite yet. Let me try again.

Dear Shaun and Stephanie, Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for hanging out with me yesterday afternoon! Yes, Shaun--the milkshakes at the hospital were rather fantastic. Good idea. And Stephanie--I love him! He's so goofy and weird and hilarious and kind and awesome and so YOU! I'm so happy for you, Steph. I couldn't stop smiling after you two left yesterday because I was so happy. Thanks for driving up to Provo so that I could get to know him. Anytime you two are in Provo and want to hike the Y or get milkshakes from the hospital, count me in! I'm even more excited for the wedding now! P.S. I'm excited to see how the engagement photo turned out.

November Weekend Timeline

November 16th, 7pm--Relief Society leadership training meeting with Sis. Burton. Thank you, Kelly, for providing some commentary; and thank you, Bishop, for coming to support.

November 16th, 9:30pm--Honorary Hostess doughnut eating to remember the good ol' days and mourn the lost of the Hostess company. Doughnuts provided by Morgan.

November 16th, 10pm--Snowflake making with roommates minus Audrey plus Morgan (old roommate). Lots of laughing involved.

November 17th, 9:15am--Went running to the temple and back with Emily. 3.8 miles total. (I stinkin' love that girl!)

November 17th, 11am--Went shopping at Downeast Clothing with my awesome cousin, Alex. Found a super ugly sweater and wanted to buy it. Alas, college budget will not allow it. Went to the store with the intention of buy a skirt or dress, walk out of the store with two T-shirts. Typical Lindsey.

November 17th, 1pm--Adventurous Costco shopping with Jordan Liau. He bought thanksgiving dinner for the ward, I bought groceries for the rest of the semester. Success!

November 17th, 3pm--Went hiking up Rock Canyon to eat lunch with Derrik, a friend from my New Testament class last winter. Colder on the way down than the way up. It rained on us, but it was great fun! Hands were really cold by the time we got to the car. Stopped to get hot chocolate on the way home. Best hot chocolate in the world.

November 17th, 7pm--Went to N103 with the intention of watching How to Train Your Dragon. Decided to watch Mega Mind instead because Joseph had never seen it. I successfully bumped a bowl of popcorn. Popcorn fell everywhere. We cleaned it up. A successful evening!

November 18th, 6:30am--Woke up and got ready for the day.

November 18th, 7:45am--Went to the WILK to study my scriptures and ponder. Stayed there for two and a half hours. Took a twenty minute nap. Conclusion: the gospel is AWESOME!

November 18th, 12pm--My awesome Visiting Teachers came over. I love them so much, because I know they love me!

November 18th, 1:00pm--Emily is awesome and helped me with my Relief Society craziness. I love her!

November 18th, 1:30pm--Went to church. I love church. I love my ward. I loved the next three hours.

November 18th, 6pm--Had dinner with Alex, Emily, Amelia, Morgan, Rachel, Lauren, Quaelii, Sarah, Jeremy, Ryan, and Katt. It was so nice to not have to worry about making dinner, after a long day! We ate, talked, and played Mormon Mouthful (Mormon version of Mad Gab). They're the best!

November 18th, 8pm--Went to my ward's treat night. Again--I love my ward!

November 18th, 10:30pm (hopefully)--Went to bed.

Goodnight, everyone!

The Small and Simple Thing #3: Wintertime

As I mentioned before, I haven't been the biggest fan of this whole change-from-summer-to-dark-cold-depressing-winter thing. I miss the warm weather. In an attempt to battle the on slaughter of negative thoughts, I've decided to find all the little things about wintertime that make it awesome.

1. Scarfs--They're cute. They're warm. They're easy to wear. They're my favorite accessory ever.
2. Drinking from a Mug--I love going outside when it's cold with a mug of cider or hot chocolate. While you hold it, it warms your hands and when you slowly sip your drink it warms your body. Plus, I have an awesome Peanuts Christmas one and an awesome giraffe one with an actual giraffe in the inside. I love it!
3. Cold Air--I love being bundled up outside when it's cold. I love being with friends outside when it's cold. I love the way the cold air tastes. I love going outside, into the cold air, and feeling like you're ready to face the world.
4. Christmas Time--It's my favoritest season. 
5. Snow--Even though it's super cold, there's something magical about snow. It makes everything quieter and peaceful. It's also super fun to play in!

Small and Simple Thing #2: Visiting Teachers

On Tuesday, I was feeling a little down. I was in the WILK and stood up to go to class just as my visiting teacher, Brynnley, walked by. She stopped, said hi, and then the two of us walked all the way to our classes together (which happened to be right next to each other). Having her talk to me was such a small and simple thing, but it was the turning point of my day and made me feel so much better. I'm so grateful for the visiting teaching program and how Heavenly Father uses our visiting teachers to help, uplift, comfort, and love us!

On Orson Scott Card, Self-Defense, Running with the Sister, FHE Brothers, and High School Friends

Dear Ethan, Thank you so much for taking me bowling and to Barnes and Nobles on Friday night for our date! I loved the surprise of having Orson Scott Card there, listening to his speak, and then waiting in line to get our books signed. Even though I haven’t read any of his works, I have wanted to for a long time. Besides that, I always love listening to authors and being in books stores. Definitely a success!

Dear Jenna, Jessica, and Katie, Kelly and I had so much fun rolling around on top of each other at Saturday’s self-defense lesson. Thanks for being awesome teachers and for sharing your knowledge with the Relief Society!

Dear Emily, Running up the hill towards the mountain with you is the best, especially when there’s pretty fall leaves everywhere. Let’s do it again next Saturday, okay?

Dear Gentry, Sitting across from you while we study in the library always makes me feel smarter, and hanging out with you and Emily on Saturday night—making cake, playing games, and making cards—was super fun. We’re glad to call you part of the family.

Dearest Scotty, Thy presence for the last hour on Saturday evening was more magnificent than all the world’s sunsets, roses, and pretty sounds combined. I cannot wait to be reunited with thee again this evening for FHE. Thou art a wonderful and wise father.

Best homecoming night EVER!

Dear Stephanie and Paige, Talking to you last night for an hour and forty-five minutes was literally the highest highlight of my semester. I have not felt so silly and happy and like myself in such a long time. Hearing about your lives made me happy, talking about my life helped me feel like everything was okay, and reminiscing about the past made me feel like my honest, normal, silly self. I'm so glad I got to grow up with you talking on Paige's shed roof at night, going to Stephanie's house during lunch, spending homecoming with Ken dolls, talking and eating 'till 3am, squealing about silly books, watching ridiculous TV shows, having frog-eye salad food fights, and so many other wonderful things. I’m also so excited to see you over Christmas break and I’m so glad that we can still be such good friends even though we rarely see each other anymore. I can’t wait to have crazy old lady parties with you two fifty years from now.