Bike Ride and Snoqualmie Falls

Yesterday Jon and I went on a bike ride along the Preston Snoqualmie Trail. Jon just got a bike a month ago for his birthday and besides riding it around the neighborhood, this was its first real test, and it passed! Our ride lasted about two hours, a total of about 10 miles. I loved it! I'm so grateful that the weather is getting nicer so that I can do these sorts of things!

Unfortunately, the view of Snoqualmie Falls from the bike trail wasn't too impressive, so after the bike ride we decided to drive to the Falls to get a closer look. Snoqualmie Falls was packed, but worth the traffic jam! It's probably the most massive and powerful waterfall that I've ever been to. We took some pictures up top and then took the half a mile trail down to the boardwalk on the bottom and took some pictures down there.

After that, we went home and crashed, both taking hour long naps. We both considered it a pretty top-notch day.

Cooking, Spiders, and A Fun Weekend

I have a bad habit when it comes to blogging. It's called "I go forever without writing and then when I finally get around to it I feel like there's so much to say that I'm afraid to say anything. And so I don't." Hence, I have not written anything over the past few months. But it's time to try again!

Looking over the past few months, there's SO much that has happened and so much that I wish I could say, but out of all that's transpired, there are two moments that stand out that I really don't ever want to forget. They're both about Jon, and they both still make me laugh whenever I think of them.

The first has to do with making him lunches. One night for dinner we had soup. I asked him if he'd like some of the leftover soup for his lunch the next day and he said something along the lines of: "Very much yes!" So I took the leftover soup and put it into three different containers. The first was a small one, with one cup of soup in it for me. The second was a container twice the size of mine with at least two times--if not three times--as much soup as was in my container. This one was for Jon's lunch. The last container was two to three times bigger than that container, and it's the one I put all the soup that was leftover into.

The next day came. On my way out to work, I told Jon that his soup for lunch was in a container in the fridge. He acknowledged that he heard, but later that day when I got home, Jon's soup was still in the fridge. Jon wasn't around, so I couldn't ask him about it. I figured that he must have just forgotten to take the soup with him for lunch. It wasn't until I realized that the ginormous container--with all the leftover soup in it--was gone that I realized what happened. He'd taken the wrong container. The one with at least four servings of soup in it! As soon as he came home I asked him about it, and this was his reply:

"I took the wrong container? Oh. Really? Man! Well, I had no problem eating all of it!"

This story serves as a perfect example of how eye-opening it's been for me learning how much food a man can eat in one given day. Which reminds me of another story...

One day we were driving in the car and Jon just randomly started laughing. When I asked him what was up, he said: "I was just thinking about how crazy it would be if what I ate actually affected the way I looked and felt."

Part of me really hopes his metabolism catches up to him latter in life and that he gains 50 pounds. Not really, but kind of.

The second story happened one night when he and I were sitting on the couch at the end of the day. He was doing homework, I was doing something quiet, like reading a book. Suddenly, Jon leaps off the couch and flies to the other side of the room, hysterical.

"What?" I inquire.

"Diggs! Look!  THERE'S A SPIDER HANGING DOWN FROM THE WALL EXACTLY NEXT TO WHERE I WAS SITTING!!!!!"

Some Necessary Background Information For Those of You Who Do Not Know Jon Well: Jon hates spiders. A whole lot. When we got married, I gave him a "Jon's Spider-Killing Kit" in hopes of helping him overcome his fear. It was no use. I'm the spider killer in our family, which I'm okay with as long as he's willing to kill all the snakes (and heaven help me if there's ever a snake in our home! We will move to a different STATE the day that happens!) 

So I start laughing my head off while Jon runs frantically into the other room. "Jon?" I gasp out, between laughs. "Are you getting a tissue to kill it with? Or do you want to give it to me to kill it with?"

Instead of replying, he comes running back into the room, and before I realize what's happening he's spraying Raid bug killer all over the hanging spider until it falls onto the couch, at which point he sprays half the couch in attempt to squelch the life out of the poor little vermin.

After exclaiming: "Stop! Stop!" multiple times and coming next to his side, I finally calm Jon down enough to get him to stop soaking the couch in poisonous bug spray. The spider was definitely dead by this point. "Diggs!" I exclaim. "You just sprayed half the couch with Raid!"

"That monster was going to kill me!"

I rolled my eyes. "Well, are you going to get a piece of toilet paper to pick the spider up and throw it away now?"

"Heck no!" he exclaimed, standing up to go put the bug spray away. "That's your job!"

These two experiences are just glimpses of the crazy happenings of married life with Jon. It just keeps getting better.

This weekend was pretty awesome too! Jon and I wen to see The Young Ambassadors on Friday evening, and then I spent the rest of the weekend cooking....homemade rolls, two loafs of homemade bread, white chicken chili, enchiladas, and cookies. It's been pretty awesome. To top it all off, this morning I got to go to my lovely friend Amelia's homecoming talk with my other friends Rachel and Lauren. It was so fun to be reunited as old roommates and to reminisce about old times. Good stuff.

And as for those papers I was supposed to finish grading this weekend...

BYU vs. Virginia

Today Jon and I spent our afternoon cooking out in the sun at the BYU vs. Virginia game. We won, and the game literally left a mark on me...I have a white spot on my cheek where my "Y" sticker was. It was worth it though to have finally been able to attend a game in person. 

GO COUGS! 

Another Week

This past week has been filled with many fun activities. On Tuesday we had Jon's old mission companion, Andrew Perkinson, over for dinner. It was fun to sit and listen to the boys reminisce over mission times and to tell stories. I love how much Jon loves his mission. It's one of my favorite things about him!

Thursday we join Steve and Milli again for dinner and to watch the BYU football game. Growing-up in a house of all girls, I never watched football (or any other sport) when I was little (my poor father!) Hence, I don't really have a love for watching the game. Since marrying Jon, I've tried to change this. It was so nice to have Milli--who was often similarly confused/clueless as to what was going on--while we watched the game. Friday, we made pizza and watched a movie. Saturday Jon helped our ward with Friends of Scouting money donations while I ran errands and we went to Stake Conference in the evening.

Okay, so I look a little excited
about the popcorn too...

Today we went to Stake Conference in the morning and heard the words of apostles and other inspired church leaders. I was very grateful for the inspiration and guidance I received by listening to their words. This upcoming week feels so much more doable and exciting because of the comfort and direction these leaders provided. And just because Jon has to keep things interesting, he brought a Ziplock bag full of popcorn to the meeting so that he could have a snack like a three-year-old. I thought he'd get there and be embarrassed. Wrong. He ate from the bag like it was a badge of honor. Children...

 Lunch after Stake Conference was one of the best lunches I've had in ages. We invited my friend, Anna Stewart, over to join us. Anna just got back from serving an eighteen month mission for the church and I hadn't seen her since she got back until today. Before Jon and I went crazy and decided to get married, Anna and I had been planning on living together when she got back. Now when people ask her if she moved into a place with anyone she knows she gets to tell them that she was going to but that instead her friend ditched her and got hitched. Oops. Luckily, she doesn't hate me, which is a rather wonderful thing because as wonderful as Jon is, it is rather awesome to also have girlfriends in my life too. I hope Anna and I get to see each other often and maybe even go to the temple together like we used to always do.

We ended today by spending dinner at the house of one of Jon's coworkers--Nathan. Nathan has severe autism, so rather than serving a full-time mission, he works with Jon's BYU ground's crew as a service missionary. The food was delicious and spending time with Jon's coworkers/friends was super fun, but the best part of the evening was hearing Nathan's mom express her gratitude to Jon's crew for letting her son work with them. She talked about how many people get easily annoyed with Nathan, making him feel unwelcome, and about how it's been hard for their family to find places where he feels loved. Jon's crew, however, has been one place that Nathan has felt welcomed and loved. As her eyes gleamed with tears the Spirit whispered to me: This is what life's all about...helping the heavily burdened, welcoming those that others turn away, loving everyone--especially the outcasts, and making people feel the way that Nathan's mom feels about Jon's crew. 

It was the perfect way to end my Sunday. My life is absolutely perfect right now: I love my job, my husband, my ward, my apartment, my calling, my family, literally everything! However, even though it's absolutely perfect, everything is so new, which makes life sometimes hard to figure out. Along with all the joys of my new married/being-a-teacher life, the past few weeks have held their share of tears, frustrations, and moments of feeling like I have no idea what I'm doing and/or like I'm messing everything up. As these crazy moments have come, I've found myself wracking my brain, trying to find the secret answer to knowing how to fix everything. Today, though, Stake Conference reminded me that there's one fail safe source I can always turn to for help, and Nathan's mom reminded me that there's always one fail safe solution that will help me feel better: Christ is the fail safe source--I can always turn to Him for help, and charity--loving others as He does--is the fail safe solution that will always make me feel better. In the busyness of getting married and starting teaching I've lost track of these two things. After this weekend, though, I feel humbled and I'm determined to be better at remembering Christ and living with charity in my heart. I'm so grateful for the answers that the gospel provides. After 22 years it has never failed me, and for the rest of eternity I know that it never will.

A Very Good Weekend

This weekend was wonderful!

Yea for Cookies made in a Kitchen Aid!

On Friday evening, Jon and I worked on reliving our the first 3 dates that started it all by making cookies and lemon bars to give away to friends. This is what we did on the second date we had with each other (the one where he finally asked me out!!!) It was fun to use our new Kitchen Aid (thank you!) and to spend the evening chilling.

Late Saturday morning/early afternoon Jon and I went to watch my 7th graders play on the school football team. We cheered on my kids, talked to a few before and after their game, and soaked up some sun.

Later that evening I joined Jon for the first half of the BYU v. Texas game down in the Campus Plaza lounge. After the first hour I left him to pick up my friends I made over spring/summer--Emily and Julie--and the three of us crashed my apartment where we played Banana Grams and talked.

Today Jon and I were sustained to serve as the youth Sunday school teachers in our ward. It's a combined class--with all the youth ages 12-18, and we get to teach together. It will be a couple weeks before we get to teach our first class (because of Regional Conference and the Ogden Temple Re-dedication) but we are thrilled and can't wait to start!

This evening we went over to my Uncle Steve and Aunt Milli's house for a delicious homemade Cafe Rio meal! It was the perfect way to break our fasts. After the yummy food we played Banana Grams. We look forward to going back to their place on Thursday evening to watch BYU take on Huston.

Life is busy and so good. Good friends. Good callings. Good food. Good activities. Good family. Good games. Good husband. Good God. More than anything, it was so good to have time this weekend to find a peace and closeness to God that I haven't felt in a long time. I love Him and am grateful that He's always there for me, even when I mess-up and fail and feel like I deserve no second chances. Because of His Son, though, there always is a second chance as long as I'm willing to work for it. I can't wait to face the adventures of the coming week with Him at my side.

Jon and I at the Salem Jr. High football game!

Labor Day Ups and Downs

Jon and I began our Labor Day when the alarm went off at 5:30am. We convinced ourselves that we could affort an extra 15 minutes of sleep and then spent the following forty minutes rubbing sleepiness out of our eyes as we got dressed and ready for the morning. We were going to the Ogden Temple open house with Jon's crew from work. Outta the doors by 6:26, picking up two of his coworkers, hitting the road by 7:50, and making it there just in time: a little after 8. We spent the next hour watching a video about the sacredness of temples and then touring the Ogden Temple itself.

Temple open houses are rare. They only happen right after a temple has been built or right after a temple has been majorly renovated. In both cases, the temple is open to the public to come and tour for a short amount of time. After the temple is dedicated, or rededicated, it is only open to worthy members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This is because members want to be sure that what goes on inside the temple is kept sacred and held with reverence and understanding. At temple open houses, however, members and non-members are welcome within the doors to see the beautiful architecture and to feel the peaceful Spirit that resides within the holy walls. (Click here to learn more about Latter-Day Saint temples).

The temple was beautiful. I was so grateful for the time we had to walk through and quietly observe the beautiful lights, paintings, stairways, rooms, doors, and walls. It was such a good reminder that we should all be striving to make it to the temple so that we can feel closer to God and be united together with our families forever.

After the long drive home, Jon and I were exhausted and a little at a loss of what to do. You see, we are still learning how to function in this whole marriage thing and sometimes it's hard to know exactly what to do. Something I've found myself struggling with a lot is knowing how to balance independence and personal to-do lists/goals with companionship. Often, Jon and I have found that one of us has things to get done while the other doesn't, and so the one who doesn't finds him/herself bored while the busy one finds him/herself feeling pressured to finish their stuff at an uncomfortable pace. As a single lad (or lady), you can just skadaddle and go play with your friends when your partner is busy, but we haven't quite figured out what you do in that situation as a married bloke yet.

Anyways. That's the position Jon and I found ourselves in this afternoon. He was tired and wanted to sleep. I wanted to get stuff done. We each did our own things, but four hours later found that we were both frustrated with feeling like we had been stuck in the house all day with little purpose and energy.

So, we fixed it. Or rather, we changed it. The situation. Instead of continuing to be bored and frustrated, we decided to make some super awesome plans. We Skyped my family. Jon helped me makes some tortillas for tomorrow's dinner. I made a super delicious meal, we packed it up in the picnic basket that my Grandma Sorensen and Aunt Janet gave me, and we went and had dinner on the water's edge up in Provo Canyon at Upper Falls. We came home, cleaned up, and had an awesome FHE (which began with my laughter springing around the room as Jon tried to get me to sing "There Is Sunshine In My Soul Today" in Spanish--which I do not speak--at a katrillion words per minute). We made plans for the rest of the week. We're excited about life.

It's so easy, when you're having a bad day, to just let the bad day keep bading. BUT, we each have the power to tell the bad to stop bading and to make some good start gooding. We are powerful people with potential and possibility perusing through our veins. The day we realize that and start living like it's true (which it is) is the day we enable ourselves who we want to be.

...Stepping off the soapbox, now...

Tomorrow's almost here, and I have a test to give and papers to grade and exercises to do and a dinner to make and a husband coming back from his first day of the semester's classes to love and a million other awesome and wonderful and worth-while things to do. Life is so much happier when you live it on purpose, and that's how I like to live mine.

Make the good keep on gooding.

Labor Day Weekend (So Far)

Watching the Game

This past weekend has been lots of fun! We started things off by going over to our friend's house to watch the BYU football game on TV. We won, so of course it was a very good night :)


Then, yesterday we made our way to to Temple Square in Salt Lake City to attend a FREE (whoot! whoot!) Paul Cardall piano concert. Paul Cardall is a new age and christian piano artist. The music in the room was beautiful, but the spirit that it invited was definitely the highlight. The best part of the concert was the testimony he bore before he played his last song, which was called "Redeemer." He testified that if there was anything broken in our lives that Christ could fix it, or that if we found ourselves in need of some comfort and shelter that we could find it in Him.

At the concert

"I love Jesus Christ," he concluded emphatically.

A tear slipped out of my eye and a feeling of warmness and devotion that I haven't felt in a while, because of the craziness of getting married and moving and starting a career, came over me. The feeling said: "I love Christ too," and I really do.

With that feeling still in my heart, the rest of the evening and all of today have been pretty top notch. Tonight we have our neighbors over for treats and games and tomorrow we go to the Ogden Temple Open House. Labor Day Weekend doesn't get much better than this.

Letters

Dear Holly, I loved getting my daily dose of you via phone on Monday. You have such a beautiful smile! 

Dear Ryan and Shalyse, Thank you for the WONDERFUL dinner on Tuesday evening! I loved catching up with you! Good luck with getting things moving forward towards your move to St. Louis over the next several months, and thank you for the books!

Dear Kathleena, Even though it was quick, I was glad I got to see you Tuesday night. Thanks for always being a listening ear; you have been one of my saving graces this semester. I hope to see you before you leave for your trip in a week and a half, and then I'll see you when you get back and we're in the same ward!

Dear Sarah, The chat with you on Wednesday night was wonderful. I'm always amazed by how we often seem to be at the same place in life. I love you! 

Dear Teaching Lit Class, Thanks for the discussion yesterday. I'm still trying to figure out what sort of books I want to read and what kind of books to have on the shelves in my classroom. Leading everything back to having the Holy Ghost and letting him be our guide, like you guys pointed out in class, I think is a key to finding the answer.

Dear Nate, Dinner and seeing "Pride and Prejudice" performed in the HFAC with you last night was so fun! And we were so cool that we even coordinated wearing "Run Against Caner" bracelets! Thanks for the splendid evening.

Dear Today's Lesson Plan, It's the last time I'm going to be in the schools for my practicum class. Next time I'm teaching in a classroom I'll be the real teacher. Hope you go well today and that my staying up until 1am to get your gone was not in vain!

Dear Weekend, I love the idea of all you hold, waiting before me. Homework, teaching, going to the temple, watching the Women's Broadcast, break the fast, my last fast Sunday in the BYU YSA 41st ward, and who knows what else! I'm excited to get things done! 

Letters

Dear Anna, Thank you so much for joining me at the gym on Friday and for running with me at Nate's run on Saturday. I love being with you because you always have the Spirit with you and because you're always striving to do what's right. Thanks for chatting and for being a good example.

Dear Nate and Jon, Thanks for coming over to make cookies, play Monopoly Deal, and watch "Frozen." I had lots of fun and feel very alright with the fact that I won that last round. You two are both super fun and really good friends. It's so comforting to know that there are people in my life that I can fall back on when things get rough.

Dear McKell, You are so awesome for organizing the 5K for Nate on Saturday! I love your proactive-ness and your willingness to put so much work into helping those around you.

Dear Lindsey, I had lots of fun at the BBQ on Saturday afternoon! The food was wonderful and it was nice to have friends to just sit under the sun and chill with. I hope that we can keep doing awesome things like this after you graduate and we go separate ways.

Dear Wardies, The Talent Show was so fun! Thanks for all your love and support and help in pulling it off.

Dear Scott, Thanks for listening to me next to the drinking fountain on Saturday night. You're a good home teacher and an even better friend.

Dear Lauren and Ethan, So. Umm. Even though I didn't realize that I was interrupting your on-a-date-walk-home-from-the-HFAC when I ran into you on my walk home from Harold until halfway through, I'm grateful that you guys were there to protect me from any groper attacks (there have been many on BYU's campus over the past month). I'm sure that you two were similarly grateful to have me there chaperoning. I'm happy to chaperon on any of your walks home any time; just let me know when I should plan on walking home from the library in order to interrupt your otherwise pleasant evening.

Dear Tyler, Natasha, Dale, TJ, and Dylan, I was so grateful when you guys let me sit around and chat with you guys on Saturday night. Originally, I had planned on going to the library to finish my reading assignment for class today. After standing in the library entrance for about two minutes--feeling super alone and like a poor soul with her priorities mixed up--I walked back out and went straight to your apartment, hoping to find a good time. I did. Thanks.

Dear Roomies, I love having waffle Sunday with you guys every week. It's one of the best roommate ideas ever and I will miss it when I leave.

Dear Ally Lake, Our talk on Sunday morning was probably the best talk I've had with anyone in months. Seriously. When I started rattling off about how I've been struggling with my relationships with those around me you just reminded me of who I am and of who I want to be: someone who people love because they know that I genuinely care, someone who people can trust will listen when they're having a hard time. Not only was this exactly what I needed reminded of, it is a testament to me that God is involved in my life, because even though you didn't know me well before yesterday, you were able to say exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for being worthy and able and willing to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord.

Dear Brandon, Your lesson on Sunday was so uplifting and taught me a lot that I needed to hear. I am definitely going to try and make it to your class every Sunday that you teach in my remaining weeks at CP.

Dear John Christensen, I had so much fun at the game night on Sunday. Thank you so much for inviting me and for being a good host. Hope to catch up again soon!

Letters

Dear Scripture Study, Best. Thing. Ever. I'm definitely going to keep keepin' you awesome because you just make everything else awesome.

Dear Roomies, I love doing waffle Sundays with you. I also love and super appreciate the happy spirit that you each bring into our apartment. I feel grateful to live with amazing women who bring an amazing spirit into my life.

Dear Betsy, YOU SURVIVED BRAIN SURGERY!!!! Congratulations. We're happy to have you back home. :)

Dear Quincy, Thank you for your lesson today in Relief Society. It helped remind me of the importance of my family and of how much I love them. You are such a talented teacher. Thank you for the love you bring into the classroom.

Dear Kate and Abby, Thank you so much for talking with me today on the phone. I love hearing about your life and am grateful that technology makes it so easy to keep in touch. And by the way, you two are two of my four favorite sisters in the whole world!

Dear Ethan, Rachel, and Lauren, Dinner with you three was wonderful. I love that we can still be such good friends even though we've gone different ways. It's good to know that I have people like you guys in my life to fall back on when things get rough.

Dear Jamie and Garrick, Thanks for letting us invade your snazzy little abode tonight to make cookie bars (which turned out super good!) and to play Settlers. You guys are great. And I love the pillows on your couch.

Dear Chris, You company was much appreciated tonight as we braved the Gaffneys'. You were willing to make some needed trades with me while we played Settlers and you even know where both Jerome and Vancouver are, so you must not be that bad of a guy. I just hope that next time we can beat Jamie.

Dear Heavenly Father, I believe.

Letters

Louisa, Ems & I at Guru's before the broadcast!

Dear Emily, I had so much fun with you this weekend! From going to the BYU choir concert to getting frozen yogurt to getting dinner at Guru's to watching the Relief Society broadcast to going to a Baptist church with me for a school assignment--it was so good to be with someone easy to talk to and have fun with. I'm glad we live so close to each other.

Dear Louisa, I'm super glad that you got to join Ems and I on Saturday night while we went to Guru's and then to watch the Relief Society broadcast. Those sweet potato fries are so good!!! It's good to live with family away from home, especially when that family is as awesome as you!

Dear Old FHE Family, I've run into so many of you over the past several days! It's fun to see those of you who have come back from your missions and to randomly run into you, Aubrey, at the baptist church because you were also doing an assignment (how random!) Let's get together and have a reunion soon. Deal?

Dear Beautiful Fall Weather, I'm so happy you've decided to come around. Please stay and keep the winter away!!!

Dear Miranda, It's been YEARS since we last ran into each other! It tickles me that I was able to find you on facebook and that you seem to be doing so well! Maybe when I come home for Christmas break we can get together--that would be a blast!

Dear Jon, Breakfast on Saturday morning was de. lic. ous. I haven't had french toast in such a long time and it's even one of my favorites! Thanks for giving me a fabulous beginning to a fabulous day!

Dear Ashley, As the boy's in N103's old FHE sister, it was fun to get to meet you and discover that we're in Mythology together (I can't believe you recognized me! You're so observant!) You seem super fun and are incredibly talented with singing and playing the guitar. Thank you for sharing your talents and your smiles. Hopefully, I'll see you in class today!

Dear Mythology Paper, Even though you were about Ella Enchanted, you took FOREVER to write, which made me slightly annoyed. My hand thanks you for finally being done!

Dear Sarah Armknecht, I'm so grateful for the chance I had to go hear your unofficial mission farewell yesterday. I learned so much about being converted unto the Lord, His love for us, and prayer. You are going to be such an amazing missionary because you live your life in such a way that the Spirit can be with you at all times. The people in Montana are very lucky to have you among them for the next year and a half.

Dear Testimony Bearers, Your words gave me a lot to contemplate about and gave me much comfort. Thank you.

Dear Mars, Thanks for sharing this

video yesterday in your Sunday School lesson. I think it touched us all.

Dear Hannah, I'm very grateful for the chance I have to get to serve with you. You seem really awesome and down to earth (which is so refreshing) and I hope we can become really good friends.

Dear Krista, I hope that you come over and hang out in the CP zone of the ward all the time so that we can have super fun with you and get to know you better because you just seem so super awesome and it would be so sad if we never really got to know you just because you live all the way over in the yellow house. In other words, I think you're really cool. Thanks for the chatting. I can't wait to chat again!

Dear Kylee, Please get feeling better soon. I love you!

Dear Grace, That cake was AMAZING! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing!

Dear Jessica, I hope you get feeling better. I love you so super much and am wishing I could be with you right now!

Dear Kate and Abby, I'm so glad and happy that you guys called me last night so that we could talk! I love talking to you two. Thanks for being the awesomest Abby and Kate sisters in the world!

Dear Reading Assignments, Really? This is overkill. Way too much, guys. Way too much.

Dear Wonderful Coworkers, You guys are the best and everyone that doesn't work with you should be jealous (that's a lot of people and I really shouldn't be encouraging un-Christ-like behavior such as being jealous, but you guys are just that cool!) Thanks.

Dear Melissa, You seem like an awesome friend and I'm very grateful to have you as my Visiting Teacher and can't wait to get to know you more!

Dear Shonay, I'm so glad that you're my Visiting Teacher. You are just so cool and kind and fun. And your words last night...I really needed to hear them. Thank you so much for saying what the Spirit prompted you to say. I love you!

Dear General Conference Weekend, I'm going to work really hard this week so that I can enjoy you to your fullest on Saturday and Sunday. I'm so excited!!!

Dear Today, Smiles, quiet moments, laughter, friends, work, class, exercising, homework, scriptures, talking, joy--these are just a few of the things I hope to run into during you today.

Letters

Dear Alex, Logan and Jon, The rooftop concert on Friday evening was very enjoyable (even though the slanted seats weren't). Thanks for the fun evening!

Dear Jason, The food you made for us on Sunday was SO GOOD!!! You are a top-notch cook! Thank you so super very much for sharing your talents and your food.

Dear Jon, Hanging out at the pool after running 9 miles has to be one of my favoritest things you and I have done yet. It was absolutely divine. Thank you for humoring me by getting in the (not very, but I'll amuse you) "cold" (*cough, cough*) water. You're kinda' the best.

Dear Sunshine, Phew--you're sure staring to get hot! Bring it on!

Dear FHE Family, The hike on Monday night to Battle Creek Falls was fun, chill, and gorgeous. Thank you for the lovely evening.

Dear Ward Soccer Team, Watching you guys play Tuesday night was SO FUN! Thanks for playing a game that was worth cheering through and that got me to hold my breath more than once!

Dear New Car That Belongs to Me, Wait--what?! I own a car?!!! Oh. Yeah. Still getting used to that thought.

Dear Karianne, It made me so happy to see you Wednesday at work! Sounds like you're having quite the crazy adventure up in North Dakota. I'm sad that you have to leave and go back today, but hope you know that I've missed you like crazy and can't wait for you to come back in the Fall!

Dear Scott, You are such and absolutely AMAZING friend for taking me to pick-up my car and then for being willing to be late to work when things went slightly crazy. You are a top-notch guy and a superb friend.

Dear Rachel Smith, I loved talk with you on Tuesday while walking to my car. Let's talk more again soon, okay?

Dear Jon and Coworkers, I had so much fun joining you guys on Wednesday for lunch! It was quite the privilege to be able to sit with ya'll in your little shed and to participate in the vital conversation about Disney movie music. I'm glad that Jon has such happy, upbeat and awesome people to work with.

Dear Emily, Eating dinner with you on Wednesday and coloring with you last night was pretty much one of the bestest things I've done in a very long time! Please, please, please say you'll do it with me again!

Dear Jon, Sometimes I wonder why on earth you still want to spend so much time with me when, after a day like yesterday, I look back and realize how dramatic I can be. I mean, I was even starting to annoy myself! Whatever it is that keeps you around though--even with all my dramatics--I'm extremely grateful for because I really like being with you.

Dear Thursday Temple Visits, You're one of the best decisions I've made all summer. Thank you for the peace and clarity and calm which you bring into my life. I plan on keeping you up.

Dear General Conference Talks, Sometimes you hit it right on the spot. I love how easy you are to access and how wonderfully inspired you make me feel.

Dear Half-Marathon Training, You have not been the best of friends lately. Let's change that, yeah?

Dear Amelia, I really need to write you a letter. I promise, I'm working on it!

Dear Landan, WELCOME BACK HOME!!! I can't wait to hear your homecoming talk this coming Sunday!

Dear Wonderful and Amazing Coworkers, I'm so grateful and blessed to work with people as amazing as you guys. Thank you for providing me with a workplace where I know my needs are just as important as the needs of the office. Thank you for your kindness and for lifting me up when I feel down. I'm so lucky to get to work at such an amazing place.

Dear Heavenly Father, Only two more days until Father's Day! I hope that the way I live my life over those two days can be, in the smallest way, a gift to You. Thank you for giving me the most wonderfully blessed life in the whole world. I love you so very much.

Dear Friday, I'm so super very extremely much excited to make you the best day that I've lived of my life so far! Here's to productivity, living with purpose, looking out for and lifting-up others, feeling the Spirit, choosing to be happy, using my agency wisely and responsibly, keeping a prayer in my heart, loving unconditionally and being just plain all-around awesome!

My Life the Past Several Weeks in Pictures

Ems and I have been having dinner together twice a week. This was a DELICIOUS dish she made--pasta, sauce, tomatoes, spinach....pretty much amazing!

Eric, Jared and I drove down to Pocatello, Idaho the weekend of May 18th&19th for Ellen Lewis' farewell talk. She's headed off to North Carolina! We drove through a crazy storm on our way up, but even that was fun! Besides hanging out with Eric and Jared I got to spend the night at Aunt Christy's place! Ethan, Clancy and I watched "The Gods Must Be Crazy." It was so good to see them. I'm so grateful that Eric and Jared were kind enough to let me join them in this wonderful adventure.

Several weeks ago, Jon got to go to his boss' place and killed a chicken! On Sunday night, after I got back from Pocatello, we grilled it on the BBQ. It was tough meat, but super duper yummy! Scott and Stephen joined us too.

This past Tuesday, May 21st, my friend Steve and I went hiking. After driving around for a while, finding a place, we settled on hiking Stewart Falls. We got there at twilight and made it back to the car just as the darkness was settling in. It was beautiful!

Today, Jon and I woke-up super early to go hiking. We got on the trail around 7:30am and made it back to the truck around 3:30 (that's eight hours!!!) It was a pretty intense hike--steep trails and lots of snow (sometimes deeper than our knees)--but it was SO beautiful. Now, we're both extremely tired, though. We'll definitely have no problem falling asleep tonight.

When we got home, Jon and I quickly pulled out some hamburgers and hot dogs and hosted a Memorial Day BBQ! It was wonderful to spend time with ward members and friends and to eat yummy food.

In a nutshell: my life is crazily blessed right now. I have no doubt that Heavenly Father is looking out for and taking care of my every need. Just when things seemed to be getting pretty bleak, He sent amazing, supportive, loving, good people into my life, and they have made all the difference. To them, and to Him, I am forever grateful.

Letters

Dear FHE Family, Though I was tired and it might have appeared otherwise, I really did have fun with you guys last night. It's so good to be a part of an FHE group who participates and has fun when they're together, rather than one where it's a struggle to get people to even show-up. I look forward to the Mondays ahead!

Dear Emily, The dinner on Sunday night was quite wonderful. As are you. I'm so glad that we've figured out a schedule where we can cook and eat together twice a week. Time with you is always time well-spent.

Dear Eric and Jared, I had so very much fun going up to Idaho with you two this past weekend! It was so fun talking with you guy on the ride up and so refreshing knowing that I was with people who were comfortable with silence on the way home. I hope to be seeing you guys again soon (and we WILL manage to fit in a hike sometime!!!)

Dear Ellen, You enter the MTC tomorrow! I'm so glad that I went up to Pocatello with Eric and Jared so that we could attend your farewell and see you off. The talk you gave on happiness was sincerely one of the best sacrament talks I have heard in a very long time. Thank you so much for preparing--both for the talk and for the upcoming months you have as a missionary in North Carolina. You are going to be a wonderful missionary!

Dear Ethan, Clancy and Christy, I'm so very glad that I got to see you three during my short time in Idaho. Even though it wasn't very long, it was just a joy to get to see you. Thank you for being family that I know I can always rely on and whom I know would do anything for me. I love you!!!

Dear Ryan, Thank you for letting the ward join you in your efforts to create a healing garden at the hospital. I haven't played around in the dirt for such a long time, and it was (surprisingly) super refreshing! I just might head over with you again sometime to play around in the dirt some more!

Dear Jon, The run on Saturday morning, though slightly more uphill than we were expecting, was absolutely beautiful! I'm so glad that you served your mission in Washington so that you can understand my love for the green and the rain--both of which made our run so enjoyable. Thanks also for the fun last Friday night. I had a very good time!

Dear Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun--please shine down on me!!! And please stay! I love it when you're around!

Dear Custodian, Thank you for coming and cleaning out our recycling today. It was super appreciated.

Dear Kate, I'm so glad that we got to talk on the phone last night. Hearing about all the awesome art you're working on, you're crazy school day and everything else going on in your life is always a pleasure. Can we pretty super please keep in touch?!!

Dear Abby, I like it when you steal Mom's phone and text me. Thanks for keeping me company on my car ride home from Idaho. Thanks also for talking to me on the phone on my walk home from the temple last week. You are so easy to talk to!

Dear Jessica, You so got all this crazy girlscamp/school/band/sleep/eating/seminary/homework/doinghairforweddings/busyallthetime/alwaysbeingawesome stuff. I'm so grateful that you took the time in the middle of it all to sit and chat to me about all my crazy/exciting/lifeness stuff last Saturday. I hope you know that I'm always just as open and free to talk to you, even when my life is crazy/busy/stressful/alwaysbeingbusy. Family is definitely always a priority.

Dear Rachel, Betsy and Lyndy, I'm so glad that we could have our girls night last Thursday and watch "What a Girl Wants." It was super nice to be able to just sit and chill with friends and a good (and cheesy) chick flick. Good luck with all your school work and tests this week! You can do it!!!

Dear Institute-Going Friends, I'm so grateful that I have you guys to motivate me to get to institute every week. Last week it was exactly what I needed and gave me some of the direction I've been seeking in my life. Let's keep this up!

Dear Softball Buddies, It was fun to watch your game last Tuesday (nice win!) and I'm looking forward to watching your game tonight! Go team!

Letters

Dear Eric, Thank you for coming over on Monday and helping me figure out half-marathon stuff. Knowing that I have a friend to back me up on it all helps a whole lot.

Dear N106, I had fun using my cricut with you guys last Monday at FHE. Our Mother's Day Cards turned out pretty spiffy. 

Dear Poci (aka: Jessica), You are so kind and thoughtful and amazing for bringing me flowers last week! Not that you weren't all those things before. It was just a good reminder. Thank you for being such an amazing example of selfless service and of always thinking of those around you. I love having you for a friend. 

Dear Steve, Sorry the weather was bad on Tuesday and that we weren't able to go hiking! I had fun baking cookies and watching 17 Again with you anyways. We'll have to go hiking sometime soon!

Dear Institute Friends, Wednesday night was fun. Let's do it again this week!

Dear Trevor, The Mexican food and games was SO much fun! Thank you for the wonderful date Friday evening, and I hope that I'll be able to join you guys in eating fish sometime soon!

Dear Five Mile Run With Many, Many Hills, I felt super after you on Saturday morning! What a wonderful way to start the day.

Sarah and I in our new shirts! We both wore them on Sunday to church.

Dear Sarah, I'm SO EXTREMELY VERY MUCH GLAD that you and I were FINALLY able to go cardigan/shirt shopping on Saturday at Cozy! After two months of wanting to go, we finally made it happen! And we look pretty snazzy in our new clothes, if I many say. Thanks for being a fantastic shopping buddy and an even more fantastic friend. You are wonderful.

Dear Jon, When I mentioned to my mom that Sarah and I got a boy to take us clothes shopping she asked if he waited outside or came in the store with us. When I affirmed that it was the later, she labeled "him" an angel/saint (because what boy would be willing to take two girls shopping for clothes?!) I quite agreed with her. Thanks for being "him."

Dear Sarah, Jon, Emily, Jacob, and Poci, I had so much fun going to the baseball game with ya'll on Saturday. Thanks for laughing with me when I asked what "2:55" meant on the scoreboard ("That's the time," Jon replied. "As in the time of day. 2:55pm." Oh.) and for helping me be more American (first baseball game ever!) Hope we can make the fun adventures continue (and that maybe I won't have to embarrass myself quite as much on the next one!)

Dear Brett, Jacob, Sam, and Ems, Washington groupies + Idaho Falls roommate get together on Saturday night was the best. It's nice to see familiar faces among the crowd of BYUites. And I hope you're all on time to work today.

Dear Peaceful, Beautiful Sunday Morning, I have not felt so much peace and calm in such a very long time. I love the beautiful weather. I love reading General Conference talks. I love visiting with friends. I love walking and sitting on the path south of campus. I love writing letters to Amelia. I love the gospel. I love the Lord. And I love having all these things come together in a beautiful span of three hours.

Dear Kyle and Emily Bashaw, Thanks for letting me steal your soy sauce and mustard. I ACTUALLY LIKED THE FISH I COOKED IT ON!!!!!!!!

Dear Everyone, You do not realize how big of a deal the above letter to Kyle and Emily is. I HATE fish. But yesterday, I actually liked it!

Dear Jarod, Nice to meet you. I'm looking forward to grabbing drinks with you later tonight!

Dear New Activities Committee, I'm super excited to join the club! I love being a part of a group with as much focus, energy, care, love, and motivation as you all have. We are going to work magic in the ward over the next few months and the thought gives me drive and purpose. And each of you inspire me to be better.

Dear Gentry and Scott, Noticed that you hacked my facebook account. Thanks for restraining yourselves from doing anything too horrific.

Dear Mom, Thanks so much for talking yesterday and for being more concerned about talking about my life when it was your day. You are an amazing mom and I'm so grateful to have you in my life.

Dear Life, After a soul-searching trip to the temple last Thursday, things have been looking really up. I'm so glad to be where I am, to get to learn from the mistakes I've made over the past few months, and to come out better because of the experience in the end.

Dear Heavenly Father, You know where I'm at better than I even do. Thank you for second chances, for giving me opportunities to learn, and for sending examples and friends and help in my life so that I can do it all.

Letters

Dear Drew, The dance party on Friday night was AWESOME! Super fun, and I hope you do it again in the future!

Dear Brett, It was so fun to see you at the dance party on Friday night! I think it's fantastic that we live in the same apartment complex and hope that last night was just the first of many fun nights to come!

Dear BYU Rugby Team, Way to pull through there at the end in overtime when we were tied! Thanks for a great game and a lot of fun.

Dear Emily, I had so much fun going to the rugby game yesterday with you! You and I make a pretty awesome cheering team.

Dear Eric and Jared, It was such an awesomely pleasant surprise to be sitting next to you at the game on Saturday! I'm so glad that we got to share in the amazing victory with you two. Plus, catching-up with old friends is always awesome. In fact, seeing you two was just as good as watching the game. Thanks for being awesome.

Dear Mr. BYU Library Old Spice Commercial Guy, It was...interesting (?) sitting next to you at the rugby game. You had quite a few interesting comments to throw out at the other team.

Dear Scott, Thanks for chatting for a few yesterday. You're a pretty awesome guy.

Dear Ryan, As always, thanks for listening.

Dear Rylin, "Hiking the Y to watch the sunset" date planning? Success. Hope you had as much fun as I did.

Dear Jon, I had so super very extremely much fun last night hiking the Y and chatting with you last night. I appreciate the spirit I can feel when I'm with you. I appreciate the open-mindedness and conviction you have when we discuss things. Thank you for inspiring me to be a better person and for helping me have a fun time last night.

Dear Gentry, Making faces at me through your window when I'm finishing up a date? Really?! You did make me laugh really hard, though, I'll give you that.

A Weekend in Verse

Friday after the gym I's at S106

Stephen doin' a Russian to English poem fix.

Made me think to myself: "Poem writtin' could be fun!"

So now I's gonna tell you what with my weekend I've done.

So like I said, Friday night I chilled with the boys

Sat doin' my homework; Rylin making bracket noise.

Told him to try talking 'bout somethin' besides Madness.

He didn't. I tried to hide amused gladness. 

Sat mornin' woke-up and said: "What the heck! Is this snow?!"

Turned to Ems askin': "Rex Lee Run...should we go?"

She didn't care so I said: "How 'bout we stay."

Gave it more thought, moaned and we got on our way.

At the race we saw boys from N104

Alex, McKelle, Scott and many, many more!

Our toes:cold. Hands: numb. But all made it through

When we went across the finish line I gave a "Woo-hoo!"

Walked home. Cleaned clothes. Lazed around for a bit. 

Looked at my homework and figured I'd do it.

So I went on a date with 'ol Harold B. Lee

Stayed there for hours then went home with some glee.

Forgot about homework the rest of the night

Watched ward talent and ate an ice cream delight.

Started "Aladin" but too tired to stay

I went off to bed, then woke-up to new day.

And then, Sunday came and was filled with lots of meetings and an awesome church service and delicious FHE dinner and making cinnamon rolls with friends. It was too busy and tired to rhyme, but that's okay. Sometimes, ya' just gotta forget about the rules and take a day to do things your way. That's how my Sunday went, and it was awesome.

I love my life.

Why My Week Has Been Awesome

1. I went running twice with Brady Anderson, and he's kinda' crazy, but really fun!
2. I had a rockin' presidency meeting.
3. I got to talk to my AWESOME second cousin, Louisa!!!

Jared and I waiting in line for Divine Comedy!

1. I went to Divine Comedy with Jared, Sarah, Brady, and McKell. It was hilarious and super fun!
2. I got to go shopping with Ryan and we got to be goofy and have people treat us like a married couple.

Emily and I mean business when we watch the arts

We walked up to Christmas around the world with Kara and Mary...I kinda got carried away with the picture taking...

 

1. I went to Christmas Around the World with Emily and it was AMAZING! Plus, I knew six people in it (Will, Jordan, Ethan, David, Joseph, and Jamie) and they all did SO GOOD!
2. My apartment has a sweet, peaceful spirit in it, thanks to all the wonderful people who came over (Jeremy, Ryan, Sarah, Quaelii, Scott, Gentry, Stephen, Drew, and others...)
3. I spent hours preparing for the lesson I gave today. Preparing for church lessons is one of my favoritest things in the world.
4. The testimonies--spoken and unspoken--today at church were inspiring. We have so many good people in our ward (and I love them ALL!!!)
5. Dinner tonight with the clan. It was really yummy.
6. Got to watch the Christmas Devotional with the clan. Amelia gave me a back rub. My back might be starting to recover from carrying around my laptop and Shakespeare bible, thanks to her!
7. Stephen, Scott, Gentry, and Drew came over to our apartment tonight and made me really laugh! I haven't really laughed in ages!
8. It's CHRISTMAS TIME and we have a REAL CHRISTMAS TREE in our apartment!!! Plus snowflakes and lights and nativities and wrapping-papered walls. Oh, and mistletoe. 
9. I have A. MAZE. ING. roomates. They are seriously some of the greatest blessings in my life!
10. I've gone from ups to downs and back again. Heavenly Father's really good and pulling me back up.
11. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me and all those I associate with. It's so easy to love those around me when I remember how much They love them. 
12. I feel that those around me sincerely care about and love me because they've shown it. Means the world to me.

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!

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!