I just love when people do things that truly show they know and care about who you are.
Last night I returned home in a bit of a tizzy from a long and stressful day of class, homework, meetings, problems with the library, work, and everything else that is crazy and inclusive in finals week. Needless to say, I was exhausted. I also knew my visiting teachers were supposed to come and that I was late so I rushed inside, and to my great surprise, there on the table, was the most magnificent and beautiful cake I have ever seen. Our visiting teachers have been so great to us this semester, and they definitely took the time to show us they were listening as we so often ranted and raved about our love for both Michael Jackson and Red Velvet cake since they COMBINED THE TWO! It is so delicious and we were a little sad to have to cut it up so we had to take pictures to document the occasion before we did so. Mmmm, perfection.

Here we go a caroling.

Tonight we had a ward closing social planned that I honestly was not even remotely looking forward to. This social consisted of caroling door to door in 3 degree weather for canned goods to donate to the Idaho Foodbank. I was not excited in the least, but I knew as a last hoo-rah before the semester ended (and as FHE mom) I should go. So after sufficiently bundling up in 6 layers of sweaters and jackets, leggings under my jeans, and a fuzzy hat not unlike Elmer Fudd's, we ended up having a great time! We were laughing and dancing and bonding with our FHE sisters (since the guys copped out on us) and in the end were rewarded with a nice warm Christmas dinner with the ward and actually won a gargantuan bag of Starbursts for collecting the most food (118 pieces all together to be exact). It was cold, yes, but it was very worth it. Passing along the Christmas spirit was a boost to both the people we sang to and ourselves. I love this holiday season and the happiness that is in the air everywhere you go!

Today

There comes a day towards the end of every semester when I conclude that it was a really poor choice for me to skip all those days of class. The day when I sit there with a dazed and confused look on my face because I have absolutely no idea what the teacher is talking about. The day when I sit in class and realize I still don't know anyone. The day when my insides start to contort at the thought of how doomed I am for the final that is quickly coming up for that class. The day when I wonder why I even signed up for that class in the first place. The day I near breaking point, but know it's my own fault that I am not as prepared as I could be.

today is that day.

Finals are going to be the end of me.

grim reality

Today's weather forecast for Rexburg, Idaho: 7 degrees.
Today's weather forecast for Antarctica: 33 degrees.

It is moments of realization like this when I really question my choice to go to school in such a frigid and brutal town. The sun is shining, the sky is perfectly cloudless and blue, and yet, it's all a facade. Everything hurts as I walk to my classes..my nose, my ears, my lips, my hands. We are doing a secret Santa within our apartment, and I find it sad that 3 out of the 5 of us asked for gloves. Need I further emphasize my dislike for winter and cold? No, I think I will leave it at that.

and therefore it was important to Him..

My Heavenly Father is so prevalent in my life and I feel it's important to share the experiences that I have as evidence of His love. I share this as both a reminder to myself of His presence and purest love, and also in hopes that my testimony can in some way benefit others with open hearts.

So this evening I lost something very trivial and seemingly unimportant (a new contact lens to be exact) and I was very frustrated that I knew I had brought it into the apartment but couldn't find it anywhere. I searched in every pocket of my jackets and jeans, through the many pockets of my purse, in the couch cushions, and the bags we threw in the trash earlier, but I could not find it. I was really starting to stress out when it came to me that I should pray to my Heavenly Father to help me find it. Of course I felt like my plea was insignificant in the scheme of things but I plead to my Father anyways to help me know where to look. In that moment I grabbed my jacket (which I had already searched through thoroughly several times) and headed out to my car with my hands in my pockets. I searched through my car frantically, finding nothing of course, but as I shut the door and hit the lock button to head back inside, I reached in my pocket as I walked away and wrapped my hand around that little contact case, and in that moment a smile came across my face and a realization came to me of the unfailing kindness and love of my Father in Heaven.

I know that this is something simple and in reality pretty minor, but tonight I had a testimony builder of the presence of my Father in Heaven in my life, and His willingness to bless me with the things I desire after if I will just come to Him and ask. He knew that it was important to me and therefore it was important to Him. He loves me, He loves you, and He will never leave us to do things on our own. The Church is true!

Mom and Dad

Today my parents celebrate 28 years of an eternal marriage..

Thank you mom and dad for everything you do. I could not have asked for better parents. You are my everything and you have never failed me. Thank you for falling in love and bringing me into our family. Thank you for loving me and caring for me in every way. Thank you for teaching me right from wrong and being my examples. I love you both and could not have asked for better parents. Thank you for showing me what a happy, loving couple looks like on a daily basis and supporting me in everything I have ever done and hope to do in the future. You guys are more than my parents, you are two of my best friends. You have had the biggest impact on the person I have become in my nearly 21 years and I am grateful for all you do. I love you and happy anniversary!

simple pleasures

It never ceases to amaze me how the simplest things greatly amuse me. Today's source of amusement: A quote from Sue Sylvester on Glee.

"Schuester! I'll need to see that set list for Sectionals after all, and I want it on my desk, warm from the laminator at 5:00 p.m. And if it is one minute late, I will go to the animal shelter and get you a kitty cat. I will let you fall in love with that kitty cat, and then, on some dark, cold night, I will steal away into your home and punch you in the face."

HA I am incapable of reading this quote without smiling.

Welcome to Idaho..

Weather for Rexburg, Idaho: currently 26 degrees, feels like: 15.

That is for certain. I am so cold and must admit NOT pleased with this change in temperature and new white scenery I am having to endure here in the Burg. It is never enjoyable when you get an insta-runny nose and numb appendages the second you walk outside. I will admit that Christmas would not be the same without snow and am therefore grateful that this wonderful state of Idaho I live in gives me that, but I am thinking that if I ran the world I most certainly would make winter last December through January ONLY and then this white stuff would GO. To all of you winter lovers out there--I don't understand how you could love this. BUT welcome to Idaho I suppose.