All Partied Out

Two more dances this week. and then a whole month off with nothing huge planned.
Can I say I'm looking forward to it?
Honestly?



Heck yes!
It's been awesome, but wow, I need a break.
It's funny, how all I want to do is serve the Lord, choose the right, and be a good friend & best person I can be
and the way the Lord asks me to serve seems to highlight all of my weaknesses...
budgeting, decorating, planning, delegating. Isn't it lovely?
It's definitely been a crazy experience.
But I was reading D&C last night,
about Joseph Smith, and how he was called to translate the Book of Mormon and do so much
with barely an elementary school education (which was common in those days, of course, different time period)
but still
As Elder Russel M. Nelson says, "The Lord uses the unlikely to accomplish the impossible"
Boy, I know that to be true!
Anyways,
The future is looking especially bright right now (:
... yeah haha.
The end for now (;

So, it's almost one o clock in the morning.

And I can't sleep. What's new? So, I'm going to blog (: It's Christmas eve.. not my family's Christmas eve, but for the rest of the world, it is. It's been an interesting Christmas for me. First of all, it's been so weird not being in choir. I will always look back at singing to all sorts of people, from elementary school kids to crowds at temple square to people who could most use the Christmas spirit in hospitals and care homes, accompanied with my best friends, as one of the most joyful times of my life (: That was so amazing. Looking back, we were just so sweet and cheesy and good. What an awesome thing I was able to be a part of. This Christmas, I haven't been able to see all of my family. I haven't seen my Daddy and Mom for 7 months now. That's weird. I miss them, a ton. and Papa and Farmor, and Mormor and my aunts and uncles, especially during this time of year. It's also been odd having a 50 degree Christmas - no snow! We had dew and fog on Christmas morning... funky!


However, looking back on this year and this season, I have learned so much. It astonishes me every time I look into my past to see how much has happened in my life, what great changes have occured, how one experience led to the next, and how all these things have helped me develop and grow and stretch and become stronger. Often with growing pains, and great joys along the way. But it's definitely been a process. It just awes me every time. and it truly reminds me of who is in charge - and how much of His love He has shown me, in how He has guided me and touched my life. I am one of the most imperfect people I know. Even with everything I know to be true, I just mess up every single day. Everytime I read my scriptures or pray or see someone serve another is a reminder to me that I need to be better. But even with all this, I know with all the growing pains and sorrows and awkwardness that comes with ever reaching higher, I know that the Savior will always be there to help me. My Mommy and I were watching byu tv tonight, and they were featuring this man in the Mormon Tab Choir from London named Alex Boye. This guy is incredible, I definitely recommend looking at his life & testimony. It is so inspiring. Anyways, he sang this song, which is a passionate African American southern spiritual, and it really touched me


I want Jesus to walk with me
I want Jesus to walk with me
All along my pilgrim journey
I want Jesus to walk with me

In my trial, Lord, walk with me
In my trials, Lord, walk with me
When the shades of life are falling
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me

In my sorrow, Lord walk with me
In my sorrows, Lord walk with me
When my heart is aching Lord,
I want Jesus to walk with me 

In my troubles, Lord walk with me
In my troubles, Lord walk with me
When my life becomes a burden,
Lord,
 I want Jesus to walk with me

I love gospel/spiritual music. It's so powerful. Music is such an incredible influence. It can be used so destructively, but can also be one of the greatest forces of good, ever. I find so many things in music I want to put in my life - strength to make it through hard times, joy and praise, relaxation & enjoying the simple things of life, sad heartfelt ones that make you cry, and just uplifting, inspiring music. It's so great.

Especially Christmas music. I love most Christmas songs (except the waily ones),  but for tonight, I feel like sharing this one. It isn't a traditional Christmas hymn, but it's one that has strengthened me and been with me throughout many years. Singing it has helped me remember Christ, and feel Him close to me when I need strength and comfort. What a beautiful night it must have been, so long ago, when angels and shepherds came to greet their King, born in a manger, under the star in the humble stable. What beautiful hope His life gives. I know my Savior lives.

Merry Christmas~

I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living Head.

He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.

He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives all glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.

He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death:
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to His Name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet, the joy this sentence gives
I know that my Redeemer lives!

My Christmas Eve Story

Depressing moments.

Kids leaving, wishing I could go with them.

Awkward dating experiences. and disappointing. Disheartening. Embarassing.

and then, realize that I'm being a bit spoiled, and self centered.

Trying to find a way to distract myself.

Going running for an hour this morning.

Taking a nap.

Then my Mom mentioning even though things can be depressing,

there's some fine young men coming over

who sacrifice so much and have given their whole life

and who are far away from home this Christmas

who could really use our Christmas spirit to be there

So, going to find presents for these awesome young men

who have dedicated so much time and service to the Lord

Some ties, darth vader backpack, m&m candy canes, bandanas, slippers

pretty silly stuff

and then wrapping it, and putting care into it

including personalized name tags for their darth vader/mario backpacks

and slowly realizing that the more I try to serve them

and think about them, and how much they have sacrificed, and what good people they are

the more humble I become

and the happier I become that I can serve them, in my own little way

Then, at the end of the night, the night before our Christmas, before the kids leave

looking around at my warm, beautiful, safe house

and the abundance of good food and drink that we have,

the Christmas decorations and many presents under the tree

my brothers & sisters looking in the sky for Santa & reindeer

and getting to sing hymns about the Savior's birth

and remembering again, how incredibly blessed I am. What a life of abundance I live,

with my family around me, warmth and fun, crazy experiences

everything that I could ever need, and the simple things I want

having hope for my future, and what a bright one lies ahead of me

if I keep doing my best, and remembering what really, truly matters

and remember that the more I lose myself in service, the more I will find me

everything will be okay (: I know it will.

Merry Christmas!

Art Stuff

This is for my Mom.

Most of the artsy things I've done the past few months... which I've absolutely LOVED doing, and am so excited to have time to do more now! (: Enjoy!



This one I did in like 10 minutes, in this burst of happy creativity, and I really like it, even though it's a bit sloppy (:




Non representational (most boring word ever, haha) painting, to the song "Fix You" by Coldplay



The 20,000 leaves assignment



Painting based off of painter, Matt Lively. He's way sweet, you should google him





This one needs finishing touches to clean it up, but I love it



Whitney Marie Morris...

she is such an over analyzer

and has very, very silly worries

and insecurities

(just like everyone else, I'm sure)

and yet, somehow, she never fails to crack herself up daily

Haha.

Oh, life.

Your pretty great (:

Finals are... OVER!!! You know what that means... (:

It's mustache time!!

Hahaha.

I am seriously soo happy

A whole, long, glorious month off school

To have time to do art

and workout

and date

and do family things

and visit AWESOME places

and sleep

and take silly pictures, with giant fuzzy caterpillar mustaches (:

I'm so happy!

and have had the most amazing week

You know your happy when you crack yourself up over silly things, alone in the car

haha.

Yepp.

Huzzah for the end of finals!

P.S.

Please don't mind the gaping red spot on my nose...

 I had a bit of a mishap in the bathroom

Owwie!

I soo should not be doing this right now...



But I've been studying for like, 3 hours! Straight! That deserves a hard earned break, right? Even when the final is in 3 more hours? Okay, maybe that's a plausible excuse, but I am totally, slightly freaking out right now. Finals. Ack. Tests stress me out, who doesn't get stressed out by them? But especially when you have to memorize around 140 buildings, including the name, architect, date, and place. Spanning about 200 years of American architecture. I have loved - absolutely adored - the class, but wow, I have a whole new respect for people who major in these things. I'm taking it gen ed, I can't imagine taking it as your major. Although after this class I really am tempted to take more classes about architecture. Fascinating stuff.

Anyways... yeah. It's been an awesome week (: I can't believe it's the end of the semester, and the end of the year! 2012...!...!..! Hahaha (: Not worried about the end of the world, no worries.

But there's a ton of awesome things coming up.

This week:

-End of FINALS!! On Wednesday! Then a whole month off (: Woot woot!!

- Date with Steven, the guy I cannot stop laughing with everytime I hang out with him. Hilarious, really funny guy. Will be great fun!

-The Nutcracker on Saturday. With the whole branch, down in Richmond - the Richmond  ballet. I love Christmas, and the ballet, and downtown cities during Christmas, and hot chocolate, so it will be a fabulous night (:

-Maybe a party Thursday night, if I can get work off. So sad, lots of people are leaving to BYU I soon... it's funny when I lived in Utah, BYU I and Utah State (and SLCC) were where I wanted to go, but then I get to VA, and where does everyone go? BYU Idaho. aka BYU - "I Do".

-Date on Friday night. I know, I know, two dates in a week. I feel like a complete putz admitting that - I promise I'm not a huge flirt or anything. Honestly the opposite, actually. Haha. But guys all seem to ask either all at once, or not at all. So some weeks no date, some weeks more. It just all depends. Obviously. Anyways. Now that that's cleared up, this is with the cute marine guy I met while putting the service stuff together for the branch. He's really funny,  & goes to Honduras a ton to help build homes for children. Awesome, huh? Anyways, first dates always make me super nervous, I usually end up saying some sily things, but it will be fun!
-FINALLY having time to work out. Yay!!

- the end of finals? Can I just please insert that here again?

-Winter Ball coming soon

- New Years Eve dance: went up to the meeting in DC, there's going to be like 12 stakes there (which is huge for where I am, and is big for anywhere) and it's going to be super fun! I'm in charge of making fliers for the reps to pass out, that makes me slightly nervous as well, but it will be great.

Also, many more awesome things coming up in the branch. But, alas, I better get back to studying. Dang it haha. So there will be a tantalizing wait until I can write about that (: Maybe a reward for  the end of finals? I feel much less stressed after writing about fun things! Woohoo! Okay, the end for now.



Funny cartoon in honor of Finals (: gotta love Calvin & Hobbes



Best Final Ever!!

and I'm not being sarcastic (: That's the great part!

For my art final, the entire class went in front of the blackboard...

and took a class photo,

holding up our finger, with a mustache drawn on it,

so we all had mustaches.

How awesome is that??

Ofcourse we had a huge final project, which I literally spent all night working on

But yeah!

Only 3 more to go,

and then it's Christmas break!

Woohooo!!!

Some super fun things are coming up!

I am so excited - relaxation and rejuvination time.

I just really, really wish I were going to Utah

but, that's life sometimes.

It will still be a great break.

and next summer

if my parents are still there

will be a long awaited, wonderful visit

Funny

I've found something funny lately
that you may relate to

Where you meet someone new
 who seems attractive & funny

and your super nervous that your talking to him

and then you look in his eyes

and you realize that he's just as nervous to talk to you

as you are to talk to him

haha (:
just one of those moments

photo by trisarahtops on flickr.com. http://www.flickr.com/photos/trisarahhtops/4758563893/

College Initiation!

48 hours

and counting

and no sleep!

Zero.

I officially consider myself a legit

college student

Peter. This expression sums up how I feel right now

I love

Bubblebaths (:

with herb tea, mint preferably

and a good book

 (scriptures, a sweet romance novel, or a horse story!)

pure, relaxing bliss!

All Time Favorite Christmas Carols!

Here's some of my favorites this year, with some or all of the lyrics from them (:

• I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - Bing Crosby's version

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

• I'll Be Home for Christmas - Bing Crosby's version

I'll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the lovelight gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

I love this one, this version in particular,  because originally it was written for WWII soldiers

who thought the war would be quick, and they would be home by Christmas.

This obviously didn't happen,

hence the line "if only in my dreams."

This song held a tender place in the hearts of Americans,

both soldiers and civilians,

who were then in the depths of World War II. 

According to Wikipedia, 

Bing Crosby's version of "I'll Be Home for Christmas"

became the most requested song at Christmas U.S.O.

 shows in both Europe and the Pacific and Yank.

I love this version because Crosby was singing particularly with this meaning

and it's from the time period, it's the original version that those soldiers listened to

Pretty touching

• Oh Holy Night - the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O hear the angels' voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born;

O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

 

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here come the wise men from Orient land.

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!

 

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

 

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

This is one of my all time favorites. I love how much hope is in it,

how it portrays the hope that everyone can have

because of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

This never fails to move me (:

I'm short on time,

but a few I love also are

Handell's Messiah, all three parts about Christ

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

and also, just fun ones

Baby It's Cold Outside

Last Christmas (I Gave You My Heart?) Not sure what the title is

but it's soo cheesy, and I adore it, haha

Santa Baby (Choir Memories)

Sleigh Ride

and It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas

I love Christmas music!!!

and that's the end for now (:

Isn't it Lovely?

Running in the cool, crisp breeze in the forest roads down to your house

 and having a bald eagle swoop down and grab some food like 30 feet in front of me

 Pretty breathtaking (:

Except for the poor little rodent.. but wow

The week before finals, still as busy as ever, but

somehow managing to get time to do everything I need to

Prayers really do help!

Doing zumba after FHE

getting to dance around with a tinkling sequined bell thing around my waist

 with a bunch of other gals doing zumba.

Haha! Fun stuff (:



Having access to so many awesome things to read

and to learn, and do

Walking around downtown Fredericksburg, just by myself,

writing a letter to a missionary in a cobblestone park dating to the 1700s

so much history

soo amazing. I love it

and so cozy, with the twisting cobblestone streets & alleys,

all decorated with Christmas wreathes

the shop windows, filled with glittering toys & decorations

and live bands playing music downtown

So cozy (:

(only thing missing is snow... it's weird having a 50-70 degree Christmas season!)

Yes, life can be truly, truly beautiful (:

and usually it's the small things that make it so!

photo by eschn3am on flickr.com (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eschn3am/3041695011/)

Awkward..

So, I decided a long time ago that my life was pretty much composed of awkward moments. Okay, not the whole thing... but quite a large, substantial part of it (: Haha.

I'm in the mood to say something quite bold, something that will just knock you off your feet and get a huge reaction. Alas, I don't quite know what to say.

What's the most shocking thing about me?

Hm...

I really dislike ground beef. That's not too shocking though. The texture is just sick. Childhood memories of gagging down a hamburger patty...blegh.

But that's quite a depressing subject, so I'll change it.

How about this?

I have never kissed a boy.

That's right.

Never.

Shocking, right?

Totally, completely crazy!

18 years old, a freshman in college, and I have never had that experience.
Yeah.
Now, hopefully you are recovering from your moment of complete surprise
Take some deep breaths, get up from the floor, and listen up, because I'll explain a bit

It's not that I haven't dated alot, or gotten really close to a guy before.

 I have just never been... physically close.

I'm not quite sure why.

In middle school there were quite a few guys who I think would have gone for it
in fact, they did try a few times.
one guy, a random stranger I met that night, even tried to smooch me 10 times in one night.
Not even exaggerating, it may have been more.
oh, stake dances... but that's a story for another day.
 anyways, I waited to start dating until I was 16.

Then, when that coveted, long awaited day came, there were no young men I was interested in.

Honest, cross my heart, pinky promise

After that, the guys I got close to just never went for it.
Not sure why there, either. I heard that going for it can be kind of scary & intimidating.
Especially when you really like someone.
 But that's just a thought.

So... yeah. Now I'm dating around, all that fun jazz

and this quote from Captain America (I know - I'm a TOTAL cheeseball)

pretty much sums up how I feel on this subject

Steve Rogers: I know this neighborhood. I got beat up in that alley. And that parking lot. And behind that diner.
Peggy Carter: Did you have something against running away?
Steve Rogers: You start running they'll never let you stop. You stand up, push back. Can't say no forever, right?
Peggy Carter: I know a little of what that's like. To have every door shut in your face.
Steve Rogers: I guess I just don't why you'd wanna join the army if you're a beautiful dame. Or a beautiful...a woman. An agent, not a dame! You are beautiful, but...
Peggy Carter: You have no idea how to talk to a woman, do you?
Steve Rogers: This is the longers conversation I've had with one. Women aren't exactly lining up to dance with a guy they might step on.
Peggy Carter: You must have danced?
Steve Rogers: Well, asking a woman to dance always seems so terrifying. And the past few year just didn't seem to matter that much. Figured I'd wait.
Peggy Carter: For what?
Steve Rogers: Right partner.

Yep. Believe it or not, dear world that I live in, I am waiting for the right partner

When it feels right, and it means something

more then having fun, or a one night stand, or a one week fling
or just kissing someone to get that first kiss over with

I know eventually that partner is going to come around sometime,

when the time is right

and it'll happen

and it'll be wonderful (:

and I know it's going to be worth it (:

Blushing & Beautiful Moments of this Week

-Going to the temple way early in the morning, end up waiting an hour to do baptisms, so getting to help fold towels with the temple workers :)

- Ugly Sweater Party!! Wearing my Dad's ugly sweater...

- Finding out I have to work on Thanksgiving :( Just the morning & early afternoon... but bummer! Grateful I have a job though!

- Giving a talk today in sacrament meeting.. on gratitude & Thanksgiving. I started listening to Cmas music 2 weeks ago. This was Heavenly Father's way of reminding me I need to remember Thanksgiving. haha

-when telling the parable of the 10 lepers, in my talk, instead of saying lepers, I was so nervous I said leopards. Haha! Totally started laughing. It was super, duper embarrassing (:
- embarassing myself again, in church, of course.. Guys are silly sometimes...

-Service tomorrow and NO class!! Yay!

-Going to The Nutcracker in December!! Woohoo!!
- lovely friends & awesome conversations
- begin studying for finals. Eek!

and that's all for now, folks!

Top Ten Thursdays!

Wonderful Things About Life

1. Acing a test you studied really hard for (or, better yet, one you didn't study hard for)

Hard work really does pay off!

2. Coming to truly realize & understand & hit me in the face that as long as you do your part,

 things will always work out.

3. CHRISTMAS!! Enough said (:

4. Awesome people who make me laugh (:

5. Chilly weather. I know, crazy, but my heart has grown fonder toward it

6. General Conference Talks, that feel like they were meant straight for you.

7. Music. Christmas music, piano music, oldies music, patriotic music...

8. Getting to spend time with my family

9. Homemade caramel w/ cinnamon & nutmeg added. Incredible. Mouthwatering succulence.
10. Being outside! (Having a forest in your backyard helps :)

I'm Sorry

I just had the most humbling experience.

This past Sunday was the stake activities meeting after church.I had told everyone to plan on me not being there, as my family was taking a trip to Williamsburg & we were planning on being gone all day Sunday. Everything was set in place - John was going to be in charge, emails were sent to the people supposed to come, and I had sent all the information that needed to be covered. Everything was all worked out.

So a couple days earlier, I think on Friday, I found out that my parents decided to come home early. I would be home all day Sunday. I thought great! Then I thought about how dumb I would feel showing up at a meeting with such late notice, with all the preparation that had gone on for my absence- John leading, already giving him all the info, already telling everyone how I wouldn't be able to make it.

So, I decided not to go. I felt slightly bad about it, and it kept bothering me. But my fear of embarassment, and I don't know what else, got the best of me. My desire to balance? My desire for a free afternoon to nap, read scriptures, relax with family? So I went to the King George branch that morning and watched the primary program, and stayed home until 5, when I left for the regional YSA activity meeting.

I felt kind of sick about it, but figured it would all be handled, and it would be alright.

Well, yesterday and today I've been struggling... actually probably the last week or two. With my whole attitude. Just not feeling close to the Spirit... having a really hard time praying, and not feeling anything. So today I got sick of feeling this way, and decided to force myself to study the scriptures and think about what I could be doing wrong.

So I read a bit from the Old Testament, and then decided to read some of D&C, and then read some of the Conference talks.

I was skimming through the Ensign when an excerpt caught my eye. I ended up reading "Preparation in the Priesthood: I Need Your Help". Sounds like a random talk, right?

What a humbling, hurting wake up call

What is that scripture, that the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center?

In the talk, Pres. Eyring says to not worry about how inexperienced you are or think you are, but think about what, with the Lord's help, you can become. His counsel focuses on hard work, and pushing through fatigue and fear that might make you think of quitting. It was very inspiring, and held a lot of counsel that really applies to my life at this time. Then I read this experience he gave.

"President Spencer W. Kimball... had given years of service while enduring a series of health challenges only Job would understand. He was chairing the meeting that morning.

Suddenly, he stopped speaking. He slumped in his chair. His eyes closed. His head fell on his chest. I was seated near him. Elder Holland was next to us. The two of us rose to help him. Inexperienced as we were in emergencies, we decided to carry him, still seated in his chair, to his nearby office.

He became our teacher in that moment of extremity. With one of us lifting each side of his chair, we went out of the meeting room into the hallway of the Church Administration Building. He half opened his eyes, still dazed, and said: "Oh, please be careful. Don't hurt your backs." As we got near his office door, he said "Oh, I feel terrible that I interupted the meeting." Minutes after we got him into his office, still not knowing what his problems were, he looked up at us and said "Don't you think you ought to go back to the meeting?"

We left and hurried back, knowing somehow our being there must matter to the Lord.

Ouch.

This story struck my heart. Tears came to my eyes as I realized what my problem has been this entire week.

The humility and goodness of Elder Eyring's example made me feel so ashamed of my attitute. What an example of Christlike behaviour Pres. Kimball was to have such concern for others and for the Lord's work.

I felt absolutely sick about my attitude and behaviour after reading that. I immediately prayed to my Father in Heaven for apology and forgiveness. Even after, I still feel sick about how I've been, how my attitude has been. We are all called to the work, to be the best we can be.

I think I will continue to feel sick until I make action to make it better, and prove I will change my ways.

I am so, so sorry for not being willing to sacrifice. I'm so sorry for letting a stupid fear of embarassment and what others would think of me get in the way of what the Lord has called me to do.

I promise I will never let it happen again. Not ever. I swear it. I am completely dedicated to the Lord's work, to serving Christ, to doing what He asks me to do. Obviously, I am far from the perfect servant. But I never, ever want to feel like that again. To feel like I disappointed my Heavenly Father, and my Saviour, who has done so much for me. I never want to feel like that again. I am so sorry.

I know this is a really long post, and usually I don't post super personal things up.

I know this doesn't seem like a big dramatic thing, but it meant and means a great deal to me.

But I thought maybe this experience could help someone, and I thought it was important that I share it.

I know that when I feel far from our Saviour, from the Spirit, it's not His moving away from me, it's my moving away from Him. He would never leave me. It's my choices & my actions that lead to that.

 I will never, ever let something come between that closeness with God.

If I feel that distance, I am going to find out what I'm doing wrong so I can fix it immediately

I know it will be worth it

I know that's where true happiness and peace lies

and that is my experience for today. I will never forget it.

Life is just so busy. All the hustle and bustle, worrying and making sure you do all these little things, just to find when your done with those little things a million more little things to do have suddenly appeared. It is so, so busy. Somehow, though, it all manages to work out. And sometimes, in between those hectic busy body moments, you find yourself in a moment that just takes your breathe away. Whether it's a stunning sunset, or being caught in swirling leaves when your driving your car, or talking to someone who is very kind, or reading a particular verse in the scriptures that reminds you that everything is going to be okay. It's times like that I feel just completely at peace, even when everything else is complete, utter chaos. Life truly is a lovely blessing (:

It's the little things that count.

photo by Nika Fadul, on flickr.com

Williamsburg

This weekend my family and I spent the day at historic Williamsburg - it would usually cost our family about 250$ to go because of ticket prices, but we got in for free because of Veteran's Day weekend, and veterans & their families were free (: It was SO fun! You all know I'm a history lover, so it was basically just a blissful day for me. We visited where Thomas Jefferson studied law, where governors appointed by the king lived, ect. It was such a fun day. I learned a ton, and got some awesome things - another book about Thomas Jefferson & a really cute folk art Christmas scene print of Williamsburg I'm going to frame (: Ate some delicious food, handmade dark chocolate, saw lots of awesome costumes & historical reproductions...What an awesome weekend! So glad I could go with my family too!

The Governor's Palace!

George Washington (:

The Governor's bed... gorgeous!

Awesome blacksmith

Cute brothers!

Handrail, original to the home - where Thomas Jefferson studied law (:

mr. adorable

awesome kid!

pouty

a floating head. Pete climbed into this, used as punishment way back when, and didn't want to get out (:

cute brothers (:

The Capitol

Embarassing! I'm sending this to my architecture professor for extra credit (: Haha

playing the harpsichord. it sounded so cool!

a painter painting downtown. gorgeous!

the leaves are incredible! look how their reflected in the windows

Day 6 - A Stranger

In honor of Veteran's Day, I'm going to dedicate this post as a thank you

 to strangers who have some of my most utmost gratitute

veterans of past wars

the founding fathers

 members of the USA Armed Forces

 in the past and present.

People, most whose names I know not

 whose faces I wouldn't recognize

 who sacrificed their time, their health, their lives, for the cause of freedom

so that they, and their families, and their country

so that you and I

could enjoy the freedom and rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness

to worship how we choose

to speak opinions freely, without fear

I am so grateful for them

These are strangers I will forever hold dear in my heart

I hope we can remember and keep these men and women in our thoughts and prayers

to take time to appreciate what they have done for us

Thank you Veterans!

God Bless America

“Oh posterity, you will never know how much it cost us to preserve your freedom. I hope that you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that I ever took half the pains, to preserve it.”
-John Adams

Toothless? Tyrannical? Tropical?

Haha! So I totally want to start top 10 Thursdays, but I wanted a super unique fun name (: So I looked up t adjectives... and here are some things that came up!

Toothless

Tyrannical

Tropical

Theivish

Taunting

Triumphant

Thrilling

Turquoise

 Seeing as I'm not toothless (aw darn.. haha just kidding) I don't think that would work. Tyrannical? Me? Yeah! Just kidding! No! Tropical, maybe, except it's November and I want it to be Christmas. The closest was probably turquoise, because I love that color. So, obviously, that attempt was an obvious fail. Anyways,
I'm going to start doing top 10 Thursdays because I think their really fun.

 This one is the top 10 places I would love to go in my life!

*not necessarily in order I would like to see them. Just as they come to mind (:

1. Sweden/Norway... Scandinavian countries

 

This one's a bit obvious considering my family's background. My Daddy is a total Swede, my Mom Norwegian, and we have strong family connections here. So many ancestors and things. My Dad goes out every year, and my Mom goes quite frequently too (every other year the past few years). I would just love to see where my ancestors came from, which means kind of where I came from, and the place my family loves so dearly! Plus it's supposed to be stunningly beautiful. I want to see down South by the coast, then up North in the wilderness where you can see the Northern Lights.

2. London, country of England

 

london6.jpg

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This city just seems incredible. So much history! I would love to go to all the museums, parks, ect.

3. Rome, Italy and ancient monuments in Greece

I've been learning about Rome in my History of Western Art class, and have LOVED it. Wow. I mean, these people designed some of the most incredible buildings and sculptures I have ever seen. Their proportions and the techniques they used are incredible! Their government, politics, the way they lived, their society growth then decline.. it is so fascinating. I would love to go see where it all happened and what they built.

4. Jerusalem

Jerusalem.Where the Saviour walked, lived, and taught.. and where many things happened in the Old and New Testament. I would definitely love to see this. It's also a city filled with so much rich history, and many different cultures consider this place the most sacred in the world. It's been a place of conflict for so long. I just think it would be incredible to go here.

5. France

I would love to see Paris. That one is terribly romantic, obviously. I would also love to see the art. I also want to go to Normandy Beach. I think it would be very powerful. I am very grateful for the soldiers who served and sacrificed then for freedom, and continue to serve and sacrifice today.

6. Germany

I would love to see the castles, and the landscape. I would also like to see the museums in Berlin, where alot of ancient works ended up, because of German excavators that took goods back home. I would also like to see the WWII history, concerning the Holocaust and what happened. I think it would be a powerful experience.

7. Russia

My aunt came here to teach english to children for a few years, and she told me lots of stories about the experiences she had and people she met. Ever since then, I've felt a very strong connection to Russia! I don't know why. They have a very tragic past, and it seems like a place filled with so much emotion. I would just love to go there.

8. Australia

This place seems so COOL! I love the accents! The freaky animals, incredible beaches, beautiful landscape... yes, this would be amazing. I would also love to go see New Zealand while I'm out there (someday!) Just very neat!

9.Hawaii/Yellowstone/Alaska

I know it's random to combine these, but their my "most wanted to go to" places in the USA, and the world is a rather large place - there's so many other things I want to put on this list! So I took the priviledge of combining these. It would just be really neat (: Go to the beach in Hawaii, visit and camp? in Yellowstone, go fishing in Alaska, see a Broadway in NYC, go to North and South Carolina...
I would also like to go to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Yes, these are all on my list to go. Absolutely.

10. South America

I would love to see the Mayan Ruins. I think they have them in many different countries, honestly I don't know that much about South America. But I would love to go (: Especially to see the ruins of the ancient cities! So cool!