Strength does not come from physical capacity it comes from indomitable will -Ghandi

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Am I Taking Steps to What I Desire?

I haven't posted since right before Thanksgiving and I have been thinking a lot since then! Some interesting things happened with a job in Minnesota which ended up causing me to think about what I really want: where I want to end up and how I want to get there. I found this clip and I wanted to share it:

Do What You Desire

The Minnesota job may have been what I wanted in the end but did not have the steps that I wanted to take to get there. I felt uneasy, as did others about me taking that job. I backed off and felt really good about that decision.

I had a great opportunity over Thanksgiving to spend some quality time with my dear friend Franchesca. She got her  wisdom teeth taken out and needed some assistance. Zach, Natalie and I took turns taking care of her. On my last day, she was actually awake and we had some quality girl chat and I realized how much I missed having roommates and really just talking and listening. I haven't had that very much since I moved to SLC and it was a huge blessing. I learned a lot more aboout Franchesca's life and am even more thankful for her friendship. 


The Friday of Thanksgiving weekend I got more family time. We went to the Octoberfest, we went to the Cinafour Theater and saw our very own private showing of Brave and we went to Wingers for linner. It was a very fun day!


Our Private Showing of Brave












The next week I was able to catch up with some old friends, SaraJoy and Wendy. They are two ladies I had the joy of meeting in Belize! Raymon and I with those two went out to dinner and enjoyed an evening out. It was fun to catch up.  Later in the week Raymon and I went to lunch as well at Kneaders and shared a sandwich because we are awesome like that! I love walking downtown with people I love and trust, sharing a sandwich and talking about life. It is pleasant.

Thursday night I got to drive to Logan and enjoy the company of some of my favorite people (now I have a lot of favorite people...so don't get offended). But I went and chatted with Jared Burge, Trent Fawcett, and Chase Bowler. We talked and then ended up playing bang when Suzie B showed up and it was great fun. Whenever I am in Logan, my body is overcome with this power to stay up super late and I'm not sure where it comes from...but after playing bang, Chase and I went for a walk up to the USU campus and just talked more. It was a chilly night but beautiful.

Friday I had injections in my back. It was not fun, to say the least. The procedure itself was fine, I was not in pain and afterwards I was actually doing really well. I was walking and doing better than most patients. Then about an hour after, I started to go downhill. I was icing like they told me too. My family was going out to Chili's and I was starving so I went with but I was in so much pain. That night ended up being a very long one I couldn't sleep very well. When I woke up, I was feeling okay.





I went and had breakfast with Kayci and Preston which was very enjoyable. By the end of that visit I was in a little bit more pain than I wanted to be. I went home and laid down. We were suppose to be heading to Park City but I needed to drive myself. I took some meds and prayed to be okay.






My family got ready to go and I waited until I absolutely had to move. Sitting is pretty much the worst position to be in when you are having back pain-so the drive wasn't the greatest but I know it could have been worse.


Once we got there I took some more meds and laid down while the family got settled in. We ended up having an enjoyable evening going to the outlet stores, where I bought two little hats that I really like. Then we went to a mexican place in honor of Tyler's 20th birthday dinner. We went to a place called Loco Lizard. I drove home on Sunday night so that I could work again on Monday moring.

That next week left me in a lot...A LOT of pain! My back and neck hurt so much. I was on my knees praying to my Heavenly Father for relief and strength because I knew He was the only one that could give it to me. I am taking the steps I to what I desire. I am trying to study my scriptures more and pray more fervently because I want to be a good wife and great mother. I want to be an example to those around me of how to live close to their Savior and how to be happy. That is what I desire and although my health has been giving me issues and I don't know my career path and I don't know when I'll be getting married, I do know how to control my attitude and how to come closer to Savior.

I love this gospel and it takes small steps to come closer to what I desire. I will make it, one day, I will make it.








Wednesday, November 21, 2012

The Rest Of Florida and Then Some

The rest of my Florida trip ended up going wonderfully! Chad let me take the ranch truck and on Thursday I drove Northwest to explore Orlando. I decided I just wanted to do free things so here are bit of my adventures:










These pictures here are at Eola Lake Park. It is located right downtown in Orlando. The picture on above is on the east side near a Chinese pagoda (to the right) and a Confederate States of America monument.


On the west side of the park there is the Walt Disney Amphitheater and more of the "down town" area such as some cathederals, the library, the Citrus Bowl arena, etc.  I didn't go to all of these sites but I saw signs or I passed some as I was driving to the lake. This picture below is on the Southside by a little fountain that I liked.
I drove about fifteen minutes North to a place called Maitland and went to the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida. This was just a small museum with artifacts, videos of survivors, and facts about the Holocaust. There was also a library section. It was a lot smaller than I expected but it was still cool to look around.


Now I'm one for bargains so I thought it would be cool to take a small step and see what a flea market was like. I had been to China Town in Australia and it was pretty much like that! I drove up and seriously thought I was going to get shot or mugged. There were a lot of groups of people huddled together, smoking, playing gangster music. I was a little worried but I decided to walk around the parking lot and enter into a different area of the Flea Market. There ended up being a lot of similar shops but I found a couple of things to buy. I feel that I don't really need to go to a flea market again, unless I have a specific purpose!
 
 
This next place was called Black Hammock Adventures in Oviedo, FL. This time I started driving back South over Lake Jesup to find this place. It was gorgeous. They had some gators and birds. I just enjoyed more fresh air and gorgeous scenery. This first picture here you actually see Lake Jesup behind me.




















After enjoying the view I ate at the Black Hammock Restaurant and enjoyed clam chowder and mozzarella sticks! It was just s small place but really yummy :)


 This was one of the gators that they had.
 Later that afternoon I circled back down to the ranch and Dale gave me a ride on the airboat. If you haven't riden one it is different than a normal boat. You don't rely on the water. The engine in the back powers it and air pushes you :) So we started out on land and went down a ditch onto the St. John river. It was weird to get used to. As Dale started to head toward some of the greenery, I got nervous, as we smoothly glided over it my grip lightened again and I was just in awe at the coolness and the beauty around me. It was cloudy so we didn't get to see as much wildlife but it was still super cool.


Friday night Trevor and I went to Denny's for Dinner and then we went to the new Abraham Lincoln movie. It was a really good movie!




















Saturday turned out fantastic as well with Trevor and I going to the Kennedy Space Center. Everything was massive! That was the thought that kept running through my mind. Trevor had such an analytical look at everything. He cared about the why and how, while I just thought it was cool. I'm glad that we got to go together.







 The picture above here is part of the new Orion rocket they are building.
















This picture is of the VAB-just to give you an idea of how big it is-when you open part of that up it is as wide as an 8-lane building!














After the Kennedy Space Center, we drove to Cocoa Beach and played for just a little bit. It was so freeing to let the waves hit me over and over again. Trevor stayed more on the beach and put his feet in while I was getting hit head on by the waves. I LOVED it. I have this connection with water that I cannot explain. I just can't get enough of it and wish that it wouldn't have been getting dark so quick.

I'm heading home now for the long Thanksgiving break. I hope that we can all serve those around us and show how grateful we are for our big and small blessings. We have so much to be grateful for and we tend to make a bigger deal about it around Thanksgiving but it is important all year-round. I'm thankful for the gospel and for the Atonement that can make us whole one small step at a time. Sometimes the steps hurt but when we hold on to our Lord he can take some of that pressure off. This is the true Church.


Sorry this post was so long but there was so much to share about the trip! :)





Thursday, November 15, 2012

A Few Big Steps

I have made a few big steps since my last post and had a few small fun steps. First, I mentioned that I felt I was going in circles with my decision about the Washington job. I decided NOT to take the job. I know what I'm worth, what I can offer, and what I want to do. That job did not fit any of those and I feel really good about my decision. I am job searching now. I'm looking for and focusing on an HR Coordinator or Assistant HR Generalist with an emphasis as a Recruiting Specialist or in Training and Development. I'm not completely blocking anything out but having a focus is helpful.

Last weekend I went to Logan again and went to the doctor. My doctor was very helpful this time and we're making some progress. We're going to do injections in my back at the end of this month-this should create the opportunity for physical therapy to help more. Also my migraines will hopefully be getting help by some progressive medication and a CAT-scan in December to make sure my brain is okay.




On Saturday I had lunch with a group of dear friends at Pizza Pie Cafe and then I met up with my old friend, Christina Bateman. She had me over to dinner with her family and then we went to a community show, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, at the Old Rock church. It was a very delightful show.







I enjoyed my sister's and mother's primary program. I made some notes of a few things that I learned/was reminded of. One of the things that was said was something like, "I know that my Savior loves me no matter what and if I repent I can be forgiven." I believe this without a doubt. We make the same mistakes over and over, even when we are trying so hard to be better. But as long as I sincerely repent and recommit, I know that the Lord forgives me and I can try again.



When I came back to Salt Lake from Logan I found about 14" of snow at my home!! Lots of snow and very pretty :) Friday morning it was snowing before I left and of course I had to take a picture of the temple.



This week I'm in Florida for work. I found out that a friend (Trevor Nielson) was a Cattle Intern here and so we've planned to get together a bit throughout this week. I've been learning about training, HR, safety, and touring the ranch. I've also eaten some of my favorite food. Chad took me to an Italian place for lunch yesterday. Chad and his wife took Trevor and me to dinner last night at a sea food place last night and today for lunch we had a company lunch where they cooked steak! YUMMY! Everything has been so pretty, even though it is winter so it isn't quite as green as usual. Today was cloudy so we didn't get to see very many aligators but I did see two of them.






Tomorrow I'll either be going to the beach or go explore Orlando a bit-not sure yet. Then in the afternoon I will come back to the ranch and we're going to do an airboat ride. Then Sat Trevor and I are planning to do Kennedy Space Center. I'll be able to tell you more about that later! I'm going to go to Trevor's for dinner and go to Institute with him then do some job searching tonight. Life is good, my skin is clearing up in this wonderful humidity, and I'm sleeping well in this amazing amazing bed.







Big Steps, Small Steps...as long as I'm taking steps forward it doesn't matter what size they are.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Feels like a Circle



Today is going to be pretty brief but I wanted to write for just a minute. First I have to share this amazing picture. As I left work tonight the sunlight was almost gone but looking back at the temple I had to stop and take a picture. It still doesn't give it justice but still beautiful.












Bonnie and I decided to go to the Cheesecake Factory today-it was just one of those days. We each got a slice of Cheesecake and it was divine! My slice choice was "Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough"...seriously, SOOO good! :)




This last weekend was slightly eventful. Bonnie invited me over for a girl's night. We had pizza and then we all went and saw Taken 2. That was pretty fun! One of Bonnie's friends, Holly, was from Nibley. I found out that she is Katie White's sister. Small world.

On Saturday, a friend of Bryce Smalley's, called me and we went to lunch. Her name is Hayli. We went to City Creek and had lunch at BlueLemon, then walked around to some stores. She bought a dress and I bought a couple of $5 shirts. Then we were both desperate to clean out our cars so she showed me this place she always goes. We got car washes and then vacuumed out our cars. Not your typical hang out activity but very productive! I loved it!

Now for the circles: I've been tossing and turning about a job offer for Washington. At first it was a job offer, then it was the process of being interviewed, then they didn't know if they had a position anymore, then they had the position but she didn't know if I was still interested. I finally interviewed again today and I feel like there were a lot of circles going on about some of her reservations and my reservations and I'm back to not knowing what to do. I am praying and trying to understand and trust what the Lord is telling me. I know he will not let me make a wrong choice but that doesn't make this an easy decision. I want a straight line, no more circles!

I'm so thankful for the friends and family that I have that love and support me, no matter how far apart we are. I have great examples on missions across the world, I have friends locally, and I have friends all over the country. Thanks for your prayers, your kind thoughts/messages, your encouraging words, and your influence for good. I love having people to turn to when I feel like my small steps aren't taking me very far.





Thursday, November 1, 2012

Making the Most of Now

My newest album of pictures on Facebook has been titled "Making the Most of Now." I'm not going to be getting any time from the past back, so why not make the most of now? I'm trying to embrace each step I take.




This past week I've finally made a break through on David's quilt. I kept getting stuck on part but with Aunt Sue's brain we figured out the piece I was missing! Hallelujah!! Halloween night I had an enjoyable time eating air popped popcorn, watching Once Upon a Time and Castle, while working on David's quilt.



I paid special attention to the colors around the city as I was driving today. I LOVE LOVE LOVE fall :)






Lunch today was fantastic because I got to spend it with two new friends. Ashley and Bonnie. We all work together and we walked over the Church Office Building, on Temple Square, to ate lunch in the cafeteria. It is so nice having a temple close. I love walking over there on my lunch and having a break from the world. I can breath and think in a way that is different than normal.






I also took a step as a good citizen to vote early. After work I went over to Trolley Square to vote. I waited in line for quite a while. I ended up running into a dear friend from Utah State. His name is Sam and I also met his friend Crystal. Crystal and I are now friends are we are going to tie some fleece quilts together. That should be great. This was Trolley Square-it was dark when I was leaving.



The past few days I've been paying close attention to those whom I communicate with and what their needs are and I've been trying to make sure that I'm making contact with the people that I love and care deeply about. As I've been studying the scriptures I'm trying to make connections on how I can come closer to Christ. I just want to share part of what I wrote in my journal a few nights ago:
I was reading 1 Nephi 11, the end of that chapter talks about the life and ministry of Christ. His entire existence was for us! His earthly ministry was about teaching others, serving others, healing others. He used the power of God to provide miracles to all those around Him. He prayed for others and he suffered torture, persecution and eventually death for others. For us. For me. Now I'm asked to put aside my pride and selfishness to fight against Satan because my Savior and Redeemer loves me. Why is that so hard sometimes? Christ gave EVERYTHING for me and I am trying to live my life in a way that He will be proud to call me His daughter. I can set aside myself, devote my time to others & Him, and I can make him proud. He has given us the path; if we follow, we will come closer to Him on earth and eventually live with Him again.

My life is what I make it and I'm making the most of my small steps!


Monday, October 29, 2012

Small Steps...That is What it Takes

I've found in my life that sometimes I have to take huge leaps but to take me from leap to leap I have to go with those small steps, one after another. I'm done setting goals of  "writing a blog once per week" and "trying two new recipes per week." I'm still going to set goals but when I add so many of these little rules to my life I become overwhelmed and fall apart. So here I go with another attempt at keeping a blog :) I'm going to write about the new things I try, the fun things I do with my life, the challenges I encounter, and the triumphs I fight for. I know that these things will take small steps and I'm going to make the most out of my life right now!

Today I have decided to try to make banana bread. I did it. Successfully, might I add! It was delicious and I can't believe that I  haven't made it before. Here's a picture.

I realized that I should have made it BEFORE I cleaned the kitchen because it was a bit messier than I intended but sometimes messes make it a little bit more fun.

I've also decided that I really need to make my apron so that my messes can have somewhere to go other than my clothing! One small step was taken today to improve my cooking skills. I'm thinking my current friends and family as well as my future husband are going to like this small step.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Small Steps

Since I'm new to the Salt Lake area I've decided to find something I'm comfortable with. I'm having a blast from the past and have signed up with the Girl Scouts again. I was a member for 10 years starting from Kindergarten. I've decided to be an Adult Volunteer. I haven't had any opportunities to serve yet but my application is being processed and hopefully the chance to volunteer will open up quickly.

Food can be service: This weekend I had the chance to visit some friends and family. I paid for dinner for my family at Firehouse Pizzaria and then was feeling generous again at lunch with a couple of friends at Texas Roadhouse. My service isn't limited to buying meals for people but I know the people who enjoyed the meals were thankful for that small act of service.

Live da Life: I had an awesome opportunity to help out the Kailing Family (see their blog for their story). I walked a 5K with my mom and sister to raise money for Mark and the medical bills that come along with battling cancer. It was amazing to see how strong this family is even when such hardship is upon them. Mark and LaDena, along with their gorgeous children, always come out the events that are held in their behalf to say thank you. We love you Kailings and our prayers are continually with you!!

Time is service: I was also very blessed this weekend being able to spend time my family and some dear friends. My friends opened up their homes and their hearts. Some friends specifically: Albert, Chase, Jared, and Trent treated me to a day out on the resevoir as well as a dutch oven dinner and fire. The time they spent was priceless to me especially because of how I've been feeling lately in a new place. I felt loved and although their service to me wasn't a big deal to them, it meant the world to me.

Service is just taking a small step for someone else instead of yourself.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Up and Going..Again!

Service and Humanitarian Work have always been a passion of mine. I've decided to challenge myself to perform some act of service each week and blog about it. This is going to be interesting because I don't know very many people here in Salt Lake City; but i'm going to step out of my comfort zone and try to do some good in the world. If anyone would like to join me or has ideas of service projects that need to  be done, please comment and I'll see what I can do. I'm going to try to post each Wednesday. Let the service begin!