Bowling "Nerd"

So, a few months ago, I went bowling with few of the EFY counselors one night. Come to find out, they go bowling every Monday night because it's only a $1 per game. I have since picked up the tradition too! I have gone bowling at least once a week ever since. I love it! Problem though: to rent bowling shoes is $4 per night. Well, renting shoes sure adds to the price of bowling so... I decided to look into how much a pair of bowling shoes would cost. Surprisingly, they are pretty inexpensive, so I found a pair that I liked online and ordered my very own bowling shoes! Yes, I own my own bowling shoes and I love them! (The picture of the girl bowling inside of them is probably my favorite part of the shoe!) The very first time I bowled with them, I even got a strike. Last night, D and J came with us. It was so fun to beat them! (Probably the only "sporty" thing I can beat them in.) As we were leaving the bowling alley last night, D said, "Of course you beat us, you are a bowling nerd!! - Think about it, you own your own bowling shoes!!" Haha! Yes, I do! And I love them! :)

10 Things that Help You Know it's a Media Fast

So, many years ago, our old ward decided to start what they like to call a "media fast." The week leading up to General Conference was made a fast from all media including TV, secular music, internet, movies, etc. Checking email, church music, and homework assignments are the only exceptions to this fast.

Well, we decided to try it again this past week. Starting the Sunday before Conference, we started our fast. The kids were not too excited about it, but we all agreed that we could do it. Monday after school was a moaning choir to the lyrics, "I am so boooorrreeeedd!!" But as the week went on, it was amazing the changes that I saw...

On Thursday, D and I sat and talked for over an hour. It was so fun to just talk to him, but as I got ready to leave, he stood up and said, "You know it's a media fast when you sit and talk to your older sister for half the day!!" Haha! I didn't know whether to be offended or just laugh. So we decided to make a list of the 10 Things that help you know it's a media fast.

10. You know it's a media fast when you hear "I am so bored, I am going to die" and "I would've hated to be a pioneer!"

9. You know it's a media fast when the computer doesn't need shut down at night because it never was turned on.

8. You know it's a media fast when D and J pull out scooters, skateboards, and bikes for the first time in months.

7. You know it's a media fast when none of the kids' friends want to come to our house because they can't watch ANYTHING.

6. You know it's a media fast when J is excited to go to D's choir concert because "ANY music is better than mom's Christmas music in October!"

5. You know it's a media fast when you have no idea what natural disaster everyone is talking about 3 days after the fact.

4. You know it's a media fast when A practices the piano even after the timer goes off.

3. You know it's a media fast when you come home to find the whole family asleep at 10pm - the time when they are usually just starting homework.

2. You know it's a media fast when J reads more pages in a week than he has read the entire year.

1. You know it's a media fast when you sit and do nothing other than talk to your older sister for OVER an hour. :)

By the end of the week, I can say that we spent much more family time together than we do normally. There was less arguing and more laughing, less teasing and more helping, and the "I'm bored" was replaced with "Want to play a game?" I am so grateful that we decided to fast from media as we prepared for general conference. Conference was so great. I was more prepared to hear to words of our living prophet and leaders. I am so grateful for those inspired speakers that gave us reminders of what we need to do in order to have more love for one another, how to strengthen our personal testimonies, and how to maintain our standards in an increasingly wicked world.

I would like to say that we are ready and willing to live a life without so much media but... I checked my facebook Monday morning, mom turned the TV on while working out again, J blared his music while getting ready for school, and A begged mom to buy the movie "Monsters vs. Aliens." Haha! I guess some things are harder to change. After all, you can't "fast" forever right? =)

A School Girl

The summer days are over and it's back to the typical school days! I will be honest, after 15 straight years of school, I have had the hardest time getting excited about this semester! I have had to drag myself out of bed and into class starting from day two. That is never a good sign!!

Then, the other day I was listening to one of the cd's I have in my car. A song by Rascal Flatts came on called "Love Who You Love." The lyrics to one verse go like this:

Why do we take it all for granted

Until it's gone,

Cause then it's gone.

Love who you love

With all that you have

And don't waste the time that flies so fast.

The song is talking about the ones we love, but all I could think of was the great opportunity I have to gain an education. Why do I take it for granted? I can't even tell you how many people have told me to "soak up the college years!" And time does fly so fast! I need to be SO EXCITED to get up and go to class every single day!! :)

In my quest to get excited about school, I have read a few talks about the importance of education and learning. President Monson gave some great advice. "When faced with a lengthy period of schooling, there appears at times to be no light at the tunnel's end, no dawn to break the darkness. At such times, you need the light that comes from becoming acquainted with the lessons the scriptures teach."

That quote couldn't be more true! I am taking an institute class about all of the prophets of the church (I LOVE my institute classes). We spent 2 weeks studying the life of Joseph Smith and now we are studying Brigham Young. These men loved learning. They didn't take it for granted or waste their time!

When testifying of Joseph Smith, Dallin H. Oaks said, "The Prophet Joseph had no role models from whom he could learn how to be a prophet and leader of the Lord's people... [yet] the Prophet's growth was extremely rapid." He valued knowledge and truly took the time to learn. Brigham Young only had 11 days of formal education, but he understood how important education was - hence the reason he started BYU. He said, "Put forth your ability to learn as fast as you can, and gather all the strength of mind and principle of faith you possibly can, and then distribute your knowledge to the people."

These stories and especially that quote made me realize that now is the time for me to love learning! So, I LOVE SCHOOL!!! (Or at least I am working on loving it!) I am so blessed to go to a great university! I am grateful that I have been blessed with the ability to learn. I am grateful for professors who are there to help me. I am thankful for friends that encourage me to try harder in school! I am especially grateful for modern-day prophets and their examples! And I am grateful for the scriptures that provide lessons of enduring to the end and enjoying the journey!

Especially for Youth

Where to start... I don't even know where to begin!!  I have had the best summer ever so far!  I have been a counselor for 3 weeks, and I have 3 more to go... week 4 starting today! I have had some of the most amazing experiences as a counselor.  Our week starts with a fireside Sunday night and the kids show up on Monday and leave on Saturday.  The week is packed to the seems with activities such as devotionals, dances, games, classes, etc!  From 6:30am to 11:30pm we never stop going, but it is worth every moment of work!  The youth of the church are AMAZING!  

Although I spent quite a bit of time preparing before my first week, I still felt so inadequate on day one! I was so worried that I was not good enough!  But, our coordinators encouraged us to "set aside fear" and pray for Heavenly help!  That is exactly what I did... or tried to do (fear still sneaks in at times).  I have seen the hand of the Lord in my life as I have had more strength than should be possible while living on a cafeteria diet, no sleep, and no exercise!  I have felt the Spirit prompt me with what to teach the youth each week!  I have no doubt that Heavenly Father knows each of these kids and has a plan and a purpose for them!

I have been blessed to meet and work with some of the greatest people.  The other counselors and leaders at EFY are amazing!  It is so neat to constantly be surrounded by others who share your standards and lift you up!  And, yes, one of the benefits of being a counselor is spending lots of time with amazing single guys! =) I also get to attend the classes each week with the kids where we are taught by some of CES' best teachers!  I sit and just soak it all up!  

I have learned to better appreciate the strong, active family that I was raised in that many of these youth do not have.  Some come from very difficult circumstances and yet they are so strong and positive!  I learn so much from the youth - sometimes I wonder if they are learning anything or if I am the one who is getting all the benefits.  On Thursdays, we have testimony meeting, or what counselors call "pay day."  It is the night where we get to hear them testify of what they know and what they have learned!  I have seen kids recognize their own testimonies right before my eyes!

I have also gained a great appreciation for the weekends - especially Sundays!!  I think I spend all day Saturday doing laundry and sleeping - really, I take day long naps!  And Sunday is a day to prepare for the week ahead and rest from your labors.  Yep, that means I nap on Sundays too!  

I am so grateful I have been blessed to have this opportunity.  It is like a mini mission where we work to help instill testimonies in these youth.  I love EFY!  I love that I get to go to 6 weeks of it instead of 1!

Family Update

I have been meaning to do this for awhile now.  I always say, "I'll do it next week when I have more time." - Ha!  I have come to the conclusion that there is only so much time, and if you don't make something a priority, then it won't happen!  So here is a little update on what my family has been up to...

We all made it through another year of school!  D ended up participating on 3 teams this year at his new school: track, tennis, and academic decathlon.  His academic team competed in the national championships and won, so he is a national champion! (In case you are wondering, academic decathlon is kind of like jeopardy.  It tests how much you know - both as an individual and as a team!)  He grows half an inch a month still which currently puts him at 6'3.5'' making him now officially taller than dad.  He is going to be a sophomore next year!  Can you believe it?!?  He recently got his driving permit and has obviously played too many driving video games.  He forgets to share the road and keeps looking for the reset button.  (Ok, he isn't THAT bad... but it is obvious why insurance for boys is more expensive than girls!)  

J played basketball and baseball this year and started really picking up the piano.  Where did his determination to play the piano suddenly come from?... He wants to "impress the ladies!" Haha!  He is now 5'10'' and claims that he shouldn't have to sit in the back of the car if he is taller than me.  (I claim first come, first serve... I was born first, I get to choose where I sit first, right?)  He asks if he can drive almost daily.  Thank goodness he has 2 more years before we have to worry about him driving!  

A took dance, piano, and basketball this year.  She came home the other day and said, "Mom!  Guess what!!  My friend has to be in bed by 8pm!"  Well, in a normal family that is not too surprising but seen as we are usually just finishing dinner at 8pm, she couldn't even imagine going to sleep right after eating.  Lets just say that bed time has never been a battle worth fighting in this home!  She is consistently awake PAST 10pm and still wakes up happy and ready to go... at 7 am.  Can you say energizer bunny?    

My mom and dad and D spend the past weekend up at youth conference with the rest of the stake.  They loved the break from the warm weather.  J, A, and I stayed and enjoyed a fun weekend of relaxing.  We had a ton of fun activities planned and then... I got the flu!  So J and A got their dream weekend: all the video games and TV they could have.  After about a day of that, A came to me and said, "I don't want to watch ANY MORE TV!"  Neither of them have really wanted much of TV or video games since.  Who knew the cure was giving them an entire day of it!?!

Well, we are looking forward to a fun-packed summer full of all sorts of activities!  I absolutely love my family.  There is never a dull moment at home, and to be honest, that is the way that I like it!       

EFY - Here I Come!

After 5 summers of the exact same job, I decided to try something new! And...I got it!  After 12 weeks of waiting to hear back from EFY, I finally heard from them this week!  I am officially going to be an EFY counselor this summer!  I can't even wait!  I loved EFY when I got to go as a participant, and I looked up to my counselors so much.  I know that I have a lot to live up to, but I am excited for the challenge!  It will be so much fun to spend a few weeks with great kids and enjoy the Spirit that is present there!!  For awhile there, I worried that I wasn't going to get the job, but I learned a great lesson about "AFTER the trial of your faith."  It took turning down my previous job and waiting with PATIENCE to receive the blessing.  I feel so blessed to be given such an amazing opportunity!  EFY, here I come!!  

Family

The past month or so seems to have flown by.  I am still enjoying school - or at least enduring it!  The countdown to summer has begun!! ;) I have started a new job as a nanny to 4 adorable kids, including twin boys who are only a few months old.  Nothing beats getting paid to play don't brake the ice, hold little babies, jump on the tramp, make paper airplanes, and... leave when it's time to go to sleep!  I absolutely love it!  It amazes me how trusting, loving, and innocent children are!  They remind me constantly that "except we become as a little child, we can in no wise inherit the kingdom of God."  Boy, I have some qualities to work on!! 

About a week ago, I went to the Easter Pageant with my ward.  What a great reminder of the true purpose of this season!  For General Conference, I got to drive up and spend the weekend with cousins and grandparents.  We were blessed to have gotten a hold of 16 tickets to the Sunday Morning Session in the Conference Center.  And, much to our delight, we could see the speakers better than we anticipated!  As Jake put it, "Look, they are a blob, not a dot!"  It was so neat to be gathered in the conference center with thousands of Saints listening to the words of the prophets.  There is definitely an added power when we gather together!  It was a very spiritually-packed weekend, and I am looking forward to studying the talks at a much slower pace!  I had so much fun catching up, playing games, and laughing with family and friends!  

If there is one thing that I have been exceptionally grateful for the past few months, it has been my family!!  There is nothing better than family!  They have helped me through the tough times and been excited with me through the good times!  I am so lucky to have great parents, wonderful siblings, and the greatest extended family!!  Here is a quote that explains it well... "Family is the most important part of your life.  Treasure the tears, treasure the laughter, but most importantly, treasure the memories." -Unknown