I'm Dreamin' of a White Christmas

I think I have become a bit of a winter lover!  The cold weather, the snow, the bundled up layers, the crisp air, the 3-ft icicles hanging from the roof, etc.  I LOVE it!  (I would love it even more if our apartment wasn't so cold, but even that is getting easier as we are finally adjusting.)  All the Christmas songs talk about things like, "let it snow" and "the weather outside is frightful" and "Jack Frost nipping at your nose."  I understand those songs now and love them even more now!  It really is "beginning to look a lot like Christmas."

Whatever will I do in winters to come when I don't live in snow?!  I guess I'll just be, "dreaming of a white Christmas."  My mom and sister and I went to the musical, A White Christmas at Gammage last weekend.  It was fantastic!!  Legend has it that Irving Berlin wrote the song while staying in Tucson, Arizona.  I guess it isn't too weird for people to miss having a White Christmas.

I hope that no matter what kind of Christmas you are having, you enjoy it!  It truly is, "the most wonderful time of the year!"

It's Kinda Hard to Wait!

There is a talk from this past general conference that has seriously been on my mind since I read it a few weeks ago.  I don't even remember it from when I listened to conference the first time, but I seriously think it may have been written just for me!

It is Elder Robert D. Hales talk titled, "Waiting Upon the Lord: Thy Will Be Done."  

We wait for test results/race results to post.  All growing up my dad would say, "We are waiting for Kourtney." (Promptness is not my forte!)  We wait in traffic.  We have waiting rooms at doctors offices.  We wait in lines when we shop (especially this time of year).  Etc, etc! 

Needless to say, we all are acquainted with waiting.  After reading this talk though, I realized I really did not understand what waiting meant according to the scriptural term.  

The scriptures speak of waiting upon the Lord time after time.  But to wait in that sense means, "to hope, to anticipate, and to trust."  It doesn't just mean to sit around and do nothing.  "Waiting upon the Lord means pondering in our hearts and 'receiv[ing] the Holy Ghost' so that we can know 'all things what [we] should do'." 

Then he states, "In my life I have learned that sometimes I do not receive an answer to a prayer because the Lord knows I am not ready.  When He does answer, it is often 'here a little and there a little' because that is all that I can bear or all I am willing to do."

That statement hit me like a ton of bricks.  I realized a lesson I had never learned and I recognized a weakness of mine: I am terrible at waiting!  Waiting upon the Lord never includes complaining; it requires hope.  Waiting doesn't include dreading; it includes anticipation.  It doesn't include skepticism; it includes trust.  Welp, I find that when I am waiting, I typically just complain, dread and question all the things I am waiting for.  I complain when I get stuck waiting in traffic.  I dread finding out my test scores, and I struggle to believe something will turn out.  

No wonder figuring out what is next is so difficult.  I am doing it all wrong.  For instance, I have enjoyed learning about the different areas of interest within my program.  One area in particular interested me from day one: the NICU.  I decided that day that I wanted to end up being a SLP in the NICU.  As the time drew closer to decide on an externship, I looked up tons of pediatric hospitals and fell in love with Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake.  That was it!  I researched everything.  I found apartments online.  I looked up the institute.  I looked forward to Utah and all it had to offer!  I prayed about it, waited (or thought I was waiting), and got nothin!  No answer.  Then, life happened.  I got busy, didn't have time to focus on it, and some new pieces to my puzzle of life had me thinking maybe the NICU wasn't the area of interest, and Utah was not the place.  A new plan started in my mind and I studied it out, weighed the pros and cons, and knew I needed to pray about this new plan instead.  But I wasn't anticipating this new plan with any kind of hope or trust.  Finally once I humbled myself enough to ask, my direction has become much more clear.  

Lessons Learned:

1. When praying about Utah, I forgot one little (ok, major) thing... "Thy will be done."

2. I wasn't ready to hear what God's answer was when praying about Utah... so He didn't give me an answer but instead opened my eyes "here a little and there a little."  

3. I wasn't truly waiting when I first asked about my new plan of moving back to the valley; therefore, I didn't know what to do until I asked, "waiting upon the Lord, Thy will be done."

I have learned that I really need to learn how to wait better.  I am going to start with temporal things - being more patient with traffic, more trusting with others, and do less complaining in general.  

The promise given in the scriptures states, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31).  The promise given to those who wait are quite incredible!  I guess you could say, they are "worth the wait!"  

Thankful Day

Thanksgiving began with the Turkey Trot Tradition.  My dad and I ran the 10K and for the first time, A joined us and she ran the 2 mile fun run.  And that crazy sister of mine came in 1st place for girls and 5th place overall out of 1500 runners.  She is quite the athlete!!  

I absolutely love the turkey trot.  So many spend the day gorging and focusing on the FOOD!  But to see 10,000 people show up to support healthy living at the turkey trot is so awesome!  

I am thankful for a healthy body.  I am thankful for all it is capable of.  It is such a blessing!  I have battled the flu and a crazy cold this season.  I know that is nothing compared to what some bodies are called to endure, but even this minor flu has reminded me how amazing our bodies are!  

It is a blessing.  It is a gift.  I am setting a goal to take better care of it!  I am going to get better sleep.  I am going to go to bed earlier.  I am going to eat healthier.  I am going to work out more consistently.  I am going to try to focus on the blessing my body is and not find fault in it! 

(If you hear me fault-finding, hit me!)

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the yummy food on Thanksgiving: everything in moderation! :)

But what I absolutely LOVED was my time with my family (both sides)!  

Games, football, holding babies, laughing, planning Black Friday shopping, chatting, napping!!  

It was ALL amazing!  

Friday consisted of TONS of shopping!! - DUH!  

Every year, my family has participated in helping with the Salvation Army's Christmas Angels.  Last year, my sister really wanted to do her own angel like us, but had never saved a penny in her life.  We told her she should do it, but that it would be REALLY hard to do!  She was excited to shop on Friday, but her main reason for shopping... to spend her $200 of hard-earned (and saved) money to help bless another child with Christmas.  As we walked up to the Salvation Army trees to choose a child, she was SO exited!!  She then began to look at each tag.  She turned and told us she wanted to help ALL of them!  She was disappointed she didn't save more.  I was humbled by her love and determination to help these children!  She ended up walking out of there with THREE kids!  She is such an amazing example!!

Friday evening, we started an 1,000 piece puzzle as a family.  We ended up working on it for a good chunk of time on Saturday too!  It was so fun to all be there together and working together!  We finished it Saturday afternoon and decided that we want to make that an annual tradition from now on!  It was so fun! 

I truly do have SO much to be thankful for!

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Saturday morning I woke up to the only clear morning we had in California. It was my wish - to be able to enjoy the 180* view of the ocean from Kathy's kitchen while eating breakfast. It was incredible!! I love that view so much!

After we ate, we packed up and drove up to

SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN

(yes, I ditched the last day of my convention to go ride roller coasters)

We got there a little late due to my lack of planning and the park was PACKED! I was a little frustrated that we got there late and that practically half of the entire nation's high schoolers were there!

But one of those high schoolers was my brother D! His high school physics class drove all the way out on Saturday to go to six flags too! It was SO fun to have him there with us!

The only roller coaster I had been on before was the one in California Adventure and the few in Disneyland so I was super excited! I nearly passed out on Goliath (due to the G-Force on that ride). I LOVED scream!! (we went twice). The wooden roller coaster was hilarious - I think it almost chopped our heads off! We broke down while on the Ninja. We went on a few more and then we stood in line for Tatsu (it's a roller coaster that you ride while laying down on your stomach!) It was well worth the wait!

That night, Kristin's parents took us to dinner! We were so spoiled on this trip and ate some wonderfully amazing food! It was a very fun day!!! 

ASHA

ASHA: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Last week was the national ASHA convention held in San Diego. Since it was so close, I decided to go! I left late Wednesday night and drove the 7 1/2 hours to San Diego.

Thursday morning, I drove down the convention center and joined the biggest group of Speech Pathologists ever! It was overwhelming! I was among hundreds of professionals. I couldn't believe that I was even allowed to be there with them! I couldn't believe that I am almost one of them! It was a humbling and nerve-racking thought!

The opening speaker thanked our field for giving her communication after a stroke. It was powerful. I was reminded of the true reason for why I am in this field - to make a difference, to inspire others, to improve education, to empower people! How exciting!

The classes throughout the day were amazing and I feel like I was able to remember how much I do love this field instead of how much I despise schoolwork! It was refreshing! It was exactly what I needed to finish up this semester strong!

The classes were even better on Friday and I had the chance to even walk down the bay to my favorite little outdoor shopping plaza EVER - Seaport Village Plaza! I ate lunch as I looked out over the bay and I walked around enjoying the live music and the Christmas decorations! It was a wonderful afternoon followed by more wonderful classes!

Friday night, I drove just up the road to one of the prettiest buildings - the San Diego Temple! It was incredible! I was able to jump in with another group and enjoy the beauty and peace inside the temple! It was one of the more neat experiences I have had in the temple in a long time! I love how you are never done learning in the temple!

And....

.......I got this..........

............... for FREE!!!!!!

Yes, I won an iPad!!!!! I entered in a few drawings at the convention knowing that I probably wouldn't win. Much to my surprise, I WON! :) I was shocked and so excited! (I guess I have my mom's luck: she always wins drawings!!) I can't wait to start using it!

Friday night, Kristin and I (Kristin came with so I didn't travel alone) drove out to Kathy's and they took me out to dinner for my birthday! It was so fun and the food was amazing! Then we walked out on the pier and looked out at the ocean until we couldn't handle the cold any longer (a whoppin' 10 min).

It was a wonderful weekend full of so many awesome things! :)

Half Marathon III

Race Week:

Monday - didn't get to workout

Tuesday - didn't get to workout

Wednesday - woke up SICK, slept for 17 hours, drank a soda,

and... didn't even get out of bed

Thursday - slept for 10 hours, drank another soda

Friday - hung out with family and attempted to eat

Saturday - ran 13.1 miles

I was maybe, just slightly determined to finish this race.

The first 6 miles were amazing!

I ran my fastest 10k ever!

And then....

I tanked!

I thought those next 7.1 miles would NEVER end!

I walked my entire last mile!

(Pathetic)

My dad ran the 10K and kept me going for that final mile! Thanks dad!

I still got my best time yet! - 2:17:30

Take THAT flu!!!

The only problem? - I was aiming for under 2:10:00.

I probably would have had it if I had ANY nutrients to rely on after my entire 600 calories from the past 72 hours would have lasted longer than 6 miles!!! ;)

Oh well, I finished!

Ultimately, that is ALL that really matters!

(It's like life... we all start at the same place and are trying to get to the finish line. Some get there sooner. Some take longer. Some are better prepared to get there. Some follow the path closer than others. Some take detours. Everyone has moments where finishing seems hard! And ultimately the time doesn't matter as long as each person makes it! - Running and the gospel have a LOT in common! - I could talk about this topic alone for HOURS!)

A New Season

Things are changing....

I feel it!

We had a beautiful fall that consisted of me wearing shorts until last week.

The red-colored trees never became a typical sight taken for granted.

The smell of pines never ceases to make me happy.

The trails I've been running never get old.

It was an amazing fall!

The view from our porch looked like this...

Saturday I woke up to a winter wonderland.

The skies are pink at night again.

The world is so quiet.

It looks so fresh.

I forgot how pretty a snow-covered world is.

I forgot how quiet it gets.

I forgot how beautiful it is.

It's a change.

But each season has it's perks.

I only have 7 months of school left.

I only will be living up here for 7 more months.

I only have one winter left up here.

I only have one more snowboarding season here.

I only have one more semester up here.

I only have one more spring to hike every single trail.

Today, my professor let me know that I got the externship site I wanted.

I couldn't be happier!

It is exactly what I think I want!!

My externship site is back in the valley.

That means I am moving back home in 7 months.

That means so many wonderful things...

But

I will miss it here.

Just like I will miss fall.

I guess that is what seasons are: things that come and go.