"The Love of God" By President Uchtdorf

I came across President Uchtdorf's talk, "The Love of God," and I can't tell you how much I love it. Practically the whole talk is highlighted, underlined, and has notes all over. My wonderful roommate Kat taught Relief Society a few weeks ago and gave her lesson on this talk specifically. She highlighted one of my favorite things in his talk, and I decided to share it with you all.

If you have this edition of the Ensign it's on page 22 in the first column. He says, "...God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God! For what we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are-and who we will become." As I thought about this concept, and with the help of Kat, I was able to put it into a diagram. I wish I could draw it for you, but for lack of knowledge on blogger.com, I will have to use the keys on the keyboar. So...

Love--> Seek--> Think & Do--> Who We Are-->Become

This little picture has put words, powerful words, into perspective for me. In the end, what we love, and what we seek, is ultimately what/who we become. If we love a particular movie star, or musician/singer, we will seek them out, we will begin to think and do as they do, it will determine who we are, and in the long run we will become like that person. This doesn't have to only apply to people. If we love food, we seek food, and ultimately we become sick, and full of.... well, food. However, if we love the Lord and Jesus Christ, we will seek them in all things, we will think and do as they would want us to, it determines who we are in this life, and we will ultimately become Gods one day. I love this concept because it has helped me to analyze my life and the things that I love and seek out. Are they good for me in the long run? Do I want to become that particular thing? Of course there is moderation in all things, but I know I want to become like God one day, and so I am striving to love and seek out those good and precious things that he does.

Am I Crazy?!...

Just the other day I talked to my physical therapist about running. It's coming so soon I just can't believe it! 11 days and counting :) 

I was sitting at work yesterday pondering this wonderful idea... actually, it was more like daydreaming, but you get the picture. A thought came to my mind that, "Hey! The Turkey Trot that I ran with Dad on Thanksgiving Day was so much fun! I wasn't even really tired afterwards. I should train for another 5k!" Then my thoughts turned to, "I've done numerous 5k's. I should try a 10k." You think I stopped there? Nope! I have officially decided to run a half marathon!! Now my question comes into play- Am I crazy? Maybe, but I am motivated, and more excited than ever. I text one of my best friends, Kaitlin, who has been my running buddy for a few years now- even though we don't go as much as we use to, or at all... I asked her if she wanted to run a half marathon with me. I think it was literally 10 seconds later that I got her call. The first words out of her mouth were, "Are you crazy? Um, what are you thinking, and why all of a sudden would you want to do such a thing? You know how long that is right?" (Not her exact words, but pretty much right on track.) We talked for a while and decided it would be something really fun and intrinsically rewarding. How cool would it be to say, "I ran and finished a half marathon!"

Some of the half marathons I have looked at are Park City half marathon on August 21, Provo Canyon half marathon in August, and The Top of Utah half marathon in Logan on September 18. I personally want to do the Park City one b/c the scenery is more appealing to me than Logan. But I've heard that the Logan trail is all downhill and it's a very gradual downhill. Wouldn't that be ideal? So I have some goals leading up to my half marathon:

1. Start speed walking/light jogging on February 10

2. Make a Training plan with Kaitlin on February 13

3. Be running at full strength by March 3

4. Run a 5K

5. Sign up for half marathon

6. Run a 10K

7. Run the Park City half marathon on August 21

I have a lot of work to do, and I have to be smart while training b/c of my special conditions, but I know I can do it, and I can't wait to get started! If anyone knows of good training techniques or tips, please let me know. Wish me luck, and make sure that I'm alive in August, cause Heaven knows I'll be exhausted ha ha. 

It's Been Too Long...

Holy cow! Where has all of the time gone? I am such a slacker in the blogging world. Please forgive me... all of you who actually read my posts and desire to keep up with my "eventful" life. The life of a poor, single, college student. The best years of my life also.

Well, on December 15th I finished 5 finals and dashed off to prepare for my ACL surgery. Wednesday morning, the 16th of December was a very nerve wracking time of day. I never knew I could be so nervous. Cute lil' ol' brother Carlisle from across the street was kind enough to make his way over to our house to help Dad give me a blessing before we headed over to the hospital. Though my nerves did not cease, I slowly felt relief a little at a time. I am so grateful to have a father who lives worthily to hold the priesthood and exercise this authority in our home. 

At the hospital there were a lot of procedures to go through, all of you who have had any kind of surgery know that you see about 5-10 different people before you actually go into surgery. You know my opinion? The one thing I would put in their little suggestion box is to inform the patients when they call the day before surgery that they will need to give a urine sample! No one told us, and they probably didn't think it made that much of a difference, but when your surgery is scheduled for 8:45am, most likely you have already gone to the bathroom. I have also been told that I have a "shy bladder" by the urinalysis people who do drug tests. It took a lot longer than I had hoped to get even the slightest sample. 

The surgery went really well. I was told after the surgery that they repaired my ACL, and they stitched up a small tear in my meniscus. Because of the meniscus tear I would be required to use crutches for 4 weeks. Christmas break started early for me in the fact that I literally layed around and watched movies for a few weeks. 

Compared to my left ACL surgery, this recovery was so much better. I don't know if physically is was better, or if it was simply because I'd been through it before and knew what I needed to do early on to benefit me later, but I am so grateful for the quick recovery I have been having. In my follow-up visit with Dr. Holmstrom ( I recommend him to anyone), he told me that I was ahead of the game in my recovery timeline. WAHOO! That'll bring you happiness. 

This past Wednesday was the 4 weeks mark of my surgery, and do you know what that meant? Get rid of those ol' crutches! What a relief. Granted I was a little slower and my muscles are still weak, but it's nice to have the freedom, and less baggage to carry around. Wednesday also marked the first day in 4 weeks that I have worn jeans :) What a great feeling. As of today I hardly walk without a limp and I can almost go down the stairs normally! I have about 3 weeks of physical therapy left, and I feel so blessed with how everything is going. Though I may not see what the blessings have resulted specifically from this injury and experience, I know there are many and I am grateful for all I have learned, and all I will continue to learn. 

 

Love to All of You

I am surrounded with absolutely amazing people! I have been so blessed to be associated with all of you and to have you in my life. My love for you is so great that I wanted to publicly say thanks for being a part of my life! I've been thinking about the good ol' times and thought I'd share either something I admire about you/love about you, or a memory. Hope I get everyone!

Audge- Where to start? Too many! Simply... sister from another mister. Love you chica!
Kaitlin- You are always there to listen. Scaring you multiple times! I always laugh. Clogging. Dancing around in the apartment. Being CRAZY!
Kat- Late night runs to pretty much everywhere! Playing in the rain! You are one of my very best friends. "You have to love me!"
Heather- Good morning boys and girls... welcome to primary! All the good talks. Love you!
Siri- You have the brightest happiest smile and always make me so happy! You give the best hugs :)
Mandy- You are one of a kind! The kindest person I know. Too many great memories... staring at each other through our mirrors. Charly! Oh how I miss you.
Amber- Need I say more? You got your own post :) GIMP forever.
Alex- We will always be the best of friends! "Oh dear..." haha! Glad I can be a part of your most embarrassing moment.
Stevie- So happy! You always have a smile on your face and you give great hugs.
Bryce- You genuinely care about people. And you are always smiling :) Free lasic surgery for you! "Smile!... I can't!" haha. I feel like I've known you much longer, and I can't wait for the good times to keep a rollin'. Thanks for EVERYTHING.
Darin- I never know what to expect from you and I love it! So spontaneous and you make me laugh all the time! Thanks for all the advice and talks. Love all your soccer whiffs haha!
Josh- You are seriously another family member. Trips to Ogden, laughing under our breath about the same thing without having to explain, favorite memory is when we talked outside my apt. after frisbee for about 2 hours about everything. Time flies when you're having fun!
Jordan- You were a great friend before you decided to marry my best friend. Love ya! "What? Who? Where? Why? How? Como?!" Trips to the Health Center. Welcome to my life! And thanks!
Jeff- You probably won't read this, but you have been amazing. Thanks for EVERYTHING. Too many inside jokes and laughs over the years. See you in May!
Spencer- Only one more month! My favorite story is Girls Pref with our bouncy balls "Who sat on my head?!" and the quarter incident. Knocked you to the floor haha... glad you were laughing. See you in December!
Erin- I LOVE YOU! Grocery sack dance. Laughing without end. Piano duets! Especially the last time you came. Laughed forever. Brandon gave us dirty looks... haha.

I have so many more people that I love and adore, but I have run out of room and am getting arthritis in my hands. Not really, but know that I love you! Once again, thank you for being a part of my life. You have made an impact on me in one way or another and you probably haven't even noticed.

Ode to Amber

If I were a classical musician, this is what I would name my piece that I would write about Amber. I feel like I have so much to thank her for and I am indebted to her for ever. This summer was one of the best summers I've ever had even though I was injured for most of the time. A lot of this is because of a sweet, smiley, and happy go lucky girl named Amber. Where have you been all my life? I feel like we are sisters separated at birth, partners in crime, and fellow gimps.

I admire you so much for the person that you are. You are one of the greatest examples to me and I have learned so much from you. You are one of the most positive and uplifting people out there. You make everyone feel like one of a kind and your smile is contagious. Thanks for always laughing with me and lets face it- we're dorks, but we have fun! Some of the greatest memories I have made this summer I owe to you! What would I have done without you? I hope you know how much I love you and I look forward to seeing your bright shining face every chance I get. I feel genuinely happy when I'm with you, and you always know when I need a little uplifting. You're always there and I appreciate you so so much!

I get the blessing of having Amber sleep over this weekend, and I can only imagine the bundles of fun that await us! Can it come soon enough? I don't think so! I sure do love you!

Can I end with a song? ehem ehem... mi mi mi! mi ma mo, mi ma mo... ok, we're ready!

You are my sunshine! My only sunshine,

You make me happy when skies are grey.

You'll never know dear, how much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away :)

Homemade Oreos!

For the past couple of months I have had a craving for homemade oreo cookies. With all the time at work that I have I researched some recipes and picked one out to try. However, after I bought the stuff to make them I never got the motivation to actually bake the cookies b/c our kitchen is always so dirty! Last night all of my roommates went out of town except for one, and she was gone for the night so I took the opportunity to clean the kitchen thoroughly and make my cookies!

I also got a pleasant surprise... Bryce is home! He has become one of my best friends and I have missed him a lot. He had surgery on his jaw almost 2 weeks ago and has been at home since. He got back last night and so I invited him to help. He claims to be a great cookie maker. Time to show me your stuff! Though he couldn't talk it was SO much fun. And it's a good thing he helped. I didn't know the difference between confectioner's sugar and sugar, and some of the cooking terms kept me puzzled. He knew the answer to everything. The cookies were a success thanks to his knowledge... I have a lot to learn. But that's why I'm baking so that I can learn before it's too late! Here is the finished product. I took this picture at work. Preview of what I'm going to eat for my snack :) They are soooo yummy! And they were really easy to make. I think I've eaten 5 already today. I really should stop since I can't exercise them off til the end of the summer haha. If you're interested, here is the recipe. I think they would be fun to make with kids too... maybe that'll be my mom specialty haha... maybe.

Homemade Oreos by Smitten Kitchen:

For the chocolate wafers:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt1 to 1 1/2 cups sugar [see recipe note]

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) room-temperature, unsalted butter1 large egg

For the filling:

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) room-temperature, unsalted butter

1/4 cup vegetable shortening

2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Set two racks in the middle of the oven. Preheat to 375°F.
In a food processor, or bowl of an electric mixer, thoroughly mix the flour, cocoa, baking soda and powder, salt, and sugar. While pulsing, or on low speed, add the butter, and then the egg. Continue processing or mixing until dough comes together in a mass.
Take rounded teaspoons of batter and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet approximately two inches apart. With moistened hands, slightly flatten the dough. Bake for 9 minutes, rotating once for even baking. Set baking sheets on a rack to cool.
To make the cream, place butter and shortening in a mixing bowl, and at low speed, gradually beat in the sugar and vanilla. Turn the mixer on high and beat for 2 to 3 minutes until filling is light and fluffy.
To assemble the cookies, in a pastry bag with a 1/2 inch, round tip, pipe teaspoon-size blobs of cream into the center of one cookie. Place another cookie, equal in size to the first, on top of the cream. Lightly press, to work the filling evenly to the outsides of the cookie. Continue this process until all the cookies have been sandwiched with cream. Dunk generously in a large glass of milk.

Happy Pioneer Day! AKA 24th of July

The other day while I was at work my supervisor, Lindsey, asked if I knew any fun activities that we could do at our weekly staff meeting for Pioneer day. I didn't have many suggestions but we ended up making gingerbread wagons! haha, has anyone ever heard of such a thing? Surprisingly it was a success, and so much fun! I think I enjoyed it more than Gingerbread houses at Christmas time... all you people with kids should try it! I would have to say that my wagon turned out the best... we were in groups of 2 and this was our final product: We used donuts for the wheels, licorice for the wagon top, covered in a napkin, gummy bears as the pioneers (a little out of proportion to the wagon), and marshmallow and black licorice oxen. Creative eh? The oxen were my contribution...
I was quite pleased with the outcome... so... HAPPY PIONEER DAY!