Full House

I am so grateful that we have a house where we can have people stay with us!

We had another full house this weekend.

can you find us?

Troy and Aubree were sealed, so everyone came to celebrate with them. 

I loved getting to see everyone!

I was really excited to see a family sealed. It was such a neat experience!

Maysa was so good and so sweet through the whole thing.

 

I am so grateful for temples and that families are forever!

us with Maysa

She is so good natured and Aubree always has her looking so cute!

My family stayed at our house with us, as well as Colby & Mykel. 

It was so much fun to have them and we wish they could have stayed longer!

The Boys

The Girls

 We loved having you visit.
Come back again soon!

Easter

Where Faith Lives

Fun Fact:

I almost always wake up with a song in my head.

This morning, I woke up with this song running through my head.

Faith is something I am continuously working on. 

That fear seems to get me every time!

I guess it has been on my mind enough lately to work its way into my subconscious.

This time, faith is going to win!  

:)

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Winner, Winner!

Friday was Dave's birthday, so we had a poker night.

Guess what!? I dominate in poker!

We started with Craps and I am pleased to say that I continue to hold the record for undefeated first place in the tournament! I still don't fully understand what I'm doing, but Dave didn't have to tell me I was doing illegal things as often, so I think I'm progressing at least. (It's all luck)

Satisfied with my win, I was ready to go home and get some sleep along with everyone else who had come that night. I had my coat on, keys out, when somehow I found myself back at the table for a game of Hearts. Everyone else had left and it was just me and the boys. I thought I had played Hearts before, but apparently I was wrong. Add that to the fact that I was super tired and the boys all thought I was the poor girl to be pitied. Yeah right! I showed them all up and took first place! The best part is that, unlike Craps, I actually knew what I was doing and played strategy. I love card games!

I'm ready for Vegas, baby!

(not really)

Chicken Dinner!

Good news! Last week my lesson went really well! 

(yes, I know it is slightly ironic that I go from poker to the gospel. such is life!)

After we were all joking about how I was ready for the big class now! My class currently consists of about 15 people max and I am perfectly happy to keep it that way. Dave told me, "Your style works really well for a small class like this, but I don't think it would work very well in the big class." Thanks Dave  :) 

Thursday night I got a call from Ted, my Sunday School guy who is seriously the best! Apparently with Spring Break this weekend, there were no teachers to teach.... except me! I would be in the big room and it would be all combined into one class. Talk about intimidating! I kept hearing Daves words ringing in my ears. 

The topic was the applying the Atonement in our life, and it was so good for me to study at this time! The lesson went really well and there was a lot of really good discussion. I had several compliments after and one guy even asked for the talk I had referenced.  I made cookies so people would remember them instead of the lesson just incase it didn't go over too well (which, thankfully it did!) They were a big hit.... even with having twice as much oil as was called for. oops!

Now we all know I can teach the big class, so I never have to do it again! Right?  :)

And now it's on to the Chicken Dinner part of the day at Pot Luck! I'm so excited! I better get my cans of fruit ready.

Bring It!

When I was about 12 I started climbing with my older brother, Logan, who was about 18 at the time. I am amazed that he (or the people who worked there!) ever trusted me to belay him. Every time he fell I would go flying up and we would meet half way, but I never let him fall!

Just before Logan left on his mission, he and my dad took me climbing outside for the first time. I made it to the top without much problem, but it took at least 20 minutes to get me to back down. I still hate having to come down. It terrifies me to have to let go of the rock and let someone else hold my life in their hands. I hate not having control.

Once my brother left, I kept climbing here and there, but nothing much. In college, I took a rock climbing class with my cousin. We had so much fun! I started climbing more with friends, but I was never consistent.

Now that I don't have school and homework to worry about anymore, I have finally decided to start climbing on a more regular basis and maybe even get good at it! This week I climbed my first 5.10! I've been working towards it for a while, so it was pretty exciting. I felt so energized, like I could take on anything! Bring it on!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I know I'm a little late for the whole "New Years Resolution" post, and I don't believe in setting goals anyway, but I do have a few thoughts on the year 2013. If you tilt your head to the side and squint a little, you can kind of see the relation to rock climbing. I guess I could explain it a little better, but I need to get back to work and don't have time, and I'm not good with words anyway. Just use your imagination and draw your own conclusions  :)

For me, the year of 2013 has been about pushing myself - going out of my comfort zone, trying new things, letting go a little and giving up control, pushing myself a little harder to go a little farther.

Let me tell you, it is not always easy, and it is definitely scary! 

I find myself wondering, "Is it really worth it?"

Every time the answer is "Yes!"

I am so grateful for the experiences that I have been able to have and the ways that I have grown.

2013, bring it on!

Getting the hang of this?

I've mentioned before that I am called to teach Gospel Doctrine at church and it is very intimidating for me, to say the least.
But, incredibly, I think I might be getting the hang of this!

This week my lesson is on the Resurrection and I'm actually feeling ok about it!

Shocker, I know.

At least my testimony has been strengthened!

Hopefully I can bring the spirit to touch my little class as well.

Lead Kindly Light

I have been so extremely blessed in my life and lately I have been overwhelmed with gratitude. 

I have had Lead Kindly Light playing through my head for weeks now. 

Listen to the words. Really listen to them. 

I feel like this song is speaking directly to me at this time in my life.

I know that my Heavenly Father has a plan - That He has a plan specifically for me.

I have no idea what that plan is, but He is lighting the way for me. 

It is only a small light in the distance, but I am walking towards it - 

One step here.... 

Another step there.... 

These steps can be scary, but I am not taking them alone. I have never been left alone. 

My Savior is with me. 

He has always taken care of me and things have always worked out. 

Always. 

Even better than I imagined they could!

So why would I think He would leave me now?

He wouldn't.

He never will.

I'm trying this new thing called trusting in the Lord - letting Him lead.

Not just when His plan happens to coincide with mine, but trusting before I even make my plans.

I'm letting Him make the plans. 

Being someone who likes to have control, this can be tough. 

But, let me tell you, He has some good ideas!

Now all I have to do is Trust.

Lead, kindly Light, amid th'encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead Thou me on.
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on.
I loved the garish day, and spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will: Remember not past years.

So long Thy pow'r has blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone.
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.

<3

p.s.  the link on Lead Kindly Light is awesome and worth listening to