Courtney's Visit

Courtney came to visit this weekend! It was so much fun to have her and I am so glad she came! 

We packed everything we could into her short stay:

- Lunch at Cafe Sabor

- Ice Skating 

- Hot Tubbing

- Movie Night

- Church

- Mini Pizza Party

Unfortunately, I don't have a camera at the moment, so I didn't get any pictures.

Luckily, Courtney saved the day with her phone and we managed to get one picture from the trip!

For some reason, Courtney didn't bring any warm clothes with her! Don't worry, I dressed her well  :)

Thanks for coming Court!

Can't wait for you to come again soon!

Frozen

I saw Frozen last night with some friends!

I love this song!
(I may have gotten slightly emotional. The older I get....)

But, I have to say, it did hit a little close to home on the cold part.
My roommates are gone and I have the heat up to 80. It is heavenly  :)

Patience

click here to see the before and after. it's pretty impressive  :)

I feel like patience is being forced upon me in all aspects of my life wether I like it or not!

Patience at work 

(some patients can really try my patience!)

Patience in my calling

Patience with roommates

Patience in dating

Patience with the internet

(it's been spotty and was completely down for the past day and a half!)

Patience with the temperature

Patience with myself

Patience

Patience

Patience

I never realized I was such an impatient person!

Apparently this is a lesson I really need to learn. 

Hopefully I learn it soon so I can move on with the next lesson!

There I go being impatient again....

p.s.  patience is a weird word when you say it this many times.

The Car Curse

Our little house is struggling to keep cars alive. 

But, the good news is that I have such incredibly generous friends and family!

It started a few weeks ago when Cate's car died. Our neighbors were wonderful and came over to get it running again.
Unfortunately, later that same day Cate was in an accident and ended up getting a new truck anyway. 

Yesterday, Chelsey's car died and ended up being towed. We don't know when she will get it back yet.

My front drivers side tire has had a chronic leak since.... oh, since about 5 years ago when I bought it!
 Even after getting new tires, it still has a slow leak. I have to fill it up with air before any trip longer than an hour. It's really cool.

Chelsey was the best person to have with me. We had so much fun!

After home evening last night (which was so much fun!) I thought my car was driving weird, so I got out to check my chronic tire.
It was dead. 100% completely flat, driving on the rim kind of dead. Luckily Chelsey was with me or this story would be really depressing.

I owe Tony big time!

We called my awesome friend Tony who lives across the street from where we were. He got my spare on, which also needed air (I'm telling you, that tire is cursed!) I thanked him and went to leave.... but my car wouldn't start! My battery had died! Chelsey and I were laughing so hard!

Chelsey was on documenting duty. This is me trying to stay warm in my sleeping bag.

Tony got his little truck so he could jump my car. Chelsey and I were freezing at this point and we broke out the sleeping bag that is stored in my trunk. Tony told me I would need a battery starter thing (I don't actually know what I'm talking about here, can you tell) so I asked our neighbor if we could borrow his again (I knew he had one because we had used it on Cate's car and have had it in our garage ever since, until last night when he finally came to pick it up. I'm sure they are wondering what we could possibly be doing to our cars to kill them so frequently. haha!) 

Well, my little car refused to start. In fact, it was actually getting worse!
Tony wanted to try one more thing, but he was afraid he would run out of gas, so we made a quick trip to the gas station.
When we got back my car was so dead that Tony's truck wouldn't even start when it was connected to mine!

watching Lost

We left my car in the church parking lot for the night and Tony dropped Chelsey and me off at home. We told our story to Cate and we decided there was only one thing to do. We were freezing cold so we got in our pajamas, wrapped up in my sleeping bag and blankets, made ravioli and the three of us  watched Lost. All things considered, it was a great night! (except for that minor car dying, tire blowing thing....)

This morning Tony picked me up and I bought a new car battery. I filled my spare tire up with air so I could drive to work. Thankfully, my parents were coming through Logan today, so after taking me to lunch they got my tire fixed while I went back to work.
There is no way I could have gotten this done without them. I have the best parents ever! 

My lesson on Sunday was about tender mercies. I don't know if I'm just more aware than usual, but in any case, this story is full of tender mercies!

- My car died in the church parking lot where it is well lit and right by where I live (almost the same place my car died last time)

- Tony is really nice and has the tools and knowledge to help me

- Chelsey was with me, so I wasn't alone

- I had a sleeping bag in my car to keep me warm (too bad it wasn't this kind or like this or this)

- Our neighbors were home (this in itself is a miracle!) and had the battery thing I needed (even if I didn't end up using it, it was still comforting)

- This happened on a Monday night, which was ideal because I don't have work on Tuesday until 10:30
Any other day and there is no way I would have had time to fix my car

- Chelsey, Cate and I had a great cozy night of Lost! (warning! this link might be a spoiler)

- Again, Tony is really nice

- I learned where I can get air for free instead of having to pay $1 where I was getting it before

- My parents are amazing and just happened to be going through Logan 

- I am a compulsive saver, so this little mishap won't set me back at all

- I'm sure I am missing so many others, so this is representative of everything else

My car is officially up and running again!
Thank you to everyone who has been so good to me!

I have been blessed.

Oh Yeah, I Forgot To Mention . . . .

So, I realized that there are a few things going on in my life that I forgot to mention on this blog.
I think most people already know anyway, but just in case....

First

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention.... I got a job!

I'm at the front desk at Steven's Chiropractic, and can I just say that this is the best job I could possibly have right now. I love it! I love the atmosphere and I love the people that I work with and get to interact with on a daily basis. I have been so incredibly blessed!

We have this cute Korean couple who come into the office and they invited us to dinner for authentic Korean food. I was a little hesitant, but Megan and Natalie (the two assistants) talked me into joining them. I am so glad I went! It was delicious and they were so sweet! I love Korean food and it has been a long time since I have had anything authentic.

Second

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention.... I got a calling!

Background story:

I moved to Logan the beginning of January. I went to the Bishop the first Sunday I was here, gave him my pink sheet (that all the new ward members fill out) introduced myself, and asked for a calling. Bishop's dream come true, right!?

A few months later, I still don't have a calling.

Katelyn was talking to the Bishop at a ward activity. She introduced me (again) and told him to give me a calling.

A few months later I still don't have a calling.

I went to renew my temple recommend (this is around May/June). After introducing myself to the Bishop (again) he couldn't seem to figure out who I was. After much confusion, he finally realized that they still had my pink sheet sitting in a pile. After locating it, he sits down in front of me and asks how come he hasn't met me before! After renewing my recommend, I (again) ask for a calling. Bishop looks through the pink sheet, writes some possible callings down and tells me I will definitely be getting a calling very soon.

A few months later I still don't have a calling.

By this time, the situation is humorous and I have given up trying. It has become a running joke among my friends that I can't get a calling. Dave, the Elders Quorum President, decides he is going to help my cause and he talks to the Bishop about getting me a calling.

A few months later I still don't have a calling.

Then we got a new Bishopric!

I went to our new Bishop the first Sunday, introduced myself and asked for a calling.

And guess what!? They actually gave me a calling!

I have officially been called to the calling I have dreaded being called to since the day I was old enough to receive callings.

Gospel Doctrine Teacher!

When they gave me the call I asked them if they were sure they had really received revelation. I suggested they might want to pray about it one more time, but they seemed pretty confident in their decision. Much more confident than I am! haha!

Two Sundays ago was my first time ever teaching and I was horrified! I teach for the second time tomorrow and I am still so nervous! Hopefully this teaching thing gets easier.

Thankfully, I have an amazing support group!

Also thankfully, I have the smallest classroom that only fits about 20 people max, so it's not as intimidating as the giant classroom.

Remind me why I wanted a calling....?  :)

It's also looking like I am going to be the unofficial Sacrament meeting chorister. 

I find this funny because although it has never been my real calling, I have been doing it for about the past two years or so. Good thing I enjoy it!

Third

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention.... My ward is awesome! 

We have a great Bishopric and I love their wives! We had a big turn-over and gained some awesome people! Everyone wants to get out and do things. Chelsey and I decided to have a pizza party last night, so we sent a mass text to everyone, expecting about four people to actually come. We ended up with 17 people! Seventeen! 

Anyway, I need to finish writing my lesson for tomorrow.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention.... It snowed and I'm actually excited for it!

who woulda thought

:)

To Be A Pioneer

A few years ago, my family took a hike up Mount Snuffles in Colorado.
It sounds like a little kid amateur hike, but let me tell you, it was one of the hardest hikes I've done!

Riding to the start of Mount Snuffles

We started the hike in good spirits as the sun shone down on us. It was such a nice day that we opted to leave our jackets in the car.
After all, how hard could something called Mount Snuffles really be, right? 

About half way up, the trail just stops and you start climbing straight up the mountain on loose rock. We could see the top and we pushed ourselves hard to get there. Dark clouds were forning above us, but we were determined to reach the top! Well, we accomplished our goal just as the first rain drops began to fall. We celebrated our victory for about two seconds before we were informed that our goal was not actually the top and we were directed to yet another mountain to climb over (at least there was a trail again)

Climbing up the loose rock

We still wanted to reach the top, but unfortunately the rain had other plans for us. We began our hike back down the loose rock. Once we made it to the trail, the rain really began coming down on us. This was not a nice summer rain, but a cold rain, that only grew colder as the wind set in. 

If you know me at all, you know that I do not do well in the cold at all. Actually, that might be the understatement of the year.
When I get cold, I just completely shut down. Completely.

With about a mile left, I was completely soaked through, I couldn't feel my feet, and I was so cold that I had to remind myself to breathe. My pace sowed and I had to convince myself to take each step. I was falling behind, and no matter how I tried, I just couldn't will myself to catch up with my cousins. I wondered if it might be better just to sit down and die. "I bet heaven is warm all the time" I thought to myself.

You are probably thinking that I'm exaggerating this story for dramatic effect, but I promise there are no embellishments. 

I think there have been two times in my life where I seriously thought I was going to die, 

and this was one of them. 

Suddenly, my cousin Sierra turned around to see me lagging far behind the group. She immediately stopped and waited for me, with the relentless rain still coming down. When I got to her, I told her I thought I was going to die. She linked her arm around mine and started marching down the hill. I staggered to get my feet to keep up with her pace, but she kept pulling me along. 

Soaking wet in the car with the heater on full blast

With Sierra still linked to me, we finally made it to the car which had the heater on full blast.

We drove straight to the hot springs and it wasn't until I was able to sit in the hot tub for a long time that I finally got rid of my chills.

Me and Sierra at the Hot Springs

I am convinced that if it wasn't for Sierra, I would have died that day.

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

I have been thinking about this story all day as I've been listening to talks in church about pioneers.

I'm a pretty determined person when I want to and I really believe in something.
I think as long as it was warm, I could keep trekking along.

However, I'm pretty sure I would be the first to die as soon as winter hit.

 I would be so ready to get out of that cold that I would probably dig my own shallow grave to die in.

I think I was born at this time for a reason.

I struggle with the cold enough as it is, and I have clothing, blankets and heat readily available to me! 

I am honestly grateful to be warm every day. 

It is not something I take for granted, and I'm not just saying that.

I don't know how the pioneers managed, cause I wouldn't last two seconds!

Hopefully I can be a pioneer today in different ways, and definitely in better living conditions.

Cold

When I think of Logan one of the first things that comes to mind is "cold."

I don't think I have been warm (other than a few moments) since I moved here.

The thing is, Logan actually has beautiful weather! You just can't go into any of the buildings. They are freezing!

Today, I went to work and, as usual, I froze. Every morning I sit in the sun and try to soak up all its warmth before it's gone by 9:30. We just got a hot chocolate maker and I wanted some so bad today, but I had already drank it all so we were out. I thought about making coffee, just so I could hold the cup.  For lunch I had chicken noodle soup and it felt so good to have some warmth! I put my hands around the scentsy we have and tried to warm my nose by it, but I was unsuccessful in my attempts. I thought (like I think every day) that I should really bring a coat to work next time.

At the end of the day I walked out to go to my car and it was like a whole new world! It was almost 90 degrees! Who knew it was full blown summer outside? I certainly didn't! I sat in my black car that had been absorbing heat all day and saving it just for me. I bask in that heat all the way home. It is glorious.

Then I came home and sat on the couch to read my book, and the air conditioning starts blowing directly on me. I try various places throughout the apartment to get away from it, but it won't leave me alone. I finally give in and get my biggest blanket to wrap up in, but my face is still an ice cube from the air conditioned wind storm. I end up reading my book curled up in a ball under my make-shift blanket tent.

One day I got so desparate to be warm that I actually went out and just sat in my car.  It is my sanctuary.

All I want is to be warm! Is that so much to ask?

p.s.  Do you like how Playlist suddenly decides not to share with blogger literally right after I finish making it so aesthetically pleasing? Yeah, I thought that was really cool too. (no pun intended)