After MUCH Anticipation...

...I have finally posted a blog (Ha ha). Unfortunately, I don't have anything too exciting to blog about! I haven't had a lot of things happening lately. My average week consists of church, work, mutual, KS Singers, and Ryan. I suppose I'll write a little about each of those.

Church: Church is always great, right? About four days before Mother's Day, the 1st counselor in the bishopric asked if I would speak. He informed me they usually ask people two weeks in advance, but somehow I'd slipped through the cracks. What?! I told him I'd prefer to sing, he said no. He also told me my topic would be on Mary, the mother of Jesus. Oh sure, no problemo. I have to admit, I was less than thrilled, but only because speaking is hard enough, let alone when you have four days and have to speak on someone as amazing and divine as Mary. I got to work and did a lot of studying. I learned so much about our Savior's Mother and what an example she can be to all of us. In the end, it was a wonderful thing for me to learn and even though I cried through 1/2 of my talk, all went well.

Work: Oh boy! Where do I start? Let me just say this; for the past year our supervisors have been telling us about some BIG scheduling changes coming to our department. Every one of the employees have been up in arms over these huge "life-changing" events! LONG story short, after months of worry, fighting, anticipation-and maybe even some excitement-my shift stayed the same. Thanks for nothin.

Mutual: This week we went to the Family History Center in SLC. Holy cow! What an amazing place. There is endless amounts of information at that place. The info on the microfiche alone goes on forever! I have never really been into geneology, but I've heard how people get so into it that it almost becomes an addiction. Before now, I've never really understood that phenomenon, but after going there, I can! I may even start doing some family history work myself!

Side note: Not everyone was as thrilled to be there as me, i.e. some of the 14-year old girls who shall remain nameless!

P.S. Did anyone else hear that the Catholic church will no longer allow names from their archives to be turned over to us for temple work. I think that is such a shame!

KS Singers: Making a commitment to rehearse every single Tuesday is often hard, but it's worth it. I feel so blessed to have music a big part of my life. I also feel blessed to be able to sing with this group and sing such beautiful songs about the Book of Mormon. We've had so many amazing experiences from singing in St. George to San Jose, to Hawaii! One day I need to write about our trip to Hawaii and how amazing it was!

Last, but certainly not least, Ryan: I love spending every last minute with him! We spent the last 9 of 11 days together and it was wonderful! Living over an hour apart from each other makes it hard to see each other more than 3-4 times/week so I'm feeling a bit spoiled. Things are going very well for us lately and I appreciate him so much. He is such a kind, patient, loving guy. He supports me in any/everything I do whether it's work choices, church callings or singing. Over the last two years and dozens of KS performances, he's probably only missed five. I love that about him. He is such a constant in my life and I know I can count on him for anything. In his kind, subtle ways, he helps me to be a better person. He's quiet and calming and reassuring. I love him and feel so lucky to have him!

Well, I guess I had more to write about than I thought. Life is great. :)

P.S. I want to give a shout-out to my BFF Celeste! (I just want to make sure she doesn't give me a hard time for not mentioning her in my post!)

GNO!

I get together with a group of my close friends once a month. It's kinda funny cause we were all in the Ogden University 11th Ward together. Chris, Carrie and I were roommates for a couple years, and once Carrie got married, Kathy moved in. We all always had a great time together. And aside from Chris not doing her dishes on occasion, we got along beautifully! (I know Chris won't read this, so I can say that. HA.) The other girls in our group also live(d) together, Kim, Cassie and Marisa. Actually, at one point we all lived at good ol' Christopher Village. Ah, the memories! Anyway, about a year ago we started doing a monthly Girl's Night Out (GNO.) We even have a symbol of our friendship! :D I think it was Chris who came up with the idea to get these Pandora bracelets for birthday presents for each other. You can buy charms to put on the bracelets and that's what we've done for birthday's and Christmas so far. (To avoid confusion, sometimes I just call them my bracelet friends!)

Kim is getting married this month so we pitched in to get her some lingerie and other fun things for the honeymoon. I think it's funny cause you have Chris, Kathy, Carrie and I who are SO not shy about things like that, and then you have Cassie, Kim and Marisa who tend to be more private and reserved about things like that! Nonetheless, I don't think Kim was too embarrassed and we had a fun time! Here are a few pics from our night out:

The whole gang: Carrie, Krista, Cassie, Kathy, Chris, Kim & Marisa

Carrie, Baby Owen, Cassie, Kathy & Marisa

Best Roomies ever! Chris (did you know we were taking a picture?) Kathy, Me & Carr!

Ha ha, Carrie hates this pic cause of dub! I love it!

Hooligans! Cassie, Me & Kim

My bracelet. I got the music note for Christmas (which I love), and the heart one for my birthday this year. Thanks guys!

Awesome Quote

Not to sound overly dramatic or picked on, but the past six months or so I've had a rough go of things. It sometimes seems like almost everything that could cause stress, anxiety or worry has hit me. I won't go into any detail, but I think the past six months may have been the hardest to-date for me. I know we all go through trials, temptations, and tribulations for a reason though. I remember when I was a young woman hearing a talk by President Benson (I think that's who it was), and he talked about how he prayed every day for a new mountain to climb. He said every time he conquered a mountain and overcame trial, he came out a better, stronger, more faithful person. I remember thinking, "I don't think I could EVER pray for that!" I'm still not sure if I would, but I know it's true. As I continue to work out the things going on in my life, it's quotes like this that make me happy and hopeful!

"The challenges you face, the growth experiences you encounter, are intended to be temporary scenes played out on the stage of a life of continuing peace and happiness. Sadness, heartache, and disappointment are events in life. It is not intended that they be the substance of life. I do not minimize how hard some of these events can be. When the lesson you are to learn is very important, trials can extend over a long period of time, but they should not be allowed to become the confining focus of everything you do. Your life can and should be wondrously rewarding. It is your understanding and application of the laws of God that will give your life glorious purpose as you ascend and conquer the difficulties of life. That perspective keeps challenges confined to their proper place--stepping-stones to further growth and attainment."
– Elder Richard G. Scott –