My Heavenly Father Loves Me

Today as I was walking to class in the wonderful Rexburg weather (30 degrees, wind, and snow flurries) I listened to the song, "My Heavenly Father Loves Me." It was such a great reminder to me. I thought about the words.

He gave me my eyes that I might see the color of butterfly wings.
He gave me my ears that I might hear the magical sound of things.

I thought specifically about those two things. The fact that I can see and hear are huge blessings in my life. I can't even imagine how hard my life would be without those abilities.

For a moment I thought about those people who don't have the ability to see and hear. I felt really bad for them. There's so much they are missing out on. Does that mean that God doesn't love them? No, of course not. We all have different trials suited for our needs. The blind person needs that trial for whatever reason and I need the trials I have.

It was interesting as the day went on. I was walking home from class and there was a blind person walking nearby. Later today I went to the temple and there was a deaf lady in the same session I attended. It again made me reflect on the blessings I have in my life.

I know God loves each of us. I've reflected on this truth a lot in the past few days as I've returned to school. I sometimes feel like just another person on this campus of thousands. Just another RM, just another COMM major, just another girl. But, God does know each of us individually. He knows our desires and our needs. He knows what makes us special and unique. Turning to the world for acceptance and love will always disappoint. Turning to our Father in Heaven will not.

Life As I Know It

I haven't posted much about life this semester, so I thought I'd fill you in. I rearranged my schedule several times. I normally don't do that, but this time I kept feeling like something needed to change. So, I am taking:

Microapplications C- a class all about how to use Microsoft Excel. Interesting story-I was talking with a friend and it turns out she has the book for this class. She is letting me borrow if for the semester (free of charge)! A blessing from heaven! (The book is normally $100.00)

Visual Media- we work on creating documents such as flyers, brochures, etc using the Adobe Creative Suite.

Conflict Management- Pretty self-explanatory. Although, I am now taking it online, which I believe was a smart move. So far it is really good.

New Media Strategy and Tactics- this is a practicum class that I only have on Mondays. Since school started on Tuesday I haven't had it yet.

Family Foundations- A religion class all about "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." It should be very good.

So, those are my classes. I did have an editing class. I went to it and got really excited about the class. However, I could tell it was going to be a ton of work. I had homework before the first day of class. After the first day of class I was up until 1 am working on it. I woke up the next morning feeling like I should drop it. So, after some debate, I dropped the class. I'm kind of sad about it, because I am interested in the subject. But, for whatever reason, I dropped the class.

My roommates are really good. I am really having a blast.

In other news, I have now worked out 4 days this week- hopefully it'll be 5 as of today. I have lost a little weight over the past few months and hope to continue to do so. I love living so close to the gym on campus. I also love the fact that my roommates are diligent about working out, which helps motivate me.

Also, the bishop asked me to teach Relief Society tomorrow. The lesson is "Turn to the Lord," by Elder Hallstrom in this last conference. I got the assignment late Thursday night and haven't had too much of a chance to look at it, but something tells me I am giving this lesson because I need to learn from it. I also have an appointment with the bishop tomorrow morning- probably to receive a calling.

I haven't had time to go out and take pictures with my new camera. I was going to be taking a photography class or two, but that didn't work out. However, I am joining the Photographics' Society on campus. They meet weekly to talk about photography skills. There are contests and such. I'm looking forward to it.

Well, that's my life as of lately. It really has only been a week since I've been back. That's crazy. I think it's really going to be a good semester though. My life is filled with very good things.

Birthday Festivities

(I took this picture with my new camera)

Well, another year has come and gone. I am now 24 years old. Next year we'll have to use two packages of candles on the cake!

The festivities were spread out through the week. We celebrated as a family on Tuesday. Nicole took me to dinner at Red Robin's on Friday. Saturday was my actual birthday. We drove up to Idaho, I unpacked (well, sort of), and then went to dinner with Dad and Christi. We then went bowling. I also enjoyed phone calls from family and friends.

Yesterday was my new roommate's birthday. She turned 19. Our other roommates made us pizza and cake to celebrate. It was fun.

So far I am loving life here at The Pines. My roommates are awesome. I am the mother hen, being a bit older than everyone else. But, I love their energy. We've had a blast the past two days. I'm looking forward to a great semester!

Rachel and Bradley's Wedding

Yesterday I headed to Logan, Utah to attend the wedding festivities of my two friends- Rachel and Bradley. It was a beautiful day! Sunny and warm. (A little bright for pictures, but other than that it was nice.)

The sealing was performed by the temple president, Rolfe Kerr. Up until recently he was the CES commissioner of education. I've heard him speak a couple of times. Rachel actually somehow requested that he perform the sealing. I guess he saw the name and kept trying to figure out how he knew her. She requested him because she's heard him speak and liked his remarks.

After the sealing we headed to the Bluebird Cafe for lunch. Mom went there to eat when she was attending USU years ago.

The reception was held in the Skyroom at USU. They had a little dessert bar and punch. It was nice.

During the course of the day I came across a few people who know people I know- which is fun. Rachel's sister just graduated from BYU-Idaho and lived in the same ward as Breanna. She took Anton and Breanna's engagement pictures. Also, Rachel's aunt is from Modesto. She's in the same stake I lived in. She and her husband moved there just a few years before we moved to Utah. Her husband was in the stake presidency, which I remember. He passed away a few years ago.

Also, one of Rachel's mission companions and I were in the same ward when I lived in Provo at Campus Plaza. And, an elder from her mission knows one of my MTC companions and her family. It's a small mormon world, I tell ya.

All-in-all it was a good day. I'm glad I got to be part of it.

Sister Chapman... Keller?

The Kellers
Kayla and I. (We did not plan on the whole black thing)
RMs from Chicago North.
*Special thanks to Kayla for the photos. There were so many people with cameras that I was a humbug and decided to not take any.

Yesterday was my mission trainer's wedding in Rexburg. I rode down with Kayla, who also served in Chicago and with Sister Chapman. It was a fun little day trip. It was interesting to see Kayla's reaction to Idaho. Ha ha. Idaho IS different. Lots of countryside and cows. I also got to play tour guide as we drove around the campus of BYU-Idaho. I definitely didn't feel like it's been four months since I've lived there. We drove by my new apartment complex... the place I'll call home in less than a week.

The most important part of the day was, of course, the sealing. It was beautiful. I'm glad I got to be there.

It's a little weird that she's married. After the sealing she commented on how it was different being called "wife" and now she has a "husband." I'm sure we will all get used to it.

I met her now husband right after they started dating back in mid-December (yeah). She called me up and said "Hey, I have someone I want you to meet." She brought him over and we all talked. He asked for juicy mission stories. Ha ha. As they were leaving, he went out the door and Breanna (aka "Sister Chapman") shut it for a second. She wanted my honest opinion of him. I told her that out of all the guys I'd seen her with (and it had been a lot), I thought he was definitely the best one for her. And now, here we are, just four months later and they are now married. When it's right, it's right.

There was an open house after the sealing. It was a nice little gathering. She had a special bouquet to toss. It was really pretty, and you'd never guess that it was filled with... CANDY! Awesome idea, huh? It basically fell into the arms of a tall girl after Breanna threw it. It was kind of funny.

The happy couple have two more receptions, a ring ceremony, and lots of driving this week. I bet they and their families will be glad when that's all done!

Kayla and I returned back to Utah last night. As we got into the subdivision a skunk ran in front of us. Close call. I giggled. She's now truly experienced Lehi. :)

I'm glad I was able to be part of the special day.

The Day Has Come!

After many years of making do with point-and-shoot and film SLR cameras, I now own a digital SLR! It is a Canon Rebel XS. It is what's called a "lower pro." It is pretty much the lowest of the lows in DSLRs, but I love it and am so grateful to have it! It produces excellent photos for what it is. I used this type of camera with my work on The Scroll. I'm looking forward to furthering my photography skills. Thanks to all who made this possible. (There were some donations made for my birthday and I got it on sale.) If you want me to take some pictures for you just let me know. I'll give you a good deal. :) P.S. I'm working on compiling my digital portfolio for those who are interested in seeing what I've done in the past.

Sealing The Deal

Ha. Bet I caught your attention there, huh? I'm not (sealing the deal), but some of my friends are. Within the next week I get to attend the sealings of Breanna and Anton and Rachel and Bradley. I've never attended a sealing before and am really looking forward to it.


Bradley and Rachel.
I've know them both for a year this month. We were all in the same ward up in Idaho. I saw Rachel at church and thought she looked like a nice girl. Actually, I have this sister missionary radar and can point out RMs. I suspected she was one. So what did I do? I went up to her, introduced myself and asked her if she served a mission. Sure enough, I was right. We've been friends ever since. I was called to serve as 1st counselor in the RS presidency for both summer and fall semesters and Rachel was the President. Fall semester we were roommates.

Anton and Breanna.
I've written about Breanna before, but in case you missed it, she was my trainer on the mission. Since we both go to school in Idaho we've been able to keep in contact well and hangout. We discovered we're better friends off the mission when we don't have to spend every minute together (It's true). She's wonderful. I love her and I'm so glad she found the perfect guy for her.

I feel so immensely blessed at the friends Heavenly Father gives me. I feel like I keep getting so blessed to be able to meet and get to know so many great people. I'm looking forward to strengthening friendships this coming semester and making new ones.

Mission Call and mission reunion in the same night? Yup!

Me, Sister Chapman (my trainer), and Sister Merriman (her other "daughter"). Sister Chapman is getting married this Saturday!

A few of us sisters hanging out with our mission president's wife, whom we love.

Friday. Oh, Friday. It was quite a day. There were some stressful things I had to get taken care of. And, I have been waking up at 5:30 every morning regardless of what time I go to sleep. I guess I'm still not adjusted from my travels this week.

I had a huge headache, but I really wanted to go to my mission reunion. So I did. It was fun. The Lord really blessed me to not feel sad about things. (As I had mentioned previously, sometimes reunions are hard because you see that everyone has moved on and things are different). Instead, I really just enjoyed being with some wonderful people I served around/with.

Sister Payne (who was mission secretary and has already served another mission since returning from Chicago), and me with the Dinsdales a senior couple I worked with. We had district meetings and lunches at their house a lot.
Sister Colledge and I. We went home the same day.

After the Reunion:
Christi was anxious to open her mission call, but I asked that she wait until later so I could go to my reunion (mean, I know). Thankfully, she did. Because Mom had to work that night until midnight and there was really no other time we could do it with everyone, we opened it at Mom's work.


As she opened her call, a bunch of us said, "Don't read it! Don't do it!" (Meaning, we didn't want her to scan it before she read it.) Well, too bad. She did. She opened it, scanned it, and said "Oh my!" That's about what my reaction was when I got my call. You get called to a place you'd never think you'd go. But, she's excited.


She's going to the New York, Utica Mission. She enters the Missionary Training Center June 2nd- very soon! Sister Cox Rocks! :)