"He that doeth the will of God..."

I came across the following verses as I was reading the other night. I really like them. They're all good, but I particularly like verse 17.

1 John 2:15-17

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

I like these verses because we live in a world increasing in filth and the influences of Satan, but here we are reminded that ultimately those things will "pass away." The things of God are forever. Specifically, verse 17 strikes me because so often we get messages from the world telling us what we should do or be. But, really, we need to turn to the Lord to know what we should do and be.

Lights at Temple Square

I really, really, wanted to see the lights this year. It's been several years since I last went. I didn't think I was going to get to go, as I didn't have anyone to go with (Mom and Dad were unavailable). But, thankfully, Nicole wanted to go too, so we had a fun little outing the other night. We parked at Gateway and walked around there for a little bit before heading to Temple Square. Temple Square was pretty packed, but it was still enjoyable. I'm always wanting to improve my night photography skills, and I had some great opportunties while I was there. Poor Nicole had to put up with me stopping every 5 seconds to take pictures. :) After we got done seeing the lights we stopped by a hot chocolate booth which was set up right outside temple square. Brilliant idea! All-in-all it was a fun evening. I'm glad I enjoyed it while I did, because I now have a nasty cold. Hopefully I get over it soon so I don't spend my Christmas break sick!

The Best Christmas Present!

I just got the best Christmas present ever! Well, I guess I kind of gave it to myself. :)

Child Development A-
Doctrine and Covenants A
Public Relation Fundamentals A
Editing A-
The Developing World B
Communication Career Workshop A
Communication Practicum II A

GPA- 3.75

Yes, Merry Christmas indeed. I worked hard for those grades.

Cabin Adventures

Life has been nothing short of crazy lately! I got done with finals on Thursday afternoon. Thursday evening I packed and did my cleaning check. Friday morning I went to the BYU-Idaho Center dedication. Friday afternoon I left for home. As soon as I got in on Friday I headed over to the hospital with my Mom. My Dad had surgery last week and had complications from that which left him in the hospital longer than expected. (Thankfully, he was released on Sunday.) Saturday morning Chad and Buffy picked me up and we headed to my sister-in-law's family's cabin near Cedar City. I was hesitant to go with Dad in the hospital, but my parents insisted that I go.

Staying at the cabin was very relaxing. It was fun to spend time with my cute nieces and nephews as well as my brother, sister-in-law and some of her family. We kind of just hung out.

Chad, Buffy and I headed home on Monday morning. However, there was A LOT of snow. We had to dig to get out of the driveway. Driving down the canyon was pretty scary. It was one lane. If people had to come up the canyon they would be out of luck! We also had Ryan with us whom we dropped off in Cedar City to meet up with my sister-in-law's dad. They drove up to the cabin together. However, it took them several hours to get there, when it only should have taken 1! There has been a lot of snow there and the power has been out for a couple of days now. We're hoping things get better soon so Ryan, Aubrey, and the kids can make it here in time for Christmas.

BYU-Idaho Center Dedication

Last Friday morning I was able to attend the dedication of the new auditorium and the new part of the student center. Both buildings are gorgeous. The BYU-Idaho Center seats 15,000- only 5,000 less than the Conference Center! It really feels like and looks like the Conference Center.

The morning of the dedication it was 7 degrees outside! So cold! But, the dedication itself was wonderful. Pres. Henry B. Eyring spoke and dedicated the buildings. Elders Bednar and Nelson spoke as well. The choir sang "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and the orchestra played "High on the Mountain Top." The Spirit was so strong. Elder Bednar said someday we'll tell our kids and our grandkids that we were at that event. I definitely will. It was pretty cool.

More information is featured on the LDS Newsroom website: http://beta-newsroom.lds.org/article/Mormon-Church-Reaffirms-Commitment-Education-Dedication-New-Buildings-BYU-Idaho. If you view the 2nd to last video, watch closely at 1:16 or so. You'll see someone in the background you recognize. ;)

R.S. Presidency

The Presidency and our VT supervisor.

This semester I've had the opportunity to serve as the R.S. Secretary. It has been a great blessing and learning opportunity. It has strengthened my testimony of the importance of individuals in our large church. I have to list the names of sisters who did not attend at all, or who only attended once on the report I fill out every month. I also have to list the reasons. Also, I have to list the names of those who were not visit taught. (All of this in addition to the numbers and percentages). Each person is important and accounted for.

Funny thing- all of my callings since I have been home have been in Relief Society. I have served as a R.S. teacher, R.S. 1st counselor, and now as R.S. Secretary. I guess there are lessons I need to be learning from R.S. I'm told it is likely that I will still have the same calling next semester. So, I'll continue to learn and grow.

Ward Christmas Party

Me and my friend Alyssa. Alyssa is currently my next door neighbor and will be my roommate next semester. We both love photography, which is fun. :)


FHE group.

I finally have something exciting to do a post about! (Blogging is such a nice break from finals, by the way.)

Tonight we had our ward Christmas party. We had dinner, chatted, and had an ugly sweater contest. (I actually wore my favorite sweater, as opposed to an ugly one as I didn't have money or time to go to DI and get one.) All-in-all it was a great break from finals. Kudos to my roommate, Kelsee, who is the former activities person (her calling no longer exists) for organizing the event.

Drained.

This semester has been so draining on me- emotionally and physically. I had a very busy semester- one full of group meetings and projects. Last Saturday I had a 3 1/2 hour long group meeting. One week during the semester I had 4 group projects going on simultaneously. It was not uncommon for me to have group meetings back to back.

On Wednesday of this week I had 2 group presentations in 2 different classes and a research paper due. I was stressed to say the least. From Saturday until Wednesday of last week I had a migraine. I never get migraines. Really. Very unusual. No bueno.

My poor, poor, body. It does not handle stress well at all. I think it had had enough today. I am just completely drained. I have now slept all of my Saturday away. Too bad I still have a final group project to complete, 14 hours of editing to do by next Thursday, cleaning checks to do, and 4 finals to prepare for. Somehow it will all get done. I just hope I come out of it all alive.

Only one more week until I go home. I can hardly wait for this madness to be over.

Carrie's Christmas Playlist

Being really busy with school/finals, I often don't get to do all the Christmasy things I want to this time of year. However, I enjoy keeping the Christmas Spirit with me by listening to Christmas music on my ipod to and from classes. Here are some of my favorites that are less known which I really love.

"Breath of Heaven"

"Were you there on that Christmas Night?"


"Christmas Shoes"

My final, final, answer!

Are you ready for this one? It really is my final, final answer. Well, this crazy girl is going to be staying in Rexburg winter semester. I AM crazy! I turned down 2 internship offers so I could go to walk to school in the -20 degree weather? Yup. I sure hope I haven't made the biggest mistake of my life. But, right now for some odd reason, I feel this is the best option for me. Maybe I went through all that internship stuff so I could know that I have the ability of getting an internship (one of my biggest fears was not being able to get one). I don't know if I will do my internship in the summer or next fall. I think I may just stay and finish up in Rexburg until July and then do my internship next fall. If that's the case, then I could probably walk in July(legitimate-grad cap and gown)! No matter what it'll all work out somehow. Just got to keep pressing forward with faith in the Lord. I've got some great classes next semester which will help me further prepare for my internship and life in general. I'll be taking PR Writing and Production, Photojournalism (SO excited for that one!), Event Planning (probably, not official yet), New Testament, Math 108 (NOT excited for that), and Infant & Toddler Development. I'll also be living with some great people. Somehow I will survive the bitter cold winter. :) I feel like my life has been such a drama lately. I'm looking forward to this semester finally being over and going home to relax with friends and family. Less than 2 weeks left!

Life is Funny

Since I'm keeping y'all updated on my life, I thought I'd tell you what happened today. I was heading home and checked my phone when I saw I had a voicemail from the people I interviewed with here in Rexburg the other day. I was offered the internship! I decided a while ago that I'm not going to take it, but still, it's nice to know I was offered it.

Also, earlier today I noticed that my ad for the online bulletin board was finally posted (it has to be approved). I also noticed that there were a billion other postings for contracts for sell. That's when it hit me that the likelihood of me selling mine- especially since there are only 2 weeks left in the semester- is not very good.

I called my Mom and told her that I am going to just stay here in the winter. That sounded all fine and dandy to everyone. So, I finally get home and check my e-mail. I had an e-mail from a girl saying she might be interested in my contract. I also had an e-mail from the lady who would be my supervisor at my internship in Salt Lake. She was just telling me how much they are looking forward to having me come.

Life is so funny. I can't wait until I get this all sorted out.