What Can I Give Him?

"What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part.
Yet what can I give Him?
Give my heart."
-Christina Rossetti

I heard this poem this recently and really liked it. I think I like it so much because I can really relate. I don't have much to give this year, but I can give my heart. I can give the Lord my heart. I can let Him into my life more. It has been humbling to think of my Savior's birth, life and death-today especially- and think of my life and what I can do better. I'm just so very grateful for Him and all He has done.

Merry Christmas!

From me to you!

In Memory of Sister Applegate

I've been thinking a lot about my mission lately, especially with Christi returning home. So, emotions have been running high. Today I learned that Sister Barbara Applegate passed away (last night). I met Sister Applegate on my mission. She was an amazing lady. She was a convert of a few years and had such a strong testimony. She was so caring and loving. Even after I came home, she'd write me and call me- especially on my birthday every year. I feel really bad that I did not call her as much as I should have. I won't get the chance to talk to her again in this life. I am once again reminded of the importance of keeping in contact with those we love (and sometimes I do a horrible job at it, so I apologize to you all).

I know she is in a better place and is so much happier. God be with you 'till we meet again, Sister Applegate.

Lights at Temple Square 2011

Last night for FHE we (my ward) went to see the lights at Temple Square. I've seen them a lot this year already, having spent a lot of time in Salt Lake. They are beautiful. It was nice to enjoy them. Last year I spent a lot of time taking pictures. I've come to realize that sometimes when you're a photographer you miss out on simply enjoying the moment because you are too busy trying to get the perfect shot. So, this time I just snapped a few pictures with a point-and-shoot. Afterwards we all went out to dinner at Village Inn. We had quite a large group. It was a fun night!

Oh, also- on Saturday night I was able to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert! It was amazing! I got tickets from my internship. I took a friend from my ward and we had a great time!

My Christmas List

Dear Santa:

All I want for Christmas this year is a full-time job that I will enjoy (in a good environment) and will allow me to provide for myself.

Can you make it happen please?

Thanks,
Carrie

This Christmas

"This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again." -Howard W. Hunter

I'm pretty sure I post this quote every year. I know I read it every year at least. I love it. It is great advice. Those are all things that can bring more joy into my life this season.

I've been thinking lately of how important it is to take the focus off ourselves and do something for others. It's easy to get weighed down with our own problems. But, as we serve others we learn that there are always people who are worse off than we are. Probably the best Christmas gift we can give is the gift of love to others.

Job Hunting and Exhaustion

It's 8:00 and I'm lying in bed- exhausted. I refuse to go to bed this early, so I am blogging of course. I am physically and emotionally exhausted tonight. Thankfully I've been sleeping a little better lately, but I've been so stiff... probably because I am so stressed.

Tonight the paper I need to edit for the Ph.D student can wait, the homework I really need to get done for my online class can wait, the job hunt can wait, the person who called me and wants me to call them back can wait. I'm too tired to do anything. On the days I have my internship I wake up at 6:15 and get home around 6.

In other news- I applied for a job working at a place that'd be a great atmosphere... so please pray for me! I really want it! I have to take a skills test for it tomorrow. I'll be pretty disappointed if I don't get it after investing so much time into it.

Last week I got two rejections, which was tough. Hoping for a better week.

Last night as I was thinking about the job hunt, D&C 90:24 came into my mind: "Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good..." I know things will work out. They always do. I just can't seem to not be stressed. I like to plan. I hate not knowing what's next. This whole faith thing... it's hard sometimes!

I Love to Clean the Temple...

I've always felt a love and appreciation for the temple. But, today we took that to a whole new level. Our stake needed people to help clean the Mt. Timpanogos temple this morning. Since it was an odd time and I happened to be available, I went. We cleaned for 4 hours. We dusted the plants, the tops of the lockers, disinfected the benches in the locker room and... my big project was disinfecting every key in the locker room. Oh. My. I will never look at the women's locker room the same again. I had to take every key out of the lock and place it in disinfecting solution, dry it off, and put it back in. I had no idea that that happens. (But, I am glad it does!) I was exhausted! The temple really is a clean place! I now appreciate that beautiful place and the people who clean it even more so!

P.S. Apparently people clean the temple every Monday from 8am-12pm. They can always use more help. So, if you're available sometime... go!

Grammy Nomination!!!

Early on in my internship I was given an assignment by the publicist in our department. She told me the project was kind of a monotonous thing, but it was something really cool. The other intern and I were asked to e-mail all of Jenny Oaks Baker's contacts on a Grammy site. There is a site called "Grammy 365," which is kind of like Facebook for musical artists. We invited them to listen to her latest album, "Wish Upon a Star," and vote for her to receive a Grammy nomination. So, each day for several weeks the other intern and I spent quite a bit of time doing this. Our hard work paid off... she was nominated for a Grammy on Wednesday night!!! This is HUGE! A few weeks ago my boss said, "If she gets nominated it will be in large part due to what you two (pointing to me and the other intern) have done." And, when we found out about the news he said, "I hope this goes straight onto your resume." I'm thrilled! It's so neat to be part of this! Read more about it here. (P.S. Her album really is amazing!)

Glad Christmas Tidings!

This is what I found on my desk this morning. Signed by the man himself. I'll post more about this and other exciting happenings (including my involvement in a grammy nomination!!!) soon. For now I just want to say that I am truly going to miss my internship. I've loved the amazing people I've worked with and met and the amazing experiences I've had. I only have two weeks left. Sad.