Men's Hearts Shall Fail Them

As one who has recently started looking for full-time employment in this tough economy (got two rejections this week!) and with no idea of what's ahead in my life, I cannot tell you how much this means to me. Elder Nelson's words are true.

Let Him In

There's a song from the Forgotten Carols that talks about "letting Him in" our lives. I decided that this Christmas I am going to "let Him in." I know that is something we should constantly be doing, but let's be honest sometimes we're better at doing that than at other times. But, I've been reminded lately that our Savior's atonement is there for us. We need to use it. We need to "let Him in" our lives. I am going to let him take my burdens. Too much of the time I try to do it all on my own. Lately I've been caught up in that. Between my callings (I was released from two today, actually), internship, online class, editing job, searching for a "real job," trying to exercise, feeling like I have to be at every ward and social activity, and now with some health problems I've had, etc... it's just been way too much to bear on my own. Some nights when I am lying awake, I remember a small plaque my Grandma used to have (she ordered it out of one of those typical Grandma catalogs). It said something like, "When you go to sleep give your troubles to God. He'll be up all night anyway." While that doesn't always work for me, it is a comforting thought to know the Lord knows me and my troubles and can help me.

Truly the Lord is "...come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

This Thanksgiving

I'm kind of jealous of people who are traveling, not going to lie. Part of me wants to get away. It is kind of weird that for the first time in a long time I'm not going home, I am home already.

Even with that being said, however, I am glad I don't have to deal with the ride board. Remember last Thanksgiving? Yeah, I'm thankful to be alive.

Unrelated side note- I've been dealing with insomnia for a few weeks now and I am starting to really be exhausted and not function normally. It's really wearing on me. Prayers would really be appreciated.

Feeling Humbled

Today I was called as the RS Secretary in my ward. The whole presidency was reorganized. I was the secretary in my student ward for two semesters this past year, so I am now really wondering what I am supposed to learn from this calling. Hopefully I figure it out this time. :) They forgot to release me from my other two callings, so I currently have THREE callings. I feel bad... I don't necessarily want all three and I don't want to be the blessing hog. So, hopefully that changes soon. Once again... the Lord has a way of placing us where we need to be. I'm excited to serve in this capacity!

Thankful for my Internship!

These are most of the people I work with. Me, Nate (the other intern), Preston (Marketing Coordinator), Dave (Business manager), Heather (publicist), and Rachel (Forgotten Carols intern). We had lunch together this week.

Some days I am really in awe at the fact that I landed such an amazing internship. On Thursday I was served cheesecake by Sheri Dew at a company lunch (For the record, I don't even really like cheesecake, but I took it anyway). I'm sure she still has no idea who I am, but she's practically my idol and to be standing so close to her was a privilege.

Next week I am meeting and hanging out with David Archuleta at some CD signings.

I'm sad I only have a month left at my internship. But, I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity! The other day I was thinking about how I accepted some other internships previously. One in particular really didn't feel right and now I understand why. It wasn't the right time and it wasn't the right internship for me.

With Thanksgiving approaching, I'm thankful for such an amazing opportunity the Lord has given me.

God is Good.

The Lord never ceases to amaze me. I'm grateful for His tender mercies. I was on my way to my internship today and needed to ride TRAX instead of the express bus because I did 1/2 a day today and am doing a 1/2 day tomorrow (the express bus only comes at certain times of the day). I have only been on TRAX a few times in my life and the last time was years ago. So, I planned to get to the station early so I could figure it out. Too bad there were TWO accidents on the freeway between my house and the TRAX station. I didn't have enough time to get on TRAX and make it to work on time. I had to drive all the way into SLC. I really did not want to pay for parking. The price is a bit steep. But, I had no choice. So, I parked and got my ticket. I mentioned to my co-worker in passing that I drove and she pulled out a parking token out of her purse. She said she's had it in there for years and she's never needed to use it. I KNOW that was a tender mercy from the Lord. It saved me money that I really didn't have. I've seen a lot of tender mercies in my life lately- many that are really sacred to me. I'm coming to realize more and more that the tender mercies are always there. We just have to recognize them. God is good.

Knowledge of the Gospel

I had this thought today: "What in the world would I do without a knowledge of the Gospel?" I know I've had that thought before, but it kind of hit me today. Perhaps because yesterday in RS our lesson was on the Plan of Salvation. One sister bore testimony of how grateful she is that her ancestors who've never heard of the Gospel will have a chance to in the Spirit World.

So, what would I do without a knowledge of the Gospel? Life would be 1000x harder, that's for sure. Having the Gospel puts everything in perspective. We know that trials are part of God's plan and with His help we can overcome them. Can you imagine NOT knowing that? I don't think there'd really be a reason to live. Wow, how blessed we are to have a knowledge of the Gospel in THIS life to help us in the here and now.

Life This Week... Whoa!

Me with Mr. Michael McLean

I've had so much going on lately that I'm not even going to attempt to blog about it all, but here are some highlights from this week:

Monday was FHE. Our ward did "Where's Waldo" at the mall. It was a BLAST! I happened to be on the Bishop's team and we won! I truly love my ward. :)

Tuesday I started my job hunt when I got home from my internship. That lasted the whole night.

Wednesday was Institute. Institute is so great. This week I was sitting, enjoying the lesson and the AC came on and blew in the vent that I was sitting right above. Huge bummer. I had a freezing bum. Ha ha.

Thursday I went to Heber again for my internship. I was there to help promote The 20th Anniversary of The Forgotten Carols (see pic at top). The local grocery store has a Christmas Open House every year. The whole town comes out. I'm not kidding. It was from 3-7. I got there at 2:30 to set-up and the store was dead. At 3:00 it was packed. Shortly after 7 it was dead again. I got to hangout with Michael McLean the whole time. He was there singing and talking to people. In his words, "Where else can you go grocery shopping and be sung to?" No where. I found out he grew up in Arlington Heights, IL- my greenie area! Actually, I learned quite a bit about him. It was pretty cool.

Yesterday I went to a "Carmel Apple" Party. Some girls in my ward hosted it. We all brought our own apples and they provided the toppings. There were a ton of people there (I brought Nicole with me too).


Me with Erin and Natalie. Fun girls!

Nicole and I on 11-11-11 at 11:11 pm.

Tonight: I am staying home with the fireplace on, watching a movie, blogging and job hunting. It's so nice to have a relaxing night at home... by myself! :)

Tomorrow: I am getting another calling. The Lord is funny. I may just have to request that one or two of my callings be dropped. Three is a bit too much.

In between all of this fun stuff I've been editing papers and doing homework for my online class! Busy, busy! But life is pretty good! I'm so blessed to have so many great things going on.

I'm An Adult!

I just applied for my first "real" job. Oh my. I am scared out of my mind. It kind of hit me all of the sudden the other day that it's time to apply for jobs. What?! I'm supposed to find something I want to do for the rest of my life? I've been so transient the past few years- between my mission and coming and going from school. I guess it's time for commitment now. I'm supposed to be an adult and have a 9-5 job. So scary! Especially with the job market being the way it is. Pray for me.

Interesting Giveaway

I like freebies and giveaways. Today I saw one online that is really unique and kind of funny. You can enter to win free Robitussin if your last name sounds like a "cold and flu symptom." When I first read that I was thinking, "Oh, too bad mine doesn't sound like anything." (Not that I am dying to win free Robitussin, though.) I got to thinking about it and "Cox" could sound like "coughs." So I entered. We'll see if I win. I can imagine the people who sift through the entries are going to have a blast reading the last names. If you're interested in entering, go here.