Friday, September 26, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Jordan and I wanted to do something, (anything not related to planning the final details of our wedding) so we to temple square. We went on a private tour of the conference center at temple square. It was really interesting to see them setting up for conference. 
Temple Square is beautiful at sunset. We had a really great time.Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Confectioner
The past few weeks I have struggled trying to find a job (that I would enjoy) for the three months before Jordan and I move to Idaho for school. I have put in dozens of applications and have been over looked on them all because of the time frame I have. I found a job!! It is working for a bakery, making candy and putting together gift baskets for the holiday season. It pays really well and the position ends the second week of December. Perfect!! (I start October sixth)
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Believe
I have been going through all my stuff trying to organize and consolidate before I move back down to Utah this week. While I was going through some of my papers I found this talk. It is one of my favorite talks of all time.
"I think of newly called missionaries leaving family and friends to face, on occasion, some rejection and some discouragement and, at least in the beginning, a moment or two of homesickness and perhaps a little fear.
I think of young mothers and fathers who are faithfully having their families while still in school--or just newly out--trying to make ends meet even as they hope for a brighter financial future someday.
At the same time, I think of other parents who would give any earthly possession they own to have a wayward child return.
I think of single parents who face all of this but face it alone, having confronted death or divorce, alienation or abandonment, or some other misfortune they had not foreseen in happier days and certainly had not wanted.
I think of those who want to be married and aren't, those who desire to have children and cannot, those who have acquaintances but very few friends, those who are grieving over the death of a loved one or are themselves ill with disease.
I think of those who suffer from sin--their own or someone else's--who need to know there is a way back and that happiness can be restored. I think of the disconsolate and downtrodden who feel life has passed them by, or now wish that it would pass them by.
To all of these and so many more, I say: Cling to your faith. Hold on to your hope. "Pray always, and be believing." Indeed, as Paul wrote of Abraham, he "against [all] hope believed in hope" and "staggered not . . . through unbelief." He was "strong in faith" and was "fully persuaded that, what [God] had promised, he was able . . . to perform."
Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He hears your prayers. He is your Heavenly Father, and surely He matches with His own the tears His children shed.
In spite of this counsel, I know some of you do truly feel at sea, in the most frightening sense of that term. Out in troubled waters, you may even now be crying with the poet:
It darkens. I have lost the ford.There is a change on all things made.The rocks have evil faces, Lord,And I am [sore] afraid.
No, it is not without a recognition of life's tempests but fully and directly because of them that I testify of God's love and the Savior's power to calm the storm. Always remember in that biblical story that He was out there on the water also, that He faced the worst of it right along with the newest and youngest and most fearful. Only one who has fought against those ominous waves is justified in telling us--as well as the sea--to "be still."
Only one who has taken the full brunt of such adversity could ever be justified in telling us in such times to "be of good cheer." Such counsel is not a jaunty pep talk about the power of positive thinking, though positive thinking is much needed in the world. No, Christ knows better than all others that the trials of life can be very deep and we are not shallow people if we struggle with them. But even as the Lord avoids sugary rhetoric, He rebukes faithlessness and He deplores pessimism. He expects us to believe!
No one's eyes were more penetrating than His, and much of what He saw pierced His heart. Surely His ears heard every cry of distress, every sound of want and despair. To a degree far more than we will ever understand, He was "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief."
Indeed, to the layman in the streets of Judea, Christ's career must have seemed a failure, a tragedy, a good man totally overwhelmed by the evils surrounding Him and the misdeeds of others. He was misunderstood or misrepresented, even hated from the beginning. No matter what He said or did, His statements were twisted, His actions suspected, His motives impugned.
In the entire history of the world no one has ever loved so purely or served so selflessly--and been treated so diabolically for His effort. Yet nothing could break His faith in His Father's plan or His Father's promises. Even in those darkest hours at Gethsemane and Calvary, He pressed on, continuing to trust in the very God whom He momentarily feared had forsaken Him.
Because Christ's eyes were unfailingly fixed on the future, He could endure all that was required of Him, suffer as no man can suffer except it be "unto death," as King Benjamin said, look upon the wreckage of individual lives and the promises of ancient Israel lying in ruins around Him and still say then and now, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
How could He do this? How could He believe it? Because He knows that for the faithful, things will be made right soon enough. He is a King; He speaks for the crown; He knows what can be promised. He knows that "the Lord . . . will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. . . . For the needy shall not alway[s] be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever." He knows that "the Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." He knows that "the Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate."Jeffrey R. Holland, CR, October 2, 1999
"I think of newly called missionaries leaving family and friends to face, on occasion, some rejection and some discouragement and, at least in the beginning, a moment or two of homesickness and perhaps a little fear.
I think of young mothers and fathers who are faithfully having their families while still in school--or just newly out--trying to make ends meet even as they hope for a brighter financial future someday.
At the same time, I think of other parents who would give any earthly possession they own to have a wayward child return.
I think of single parents who face all of this but face it alone, having confronted death or divorce, alienation or abandonment, or some other misfortune they had not foreseen in happier days and certainly had not wanted.
I think of those who want to be married and aren't, those who desire to have children and cannot, those who have acquaintances but very few friends, those who are grieving over the death of a loved one or are themselves ill with disease.
I think of those who suffer from sin--their own or someone else's--who need to know there is a way back and that happiness can be restored. I think of the disconsolate and downtrodden who feel life has passed them by, or now wish that it would pass them by.
To all of these and so many more, I say: Cling to your faith. Hold on to your hope. "Pray always, and be believing." Indeed, as Paul wrote of Abraham, he "against [all] hope believed in hope" and "staggered not . . . through unbelief." He was "strong in faith" and was "fully persuaded that, what [God] had promised, he was able . . . to perform."
Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He hears your prayers. He is your Heavenly Father, and surely He matches with His own the tears His children shed.
In spite of this counsel, I know some of you do truly feel at sea, in the most frightening sense of that term. Out in troubled waters, you may even now be crying with the poet:
It darkens. I have lost the ford.There is a change on all things made.The rocks have evil faces, Lord,And I am [sore] afraid.
No, it is not without a recognition of life's tempests but fully and directly because of them that I testify of God's love and the Savior's power to calm the storm. Always remember in that biblical story that He was out there on the water also, that He faced the worst of it right along with the newest and youngest and most fearful. Only one who has fought against those ominous waves is justified in telling us--as well as the sea--to "be still."
Only one who has taken the full brunt of such adversity could ever be justified in telling us in such times to "be of good cheer." Such counsel is not a jaunty pep talk about the power of positive thinking, though positive thinking is much needed in the world. No, Christ knows better than all others that the trials of life can be very deep and we are not shallow people if we struggle with them. But even as the Lord avoids sugary rhetoric, He rebukes faithlessness and He deplores pessimism. He expects us to believe!
No one's eyes were more penetrating than His, and much of what He saw pierced His heart. Surely His ears heard every cry of distress, every sound of want and despair. To a degree far more than we will ever understand, He was "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief."
Indeed, to the layman in the streets of Judea, Christ's career must have seemed a failure, a tragedy, a good man totally overwhelmed by the evils surrounding Him and the misdeeds of others. He was misunderstood or misrepresented, even hated from the beginning. No matter what He said or did, His statements were twisted, His actions suspected, His motives impugned.
In the entire history of the world no one has ever loved so purely or served so selflessly--and been treated so diabolically for His effort. Yet nothing could break His faith in His Father's plan or His Father's promises. Even in those darkest hours at Gethsemane and Calvary, He pressed on, continuing to trust in the very God whom He momentarily feared had forsaken Him.
Because Christ's eyes were unfailingly fixed on the future, He could endure all that was required of Him, suffer as no man can suffer except it be "unto death," as King Benjamin said, look upon the wreckage of individual lives and the promises of ancient Israel lying in ruins around Him and still say then and now, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
How could He do this? How could He believe it? Because He knows that for the faithful, things will be made right soon enough. He is a King; He speaks for the crown; He knows what can be promised. He knows that "the Lord . . . will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. . . . For the needy shall not alway[s] be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever." He knows that "the Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." He knows that "the Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate."Jeffrey R. Holland, CR, October 2, 1999
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The perfect storm
Last night we watched as a fire combined with wind creating "the perfect storm" in Boise destroying nine homes and damaging ten others.
It was heart wrenching to watch. One of the things that stuck with me was listening to the Lee families response. They had just come home to dinner to celebrate their kids first day of school when they were evacuted. Their home was completely destroyed.
They said because of the emergency preparedness the church had offered they knew they hadn't lost anything that couldn't be replaced. They had all the important documents they needed to start the process of rebuilding their lives.
Many times I wrongly think that the events I need to be prepared for are on a global scale. All too often they are much closer to home.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Happy Birthday Kreshie!
You were so little and snugly when you were born.
Now two years later you are growing up to be so much fun. You are laid back, hilarious and loved by many.
Happy Birthday!!!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
I know most newly engaged couples are so in love it makes people sick. Sorry, but I have turned into one of those people.
Jordan is in China attending the Olympics and touring Asia with his friend John. For a month!! Yes, 30 days before our wedding he is on the opposite side of the world!! Jordan and John have had this trip planned long before we met and I know how excited Jordan was to visit Thailand where he served his mission, but I miss him. I miss talking and laughing with him. I miss having someone to snuggle with while I read my book or watch a movie. I miss saying goodnight to him. I miss my best friend. I miss well......him.
So I count down the days until his plane is back home, patiently wait for his emails and keep busy with wedding plans. The ironic part is I know how much he misses me and that he also is counting down the days until his plane is back home and we are together again.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Love at Home
Clay made it home safely from Afghanistan. We went to the airport to welcome the airmen home complete with signs and flags. It was so exciting and very emotional watching all the families being joined together again. Welcome Home Clay!! We are so proud of you. 
Friday, July 25, 2008
Night at Tuachan
Last night Jordan took me to Tuachan in St George, an outdoor amphitheater, to see the production of Les Miserables. Because it was outside they were able to add effects that you wouldn't usually see. They had horses, soldiers running down the side of the canyon, and fireworks! It was amazing. We loved it.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Leaving ZPR soon...
With only two days left of work one of the things I will miss the most is working outdoors. Tonight Jordan and I cooked a dutch oven dinner for twenty and then built a fire for smores. It will be hard to leave but I am really excited about the future and the next steps I am taking in my life.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Work vs play
I took my staff to play paintball today as a reward for working so hard. We played boys against girls. The guys took us out so fast that we had to split the teams. We ended up playing four games. It was a lot more fun than working. 
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Double Arch Alcove
Jordan and I have planned all summer to hike the entire sixteen miles of the Narrows. When we went to pick up our permit the park ranger informed us that due to a flash flood the night before the Narrows was closed. I was so disappointed. I have been looking forward to that hike for months. We decided to drive to Kolob Canyon and hike to double arch alcove and camp. The hike to double arch was so beautiful. But just our luck it started to storm and once again flash flood. We drove to St George for pizza and a movie and then back to the resort that night. We will have to save camping for another trip.
Cougar warning Kylene!!!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Fourth of July
Friday, July 11, 2008
In between planning and work
In between work and planning our wedding Jordan and I have been hiking in the park. It has been incredibly hot here the past few weeks. Most days it reaches 110!! We have to wait until after work when it "cools" down to hike anywhere.
Court of the Patriarchs trail.
Jordan and I at Weeping Rock Overlook
Court of the Patriarchs trail.
Jordan and I at Weeping Rock Overlook
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