Temple Trip

Well, the YSA went to the Temple today. It was a great day as we had 20 YSA members there. Let me tell you... that's a record!! It was really good to see others from the Longview Stake, and then the Gilmer and Tyler Stakes as well.

Nacogdoches/Lufkin YSA

A Little Update

School is going to be crazy!! This semester is going to be crazy!!

Right now, I'm trying to figure out when I'm going to be able to do all the things I need to do and have time to do the things I want to do. Yes, some of those things are the same, but not all of them. I don't know how it's all going to work out, but I guess it'll work out.

I am taking 18 credits this semester, which is 6 classes. 4 lecture classes, and 2 online classes. All of them requiring a lot of work. Many papers and projects to write! A couple things to video or record. Several tests, homework assignments, and just stretching me.

I am working with 7 professors starting on Monday which is 10.5 hours a week. I'm excited to work with these professors, get to know them more, and just be of service.

I am still working at Petsense, and will be working there between 10 and 20+ hours a week. It will depend on the week, but will usually work Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

I am involved with a few organizations on campus in different ways. I am a HMS Ambassador which is a representative of the School of Human Sciences. I am the VP for the Child and Family Development Club. Of course I'm involved with anything that goes on with LDSSA which includes Institute every Wednesday night. And then I try to volunteer and help out with other things when possible.

I babysit once a week, and love it! It's usually only for an hour or so, but it's fun. And I have had someone else ask for me to babysit for them. Not on a regular basis, but they know that I wouldn't mind doing that when possible. I love to be with children of all ages.

I now have 4 callings at Church. I am the YSA President, 12-13 year old Sunday School Teacher, Assistant Relief Society Pianist (mainly just conduct music when needed), and a visiting teacher. The last one is the one I struggle with the most as I'm trying to find time to meet up with my companion and then meet up with three other girls. It's hard! But I know it's important!!! It's what brought me back to Church a few years ago.

And of course, I try to find time to workout, be with my family, spend time with Lexie (my dog), and do things that a young single adult should do. Right now, I'm not sure how it's going to all fit into just 168 hours a week, but it'll work.

Okay - this was longer than a little update, but it really is pretty short compared to what all I have happening. Now, I must work on some homework and get ready for the temple tomorrow!

One Less Thing

So... I felt like posting a little blog before I went to bed to say that I'm pretty excited about the upcoming semester. There is a lot going on, and many decisions to start making. My life is going, and it's going at a pretty fast pace. I mean, I really wouldn't want it any other way.

Church wouldn't be "normal" to me if I wasn't involved in every meeting in some way or another. Like tomorrow, I will be teaching my 12-13 year old Sunday School class, and then off to teaching in Relief Society. I love being busy, and people just know that I won't say no. It's good and bad.

Well, as most know, (but not everyone) I've been working 4 jobs. Three real jobs, and then babysitting on a regular basis. Babysitting isn't a job to me, but something I love! I see it as helping someone out, and getting a chance to play with cute kids! (THANKS AMY! :-)) I have been working at Petsense since September 2007, and still there. I then became a Pet Nutrition Specialist for Nutro Products in August 2008, and a Student Assistant for one professor (and friend) at SFA in November 2008.

Well... I'm picking up four more professors at school this semester which is exciting. But more exciting than that... I'm no longer a Pet Nutrition Specialist. :-) One less job to be working, and that just makes me smile. It paid me well, but at the same time, I was bored out of my mind!! So... I'm now available to work more at Petsense, but at the same time, my boss there works with my schedule so well! It really has been a blessing!!

Okay, time for bed! But I do have to say... I'm not always happy with my life or with where I am in my life, but I know without a doubt in my mind that I am exactly where I should be, and doing exactly what I should be doing!! Having that knowledge makes EVERYTHING so much easier!!

Today... What Turned Out To Be Pretty Good

I love Sundays, but sometimes I wonder how they are really going to turn out. Today, all in all was a really good day.

It was hard to get out of bed this morning, but once I was up, I was moving. Getting ready for Church, I have to say that I actually felt pretty. That was a first for me in awhile, so that certainly makes for a good day.

Church was another busy day for me as I gave a talk during Sacrament, taught the 12-13 year old Sunday School class, enjoyed Relief Society, a pretty long Ward Council meeting, and then I got a little break to actually eat some food and watch "The Errand of Angels" again. 5pm hit, and it was time to be home taught, work on some scheduling stuff, and then off to the Church to set up for the CES Broadcast to hear from our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. After the broadcast, I came home and talked to a few friends online while starting to look at some graduate school programs. Okay - I only looked at BYU, and then got distracted with my conversations. haha But they were good conversations!

My talk... I was given the topic of Christ. I could speak on anything I felt inspired that dealt with Christ. While I was trying to figure this out, I turned to the March 2008 Ensign which is all about Christ. BINGO! Now... what to say, what to really focus upon. Yea, I was confused, and it came together late last night. I just prayed that it would be okay, and touch at least one person. I know it helped me as the article/section I chose was "Becoming a Witness of Christ." Certainly something I needed as I'm trying to become more like Him every day. I have a long, long way to go, but I'm going. Many came up to me afterwards and through out our meetings saying that they enjoyed my talk or that I did a good job. Some said that I just have an ease of speaking. It felt good to hear those things because I knew that the Spirit spoke through me to others. That I was able to say what the Lord wanted said, and that others were able to hear and understand. I can promise that if it was just me, no one would have appreciated that talk at all.

And so you know, for those who were not there, the three ways that Elder D. Todd Christofferson states that we become a witness of Christ is 1) to receive a sure, personal testimony that He lives; 2) to live so as to reflect His teachings; and 3) to help others come unto Him. I think the greatest part of that is that He lives!! He is the Living Christ!! I look forward to the day that I can walk with Him and talk with Him personally. Until that day comes, whenever that day is, I will do all I can to get to know Him better and how to better serve Him. It's the least I could do for someone who set the way for me to be able to return home to my Father.

The New Year... So Far

It is already the 9th day of the new year, and wow, it's been a busy year. My year has already started with trials and learning moments. I'm hoping for a good year; at least a year that was better than 2008!

Here is a break down of things I've already done this year... some days even with pictures. :-)

1) Spent the day in the Woodlands with my friend, Brittany! We went out to eat at Cafe Adobe, and just spent time talking. We haven't seen each other since August 2004... just a few days before I moved to Utah. Our friendship is proof that you don't have to talk to someone all the time or even see each other to have a strong, lasting friendship! We are still just as close as we were when we went to AC.

2) I spent the morning at work (Petsense), and then I spent the evening with the Newman's. They have become my adopted family, and some very dear friends! I think this night I realized more than anything that I need to just be patient and focus on school.

3) I didn't get to bed till like 5:30am, so I spent the morning sleeping. Then the evening was spent at work.

4) CHURCH! It was a good day with a great lesson in Relief Society! The lesson was on temples, and it was good. Hard for me as I seem to have a love/hate relationship when it comes to conversations on eternal families. Just hard because of what I want with my own personal family, but at the same time, it's what brought me into the Church. FHE was pretty good that night too with the YSA.

5) I cleaned up around my apartment, and tried to get more things up and organized. Here are a couple pictures of just my front entrance area. (More pictures to come once I feel it's okay to show) THEN I spent a few hours with my parents as we watched the UT/Ohio State game!! HOOK 'EM HORNS!! :-)

6) I worked, and then continued to take care of things around my apartment.

7) I was visit taught for the month, and got my package from Deseret Books! I was really excited to get my package! I got a few new books, a cd, and the movie "Errand of Angels". It's a really good movie, and after watching it and talking with my friend, Jen, who got home from her mission in November... I'm still thinking about maybe serving. Just not sure if it's what I should do or not?!?! I then worked for the whole evening.

8) I spent the day with my mother! It was a good day. We hung out some at the house, and then did some shopping/errands. I got a few things from Hobby Lobby, and then the best thing ever, wall flowers from Bath & Body Works... only $5 each!! They are a regular price of $12.50! Oh - I was so very excited!! My mom then gave me some food, and off I went to come home, check on my dog, and then babysit the Curnutt's! I love those kids!

9) Today... I worked!! I worked 10 hours straight -- Petsense and Nutro. Yea, I'm tired! But now, I am about to finish this blog and try to prepare my talk for Sunday. So many different thoughts are going through my mind, and I just hope and pray that it'll come together!

One last picture... it is of Lexie, my baby. It's hard to believe that she's two years old!!