Sunday, February 8, 2009
Random Thinking
I'm going through that right now. I have friends who I thought would always be my friend. Yet, it has become so one sided. I try and try to keep those friendships, and it's thrown back in my face. It's hard. It's hard going through this life feeling as if you are doing it alone in some ways.
I miss my friends in Utah so much, and yet, I hear from one or two of them every once in awhile. One of my closest friends out there... I haven't heard from her since July, and that saddens me a lot. These are friendships I cherished. Friendships that were real. I could be me... truly me, and they liked it. I guess I just don't understand friendships... true friendships.
Just something I've been thinking about as I continue on with my life. I will complete my 25th year of life next month, and I have been thinking a lot about where I am and what I'm doing with my life. The Lord must trust me as He keeps handing me things to do, and I often wonder if I can do it all, but I know He knows if I can or not.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
So Much...
My classes are going well, but I can tell you that there is a lot for me to do this semester. I am starting to be more involved in my classes, and writing a lot more as well. It's been good, but at the same time, man, I'm tired. It's been awhile since I've had to be so involved with my classes, but it's a good thing too. I've decided what I want to do with my life, and I'm pretty excited about it all.
Of course, these decisions are pretty much being single and doing for me. Obviously, plans don't always really happen, but it's my focus right now. I want to graduate from SFASU with my BS in Child/Family Development and minor in Deaf/Hard Hearing. Then I'll go off to graduate school for my MS in either Child/Family Development or Marriage/Family Therapy. Next stop will be to become a Doctor in Marriage/Family Therapy. Have my own practice, become a CFLE (Certified Family Life Educator), and then teach one day at a college or university. I'm pretty excited about all of this.
There are a lot of doors opening now in school that I never had before. I know I'm here at the time I'm supposed to be, and that's exciting.
Nothing else is really happening too much in my life. I still work at Petsense, and I'm working for 7 professors on campus. Working with the professors has been a great opportunity already, and I'm enjoying it a lot. Even learning about different things. Work at Petsense, unfortunately, is just because I need money. I'm hoping to start babysitting a little more. And the social life is pretty small, if it's even that existent. But things are good.
So yea - I just wanted to update everyone a little bit.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Temple Trip

Nacogdoches/Lufkin YSA
Friday, January 23, 2009
A Little Update
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!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
One Less Thing
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!!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Today... What Turned Out To Be Pretty Good
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.
Friday, January 9, 2009
The New Year... So Far
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.
