Thursday, March 28, 2013

Flowin'

I had a school project where I had to do an activity that I've never done before and write about "flow," which is when you just have a really nice mix between your competence level and the challenge level of the activity. In flow you lose track of time because you are so focused on what you are working on and you feel like there is nothing on the outside that could possibly distract you. Super cool stuff. There are lots of times when we get into flow. For me, I get into flow when I'm on stage, or on a hard bike ride, or reading a book. I feel like I am transcending reality when I do these things. Often, when we try something new, we can feel flow. SO. For my experiment of creating flow, I decided to figure out how to make a video. I am still a rookie, for sure, but here it is!




Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Canteen filling.

It's not what you think. I haven't kissed a guy in ages. And I most likely definitely probably won't before my mission. SO. I'm not even considering dating someone before I go. It's too late anyway! Tell me how easy it would be to start up a worthwhile relationship within two months. Yeah. No. Especially  since it's me we're talkin' about.

But every little thing counts right? Especially if you lived in China recently and had no contact that you wanted to have with the opposite gender.

Let's give a maybe not so hypothetical situation. McCall sees cute boy in ward. Cute boy in ward talks to me once. Cute boy has cute glasses. Cute boy is roommate's home teacher. Other roommate knows that I kinda fancy this boy. Roommate comes in room, whispers that he is here. McCall gets on cute clothes and grabs her empty cup of water. McCall walks out to the kitchen to get water. McCall discreetly waves to cute boy and walks back to her room.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

I was laughing so hard! I go into my room to tell Natalie and then I'm like...."I don't even care about dating! Whhhhat the." But, hey, it made me happy. And I'm just filling my canteen with flirtations.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Divine Skies

I want on a baby hike with Shelby yesterday. There's just something about nature that I crave more and more.


There is always something new to be discovered on the side of the mountains bordering Kaysville. You really can never run out of places to explore. I always feel a sense of peace and wonder. Physically and spiritually, I feel closer to heaven and am in awe of the beauty of this earth.


The view is breath-taking. It starts with the valley below with everyone living their lives--coming home from work, playing with their kids, reading outside. My house and all my memories growing up are in sight.


Then, I look up at the sky, at the swirling clouds and the glaring light. I think of the atmosphere and the infinite universe. I am so small, but there's a divinity inside of me that is everywhere, in everyone, because of Him. He created this for me, for you, for everyone we love.



"Oh Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Then sings my soul, my Savior, God to thee.
How great thou art, how great thou art." --Stuart K. Hine.





Wednesday, March 13, 2013

We are His hands.


I've had a couple experiences lately where I was given the opportunity to reach out to someone but for one reason or another I was holding myself back--social norms, too busy, wanted to use my time doing something else, just plain scared of that person's reaction, I would look weak, etc.

And every time I have chosen to heed that prompting, something beautiful has happened that turned out to be an answer not only to their prayers, but my prayers.

"With this in mind, let our hearts and hands be stretched out in compassion toward others, for everyone is walking his or her own difficult path. As disciples of Jesus Christ, our Master, we are called to support and heal rather than condemn. We are commanded 'to mourn with those that mourn' and 'comfort those that stand in need of comfort.'"   

--Elder Uchtdorf

My first grader brightening my day with a gift.


Monday, March 4, 2013

So Happy Togetherrrrr

Blindsight. A movie about a humanitarian group that takes blind kids from Tibet up to the Advanced Base Camp of Mount Everest--about 21,000 feet. SO INSPIRING. Now I'm like...man. If they can climb Everest, I CAN. Sometimes I feel like I need to be already experienced in stuff like this but it's like...no, you don't! These kids had zero experience and were blind. Somethin' to think about!

At the end this kid is singing and my heart meeeelted--I am seriously missing my kids from over there and this made me smile. Have a wonderful day!