Unconditional Friendship

It's that time of year again! Time to make those new commitments that you pray you'll be able to keep and remember (don't forget to write them down!), and time for Martinellis Apple Cider as we all count down to a glorious new year.

I'm posting my New Year's Resolution a few days early, because I want to get started on it now.
Here's my thought:
You've heard of unconditional love, right? The kind of love that sees beyond weaknesses and struggles, into the heart and soul of a person and loves them anyway for it?

Well, my goal for the New Year is unconditional friend and familyship. That means that whatever friend I make, whoever they may be and whatever situation they find themselves in, I will be their true friend, unconditionally.

I will not look at a friend and judge them for an action or word that I may not agree with. I will not critique how a person is dressed, point out flaws in another's character, or gossip about anyone in a poor light. (I'm all for the positive gossip, though!)

It's not going to be easy; human nature judges people so quickly. But I know that if I'm striving to become a better person and more like Christ, it's something that I definitely need to work on.
Unconditional love=Charity=Pure Love of Christ

I want to share quote that I found in my scriptures that goes along quite well with my new goal.

"Charity is, perhaps, in many ways a misunderstood word. We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more.

Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. It makes the thought of being a basher repulsive.

Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.

None of us need one more person bashing or pointing out where we have failed or fallen short. Most of us are already well aware of the areas in which we are weak. What each of us does need is family, friends, employers, and brothers and sisters who support us, who have the patience to teach us, who believe in us, and who believe we’re trying to do the best we can, in spite of our weaknesses."-Marvin J. Ashton, Ensign, May 1992

I really like that quote, and it makes me realize how much I can do better in showing Charity to all men. So, that's my New Year's Resolution!

If you'd like, you are welcome to post your own here in the comments section, or on the springvilleseniors2009 blog.

Happy New Year, everyone! :D

Kissing Fudge

Oooh, how much I love Christmas time! Of course, there is always those wonderful goodies that come along and add to the spirit of Christmas. Besides the music, service, giving, and loving that is always found, there must always be some form of sugar. It's an absolute necessity!

So, after creating all of our magical desserts, we are left to sort out them each into equal plates to give away to friends and family. Here I am, in the kitchen, Christmas Eve morning, with an audience of children to make sure I am completing each proportion with perfect accuracy.
They stare down each slice of fudge, gaze sternly at the handfuls of popcorn being placed, glance to make sure the pretzel sticks are properly aligned, and watch carefully the amount of Baklava I put on each plate or tin. All the while, of course, looking for an opportunity to sneak something in such inconspicuousness so that I, nor any of the lookers-on can tell anything has gone missing.

Such was this morning's activities, until Tyson (the older brother who has all power) shoos them all out of the kitchen. The ironic thing? He was scooping up fudge leftovers after all of them were sufficiently frightened enough and had run quickly away. I have no room to complain, as I can't help it if a few crumbs drop onto the counter. What is a girl to do? The tragedy! I had to fulfill my natural responsibility for the environment in cleaning every last piece. They just happened to fall into my mouth...

Well, Tyson hadn't quite shooed every last child out; we had a straggler. I was busy cutting more fudge, and Tyson was looking for something productive to do in the kitchen when I noticed Elias sitting innocently at the bar, a tin of soft fudge in front of him. I should have done something about it, but I felt he had been warned plenty, and he wouldn't dare.

He did.

I looked up to see my tiny brother's face stuck in the first layer of fudge, kissing it with quite a smack. I couldn't help it; I burst out in streams of laughter while Tyson asked "What's up? What's wrong?"
All I could do was point then double-over because my sides hurt so much from laughing. "He's kissing the fudge!" I cried, giggling.

Needless to say, we did not give that batch away.

More Random Christmas Thoughts! :)

Hi again!
Haley's back with more random thoughts, simply because she likes to think so much... ;)

-Lemon Bars (really good ones, too!)
-Christmas trees that nearly scrape the ceiling (yay for the smell of pine! Go Eric!)
-Transferring computer mouses
-Long emails
-Christmas hymns
-Soft piano music
-Blankets and movies
-How thankful I am when my family is healthy
-Rigalletto
-Fudge, popcorn, baklava, all manner of good things to eat!
-Nyquil (Argh!)
-Family
-Suits, hats and ties
-Peace on Earth
-Beautiful Christmas Stories read by family members
-Christmas is coming!
-My little brother's present (I'm making him a rag-time blanket with fleece. It's going to be so warm and fuzzy!)
-Hot cocoa
-Keys
-A car that used to be black, but is now very much white
-Snow-dancing
-Service been rendered shoveling walkways and driveways
-Charity, and what a blessing it is this Christmas season!
-Dreams
-My daddy
-Scarves, fuzzy hats, mittens, coats, mismatched boots and warm socks
-Joy, joy, joy!
-Music, lots of music
-The love I can feel so strongly with my family round Christmas time
-How grateful I am for Christ's birth and sacrifice for me. There was never a greater Man.
-Snowflakes the size of pin-heads, snowflakes the size of baseballs, and snowflakes that fall on eyelashes
-Stories and poems
-Hope, and President Uctdorf's talk on it
-Tithing, and how I need to remember to pay it!
-Just basically all of those 'warm and happy feelings' that you get around Christmas time!

Merry Christmas, all!

Army of the Lord

Toward the Light, marching on
Following their inner song
Calling out for righting wrong
The Army of the Lord

To the enemy they go
Fearing nothing, faith bestowed
Spirit’s strength to fight their foe
The Army of the Lord

Flowing banners ringing true
Sunlight steaming ‘round and through
Each warrior’s eyes alighted new
The Army of the Lord

Swords erect and faces bright
Heaven’s message sent in light
To the hearts for victory’s fight
The Army of the Lord

“Peace, be still!” The Master cries
The vision draws His servant’s eyes
All time is stopped; strained for the wise
The Army of the Lord

And though the battle rages still
The inner man He wished to heal
Yet such decides the human will
The Army of the Lord

So standing, He, to knock comes by
The call goes out both far and nigh
“Believe me, live, and never die,
Oh Army of the Lord!"

Take my heart, oh Conserlor,
My sword is Thine forevermore
My shield to guard my heart in store
I’ll come, I’ll join
The Army of the Lord

Laughter is the Medicine of Life

Okay, you guys, I just have to say: Thank you so much for laughing! Thank you for being the positive, happy, beautiful people that you are, for it surely makes my life a little brighter every day! :D

I just spent a few hours over at Eric’s house watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the first time, and I am so thankful I did! That movie is now my official favorite Christmas movie.
The best part, though, was after the movie, telling stories with just Eric, Logan, Scott, Allyssa and I. I don’t think I’ve laughed that much in a while.

Another thing I learned today and had to share: If you are ever feeling down on yourself, get out at serve someone! If you are having trouble accepting a person, or even liking them, serve them. Say something nice about/to them whenever you can. Think positively about your life, for it truly is such a blessing to wake up every morning, still living in it!

Yay for life! Yay for friends and family! Hooray for Christmas!

And on that note, a very merry, happy, joyful, exuberant, and marvelous Christmas to you all!

Peace

Ahh! So many things to say...

First of all, isn't it interesting how a single event can either brighten or crumble your day? That is, of course, if you let it. A comment, smile, situation, glance, or just a word each has their effect, thought we may not realize it at the time.

I'm learning to let myself be aware of the needs of others without letting it affect my day in a poor way. Do you know what I mean? Yet I still wish the world were a completely confusion-free, 100% happy place sometimes. I know that would be ridiculous, and that you really learn to appreciate all of the good when you are presented with the bad, yet sometimes....

There is another thing. You know how we are supposed to keep our lives in balance? That is difficult at times! My life is very much like a teeter-totter at times, or maybe a trampoline. Yes, a trampoline works as a beautiful analogy.

But beautiful things surround me, how can I remain in a discontent state?

The snow! How I love the snow!!! I love to go dancing in it, on days where it is warm enough to turn the snow to slush. This brings me so very much joy! :D
Plus, when you have lots of free time, and go writing in the snow.... that’s fun too. Eating it is a marvelous experience, though some would say it is poor for your health. That is one thing they can say all they want to, any manner of statistics on germs, bacteria, or pollution won't change my mind. Heavenly Father made snow to make the world a peaceful place, and also for eating!

Ooh, and if you are a girl and happen to be reading this, try wearing a skirt or dress, and heavy boots that don't match someday to school. You have no idea how much fun it is!! :)

Random Info

Ahh...I've been tagged by the infamous Erin. Though I have so much else to do, (you always seem to have something else to do, eh? ;) here goes, all!

The 8 List...
8 T.V. Shows I like...
1. I don't really watch TV....but....
2. Used to watch Pokemon and most of the ones below with my lil' siblings
3. Digimon
4. Avatar
5. Fetch (remember that dog show-host?)
6. Arthur (I love that show...)
7. BYU TV
8. Hey Arnold

8 Things I Did Yesterday...
1. Wore an amazing BYU shirt that my friend won for me during Homecoming week
2. Slept past my alarm (second time I've ever done that!) and had a Tender Mercy getting woken up by my six-year-old brother 45 minutes before school started. ("Haley, wake-up, your going to be late for school!" How did he even know?)
3. Bugged Jared until he felt bad about breaking his promise (hopefully he will stick to it now...)
4. Danced in the snow/carried Lexi on my back with her slippers on
5. Wrote two articles; one for Newspaper and the other for our school newsletter
6. Went out for the best school assignment ever: critiquing a restaurant to do an article for the newspaper. Ottavios is the best!! (Plus another Tender Mercy; it ended up being a free meal!)
7. Nearly got someone tardy to their class...oops...
8. Played with my family

8 Things I am Looking Forward To...
1. Tomorrow!
2. The Christmas Dance, it should be very fun!
3. Going to the Temple
4. Getting to be with people I love
5. Returning my Mary Poppins skirt
6. Finishing my college application to BYU (Now that I don't need to have the GED!! Yay for another blessing!)
7. Singing!
8. Being alive :D

8 Favorite Restaurants...
1. Ottavios
2. Tepanyakis
3. Sweet Tomatoes
4. Golden Corrall
5. Hogi Yogi
6. T-Bone
7. Red Robin
8. Anyplace Chinese

8 Things I Wish For... 1. To dance! To dance the whole night away.... :)
2. A little fairy, just on my shoulder
3. Wings made of something lovely
4. That my college finals were over...ooh...
5. Peace for everyone I know and love
6. That I might be a little better tomorrow then I was today
7. Christmas Spirit all year long
8. That I knew everything. Including what people are thinking. Wouldn't that be nice? ;)

8 People I Tag...
1. Stephanie
2. Samantha
3. Eric
4. Logan (yet those two kind of go together anyhow...)
5. Alecia
6. Jeremy
7. Breanna
8. My Mother....hahaha!

Fruits of the Spirit

I know that you all have heard a lot from me as is, but I couldn't help but want to share a quote that really hit me while reading the book "The Light Within" which Raymond so graciously allowed me to borrow.

“We can tell when the fruits of the Spirit are being manifest in our lives.

Brigham Young University professor Don Norton has written that when we have the Spirit, we feel calm and happy. We feel full of light. Our minds are clear. Our bosoms burn with love for the Lord and for others. We feel generous. No one can offend us. We are very forgiving and kind. We feel confident in what we do. We don’t mind anyone seeing what we are doing.

We feel outgoing and anxious to be with others (especially family members). We are glad for others when they succeed. We want to make others happy, even those opposed to us. We bring out the best and say the best about others. We gladly and willingly perform Church work. We want to pray and read the scriptures. We want to keep all the Lord’s commandments.

We feel we have control of our appetites and emotions. We have controlled speech and no anger. We feel a deep desire to help others-usually in a way no one else would know about. We speak and think only good about others. We feel sorrow when others have problems and sincerely desire to help them. We realize that our thoughts and our actions are open to God.”

Reading this quote made me realize how often I don't have the Spirit with me. Sure, I make mistakes, but I didn't know how much I needed the fruits of the Spirit to be with me as much as the Spirit himself. Does that make sense?

I could see how I was doing okay in some areas, and not-so-okay in others. One of the things was how 'we feel outgoing and anxious to be with others (especially family members).' I am anxious to be with others, that's just my nature. Other times, I love to be with my family; they are so entertaining!

But now I know that whenever I am trying to get away from them (like when I want to hurry and finish FHE so I can go Gazebo Singing) I don't have the Spirit to be with me. I don't want that. I love them lots, and I always want to have "His Spirit to be with me." If I don't that's like walking out into a battlefield with absolutely no armor on!

Phew, I'm so thankful for that book. And for all of the words of the Prophets. They really help keep you on track when you could be wandering.

Thank goodness that we have this Gospel and knowledge that we can repent of sins!

Thankful to Have Found Solid Ground Again

Whoo-weee...

My, life sure likes to throw you curve-balls! I know for sure that Heavenly Father has a sense of humor; William Bailey is right: He invented humor!

Thanksgiving break has been a good time for me to sort out some thoughts/feelings/ideas that have been unsorted for a few weeks now. I am very grateful for that fact alone!

First of all, thank you, friends, for allowing me to borrow your wonderful books on the doctrines of the Gospel. They've helped me find the truths amid all of those deceits that Satan has been throwing at me, and I couldn't be more grateful for them.

Second, I owe an apology to any of those whom I have neglected friendship-wise, due to focusing on things that were not as important. I'm so sorry if I've seemed distracted, or haven't been paying as close of attention to your needs as I normally do. I promise to get outside of myself more, and find out what I can do to help you in any way I can. I don't want our friendships to suffer because of poor choices on my own part.

Third, thank you all again, for being those amazing people that you are. A girl couldn't ask for better friends, and in this season for gratitude, this is one of the re-occurring things that I must thank the Lord for daily. : )

Fourth: Despite the craziness of life, I hope that you realize that I will always have time for you, personally. Prayers are so important if you are ever struggling with a situation (trust me, I've learned of that blessing for myself) but sometimes a physical person is just needed. If you ever do require a friend to talk to, or maybe just vent some pent-up emotion, please know that you can always turn to me.

Finally, I've found my place again. "The stars have aligned themselves" and I have repositioned myself on what is really important. Thought I will still make mistakes, I know that being perfect is something that happens only with the help of my Savior. He knows exactly how I'm feeling, and I don't ever need to be afraid of Eternal Truth that He shares with me through personal revalation.

Please, if you are struggling with something, don't ever be afraid to turn to your Father in Heaven. At first, with my problem, I was. I knew that I probably wouldn't get the answer that I'd wanted, and so I didn't turn to Him with my struggles. If you are ever tempted to, please don't do what I did; it creates only pain for yourself and others.

Because He understands and knows you better than you know yourself, He also realizes what you need to do to change and fix your situation. He can change your heart, if you only let Him!

A broken heart and a contrite spirit remind me of breaking-in a horse. To be 'broken' means that you are giving the reins of your life over to the Lord, and you are saying "Take my life where you will, Lord, and I will follow obediently."
He really will bring you the most happiness, and He can make so much more out of your life than you can. This is something that took me awhile to figure out, but I finally did. Learn from my experience and live your life the happiest way you can!

I'm sure you are all perfect, and don't really need any of the above advice, but I just wanted to share what helped me through a tougher time in my life. It really has!

Thank you again, all, for understanding and accepting me just the way I am!

May blessings be showered upon you!

Random Thoughts

Here are just some prominent thoughts that have been wandering about my consciousness for a little while that I would like to share.

-"Thoroughly Modern Millie" has been showing at our high school. I would recommend that all of you check it out; it's actually quite entertaining. =)
-A can of black spray paint
-Nertz!
-College; maybe I'm not meant to go...
-Velcro, and cheering crowds
-Finding out what is really important to me
-Laughter; how much I love it!
-Christmas music and Christmas trees
-The looming GED...
-What a weirdie I am sometimes
-Dishes at Hogi Yogi/Visitors late at night (at Hogi Yogi!)
-Talking to Denver
-Mom's Veteran's Day movie project....how well it's going....
-Crowds of people, but always a friendly face
-What my dad said about this day and age: Economy, preparation, following the Prophets, staying on the Lord's side of the line, and 'be not moved.'
-"You can think the grill is clean, but you don't really know until you run your hand across it. When it's smooth, then you know you've done it right."
-Saying 'hi' in the halls
-Finding out what the Lord wants for me, and changing my heart to match
-Astronomy Exam....ooh...
-A smile from one person
-Talking in the Seminary Building (best place to do stuff like that.)
-Digging deeper than I've ever done before
-Chasing Takoda until both of us are laughing, but with nice bruises as well! ;)
-Turning off lights, locking doors, watching power go out, conserving energy
-Remembering that our experience now is helping us to be humble before the Lord, and if we humble ourselves completely to His will, He will guide and help us.
-My Dad's Spirit of Discernment, and how happy it made me Sunday night
-Gratitude for friends who get together and sing!
-Hearts can change. Oh how grateful I am that hearts can change!

So that's basically the stuff that's been floating around in that thing up there I call my brain.
As one of my adorable friends commonly writes:

Cheerio!

The Greatest Blessing of All

Over the past few weeks, I've been wondering about some things. This wondering has been beneficial in some ways, but more often in a degradational manner. I have made a mistake in the choosing of what I am doing with my time. (Once again, my weakness at over-analyzing things. Heavenly Father must laugh at how complicated I make my life, sometimes, when it really could be so simple!) For this, I am so thankful that I have the Atonement and repentance process in my life. Imagine, all of those things that I cringe to think about, gone from Heavenly Father's memory, forever.

What a wonderful gift!!

A good friend lent to me his copy of a short book entitled "Believing Christ." It is helping me to understand so much better this awe-inspiring sacrifice for me, though I know that I can never, nor expect to, comprehend it in it's entirely. What would I be without it? Lost, alone, and with no hope of ever returning to my Father in Heaven. My sins would weigh my concience down, never allowing me to look toward my future with any degree of hope.

It's a wonderful thing, this Plan of Happiness. Just knowing this makes me want to share it with so many others who are unaware that they can be happy now. They can rejoice, not in their own imperfections, but in Christ perfections. Once we become one with Him, as He and His father are, we can become like Him, and He will help us make up for that '99.9%' which we lack.
Oh goodness. I wish I could shout it on a mountian-top, how glorious is our God! How wondeful, almighty, and all-seeing He is, how perfect He is, and yet, how very much He loves each of us dispite our imperfections.

Can you even imagine a better Father?

Lessons

"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one."
-Elbert Hubbard

Oooh. First thought: That's me. Pure and simple. That quote up there? Yup.
And how long has it taken me to realize this? Apparently, too long. But hey, I'm starting to comprehend it now at least!

Everyone makes mistakes. They are somewhat unavoidable, and therefore easy to make.
You know something? I worry. A lot. About little, tiny things that I probably don't need to worry about. My friends have told me this, a number of times, in a number of ways. So I got to talk to my awesome mother the other night about my problem. We discussed situations and such, and diagnosed me:

Overly analytical.

That's one of my main weaknesses. But the cool thing is, now that I know what it is, I can realize how to better work on it!
To help me, if you see me looking at the tiny details, so much so that I am missing out on the more important big picture, just tap me on the shoulder and let me know.
I want to be better. I want to do better. I would really like to be perfect, (wouldn't that be so nice?)
But, as one of my good friends wrote: "You don't have to be perfect to be wonderful."

I can do all things which I can do. I should not expect to be perfect in this life. I fall way too short of that mark so often, it's easy to get discouraged. But then I remember the words of my Savior,
"Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
He makes up for all that I cannot. He knows how I feel. He prayed for me in Gethsemane, and died for me at Calvary's hill. If there's anyone who understands me, even better than I understand myself, it is Jesus Christ.

What a light! What a hope! How can I remain sorrowful in my sins, when I have such an amazing blessing in His great Atonement? Sometimes I feel like Nephi, shouting praise in his psalm in 2 Nephi chapter 4. Exactly like that.

In the words of one of my most favorite songs: "How can I keep from singing?"

My Forever Gift

I am...

like a tree
Blowing in the wind,
Colored leaves falling fast

How do I choose
To give away
That which I pray will last?

So many people
Friends,
Family,
They are Wind

They want them;
They want a part of me

My leaves
Blowing
Can I hold them?
Can I let them go?

Pluck them, if they choose
One
by
one

‘Til at last,
I am no more

My trunk bare,
Nothing to show
Broken, empty, alone

And yet…
I am not like a tree,
I am not like a tree

I am like…

a Fountain
Bursting, pure, cool water
Flowing
Ever onward

Come! Take from my pool
Take from my water

I give freely, I give all

All that I am
All that I hope to be
Come

Take me
Take more than me
Take what I can give, then let me give again

Let me give again

My water never ceases
My love never stops its flow

Take,
Take it,
Take that part of me
And grow

Mud

Anyone with a family larger than four kids, with a few of them younger, knows and understands the challenges of getting everyone completely ready for church every week. That means 100% for guys: shoes, MATCHING socks, pants that do not have holes or stains, a good white shirt that fits their body, a tie, and optionally a vest or jacket if it's cold.
For the ladies: a modest dress, (that means not above the knees even if you're only five,) good shoes, hair done decently, (or at least up and out of your face if you are that five-year-old,) and possibly tights.

Now, the problem: No matter how much you plan in advance, setting out clothing, etc., somehow there will always be an issue with finding some sort of article of clothing or other.

My case, this Sunday, was a better day than most for getting everything together. I was actually quite proud of how efficiently and accurately we were clothed. I even dared hope that we just might make it to church that way.

Of course, life doesn't always plan out the way you do. ;)

It had rained that day. Beautifully overcast outside, making me quite happy inside, but also happy to be in, period. Unfortunately, my younger siblings did not share my enthusiasm for being stuck indoors. So when Tyson came in and told me that I had a present waiting for me on our back porch, I went, knowing by the tone in his voice that it was not such a good present.

Elias, only two, had gone dancing in the mud. His shoes were covered; I could not even tell their original color. He was wearing his full, miniature Sunday suit, but only a few spots of mud covered that. Hair awry, he look innocently up at me (I really don't like it when they do that) and grinned his ears off. I just sighed, shook my head, and laughed.

After he was cleaned up, the time flew by quickly, and it was soon time for everyone to get loaded into the stretch. I was finishing something us in the Atrium (human-greenhouse-room) when I heard Sierra give a sharp intake of breath. Somehow, I sensed that this, too, was not a good thing.

Glancing outside, I watched as two, red-faced children dressed in their Sunday best, tried to lift their tiny legs out of the muck they were firmly planted in. This time, my dad was watching too.
I looked at Sierra.

"Boots," I thought.

She understood, and quickly went out to fetch the now-wailing children as they struggled to escape. After fighting them up the stairs, she deposited them on the back step, then removed her boots and scampered quickly away. With both of them crying dramatically, I only grabbed the nearest offender and hauled him (Elias, again) off to our kitchen sink.
Eventually, we removed all of the grime from each article of clothing, or had replaced it with a new one. Both pairs of shoes were soaking, but wear them, they did.

One thing I will never forget from that experience. I remember how my dad got uptight, because he did not want to be late to church. And I remembered how I was, at first, stressed about it as well. But then Elder Wirthlin's (I love that man) talk popped into my head. He'd said some thing to the effect of, 'when you feel most tempted to groan, laugh instead.' So I did!

I think I've learned to laugh so much more.

I really do.

And I'm so grateful for mud, and that God has a great sense of humor.=D

Last Thought of the Night Becomes Your Dream

Have you ever woken up from a good night's sleep panting? Or shaking? Or with a huge amount of relief that whatever you were dreaming about was not actually true?

I have.

Just last night, I had the most random dream. It was the kind that you wake up and are very grateful that it was only a dream. I think it was because I was eating something before bed, (that sometimes will do it to you,) and the fact that I was talking to my mother about some stuff that happened when she was in high school, and repeated itself in my dream.

Phew! Some social situations are simply not desired whatsoever...

Anyway, on Halloween, I found out that while I am not good at bowling, I particualy enjoy it! I think that if I'd concentrated, and maybe believed in myself more, I could have done better than I did. As it was, I was the second-to-last place, (I think I'd do better at golfing! =) But our team won no matter. Yay!
The best part was, though, that I was hanging out with some very awesome friends all night. They did get a little violent at some points, (my poor brother bit off more than he could chew,) and I found out that Eric and Logan really do share a brain; they tied trying to wrestle each other. =D

Happy November!

November Days

Oooh....I'm so excited!

I wanted to post on the very first day of Novemeber, just so that I could say that I did.
Isn't it such a good month? You got fall, beautiful leaves changing, pumpkins, squash, capricorns, gorgeous warm colors everywhere, Thanksgiving, of course, (what would be be without our food?) and just an all-around excitement that Christmas is getting one month closer. It helps me to remember to keep the spirit of giving I feel during that season with me all year.

What's your favorite season? I don't think I could decide on only one, but fall comes pretty close to being number one!

So I have another thought, but it is off-topic for November, so I will post this one and write another.
Bwahahaha! :)

No Time for Life

So. It is currently 9:00pm, and I would like to go to bed; (doesn't that sound nice? 9pm!)
But I also got addicted to blogging, and that can't possibly be a good thing.
Can it?
How come it's so much fun to just sit and write random thoughts in the hopes that some person or other will read and actually understand what you are attempting to say?

Ah. That is the question. So I found a song that I wrote when I was twelve. I think I'm going to post it, just because I can, right?

If I Truly Seek

There are times I get so saddened
By all sins and thoughts I soon regret
How can I learn to choose what makes me happy?
How can I learn,

Never to forget

Then I look at all I truly have
There’s no one else on Earth I’d rather be
With the knowledge of my Savior
I feel my spirit’s free

Chorus:
To learn all things line upon line
And gain, with faith, to some degree
Knowledge of my Savior’s life
If I truly seek

I can exemplify His light
When I but ask on bended knee
Because He knows me so much more
If I truly seek

Every time I offer up
A prayer of true sincerity
To guide me, Lord, to what Thou wants

When I truly seek

Now that I think about it, I'm really just being a insufferable poetry-spaz. But, thankfully, I have friends who love me anyways. Thank goodness for that! =D

English Analytical Lesson!

Hey, I'm back with more!
This time, it's an somewhat of an English assignment. (I know, sorry, more stuff like homework!) I learned a lot from my collge class, and one of the things I loved most was analyzing seemingly random information. The following poem was an attempt at such 'random' structure of words, but I promise, there is a meaning.

Bridge

Hello me
when I am walking down the street
I tap the beat
on my knee

It’s such a beautiful thing
Spring
And the world we live in
Sing!

I glance across the road
And know
That you are glancing
From below

Ripples of reflection
Confection
Serrated edges that seem
To have no direction

I cannot tell
Where you end or
Begin
When I glance
Down the road
From above
To below

Slipping through time
Relevant
To the beholder
Flowing on

Schools are following
Trees are falling
Gently down
Into the sand

I call through the blur
But so far
Is the distance
Only waves can you hear

Mirrors
Surround me

Bright flashes
Lightly glitter
Make me shiver
As I see

Such a beautiful thing
Is a river
Ocean valley,

Creek or sea

I wish you the best of luck in translation! ;)

Something Sad

Right. So, remember contentment vs happiness? (ie, you can be content with yourself, and still be miserable, because you just can't be happy all of the time.) Well...

One of the most heart-wrenching sights for me to see, is that of one of my siblings, ill.
I came home from school to my poor little sister, Savannah, only just five, lying helplessly in my parent's ginormous bed, flushed from head to toe. She was tossing about in her sleep, and I felt so awful. I went over and gently sat down beisde her and just stroked her hair. Watching as her eyes moved from under the eyelids in rapid sucsession, I wondered if she was having some sort of bad dream. What could I do? I felt so helpless.
Later, just before my family really got ready for Family Home Evening, I got the feeling to go check on her. I went and sat down next to her on the bed, and noticed that she was awake.
"Haley," she said, looking up at me with trusting eyes. "I'm hungry inside." I smiled slightly. This was a good sign.
"What can I get for you, Savannah?" I asked her quietly. She looked around.
"Those green things with butter, but not rasins. NO rasins." She clarified with great emphasis. So I dutifully went to my kitchen to create her 'ants on a log' snack with absolutely NO ants-Celery and peanut butter. Don't ask me how I knew. Maybe it's just experience. But she really like it, and ate them all. Happiness again!
After FHE, I heard her tiny voice.
"I don't want to sleep downstairs, all by myself, Haley." Oooh, who could resist those adorable blue eyes?? Without asking for parental permission (I get in trouble when I don't do that every so often...) I quickly told her she could sleep with me in Sierra and I's room. I pray that I don't wake her up in the morning getting ready for school.
That little girl is an angel. What would I do without her? It makes me appreciate so much more when she is healthy and full of life. She's still got her spunk, though, sick as she is. Heavenly Father sure blessed us with a very independant and plucky spirit!

Siblings: Forever Friends

Want to know something so cool?

Heavenly Father blesses so many of His children with permanent friends. That means for life and beyond! And for those who don't have any, He gives other friends.

Looking at my family, I realize how much I take them for granted. What would it be like it my parents had only decided to have one child: me? I would miss out on so much! I know that the Lord placed those personalities in my family that would be very different, but also fun to unify. How can I not help but love each and every individual in my family; all of those traits that I can learn to apply in my own life, that seem to come so naturally for them!

Oh, of course, we cannot forget the daily/weekly romps! I watch my younger siblings run away in terror as I growl ferociously on my hands and knees, charging dramatically at the nearest little flying body part. And the game they made up called Dragon Shoulders. Has absolutely nothing to do with dragons, it's simply an excuse to test Haley's upper body strength and stamina. I tell you, with these kids, I'll never get old and fat! =D

But really. How often do I take them for granted, too? Coming home from school after a long day, and all of them want to show me each of their creations, or tell their stories for the day, and I simply don't have the time. It helps me to remember that building relationships with people I get to be with forever is so much more important in the long run. It's like what President Monson said: "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." Find joy in the journey.

Homework can wait. Friends can wait. Life can wait.

Let's play!

Oh, oh oh oh...For the Longest Time

Hi everyone! I know it's been awhile, but I'd like to start blogging my own page again, thanks to some inspirational friends. So, here goes.
Just a thought I'd like to share.
Some of the greatest trials that we face are not physical, though things like the death of a loved one are extremely sad, but on a much more personal level. Today, as I was sifting through the choices I had made, I looked back with some slight frustration that I had not handled certain situations better, or said something a little kinder, or perhaps just been more humble. There are so many things that I battle with every day, just with myself.
This inner struggle, that each of us face daily, inspired me to begin writing again. In poetry. I used to write so much more when I was younger and had more free time. But I would like to pick it up again, simply because it allows me to let some of my pent-up emotions out better than just writing. Rhythm helps me organize my thoughts into coherent phrases. Perhaps it will help you to understand where I am coming from as well. :)

The Inner War

There is a battle
Fought deep within
To purge the soul;
Destroy the man

Of choices, truth
Or choices, lies
Each decision rests
To what ye stand

Deceiving one
And blinding more
Cannot you tell
Ne’re told before

‘Tis light, ‘tis truth
The pathway clear
Which moral standard
Abides here

O Man! Continue through
The strife;
See
Exactly what you were
Perfected
Designed
Created
Tried
To be

This battle, daily, for me fought
Of forces good and forces ill
Choose ye this day, as I cannot
For such decides the human will

Cannot ye see?