It's a Choice

So today I'm just in a great mood! I don't know what made me that way...I talked to my friend (and roommate) Valerie on the phone last night...we were discussing how when we forget about ourselves and get lost in service we can truely be happier people. I realized that I think about Arica alot...'what can I get out of this'...'does this pertain to what I am going through'...yes what happens to me matters but I don't need to focus on it all the time. I want to serve others and be more productive. Today I woke up late...I think either I'm turing off the alarm and going back to bed without remembering or my alarm is broken...but as I got out of bed and started getting ready for work...I decided that I was going to be in a good mood today. I thought to myself, if people need my help I'm going to be there to give it and if they're in a bad mood I'm going to be there to cheer them up! And I've tried this before...just to decide to be in a good mood, but sometimes it's like Satan knows my plan to have a good atittude and works really hard on me and I get dragged down and think about everything that might be going wrong. For some reason I chose NOT to let that stop me...I was going to have a good day no matter what! Work has been pretty good so far, I finished my project that I've been doing since school let out and now I'm moving on to little projects people have needed me to do! I'm happy to move on from entering people into a database. :) I'm actually doing it...I feel like a burden has been lifted from me because if you think about it being grumpy takes a lot of work: you have to think constantly about what's going wrong, you have to talk about it to other people and kind of drag them down with you, and you have to think that everyone around you is out to get you. It's selfish state of mind. I like this quote from President Hinckley, "For, generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others." I hope this will be the first of many days that my choice goes a long way. I know I'll have hard days, no doubt but I'm going to look at them in a different view. Having a good attitude with everything you do is a ChOiCe...and I choose not only to be happy but to SHOW it through service...sometimes we can be happy and others would never know because of our attitude.

I'm thankful for the insights I gain from other people and the way that the Lord shows me what I need to do...I love my life and the fact that I'm living it RIGHT now and not in the near future. I have an awesome family, friends that are there for me 100%, and Heavenly Father who knows what's best...what more could a girl ask for?

Weekend Happenings....

Weekends are either two ways either really busy and fun...or rather boring trying to think of stuff to do....this weekend was the former! :) I love busy weekends. I like to think that my weekend starts the evening that I get off work or school...so here's the break down..

Thursday Evening: We (mom and I) got off work early so that we could get some stuff for her enrichment progressive dinner that night. I decided that I wanted to go and support my mom...plus the sister missionaries in the Matthews ward are AWESOME and we have fun talking to them....along with many other ladies (Jenn-Lee and Marianne) that share common interests. The dinner was a blast along with some awesome food. I was glad they allowed us singles to come and hone in! I hope to start this RSU (Relief Society University) with the Matthews Ward....it's like I was looking for a way to better myself with out having to read a bunch of stuff (which I don't mind doing it's just I know there are other ways of doing it...) and I've gotten a lot of good ideas from several people and I plan on trying some of those. But I think that the Lord knew that I needed a little more of a push and put this crossroad in my way on purpose.

Friday: My family went out to Sonic because we were all together and it was a lot of fun!! We always have a good time just hanging out and talking or playing cards...I hope when we have spouses that they will fit into that mold and we all get along! :) Then friday night I went out with some friends and played PuttPutt (more people call is mini-golf now days) but Ash and I were on the same team...I wasn't doing too shabby until SOMEONE knocked my ball down a hill with their ball and wouldn't let me move it back...but I digress ;). Though after that I was frustrated and therefore did bad on the next 5 holes!!! So Ash and I lost....I kind of want a rematch but then again it wasn't that big of a deal at the same time. :)

Saturday: This was another day my mom redeemed another coupon for her mother's day ExTrAvAgAnZa!!!!! We did a clean sweep of the downstairs and we thought it wouldn't be as bad as the attic but it turns out that it was worse!! I think it was because we went through every pen and marker....that's how deep we went...so we didn't even hit the kitchen which was where we should have started. I got all cleaned up and Ash and I were invited to a movie night (plus food) which was pretty fun but turned out to be a card game! Runs and Trios was pretty fun and I'm glad Mark taught it to us. Hopefully we can play more card games and such because I like games and learning new things....so that was fun..

TODAY! FaThEr'S day!!!! We went to church which was pretty awesome...the talks in Sacrament were so good and then the rest of church just followed suit. Ash and I came back home and Ash made dinner for dad...I peeled potatoes and then when things were cooking I fell asleep...I felt bad...but it was all good in the end. (Ash is a better cook anyways...) We gave dad some notes we wrote to him and then us kids gave him Brian Regan on DVD!!! We watched it...it's soooo funny....I mean not every joke is like rolling on the floor but I have to say I laughed quite a bit! I love laughing and hearing others laugh...especially my family and close friends. I love my dad and I'm glad we got to celebrate this day with him! :)

bLaH...bLaH...bLaH

I guess the past week or so has had more exciting stuff to report seeing as I got a hair cut, computer, and a friend who left on a mission. hmmm. So what to talk about today?
Well I gave the lesson in FHE last night...I had a feeling that when I came home this summer and actually transferred my records to the singles branch they'd be putting me to work. :) I have given a talk, gave one of my lessons for Relief Society, and taught FHE. On Sunday I was also approached about speaking in Sacrament meeting in July!!! I told them that I just had given a talk two weeks ago but KPJ couldn't remember...haha. Maybe there's something I need to learn so these assignments are here to help me learn something.
Tonight is institute! I looove institute....the Book of Mormon teacher is AMAZING and the class always gives good input. I have learned so much while in that class....and I've only been going for about 4-5 weeks. Our discussions really make me think and have the desire to look for more answers outside of the class. There are several books I'd like to make the time to read: Jesus the Christ, Lectures on Faith, and more...but we'll start with those. Sometimes I feel like there are so many things I should read but not enough time to do it. Reading requires you to SIT still and I'm usually on the go! But I know I'll find a way to do it if I'm really determined. :)

On to other subjects:
Lately I've been kind of blah with music! So I listen to the same things over and over again...I think I've worn out Colbie Caillat's cd so much I could sing it backwards. I'm still not sick of it either...but I'm taking a break because I DON'T want to make myself sick of it. (BTW if you don't have this cd GET IT...it's soo good) Another cd I've worn out is Taylor Swift, I have her cd but my sister has the "deluxe" album...and it has 3 extra songs so I've been listening to the cd PLUS those songs. Again the whole cd is way good and I still love it but I guess I just want something new. I've decided that I really like laid back music such as the artists previously stated and Jack Johnson , Josh Groban or Jason Mraz. I like other things too but I do believe that this is my favorite kind of music. Second favorite would be indie rock people...nothing too hard core in that direction...I really like music with good lyrics....like Relient K...they have the best lyrics to my knowlegde...they're so original.

Speaking of blah music....what a blah entry! Sorry if you're reading this and fell asleep...oh well. I'm outty 5000! :)

Promises

Sometimes we say we'll do things and later make ourselves liars because we just don't do them. I don't usually promise people stuff because I don't want to disappoint them or myself later on.

Last night I had to say goodbye to a friend leaving on a mission! Elder Edward McClean (aka Phlatt) will be leaving today for Ghana at 12:40pm. He's going straight to Ghana to attend the MTC there. I was priviledged to be able to sit in on him getting set apart along with some other close friends and family. It was amazing! We made sure to get our hugs in before he was ordained an Elder. :) We went out to dinner afterwards (there was like 8 of us...) to Chili's and just hung out. It was a nice evening and we laughed and joked around. Phlatt even ate with his badge on! We didn't want it to end...Chili's was closing but we didn't want to leave. Phlatt walked my sister and I out to our car (with an escort...) and gave us handshakes...it's hard to say goodbye with a handshake but I'll be okay. He's going to be an amazing missionary and I'm grateful that I was able to become friends with him such a short amount of time. :)
When I was at school and so many guys were leaving for their missions...it just made me think of how YOUNG these boys are....yet they are willing to sacrifice two years of their life so that they can help others to know the truth. I'm so thankful for them and the sisters who choose to serve too. I have many friends on missions and I am so happy that they are willing and able to stand as a witness of God....I hope I can do that in my every day life.
I just wrote my friend Spencer on his mission in the Dominican Republic....he's been out for a year tomorrow...I haven't written him as much as I probably should but I enjoy reading what he has to say and know that he's one of the best. :)
But going back to the subject of this post: I think I'll go ahead and make a promise now....to write my friends out there doing the Lord's work more often no matter the return. And since this is a rare occation that I actually promise something I'm determined to do it. So Elders McClean, Anderson, and more...expect more mail.

Hair Cut...

Okay so I failed to talk about this since the mac mania took over my life. :)

But yes I did indeed cut my hair...It was bitter sweet because I was trying to grow it out for a full year (starting in January)! I love long hair...and I don't feel like I've had really long hair since last year when I didn't realize how long it was. Here's the story...I straighten my hair....a lot! Mostly every day unless I'm going messy bun. I take precautions...I put in a sleek in shine thing while it's damp to make it smooth looking with a "silky finish" as the bottle says...and then after dry I put in a spray that is supposed to protect your hair from the heat. I don't know how great that stuff works because I think my hair has become damaged due to the straightening...I could tell believe me. At first I tried just not straightening it for a month..but I had to do something...I was doing everything in my power to keep it at bay with different ponytail styles and bobbi pins, while not straightening it...but to no end...it was driving me NUTS! So I opted to get it cut so that I could get more "bounce" to it...so that I could wear it more wavy and not have to straighten it so often.

So far I think it looks okay, it's still not curling or waving the way I would really like...but I think in time it will get better...and it looks fine...just not the way I wish it would...with a little more umph in the front. Oh well...but I got a good three inches cut...now I see it as a good three inches to get back and healthy! I think I'll still straighten it...in due time. Do you realize how little shampoo is required now? I feel bald when I wash my hair now! :) Anyways it's hair...it grows back and I like change so it's all good.