Tuesday, April 17, 2018

And there you have it.

The other day someone told me that I have olive skin. Some statements you just accept, without regard as to whether or not they're true. I'll embrace this one. (The someone was a redhead, but we won't let that invalidate anything he says about skin tones.) 

Life feels a bit fancier when you buy a can of whipped cream to put on top of your yogurt and berries. (Or really anything else you feel like putting it on top of, like a spoon.) 

I got to talk to the bestie this last week. I love her.

I had a nasty bout of stress and procrastination recently, and I'm glad to be over it. Although I did enjoy the panda videos I watched. 

The Bumb and I watched Sense and Sensibility with the parents two Fridays ago, and we all enjoyed ourselves. 

The Bumb and I also had two very enjoyable car rides this last week involving Billy Joel, an NPR broadcast about the Stoics, Jordan Peterson at Harvard, In-N-Out, great 80s music, good conversation, and The Killers.  

They changed the email list to be alphabetical on the scanner at work last week, making life ten clicks easier :) Thank you, Mom and Dad, for giving me an A name. #blessed

I found these blossoms by one of my favorite places to walk on the south side of campus. They were delicious. You should go smell them.


Sometimes life feels rather sad, lonely, lost, and frustrating, and that's hard. But really, overall life is happy and everything is going to be okay :) I don't really have any idea where I'm going or what I'm doing, but I'm sure it will all be fine because God knows all of the things and He'll help me :) because He loves me. 

He loves you, too.

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Day Twelve: These People (Costco Sample Size)

Hello, again!

I've really been meaning to post, but sometimes things are a little bit crazy. So . . . yes. Here you go.

Let's count this as day 12 of 30 Days of Gratitude with Anna :)

#betterlatethannever

As I was laying in bed last night, I was thinking about a bunch of people for whom I'm grateful, and I made a list to share with you. 

I think we'll probably need to have multiple posts like this because you can't fit all of the wonderful people in one post. Let's be real, you can't even fit all of the wonderful things about one person in one post.

For you, this is my Costco sample of gratitude for these 10 people.

1. Mr. I

Mr. I is a man I work with. He had a supervisor whose name is Kerri G. (he's on a different team now). He always thought Kerri's last name was Fischer because that was just what came after the name Kerri in his head. So, that's the name he would write on his auto-break deduction forms he would turn in to me. I got a kick out of it every time.

2. Katie

I get to live with Katie. Lately, we've had some really good conversations. I love her. She's a saint with a beautiful soul.

3. Caroline

Caroline is my sister. After weeks and weeks of phone tag, we finally matched up, and when we did, she had just the right things to say to me.

4. Lauren


This girl is a gem. She goes running with me. She listens to all of the things I have to say about everything (which is quite a lot because, obviously, I know exactly how this world should be run), and she talks to me. Something I especially love about her at the moment is that we planned to go to the store together on Saturday, but she was thinking groceries and I was thinking shoes. I showed up at her house and said, "Let's try the mall. I need boots." Without saying anything, she tossed her food list, and we went to the mall and found boots for me and jellies for her. She didn't tell me about the grocery store until Sunday night, and she only told me then because she thought I might think it was funny. I did. :) I even made her miss stake choir practice while I was looking at boots, but she said it wasn't a problem, and that she was just happy to be with me. I'm not sure that people get much better than her. Everyone should have a Lauren.

5. Rebekah

She's one of my wonderful friends. Among many other things, I've especially appreciated some of her outfits lately. I'm sorry I didn't get pictures so you could have all partaken in the joy. If I were to name the outfits though, they would be called The Jazz Fanatic (even though she doesn't really follow the Jazz and just has the big t-shirt and beanie because her brother gave them to her) and The Athletic Colonial Boy.

6. Joyce

I also get to live with Joyce. The other week we watched Tangled and very thoroughly enjoyed it together. I was grateful for the much needed mental break and a friend to share it with.

7. Rachel

Rachel is another one of my sisters. She lifts me with every interaction and still chooses to love me, even though she knows basically everything about me. That's really saying something.

8. Mom

On top of everything she already does for everyone on earth, she cleaned my throw up out of my car and my clothes. TMI? That was an interesting day. True love, friends.

9. Marcus

The best friend. We talked. He listened to me tell him all of the things. He fed me pizza and we watched an episode of Band of Brothers (with all of the things I don't like cut out :)) It was great. A throwback to our old days of funemployment, except that now . . . we're both employed. #win

Last, but not least

10. Jonathan

The Bumb. He takes such good care of me. He'll come check on me and take me to dinner. We have meaningful discussions and lots of quality time. He's the best. I love him.

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Day Eleven: The Temple

Hello!

Today, I am grateful for the temple.


I always know that if I can make it to the temple, everything in life will be okay.

I'll feel peace.

I'll find answers.

I'll know even more deeply that God loves me.

The temple is another one of my favorite happy places.

Also,

check out this sunset from when I came out!


Preeetty nice, eh?

It was better IRL.

Day Ten: Friends

Tonight, I laid by the fireplace and watched a little P&P. I finished the episode where Mr. Darcy first proposes to Elizabeth. (Can we take a minute to remember how very terribly awkward Mr. Collins is? He kills me. Well done, David Bamber.) 

After the episode finished, I kept laying by the fireplace having my internal struggle of kind of not really wanting to go anywhere, but knowing that I should probably go do something with my life.

The latter won out, and I texted my friend, Alexa.

We ended up painting/calligraphy-ing and watching a movie.

It was just what I needed.

Aren't you happy when you find friends who enjoy doing the tranquilo things with you when you don't feel like being a really exciting person? 

I am.

Today (and everyday), I'm grateful for friends.

 
The Painting 11.10

We don't really know what it is.

It just is.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Day Nine: Future Opportunities


This has always been one of my favorite Mormon Messages.

Especially the guy who starts at 3:36.

"I'm grateful for future opportunities. If you have a hard time, you can always overcome that. There's always positive in the future."

Amen.

There is ALWAYS positive in the future.

One thing I have seen time and time again during my months of not having a job is that God always provides more hope. More future opportunities. Even when every light seems to be out.

I'm grateful for that.

Like Maria says, "When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window."

A window with light streaming through to guide us to the right door.

Good things are ahead for you!
 Things so good that they're out of the scope of your wildest dreams.
(This may sound cheesy to you, but it's true.)

So, keep going, friends.
Heavenly Father loves you, and He knows what He's doing :)

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Day Eight: The Cabin

Nearly 100 years ago, my great-grandparents built this cabin off of the Snake River in Island Park, Idaho. 

PC: Becca

It's one of my favorite happy places.

A place where everything but the important things slow down.

Where good memories are made and remembered, and eternal bonds are strengthened.

It's our family gathering place,

and that's why it's heaven.






Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Day Seven: Devotional


We began by sitting in Portal F for family, fun, food, friends, and future family ;) 

Eventually, we decided to stop beating around the bush and to just sit in Portal M--for marriage. 


The portal change worked for two of the people in this picture! So, that's great!
(That doesn't count my dad, though. He was already married :))

I love going to devotional.

Devotionals and forums have expanded my views, broadened my intellect, and brought me closer to God.

On a regular basis they speak very directly to my specific needs. 

Among other things, the conglomeration of lessons I've learned from forums and devotionals has shaped who I am.

Of most importance, they've helped to solidify my knowledge that God cares for and knows me individually. 


Devotional. #youshouldtryitsometime