Tis' The Season

I hope everyone is having the best and merriest Christmas ever! I truly feel the Chrstmas spirit this year. I understand the real purpose and what is most important during this time of year, a lot more now than I ever have.

I am so grateful for our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

HE, is the reason for this season of "Christ"mas.

St. John 3: 16-17

New Hairdo!

(Sorry for the goofy picture. I don't like taking pictures of myself.)

Endings, and New Beginnings

Yesterday, December 5th, 2009, my great uncle Dale passed away in his bed at the nursing home.

My parents were at his bedside, comforting him, until his time to go came.

It's a sad time, but I can't help to feel a sense of peace and comfort, knowing that he is in a realm where he is waiting for my family to do his work for him.

His death has made me realize even more clearly that death shouldn't be such a sad time.

It is because we miss them, but we should remember that it doesn't end here.

Heavenly Father's plan is so much more than we can ever comprehend.

The knowledge we have here on earth is necessary for us to realize and be grateful for the time spent.

When that time is over, we continue our lives, and know that we will be with those we love again, in the eternities.

Rest in peace Uncle Dale, I'll see you on the other side. :)

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In this picture...please focus on the boy in the green shirt.

His name is Evan.

He is 12 years old and he has Autism.

Today was a very special Sunday for him, reason being, he was finally baptized into The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints.

This was such a heart-felt thing for me.

He has his ups and downs, but tonight I could really see Heavenly Father's hands at work.

He was ready to be baptized, and he was very mature and SO happy to finally have this done.

He is one of the funniest kids I know. :)

Congratulations Evan!

*******

Winter has BEGUN here in Iowa.

I love how it makes the ground all glittery and pretty.

Even though it is SO incredibly cold, it makes me so excited inside, I can't help but enjoy it thoroughly :)

p.s. This picture doesn't even do it justice...

An answer to my prayers...

"Is this Heaven?...No, it's Iowa"

Everyday since I've been home, I've made the habit of saying my morning prayers. Why I haven't done this in the past is beyond me. I think I have just been prideful and thought I didn't need to say BOTH morning and night prayers. Boy, was I wrong.

I always pray for a positive attitude and for the environment and people around me will somehow be positive in a way too--so that the spirit might be able to surround me wherever I am. My answers were answered yesterday at work...

I went to work, like every other day, just going about my business and getting things situated before lunch hour came... I was working with a lady, Erin, that I usually don't have good feelings about, and another girl, Elana, that is such a sweet-heart to me all the time. They are both older than me, only by a few years though. All of us obviously come from different backgrounds and have grown up in very different homes. We share stories often; neither of these ladies know of my religious beliefs and I don't know of theirs, if any.

Anyways, I was putting an order up for the cooks, and then Elana came around the corner with a look on her face I couldn't even explain...it was good though...peaceful. She said, "Hannanah (that's what she calls me), do you feel that?"

"What do you mean?", I said.

She replied, looking a bit confused, "You don't feel that? It's like a very strong positive energy. I can't describe it. I don't know why it's here, but there is this positivity around us today. Maybe it's just because I'm working with a bunch of cool people, I don't know. But it feels good!"

Right when she said the words, "...positive energy...", I KNEW it was the spirit, and Heavenly Father was answering my prayers. I felt such a sence of peace and joy within me...and who would have thought, that AT WORK, of all places, where people that swear, drink, and speak obscene things every single day, I could be reminded of the influence the spirit has on people; whether or not they have the gospel in their lives. And who would have thought that my testimony could grow in this environment. It was just so awe-inspiring to me.

I'm so grateful for this little experiences and tender mercies the Lord gives me. I'm so grateful that I was able to come home this fall, to learn and to grow. I have such a different mind-set now than I did 3 months ago, and I'm SO very grateful for it.

No more bubblies!!!

So, as of last week, I have decided to no longer drink soda. ANY type of soda that is; no diet or regular, fat free or sugarless. I was watching the Today Show and a nutritionist on there said that soda is the number 1 thing to not put into your body. 2 and 3 consist of stick margarine and hotdogs, but I decided I could do number 1 for sure! I feel good about this goal, and I'm going to do all I can to stick to it.

On another note...

I still don't know how to upload darn videos on here! Will it not allow youtube videos to go on here? Any help would be graciously appreciated!

Only 2 1/2 months until my return to Rexburg!!! Yay!! :)

Truth be told...

I'm IMPULSIVE!
Yes, I tend to get excited of the little things of life and make them out to seem huge.
I believe in being hopeful and positive of the little things.
Sometimes they don't always work out the way you want them too.
Should I stop doing this then?
It seems I've hurt people by changing my mind on certain issues.
If I have...I'm truly sorry.
I miss a lot of people right now.
If I could see them all and hug them for 30 seconds...I would feel a lot better.

THE one and only...Sir Jonathan William Bealer

Jonathan William Bealer

He is 23 years old.

He's one of the sweeeeetest/kindest guys I have ever met.

He is one of my best friends.

He enjoys rocks.....and climbing them.

He wears the craziest, and sometimes most questionable sweaters...but he can TOTALLY pull it off!

Everyone loves him.

He can make you feel SO good about yourself no matter what you look like, what people may say, or how you feel!

He is from Colorado....the land of love...?

He has a large family and he loves them immensely.

He's SO cute with kids.

No one knows his ticklish spot.

He is very smart.

He has a great testimony of the gospel.

He gives great hugs.

He has brown eyes.

He will be starting his student teaching soon.

He enjoys exercising.

He plays the banjo.

He sings! la-la

He found my blog my typing his full name into a search browser!

He is most likely going to read this (because it is for him).

I love Jonathan William Bealer!!!

There's No Place Like Home...

I promised I would stay updated. I failed. Life has had its ups and downs since April. I finished my first year of school. I was proud. I have learned so SO much in the past year. I have made friends whom I will love forever, and friends who I will possibly never hear from again. No matter what, they have touched me and my life in some fantastic way. I could never ask for anything else in a college experience. I am home now. I am occupied with 3 jobs that I am so very grateful for them, especially in today's circumstances. I get annoyed and sometimes want to quit, but I know it's what I'm here to do. It's already stress-relieving knowing that I will have school paid for for this next year. My one contemplation lately is whether I want to do Fast Grad. Fast Grad is where I go to school year-round so I finish faster. I figured, if I do Fast Grad, then I could possibly have my Bachelor's Degree before I go on a mission when I turn 21. That would be amazing. The only thing would be that I would have loans I would have to pay off, but I believe I'm willing to do that since BYU-Idaho isn't that expensive of a school in the first place. School loans is just part of living and learning right?

I miss my friends greatly. I have spoken to Nikki quite a few times. The others, just a few times here and there and on Facebook. I miss ALL of them. The boys and girls alike. We're all moving on in our lives and heading to different paths in this earthly adventure. It's sad, but exciting in the same way. I'm thrilled for those I care for the most. They will do great things.

I have 3 1/2 months left until I return to Rexburg. I'm trying to make myself busy/useful so I don't think about how much I miss it right now. Reason being, I don't have much of a social life here. I mean, there are a few single adults in my branch. And I exaggerate a few. There are 6 of us, but only 4 are active. That's what I miss the most from Rexburg, plus, I miss school and going to classes. The whole environment get to you; you don't realize it unless you've experienced it first-hand. I love it all.

I love life, I love the Gospel, I love progression.

UTAH!!

So, it's been a few weeks since this was last updated...sorry about that. The semester is coming to an end and it's finals week this week. Homework was piled up and I figured I had better things to do than update my blog. Well, now is the time for a new one! A few things have happened in the past week, those of which I will show and partially explain through pictures. Enjoy!!!

The morning after the show, we made ableskivvers! It's a Danish dish, and a specialty of the Jorgensen Family!! It was absolutely delicious, especially since we made them ourselves!!
The BEAUTIFUL view from Kellie's backyard.

Aaron and Kellie expressing a new form of dance. :)

It was gorgeous!! and I was happy :)

Piano playing feet.

Nikki and Lyndee looking cute as ever in their stylish white tees!

We went to Salt Lake City one night because we were bored, and it turned out to be a wonderful night!!!! The temple was breathtaking, as always.

The Conference Center.

I really wish I lived in SLC.

Friday night we went to a show at Velour!!

We got the best spots in the house again!!!

Nikki and Lyndee are oh so excited!

The lead singer of the Gatsbys.

Here's the Gatsbys, they are from Provo and weren't the best but they were good for wedding singers.

We all thought he was the cutest but unfortunately, he had a ring on his left hand. That always happens!

Miniature Tigers lead singer!!! These guys were absolutely amazing and are one of my favorites groups now.

I really suggest you look them up or buy their newest album, "Tell It To The Volcano".

Last to play was Bishop Allen!!!

They were really good and they put on a great show for us.

Here's the drummer.

Lead singer.

She has the most beautiful voice. (See video)

Another fantastic night at Velour in Provo, Utah.

Breakdown...

The week ended and the weekend started (thank goodness). It wasn't very stressful but I'm just at that point where I'm so in need and ready for Spring Break and Spring for that matter. It's Monday, and it snowed this morning again. Thanks goodness it melted away though!!!! This past weekend was a good one. It was Girls' Night from Thursday night to Saturday night. We ate crap food, watched Gilmore Girls, and went out to dinner at Gringo's one night. It was so nice to just have it be us 4 girls hanging out together. We have become so close in the past few weeks and I'm so thankful for that. I love these girls so much and they have and are becoming my very best friends. I hope that we stay this way forever! Here are some picture of the night we got all dressed up and pretty and went to the mexican restaurant Gringo's. Fun night :) I love them!

Thursday night we went and got $5 pizzas at Little Ceasers and then went dumpster diving at this place which is a secret. They had HUUUUUGEEE cinnamon rolls! As you can tell, they were bigger than Kellie's face!

Look at this plethera of GOODNESS!!!

Some extremely comfy sweatshirts and sweat pants, huge cinnamon rolls, Gilmore Girls, and the most amazing girls ever= Best Girls Night in history

Can't have some gooey goodness without some cow juice!!

I love the women in my life! haha

The lovely Kellie and I


Delicious and unlimited chips and salsa were served at the mexican restaurant. It was such a delicious appetizer!!

The gorgeous Nikki and I :)

Nikki and Lyndee! :)

American Gothic-->Gringos style

A little bit more selfless please...

Since Sunday not much has happened. Monday I didn't have ANY classes because our teachers love me or something, and decided to cancel classes for that day!!! It was glorious, but I wasn't very productive and just relaxed. It was very nice, but I feel like a HUGEEE bum from it. Monday night we had FHE, and sad to say, I am not a fan of FHE this semester. I think it's just because we have SO many people and only a few come. So, it's somewhat frustrating in that sense. But since I'm the FHE "mom", I decided that I should probably come up with something for the night since Shaylor, the FHE "dad", and I don't communicate very well when it comes to planning. I wasn't feeling up to doing much or being around a bunch of loud, obnoxious people, so I decided I would come up with a picture scavenger hunt so they leave the house. I, myself, not having to go with the excuse of making cookies for when they returned. (Don't worry, I actually did make them cookies.) So I did that and once they came back I gave them their food and resorted to the wonderful comfort of my room. I love my room, it's such a place to get away from all the crazy, annoyingness of the outside and roommates. I don't know why but I'm just frustrated and annoyed constantly with most of my roommates. It seems as if they don't take into consideration of the others in the house who like peae and quiet! I can't wait to move out and go to Condie Cottage in the fall. But, as for now, I have to go through a whole summer with new and even more ridiculous roommates. I just hope I don't go crazy. Talia comes home in about a week and two days!!! I'm so very excited to get my roommate back and I miss her face so much. It's going to be a fun summer ahead, hopefully! I've just been thinking alot lately, with some situations that are going on with my friends, and feelings of other, and I've decided that I need to be more considerate of those around me and not think of myself. I need to be more selfless. I want to be able to just think about the benefit of others and to help people in any way that I can. I think this is why I want to go on a mission so badly. They just get into the habit of worrying about spreading the gospel to those around them instead of their own problems and feelings. I believe that this is why I need to go to Ecuador as well. The thing is I do not have any funds whatsoever as of now to do that, but, I have until December to get those. I really hope and pray that it works out. Well, Tuesday I didn't do much at all...I went to classes, got a good workout in, and played some volleyball at the Hart. Our team was put in last place for the start of the tournament. We totally kicked butt last night!! We won!!! So, we play again tonight and hopefully we can pull another "W"!!! Only about 2 and a half weeks of school left. I can't wait! I'm so in need of a break; my brain is very close to fried. Just need to take each day at a time, and be happy for tomorrow to come :)...

Duck Butts!!!

This weekend was the best one in a very long time! Friday was quite uneventful; Aaron Patrick Mcgregor and Jonathan William Bealer came over around 8ish while we were making a cake and cupcakes. We just hung around our house until we got extremely bored and wanted to do something. We were feeling kinda lazy so we went to Hollywood Video and rented two seasons of the TV show 30 ROCK. We went to Jon's house and watching it there. It was funny, but we were all really exhausted from the previous week so we all were kinda tired and fell asleep somewhat. Saturday was much much MUCH better! We all slept in till about 11-noon and then got ready for the day. IT WAS SUCH A GORGEOUS DAY!!!! I think spring might finally be on it's way into Rexburg!!! My roommates and I were oh so very excited so we wanted to play outside! We decided to go on a picnic to Porter Park where we played hopskotch, played on the equipment, and then threw a football around; and then feed the ducks at a pond nearby! It was so awesome and we had such a blast... here are some pictures from the day. :)