i can do hard things.

There's something about that statement that's so empowering. I love what Sister Dalton said about it in Young Womens general conference a couple years ago:

"...I had a small plate inscribed with a motto that read, 'I can do hard things. That little plate bearing that simple motto gave me courage. But now if I could change that motto, it would read: 'In the strength of the Lord, I can do all things.'"

I've been called to serve as a Gospel Doctrine instructor in my singles ward. And I'm just a little bit (a lot) terrified. I feel like I sometimes to struggle to communicate things I'm feeling and that nothing I say makes sense to the people I'm teaching. I had Sunday School teachers that absolutely inspired me every week. I'm just praying that I can do the same for the people who have to listen to me every two or three weeks.

I have a collection of my favorite scriptures on the side of my bookshelf. The ones that I really think will carry me through this experience are these:

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. . . but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God." --2 Timothy 1:7-8

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." --3 Nephi 5:13

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." --Romans 8:28

epiphany!

I was hit with a stroke of genius today. I thought I should share.

One day, a long time ago...maybe in March? I was in calc lab with Alicia and Ashleigh...good times. Anyway, Ashleigh was telling us about all of these hilarious holidays--there's more than one for every day of the year! We talked about them for a minute...until our teacher made us work on our assignments...whatever.

Anyway. I was thinking about that today. And I made a decision. Next year, I'm going to make my family celebrate a holiday everyday. (Sorry family.) Maybe we'll only celebrate one each day, maybe six!

Who are we kidding? We probably won't make it past the first week of January. But still. It's not a bad idea! And maybe I'll even blog about it, throw in some funny pictures...there is great potential here!

I figure I'll just pick my favorites from these sites:
http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/index.htm
http://www.oshel.com/everyday.htm

http://www.brownielocks.com/january.htm

Who's with me??

PS--Happy National Pastry Day...go eat a donut! (See how fun this is?? You know you love it.)

Free at last, FREE AT LAST!!!

Yeah, that's right! Semester one? DONE. I honestly thought it was going to kill me. The past four months have been so incredibly difficult, I really didn't think I could finish. But now it's over! Maybe I passed, maybe I didn't, but I'm done! Go team. I even had a post finals party! Diet Coke, baguettes, good movies, SWEATS, it was EXCELLENT. Done done done done done!!!

I hear things get easier after the first semester? I sure hope so!

Besides finals, here's what's been going down over the past few weeks!

Over Thanksgiving weekend, I went to Bryce Canyon with my aunt Robyn and her fam.

You wanted to see all of my pictures right? Okay good :)

So gorgeous!!

Baby Jude, who isn't a baby anymore! Such a cute little kid!

I would really like to make this into a birthday card. That's all.

Were any of us surprised? Yeah, didn't think so...

We're going to be models.

Ha! Just kidding. This is our album cover. That's all.

I enjoy these people :)

Hoodoo? You do!

Giant rocking chair? You betcha! An excellent find at the Beaver Chevron :)

Important lessons learned:

--the best bathrooms between Salt Lake and Panguitch include the Santaquin Sinclair or the Chevron in Beaver (the one with the giant rocking chair!) Each have their pros and cons, but they were definitely the cleanest so they automatically win.

--The only place open in Panguitch on Thanksgiving Day? Owen's Cafe. Not bad! Not bad at all.

Since I've been home, I've been workin on getting into the Christmas spirit. It's difficult when there isn't any snow...not that I want any (I HATE SNOW.), but it's hard to sing "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" when it just doesn't look like Christmas. But I digress. Christmas music, movies, concerts--I'm lovin it. Christmas Carol at CPT? Go. Go now. It is FANtastic. Forgotten Carols on Friday? I'm excited. Also on my list are David Archuleta and VoiceMale. Christmas is even better when attractive men are singing to you.

I also auditioned for a musical? Drowsy Chaperone...it's a fantastic show. I don't know if I'll be cast...but I promise you that the cast will be extremely talented! I've watched them all perform over the past few days, and this show is going to be amazing. Plan on going. Or I might hunt you down. That's all.

Peace and blessins, y'all.