Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving

What a wonderful day to give thanks!

Yesterday I loaded up all of my stuff and moved to Hobbs. I was worried about being homeless - how could I ever think I would be homeless?

I got here and saw my little and not so little nephews. Kaleb greeted me by biting my shoe with my foot in it. Aaron and I went over spelling bee words - smart kid.

My mom and I went to lunch and it was simply amazing.

I even took a nap!

We made pies.
I think I will always remember times with my mom like this. I was cutting up apples and she was cooking. We chat. It truly is the little things that count.

This morning, like most Thanksgivings, my mom wakes me up and I start the turkey. (Ohh and it smells yummy!) We start preparing for the day.

This Thanksgiving is so different from so many others. This is the first time all of my siblings are not together on Thanksgiving. My mom and I were talking about the things we miss. Samantha would be sleeping and I would try to wake her up to make the rolls because I had already mixed two batches. Zac would be playing X-box and sneaking little bites of food (we all do that). I miss hearing my two older brother's laughter. Josh has my favorite laugh in the whole entire world. And when mixed with Jakes, there is no way that I will not smile. Kim is always so funny. Every year she makes the green bean cassorole. Every year Samantha teases her about the one time she made the mashed potatoes and put too much pepper in them. We spend all morning on our great feasts - which usually only takes twenty minutes until we are all stuffed....then we still return for seconds. The little kids always ask for more soda....and they usually get it.

More than anything I am going to miss all the love that I feel when I walk in and everyone is talking. There is something truly wonderful about families. Even when we disagree or fight - we always return with love in our hearts.  What other relationships are like that?

I can think of one or two. The love our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have with us. I am so grateful this day for the knowledge that I have of my Heavenly Home. I know that heaven is much like the way I feel when I come home.

Lately, I have been really worried about leaving. When I see an expiration date that is past the day I am leaving - I want to cry. How rediculous is that? I am working on an attitude adjustment. I should be excited to leave - because I get to serve. Not that I shouldn't be glad to leave, but that I should be glad to do the things that my Father in Heaven wants me to do!

O, How great is our God! I really do love Thanksgiving.
I am so blessed with a wonderful family, awesome friends and just a great life!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

The Refiner's Fire

A wonderful perspective that I need to keep in mind.

Here then is a great truth. In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. In this way the divine image can be mirrored from the soul. It is part of the purging toll exacted of some to become acquainted with God. In the agonies of life, we seem to listen better to the faint, godly whisperings of the Divine Shepherd.

Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful. The thorns that prick, that stick in the flesh, that hurt, often change lives which seem robbed of significance and hope. This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength. For some, the refiner’s fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process.

In our extremities, it is possible to become born again, born anew, renewed in heart and spirit. We no longer ride with the flow of the crowd, but instead we enjoy the promise of Isaiah to be renewed in our strength and “mount up with wings as eagles” (Isa. 40:31).

The proving of one’s faith goes before the witnessing, for Moroni testified, “Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6). This trial of faith can become a priceless experience. Stated Peter, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:7). Trials and adversity can be preparatory to becoming born anew.

A rebirth out of spiritual adversity causes us to become new creatures. From the book of Mosiah we learn that all mankind must be born again—born of God, changed, redeemed, and uplifted—to become the sons and daughters of God. (See Mosiah 27:24–27.)

The Divine Shepherd has a message of hope, strength, and deliverance for all. If there were no night, we would not appreciate the day, nor could we see the stars and the vastness of the heavens. We must partake of the bitter with the sweet. There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless.

Out of the refiner’s fire can come a glorious deliverance. It can be a noble and lasting rebirth. The price to become acquainted with God will have been paid. There can come a sacred peace. There will be a reawakening of dormant, inner resources. A comfortable cloak of righteousness will be drawn around us to protect us and to keep us warm spiritually. Self-pity will vanish as our blessings are counted.

-President Faust


Monday, November 15, 2010

Sadness, Joy and Sister Hugie

Today was a great day.

It started off with wonderful music. Adam burnt me a CD that is fantastic. It makes me smile.

Work was great. I really love the people that I work with. Seriously how did I get this Lucky?
Levi - He is so hilarious. Our office would not be nearly as funny. Always remember: "Never breast-feed while driving!"
Anna - I am going to miss her so much. She helps me be a better employee and a better person. I love her coca cola addiction lol :)
Jeannie - My boss. I know that she cares about us. That is something that is so great about her. I love it when we just sit around and laugh. Ohh and she always tries to get us to eat things!

I stopped by the institute. Plug for institute - one of the best places you can ever spend time in. It has been a  wonderful place for me for many years. The Curtises, Elders and Chris were there. There is nothing like walking into a place and feeling peace and a sense of belonging.

Tonight I got my first companion! The sisters needed someone to go on exchanges with them and I got to go with Sister Hugie! We went to a members house, who had a part member family over. We watched Finding Faith in Christ and talked about how we can increase faith. It was wonderful. Not only do I love that video, but I started to love the people as well. In the video, Christ says - "and be not faithless, but believing!"

LOVE IT!

Then some FHE! Some Chuck! Good day.

The sadness and joy come from thinking about leaving. It is so soon. I know that it will be great, but I am so nervous. A good cry is in order :)

Sunday Singing

First off, today was great.

I wore my awesome tights and my new missionary sweater!
I had meetings! I went and sawll Chief! His family is so amazing and wonderful.
As soon as I walked in he said, "We're eating. You want some? You are going to eat." So I ate.

I seriously love the Lubbock College Park Ward! Awesome.
My lesson went ok.
I had the opportunity to see lots of people from my family ward.
Our ward is simple amazing.
Sacrament is always great. Relief Society always helps me realize that there are so many wonderful women in our ward. I'm lucky!

I then went over to Melanie's house for a sing-along.
I have had a sore throat for like a week now, but it was so much fun.
We sang everything from Phantom to Lord of the Rings.
Justin, Stephen, Micah, Charlie, Kyle, Jessica, and Melanie were there!
It was so much fun.
The best song was Total Eclipse of the Heart. So FUNNY!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Teenage Dream

I really like this song - with his lyrics.





Thanks Kayla!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

I pity the fool!

2Ne 10:23
Therefore, cheer up your hears, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves -- to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.

Can I say that I am pitying a little today. So most of these things will not matter tomorrow.

Today I feel like I have already left. I feel like people don't want to invest in me, because I am leaving. It seems this way to me. Which means that I am being stupid.
I pity the fool!
Makes me think of Kali Pearce!

So because of this I can not pity myself, I need to help others feel wanted, so I can feel wanted.

The pity party is over and now I have to get to work. I have no time for this.

Anyone know where I can find some good waterproof boots in Lubbock?

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

President Dalley

Dr. / President Dalley
This man changed my life. 
I first met him as a freshman attending the wonderful, amazing Lubbock Singles Branch. 
He was my branch president. 
I quickly came to admire and love him. 

I wish the picture could do him justice. I feel everyone is more beautiful in white :) He is now in the temple presidency. I love that I get to see him almost every time I go. The love that you feel when he looks at you is hard to explain. 

Since he works often with the Curtises, he sometimes knows what is going on with me. Last week, he asked me about my dating life - which is not uncommon. He had mentioned that he had heard I had been going on lots of dates. I said there was a brief burst of dates there. :)
Tonight he asked me some questions again. He asked if I was still going on lots of dates and I said I was not. He said I bet there are so many boys sitting back admiring you - I bet thats why you got a big burst of dates. He then proceeded to ask me about a boy that I used to date. I told him that boy was now engaged - he gave a very surprised look. He said that he thought that boy would one day come to his senses. I laughed and I said well I did. I told him someday.  

He is one of my heroes. 
He has advised me on so many of my life decisions. I am so grateful for getting to know amazing people like him and his wife, who is also truly amazing. 

I really do believe that someday I will get that "happily ever after." In the mean time I am very happy. The temple is such a wonderful place. I really can't wait (well I can, but am looking forward to it) until I'm old like the Curtises and get to spend my time there, with my husband. 

I am so glad that I am going on a mission because that meant that I could go to the temple. 

O, How great the goodness of our God!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Busy Day

I am so exhausted.

Tired. Sleepy. Run down. Fatigued. Drowsy.

Today has been a very good day.

I guess most good days start off with the night before them.

Katie, Cathy and Dawn kidnapped me literally. They are so fantastic. I love them. They literally barged into my room and told me that I was leaving. They took me to Cathy's for a girl's night! We discussed a lot of things and had a lot of laughs.

This morning we woke up and volunteered at the Food Bank! I love going there. We basically put boxes together, but there is something wonderful about taking time from your day and using it to help others!

Then I was fortunate enough to go to the temple! I got to do sealings for the first time! The temple is beautifully simple!

Choir practice - I will eventually get the C to F down! We need more altos - I am the only one!

Eat :)

Babysit! I got to babysit my nephew Kaleb! He is so wonderful!

Just so you know...he is not my baby!
I really do love this kid. His smile is so wonderful! I really am going to miss him!

Happy Sabbath!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

"I just want to be unhappy"

You know those times you really want something....
Like .... want something a lot, a lot?

And sometimes during those sometimes......
the answer is no....

But you still want it....

I am so glad that Heavenly Father has given us the Spirit to help guide us to the answers we need, and sometimes the ones we do not want.

We have those times when we might want to say "I just want to be unhappy!" But, we know He has a plan and it will bring us happiness.

So what do we do in the mean time....between the "no" answer and the peace that eventually comes when we aline our will with the Father's?

We ask for peace and help. Thats really what we have to do.
And we go to His house.


"Present Allison has no patience!"
Sallie, "Tell Present Allison to shove it."