Fresh Ideas

(new hairstyle)

Well I don't know if anyone actually reads my blog. So maybe I am just talking to myself. But that's ok. :) I still like to write once in a while.

I am loving the feeling of Autumn in the weather. Fall is my favorite season. It's so fresh and exciting. Of course I am glad for all of the other seasons as well, because without them I wouldn't be able to feel that magical feeling that I get whenever the seasons change and there is that amazing in between stage from one to the next.

My mother and my dad are off running their crazy race. So I am here alone with the kids. That means I have the computer to myself because I have it in my room and Cody doesn't know it!

I have made an important descision in my life. I have decided to become a teacher. I am working on getting started earning my BA in Interdisciplinary Studies (elementary education) at WGU. Yes it's an online school. And yes it is usually meant for older students in their late thirties or forties. But I like it. I like the freedom that it offers, and the emphasis on self-directed learning. I have always been a self learner, so I think it will suit me very well. And I have always been quite nontraditional. Go homeschool! As my Admissions Counselor pointed out, "Why be traditional?" I like being different.
Oh yes and the price is very enticing. I won't have tons to pay off when I am done!

I have been thinking for a long time about what I want to do for further education, and when I thought of this idea it just felt right. And it still feels right, and I know that it is. And when I thought of becoming a teacher, it just seemed to click! I am glad to know that I am going to be teaching children and making a difference in their lives. And everyone I have talked to seems to think it would be a good fit for me. Even the seven year old children that I substituted for in primary thought it was a good idea. I told them I was thinking of being a teacher and one little girl said "Oh you should!" They all seemed excited by the idea. :)

And I have started teaching my family art lessons. It's so much fun! It's great to share something that I am so passionate about. I am trying to teach them the significance of being expressive and creative. Everyone is unique and that's a good thing. I also am teaching Chey piano. And I'm trying to think of a way to get Kota interested in music. He won't really do piano, but I think deep down he wants to. And he seems to like the guitar, but I don't know enough to teach him anything. . . Maybe I should talk to Jordon about that. But then again the guitar he would be practicing on isn't a very good one. Hmmmmmmmmm

Oh yeah and I got a new hair cut! I have been wanting to for weeks. I was just getting so tired of my grown out and weird layered style. I decided I wanted it all one length. So I got a short blunt cut. I love it! Now when it grows out it will still look normal!

So how is everyone else's Autumn season starting out?

Believe

I've been there and I've seen with those eyes
Green with envy, dark with anger
Or just plain blue
And I know the last thing you really want to hear
Is just what I'm about to tell you
But you have to hear the truth
I know it's stylish to be cynical these days
So there's only one thing left to do

Believe
Sometimes traffic lights are green,
Sometimes people keep their word
In spite of everything you've heard, it's true that
Sometimes nice guys finish first,
Sometimes true love really lasts
Sometimes all the world can change
If only you believe

Still you say the

phone rings every time you want to take a bath
Or take a nap, or you just need peace
But tell me this, did you really want to be
So all alone as you are now?
Don't you need a friend who knows
It's in the way you see the glass
Once you know that it's half full, it overflows
Every time that you

Believe
Sometimes Christmases are white,
Sometimes wedding days are clear
Sometimes rain falls right on time
To wash away your tears
Sometimes cornfields touch the sky,
Sometimes sunsets make you cry
Sometimes you see what Jesus sees
When you look in the mirror

And love isn't something that is just for everyone else
It's for you
Believe what I say is true
In spite of all the ways you feel right now
You've got to find out some way somehow to

Believe
Sometimes the good live long,
Sometimes kindness reaches far
Sometimes you hear your favorite song
Right when you get in the car
You don't have to move the sky
But you can chase the clouds away
You don't have to change the world,
But you might do it anyway

Believe
Believe sometimes nice guys finish first
You don't have to change the world,
But you might do it anyway

by Cherie Call

Jackie Evancho

I can't believe how super incredible this girl! Her performance was flawless! It's amazing that such a huge sound can come from such a small girl. This girl is my little sisters age.

Changes

Yesterday I was kind of stressing out a little bit. I have known for a long time that things are changing. And thinking about it all usually excites me. I am an optimistic person, and I usually see the happy side of things. But yesterday it all hit me in a different way.

One of my best friends moved out of her parents house before Easter. She in now leaving around Salt Lake area with her grandma. She is working, is dating an RM, and having a little but of a hard time adjusting. I love her and I MISS her!

My other best friend is going to BYU Hawaii in the Fall. I am SO glad that her plan to leave and start working right after school is not happening. Haha, for my own self at least. I would hate for her to leave sooner than she has to.

Some of my guy friends are thinking about their missions, and it is crazy to think about how soon they will actually be gone! Some of them already are gone. :( It is a wonderful thing of course, but also a sad thing.

And my boy will be nineteen next summer!!! I am so extremely excited for this! And yet I will be so completely sad without him!

So everything is changing. Not for the worse, in fact I think that it is all for the better. But still, I feel a little overwhelmed by it all. I am eighteen. I have been for a few months. I am receiving my YW Recognition this Sunday, which I have been working toward for SO long! I will then soon have to start going to Relief Society. :/ No offence meant to all of the wonderful women who belong to that organization. But most of the women in my ward are old, or in a calling in one of the other organizations. And yet i don't want to stay where I am either. My friend and I have talked about going to the college ward together for the summer, but that probably won't won't happen.

I have to find a job now. I need one so bad right now. I need to save up for my travels, as well as some personal things that I need. I just can't wait to get out of this in-between stage. I don't like it.

So, last night I played some hymns on the piano. Some of my favorites, like 'I Believe in Christ,' 'I Stand All Amazed', 'Where Can I Turn for Peace,' 'Be Still My Soul,' and 'I am a child of God.' They comforted me, and were a good reminder that no matter how much and how many things change, the Lord will never change. He and His Gospel are constant and solid. Then I talked to Jordon on the phone before I went to bed. He reminded me that no matter what I will never be completely on my own. No matter how many friends go away, I will still have my family (haha), and I will always have God. He told me to just make the most of everything as it happens. He also told me to stop being ridiculous and to cheer up because being a teenager isn't that wonderful and there are many better things ahead. Haha, he is right, and I didn't have an argument against that.
And ultimately I do know that I am really excited and happy about all of the changes. As much as I will miss my friends I am happy for them and their adventures. And for my own as well. Life is, for the most part, good. And I really am ready for whatever lies ahead. I just have to have a little melt down once in a while to remind me of it all, and to make sure I don't explode under all of the pressure.

Well I don't know how much sense any of that made. But I fell better! :D :) And the sunshine makes me happy!

•°o.O Jazz O.o°•

Tomorrow my Vocal Jazz choir is singing the National Anthem at the Utah Jazz game! :/ Maybe it will be kind of fun. I have to make sure my VJ shirt is clean now. :D

Vocal Jazz!

Hey everyone! I just thought I would take a minute to tell every one that I made it into the Vocal Jazz choir! Woo hoo! I was nervous at the auditions, and I didn't think that I sang as well as I could have. BUt I looked at the list posted on the choir door yesterday, and my name was under the Soprano section! YAY! And many of my friends made it too. Well, Emily, David, Allysa, Caitlin, and Jordon all did.
So I am super excited! I have planned my classes for last year, and I think it will be a fun year. I will be busy, but that's ok. This is what I have planned:

LDS seminary (of course)[we will be studying the Book of Mormon this year]
Advanced Art (yep, another year with the crazy art lady. Perhaps I am crazy for deciding to do it
AP English-Literature and Composition
AP History-American History
Acappella Choir
Vocal Jazz Choir (Mr. P likes it when the Vocal Jazz stundents are in both classes, and I don't mind)

Yay! That's six classes. If I added two more I would be going to public school full time. But I don't want eight classes, and no one ca pursuade me otherwise! And I might decide to drop a couple at the beginning of the year, but who knows.

Love Story meets Viva la vida

~ Music ~

I am listening to some really beautiful music right now! Lovely music is one of the best things for us I think. It can speak to us like nothing else. I have been listening to a lot of peaceful music lately. Especially piano music. Piano is amazing. I am so glad I decided to learn it, and even more glad that there are people ten times better than me or more to create beautiful music for me to enjoy! I have a lot of friends that are musically talented. Most of them much more talented than me. It makes me kinda jealous, but I admire them.
Choir has been fun lately too, although kind of challenging much of the time. Our teacher expects us to do our best, and he gets frustrated when we aren't doing it right. The songs we are singing are all really great, but kind of hard. There is one really pretty one that is written in Latin. It's fun.

When I am mad or upset sometimes I listen to loudish music. When I am energetic I listen to fun upbeat music. When I feel peaceful and inspired, or when want to feel that way, I listen to soft flowing music. And, of course, when I want to chase something out of my mind, I sing or or play or listen to a hymn.
Of course, as with everything, there is a bad side to music. There is music that harms us, or even just distracts us. But if we avoid that kind then music becomes something wonderful. I think of the times when I am feeling things that can't be expained with words. When I am in a beautiful place, when I am with people I love and I can feel the love they all have, when I am feeling grateful for things I have been blessed with, or when I am just happy to be alive. Those things that you simply can not communicate merely through our simple language, I think to some extent you can communicate through music. I like to think that those feelings hint at our divine nature, so of course our finite selves can't express them. But music is something a little higher, if it is used the right way.
It apeals to our senses and speaks to our souls.
I really like the scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants where the Lord is tlaking to Emma Smith. She has been called to organize the hymn book (that sounds like a cool calling), and this is one things He says to her:

For my soul delighteth in the
song of the heart; yea, the song of
the righteous is a prayer unto me,
and it shall be answered with a
blessing upon their heads.
(Doctrine and Covenants 25:12)

That's a Mastery Scripture actually. It's one that has realy stuck in my mind.

I guess I have said enough, and I can't think of anything else to say anyway. Hehe, just some crazy thoughts from me.
Oh yeah,

Happy Valentines Day! <3
To everyone I love!

ps notice the playlist I posted, those are a few of my favorite pretty songs. :)

Jon Schmidt!

Alright everyone, I know it has been SO long since I posted anything. Sorry. But now I have decided on a couple of things that I want to post about.

Ok, first of all, how many of you have heard of Jon Schmidt? If you haven't then now you have. He is AMAZING! Last night I went to a concert of his. And it was so much fun! My friend Jordon knew I would love it, so one day he called me and said- "guess what!? I Got some Jon Schmidt tickets!" (it would have been sad if I'd had something important to do that day. Luckily I did not). So I went!

Anyway, it was amazing. Well, it was in my opinion. That is just the sort of thing I LOVE. The fact that I play piano probably has something to do with it. Jordon also plays. He's pretty good. But Jon Schmidt is brilliant! He makes me feel very inspired and inferior at the same time. Although he told all of the young piano players in the audience that even if you think you only have half a talent you should never give up.

We sat in the third row, so we were close. In my tiny town of course it was not a huge concert, but for here there were a lot of people. And I liked it small. At one point Jordan (another guy from my school.That one is spelled with an 'A' instead of an 'O') yelled "I love you!!!" Jon Schmidt sat there for a minute and then answered "Well I love you too, but I hope you don't mind if I see other audiences." Everyone laughed. It was hilarious.

It was a long concert, but I was sad when it was over. Jordon (not the one who yelled.) went and talked to Jon Schmidt afterward (he was standing out near the doors at the end). He says he's met him many times and he still doesn't know his name. He is Jordon's idol. I understand why.

So, the above video is one that I liked. Although it is nice to watch the ones where he plays only one song. Especially 'Waterfall', 'All of Me' and 'Tribute'. He played all of those at the concert and it was amazing. I can't decide which is my favorite. (if you decide to look any up on Youtube make sure you watch the ones where he is playing, and not some other person.).

Also the other day I was thinking about how much the church has been increasing and it fascinates me. Here are some statistics that I found as of 2002. There are much more now, but I could not find them.

Total membership at year end 11,721,548

Number of Full-time Missionaries 61,638

Converts baptized during 2002 283,138

Temples in operation 114 (i don't remember exactly, but aren't there 126 now? and more being built, including one in Rome Italy!)

In 2001 there were 11,394,522 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here's the breakdown: (now I think it's around 13,000,000)

United States-5,208,827

South America-2,548,979

Mexico-884,071

Asia-750,478

Central America-472,038

Europe-412,907

South Pacific-363,875

Canada-158,511

Africa-153,565

Caribbean-115,610

So there's my blog post!

Song for the Month of June

Welcome June! And here is my song of the month. This song is not a hymn, or a primary song, but is is absolutely beautiful. Kenneth Cope wrote it, and it is actually on my playlist (at the bottom of the page) if you want to listen. Somewhere at the bottom of the list, just scroll down and click on it to play it. Enjoy!

His Hands

His hands: tools of creation, stronger than nations, power without end,

and yet through them we find our truest friend.

His hands: sermons of kindness, healing men's blindness, halting years of pain, children waiting to be held again.

His hands would serve his whole life though, showing man what hands might do, giving, ever giving, endlessly. Each day was filled with selflessness, and I'll not rest 'til i make up my hands what they could be; 'til these hands become like those from Galilee.

His hands: lifting a leper, warming a beggar, calling back the dead, breaking bread, five thousand fed. His hands: hushing contention, pointing to heaven, ever free of sin, then bidding man to follow Him.

His hands would serve his whole life though, showing man what hands might do, giving, ever giving, endlessly. Each day was filled with selflessness, and I'll not rest 'til i make up my hands what they could be; 'til these hands become like those from Galilee.

His hands: clasped in agony as he he lay pleading, bleeding in the garden, while just moments away, other hands betray him out of greed, shameful greed, and then His hands are trembling, straining to carry the beam that they'd be nailed to, as he stumbles through the streets, heading for the hill on which He'd die, He would die.

They take His hands, His mighty hands, those gentle hands, and then they pierce them, they pierce them, He lets them, because of love.

From birth to death was selflessness, and clearly now i see Him with His hands calling to me. And though I'm not yet as i would be, He has shown me how i could be, i will make my hands like those from Galilee.

Words and music: Kenneth Cope

My date

I was looking through some of my old papers while cleaning my room a few days ago. It's a song that my friend Megan and her mom made up for YW camp last year. I think it's cute, and thought you might too. I think It's supposed to be to the tune of "the other day I met a bear" or "sippin cider".

The cutest boy, I ever saw
Was a stripling warrior, momma's boy.
I asked him how he got so strong,
He said, "I lift weights all day long."

He asked me out, on my first date,
He picked me up at half past eight.
He had to get me home by ten,
Or my dad wouldn't let me go out again.

He had me home at a quarter to nine,
Because my nature is divine.
There was no kiss at my font door,
or I wouldn't go out with him no more.

He asked me out 45 more times,
Where we would sit and read 'Ensigns'
Then he asked me to be his wife,
So we could spend eternal life.

He took me through the temple gates,
Where we'd become eternal mates.
He married me at half past eight,
Now I can finally kiss my date!!!

Ok, not exactly how it would really be. Most people wouldn't want to go out 45 times just to read 'Ensigns", but It's still a good song in my opinion. =) And I really like the ending.

Hymn for the month of May-Oh my Father

Ok, so I forgot about my hymn of the month blogging tradition. But, I am going to fix it now! So the hymn that I have been thinking of a lot lately is "Oh my Father." A very LDS hymn. It was never really one of my favorites, until my mom told me it was one of her favorites. Then I paid more attention the next time I heard it, and of course it's a favorite of mine now too! One thing I think is really cool is that it was written by Eliza Snow, I'm pretty sure she was Lorenzo Snow's sister. Also, of course, the lyrics have a very sweet message. Full of lovely thoughts! Here it is:

Oh my Father

O my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place,
When shall I regain thy presence
And again behold thy face?
In thy holy habitation,
Did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood
Was I nurtured near thy side?

For a wise and glorious purpose
Thou hast placed me here on earth
And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth;
Yet ofttimes a secret something
Whispered, “You’re a stranger here,”
And I felt that I had wandered
From a more exalted sphere.

I had learned to call thee Father,
Thru thy Spirit from on high,
But, until the key of knowledge
Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heav’ns are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me I’ve a mother there.

When I leave this frail existence,
When I lay this mortal by,
Father, Mother, may I meet you
In your royal courts on high?
Then, at length, when I’ve completed
All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you

By Eliza R. Snow, 1804-1887

(Romans 8:16-17 & Acts 17:28-29 [22-31])

February song

I bet you all think I forgot about my new tradition of posting a favorite "churchy" song every month. But I didn't! Aren't you glad? OK, this month's song is written by Janice Kapp Perry. It's got a pretty tune, but of course I can't share that part with you. You can look her up on 'project playlist' and find it. I know because I looked it up but didn't put it on my play list because the only version they have is a choir type of version and I didn't want that. Anyway, here are the lyrics.

I Walk by Faith

Words and Music by Janice Kapp Perry~

I will prepare to make and keep sacred covenants,
Seek promised blessings of the priesthood thru obedience,
Live my life to claim the blessing sweet of exaltation,
My testimony growing each new day.

I walk by faith, a daughter of heav’nly parents.
Divine am I in nature by inheritance.
The Spirit whispers of my mission, my individual worth,
So I seek for precious knowledge, for learning, and for growth.

I understand the meaning of accountability;
Ev’ry choice for good or ill is my responsibility.
I want to build the kingdom and good works is the key.
By doing what I know is right I show integrity.

I walk by faith, a daughter of heav’nly parents.
Divine am I in nature by inheritance.
And someday when God has proven me I'll see Him face to face.
But just for here and now I walk by faith.
Yes, just for here and now I walk by faith.

This was our song for Young Women's camp last year, and we all came to love it. It's a wonderful blessing to know that i am a daughter of God, I can't imagine living without that knowledge. But It also places the responsibility to act in a way that is pleasing to Him. We bring glory to God in the way we act. And as members of His church we need to remember that we represent Him to the world.
I also believe that He loves us as we are, and excepts us for that. But He wants us to be the best we can.

I have a YW leader who presented an idea to us that I had never thought about before. Heavenly Father created the three kingdoms because He wants us all to live were we are comfortable and have our idea of happy. Not to limit those who don't meet His standard. We can limit ourselves, but that is certainly not what He seeks to do in any way.
Some people really would prefer Telestial glory. And that's OK with Him, although He would rather have us with Him. The Tellestial kingdom we are promised is already much better than anything we know on the earth. Like the earth almost, but without sin. Only neither He, nor Christ will be there. Only the Holy Ghost.
The Terrestrial is better, and there you can have the presence of Christ, and the holy Ghost.
THe Celestial is more wonderful than anything we can imagine, and both Jesus and the Father dwell there, along with the Holy Ghost, (have you ever wondered what his name is? He must have one. Just a side thought.) The highest degree of the Celestial means endless growth and progress and the ability to become like God, with eternal and ever growing families.

There are people who would be more comfortable with one of the lesser kingdoms, or who just don't want to work for something better. And that's OK, it's the choice they make with their agency, one of our greatest gifts from Father.
But I choose a Celestial glory of the highest. And with God's help I know I can get there. I just have to 'Walk by Faith!'