My best friends have been 100% there for me! I hit what felt like a crisis in the past few days, and suddenly none of my friends had anything better to do than listen to me. They insisted they were free, and had nothing else going on (even though one of them dropped what she was doing and literally ran down to see if I was okay). Even my friends who are out of town have been here for me in a very real way. It's amazing!
I was given an awesome book called "Hearing the Voice of the Lord," by Gerald Lund. It's reminding me of the other priceless gifts I've received through the Atonement and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I can't put it down! I highly recommend it. (As a bonus feature, it's hard-bound like a bunch of my favorite fiction books. I don't know why that makes a difference, but I got excited as soon as I noticed that.)
In addition, Bishop Bishop called me Sunday night and asked me to give a talk on personal revelation. Perfect, wonderful timing! I'm very excited.
EDIT: I saw this Jane Austen quote on Sam's page and decided to steal it. Here it is, every girl's problem: "Where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong?"
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Puritanical Poetry & a Generous Thought
I had a really neat experience today. I am retaking a rather in-depth grammar class so that I can qualify to tutor for it (I got a B last time). Since it's only the first few weeks of class, I've been rather bored with the lessons. In contrast, the other students in the class are still struggling to remember everything their 7th grade English teacher taught.
Seventh grade seems even farther away for an older woman in our class who just came back to school. Today in class she asked for quite a few clarifications, but nothing the teacher could say was helping it click in her head. The difference between transitive and intransitive verbs didn't make sense to her, and she didn't quite grasp the idea of a direct object. The two sample sentences were "The Smiths lived in New York" and "The Smiths read the Bible." She didn't get why "Bible" was a direct object, but "in New York" wasn't.
I was watching her leave at the end of class, understanding why she didn't get it. I got the urge to just go chat with her, and to try to explain it myself. I hesitated, because she's my mom's age and I didn't want to embarrass her or anything. Suddenly, the quote popped into my head, "Never suppress a generous thought" (who was it that said that?). So I called her name, introduced myself, and... magic happened!
In trying to explain something I understood in my brain but had never articulated, she forced me come up with a much better way of explaining it. "The Bible" was being read, but "in New York" was not being lived. And, ohhh... watching it finally dawn on her was so awesome (grozny, lol). It definitely made my day. Plus, I have a new friend now, plus a little practice in tutoring. Hooray!
Okay, this post is pretty long already. HOWEVER. If you are ever looking for some good spiritual poetry, look up Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor. We studied them briefly in my American Lit class, and they are proof that good things did come out of the Scarlet Letter- era in history!
My favorite Bradstreet poem is currently "As Weary Pilgrim," but I couldn't find a link to it online and it's too long to post here. Just trust me... it's so good! It's about longing to be at rest with God. Love it. Edward Taylor's "Meditation 38, 1 John 2:1" is similarly wonderful.
Seriously. Look them up.
Seventh grade seems even farther away for an older woman in our class who just came back to school. Today in class she asked for quite a few clarifications, but nothing the teacher could say was helping it click in her head. The difference between transitive and intransitive verbs didn't make sense to her, and she didn't quite grasp the idea of a direct object. The two sample sentences were "The Smiths lived in New York" and "The Smiths read the Bible." She didn't get why "Bible" was a direct object, but "in New York" wasn't.
I was watching her leave at the end of class, understanding why she didn't get it. I got the urge to just go chat with her, and to try to explain it myself. I hesitated, because she's my mom's age and I didn't want to embarrass her or anything. Suddenly, the quote popped into my head, "Never suppress a generous thought" (who was it that said that?). So I called her name, introduced myself, and... magic happened!
In trying to explain something I understood in my brain but had never articulated, she forced me come up with a much better way of explaining it. "The Bible" was being read, but "in New York" was not being lived. And, ohhh... watching it finally dawn on her was so awesome (grozny, lol). It definitely made my day. Plus, I have a new friend now, plus a little practice in tutoring. Hooray!
Okay, this post is pretty long already. HOWEVER. If you are ever looking for some good spiritual poetry, look up Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor. We studied them briefly in my American Lit class, and they are proof that good things did come out of the Scarlet Letter- era in history!
My favorite Bradstreet poem is currently "As Weary Pilgrim," but I couldn't find a link to it online and it's too long to post here. Just trust me... it's so good! It's about longing to be at rest with God. Love it. Edward Taylor's "Meditation 38, 1 John 2:1" is similarly wonderful.
Seriously. Look them up.
Friday, May 1, 2009
cookies and a good book
So, my awesome roommate is letting me borrow two novels that are set in Russia. I think I'm hooked on the first one! And I was seriously craving some chocolate chip cookies, so I made some. Delicious. All you need in life, folks! All you stinkin' need.
And: it's the weekend, I walked to and from the temple today, I got two extra credit sewing projects done with Becca, I don't have much homework, and we're having a fun dinner party on Sunday!
Hooray for summer!
And: it's the weekend, I walked to and from the temple today, I got two extra credit sewing projects done with Becca, I don't have much homework, and we're having a fun dinner party on Sunday!
Hooray for summer!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Another one
So, I just made another blog. Yes, yes... I know. I already have two. But it's warranted, I promise.
Just before I left home, my dad challenged us all to create our own project centered on the Book of Mormon. He's writing haikus based on chapters, my little sister is making a table of contents for the stories, etc. I was working on a story project for a little while, but it wasn't really right for me and my study habits. SO, I have decided on a new project, and have created a blog dedicated to it!
Here is a link to my Book of Mormon Patterns blog. Check it out if you want, and please leave some of your own insights as comments!
♥ Stacy
P.S. It's really plain right now, I'm still deciding if I want to take the time to make a background and stuff.
Just before I left home, my dad challenged us all to create our own project centered on the Book of Mormon. He's writing haikus based on chapters, my little sister is making a table of contents for the stories, etc. I was working on a story project for a little while, but it wasn't really right for me and my study habits. SO, I have decided on a new project, and have created a blog dedicated to it!
Here is a link to my Book of Mormon Patterns blog. Check it out if you want, and please leave some of your own insights as comments!
♥ Stacy
P.S. It's really plain right now, I'm still deciding if I want to take the time to make a background and stuff.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Ooo-tah
Life for me has calmed down quite a bit since Wednesday. Anne's wedding went fairly well. Considering how much threatened to go wrong. lol. The centerpieces turned out okayyy. The tables were bigger than I had planned on, so they ended up looking a little small. But it was good. See:
It was crazy busy at Mema's house (anne's mom) and everybody was running everywhere getting everything done. We're all very grateful it's successfully done with. =]
On the side, I got to:
1. Learn how to make fondant. yay!
2. Hike up to a NIFTY waterfall. (and a not-so-nifty cave, where I had a not-so-nifty panic attack. Ack. I pretty much just sobbed in terror on Sharon's shoulder because I thought I was going to fall. How embarrassing...)
3. Babysit adorable kids and play pony rides.
4. Watch lots of Hulu with Sam(antha)
5. Dance with a self-proclaimed Prince Eric (Anne's 4-yr-old niece, because she was wearing pants and I was wearing a dress.)
6. Go to church and be introduced as Mema's roommate. lol
7. Play spoons AND signs
8. Watch Raising Helen & Bedtime Stories
Aaaaand now Sam, and I are just trying to find things enough to do before we head over to the shuttle tomorrow. Luckily we have Maps(Anne's twin) to hang out with.
And now... pictures of our 2nd trip to the waterfall! yay!
Walking on a log
Pretty!
This is MY rock. lol
It was crazy busy at Mema's house (anne's mom) and everybody was running everywhere getting everything done. We're all very grateful it's successfully done with. =]
On the side, I got to:
1. Learn how to make fondant. yay!
2. Hike up to a NIFTY waterfall. (and a not-so-nifty cave, where I had a not-so-nifty panic attack. Ack. I pretty much just sobbed in terror on Sharon's shoulder because I thought I was going to fall. How embarrassing...)
3. Babysit adorable kids and play pony rides.
4. Watch lots of Hulu with Sam(antha)
5. Dance with a self-proclaimed Prince Eric (Anne's 4-yr-old niece, because she was wearing pants and I was wearing a dress.)
6. Go to church and be introduced as Mema's roommate. lol
7. Play spoons AND signs
8. Watch Raising Helen & Bedtime Stories
Aaaaand now Sam, and I are just trying to find things enough to do before we head over to the shuttle tomorrow. Luckily we have Maps(Anne's twin) to hang out with.
And now... pictures of our 2nd trip to the waterfall! yay!
Walking on a log
Pretty!
This is MY rock. lol
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Montezuma!
Daddy and I had a good trip through AZ!
We decided to be spontaneous and stop at Montezuma's Castle National Monument. Thingy. It was way cool. See, here's some proof.
Yayyyyyy for road trips with papa. I found a funny punctuation error at Sonic. haha. And we were very intrigued by the sandstorm we went through, and the funky rock scenery.
Coming soon: pictures of the wedding madness and Utah vacation!
We decided to be spontaneous and stop at Montezuma's Castle National Monument. Thingy. It was way cool. See, here's some proof.
Yayyyyyy for road trips with papa. I found a funny punctuation error at Sonic. haha. And we were very intrigued by the sandstorm we went through, and the funky rock scenery.
Coming soon: pictures of the wedding madness and Utah vacation!
Friday, April 3, 2009
I am a genius.
No, seriously. I am.
haha, today I was babysitting my cousins Isaac and Lily. They are... rather active, and aren't supposed to watch too much TV. I found a great idea online for this bean-bag toss box. Check it out.
It kept them entertained forever! Plus, I had them help me make some bean bags (one held the funnel and one poured the little cup of rice) to play with as well. They love it. Lily thinks it makes a good mask. =]
This next picture is of two projects I'm rather proud of. Firstly, I made a bag for all of my toiletries (hair, make-up, toothbrush, etc.) out of a pair of jeans that were too small for me. I used some cheap ribbon to make loops on the inside for my toothbrush, hair brush, etc. I left the pockets on the outside for the few make-up things I use all the time. It was a quick, hurried sewing job, but I like it just fine. Then I looped a ribbon through the belt loops to hide the random stitches I had to make around the top. lol. You'll notice I cut out the zipper area, because I thought it was a little awkward. Plus, the ideal size jeans to use would be children's. (Nobody wants to see just how big their waist actually is anyway.)
I also made a homemade block for my niece Anna. It has ribbon loops in the seams for her to grab onto once she's old enough, and a little felt bear that tucks into a pocket on one of the sides. There's a big jingle bell inside the stuffing, so it acts like a gentle rattle too. I'm hoping to be able to make a few more before I leave her. I made a set for my nephew, and he seemed to like it.
Happy Spring!
haha, today I was babysitting my cousins Isaac and Lily. They are... rather active, and aren't supposed to watch too much TV. I found a great idea online for this bean-bag toss box. Check it out.
It kept them entertained forever! Plus, I had them help me make some bean bags (one held the funnel and one poured the little cup of rice) to play with as well. They love it. Lily thinks it makes a good mask. =]
This next picture is of two projects I'm rather proud of. Firstly, I made a bag for all of my toiletries (hair, make-up, toothbrush, etc.) out of a pair of jeans that were too small for me. I used some cheap ribbon to make loops on the inside for my toothbrush, hair brush, etc. I left the pockets on the outside for the few make-up things I use all the time. It was a quick, hurried sewing job, but I like it just fine. Then I looped a ribbon through the belt loops to hide the random stitches I had to make around the top. lol. You'll notice I cut out the zipper area, because I thought it was a little awkward. Plus, the ideal size jeans to use would be children's. (Nobody wants to see just how big their waist actually is anyway.)
I also made a homemade block for my niece Anna. It has ribbon loops in the seams for her to grab onto once she's old enough, and a little felt bear that tucks into a pocket on one of the sides. There's a big jingle bell inside the stuffing, so it acts like a gentle rattle too. I'm hoping to be able to make a few more before I leave her. I made a set for my nephew, and he seemed to like it.
Happy Spring!
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