Friendly Competition

Last night we had an Enrichment activity at the branch. It was fun, even though only six sisters showed up. Don't ask me how we got on the topic, but one girl mentioned that she used to have specialized competitions in some of her former wards. As she explained the rules of this competition we decided that we would try it out today during church.

Here are the rules:
1) A topic, word or phrase is selected and each sister is supposed to somehow incorporate this topic, word or phrase into her comments during Sunday School and Relief Society.

2) The comments must be applicable.

3) You must not get caught.

4) Score will be kept by one sister and a winner will be determined at the end of church.

Our topic today was sports, so our comments had to somehow relate to sports. Within the first few minutes of Sunday School I had come up with a comment. I had the hardest time actually saying it without laughing. The sister teaching Sunday School (who by the way had no idea what was going on, and didn't even notice, not even after we asked her after class) was asking why missionaries have investigators read 3 Nephi 11 as one of their first assignments. Since the Elders were there they put in their two cents, which gave me time to incorporate a sporting reference into my comment. I talked about how chapter 11 is the climax of The Book of Mormon; it is what everyone in the book has been waiting and preparing for. Then I said something about it being like the homerun of The Book of Mormon. I was so glad the teacher made a comment just then because I almost lost it. It took all that I had to compose myself enough to respond back to her comment on my comment. I couldn't look at any of the girls in the competition, and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I even laughed a little, silently of course.

As each sister eventually put in her comments and sports references I laughed silently to myself. I was shocked that the older married sister who hosted Enrichment last night joined in. In fact, she almost beat me. One sister had a really hard time making her sports reference applicable to her scriptural comment. In fact, once she said, "It's like a touchdown," without explaining herself. It was funny to watch other people look at her in disbelief. Applying the gospel to everyday life is one of my favorite things to do, so this was a lot of fun for me. I won with three Sports references during Sunday School, but another sister beat me out during Relief Society, and so she won overall. She even had three references in one comment, and they were each applicable.

Next week's topic is gardening. Easy. Too bad I'll be in CA.

Although this may seem like a huge distraction during the time when I ought to be learning more about the gospel, it was actually a great way for me to participate, stay focused on the lesson and actually hear what people around me were saying. So, if you find yourself getting bored with Sunday School or Relief Society join with us next week and see how many comments you can make about gardens.

Funniest Story Ever

Last night I got invited out to the home of one of the members of the branch presidency for dinner. This particular brother is an FBI agent and has some fascinating stories about busts, raids, pratical jokes and ludicrous people. I was in stitches most of the night. My favorite was not an FBI story though, it was about someone that used to be in the branch that I am currently a member of. This will help you see what type of branch it is:

There was this kid named PJ who used to be in the branch. PJ was known for being pretty air-headed. Once while working at Costco as a cashier PJ had a woman forget to take a poinsettia that she had purchased as she left his register. I guess that people often forget items at the register because Costco doesn't have bags. PJ looked down and realized what had happened just before the woman had gotten out of the door. Determined to make sure this customer didn't walk out without her plant, PJ scooped up the poinsettia with both hands and held it over his head as he ran toward the woman who was just about to exit the store. As he ran toward the woman, in his loudest voice, he started shouting to her, "Hey, you forgot your placenta! You forgot your placenta!" As the gap between PJ and the customer was closing, PJ realized that the entire store had gone stone silent. When he reached the woman he repeated once more as he waved the plant above his head, "You forgot your placenta!" The woman quickly grabbed her plant and said, "Thank you," in a quick, hushed tone. She then abrubtly turned and exited the store. PJ was so proud of himself for catching the woman before she had left the store that he thought the entire store population was giving him looks of surprised respect rather than incredulity as he walked back to his post. PJ, now back at his register, started checking out other customers.

About fifteen minutes later PJ's manager pulled him aside to speak with him. The manager asked PJ what had happened and PJ responded, "I saw her placenta lying there as she was walking out so I decided to catch her before she got out the door." Stifling a laugh, the manager said, "You gave her what? Do you know what a placenta is?" PJ responded, "It's that Christmas plant." The color drained from PJ's face as his manager explained to him what a placenta really was.

What a hoot! I was literally in tears after this story. I've never heard anything so hilarious! It sounds like a Seinfeld episode doesn't it? If I'm not mistaken, PJ still works as a cashier at the Costco in Carson City. If you're ever there, I suggest you don't purchase any poinsettias.

Facebook?

Last weekend I got around 15 invites from friends and family via email to join Facebook. In the past I have always deleted these types of invitations because:

1) I was warned by my professors at USU that I had better watch out what I do online because potential employers sometimes google a person's name to see what type of information is out there about them

2) I have always been skeptical about things like Facebook and Myspace, I can't really explain why

3) I prefer to talk with people over any other form of communication-I'm not great at emailing and I dislike texting, but I am fairly good at writing letters (comes from a year and a half of practice)

4) With my recent addiction to blogging I thought there was a good possibility I would also become addicted to Facebook or Myspace and thus waste more time on the internet than I actually ought to

Having all of these hesitations, I joined anyway. I alleviated some of my anxieties about my first reason for not joining by not putting my real name in my Facebook account. Clever aren't I?

In just one week I have gotten in touch with some people that I haven't heard from in about ten years. It has actually been kind of fun to catch up with some of those folks. I must admit that I don't really get what to do on Facebook though. Do you just write on other people's walls and that is it? Seems kind of strange if you ask me. I think I need a Facebook tutor to show me what to do. Any volunteers?

Good Feelings

Monday night was soccer night and boy does my body feel it. I am a little out of shape and that is a good kind of sore, but my body is not used to being hit so many times by flying objects like hands, heads, legs and the occasional soccer ball. I love to play soccer and it was great to get in a game this week, but I tell you, it's literally a different ball game when you play with people who don't play often. My shins are pink and I still have a ball print on the inside of my knee tonight. There is also this large goose egg just above my left ear where someone attempting a header accidentally got my head confused with the ball. Oops! It was all worth it because I got to play for an hour and a half. ( : I love soccer!

I also have some great news to report: Tyler and Callie had their third son on Monday night. They named him Jonah. He came around 6:58 pm and was 7 lbs 12 oz, 19 3/4 inches. He looks like a TJ Bushman boy already-so cute. DaNette told me that JD was really excited to go see him and Bradey was a little confused when they tried to explain who this new kid was (he's only 18 months). It's times like these that I miss living close to my family. I love holding newborns because wherever you put them they just fit. They also smell great, on most days.

Coby and DaNette also announced their family's new addition that will be due in May. How exciting! I love that our family is growing!

First Sunday Tradition

I know that it is the second Sunday in October, but I decided that I am going to begin a tradition on the first Sunday of each month. Sometimes I don't have the guts to share my feelings about the gospel during fast and testimony meeting, but I need to share what I know. This is the best way to do that without getting so stinking nervous. (You'd think that I'd be used to standing in front of people and talking, I'm a teacher for crying out loud!)

I've recently come to realize yet again how important it is for us to have the Spirit with us. Conference weekend marked a new bend in the road of my life. It was so good for me to absorb truth for eight hours that weekend. I was starving myself prior to that but I didn't realize it until I had feasted.

It has been a long time since I felt as though I have received any type of personal revelation. I'm sure that one of the reasons I felt like God was not speaking to me was because I was not seeking for it. I thought that I was doing fine on my own. I realized that I can do fine on my own, but I can't be great without the help of Heavenly Father. I want to be great. I saw what He wants for me, and it is much better than what I want for myself. He wants me to have the best and to be the best. I remembered that during conference, and now I want it again too.

There are three members of the Godhead. We have the amazing opportunity to have one of those members with us at all times. Who better to instruct, warn, inspire, teach and comfort us than someone who is completely in tune with Father in Heaven? Over the course of the last year I have slowly either stopped listening to or started ignoring the simple suggestions of the Spirit. It has taken a serious toll on my Spiritual well-being. Since conference weekend I have focused on being more alert and in tune with the Spirit. As this week has passed, I have been persuaded that there are some minor adjustments that I needed to make in my life to have greater joy. These really have been minor things that I wouldn't have thought about were it not for the gentle nudgings of the Spirit. Since I have made having the Spirit a priority once again I can honestly say that I am happier. I have taken a few things out of my life that were unnecessary and added some of the necessities of one who follows Christ. My burdens have not changed over the past week, but they have somehow become easier to bear. I have followed instructions from the Spirit this week that were hard for me because they caused emotional pain. It has been interesting how I have been blessed with a calm, comforting feeling that almost completely counter-balances my suffering. I almost feel as though I were being carried through this pain. I know that the road ahead will not be paved with gold or lined with roses, but I also know that it will lead me where the Lord would have me be.

I know that Heavenly Father truly is mindful of each of us. He hears us in our times of need or when we simply cry to Him in joy. He knows our hearts and for that I am grateful. I don't know what I would do if He could only see my actions and not know who I am on the inside-it would be much harder for me to demonstrate the way I feel about Him. I know that our Father seeks for us to be happy.

Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. He comprehends our feelings perfectly and knows the joys and sorrows we each experience. He somehow performed the act of atoning for all mankind and has provided the example for us to follow in this life. He loves us more than He loves Himself and is willing to assist us on our journey back to our Father. He offers the peace we need to get us through the challenges of this world.

The Book of Mormon has changed my life. The principles and precepts found in this book are untouched truth. I read the words of the Lord when I peruse its pages. I know that the Spirit will teach the heart of man that the Book of Mormon is true if he but read it and ask God.

Joseph Smith was the instrument Father chose to once again bring the fulness of His truth to the earth. He was a prophet called of God to do a work in preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Thomas S Monson is the prophet today. I love how seamlessly the mantle slips from one prophet to the next. I have witnessed the mantle resting on President Monson and know that He is called of God to prepare the world for the eternities.

I know that as we tune in to the Spirit and do what we are asked, we will be filled with joy and upheld during our times of sorrow. The Lord doesn't usually ask us to do huge things, He asks us to do small and simple things. I know that it is by small and simple means that great things can be brought to pass. I pray that as I seek to adjust my life in small and simple ways, I will be qualified for the great plans Father has in store.

Changing Seasons

There were so many great things about this week. Besides loving my job and getting more and more used to being a teacher, I have been enjoying the surrounding area. Since the seasons have obviously been changing down here in the valley, I was wondering what the canyons were looking like. My friend Zach and I took a drive up to Hope Valley on Highway 88 to check on the leaves, and they were gorgeous. Here are a few photos of our drive.

Zach and I went to Hope Valley the day before it snowed-lucky us. Yes, it snowed here. When I walked out of work on Friday afternoon I could hardly see my car it was coming down so hard! Woo-hoo for the first snowfall! So what if it didn't stick.

My reeds for my saxophone came in this week. The first day I had them I played for about an hour, then I couldn't feel my lips any longer and had to quit. It is fun to try new things like the sax. I can still play "Stand By Me" but I'm not quite as good as I remember being back in ninth grade. I'll post a video of me playing something when I don't hurt ears anymore.

I also had the chance to go to a college football game yesterday. It was awesome to be there. It made me realize how much I miss college. I love learning. I'm still learning, but it is a different type of learning than the kind the classroom offers. The branch had its own little tail-gate party before the game and then we froze while watching the game. We had a great time, even though UNR lost.

I've become curious about my surroundings recently and find myself driving around the edges of Carson to see what there is to see. Today on the way home from church I ventured farther down a road than I had been before and it turned into a dirt road. I took my little Aveo down that dirt road and had a blast! There are some great places for camping not far from where I live. If only I could have found these areas pre-frozen weather. Oh well, there's always next Spring.

Oh, I've also been having fun with my camera. I have taken some cool pictures of the moon recently.

What a Weekend!

This weekend was such an amazing weekend. One of my friends flew out from SLC to visit and watch conference with me. We went over to the Baldwin's house, an older couple I met at the single's branch who have family in Kearns. I loved conference. This is the first time in a long time that I didn't have something else going on during conference and I could just sit, relax and absorb. I learned and relearned so many principles. It was great to have such a feast-I have really been needing it lately. I was reminded of just how much Heavenly Father is aware of me, and how I can trust Him with my life. It's nice to be reminded that I am loved like that.

Between sessions on Saturday, Benson and I took a picnic up to Sand Harbor on Lake Tahoe. It had rained all day that day, the day before, and there was even snow on a few peaks surrounding Tahoe so it was a chilly trip. But we made the most of it by taking off our shoes and socks and getting our feet wet. It sure was a pretty day. Here are a few random pics of our trip.

There were tons of crayfish that had been washed up on shore. Most of them were dead, but some were still alive. This is the biggest one we found. They were fun to play with.

I LOVE living here. It is so beautiful.