General Conference

Some of you know, and some may not, that I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Every 6 months, the leaders of our church meet in Salt, Lake City, Utah for a world-wide broadcast of General Conference where various leaders will speak and give counsel to the members of the church. A few months ago, after some reflection, I realized that my testimony wasn't as strong as it should be--or at least as strong as I thought it should be. There are lots of things that go on in life, and unfortunately for my one-track-mind, those outside influences seem to creep in to my testimony-buliding time. Days have passed where I have had no personal or family prayer or scripture study. Those days always seem dark and dingy, and for me, its harder to be Christlike. I began to ponder ways that I could increase the influence of the Spirit in my life. One idea that came to me is General Conference. Thanks to technology, I have almost every General Conference talk right on my phone. And thanks to being a girl, I have lots of time in the mornings when I am getting ready where I can fill my time with listening to General Conference talks instead of listening to the radio as I usually do.  And what better way to prepare for General Conference than by studying other General Conference talks? After about a month of doing this, I can say without a doubt that God speaks to His people through a living prophet. I think General Conference is so cool because all the revelation that is recieved is for our day and time. And the language is easier to understand than that of the scriptures sometimes. It is easy to pick out the message or "moral of the story". Sometimes, certain words or phrases will just jump out at me. For example: a few days ago, I went to the beautiful temple here in Mesa. I hadn't been since we moved down here 4 months ago, and I went seeking guidance on an issue that I had been pondering for a while. All throughout the session, I felt the Spirit testifying of the things being taught, and I took that as a good sign. But after the session, as I went to the Lord with my question, I didn't feel any major revelation come to me. I guess I expected the heavens to open and the angels to come down singing, but there was simply no answer. I was puzzled and, lets face it, sad and discouraged as I went home. Then a few days later, I was listening to General Conference as I was getting ready for the day. I don't even remember who was giving the talk or what it was about, but this line stood out very vividly to me: "You must study it out in your mind, then ask me if it be right." Like a ton of bricks it hit me that before I go to Heavenly Father again, I need to take some time and think about it myself, then make an informed and rational decision, then ask if it is the course He would have me take. I think a lot of times we expect Heavenly Father to tell us every thing we need to do, when in reality, that takes away our free agency--the thing we were literally sent to earth to receive, what the war in heaven was all about, why we need the Atonement. I am still pondering the decision the lies ahead, but I am greatful that through my study of General Conference I was able to understand the steps I needed to take in order to receive the revelation I needed. Anyways, there is now a special place in my heart for General Conference, and actually, I'm kind of obsessed with it now. I hope my testimony of General Conference can help someone else who might be struggling.

Three Months Down, Twenty-Four to go

Oh, look! Its US again! Well, just so you know, we have successfully made it through the first three months of P.A. school! Since this program is 27 months long, we oficially only have two years left, possibly only one year left here in sunny AZ. Brennen is hoping to get some rotations in Las Vegas and Idaho. Arizona is getting better, but we are anxious to be back with our families. Speaking of being back with our families, we were able to go back to Idaho for about a week between blocks of school. We were able to spend a lot of time out on the boat and with family and friends. It was a blast and just the pick-me-up we needed. We even bought a new car while we were up there! Wooo! Its had to believe we have been here for three months already! I still get homesick a lot, but Mesa is beginning to feel more like home. It helps that I'm working a lot and don't have a lot of time to just sit around and brood over how much I miss the trees and clean air of Idaho.

Brennen has been liking school. Although he is not impressed with the curriculum. But he's still loving everything he's learning about. He works hard every day and is studying from dawn to dark. I'm so proud of him!

Lately I have just been working like a mad-woman! Things have gotten a little better since I have been designated to train the new guy. I am just happier teaching! And this week I got my benefits package in the mail! Haha, I know it sounds silly but it really felt like Christmas getting that package. I can go to the dentist and eye doctor and get all my check-ups taken care of, and I should probably go see a dermatologist too.

This post has taken me a while to write because there just isn't a lot that's super exciting going on right now. Monday, Labor Day, we went to our very first Diamondbacks Game! It was so fun. And its in an indoor field with air conditioning and everything! Brennen and I also got a calling as the new CTR 7 teachers! At least the Church has found a way to put my degree to good use! We have about 15 kids in our class which is actually really crazy, and the first Sunday they were awful! But they hand had a regular teacher for about two months, so now we have to establish a routine and discipline.

Well, here are some pictures of what's been going on here! Sorry, still posting from the phone since its our only source of internet!

Just Words

Hello everyone! Here's a little update to let you know that we haven't melted {yet} in this dry Arizona heat!

Like I said, it is VERY hot here.  You Idahoans that are complaining about 100 degree weather? Girl, please. Try a LOW of 100 degrees EVERY DAY.  Then, and only then, can you complain.  Try getting in your car after an 8 hour workday and having the sheer 150 degrees melt your face off.  Seriously. I feel like my face is melting.

We kind of like it here.  I mean, it's good. We live in a really good area of Mesa, we have a super fantastic ward, and everything here is so accessible, but it's missing a few things. Like mountains.  We have a few but they are SO far away, and made of rock.  Ok, I know that ALL mountains are made of rock, but the ones back in Idaho look like they are made solely of trees.  We miss that. It is so so flat here.  Not really a lot to look at.  We also miss all the fishing spots.  There are a few places here, but it's so hot, you can't get outside to do anything.  One day we were at Wal-Mart and Brennen was telling the cashier that it was supposed to cool down.  Being the witty person that I am, I piped in "YA! In December!" Seriously.  SO HOT.

Brennen is doing really well in school! He studies about 6 hours a day, not including the time he spends at school, and it shows!  He did a FANTASTIC job on all of his midterms.  He is really loving what he is learning, even if it is hard and requires a lot of work.  He has to practice physical exams, and who better to practice on than your lovely wife? Last night he did a bunch of stuff.  The worst is when he shines the bright light in my eyes for about 10 minutes and then I can't see afterwards... the best is when he feels for the lymph nodes (i think?) at the base of my head...feels like a massage.

I hate working at the plasma center here.  I'll just throw that out right now.  I dread waking up in the morning because I know that I have to make the 25 minute drive to work.  And I'm terrified of driving on the highway.  I know that earlier I said it was fun, but that was before a highway patrolman pulled me over for no good reason and threatened to give me a $1000 ticket and made me buy a new windshield.  I guess as soon as you get a job here you are considered a "resident" and have to change over your license and plates and stuff.  Pfft. No thanks.  I'll just try not to get caught next time.  So when we come back up to visit, we'll be spending time in the DMV transferring the tiles and registration all into Brennen's name.  Since he's a student, he doesn't have to change anything.  So at least if I do get pulled over, I can't claim the vehicle as mine. Mwahaha.  Anyways, my hobbies nowadays consist of loading the dishwasher and watching TONS of TV.  It's awful.  Because after I get home from work I'm too dead to do anything besides mindlessly stare at the television.  My favorites right now are TLC (Toddlers & Tiaras, and Bride-day Friday) and the Bachelorette. I was hoping to come home with a sweet tan, but it's too blasted hot to even step outside, let alone lay in the sunshine.

One of the hardest things for us out here is making friends.  There are a bunch of people our age in our ward and that live in our complex, but they already have their little cliques and don't need anyone intruding.  So Brennen is working on finding some friends from school, and I'm working on getting together with some people I already know down here.  Friday, my friend from the Rexburg Biomat Brittany and I have a craft date!

Speaking of friends, Saturday we drove down to Tuscon to spend some time with one of Brennen's friends, Nathan.  He had us over for a BBQ and then we went swimming and to the mall.  After that Brennen and Nathan played some COD while I took off to visit one of my best friends from college, Melissa and her adorable little boy.  It was really good to see her and catch up on everything.  They will be moving back to Rexburg in August.  On our way home from Tuscon, we drove through a massive monsoon!  It was so scary!  The rain came down in sheets!  I would say it was scarier than driving through an Idaho blizzard.
But the best part was getting back into Gilbert and seeing the nearly finished Gilbert Temple against the backdrop of the most amazing lightning storm I have ever seen!

Well, that's all for this month!  Maybe I'll post again before August?!  Maybe.  So here's a little recipe for all my girlfriends that I discovered last night that is pretty much amazing.  I was looking on Pinterest, and when I do, I don't search for specific things.  I usually just find the category "Everything" and scroll through and pin things I like.  I stumbled upon this jewelry cleaner recipe and thought I'd give it a try.  And it's a good thing I did! It was amazing, especially on my sterling silver CTR ring that had about 8 years of dingy on it.  Girls.  Try this out, then comment on how amazing it is! Seriously.  You won't regret it.

Jewelry Cleaner:

Line the bottom of a bowl with aluminum foil.
Place:
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 Tbs Dish Soap
on the foil.
Pour 1 cup of hot water (I just heated mine in the microwave) over ingredients.
Drop jewelry in and let soak for 10-15 mins.
Use a toothbrush to loosen up any leftover gunk, rinse under cold water.

I will definitely use this instead of taking my ring to the jeweler to get cleaned! It looks just as good as if a pro did it.

Oh, Hey!

Um...I realize we pretty much dropped off the face of the planet. But this past month has been SO crazy. Just so you all know...we made it to Arizona! We got here last week and its been great! Aside from the weather, anyways. Gives a literal meaning to "Drop it like it's hot." Its consistently above 100 degrees and dry as..a desert. Go figure. But truth be told, I'll take this hot summer over an Idaho winter any day. One of the great things about being out here is that everything is within 5 minutes of you. Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby, Winco, In-n-out, Cheesecake Factory, the mall, you name it. Its so convenient. Right now i'm working at the plasma center. I know, I know. You all are thinking " Wait, didn't she just graduate from college?" The answer is yes, yes I did. But, I can't teach without a license, and I've been waitng for my Idaho licence for about 6 weeks now. I can't apply for my Arizona license until I get my Idaho lisence and I can't apply for jobs until I have my licence. Hence, the plasma center. Oh...the interesting people I have met. Anyways. Brennen started school this week and is already studying in the cadaver lab.  Yay. Maybe someday I will post all the pictures from my phone  so you can see what its really like out here.  We love our apartment! Apparently we live in the "nice" part of town. Five things I love about this apartment: garbage disposal, dishwasher, washer, dryer, and walk-in master closet. None of which we had in rexburg. It's also on the first floor which is amazing. We requested the first or third floor (third floor because we wouldn't have to worry about hearing the neighbors above us) and I am so so so SO glad we got the first floor because I can't imagine hauling all our crap up to the third floor! In 100 degree weather. Everything is unpacked except for the spare bedroom which will likely stay in boxes until we have a legitimate use for it. Our bedroom has been turned into the beddroom/study area and is the hottest room in the whole building, I'm sure. I guess you can't have your cake and eat it too. The water here is extremely nasty. Like worse than Utah water nasty. Luckily we got a Pur water filter pitcher for our wedding and never needed it until now. It makes the water 100 times better. I just learned that there is a temple being built about 10 minutes away from us in Gilbert and another in Phoenix in addition to Mesa, Gila Valley, Tuscon and Snowflake! What an exciting time for Arizona! I am hoping to go to the Gilbert temple open house and dedication! I read some info about the temples on the church's website and they said that no one formally filed a complaint on building the Gilbert temple. But the Phoenix temple has recieved a lot of opposition. So much, that the Church completely redesigned the temple from the original plans in hopes that those opposing the construction would be assuaged. Interesting stuff, and I'm excited to be a part of it. Well, that's all for now. Here are some pics of what we've been up to.

Haircuts

It's now 12:04 a.m. and my husband decides its the perfect time to give himself a haircut. Sweet. Here's to falling asleep alone tonight...boo. in other hair news, I managed to get my hair into a pony today! Woop! Behold:

Pageviews and Health

Alright. So the last few weeks I have been seeing the pageviews for my blog skyrocket. And when I say skyrocket, I mean go from maybe 3 a day to about 12. Whooooo. But then I look at that cool map thingy that tells me where all the views are coming from and it says USA and Russia? Ummm...cool. Thanks Russia for viewing my blog! Anyways...life after student teaching has gone about like this: wake up, do nothing, go to bed. Seriously, all this stay-in-bed-til-noon crap has got to end. I know, I know, all you moms out there are thinking that I should just be grateful I get to sleep past 7 or 8, and it's true. I should be grateful. But I just feel so darn lazy. And I am. Because here I am, in bed, at...11:36 a.m. typing this up. Pfffffffft.

Anyways, on to health. Although I think it's important to get into a healthy exercise routine and eat healthily, I pretty much laothe working out and I would choose cheesecake over carrot sticks any day. However, that being said, I still think you should do all those things so you don't have a scare like I did last night.

I work out a little, not as much as I should, but some is better than none right? Lately I have been getting sick more often. This doesn't have anything to do with colds or the flu, but its been something similar to IBS. There is something funky going down in my digestive system and I don't like it. It always changes. Lately it's been a burning sensation down in my gut. Like heartburn only 10x worse and down by your bellybutton. Usually when it happens my blood pressure plummets and I get really lightheaded and weak. Usually I throw up from the pain. I get super sensitive to sounds like a migrane and smells like morning sickness. Usually I just have to wait it out until it stops. So I'm sitting there trying to breathe deeply and evenly, because that's usually the only thing that helps, when I feel my heart trying to pound its way out of my chest. Except it was beating really funny. Not the normal lub-dub you should feel. So I called over my husband who, very handily, is a paramedic. He checked my pulse and declared me bradycardic. Bradicardic means your heart rate is under 60 bpm or 1 beat per second. I was measuring in around 30 bpm. That's 2 beats per second. Not good. My stomach was feeling a little better after taking my blood pressure about a zillion times so he had me get up and walk around a little to try to get it up. I never could get it above 47, but after about an hour he declared me well enough, told me to keep an eye on it, and let me go to bed. So what's the moral of this story? Take care of your body and it will take care of you. We will be keeping an eye out for any indicators that it may be a more serious issue, but for now I will making sure cardio is an integral piece of my workouts so I can strengthen my heart and hopefully not have another scare like this one!

Finished

Dear everybody: I am officially a college graduate! Who would have thought I would ever live to see this day? It feels so strange not having to go to school or worry about planning lessons for tomorrow. Now it's worrying about finding a real job that pays well and actually lets me use my degree that took me 5 years to get. Its so weird. Anyways, I just thought you should all know that I am officially a grown-up now.