Goodbye

It started with this:

See you in 18 months!

In the meantime, be sure to watch for my new blog:

Little Light

Shabbat Shalom

I think it's time that some American authors appear on this blog.

From a 14-year-old Louisa May Alcott:

A little kingdom I possess,

Where thoughts and feelings dwell,

And very hard I find the task

Of governing it well;...

I do not ask for any crown

But that which all may win,

Nor seek to conquer any world

Except the one within.

Those are wise words from someone who is six years my junior. 

But words that I think everyone needs to hear every once in a while. 

Shabbat Shalom. 

Shabbat Shalom

One of my dear childhood friend gave his "I'm home! address."
    What I loved about today:
1. Got to see old friends and ward members from the Clifton 1st Ward. ("You can't be 20!")
2. Reunited with Lainey! (This one deserved its own bullet)
3. Half of the food table was covered with desserts. (My kind of meal)
4. Reminiscing with the Mummsie about the good ole Dayton days. (Sigh)
5. Troy's (the missionary) words of wisdom:

      In his actual talk he encouraged inspired ACTION. I need a lot more of that in my life. We talked to him later about going back to college and he mentioned compared mission life (black and white) to normal life (shades of gray). I loved his insight because right now my life fits right into that shades of gray description. Despite some major choices I'm facing, it seems like no matter which one I make, it's the right one. Someone just tell me already! But's I guess that's what life is about. Making decisions, fixing the wrong ones, celebrating the right ones, and continuously pressing forward.

Shabbath Shalom

Shabbat Shalom

5k, Half

10k, Marathon

I went a little run crazy this year by completing a

5k, 10k, Half Marathon, and Marathon!

It was such a great experience and I love running even more than ever. I never thought I would be one of those people doing a race every few weekends or talking about multiple half marathons. But now that I'm hooked, its hard not to spend all of my savings on races. 

The possibilities of our bodies never cease to amaze me especially watching the Olympics this week and my own personal experience with fitness. I think this scripture is a great motto not only for fitness, but in all areas of life:

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Phillipians 4:13

Shabbat Shalom

Shabbat Shalom

A couple of FHE's ago, we did a scavenger hunt that required a hike up a steep hill. Being named "Mountain Goat" by more than one person, I hiked up that hill like it was nobody's business. One girl in my group said, "Janeen, do you like hiking alone?"

Oh.

That took me back.

The clue on top of the hill was the final and it mentioned that although the hike was tough, it was more fun when done with others.

Way to make me feel guilty.

I had this thought that life is meant to be endured with others going in my head this week and I came across this article. His thesis was "that a large amount of how successful you will be in life comes down to the people you spend time with."

Other quotes were:

"You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with."

"Others around myself determine how I think, how I act, and ultimately how successful I will be."

As I connected this article into my own life I could immediately see its truthfulness in family, friends, roommates, etc. How lucky I have been to be surrounded by some of the best. I truly believe that they have influenced me and the decisions I have made in my life.

Thank you.

I hope to recreate that influence with those around me. 

Shabbat Shalom

So I use to joke around that I could get injured all I wanted after the marathon.

And I guess my wish was granted.

First, the plantar warts (on both feet) and then this:

For clarification the beginning of my feet are on the left side and then my injured ankle is the one without the bracelet. Yes, it looks like my ankle has a fat roll. 

Nothing too serious, but I don't like being told not to run!

Especially when I have a run next Saturday.

But you know what?

Life will go on and it makes me appreciate my ankles that much more.

Thank you ankles, for all that you have done for me. 

Shabbat Shalom

Last semester- I was sitting in Relief Society right before opening exercises when I turned to my counselor, "Who's teaching today?" She didn't know and nobody in the Relief Society knew when I asked them. Impromptu lesson.

This semester- Text from my counselor right before Sacrament Meeting, "Our teacher said she wasn't coming to church today." Impromptu lesson.

Irony of the lesson today: "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life"
Did I ever need inspiration right then.

Shabbat Shalom

Why my Daddy is the bees knees:

1. He gave me the nickname "Neener"

2. He makes friends everywhere (including Egypt)

3. He loves ice cream!

4. He reenacts Bible stories

5. He's supportive (physically, spiritually, financially)

6. He's not only a great father in our home, but in the ward

7. He stays classy

8. His motorcycle has orcas on it....what?!

9. He can ride a camel

10. He helps me to fulfill my dreams and see the world

11. He has great style

Love you Dad!

Shabbath Shalom

With all the marathon hype, all other areas of my life were put on hold including the first day of school!!!

Bragging time: I am a Junior in college at the age 19!!! 

I'm also ending all of my sentences with 3 exclamation points...!!!

School: Last semester ended with all A's and this semester I'm hoping just to pass my courses. Ok, exaggeration, but homework is my life. My favorite class is a Young Adult Literature class in which I get to read 25 books. I have another English class which is only the 1st block which is why I haunt the library everyday and don't have any friends.

Church: Still the RS Prez, but with a lot more direction this time around. The ward is great and my FHE bros seem to be pretty darn fun.

Work: They brought me out of the back room to work at the front desk. Its a lot more fast pace and I actually interact with people, but I'll probably be going back to my beloved reads next semester.

Roomies: 3 same, 1 from iTeam stuff, 1 completely new. Love them all!!!

Social: Skype, roommates, gym.

Life is extremely busy, but so blessed and so good.

Shabbat Shalom

In lieu of all this running-ness, I just wanted to say THANK YOU for this amazing experience.

THANK YOU to those who have allowed me to have a body that can perform this amazing feat.

THANK YOU for those who have given me the mental endurance that running long distances require.

THANK YOU for the emotional support and encouragement.

THANK YOU for the spirit to run this marathon. It takes a lot.

Run Happy.

Shabbat Shalom

I don't know about y'all, but the Easter Bunny came and visited me.

After a ridiculously stress-free finals week, I came home to a basket full of beauty goods and fruit. Not only that, but 20ish eggs were hidden around my room. Being the youngest is my favorite role in life.

This is either a creepy or artistic photo of me. 

I'm going to go with creepy.

This Easter was filled with family, friends, acquaintances, sunshine, Easter hymns sung off-key in the Singles Branch, and a major food coma. 

Easter Sunday was timed perfectly this year. Last Wednesday I finished my New Testament class in which we had reached the part of Christ's resurrection and all those who witnessed Him. As I have studied Christ's life and ministry this last semester so much has grown: my love, my appreciation, my understanding, and my gratitude. With all that I have gained and learned, I know that there is still so much more. 

How wonderful and glorious!

My Easter post from last year with Golgotha and Garden Tomb pictures.

Happy Easter and Shabbat Shalom.

Shabbat Shalom

In true White Christmas fashion I wanted to share with you some of my Sheep Blessings.

Not because I can't sleep, but because I am blessed.

Sheep 1: Flowers

Sheep 2: Getting visits from my 3 best friends (Decca, Lainey, and Madison)

Sheep 3: A Malta visit with yummy food, crazy nephews, and a comfy bed

 Sheep 4: Marathon training and weird sweat patterns

Sheep 5: Getting treats at work

Sheep 6: Free or cheap entertainment on campus

Sheep 7: Local political debates to increase my knowledge of the canidates..or not

Sheep 8: Steals at the DI (a good bargain steal not a "stealing" steal)

 I hope you have some sheep in your life too!

Shabbat Shalom

And I've made it through the first week of school!

This was the best I could do for a first day photo because my Wednesdays are extremely busy!!

Updates on the semester so far:

Work: Same job, old and new co-workers, lots of food. It is nice having at least one thing in the semester that is the same and you can just jump right into the swing of things. Plus there will be lots of engagements happening this semester which will juice things up.

School: University Choir during the day, 3 days a week.

Social Dance two evenings a week. There's some fun guys along with the awkward.

History of Education: Online and an inspiration for becoming an awesome teacher.

Capstones: Last foundations which will blow my mind with its amazingness.

New Testament: One of the most recommended teachers on campus and I'm already learning lots from just one class.

Spanish: Online and es muy fantastico!

A little different formatting for school, but it will be manageable.

Roomies: I haven't roomed with any of them previously, but I've known them from my ward. Great girls and they give the apartment the feel from when I visited my older sisters.

Friends: I have quite a number of friends up here to play with, but there will be plenty of opportunities to make new friends.

Church: New ward with about two familiar faces. Let's just say there is one Elders Quorom and 3 Relief Societies. Oh, and I one of the Presidents for it.

Crazy, different semester ahead, but I am so ready for the challenge.

Shabbat Shalom

*Jasmine flower given to me by an Egyptian waiter*

What better way to start the new year than with inspirational thoughts?

(A cruise would probably be better, but this is all I can afford)

I. "When I am with my boys* I feel beautiful.

I grew them.

I helped create them.

Each one has added to my beauty."

Cardigan Empire

*Mummsie came in and was reading over my shoulder. She thought I was talking about my 27 boys...

This is why you shouldn't read over people's shoulders.

II. "The BEST moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times. The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.”

HungryRunnerGirl

III. "For a moment, let go of the way you appear and the things you’ve done. Feel the truth and power of who you are."

Little Reminders of Love

IV. "Remember it always"

Little Reminders of Love

Welp, I hope that was enough cheeseball for ya.

May ye and y'all's posterity be bounteous in harvest.

Shabbat Shalom

Shabbat Shalom

I realized 3 things last night:

1. I am grateful for my parents.

2. I am grateful for music.

3. I am grateful for my parents who encourage and provide opportunities to learn and appreciate music.

If you couldn't guess, I attended the BYU-I Christmas Concert with my parents last night.

The music was superb and it jump started the Christmas season.

Before we had to behave and be quiet for the concert, we had a little "snack" at Gringo's:

After I had eaten my fill.

Dad wanted two different poses.

I think he's been reading some fashion blogs.

Thanks Captian Yeff and Mummsie for the wonderful night!

Sad enough, I enjoyed it a lot more than I would have on a date.

Shabbat Shalom

A day late, but

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUMMSIE!!!!

I hope you had a wonderful day.

I think this picture captures the "Mummsie look" that's usually reserved for Dad.

Earlier this year me and the 'rents went to a family something and I can't even count how many times I was told "You look just like Jeanette."

Well I sure hope so because Mummsie is one foxy lady.

I'm glad that I can share my love of exercising, reading, cats, and sweets with her.

She's one of my best friends.

Shabbat Shalom

Something is Smelly

Ruth 4:8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe

Ether 14:23 And the scent thereof went forth upon the face of the land, even upon all the face of the land; wherefore the people became troubled by day and by night, because of the scent thereof.

Stalker Scripture

Doctrine and Covenants 38:7 But behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me;

Desirest

1 Nephi 11:2 And the Spirit said unto me: Behold, what desirest thou?
1 Nephi 11:15 And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.

Shabbat Shalom

Today, I had a first.

My first proposal.

Nah, just kidding. I've had lots of those before...

Anywho, no I also attended my first non-LDS church service...that I can recall.

Through my travels I've been to other churches and chapels, I have heard prayers for other churches(such as the Muslim call to prayer. That was fun at 5 in the morning), but it was my first service.

It was a little bit different.
And I kept thinking back to the scene in While You Were Sleeping. Know what scene I'm talking about? We should be best friends.

All I'm saying is that I am beyond and unbelievably grateful that I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

And have you seen this video yet:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150615121785243

Loved it!

Shabbat Shalom

With only 2 more Sundays left in the Single's Branch they wanted "to use me before I left."

So I gave the lesson in Relief Society based on the April 2011 conference talk by Elder Russell M. Nelson.

He's a classy kind of guy.

Anywho the talk was entitled "Face the Future with Faith."

That would be one dose of faith for today.

And then Miss Madison wrote this blog post about how faith helped her with a ginormous change in her life. A must read.

That would be the second dose of faith.

"Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us..."

"...fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."

What great knowledge as I face yet another semester at BYU-I.

Classes, housing, roomates, dating, jobs, transferring, future possibilities....

The list goes on and on, but with faith, I need not fear.

Shabbat Shalom

Most of my post for Shabbat Shalom are about family. Why?

1.Spiritual related for Sunday

2.Usually I can kill 2 birds (heehee) with one stone by including reason #1 and reporting my weekend activities.

3. I LOVE them and they are truly thee best!

Today my lil nephew Logan fell asleep in my arms...twice.

If that isn't enough to make me grab a hubby right now.

And look at my diva-in-training:

 (Taking full advantage of my Aunt responsibilities)

And an epic picture to finish off this post:

 I think it is LOTR's worthy.

I picked up my "staff" about .2 miles into the hike.

It made me feel like Gandalf, Moses, and Mad-Eye Moody all in one.

How often do you get that feeling?

PS Check out my Mud Bath photos below...if its still there.

PPS Some more play time with the parents this week!