Maybe this year will be better than the last...

As this year draws to an end I hope for many different things... Among them is the hope that this next year will be better than the last! This last year was pretty awesome, but I must say I'm thrilled that is almost over. I graduated in April with a bachelor's in Elementary Education (didn't have one test passed so, still haven't gotten my certification). In May I went to Rexburg for my birthday, and then I took a trip with my mom to Louisiana and was able to see a friend from high school graduate college in the exact same thing I did. Then in June I made my first trip of the year to Colorado... this time it was to babysit for my sister and brother-in-law who were going to Hawaii on a trip they got from Grandma! Kinda nice! It was a pretty awesome trip except for the fact that I got sick. I went through the temple to receive my endowments and had my whole immediate family here and some close friends... Well, then in July I went up to Rexburg again, but this time for the test which I proceeded to not pass again. August was a kinda chill month where not much went on, and I got ready to go to New England for a friend's wedding, and it was nice to see a part of America I hadn't seen before! In October I went to Rexburg again for Halloween because I really wanted to see the Halloween Concert! In November I went to Colorado again, but this time for Grandma's 89th birthday! Then, in the beginning of December I went to Rexburg again for the test (still don't have test scores, but hoping to get them soon because I need to pass this test). My last trip of the year however, was to Colorado for Christmas! It was overall a very wonderful time to spend with family (despite all the craziness that is my family I still love them)! I must say though... I'm glad I can finally not worry about going anywhere or doing anything except finding a job. I want to move on with my life and turn over a new leaf and try and support myself so that maybe some day in the future I can support a family too! Living with my parents has been pretty good, but I'm getting tired of not being able to truly do my own thing and always having to answer to someone. I hope this next year I can not only have a job, but also move out of Utah! We shall see though! Happy New Year to all!

Once Upon a December (French) w/ subs and translations

It may not be a Christmas song, but it is a December song and it's one of my favorites! It's also even more beautiful in French with all the imagery! I am watching the entire movie in French this coming week with a best friend! I can't wait!!!! :D

It's that time of the year...

Let's just start off with a disclaimer... I do love Christmas, but I love Easter more. Last week was one of my favorite holidays! Thanksgiving! I love that holiday because it makes us all take a day to sit back and actually think about what it is we have in this world to be thankful for! For example: I am so thankful for my family! They are so amazing to me, and I'm happy that I get to spend Christmas with all of them! They mean the world to me. When no one else is there for me I know that I can always count on them! Even if it is my 7 year old niece! They are pretty much the best people in my life! Next, my friends... I must say that they are all pretty amazing and I feel so blessed to know all these wonderful people and to have had them in my life for the big parts of it! I know that at times I am a hard person to be around and my temper comes out, but I'm soo thankful that I can count on them to be there if I ever truly need them! I am ETERNALLY grateful for the opportunity that I had to grow up in Louisiana. Even though, I may never move back there I can honestly say that being born and raised there taught me loads about life and the true meanings of friendship. I will never forget the amazing times I have had in the bayou state! I am grateful for the opportunity I had to go to Brigham Young University-Idaho for an education. I feel like while there I met some of the most amazing people ever, and was able to not only grow mentally, but also physically, and spiritually! I know my Father in Heaven was guiding my every footstep while there! I am grateful for the blessings of the temple! It is the most magnificent place on earth and I am so happy that I had the opportunity this year to go and make covenants with my Father! I am grateful to HIM, my Saviour, and the Holy Ghost. Without the three of them I do not know where I'd be today! They have helped me go throughout life and I cannot wait for the day when I can kneel at the feet of my Saviour and be judged! I am grateful to be a member of His true church! To walk side by side with him.

In closing, I would like to say, many people always think of Him and the blessings He brings to each of us. I am grateful for the gifts he brought throughout His life. Not just when He was born, but also when He preached in the temple, when He got angry at those trying to sell things in the temple, when He suffered in the Garden for all of our sins, When He died to save us all, and finally when He was resurrected to signify to each of us that we may ALL live again and be glorified and live with Him forever in the Kingdom of God. May this time and always we remember the importance of family and the blessings in which He brings to each of us! In the words of Tiny Tim "God Bless us EVERYONE"

To My Mother!

It's my mom's birthday! What do I say about such an amazing woman!? Who throughout her life has been through so much and overcome every trial she has been called upon to face! She is absolutely amazing! She has taught me how to act, dress, and learn! She's taught me more about the gospel and my Father in Heaven then I could ever imagine! She is absolutely amazing and I am glad that I get to share special days with her! This is my half birthday as well, so I feel extremely special! She's such an amazing woman and I can't wait to go to Colorado with her! I love her more than words can say! She's the best! :D

What Heaven Sees In You Official Video

Simply a marvelous reminder to all of us!

My 8s!

8 things I'm looking forward to...

My Mom's birthday! What could possibly be so amazing about my Mom's birthday? Well, it's also my half birthday... so, I love spending awesome days with her and I get to cook her dinner and cake! YAY!


Going to Colorado! I love Colorado! I would really love to live there! I feel like it's simply the best place on earth! Also, my Grandma will be turning 89! YAY!

Thanksgiving!!!!! I absolutely love Thanksgiving! It's quite possibly my second favorite holiday! (Easter is first) I don't like how Christmas keeps over powering the wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving! We live in America where we have much to be thankful for! Oh and the fact that Jessica is coming for Thanksgiving!


The First Presidency Christmas Devotional! I love listening to all those wonderful stories they always tell! 


Being able to go take the literacy test again and most hopefully pass!


Going to Colorado again for Christmas! Last time I went to Colorado for Christmas was in 2002 when Grandpa was still alive so, it will be interesting to not have him near. However, my entire family will be there! Which will be awesome!


The New Year! I'm really hoping that this New Year will bring me amazing new possibilities and opportunities!


Cowboy Mouth in SLC. I'm really hoping my brother and I can go to that cause it will be amazing to see their Mardi Gras tour! :D


8 wishes...


I wish I could get a job...


I wish people wouldn't gossip about others so much...


I wish this next year will go by fast so I can see him again...


I wish I could find my own place to live...


I wish people were more understanding of others...


I wish I could finally get a fix on my sinuses...


I wish I knew what I really want to do with my life...


I wish everything were just more simple...



8 fellow bloggers...

David


Jeane


Katie


Jennette


Melanie


Sadie


Kristen


Amanda
If I didn't pick you, don't feel bad. I only had 8 spots. I hope you enjoy this little insite into the inner workings of me.

The Oak Tree Poem

This poem was given in Elder Ballard's talk! It's amazing! :-)

The Oak Tree

by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr

A mighty wind blew night and day It stole the oak tree's leaves away Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark Until the oak was tired and stark But still the oak tree held its ground While other trees fell all around The weary wind gave up and spoke. How can you still be standing Oak? The oak tree said, I know that you Can break each branch of mine in two Carry every leaf away Shake my limbs, and make me sway But I have roots stretched in the earth Growing stronger since my birth You'll never touch them, for you see They are the deepest part of me Until today, I wasn't sure Of just how much I could endure But now I've found, with thanks to you I'm stronger than I ever knew

An AWESOME Halloween!

For Halloween this year I went to Rexburg for the Halloween concert and some good, clean fun with some really amazing friends! The theme for the Halloween concert was Cowboys and Indians... it was pretty funny to realize how humorous BYUI can be! They can sure make fun of themselves! Hmm... Oh, I was a southern belle this time... like an old timey one! :D I already am a Southern Belle so it was pretty easy just to make it up a bit! I was able to spend some time with so many people! I surprised friends, and had a really good break from life! :D Well, pictures now! :D

My old roommate, Kylie Hansen with me at her ward party

The inside of my pumpkin before I carved it! :D

My pumpkin after being carved!

My former FHE sister Caroline Blias

The beautiful Cherie Rainwater!

Former FHE sister Megan Sexton

Hot Southern Belle

Bradley and me!

Bryan Ringo as a Pirate

My dearest friend, Jonathan Lundberg!

Former FHE Husband

Before going to the burg!

Mulan "I'll Make a Man Out of You" (English) No intro

absolutely a fav or mine! :D

Lessons I Learned as a Boy-President Gordon B. Hinckley

 

Too Late to Apologize: A Declaration to the King

This really makes me laugh! Gotta love the founding Fathers and how they stuck it to the MAN! AMEN!!!!!! It's TOO LATE TO APOLOGIZE!!!!

Sesame Street: Smell Like A Monster

this made me grin and laugh so hard! If you need a smile for the day... here ya go! :D

A Father's Birthday

Today my Dad turns 60! How awesome! I love him loads! He is the best example to me of the love that my Father in Heaven has for me! Knowing the love that my earthly father has for me makes me wonder at the greatness of the love of God for each of us! I don't know what to say that I haven't already said about my Father all the billions of times before! He is  SO AMAZING! Before I went through the temple he helped me to learn more and grow in understanding. He is so willing to give us blessings any time we ask! Recently I had gotten rather ill... I nearly fainted, but my father immediately used his priesthood to help me out! He is such a wonderful man and I love him dearly! Included is the picture I had made into an 8x10 and framed for his birthday! :D

New England and Wedding

As many may know this past weekend I went to New England for my best friend's wedding! It was absolutely amazing! New England in the fall is gorgeous! I also loved the humidity! It was my first time having Dunkin Donuts... SOOOO GOOD! I had nice Italian Pizza... the good stuff, and ice cream! Oh my goodness  Mike's brother Tony is an amazing cook as well! Any time we were over there and he cooked it was delicious! They have really good apple cider out there and it's just plain awesome! One of Mike's nieces told me that I was her best friend! His family (including new in-laws) rocks!!!! I felt so at home while I was there and the hospitality was amazing! I was able to attend my first live sealing as well, and it was absolutely magnificent! I didn't start to tear up until after I heard Mike's mom tear up for a bit, and then when they knelt across the altar! It was absolutely perfect! What had me bawling was when I went to give the family hugs! Mike and Melanie's parents were absolutely perfect! But of course Bubba was the one to make me bawl! I love him and my new sissy-in-law loads! They are so awesome and having the opportunity to go into the sealing room and be there when they could be sealed together forever was perfect! Also, being around our friend Brad helped loads too! Sometimes in life you wonder about the friends you choose and if they really do care, but when it all comes down to things the true friends you make in life will always be around no matter what! I loved meeting all of Michael and Melanie's families! I also, met Brad's step-mom Teresa and his grandparents (mom's parents)! They were all so very nice and hospitable... I couldn't ask for anything better!

Also, when I came back home on Sunday I was sad to leave New England but pretty dang excited because my sister, Jeane, is in town and Dad's 60th birthday is this coming weekend! I definitely love family! :D


Follow link for pictures!
http://picasaweb.google.com/mae.frances/NewEngland#

Josh Groban - Hidden Away

Tomorrow... a friend's birthday

So, I figured since I did a post about Mike on his birthday I should do one about Brad this time. Even though I've been annoyed loads by things lately I still feel like all things in the end do work out. So... on to it...
 I met Brad back in Summer 2006. It was fun to hang out with him and all the other guys. I remember I used to chastise him for not going to class! I wasn't the best about writing him all the time while he was on a mission, but any time I got a letter I made sure to write back! Although I've never truly been able to talk to him about things I still really appreciate his friendship! When I went through the temple in June he came down with Mike and he gave me some pearls! I loved it! What a wonderful friend! I hope he realizes that even though I get irritated I still love him like a brother! So yeah, here's some pictures... pretty sure that Mike is in all of them too! LOL! and in no particular order!

Brad, Me, and Mike end of Summer 09

June 19, 2010 Endowments

Cow Tipping Team Summer 2006

I drew this in my Student Teaching class... tehehe

March 2010 I went up to Idaho and surprised Mike and Brad

My two awesome guy friends the day I got my endowments!

 June 19, 2010

HAPPY 23rd BIRTHDAY BRAD WILLIAMS!!!!!!!!!!!

Things past and things to come

It's interesting how fast time can fly by when we are just going one day at a time! Yesterday I spent a lot of time reflecting on what happened 9 years ago and where I was and how I felt about the whole thing! It's weird to think that then I was a Freshman in high school and now I'm a college graduate! Granted, I still have no job and what to do, but still it's just really interesting! When people think about their "10 year" plans to they really know what or even if those thing would/ will happen to them!?! Well, next year I think will be very very different than this year, but that's how life goes!
 In other news this week will be an awesome week and so will next! Why you ask? Well, tomorrow, Monday my parents and I are going to the fair to watch the livestock shows! I'm sooo excited! It's been years since I went to one! Definitely taking the camera! I'll help mom clean up the house and probably go visiting teaching too! Then, Friday is a very good friend's birthday! Brad Williams will be 23!!!! YAY!!!!! I love that kid! He's such a good friend and brother like figure! This weekend I will be packing to get ready for my trip to New Hampshire and Boston! I'm sooo excited! Oh wait, you're probably wondering why I'm going! Well, my best friend, Mike Brown is getting married to Melanie Gray on the 25th sooo... I'm going to the wedding! It's kinda cool cause in our church you can't actually go to the ceremony part unless you are endowed member... 3 years ago my best friend, Bonnie got married and I wasn't able to go to the sealing, but I was outside waiting for her when she got out! However, this year I got my endowments so I can go! I'm delighted! the Lord always provides a way for things to work out! Well, also that night is the General Relief Society Broadcast so, although I won't be watching it with my awesome mom I will be watching it with Mike and Mel's moms!!!! I'm way excited! Anywho... I'll probably write some stuff later in the week, but yeah... that's about it for now! :D

No clue of what to do.

So, I officially have no clue what to do with life and for a job! I missed the passing point of the Literacy 2 test by 2 percentage points! I really don't want to spend another 4 months studying and then have it amount to nothing! I'm really getting bummed by it! I'm starting to wonder if I should choose a different career! I mean would it be possible to go back to school for something else? Should I try law? Or is there something else I should do? I feel like a failure at this moment and I'm really not sure what to say or do about it!

Good news? Well, I got a haircut about 2 weeks ago... in a month I get to attend my best friend's wedding! This last Monday I got to see a really awesome friend, Brad, we got to basically just talk most of the time! It was way good! Anyways, suggestions would be nice, and... here's a picture of my hair for ending!

My new look!

Many Decisions

I've been having to make a few decisions lately and start contemplating on many things. This week I went to Rexburg to take a Literacy 2 Test which hopefully I finally passed! I've been contemplating what to do about a job... at first it seemed like everything would work out with a montessori school in Idaho Falls, but they don't have any teaching positions left... sad day! However, there is a Sylvan in Idaho Falls! There are jobs in the Bonneville school district, but I'm not sure what I should do right now... and Sylvan has always been something I really want to do! I'm going to pray and fast about it and hopefully a decision will come up sooner than later. My friend, Ashley and I were talking about it and decided that if we can both find a job in Idaho Falls then we could get a 2 bedroom apartment with each other! That would be nice... cause then neither one of us would have to worry about many a brand new person and not getting along at all, and also we already know loads about each other and when not to bother each other! It would be way good... Pray that I figure it out! Please!


Other news: While in Rexburg I got to spend time with some pretty amazing people! I first took Shanna to surprise Emily... which was a classic! Then, I took my test and saw Ashley (who I may find an apt with)! Then, I went to a concert for the university band! It was soooo good I cried! They had a dialog about Elder Tuttle (one of the men who helped raise the flag in WWII the famous painting)! Well, then after that I went and saw Michael & Melanie! I love those two! I spent loads of time with them and loved every minute of it! I got to rest while they were doing homework, we watched Psych, I took cute pics of them, we went swimming and Stacey was there too! I did end up seeing Brad, but only cause I was at his apt! I do miss it up there, and hopefully can figure things out soon as to what to do next!

To My Amazing Bubba :)

4 years ago I met some pretty amazing people in college... people that I knew I would be friends with forever! One of these people is named, Mike Brown. He recently asked me how he became Bubba, and the truth is I don't remember, but I guess what matters more is that he is truly like a brother to me. When I was far away from my family I was blessed to have such amazing friends that I could call family, and to this day I am still close with them! They are some of the most wonderful people I know! Mike has been an inspiration to me and has helped me through those hard times that come in this life! I am honored to be his friend... he always lends his shoulder to cry on, and always has a good heart. He has taught me how to even love those that I don't see eye to eye with. Today is his birthday, and even though he is younger than me I sometimes feel like I am the younger one learning from his every lead. In a few months he will be married to his sweetheart, Melanie Gray, for time and all eternity. What a glorious thing that I am so grateful I get to witness. I feel very blessed to know such a wonderful young man, and I couldn't ask for a better friend than he on this earth! He has been a best friend that I will cherish forever. Many think it weird two people could be so close as he and I are and feel no attachment to each other... other than friendship. I am very honored to have met such a remarkable young man, and I love him very much! He is truly an amazing friend! And I know he does not care about his birthday, and that to me shows how humble he is... I am not sure how else to express how much he means to me, and I am and forever will be eternal grateful to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to meet him and many other wonderful people!

Mike and I after be reunited after his mission

Sissy and Bubba forever! :-p

Us talking about sharp pointy teeth from Monty Python

We so cool at Big Judd's

We are French...

Both of us with our best friend Brad!

He squished me... :-)

To Brother Joseph

What a remarkable man Joseph Smith was... 166 years ago Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum died as martyrs... they were killed by an angry mob. They were some of the most prominent men in the beginning of the church. Nothing can explain things better than the section written by John Taylor in Doctrine and Covenants 135 "1 TO seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o’clock p.m., by an armed mob—painted black—of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: I am a dead man! Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming: O Lord my God! They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls.

  2 John Taylor and Willard Richards, two of the Twelve, were the only persons in the room at the time; the former was wounded in a savage manner with four balls, but has since recovered; the latter, through the providence of God, escaped, without even a hole in his robe.

  3 Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!

  4 When Joseph went to Carthage to deliver himself up to the pretended requirements of the law, two or three days previous to his assassination, he said: “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer’s morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I SHALL DIE INNOCENT, AND IT SHALL YET BE SAID OF ME—HE WAS MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD.”—The same morning, after Hyrum had made ready to go—shall it be said to the slaughter? yes, for so it was—he read the following paragraph, near the close of the twelfth chapter of Ether, in the Book of Mormon, and turned down the leaf upon it:

  5 And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness, thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. And now I . . . bid farewell unto the Gentiles; yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood. The testators are now dead, and their testament is in force.

  6 Hyrum Smith was forty-four years old in February, 1844, and Joseph Smith was thirty-eight in December, 1843; and henceforward their names will be classed among the martyrs of religion; and the reader in every nation will be reminded that the Book of Mormon, and this book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world; and that if the fire can scathe a green tree for the glory of God, how easy it will burn up the dry trees to purify the vineyard of corruption. They lived for glory; they died for glory; and glory is their eternal reward. From age to age shall their names go down to posterity as gems for the sanctified.

  7 They were innocent of any crime, as they had often been proved before, and were only confined in jail by the conspiracy of traitors and wicked men; and their innocent blood on the floor of Carthage jail is a broad seal affixed to “Mormonism” that cannot be rejected by any court on earth, and their innocent blood on the escutcheon of the State of Illinois, with the broken faith of the State as pledged by the governor, is a witness to the truth of the everlasting gospel that all the world cannot impeach; and their innocent blood on the banner of liberty, and on the magna charta of the United States, is an ambassador for the religion of Jesus Christ, that will touch the hearts of honest men among all nations; and their innocent blood, with the innocent blood of all the martyrs under the altar that John saw, will cry unto the Lord of Hosts till he avenges that blood on the earth. Amen."

There is also one song that can explain the sacrifice he gave... he says that he went as a lamb to the slaughter...

LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER

Written by Jason Deere

The morning was clear on the road from Nauvoo
A tear touched his eye as his home fell from view
The journey was silent and few words were said
As he leaned to his brother and quietly said

As a lamb to the slaughter I willingly go
And die for my Father, His strength fills my soul
I’ve lived for my Savior and I’ll die for Him too
And with humble heart I lay down my life a prophet of truth

Four humble men sang with the angels on high
“He asked if I for him would die
The flesh was weak, my blood ran chill
But my free spirit cried I will!”
For I know this day I shall see my Savior’s face

As a lamb to the slaughter I willingly go
And die for my Father, His strength fills my soul
I’ve lived for my Savior and I’ll die for Him too
And with humble heart I lay down my life a prophet of truth

A noise from the stairway, a shot through the door
The first martyr fell to the floor
Tears filled Joseph’s eyes, Oh my dear brother Hyrum
Today you’ll find peace
Oh Lord my God release my soul, set my spirit free

As a lamb to the slaughter I willingly go
And die for my Father, His strength fills my soul
I’ve lived for my Savior and I’ll die for Him too
And with humble heart I lay down my life a prophet of truth
And with humble heart I go to my grave a prophet of truth

An Amazing Birth Month, A learning experience, and A wonderful weekend!

How do I begin? My 23rd Birthday was one of the best yet! Many say that no one likes you when you're 23 however, I was able to receive flowers from my brother, loads of cards, loads of birthday wishes and i felt amazing! Towards the end of the week I went to Rexburg and had loads of fun with all of my friends there! They are all remarkable people! The next week I went to Louisiana with my Mom! It was truly awesome to see how much I've grown and I must say I'm absolutely happy that my life has put me where I am right now! We tore up carpet and went out to eat with good friends! Then after we got back I had to get ready to go to Colorado to babysit my niece and nephews while my sis and bro-in-law went to Hawaii! It was a huge learning experience for me and I'm grateful for the opportunity I had! :) Then, I got home had my temple recommend interviews and went to the temple! My entire family, and my three best friends along with an amazing roommate were there! It was amazing to have them all there to share that moment with me! It truly showed me how much my Heavenly Father cares about me and blesses me often! I have grown an even greater love for the Atonement and the blessings that come from going to the temple!  And I would like to again publicly thank all that came and all that supported me in my decision! Our Father in Heaven will bless us as we live righteously! :D

My Wonderful Family

Pretty Amazing Friends

Best Friends FOREVER!

Together Again

The MAGNIFICENT 7!

Yeah... pretty cool!

Melanie went wedding dress shopping that day, but I was so happy that she was in town at least!

AMAZING ROOMMATES!

The two greatest guy friends in the world!

I love these two!

Pretty much best family ever!

from my birthday!

I visited Rexburg!

And Played with the trumpets!

And ate dinner with Mike and Mel!

My oldest brother sent me tulips! :D

One of the best couples ever! With Voter in the back!

Blurry, but I love it!

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Aren't they beautiful?!

My Diploma which I got exactly 5 years after I graduated high school!

Peanut!

James

Michael! :D

I love this girl! My niece Christi!

Butch and Sundance!