Thunderstorms

The thunder groans outside and rolls across the valley, echoing off the mountain walls and getting caught up in it's own crossfire.

I have always loved thunderstorms.

Mom and Dad could always be found sitting on the porch watching the storm, and one by one each of us kids would join them. We would sit on the steps and watch in awe.

My romantic-self tingles when a thunderstorm approaches. The anticipation of the rain fall is like waiting for that ever so wonderful first kiss.

But today this Thunderstorm is appropriate, and not for any of the reasons stated above.

The crashing in the sky makes me feel humble and small. Humble. A perfect Sunday atmosphere.

I have been thinking about storms a lot lately- and how they effect different people. I am a lifeguard and when a lightning storm gets close we have to kick out the swimmers. I don't despise storms, but it makes lifeguard/making money hard. But then I look around my surroundings and see the farmers and how they praise the sky when the rain finally falls.

Life is like that.

We are all given the same view, but the way we perceive them will change our attitudes and the outcome.

I read this this afternoon:

How To Dance In The Rain

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment that morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me, no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?' He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.' I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life.' True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be. With all the jokes and fun that are in the world, sometimes there is something that comes along that has an important message. I hope this is one of those for you. The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. 'Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.'

by David Stone Remember who you are. Remember who is behind you. Remember that even in the darkest of storms there is hope.  After all, sometimes the storms we go through are helping bless another person's life. Happy Sunday

Merry Sunday and other thoughts

There is something beautiful and elegant about a silhouette.
The extreme contrast of an object against a lighter background can have a magical effect.

I was in Lake Powell again this last week with a few of my friends.  The sunset was majestic the first night, and five of the fourteen people there ended up watching it from atop a hill that was close to camp.  None of us spoke and the silence was comfortable.  Sitting there watching something so miraculous was just enchanting and Spiritual- at least that is what I felt.  As I was sitting there my mind began to over flow with thoughts and symbols of what was happening around me.

I thought about the five of us sitting there.  We were all looking at the same scene, but each of us was taking something different from it- each experience was unique and personal.  I compared it to the life we live here on earth.  Each of us was sent here for the purpose to return to our Heavenly Father, some of us are even given similar experiences, but what we take from it is different, unique and personal.

That same night, on that same hill top as the sunset slowly faded into night and the contrast between the mountain tops and the sky became less visible one of my friends shared a thought that I really liked.  He asked me to imagine there was a lantern on top of a hill across the lake.  I did.  Then he went on to explain that our eyes would always been drawn to it.  At this point I was wondering where he was going with his analogy.  Then he asked if the lantern would be able to see us from where it was sitting.  I answered knowing that it would have no idea, especially since we were sitting in the dark.  My friend sharing the analogy concluded by saying, "You never know who could be watching you. . . hope you are sharing the right kind of light." He also quoted Matthew 5: 14-16, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
. . . . . . . Told you it was good.

Some of you may, or may not know this. . . But I DO NOT wish on shooting stars.  You may think me to be silly, or too mature, but I haven't for a long time.  I remember being a little girl and looking out my bedroom window at the stars.  I saw a shooting star and started wishing, but before I could finish my wish I stopped and felt foolish.  I knew that wishing was silly because after all how would my wish be answered?  Instead I started praying every time I saw a shooting star.  I knew that Heavenly Father answers prayers, I figured my wishes would be wasted if Heavenly Father knew what they were-  He is always willing to help out, if it is His will.
. . . .My prayers didn't consist of the same wishes that I used to caste upon shooting stars though- I felt silly wishing for things of the physical nature.  I started wishing instead for something I want with every fiber of my being.  Every shooting star that cross the sky in my sight I pray to Heavenly Father that I will make it back to Him, that I will make it to the Celestial Kingdom and live in His presence.  I was really young when I started doing this, and I still do it today- This is what I want, this is what I pray for.

Merry Sunday!

Mail Came!

via

My book came in the mail!  

I ordered it on Amazon before I moved home and it is finally here!

I was hoping that it would come before I went to Powell- 

BUT it didn't, and that is okay, because I wouldn't have had time to read it anyway!

. . . . . . . . . .

I am hoping to read a bunch of books this summer

and to kick-off the "bunch"

I am going to start with this book.

I am building on my list so if you have any suggestions please share!

via

 I also watched this movie tonight with the family-

(well we started it as a family, but I am the only one who made it through)

I hadn't seen it yet, everyone else had, and well I loved it!

. . . . . . . . . . . 

My family started watching church movies every Sunday while I was at school.

And since I have been home they have continued the tradition.

It is kind of fun to get together on Sundays and watch 

the cheesy church videos!

Can I just say. . .

CONFERENCE WAS AMAZING!

if you haven't listened to it do!

Click Here!

On Sunday I watched EIGHT (8) hours of General Conference.

I couldn't listen to the Saturday Sessions so I played catch up all of Sunday.

Those eight hours were worth it, even if by the end I felt like a little child in sacrament meeting waiting to go to primary!  

So many of the words spoken have applied to my life right now and I simply love it.

This church is true- I know it.  I feel it and the words that these men speak are words straight from the Lord.  If you don't take my word for it I challenge you to listen it these men with an open heart and you will feel it too!

Spring Fever?

Sunday afternoon it was 54 degrees

Yes, it was a whoppin' 54 degrees in February

IN LOGAN none the less.

It felt like summer.

I pulled out my cut-off shorts

threw on a t-shirt

and the J3 boys joined us for a picnic on the lawn!

SPLENDID!

(I was sick with Spring Fever!)

Not even a week later we have snow

not just a skiff either

I am talking SIX INCHES (at least)

The warmth was good while it lasted.

my tulips keep me happy.

Jordan + cooking = lots of food = happy Kelsie

Next week is going to be crazy

I hope it goes by fast

I am going home next weekend!

I need to go support my LADY WOLVES

particularly my SHAY!

Besides I am her TRUE #1 fan! 

my Sunday post. (dedicated to Taylor)

I got a message ridiculing me for not having my regular Sunday post up earlier by my friend Taylor and so here I am catching up. . .

This week has been splendid.  I realized that school is very important and that I need to get my smart self back to work or else I am not going to look very smart on paper- if you know what I mean.  I danced like crazy, lost my voice, made food, lost my voice, and didn't go to bed before four in the morning both Friday and Saturday night (not a smart idea- I think I am going to get sick).

I think I am getting sick.  I have a sore throat, stuffy nose and my eyes burn like I have a fever.
I came upstairs to go look over my life science notes and I had a strong impression. . . (I am about to go into a long thought out, most likely chick flick-ish story so if you want GET OUT NOW!)

Lately the topic at D4 has been marriage-  (all blame goes to Tami)
When I graduated last year I was one of those girls who told everyone that marriage was far off.  I have had big dreams to do lots with my life and even though I have always thought marriage to be grand and exciting I didn't plan on it for a long time.  After all before you can get married one must first have a "someone" to marry. . . I have been close to the marriage stage of life- I thought I was in love- and I will just leave it at that.
Back to my story:
Marriage has been the hot item of conversation.  My roommates and I talk [and spend hours searching on the Internet] about cakes, decorations, colors, dresses, photographers . . . you name it we have most likely covered it.  And I am not going to lie it is a lot of fun- and too time consuming for anyone's health (especially those who aren't even planning weddings).  The planning makes me anxious, it makes me want to find that significant someone and settle down.  It makes me long for the man who will one day be so great that everything will fall into place- Things will just work. . .

I was going to write about the feelings I got tonight while reading my scriptures- but I don't think I will.  Look at the picture maybe it will help you get an idea where I was going with this post.
Despite the fact that I am sick I feel at peace.  My life is amazing.

I learned this today in Relief Society:
J- Jesus
O- Others
Y- You

please RSVP

Dinners at D4 are no ordinary meal.

• There is AMAZING food
• Candle light is required (not because of energy bills or anything)
• Sunday dress is REQUIRED
• Mood music, recorded rain, and videoized fireplace (via computer) sets the tone

Fridays.

It is simple I love Fridays.
I wish today was Friday, and tomorrow and so on and so forth. . .
I only have one class on Fridays and then I go to Religion and Life which makes my day even that much betters.
Fridays are the beginning of the weekend.
It is the first of a multi day adventure.
Fridays mean no school the next day.

Fridays = Happiness.
the end.

No offense to today (Sunday)  I love you too- I mean I always gain a lot from my sabath.
For instance today I:

• 90% of LDS boys know how and enjoy cooking (I like this statistic)
• I need to prepare to ask THE HARD QUESTIONS.
• Jordan makes a mean Manicotti.
• Dressy candle light dinners are always fun with friends.
• There is a certain "look" that girls give guys when they want to be kissed. . . I did not know this.

I am now going to start making banana bread, even if it is almost ten.  

Better late than never!

not what it looks like. . .

. . . . okay so maybe it is what it looks like.
SUNDAY (after ward prayer):
This is my FHE (Family Home Evening) Pa, his name is Eric and he is painting my toe nails it is true.
He had never painted toe nails before so I asked him if he would do mine.
He did a great job! ha!  My toe nails are currently brown with red blotches on them (they are suppose to be dots!)
When he was finished with me it was my turn to do him.
NO I DID NOT PAINT HIS TOE NAILS! (I wanted to but he wouldn't let me. . . )
Instead I taught him, my FHE brother Joe P. and my roommates how to take care of their nails-
Ever since I was little my mom would sit each of us kids down and push back our cuticles and cut our nails and so that is what I did to them.
The boys were a bit hesitant - they claimed that no one even looks at their nails, I did it anyway.  They were surprised how great they looked.

MONDAY (after family night):
Eric and Joe both came up to me and said it was hard for them to focus because their nails were so shiny, the have never had shiny nails before "and they are so soft".  (they both told me this while looking at their nails)

TUESDAY (after waking up):
I got a text message from Joe P. that reads:
"I was helping a girl with her math yesterday when she noticed my hands and commented about how my fingernails were in perfect condition.  Perfectly round and shiny.  She finished with "You have nice hands."  Haha, if only she knew. ;)"
Oh Joe!  That made my day!

Lesson Learned:
Take care of yourself, people notice. . . besides our bodies were given to us, we should take good care of them!

What did you do on Sunday?

I was in the 1000 PLUS Choir from USU who sang at the CES fireside in Provo on November 7.
We met every Tuesday for eight weeks and practiced for an hour and a half- (that is a lot of people at one practice!)
The spirit was amazing every time we sang.  My testimony in music has grown as well as my testimony of the spirit.   We were able to sing three different languages in the opening song (I don't know if they show the opening song on this video) and even though I didn't understand the languages I got goosebumps every time they were sung.
I made lots of new friends throughout the past eight weeks.  Last night was my first Tuesday off since I have been at school, even though I was glad to have more time at night for things such as homework (BLAH!) I missed practicing.
Elder Ballard did an amazing job speaking!  Everyone should listen!

What a beautiful day.

I love Sundays.

I even love Fast-Sundays.

Today I have been touched.  I was humbled.  I was taught.  I absorbed.  I was humiliated. I was blessed. I was overjoyed.  I was loved.  I did love.

Finding joy in what I have right now. 

"There is no tomorrow to remember if we don't take time for today." President Monson

I am one who likes to make plans.  I spend days planning on what to do- even though I hate to admit this I like to be structured and organized when it comes to scheduling. . . I give all credit to this attribute of mine to my mother who has forever kept a daily planner.

Don't get me wrong I think it is super important to have a schedule and a plan, to always be prepared and on top of things, but sometimes we get too caught up in these calendars that we forget to live for today.

"Actively seeking happiness!"

Yesterday at women's conference President Monson did absolutely amazing!  Even by watching him enter the room on a t.v. screen I could feel the presence of the spirit.  He is a mighty warrior of the Lord. He said something that I have been processing through my head all last night and today- he quoted Mother Teresa saying, "If you judge people you have no time to love them."  I like that.  I want to always remember that.  So when I am walking down the street people watching I want to fall in love with them instead of pick them apart.  Think about it.  Love is amazing!

laundry. homework. music.

Extra long weekend! yeah!! just what I needed!

Saturday is a glorious day:

Lexi's baptism was a perfect way to kick it off too!  I was able to support her on this marvelous choice and I spent time with my family!  Well some of my family!

I wish I could remember my baptism better.

I love my grandma RueLeen so very much!

I want to be just like her when I grow up!

Did laundry - I LOVE CLEAN CLOTHES (pet peeve)
While I waited for my laundry to wash I did some of my homework- I know I am such a multitasker!

I only got finished with my math. . .

I still have economics, english, and connections homework. . .

good thing I have tomorrow-

Went to the store and bought milk- mmmm that sounds really good right now (it's fast Sunday and I am hungry!)  Oh!  I also bought eggs!

Today I think I will make homemade oreos!

Yes, they sound delicious- everything sounds delicious though.

I should stop talking about food-

I need to focus on my fast.

Played soccer with Aubrie, Sam, Parker, and Brittany for a total of fifteen minutes!

We had planned on going earlier-

but we didn't. . . I honestly don't know why either.

It was fun though- I love being outside!

Went to free concert put on  by USU of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus- It was loud and crowded ha!  And they didn't play my favorite song that they sing. . . If they did I left early.

Confession: I don't love concerts.

Well at least I haven't loved the two I have been to.

I loved watching the people in the crowd more than the musicians on stage.

I was reminded last night that my point and shoot sucks-

I want a nice camera. . . so badly!

Cooked cardboard pizza it was delicious!

Sam and I went to walmart and bought a cardboard pizza for dinner.

I was starving!

We also bought some good old Ben&Jerry's!

but by the time we had eaten I had to get home and get ready for the sabbath.

Saturday was a splendid day!

Despite the fact that I went to bed at four the previous night-

I did really good to stay awake through all my adventures of the day. . . 

I did start draggin' towards the end though!

I think I have a cold. . . 

Thank goodness for Day/Nyquill!

p.s. happy fasting