when it rains. . .

. . . it pours and it doesn't stop for a week and a half-  Well, that is how it has been lately.

Growing up we were always taught to pray for water. . . 

To all those Latter-day Saints: you know the routine prayer. . .

" We are thankful for this day, for our many blessings. . . . (other details)

. . . . please bless us with moisture, that we may water our crops. 

Also bless that we can get home safely. . "

The fact that we have gotten so much rain shows that prayers are answered.

I have a few theories to the rain answered prayers:

1. There was a bad signal, and our prayers weren't getting through until recently.  Heavenly Father knows of our dryness and is doing all he can to prepare us for dusty days to come. . . 
2. He doesn't want us to stop praying.  So, either we need to pray for more water or pray for less- beggars can't be choosers right? Besides, this way we stay humble.
3. He knows what He is doing.  He has a larger perspective of the matter.  AND have you seen how beautiful and clean all this water makes my little Central Utah town and the towns surrounding?  Simply breath taking! (don't worry more pictures to come!) 
4. OR- maybe this rain is suppose to give us opportunities to serve others
5. It could also be that the weather is suppose to keep us inside- practically making us FIND time to read or scriptures and build up our gospel doctrine.
6. Maybe the rain was sent to us in such large quantities to try our patience and to give us an opportunity show our gratitude for what we are blessed with.

Yep, it is decided, I like the rain.  I also really like my rainy-day theories.  

My niece, Halee, is being baptized on Saturday.  I am so proud of her, (as mention before) but the rain reminds me of this song and it makes me beam!  Clean, beautiful and pure- like the earth after rain!  Simply Marvelous!  IT IS TRUE! can you feel it in your heart? It makes all my heart expand and my breathing shallow- Heavenly Father loves us so much that we have been given the opportunity to be baptized.  Through Jesus Christ's atonement we can repent of our sins and once again return to live with our Heavenly Father one day.  Pray for guidance and strength- because through Him anything is possible.  I know this.  

11:33 PM (dedicated to my IWA squad)

It is my bed time, past it actually.  About a month ago, give or take a few days, I gave myself a bed time.  For a few reasons:

1. In institute I learned that when you have more rest you are more open to receive personal revelation because you are tuned into the Spirit.
2. I have started to get up early to go to the gym to work out- I have needed to get back to a schedule.
3. Early to bed, early to rise is just healthy- look it up.

Tonight however I am awake and as the minutes pass by (it is now 11:36 PM)  I am feeling guilty for staying up so late.  I just need to write though- writing is my escape.

I had the best time tonight.  It was the last activity for my IWA (Institute Women's Association) group and we went out with a bang.  I absolutely love Mama B and all the girls that surround me while I am there.  I feel so loved and so welcome!  The Lord loves me, knows me and has put these strong girls in my life to remind me of these simple truths.  I wish I could capture those feelings in a jar and whenever I needed a little pick-me-up I could just take some out of the jar and relive it all over again.  I do know that no matter what, those girls will always be there for me.

Top 10 Favorite things of tonights activity (no particular order):

1. Mama B's AMAZING FOOD!  We had soup in bread bowls- I can't describe the marvelousness!
2. Getting to REALLY know more of my IWA sisters!  They are just so perfectly lovely!
3. Mama B's house is so charming and Spiritual.
4. Testimony and story time! (LOVED THIS PART!)
5. Baring my testimony- it was such an overwhelming feeling
6. THE SPIRIT!
7. The love and unity I felt for everyone in the room.
8. Discovery of fellow blog-buddies! 
9. Laughing!  When the Rebekah Chapter gets together we GET TOGETHER!  'nuff said!
10. Drive to Lewiston!  (We didn't get lost! AND we didn't even have to turn around once!) 

It was simply marvelous in every way.  I am going to miss my girls and Mama B.

Current time 11:40 PM.

I have been on a roller coaster of sorts the last few days.  Not necessarily a bad roller coaster, but it has had its fair share of ups and downs.  One moment I am happy, the next sad- then I am hyper and bouncing off the walls, not too long after I find myself deep and concentrated on thoughts.  I will admit I called my mom on the phone Monday evening and just cried to her (if you know me I am not much of a crier) I felt better afterwards though.  

Maybe it is because it is the end of the year.  With everything coming to a head like an ugly zit just waiting to explode with forces of puss- aka: emotion and stress.  Actually that probably has a lot to do with it.  There are other factors too of course- there has to be.

Time: 11:46 PM.

I just got off of a Facebook chat with my mom.  She asked why I was still awake.  It made me laugh a little bit because when I was living at home there is no way I would be even closed to going to bed at this time.  We talked about my night and how great IWA was.  (If you haven't picked it up already I talk to my mom nearly every day,  usually more than once- I like talking to my mama.)  We also talked about some other things  that were weighing on my mind.  My mom always has the best advice, this is what she told me:

"One thing that I know that helps is to pray about all probolems not that things 

change but the way you look at things does."

I have been taught this principle since I was little, but little reminders help.  They help so much.  

Prayer is a powerful thing.  My Heavenly Father loves me, He thinks I am beautiful.  Oh HE LOVES ME and that is all I need.  Sometimes I forget and get caught up in the craziness of the world when all that really matters is the Love that I feel from my Savior.  Simple truths are so pure and beautiful.

Ending time: 11:54 PM.

This picture really has nothing to do with anything despite give you something pretty to look at while you read my post.  I took it last summer coming home from a movie with my friend Kaden.  It makes me excited for summer sun sets!

Happy Tuesday!

Song of the Day! - dedicated to you ;)

It is a marvelous day today!  And to tell you the truth I can't exactly tell you why.  It snowed last night which usually leads me to being bummed, but no not today.  It is freezing outside, my pants are soaked clear up to mid calf, but still it is a beautiful day.  I am home for school on my break, I should be doing homework, but I can't.  I am too giddy for homework- my thoughts are running in circles and jumping up and down wanting to scream out at the top of my lungs!  In fact if we didn't have plastic on our windows I would open it right now and yell at the people standing in line at the bus stop and wish them a beautiful day!  (There is plastic on our windows to keep the cool air out- well at least that is what it is SUPPOSE to do. . . )

So yesterday I set up an appointment to change my major. . . FOR REALS this time.  I am actually going to go through with this, and I feel really good about it!   I am getting really excited to pursue this dream of mine.  Okay now for the my decision: I have decided to go into Journalism and Communications!  When I was younger I wanted to be an author, I wanted to write children's books.  Not very many people knew this, but then again growing up I wanted to be lots of things.  I do love writing though- I do it all the time.  This major also includes Human Relations which is another big thing I am interested in.  Life is good- I have direction and I love it.

Did I mention life is good?

It is.

And I love it.

Let it be known that I, Kelsie, am on a high! Dah! 

Hope your day is as splendid as mine! (:  

Love,

Miss Dawn

P.S. Last night was amazing.  Let me just say that I love having the Priesthood in my life.  Thanks guys! Really, thank you all so so much!

Mission: Eat Food, Feed Hunger

Once upon a time there were four STARVING roommates

who didn't want to cook dinner.

The oldest of the roommates offered to buy HOT-N-READY pizza.

The other three roommates agreed.

So they were off on their quest.

The four of them decided since 

because the last time they got 

HOT-N-READY pizza they down one box that

this time they would buy TWO boxes of pizza

plus (+) CRAZY BREAD!

The plan was made.

The journey was underway.

Hoping in the ever trusty Durango 

D4 quad made their way down 10th and onto main

where traffic was merely bearable 

and even though they were growing weak with hunger 

they made it - all of them. 

No casualties!

While purchasing the worthy pie

the growl of our inner beings started breaking out.

Not much longer and we would have been devoured.

Turned on by the big-ones* who eat the little ones*

The pie was received.

We made a break for it dashing out the door!

FREEDOM.

Then we were faced with a choice:

1. Stop an eat the pizza on the curb of Little Caesar's (my choice)

2. Drive home and eat in the kitchen (it was growing cold again)

After quick decisions making 

We saddled back in to the Durango,

escaping to the solitude of the castle.

10 minutes from walking through the gate of safety

the pizza was all but disposed of.

(Don't worry we prayed.  It was a marvelous blessing experience to say the least.)

Leaving only three pieces of pizza.

Mission: Eat Food, Feed Hunger 

Accomplished!

Thanks for providing the pizza Kellie! 

*Big-ones: the big fishes that eat the little fishes inside your tummy!
- My mom used to tell this to my siblings and I when we would complain about being hungry.




Today I love this song!

high five Thursday!

so sometimes I like to stay up late. . 

Okay- I am not going to beat around the bush, I always go to bed late.

In fact this whole week I don't think I have been in bed before 1:30. . . 

shoot.

My sister-in-law, Sandi, says something along the lines of 

"Kelsie you can always do homework, but parties only happen once."

That isn't exactly how it goes, but it is late

and it is close enough.

Tonight I did study before I played.

I patted myself on the back already, don't worry!

Then my friend Keni came over.

She is pretty much amazing.  I met her in crossfit.

We played computer- took virtual tours of the places that we grew up

on Google MAPS.

Then we watched a long movie

The Scarlet Pimpernel 

it was funny- well the parts I watched.

I studied during half of it. . . 

Keni says the book is better

I think I will read it.

It is funny how every time I have to drive home I stay up late. . .

NOT SAFE!

Luckily for me I will have a friend for the ride.

I am kinda sad to be leaving Logan again.

It is such a beautiful place

with such marvelous people. . .

But then again

I am basically surrounded by marvelous people.  

(BLESSINGS!)

Tomorrow (today) 20,000 Bouncy Balls are going to be dropped 

FROM A HELICOPTER! 100 FEET IN THE AIR.

 It is going to be amazing- to say the least.

I plan on taking pictures- 

AND VIDEO!

Oh by the way. . .

cute picture huh!?

I think so.  We are never up this late

. . . together, on a weekday!

True college experiences?  I think yes.

AND

as you may have noticed

My dearest Tami is MIA.

The poor girl has a dreadful job at cleaning buildings

AT 4 o'clock in the MORNING!

RIDICULOUS

everyone should be sleeping during that hour.

I miss her dearly

(this is only the first week too. . . )

My poor dear.

What people do when they are in love. . . 

(Oh, background: Tami is ENGAGED!  story to come soon!- hopefully. . .)

High Five Thursday!

and I thought this was bad. . .

I have driven from Logan home 

three times in the past two weeks.

Pretty sure I could do it with my eyes closed

. . . doesn't mean I want to try it.

 I took this picture driving home last night.

I wish the roads had been this good all the way home,

maybe then it would have only taken me four and a half hours.

Surprisingly it wasn't too hard for me to drive slow on the way home.

(background: I like to get places quickly- I speed. . .too much sometimes)

Having my little girls in the car though 

made it really easy to take my time.

I am so thankful we made it home safe.

Even if it did take almost twice as long.

Counting my blessings!

Vehicle: 2004 Suburban (mom's)

Passengers: Lulu, and Jaders (fell asleep as soon as we got in the car)

Driver: Me 

Number of seat belts worn: three

Movie: Despicable Me (played through twice)

Road conditions: terrible

Lowest speed on I-15: 0 mph

Highest speed on I-15: 60 mph

Number of passed wrecks: six

Anxiety level: too high to measure

Time to get home: 5 hours and 35 minutes

Average time to get home: 3 and a half hours 

While I was driving this is what I heard going on in the backseat:

Jades, "what if a lion was lying? (giggling)"
Lulu, "yep."
Jades, "Halee, knock knock"
Lu, "Who is there?"
Jades, "Lion"
Lu, "Lion who?"
Jades, "Rawr! because that is what Lions say."
Lu, "Okay" (while texting boys on my phone)

Love these girls.

winter blues. already?

I think I suffer from the "Winter Blues" (aka: seasonal depression)
I desperately need sunshine!  I love the summer when I get to sit all day in the sun and feel the warmth of its light kiss my body.  I love breathing in the fresh air and enjoying myself in the good 'ol vitamin D that is absorbed through all of my pores.
I read in the Statesman (the USU newspaper) that seasonal depression is just a mental case, and it maybe- I wouldn't doubt it.  BUT my mental state says that snow=sadness.  BLAH!  Where oh where did my sunshine go?
On a positive note: I believe that I am my only cure and in turn I must push myself to see the positive perspective of things.

1) Today I went singing at the care center.  So much joy comes from that place- so much heart ache too.
-Eveylin made me simply happy, we sing to her every week, every week I hug her and asks if she remembers me- nope. But I find joy from her smile and her laugh and the way her face lights up every time we walk into her room.
-Parker talking to and elder lady who was enjoying herself in the hallway:
     Parker: "What is your name?"
     Elderly Lady: "Henryetta"
     Nurse: "No it's not!  Its Julie"
     Elderly Lady (with a big grin on her face): "Oh yeah!  That's it!"
-Singing while one of the residents played his harmonica
-Visiting the couple in the front who are always looking out the window.  The lady bundled up tight while sitting in her wheelchair and her husband sitting next to her grasping her hand- spending every moment he can just to be by her side.  True love.  I want that some day!
-Laughing at the man who owns the hallways on his motorized chair.  I don't know how he can maneuver that thing the way he does!  Amazing.
-The joy of music in the lives of so many people.  I love that even though some of the residents at the care center can't even remember their names or anything about themselves they still know the words to the hymns and sing them at the top of their lungs with us.  I love it.

2) The Christmas music that I am blasting in my ears right now!  I love the holidays.  I love that is is the holiday season once again.  I get to go home and see my family.  There is love everywhere.  It is almost like I can smell it in the air!

3) I am so thankful for the arts.  I went to the John Smicht concert on Saturday.  It was amazing.  People with such talent make me happy!  I would much rather go to a concert like that than to a rock concert any day.  It was marvelous- I am still in awe of the musician that that man is.

4) I love that people enjoy the pictures that I take.  I love that I can express the way I look at things through the photos I take.  I have always been a very deep thinker.  I analyze EVERYTHING and so everything I look at I take it in through so many different perspectives.

5) My roommates are amazing.  Even though I am feeling homesick this night I feel like they are my home away from home and I am so grateful for ALL of them!  I love them.

My life is great.  I have been blessed with so much and I am so happy.  It is easy to feel happy after making a list of things to be happy for. . . And now, as it always is when I am blogging late. . . I must go and type a three page research paper that is due tomorrow.  Talk about procrastination.  - And no, I have not started.