Impressed

Few things impress me more than when I am on the train standing and some man stands up and offers me their seat. I usually say I'm just fine standing, especially this morning because the man that offered his seat to me I'm sure could have been my grandpa, but when they insist it really actually means a lot to me and really makes my day. It is even more impressive when young guys do it too, not just feeble old me. For all men out there that willing offer their seat to a lady standing on a train or a bus, thank you. Thank you for letting us feel special for a moment and making our day!

My missionary work

Missions are wonderful! And missionaries are wonderful! I live down the hall from the missionaries in my building and I love to see them. I think it would be an incredible experience to be a full time missionary and dedicate every minute of my life to serving the Lord. I could not think of anything better! However, the Lord and I have talked about it and a mission is not where I need to be right now. I see now very clearly why I am not on a mission and I'm sure I will see more to come. Though I do have this great desire to serve and share the light of the Savior that I have with other people. I pray every day hoping that I can at least be a spark or a memory of something that was good and one day someone because they knew me will want to know more. At work you can't really talk about religion but it is different when we are dealing with death every day and what that holds. I'm not afraid of death or dying and maybe that is one reason I can do the job that I do. As a recreational therapist part of our holistic healing includes spirituality. Not necessarily Christianity but being in tune. This has been a great learning experience for me. I am sure this sounds terrible but I look forward to the day when I talk with a grieving family and I hope that I can inspire them to have faith and the find strength in that faith.
I met a boy out here who is investigating the church. It was at an activity put on my someone in the ward and as our mutual friend and I chatted with him he got nervous and asked her if he should tell me. Well I guess he was nervous because he in not a member of the church and wanted to make sure I knew that first. I thought it was something like he was 40 years old or something. So when he told me this and it didn't matter and I could still talk to him and be his friend he relaxed. We've chatted a few times since but on Tuesday night he asked me if I would sit in with him and the missionaries in his next discussion with them. I have never been close enough to anyone who was investigating the church to sit in on a discussion with the missionaries. So when he asked me to participate I was flattered that he would ask me to join him. Our meeting is tonight and I am so excited! And a little bit nervous. I have an extra special prayer in my heart today that I may be prompted and have the courage to say the things that testify of the truthfulness of this gospel. Today I am grateful to be an instrument in the Lord's hand.

Welcome to Washington D.C.

I just finished my first week being in Washington D.C.. It is amazing out here, I love it! My flight was great and I made a few friends along the way. Dad dropped me off at the airport and I went to check my bag. Unfortunately, I am a better packer than I thought. I figured if I could fit it in my suitcase then it must be under the weight requirement. I was sadly mistaking and my bag was 21 pounds overweight. I quickly called my dad just in case I had to throw some clothes back into the car. I found an inexpensive suitcase that seemed to have enough room to fit an extra twenty pounds in. The lady at the store was nice enough to help me about a bit and she said that it's pretty common for people to pack big suitcases and be about 21 pounds over. (50 pounds is the limit.) I made it, barely and was headed through security. Because I had things packed so well and there were lots of little jewelery boxes and things they had so search my carry on. So we went though that and finally made it to my gate. There was a lady there who I stood next to through security and asked where I was going and was interested in what I was doing. About a minute after I sat down she came over and asked me if I could tell her more about what I was doing. I did and she gave me her card and said she takes people to South Africa and she would love for me to come with her. I am looking more in to it and we will see if the opportunity arises. Then when I was on the plane there was a gentleman in front of me that was making the same connection as I was. We decided we'd go together. He ended up being the press secretary for an Idaho congressmen, Phil Hardy. We made it to our next gate and watched each other's stuff while we got something to eat. He even offered to give me a private tour of the Capitol. He told me who to ask for and what to do. We were watching the basketball game on TV when they started to board, I looked at the flight and realized that game was going to Pittsburgh. We surely did not want to be going to Pittsburgh! We got help and found out where our flight had been reassigned to, don't worry it was all the way down the corridor. When we finally got there, everyone had boarded and we were just hoping they had not closed the gate yet. Luckily they hadn't and we made it on. I was only a few hours away from my new summer home, Washington D.C.! It's not a very good picture but here is my first view of the city.

The Best Friend

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

"Best friend is someone who knows all about you and loves you anyway."

"A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half cracked."

"We didn't realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun."

None of these quotes can quite describe the bond we have. For we are best friends and will always be. Our friendship began last summer. Little did this girl know that all summer she was going through a rigorous interview to see if she met the qualifications the qualifications to be my roommate and since then we have had nothing but wonderful memories. When I finally gained enough courage to ask her I sent her a text saying, "I have a very serious question to ask you." She responded with, "I will do my best to give you a very serious answer." I asked her if she would like to move in with us in a few weeks at the end of the summer. Then...nothing. All day I waited for a response, and never got one. She finally texted me later saying she did not want to leave her old roommate alone and she would let me know. As I wait in suspense she took her time getting back to me. She thought it would be fun but needed to make sure her old roommate had someone to live with before she left. Finally she decided she we moved and we threw all her stuff out her back door and hauled it up to my apartment and a wonderful little place we called home for the next 8 months.
Our first bonding moment I think sealed the deal in our friendship. We were at a ward activity at our bishops house playing games on the trampoline. She was wearing a pair of camo shorts and was rolling around. She rolled and I noticed that one color didn't quite match the rest of the camo. I very quickly had he sit down and she realized the little rip sound she had heard earlier were actually her pants that had ripped and had since ripped all the way down. Luckily the bishops daughter was visiting and had an extra pair of pants to loan her. A true friend is there when your pants rip and then continues to laugh with you months after the event.
Since that time we have had so many fun times together. Happy times and sad times, we faced them together. There are times with this girl that will always hold a dear place in my heart.
One of my very favorite things about this winter was all the nights she and I would sit on the couch in our bathrobes her drinking hot cocoa and me drinking hot cider, chatting on Facebook to each other while having a conversation. We did this a lot in between Thanksgiving and Christmas!
So she has an Native American flute that she like to play before she goes to bed. Let me tell you, if you want to fall asleep fast have one of those in the background and you'll be out like a light! One night she was showing our friend her flute and he decided it sounded like he should start to narrate. During the narration and flute playing I felt it an appropriate time to use my interpretive dance skills. The only thing was I was sitting in a banana chair which somewhat limited the true ability of my skills. Apparently my "falling leaf" was pretty funny in a chair and she couldn't play while watching me without laughing. Once we got past that minor quirk we decided we had a pretty good show between the three of us and that we should take our show on the road. So look for us coming soon! (:
We spent so much time together we started doing many of the same things. We would have the same thoughts and responses. We would even run into the same walls. Possibly the running into things was more of just me. I'd run in to the door way, I'd fall into the bathtub, off my bed or other various thing. She would always be there and sometimes laugh or just not comment which made the situation even funnier.
So many times I would be sitting in class and get a text and it was something hilarious! Above all I think the best thing is when you have a friend that sends you a quick text just telling you they hope you have a wonderful day. I am grateful for the time I have had to get to know this girl. She is a great example and I am so excited for her to serve a mission in Sweden. Thanks for everything girl! I sure like you!

Winter Entertainment

One of the best things about living in Utah is the fact that there are so many ski resorts in such a close proximity. I love skiing but as a college student I would rather budget my money to other things than paying for the lift tickets. However, I have a good friend who can get me passes to Sundance sometimes so off we were to spend the night skiing! The only problem resulting from this was I remember how much I love skiing. Consequently I went again a few more times after that. I decided next year I am just going to get a season pass. Since I started skiing so late in the season Sundance closed before we had our fill of skiing so we went to Brighton. Here's an action shot from there.

I love to ski and I am good enough now I can do most blacks. I not always with perfect control like I would like but I have the skills to make it don't without killing myself and most often not even falling down.

If you look closely at this photo you can see the jacket I am wearing is from Niceville Wrestling. I have been accused of having a Mary Poppins bag I usually try to always be prepared. So I spent the morning before we left for Brighton getting everything ready. I even had snacks for the way back because we are always hungry after we're done. So we made it up to Brighton and everyone was getting dressed and I went to the back of the car to get my ski jacket and realized it was not there but it was still in my coat closet at home. I luckily had some friends who let me borrow a few things and I stayed plenty warm! Winters in Utah are hard to endure sometimes but at least skiing gives you something to look forward to!

And that's a wrap!

Well the end of the school year has come to an end. We finished all our finals, we passed all our classes, we moved out of our apartment and a new chapter of our lives ahead of us. With the end of my junior year also ends the year I spent serving on the service council. I really am at a loss for words on how this year has affected me. There have been ups and downs and all of them have been moments that have shaped and molded me into who I am today. These 12 other people that I have spent so much time with have been wonderful examples of being an instrument in the Lord's hand to me. We have hiked the grand canyon, spent early mornings together, laughed and cried together, and wandered around southern Utah enjoying God's masterpiece. I am grateful for the time I have spent with these people and loved learning from and growing with them. I love you Service Council of 2010-2011, you have changed my life and forever have a place in my heart!

Traygen James Clark

February 23, 2010 Traygen James Clark came into this world. He is such a joy in our family. We love him more than any little child. Since I was in the middle of midterms and it's hard to get away from school We met and Traygen's great grandparents house in Brigham City. When his favorite aunt got there we proceeded to have a photo shoot!
This is Great Grandpa Jim who Traygen's middle name comes from. I have never met someone more proud. He calls him "Little Jim" this, by far, is the cutest nickname for him yet!

Then Great Grandma had her turn. She knows all the tricks to new babies. I think she's had a few years of experience.

I finally made it through the one day blizzard that Utah seems to have so many have in the spring. For the very first time I got to meet him and I love him so much! It is so touching to hold something that not very long ago was in the presence our Heavenly Father.


This is one of my favorite pictures from the day

Over the past semester I have have taken a child development class and even more I love children. I am so excited to spend every day this summer working, playing, and loving them. They are so special to our Heavenly Father and I learn so much from their simple faith and love. I am excited for the day when Lord trusts me enough to put one of His children in my care.