I'm Thankful For: Jefferson and Aticus

A few minutes ago, I was just overwhelmed with gratitude for these two brilliant Music Theorists. I was looking at my current Music Theory III grade, and I have at least 99% on every single assignment and test. Wow.

What's even more suprising is the fact that during my senior year, I was terrible at music theory. Really. I took the class to learn more about music, but everyone one else in the class had much deeper music backgrounds than I had. I was definitely not prepared for the class. I should have droppped out, but I didn't.

I sat between Aticus and Jefferson the whole entire year, and they were the smartest in the class. I had no clue what was going on 95% of the time, and instead of saying, "You're so stupid-just give up" (Although they probably thought it all of the time!), they would help me until I understood. I should never have passed that class, but with their help I got "A"s. And, in college when I took the test to determine if I could go into the Theory class I wanted, I passed with flying colors! And it's been great ever since! I don't catch on to the concepts very quickly, but eventually it clicks and I am able to analyze or write music correctly.

I would never in a million years be able to be a music major without the help and encouragement of these two. Seriously. Their help in A.P. Music Theory changed my life. And I am so Grateful.

I'm Thankful For: Personal Revelation

Today, I was trying to picture what it would be like not to know about the Holy Ghost or personal revelation. It was really difficult! I am so grateful to know that Heavenly Father directs my life through the promptings of the Holy Ghost. If it was up to me alone to decide what was right for me to do with my life, then I'd be a mess for sure! It is when I am always striving to have the Holy Ghost with me that I get a little push in the right direction. Recently, I've been getting the impression that maybe the plan I had previously figured out for the next few years needs to be altered. These changes would take me WAY out of my comfort zone. BUT, I know that Heavenly Father truly knows what will make me the best person I can be.

I'm Thankful For: Digital Cameras

I went through all of my Picture files on my computer and reorganized them. As I did this, I thought to myself: What if I had grown up just a decade before I did? Then I would not have had a small digital camera I could take around with me everwhere. I would have taken a lot less pictures and each picture would most likely have been posed. I am so so so so Grateful that I have a digital camera I can use to document my life. Plus, without a camera, we would miss out on these true gems:





















These pictures bring me so much happiness! I love digital cameras!

Forgiveness

This is from the musical Jane Eyre. Here are the lyrics:

You mustn't be revengeful
You have to be strong
To offer good for evil
Return right for wrong
We must not hold a grudge
And we must learn to endure
Then as God is your judge
At least your heart will be pure
Forgiveness
Is the mightiest sword
Forgiveness of those you hate
Will be your highest reward
When they bruise you with words
When they make you feel small
When it's hardest to bear
You must do nothing at all
Forgiveness
Is the simplest vow
Forgiveness
Of all their crimes
Is your deliverance now
Bless those souls
Who would curse your name
When the last bell tolls
You'll be free of blame
You can continue to grieve
But know the Gospel is true
You must forgive those who lie
And bless them that curse you
Forgiveness
Is the mightiest sword
Forgiveness of those you hate
Will be your highest reward
The time will come when we will leave this world,
and then the injustice and the pain and the sin will fall away from us,
and only the spark of the spirit will remain - returning to God who created it
You must never lose faith
You must never lose heart
God will restore your trust
And I know you're afraid
I'm as scared as you are
But willing to be brave
Brave enough for love

On Sunday, my sister asked me to go to a farewell with her. I didn't know the kid very well, but I felt like I should go. I went, and for a few minutes this young man spoke about forgiving others. As he was speaking, I felt the Spirit very strongly and burst into tears. At that moment, Heavenly Father was specifically telling me to forgive someone who I have held a grudge against for a long time. And it has probably not affected them in anyway, but the bitterness I feel is keeping me from progressing. So now, I have spent four days working on forgiving this person whole-heartedly. And guess what? It's tough. Really tough. It's not going to happen overnight. But I know that through this process I will become more like Jesus Christ, because He is willing to forgive all of us, even for the most horrible sins. So how can I not be willing to forgive others? There is no excuse.

How to Get Your Picture in the Paper

Step 1. Go with some friends to an event where hundreds of people are going to gather.

Step 2. When you see the newspaper photographer taking a picture of a sign above your head, pose for the camera and act like you think they are taking a picture of you.

Step 3. The photographer will notice, and (hopefully) will think you're funny. Then she really will take your picture.



Step 4. Talk to the photographer after she takes your picture. This way, she'll remember you.

And TADA!!! You are famous! Sort of.

Want to read the article? Go here.

My New Obsession...

BABIES!!!!

Addison, daughter of my cousin, Amanda
(5 days old in picture)

Michael, son of my cousin, DeeDee
(2 months old in picture)

I met them both for the first time on October 3rd.
I love them.

Baby Shower

I threw a baby shower (well, more like a family party) for my cousin Amanda a few weeks ago. We are super close! (I was her maid of honor, remember?) I wanted to make the shower way amazing, but stupid school and work got in the way. But it was still so much fun! The highlight was probably the present my Uncle Bryan made: a cradle! He makes one for each of his kids when they are expecting their first baby. We didn't expect him to make a cradle for his niece, too! It is a beautiful cradle! (It's not finished in the picture!)