It's that time of year, where you look back at all that has gone on, and you can see all the ways you've been blessed. You can see where you've struggled, and decide on things you want to change.
I don't make New Year Resolutions. I, generally, have time to sit and contemplate the things I want to change at Snowbird. There's something about being up there, at the end of summer, out in the beautiful mountains, where you can feel closer to Heavenly Father than you do in the crazy, busy-ness that goes on down in the valley. That being said, I'm not going to post any goals or resolutions, but I want to share some things I'm grateful for.
I have to say that the last year has been amazing in many ways! Amazing in good ways and amazing in bad ways. I feel like I've been being a downer for the last while, and I don't like that I've become that way, so I'm working on fixing that (I think I may have stated a resolution ;)).
I've been serving in the LDS Mid-Singles program in Davis County for nearly a year. For those that don't know, midsingles are singles in many various circumstances from divorced, widowed, and unmarrieds between the ages of 31-45 years old. I've probably said this before, but I would never have imagined me being a leader like this. When I started showing up for the weekly religion classes about 19 months ago, my plan was to attend the class, because I needed the spiritual uplift and get out of there. I was shy and nervous, and didn't want to be noticed. Then one day someone noticed me, and welcomed me in, and it felt right, so I stuck to it. Through this program I have met a lot of amazing people that I have grown to love! I've also learned many, many things! Some things I sort of wish I hadn't, but oh, well! Overall, I can't believe I'm the same person that walked in there not that long ago! I've been able to step out of my comfort zone, that had me sitting on the back row, by the door, with my phone in hand, so I could escape, to being in front of many, many people and feeling completely comfortable. I'm not saying that I'm always completely comfortable, but it's been amazing, because I have moments where I'm nervous and shy, but I just have to put on that "leader persona" and I can walk up there and do what needs to be done, and the nervousness and shyness dissipate. I'm grateful for that! I'm grateful for the wonderful people I've been able to associate with! I'm still in shock to think that I accompanied Emmy nominated violinist, Jenny Oaks Baker. It was thrilling! Terrifying, but thrilling!
I'm so grateful for a loving and supportive family! I don't know what I would do without my mom, my brother, sister-in-law and their kids, and the support I can feel from my dad! I'm thankful for all of my nephews and niece! I'm grateful for each of their own identities, with their personalities, talents and all that comes with them. Ford is brilliant and beautiful and so talented, and knows so much! I'm grateful for his testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! Ev is the funniest kid I know. He's really smart, and is an amazing, athletic boy! Ady is hilarious and darling and my little twin! Akston has been a comfort to me these past few months, as I get to cuddle him and rock him to sleep. I am blessed!
I'm grateful for the people I've been able to serve with in young womens. I'm amazed at the strength of the youth in the stake! There are so many that have amazing gifts, talents, and testimonies. I've loved getting to know them and see them grow up.
I'm grateful for the abilities I've been given! Heavenly Father has blessed me in so many ways, and I'm so grateful! I'm in awe, knowing that He knows me, and knows my needs, and loves me. I'm amazed that I can receive answers to prayers, and that even when I don't like those answers, and I keep wanting different answers, that I still know when my prayers are answered.
I wanted to share this video , as the new year is upon us. I hope you enjoy it and take advantage of the new beginning that we all have!
Showing posts with label young women. Show all posts
Showing posts with label young women. Show all posts
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Last Sunday was the 4th Annual MidSingles Christmas Music Devotional: "God Loved Us So He Sent His Son." It was amazing! I'm so grateful for all those that participated and helped and put it together. One of my friend's, that was pretty much in charge, mom said that this was the best one she'd been to, and she'd been to them all. This was my second one to participate in. The choir was amazing, really. I was nervous the whole time for how it would come off, but they were great!
It had been a huge weight on my shoulders, and on Saturday, I finally felt that weight lift, knowing that I'd done all I possibly could, and that had to be enough. The Saturday before, I let weaknesses of mine show that some had never seen, and didn't know what to do about me. Thinking about breaking down and crying in front of so many is somewhat embarrassing, but at the same time hilarious! Nothing was working, and people weren't there, and by the end of the rehearsal I was a disaster. Thank heavens for my friend, Tiffany, stepping in and taking care of organizing people to help decorate. Poor Gary and Vaughn looked at me like they'd never seen anything like that, and didn't know what to do. I had asked for people to bring trees and lights and garlands, if they had any available, and some guy came up to me afterwards and told me that that was not going to work, and asked me if I'd ever done anything like that and actually had it work. I knew people would come through, and I had done it before, and it worked! The guy apologized a few days later.
The program was amazing! There were many talented soloists, duets, ensembles, both vocalists and instrumentalists. I was thrilled to be able to accompany one of the choir songs, and not have to accompany more than that. I loved getting to sing! I was able to sing in one of the ensembles, and it was accompanied by a strings ensemble and piano. It was so cool!
I'd been spending so much time, getting the decorations made for these trees, and other things for that, plus a house I'm working on, it took a while for me to get Christmas up in our house. It's up and I love it, other than the guy cut the bottom of the tree really crooked, so we have the leaning tree of Layton in our house. When I say leaning, I'm not even kidding. I turned it so it's leaning more towards the wall now, but it's WAY slanted! Having the Christmas spirit has been a little more difficult this year than past years with the stress of activities and performances that have been happening, Mom's been way sick for almost 2 months, but last night she seemed much better, and my mood has put a damper on things. I'm trying to be better, though.
So, you know when you're in an uncomfortable situation, there are those automatic reactions to fight or fly. Well, flying is my way to cope. I have to escape. A couple months ago, I had gone to a fireside/devotional, and saw someone that I care a lot about with someone, and my reaction was, "oh my heck.... I have to get out of here." I sat there and kept telling myself I'm a grown up, I can handle things and be mature about the whole situation. Well, that talk lasted about a verse and a half of the opening song, I'm not even kidding, I was out of there! Well, it's been a couple months, and you'd think I would be fine by now. So, I was up singing in the ensemble at the devotional when this other someone walked in and went and sat next to the original someone. It took all I had to stay where I was. Holy cow! What's the deal?! The rest of the devotional went on, and I kept focused on the performers (apparently so focused that it looked like I was checking one of them out, but really I was watching the piano keys not anything else :)), and didn't escape. I was so proud of myself. Isn't that ridiculous!? Thank heavens for family that was there to distract me afterwards, and responsibilities that got me back to being able to be me. We had the fastest clean up of the Bountiful Regional Center, ever! I was thrilled so I didn't have to do it by myself yesterday.
Last night we had our annual Church side Christmas FHE. It used to be that we'd get together and eat dinner and sing carols. Now that Grandma isn't with us anymore, and Darlene lives in Mesquite during the winter, it has changed. It was fun, though!
Last week two of Collin's kids had little programs for their tumbling and dancing. Ev is an amazing little tumbler! Ady is amazing on the bar at tumbling, and then quite the little dancer. She had a mirror off stage, but right by her, that she was totally hamming it up, loving watching herself. So funny!
I'm soon to be released from serving in the stake young women, which is heart breaking to me! I've loved young womens. Two weeks ago, I left an Evening of Excellence, and walked out saying, "This is why I love young womens!" Wednesday night, Mom got a call asking if she'd be okay with me being released to serve in my ward. She said no, because of all of my other responsibilities, but here I am the new primary secretary. Hopefully, I'll be able to feel comfortable in this position being able to serve with kids soon.
It had been a huge weight on my shoulders, and on Saturday, I finally felt that weight lift, knowing that I'd done all I possibly could, and that had to be enough. The Saturday before, I let weaknesses of mine show that some had never seen, and didn't know what to do about me. Thinking about breaking down and crying in front of so many is somewhat embarrassing, but at the same time hilarious! Nothing was working, and people weren't there, and by the end of the rehearsal I was a disaster. Thank heavens for my friend, Tiffany, stepping in and taking care of organizing people to help decorate. Poor Gary and Vaughn looked at me like they'd never seen anything like that, and didn't know what to do. I had asked for people to bring trees and lights and garlands, if they had any available, and some guy came up to me afterwards and told me that that was not going to work, and asked me if I'd ever done anything like that and actually had it work. I knew people would come through, and I had done it before, and it worked! The guy apologized a few days later.
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| Here are the decorations! Now imagine the stage filled with people. It turned out really well, and people were amazing to be there and we got it done so quickly! (My camera has a short in it, so none of the other pics turned out well)
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I'd been spending so much time, getting the decorations made for these trees, and other things for that, plus a house I'm working on, it took a while for me to get Christmas up in our house. It's up and I love it, other than the guy cut the bottom of the tree really crooked, so we have the leaning tree of Layton in our house. When I say leaning, I'm not even kidding. I turned it so it's leaning more towards the wall now, but it's WAY slanted! Having the Christmas spirit has been a little more difficult this year than past years with the stress of activities and performances that have been happening, Mom's been way sick for almost 2 months, but last night she seemed much better, and my mood has put a damper on things. I'm trying to be better, though.
So, you know when you're in an uncomfortable situation, there are those automatic reactions to fight or fly. Well, flying is my way to cope. I have to escape. A couple months ago, I had gone to a fireside/devotional, and saw someone that I care a lot about with someone, and my reaction was, "oh my heck.... I have to get out of here." I sat there and kept telling myself I'm a grown up, I can handle things and be mature about the whole situation. Well, that talk lasted about a verse and a half of the opening song, I'm not even kidding, I was out of there! Well, it's been a couple months, and you'd think I would be fine by now. So, I was up singing in the ensemble at the devotional when this other someone walked in and went and sat next to the original someone. It took all I had to stay where I was. Holy cow! What's the deal?! The rest of the devotional went on, and I kept focused on the performers (apparently so focused that it looked like I was checking one of them out, but really I was watching the piano keys not anything else :)), and didn't escape. I was so proud of myself. Isn't that ridiculous!? Thank heavens for family that was there to distract me afterwards, and responsibilities that got me back to being able to be me. We had the fastest clean up of the Bountiful Regional Center, ever! I was thrilled so I didn't have to do it by myself yesterday.
Last night we had our annual Church side Christmas FHE. It used to be that we'd get together and eat dinner and sing carols. Now that Grandma isn't with us anymore, and Darlene lives in Mesquite during the winter, it has changed. It was fun, though!
Last week two of Collin's kids had little programs for their tumbling and dancing. Ev is an amazing little tumbler! Ady is amazing on the bar at tumbling, and then quite the little dancer. She had a mirror off stage, but right by her, that she was totally hamming it up, loving watching herself. So funny!
I'm soon to be released from serving in the stake young women, which is heart breaking to me! I've loved young womens. Two weeks ago, I left an Evening of Excellence, and walked out saying, "This is why I love young womens!" Wednesday night, Mom got a call asking if she'd be okay with me being released to serve in my ward. She said no, because of all of my other responsibilities, but here I am the new primary secretary. Hopefully, I'll be able to feel comfortable in this position being able to serve with kids soon.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Stuff...
It's been an insanely busy few weeks! I had everything under control and timed correctly to get everything I needed to be done on time, whether it was for young womens or my conference. I had a couple situations that distracted me from the task at hand. Then a client of mine needed his stuff done, IMMEDIATELY! So, I had very little sleep, and didn't feel as into my conference as I wanted to be.
My mind was wandering over the situations, and over this house that was huge, and I just felt run down. We had Standards Night in the middle of it, and it came time to pick the hymns, and I just felt like picking "High on a Mountain Top" and "I am a Child of God." Then we sat there listening to the great talk, and both songs fit perfectly! I was amazed I could be guided, when I so was not feeling it!
This conference was longer and bigger then ever before. It ran Sept. 17-23. Personally, I think it was too long, but I really enjoyed all of the activities, except for maybe the dance. I am so grateful for all of the help! I did a lot of work beforehand, but had those that helped not been there for the things I was over, it never would have happened!
We had a Photo Scavenger Hunt FHE. Service projects at the Utah Food Bank and the Bountiful Food Pantry. Brad Wilcox did a mid-week devotional and was freaking amazing! We had an ice cream trough for dessert, idea credit goes to Emma. It was way fun! They did a temple night at the Salt Lake Temple (I was at Standards Night). Friday night was an EXTREME carnival. Emma, Jeanine, and Garrett were amazing planning this activity! We had blow up toys, like jousting, sumo, and an obstacle course. We had giant checkers, giant jenga, giant twister, Angry Birds, a photo booth, human bowling, popcorn, sno cones, cotton candy, s'mores, and a food truck, that was delicious! It was so much fun!
Saturday was my day, well the day that most of my things I stressed about was on. I had Matt Townsend as our keynote speaker. He did an amazing job! He was so right on with what the midsingles needed to hear, it was fantastic! We had awesome workshops, games, food and fun! The main complaint of the conference was about the dance. We reserved an indoor soccer place and had a live band. It should've been awesome! Fun venue. Fun band. Well, the band never really played songs you could dance to, so it was like a concert on a soccer field. There were big stresses the whole time planning the dance part, and setting it up, and all of that! Next time I want it to be easier, even though I still want it at a fun venue. My friend, John, got us a stage for the band, and that was the biggest headache, so I'm so grateful he took care of that for me! There was a lot of physical labor this time around, because of the stage, transporting tables and chairs from the church to the field and back, plus set up and take down at the church. It was big!
I've compiled my list of the things I loved and things that needed work. I'm sure others have suggestions, too. Overall, it was a great experience!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
On other notes, I've been getting a kick out of the differences between men and women. Women for some reason have to give all of these details and feel like it's important to share that, whether it's talking in person, texting, email, etc... So, I type this big long whatever, and the guy responds with "ok" or "cool." It drives me insane! I'm going to work on being less wordy :) Then, I don't talk that much, when it's one on one, but I say something, that seemed important or maybe was funny in my head, and I just get this look like, "really?" Then, I'm always like, I should just stop talking! So dumb! Or the situation of relationships changing, it's one way one day, and then completely different the next; and, in the cases I've seen recently, the guy is so quick to move to the next opportunity, and the girl is left going, Whoa, was that even real? Sometimes it is really hard to tell. Especially being one that is especially cautious about getting involved, and then takes a long time to get over it; even when it was my decision. It's just been interesting!
Oh, and I have been on two dates now where I've seen one of my laurels on a date. Such a weird feeling! The first one was funny, and she was way cute. The latest one, I'm glad I was there, and could inadvertently stop a situation from continuing, at least where we were. I sure hope she didn't drive somewhere else and continue the activity. So strange!
This is a board with three different kitchen designs.
This is the bathroom design. It all was a basement.
My mind was wandering over the situations, and over this house that was huge, and I just felt run down. We had Standards Night in the middle of it, and it came time to pick the hymns, and I just felt like picking "High on a Mountain Top" and "I am a Child of God." Then we sat there listening to the great talk, and both songs fit perfectly! I was amazed I could be guided, when I so was not feeling it!
This conference was longer and bigger then ever before. It ran Sept. 17-23. Personally, I think it was too long, but I really enjoyed all of the activities, except for maybe the dance. I am so grateful for all of the help! I did a lot of work beforehand, but had those that helped not been there for the things I was over, it never would have happened!
We had a Photo Scavenger Hunt FHE. Service projects at the Utah Food Bank and the Bountiful Food Pantry. Brad Wilcox did a mid-week devotional and was freaking amazing! We had an ice cream trough for dessert, idea credit goes to Emma. It was way fun! They did a temple night at the Salt Lake Temple (I was at Standards Night). Friday night was an EXTREME carnival. Emma, Jeanine, and Garrett were amazing planning this activity! We had blow up toys, like jousting, sumo, and an obstacle course. We had giant checkers, giant jenga, giant twister, Angry Birds, a photo booth, human bowling, popcorn, sno cones, cotton candy, s'mores, and a food truck, that was delicious! It was so much fun!
Saturday was my day, well the day that most of my things I stressed about was on. I had Matt Townsend as our keynote speaker. He did an amazing job! He was so right on with what the midsingles needed to hear, it was fantastic! We had awesome workshops, games, food and fun! The main complaint of the conference was about the dance. We reserved an indoor soccer place and had a live band. It should've been awesome! Fun venue. Fun band. Well, the band never really played songs you could dance to, so it was like a concert on a soccer field. There were big stresses the whole time planning the dance part, and setting it up, and all of that! Next time I want it to be easier, even though I still want it at a fun venue. My friend, John, got us a stage for the band, and that was the biggest headache, so I'm so grateful he took care of that for me! There was a lot of physical labor this time around, because of the stage, transporting tables and chairs from the church to the field and back, plus set up and take down at the church. It was big!
I've compiled my list of the things I loved and things that needed work. I'm sure others have suggestions, too. Overall, it was a great experience!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
On other notes, I've been getting a kick out of the differences between men and women. Women for some reason have to give all of these details and feel like it's important to share that, whether it's talking in person, texting, email, etc... So, I type this big long whatever, and the guy responds with "ok" or "cool." It drives me insane! I'm going to work on being less wordy :) Then, I don't talk that much, when it's one on one, but I say something, that seemed important or maybe was funny in my head, and I just get this look like, "really?" Then, I'm always like, I should just stop talking! So dumb! Or the situation of relationships changing, it's one way one day, and then completely different the next; and, in the cases I've seen recently, the guy is so quick to move to the next opportunity, and the girl is left going, Whoa, was that even real? Sometimes it is really hard to tell. Especially being one that is especially cautious about getting involved, and then takes a long time to get over it; even when it was my decision. It's just been interesting!
Oh, and I have been on two dates now where I've seen one of my laurels on a date. Such a weird feeling! The first one was funny, and she was way cute. The latest one, I'm glad I was there, and could inadvertently stop a situation from continuing, at least where we were. I sure hope she didn't drive somewhere else and continue the activity. So strange!
Friday, August 3, 2012
Summer!
It's been a while, again! Since my last post lots has gone on! My computer died at Daughters of Faith, so that's one of the reasons I haven't blogged. (This loaner computer stinks, and sometimes doesn't read the keystroke, but sometimes doubles the keystroke, so I'll try to make sure I spell check, but forgive me if there are mistakes.)
So, I'm going to write by month what has gone on...
June
Months ago I emailed Jenny Oaks Baker to see if she could do a fireside for the midsingles. I never heard from her, so I didn't think anything of it. For whatever reason, I've branched out and am able to ask people I don't know to do devotionals; I still feel funny asking people I know to do things. So, on May 30, I got an email back from her saying she'd be able to do it either on June 24 or on August 26. I already had one scheduled for August, so we went with June. She was really concerned that she was spreading herself too thin, and not enough people would attend. Here's a link to her "Amazing Grace" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uQIPFc-8jw. Listen through her talk, you'll love the music, and her message on faith is fantastic!
She called me two days later and said that she couldn't do it that day anymore, because her accompanist wasn't going to be in town until July. Before I could even think, out of my mouth popped, "Well, I can do it! I am a piano teacher." Her first question was, "You're a piano teacher, but can you actually play anything or are you one of THOSE teachers?" I told her I could pretty much play anything, and she said, "Okay, I'll send you some music soon," and that was that. After getting off the phone, I was like, "What the heck did I just say?"
I know that I've worked really hard, nearly my entire life, to play the piano. I had a fantastic teacher that taught me so much, and loved me, and that made me all the better. However, I have to acknowledge that my sight reading abilities are a true gift from Heavenly Father. Had I not practiced all that I have, I wouldn't have known of that gift, and I am so grateful for it!
She sent me most of the music, and it was a challenge! I practiced and practiced and practiced. My mom at one point said, "You know there is such thing as practicing TOO much." I practiced at home, I practiced at the church, etc. and then went to Daughters of Faith four days before.
DOF is a camp just for laurels (young women 16-18 years old). It's an amazing two days of total devotion to feeling the Spirit and learning the gospel. Not unlike years passed, it was amazing! I didn't get to participate in a lot of the things, because I had to put together the slideshow, and that took FOREVER! Then we had this really neat activity that talked about the journey of the golden plates from Nephi to Moroni to Joseph Smith and then to us. It was amazing! Then I showed this short message http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHY-Y9yraR8. It's so touching! Elder Holland is amazing! Then, I unplugged the projector from my computer, and my computer fried! So horrendous! So, the next day, I had to spend the whole day doing another slideshow on someone else's computer. I only broke down twice about this, so I think I was alright! Cute Cassie kept checking on me! She was great!
When I got home, I got to practicing, and Jenny and I set up a time to practice on Saturday at 11:30. She was busy teaching at a Suzuki camp, and we had a half hour to practice seven songs! In my mind, I kept thinking about musicians and artists and what kind of people they are, but then I was thinking who she was a daughter of, and I figured I'd get a mix of the two. Well, let's just say, it was a terrifying next 32 hours! We didn't ever get to go through a whole song without stopping for some interruption, and we didn't play through the last song, which I had just gotten all of it that day. We set up a run through time for Sunday, and that was that. Sunday came, and it was one of the busiest days of my life! Thank heavens for those girls and guys that came to help set up, and all the people that brought refreshments. Jenny had emailed me in the morning asking for someone to tend her kids during the devotional, and to bump our time up by about 15 minutes. My cute cousin, Ashley, babysat the kids, and I was ready to practice when she wanted. She called a minute before it was time, and said she was going to be late, and that we wouldn't have time to practice. She thought we'd be fine, though. This was pretty stressful to me, but showed she had confidence in me, so that helped me out.
Her message was about having faith. It was interesting, because as she ws sharing certain scriptures, my mom was giving me the look of "you should be listening, this will help you out." She knew how scared I was! She talked about how watching one of her friends having a baby and getting married and having an awesome job made her think, "Hey, I'm following the commandments, why aren't these things happening for me?" Let's just say it hit really close to home! I only had a couple mistakes, one that was quite big, and she gave me a look, but other than that, I felt really good about it. I gave the guy conducting the program, and didn't have me on it, because I didn't want it to be about me. I was accompanying, and that was it. In her introduction, she announced, "Pyper Nicholes and I are going to perform for you tonight." It was really amazing! I had some great support there, Mom, Grandma JaNae, Bart, Jen, Linds, her roommate, Ashley, and Amy and her parents. It was amazing! At the end, I was so touched, because not only was there a huge line to meet her, there was a line to talk to me.
If you're still reading... we're to July!!!
Well, sort of... On June 30, one of my most favorite people threw me a birthday party! It was so much fun! Amy was still in town, and I was thrilled she was here! Her dad brought his karaoke stuff, and we ate, played games, visited, and sang karaoke. It was a great night! There was a funny mix of people, from work, my neighborhood, my family and my midsingles. It was fantastic!
I turned 32 on July 4th. It was a great day! It's so weird to think my dad was my age when he passed away. On july 11th, I was exactly the same age, and it may sound morbid, but that day has been in my mind for a very long time. I was thinking that there was something wrong with me, in thinking that if I made it past July 11th, I'd be fine. Reading that right now, makes me feel like the biggest dork! However, a few days ago, Collin had a scare that ended up being that he was dehydrated, but he immediately said to mom that he knew she was worried, because he was 29, and dad was 29 when his heart stuff started. My heart broke for him that he was scared about it, but I know that I am not alone in my weird concerns.
July was filled with lots of busy-ness, lots of family, lots of friends, and pretty much a great time! I have one huge complaint, and that is with PC Laptops! They claim to have great service, and great products. They do have great warranties. However, there service stinks! I bought my laptop in November from them, and have never been as satisfied as I was with my hp laptop, but I've been fine with it. When it died at DOF, I took it in, and they told me it would be 4-6 days, 9 days later, I called, after I had called since day number 5, and they said it was just sitting there waiting for me. I was thrilled to have it back. I got it home, and there was no sound, so I took it back in on Monday, and they had it for a few days, then said I could have it back again, so I could show the slideshow at the DOF fireside, but needed to have it back on Monday, and they'd give me a loaner computer, and it worked only with external speakers. I was sick that Monday, so I took it in on Tuesday. I stood there for 25 minutes, because the guy that usually helps me was helping someone else, and no one wanted to help me. I finally asked them to at least start the paperwork, and so the guy took my laptop, but didn't give me the loaner one. Then, Sterling, the guy that is working on my computer finally came over and told me the loaner wasn't going to be there for a couple days, and he'd call me. He never did! I kept calling, and they never said it was there. The next Friday, so a week later, my computer died, again! So, I took it in, and Sterling acted put out that I was in a hurry to leave, because he had stuff to do, but I had not ever been told the loaner was there, so I didn't know we were doing a data transfer. When I was leaving, I said, "Now you're really going to call me when my computer is ready, right?" He said of course he would. I responded with, "Well, you keep saying that, but not once have you or anyone else here ever called me to tell me anything or return any of my phone calls." He apologized, and said he'd call me in 10 days when it was ready. Well as of today, it has been 14 days, and still no phone call!!! The final diagnosis for the computer was a fried hard drive, partially fried motherboard, and fried internal speakers. They had said they hadn't seen anything like it before.
We had girls camp the last week of July, and it was a great experience for the girls! I wish I was of more use up there. They didn't really have our presidency do anything, other than one activity on the last day.
We had a three hour block, where each ward and our presidency had a tent, and we'd do 20 minute rotations, working on a value in Personal Progress (https://www.lds.org/young-women/personal-progress?lang=eng). Our presidency had the value of Virtue. There aren't a lot of things you can do in 20 minutes for Virtue, but we had a great time! Cyd had found an activity that young women had a glow in the dark bow on their backs, and they had to run through the dark, through some obstacles, keeping the bow (which represented their virtue) and make it to the end, where there was a picture of the temple.
Since it was daylight, and we were outside, we had to alter the plan. We played flag football. We had three girls with gold flags in their pocket, race to get up the hill to the picture of the temple, while Mom, Cyd and I tried to steal their "virtue." It was really fun! Then I had the girls take a piece of unwrapped candy, which looked like it was going to be sweet, but really was a warhead, and talked about how Satan impersonates the Spirit and ways to develop strengths that will help you discern where the impressions are coming from. Cyd gave them Treasures that were chocolate with caramel or peanut butter in it, and talked about how our virtue is our treasure. Mom went through their Virtue project #3 that has them read Alma 5 (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/5?lang=eng#) It was such a great experience! It was really fun for them to get to know us on a different level, than just sitting in the meetings with them.
Let's just say this summer has been great, and it's not over yet! I've been learning lots and enjoying lots of things and people!
So, I'm going to write by month what has gone on...
June
Months ago I emailed Jenny Oaks Baker to see if she could do a fireside for the midsingles. I never heard from her, so I didn't think anything of it. For whatever reason, I've branched out and am able to ask people I don't know to do devotionals; I still feel funny asking people I know to do things. So, on May 30, I got an email back from her saying she'd be able to do it either on June 24 or on August 26. I already had one scheduled for August, so we went with June. She was really concerned that she was spreading herself too thin, and not enough people would attend. Here's a link to her "Amazing Grace" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uQIPFc-8jw. Listen through her talk, you'll love the music, and her message on faith is fantastic!
She called me two days later and said that she couldn't do it that day anymore, because her accompanist wasn't going to be in town until July. Before I could even think, out of my mouth popped, "Well, I can do it! I am a piano teacher." Her first question was, "You're a piano teacher, but can you actually play anything or are you one of THOSE teachers?" I told her I could pretty much play anything, and she said, "Okay, I'll send you some music soon," and that was that. After getting off the phone, I was like, "What the heck did I just say?"
I know that I've worked really hard, nearly my entire life, to play the piano. I had a fantastic teacher that taught me so much, and loved me, and that made me all the better. However, I have to acknowledge that my sight reading abilities are a true gift from Heavenly Father. Had I not practiced all that I have, I wouldn't have known of that gift, and I am so grateful for it!
She sent me most of the music, and it was a challenge! I practiced and practiced and practiced. My mom at one point said, "You know there is such thing as practicing TOO much." I practiced at home, I practiced at the church, etc. and then went to Daughters of Faith four days before.
DOF is a camp just for laurels (young women 16-18 years old). It's an amazing two days of total devotion to feeling the Spirit and learning the gospel. Not unlike years passed, it was amazing! I didn't get to participate in a lot of the things, because I had to put together the slideshow, and that took FOREVER! Then we had this really neat activity that talked about the journey of the golden plates from Nephi to Moroni to Joseph Smith and then to us. It was amazing! Then I showed this short message http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHY-Y9yraR8. It's so touching! Elder Holland is amazing! Then, I unplugged the projector from my computer, and my computer fried! So horrendous! So, the next day, I had to spend the whole day doing another slideshow on someone else's computer. I only broke down twice about this, so I think I was alright! Cute Cassie kept checking on me! She was great!
When I got home, I got to practicing, and Jenny and I set up a time to practice on Saturday at 11:30. She was busy teaching at a Suzuki camp, and we had a half hour to practice seven songs! In my mind, I kept thinking about musicians and artists and what kind of people they are, but then I was thinking who she was a daughter of, and I figured I'd get a mix of the two. Well, let's just say, it was a terrifying next 32 hours! We didn't ever get to go through a whole song without stopping for some interruption, and we didn't play through the last song, which I had just gotten all of it that day. We set up a run through time for Sunday, and that was that. Sunday came, and it was one of the busiest days of my life! Thank heavens for those girls and guys that came to help set up, and all the people that brought refreshments. Jenny had emailed me in the morning asking for someone to tend her kids during the devotional, and to bump our time up by about 15 minutes. My cute cousin, Ashley, babysat the kids, and I was ready to practice when she wanted. She called a minute before it was time, and said she was going to be late, and that we wouldn't have time to practice. She thought we'd be fine, though. This was pretty stressful to me, but showed she had confidence in me, so that helped me out.
Her message was about having faith. It was interesting, because as she ws sharing certain scriptures, my mom was giving me the look of "you should be listening, this will help you out." She knew how scared I was! She talked about how watching one of her friends having a baby and getting married and having an awesome job made her think, "Hey, I'm following the commandments, why aren't these things happening for me?" Let's just say it hit really close to home! I only had a couple mistakes, one that was quite big, and she gave me a look, but other than that, I felt really good about it. I gave the guy conducting the program, and didn't have me on it, because I didn't want it to be about me. I was accompanying, and that was it. In her introduction, she announced, "Pyper Nicholes and I are going to perform for you tonight." It was really amazing! I had some great support there, Mom, Grandma JaNae, Bart, Jen, Linds, her roommate, Ashley, and Amy and her parents. It was amazing! At the end, I was so touched, because not only was there a huge line to meet her, there was a line to talk to me.
If you're still reading... we're to July!!!
Well, sort of... On June 30, one of my most favorite people threw me a birthday party! It was so much fun! Amy was still in town, and I was thrilled she was here! Her dad brought his karaoke stuff, and we ate, played games, visited, and sang karaoke. It was a great night! There was a funny mix of people, from work, my neighborhood, my family and my midsingles. It was fantastic!
I turned 32 on July 4th. It was a great day! It's so weird to think my dad was my age when he passed away. On july 11th, I was exactly the same age, and it may sound morbid, but that day has been in my mind for a very long time. I was thinking that there was something wrong with me, in thinking that if I made it past July 11th, I'd be fine. Reading that right now, makes me feel like the biggest dork! However, a few days ago, Collin had a scare that ended up being that he was dehydrated, but he immediately said to mom that he knew she was worried, because he was 29, and dad was 29 when his heart stuff started. My heart broke for him that he was scared about it, but I know that I am not alone in my weird concerns.
July was filled with lots of busy-ness, lots of family, lots of friends, and pretty much a great time! I have one huge complaint, and that is with PC Laptops! They claim to have great service, and great products. They do have great warranties. However, there service stinks! I bought my laptop in November from them, and have never been as satisfied as I was with my hp laptop, but I've been fine with it. When it died at DOF, I took it in, and they told me it would be 4-6 days, 9 days later, I called, after I had called since day number 5, and they said it was just sitting there waiting for me. I was thrilled to have it back. I got it home, and there was no sound, so I took it back in on Monday, and they had it for a few days, then said I could have it back again, so I could show the slideshow at the DOF fireside, but needed to have it back on Monday, and they'd give me a loaner computer, and it worked only with external speakers. I was sick that Monday, so I took it in on Tuesday. I stood there for 25 minutes, because the guy that usually helps me was helping someone else, and no one wanted to help me. I finally asked them to at least start the paperwork, and so the guy took my laptop, but didn't give me the loaner one. Then, Sterling, the guy that is working on my computer finally came over and told me the loaner wasn't going to be there for a couple days, and he'd call me. He never did! I kept calling, and they never said it was there. The next Friday, so a week later, my computer died, again! So, I took it in, and Sterling acted put out that I was in a hurry to leave, because he had stuff to do, but I had not ever been told the loaner was there, so I didn't know we were doing a data transfer. When I was leaving, I said, "Now you're really going to call me when my computer is ready, right?" He said of course he would. I responded with, "Well, you keep saying that, but not once have you or anyone else here ever called me to tell me anything or return any of my phone calls." He apologized, and said he'd call me in 10 days when it was ready. Well as of today, it has been 14 days, and still no phone call!!! The final diagnosis for the computer was a fried hard drive, partially fried motherboard, and fried internal speakers. They had said they hadn't seen anything like it before.
We had girls camp the last week of July, and it was a great experience for the girls! I wish I was of more use up there. They didn't really have our presidency do anything, other than one activity on the last day.
We had a three hour block, where each ward and our presidency had a tent, and we'd do 20 minute rotations, working on a value in Personal Progress (https://www.lds.org/young-women/personal-progress?lang=eng). Our presidency had the value of Virtue. There aren't a lot of things you can do in 20 minutes for Virtue, but we had a great time! Cyd had found an activity that young women had a glow in the dark bow on their backs, and they had to run through the dark, through some obstacles, keeping the bow (which represented their virtue) and make it to the end, where there was a picture of the temple.
Since it was daylight, and we were outside, we had to alter the plan. We played flag football. We had three girls with gold flags in their pocket, race to get up the hill to the picture of the temple, while Mom, Cyd and I tried to steal their "virtue." It was really fun! Then I had the girls take a piece of unwrapped candy, which looked like it was going to be sweet, but really was a warhead, and talked about how Satan impersonates the Spirit and ways to develop strengths that will help you discern where the impressions are coming from. Cyd gave them Treasures that were chocolate with caramel or peanut butter in it, and talked about how our virtue is our treasure. Mom went through their Virtue project #3 that has them read Alma 5 (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/5?lang=eng#) It was such a great experience! It was really fun for them to get to know us on a different level, than just sitting in the meetings with them.
Let's just say this summer has been great, and it's not over yet! I've been learning lots and enjoying lots of things and people!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
My conference is over and now my young women leadership meeting is over, so now I can think again. I have to say that my brain struggled changing from being MidSingles oriented to being Young Women oriented. I actually was wondering what in the world was wrong with me, and kept praying for direction on what I should do for the leadership meeting, and it didn't come until yesterday. I guess that's the way it works. I procrastinate, but eventually it works out.
I don't remember what I posted prior to the conference, about the conference, so I hope I don't bore you with stuff I've already said.
There were moments in the planning of the conference that I questioned what I was doing and why; whether I was being directed in the right direction or if it was just me. You all know those doubts that creep up. It was so inspiring and amazing to see how everything pulled together, and be able to see that we really were being guided in what we had planned.
The friday night activity was going to be night games, but the weather didn't cooperate, it was way too cold. We ended up doing games inside, though, and it was way fun! Not all people participated, but it was fun for the ones that did.
Saturday was full of workshops, service projects, games, a keynote speaker in the morning, food, a Greg Simpson Band concert and a dance with karaoke, video games and a photobooth. It was awesome! Elder Fluhman of the Seventy was our keynote speaker. When I had told Cyd about him, she said that I needed to have his wife speak, as well, because she is a great lady. I didn't know about doing that, since I hadn't had any contact with him, but I thought it was a great idea. Well, that morning he walked in, was introduced to me, and said, "Now, Pyper, my wife is here, and I think you need to have her share something." It was so cool! She said she'd be fine just listening, but ended up sharing some stuff. It was great!
The workshops that I got to attend were amazing, and exactly what I felt they should be, when I asked these people to do it. My stake is great! I may have mentioned this before, and maybe I'm biased, but we had Louise Sill and Pres. Downs come and present, and I heard comments all day about how their messages had inspired people. My favorite quote from Louise was that the scriptures always say, "And it came to pass..." they don't say, "And it came to stay..." It's so true! All of our trials and struggles come, but they pass, unless we dwell on them. Then, they won't pass as quickly as they may have. Our lunch was provided by a guy in our stake, and then the deejay was from our stake. I sure hope that the stake isn't tired of helping me out, because I already have people in mind for the next time :)
On Sunday night, S. Michael Wilcox did our fireside. It was amazing! I have always loved the story of Jesus walking on the water, and coming to save the apostles in the fourth watch of the night. (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/6?lang=eng). That's how He is, He could save us at the beginning of our trials, but he doesn't. He comes in when we feel we can no longer handle it. Bro. Wilcox said we have a fourth watch God, and we're a first watch kind of people. It's so true! At the beginning of the fireside, we had the choir sing Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer, arranged to the melody of Homeward Bound. I have always loved Homeward Bound, however, I have not loved the hymn book arrangement of Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer. Oh, my word, it was beautiful! The choir number was a stress for us for quite sometime, but then it just worked out, and I'm so thankful for those that were able to pull it together. Bro. Wilcox said that there are many songs that remind him of his wife, but there are three specific songs that make him feel her, everytime he hears one of them; and it just so happened that that was one of the songs. People were close to the spirit when they picked that out.
On friday night, I was so tired, I was laughing uncontrollably. It was so funny! I don't think many of the midsingles, if any, have ever seen me like that. Then, on Sunday during the closing song at the fireside, I just started bawling. It was so funny, too! I felt this huge weight lift off of my shoulders, that I hadn't even realized I was feeling.
There were so many great experiences, even down to having lost my keys, and had many people looking for them. Then, someone suggested we pray, and within 8 seconds (and I'm not even exaggerating) my keys were found, right where we'd already looked for them. The turn out wasn't as huge as I was hoping for, hopefully, it will be better next time. I do know without any doubt that all of those things were meant for someone, if not more than one, and that makes it all worth it! I'm so grateful for all of the people that helped with everything. I can't even put into words how grateful I am. It was such a neat experience, and very educational.
I don't remember what I posted prior to the conference, about the conference, so I hope I don't bore you with stuff I've already said.
There were moments in the planning of the conference that I questioned what I was doing and why; whether I was being directed in the right direction or if it was just me. You all know those doubts that creep up. It was so inspiring and amazing to see how everything pulled together, and be able to see that we really were being guided in what we had planned.
The friday night activity was going to be night games, but the weather didn't cooperate, it was way too cold. We ended up doing games inside, though, and it was way fun! Not all people participated, but it was fun for the ones that did.
Saturday was full of workshops, service projects, games, a keynote speaker in the morning, food, a Greg Simpson Band concert and a dance with karaoke, video games and a photobooth. It was awesome! Elder Fluhman of the Seventy was our keynote speaker. When I had told Cyd about him, she said that I needed to have his wife speak, as well, because she is a great lady. I didn't know about doing that, since I hadn't had any contact with him, but I thought it was a great idea. Well, that morning he walked in, was introduced to me, and said, "Now, Pyper, my wife is here, and I think you need to have her share something." It was so cool! She said she'd be fine just listening, but ended up sharing some stuff. It was great!
The workshops that I got to attend were amazing, and exactly what I felt they should be, when I asked these people to do it. My stake is great! I may have mentioned this before, and maybe I'm biased, but we had Louise Sill and Pres. Downs come and present, and I heard comments all day about how their messages had inspired people. My favorite quote from Louise was that the scriptures always say, "And it came to pass..." they don't say, "And it came to stay..." It's so true! All of our trials and struggles come, but they pass, unless we dwell on them. Then, they won't pass as quickly as they may have. Our lunch was provided by a guy in our stake, and then the deejay was from our stake. I sure hope that the stake isn't tired of helping me out, because I already have people in mind for the next time :)
On Sunday night, S. Michael Wilcox did our fireside. It was amazing! I have always loved the story of Jesus walking on the water, and coming to save the apostles in the fourth watch of the night. (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/mark/6?lang=eng). That's how He is, He could save us at the beginning of our trials, but he doesn't. He comes in when we feel we can no longer handle it. Bro. Wilcox said we have a fourth watch God, and we're a first watch kind of people. It's so true! At the beginning of the fireside, we had the choir sing Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer, arranged to the melody of Homeward Bound. I have always loved Homeward Bound, however, I have not loved the hymn book arrangement of Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer. Oh, my word, it was beautiful! The choir number was a stress for us for quite sometime, but then it just worked out, and I'm so thankful for those that were able to pull it together. Bro. Wilcox said that there are many songs that remind him of his wife, but there are three specific songs that make him feel her, everytime he hears one of them; and it just so happened that that was one of the songs. People were close to the spirit when they picked that out.
On friday night, I was so tired, I was laughing uncontrollably. It was so funny! I don't think many of the midsingles, if any, have ever seen me like that. Then, on Sunday during the closing song at the fireside, I just started bawling. It was so funny, too! I felt this huge weight lift off of my shoulders, that I hadn't even realized I was feeling.
There were so many great experiences, even down to having lost my keys, and had many people looking for them. Then, someone suggested we pray, and within 8 seconds (and I'm not even exaggerating) my keys were found, right where we'd already looked for them. The turn out wasn't as huge as I was hoping for, hopefully, it will be better next time. I do know without any doubt that all of those things were meant for someone, if not more than one, and that makes it all worth it! I'm so grateful for all of the people that helped with everything. I can't even put into words how grateful I am. It was such a neat experience, and very educational.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Four years ago, yesterday, I went through the Mt. Timpanogos temple for my first time. I'm so grateful that I decided to go through the temple. It has been such a blessing to me!
I had been shopping for some young women things at the distribution center, and overheard a bunch of missionaries showing each other the pictures of the temples that they received their endowments in. While I was observing this, I was like, "I want to do that." The thought had come when I was younger, I wanted to be able to be there when Collin got married, but it just didn't seem right. However, in that distribution center, I knew it was time. I went to the church that night to drop some stuff off for one of my primary kids, and just stopped into the bishop's office to see what I needed to do to get ready to go to the temple. Fifteen minutes later, I had a temple recommend and was told the next temple prep. class wasn't going to start for a while, and he thought I should just go. So, three weeks later I went through this temple. It was a great experience! It was wonderful to have so many of my family and friends there.
I've seen so many blessings in my life, and in the lives of those I know and love, because of the temple.
(I hope that Steven and Seja don't mind me posting this)
This little girl's parents found out while they were expecting her, that she had a heart defect. Their names were put on the temple prayer rolls in many temples, and one day as I was walking out of the temple, I got a text from Seja saying that they had just met with the specialist, and that she was totally fine. She's a happy, healthy wonderful little girl!
The power of the temple and the power of prayer are such amazing gifts!
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