Thanksgiving Story Time.

[Sparknotes version]

So.

This one time, Landon and I attempted to drive home to Oregon.

We drove about three hours and got caught in the

BIGGEST BLIZZARD KNOWN TO MAN.

I seriously thought we were going to die.

Ronda the Honda was not cuttin it either. The blizzard was out of control.

We were at a loss.

I was REALLY looking forward to going home for Thanksgiving, but there was no way we could make it through the storm alive.

So we turned around.

I cried. Then cried some more.

My parents were so great and attempted to buy us a plane ticket but all flights out of Salt Lake were canceled because that storm in Idaho was supposed to come south and hit Utah.

...Yea....Utah didn't even get the storm. It snowed. Kind of. Thats it. I was pissed.

My father, being the incredible man that he is, got us a plane ticket the next day.

We arrive at the airport.

We waited there for FIVE HOURS because our flight was delayed three times.
We finally made it to Oregon.

Best three days of my life. Seriously. I have never had such an enjoyable time eating, doing nothing, and spending time with my family.

I had the privilege of seeing this girl:

And this one!

Anywho.

My parents wanted to save money (obviously) so we decided to take Veronica,the red, hot volvo back to Utah. My parents are coming out in less than two weeks, so they said they could make do with just one car.

Aren't my parents so wonderful?

The roads were okay! There were a few rough spots, but we were chuggin' along!

Until we got to southern Idaho/Northern Utah.

I-84 that turns into I-15 was CLOSED. Yes, closed.

Therefore, we had to drive all the way around to Pocatello--two hours out of the way.

We got to Ogden and the roads were the worse I have ever seen.

It took us three hours to get to Provo from Ogden (that usually takes an hour and 15 minutes).

16.5 hour road trip that normally takes 12.

Lovely.

Well. I guess I am grateful to be alive.

The Lord was trying to give me an obvious message to be thankful for my life.

And I am. Completely.

I always have had to learn the hard way. Why did I think Thanksgiving 2010 would be any exception?

Hope your Thanksgiving was as adventurous, scary, and stressful as mine!

Man, we're lucky to be alive!

'Tis the season to be jolly?

Whoa.

I found my celebrity look alike.

Maggie Lawson.

[She's on the show Psych]

Scary, right?

(not in the literal sense, of course. But the "wow she looks freakishly similar to Sierra" kind of way).

Kinda cool, eh? Happy day.

I am stressed.

work. (and the constant worry that I am going to get fired. eeeek)

school. particularly MATH. ew. Including: tests, papers, honors program, homework.

church calling. ward activities director. thanksgiving dinner/talent show.

choir. LDC. performances up the wazoo.

workout. counting calories and trying to lose some el-bee's.

taking the test to get into my program 7:30 am on Saturday.

figuring out my study abroad program this summer.

I might die.

[Oh, and I have to wake up in 5 hours for a high school seminary morningside that my choir is singing at. Ask me if I'm in bed yet...]

(Missing Fiji right about now)

AHH.(need some help from the big guy upstairs ASAP).

Perfect.

Forgive me for the constant blog updates.

Things have been on my mind a lot recently (well, actually, what's new?)

Today, especially, was an incredible day. I can't NOT share this story with all of you.

My choir, Latter Day Celebration Choir (LDC), an auditioned group at the Orem Institute of Religion, is the most incredible opportunity I've ever experienced.

Today, I had to give the devotional. Everyone in the choir is assigned to give a quick message and sing their testimony at the beginning of class.

I almost peed my pants from nervousness.

It was incessantly only my mind for numerous days.

Last night I had all the sheets prepared;I was ready to give my message. This morning I woke up and got the impression to throw all of that aside and just go with the flow. I did that.

....It was not smooth.

Yet, I talked straight from the spirit. I spoke exactly what my heart felt. And amidst some teary eyes (no, I did NOT cry thank you very much. I did get close though), I spit it out.

Then I began to sing "Abide With Me Tis Eventide."

I was so nervous. I shook a little. I avoided eye contact.

Then once I looked up and saw my incredible fellow choir members' smiling faces, I immediately calmed.

I sang everything that my heart has ever felt.

I sang the sadness I have felt in the past years.

I sang all the anger, frustration, loneliness that has molded me.

I sang all the emotions I feel!

I sang about how I know that the Lord is always listening to our prayers.

I sang about the peace that comes from calling out to Him when we are weak.

I sang my testimony of Jesus Christ.

I didn't sing it perfectly. But that was not the point. I wasn't trying to sing better than anybody else in my choir.

I sang from my heart.

I became relaxed and calm.

And the spirit took over.

I don't even remember how I sang, I just remember feeling the incredible spirit.

It was wonderful.

Tears were shed by many choir members. The spirit was so strong, I could only smile.

Rehearsal today was so much better. The spirit took over and we automatically all sounded better. Br. Eggett even noticed the difference (which is huge in itself).

It is amazing how much music makes a difference. And more importantly, it's fantastic to see, feel, and hear the difference when the songs are all about the Lord. When you turn your heart, your musical talents, your technique to the Lord, the spirit will take over and make it perfect.

Oh, and last night I prayed and prayed for a long period of time for this devotional to go well.

Just another indicator that the Lord does, in fact, answer prayers.

Today reiterates WHY I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.It reminded me why the Lord put me this choir.

Music, the spirit, and love change lives.

Falling for Fall.

(Me and kindred spirit. We were dressed as Siamese Twins for Halloween. We decided to fall into a pile of leaves while conjoined. Win.)

I officially love FALL.

There is something so exquisitely pleasant, so unfathomably beautiful about all of the colors.

The mountains here in Utah are incredible.

Everyday as I drive home, I notice the glorious splendor of the amazing landscape that surrounds me.

Although I dislike the lack of green (Holla to the OR), autumn here in Provo makes the mountains all green, the trees colorful and overall quite magnificent.

With a slight chill in the air, it has snow on top of the mountains as well. I adore the mountains when snow appears on them--it makes them so much more majestic (I don't, however, like dealing with the stupid snow. ugh)

And for a brief time period, I am appreciating Utah's decor.

I love

the crinkling of the leaves that have fallen off the trees onto the ground as you walk to school.

the trees full of orange, maroon, red, green colors.

the slight chill, but still with the sun shining. A nice, fall feel incorporating a clear blue sky.

being able to wear all my cute sweaters, hoodies, jeans, etc!

curling up at night and watching movies (except I lack that whole male thing...tear)

warm fires. Warm blankets. Warm hearts.

that Fall smell. Yea, you know what I am talking about.

thanksgiving&halloween...slowly moving to Christmas time. Love that feeling.

hot cocoa. Apple cider.

late night talks with friends.

afternoon fall walks. Sunday fall drives.

colors. colors. colors.

the beginning of christmas music. (in choir and elsewhere)

BAKING. mmmm food.

etc. etc.

Happy Fall!

(see you next year. hardy har har)

Peace&blessings&gratefulness. ♥

Happy Halloween?

Remember when girls try to look all sexy and cute on Halloween?

Well that's exactly what I DIDN'T do this year.

I present to you my very ungirly, exponentially dorky, unsurprisingly hilarious Halloween Costumes this year.

dork.

Costume #1: Hick.

Wif da boys.

UAC Annual Ward Halloween Dance Party

(that I planned. Glad that's over)

hick&aurora.

party animal.

costume #2: SIAMESE TWIN! ha.

model shots beginning NOW.

sleep.

surprised.

conjoined?

love these pictures. This one time we decided to jump into a pile of leaves. together. while attached. fail.

makeup.

Costume #3: Pirate.

mid air.

gazing at my fellow choir members who can SING.

Yea. I also wore Maria's Aurora outfit to work. (There's a picture of that somewhere...hmm...) and a tutu at another party.

Can you tell I'm a little indecisive?

You are welcome.

Hope your Halloween was as dorky and fun as mine.

Ladies, You Can Thank Me Later.

READ THIS.

or click this:

http://www.danoah.com/2010/10/worthless-women-and-men-who-make-them.html

Amen, brotha.

This is perfect.