The Loooooong Wait

Wanting to go and pick huckleberries! 

Too bad I have a terribly long time to wait.

Actually, I want to go to this spot so

I can see this view:

Unfortunately there is going to be

huge wait for this as well, since it won't

stop snowing at home.  Last word was

there was 5 feet...I vote the family comes

here to Logan (where there's no snow)

 for General Conference!

All in favor say "Aye!"

Not so Lucky...

Good thing I wasn't depending on the luck of this package!

But I have to say I am the luckiest

girl alive to have such an awesome Mom!

She sent us a St. Patrick's Day package,

...but it had a little stress getting here:

The mailman said it was damaged

when he got it, but he taped it to keep the

candy from falling out. 

A big thanks to the mail man! :)

What's inside!? What's inside!?

Oh, the excitement!

Socks, chapstick, decorations and candy 

Kiss Me, I'm Irish!

Thanks Momma! You totally made our day! :) 

Hate and Anger are Cancerous to the Soul

Cancer.  It has worked its way into every part of my life...EVERY part.  I feel as if the only part of me that doesn't have cancer, is my actual body.  It was then that I realized that it was kind-of in me, just in the form of anger.  Hate and anger are cancerous to the soul.  I have been angry; upset with the fact that so many wonderful, righteous people have had to go through this awful trial.  Not only does cancer affect the person who has it, but also every person that they come in contact with.  Cancer has affected many people that I love and care for very much and I hate that!  I have found myself asking the questions "Why them? What have they done to deserve such an awful punishment? Isn't there an easier way to learn lessons or strengthen a person's faith?"  I feel guilty and very sad when I ask these questions because it is as if I'm questioning Heavenly Father or that I am upset with Him.  I don't want to feel this way, and have been searching for answers.  It was then that I remembered the scripture that I have chosen to remember throughout this year: 1 Nephi 11:17.
"And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things."

  Even though I don't understand why these things happen, I know that Heavenly Father does.  I know that He has not forgotten any of His children and that He loves each and every one.  Even through watching those in Japan struggle after the earthquake and tsunami, I have kept this thought in my mind.  I just need to have faith that everything will be ok, and put my trust completely in the Lord.  I love how Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin made this statement in his talk titled "Come What May and Love It": (If you haven't heard this talk, listen to it!  It is incredible, and the messages that he shares are priceless.)

"Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training.  These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others."

I hope that I can gain a greater understanding be able to have a greater compassion for others.  I know that I have been able to see the many blessings that I receive each day, and I'm so thankful for all those who's lives I have been touched by.  These individuals that have cancer are strong, faithful people and are great examples to me.  I have seen through their examples how they have relied on the Atonement and the fact that there is One who knows what they are going through.  Just as these individuals have done, I also turn to the Atonement for comfort.  Through the Atonement peace can be found, but only as I cast out these negative feelings.  My heart has been overwhelmed with the amount of bad news that has come, and seems to never end.  My heart aches for those whose lives are touched by cancer.  I know that it is ok to feel this sorrow, but I need to get rid of the negative feelings that always seem to follow.  It is better to stay positive, and have faith because I know that through the love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, all things can be accomplished.  If I have questions along the way, I can always turn to the scriptures and prayer.  It is my lifeline.  I will continue to pray for all those in Japan and the people I know that have been fighting their battles with cancer.  If you haven't, please send up a prayer in behalf of these individuals.

You find your faith has been lost and shaken
You take back what's been taken
Get on your kees and dig down deep
You can do what you think is impossible. 
Keep on believing, don't give in
It'll come and make you whole again
It always will, it always does
Love is unstoppable 

Smile! It increases your face value.

If you have not seen this movie, you must!  It's my favorite movie!  It's one of the funniest yet touching movies I have seen.  I love it! and these are some of my favorite parts:

Clairee: the older you get, the sillier you get.

Ousier: Yeah, well the older you get the uglier you get.

Drum: Ouiser, you look like hammered shit.

Ouiser Boudreauz: Don't you talk to me like that!

Drum: Oh, I'm sorry...you look like regular shit.

"He is a boil on the butt of humanity!"

"M'Lynn, you just missed the chance of a lifetime!  Half o'Chiquapin Parish'd give their eye teeth to take at whack at Ousier!"

"Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion."

"Smile! It increases your face value."

"I'd rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special."

If you've seen this movie, maybe this post was able

to give you a chuckle or two.

There are so many other quotes I could add,

but I'll stop, and if you haven't seen it, you just gotta! :)

My friend Briana

So 'bout a month ago I found this: Briana's Blog

 It brought me to tears because it was so nice!  She make's me sound like an awesome person haha.  I need to introduce her!  Briana is one of my dear friends that lives in 'outer darkness'...or so they've dubbed their apartment because nobody ever comes to visit them.  Well not anymore cause you'll occasionally find me there!  Briana is just a sweetheart, and so I must blog about her!  I wish she would blog more, because I truly enjoy reading of the many adventures other people go on...hint hint ;)...And believe me, she has many epic adventures with her roommates: Kelsi, Brittney and Danielle.  

They have been so kind to take me along sometimes! :)  In fact, they all went on an adventure to Salt Lake last night and invited me to come.  I wanted to go so bad! but of course I've needed to be here shoveling tons of snow, and helping with the cows. But that is ok cause we have plenty of time to go again! and it sounds like they have a grand story for me! :)

All of the adventures so far have been truly marvelous and just wouldn't be the same without Briana.  When I do crazy things like climb a snow-covered mountain, dance crazy around a fire, or play the piano forever and ever, she is there and doesn't judge me for how insane I can be!  She has even rode in THE van (blue tarp stuff in the grill, sliding door doesn't work, curtain-like blanket inside to keep heat in the front, smells like a freshly worn pair of coveralls)...now this shows true friendship, teehee.

Ok, now this next fact is just pure awesome: she writes songs...woah.  I am in awe, cause I freaking LOVE music and what she has written is beautiful.  Which reminds me: she along with her roommates wrote a song for me.  It's pretty much the most incredible song ever! and I'm sure if you asked them, they would love to sing it for you ;)  But I absolutely love Briana and her willingness to share her talents.  I love playing games in her apartment, and how they all laugh and enjoy the things we give as a relief society presidency (like these glasses with the pockets of sunshine)

The funnest trip this year to Walmart was with Briana:

Even though I don't like this picture of me, I think it shows our excitement to give Danielle her gift.

Briana is a perfectly awesome blogger, she's just gotta do it more!  But there is one correction that I must make in her last post: She thinks I always go home on the weekend, but this is not true!  I've only gone home twice this semester...that's not even once a month!  I was just always taking off to go to Seth's games in Malad or Marsh Valley, etc. haha, but she has always forgiven me for going away so often.  Now that basketball is over I'll definitely be in Logan more and I hope that we can make the most of this semester!  But if that isn't enough time, I'm lucky enough to have this girl as one of my roommates next year! It is going to be a blast! :)

The break supposedly during "spring"

"Spring" Break so far:

1. Rebuild fence because

dogs have chased cows everywhere.

2. Harness team and feed cows

3. Raise gates.

4. Clean pens.

5. Haul wood to the porch

and 6. Shovel off the roof

...repeat...haha

Mom was up there too

but she couldn't see us.

We all got the giggles after it went.

If you look close, you can see a black

dot on the edge of the house when

it falls, and that is Seth's shoe.

There was SO MUCH SNOW!

There was at least 3 feet all the way across.

Then, on the eaves of the house

there was 4 inches of ice built up

plus the overhang:

It was crazy!

and there's still more snow coming!

Spring: WHERE ARE YOU!?

Most would complain that this

is what they do for Spring Break,

but I'm just happy to not have

homework!

Falling Apart

Literally and figuratively.

Here goes the literal part:

So the day before my birthday this happened.

Gma and Gpa Stoor's entire garage collapsed

from all of the heavy snow.

Here's Megan and Shelby.

Had to haul all the wood and tin out

and then all the snow.

 What used to be the car's

rear view mirror:

That's a whole lotta snow back there

View from the backdoor.

You can see the car's headlight.

Now here goes the figurative part:

Soda lost to Melba tonight. :(

They just couldn't hit shots,

and weren't able to play their best,
hence the falling apart.
The refs were awful.
Melba went to the line 24 times.
Soda: zero....uh huh, you read that right.

Makes for an awful tough loss.

A post about it will come later,

but we play West Side for 3rd place

tomorrow at 11. C'mon Soda!

Let's get it together and take it!