The belle of the bell choir?

Back in September I signed up for the stake handbell choir that plays each Christmas at the LDS visitors center in DC in addition to our stake Christmas program. 

Why did I do this? Well it should come as no surprise that I'm not one to back down from a challenge. Also, the bell choir always seemed like the nerdy, yet cool thing to do!

We started practicing in October and every Sunday it was me with the bell choir. Reading music again challenged me but it was fun to do something different and to be musically involved. I played Middle C, B flat and B natural. 

Compared to other choirs, this was a big deal. When I sing in a choir, if I don't come in or get my note right, it doesn't matter so much. With this choir, it matters! I easily felt needed in this 14 person bell choir! And that presented some challenges in addition to some perks.

This experience also allowed me to share the Gospel with others. I invited about 25 coworkers and 4 of them came to my performance. With the others, it led to some discussion about temples and about the LDS faith as a whole. 

Here I am below in action. 

And if you want to see some footage, check out this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5mXYLcEOio

Note: you see me at the very beginning on the right. Not the greatest clip of me but you get the idea.

So was I the belle of the bell choir? No. But it's a nice thought, don't you think?

In His hands

Sometimes I have some pretty vivid dreams. I never share them publicly through the blogosphere but feel like I need to for this specific post. 

A few months ago I had a dream that I was spending some time with Christ. I had the impression that I shadowed him for the day though I don't recall our exact activities. However, I can easily infer that the time we spent together was time serving others. The scene I remember the most was when Christ was getting nailed to the cross. I laid down by him, ready to take part in my own crucifixion. The nails began to press into my own flesh and it hurt so much. The Savior told me that I didn't need to do this, that it wasn't my place, and that it was His burden to bear. I nodded my head in resignation and I no longer had nails driven into my hands. The next scene in my dream immediately goes to me watching the Savior on the cross. The nails have already been placed, his head is looking heavenward. I stood there crying. And that was the end of my dream.

I didn't understand the full extent of this dream until weeks later when I realized what it symbolized and what it means to me personally. I wake up and think about this dream and wonder what applications I can take from it.

Here's what I know so far: I am in His hands. In the last few months I have felt some intense loneliness, doubt, and at times despair. Luckily I come out of these moods rather quickly and move on with my day, thinking of things I'm grateful for or trying to think of others. But during these moments, I cry out to my Savior and ask that my burdens, fears, and doubts be removed from me. In those instances I feel so much peace as I know that I don't have to bear them alone. I know that he already suffered for my trials and grief and sins and I can take comfort in His enduring love for me.

I don't know how things will work out or why life hasn't turned out the way I've wanted it to, but I know I am in His hands. And when I choose to place my trust and faith in those once wounded but now perfected hands I know I will be ok. 

I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that we are all in His loving and giving hands. 

Feeling Cute

So I just felt really cute last night before going to the temple. And since I had no man to really show off for, here I am showing off for my blog audience, however sparse you may be.

And yes, I'm growing my hair out and it's kinda fun!

I feel like a tween

This has been on my mind lately...that I feel like a tween. I know, it sounds a bit awkward, but isn't that what being a tween is all about?

First of all, I am happy to report that I am no longer 11 years old and I don't have the unattractive pre-adolescent body that I used to have.  (no offense, 11 year olds).

So what do I mean?

First, some context. I've been reflecting a lot on the fact that I have lived here for a long time! 4.5 years to be exact. When I moved to DC I was a cute 24 year old who had no idea what a real job entailed. For about 2 years I basked in the Golden Era of DC singledom. And then it got kind of old. I'm at this point now where the DC scene doesn't hold the same glow and many of my friends are moving, getting married, having babies, getting further education, etc. So, what am I left with? A bunch of 24 year olds who are jittery to live the high life of the city. I love 24 year olds, don't get me wrong, but I'm 29 and it's just a different stage of life.

So here I am caught between worlds. I go to my ward--with a bunch of youngins'--but I'm not quite old enough to be in the mid singles activities either.What's a girl to do?

Well the good news is that this tween thing is really just a first world problem. But I had to get it off my chest anyway...

Just me and my mom

These were some of my favorite books growing up!!

Mom and I have always been an item. Ever since 9th grade it was just the two of us. Even when I went off to BYU we were always paired off in one way or another (game night, dinner time, etc.), then we served missions at the same time, and now us single ladies stick together while the married folk do their thing. 

Mom came and visited me...for the second time...a few weeks back.  We enjoyed DC fall, even though DC was shutdown (including the beautiful monuments. Lame.) We made the best of things: touring Monticello and Jamestown, making cookies, making dinner for my friends, seeing the movie Austenland, showing her off at church, eating out, and touring the DC area by boat. It was a grand adventure with just the two of us. 

I love you, Mom!! Thanks for visiting me.

In front of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

We're pretty cute.

I survived spirit week! #hallelujah

This is my first year doing student government and it feels like being a 1st year teacher all over again. :/

The biggest week of the school year is spirit week. It involves the homecoming dance, the homecoming game, the pep rally, various activities at lunchtime, and dressing up each day according to a theme. Bottom line: it's a ton of work and planning!

The fact that I survived spirit week is a complete miracle. And overall it went pretty well. Next year I would do things differently but we can say that about almost anything that you ever plan. I am so proud of my student government kids and it such a joy to work with them!

Here's some pictures to document the experience this week:

The faculty (and a student) after playing teacher vs. student dodgeball

Wacky Tacky Day with Ms. Riesner. I loved wearing the wig!

Social Studies goes Goth. I went punk rocker.

Most of the SGA before the pep rally with our snazzy SGA t-shirts

This is my school---very picturesque!

My student and I soon after he scored a touchdown and before Homecoming Court.

Just FYI...

There are some things that get annoying after hearing them for the last 10 years.  Luckily I don't hear these too often but I'm pretty sure I've heard 75% of them,

Go to this link to get a good laugh. 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ashleyperez/24-things-single-people-are-tired-of-hearing?s=mobile