Another awful day

Today has been another horrible day. It didn't start off that way, actually. This was my last day of classes and this morning on my way to work I was astounded by the beauty of a Christmas tree and snow (see picture). It made me feel like Christmas is near, and that is definitely a good thing. Then after work I went to my last two classes of the semester. I learned that a guy in my Russian grammar class is also going to Jerusalem next semester, and that made me get even more excited. The more people who share in my excitement, the more excited I get.
Well, after that class, I came home. I have two take-home-finals that I already have and so I began working on them. In the midst of that, making lunch, and watching a movie, I learned something disturbing and horrific. This piece of news shocked me so much! It is still hard for me to believe. Basically, a girl (well 26 year old woman) from my homeward gave birth to a little girl last week and the baby died within a half hour. This woman has been charged with first degree murder. I don't know what has led the authorities to believe that the death was intentional, that this woman killed her baby, but knowing her and some of her problems, I unfortunately believe it at the same time that I completely reject the idea. What is even harder is that she isn't just some person from my homeward, but while I was home, I visit taught her, I talked to her, I know her well. She is facing life in prison or possibly life in a mental institution. Either way, her life is over. I wonder what the truth is. I wonder how she feels right now, how her family feels, and I wish I could do or say something to help. But as with most tragedies in life, there is nothing to be done or said. Each person involved must learn to continue on even when that seems impossible. Every trial that comes will change us. It is OUR choice whether that change will be for better or for worse.

An awful day

Today has been a horrible day. It didn't really even hit me until about 20 minutes ago. Now I want to scream and throw sharp objects and do other things of that nature. I don't even want to go into the details. (Picture to the right is from our most recent snowfall, though it is once again melting). I'll just say this, today was not horrible because of anything that happened to me or anything that I did, but it is because of the selfishness and disregard of one particular person who happens to have a great affect in my life.
On a brighter note, I finished all my homework today, so all I have is my final class period for each class, then finals and I am done for this semester. But, I can't even say that I am excited to go home. Right now, I am excited to go to Jerusalem and that is the only bright star in my life.
Also, this last weekend ended up being a very busy one. I already told about the service project. Well, Sunday was a busy day. Besides church, we went to choir practice for the first time, then later to watch Joy to the World with people, then to the Juvenile Detention Center for a musical devotional, to ward prayer, and finally to a Christmas sing-a-long (see picture above). It was a lot of fun.
The yesterday we went to our ward's FHE. It was a service project. (See picture to the right). We colored books to help kids learn to read, wrote letters to the troops, donated food and toys, and for ourselves we decorated Christmas cookies. It was a lot of fun, though very tiring. I always get exhausted after such large social functions. I guess that's because I'm an introvert. But, still, it was fun and the cookies were delicious.
Tomorrow is my work's Christmas party and Friday is our ward's Christmas party. That means the rest of this week looks just as eventful! Plus I need to go shopping for Jerusalem. But I don't know if I'll have the energy to do all of that.

Rain and Snow

After being so happy to finally have a good first snow, and actually having it last several days, I was disappointed to leave my final class yesterday only to find it pouring outside. I had to walk to my car in the rain and got soaked. You can't really tell very well from this picture (see above), but my hair is soaked, my sweater is soaked, and so is my backpack.
Then, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it had snowed a little this morning. Our ward had a service project and we went out to the Food Bank to help with the food drive. On our way out, we noticed that my car was very nicely decorated by the snow fall (see above).
When we arrived, we signed in, put on our nice orange vests (see left: this is my roommate, Heather, and me), and went outside in the snow to unload cars. We sometimes got a string of cars, trucks, and/or vans full of food (see below). It was a lot of fun and nice to be able to help. It was also really great seeing how much food is being donated. Plus, you can't beat getting blessings!

I'm an Elf!

To spread some Christmas cheer, I have become an elf. Check it out at:
I'm an Elf!
It is pretty funny, and yes, that is my voice.

On a different note, my roommate decided to learn to knit, so yesterday I got to teach her. Here that is:

FIRST SNOW!!!

So, we finally had our first real snow fall here in Provo. I really hope that it lasts until I go home for Christmas. I woke up yesterday morning completely oblivious to what had happened while I slept. I didn't even notice until noon when I went into the kitchen to make lunch. I looked out the window and was overjoyed to discover that snow had fallen and more than just a little! This morning, it was still on the ground and my roommate and I spent several minutes taking pictures. We couldn't resist the beauty of the wonderful white world around us. There is something about snow that makes me happy. I don't know what it is, but I can't be sad when I see snow on the ground. Maybe that is why I want snow to fall as early as possible.
Today I started getting even more excited about going to Jerusalem. Maybe you are sick of hearing about this, but I can't help talking about it. I realized that in 1 month and 5 days from today, I will be on a flight to Jerusalem. How crazy is that?