Check out this link to see us... it's hilarious! Mel did this for us.
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/xpogyk58diuRWjwrXrKl
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
One Year Older and Wiser, Too!
Happy Birthday to me!! Yes, I am officially getting old, but I'm not old yet (I had to say that before someone commented on that fact). I'm not bragging, but I'm still pretty young and limber. Okay, so not THAT limber, but enough to say that that is why I decided to go to the tumbling gym with some of my friends! Before going, I spent the afternoon after class making my favorite whole wheat cinnamon rolls. Sorry, I didn't take a picture for all you starving readers of mine!
That night me and nine others went to the tumbling gym in Provo. It was so much fun!! I felt like a little kid again and I didn't care who saw me. I was happy and having a blast. The tumbling gym had lots of spring floors like are used by gymnasts to do the floor routine. They also had some trampolines and a hug pit full of square foam pieces. There was a rope that you could swim into the pit or you could jump into it from a trampoline. That was my favorite part of the gym. We had fun throwing foam pieces at each other, especially when we were jumping in. When you jumped in, the foam kind of sinks you in and it is really hard to get out. I got buried in it and eventually learned some tricks to get out of the pit quickly so others could jump in. Another part of the gym was a room with a blow up hamster wheel type of thing. I will post a picture of it. We could run on it like a hamster or we could sit inside of it and be flipped around. It felt like a roller coaster's flip, but over and over. I loved it. It was funny because I was screaming and laughing just like I do on rides. I kind of wished Amanda were there with me because she does the same thing. The other part of the gym had trampolines, runways, and cushions to land on. For a while we watched Troy Taylor (one of my Home Teachers) do back flips and try to teach John Mahler how to do a back flip. That was pretty funny.
After the tumbling gym, we all came back to my apartment for cinnamon rolls and ice cream and we just talked. I could tell I was in a really good mood because I was saying some pretty funny things. For example, two of my roommates have a huge obsession with two of the main actors in Prince Caspian. When someone saw that we had the movie, they said something about it and I said that they currently had an obsession with it. When one of the guys guessed it might the cute boys, I knew I was in trouble (since one of those roommates likes another one of the guys that was there) so I covered it up by saying that it really was Aslan they were obsessed with. I went off saying that I had a hug poster in my room and tons of stuffed lions on my bed and that I had a lion under my bed (along with everything else). By then they knew I was kidding, but it was a pretty funny cover up. I didn't care how foolish I sounded though. I know that this post doesn't sound like I'm any wiser than I was last year, but I assure you that I am! :)
That night me and nine others went to the tumbling gym in Provo. It was so much fun!! I felt like a little kid again and I didn't care who saw me. I was happy and having a blast. The tumbling gym had lots of spring floors like are used by gymnasts to do the floor routine. They also had some trampolines and a hug pit full of square foam pieces. There was a rope that you could swim into the pit or you could jump into it from a trampoline. That was my favorite part of the gym. We had fun throwing foam pieces at each other, especially when we were jumping in. When you jumped in, the foam kind of sinks you in and it is really hard to get out. I got buried in it and eventually learned some tricks to get out of the pit quickly so others could jump in. Another part of the gym was a room with a blow up hamster wheel type of thing. I will post a picture of it. We could run on it like a hamster or we could sit inside of it and be flipped around. It felt like a roller coaster's flip, but over and over. I loved it. It was funny because I was screaming and laughing just like I do on rides. I kind of wished Amanda were there with me because she does the same thing. The other part of the gym had trampolines, runways, and cushions to land on. For a while we watched Troy Taylor (one of my Home Teachers) do back flips and try to teach John Mahler how to do a back flip. That was pretty funny.
After the tumbling gym, we all came back to my apartment for cinnamon rolls and ice cream and we just talked. I could tell I was in a really good mood because I was saying some pretty funny things. For example, two of my roommates have a huge obsession with two of the main actors in Prince Caspian. When someone saw that we had the movie, they said something about it and I said that they currently had an obsession with it. When one of the guys guessed it might the cute boys, I knew I was in trouble (since one of those roommates likes another one of the guys that was there) so I covered it up by saying that it really was Aslan they were obsessed with. I went off saying that I had a hug poster in my room and tons of stuffed lions on my bed and that I had a lion under my bed (along with everything else). By then they knew I was kidding, but it was a pretty funny cover up. I didn't care how foolish I sounded though. I know that this post doesn't sound like I'm any wiser than I was last year, but I assure you that I am! :)
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Oscars Night!
This was the second annual Oscars Night in my ward and this year I was one of the two people in charge. I acted as the MC for night and collected all the movies to put onto a DVD. FHE groups and individuals made movies 5-7 mins long to be shown and voted on at Oscars Night. We had eight movies turned in this year, which is three more than last year. They were all very good so we had a lot of competition. We had some very close votes. Fortunately, the night went off without a hitch and everyone had a fun time. We had a red carpet and one paparazzi to take pictures of people as they came in. It was really fun dressing up and feeling really cute for the night. My only regret is that because I was the MC, I didn't get to dance or socialize as much as I would have liked, but I still had a really great time. I am very proud of myself that I wasn't stressing out trying to make sure things were going right and people were having fun. I was relaxed and able to enjoy it. I know it was Heavenly Father that made that possible because the few days prior to the night I was really stressing out about everything. Anyway, I think the besides the movies and the dancing, the highlight of the night was the really good food-taco salads and italian sodas. I didn't get to eat much of it because of all I had to do, but what I did eat was REALLY good. I will post more pictures as soon as I get all of the pictures from the paparazzi. Look at the photos link to see them! Enjoy!
For each movie that won an award, we gave them an Oscar, which was actually a random Christmas decoration from DI. This group won for the best movie overall. Theirs was a funny movie called Deb in Real Life. Deb is our Relief Society president and in the movie was was doing mean things to people and then doing a little dance after each one. It was really funny because it's not true.
I also made a pie on Friday in my food preparation class. It was apple and it was yummy!! I think there will be more pie making in the future. :)
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
EK3 enters the MTC!!
I forgot how short the MTC orientation meeting really is. We got to the MTC early enough to be seated near the front and on the left. We sat there watching LDS commercials about family for a good 45 minutes, but I'm not complaining. I got teary-eyed a couple times when we sang "Called to Serve" and watched the video, but I was too happy and excited to cry even when I had to say goodbye. Ryan got teary-eyed a couple times himself, which I always find cute.
I got a couple really good last hugs from Ryan (which are my favorite hugs) and then he tried to start going toward his exit. We were way in the front, so there were obstacles, namely crying missionaries and families, in the way. He ended up going down the hall instead of out the other door like Steven and Kevin did. There was no way to really take pictures of that part, one, because they said no picture taking, and two, there were too many people blocking the way, even Ryan's way, from getting to where he was supposed to go.
Anyway, I am very excited for EK3 and all the experiences he will have for the next two years! I'm looking forward to hearing from him and seeing how much he grows.
Here is his MTC address. He will depart for Ft. Lauderdale Florida December 2, 2008.
Elder Ryan Matthew Kelly
MTC Mailbox # 274
FL-FTL 1202
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793
His Mission Home address is:
7951 SW Sixth St. Suite 110
Ft Lauderdale, Florida 33324-3211
United States
Ft Lauderdale, Florida 33324-3211
United States
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Halloween Makeover
Last year, my roommate Savannah was a Goth for Halloween. She really did a good job looking the part, although she is definitely not Goth in everyday life. About a month ago or so, she told me that sometime she wanted to make me look like a Goth or and Emo (which are two different types of people). She also said that she had some extra money and wanted to take me out to dinner sometime. Well, finally we both had time and we decided to combine the two events. At first I just thought it would be fun to go out to eat in ridiculous outfits, but then I remember what she wanted to do. So we made a deal. She would make me look like an Emo and I could dress her up however I wanted to, makeup and all. We had a blast. Lynnae joined us, too. Lynnae used four really cool scarves to make her outfit and I drew the designs on her face. I also gave her the fuzzy blue wig. I provided the shiny pink leg warmers, scarf (purple thing around her waist), and toe socks. We went to the Olive Garden to eat. That was incredible fun! We got stares from people. The waiter was really good. He said Savannah was in a princess costume so he could mark it off that he saw a princess costume on a little game that they were doing as workers. Afterwards we went with a group of friends to stand in a very long line to go through a simple haunted house put on by a department at BYU. Overall, it was one of the best Halloweens I've had in a long time. If you want to see more pictures, go to my pictures page!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Apartment 21 Ain't Big Enough...
For three princesses...
And, of course, the greatest one inherits the crown!
These are most of my roommates and what we were for Halloween-Princess, Miss Scarlet, Little Red Riding Hood, Cowgirl (or Jessie from Toy Story, someone said that to me), and 80's girl.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Protect Traditional Marriage
In March 2000, over 61% of California voters approved a state law providing that "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." However, because this language was not put into the constitution, the California Supreme Court recently reversed this vote of the people.
On November 4, 2008, Proposition 8 will give California voters the power to reverse the court's decision by restoring the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman in the state constitution.
A YES vote on Proposition 8 would:
-Restore the definition of marriage to what a vast majority of Californians already approved and human history has understood marriage to be-between a man and a woman.
-Overturn the decision of four activist Supreme Court judges who ignored the will of the people
-Protect our children from being taught in public schools that "same-sex marriage" is the same as traditional marriage.
- Would NOT take away any rights from gay and lesbian domestic partners.
A NO vote on Proposition 8 would:
-Destroy the sanctity of marriage and it's powerful influence on the betterment of society.
-Marriage would be nothing more than a contractual agreement between adults, "Party A" and "Party B."
-No longer would the interests of children and family be considered. The ideal family would no longer be a child being raised by a father and a mother.
-Teachers would be required to teach in health education classes for children as young as kindergarteners that there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage.
-Tax-exempt status of churches against same-sex marriage may be taken away
-Increased intolerance of churches and people who support traditional marriage.
-And many other incredible implications for the future of families, society, and the world.
I believe that marriage between a man and a women is ordained of God, and that the formation of families is central to God's plan for His children. I also believe that children are entitled to be born within this bond of marriage. My major is Marriage, Family, Human Development. Marriages and families today are being challenged on many sides. The relationships formed within marriages and families are the most important, and sometimes the most difficult, relationships to maintain. The greatest happiness is only found within marriages and families that are striving toward the ideal and doing the very best they can to live according the the principles that have been taught by living prophets and in the scriptures.
For more information on Proposition 8, look at
www.ProtectMarriage.com
www.preservingmarriage.org
Please, vote YES on Proposition 8.
I watched the broadcast by Elder Ballard and Elder Cook and the things that said really impressed me and made me want to become more involved in this campaign. The only problem is that there is only so much I can do from Utah. However, there is a group on campus that is calling all the students from California to encourage them to register to vote absentee. I will probably help them do that because I feel like I need to do something because this means so much to me and, probably, my future. I know most everyone who reads this blog is family, but I am doing all I can to follow the counsel of my leaders!
On November 4, 2008, Proposition 8 will give California voters the power to reverse the court's decision by restoring the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman in the state constitution.
A YES vote on Proposition 8 would:
-Restore the definition of marriage to what a vast majority of Californians already approved and human history has understood marriage to be-between a man and a woman.
-Overturn the decision of four activist Supreme Court judges who ignored the will of the people
-Protect our children from being taught in public schools that "same-sex marriage" is the same as traditional marriage.
- Would NOT take away any rights from gay and lesbian domestic partners.
A NO vote on Proposition 8 would:
-Destroy the sanctity of marriage and it's powerful influence on the betterment of society.
-Marriage would be nothing more than a contractual agreement between adults, "Party A" and "Party B."
-No longer would the interests of children and family be considered. The ideal family would no longer be a child being raised by a father and a mother.
-Teachers would be required to teach in health education classes for children as young as kindergarteners that there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage.
-Tax-exempt status of churches against same-sex marriage may be taken away
-Increased intolerance of churches and people who support traditional marriage.
-And many other incredible implications for the future of families, society, and the world.
I believe that marriage between a man and a women is ordained of God, and that the formation of families is central to God's plan for His children. I also believe that children are entitled to be born within this bond of marriage. My major is Marriage, Family, Human Development. Marriages and families today are being challenged on many sides. The relationships formed within marriages and families are the most important, and sometimes the most difficult, relationships to maintain. The greatest happiness is only found within marriages and families that are striving toward the ideal and doing the very best they can to live according the the principles that have been taught by living prophets and in the scriptures.
For more information on Proposition 8, look at
www.ProtectMarriage.com
www.preservingmarriage.org
Please, vote YES on Proposition 8.
I watched the broadcast by Elder Ballard and Elder Cook and the things that said really impressed me and made me want to become more involved in this campaign. The only problem is that there is only so much I can do from Utah. However, there is a group on campus that is calling all the students from California to encourage them to register to vote absentee. I will probably help them do that because I feel like I need to do something because this means so much to me and, probably, my future. I know most everyone who reads this blog is family, but I am doing all I can to follow the counsel of my leaders!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Missing EFY and Easy Decisions
It's that time again. Right now I am having the hardest time NOT applying to work EFY again next summer. I love working EFY. I've done it for the past three summers. It has helped me grow in more ways than I can count and I have learned so much from those I worked with. I love teaching the gospel and getting to know the youth who go to EFY with desires to increase their testimonies. I truely was a missionary to those kids. I made so many memories and friends that I can't help but want to make more. Yet, I stop myself short of applying again for many reasons. One is that after a conversation wtih my brother Steven, I realized that if I want to date and get married, I have to get out of my comfort zone and do things that I haven't done before or do things differently.
When I work EFY, I really don't have that much of a social life believe it or not. It's complicated to explain, but even while working with other YSA like me, I still don't really date during the summers. I'm always so focused on helping the youth during the week and then I sleep on the weekends. I have become friends with lots of guys, but nothing more.
The second reason is because I feel like I need to start earning enough money to start supporting myself. I will graduate in April and will no longer be covered by my parents, so I need to get a job where I might have benefits and be paid more. (EFY is about $2.47 an hour when you figure that it is almost 19 hour day, six and a half days a week job.) I've thought about being a Building Counselor that works more weeks and is paid more, which would be different in a way, but it still would be socially in the same situation. I just don't know. EFY would be the easy thing for me to do because I love it and it's not terribly challenging for me. BUT...
So, needless to say, I need more options of what I can do for work after I graduate. Maybe those who read this will think of some things. I've thought about working at an adolescent treatment center and try to become a seminary teacher. To be a seminary teacher I have to take some training classes that are very competive. I am thinking to do that next fall, but no matter what I will need to find some work that I will enjoy as well as earn money to save. I don't have a car, so that poses a problem, too, but I could save money for a bus pass. I would like to stay in Utah because I like the potential dating opportunities that are here. I heard about something called Teach For America today that was really appealling, but doing that requires a two year committment, living in another state, and a car, unless I do it in New York City. I'm posting all this with hopes that anyone who reads this can give me some more ideas!
When I work EFY, I really don't have that much of a social life believe it or not. It's complicated to explain, but even while working with other YSA like me, I still don't really date during the summers. I'm always so focused on helping the youth during the week and then I sleep on the weekends. I have become friends with lots of guys, but nothing more.
The second reason is because I feel like I need to start earning enough money to start supporting myself. I will graduate in April and will no longer be covered by my parents, so I need to get a job where I might have benefits and be paid more. (EFY is about $2.47 an hour when you figure that it is almost 19 hour day, six and a half days a week job.) I've thought about being a Building Counselor that works more weeks and is paid more, which would be different in a way, but it still would be socially in the same situation. I just don't know. EFY would be the easy thing for me to do because I love it and it's not terribly challenging for me. BUT...
So, needless to say, I need more options of what I can do for work after I graduate. Maybe those who read this will think of some things. I've thought about working at an adolescent treatment center and try to become a seminary teacher. To be a seminary teacher I have to take some training classes that are very competive. I am thinking to do that next fall, but no matter what I will need to find some work that I will enjoy as well as earn money to save. I don't have a car, so that poses a problem, too, but I could save money for a bus pass. I would like to stay in Utah because I like the potential dating opportunities that are here. I heard about something called Teach For America today that was really appealling, but doing that requires a two year committment, living in another state, and a car, unless I do it in New York City. I'm posting all this with hopes that anyone who reads this can give me some more ideas!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Apartment 21 Soundtrack
My favorite times have been just staying up late and talking with my roommates and laughing. We are all so much alike, which makes things even better. This is the best set of roommates I've ever had and I am grateful to have them for my last year here at BYU. They really help me to stay balanced between having fun and studying, which is what I need. I am no longer the oldest in the apartment, but I'm not complaining. We all get along great and compliment each other in so many ways.
This past week I turned in my graduation application. I am planning to graduate in April and I feel really good about it. I don't feel like I am very grown up yet, that is the only problem. It's kind of scary thinking about it, but I believe it will all work out. Right now the plan is to apply at different adolescent treatment centers and next fall start the seminary teaching training classes to see if I can teach seminary. I would love that!
My new calling is activities committee co-chair. I'm really excited about it, but nervous about how busy it will be and worried about the success of the activities. As for mentoring, I am going to start being apart of the BYU program called Impact where I will be partnered with a guy and we will be a Big Brother-Big Sister duo for an adolescent. I won't be starting for a couple of weeks, but I am really excited about it!
Monday, September 1, 2008
My Brother's Mission Call Came!!
I know most everyone that would even be remotely interested in reading this already knows this, but my baby brother Ryan finally received his mission call to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and he reports on November 12. I am very excited for him!! Here is his mission page so people can keep tabs on what he is doing. http://www.missionsite.net/ryankelly/main
As for me, I am starting my last year at BYU tomorrow and I am pretty excited. I have wonderful, fun roommates and a great ward. I will be very busy this semester (14.5 credits, mentoring, and a busy new calling), but I feel the vibes that it is going to be a good one. :)
As for me, I am starting my last year at BYU tomorrow and I am pretty excited. I have wonderful, fun roommates and a great ward. I will be very busy this semester (14.5 credits, mentoring, and a busy new calling), but I feel the vibes that it is going to be a good one. :)
Monday, August 18, 2008
Nauvoo EFY and Missouri
Wow. It's hard to believe what I have experienced over the past week or so. It has been almost four years since I lived in Nauvoo for a semester doing the BYU Nauvoo program. Amanda was accepted to attend the special edition EFY in Nauvoo and after pulling a few strings, I was hired to be a counselor that week. (I would have gone back with her even if I was not a counselor for EFY). Since I last was in Nauvoo, the only thing that has really changed was that they tore down the Joseph Smith Academy where I stayed when I was there last. It was really old and had lots of problems so they discontinued the program there and tore the building down. The JSA was located almost directly across the street from the temple (116 steps from the temple to be exact). Now all that is there is grass and mud.They also tore out the stairs that led from the statue to the flats where I used to love studying for my classes. I was really sad to see the empty space where so many things happened. The one thing that gave me hope was that I talked to the director of the program I did who still lives in Nauvoo and he said gave me a website to what will be called Nauvoo University. They are going to rebuild!! It won't be the same thing as before, but it will fulfill the dream Joseph had to have a university in Nauvoo!!
Now to the good stuff.... Amanda and I arrived in Nauvoo on Saturday night. We went around Nauvoo a little bit and enjoyed a beautiful sunset. Oh how I've missed those! On Sunday we of course had church (where I ran into the Ivies who were a part of the program I was in) and then we walked around the Flats to some sites that I thought Amanda wouldn't get to see with EFY. I forgot how big Nauvoo really is. That was a lot of walking!
Then EFY offically began!! All of EFY stayed at the Nauvoo Family Inn. This week my co-counselors were Richie, Ashley, and Kevin. They were amazing to work with. Our family's name was Kimball (after Heber C. Kimball) and we had 22 "children." I wish that I could go through every single thing that happened, but that is impossible, so will give the highlights of the week.
This week was different because of the special opportunity we had to be in Nauvoo. We adapted the schedule so that the kids and counselors could see and experience Nauvoo. Monday was the same, but Tuesday we had classes like usually and then we did games night. I was looking forward to this night all summer long because I had a feeling we would play games just down the hill of the temple. My group did a really great job making up the cheer and making the banner. We got third place for our cheer. It was also fun to see all the groups' cheers for a change because normally we only get to see the top four cheers. I have to say that this group was the most energetic and creative group I've had this summer. We had a lot of fun. We replaced one of the games we normally play at other sessions to play stick pull and leg wrestling like the pioneers did.
The teachers this week were Br. Brad Wilcox and Br. Daniel Hess. I don't think these kids know how blessed they were to have both of these teachers this week. They are the cream of the crop of EFY teachers. These teachers not only taught classes on Tuesday, but they led the bus tours that happened on Wednesday and Thursday.
One of my favorite things I did was on Tuesday. I took a small group of people down Parley street to where the saints crossed the river. It was a really great experience. Br. Hanson, our session director, repeatly talked about how crossing the river could be applied to our lives today, so I wanted them to understand and feel what it was like for the saints to cross the river where they did. I am happy to say that I've crossed the river many times.
This week we had two EFY Thursdays because for two days we had really amazing experiences that strengthed our testimonies and brought us closer to one another and the Savior. On Wednesday morning we went to the Groves, Cultural Hall, and then the Family Living Center. After lunch we went to the temple as a company. Wow. It felt so good to be there. What a unique opportunity to be in the temple with my youth. The greatest thing was one of the boys in our company recently received his mission call (Sidney Australia North) and was already endowed, so he helped confirm and baptise others in the company. After the temple we had a few hours to see some of the sites on the Flats. I was glad that I knew where I was going and could add a little more to their experience. We didn't have much time to see all that I would have liked them to see, but we saw many the sites and had a good time. That night we had a really fun dance, the only one for the week.
On Thursday we were dressed up all day as is normal at EFY. We took a bus to the Pioneer Cemetary and had a really great experience there. There was a vignette about one of the families that had children buried there that was really touching. From there we went to Carthage. I couldn't help but think of the time I walked to Cathage from Nauvoo four years ago. We had a really great experience there. When waiting for the tour ahead of us, we sang "Praise to the Man" in one of the rooms in the jail. It brought a spirit of gratitude, peace, and joy that dispelled the gloom that I have felt the past times I was there. One of my boys was a great-great grandson of Hyrum Smith which caused me to looked at things in a new light as I walked through the jail.Overall, it was another sacred experience not unlike going to the temple. When we got back to Nauvoo we watch the show "High Hopes and Riverboats" put on by the Young Performing Missionaries. That night we had a powerful testimony meeting.
Friday we had the opportunity to watch the Joseph Smith movie at the Visitors' Center when we had the Young Men/ Young Women activity. It was a really great way to summarize the week and once again feel what we felt in the different places we went. That evening after the banquet and pictures, we watched the show Sunset by the Mississippi that is put on by all the missionaries in Nauvoo. Instead of having a EFY dance that night, we watch the a cappella group Vocal Point perform. My group wanted to dance, so we left our seats and went to the back of the audience and danced. We had a lot of fun.
The Kimball family was unique for me because I have never had so many (5) kids already graduated from high school and some already graduated (or close to) gradutating college. Also, one of the boys is from a place where one of my brothers served his mission so he knew him. A funny thing that was said throughout the week was "Creepy" in a weird way that sounds like "Creepay." Another thing we did was K-I-M- "Bull" and we put horns on our heads.
I felt and learned so many things this week. I was given an increase of hope for the future even though it would involve "crossing the river" many times. I also learned more about the temple, Christ, and the Plan of Salvation. I learned the importance of following the spirit to say kind things to others and in teaching others in different ways that can help them understand what they need to at that time. My testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the restoration was also increased.
I am grateful for the opportunity I had to return to Nauvoo and have another good experience, this time with my sister nearby. I am excited for my next trip to Nauvoo sometime in the future.
Right now I am in Missouri staying at my roommates' house. We went to the Liberty Jail yesterday and had a really great experience there. Tommorrow we are planning to have a sunrise breakfast at Adam-Ondi-Ahman and then we will see other sites of Church History including Far West. We are planning to visit the Amish town Jamesport tomorrow, too!!
All pictures are on my webpage now, so look on the left under websites to find all my recent pictures!! Feel free to download any that you like!
Now to the good stuff.... Amanda and I arrived in Nauvoo on Saturday night. We went around Nauvoo a little bit and enjoyed a beautiful sunset. Oh how I've missed those! On Sunday we of course had church (where I ran into the Ivies who were a part of the program I was in) and then we walked around the Flats to some sites that I thought Amanda wouldn't get to see with EFY. I forgot how big Nauvoo really is. That was a lot of walking!
Then EFY offically began!! All of EFY stayed at the Nauvoo Family Inn. This week my co-counselors were Richie, Ashley, and Kevin. They were amazing to work with. Our family's name was Kimball (after Heber C. Kimball) and we had 22 "children." I wish that I could go through every single thing that happened, but that is impossible, so will give the highlights of the week.
This week was different because of the special opportunity we had to be in Nauvoo. We adapted the schedule so that the kids and counselors could see and experience Nauvoo. Monday was the same, but Tuesday we had classes like usually and then we did games night. I was looking forward to this night all summer long because I had a feeling we would play games just down the hill of the temple. My group did a really great job making up the cheer and making the banner. We got third place for our cheer. It was also fun to see all the groups' cheers for a change because normally we only get to see the top four cheers. I have to say that this group was the most energetic and creative group I've had this summer. We had a lot of fun. We replaced one of the games we normally play at other sessions to play stick pull and leg wrestling like the pioneers did.
The teachers this week were Br. Brad Wilcox and Br. Daniel Hess. I don't think these kids know how blessed they were to have both of these teachers this week. They are the cream of the crop of EFY teachers. These teachers not only taught classes on Tuesday, but they led the bus tours that happened on Wednesday and Thursday.
One of my favorite things I did was on Tuesday. I took a small group of people down Parley street to where the saints crossed the river. It was a really great experience. Br. Hanson, our session director, repeatly talked about how crossing the river could be applied to our lives today, so I wanted them to understand and feel what it was like for the saints to cross the river where they did. I am happy to say that I've crossed the river many times.
This week we had two EFY Thursdays because for two days we had really amazing experiences that strengthed our testimonies and brought us closer to one another and the Savior. On Wednesday morning we went to the Groves, Cultural Hall, and then the Family Living Center. After lunch we went to the temple as a company. Wow. It felt so good to be there. What a unique opportunity to be in the temple with my youth. The greatest thing was one of the boys in our company recently received his mission call (Sidney Australia North) and was already endowed, so he helped confirm and baptise others in the company. After the temple we had a few hours to see some of the sites on the Flats. I was glad that I knew where I was going and could add a little more to their experience. We didn't have much time to see all that I would have liked them to see, but we saw many the sites and had a good time. That night we had a really fun dance, the only one for the week.
On Thursday we were dressed up all day as is normal at EFY. We took a bus to the Pioneer Cemetary and had a really great experience there. There was a vignette about one of the families that had children buried there that was really touching. From there we went to Carthage. I couldn't help but think of the time I walked to Cathage from Nauvoo four years ago. We had a really great experience there. When waiting for the tour ahead of us, we sang "Praise to the Man" in one of the rooms in the jail. It brought a spirit of gratitude, peace, and joy that dispelled the gloom that I have felt the past times I was there. One of my boys was a great-great grandson of Hyrum Smith which caused me to looked at things in a new light as I walked through the jail.Overall, it was another sacred experience not unlike going to the temple. When we got back to Nauvoo we watch the show "High Hopes and Riverboats" put on by the Young Performing Missionaries. That night we had a powerful testimony meeting.
Friday we had the opportunity to watch the Joseph Smith movie at the Visitors' Center when we had the Young Men/ Young Women activity. It was a really great way to summarize the week and once again feel what we felt in the different places we went. That evening after the banquet and pictures, we watched the show Sunset by the Mississippi that is put on by all the missionaries in Nauvoo. Instead of having a EFY dance that night, we watch the a cappella group Vocal Point perform. My group wanted to dance, so we left our seats and went to the back of the audience and danced. We had a lot of fun.
The Kimball family was unique for me because I have never had so many (5) kids already graduated from high school and some already graduated (or close to) gradutating college. Also, one of the boys is from a place where one of my brothers served his mission so he knew him. A funny thing that was said throughout the week was "Creepy" in a weird way that sounds like "Creepay." Another thing we did was K-I-M- "Bull" and we put horns on our heads.
I felt and learned so many things this week. I was given an increase of hope for the future even though it would involve "crossing the river" many times. I also learned more about the temple, Christ, and the Plan of Salvation. I learned the importance of following the spirit to say kind things to others and in teaching others in different ways that can help them understand what they need to at that time. My testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the restoration was also increased.
I am grateful for the opportunity I had to return to Nauvoo and have another good experience, this time with my sister nearby. I am excited for my next trip to Nauvoo sometime in the future.
Right now I am in Missouri staying at my roommates' house. We went to the Liberty Jail yesterday and had a really great experience there. Tommorrow we are planning to have a sunrise breakfast at Adam-Ondi-Ahman and then we will see other sites of Church History including Far West. We are planning to visit the Amish town Jamesport tomorrow, too!!
All pictures are on my webpage now, so look on the left under websites to find all my recent pictures!! Feel free to download any that you like!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Fun in the Sun
So far my experience at home as been a great one. When I came home, one of the first things I noticed was across the street--one of our neighbors is growing corn. Random! It looks so out of place being in southern California. I just hope they got sweet corn and not feed corn.
Mostly I have been relaxing with my family and hanging out with the young single adults. They come over almost every night top play games or watch movies. It is a lot of fun. One funny experience is one of the YSA girls was challenged to watch all of the Star Wars movies and then one of the boys would watch all 5 1/2 hours of the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. We ended up all watching the latter movie together all in one sitting. The next challenge is the girls watch all of the Lord of the Rings and the boys watch Anne of Green Gables. We'll see when that actually happens...
Last week I went to the last two days of girls camp where my mom, my brother's girlfriend Alejandra, and my sister were for the week. I helped my mom and Alejandra in the kitchen where we made some really good food. Unlike last year, there was enough and to spare! I am really glad I was able to go because I took part in a holding to the iron rod experience that the girls went through. I was one of the tempters when the rest of the YSA girls there were in the great and spacious building just above the trail. It was an amazing experience; I learned so much even though I was one of the tempters! The girls were blind folded and walked along a trail with a rope to hold on to. Leaders stood on the side to either tempt them or encourage them. Toward the end of the trail they could take off the blind folds and see the great and spacious building where the YSA girls were yelling and dancing and being crazy. At the end they were greeted by the stake president and young women's president at a brightly lit white tree with handouts hanging on them that they got later. It was amazing. Next year my sister Amanda gets her camp name so I hope that I will at least be able to go one day to see that. I am so excited for her! My camp name is Kaleidoscope. It was nice to go by that again.
On Saturday I went to Disneyland with my brothers, my future roommate Lynnae, and some friends from the YSA branch. We went to Club 33 and had the most delicious stake and desserts. Yummmy! This week one of my roommates, Susana, is coming to visit California for a couple of days just before I go to Nauvoo with my sister. I still can't believe I'm going back to Nauvoo, but I am very excited!
I wanted to put pictures in this post, but for some reason the blog won't upload them, so for now, look at my recent pictures link to see all of my pictures.
Mostly I have been relaxing with my family and hanging out with the young single adults. They come over almost every night top play games or watch movies. It is a lot of fun. One funny experience is one of the YSA girls was challenged to watch all of the Star Wars movies and then one of the boys would watch all 5 1/2 hours of the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. We ended up all watching the latter movie together all in one sitting. The next challenge is the girls watch all of the Lord of the Rings and the boys watch Anne of Green Gables. We'll see when that actually happens...
Last week I went to the last two days of girls camp where my mom, my brother's girlfriend Alejandra, and my sister were for the week. I helped my mom and Alejandra in the kitchen where we made some really good food. Unlike last year, there was enough and to spare! I am really glad I was able to go because I took part in a holding to the iron rod experience that the girls went through. I was one of the tempters when the rest of the YSA girls there were in the great and spacious building just above the trail. It was an amazing experience; I learned so much even though I was one of the tempters! The girls were blind folded and walked along a trail with a rope to hold on to. Leaders stood on the side to either tempt them or encourage them. Toward the end of the trail they could take off the blind folds and see the great and spacious building where the YSA girls were yelling and dancing and being crazy. At the end they were greeted by the stake president and young women's president at a brightly lit white tree with handouts hanging on them that they got later. It was amazing. Next year my sister Amanda gets her camp name so I hope that I will at least be able to go one day to see that. I am so excited for her! My camp name is Kaleidoscope. It was nice to go by that again.
On Saturday I went to Disneyland with my brothers, my future roommate Lynnae, and some friends from the YSA branch. We went to Club 33 and had the most delicious stake and desserts. Yummmy! This week one of my roommates, Susana, is coming to visit California for a couple of days just before I go to Nauvoo with my sister. I still can't believe I'm going back to Nauvoo, but I am very excited!
I wanted to put pictures in this post, but for some reason the blog won't upload them, so for now, look at my recent pictures link to see all of my pictures.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tyler AKA Bubbas
Here is my nephew Tyler Drew Kelly. He's 18 months old. We've had a lot of fun together. He loves chewing on ice and knows how to say that and other words. The cutest things to hear him say are ice, elmo, bye, kitty, and no. He has a cute woofwoof and roar like a lion. When he meows like a cat it sounds like a cat in pain. Sad, but so cute.
EARTHQUAKE!
We had an earthquake today!! It was 3 miles SW of Chino Hills, CA, a 5.4 quake. It was a little scary just because I hadn't been in one in YEARS (1999), but overall I am fascinated with them. I was at home reading and watching my nephew when I heard the wall shaking as if there was construction going on, but I soon figured out what was happening. It was really strong at first, shaking back and forth and then it was rolling lightly. Here is the link to the official page with stats and other cool stuff.
http://pasadena.wr.usgs.gov/shake/ca/index.html
Only other news is that my mom and sister are at girls camp this week and I am excited to join them later this week. I've had a lot of bonding time with my nephew, pictures of which I will post sometime soon.
http://pasadena.wr.usgs.gov/shake/ca/index.html
Only other news is that my mom and sister are at girls camp this week and I am excited to join them later this week. I've had a lot of bonding time with my nephew, pictures of which I will post sometime soon.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Time For A Change
With Apple changing its internet from mac.com to me.com, I was not able to post anything on my blog that I made with a program they have called iweb. I decided to get with the times and get this blogspot so more people can keep up with what I am doing and have it so where ever I am I can update my blog!
If you are interested in looking at my past blog posts go to:
http://web.mac.com/shell_belle/Michellesblog/Blog/Blog.html
I will miss using that to post my blogs, but I will get used this.
If you are interested in looking at my past blog posts go to:
http://web.mac.com/shell_belle/Michellesblog/Blog/Blog.html
I will miss using that to post my blogs, but I will get used this.
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