PUMPKINS!!

I've discovered my new favorite holiday activity. Carving pumpkins. I mean, really carving them. I even picked up a set of carving tools at Michaels to create Sam's owl pumpkin. And the witch pumpkin may be my best work yet. Can't wait until next Halloween!

I had so much fun making a witch pumpkin for Isabella
and an Owl pumpkin for Sam

Ward Pumpkin Carving FHE masterpiece (well kinda)

Plans

3 weeks from now I'm going to be on my way home. I'm taking the long way... as in 3300 miles the long. And I'm so excited!
A few weeks ago I decided to move back to Utah for the holidays. It was rather fast decision to leave DC behind and spend some time with my family, but the timing was just so right. I'm looking forward to some time with my brothers and sister, not having to miss out on Thanksgiving or pay hundreds of dollars for flight home at Christmas.
The only part that will be tricky to figure out is how I can still make some money while I'm home for a month AND what in the world I'll do after that. I'm leaning towards trying to get a fabulous teaching job, but that could really difficult. I'm just open to where ever life takes me. It's great.


So just a little preview of the plans in store for my 10 day road trip home: (although obviously not in this order)

Visiting my friend Bethany in Orlando

Charleston, SC

Harry Potter midnight showing with my friend Jon in Texas!

New Orleans, LA

Reaching my potential

Took a beautiful bike ride on the W & OD trail through Vienna and Herdon yesterday. Probably the last time I'll get out on the bike this year. It was a gorgeous fall day and even warm enough to ride in short sleeves. The fall leaves made for a scenic ride.

Pretty sure the 12 miles I road on my old mountain bike took about twice the effort it would have on a road bike. So I didn't feel that bad when all the road bikers kept passing me. Just felt good to exceed my 10 mile goal. I decided I have the heart of an athlete, but the body of ... a girl. My 105 lbs, 5' 3 3/4" just doesn't contain enough strength/coordination to be the competitor I've always wished I was. Not tall enough for basketball, not good enough for volleyball, not fast enough for much of anything else, but I sure do enjoy it all. I even can catch a few more passes at ultimate frisbee these days than I used to. As long as I'm not playing with people who won't include me cause I don't meet up to their standards, I love the competition and feel of a good outdoor game.

Lately, I've also loved kick boxing and spin class at the gym. If my muscles weren't so small, you'd have good reason to be scared of my jump kick. As it is though, I feel tough anyway after I've made it through an hour of punching and kicking. As long as I'm pushing myself, in shape enough for a tough hike or a fun game, I feel like I'm reaching my potential...even if that reach isn't as high as the next guy.

Pumpkin Patch!

A Heart like God's

"...sometimes the cost is very high. It was for Christ, it was for Joseph Smith...It is not easy to go without--without physical gratifications or spiritual assurances or material possessions--but sometimes we must since there is no guarantee of convenience written into our Christian covenant. We must work hard and do right, as Abraham Lincoln said, and sometimes our chance will come. And when we've tried, really tried, and waited for what seemed never to be ours, then "the angels came and ministered unto him." For that ministration in your life I pray." Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

While I'm so happy with seeing so many blessings intermingled with trials this last week, I am also appreciative of the assurance that waiting is not forever. Also, that progression and direction can come every day, and in unexpected ways.

I'm grateful to see the strength in my heart, and to have recognized it, in part, because of a kind friend who has been constantly willing to encourage me and help me see the best in myself. She is someone I aspire to be like one day. I think that the best, noblest part of my character is there not of my own worthiness, but because I am a child of God with a capacity to love and forgive in ways beyond my own comprehension.

I find it interesting to think about what capacity for love and sorrow is with the heart of our Father in Heaven. Though He had His great power and knowledge, it was the feelings must of stirred within His heart that caused Him to weep in sorrow for the choices of children that He loved. (See the story of Enoch's conversation with God in Moses 7) And what a message God sent to us when he encouraged Enoch to be glad, even when there was much cause for sorrow (of course God was not rejoicing in the wickedness, but in Christ's power over such evil).

I anticipate the day when we can once again sit at the feet of our Father in Heaven, and learn more of not only His intelligence and glory, but His capacity to love. It occurs to me, however, that one of our primary purposes to being sent to earth is to form relationships that would allow us to be bound to others so deeply. We were sent here precisely so that we would learn to love in ways we could not in our life before this, to become more like God. That must be, after all, why my heart has been tested and tried again and again and again. Even more reason to be grateful.

Too much fun.

Just discovered I can do this now. And it's super easy. Oh great!. More ways to use up lots of time blogging....only where's the undo button?  yikes.... found it. ...Yay! Now all I need to be perfectly content is more than 6 font choices. Guess a girl can't have everything.

Happy today.

Just made a fabulous roast beef dinner for the sisters and some friends. My tummy is happy.

Enjoyed especially the conference talks by Elder Holland (who made me cry), Bro. McKonkie (who inspired my new post on my career blog), Elder Christofferson, Pres. Uchdorf (who always knows just what we need to hear), and President Monson (who inspired a new gratitude blog: gradpad.blogspot.com). My spirit is happy.

I am in love with a handsome, kind, righteous man who treats me so well. My heart is happy.

Now all my I need is to lay my head down on that pillow and my body will be happy too.