Ringing in the new year with champagne...

Hair that is!  Welcome to my front yard.  Someday I might decide cactus is beautiful.  Someday.  Happy New Year y'all!

Remembering Lot's Wife

"The Flight of Lot" by Gustave Doré

“The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead, we remember that faith is always pointed toward the future.” 

- Elder Jeffery R. Holland                         

 Go ahead and read the whole thing here.  

I used to keep a small homemade bookmark in my scriptures in the shape of a salt shaker that simply read “Remember Lot’s Wife”.  The above engraving by Gustave Doré has been the background of my desktop for the last few months as a reminder to always look towards the future with faith rather than dwelling on the past.  I’d like to continue this theme and make this year count by taking Paul’s advice to “[forget] those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before (Philippians 3:13–14)."  Here’s to a happy and healthy new year armed with lessons from the past and looking forward with faith for whatever's ahead!

Imperfections

I am the luckiest girl alive for having the mother I do.  I learn daily from her example of kindness and charity.   She shared this with me today...

Dad and I have this little master bedroom closet.  It is too narrow to be considered a walk in closet and yet it is.  They put poles for hangers on both sides, but it is way too narrow.  Consequently we squeeze into this closet to get clothes and shoes and both of us get frustrated, tripping over shoes, having the poles fall because they weren't secure enough to have a person moving about in there.  One day I was getting my clothes out of the closet and thoughts of the crazy closet...why do I keep my clothes in here...etc, were racing through my mind.  I then had the thought that one day I will be gone or dad will be gone and then only one person will have clothes in the closet.  I soberly thought to myself, 'I love this closet and I love that I can share this tiny space with him.'  I would someday miss his yummy cologne smell when entering the closet and he would miss tripping over my shoes.  From that day on when I entered the closet I was happy I have this loving man to share the closet with.  I have since moved my clothes out to other closets, but leave my shoes in there so I can enter every day and give thanks.  I have a great and wonderful life full of imperfections and love it.  I love you all.  You are so precious to me.

Love Mom

I can't help but tear up every time!  It's too sweet.  P.S. Mom and dad met when mom was 12 and dad was 14.    Who could ask for a more adorable story?

Optics

Ikea lamp found, repaired and promptly placed in our apartment on K Street

Some light brings warmth, hope, and guidance while other seems to breed destruction.  How do you know when the light to which you are gravitating is a lighthouse savior or a flame for moths?  Is it just a flicker bringing fleeting happiness or a steady stream of brilliance with eternal value?  One thing is clear; no matter which way it is being shed, for better or worse, light brings clarity and truth.

"Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration on high."

Elder Richard G. Scott from The Power of Scripture

First talk of the first session of General Conference. Loved every moment of being there.

"A little pack of fire

I watched you from afar

A blazing, burning star

I came alive, a new design

The tree of life is what you are"

“I Wish” by Eisley

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way- in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

"In what distant deeps or skies

Burnt the fire of thine eyes?

On what wings dare he aspire?

What the hand dare seize the fire?"

The Tyger by William Blake

D&D

Much to my chagrin I woke to this and every other photo that's been posted on the book this morning.  

Discoveries:

1. I'm growing up a little or something because I can no longer sleep longer than eight hours max (but I am really good at taking naps!).  No more sleeping in.  Sad.

2. I seem to enjoy (???) only half way finishing books boys give me until they're not really part of my life anymore and then decide I should probably still finish them...This isn't the first time this has happened.  Probably not the last.  Especially if I keep liking boys that enjoy reading which is extremely likely because that's the kind of thing that matters.

3. I am seriously so blessed.  But really, all sarcasm aside I've been more than a little ungrateful lately.  My life is rich and full of wonderful people and unforgettable moments.  I am designating this month one of gratitudes (super original, right?).  Life really is good.

Decisions:

1. Moving across campus to a more social side.  This decision has already been made (so don't try and change my mind!).  Living here with K.P. next semester.  All I really want is to stay tucked away in this little attic-esque bedroom until I graduate and move here or here.  However, I'm pretty sure that's not what someone else (aka Heavenly Father) has in mind.  

2. Dubbing today a snow day, this morning Tara and I watched Love Actually (don't worry family, it's edited).  Now all I want to do is watch Christmas and or snow related movies.  Too soon for Christmas movies you say?  Yeah right! So what'll it be y'all?  The Holiday, Snow Day, or It's a Wonderful Life?  

3. Hair (here) it is.  Decision number 3.  My hair!  I can't decide if I should change it or leave it?  You've been there for the red, the blonde and the ugly so I need your help.  Remember when a few pictures of blue hair popped up on my pinterest and you thought I was just admiring these shades from afar?  Well what if I really did want those colors?!  Not right now ("natural" colors are required for school), but how about right before Christmas break!  Just in time for holiday pics.  Am I too old?  What do you think?  Sherri Dupree Bemis of Eisley is kind of my hair idol.  She's 27 and has blue raspberry hair...granted she is a rock star.  Oh and obviously school would begin again and then I'd have to go back to a more natural shade.  I'm leaning towards platinum again. So how 'bout it kids?  Leafy brown locks through Thanksgiving, the perfect shade of Powerade for Christmas, and back to blonde just in time to ring in the new year?