What I am grateful for this Thanksgiving

1. I am grateful for the little home I have to live in.

2. I am grateful I get to live here in Missouri and to have Allison as my roommate.

3. I am grateful to have a job.

4. I am grateful for a calling that forces me to be social

5. I am grateful that I get to live 2 minutes from Meredith, and that she is helping me organize my life. I would have been lost this year without her.

6. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to go home and see the rest of my family—who are among my very closest friends and who I miss very much.

7. I am grateful for the many experiences I have been able to have because I have taken chances lived places that I don’t know anyone. This has forced me to grow and become someone I never thought I would be. (Hopefully it’s a good thing!)

8. I am grateful for a Heavenly Father that never gives up on me.

9. By that same token, I am grateful for my parents who believe in me and support me in the decisions that I make.

10. I am grateful to be an Aunt. I never knew it was so rewarding, but I love having nieces and nephews who love me—and I am determined to be the BEST and The FAVORITE Anut.

11. I am grateful for the Atonement of Christ.

12. I am grateful for the education I have received.

13. I am grateful for President Kintner’s Daily text messages—they remind me that he is very much involved and committed to the branch.

14. I am even more grateful that he has stopped sending them at 5:30 in the morning.

15. I am grateful for Allison’s discovery of the best ice cream ever (Blueberry pomegranate)

16. I am grateful to have my own room. It’s amazing to have my own space where I can just be alone.

17. I am grateful for bread. And cheese toast. And regular toast. And Rolls. (maybe I should have just left it at bread…)

18. I am grateful for the temple. I am excited for the Kansas City Temple to be built.

19. I am grateful for books and how I can still feel like my education continues when I read. I wish I had more time to do that. Maybe that will be included in my New Year’s resolutions.

20. I am grateful for the fall colors I got to witness here in Missouri. The red trees were amazing.

21. I am grateful I am not already experiencing winter—November and we have only seen a very tiny dusting of snow (it was only on the cars…none on the ground)

22. I am grateful for sleep. Wish I could sleep more (but then again, I guess that is mostly by choice…)

23. I am grateful for the singles branch. I am so grateful they welcomed me with open arms and made me a part of the branch right away.

24. I am grateful for the friends I have made here.

25. I am grateful that my leg has mostly healed from the injury last year, and that I can play Volleyball again.

26. I am grateful that Allison puts up with my mood swings.

27. I am grateful that I have been forced to practice the piano. I have missed playing and have gotten pretty rusty, but still—it’s good to be playing.

28. I am grateful for cheese—it may be my downfall—but its soooo worth it!

29. I am grateful that we got to study both the Doctrine and Covenants and the Teachings of Joseph Smith this year and for the strength that has been to my testimony of the Restoration of the gospel.

30. I am grateful that I am now living around the third Church history site. I just can’t let them go!

31. I am Grateful that one of the girls I knew and saw baptized on my mission went through the temple and was sealed to her husband and daughter this year.

32. I am grateful to know that I still have a good relationship with the person who I have considered my best friend for many many years. I know its not exactly the same now with the distance and all, but I do know I can always count on her.

33. I am grateful that Isaac, Meredith and I got a chance to spend some quality time together this past month.

34. I am grateful that I get to have Bailey Hugs. There is nothing better!

35. I am grateful for how amazingly attractive Mr. Thornton is (North & South)

36. I am grateful that I have a car that runs well.

37. I am grateful for Saturday’s---I love sleeping in, even if it is usually only an hour.

38. I am grateful for DQ!

39. I am grateful for old friends who it doesn’t seem to matter how long it has been since we talked—but we just pick it right back up as if no time has past—that’s how I know they are my real friends!

40. I am grateful that I have never been really sick.

41. I am grateful the sun is shining.

42. I am grateful for the little things that make me smile. The pop sound when someone starts talking to me on facebook who I want to hear from, the sound of laughter, the taste of a mint Hershey kiss.TV shows that make me laugh. Songs that touch my heart.

43. I am grateful for juice.

44. I am grateful for my new boots.

45. I am grateful for my testimony.

46. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon

47. I am grateful for the picture of the Vernal Temple that reminds me of 3 thing: 1). The importance of the temple. 2) My grandma—as this hung in her home for years. 3) That Heavenly Father always keeps his promises.

48. I am grateful for the trials I have had this year that have made me stronger.

49. I am grateful that I have been given greater understanding on things that have troubled me for years.

50. I am grateful that I got to spend so much time around church history sites.

51. I am grateful for the things I have learned about my ancestors.

52. I am grateful for late night conversations about boys with Allison.

53. I am grateful for a modern prophet—President Monson.

54. I am Grateful Mom’s cooking. I miss it!

55. I am grateful to have had a good vacation. I am grateful there was no drama!

56. I am grateful to have adult siblings to hang out with. It is so much fun to be able to sit and talk/play games with them!

57. I am grateful to see the mountains!

Many, many more that I can’t even begin to name!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

New Post coming soon...

Isn't this just about right?

The other night I as lying awake and this little story came to me. I knew I had to write it down. It has very personal meaning to me--so I dedicate it to my best friend-who I was missing very much that night. love ya liss!

Leaves
by Rachel Byers


Once there was a small tree started to grow on a very large hill. As the tree grew two little leaves found themselves sharing a branch. Soon the leaves became the best of friends, sharing the wonders of the new world together.

On windy days, they danced together, letting the wind create music as it whistled past them. It was music unlike anything the world had heard before.

On sunny days, they stretched as wide as they could so that they joined together to create shade for the little boys and girls playing at their feet. On these days, people mistook them for being just one leaf.

On rainy days they sang and danced in the rain. At times when the rain seemed to beat down too much, they took turns protecting each other from the storm.

When fall arrived, they delighted in the beauty of the colors around them. One leaf turned a bright red. One a softer yellow. Each felt the other got the prettier color, but it was their beauty together that made the children stop and stare.

Winter came, and the leaves softly floated down to the ground for a long winters nap,

But winter doesn’t last. Soon the sun came out, and the leaves awoke to find themselves on the same tree—only now the tree was a little bigger and a little stronger. And so were the leaves.

Year after year the tree grew. Year after year the leaves Sang, danced, weathered storm and sun, changed colors, and fell to the ground, only to return in the spring.

One spring, however, something was different. As one of the leaves woke up, she realized she was all alone. She looked everywhere for her friend. But she was nowhere to be found.

That year, the wind blew a little harder, making a sad tune as it rushed by the leaf.

The sun seemed hotter than it ever had before.

The rain beat harder and more often then ever before, almost as if it was crying with the leaf. She missed her friend.

Fall came to the hill. The leaf looked around trying to appreciate the beauty of the colors around her. One by one leaves fell to the ground preparing for their winters nap. The leaf shivered in the crisp air. Until…

Something caught her eye.

On the other side of the hill a new small tree stretched toward the sky. On it was the most brilliant red leaf anyone had ever seen. It was surrounded by lots of little red leaves that seemed to be looking at it for guidance. The little yellow leaf smiled. She had found her friend.

A slight breeze picked up as the yellow leaf started to fall to the ground. In that breeze it seemed that the red leaf was waving to her old friend. The yellow leaf continued to fall, feeling happy again.

Now and Then

Tonight, as I wandered around facebook, and came across something that I think is pretty sweet, and that I think a few of my blog readers (yes I say that like I actually believe I have a following of people who wait with bated breath to read my blog) will appreciate as well. First off, let me give credit where credit is due. The pictures that follow were originally posted by my Uncle Chuck. I think he posted a treasure not to be overlooked.

Isn't it funny how time changes everything...and yet nothing at all?

Then...

Now...

Ahh...I love my family!

My new home!

Since I know you have all been dying to see my new apartment, and it looks lik no one is coming out here anytime soon to see it...I decided to post some pictures for you to see. In posting these, just keep in mind that the decorating is a work in progress. We are for sure going to need more pictures on the wall...and we still don't have a kitchen table...We just have to find one still! But all in all I love it and it is feeling like home! I didn't put pictures of the downstairs because there isn't really anything to show, just my roommates bedroom and another bathroom and a garage.

You can see that the kitchen is the smallest part of the apartment, but it is sufficent.

I really love my bedroom. It is open and roomy...and most importantly...my own room! I have had to share for so long I forgot what it was like to have a space all to my self. I love my bed--that I put together by my self--and my drsser was a great find! I also have a great bookshelf and desk, and tv/dvd player (thanks Meredith and Andrew for the desk and TV!)

The Living room is one of my favorite places! It really just makes it feel like home. We just added the bookcase (again I'd like to say I put it together!) and have a great collection of books started! We also origonally had 4 depictions of the Kirtland temple...however felt that might be a little over the top so we cut it down to three. Now when I walk into the living room, I look at the bookshelf and I am happy. There is just something about books that makes me feel at home!

I forgot to take pictures of my favorite part of the apartment--our deck with the nice GREEN view. So I will do that soon! hope you enjoy!

Bad Karma

I am just going to say...I have bad karma this week.

Exhibit A: On saturday, my nephew was having fun flying around an airplane in the living room. At least he was till his aim "missed" and he hit me in the face. He kept saying "It was a bad throw, it was a bad throw." I just felt like saying "it felt like a pretty good throw to me." I don't hold it against him--he really felt bad.

Exhibit B: Saturday night I go to turn on my computer. It starts booting up like normal. Until it hits a blue screen. "Dumping physicial memory, physical memory dumped. Contact system administrator." Not a good sign.

Exhibit C: This morning on my way out the door to head to work, I noticed something yello and while oozing down the side of my car. I look down. On the ground is what is left on an egg shell. Yeah....My car was egged last night. I have no idea who did it, and I have no idea why...I hope it was a mistake and that I haven't made anyone mad enough to egg my car. But I guess I'll never know.

WEll there you have it. Two or three wittnesses right? I have BAD karma. I think it is a hint that I just need to go back to bed and forget this stuff ever happened.

ahhh.....Spring....my long lost friend. Finally you have arrived in all your beautiful, warm glory.

?!

True Story

I have an exciting Job *cough* where I mostly sit in an office and set up appointments for costumers to get their houses sprayed for bugs. It may not be the most glamorous job, but I am ok with it, becuase I don't have to go out and deal with the bugs. However today, my boss thought it would be a good idea for me to go with the tech to get a feel for what he does. And it was. I now have a better idea of what I am selling people. But what is really interesting is the conversation I got in with the tech.

First, let me just point out that my boss is LDS, and this tech has worked with a lot of members, though he himself is Catholic. So we were riding along, and he started telling me about his girlfriend. Then he said, and I quote, "Not to sound stereotypical or anything, but shouldn't you be married. I mean you went to BYU-Idaho."

Yeah. nice.

That is BYU-Idaho. Its reputation is famous...and not just with members of the Church.

I am proud that I can say I did finish school. Not married.

Rachel's Randomness

Once you've been tagged, you write a post with 10 weird, random facts, habits or goals about yourself. At the end, choose 6 new victims to be tagged, list their names, and why you tagged them. Don't forget to leave them a comment saying ('You're It!') and to go read your blog. You cannot tag the person that tagged you so, let me know when you are done so that I can go read your blog answers. Here are my ten:



1. I am 25....yet am regularly mistaken for a teenager.



2. I have lived in seven different states (CO, UT, VA, ID, OH, NY, and currently MO) I don't have a favorite--I just like seeing new things, new places.



3. I am OCD about winning. I like to win. People don't often realize it at first sight, but I am very competitive--but mostly with my self. In school, I'd get mad if I didn't think I was getting a "good grade" which usually meant an A. If it was anything less I would wail that I was going to "fail." In sports, if my team is losing, I don't usually get mad at my teammates, but you can bet I am mad at myself. I am working on this one...



4. I am really quiet when you first meet me...then, people have a hard time shutting me up. So, I guess I just need time to warm up to you first. But once we are friends, Your stuck with me for life.



5. I love everything and anything related to books. reading, writing, editing, buying. yes, I love books.



6. Despite my stress level in school (see number three--you'll get the idea.) I really want to go back to school. I will probably go into something that has nothing to do with my bachelors. Like Graphic Design, or maybe counselling...(the last is just a random thought for those that are thinking "what the heck?")



7. I have always wanted a pretty big family--like six kids. But at the same time I think "Really? I don't think I can handle 1!" And having kids scares me to death. Crazy, I know.


8. When I was a baby, I was the perfect baby. I slept ALL the time, never cried, and easily entertained myself...That lasted till about the age of 11--then I made sure EVERYONE heard what I had to say.

9. Yes, I majored in English. No I have never read the Harry Potter series. I have watched all the movies thus far. I did not read them when they first became popular for the very reason that EVERYONE was reading them.

10. As you can see from 9. Sometimes I do things for the wrong reasons. I watched The Golden Compass because I was told at church that it was "from the devil" so I had to see why. Still don't see why. I read Twilight because my children's lit teacher said it was "inappropriate for teenagers," and that Edward was a stalker. (DON'T get mad at me, I'm not the one that said it!)

Well there you go. I don't tag anyone, if you want to do this, go ahead!

Memories

Sometimes a song can touch a nerve, stir a memory. Sometimes a smell, or a sound. Sometimes it takes just a thought of what day it is and thousands of memories wash over me. A day that sticks out to always be remembered--like a birthday, or Christmas. No one has to tell you those days are special--you just know. And there are many memories associated with those days. Today, is one of those days for me. A day I will never forget...a day I felt my heart being ripped out of me..while at the same time, feeling an inexpressible joy. Each year that goes by I have to stop and take a remember all the things that got me to that day. Ok, so far there has only been two years I have done that, and maybe I am over exaggerating. Maybe with time it will get easier to just let this day go by like every other day. But I really hope not. I hope I always remember the day I left the my mission. And I hope that memory will take me back to my mission, and I will always treasure that time, and appreciate how that time changed me.

I figured it out.

Graduating means.... my Alma Mater gets to call me and ask for money.

Not that I would mind giving back to a school that helped me financially through the years that I was there. In fact, someday I do plan to donate. But I am just wondering...do they really think I am in a position to do that just three short months after graduation. Aren't they forgetting something called STUDENT LOANS?

Knock Knock...its the REAL WORLD at my door...

Despite the hard economic times this country is suffering through, I have pulled through and landed a job. This was not the easiest thing for me--a fresh-out of-college-English-major-with-limited-experience-girl. Not many companies right now are looking for someone with my impressive, yet limited skills right now. But I kept looking. Funny thing though--I got two offers in the same week. Ahhh--finally someone recognizing my talent--or something like that. My choice came down to either working at a job I would hate, and which would pretty much kill any social life I could have but paid REALLY well and great benefits, OR a job that would challenge me give me good experience and leadership/managing skills and be a great environment (albeit a little crazy at times) but pays considerably less and not as good benefits. Oh the joys of grown up life. Can you guess which one I took.
...
...
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Yes, it was the one with less pay. Go figure--in the economic crisis of our country I VOLUNTEERED to take less pay.

But, maybe then I will enjoy my job--maybe. But at least I won't be stuck in a dead end job that I will hate. The job I am taking I am committed to September--if it works out for longer great, but if something better comes up after that then I am free to take it. So--wish me luck, the newest office manager/assistant/receptionist/whatever of the pest control world (I know--its terribly exciting.)

Missouri

It is hard to believe but I have been in Missouri for almost an entire month...it will be this week. But as of yet, no job. Sad day, I know. But I have some leads, some interviews, and I will hopefully come up with something soon. But never fear, if you have been wondering, I am not just sitting around doing nothing. I lied when I said I don't have a job. I do have one, I just have to wait for the money to start coming in. I am an Editor for a publishing company. However, I don't make any money until the book is published. SO I am trying to find something to support me while I do what I love. But it is good experience, so hopefully it will lead me to good things down the road...like maybe starting my own publishing company....