Thursday, September 29, 2011

The Purpose of Visiting Teaching

I have never had consistent visiting teachers.  They will come once or twice and then move or forget to come and I won't see them again.  I still haven't been visited by ours, in Utah and that's ok.  For a while I felt that it was something I was doing for them to not want to visit.  Maybe I was too shy and it came off as snobby, or because I was busy made them think I didn't have time for them, I don't know the answer.  Instead of being sad that nobody is coming to see me, I changed my mindset and contacted my current visiting teaching companion.  We have taught our 3 sisters for two months in a row now.  I know that two months is nothing, but I have not been strong in visiting teaching, and in my defense we just got our list of sisters.

It feels so good to take time out of my busy life and schedule to just sit and visit with these sweet sisters.  Two of the sisters have 1 month old babies, and we love to google at the babies.  The other sweet girl we teach does not have kids yet, so the three of us have other things in common like being newly weds, college students and graduates, ect. 

As the three of us sat and visited tonight I felt the spirit very very quietly confirm to me that I was assigned to be with these girls for a reason.  We were able to open up to each other (even though we were meeting for the first time) and discuss struggles, trials, spiritual blessings and feelings, and the gospel.  It was wonderful to share things with these girls and feel so connected to them. 

I know that visiting teaching truly is a divine calling.  I needed the guidance of having certain sisters, and I love them already.  My mom has taught me a sweet lesson that you don't need to only teach the sisters on your little paper list, but follow inspiration to teach whoever needs a visit, or who you need to befriend.  I am excited to work on this part of the gospel, and have my testimony strengthened more.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Hey hey hey!!

I am on a GIVEAWAY!!!

I'm so excited!!
Go there--       http://sissyprint.blogspot.com/


I lived in Hawaii for a summer when I went to BYU-Hawaii and lived with a girl named Addie.  She and her sisters own this site with free printables.  She is hosting a give away for me from my shop!  Go look!!  Hurry!!  Giveaway goes through October 5th, you should all try it!



Sunday, September 25, 2011

This is the Place

Why was it that 2 days after Bryan graduated from college he had a full time job starting that week as a full time teacher with great medical benefits?

Why were we able to sell our Contract in Rexburg immediatly?

How come I found a job before we officially moved to Utah that allowed us to share a car, and work only day shifts during the week?

For 9 months now we did not understand why everything fell into place so perfectly to live in Utah.  We were not planning on ever living here, nor were we very excited to move here when we loved Rexburg so much, but these things just happened.  I am grateful we moved and followed these opportunities without hesitation.

This weekend we realized exactly why were were inspired to be in this location.  We are so grateful for Heavenly Father knowing what we need and gently guiding us in the right direction to receive help that our family needs.  We had been going through the motions, and seriously considering moving, but for now we know this is where we need to be. 

I met an LDS celebrity

Today two of the sweet girls that I visit teach blessed their baby girls in sacrament!  Our ward was packed with family members and friends in support for these two sister. 

Bryan and I walked into church behind a woman and when she smiled at me I had the blank stare (and probably looked rude) but I knew who she was, but wasn't sure if my eyes were tricking me.  She came and sat down right next to the sister I visit teach. It was Sister Sylvia Allred from the General Relief Society Presidency. It was this sister's mom! Bryan wasn't so sure it was really her, but I knew it was! After sacrament it was pretty crowded with all the family, and I was unsure if I should walk up to her and talk with her.  I caught her eye and just mouthed, "hello" and smiled.  She returned a very warm smile that I knew forgave me for the weird look I gave her earlier. 


Later I showed Bryan her picture and he realized it really was her.  I know she is a normal woman and mom and new grandma, but I still felt that I was in the presence of someone very special.  I love her even more now :)   

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Drum Roll Please.......

I have started an Etsy shop!!


I am selling crochet hats that I make, handmade star fish decorations, and soon to be the advent calendars that I posted a few days ago!  And other things as I invent them :)

Go check it out! And let me know if your head is cold and you need a cozy hat!!!

Friday, September 23, 2011

stay tuned

Night time= terrible lighting for pictures.  I will post tomorrow!!

Monday, September 19, 2011

GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL

When we renewed our contract for our apartment we got two free tickets to the Real Salt Lake Soccer Game with a One Republic concert after!  This post is mostly pictures.  Enjoy
 Warming up for the game.



Whoever is friends with this guy needs to tell him he is not going to win over the ladies by wearing a helmet to a soccer game!!


During the game they sent around this enormous flag!  It covered our whole section and we passed it around the stadium.  We're right under it here!




After the game (which we won 1-0)  there was a One Republic concert.  They were really good!


Really fun night and it was all free!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Cookie Monster

I have a cookie monster in the house. 
He ate the whole batch of cookies.  His name is Bryan.

Exhibit A:


Need I say more:

3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. granulated sugar

1 egg

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 c. all purpose flour

2 tsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. bittersweet chocolate chips



Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.



2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy and light in color. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.



3. Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chunks.



4. Using a standard-sized cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough onto a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the edges.  I cooked mine for 8 minutes and they were PERFECT!  but pretty gooey, so if you want them a bit more done, bake for 9-10 minutes.



5. Let cool, on the sheet, on a wire rack for five minutes. Remove from baking sheet and let cool completely. Try not to eat them all at once.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

State Fair!


We went to the Utah State Fair today with Jeremy and Stephanie.  Great way to spend a saturday. 2 feet into the fair and we saw, "The Gooseman."  These are his... friends.  They have special clothes that he made for them.  Weird!!
We walked through the exibits of quilts, photography, food, and flowers. 


 There were some kangaroos too!  They were not submitted by a Utah applicant :)  They were just part of a safari group.  When Bryan and I first met he had been home from his mission about a year and a half but couldn't remember how to say kangaroo in English.  He kept calling them ka-rang-oos.


 Then came in the rain cloud. 

 We huddled under the covered areas to stay mostly dry.  Baby Connor was loving the wind and rain!

 I just liked Mr. Sheep
And cows.
And horse.

I have to say, the Oregon State fair is still my favorite, but this was a fun activity with friends!  Oh, and of course we had to get corn dogs and lemonade.  It completes the fair experience :)

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Fall is coming- Football game!

In Rexburg, Bryan and I loved to go to high school football games.  I love the community feeling, the snuggling together on the bleachers, drinking hot chocolate, and cheering and clapping.

Last night we went to the Riverton High School football game.  Lots of the kids Bryan teaches were there.  We heard lots of, "Hi Mr. Westfall!!!  Hi Mr. Westfall's wife!!  Hi Lizzie!"  Pretty fun :)  The weather was perfect, and I shared a fantastic night with a fantastic boy.





What do you like about football games in your town?