Like a Handprint on my Heart

Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord,
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days

When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior’s name
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above
Hymn #293

I’ve been to more funerals in the last six months than in the past five years, I think. I’ve lost many friends who have touched my life for good. I’ve been thinking about them, and cherishing the memories I have. Like when Nick would walk into my Oma’s house whistling and call, “Hi Bill! Hi Mags!” Or when Clara sat with me on her bed after my brother’s death and just let me cry. And the times she wanted to have a picnic, but she had to wait until the ‘cotton stopped flying.’ Then there were the times that Brother Daybell would joke with me about boys. While losing these Christlike friends has broken my heart, I am so grateful I could learn from them for at least a little while.

Pomp and Circumstance

The whole gang

Success!

Beautiful schoolteachers!

Yep, we're too cool for school

Hot stuff

Good old MBH

My parents - there for me every step of the way

Jill and me - the Master and the Bachelor

We're a little silly

Awww

The day has arrived!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Things I Love About My Dad

1. He gives awesome relationship advice.

2. He is always ready and willing to give me a Father's Blessing whenever I ask for one.

3. He loves baseball

4. He thinks it’s fun to stand in the Muss, scream his lungs out, and talk football with me.

5. Whenever I have a gospel-related question, my Dad goes straight to the scriptures to find the answer.

6. His great sense of direction – I always call him when I’m lost.

7. He seems to know something about everything!

8. He listens to me gripe.

9. He encourages me to achieve my dreams.

10. He tries hard to remember the names of all of my friends.

11. He is passionate about his career.

12. He does his hometeaching every month without fail.

13. He serves others

14. He is funny without meaning to be.

15. He doesn’t mind being the only man in the house. :)

16. He works hard at everything he does.

17. He loves my mom.

18. He gives great hugs.

19. He tells me he’s proud of me.

I remember…

I remember when my Dad charted out a course for me to get to work in DC and timed it so I would know exactly when to leave my apartment in the morning.

I remember when I told my Dad I had made it into Madrigals, and he was so happy for me.

I remember shopping for ballet shoes when I was really little with my Dad.

I remember my Dad trying so hard to teach me to pitch a ball.

I remember my Dad running behind me, holding a kite, trying to help me get it in the air.

I remember shopping at Nordstrom for my first suit with Dad.

I remember visiting campus before I started college. Dad showed me his old stomping grounds and helped me find all of the important buildings.

I remember talking to Dad after a boy had broken my heart. He helped me put the pieces back together.

I remember when Dad walked with me in Arlington and all throughout DC. He was so excited to help me get settle and show me the city.

I remember when Dad took a day off work to visit me at school and celebrate Veteran’s Day.

I remember Dad “confiscating” my US History notes before the AP test.

I remember riding Space Mountain with my Dad when I was six years old. He tricked me into getting on the ride, but once I was on it, I totally loved it!

I remember Dad’s story, “When I was in college, I used to fire that cannon for every touchdown.” :)

My Dad has always taken care of me. He sacrifices so much so that I can have what I need. He is happy when I’m happy, and he’s excited when I’m excited. My Dad is the greatest man I know. I am so blessed to be his daughter.

I love you, Dad!

This sounds like fun

The first FIVE people to respond to this post will get something, handmade or homemade, from me! However there are some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It will be done sometime within a year from now.
4- You have no clue what it's going to be
5-I have to know you so that I can customize the gift!

The catch is if you choose to do this, you must post this on your blog and be ready to make something for five people too. This will be fun! When you receive the fabulous item I make you, you must post a picture of it on your blog!

Halfway There

Last month, I celebrated my half-birthday. That made me wonder how well I'm doing on my 23 While 23 list. Let's take a look.

1. Take advantage of all the student discounts I can while I’m still a college student
I saw the Symphony twice with student discounts and got a discount at the Pie.

2. Get a job doing something I care about
YES! I am the newest third grade teacher at Woodrow Wilson Elementary!

3. Take a cooking class
Haven't yet.

4. Read the front page of the newspaper every morning
I'm doing the best I can. I also count it if I watch the news in the morning...

5. Run a 5K
I'm planning to run in the Young Alumni 5K during Homecoming Week at the U in September. Right now I'm on week 5 of Couch to 5K, and I have actually started to enjoy running! Who'd have thought I'd ever say that?

6. Fall in love
Check.

7. Buy a wool coat
Now this is a sad story. I bought the most beautiful coat from Macy's, but then, two months later, the lining started to shred. I'm still in negotiations with the store in trying to get them to take the coat back. Sad day.

8. Travel to two new places
Still need to do this one.

9. Attend the temple at least six times
I'm not quite to six, but I'm working on it.

10. Read 3 books off my “list”
I've read two! Loved them both! Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

11. Hike the U
Hopefully I'll do this sometime this summer. Anyone want to come along?

12. Initiate conversations with complete strangers
This is still taking a lot of practice. I am deathly afraid of small talk. :)

13. Be kissed in the rain
Um, not exactly.

14. Eliminate clutter from my life
I'm still as cluttered as I've ever been. Although I spent three hours today cleaning out my closet and filled two giant garbage bags of clothes to give away.

15. Read a biography
It's my goal to read 1776, since David McCullough spoke at my graduation. Or, I could read a biography of Abraham Lincoln.

16. Cook dinner at least once a week
I did this while I was living with my Oma. It was a lot of fun!

17. Act on promptings to serve
I think I'll have to keep working on this for the rest of my life.

18. Go to a Utah gymnastics meet
Oh my goodness! This was totally awesome! I went to their meet against Florida, and loved every minute. I will be going back next season!

19. Graduate from the University of Utah
Hooray for me! More to come on this joyful event later.

20. Make a list of things to see in Amsterdam and plan my dream trip
Haven't started yet.

21. Talk to my Grandma and Oma once a week
I could defnitely do better on this one.

22. Learn to swim
Um... let's just skip this one for now.

23. Have no library fines
So far, so good.

Six months left! At least I'm off to a good start!