The Road Not Taken: October 2010

Sunday, October 31

Where did she go?

The confident

happy

girl

who knew what she wanted

and didn't let others,

or herself,

bring her down.

Why can't she come back.

I really miss her right now.

Saturday, October 30

Thursday, October 28

Thoughts from George

my TMA professor.
in a discussion on the role of actors today, George was inspired to share some thoughts,

as actors, we ride on a very fine line separating ourselves from the world.

It can be far too easy to loose ourselves in the glory of the trade

and more importantly, loose our testimonies.

"The power of theater is the power to raise peoples consciousness;

or throw them into the depths of hell"

BYU has a theater department so we can use our talents to change entertainment for the world.

"DO NOT trade that which doesn't matter for that which is eternal

...trust the Lord to guide your talents"

We discussed the importance of drawing lines and making sure we don't cross them. He shared thoughts and experiences on some of the biggest choices in his career and his choices to stop being a professional actor in order to have a family and be a good father.

It was the best lecture of the semester.

Tuesday, October 26

A Dual Family Outing

Kelly and I took our Family Home Evening groups to the Corn Field Maze for some fun tonight!

Family 4

Family 7

We had a blast!

Yay for friends and family :)

check out more pictures HERE

Monday, October 25

this is why I don't typically take naps

I have weird dreams.

after waking up from a nap this glorious Sunday afternoon

I recalled the strange dream I had.

So I wrote it down.

It is entertaining so I will share what I wrote:

Strange dreams.

Top floor of a museum. (looking down on the lower floors)

Giant cake made of cards sits in the corner of the balcony.

One by one a card was pulled from the cake.

As it was read,

3 or 4 other girls playing the “game” would scream answers back at the leading lady.

One would be chosen

And she would rush to one of the chairs encompassing the border of the room.

A few rounds go by.

I ask how the game is played.

Immediately switch scenes.

I am now in the shopping area of a resort by grassy areas and waterfalls.

My mom calls.

She says Samantha wants to be a cheerleader.

She says to meet the family at the "Three Stooges" restaurant down a ways.

she informs me it is closed, but if I bang on the door they will let me in.

switch scenes.

I am in my car

driving to the restaurant.

Another girl is there

We come to a big bridge.

Under construction.

There is a ramp made of 2x4’s for us to use in the meantime

It sits just feet above the water.

Just as wide as the car.

The other girl is driving

“I’m glad you can drive straight”

The ramp turns.

A wheel goes off the ramp

but the water is the same level

so it's okay.

We’re all the way off the ramp now,

but floating.

Waves come

Big waves

The car starts to gain water.

We flow with the waves

taking giant breaths and diving down under when they roll along

dragging the car with us.

The girl speaks

“the candle fell off”

In my mind I say

Its just a candle

“it was my mothers candle”

I wake up.

Sunday, October 24

Trials

"The Lord gives us trials so we can become stronger. So that we can make ourselves stronger..."

- Martin

My home teachers are the greatest.

Martin and Alex.

Today they brought K and I a wonderful lesson

(and some giant brownies)

and we discussed our trials in life.

I'd like to share a few thoughts on the subject.

This past week, some really terrible things happened to me.

For example, a program that took me 8 hours to write was deleted from my hard-drive.

A VERY lofty assignment for the TA to misplace.

As upset as I was,

I almost immediately tried to look at the positive that would come from re-writing the program.

When discussing the dilemma with a friend, he made the statement,

"Why are you okay with this? You have a right to be pissed off right now"

I thought about his statement.

Yes I had a right, per-say,

but where does infuriation get me?

I have a mixture of feelings towards trials.

I have had many trials

PLENTY in my early teenage years

and plenty more now.

But I've never really thought of them as a major burden.

As annoying and hurtful as some of my situations have been,

I never thought it was that bad.

I always took them as a learning opportunity

and saw the good that could follow.

Here's where my mixed feelings come in;

Sometimes,

oftentimes,

I wonder if these are the big, life changing trials that everyone talks about.

To the outside world, my trials certainly might appear that way.

But I've never found them Earth-shattering.

So, do I just have a really good outlook on life?

or has nothing truly terrible ever happened to me?

has the Lord been testing me and I am passing?

or have I not been handed a true trial yet?

I know that there are much harder times to come,

but I am a little apprehensive about right now.

Thoughts on the subject?

Two Silver Dollars

I sure do miss President Hinkley.
wonderful story.

Saturday, October 23

GNO with the Petersons!!

Tonight, Kelly Ashley and I took a little trip to SLC to see

Matt Costa

it was an AMAZING Saturday night

FIRST:

Matt and Co. came in through the audience.

and we touched him.

THEN he played a fantastic concert

including performances on at least a half-dozen different guitars, the piano, the harmonica, and the trumpet

here's Mr Pitiful:

and FINALLY

We talked to him and he signed our shirts!

AND called Ashley a babe :)

it was a splendid night to say the least.

Friday, October 22

All grown up

My little sisters are all growing up.

Samantha went to homecoming this past weekend.

WEIRD.

My gorgeous family :)

(minus Grant and I)

Wednesday, October 20

in my freshman year talent show

I sang this song

Beautiful to Him

By Rachel Thibodeau

So much noise, so much peace destroyed,
I can hardly hear the voice, leading me through the void,
So much noise.
The world's little lies,
Destruction in disguise, opportunities to compromise,
To make me beautiful in their eyes,
But I'm not gonna buy the world's little lies.

'Cuz I define myself and find my beauty in the light He gives.
I'm refined by His divine intentions every day I live.
It doesn't matter what the world believes,
Or what they say that beauty means,
It comes from within,
I want to be beautiful to Him.

He's given me His trust, so I'll be strong enough,
To run from a dangerous touch, I don't need that kind of love,
I don't need that crutch, He's given me his trust.

I define myself and find my beauty in the light He gives.
I'm refined by His divine intentions every day I live.
It doesn't matter what the world believes,
Or what they say that beauty means,
It comes from within,
I want to be beautiful to Him.

I know how to shine, my life's not really mine.
It's not about a worldly climb, it's all about His design.
So in His eyes, I want to shine.

'Cuz I define myself and find my beauty in the light He gives.
I'm refined by His divine intentions every day I live.
It doesn't matter what the world believes,
Or what they say that beauty means,
It comes from within,
I want to be beautiful to Him.

I want to live to have His peace,
And feel the holiness He seeks.
It comes from within.
I want to be beautiful... to Him.