Initiation...

So.... Today I was officially initiated into being a bus driver.... Hold on, not as exciting as you might think, you have no idea what I had to go through to get there....

A kid threw up on my bus!!!

Poor kid! It was so funny because I felt so bad for him and tried to make him feel better all while suppressing my gag reflex!

It takes some drivers 10 years to get into this club, but I got in early.... Lucky me!

A Clean Room Goes A Long Way...

Today I endeavored to clean both my car and my room in an attempt to clean my life up a little. I'm not down into anything truly dirty or nitty gritty, but I do desire to make the spaces I dwell in more inviting to the Spirit and inspiring of peace. I am almost satisfied with my room, still some clean clothes to put away (more coming out of the dryer hourly), some movies to categorize, some boxes to get rid of, and some odds and ends that either need hanging our placing around the room. The car is good, however I would still like to vacuum it and wipe down the interior of all the dust that it collects, also an air freshener would be lovely.
I am going to be attempting to be more Christlike and either though he was born in a barn, pardon the bad parenting joke, His house is immaculate and I would like nothing more than to feel the same peace of mind and soul that I feel there in my own home. I shall endeavor to be more engaged in good works such as reading my scriptures, reading my manuals to discover helps for my calling, and listening to talks and broadcasts while I pursue worthwhile activities such as crocheting that blanket for Aaron and writing in this journal.
I am still very excited for the opportunity to see Elder Scott this Friday and spend all day in the Temple on my birthday!

---Because it is noteworthy to mention, however sad; Sister Kincaid, the wife of our branch's high council representative, passed away suddenly this past Saturday evening after a day of service in the Temple. She and Brother Kincaid were temple workers multiple times a month. She was a wonderful woman who always contributed so positively to discussions in Relief Society and she will be sorely missed.

The House of the Lord

I was SO excited to go to the temple today! This morning started out with the wonderfully inspiring words of the beloved Prophet and several other general authorities in the Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting concerning the new manuals. They really instilled in me a desire to read and know my manual so that I may better counsel with the sisters in my presidency and with the sisters in the branch. I cannot wait to get our new ones tomorrow!
After the broadcast, which, thankfully, they were showing at seven a.m. at the 13th street building, I went to Village Inn and got some tasty breakfast, then went to the Stake Center to meet up with Nate. Ended up watching the first hour of the broadcast again with Nate and then we left to pick up Tim, his brother, and made our way down to the temple. The drive down was great! Nate and Tim are the perfect people to go on a road trip with- hilarious! We were afraid we were going to be late for our sessions, but made it just on time!! It was a very full session too!
The endowment itself was, of course and as always, beautiful and very reverencing. I am still in awe of the wonderful simplicity of it all that conveys such deep and glorious truths. I was able to assist in cleaning the temple today! So exciting to be able to assist the work in new ways! My mine was still caught up in the particular question that I have had since my last visit to the temple and I have not still come to a full knowledge of the answer, but nevertheless I shall endure and persevere to discover the truth so that I may grow from it.
After our delightful session we ate dinner at Abuelo's - muy sabrosa! Nate and Tim are such gentlemen, didn't let me pay or open my own door! On the way home we made some awesome plans for next Saturday which I am just fully stoked about! Friday is the YSA Conference in Lawrence with Elder Scott!!! and after that Tim & I will drive straight down to OKC so he can work in the Temple on Saturday and so that I can attend all the sessions I desire, including a session in Spanish! So very excited to do that!! I am so grateful for Tim's willingness to allow me to go with him!
I am very happy to have been in the House of the Lord today and am deeply grateful for the proximity to which I live to His House. My soul is at peace, my mind is at ease, and my heart is full near to bursting.

Troubles Lately..

So, I have a lot of stress/anxiety and anger issues. My fuse has apparently shortened tremendously and I am, of late, unable to keep my bitter tongue under wraps. Every word that comes dripping off of it is as bitter and harsh as a cold winter wind. The amount of negativity that flows forward in my tone is overwhelmingly disturbing because it is all people, my family, say they hear out of me. Living at home is not easy after you've been out for almost 3 years... even living across town. I also am having issues being around large groups of people because I start to feel very conscious of everything and rather anxious. Not always, like I'm fine sitting in our FHE group, or in church classes, but not in Sacrament or while in Institute. It's super weird though because I especially have a hard time around my family. They seem to entice my brain into yelling at itself with all these negative thoughts and insecurities. It should be like that around family. I have lost my place to feel unconditional love from anyone but the Savior, luckily that carries with me in my heart as long as I have faith in it. I wish I would get better.

Farewell...

So, Elder Cooper Riley is leaving today, back to Kansas City for a day with the Mission President and then home to Utah. He will be greatly missed. I am glad he found that feeling of home here and I hope that his goal of coming back in April is realized, it would be amazing to see him again and actually get to hug him instead of by proxy. I admit I will dwell on him for a bit; he was unique. But time heals all "wounds" and I am sure that it will be just fine having him as a Facebook friend and getting to text him occasionally. I know that I am not the only girl who fell for him while he was here, but I hope I'm not the last holding on. It shouldn't be too hard to let go, I hope. I will always be grateful for the eggs :)

And so begins the waiting game...

I am so not patient enough for this game. I am waiting for a phone call from First Student so I can start my behind the wheel training and be one step closer to having a job! Ugh... just hate waiting so much. Super glad tonight is institute, hope i can stay positive because I feel myself slipping.