Autumn Refrain

It has definitely been awhile. A lot of my journal-ing has been of a more private nature recently. Probably because I've become a lot more social now that school started, and I get uncomfortable mentioning other people on here publicly. But I had a really good introspective beauty-appreciating day last Saturday, and I wanted to share it. It cheers me up when I read it, and I like to share things that cheer me up. =)

   

I had a feeling earlier today when I realized that there is so much going on inside each person and there's no way to adequately express it to each other. I want to enter into other people's hearts and live there for a while, and come to know them intimately. So the song (To Make You Feel My Love - which I heard someone sing at Poetry and a Beverage) seemed to fit, in that way.

I also realized that I smile and laugh with God from time to time. What a wonderful feeling, to know He's not only my Father, but my Friend. And also my God. It's truly amazing. Prayers are definitely answered. =)

It was a perfect fall day. A day that I really can't put into words. Riley and I tried, during the Poetry stuff. But it had the fall feeling that really can't be described. An excitement combined with melancholy, and rest. And unrest. A beginning and an ending at the same time. I don't know. Beautiful and sad and warm and cold. Smells like pencils and rain and spices.

Perfect.

Sleepy Hollow

Lovin' life. =)

Conference Weekend Pictures

I took a lot of pictures the weekend of General Conference. These are all at Temple Square, and are some of my favorites, out of all the ones I took. The bottom one is my beautiful parents. I was able to spend the Saturday morning session with them, in the Conference Center. It was a wonderful, peaceful experience. 

"When winter turns to spring..."

Today it was in the 50s, and the sun was shining. It was such a happy aesthetically pleasing day. I spent a considerable amount of time redesigning my blogs, listening to music I loved, and eating Aggie ice cream. Well, the ice cream didn't take a considerable amount of time...it was gone pretty fast.

Strawberry on top, lemon custard on bottom. =)

Today's miracle: winter turns to spring each year. Winter never lasts forever. Things change. For the better. =) God is in control, and all things work together for the good of them that love Him.

The roof-tops crowned with snow...

Totally got a haircut. Some people do that all the time. But for me it's a big deal. Jami did an amazing job cutting my hair, and I'm loving it! I actually look like I'm in my 20s, I think. Jeff and his family all said they liked it, especially his mom. She said I look classy. =)

The miracle of the day is how astonishingly beautiful it is outside. The "blizzard" that was forecast ended up being a peaceful heavy snowfall. Jeff walked me home around midnight, and the moon was recently full and the snow was deep and mostly untouched. It was a perfectly peaceful dark winter night. It reminds me of one of my favorites poems of all time, by Sara Teasdale.

There will be rest, and sure stars shining
     Over the roof-tops crowned with snow,
A reign of rest, serene forgetting,
     The music of stillness holy and low.

I will make this world of my devising
     Out of a dream in my lonely mind.
I shall find the crystal of peace, – above me
     Stars I shall find.

It was nice to have someone to share it with. I would have enjoyed it even if I had been in solitude, because of it's beauty, but I think its beauty was magnified by being there to share it with someone I care about so much. =)

"Alex Haley would be proud..." / Teaching with power, unto the convincing of others / Live with hope and faith!

So, I got some awesome personal revelation today. And I also went on a walk, which led me to the cemetery. I tried to find Gottlieb, my great-great-grandfather, but I haven't found him yet. Though I did find some people with my last name, as well as some people with the same last name as Gottlieb's third wife. It was enjoyable. The sky was overcast, but the air was pretty warm (about 55 degrees). It was very relaxing. I was there for quite a while.

The Relief Society meeting turned out okay. I hope the words I said sounded real, and touched their hearts. I only spoke for a few minutes. And it was kind of ramble-y. But I tried to really say what I was thinking and feeling.

Jeff had an awesome day too. He was able to be witness a miracle, a true teaching and learning experience. It was a meeting about immigration, and Jeff and his friend were able to teach with the spirit, in a way that everyone in attendance changed their stance and their opinions about the whole issue. And it all happened with no contention. That is truly a miracle! He sounded so happy when he told me about it. I'm so happy he got to experience that. I wish I could've been there to witness it. I wish so much that I could teach with power, through the Spirit, "unto the convincing of all those who heard." Someday. =)

I'm going to live with hope and faith. Not doubt and fear. I'm deciding that. I think its a pretty good decision. =) My life is going to be epic. At least to me. =D

Don't Wait

Pictures I take as I'm walking to class. I try not to stop walking too abruptly, so that I don't get run over by bike, scooter, or pedestrian. Every time that I'm tempted not to take the picture, I remember Whitney's story she told me, when she saw a beautiful tree on the campus of Snow College and decided she'd take a picture of it the next day. She was all prepared the next day, but when she got to that spot, the tree was gone. All the grass around it was gone too. I think there may have even been a crater there. I'm not lying, ask her about it!

So I've learned my lesson from her. Here are the pictures I took today.

This last one was so much prettier in real life. 

The sunlight took all the color out of the photograph, but in real life,

the sunlight only made it more beautiful and vibrant.

Change can be beautiful

I stayed pretty busy the whole day. I've felt on top of things (for example, I actually paid attention in all my classes), and its been a great feeling.

Jeff and I had a misunderstanding on our blog, and had to talk through it. It's just so funny. I've never been through such a gracefully settled conflict. We're great for each other, I think.

The snow was so beautiful this evening. Snowflakes the size of quarters, falling slowly in the black sky. I started acting like my friend Aaron did years ago, when he moved to Idaho and first saw the snow. I just stood there staring up, amazed. I'm grateful the snow reminded me that it can be beautiful, otherwise I might have been pretty discouraged that it was snowing already. =)

Gratitude 25 October 2010

I am grateful that it didn't snow until today. I got to enjoy a beautiful two months of late summer/early autumn up here.

I'm grateful I got to help the other Music Therapy students today, singing at the old folk's home. I'm grateful I got to witness them smiling and enjoying themselves. It strengthened my belief that music really does have powers that I can learn to use, to help others.

I'm grateful for beautiful poetry. I'm grateful that some people have such a gift with words, and that they share it with the rest of us.

I'm grateful for Dr. Huff's choice in songs in choir (with the exception of "Sleigh Ride").

I'm grateful for my roommates. =)

I'm grateful I have several coats to choose from. I'm gonna need 'em.

I'm grateful to be dating such an exceptional friend. =)

I'm so grateful God answers prayers!