I guess, it was Eeyore's day!!

Have you ever woke up in a good mood? Okay, I know that I am sure everyone has woke up feeling happy. Anyway, today I woke up happy--actually, I usually do wake up happy (That is not really anything exciting--because it usually happens every day). But today was a little bit different. So, like I said before, I woke up happy and then as the day progressed--I became sad. I am not sure what it is, but by the end of the work day, I had the blasted rain cloud floating over the top of my head. I feel kind of like Eeyore. I had my feelings hurt a numerous amount of times today--but I can not really pinpoint why and how. It that strange? I would think so...

After work, I attended a New Beginnings in our Stake and then went Gold's Gym and worked out with my mom. I thought that at least those two things would make the rain go away. But, no it did not. So, now as I sit in front of my computer (trying to write my talk for tomorrow's New Beginnings--how can you do that with a rain cloud over the top of your head?), I just feel a tad bit strange. I guess, I will chalk it up to being tired and exhausted. Anyway, have you ever had one of those days?

I guess, I could sum it up as just having an Eeyore day. I do hope your day was better than mine.

Sarah...what an inspiration!

Sometimes I think that we get so caught up in life that we seem to lose focus on what is really important. This happens to me all of the time. But, tonight, I found a new focus. A focus on all the good things in life. On Friday morning, I learned that Sarah, a friend of mine, was diagnosed with Acute Leukemia. Since hearing the news, my heart has seemed a little bit heavy. My friend, Dalene, and I went to visit her this afternoon at the hospital and I am so thankful for that visit.

She will be in the hospital for at least 3 weeks. She has to have Chemo every other day for 8 days. She was so up beat about everything. She was amazing. Her laughter was contagious. Her smile was glorious. As she shared with us all the events that took place this past week--leading up to the diagnosis, tears just streamed down my eyes. I could not even imagine all that she has gone through. She found the positive in everything that she was telling us. It was great--I learned so much from that visit. One thing that I have always admired about Sarah is that she is caught up with ALL the good things in life. She is happy and always looks for the positive things. What an amazing person!! I could not help to think that she has the right frame of mind to conquer this ugly battle. She can do it!!

As Dalene and I left her hospital room, we both looked at each other and said, "What an inspiration!" Though we were only there for an hour, she had helped me understand so many things. We both received so much comfort from her. As we left the hospital, the peaceful feeling that comes over your heart when you are doing what you are suppose to do--was with us tonight. Sarah, I will continue to hope and pray for you. Thanks for ALWAYS being an inspiration to me.

my journal....my thoughts

Tonight I was thinking to myself..."Self--what are you are passionate about?" So, I decided to sit down and begin a list of things that I am passionate about in life. Of course, my list started and it started to grow...I found that there are quite of few things that I could say that I am passionate for. WOW!! I was amazed. One thing that I am very passionate about is journal writing. I remember when I received my very first journal--not diary, but journal.

It was my first day of young women's (I had just turned 12). My Beehive Advisor at the time gave each member in our class a blue portfolio with the word "JOURNAL" written with a black sharpe marker across the front. Inside was plain lined paper. That was my real true experience with a journal. I went home that night, wrote my very first entry and now many years later, I still am passionate about writing in my journal. I love to fill up one journal and then, shop for the next journal to fill. My journals are all different. It is interesting to look back at my journals and see what journal I picked out for that specific time in my life. Oh, life is great!!!

I guess, I could say that my journal has become a place of security, a place of refuge, a place where I can be myself and express how I feel. It is amazing to look at how many journals I have completed through out the years. I am grateful for each entry because they make up the person that I am. Sometimes, I have a difficult time going back and reading some entries--some memories are just not fun repeating the second, third, or fourth time. But, those wonderful memories...I love to relive them and remember the feelings that I had during those times.

It is great to think of the many hours that I have spent writing in my journal and the zillion entries that have been entered. I am amazed at my handwriting and how I can tell if I am having a good day or a hard day--just by how I write. I love going back and finding the questions that I had--to know that I have the answer many years later.

Thank you sweet Beehive Advisor!! Thank you for your inspiration that you shared with me about writing in your own journal. It helped me find something in my life that I am completely 100% passionate about.

oh...did I say it was cold?

My niece called me and was telling me that she really wanted to go to President Hinckley's viewing. So, the thought popped into my head--if she wants to see President Hinckley, then lets go for it. I texted one of my friends who works in the Church Adminstration building and asked her how long the wait was--not too long-in fact it was quite short. My roommate had gone the day before and it was only 20 minutes to park, walk to the Conference Center and then return back to their car. So, I picked up Kaylie and we were on our way. We parked my car at the Sandy Civic Center and boarded TRAX!! This was a new adventure for Kaylie. She talked and talked. She was so excited and her talking was continuous during the ride to Salt Lake City. Her excitement of this event radiated around her.

We arrived at the Conference Center at 5:05 pm--and this is what awaited us....

It definitely was not a 20 minute wait...we waited in the cold for over 3 hours. YES!!! 3 hours. It was so cold. We were not prepared for what we had to endure. In fact, there were a lot of people not prepared for what was taken place. The temperature and the wind was almost unbearable.

Every 15 minutes or so, I would ask Kaylie if she wanted to head back to Provo. Everytime, she would say that she was okay. It was not until we had waited in the cold for 3 hours that the cold turned Kaylie to tears--huge tears. Since the beginning of our waiting period, we had been right behind some BYU students (3 guys and 2 girls). They were really nice. In fact, they were truly life savers that last 30 minutes. I kept asking Kaylie if she was ready to turn back...even through the tears...she still wanted to wait. One of the guys in the group took his coat off and wrapped Kaylie in it. Then he said, "It is Kaylie Sandwich Time!" At that moment, the group of people that we were standing with, closed the circle around Kaylie and tried to get her a little warmer. I am thankful so thankful for those sweet BYU students. We huddled together and then, finally...after 3 1/2 hours of waiting outside, we were able to enter the conference center. Once inside, we were able to at least THAW OUT. Kaylie grabbed my hand and said, "Chelle, this is where I want to be." At that moment, I knew that we had endured the cold just so that a 11 year-old girl could see the Prophet.

Then, we were taken to the inside of the Conference center where we were seated for approximately 2 more hours. We were able watch a Tribute to President Hinckley. At one moment, the guy that is over all the events for the church came over and talked to us. He said that they had filled the lower level of the Conference Center 10 times today. He was talking to us about the Prophet. It was really interesting and fascinating to listen to him. He told us that there were 2 refrigerated Semi's outside full of flowers for the funeral and that the florists that were there arranging the flowers would be there until 6am Saturday morning. WOW!!!

At around 10:45 pm, we were led out of the Conference Center and taken to the Hall of Prophets. Words can not describe the feeling as we passed by President Hinckley's casket. It was amazing and incredible!! What a wonderful man!! Once outside the Hall of Prophets, Kaylie said, "This was worth it!!" She commented on how she could not remember the cold and how glad she was to be there and to see him. I would have to say, "It was worth the wait!!"

I will deeply miss President Hinckley. He is an amazing man. He taught me the importance of serving our fellow man, being kind, having gratitude and faith. Both his example and words helped me find the focus of my life, the quality of my character. I am grateful to have the opportunity to attend his viewing and see it through a sweet little nieces eyes. If everyone could have seen the look in her eyes as she passed by his casket, they would know that he truly was a Prophet--her eyes bore testimony of it!!!

oh...it is so COLD!!!

Today one of the guys that I work with called and said that all the passes in to Utah (from Idaho) is closed due to the horrific storm that is happening to the north of us. At that moment, I looked outside and noticed that we were starting to get little snow flurries. I scream "UGH! It is starting to snow AGAIN!!! I am getting so tired of these storms. Really, I do not mind the snow--but it has been so dang COLD.

Anyway, after I screamed, Russell (a guy in my office) said that we need all the moisture that we can get. Then, he said--"don't you want to drink water in the summertime?" I quickly added, "No, a diet coke with a slice of lemon and crushed ice would be just fine-thanks!"

So, tonight as I watch those little snow flurries glide down and rest on the outside world, I am trying to find all my quilts. I am really cold right now and I am just tired of the cold. If it could be warm and snow--that would be simply fabulous. But, all this cold...Is Utah turning into the new setting for "ICE AGE". ICE AGE is definitely one of my all time favorite movies BUT, it is definitely not where I want to live. I feel like I am Sid the Sloth--trying to find a warm place to sleep and just can not find it. Oh, I just get the chills thinking how cold it is outside. On the news tonight, Mr. Weatherman said that the low was 9 degrees. OH MY!!! 9 degrees!!! That is definitely cold. Maybe we are going to be living with Sid the Sloff. I do not like this cold one bit!!! I guess for now, I will find my quilts and snuggle in them until I am all toasty warm!!! I hope you have a warm quilt to snuggle in.

the passing of a Prophet--a good man

Elder Holland-- when he was visiting our Stake, a couple of weeks ago, shared with us that President Hinckley was very ill. So, we were somewhat prepared as we heard the news today. As I have listened to the news this evening, I have bittersweet feelings. So sad that he has passed on, but to think of the sweetness that took place as he entered the next life. Being reunited with his sweet wife. Oh, think of the reunion of him and our Savior. He was an amazing man. I loved his wit combined with his eloquent style. His witness of our Savior was simply amazing. His amazing service--what a great example. He had so much energy and affected so many people--not only members but so many non-members. His happiness was completely contagious!!! He was so down to earth and just loved everyone! I loved his cane and how he waved it all the time. He loved the youth--he connected with the youth. His genuine smile!!! He was the most influencial person in any of our lives. He was dedicated. I loved his quote: "Try a little harder to be a little better." He was such a wonderful leader. President Hinckley will be missed--but we will try a little harder to be a little better.

Regional Winter Workshop

I had the opportunity and privilege of presenting at the Regional Winter Workshop for Mia Shalom. I was asked to present "Camp Crafts". Oh, it was absolutely fun!!! But, the result of that is a new blog--See all of the ideas that I presented, there were quite a few people that wanted the ideas. So, I passed a list around and had everyone that was interested write down their email address!! I had over 200 email addresses written down. Anyway, instead of creating a huge document with pictures and such, I created a blog--especially for sharing ideas and such for young women leaders. Let me tell you, it has been fun!!! 200 emails and over 100 fun ideas and activities. WOW!!! I can not see the end of uploading all those files and documents as of yet--but I am working on them. Truly, I will get this project accomplished!!! Oh, if you are interested...the blog is www.connectwithdots.blogspot.com .

Anyway...I needed a breather and decided to check out my friends blogs and found that Maleen cut her daughter's hair...absolutely gorgeous. But, I don't think if she had short or long hair, Robin is adorable. Then, I read Vieve's blog about herself. Way to go Vieve!!! You are too hilarious!!! And Deanne shared some not so good news. Deanne, good luck with everything. Your family is in my prayers. Then, I found out that Erin has painted or is in the process of painting her bathroom. GO FOR IT, ERIN!! So, many things happening since I last posted!!!