That's Amore!!

Well today has been very productive.

I was having a nightmare about being in the Hunger Games with my brother but (I'm sure) still dozing like a rose upon a dew-studded flower bed, when my mother walked in.

"I know you're tired but it's 10:30 so wake up."

So I got up and deep cleaned the bathroom. And called Weber State and paid a Geico bill and checked my work email (very mature and grown up, I know.)

Then I re-read my Monday emails and grinned like a fool.

Then I went to the store and used two coupons because I watched Extreme Couponing on my night shift two nights ago and I wanted to try it.
Result: I like coupons. A lot.
While at the store I got a mad craving for Cafe Rio. (Let's be honest. When am I not craving Cafe Rio?)
So I found myself buying cilantro. And I went home and made my own Cafe Rio.
Andrew's Review: "I'll never buy Cafe Rio again! This is really good!"

Then my mother asked me to make Nathan really tired take Nathan swimming. We practiced floating. While floating serenely, Nathan would yell "Bethie! I forgot to tell you I love you!" every 10 seconds. Basically he's the best thing/person/boy ever. I love him.

When we got out, I wrapped a towel around him and got him dressed. While dressing him he said "I'm worried they'll be able to see me changing." "Nate, they can't see through your towel." "Maybe they ate a lot of carrots and so they can see through my towel."

I reiterate: He's the best ever.

I am now finishing up another plate of homemade Cafe Rio and thinking about how truly blessed I am.
Seriously. So. Blessed.

Alright, Alright, Alright Alright Alright, HEY!

 EFY Week 1: Things to remember forever

How I'm sure I was more intimidated by them, my 15 beautiful girls, than they were of me.

How I was so humbled by them and by trying so hard every day to say and do what the Spirit told me to do.

How I realized they had never done this before and I got to teach them the cheers and the dances and the EFY culture.

How after reading them The Living Christ, one of my sweet girls shyly put her arms around me and held on tight.

How I would be in the middle of the devotional and suddenly remember some weird story, so I would tell them the story and they would laugh. (Counting toilet paper anyone??)

How my co-counselor and I made a goal to pray together every morning, and somehow that was the hardest goal to keep. But I felt so much peace when we made it happen.

How he would get so sweaty at all the dances because he was devoted to being with the youth and making the dance awesome for them.

How one of the boys in my company ran up to me at the end of the week and hugged me, saying "You were the best counselor I ever had."

How all the counselors would gather together at the end of every day and talk about the good things, and then the nights we went out to Iceberg or Cafe Rio afterwards.

How my girls became my friends.

How Brett (another counselor) would get his kids to shout funny/cute things at me when I walked past.

How completely exhausted I am.

How absolutely happy and thrilled I was to be there every single moment.

How my whole life is different now from one week. I went there hoping to change the life of a few youth and came home realizing that the person who changed the most was me.

How two of the boys in our session came as non-members and are now setting baptismal dates. How the group of one of the boys pulled together their own money to buy him a set of scriptures with his name on them.

How glad I am that I get to do this two more times this summer.

The moment

I took a long bath with lavender and mint bath salts.
I let my hair dry by itself and it smells good.
I took Amanda a bag of craisins because she loves them more than I do (and I love them a lot)
I'm wearing a Captain America t-shirt
I have a CNA's dream job
I was humbled by a heartbroken mother yesterday
I raked up the backyard for my mom today
And she, Nate and I went to the grocery store.
We used the express lane.
I learned that roses bloom all summer if you clip them five leaves down
I listened to Nate try and speak Spanish.
I read a book just for fun.
This is the moment I am currently in.
And when my brain starts its worry thing
about nursing school and housing and work next semester and grades and the rest of my life,
I am going to think:

This is my moment. Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its problems it empties today of its strength.
Here's to the rest of this moment.

The Transforming Power of Faith

Strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life. Such choices are made with trust in things that are believed and when acted upon are confirmed.

What are some of the empowering principles upon which faith is based?

• • 
  Trust in God and in His willingness
  to provide help when needed, no matter how challenging the circumstance.
• • 
  Obedience to His commandments and
  a life that demonstrates that He can trust you
  .
• • 
  Sensitivity to the quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit.
• • 
  Courageous implementation
  of that prompting.
• • 
  Patience
  and understanding when God lets you struggle to grow and when
  answers come a piece at a time
  over an extended period.

“Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6). Thus, every time you try your faith—that is, act in worthiness on an impression—you will receive the confirming evidence of the Spirit. As you walk to the boundary of your understanding into the twilight of uncertainty, exercising faith, you will be led to find solutions you would not obtain otherwise. With even your strongest faith, God will not always reward you immediately according to your desires. Rather, God will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you, when it will yield the greatest advantage. Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. That causes your faith to increase and your character to grow.

You cannot be passive in life, or in time the natural man will undermine your efforts to live worthily. You become what you do and what you think about. Lack of character leads one under pressure to satisfy appetite or seek personal gain. You cannot successfully bolster a weak character with the cloak of pretense.


This mortal life is a proving ground. How well you meet its challenges determines how strong your character will be. Your faith in Jesus Christ and His teachings fortifies your character.


May I share four principles which have brought the deepest feelings of peace and happiness into my own life? The Lord has established these cornerstones in His eternal plan, and each one is essential. All work together in harmony and reinforce one another... They are:

• • 
  Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His program to acquire the power to achieve.
• • 
  Repentance to rectify the consequences of mistakes of omission or commission.
• • 
  Obedience to the commandments of the Lord to provide strength and direction in our lives.
• • 
  Selfless service to enrich the lives of others.

If you have determined to live righteously, don’t become discouraged. Life may seem difficult now, but hold on tightly to that iron rod of truth. You are making better progress than you realize. Your struggles are defining character, discipline, and confidence in the promises of your Father in Heaven and the Savior as you consistently obey Their commandments. May the Holy Ghost prompt you to always make decisions that fortify your character and yield much joy and happiness. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

To read the entire talk

Awkward Spelled Backwards is Drawkwa

Emilie got married last week. I worked a 6 am to 6 pm shift that day, but I had planned super well and packed a dress to change into before running over to her reception.

Except then I forgot to pack a change of shoes. And my signature trademark at work is bright yellow crocs.

I'm sorry, but there was no way I was donning that dress with yellow crocs. So I went in scrubs. I felt awkward.

******

Two nights ago I was walking out of Primary and a car pulled up in front of me. An exhausted pregnant woman rolled down the window and asked me where she should go to deliver. Thoughts I had at this time: NOT HERE!!! NOTHERENOTHERENOTHERE QUICK DRIVE AWAY BEFORE I HAVE TO DELIVER YOUR BABY IN THE PARKING LOT.
What I actually said at this time: "Um Primary doesn't have a maternity unit....but the University Hospital is RIGHT NEXT DOOR, DRIVE OVER THERE."
About to be unimpregnated lady: "Where is the entrance?"
Me: "You know I'm not sure, but if you park in the parking terrace there will be signs... (GO GO GO!!)"
Fecund Female: "Oh, okay. Thank you so much."
Me: "Congratulations!"

******

Chloe has thought of the brilliant name of Albus for my car. I love it. She gets bragging rights for forever now.
Anyway. So I was driving Albus to the DMV to get new plates when an obscure number called. I answered it.
"Hi Bethany this is so and so with Allstate, we're calling about your quote."
Me: "Um yeah I actually already signed on with another provider."
Good Hands Man: "May I ask who you signed on with?"
Me: For real?? This is awkward. "Um Geico. 15 minutes saved me 15 percent or more on car insurance." (Kidding. I didn't really say that. But I should've)

Anyone else have an awkward couple of days? :)

Being Grown Up

Being grown up is a lot of work.

And a lot of money.

I bought myself a car. Nice little white honda accord.

Which means I also bought myself car insurance.

And a safety and emissions test.

and the stuff they had to do to it so it would pass the safety test.

(why did I want a car again?)

Oh yes, so I can get to my babies up at the hospital. Sweet lil things.

Speaking of them, I want us all to observe a moment of gratitude for two things: our intestines and the mitochondria in our cells. Because I took care of two little babies this past week who are terminal because one of them has a set of bowels that cannot absorb any nutrients nor pass anything through them, and one of them has no mitochondria and therefore no metabolism. There is gratitude to be found in every little thing.

Now, back to the car I bought.

About a year ago I went to the bank with my mom's car and locked myself out of it. Luckily, there was a car service shop nearby so I batted my eyelashes and got the dude to break into it free of charge. So I promised him someday when I have my own car I will always come to them.

So I went to them. And the guy behind the desk looked like Spur from The Man from Snowy River. And he acted like him too.

I also rewrote my resume today. You can't get much more grown up than that.

 This is me being grown up at work.

Becoming lovely

The word lovely has been on my mind.

One definition of it is "exquisitely beautiful"

I want to be lovely.

The loveliest women I know have gentle hands who go about quietly doing good.
The loveliest women I know know who they are.
The loveliest women I know are virtuous.
The loveliest women I know work hard and serve hard.
The loveliest women I know pray hard.

I want to be lovely.