LOTR Marathon

We proved that we could at least complete one marathon...a Lord of the Rings marathon! My roommates and I watched the entire Lord of the Rings series (extended version) today. I think it took about 12 hours and we didn't really even take any breaks in between. I actually only saw The Two Towers and The Return of the King. (I was running errands earlier in the day so missed The Fellowship of the Ring). But I'll make sure to watch that one again soon enough.

I just LOVE the entire story. It reminds me so much of setting off on a mission, being gone from my home for a year and a half and then returning home without a clue how to adjust back to "normal" life. I think that's why The Return of the King is my favorite. I watched it soon after I returned from my mission in the Philippines. I related very well to the Hobbits, especially when they return home and no one in the Shire even knows what they have been through and probably didn't even realize that they were gone (at least that's how the townspeople treat them). They truly built a fellowship and love for eachother and in many ways I feel like mission companions are like that. You are assigned to be with different companions throughout your mission and experience great miracles, enjoy fun times, and even go through difficult times as well.

Here's one of my favorite parts in The Two Towers:

Sam: I wonder if we'll ever be put into songs or tales.

Frodo: [turns around] What?

Sam: I wonder if people will ever say, 'Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring.' And they'll say 'Yes, that's one of my favorite stories. Frodo was really courageous, wasn't he, Dad?' 'Yes, my boy, the most famousest of hobbits. And that's saying a lot.'

Frodo: [continue walking] You've left out one of the chief characters - Samwise the Brave. I want to hear more about Sam. [stops and turns to Sam]

Frodo: Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam.

Sam: Now Mr. Frodo, you shouldn't make fun; I was being serious.

Frodo: So was I.

[they continue to walk]

Sam: Samwise the Brave...

I need to find myself a Samwise Gamgee. He is loyal, optimistic, brave, kind, helpful....He is by far my favorite character.

Saved By the Bell

Oh where to start?! I think most people my age spent a good portion of their adolescent years watching Saved by the Bell. And what's not to love about that show?! Everyone can relate to at least one character in the diverse cast comprising of:

• Zack Morris (sigh) aka "Preppy"
• Kelly Kapowski, the cheerleader and "All-American Girl)
• Lisa Turtle, the fashion expert and gossip queen
• Samuel "Screech" Powers, school nerd, but also very thoughtful and funny
• Albert Clifford "A.C." Slater (double sigh), the jock
• Jessica ("Jessie") Myrtle Spano, the know-it-all crusader and feminist

Actually, I don't think Saved by the Bell had a character like me - funny, charming, lovable, stylish....

My favorite snacks

I eat a Fiber One bar everyday! Why?

1) They are full of fiber

2) They have chocolate in them = delicious

I also enjoy a good peanut butter and banana combo once in a while. (The PB must be chunky!)

Happiest Place on Earth (first half of Day 1)

Welcome to Disneyland! The kids are in awe.

Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, Mary Poppins and Bert met us when we entered. A band played Christmas songs and the characters paraded around in a circle. Katelyn and Sammie got to walk around with Mary Poppins (sadly, they didn't know who she was; they still need to see that one).

The long wait to get onto the Finding Nemo Submarine was well worth it. Alex was mesmerized during the entire ride. Sammie was sitting on my lap and got a little scared at times. I really enjoyed the ride.

Everyone enjoyed the interactive Buzz Lightyear ride.

I came off CHAMPION with 208, 700 points!

Lauren, KK and Sammie then took a turn at the wheel and drove around Autotopia. Sammie and I were together in a car and she couldn't see anything, so I pressed the gas and she steered the wheel in a haphazard sort of way. We were laughing our heads off.

Next, we watched the Christmas parade. I asked Sammie to show me how excited she was for the parade and this was her reaction.

What a doll!

Lionel Lives

For those of you that don't know, I have a pet dragon named Lionel. He lives in the hood of my car and comes out when I turn on the heat (and when the A/C is on as well). As mentioned in a previous blog post, I took my car into the shop to fix an A/C related problem. This morning when I went to pick Big Red up from the shop I turned on the heat to make sure that Lionel was still around. At first I was shocked and saddened because I couldn't hear him. But not too long after that, he appeared. (I think he was just sleeping). I am so so happy that Lionel did not leave me and that we can continue our good times together on the way to work and on roadtrips and just zooming around town.

Here's to you, Lionel!

The Youngs

This is my Bishop and his wife Nancy and they are two fantastic people!

When I moved into this ward 5 months ago, I knew the first week that it was the right decision. Actually I already had a great impression on the ward based on the number of amazing women in the ward that work at the temple. I remember my first week at the temple, Sis. Young gave me a tour of the temple from top to bottom. I knew this was a special lady and when I found out that she was the wife of the Bishop of the DC 2nd Singles' Ward, I thought that I would really love to be in that ward. And by God's will and help, I moved in.

Bishop Young is so wonderful. He is incredibly funny, intensely spiritual, openly generous and has a heart of gold. He is a man of God that truly has a love for his calling and for each member of the ward. I don't know how someone could not feel and understand that.

Nancy has become such a good, sweet, and fun friend. I enjoy seeing her at the temple, at church and at FHE. Last month we gave her a fantastic surprise party for FHE; I could just feel the love our ward members have for her and for eachother. (This is a truly great ward!) Anyways, before the festivities, we asked her to get up and bear her testimony and it was so powerful. The room was mesmerized by her. Something that she said I will never forget. "More important than your job, than your school, than almost anything else in your life right now, is for you to focus on finding your eternal companion. That should be your main focus." When the ward mother speaks, we obey. :)

They are just so incredible and I feel extremely blessed to know them and to be associated with them. I can tell this is only the beginning of a beautiful time together.

Life's Voyage

"Please Aslan," said Lucy. "Before we go, will you tell us when we can come back to Narnia again? Please. An oh, do, do, do make it soon."

"Dearest," said Aslan very gently, "you and your brother will never come back to Narnia."

"Oh, Aslan!!" said Edmund and Lucy both together in despairing voices.

"You are too old, children," said Aslan, "and you must begin to come close to your own world now."

"It isn't Narnia, you know," sobbed Lucy. "It's you. We shan't meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?"

"But you shall meet me, dear one," said Aslan.

"Are-are you there too, Sir?" said Edmund.

"I am," said Aslan. "But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."

(The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis)

Can I just say, I LOVE reading the Chronicles of Narnia series!! I never want it to end. The symbolism is extremely beautiful to me. The passage above is probably one of my most favorite passages of yet.

Christ wants us to come to know Him. We spent time with Him and our Heavenly Father in the pre-mortal life. I do not remember much, but I do know that I was one that raised my voice in support of Jesus Christ's plan. My voyage on earth is to seek Him once more.

Over the course of their visits to Narnia, the Pevensie children came to know Aslan and trusted that He would be there always to help them. There were times that most of them had doubts and couldn't see him, but little Lucy was always a faithful disciple of his. In the end, they never wanted to be parted from Aslan again. They wanted to feel the warmth of his love and protection from harm.

I know that our Savior Jesus Christ is our protector, mediator, defender, and advocate and is tender, loving, kind, and forgiving. We can come to know Him and feel of His power if we believe with faith and seek Him. I am extremely excited about 2011 as I intend to more fully seek my Savior.