Tagged: UT
Oct
14
Fall in Utah…
Right outside my front door!
A leisurely drive to Target…
Sundance. Can’t wait for night snowboarding!
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Apr
25
becky came to utah!
i dropped beck off at the train station at 5am…so sad.
i am so lucky…i am so blessed!
i have the most wonderful cousin in the world.
she’s like a sister to me. even though we’re different…
we’re still so much a like.
i love her dearly.
it was cool that we go to spend 4 full days together.
we did so much in so little time…
the cupcake shops, were yummy…
the thrift stores, had great finds…
the shopping, was much needed…
the sights, Park City – Sundance – SLC, were so worth seeing…
the hiking of the Y, though not quite Moab, was fabulous…
enjoy the pictures!
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Apr
24
The 4 month mark (plus 2 days) & 2 graduations later…
It’s officially been 4 months and 2 days since I pulled my SUV into my new garage with Victoria in tow and Max desperately wanting more space than the back seat.
My first semester at BYU is over! I taught, worked with fabulous students, met amazing faculty and staff, adapted to a new culture (ok, still adapting) and was filled with so many tender mercies.
“…that the Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ensign – 2005, May, The Tender Mercies of the Lord, Elder David A. Bednar)
There is no way I could have made it through without those blessings.
They came in so many forms – from visits (and long chats) from Corinne, Jamie, Onalee, and Becky, constant talks from Patty the Assistant Dean, kind words from my students, loving and supportive friends here in Utah, sightings of friends from MN on campus, my mom’s listening ear, dedicated home teachers in the Fairbanks, and to opportunities to serve others.
This week, I participated in my first BYU graduation(s). They really were wonderful, not too long and painful! A nice surprise.
Once again, I was blessed with a tender mercy from the Lord.
One of our BYU nursing students is Meredith Evans Shatzer. Meredith was just in junior high school when I first met her and her family. Her dad was serving as the Mission President in Minneapolis when I decided to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Her dad and family finished up their service and left Minneapolis. I have been able to stay connected – knowing how things were going – and vice versa through mutual friends (yeah, for the Clarks!). Yet, when I came to BYU, there was Meredith in one of my classes – in her last semester of the program.
Small world.
It was nice to have a Minnesota connection right there with me.
Today, Meredith graduated. It was wonderful. She is bright, articulate, beautiful and is going to be a wonderful nurse. For me though, was the blessing that I got in being able to see her parents once again. Her father and mother are so kind and loving. It’s a special feeling that I can’t describe because of the impact they had on my life.
They said so many wonderful things to me that reminded me why I came to BYU. President Evans talked to some of my colleagues about my conversion (something many of them didn’t know) and I think it helped them understand me – as I have spent the entire semester understanding them…This wasn’t a bad thing, so don’t misunderstand me, it’s just the transition of so many facets of this new change.
It really was a great way to end my first 4 months and begin the next semester – off to Australia in 6 days!
Enjoy the pictures from today’s graduation.
“But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance” (1 Ne. 1:20).
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Apr
02
There is no turning back
Today was a “big” day…or maybe just a day with a lot of waiting and spending money.
I finally got my Utah license plates and put them on myself (John and Randy weren’t around).
I sat for 2 hours at the DMV to get my horizontal (very exciting, right) driver’s license.
So, yes, I’m really staying…in case anyone thought differently.
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Mar
20
I’m a fan
Not because it’s the “cool” place to go but because it is so amazingly yummy!
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Mar
19
It’s been 3 months, already?
It’s been exactly 3 months since I left Minnesota for Utah. The funny thing is that to me it feels like it’s been 3 years.
I was telling my mom on Tuesday night about how I’ve been feeling since I left and how crazy sometimes I think I am for moving across the country for this amazing opportunity.
I think it’s easy to get discouraged, to get down, to feel lost, and to want to go home -even though I’m not sure where that would be.
Either way, I’ve been thinking a lot about how even through all the challenges and moments of shear panic about this huge change in my life, I truly am blessed.
I’ve learned more about myself in the last 3 months then I had in the last 3 years in Minnesota. I’ve learned who are my true friends. I’ve learned about what love really means. I’ve definitely learned about being open minded and I’ve learned about leaning…leaning on the one person who is always there no matter what.
I am grateful for all the small moments, especially in the last few weeks. For people checking in on me, dropping by the house just to say hi, checking in on me when I’ve been in pain and mostly I’m more grateful than ever before for my mom.
I was thinking back to when Minnesota became home…wondering how long it took, when it actually happened. After leaving Wisconsin, I never thought anywhere else would be that place for me and I guess deep down because I grew up there it will always be in my heart and part of my soul but as I drove out of my driveway on December 19, 2008, I knew that Minnesota really had become my home. It was where I became an adult, where I grew up, where I came into my own in my career and where I found the greatest gift of my life.
Minnesota was where my heart was…I’ve had to let go a little bit to start to grow here in Utah. Right now, Utah, really isn’t home yet – I’m not sure if it will be but I’m staying open and letting it be a process and only time will tell. I know that most of it really is up to me.
More than ever, I was reminded of this. At BYU, every Tuesday, there is a hour long devotional. Everything stops – no classes, no meetings, etc. – I try to attend these as it’s such an amazing blessing to have that small amount of time just to regroup. I also get to tape them on TV here in UT – one of the perks of living here. This week’s devotional spoke so strongly to me, I wanted to share it with you. Take the time to listen. It has application to so many things in our lives and the experiences we all go through no matter what you religion you belong. Devotional: Carol Wilkinson.
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Mar
06
I’m in love!
Thank goodness for humidifiers. I can’t believe how much my body – sinuses, hair, skin, etc. – misses the humidity, even in the winter!
I guess that’s what I get for living in the Midwest for most of my life!
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Mar
04
I’m a Chipotle Girl, all the way.
I know I’m supposed to convert to loving Cafe Rio but I just can’t!.
I had it twice before when I came here to UT to visit. I decided to stop there tonight as I was to tired to cook. I got a bowl. I was looking forward to it, just ask Becky H. as I was on the phone with her as I stood in line.
As much as I hoped it would be, it just wasn’t Chipotle! I miss Chipotle, especially heading there for lunch with Rin or eating it with Karen’s at her parent’s house. It must be the chips and guac!
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a former midwest girl – wrapped up in a a yummy cupcake, great heels, fab handbag, & amazing lipstick.
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