Way Up High

Saw this amazing cloud picture on the internet and wanted to share! I'm so grateful for the increased love of clouds that has been instilled in me through another and for being taught to always look up! Hey....thanks! :o) <3

Angie Wrap + Hummus = Delight!

Last summer I was introduced to a very delicious lunch wrap by Angie. It consists of a Multi-Grain tortilla, lunch meat, lettuce, and tomatoes with pepper and sea salt sprinkled on top. Very yummy. This was our lunch on an almost daily basis. We took these wraps with us on the majority of our adventures - the park, sitting over a canal, up to the top of Table Rock, on road trips....the list goes on. It's quick, easy, healthy, and not to mention again, very good.

At the end of last year while working at Anasazi I discovered Hummus. It became almost a tradition for me to get whole wheat pitas and Hummus on the drive off the trail to munch on and for my taste buds to celebrate that I was no longer eating rice & lentils for at least 6 more days. I introduced Angie to my hummus kick. It didn't take long for us to put her Angie wrap creation and my love for hummus together. What we got was heightened delight!

Angie and I continued to indulge ourselves in this new combination, trying as many different types of hummus on an almost weekly basis. (Yes, that is how fast we went through hummus). But because Angie and I have since moved to different locations I have neglected this delicious lunch tradition of ours. Until today, that is.

In the process of getting ready for the day and realizing after stepping off the scale that I need to increase my food intake, the craving for Angie Wrap Delight came to me. I couldn't neglect it any longer. I quickly finished getting ready and then headed out to the grocery store to buy all of the necessary ingredients for the Angie Wrap Delight. Upon arriving home, before putting away any of the other groceries I picked up, I made my long-awaited Angie Wrap Delight. Sitting in the sun outside I again indulged myself while reminicing of the many memories of our trio: Angie, me, and the wrap.

If you haven't ever tried hummus or if you haven't had it for a long while, I'd highly recommend adding it to the list of necessary food items. Angie and I don't hold our Angie Wrap Delight recipe in secrecy but wish for all to enjoy it! Give it a try, we're pretty sure you'll fall in love with it.

"It's always better...together!"

Up Rooting

A girl in my ward was able to get a temporary job for me as my search for a field-related job continues. Today was my first day. This temp job is at a plant nursery on the outskirts of Rexburg. They are a plant restoration business - they restore native plants of Idaho in areas that were previously detroyed for some purpose. Being the tree hugger that I am, I greatly support this kind of business.

My day started at 7:30am this morning by filling out paperwork and getting a brief orientation, then I went to work. My first job of the day, which lasted until our first break at 10:00am, was watering a large number of baby Quaking Aspen trees. Quaking Aspens are one of my favorite trees and so I enjoyed watering these trees as I thought about how beautiful they are going to make any area they will be planted in some day.

The remaining 6 hours (minus a 30 min. lunch and another 15 minute break) I spent hunched over in ankle or higher deep water weeding willow bushes. The below pictures will give you an idea of this job......

We get to wear rubber boots! When I first began this job of weeding and walked into the water I realized that my boot had a hole in it! My sock never really completely dried after that.

Rows and rows and rows and rows and rows and more rows of Willow! I do have to mention that I did have a change in scenery. I began with Drummlin Willow and then when I got done with those I moved onto Coyote Willows. The above picture is Coyote Willow. Woohoo.

Here is me in all of my excitement! This was like half an hour before work ended. I was beat and way tired. Definitely ready to go home by this point.

The excitement was almost more than I could bare! Working for 6 hours hunched over only got more exciting when my allergies began acting up - despite the allergy pills I was popping. Itchy, runny, and burning nose and eyes, plus beaking out in hives on my arm that also itched and was made worse when the scratches and cuts I got on my hands and arms swelled up. And of course you never feel it coming on until after the fact, but I have a good sunburn on my face, as well as on the lower of my back from being bent over and the wind blowing my shirt up a little bit so my back was exposed. (BUT thank goodness for an amazing friend who gave me some remedies to put on it with the advice of taking a cold shower - even if it feels as though icicles are coming out of the shower head! :o) Now, if that ain't excitement for you folks, I don't know what is! (It's ok, you really don't have to be jealous).

There was very little to no social interaction while weeding. But I did come across two lady bugs that greeting me with their beautiful and welcomed presence. There was LOTS of time to think. Maybe a little too much time to think in my current state. But I did learn a good lesson as I applied pulling weeds to my life. We all have weeds in our lives. Some have a lot. Some have few. But we all have them and we all are working to pull them out of our lives. One can't just pull out the weed without also pulling out the roots to ensure that it won't grow back. But some of us just pull the weeds out and leave the roots to only have it grow back again. I found as I was weeding that some weeds were easy to pull up, root and all. But others were quite difficult - having to dig down deep into the dirt, getting your hands dirty with dirt getting caked under the fingernail, and then having to use both hands to pull the root out, sometimes twisting back and forth to losen it up even more. There are some things in our lives that are easy to root out of us, but there are things that are so extremely hard to up root that sometimes we question if it is possible to rid it from our lives.

The weeds were often times tangled up or camoflaged in the plant. Because of this I had to really sift and search through the plant thoroughly in order to find the weeds.

I also found as I was going up and down the rows of willow that the pots that were in the middle of the rows contained the most weeds. The reason for this I cannot explain, but I found it interesting. Most of the weeds were at the heart (center) of the rows. This is where I spent most of my time weeding. It made me question, "Do I spend more of my time weeding out things from my heart that are the most important, or do I spend my time on the edges where there are less weeds and that are easier to pull out? How hard am I searching and sifting for the weeds I have within me? How much effort am I putting into pulling these weeds of the heart out?"

We are not alone in this effort of trying to up root the weeds in our lives. We have a Master Gardener who is there by our side helping us weed, whether it's the easy or hard-to-pull-up weeds He's pulling right along with us. He's given us the opportunity, knowledge, tools, and way to de-weed ourselves through the atonement. He's made the way possible. And He's there to aid us every step of the way if we let Him. He is the Master Gardener and He knows how He wants His garden to look and be. Perfect....just like He is. And that is why He is there to help because we can't do it without Him.

As hard and as long as it takes to de-weed ourselves, esp. the deep rooted weeds, I have never been more grateful for the Master Gardener and His atonement than I have been in the last year. I have learned so much about Jesus Christ and the power of the atonement through study as well as through personal experience on a day to day basis. I know it is real. I know it works. I know it changes lives by changing the heart through its cleansing and healing power. There is no greater power or blessing than the atonement.

I LOVE NATURE!!!

In the last couple days I have been able to get out and be in nature a bit more and enjoy the amazing weather and the beauty that I am surrounded by. Here are just a few pictures that I've captured while in my element. Enjoy!

On a bike ride a few days ago I stopped by a canal I often went to to eat lunch at with Angie last summer. I spotted a patch of these flowers in a small grassy lot near the canal. I thought they were so pretty!



A nearby mountain - "R Mtn" - near Rexburg called out to me this afternoon as I was out and about. So I drove out there and hiked up it. To my surprise and as a tender mercy the top was dotted with little patches of Indian Paintbrush flowers. One of my all-time favorite flowers. There were red, orange, and a vibrant pink Indian Paintbrushes.

A flower for YOU! :o)

I have never seen this happen before. There was a rainbow streaked across a cloud in the sky, yet it hasn't rained for over a week now and no rain in sight! I've never seen a lone rainless rainbow before. It was so awesome!


These flowers also dotted the top of R Mtn. A lot of them were wilting, but was able to find some good patches of unwilted, perfectly bloomed flowers.

On top of R Mtn are cell phone towers and a couple small power buildings. Upon seeing this structure the immediate thought that came into my mind was to climb it. And so I did! "I can and so I will!"

I'd guesstimate that I went up about 40-50 feet before stopping. One, because I am afraid of heights and didn't have a buddy along with me to encourage me to keep going. And two, because well...if I fell I would die. No doubt.

These flowers were spread over the top of R Mtn. in various sizes - some big, some small. These are one of the bigger ones I came across. So pretty!

I am so grateful for the passion of nature that has been gifted and instilled in me! I absolutely love to be out in it and surrounded by it. It really does stirr the soul and bring peace and solace to your heart. If anybody has the opportunity to hike up R Mtn, GO! I have been up there several times, but never when flowers were in bloom and little critters scurried around you. It is a different experience. And if you can't make it to R Mtn, go find a place nearby and take some time to just enjoy your surrounds - let it fill you. It's amazing!

The Home Stretch!

The Teton Dam Marathon pictures have just been posted. Here are three pictures of me as I am running down the home stretch to the finish line!

You can see a hint of pain I was in in this photo. This was just after I gained control of my emotions and before I began to run a little taller and a little faster.

Standing up a bit taller, running a little faster, and the pain beginning to fade from the excitement that was filling me inside with each step I took that brought me closer to that finish line!

I MADE IT!!!!

A Cause from the Heart

Preparation for the Teton Dam Half Marathon began in February. Running in and finishing a half marathon has been a goal that I have anticipated and hoped to accomplish for a long time. It has taken a lot of dedication and sacrifice in order for this goal to become a reality. But as I told a friend today after the race, "You'll do anything when the cause comes from the heart." My personal cause gave and kept me motivated, determined, and dedicated to crossing the finish line.

After loading up on a high-carb dinner at Craigo's, Rexburg's pizza joint, and getting everything situated and ready for my morning preparations, I laid down to go to sleep just before midnight. My mind was racing with hundreds of different possibilities of how the day would go and the hopes that I had for myself. Needless to say that I didn't sleep very well because of how fast my mind was racing and how increasingly nervous I was becoming.

5:00AM came way to fast, but my alarm tune brought comfort, peace of mind, and a reminder of the cause I was running for. I jumped out of bed and headed downstairs for a breakfast of Cream of Wheat and a large cup of water. The last few bites of breakfast brought a feeling of nausea, which continued to increase throughout the remaining preparations before leaving for the race. By the time 6:30AM rolled around I was ready to go bow before the porcelin shrine. I felt so sick!

I gulped down 16oz of a power drink, took 3 Alive capsules, and drank 8oz of Ensure before heading out the door at 7:00AM on the dot. As I walked to Smith Park, where the race was to begin, I attempted to eat an energy bar but felt so sick that I could barley force myself to chew. I found a nearby dumpster and threw the rest of it away. I made it to Smith Park when I realized I had forgotten the timer we are suppose to wear around our left ankle that records our running time to the millisecond. I turned around and quickly made my way back to the house to grab it. I am grateful the house is only two blocks away. I made it back to Smith Park five mintues to spare.

The nausea was still strong and my anxiety continued to increase as well in the remaining minutes before the race began. I began questioning myself and wondered if I could really do it - if I could really cross the finish line after running 13.14 miles. But I didn't let those thoughts linger in my head, but instead turned my thoughts onto more motivating and positive thoughts as well as to prayer.

"GO" was finally yelled at 7:30AM and the mass of people I was surrounded by all began running. Being in the middle of this crowd sent a shot of excitement through my body. I was actually apart of a marathon. I was actually running. I had waited for that moment for so long and it was finally here. There was no turning back. There was no giving up. I was going to take every step it took to cross that finish line.

The route that was set apart for the half marathon was the first long bike route that I went on a year ago and has continued to be the most common route I ride, except it was backwards. I was grateful to be very familiar with this route. I knew exactly what was ahead and what to expect. This helped me greatly as I ran.

The nausea finally wore off after mile marker 2, but it wasn't very long after that when I got a side ache. I ran the first 4.5 miles without stopping, which took me through some residential streets and passed a graveyard. The terrain was up and down for these first 4.5 miles. I began walking shortly after beginning my ascent up a hill that went on for about 3 miles. I downed my first GU packet then. Shortly after I began walking a girl came up from behind and began walking with me. We enjoyed each other's company for a while until we were ready to start running again. We ran together for a little ways before we starting playing leap frog with each other.

I hit mile marker 6 at 8:27AM - just minutes before an hour from the start of the race. I was making pretty good time and on schedule to finish the race in around 2 hours.

Every few miles stations were set up with volunteers handing out cups of water, GU packets, oranges, and bananas. When I came to mile marker 7 and saw they were handing out bananas I rejoiced inside! I had forgotten to include a banana in my breakfast this morning; something I always eat before any physical activity I do. I grabbed two cups of water - pouring one over my head - a GU packet, and a banana. After quickly downing everything I began running again. My side ache had vanished by this point, but pain in both of my hips joints and in both of my ankles began. I continued to run.

After making it to the top and end of the 3 mile hill the course turned onto Poleline road, making a quick decent down a hill only to come back up again bringing a slight up and down terrain for the next 3 miles. This stretch of 3 miles and an additional mile after making a turn onto S 2nd E was extremely difficult for me. The pain in my hips and ankles had increased drastically and I was doing everything I could to keep running. It was painful to run, but even more painful to stop and go again. I opted (and wanted) to continue to run without stopping. I had all the endurance I needed - I wasn't winded at all - but the pain was really intense.

I passed an older woman who was speed walking. In my slower pace of running she stayed right behind me. Another lady passed the both of us and said to the lady behind me, "Your green sweatshirt has kept me going for a long time!" In response the other lady said, "This young girl ahead of me, with the number 6 on the back of her shirt, has been keeping me going." I was so grateful that even though I was running in this race by myself that everybody was in it together and helping each other. There were people along the way that helped me and gave me the encouragement I needed to keep going and not give up. I am grateful I was able to offer the same to others without even knowing it.

Passing mile maker 11 was exciting for me! Only 2.14 miles to go! There was one more down and up before the long decent down the hill leading right to the park. I allowed gravity to play its part as I began my decent down the long hill. I was in a lot of pain but going down hill and allowing my body to just go with the force of gravity I was able to pick up some speed. From the top of the hill to the bottom of the hill I was praying, "Heavenly Father please help me. Please help me. Please help me Heavenly Father. I'm almost there and you've helped me so much this race, please contine to help me. Please keep me standing......"

When I made it to the bottom of the hill there was a path of cones leading you across Main street and turned you towards the park. When I rounded the corner and saw the finish line about 25 yards ahead of me I became really emotional. My chin started to quiver and tears filled my eyes. (I still get emotional thinking about it). The pain in my hips and ankles seemed to vanish, I ran a little taller, picked up my pace a little faster, and a smile grew across my face as I ran those last 25 yards. A goal that I had been working for for so long and a cause that had kept me putting one foot in front of the other glided me over that finish line. I did it. I really did it!

After crossing the finish line there were people waiting to retreive the timer from around my ankle. I went to bend down to take it off but was quickly grabbed by two girls on either side of me telling to stand up and asked if I was ok and if I needed to sit down. It was then that I remembered that we weren't suppose to bend down and take the timer off ourselves or we'd faint after standing back up. I reassured the two girls that I was fine, as I was swaying back and forth, waiting for another girl to take the timer off my ankle. I was then handed a bottle of water and a medal to wear around my neck signifying that I had run in the Teton Dam Marathon.

Shortly after finishing Jessica and her friend, who had both run in the 5k race, found me and congratulated me on finishing. We stood and talked for a bit. I was a bit tipsy and wasn't sure if I could hold myself up. After they left I meandered over to where the food was and picked up a slice of a Subway sandwhich, chocolate milk, and a slice of Great Harvest Bread. After eating I gimped my way two blocks back to the house feeling very accomplished for having just finished my first Half Marathon.


Shortly after returning to the house after the race. This is the outfit I wore on my run. I was number 333. I am also wearing the medal I received after finishing the race.

This wasn't a surprise to find after taking off my shoes and socks. I didn't feel a lot of pain in my toes from this happening because of the pain I felt in my hips and ankles. I made out with two blisters and a couple of bloody abrasions. Not too shabby.

There is still quite a bit of pain in my hips and ankles as well as in my quad and calf muscles. It is hard for me to walk, sit down or stand up (which makes going to the bathroom a unique experience), and go up and down stairs. But there are no complaints. Every bit of the run is worth it!

My Stats:

Overall Place: 286

Assigned Start: 07:30:31.000

Actual Start: 07:30:40.400

Gender Place: 167

Stop Time: 10:10:55.800

Total Time: 02:40:24.8

Class Place: 38

Net Time: 02:40:15.4

Pace: 00:12:14.7

A poster that somebody made and placed along the route said, "Running is a MENTAL sport. You are all INSANE!" I want to thank EVERYBODY who has been a support to me in this goal, insane or not. Thank you for your encouragement, support, and prayers. I couldn't have done it without it. I felt your support, encouragement, and prayers on my run, which gave me the power to keep going. THANK YOU!

Popcorn Storm

On Monday evening after returning to Destin & Nate's house for the evening to continue my house sitting duties once again I called my roommate Jessica to inform her that ServPro came by to check on the possible mold in my bedroom wall from this past winter's water damage. I left a voicemail on her cell phone and at the end I randomly and jokingly said, "Don't get scared being alone tonight...."

I was awaken early Tuesday morning by a text message from Jessica inquiring about my reason for telling her not to get scared last night. I quickly replied by saying that it was just for fun and a random thought that came to my head right before hanging up. Her following text came as huge shock. She said, "Nice try to cover up the explanation of all the popcorn that is all over the entry way and living room floor!"

I knew exactly what had happened and immediately called Jessica. When she picked up I plead my case, "IT WASN'T ME!!" It took some great convincing on my part to get her to belive me.

A few people from my ward pranked our house by taping up a large piece of cardboard to the front door and then filling in the space between the door and the cardboard with popcorn - three large bags full. The person who headed up this prank invited me to do the same exact prank to somebody else in the ward a week prior, but I declined to participate. And now we know that they didn't end up pulling that prank on the original victims, but instead got Jessica and I.

Jessica woke up early on Tuesday morning and hear the howling wind outside. Half asleep still she decided to see what it looked like from the front door. She made her way down the stairs and opened the front door to see a wall of popcorn coming at her. Her first reaction was, "WOW! That's a bad storm!" Once the popcorn settled around her feet she dumbfoundedly starred at it rather confused as to what it was and who would pull a prank on her because she is so boring to pull pranks on due to her non-existant reaction and retaliation. The only person she could think of that could have done it was me, hence the accusations.

The flow of events couldn't have been more perfect for this prank. First, me jokingly telling her not to get scared being alone not knowing that this prank would occur. And second, Jessica opening the front door the morning after this prank took place. We rarely use our front door - maybe once every two weeks.

Later that morning I talked with the instigator of this prank. There was absolutely no way he could deny doing it. It had his name written all over it. We ended up having lunch together later that day. It was then that I discovered that he doesn't know the rules of pranks because he was an open book about all information. WIDE OPEN BOOK! Now I know everybody who was involved and some background information which will aid in my return of such a favor they did for Jessica and I. Let the war begin!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUBBA!!

Today is my brother Ben's 19th birthday! I couldn't let today pass without posting a Happy Birthday tribute to him. Bubba, as I like to call him, has been one of my heros throughout my life. He is one of my happy thoughts. Bubba has a unique spirit about him that you don't find in a lot of people. No matter what crudy or depressing mood or situation you find youself in he can always make you laugh to the point of tears streaming down your face and a major side ache. His sense of humor, fun, and all-smiles personality can bring sunshine into anybody's day. With this gift of being able to turn somebody's day around he also knows when it is appropriate and where the boundaries lie. He knows when a hug or a listening ear is needed and often provides both. Then he starts with the jokes and laughter.

One characteristic that I have always admired about Bubba, that is also a rare find, is his deep respect for women. No matter who the girl is - friend or stranger - he will stick up and protect her from others who may be harming her in one way or another. He is quite the gentleman, even to his older sister. He's always opening doors, giving the girl his arm to hold, allowing her to go first, and treats her like a princess.

Bubba's heart is not reserved for anybody, but open to everybody. He is accepting of each person he comes in contact with, making no judgements. He notices the people in the background or off to the side and goes out of his way to include them or be his friend. He makes everybody he comes in contact with feel like they are important to him, because they are.

If Bubba could be anybody from the past he would be one of the 2,000 Stripling Warriors found in the Book of Mormon. He possesses a strong and devoted spirit that is dedicated to his Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ. He has always sought to do the right things and be a stalwart example of righteousness. He has a strong testimony of truth, high moral standards, and great humility. Youth and adults alike look up to Ben and recognize his deep, unwaivering spirituality that he places at the center of his life.

Bubba has just received his long awaited missionary call. He has been called to serve in the Guadalajara, Mexico mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He reports to the Provo Missionary Training Center on October 8, 2008. I have no doubt in my mind that he will be a very hard working missionary bringing the truth to the people of Mexico.

I am honored to be able to have Bubba has my brother. He has been a great support and example to me throughout my life. I often wonder, "how did I get so lucky?" I think everybody who comes into his life wonders the same thing.

I'm on the Hunt.......

.......for a job. I'm sorry to disappoint anybody who may have thought I was on the hunt for a husband. I have a whole slew of people already doing that for me, despite my resistance to their kind service.

About a week and a half ago - maybe two weeks ago - I discovered that the work I was doing over the Internet got shut down. And even further than that, I wouldn't be paid for the work I had done for the whole month of May. Illegal you may think, but for some reason, in the dust covered books that are tucked far back on the bookshelf, it is not illegal. So there I was...in between a rock and a hard place with no job and a few pennies that I had managed to put in the ash tray of my truck several months ago. Ok, ok....it wasn't that bad, I had a few dollars to my name, but not much.

I want to publicly thank EVERYBODY who has helped me as I have been in this hard spot! There was absolutely no way I could have managed to stay afloat without everybody's help. Please know how deeply grateful I am to each and everyone of you who helped and who is continuing to help me. It is hard for me to ask and/or receive things from others, especially money. It has been a process of swallowing my pride and becoming humble as I have allowed others to serve and help me. I have a deep sense of gratitude and feelings of indebtedness to each one of you, for it wasn't just my financial dilema that you helped me in. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!

I was having chat conversation online with a good friend of mine, Carrie, a few days ago. Carrie has just recently moved to Arizona to begin working at Anasazi. In our conversation she was asking me to move back down to Arizona and work at Anasazi with her. This is a snip of our conversation:

Carrie: I'd be even more excited if you were coming
Me: :( i'm so tempted, i'm jobless
Carrie: Rach, come!
Me: i can't
Carrie: Why?
Me: i'm involved in a few things here that are tying me down until they are finished and I won't leave til they are finished unless God sends me angel............ [a few minutes pass]
i think He just did...
I just got off the phone with Andrew - Anasazi Field Director asking me to come down and work

Carri's and my relationship has involved a lot of pranking, joking, and the like. So, when I told her that Andrew had called, with good reason, she didn't believe me. It took me telling Carrie that I would give her all of my Chacos (7 pairs) if I was lying to her. And anybody who knows me knows that they can trust me on anything I say when Chacos are at stake. That ended her doubts right then and there and she became excited at the possibility.

So, there I was - being offered to come back to Anasazi and work. A person who is as jobless and as broke as I am would jump at the chance in a heartbeat. I almost did, but before blurting out that I would come I had to take a step back and look at the reality of that possibility. There were many things to take into consideration before making the final decision. There was a lot of weight to this decision. After talking to a good friend and my mom about it everything seemed good about it and that I should take this opportunity that was placed before me. But for some reason it didn't settle with me.

Despite this uneasiness I tried to make the proper arrangements the next day, which would allow me to go, but the people I was working with were fickle and not really willing to work with me. I continued to feel unsettled and would get a nauseous feeling inside - but was unable to really decipher if those feelings were coming from my own personal trials at the moment or if it was an answer to whether or not I should go. I continued to think and pray about it. When things fell through and wouldn't work I finally decided not to go. I hesitated to make the call still wondering if that decision was the right one. It wasn't until after I hung up the phone with Andrew telling him I was unable to come that I felt peace come into my heart. That peace has continued to linger in my heart ever since and I know it was the right decision.

I have been job searching ever since. I have been surprised by how many jobs that run along my field and/or experiences that are available and that are at a much higher pay scale than I had thought to discover. I don't know where I will end up working, but I do know that the Lord has a plan for me and is paving the way for me even though I can't see where it is going to lead me. He knows. I trust Him and am excited to see what He lays before me.

Yesterday I went to the Health Science Department at BYU-Idaho, where I had worked from my very first semester to my very last semester as a secretary, to use the fax machine. It was so good to see Jean and all of the professors I had worked with. When they found out that I was looking for a job one of the professors in particular jumped on his computer, pulled up a couple job openings at a few places, and made a phone call to see of any possible job openings at a Behavior Health Clinic for youth I would like to work at. I would not have found these other jobs had he not jumped at the opportunity to help me.

Aside from the professors wanting to help me find a job, they were also interested in getting a diamond on my ring finger. Each professor that I saw asked if I was dating, engaged, or married. I was a disappointment to them on all three accounts. But they reassured me that they would change that. So, not only was I able to fax a job application and discover a few more job opportunities to apply for, but my dating life was also taken care of all during one visit to the Health Science Department. Got to love 'em!

Tomorrow is the Teton Dam Marathon. I have been anticipating running in this marathon since February. I decided to only run half of the marathon for starters - not wanting to kill myself off in one shot - but work my way up to eventually run a full marathon. I am a little bit nervous about the run tomorrow. 13.14 miles seems like a long ways to run. Despite my nervousness I do feel an aire of confidence inside of me and little whisperings saying that I can do this. Although I am a very competitive type of person I have decided that I am not going to have an ounce of competition in me when I run, but do it for the sole purposes I have decided to run in this marathon for. I am not worried by how long it may take me. I just hope to be able to cross the finish line and reach my goals and purposes of running a half marathon.

You will know that I didn't die in this event if I post on my blog after tomorrow......Or you'll probably be receiving a funeral invitation in a week or so.

Today's high is 70 degrees. This is the warmest it has been in quite a LONG time! Southeastern Idaho has been experiencing very unusual weather. It has been a very cold and long winter this year. With continual rain, grey overcast clouds, and extremely strong winds day in and day out for a long time I was ready to start packing my bags and move where the sun was shining. I woke up the other day, peered out the window, and slunk back down into my bed after seeing that it would be yet another day of rain, grey clouds, and wind. It really does something to you. I wonder why I am still in Idaho. But I am SO excited that the weather has finally turned (knock on wood) and the forecast for the next 10 days is all in the mid-70's with no rain or grey clouds in sight! The time has come yet again to be out in the sun, taking every ounce of what it has to offer in, and of course working on my chaco tan! (They really do make the world go 'round).

Other than this, not much else has been going on. I am sorry for not posting as regular as I have in the past. There hasn't been much to post and things have been rather busy. Thank you for your patience and for having a desire to keep track of what's going on with me. I pray all is well for each person that reads this! Thank you for your love and support.

Ramblings

I know that I haven't posted in a while and that is due to a number of different things, but mainly just being busy and a bit stressed out take up the majority of the reasons. Plus, nothing extraordinary has happened recently either. I have many thoughts and ideas that have been formulating in my head but I haven't gotten to the stage where they are developed enough to share them quite yet. So, here you are stuck with my ramblings....that is, if you want to take the time to read them. If not, I won't be offended. Promise.

- Last night I had a pleasant evening that is very note worthy of in my mind since it was something that I had never done while living in this house. Jessica and I pulled out the futon mattress that I used to use as my "Angie bed" and drug it to the backyard, which consists of a 12x12 cement slab. We then snuggled up in our sleeping bags and watched the newest version of Pride and Prejudice together on her newly purchased Mac laptop. After the movie we rolled over, spread the blankets on top of both of us, and talked while we gazed up at the starry night sky.

The last time I was in my sleeping bag gazing up at the night sky was during my last week on the trail in December. The temperatures were a lot colder in Arizona during that time than they were now here in Rexburg, which made last night a bit more pleasant and comfortable. There was definitely a different feeling to it though because as I gazed up I saw the side of the garage to my left and the side of the house to the right instead of tall sycamore trees and a big open sky. We fell asleep listening to the noises of passing cars on the road and freeway that run on either side of the house instead of the crackling of the fire, the chirping of grasshoppers, and a nearby running stream of water. It was definitely not the secluded and pure nature that I was used to, but it was still rather enjoyable due to the company and still being able to look up into the night sky and see the stars. It made me miss my days on the trail and I wondered if there were anymore weeks still left in me to give.

As Jessica and I got cozy in our sleeping bags and covered ourselves with the blankets I jokingly asked her if she was a blanket hog. She openly admitted that she was and then I expressed my gratitude for having a zero degree sleeping bag. When morning came and as I was falling in and out of sleep I heard Jessica whisper my name. I rolled over towards her to respond, "yeah?" She then told me to look at the blankets. I was rather puzzled by these instructions and my initial thought was that a friend of ours had somehow come in the middle of the night and stolen all the blankets. But as I peered out of my sleeping bag to see the blankets Jessica made the comment, "Who's the blanket hog now??!!" I had all the blankets as if I had purposely snatched them and neatly laid them on top of me. I couldn't believe it! We both got a good laugh out of how I ended up with all the blankets when Jessica is in reality the blanket hog!

- Since I have posted the “True Stability” posting below I have felt an increasingly less amount of stability in my life and an increasingly dislike for the role that money plays in in our lives, which basically comes down to control. Money controls almost everything; I’d vote the majority. This has become one of my stresses recently because as I have relied on an unreliable source of income it has turned around and kicked me in the rear-end leaving me practically penniless, which of course doesn’t make for a very fun game of stretching every penny to it’s maximum limit and wondering if my faith is strong enough to get me to and from Idaho Falls six times in one week (180 miles total) on a tank of gas that already has its gas light on. Hmmm. We’ll see what miracles the Lord pulls tomorrow morning as I make my way to Idaho Falls.

As I find myself feeling more and more unstable in this world I keep reaching further and further out to grasp onto something that can provide that stability in my life that I need. By doing this, amid everything else I’m going through/learning in my life right now, I have reached a height in my relationship with my Heavenly Father that I have never before obtained and have recognized more and more His blessings in greater detail. I have noticed a change in me that before I struggled with a little bit with a friend of mine due to pride. As I have let those walls of pride come down my turning over of everything to Heavenly Father and giving him all of the credit and recognition has become first nature in almost everything I do. This has provided me with a trusting and abiding relationship with Him and has given me the absolute and surest stability in my life that I can rely upon.

- My beautiful butterflies had babies! (Well, technically eggs). I had noticed all these tiny white balls covering many of the large leaves of the Scarlet Rose plant that is growing in the tank and thought it was butterfly droppings. After a few days I gazed a bit closer and discovered tons of tiny tiny little caterpillars crawling on the leaves. I quickly did a little bit of research on the internet and discovered that the white dots on the leaves were in fact butterfly eggs and little caterpillars had emerged. There are so many of them and are eating up the plants at such a rapid rate I don't know how I am going to continue to satisfy their appetite! I am excited though that I get to start the whole butterfly life-cycle process over again, but this time on an even larger scale!

- A promised before, below are the pictures from the Cabin/Mt. biking trip (In My Element) that Jessica and I had a couple weekends ago.

The cabin that Jessica's father built in the 1990's that is set upon a hill near Swan Valley, over looking the Snake Rivier.

This is a view from the cabin. If I would have walked 50 feet further I would have been over looking the Snake River below.

My tire after the first muddy hill we ascended. I never realized how much resistance mud on your tire adds as you bike.

A view overlooking Swan Valley and the surrounding mountains


Jessica and her method of getting to the top of the mountain. Must have worked well because she beat me to the top!

This before the final acent to the top of the mountain with Swan Valley and the mountains behind me.

Finally at the top of the mountain! I loved the open space, freedom, and peace I felt up there!

Jessica after making it to the top!

My strong, trusted friend that carried me to the top!

Had to put a picture of Jessica actually on her bike. Don't know if she spent more time on or off of it, but she did great with the Huffy bike she has.

I couldn't post pictures and not include a cowpie. For anybody who knows me well knows my history and love of cow pies for all the many different things they are good for. I enjoyed the time I reflected upon all the great memories I've had with others that included cow pies.

One of my favorite shots! I love the clouds, the mountains, and the trees in the foreground! It was absolutely gorgeous!

A shot that I got while laying down in the green grass field at the top. Thought it was a cool picture.

I strapped my camera to my chest so I could video record my decent down the mountain. It is quite the video/ride, but I'll save those with easy stomaches a trip to the porcelain throne due to the easiness of getting motion sickness while viewing the video.

You know it's been fun when you get to play in the mud!

My joy of a well spent morning doing something that my body and soul needed!

Jessica crashed out within minutes of leaving the Cabin. That mountain really did her in!