Awesome Weather

Wow, what a day!! I don’t know if it’s even possible to describe how great it was/still is. I spent the morning doing homework and packing. It was beautiful and sunny with a random little bit of rain then sun again. I finished packing and started to drive to American Fork around 4ish? Almost immediately I started seeing lightning which was really close. It was huge! Going all across the sky and sometimes I felt as though I watched the bolt of lightning come out of heaven itself and come all the way down to touch the earth. The thunder was booming! It was so loud and close; I could hear the loud crack sound before the actual prolonged thunder. It was AMAZING! I love lightning and thunder storms as it is, but I felt as though I had a front row seat for this great show! I was perfectly happy hitting every red light on the way because I was able to just sit there and enjoy the beauty. It was not raining for the first little while but as I got on the freeway the rain began and came on really fast. Before I knew it, I was in a full on downpour and cars were going really slow. If you know me, you’ll know that I absolutely loved every single minute of it. After a bit, I looked to my left and there was a spot opening in the clouds. It was so beautiful! White puffy clouds with the sun shining through, lighting them up. I probably took 15 pictures of that heavenly sight with my cell phone (while stopped of course. We would be stopped for a while then go a bit then stop again.) By the time I got to my freeway exit I had to pull out my sunglasses because it was sunny and bright again without a hint of rain or lightning. It was just gorgeous with the world all wet from the rain with the sun shining on it. Well, I unpacked the car and was in the kitchen when suddenly I heard something outside. I looked out the window and it was hailing! It was really coming down! Where in the word did that come from? The hail lasted a few minutes just coming down steady until it turned into another downpour of large rain drops. Lots and lots of rain! I just stood there at the door watching and listening to it for a while which was nice. So soothing. Now it is after 11pm and I am in my new basement listening to the rain and thunder. For the past couple hours there has been consistent rain and thunder. I was on the phone with my family for a while but after the second time the power flickered and kicked me off of the phone call I just gave up and decided to enjoy the sounds outside. The beautiful sounds of nature.

Sudden Phone Call/Update

I received a phone call from a lady representing the law enforcement office. I was a little confused/worried at the beginning of the conversation. She explained that she was calling about “the attack in June.” I thought it was funny because she was calling me and obviously looking at the file but she couldn’t remember where it was so I had to tell her. She asked me how I was doing and if I was having any long lasting medical issues from it. Also if I had any medical bills from the incident she told me that they can help me with those bills. I told her that my back had problems for a while but now I’m doing fine. Also, my hand still has the bite mark on it and is numb but other than that I’m fine. She then told me that the case manager is out of town but that she will know more details about the case. The girl is going to be tried as an adult and the judge may want to hear my side of things and see how I’m doing. She didn’t know for sure if I’ll be called to court but gave me the case manager’s number so I can call and get a full report on the status of the case. They will also be sending me a letter telling me what happens with the girl. I guess I just wait now and see what happens. It will be interesting if I have to go to court. That’s the update.

No explanation, I just love it!

I was just looking back on some pictures and thinking back. I really love nature. I love the beach, stars, the mountains, forests, deserts (Nevada would be ok but it separates me from some of my family, and it’s a long/boring drive), did I mention stars?  I currently miss the stars. As I look outside I see only a few….

Does it make me a big nerd if I can think of my top 5 (well actually 4 most perfect) absolute favorite starry nights? I really do have a top 4 and each of those nights was just amazing! It is annoying being in a place where there are not as many beautiful bright stars in sight. As I look back on those top 4 nights and I know that God loves me. Not that the stars are just for me specifically but I feel a connection to Him. I love being able to look at something so wonderful and know that He is almighty and knows me personally. At those times I wish I could take pictures so that the sight would last forever but I know that no matter how great the camera is, justice would not be done for the amazing scene.

Not only am I able to experience those moments but I have those times to look back on as a reminder. I can remember those instances very clearly and can feel Gods love in simple things. Sometimes I forget this but then I see something which acts as a reminder. It may just be one star in the sky to remind me of the millions I have seen on those special nights, or it may be a quiet place under a tree which reminds me of sitting in the forest up in the mountains.  Somewhere I can feel the peacefull calm and hear the birds chirping.

I can't wait to go camping again either in the mountains or to the beach.  Going on hikes and just being able to relax and enjoy hikes and such outside is so fun.  I have so many memories with my family in those types of settings which I will never forget.  Those are the memories which just keep coming!

The End of Practicum

Wow, today was my last day of teaching summer practicum!!!  It went by so fast it's remarkable.  When we finished putting the kids on the bus to go home it was such a weird feeling! I'm so glad Practicum is over but I love my kids.  They are cute, funny, and very strange sometimes but i love them.  It has been quite the experience.  I've learned and grown while teaching them.  Now what will I do with my time for the next couple weeks before my trip home?!  Well other than my law class.  I'm going to have time!  What a crazy concept! Then soon I head home for some real excitement there before I come back and start student teaching August 30th!!!!  I'm so close to the end it's crazy!  I'm excited!

I'm Moving

Well over the last couple weeks I've been gradually moving my stuff into my new home/basement.  I've moved a lot of stuff.....the stuff I don't need now. Winter stuff, canned stuff from home, games, etc.  Well last night I went and stayed there for fun then went to the temple this morning and took Grandma with me.  I just have to say I'm excited to live there and love the basement.  Watched a movie down there and loved it!  It was cool down there with the most comfortable couches, and a big TV.  It was fun, Grams came down and watched an old movie with me.  Good times.  She stayed up with me until after 11 (maybe closer to 12) then we got up in the morning and went to the temple.  Good day!  It's going to be a nice change which I am ready for.  Out of Provo!!  Now I'm back in my hot apartment with uncomfortable couches and need to do some research for my paper.  Ugh..... but on a positive note, only 1 more week of Practicum!!!!  I'm so close!  August is going to be here before I know it. YAY!!

Journal

So, I've decided that having this blog has helped me keep up in my journal as well. Not completely but it does make some parts easier.  I've been copying some of these blogs into my journal then write a little more around that experience.  Good stuff to have in there.  There have been some things which I have slacked on in my journal though so I'll have to do better at keeping that updated.  Maybe I'll work on that today.  Good Sunday activity.  Happy Sunday!

Great Song

 Ok, so I was just listening to this song and had to listen to it a couple times to really pay attention to the lyrics.  It has really hit me today even though I've heard it before, I guess I really listened to what it was saying.  It's so true.  As I look back on my life, or even just the last year, there have been people who have changed my life.  Sometimes in general we do not realize the influence people have on us.  We learn and grow from so many different people and experiences.  Some of which are constant influences in our lives but also there are those which were short experiences and we may never see again.  That does not mean that they did not influence our lives though.  It's so great when we can recognize those wonderful blessings in our lives.  I guess we just have to hope and pray that we can be that influence "for good" in other's lives.  We never know the impact we can/do have on those around us even if we will not keep in touch with them and see them ever again.  We are blessed as we bless the lives of those around us.  It goes two ways.
(just click on the title to hear it, I love it! Here are most of the lyrics below)

"For Good"  

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

I have been changed for good

It well may be

That we will never meet again

In this lifetime

So let me say before we part

So much of me

Is made of what I learned from you

You'll be with me

Like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever way our stories end

I know you have re-written mine

By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring

By a wind off the sea

Like a seed dropped by a skybird

In a distant wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

I have been changed for good

And just to clear the air

I ask forgiveness

For the things I've done you blame me for

But then, I guess we know

There's blame to share

And none of it seems to matter anymore

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Like a ship blown from its mooring

By a wind off the sea

Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

Who can say if I've been

Changed for the better?

I do believe I have been

Changed for the better

And because I knew you...

I have been changed for good...