welcome to the family, sarah!

erwin and sarah got married in the salt lake temple on march 18, 2011.

the family from hawaii got to come up...

... and so did a bunch of friends.

we are all very happy for sarah and erwin...

... even mom and dad! :P

they had a lovely reception afterward...

... and everyone but nell was there (and she was missed).

congratulations erwin and sarah! :)

goals for 2011

i think it's about time that i make a list of goals for this coming year. i'm posting this so that 1) the family is aware, and 2) so that you all can help me with them. =D these come from a carryover of last year's, as well as some new ones that brother was inspired to help me with. here they are:

attend the temple every week

* try to follow the prophet's counsel to go as often as we can... fridays around 3:30 if anyone wants to join ;) *

go to devotionals

* and STAY AWAKE! for some reason i get there and suddenly feel so tired. i WILL stay awake these times! ;) *

read the BOM every day

* i've been trying 5 verses in both spanish and english *

continue doing my gratitude journal

*as i strive to be more grateful, be consistent in writing in my gratitude journal *

keep up with my D&C readings/ journal writings

* for my class, to help me expand my knowledge and receive personal revelation *

read my patriarchal blessing more often

* find comfort in it, and see how it blesses my life as my life continues to change *

increase my faith in the savior

*make sure i put the lord first in everything, and do the necessary work, then allow him to take care of the rest *

continue to learn how the spirit speaks to me

* meaning be more in tune and sensitive to it *

follow the promptings IMMEDIATELY

* by doing this, i will be able to become "strong against the adversary and his temptations" *

call home weekly

* in addition to texts, and emails, and facebook, and blogging *

keep the word of wisdom

* eatting better, EXERCISING (every weekday... been doing good so far), SLEEPING *

visiting teaching

* find joy and fulfillment in the service *

magnify my calling

* as a sunday school teacher, as a member of the church... be more ACTIVE in my participation in church meetings *

be more sensitive to people's needs

* as an RA, as a future teacher, as a sister, as a daughter, as a friend *

be a "spiritual support" to friends on missions

* continue to write, encourage others to go, do/prepare for missionary work here at home *

work hard to do well in school

* try to develop the gift of wisdom, to adapt to different teachers expectations in classes, to have an open mind, to develop as a future elementary teacher, wife, and mother *

find a good (non-procrastinating) way to study

* god doesn't want an idle and slothful people... i want to be with god *

confidently progress in my major

* i've just applied, and will hopefully soon get a graduation map for *

study the AIMs of byu

* i didn't do this last year, so i'll work on it this year... especially as i hopefully prepare to be a soar counselor *

find a place to live

* for next fall and winter... and hopefully find more roommates *

be aware of and save money/ budget

* whether for a mission, for more classes, for trips to graduations (hopefully meags' graduation this may =D), or for after college, i need to prepare now! i need to apply for scholarships and find a job (hopefully being a soar counselor this summer)... *

"branch out" -- make friends

* people i can identify with, relate to, who i can love and serve, and who will want to do the same for me as i try to understand and work better with other people *

BALANCE :)

* find a "peaceful" balance between school, church, and a social life... "Find joy in the journey, from both big and small things" *

well family, i'm actually really excited about them. here's to 2011, and a new beginning to be better! :)

its that time

... it's back to school. :(

it's unfortunate that i have to start being responsible again (haha... just kidding... kinda :P ), but hopefully it'll be a good semester. i'll let you know how my first week goes! wish me luck! :)

2-0-1-1

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!! :)

cam, josue, kaleb, and i brought in the new year with good food...

... cool movies...

... and wonderful family.

may you have a wonderful, blessed, and happy new year! xoxo

i SURVIVED... so far

i survived my FIRST OFFICIAL day of work (with the kids)!!! it was pretty brutal, but my plan worked out. i need luck for tomorrow. my plan that i was supposed to do tomorrow, someone else did today... so i gotta think of another good idea to work with 3 different age groups, for 45 minutes each! any ideas? *sigh* wish me luck!!

goals for 2010

since i was so inspired by nell's post of her goals (and my annual fathers blessing - thanks dad), and since today wasn't all that great of a day, i decided that today would be the PERFECT day to write down all my goals for this coming year so that i don't have more "blah" days because i will have things to work toward and be productive with. this is why they will be semi-specific so that i can look back and really literally accomplish or measure progress with them (or at least have steps for that). here are a few... and they will be added to as i come up with more:

---------

attend the temple at least once a month

*hopefully once a week*

make it to every devotional

*not so sure about the forums, although i could try*

read at least five verses of the bom EVERY DAY

*i figure i should start small/doable*

feel for the spirit

*and then listen to/do what it says WILLINGLY*

call home regularly

*once a week, AT LEAST*

keep the word of wisdom

*eating more healthily, exercising, and getting enough sleep*

study the AIMs of byu

*not quite sure why yet, but i'll find out soon, i'm sure*

STUDY. period.

*give enough time to study for my classes... WITHOUT procrastination*

participate in luau (hawaii and new zealand sections)

*understand and better appreciate my culture/heritage, and maybe others (fiesta)*

make other/more friends

*yes dad, i will try to make friends besides my siblings, their friends, and mauri*

be helpful and patient

*with family*

send mauri off on a mission

*be encouraging towards that until then*

magnify my calling

*be an instrument in God's hands... feel the spirit, and be involved in the ward/activities*

*oh! that also includes my calling as a VT*

be an example

*for good obviously... but still contemplating in what?*

figure out living situation for fall 2010 (and winter too)

*between an RA or off-campus housing*

be aware of/careful with my monies

*basically set a doable budget. if not an RA, maybe find a job?*

BALANCE

*meaning don't forget to have fun too! =D*

-------

p.s. if you have any additions or suggestions that i could add to my goals list, please let me know. =)

it's a new year!

i can't believe that it is already 2010! this year FLEW by. right now i'm in the phoenix airport,waiting for it to open so that i can get to my gate for my flight this morning. i'm tired, i'm sore, and i want to be home and asleep now, but this trip has DEFINITELY been worth the hassel of flying. more trip details when i get over the jet-lag, but i just wanted to say...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! =)