2010 Activities & Events

Started a new job at
Wasatch Mental Health
I work with over 400 clients

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Visited the Idaho Potato Museum
with my roommate on a trip home
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Passed the half way mark towards a
Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling
Internship here I come August 2011

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Made a chocolate dipped fruit bouquet
for my sister Heather’s receptions
Congrats Brian & Heather Schweider
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Invited to a recruiting dinner for a
PhD Program at Utah State University
now to decide if I want more schooling
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I was present at the birth of my niece
Juliet Leanna Hays

It's beginning to feel a lot like Harvest

Ladies I don't know about you but I have had a hard time finding Thanksgiving Decor... There is what I have come up with... and I think it turned out quite nice.

This is the HARVEST swag I found in Idaho Falls
My centerpiece


Settlers and I floral arrangement. I filled the vase with apples and pomegranates

Here are the Indians and my cornucopia floral

Candles in glass jars with a little jewel embellishment

Harvest floral arrangement in a tin jug
Harvest floral swag in our archway

Gratitude

Of all the qualities that seem most difficult it always stricks me that gratitude is the one that most poeple forget most often.

So in an effort to remind myself...
I am grateful for
The gospel
The gift to know it is true
The opportunity to go to the temple
Parents who are love me and offere sound advice
The spirit that guides me constanly
Family who allow me to be a part
The opportunity for education
Employment that meets my needs
Friends who love me
Hope for the future even when the present seems a little bleek.

Career Announcement!

So for those of you who follow my career development stuff this is the link that says I am offically licensed as a Social Service Worker in Utah. It is one step closer to my goal and a pay raise is in store!
https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/detail.html?license_id=4654775

Wickedness Never Was Happiness

I have found that I have LOTS of opportunities to bare my testimony in ways that I wouldn’t expect. Interestingly enough the topic that I testify about most often is chastity. I don’t know now if that is because of my age range or my job or just because Satan has done such a good job at convincing people that it isn’t a big deal…but there is a real need to set the record straight.

So many people come to me and feel comfortable opening up about what is happening in their lives and what has happened. The scripture wickedness never was happiness keeps coming to mind.
When you first say that people focus on being called wicked. It is like they are so offended by their own weakness they get defensive. But that isnt’ the part we should focus on. We need to focus on the fact that they Lord wants us to be happy. He wants that happiness more than anything. Our happiness is the only reason He ever brings up wickedness. It is merely a way to say that you are headed towards unhappiness.
The love in that statement is lost by the pride.
Pride… the idea that we aren’t the very thing that God created. He allows our fallibility. Humility is essential for us to come to know the mysteries of GOD!!!
The Plan is so PERFECT.

Marriage is not just Personal

The following is an article I wrote to a local Idaho Paper.

Your recent publication of A Futile Effort by Karin Lund had caused me to wonder if there is enough information out there for the public to make an educated decision. This decision is better addressed by research rather than personal benefit, hearsay and unscrutinized opinions. One example of this research is “The Case for Marriage” by Waite and Gallager. Marriage and family is not only current, it is relevant to many of the social issues that face Idaho and our country as a whole. Marriage has been show to increase economic stability, promote health and increased life satisfaction. Social issues such as domestic violence, child abuse and substance abuse are found to be lower for individuals who are raised in homes with a male and female parent present. I would encourage those who are making laws that affect the institution of marriage to understand what does work before you attempt to replace or dismiss this social institution. I have worked with many families in Idaho, Utah and California and know that the danger to our society is not those who support traditional marriage, but those who blindly stand on either side of the issue. Marriage is not just personal; it is the foundation of society. If it is on its way out then we should be concerned with increased real and social debts.

Stress Managment

For those of you who don't know I am on my way to being a grown up therapist!

Right now as part of my job I run a stress managment group. I put a lot of work into the information every week and wanted to know if any of you would be interested in me posting each week's higlights?

Here is an example:

Be Familiar with SIGNS of Stress

Scan your Body:
Do you have muscel tension?
Do you have sweaty palms?
Do you have rapid breathing or rapid pulse?

Scan your Behavior:
Are you pacing or fidgetting?
Is your voice to tense, to loud, or to quite?

Scan your Emotions:
Do you feel nervous, mood, or depressed?
Do you feel frustrated?
Do you feel lonely?

Scan your Thoughts:
Have your thoughts turned to worries?
Do you have trouble with concentration or memory?

The IN Crowd

Yesterday in church I felt completely alone. I have no doubt that the gospel is true, still I didn’t want to be at church.

President Hinckley taught what we can do to help every convert to the Church. I submit to you that everyone in the church needs these blessings in their life to feel “in” the fold of God.

1. A friend in the Church to whom he can constantly turn, who will walk beside him, who will answer his questions, who will understand his problems.
2. An assignment. Activity is the genius of this Church. It is the process by which we grow. Faith and love for the Lord are like the muscle of my arm. If I use them, they grow stronger. If I put them in a sling, they become weaker. Every convert deserves a responsibility…
3. Every convert must be ‘nourished by the good word of God’ (Moro. 6:4). He or she must be encouraged to come to sacrament meeting” (Ensign, May 1999, 108).

The clouds part...and SON shines through

My mom once said that it is at about the age 40 that you can see clearly in both directions.

Well I am not 40, but am almost30 and as I reflected on my singlehood I find that I am sure, and I mean absolutly positive witout question that my eternal salvation has needed me to be single this long. I know that th trials thatI have experiencedand continue to deal with are part of a very individual plan. That plan is a gift from the Lord so that I can fin a way to apply the atonement in my life and work to understand My Father in Heaven, My Savior, and their perfect plan.

So in a moment of pure gratitude I find that I am blessed to with perfect clarity

Are we not all mothers?

There is a doctrine of motherhood that is often overlooked by the world. Mothers are belittled as part of Satan’s plan and often we find that the world today encourages women to be fully engaged in things that are unnecessary and lose focus on the needful things. I have learned sacred things as a woman. This is that motherhood exists in those who are willing to play the part.
I find that where ever I turn there are people in my path who need a mother. Someone to love them, cherish their hopes and dreams and set them right when they venture off. I have found that many of these opportunities come to me through work and with peers who are struggling.
So many are in need of a woman of God to draw them close and gain strength from her testimony. Despite my lack of posterity I find that thins happens to me over and over again. I act as a guardian, a defender, a teacher, a nurturer and a mother in so many ways that I stand in awe that the Lord allows me to find ways to fulfill my divine nature.
Last week while I was with my own mom I was holding her hand and noticed that our skin was the same color. This may not seem like a big deal, but I have VERY light skin. In that moment I felt that I belonged in a special way to my mother. Days later I still feel that belonging. It is a deep connection.
I am grateful to be a Woman of God. I am grateful to have a mother’s heart. More than all of that I am grateful for the plan that allows each of us to lift, carry and sustain one another.

Be in the World. Be Not of the World.

“First, ‘Be in the world.’ Be involved; be informed. Try to be understanding and tolerant and to appreciate diversity. Make meaningful contributions to society through service and involvement. Second, ‘Be not of the world.’ Do not follow wrong paths or bend to accommodate or accept what is not right.”

Charles Didier, “Choosing Right When the World Is Wrong,” Ensign, Feb 2010

I love this quote. I find that in my job I have many opportunities to be understating, tolerant and appreciate diversity. I often find myself working with the least of these. What a blessing to be able to work day to day give service to those who need it most. I admit that I am often convinced that what my clients really need is a solid understanding of their relationship with the Lord and His powerful Atonement. We are blessed to be his servants. It is in that way we come to know our Savior.

We must know Christ better than we know him; we must remember him more often than we remember him; we must serve him more valiantly than we serve him. Then will we drink water springing up unto eternal life and will eat the bread of life.
Howard W. Hunter, “He Invites Us to Follow Him,” Ensign, Sep 1994

Rain is a good thing

Some time around midnight last night I went to play in the rain... It is something we all should do more often!

Helpful Hints for the 2010 Census

Do not...

• Include imaginary friends, alter egos, and or multiple personalities on your census.
• Forget to turn it in or someone will come to your house.
• Make t-shirts stating your census status.
• Count your child by how much food and laundry they contribute to your household.
• Lose your census envelope...it is just a pain to mail it by yourself and it is a waste of money.
• Count people who reside on your couch on a full-time basis if they sleep in a different house
• Lie about your age.

What is the Opposite of Disappointment?

For all of you who were worried about me going the whole 2009 year without a new niece or nephew
Your PRAYERS have been ANSWERED
WISHES have been GRANTED
and
I will have a new little one to call mine (via my sister in law) before HALLOWEEN!

Fluent Fluff

Once upon a time there was a girl who had a particular skill.

She couldn't punctuate.

She couldn't spell perfectly.

She couldn't find grammatical errors like some can.

She can however speak Fluent Fluff.

What is Fluent Fluff you ask? Have you ever read something that said something that could have been said simpler, but for economical, legal or professional reasons had to be said just so? That is Fluent Fluff. Not everyone can read it. Even less people speak it. Although there does seem to be a small collection of experts somewhere around Washington D.C. People who speak this language seem to congregate during the day in business suits and go to higher floors in tall buildings. No one is quite sure what they do, but we all know that when they are done doing it they produce literature in Fluent Fluff.

This post is dedicated to my mother. All I am...even the fluffy part I owe to you!

Expectations

I Expect:

To really enjoy Easter with my family in Idaho
To finish school in 52 weeks...yep I am officially at my one year mark for the grad school finish line
To buy my own computer with the next batch of financial aid (how did I get to 30 without owning my own computer)
To kiss a new guy by the end of the year
To have faith that this is all part of the plan
To have a job I enjoy
To wish for winter in the middle of summer
To go on a real adult vacation before I get married
To explore new talents
To make my bed more often
To finish reading the Book of Mormon again before my next brithday
To find that more clothes are to big by the end of the year
To feel completely happy in the near future
To cry to soon
To need more bandaids
To need less cold medicine
To find that kids hugs make everything better
To make more baby blankets for friends and family
To finish my cross stich I started last year this year

10 things to take to work when recovering from Pneumonia

1. Juice
2. Cough Drops
3. Inhaler
4. Medicine
5. Tissue
6. Cell phone
7. Office keys
8. Note from Dr. stating I was really sick
9. Comfortable Shoes
10. A clock to count down the time till I can go back to bed!

Pneumonia....

So You can find out about my week from WEB MD

Here is a teaser

• Cough. You will likely cough up mucus.
  
• Fever.
• Fast breathing and feeling short of breath.
• Shaking and "teeth-chattering" chills. You may have this only one time or many times.
• Chest painthat often feels worse when you cough or breathe in.
• Fast heartbeat.
• Feeling very tired or feeling very weak

http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/pneumonia-topic-overview

She said what!

So I am not a woman is surpised by people calling me names. I went to elementary school. I have worked for The Man...and on really really mean woman. I am the memeber of a family, I ahve friends that I have been around forever and some who don't like me anymore. Then there is the many children and mroe teenagers I have interacted with over the years.

Still I have identified the meanest thing anyone can say to me.

SELFISH

I was called selfish yesterday. This hit me to the core. I think I can honestly say that this is the worst thing I have ever had said about me.

Joining the Alphabet Soup Gang

So in my career/educational endevors I am currently applying to be a Social Services Worker (SSW) with the State of Utah..that is untill I qualify next year to be a Licenced Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). So I have to do several things for the state to send me a piece of paper saying I can do what I already do, and have been doing for almost 4 years now.

There are several requirements

1. B.S. in Social Work
My response: I dont' have one
Their response: Okay then you need someone who has been Licensed as a Master's level social worker to document you have done 2000 hours of social work.
My response: How about 3000 hourse by an LCPC...and 3000 by an MFT
Their response: NO
My response: FINE...so I start from hour 1

2. ASWB passing score 70%
My response: How much does that cost?
Their response: $280
My response: well after I finish my first six months at work...I can get the company to pay for it out of my training budget.

3. Your personal history...we want to know everytime you thought about doing the wrong thing
My response: You really want to read all that...how about the highlights...no crimial history.
Their response: Okay.

4. $80 application fee
My response: I can't get the training budget to pay for that
Their response: If you really want the license then you will
My response: Are you afraid after working 8000 hours with crazy people, taking a test that will likly cause hives and exposing myself to the critical eye of the state I am not serious.
Their response: Yes
My response: Fine

PS just in case you want to know just about the time I finish this process I will have to start the next one.

Tell me EXACTLY what they said...

I have never been one of THOSE people. You know the ones, they can quote everything you said from the dawn of time. My nephew is one of THOSE people. My poor sister can’t say anything without being sure that Ben will someday relay it to the least likely person.

I tried to fake it as a teenage girl. You know that line…Tell me EXACTLY what was said. I don’t’ know. I never knew. I can tell you what the feeling was, how it was said and how I felt when it was said. The WHAT was said and I never really understood each other. This is a serious fault of mine.

Still there is hope! 93% of communication is non verbal. Which means that I understand 93% of what is being said. This of course make me better than most since most people can only tell you WHAT was said. They are mission 8-93% of what is going on in the conversation.

So next time you start quote someone that one time that they don’t remember saying that thing they said. Remember this. You might not remember what they MEANT and that can make all the difference!