It's very hard in this time to stay strong in the gospel. There are many things that can distract us from what we're supposed to do. And there are things that go on in our lives that make us vulnerable to temptation, loneliness, wanting to be accepted by others. I know this because I've been there, several times.
One of the more recent times happened a month before I moved to Coralville. I was at Erin Feis with my parents and this Irish band, The Larkin and Moran Brothers, was playing. I was spending a lot of time with one of the guys, Mike Larkin, and there was some good natured flirting going on. I was lonely and vulnerable. Nothing really happened, and it wasn't until later that I found out that he was married. I went to Melissa for advice on how not to let this happen again. She was very understanding and we had a long talk about when we're vulnerable is the time we need to stay strong and vigilant, so we're not doing anything we shouldn't. It was quite an eye opener for me about what I needed to do to not let myself get into that kind of position again.
That said, I must away to finish getting ready for work.
Slan go foill...
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
LIttle tastes of spring...teasers...and a surprise birthday party
I think winter is just about gone, at least I hope it is.
This past weekend, I started my St. Patrick's day celebrations with a party at the apartment which ended up being a surprise birthday party courtesy of my roommate. She had Jeremy pick me up from work and then he and I stopped at Walgreens and browsed for a bit before going home. Other friends showed up, like Nicole and Ryan, and Andy, and Nicole and Kristy brought out a chocolate cake, courtesy of Hy-Vee and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to me. It was nice. I have friends who love me.
The weather was actually starting to get warm this weekend. On Sunday, it was pretty warm and Kristy, Nicole, and I had a picnic out on the balcony of our apartment. Then Kristy and Nicole went with Ryan and Trevor to the park. It was that nice. Monday was even better. I only needed my pink windbreaker when I went out to get my taxes done. Tuesday, I didn't even need a jacket and spent some time out on my balcony, dressed in green of course.
But now it's back to cooler temps. But at least the winter coat doesn't have to come out anymore.
Slan go foill...
This past weekend, I started my St. Patrick's day celebrations with a party at the apartment which ended up being a surprise birthday party courtesy of my roommate. She had Jeremy pick me up from work and then he and I stopped at Walgreens and browsed for a bit before going home. Other friends showed up, like Nicole and Ryan, and Andy, and Nicole and Kristy brought out a chocolate cake, courtesy of Hy-Vee and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to me. It was nice. I have friends who love me.
The weather was actually starting to get warm this weekend. On Sunday, it was pretty warm and Kristy, Nicole, and I had a picnic out on the balcony of our apartment. Then Kristy and Nicole went with Ryan and Trevor to the park. It was that nice. Monday was even better. I only needed my pink windbreaker when I went out to get my taxes done. Tuesday, I didn't even need a jacket and spent some time out on my balcony, dressed in green of course.
But now it's back to cooler temps. But at least the winter coat doesn't have to come out anymore.
Slan go foill...
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Didn't think turning a year older would be so much fun!!! Tale of my 33rd birthday!
It was everything I wanted and more.
It started the day before my b-day (Monday) with my parents, my roommate Kristy, and my other best friend, Melissa, meeting at the Olive Garden in Coralville. After a nice dinner (and being serenaded by the Olive Garden staff and been given cake) the 'rents went back to Muscatine while Kristy, Melissa, and I went to FHE. After FHE, I went with Melissa to her house in North Liberty where I was planning to spend the night since she and I were going to attend the temple in Nauvoo on my birthday (I haven't been able to go since September, so I've been wanting this for SO long!).
The b-day temple trip was so awesome. Melissa and I took two of my family file names and then we did some sealings. We managed to get my grandparents on my dad's side, my great-grandparents on my mom's side (both sets) sealed, and my deceased aunts sealed to their parents (my paternal grandparents). The Spirit was so strong yesterday; it was incredible. :) After the temple closed one of the temple missionaries, Sister Cottle, who is friends with Melissa, invited us over for a birthday dinner (because Melissa had mentioned to her that it was my birthday). Dinner was wonderful, and I got to know Bro and Sis. Cottle, and was able to tell them about how I was converted to the church. After dinner and dessert, we headed back to Iowa City/Coralville. On the way back, I mentioned to Melissa that this birthday was well spent. She kept saying, "It's not over yet."
She was right.
We were on the outskirts of Iowa City when Jeremy called me to wish me a happy birthday. He and I gabbed for a bit then he asked me to pass him over to Melissa. She started talking with him in Spanish over the phone, and then after I got off the phone with him, she explained that he was going to meet us at my apartment for a surprise for me. Turns out, they had been planning this for a while, to do something like this for my birthday. So Melissa and I got to my apartment before he did, and we managed to tidy up a little bit. When he got there, we hung out for a bit and then he left just as Kristy got home. So Kristy, Melissa, and I had apple tart with the ice cream that Jeremy had gotten for me (and that totally hit the spot!!!).
It was the best birthday ever. I didn't even mind turning 33. :)
Slan go foill...
It started the day before my b-day (Monday) with my parents, my roommate Kristy, and my other best friend, Melissa, meeting at the Olive Garden in Coralville. After a nice dinner (and being serenaded by the Olive Garden staff and been given cake) the 'rents went back to Muscatine while Kristy, Melissa, and I went to FHE. After FHE, I went with Melissa to her house in North Liberty where I was planning to spend the night since she and I were going to attend the temple in Nauvoo on my birthday (I haven't been able to go since September, so I've been wanting this for SO long!).
The b-day temple trip was so awesome. Melissa and I took two of my family file names and then we did some sealings. We managed to get my grandparents on my dad's side, my great-grandparents on my mom's side (both sets) sealed, and my deceased aunts sealed to their parents (my paternal grandparents). The Spirit was so strong yesterday; it was incredible. :) After the temple closed one of the temple missionaries, Sister Cottle, who is friends with Melissa, invited us over for a birthday dinner (because Melissa had mentioned to her that it was my birthday). Dinner was wonderful, and I got to know Bro and Sis. Cottle, and was able to tell them about how I was converted to the church. After dinner and dessert, we headed back to Iowa City/Coralville. On the way back, I mentioned to Melissa that this birthday was well spent. She kept saying, "It's not over yet."
She was right.
We were on the outskirts of Iowa City when Jeremy called me to wish me a happy birthday. He and I gabbed for a bit then he asked me to pass him over to Melissa. She started talking with him in Spanish over the phone, and then after I got off the phone with him, she explained that he was going to meet us at my apartment for a surprise for me. Turns out, they had been planning this for a while, to do something like this for my birthday. So Melissa and I got to my apartment before he did, and we managed to tidy up a little bit. When he got there, we hung out for a bit and then he left just as Kristy got home. So Kristy, Melissa, and I had apple tart with the ice cream that Jeremy had gotten for me (and that totally hit the spot!!!).
It was the best birthday ever. I didn't even mind turning 33. :)
Slan go foill...
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