Our October

We've had a really fun October. It is finally cooling off here and I am more than happy about that. We still have 90 or 95 days here and there.. right now it is 87. Not too bad. It doesn't feel like October weather but I'll take it over 120. We'll be in Idaho for Christmas so at least we will get to see some seasonal weather there!

Susanna and I went and visited my parents and siblings in Cedar City for two weeks. We left Paul to fend for himself and had ourselves a great time! It was Susanna's first time on a plane and she did pretty well. A little fussing but not too bad. While at home we made homemade donuts and cinnamon rolls, went bowling, hiking, to an Apple Fesitval, spent a day shopping in St. George, crafted, had a birthday party for Mom and Dad, and Olivia and I even got to go to a Yellowcard concert (it was her first concert and we had a blast!). It was such a great trip filled with fun memories. I love spending time with my family. Coming home was pretty fun too. :)

on the plane

Yellowcard

bowling- Olivia begged for the bumpers. She threw it straight into the gutter almost everytime. I think she bowled a 38.

bath time

Also this month was the prestigious Midwestern White Coat Ceremony where each of the first year students in all the medical programs receive their white coats.

Jon, Rob, Seth, and Paul. Future pharmacists of America.

For Halloween I couldn't come up with anything coordinating and inexpensive. :( So Paul was a Pharmacist (he wore his white coat), I was a pirate (Tiff let me borrow hers), and Susie was a pumpkin (Goodwill- $3). All of our costumes begin with "p" so that's as coordinating as we got this year. We dressed up '50's style for a murder mystery party we went to, and our "p" costumes for the ward trunk or treat. I'll tell ya- our ward knows how to throw a party! They have the best ward parties I've ever been to! Today we went to a Midwestern-Halloween-get-together.

We are excited for the approaching holiday season! We have our Halloween decorations up and light our pumpkin candle every chance we get. And there is more fun to come! Paul likes to make fun of me for starting to celebrate Christmas a few months early, however, it was his suggestion that we watch a Christmas movie this Sunday (Miracle on 34th Street). So he is just as bad as I am. We are flying out to Florida in two more weeks for our Orlando-parks-extravaganza with Jessica and Thomas, spending Thanksgiving in Cedar, and Christmas in Rexburg. We can't believe 2011 is wrapping up. It's been a great year and we are going to make sure it goes out with a BANG!

A few of our halloween decorations:

My witness

Often when I feel an inclination to share my testimony or what I believe, I am hesitant. Especially with those that I know do not agree with me, I am afraid of being pushy, preachy, or offensive. Sometimes I think of these occasions and afterwards the scripture in Romans always comes to mind, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.."

With that in mind I do want to share my testimony. My testimony of the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has grown immensely in the last year as what I have believed all my life has been tried and tested. The experiences I have had have caused heart ache and confusion, however, and thankfully, I was able to turn to Father in Heaven. I remembered the many times in my life that Heavenly Father had answered my prayers. I knew for certain that there was a God who heard and answered my prayers. I knew that I could ask for direction and so I did. It is amazing to me the answers that I have received since then. As I have acted in faith, I have grown so much. I have been given many silent witnesses. These experiences are precious and I can not deny them.

What a happy thing to know what I know! What a peace in brings in my life to know that I have a loving Heavenly Father who is always going to help me in my effort to live a righteous life. I know that I am a child of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that when we trust the spiritual witnesses of the Holy Ghost we are blessed, line upon line, and are able to become more than we could on our own. I'm so excited to know that as I do my best I can be made better-- not just by my efforts alone. I can become the woman Heavenly Father would have me be with His divine help.

As much as I want those I love to have this for themselves, it is difficult for me to describe in words the testimony that is in my heart. But I will do my best because I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation and fills my heart with so much joy.

Loved General Conference by the way! Here just a few of the things I jotted down:

-reading the Book of Mormon consistently will bring a greater light and peace in my life

-having children is what the Lord wants us to do

-the things of God matter most. The clock of mortality is ticking-- use your time for what matters most

-It is better to look up

-have charity, be a witness, and endure to the end

-wait on the Lord with patience and diligence

"Believe in God, believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth, believe that man doth not comprehend all things which the Lord can comprehend."

Mosiah 4:9

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