Scriptures

I know that this is another cliche thing to write about but I can't get over how true it is. Today has been very interesting. I have spent a lot of time listening and asking questions and talking to different family members about controversial topics. Christmas time is a time for joy and love. A time were I can remember why Christ came and why I need him. Yesterday I watched Mr.Kruger's Christmas and was amazed at how Mr.Kruger understood where he received his strength. Today I spent a while in my scriptures, and specifically in Mosiah. There were two chapters especially that was directly connected and talked about the Atonement. In chapter 14 verse 6 it says "All... have gone astray;" Isn't that the truth. All of us sin and all of us need the Atonement. Lately I have come to realize how powerful forgiveness is, and how hard it can be to not judge others. Sometimes I think it is easy to look at a situation and say 'this is what they should have done' or 'I can't believe they did that' but really none of us can know what that person was feeling or thinking when they acted a certain way. If someone has wronged me what needs to happen? Turning to the scriptures it gives me the answer. Verse 5 says "and with his stripes we are healed." What else is there? Vengeance is not the answer. I can't get even or make it right. Only the Savoir can do that. So how can I feel better? I turn to the Savoir, apply the Atonement of Christ. Remember the miracle of his birth and be grateful that I can read it in my scriptures. I am so blessed!

Babies

Today I am grateful for babies. I got to spend some time over at Cherri's house last night and got to play with Paisley. She is 7 months old and just a doll! She is easy to smile and laugh and is fun to play with. In some of the discussion a friend told of a study done on babies. It goes something like this... Babies were put on one side of a room and the mothers on the other side. The floor was glass and if you didn't know it would trick you into thinking that if you took one step you could fall onto a cement floor. The baby was beckoned by the mother to come to her and if she had a happy face then the baby would come if she had a concerned or scared face the baby could read that emotion and would stop. The more I am around and learn about babies the more I understand why Heavenly Father would ask me to be like them. If I could be as sensitive to the Spirit as a baby is to it's mother I could stay out of danger very easily. If I could easily forgive and get up and try again like a baby I could get a lot done and be so much happier! Anything is possible to a baby. They don't doubt but have complete faith. I am grateful I can learn from babies!

Music

I am grateful for music. I was able to spend an evening with my dearest friend Stuart last night and he told me something that was quite amazing. He works with people with disabilities and currently he works with a client who can't talk and is usually not in a good mood, but yesterday Stuart made him so happy. Stuart brought his guitar and played and sang to this client. That is so powerful! The impact music can have on a person is amazing. Do I understand that power? In the family email this past week Mother said how she was so touched with Shayla for singing hymns to her daughters as they go to sleep. Music is so wonderful. There is something about music that even if you don't understand the lyrics you can still love it. It touches the spirit in a way that nothing else can. Music is special and can make the spirit connect with our Heavenly Father and our Savior. I love music and I am so grateful to have it around me!

My Coworkers

Today I am grateful for my coworkers. Yesterday I was able to spend the evening with them and it reminded me how blessed I was to have this job. I have been very grateful for each job that I have had but I don't remember looking forward to coming to work so much. These women really care about me and my happiness. They celebrate when things are going well and they help me when things aren't going well. Last night Sera brought her baby and it was interesting to sit back and watch how each of us loved looking at this precious new baby. Our voices changed and we just smiled to try to make him smile. It was cool. On the way home I was riding with Cheri and she almost ran a stop sign and there was a huge dip. It was a little scary but just as it happened Cheri, instead of protecting herself reached over and tried to stabilize me so I wouldn't hit the dashboard. I was really touched by that and how much she really cares. When I got home I started watching some Mormon Messages and one of the stories talked about the pure love of Christ and how it makes us feel. I know when I am with people who care about me I can feel that love from my savior. So thank you Barbershop! You are such a blessing to me in my life!

Roommates

Today I am grateful for roommates. I have the two best roommates ever. I have had good roommates before but this year has been different. Probably because I am different as well. I have been off my mission for a while now and I think it has been super good for me having to deal with companions. My roommates are RMs as well and that just makes it so much better. We all know how to work together and be happy.

Amy is wonderful. I met her last year in IWA. She was one of my leaders and when we started playing together it was always fun. She is way east to get along with and is always easy to talk to. Amy has a sound understanding and is always willing to help me though my dramas and I help her through hers. Yesterday we spent two hours doing a color and cut and it turned out great! I think I am so lucky!

Kari and I are so similar, it is uncanny. Both of us have had such hear-breaking experiences with dating and boys. We have been able to share in the sad times and, as of late, all the good times.

I love my roommates very much and hope that we will be able to always stay close friends. They are a huge blessing in my life and I know that Heavenly Father sent them to me to help me make better decisions and have good friends.

Gratitude Journal

Well I haven't written in ages and I was challenged to keep a gratitude journal and share it with my family. So this is it and you are all welcome to read it and know what I am grateful for.

Today I am grateful for friends and family. I know this is super cliche but I can't get over the feelings of gratitude I have for the people I have in my life. At work, school, church, and home, I am so blessed! At work I have the best people around me that I know care about me. They are interested in how I am doing, what I am doing and who I am dating. They are always around to lift my spirits and make me smile. I love them! I have made some incredible friends in my classes too this year. I made a goal to meet those around me and to try to remember their names and it has really made a difference. When Tony broke up with me I know that the friends I had in my classes made it so much better. I am so grateful for them. At church I have the best leaders ever! The bishop and his councilors are really great leaders. I love going to church. My co-chair to my calling has been great as well and so easy and fun to work with. Home is the best place on earth! I have so many wonderful homes. Mom and Dad are wonderful and we have tried together to make sure we are communicating our love and appreciation to each other. I know I am so blessed to have such wonderful parents that have taught me the power of a marriage. Grandma and Grandpa are both the apple of my eye and I can't stand to think of not visiting them often. I always leave their home feeling like everything will be okay and no matter what happen I will come out on top.

My siblings are the best ever! Cynthia is alway there to listen and be supportive. She cares about me and would rather go without than cause me any hurt feelings or stress. She is always thinking of how she can help me! Carla is so full of serving me and helping me that it is really hard to live up to. She will take me to dinner and give me all her undivided attention. She knows what I need and how to obtain it. I give her full credit on my current major and know she was inspired to encourage me to do that. Joseph is so patient with me. We have so much to talk about and I am so new in all this discussion he is good to explain and help me see another view. Jenn is wonderful! I don't remember life without her and appreciate all that she does for me. She is so good to listen to my dramas and give me sound feedback (which is nice after talking to Joseph). Shayla is so sincere and I know that even if I just get 2 minutes on the phone it meant a lot to her. I do miss her and the sweet Foley family but I know they are happy and this is where they need to be right now. Melanie and I have gotten a lot closer the past year and I can't express all that I feel. She has been so supportive and good to me. She makes me feel important and loved. She helps me make good decisions and will make sure I see another perspective. She is patient too. I am up and down all the time and she just rides it through.

I am grateful for the people in my life! They are Heavenly Father's gift to me! Thank you for being there for me!

What was his name?

Well if I am going to be a writer then I need to practice. I want to start writing stories and I am not sure on how to start. I went to a class the other day on campus and was listening to the guest lecture say that you should practice describing everything around you… So I am going to start writing my experiences and seeing what happens. Maybe I will learn I am no good at writing and give up. I hope that doesn’t happen.

Yesterday I had a very awkward moment. Working at the Barbershop on campus I get to meet so many people. Some people I get really nervous when I see them walking through the door. I know I should know their names… I should know what kind of haircut they want; they have been coming to me for months now and due to the fact I see them maybe once a month I can’t remember the important details and I am too embarrassed to ask. So I sit them in my chair and say “remind me how you like your hair cut” and usually they are good to tell me. But when they remember my name I can’t bring myself to ask them for theirs.

Well, this was even worse. I was at work and had just started heating up my soup in the microwave for lunch. My stomach was so hungry and I couldn’t wait any longer. Then a friend came in and just wanted to say hello. The first time I met him was when he came in for a haircut months ago. We even went out on a date. My whole body became stiff and my mind went through all my files of people I know. File after file, it was like when you are searching for your favorite shirt and you start tearing through your room but you know you just saw it the day before. You go crazy until you find it, and when you do, you are so relieved and don’t even care about the mess.

We chatted for a bit until the digger rang and my soup was done. I invited him to have lunch with me (the only polite thing to do) and he accepted. At this point the only name that would come to me was David and I knew that wasn’t it and I was too scared to try it out and see if he would respond. Mid-way through lunch one of my best friends joined us and so I introduced her to him. I said, “oh, this is my friend Laura…” But I knew I had only done half an introduction, but what could I do… I didn’t know the name of the guy I was sharing my lunch with. Really… it was so embarrassing! Then Laura said “Stephanie… and what is your friends’ name?” All I could do was smile and look at her and hope she could understand through my pleading eyes to just drop it! “Why did you have to ask that? Can’t you tell I don’t know his name? Otherwise I would have said it!!”

Then I got an idea. I started going through my phone. I knew that he was in my phone with the last name of Gauna (that is where he is from) and I would keep searching until I found it. It took a few minutes (ha ha at least it seemed that long) to get to the M’s when I found his name. It was like the heavens opened and revelation was being poured down. Angels started singing Halleluiah and I could feel my whole mind and body relax. It was so refreshing, like I haven’t been able to breath and all the sudden I could enjoy air again.

Now the trick was being able to say his name in a nonchalant way. So I brilliantly asked, “What are you studying Marcus? I don’t remember you telling me.” Ha ha, I am so good! He told me and Laura caught his name and said, “Steph that is what I asked you before. You forgot to tell me his name.” I just smiled and acted like I didn’t now what she was talking about. I later called her and told her the whole story. It was pretty funny!

Arm Hair

So I just went and saw a movie and I noticed that she had arm hair. I loved it because it proved to me that it is okay that I don't shave it off. It seems to be a common practice among girls now-a-days. I will not give in to the ways of the world!

what I am connected too!

I have been studying in the institute for the past two hours and the last little while I just noticed everything that I have around me. So I have my textbook that I am reading (because I do all my reading for all my classes... I am a really good student), I am texting friends with my phone, I have my computer running with Facebook running too (although I did turn off my chat because I would get too distracted), I am also plugged into an on-line radio station listening to music from the sixties. Anyway, I thought it was funny all the things that I am connected to. I wonder how people survived with out all of these things. Just kidding I know I could do it if I had to... but I don't have to, so I will continue using. Oh PS... The Facebook fast was successful and I don't use it as much. Well, till next time!

My Facebook Fast

Well, I decided that I Facebook too much and I was becoming addicted. So i have decided to replace my Facebook with blogging. ha ha. I have been watching people all day and trying to remember everything I could blog about but unfortunately nothing really has happened. I have had a really good day though... Do you know what? This is just like my journal. Is that what a blog is supposed to be?

Melanie and I were talking yesterday and she sent me a link to a how to stop laughing when not appropriate. Honestly I haven't felt like laughing in a long time and so I asked her the opposite. How do you start laughing when you don't feel like it. I have been think about it a lot and I have decided you have to take enjoyment from the small things. Like when a chair you sit on makes a funny noise, or if you make a comment that doesn't makes sense to anyone else but you. Like today, I was in a group of snobbish girls who hated everything that was said by other people in the group. Tow of these girls felt like they were the only ones participating in the group and after a while just handed the assignment to me and said "you finish it". It was very funny. And then other people in the group would give ideas and she would hate it. Funny! I was laughing through most of it. I don't think the others found that much enjoyment from it but I did, and it made such the difference.

Well there are my thoughts for the day... enjoy!

In The Beginning

Well, here I go. I never thought that I would take the time to blog because I don't have the time. Especially now that school has started. Fortunately for us all it was an assignment to create an ID page and so I now begin! There are certain requirements that I get to share so I am sorry to bore those who already know me and hope that my life is interesting enough that you will want to finish reading. I am the youngest of 6 children (hence the title of my blog 'Zee Caboose'). I have 4 wonderful sisters and a great brother. I have an amazing sister-in-law and 3 handsome brother-in-law... or is it brothers-in-law. Either way I claim them all as my family. In addition to all these super adults I am the proud aunt of 14! My parents are my best friends and I really do enjoy coming home, playing games, and talking to them. They are very good to me and help me afford to live in this expensive world. I love them all very much.

I grew up in the small community of Tremonton. I am a Bear River graduate in 2005. Right after graduation I enrolled at USU. The summer before I started I got to work at a Boy Scout Camp in the Uintahs. While I worked there I got to meet many fun and different people. I got to work with my two best friends. We were the camp cooks. There was a High Adventure base just next to us and the guys there were very nice (in personality and looks). One day they were asking if anyone could cut hair. I have never cut anyone's hair but I told them I would try (they were really cute okay?). They said they had their own clippers and to come over. One of my friends asked if I would be brave enough to cut her hair too. So I found a pair of scissors and started my new profession.

I went one semester at USU and then put myself on hold while I went to Beauty School. I attended New Horizons Beauty College from March of 06 to March of 07. I graduated and found a job in the Logan Mall at Mastercuts. There I worked for 8 months until I went to Australia to serve a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There I served in the City of Adelaide for all 18 months. I left on November 28, 2007. I had 9 companions total. One Idaho, Samoa, Ohio, Colorado, 2 from China and Sydney, and one from Papua New Guinea. I returned on May 5, 2009. I found a job on Campus at the USU Barbershop and have made some more wonderful friends! I really do love cutting hair and getting to meet so many people. I love the conversations that I am able to have and the different view points I am introduced to. I love people, and I love seeing them happy with their image when I am done. The other day I was able to give a haircut to the President of the University (He is a great tipper).

Some things that I love to do is read, play cards and games, racquetball, walking, hiking, fishing, singing, playing instruments (I am not good, I just like to pretend), watch movies, attend church and activities, cook, carve pumpkins... the list really could go on, so lets just say I love being with people.

My mother always said, "Fun is an attitude, not an activity" and I think that has really influenced me. Where ever I am and what ever situation I am in I can be happy. It is a decision that I choose to make and it makes me so happy when I choose it. And in case you were wondering I am the favorite child!

Okay... what else. Oh, my major! Right now I am an undeclared sophomore, but I am leaning towards Journalism with a Public Relations emphasis. I am also thinking about two other minors. The first being Instructional Technology and the second being Family and Human Development. It is kind of just what fit into my schedule.

I don't know if their is anything that would set me apart from other student except I sit on the front row and love making comments when I understand a topic or if I have something worth saying. I have found in other meetings or classes sometime the instructor is struggling and needs participation but when I make myself come up with something to say it usually doesn't make sense so I promise to make comments when I can in class.

The last thing is my number. I don't know how to put it into the profile so it will be in my first blog entry. 435-279-0285