Circle of Love*

I have been thinking a lot about service recently. Mostly in serving God, thinking of the scripture in Mosiah 2:17 from the Book of Mormon which states, "And behold I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

Most recently I became sick and began to receive much service which I have been so grateful for. As I was thinking of the many ways I was served I also realized that because of this service it gave me a greater love for all of these people and I in turn wanted to open my eyes a little more and find ways that I might be able to bless their lives as they had blessed mine. I am still working on that part, but there have been so many that I want to say thank you to. In no particular order because each did what they could to bless my life, and each thought meant so much to me.

My dad for allowing others to serve me, and for serving my brothers.
My mom for calling me and checking in on me.
My brother Nathan for giving me his suit jacket when I was shivering cold, and for driving us home from Dallas and enduring it so well despite his own sickness.
My brother Seth for inspiring me to ask for a Priesthood blessing
My brother Willie for visiting me in between his classes, despite my eyes having trouble staying open. :)
My sister-in-law Kami for checking on me, and calling me.
Desiree Heidi for taking me to the ER and sitting with me as I shivered in the cold Lobby, and re-explaining everything the doctor told me, and figuring out my pills till after 3 in the morning...
Christa Haring for breakfast, dinner, and being sick with me. ;)
Ali Hancock for the text message
Phillip Payne for the phone call
Arturo Vega for the blessing and follow-up
Vince Methot for the blessing
Flor Porras for dropping off food
Tamara Kelm for her prayers, thoughts, and chats
Elizabeth Jeffery for listening
Austin Swafford for making me laugh
Taryn Eastwood for facebook comments
Nathan Brown for well wishes
Hubert Laury for phone calls from work to check on me & making me laugh
Sid Hernandez for phone call from work and laughter
Jeddy Stailey for helping take care of my room mate and being willing to serve
David Pruitt for helping take care of my room mate and being willing to serve
Larissa Stalinsky for checking in on me

And to the many others who have had me in their prayers and thoughts. For those simple things that went unnoticed by me. Thank You!!

Mother Teresa said, "We can do no great things, only small things with great love."

Thank you for all of your great love!

Michelle



*Cheesy title, maybe, but from the heart yes.
**Picture depicts: The Martin Handcart Company heading west in 1856 was caught in Wyoming by the early arrival of winter weather. Many would die before they reached the Salt Lake Valley. A rescue party sent by Brigham Young met the company and helped get them through. One especially difficult part of the journey was the crossing of the Sweetwater River. Cold and hunger had left the pioneers weak, and the crossing seemed impossible. However, men from the rescue party, some only teenagers, bravely stepped forward and carried many members of the company across the icy water. This heroic act was an inspiring moment amid the tragic experiences of the Martin Handcart Company. - Clicking on the picture will take you to the website with more of the story.

This too shall pass, this too shall pass!

"The strange looking bar in the baggie is a snickers bar with the chocolate cut off, because I really like snickers, but have a hard time with the chocolate because it makes it sooo sweet and it is often more than my body wants."

I have been thinking a lot about the little train that could and I have really began to wonder if he is misquoted. Everyone says that he said, "I think I can, I think I can!" I seriously think he was actually saying, "This too shall pass, This too shall pass!" That has become my motto this summer!

Anatomy and physiology 11 week class, Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6-9:50! nough said!!
On the day of my final exams (I had one class yet I had 3 tests to take. A 3rd exam, final exam and the lab exam on the same day) Desiree made me this awesome shirt! Including the train patch :) It was so awesome and for the first time I went to take a test and did not have anxiety about it. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Desiree. Honestly boys she is a catch!!! ;) The picture at the top is what I walked into my room to find when I was going to bed late one night from studying. The funny thing is that I was around when she was pulling all of this off, but apparently so involved in studying that I had no idea.

Aside from all the study time that I have had to put into this class, I have found it amazing the way the body works, and it definitely bears testimony to me that there is a Divine creator!

Dissecting a cat was also cool, though why I have to know their muscles in addition to mine is beyond me, it is human anatomy after all.

40-50+ hours of work a week has also been an adventure!

And last but not least moving in the middle of it all! Oh the adventure my new room mate (Desiree) and I have had in moving together.

It all started when we moved in at 12am, and yes I literally meant 12am! :) It started off our room mate bonding moments just right, but wait there's more.

Action:
Desiree walks in front door, Michelle is sitting on couch studying.

Michelle: Desiree, I think our apartment may have flees???

Desiree runs over to couch and kneels on floor: What??? I have never seen a flee!!

Michelle: They are small and black and they bite!!!!

Desiree (two hours later): yeah we have flees 2 of them just jumped on me.

(Next day)
Setting: Apartment office
Desiree: Our Apartment has flees

Manager calls 15 minutes later: We will get it taken care of immediately.

Desiree calls Michelle at work

Desiree: Our apartment is being fumigated TODAY!!!!

Later that night:
Setting: Michelle walks in apartment door!

Yay no more flees, we need to vacuum every day, only problem is our neighbors hate* us because the only time we ever have time to vacuum is about 11-12 at night. :)

Major props for the Renaissance apartment who are amazing at taking care of their residents!!!

Oh yeah and there was also the water incident, this actually has video to document :)



Sorry about the sideways issue?? I will learn to do it correctly. :)



All in all I think things in my new apartment have gotten off to a great start!!! Funny stories to share the next time I am asked to do a youth fireside about moving out of the house and away from the parents. Too bad, I didn't have all of these experiences the first time a few weeks ago!


*Hate is a rather strong word, they have actually been quite charitable and have not even mentioned our late night vacumming activities! That and we live on the first floor!
**This is from my summer experiences but if you had noticed I did not do a lot of posting during the summer.
***I also have another room mate now (Christa) who is also amazing. Really it is just really not fair that I am so blessed with the room mates I have had.
****Originally this post was supposed to be posted at the beginning of August, but because of lack of internet it didn't occur till now.

I might just have a crush

So yes, it may be a crush on a tv show character, but he is so much fun to watch :D

Investing in my Health

This weekend I went out and spent more money than I have ever done on shoes. No it was not for a fashion statement, though I must say they are pretty stylish. This was an investment in the well-being of my body. I am training for a Triathlon and with that comes running. So I finally decided to dive in and buy some shoes that would give me the proper support. WOW, they are AMAZING (in a sing-song voice)!! After working out in them through my 4 workout classes at school my arches did not hurt at all. They have been hurting me constantly and now it is like I am walking and running in clouds. They literally give my feet hugs every time I put them on. Worth the price, oh YES!!

So with my Triathlon training I have done a little spending because I know if I spend money on it I will stick with it, because I am not about to shell out money and not use it. And I have amazing friends giving me support that gets me to the gym at the end of the day around 9pm when all I want to do is crawl into bed after my long day. But it is good and fun!

Here are my shoes

Driving In

On my drive into San Marcos this morning this is what I appreciated!!

Sunrise!










Rainbows!






Lightning!














Rain!!!