Shout for Joy!

Whew! I've been crazy been these last couple of weeks or so. Danielle came for a visit, so after work one Friday night we went to a high school football game. Woo! Tigers Lost of course. The next evening we went bowling, (with Kelli) and took my little sister Sarah for the first time. That was entertaining. She was a pain, and was dancing like a stripper. After we picked up my brothers, put everyone in bed, took Kelli home, my parents came home. Danielle and I went and hung out at our friend's house for awhile. That was fun.

I got hired at Mcdonald's awhile back and finishing up training, I don't know much about being the runner, or anything with grill. So I'm not working very many hours right now. So hopefully everything will get worked out and I'll be working A. LOT.

I read this WONDERFUL book called The Message by Lance Richarson. YOU SHOULD READ IT. It's about him going into a coma, and going to and from the next world. Even if you are not LDS this book is GREAT, humor me and read it. K? It's wonderful, and really makes you look at your perspective. Definitely My favorite book, and the best is, it's a true story.

I found a car, in Edina, that I really need to go look at before it gets sold. It's getting to the point where I need a car, I'm busy, and I really would love to take some trips, on weekends.

OH! I've found an apartment contract to buy up in RAINTREE!!!!! :) :) :) :) Exactly where I wanted, but I have no idea if she's going to try to get anyone to move in for the rest of fall. But she said if I want it, It's all mine! YAY!!!! :D I'm sooooo glad everything is FINALLY starting to fall into place.


Here are some pictures I've edited. The wishing/water fountain one is from, 4 years ago, and then the one where I'm by the lake is only about a year old.

Now, time for the YSA conference. well.... to make it easy. IT. WAS. AWESOME.

Why? I'm guessing you want an explanation. (besides everything)

I rode up to Nauvoo, with Kadi, and Derryn which was a good ride, we talked a bit, and Bo followed us to Nauvoo. (had I been thinking a little more I would've suggested(to Kadi) that someone ride with Bo) We got there checked in, name tags and all, signed up for the temple, and Derryn and Bo put there stuff in one of the cabins (Kadi, Chantae and I were in the Hotel). Checked in the hotel, got the card keys, and went to the fudge factory! (OF COURSE!)

Went back to Camp Nauvoo, and we tossed around the football for a bit. Then they decided to play 500, and I really didn't want to be caught in that mess (plus I suck at throwing the football) so I went to play volleyball, which is much more my sport. After we were all done playing sports around 7:15ish, we went over to Adventure Zone for the first dance. And WOW were my feet black. I think I spent the first 10mins in the bathroom cleaning my feet. The first dance was alright. I got to meet a whole bunch of new people, and thank goodness for Jennica! I literally grew up with her, in the Stake, and she was there we found each other and decided we were going to be dancing buddies! Yay! It was great just to have her there as a good friend to hang out with. Yes, there actually were quite a few other people from the Stake that I grew up with and that was just great! During one of the swing songs the first night a guy (i don't know his name) asked me if i'd like to dance and we got going....a little, we started doing the lindy swing (you know the one where you kick your legs out), which I hadn't done forever! So I was bit rusty. Oh I also got to swing with Joe, (Joseph) that was good. After the dance there was a bonfire at Camp Nauvoo, the girls once again (Kadi, Chantae, and I) decided sleeping was better lol. yes it was. We had Derryn's car that night, and the next morning we decided it be better to sleep an hour, and pay for breakfast than to get up at 6am, and go over to Camp Nauvoo for breakfast. Smart Choice.

We all met up at the Stake center, for Speakers (Brother Murdock, and Elder Reall) and workshops also. The glorifying God workshop was really good, and so were the speakers no doubt about it! After the workshops we decided it'd be a good idea to.....get more Fudge. Love that place! Then we went over to the Visitor's Center, got a tour, and watch the Joseph Smith Movie, without a doubt that one ALWAYS makes me cry. Afterwards, we talked with one of the Sister Missionaries for a bit, then we went over to Latter-Day Harvest. After that it was about time for our temple baptistery session. I had a family name to do, which accidentally got mixed into someone else's family baptisms. BUT I definitely without a doubt am learning to feel the spirit more in my everyday life, which is something that came more clear to me at the temple. As we were waiting for baptisms, I just had this simple feeling that I should go and ask about doing my family baptism. Sadly i never got up and did that. I was so excited to do that baptism. But I'm definitely glad it got done anyways. I really do think that my family member, accepted the baptism, just by the way I felt watching and listening to the baptisms, and then when I left for the confirmation room I was at peace. (Which is right after she was baptized and before the confirmation) Towards the end I saw Brother Jensen (Rick's Father) outside the baptism area, and smiled and waved at him. Oh and I guess towards the end one of the steps of the baptismal font came off, and a couple of people tripped. I know when I was into the water it was wobbly. Kadi, Chantae, Bo, and I were the last ones (I'm pretty sure) from the conference to leave the temple. Then it was raining outside. So we all quickly got in the car and went back over to Camp Nauvoo for Dinner, and met up with everyone. Then we went back to the hotel, and changed clothes for the dance and hopped right over to the dance. We were about 20mins late, and it was just barely beginning. There actually was hardly anyone on the dance floor. Which is where i spend most of my time. Jennica and I got the DJ (same night as before) to get Cupid Shuffle and the EFY (we like to party song) and we got to dance to it! YAY! And apparently I really get into line dances. haha. Joe was watching me and when we were dancing later told me that I was really good at it and that during the EFY dance there were quite a few people watching me. Awesome. (not) because I definitely messed up and jaillion times.

The second dance was WAY better than the first the music selection and amount of people there too. I also really LOVED how it was at Adventure Zone, because not everyone has a high tolerance of dance or even like to dance that much, and at Adventure Zone, if you weren't dancing there definitely was something else you could do. Also during the second dance I got to Swing Dance with my new friend Josh, and he is crazy good at leading! I mean I've known a couple of the moves we did, (don't even start to ask me what moves we did I can never remember the names of them lol) but I'd only done them like once, maybe twice if I was lucky. But either just about everything went pretty smooth. Crazy! We even did a lift, it was the candlestick (I know that name), and we got to the part where he lifted me above him, and I went ahead and moved my hands for better support and straightened them all the way out. IT. WAS. SWEET. (please keep in mind I'm terrified of heights) But then the dismount, was supposed to be a waterfall, where I would slide down his back and come out between his legs (I'm pretty sure). Well you see I've never done that before (and he didn't know) so instead of going head first onto the floor I just let myself fall onto my knees, and legs, and probably almost took a group of guys out. ha. After a few seconds I just got right back up and started spinning, and slipping again. It was sweet! I really wish I had that recorded. Oh and I got an AWESOME bruise. I mean I think it looks pretty cool. (oh it was my good Knee too, no worries!)

Wow, dancing that night really made me realize how much I miss Super Saturday's, and just the simple fact I was always able to go to them. The rest of the night was good, I danced with Josh another time, and we didn't do the candlestick this time. lol. During the dance Tim, (also known as Tiny Tim) told Jennica and I that we were his favorites. YES! So we got a picture with him, and another friend that I regrettably forgot his name (see above!)

All in All this was a GREAT dance.

Jennica and Me Below

The Dance ended at 11:30pm. And we all parted and went our ways. When Chantae and I got back to the room (Kadi left that night because she had to finish her talk for the next day) we talked about a few things which was nice, and our plans for the next day.

Sunday Chris picked us up at the Hotel (Derryn, Bo, Kadi, and Erik left the night before) and we went over to the Stake Center for Sacrament and Testimony Meeting. It was cool to see how many people it took to pass the Sacrament and how they did it. The Testimony Meeting was good. Remember how I said I'm starting to recognize we the spirit is talking to me? Well I knew I wanted to bear my testimony, because honestly I've been through a lot with the past few months, just to list some things; Rick leaving, decision to transfer, where to, my food allergies going pretty much away (still something to watch for), My potassium being low, and then magically being okay, Spraining my knee, trying for seriously 3 months to find a second job, and finding a second job, My Grandfather passing away. I mean there's so many things! Plus I'd rather do it in front my peers versus, my family, and my home ward. (I guess I'm just more comfortable with that) So I had this feeling I should go up there right immediately. Sigh, well I procrastinated, for and told myself give it 10 minutes, and then that's when I got in line. Long story short, time ran out and I was about 5 people away from bearing my testimony. Worst part is, I really felt like that was going to happen when I walked up there.....sigh. Oh well. Maybe one of these days I'll get the courage to go up in testimony meeting at home.

After the testimony meeting we all rushed out of the building so the Nauvoo Wards could use it, and went back to Camp Nauvoo for brunch. Right after we packed our lunch and went back to the hotel and left! Fun story though. When we were packing I'd put the card key somewhere, and I totally forgot where. Turns out right as we were entering Kirksville, I remembered exactly where I left it......In my back pocket. OF COURSE! haha

I came home a took a nap then went to Sunday school, and relief society. Sister Coggins taught us a lesson on faith, and it was really good! She always says she's so nervous teaching but she does such a good job at it!

I went to the Sunday dinner of course! but the Vorkinks were going to Nauvoo, so we just had it at the church, and that went pretty well. After we cleaned up, some of us (Katrina, Bo, Ari, Brandon, Chantae, and I) all stayed and played Sardines. Yes. In the Church. This is what you get away with when you get older. We also played, Olly-Olly-Oxenfree. Which we all had a blast play them. It was kind of funny too! A little after 7 (i think) we turned off all the lights, and locked up, and left. It was way fun.

Overall I had a GREAT weekend!! :) :) :) :)