The Story of Jesse's Life Part V

The other day, Jesse and I walked into the store...the first words out of my mouth:

"It stinks in here!"

Jesse's response:

"Is it a bad thing if I'm starting to expect you to say that everywhere we go?"

Apparently my thoughts are becoming redundant and are boring my friend Moses...



And that's fine.

Success in the Pancake Department

My struggle began in 11th grade when the foods teacher assigned a "quick breads" project. I chose pancakes...because they were supposed to be easy...even from scratch.

An hour later, I still didn't have a decent pancake...

the batter was too thick,

the batter was too thin,

the griddle was too HOT,

the griddle was too cold...

I tried and tried. Finally I ended up with a thick doughy pancake. I put it on a paper plate, into a plastic bag and waited with bated breath...hoping that it would still look like a pancake when I turned it in. Luckily the teacher had no plans to eat it.

Over the years I have had the same general problems. Once while at my parent's house for the weekend, I decided to make pancakes for Heather and Jesse...somehow I made rubber instead.

Tonight I wanted breakfast...not just breakfast...pancakes. I pulled down my bucket of home made whole wheat pancake mix (courtesy of Jesse's mom) and crossed my fingers.

And then it happened! Success I had created pancakes...perfect pancakes!

I can now die happy!

Honestly!

Today I was honest!

I applied for a government financial aid program...and I was COMPLETELY honest.

I should have been proud of myself....but here's what really went through my head as I drove out of Manti:

"I should have thought ahead and asked my mom to close that account, now I'll never qualify!"

Yes my pretties, apparently all of my life I have been living by false moral principles. I cannot truthfully proclaim honesty to be the best policy.

I am now very ashamed...but let's face it...I was honest and that's the part that counts.

-please have ripe fruits on hand to throw in my general direction as I walk by...for my crimes against humanity of course-

My Recent Prayers

Small Enough- Nichole Nordeman

Oh great God, be small enough to hear me now.

There were times when I was crying from the dark of Daniel's den,

And I have asked you once or twice if you would part the sea again

Tonight I do not need a fiery pillar in the sky.

Just wanna know you're gonna hold me if I start to cry.

Oh great God be small enough to hear me now.

Oh great God be close enough to feel you now.

There have been moments when I could not face Goliath on my own,

And how could I forget we marched around our share of Jerichos.

But I will not be setting out a fleece for you tonight,

Just wanna know that everything will be alright.

Oh great God be close enough to feel you now.

All praise and all the honor be to the god of ancient mysteries,

Whose every sign and wonder turned the pages of our history.

But tonight my heart is heavy and I cannot keep from whipering this prayer,

"Are you there?"

And I know you could leave writing on the wall that's just for me,

Or send wisdom while I'm sleeping like in Solomans sweet dreams,

But I don't need the strength of Samson or a chariot in the air.

Just wanna know that you still know how many hairs on are my head.

Oh great God, be small enough to hear me now.

Tradition

Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help
us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable and safe in a
confusing world.

-Susan Lieberman

I come from a great family....a small group of people steeped in traditions. I love those traditions.


I have also joined a great family....a small group of people with their own traditions...each one contrasting with mine.


Recently, I talked with some of my family members about these traditions and decided that different doesn't have to be bad....just different.


My Grandma Childs and I talked about the beautiful traditions that are just for Heather and I alone to share with her, the happiness that they have brought her, and the lovely dishes and table clothes that she has to remind her of all of those years when we set the table together, cut the banana's for the pies, and mixed the ranch dressing.



I thanked her for those beautiful memories, and for all that she had taught me. I know how to set a beautiful table, to use two white table clothes so that the dishes don't make noise when you set them down, how to make whipping cream and how to make banana cream pie.


This year our Thanksgiving traditions are changing, and the thought of it has been difficult for me to accept in some ways, yet simple at the same time.


Yesterday Grandma taught me that, though traditions may change because of age, convenience or marriage, we shouldn't mourn the loss of the tradition, but treasure the memories that it brought to us. She also taught me that the best way that she knew to enjoy life in the moment, and keep that moment forever was to establish traditions with those that you love.

And hopefully someday, I'll be able to set that beautiful table, or one like it again.

Tunnels of Terror

The past couple of weeks have been a little scary at our house....we have been busy preparing for

THE TUNNELS OF TERROR...

The tunnels of terror are a spook alley of sorts that Snow College Housing sets up in the maintenance tunnels that run under the campus. It has been stressful and time consuming....very time consuming.

On the bright side:

1. Our friendships with the residents who helped out have improved.
2. Our section was the BEST!...our dormbies are so creative and scary...not even exaggerating
3. And we are ever so grateful that.....

The Tunnels of Terror are OVER...

...now we can get our lives back.


Hope you had a wonderful Halloween!