I have some friends who have asked me to watch their house while they were on vacation. One such time, the husband called to ask how things were going (they were worried their dog would give me problems). As we chatted, he said that he hoped I hadn't arranged his videos into some kind of chaos.
After I hung up, I decided that he had given me a great idea to show my appreciation to them. They have many CD's and I thought to help them find some variety in their life. This was before the days of MP3 players, so they actually listened to the CD's. I began to swap out their CD's and the covers. And not a straight swap. I would place an Aerosmith CD in the cover for Transiberian Orchestra. That CD would then be placed into the Grateful Dead CD cover. I thoroughly mixed them all up.
Of course they didn't discover the excitement until they went to listen to some Pink Floyd. After putting in the CD and listening to Christmas Jazz for all of 10 seconds, they quickly realized what had happened. I received a phone call with lots of yelling and threats. I loved it!
This happened almost 10 years ago. Just a few months ago, K. told me that she had grabbed her Van Halen CD, one she hadn't listened to in a long time, to load it into her Ipod. To her surprise, she was listening to some classical music that she thought she had given away. Oops. Gotta love those gifts that keep on giving.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Rebirth
Last month I had 2 birthdays to celebrate. Not only my mortal birthday on the 28th (gifts and cash are still welcome), but also my spiritual birth. Twenty years ago on December 27th, I was baptized. I had wanted to get baptized on my birthday, but that year the 28th fell on a Monday--which is sacred second to Sundays. So, I had to get baptized on a Sunday after church.
I had taken the missionary discussions while at BYU. I was a golden for those sisters. I referred myself and when they first came to my door, I asked them what I needed to do to get baptized. The discussions felt like a formality. I had a testimony, lived the Word of Wisdom (except for tea and coffee--didn't know they were a no-no), was a moral, chaste girl and just waiting for the water to make it official. The missionaries wanted me to get baptized while at BYU, but I wanted to wait for the Christmas break to get baptized at home so my mom could be there.
I asked our home teacher (obviously the home teacher at my home, not BYU) to baptize me. He had a cold at the time as did I. I remember that I got in the cold water (do they do that on purpose???) and when Charles dunked me the first time, I came out of the water and snorted--loudly. Not a lady-like snort, but more like a got-a-bunch-of-phlegm type of snort. So embarrassing. Of course, the hem of my baptismal gown was out of the water, so Charles had to shove me under again. This time I was completely immersed and no embarrassing noises.
Sadly, I don't remember anything of the confirmation other than the command to receive the Holy Ghost. I do remember my feelings. It felt so right as if there were someone there with their hands on my head (other than the obvious ones) giving me encouragement. I felt an actual warmth much like you feel on a sunny day. Honestly, at the time I didn't think it more than just feelings of happiness. It wasn't until years later after I had experience with the Holy Ghost that I recognized what that was.
People have asked me what it was like to live "without" the Holy Ghost. And I've replied that I don't know. I've had a testimony for so long that I have felt His influence in my life. I can say that the physical commitment of baptism has allowed me to focus and re-commit to living the Gospel during those times when I felt spiritually weak. I truly don't know where my life would be now had I not been baptized. I think I would still believe in God and still live a righteous life. But, I believe that I have a happier life, that I have a deeper understanding, that I have better tools to deal with trials and disappointments, that I have a more solid foundation to build upon. I don't think that I have more than others, in or out of my faith, but that I have a fuller life because of my decision to be baptized.
I had taken the missionary discussions while at BYU. I was a golden for those sisters. I referred myself and when they first came to my door, I asked them what I needed to do to get baptized. The discussions felt like a formality. I had a testimony, lived the Word of Wisdom (except for tea and coffee--didn't know they were a no-no), was a moral, chaste girl and just waiting for the water to make it official. The missionaries wanted me to get baptized while at BYU, but I wanted to wait for the Christmas break to get baptized at home so my mom could be there.
I asked our home teacher (obviously the home teacher at my home, not BYU) to baptize me. He had a cold at the time as did I. I remember that I got in the cold water (do they do that on purpose???) and when Charles dunked me the first time, I came out of the water and snorted--loudly. Not a lady-like snort, but more like a got-a-bunch-of-phlegm type of snort. So embarrassing. Of course, the hem of my baptismal gown was out of the water, so Charles had to shove me under again. This time I was completely immersed and no embarrassing noises.
Sadly, I don't remember anything of the confirmation other than the command to receive the Holy Ghost. I do remember my feelings. It felt so right as if there were someone there with their hands on my head (other than the obvious ones) giving me encouragement. I felt an actual warmth much like you feel on a sunny day. Honestly, at the time I didn't think it more than just feelings of happiness. It wasn't until years later after I had experience with the Holy Ghost that I recognized what that was.
People have asked me what it was like to live "without" the Holy Ghost. And I've replied that I don't know. I've had a testimony for so long that I have felt His influence in my life. I can say that the physical commitment of baptism has allowed me to focus and re-commit to living the Gospel during those times when I felt spiritually weak. I truly don't know where my life would be now had I not been baptized. I think I would still believe in God and still live a righteous life. But, I believe that I have a happier life, that I have a deeper understanding, that I have better tools to deal with trials and disappointments, that I have a more solid foundation to build upon. I don't think that I have more than others, in or out of my faith, but that I have a fuller life because of my decision to be baptized.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Don't mess with me
A few years ago I was living with a roommate in her house. The house we lived in had an attached garage with a door that led from the house to the garage and another door from the garage to the back yard.
One morning while she was in Utah, I was awoken around 4 am by a noise in the house. I could tell that someone was in the house and doing a search. I was furious! No fear, just pure rage was flowing through me. Not because our things might be taken, but because I was woken up and knew I would have to deal with this burglar and the police and wouldn't be able to get back to sleep before I had to go to work.
Angrily I snarled, "Who's there?!" The very timid, humble voice of my roommate's boyfriend said, "It's me, J. I'm looking for T's flight info." Once I realized I knew who it was, I simply calmed down and went right back to sleep.
One morning while she was in Utah, I was awoken around 4 am by a noise in the house. I could tell that someone was in the house and doing a search. I was furious! No fear, just pure rage was flowing through me. Not because our things might be taken, but because I was woken up and knew I would have to deal with this burglar and the police and wouldn't be able to get back to sleep before I had to go to work.
Angrily I snarled, "Who's there?!" The very timid, humble voice of my roommate's boyfriend said, "It's me, J. I'm looking for T's flight info." Once I realized I knew who it was, I simply calmed down and went right back to sleep.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Ugh!
It's been so long since I've had anything interesting to say. I've been busy with the holidays, simply too lazy to write and a little on the blah side. Holidays are always a little difficult and this year was especially hard without my momma. But, the holidays are officially over...I returned the last of the presents today, I think. I'm sure I'll find something at home later than I need to return.
So, on to my normal jabbering. I'll have a post tomorrow about something funny, informative, or just plain interesting.
So, on to my normal jabbering. I'll have a post tomorrow about something funny, informative, or just plain interesting.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Embarrassing moment #4
This is definitely a woman thing. While on my mission, I lost quite a bit of weight. As a result, my undergarments fit quite loosely. For various reasons, I was unable to get new, fitted underwear. So, I walked around in loose undies.
Once while my companion and I were out walking quite a bit, I noticed that my undies were especially loose. I was finishing up on being a woman (Aunt Flo, ragtime, whatever you call it) and had on a feminine napkin (don't you just love that nice word?). I was constantly pulling up my undies whenever I could (very discreetly of course). I was very irritated at the situation as well as the feeling of my undies hanging on me.
Eventually, we had to go home for the evening. When I went into the bathroom to do my thing, to my surprise, no longer did I have a feminine pad in my underwear! Somewhere in our travels, I lost it. Ewww!
Once while my companion and I were out walking quite a bit, I noticed that my undies were especially loose. I was finishing up on being a woman (Aunt Flo, ragtime, whatever you call it) and had on a feminine napkin (don't you just love that nice word?). I was constantly pulling up my undies whenever I could (very discreetly of course). I was very irritated at the situation as well as the feeling of my undies hanging on me.
Eventually, we had to go home for the evening. When I went into the bathroom to do my thing, to my surprise, no longer did I have a feminine pad in my underwear! Somewhere in our travels, I lost it. Ewww!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Practical Joke #2
I used to work with the Youth at church. We had a huge Stake Youth Conference one year in which I helped with the housing committee. We stayed at a local college and used their facilities: cafeteria, dorms, classrooms, etc. A friend of mine who chaired the housing committee had a master key to all the dorm rooms.
The night of the dance, I was chaperoning outside where all the dark corners were (it's just fun to sneak up on a couple of teens in the dark!) when I saw my friend. Suddenly I had the wonderful idea of how to show the girls in my ward that we loved them. Of course D. was up for an outward showing of our affection.
Using her master key, we went into the dorm rooms of our ward. We were able to take all the mattresses and pile them up in the middle of the main hallway. When we removed the mattresses, we replaced the clothes, blankets, pillows, etc. exactly as they were on the bed. It was hilarious just thinking about their reactions.
That night, the girls confronted us. D. confessed almost immediately. I, on the other hand, was able to divert their attention and make them think I had nothing to do with it. In fact, I was so successful that while we were sharing our experience with the other adults, D. was exasperated with me for it. Unthinkingly, I blurted in front of the bishop that I am a GREAT liar. Then I sheepishly looked at Bishop and said, "Except when I'm talking to you, Bishop!"
The night of the dance, I was chaperoning outside where all the dark corners were (it's just fun to sneak up on a couple of teens in the dark!) when I saw my friend. Suddenly I had the wonderful idea of how to show the girls in my ward that we loved them. Of course D. was up for an outward showing of our affection.
Using her master key, we went into the dorm rooms of our ward. We were able to take all the mattresses and pile them up in the middle of the main hallway. When we removed the mattresses, we replaced the clothes, blankets, pillows, etc. exactly as they were on the bed. It was hilarious just thinking about their reactions.
That night, the girls confronted us. D. confessed almost immediately. I, on the other hand, was able to divert their attention and make them think I had nothing to do with it. In fact, I was so successful that while we were sharing our experience with the other adults, D. was exasperated with me for it. Unthinkingly, I blurted in front of the bishop that I am a GREAT liar. Then I sheepishly looked at Bishop and said, "Except when I'm talking to you, Bishop!"
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Practical Joke #1
As many embarrassing moments I have, I have practical jokes I've done. One was while I was in the MTC.
One of the sisters in my district hated Parmesan cheese. Hated it! Whenever we had pasta for dinner, she would sit by herself to avoid the view and smell of the cheese.
Once, my companion got sick while we were in class. Our teacher excused us to leave early for our dorm room. As we passed by the cafeteria, behold! a light shone on a lone container of Parmesan cheese on a table. Seriously, I expected to hear angels singing. The cafeteria was closed for the night, but a door was ajar with this single light shining on an empty table--except for the fated Parmesan cheese.
Of course I had to take advantage of that moment. So my companion and I entered the cafeteria, placed some cheese in a piece of paper, folded it and went to our room. Once my district was dismissed for the evening, I was able to go into Sister R's room, lovingly spread the cheese all over her pillow, and joyfully make my way back to my room.
Suddenly, I heard lots of cursing with my name interspersed (in her defense, she says she doesn't remember using curse words and that she doesn't use them--whatever, I heard cursing). I hurriedly ran to her room to shush her (we are in the MTC--a most hallowed place). She cursed me for doing something so evil to her. Now, I am not about to take all the credit for this act of kindness. I was able to convince Sister R that I was bribed by Elder G to do this. She then turned her wrath from me to Elder G. I had become an innocent pawn in the evil plot of Elder G.
But, that my friends, is another story...
One of the sisters in my district hated Parmesan cheese. Hated it! Whenever we had pasta for dinner, she would sit by herself to avoid the view and smell of the cheese.
Once, my companion got sick while we were in class. Our teacher excused us to leave early for our dorm room. As we passed by the cafeteria, behold! a light shone on a lone container of Parmesan cheese on a table. Seriously, I expected to hear angels singing. The cafeteria was closed for the night, but a door was ajar with this single light shining on an empty table--except for the fated Parmesan cheese.
Of course I had to take advantage of that moment. So my companion and I entered the cafeteria, placed some cheese in a piece of paper, folded it and went to our room. Once my district was dismissed for the evening, I was able to go into Sister R's room, lovingly spread the cheese all over her pillow, and joyfully make my way back to my room.
Suddenly, I heard lots of cursing with my name interspersed (in her defense, she says she doesn't remember using curse words and that she doesn't use them--whatever, I heard cursing). I hurriedly ran to her room to shush her (we are in the MTC--a most hallowed place). She cursed me for doing something so evil to her. Now, I am not about to take all the credit for this act of kindness. I was able to convince Sister R that I was bribed by Elder G to do this. She then turned her wrath from me to Elder G. I had become an innocent pawn in the evil plot of Elder G.
But, that my friends, is another story...
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