My phone has a cruel sense of humor

So...I put people on my speed dial.  They are important.  I call them a lot.  I like being able to hold down a button and boom they are there! It is easier than memorizing their number, or scrolling through my address book and finding them... especially if I can't remember how I spelled their name when I put it into my phone.  The joys of modern technology are so wonderful.  I have a phone that I can carry with me ANYWHERE! I can call anyone I want, anywhere I want, at any time.  I went to Canada, and my phone worked there! AMAZING!

Of course, that is, until my phone decides to randomly pocket dial people...More specifically call ex-boyfriends who I just haven't gotten around to taking off of my speed dial.

Today as I was talking to my best friend about her adventures in Peru, my cheek somehow called 'The Cowboy'...twice.  Its not that big of a deal because we are still friends after our one month stint as an official couple, except for the fact that he made a point to tell me last night that most girls like the summer time 'Cowboy' and invited me to go hiking and camping with him as soon as it was warm enough. (We broke up because I couldn't spend another weekend on his couch watching sports).  He called me back and asked what was up...I informed him of my cheek's desire to call him, we had a wonderful awkward conversation.

The Friday before my birthday, a few friends and I got together, dressed up in 80's garb, and went roller skating.  Yeah, I know, we are cool.  On the way there, we were getting into the 80s mood and so I put on my favorite song from my blessed childhood, 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' by Whitney Houston.  Picture this: 5 20 something girls in a car, dressed up, headed to go roller skating.  Needless to say we were singing the song at the top of our lungs.  I got out of the car...only to realize that as we were driving my phone had dialed Steven, my ex from this summer who dumped me because I wanted to help him find his testimony, and he was more comfortable dating his ex-girlfriend who would let him be whoever.  I got a text from him asking me if I meant to leave a song on his machine...I didn't.

It happened again as I left class last week and again on Sunday. I took him off my speed dial.

A scripture a day

In a ward conference a few years ago we met together as a Relief Society for the first meeting. (In those days, our ward went backwards, starting with priesthood and R.S. and then Sunday School, and THEN sacrament meeting) I was having a rough time, I had been home from my mission just a little over a year and was struggling to find my way in 'life after the mission'.  In this tough time, our Stake Relief Society Presidency counseled us to have a 'scripture of the day'.  We were told to put it on a note card and carry it with us throughout the day.  On one side was the scripture and on the other side was our application for the day.  In a tough time in my life, this helped me to remember what I was wanting to accomplish that day.  The first scripture I chose was the famous Joshua scripture, 'Be thou strong and of good courage...'

Why do you care to know about this?  Well you probably don't, but I was going through my journal and I got into the habit at that time to tape the scripture of the day card into my journal so that I could remember what was going on each day.  I think it is a good habit that I want to get back into.  I had a few interesting experiences this weekend that reminded me of how easy it is to fall back into old habits if we are not constantly trying to be better.

Oh AWKWARD

I am sitting here eating left over birthday cake and I just had to share a few absolutely random experiences I have had in the last 24 hours.

Scenario #1
I went to my Floral Design lab yesterday.  The class it awesome. Don't judge me.  One of the T.A.s was talking to one of three guys in the class and the following conversation ensued:

T.A.: I should set you up with my sister.
Guy: Does she like vegetables?

REALLY??  I feel like someone should teach him how to date.  Because the first question should have been something about personality or attractiveness.  Not eating habits.

Scenario #2
I am in a Country Dance class on Thursday nights.  The class is fun.  Don't judge me.  My friend Lisa and her boyfriend are also in said class.  I was eating a cookie and had crumbs on my face.  Lisa brushed them off.  The following conversation ensued:

Lisa: You got a little somethin right there.
Clauson (Lisa's boyfriend): Yeah she does that to me all the time.
Me: Lisa rubs her hands all over your face all the time
Lisa: Oh yeah.
Me: I can only imagine. 'Here honey, let me rub my hands all over you.'
Random Boy: Wow, I came in that conversation at a weird point. It sounds interesting though.  We didn't get to dance together today, but I'm free Saturday night if you want to rub your hands all over me.

Yup.  He said that.  Almost word for word.

Scenario #3
A friend of mine invited me over to have waffles at his place.  I went and chatted it up with a guy I had met at my birthday fiesta on Monday.  The guy was cute, we talked for quite a while. As he was leaving, this happened.

Cute guy: It was nice seeing you again, we should definitely hang out more.
Me: Yeah for sure!
Cute guy: (stares at my phone for a few seconds as if he was deciding to ask for my number but doesn't and then leaves the room.  He goes upstairs, comes back down, awkwardly looks at me again, and then leaves.)

Mormon boys...learn to ask for girls numbers. Le f'real.

Thinking

I have been thinking about this post for a few days now.  Am I getting a bit obsessed with my blog when I start thinking out posts a week in advance?  Maybe.  But I really love this ability to post my thoughts in a forum that makes it available for others to comment and maybe give me sound advice.  Besides, Elder Ballard said that we needed to use technology to our advantage. I love this quote:

Now, to you who are graduating today and all other faithful members of the Church, as you graduate from this wonderful university, may I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet, particularly the New Media, to share the gospel and to explain in simple, clear terms the message of the Restoration.  Most of you already know that if you have access to the Internet you can start a blog in minutes and begin sharing what you know to be true.  You can download videos from Church and other appropriate sites, including Newsroom at LDS.org, and send them to your friends.  You can write to media sites on the Internet that report on the Church, and voice your views as to the accuracy of the reports. This, of course, requires that you, all members of the Church, understand the basic, fundamental principles of the gospel.

We are living in a world saturated with all kinds of voices. Perhaps now, more than ever, we have a major responsibility as Latter-day Saints to define ourselves, instead of letting others define us. See the full discourse by Elder Ballard HERE

Anyways, that is not really what I have been thinking about over the last few days.  I have been thinking a lot about the gifts and talents that Heavenly Father has blessed me with and the ways that He has been asking me to use them lately.  I just called a new secretary to my Relief Society Presidency because our old secretary got married over the Christmas break.  Now I don't have much experience with receiving revelation as to other people's callings, mainly because the last time I was in any sort of Presidency I was a Beehive.  I was quite nervous about the decision, I thought about it all break and I started to stress about it when I got back.  I thought that surely someone would move in and have the calling written across her forehead, unfortunately, that was not the case.  As I was praying about it and looking over the ward directory, I kept looking at a particular girl, but knowing that she was engaged and that my bishop does not like calling girls when they are already engaged, I would pass over her.  The Sunday I had promised to have a new secretary called, she got up in Relief Society and bore her testimony and I just knew I had to call her.  She has become the biggest blessing for me.

I don't know what it is but she just helps me to push myself to be better at my calling, to get out there and be more organized.  EVERY time I have an idea, she will add onto it and make it into a GREAT idea.  On subjects that I feel like I have exhausted all trains of thought, she will say something and lead us down a path that I had never even thought was possible.  She is helping me to treat it as a presidency and not as me taking on all the responsibility.  I AM SO GRATEFUL! She has helped me to be more kind to others and see myself in a different light.  Over the last few weeks I have had more comments from sisters about how kind we are as a presidency and I feel like it is because we have finally found a good blend in our presidency.

On Monday, I turned 26. I know. I can't believe I am 26.  That age seems so weird. BUT I had a birthday party and invited pretty much anyone who lived in the greater Utah County area.  I don't know where I picked up the habit of inviting basically everyone I know to everything that I plan, but I always do it.  It makes for some interesting parties because most of the people only know me, and then have to meet the other people as they come.  I kind of love it because I get to bounce around and chat with everyone.  My little brother is also in town so he got to meet my different friend groups and kind of understand a bit more about me.  Later that evening we were talking about how funny it is to see who comes and who doesn't and I realized how sometimes I just have the ability to bring groups together and make them one. That might sound arrogant and I don't mean it to, but it is particularly true with my life since the mission.  I have become a gatherer.

This thought, along with a lot of other thoughts, have led me to decide to do my Student teaching in Washington D.C. next fall.  I know, its a random leap of faith, but I have just felt over the last few weeks that I have a lot more to give, and that I need to go where there is little to be had.  I have never even been to D.C. I don't know what it is like to live there, but I FEEL like I need to go there.  I had an hour long conversation with a professor two weeks ago in which both she and I cried while discussing the pros and cons.  She said something that I think will probably mark me and stay with me forever.  We talked about how there are a lot more disciplinary problems in the areas where they would send me to teach, and how at times in her experience in inner city schools she would wish that Student X would be more like Student Y because Student Y did all their homework.  But then she said, 'But I don't remember the faces or names of any of my Student Y's.  I remember my Student X's because they were who I worried about, they were who I prayed for at night.  They are the ones that taught me to be a better teacher.'

And with that comment I knew I was going to go there.  Of course I have to get accepted, but I just read one of the letters of recommendation that a professor wrote for me and I am quite confident that I will get it.  I am going to teach in DC and it is going to be hard, but I hope that I am able to gather there the way I have gathered here in Utah.  I have this talent, the Lord has blessed me with it, and I intend to bless those I teach with it.  At least that is my plan.  

Stay tuned for more info...

I Hope They Call Me On A Mission...

Alright so I've already BEEN on a mission, but every time someone starts talking about missions and missionary work, that song runs through my head.  My little brother got his mission call last Thursday.  It was funny because I had a class in the dungeon (a.k.a. the basement of the JFSB) and so I had this message when I got out and all it said was "It is here!".  Since my phone hadn't rang, I didn't know who it was and the message was so short I had no idea who it was from.  Then my little sister called and left a message about coming to her house at a certain time to skype with the family up in Alaska to watch Jaden open his call. It all came together after that. (I'm a little slow, I know.)

This is my little brother with call in hand. He is a cutie.

So the rest of the day seemed to DRAG on as I waited for 9:30 Utah time to come.  I found myself nervous munching on any food in my perifiral vision so at about 9 I went to my sister and her husband's house to just plain get out of the house and away from food.  We got all connected at around 9:45 and watched my little bro open his call.  He choked up a little as he read it and I did too.  Jaden was called to serve in the Indiana, Indianapolis mission.  He reports March 3rd.  I am SO proud of him.  He is already such a spiritual giant, I can't wait to watch him just grow in leaps and bounds out in the mission field.

This is me and my little bro at the Church dance we dj'd this summer. We are this cool

Jaden getting his call has caused me to think so much about my mission.  I can't believe it has been almost 3 years since I got home.  I found my journal that I kept before my mission last weekend and read it all the way through. (I most definately didn't write every day so it wasn't THAT much to read and it was actually quite addicting) I was shocked at how much I have changed since then.  If nothing else, my mission taught me to be a much happier person than I was before.  I have so much more faith in Heavenly Father and I can look at obstacles and not run away.  I am a much stronger member of the church!  It was great to reflect and see that the Lord really molds us by our experiences to be who we need to be.

This is one of my favorite pictures from the mission. Ignore the fact that I am 40lbs heavier in this picture than I am now.

On a slightly related note I had a pretty cool experience this week with my calling.  I am never really good at 'knowing' who to call to what position.  It is tough for me to know if I am logically choosing them based on ability or if I am really seeking the help of the Holy Ghost to know whom Heavenly Father would like to serve in each position.  I felt the need to call two sisters in my ward to positions within the Relief Society.  Both of them approached me later and said something along the lines of, 'I know you were inspired, I am so excited to serve in this calling.'  Just goes to show, we aren't doing as bad as sometimes we may feel.  Love the gospel.

In general, I am just really happy right now.  I have no boys to base that happiness on right now, but I think that might be my favorite part about it.

Gains, losses and perspectives

This is my favorite person in Alaska Blair.  She and I plan parties. It is terrific.

It has been so good to be home.  I forgot how much I love a good winter in Alaska, but I love it here.  It hasn't been too cold, so it has been fun to be out and about doing fun things.  I had a party last week for Christmas and it had such a good turn out.  Nothing says home more than just being surrounded by friends and doing what you love best.  My little brother is waiting for his mission call, so it has been fun to talk with him about what awaits him and to see him go to the post office every day to see if his call has come.  I think he might be the most prepared person I know and so it is so funny to hear him asking me for advice because, honestly, there is nothing I can tell him that will make him any better of a missionary than he is already going to be...he is such a good kid.

Christmas eve in the morning I got a text from my compassionate service leader Erin letting me know that a girl in our ward, Rachel Bush, was going in for surgery.  Rachel was diagnosed with leukemia in February of last year and I have been visiting her in the hospital once a week since I moved into this ward.  She is an amazing person.  I got a phone call a few hours later from one of the counselors in my bishoprich letting me know that the surgery had not gone well and to pray for her to make it through.  I spent the rest of the day worrying and praying until I got a phone call that evening letting me know that Rachel had passed away and asking me to spread the word.

I rolled over in my head the last visit I had had with Rachel, and the things that she had taught me.  It was tough to be so far away because I just wanted to hug her parents and let them know how amazing I thought they were and how grateful I was for the chance to know Rachel.  I sent this email out to the Relief Society and then Brother Winters asked me to forward it on  to the priesthood:

My dear, lovely sisters,

I have been thinking for the last few days about what I was going to write about in this email.  I've been looking at Christmas stories that would help you see the spirit of Christmas, that would make you think a little less about yourself and more about other people, and thinking about what I could say to help you all have a merry and meaningful Christmas.  If I had written this email yesterday, it would be a completely different message than what I will write today.

Rachel Bush passed away today at 6pm due to complications from an operation to clear out an infection.  As the doctors began to operate, her organs began to shut down, her blood refused to clot and she slipped slowly from this life on to the eternities.  For those of us who have had the opportunity to visit with Rachel, you know that she did what she did so that others would fee loved, so that others would feel blessed and so that others could see that there is always a silver lining in every gray cloud.  You will also know that the 'service' we provided her was nothing compared to the service that she gave to us.  She was a ball of hope and love and you couldn't help leaving her room with a smile on her face.  Nurses and doctors alike would stop by just to see her and couldn't not love her.  She embodied what it was like to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

This holiday season I want to remind you of the blessings that the atonement has brought to our lives.  Because our Savior came into this world, we have hope of a better life.  We can be imperfect and yet be perfected in Him.  The beauty of the gospel is that we have knowledge of the plan, and we know that if we are faithful and endure to the end, we can return to our Father's presence and be with our families forever.  Christ died that we may live and as we strive to do what the Lord wants of us, we are slowly molded into the people that our Father in Heaven needs us to be.  Rachel had been molded through one of the toughest trials that anyone could face, and she did it with a smile.  The last time I spoke with her, she said she would be home for Christmas.  I thought she was being a bit optimistic, but she is home...just not the home I thought she was talking about.

One of my favorite Christmas carols is O Little Town of Bethlehem.  As I thought today about Rachel and about the Savior, I was reminded of the words to the third verse:

How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is giv'n

So God imparts to human hearts the Blessings of his heav'n

No ear may hear his coming,  But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him still The dear Christ enters in.

So I ask you tomorrow and Friday to remember the people you love, to tell them how much they mean to you and to remember that what we are celebrating is the gift of the Savior.  Be the Rachel Bushes of the world.  Let not your trials make you weary, but search for ways to help each trial become a strength.  As it says in Ether, 'And if men come unto me I will show them their weakness; I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.'  Let the Savior's sacrafice make you humble, and then let it make you strong.

 Keep Rachel's family in your prayers, and focus on what matters, and know that I love you.  May you all realize the blessing of life this Christmas season.

Love you dearly,

Jody

Its beginning to look a lot like christmas

These are my Santas and my nutcracker on my mantle.  Cute I know.

I have been trying to write a Christmas update for a few days now, but just haven't gotten around to it until just now.  It started snowing this weekend which has made for some pretty interesting days.  Yesterday I had to meet a group on campus at 8 am and then I didn't have to be back on campus until 4pm, so I planned on going in my pjs, going to the gym, and then cleaning up for the day.  I started my car from the inside of my house (I love my auto start) and then went outside a few minutes later.  I realized that I still had time before I HAD to leave, so after sweeping off my car, I swept of all the cars on my row.  Its funny because things like that just come to me sometimes.  One or two people actually saw me doing it, which was not my intention, and thanked me.

I love love love my tree.  I have been falling asleep every night just looking at the lights.  Its great.

Last night we had Family Home Evening at our first counselor's house.  I love bishoprich FHEs.  It feels like home to me.  Their family has a motto that they recite each week which I loved.  Even their 4 year old knew it and said it along with the family. Then each kid gives a mini lesson.  They were all so good, but Nathan, their 10 year old, really touched me.  Nathan and I have been buds for the last few months.  We bonded over a game of kick ball at the beginning of the semester and I enjoy having a little brother for a few hours during each activity.  He is highly ADD and I can tell has a hard time in social situations.  For his lesson, Nathan told the story of Jesus' birth.  I have no idea why at that very moment it touched me so much, but hearing that 10 year old recite the scriptures in Luke brought tears to my eyes.  I absolutely love this time of year.

This is me and Nathan at the last ward function.

For my relief society I am making a CD full of Christmas music about Christ.  I figure it would be a good gift for them.  There is so much hype over presents and what not, but we tend to forget that Christmas is about celebrating Christ.  I'm going to call the CD 'A Christ Centered Christmas'.  I was going through my music today and I remembered this song and looked up the lyrics.  I feel like it might be one of the most moving Christmas Songs I have heard in a while.  If you don't have it, let me know and I'll make you a copy.

In the Bleak MidWinter


In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what can I give Him...give my heart.