Out with the old...

I always seem to get a little nostalgic this time of year. I am always reminded of how quickly time passes as an adult and how quickly things can change. Looking back on 2009 I am astonished at all that has fit into a mere 365 days. Some of the things that have had the most impact are as follows:

-Completed my second year of grad school.

-Got my first "professional" job.

-Met, dated, and married Mr. Sutton.

-Moved from CA to UT to WI to PA. (Moving back to WI in 17 more days!)

-Said goodbye to my grandfather.

-Hiked the Grand Canyon.

-Married off two close friends in Key West.

-Took road trips involving stops in 15 different states.

-Took a four hour test comprehensive of my entire Master's degree...and passed!

-Increased running intervals to 3 minutes on/ 3 minutes off...believe it or not this was a big feat for me!

Believe it or not I look forward to a very quiet and predictable 2010....resolutions to follow.

The great debate...

Recently I have been researching a lot of the controversial issues that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are confronted with. It is interesting to me how much of the negative views are devoid of fact or firm basis. Many are stereotypes or perceptions formed from misconceptions brought out by the media or anti-mormon literature. I suppose this is why they are considered "controversial".  I will be honest, I have always been the type to understand the gospel from a more "emotional" perspective. I KNOW that it's true by the way that I felt being in the same room with president Gordon B. Hinkley and feeling of his amazing love for people, I KNOW because of the strength I have gained to overcome myself through trials and bad choices, I KNOW because of the warmth that comes over me at the beginning chords of Come Thou Fount or I Stand all Amazed. I KNOW through the overwelming peace that I felt at the funeral of a loved one, just the simple knowledge that I will see him again. These are all things I can share to non-member friends but they are personal and I don't expect them to necessarily understand my feelings.
As of late I have been trying to learn the gospel from a more doctrinal perspective. I think it is essential. Prophets and leaders encourage us to test our faith and to explore the gospel in depth. To gain our own testimony that can stand independently. How else are we expected to share the gospel with others. It is not enough simply to be an example. Many religions teach people to have values and morals. Many teach to love your neighbor and to be honest. We must also be able to explain our beliefs and to defend them intelligently. How lucky we are to live in a time that we have the resources at our fingertips. The words of the prophets in every conference session available in all different languages and formats, writings of gospel scholars available online, worldwide missionaries, and of course the Book of Mormon and Bible available free to anyone who requests them. I am grateful for the experiences that I have had that encourage me to study harder and stronger and to simply articulate the  truths that in my heart I already KNOW.

Distance...

I am going on three months now. I never knew it would feel like an eternity. I thought I was stronger....more independent. I am the "queen of long distance relationships"...I don't know if it's the ring on my finger or just the fact that He rocks my world. I do know I am tired of it.

Gettysburg...

This weekend Jenn and Rilee came down from Jersey to go to Gettysburg with me for the weekend. We had a blast! It started snowing on our way down and it was Freezing! After being in CA for the last 2 years I think I have completely turned into a wuss. Being able to spend time with friends, shop, and eat delicious food made up for it though. One of the first things we did was go to a museum which featured life-sized wax sculptures representing some of the events leading up to the war. Let me just say that they were freaky. Some of them were mechanized so when you walked past they would move....I felt like I was in a haunted house they looked so creepy. Also myself and mechanized faxe moving people do not mix. (this could stem from that freaky kids show called Today's Special....anyone remember that???) Thanks RiLee and Jenn for coming down and hanging out! It was fun!