speaking without words

Source: lorenrosenhal.tumblr.com via Mary Beth on Pinterest

the other night i had a really honest talk with the Lord.
it started out with the, "i'm grateful for this..." and "i thank Thee for that..."
and it wasn't but just a few seconds later that i just started to cry.
i turned my prayer of thoughts into a prayer of feeling in my heart.

i then thought with my heart and my head,
"Father, i hope you can interpret what these sobs are.
because i don't know how to put this into words,
i don't know how to gather the energy to talk about it.
i kinda just need You to understand."

and as i continued to cry,
i truly felt...
...a lot better.
peace.

i know the Lord is incredible.
and "incredible" is just the tip of the ice berg.
He is looking out for me,
and without even saying a word,
He knew what I was saying.

you know how i know that?
because he answered my prayers.

service carnival

yes... halloween was 2 months ago.

but i never blogged about this.

soooo really quick!

service committee halloween carnival.

so. much. fun.

this kid and i were twinners -- he kept telling everyone and he would repeat our troop numbers to anyone he would tell.

i was a little nervous to go to a "special needs" function, not gonna lie...

but it was a lot of fun. :)

"Service to others deepens and sweetens this life while we are preparing to live in a better world. It is by serving that we learn to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves! In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves!" 

--Spencer W. Kimball

Stories For Christmas

the Institute's production. Soooo good!

i had to MC the show... i was friggin out.

but my folkdancers did SO good!

and, of course, my mom came up to support me. :)

my poor little blog

Source: grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com via Andrea on Pinterest

it has been seriously neglected...
school & institute have officially taken over my life.


in a good way.
:)


plus we got a new system at work which adds to everything else.


but i am here to say:
i am happy.
busier than ever.
embracing my andrea-ness.


life. is. good. 
:)

Forecast

since about the 20th of july, my post have been on auto pilot. I got a whole bunch of posts together, set them to schedule on different days, and I seriously have hardly touched blogger for almost a month.

have you ever had so much to do that you put your pj t-shirt on backwards?

i did.

have you ever laid in bed for over an hour because your mind can't shut off?

i did.

have you ever called your mom needing to vent, be excited, and cry all in the same sentence?

i did.

have you thought that the craziness and chaotic schedule will only continue?

i have.

i know this semester is going to be crazy.

like....crazy might even be an understatement.

i know i am going to want to seal my mouth & eyelids shut.

i know my cheek muscles are going to hurt from smiling.

i know that i am going to spend many weekends helping at activities.

i know my sleep is going to sporadic and short.

i know, without a doubt, that school work and learning will be harder than hard.

it is going to be tough.

and i am going to enjoy every minute.

i prayed for this.

and i am not about to be ungrateful.

i am really grateful that i have created this blog to help document all these experiences.

i am grateful for the knowledge that the Lord is going to be there with me every step of the way.

He will, somehow, help me get all the things that need to be accomplished, accomplished.

i am here to tell you that it will be difficult and stressful,

i've already experienced it.

but with me on His team, I will be strong to do all that is asked of me.

Institute Rodeo 2011

So my new calling on the Institute Council allows me to be really involved -- "behind the scenes" kind of involved. And ya know what? I couldn't love it more! It is hard work. It's full of early set up's, late night clean up's, lots of planning and preparation, meetings galore. But it is oh so rewarding: The friends I make, the satisfaction of  giving time and effort, working with the rest of those on council, watching people make friends and bring more friends. I love my calling, I am blessed more and more, edified more and more, strengthened more and more when I dedicate myself to this work and these people.

Our July activity was a Rodeo. There was roping, riding horses, sack races, chasing cows, pie eating contest, pulled pork sandwiches and hot dogs. Then there was chips, snowcones, cotton candy, homemade root beer. Mmmm :) 

Towards the end of the night there was a hoe-down where there were lots of line dances going on, a contest of who looks more cowgirl and cowboy-sh, a huge raffle going on with awesome prizes like a 3 month membership to a gym, camping chairs, and books from Deseret Book.

Ah! it was great fun! Really really hot... but fun!

Check it out!

me, Trevor, and Jessie (she came up for the festivities)

my roommates Chandra and Michelle helping out. :) bless their hearts!

my lime flavored snowcone!

my friend Paige!

Get this: we actually used to live by each other before i moved to my current residence. but when i went to my second week in my new ward i sat next to her, we put together that we used to live by each other & we have been friends ever since! funny though that it too us to both NOT be in our common area to meet, right?? I was so glad she came. I adore this girl.:)

Trent, Tara, Julene, Neil, me, Tasha

I like the lighting in the top one better (that's why these are almost duplicates) but I wanted to make sure I included this one of my lil Jessie. :)

Me, Heather (from my new ward) and her friend.

I asked Tara to hold my camera while I helped with the last of the raffle.

...guess this is my "you're welcome andi!" :)

Friday Night {Institute} Carnival

Holy. Freaking. Blast.

Wow.

Game booths.

Doughnut eating contest.

Dunk booth.

Tangled.

Dance.

T-shirts.

Friends.

New Friends.

Happiness.

Love.

Pictures.

Funny faces.

It was glorious.

Let me share:

(these are in no particular order...and i'm too lazy to put them in order. there are over 30. wowza! oh and taken on my phone so quality is all over the place.)

dance lights.

"Be a Bringer -- One More"

angie and my doughnuts.

us with tavys, the winner!

doughnut eating in action.

Bro. Barlow

Bro. T = he is our new assistant advisor. he is awesome! such a nice guy! he made me a deal. he said that if i registered for the class he and his wife teach, i could be the first to dunk him.

of course i registered!

Jamie was soooo cold. and his sunburn did not help..

ok i freaking love sifa. haha! he cracks me up! one day he'll show up with corn rows, and another day he'll have this huge afro. i threw the football so i could get him wet & the top of his hair was soaking -- then he shakes his head like a dog would shake after a bath and just gives the biggest grin haha!

alycia. sweetheart beyond measure and awesome activities organizer!

in the kitchen with lizzy and caleb

ashley is the bomb{dot}com. 

and she did my face paint also!

these kids are so fun.

ah i love them. :)

"this is really awkward being this close to you angie...so i'm gonna look over here.."

cotton candy => tastey.

kristin and my little jen. :)

MeChele is so much fun. AND she has pink hair. can you see it on the bottom?

paige and storie. storie was the secretary for the council last year. she is so much fun and...we are actually in the same ward now! hoorah!

squeeze-it!

(forgot how much i like those)

tavys the creeper. haha.

and then of course all the people. 

originally it was thought that maybe 300-400 people would come.

then, the activities committee and the Russell's got ambitious and thought maybe 600.

and we had over 1,000.

wowza?

oh yes.

and for a summer activity.

ah! that is legit!

and the shirts that Elder and Sister Russell ordered for the first people there were also legit.

there was also so much diversity amongst the crowd.

everyone had a blast.

i was handing out airheads and one kid said i was his hero haha!

welllllll thanks mr. skyler!

i love being in this calling because it gives me an excuse to be forward and talk with people. i love meeting new people and making friends. it is one of the greatest feelings. 

have i told you that i love this calling?

or can you tell already?