Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Cabbage and Potato Chowder
1 week ago
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Williamsburg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBXXLzE0-rY&feature=youtube_gdata_player
First things first. If you haven't seen it, go watch it!
My friends are marching along with the drum corps. Fun!
Did someone say flashmob?
That's right, flash mob guy is my friend. I only hang with the coolest crowds.
Must. Eat. Sandwich. Reeeeach........
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
First things first. If you haven't seen it, go watch it!
My friends are marching along with the drum corps. Fun!
Did someone say flashmob?
That's right, flash mob guy is my friend. I only hang with the coolest crowds.
Must. Eat. Sandwich. Reeeeach........
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, June 20, 2011
Ben Titera
Last night I was in the throes of tour prep, packing and organizing and re-packing and visiting with people, when I got word that my friend Ben died in an accident the night before. I was stunned. I really did stumble around for a bit, emotional shock and some stuttering and tears. Luckily no one was around to see how messed up I got over it. I was surprised at how messed up I got over it.
Ben and I hadn't seen each other in years. In fact, the last time I had a chance to see him it was just a few weeks after my grandfather passed away, so I couldn't take the time off work to go. And I was sad about that, but I figured we'd have another chance. We had years ahead of us. Right?
And we weren't even a little bit good at staying in touch. Our news of each other was gathered through friends who did stay in touch. He recently moved to Park City and connected with me on Facebook, and I was looking forward to find a chance to hang out with him again.
So why does it matter so much?how much of an emptiness can come from the loss of a friend you never see?
I guess you'd have to know Ben.
He was an elder in my mission. The district leader in a place called Torcy. He arrived there a month after I did, and I'm afraid my reputation of being the sister that "didn't take any crap" had preceded me. Bt this district was so accepting. And in walked elder Titera, whose reputation as the elder who gave out crap was well known and well earned. There was the potential for every conflict there. But he jumped right in and trusted me. He initiated a relationship of kindness and encouraged me to explore the more fun aspects of missionary work, all the while bearing a powerful testimony. He taught me that you don't have to be a stick in the mud in order to serve the Lord. And he taught me in a sweet and gentle way. Patiently. Which is a bit of a miracle in and of itself ,since while he was being kind and patient with me he was at the same time hog-tying his companions, stealing chickens from members, and being generally and totally disruptive to all the order I thought i was supposed to be maintaining. He was the elder who was the target of the great blueberry pie adventure, something that had him peeing blue for weeks to come. And i remember his shock at my being the person who delivered the blow, baked the pie and served it in the name of another elder's birthday. But I think that was also some evidence of his success at getting me to loosen up. You see, Ben's strength was teaching through love, and that love was expressed in a spirit of inclusion that reflected the very core of the gospel. He was the kind of guy I never would have hung out with or even approached in high school, but we grew to have a love and respect that I treasured for my entire mission. It made me feel better about myself to know that someone like Ben Titera loved me, and that I could love him back. He testified boldly to the world around him profound understanding of God's love for everyone. And he testified quietly to me that I was included. I think it was the first time in my life that I was included in something so amazing. It made all the difference, coming from a district where the sisters were regarded as second class citizens and the zone leader manifested time after time that he was less than trustworthy.
So I've carried his impact on my life with me every day since. It is one of the memories I rely on when depression or anxiety attempt to destroy the life I am trying to build.
Once, during our mission, he called me classy.
Once, after our mission, he called me beautiful.
I can't tell you how rare and precious even just those words have been to me.
This post is a mess. I am a mess. We are all the way on the other side of the nation, doing sound checks and preparing for a concert. And while we were rehearsing I heard words that I have sung a hundred times, renewed to me today in a perfect description of my lost friend.
Perhaps you think me wild,
Or simple as a child.
I am a child of glory.
I am born from above,
My soul is filled with love,
I love to tell the Story.
My soul now sits and sings,
And practices it's wings,
And contemplates the hour,
When the messenger shall say,
"Come quit this house of clay,
And with bright angels tower."
My soul doth long to go
Where I may fully know
The glory of my Savior
And as I pass along,
I'll sing the Christian song,
I'm going to live forever.
I can just picture my giant of a friend towering with the angels, laughing as he hog-ties a few, and singing along in his not-so-refined but always enthusiastic voice. I'm going to live forever.
He's the second from the left.
Dieu soit avec toi jusqu'au revoir, quand la mort, le deuille ne serents plus.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Ben and I hadn't seen each other in years. In fact, the last time I had a chance to see him it was just a few weeks after my grandfather passed away, so I couldn't take the time off work to go. And I was sad about that, but I figured we'd have another chance. We had years ahead of us. Right?
And we weren't even a little bit good at staying in touch. Our news of each other was gathered through friends who did stay in touch. He recently moved to Park City and connected with me on Facebook, and I was looking forward to find a chance to hang out with him again.
So why does it matter so much?how much of an emptiness can come from the loss of a friend you never see?
I guess you'd have to know Ben.
He was an elder in my mission. The district leader in a place called Torcy. He arrived there a month after I did, and I'm afraid my reputation of being the sister that "didn't take any crap" had preceded me. Bt this district was so accepting. And in walked elder Titera, whose reputation as the elder who gave out crap was well known and well earned. There was the potential for every conflict there. But he jumped right in and trusted me. He initiated a relationship of kindness and encouraged me to explore the more fun aspects of missionary work, all the while bearing a powerful testimony. He taught me that you don't have to be a stick in the mud in order to serve the Lord. And he taught me in a sweet and gentle way. Patiently. Which is a bit of a miracle in and of itself ,since while he was being kind and patient with me he was at the same time hog-tying his companions, stealing chickens from members, and being generally and totally disruptive to all the order I thought i was supposed to be maintaining. He was the elder who was the target of the great blueberry pie adventure, something that had him peeing blue for weeks to come. And i remember his shock at my being the person who delivered the blow, baked the pie and served it in the name of another elder's birthday. But I think that was also some evidence of his success at getting me to loosen up. You see, Ben's strength was teaching through love, and that love was expressed in a spirit of inclusion that reflected the very core of the gospel. He was the kind of guy I never would have hung out with or even approached in high school, but we grew to have a love and respect that I treasured for my entire mission. It made me feel better about myself to know that someone like Ben Titera loved me, and that I could love him back. He testified boldly to the world around him profound understanding of God's love for everyone. And he testified quietly to me that I was included. I think it was the first time in my life that I was included in something so amazing. It made all the difference, coming from a district where the sisters were regarded as second class citizens and the zone leader manifested time after time that he was less than trustworthy.
So I've carried his impact on my life with me every day since. It is one of the memories I rely on when depression or anxiety attempt to destroy the life I am trying to build.
Once, during our mission, he called me classy.
Once, after our mission, he called me beautiful.
I can't tell you how rare and precious even just those words have been to me.
This post is a mess. I am a mess. We are all the way on the other side of the nation, doing sound checks and preparing for a concert. And while we were rehearsing I heard words that I have sung a hundred times, renewed to me today in a perfect description of my lost friend.
Perhaps you think me wild,
Or simple as a child.
I am a child of glory.
I am born from above,
My soul is filled with love,
I love to tell the Story.
My soul now sits and sings,
And practices it's wings,
And contemplates the hour,
When the messenger shall say,
"Come quit this house of clay,
And with bright angels tower."
My soul doth long to go
Where I may fully know
The glory of my Savior
And as I pass along,
I'll sing the Christian song,
I'm going to live forever.
I can just picture my giant of a friend towering with the angels, laughing as he hog-ties a few, and singing along in his not-so-refined but always enthusiastic voice. I'm going to live forever.
He's the second from the left.
Dieu soit avec toi jusqu'au revoir, quand la mort, le deuille ne serents plus.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
This update is for you Jim.
Not that you need it.
In fact, everyone knows most of the stuff here. But whatever.
My friend Jim was making fun of me the other day because I haven't updated in 7 months. Its not a question of having things to say. Its not about having time. Its also not because I'm depressed or particularly happy or any of that stuff.
Its because I'm lazy.
I'm all for honesty. So you should know. My room is a mess. I cleaned out my car this morning. Its a beautiful day, and I'm sitting in a dark living room eating the peanut butter ripple out of a carton of Tillamook Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream. But I went hiking with my friend Elisa earlier and will head out to mow my lawn in a little bit. I'll also do some laundry and clean the kitchen and do those normal Saturday things that aren't worth blogging about.
Life is normal.
Which is awesome.
Actually, boring Saturday chores aside life is better than normal. Much of that attitude is a result of the carton of Ice Cream keeping me company. Also its because in 2 weeks I will be leaving on my first big tour with the choir. That means a week and a half off work, staying in hotels, eating ridiculous amounts of food, and singing.
So maybe thats a little more glamorous than normal.
Oh yeah, and there's that whole grad school thing. Which starts in the fall. That kind of terrifies me more than excites me. But its something I've wanted and I've been working towards it for a long time. So here are the important points.
-I start August 24th
-No, I don't know how I'm paying yet. But I'm going, so stop asking.
-I'm hoping I can quit my [crap] job and focus on studying the first year. apparently that makes a big difference
-Its called "Master of Science in Counseling Psychology"
-I chose this program because they have an internship at the Pingree School , a center for autism studies.
-I did not get accepted to the U of U. Its probably best. I like this program better anyways
-The program I did get accepted to only accepts 15 people a year. So there, U.
-I had to take the GRE. I decided to apply last minute and therefore only had about 4 days warning to study before I dove in head first.
-I got a 1250. on the GRE. Without really studying. Yay me!
-Yes, I'll be able to diagnose your children with things if they actually have things that need diagnosing.
-sure, I'll give you a discount. After school is paid for. Which may take 20-30 years.
So there's that. Let's take inventory. Hiking. Choir. Time off. Grad School. Ice Cream. Friends that make fun of me a little for silly things. Saturday chores. Mountains.
I knew I'd be happy here.
So life is normal and good. And better than normal. Its part glamorous, part exactly what I want and part more than I thought possible. In fact, I'm still not sure its all possible. But I'm going to try anyways.
In fact, everyone knows most of the stuff here. But whatever.
My friend Jim was making fun of me the other day because I haven't updated in 7 months. Its not a question of having things to say. Its not about having time. Its also not because I'm depressed or particularly happy or any of that stuff.
Its because I'm lazy.
I'm all for honesty. So you should know. My room is a mess. I cleaned out my car this morning. Its a beautiful day, and I'm sitting in a dark living room eating the peanut butter ripple out of a carton of Tillamook Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream. But I went hiking with my friend Elisa earlier and will head out to mow my lawn in a little bit. I'll also do some laundry and clean the kitchen and do those normal Saturday things that aren't worth blogging about.
Life is normal.
Which is awesome.
Actually, boring Saturday chores aside life is better than normal. Much of that attitude is a result of the carton of Ice Cream keeping me company. Also its because in 2 weeks I will be leaving on my first big tour with the choir. That means a week and a half off work, staying in hotels, eating ridiculous amounts of food, and singing.
So maybe thats a little more glamorous than normal.
Oh yeah, and there's that whole grad school thing. Which starts in the fall. That kind of terrifies me more than excites me. But its something I've wanted and I've been working towards it for a long time. So here are the important points.
-I start August 24th
-No, I don't know how I'm paying yet. But I'm going, so stop asking.
-I'm hoping I can quit my [crap] job and focus on studying the first year. apparently that makes a big difference
-Its called "Master of Science in Counseling Psychology"
-I chose this program because they have an internship at the Pingree School , a center for autism studies.
-I did not get accepted to the U of U. Its probably best. I like this program better anyways
-The program I did get accepted to only accepts 15 people a year. So there, U.
-I had to take the GRE. I decided to apply last minute and therefore only had about 4 days warning to study before I dove in head first.
-I got a 1250. on the GRE. Without really studying. Yay me!
-Yes, I'll be able to diagnose your children with things if they actually have things that need diagnosing.
-sure, I'll give you a discount. After school is paid for. Which may take 20-30 years.
So there's that. Let's take inventory. Hiking. Choir. Time off. Grad School. Ice Cream. Friends that make fun of me a little for silly things. Saturday chores. Mountains.
I knew I'd be happy here.
So life is normal and good. And better than normal. Its part glamorous, part exactly what I want and part more than I thought possible. In fact, I'm still not sure its all possible. But I'm going to try anyways.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Conference weekend
I used to have fun writing my conference weekend play by play and thoughts. That's changed a little, partly because, well, you can all pretty much see what I'm up to. Also because much of what is happening is too personal to go online, or its against the rules for me to post it. But I thought I'd highlight a few blog-appropriate points, just for fun.
~The lady in front of me taped the words to the opening hymn to the back of the woman in front of her. By the end of the session we had added the words "kick me" as well.
~President Holland's talk + Sour Apple Yoda fruit snacks = nourishing the whole soul
~Didn't you just love that arrangement of Tell me the Stories of Jesus? Not a dry eye during that 4th verse, "one of His heralds, yes I will sing Loudest Hosannas..."
~I still feel a little like a movie star. At the risk of sounding vain, my makeup looked pretty awesome today.
~Switching around parts all the time because I'm sitting in the soprano section so I have to look like a soprano is exhausting. It's not like before, when I learned both parts and sang them for a concert. I have to look like I am only singing one part for the TV cameras, meanwhile I have to actually sing a totally different part. Its the toughest brain puzzle I've ever been faced with. And I love it.
~I love love love watching the people around me pass around boxes of kleenex. Strong, smart, amazing women, feeling the same stuff I feel.
~We get to keep going! Tomorrow is another day!
~The lady in front of me taped the words to the opening hymn to the back of the woman in front of her. By the end of the session we had added the words "kick me" as well.
~President Holland's talk + Sour Apple Yoda fruit snacks = nourishing the whole soul
~Didn't you just love that arrangement of Tell me the Stories of Jesus? Not a dry eye during that 4th verse, "one of His heralds, yes I will sing Loudest Hosannas..."
~I still feel a little like a movie star. At the risk of sounding vain, my makeup looked pretty awesome today.
~Switching around parts all the time because I'm sitting in the soprano section so I have to look like a soprano is exhausting. It's not like before, when I learned both parts and sang them for a concert. I have to look like I am only singing one part for the TV cameras, meanwhile I have to actually sing a totally different part. Its the toughest brain puzzle I've ever been faced with. And I love it.
~I love love love watching the people around me pass around boxes of kleenex. Strong, smart, amazing women, feeling the same stuff I feel.
~We get to keep going! Tomorrow is another day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
