Day 256: Exercise Faith Vs. The Exercise Bike

Aha:
I've taken to listening to talks from past General Conference sessions during my walk to/from work and any other time I can.  One of the talks from today was by Carl B. Cook of the Seventy titled, "It Is Better to Look Up".  He said that after a particularly hard day he got into the elevator at Church Headquarters and pushed the button to a lower floor.  He was feeling downtrodden and found himself staring at the floor when another passenger entered the elevator.  The passenger asked what he was staring at and he replied, "Oh, nothing."  To this the passenger responded, "You know, it is better to look up."  With this comment Brother Cook looked up and saw President Monson pointing upwards towards heaven, indicating that in all situations it is better to look to heaven for help, comfort and direction.
Here's a small quote that I loved from his talk:
Experience has taught me that if we, like President Monson, exercise our faith and look to God for help, we will not be overwhelmed with the burdens of life. We will not feel incapable of doing what we are called to do or need to do. We will be strengthened, and our lives will be filled with peace and joy. We will come to realize that most of what we worry about is not of eternal significance—and if it is, the Lord will help us. But we must have the faith to look up and the courage to follow His direction.

Ha ha:
Ladies.  No matter how much you are sick of whatever giant/heavy/obnoxious eyesore-of-a-piece of furniture your husband insists on having in your living space--don't try moving it down into the cement basement by yourself.  Especially when, after hearing you fall down the stairs with it, he tells you he'd really like to keep it where it was, and then asks you to help him move it back up the stairs.  The scrapes and bruises are so not worth it--just take a hammer to it instead.

Day 255: Up Where They Stay All Day in the Sun

Aha:
We had 64 degree weather today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Once I heard how warm it was outside I suddenly found out I had to walk outside to go over to the corporate office. :)  Anyway, I wore my coat just in case the wind was too much and this is what ended up happening...

Best part?  It's supposed to be even warmer tomorrow! 

What's this?  A picture of me smiling, without a coat, outside!

Ha ha:
At one point this evening, Peter was sitting on Clinton's lap in such a way that his puppy belly was a little exposed.  Naturally, this inspired me to start singing a song about it.  Here's a little of how it went...
(to the tune of Part of Your World, from Little Mermaid)
Look at this pup,
Isn't he sweet?
Wouldn't 'cha think that his body's complete?
Wouldn't 'cha think it's the bod,
The bod that has everything?

It was at this point in my tribute that Clinton interjected and said, "I don't think I'd say his is 'the bod that has everything'."
Oh we are so silly.

Day 254: Play Time

Aha:
Sometimes you gotta just drop what you're doing and play...

Thanks for the reminder, Petey.

Ha ha:

The other day Clinton and I were walking through the mall and passed by Victoria's Secret.  There was an enormous poster of this mostly naked woman (no surprise there) in the window.  Clinton turned to me and said, "Victoria claims to have secrets, but it looks like she's not doing a very good job keeping them private." 

I laughed and said, "That's the problem:  It's all about the private parts."

Day 253: The Spirit of God, Like a Fire is Burning

Aha:
We had a FANTASTIC lesson in RS today about Charity.  The teacher wrote the word "charity" up on the board and then gave three brief definitions of it below:
Charity:
Love for Christ
Love from Christ
Love like Christ
She asked for people to share situations they've experienced in each of these categories and the spirit was so sweet and strong in that room.  It was a great opportunity for me to think about His love in my life and how it is ALWAYS there for me.
I'm looking forward to getting the notes from the lesson in our weekly RS email and when I do I'll update the post so you can catch a glimpse of how wonderful it was.  Thank you Sarah for all of your preparation, it really made room for the spirit to touch all of us!

Ha ha:
During Sunday School the teacher asked us to read a certain passage of scripture and pay attention to the characteristics mentioned of the wicked.  The scripture was 2 Ne 26:4.
4 Wherefore, all those who are proud, and that do wickedly, the day that cometh shall ^aburn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, for they shall be as stubble.
People raised their hands and said things like, "They were proud." "They were unrighteous." and Clinton turned to me and said, "They were flammable."

Day 252: Do We Have a Birthday Here?

Aha:
Saturday was my 28th birthday.  I can't believe I only have 2 years left in my twenties!  I still feel like I'm twenty-one (and apparently I still look like I am to all the people I work with, so that's good, right?)!  Anyway, 15 of our closest friends joined us at Red Robin for dinner and we had a great time!

We had pictures taken of all of us, but sadly they didn't turn out (anyone who was there that has one and wouldn't mind sharing, I'd love a copy!)
Thanks Jay, Matt & Kim, Porters, Hansens, Jackmans, Calls & Halls for coming!!  (And thanks Thorsthed's for meeting us at McDonald's afterward for dessert!!)

Ha ha:
If you know me, you know I don't like when servers come and sing their overly cheesy birthday songs to you.  Anyway, just when I was finishing my dinner I noticed one of my friends whispering to the waitress.  Oh dear.  A couple minutes later, sure enough the singers arrived however this time they brought ice cream.

The singing was terrible but the ice cream and the thoughtfulness in sending it was wonderful!  

Thank you Shawn and Hui Min!

Day 251: Celebrate Good Times...at Work!

Aha:
Here's the fortune cookie fortune I got the other day.

 I sure hope so!

Ha ha:
I walked into work Friday morning to find this...

Apparently Kelli intended to print 10 posters but accidentally entered 100 instead.  Needless to say, the office was very, VERY decorated!

Here I am with the 4-lb bag of salt water taffy that Kelli gave me for my birthday.   

I never knew I liked them till last week when she and I happened to try one over at the corporate office and now I have a whole huge bag of 'em!  Ha!

Day 250: Tickle Monster and Hungry Monster

Aha:
“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” 
― Mother Teresa
I had a little moment of insight, while walking the halls at the hospital Thursday, that made me feel a little differently towards The Intimidator.  I happened to be following behind him and Dr. Simpatico as they were escorting a visiting professor around the hospital.  I watched as they approached this little family with a two-year-old-ish daughter who was obviously one of The Intimidator's patients.  He completely stopped the tour, put his arms way up over his head (like a tickle monster) and ran up to her giggling before bending down and tickling her bare feet.  He got right down to her level, asked how she was doing and paused to speak with her mom before resuming the tour.
None of us are perfect.  All of us have our flaws.  But each of us has things we really care about and would do anything for.  He has a big heart after all and it goes out to all of his little patients.

Ha ha:
I was busy all day escorting the visiting professor to all of his various meetings and was completely exhausted and famished by the time lunch rolled around.  There was some pizza left over from his group luncheon and the second I brought it in to the office it took me about 10 seconds to grab my portion and eat it.  My coworker turned to me with a shocked look on her face and asked, "You hungry, Danielle?"  Um...yes.