The Ropes Course

So remember how I said that we are trying to do more fun things in Idaho before we head out next year? Well, this is one of those things that was on the list. Monday night for FHE, we hooked up with some friends [all of whom went on the ski trip we went on last summer] for a ropes course. For those of you who haven't heard of one, its supposed to be series of obstacles and thrill things that inspire team work. Of course, like I mentioned previously, the weather here has been super sporadic, and we were still dealing with the freezing rains that followed the snow from a few days before. Because it was both dark and raining we had to limit the things we did, so we mainly just did what they called 'the swing'.

I don't know how to describe it, other then referencing amusement parks. A person climbs up onto the top of a ladder and then gets hitched by means of a harness to this rope thingy. Then the ladder is moved and people the rest of the group pulls them up in a pulley system till they are a few stories high. Then, they release. And you free fall. And its CRAZY. After you get over the initial drop, its like you are flying. Its like drop zone without the restraints. Very scary, but VERY fun and 'free' feeling.

It was a cold, wet, but VERY fun experience. Afterwards, we headed over to our friends place for dessert and games. Over all it was a great chance for some outdoor fun and some social interaction before the week began. This weekend, we will be hooking up again for some ice caving! Good times!

PS: I forgot to mention that I officially got a job as a substitute teacher! I am both nervous and excited, and will be starting soon..just waiting for the background check to finish up..haha lets hope I pass!

[these were the two towers the ropes were strung between when you were hoisted up.]

To Be Sensitive

A few semesters ago, I was working in my church's primary program. This meant that I got to work with two sweet toddler age girls. Both were adorable and they were easy both to love and learn from-the same could be said of their parents. One Sunday, one of the little girls Father bore his testimony in church. One of the things he said was that now that him and his wife had just had their second baby, their daughter was so sweet and attentive to him as an older sibling. He mentioned that she was, and always had been extremely sensitive to the needs of her new brother, and her parents. If the baby cried cried, she was next to him in a second touching his hand, looking worried and calling in her few words to her parents. If her Mom was tired or stressed, she could tell and would try to bring her blankets and stuff. Again, the word he kept using was that she was 'sensitive'.

I guess the reason this hit me so much is because I have been called sensitive on a number of different occasions-and usually I think the word carries a negative connotation. I think the stereotype this word carries is that of being 'easily offended.' This little girl's Dad reminded me that this isn't the case. To be sensitive means to be feeling-to have an awareness of other people's needs in many situations, and to truly care about that and try to meet those needs. It means to be in touch with ones own feelings enough to think about how your actions and words affect others-and to try to make that a positive thing. Its true that in being sensitive you have to make sure that you don't take things to much to heart-I know that sometimes I am guilty of taking things to seriously. For example, I know that when it comes to politics I cannot take a joke and usually engage in a serious discussion because I feel like it to quickly goes from the casual conversation to the confrontational argument; it usually ends in hurt feelings and misunderstandings. People tell me I'm to sensitive, and that it doesn't always have to be this way-but typically experience has taught me otherwise, be that in schooling, with friends, but especially with extended family. I don't understand why anyone would like to make a joke or start a conversation that would intentionally bait another person or at most likely hurt someone, or lead to risen tempers. To me, it is the opposite of sensitive-because sensitivity requires us to look at how our words affect others for the better, not for whose words or point can shut the other person up the best. Don't get me wrong-I believe that the freedom of speech is one of the best and most important things that our country has and it is important and to be protected. But another thing that our country is known for, or at least should be, is our willingess to allow other people to believe what they choose and to respect each other for it-I believe that we should all be more sensitive to that. Just because something CAN be said, does not be it SHOULD be.

Again, walking the line between being too sensitive and Christlike sensitive is important and sometimes difficult. But it can be done. True, we need not to be quick to offense and I can and will work on thats. But at least for my part, I am going to try to be more sensitive like this little girl. I am going to try to be better about looking to the needs of those around me, whether those are spoken or unspoken. I am going to try to think before I speak or act, and to do all that I can to make sure everyone knows that they are loved and important, and not hurt by my words or actions. I am going to continue to say I love you to people who maybe don't expect it, or don't hear it that often, because I do love them, whether I know them well or not and because everyone needs to hear it sometimes. I am going to try to be more sensitive to the Spirit of the Lord as we whispers to me what I can do and how I can help. Because you typically can't be sensitive when your shouting out what you think or what you need, instead of being still and listening to what others say-I know.

So I will no longer apologize for being too sensitive. I will just try to make sure that it is the RIGHT kind of sensitive, as this sweet girl and her amazing family was in that ward.

To My Favorite Brother

Dear Luke,

HAPPY HAPPY BDAY LUKEE POOKEE POO poo poo!!! All our lives are ten times better because you are in it, and we are so glad you came to our family! It truly wouldn't be right without you. We miss you ALOT, and wish we could be with you on your awesome day, but instead we are stuck here in Idaho as you know. But in honor of you, we did the only thing we could-made you some delicious cupcakes [they are cookies and cream & butter beer] and are getting ready to throw you a part-ay! Mom says you won't be able to make it in time to eat them, and Lester says they don't ship well-so we'll have to eat them for you-but just know that they were delicious and they were for YOU! We'll do it again when we come home haha! I can't wait for that! HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY!

Love,

Julia & Lester

PS: Lester says he still has to give you your bday hits when you get home-watch out!

Yellowstone Bear World!

Today, Lester and I did something I have been wanting to do since I moved to Rexburg. We went to Yellowstone Bear World! It is a drive through nature park, with lots of things to do, but the main attraction is-you got it-BEARS! Typically, its pretty expensive, but since the bears are going into hibernation soon, they had a huge discount and a thing called the 'hibernation hodown.' So we figured we would seize this opportunity and go for it!

[Warning: Lots of pictures coming!]

They had the cutest, friendly baby bears..

who liked to climb...

much like their parents and family..

and their affectionate parent bears! There were far to many to count, and it was amazing! There were times where they literally came up to our car, and we had to wait till they moved! They were so close and so cool!

They also had a bunch of fun interactive and informational stuff...like measuring yourself to see how tall you are compared to a bear..and a petting zoo.

The petting zoo had some very friendly deer..

like I said...VERY friendly haha..

and they liked both of us until they found out we had no food haha.

So did their sweet babies.

There were peacocks...

goats..

Elk...

Bison..

and moose's! [You cant tell but their antlers were MASSIVE!]

We finished the park by stopping in the gift shop, to warm up a bit, since it was freezing. It was a BLAST, and we loved every second of it! We had so much fun on this little date, that we didn't want it to end, so we hit up cocoa bean and headed over to the cheap theatre to see Captain America, which we also loved. So overall, it was just a great GREAT day! Lester and I have decided that we need to take advantage of more things like this, since its our last year in Rexburg! Were doing a ropes course on Monday, Slaughter house and a corn maze at some point, and were thinking about hitting up Jackson hole sometimes soon-and that's just this semester! Can't wait for more adventures like this one!

It Stuck

I wasn't planning on blogging till tomorrow, but I just couldn't help it. All day today I've heard complaints of the snow-but in reality, I wasn't that worried bc in my mind, it was more like slushy rain then real snow. There was no way in my mind that it would stick.

I was wrong. It is slushy, freezing, real snow and it is sticking. And so now I am as upset as everyone else. I realize that this is just a part of the beast of living where we do, but I mean c'mon its not even the middle of October yet. UGH! This just really frosts my cookies.

Oh well. At least now I have an excuse if I feel like skipping all the so called rules everyone says exists, and go straight to Christmas decorations. Excuse me please while I go frost some real cookies, drink hot chocolate and start breaking out the Christmas tunes. Until tomorrow!

Unexpected Charity Lesson

OMG. I will blog about how excellent Conference was when all the sessions are over-bc I loved and feel like I will be a better person for it. But side note...what the heck happened? Elder Cook pitched for the Dodgers this season?!?!? WHAT? He has always been such a champ for me in representing the bay area-in particular SF when other ppl didn't understand what a great place it can be, and is to those who make it. So WHY when we had a Mormon day at our park, did he do that? I am just stunned and confused..I can only guess that it comes down to charity. He is showing the world that it is important to turn the other cheek and open your arms to people who may not necessarily deserve it. Huh. I should learn from that I suppose. On the up side, I talked to my Grandparents and told them maybe they should write Elder Cook a strongly worded letter, since they used to know him and they can ascertain the truth from him.

Regardless I still love Elder Cook. And I still love the Giants. And the church is still true. Just know that either way, I bleed black and orange till I die, and I wear my YW medallion till then as well. Ok, now its lunch time.

Date Night

Last night, Lester and I went on a date. Hooray! A few hours to just me and Lester? YES PLEASE! In the end, we didn't do anything to crazy or exciting-just your typical movie and then some game. But it was AWESOME! I felt like I got to stock up on our time together before today, when he had another 24 hour shift.

After dinner, we went and saw Cowboys & Aliens. For once, it was a movie we were BOTH interested in-him because of the guy action-ness of it, and me because lets face it, Harrison Ford is awesome. I think we were both a little apprehensive to be honest-while we both wanted to see it, we were worried it would be a little to over the top, as some people had told us. But we both actually liked it a lot! I was happy that there was actually a fairly solid storyline, and not just a bunch of dudes running around with guns and stuff with no point. It was a little weird, but a good weird. It was also nice to just spend some time not thinking about all the responsibilities that are typically on our minds-time to just let go and hold hands and be together. It was good.

We then stopped at the stadium [where the lights were still on] and thew the football around. It was actually really fun, and good to spend some time outside and running around, getting fresh air. It was good that we went at night to, because it was the right temperature for a bay area go-a little chilly w a nice breeze, but not completely freezing. It was lots of fun!

When we came home we ate some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and just talked and laughed for hours. It was the perfect date night. Which is great since it will have to tide me over while I go to bed alone tonight. Until tomorrow then.