Thinking

- Elisha

I'm a mess... tee hee

What describes our lives?

Not what defines our life, but what describes it? A simple question.

A resume defines aspects of a persons life that would qualify them for the job.

But these are from the applicants point of view and can easily be elaborated on or lied about.

So you have the applicant give letters of recommendations.

Well, an applicant would be a fool not to ask someone who already liked them and would talk highly of the person in question.

Have you heard of employers who look on facebook to see more of your character?

I wonder what my friendslist on facebook says about me?

What about my hobbies and likes?

What about the fact that under religious views it says "Latter Day Saint?"

How about your car?

I have heard of employers that will go and look at your car and inside the windows.

What does a messy car say?

What if there is a Wendy's bag in the front seat?

What if it is spotless?

People say your bedroom can describe you.

Well, those that know me... know mine is often messy.

Does that mean my life is messy?

If a room was spotless, would it mean the persons life is in order.

So reverse the thinking.

What would a mom of ten kids house look like?

I think it would have a little mess here and there.

Maybe an ink stain on the carpet, a whole in the couch cushion, boogers on the youngest bedroom wall.

Full of character and stories and fun.

Does the mess in the house mean the mom is a bad mom?

What would a serial killers house look like?

(I know I watch way to much CSI, NCIS and such)

They are often perfectly clean, neat and organized.

Everything has its place.

Everything has order.

Things each have a purpose.

No nonsense

So does the clean house match the persons killer personality?

Just thinking... a little disorder can be a little good and may be the reason we are all still sane

Or maybe this is just a weird justification to put off cleaning my room one more day ;)

Funny little things...

So... I realize that some things just aren't the same in words as they are in visually
and some things aren't as good visually as they are in words (twilight?)

But I have to try and explain some thing that happened today
though they were probably better if you saw them

First, I went to Kohls
I swear everything in the store was 50% or more off!
Bad for me, good for the store... nuff said

I ran errands this afternoon which included driving my roommate to the airport
I'm sure anyone around was looking at the three of us quite curiously
as Caitlin, Cort and I embraced for a hug and jumped up and down
screaming "we'll miss you," "Keep me updated!" "I'll text you!" "Send me Pictures"
Oh, and there was something about ways to keep each other sane when our families are driving us crazy (though my family would never drive me crazy ;)
I'm sure we looked crazy
And to add to it we made sure this nice airport worker took a picture of us
Yay! I totally love those girls!!!

To add to the list of good today... or absolutely hilarious if you were there
My mom getting a massage (things our of her mouth usually are incomprehensible noises, groans and cries; or weird phrases she made up)
Seeing Cortney's "I can't believe that's what that means" face
Driving around with my best friend, singing out loud to random crazy songs that I don't know the lyrics to (only she gets the privilege of hearing me belt it out)
Doing the swiffer sweeper dance for Cortney and my Mom

And best of all... and I don't care if you think I'm a dork
Someone sent me roses!
I don't know if they realize it or not
but I'm a sucker for flowers
I've always said that any guy could win me over with flowers ;)

So the day was brilliant! I wish you could have shared it with us!
So much fun

I will say this...
I miss all my friends off in their random places
I am beyond happy that my little bundles called dogs are okay (they both almost died today from anaphylactic shock) :(

Otherwise...
I am focusing on the good in life and loving this Christmas break

True

If you don't know me very well I love the holidays!
There is just something about them that get me going inside.
I think maybe it's because they open the opportunity
(or maybe force some)
to think about others instead of themselves.

But Christmas is my favorite!
I've been so wrapped up in school the last few weeks
I haven't been able to stop and think about Christmas to much
But tonight a friend whisked me away on a break
They took me to the Riverwoods

Have you been there since it's been redone?
If not, you have to go!

The lights are wonderful. Not under or overdone
draped over you to add to the stars
and lining the trees along the pedestrian street
I especially like the ones that hang of the new event gazebo
It looks like iceicles melting

The firepits are invitingly warm on the cold winter nights
I saw little kids running up to them so they could look into the depths of the flame

They have a little Santa hut set up super cute
When was the last time you took your picture with Santa
I took one tonight

It was so much fun
The only thing...
I want to be done with finals now so I can move on and focus on Christmas

Focus on...
Making hot cocoa in the morning and sipping it while sitting in the best seat in the house (right next to the fire)
Frantic shopping to find the perfect gift for each person I care about
Baking dozens of different cunncoctions for our neighbors and loved ones to enjoy
Focusing on Christ
Spending hours watching hallmark Christmas specials with my mom
Doing all our family traditions on Christmas eve

and best of all...

Just spending time with the ones I love most :)
Working together for the better of each other

I love Christmas because its the true season of Love
I'm very excited :)

Merry Christmas Season!!!

To my precious audience of one... hey there ;)

I should be studying for finals but I decided to quickly write here.

I had the best discussion I have had in a while with my good friends Callie and Ben
(well... Jared was there for part of the beginning)
We talked about thing all over the place...

Dream Houses... including Jared's very specific design and Callie's emphasis on "nice" ;)
Dance
Christmas Traditions

Later in the day Callie, Ben and I talked on...
Trials
My divorce and the struggles and hidden blessings from it
Dating... of course
Friends
Family
True conversion to the Gospel
What makes us... us
Marriage and what makes it work
What makes us Happiest in Life
Along with a few other random things

I wish you all could talk with Ben and Callie.
They are an amazing couple
I guess I am just saying,
I appreciated our conversation
I feel every one needs a stimulating conversation sometimes
this one made me reflect and ponder a lot

I learned yet again from the old,
what I need to be on a continued search for

So please,
don't forget to stop and think
what can I learn from this
It may even be,
What have I forgotten I learned from this.

We go through trials to lean and become stronger in this life
So we may return unto Him
Don't forget to learn from trials and be grateful for them

I wish you the best on you finals :)

Elisha

Gratitude

This is the place for people to know about me :)
What's going on in my life
What makes me happy
A place for me to share things that have made me laugh
and made me cry

So what am I feeling today?
Gratitude

Kinda corny with thanksgiving around the corner
but the best time to think about it

I have been so blessed
I have a some of the best friends
One of which is my roommate and another my psuedo roomy ;)
I have wonderful people I can talk to when I am sad (Your the best, yes you)
I have an amazing family
My two pregnant sisters are adorable
I have the gospel in my life
I have the ability to forgive and be forgiven
I am able to live in a country that allows me to choose what I want to believe religiously
I live so close to church I can walk
I could attend the temple everyday if I had the time
I have a wonderful apartment
I'm on scholarship for doing something I love
I have a great dance partner who puts up with me when I repeatedly make mistakes
I have a coat to keep me warm, as well as gloves, socks and ear warmers
Hot Cocoa is one of the best things on Earth
I have these amazingly talented people around me all the time who share with me parts of who they are
I have awesome Home Teachers who seem to care about me rather than getting their numbers in
I have an adorable puppy whom I love
I have so much food in my fridge it often rots and I have to throw it away
I have a clean toilet and running water


I have so much to be greatful for,
both large and Small

But most of all...
I have a wonderful Savior who went through all the pain I have suffered and more
He bled for me from every pore
He endured more so I wouldn't have to
I am grateful for him
My Brother
My Savior
My Redeemer

I wouldn't be here without him
nor would you

Love you all
Know That I am grateful for you :)

A Step into the Past

Sunday, June 20th, was set to be a travel day. We loaded the car and got on the road. After the six glasses of apple juice I had for breakfast, it didn't take long to need a rest stop. We stopped in Flam, which we were in the day before. My mom took a pic with a troll to match mine from the day before.




We got back on the road and a little while later pulled to the side of the road. The view was breathtaking! So what did I do... More pictures!!! Here they are...
















We stopped in Al. This is the city where my great-great-grandmother grew up. One goal we had was ton come here and find the old church. We stopped and took pictures at this beautiful church and looked at the graves surrounding it. We couldn't find any graves older then 1909. After a phone call to wake up my aunt at three in the morning, we discovered we were at the wrong church.

Arriving at the correct chapel, we found the old church next to a brand new one. The old church was built in 1100. Crazy old! I was in aw to realize that if I stepped back in time my great-great grandmother would be arriving to attend Lutheran services in this very church. The worker lady there even let me take cool pictures of the keys to the chapel.












More to come...called Vigeland Park

- Me (Elisha)

Location:Al Norway