I’ve been really bad about keeping up with posts. To be honest, there hasn’t been a whole lot going on that I can blog about, but I’ll attempt to do a catch-up in somewhat chronological order...
Jeromy and I have recently made some new friends at church and we went out to dinner with two fabulous couples in early December (these cuties and these sweeties). It’s fun to get to know other young people in the congregation and have a blast doing it. I’ve been amazed with the caliber and character of people within our ward – so amazing and great examples! It’s my goal to be even a fraction of awesomeness that these people are!
My aunt, uncle, and cousins came from Killeen in mid December for me to do some family photos. I hadn’t seen my six cousins in years and it was genuinely one of the best days I had had in a while. They literally filled my heart with joy and I hope that we can all get together again soon. Each of the kids (I say “kids” loosely… the youngest is in high school) are beautiful inside and out. All are accomplished and have a great energy about them. My aunt and uncle have done a wonderful job of raising this bunch and it was so fun to hear what everyone was up to. I can’t wait to get their photos done.
My job was literally saved at the last moment the week before Christmas. The group I had been in has had some contracts frozen/pulled due to funding issues. As such, the work had really dwindled down and I knew that I probably would not last much longer (this had become a source of great concern and worry for me). On the day before I was supposed to be let go, another manager worked out a deal with my group leader for me to come over to his group and help out. Come to find out, it looks like I can be an asset to his group (report writing, etc.) and I’m really excited to learn some new skills (energy audits, energy modeling, etc.). For the time being, I am working in Dallas, but I believe that the plan is to get me back to Fort Worth once I have a better idea of the projects I will be working on. My new group is full of sweet and nice people, so that is wonderful. I’m so thankful that my job was saved – what a miracle! From the way things came together, I know that Heavenly Father’s hand was in this. I’m so grateful to have been taken care of (because frankly, I don’t know how I would have handled being laid off a second time in 2009…). :)
Our little close group of friends had a “Secret Santa” party at our home the Friday before Christmas. We met for dinner at Olive Garden and then opened gifts at the house with some hot chocolate. Everyone did a super job of getting just the right “thing” for each other… I was tickled that it turned out so well! We love our friends and treasure them so much.
Christmas was special this year. We had snow on Christmas Eve, which was beyond breath taking. It was such a treat to wake up to white on the ground. Jeromy and I stayed the night at Mom and Dad’s on Christmas Eve to avoid the slippery roads. Our decision proved to be wise, for on the way home the next day, we saw many cars that had been damaged along the sides of the highways. Christmas evening was spent with Jeromy’s family. There will be photos and more info coming about the Christmas holiday.
For New Year’s Eve, Jeromy, Nick, and I went to the Stars game. It was way fun to watch – I saw my first hat trick in person, Steve Ott got in two fights, and we won against the Ducks! A great way to end the year! I was more than happy to see 2009 go… it’s been nothing but trial after trial for Jeromy and I. If anything, the new year gives a mental reset and a cause to have hope for better things. And if better things don’t necessarily come knocking at the door, then at the very least, I hope we’ll at least have some peace and healing in 2010.
My resolution for 2010 (yes – I only have one at the moment - don’t judge) is that I want to learn how to make awesome cupcakes and to be able to decorate them super cute. Like the ones I buy from the bakery for special events. So that’s my goal this year. My mother-in-law gave me a cupcake tower for Christmas to aid in this endeavor. After this year, I want to be able to say that I can bake something (even if it’s just one thing) well. Maybe I can start laying those “Mandy-uses-the-smoke-detector-as-a-timer” jokes to rest.
Last night, I went to a youth leadership meeting for church. The 2010 theme this year is awesome (for the video, click HERE):
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” – Joshua 1:9
I’ve totally heard this scripture time after time but it hit me yesterday. Maybe because I have had a lot of fear and dismay very recently. But the Lord has told me… commanded me, even… not to have those feelings. The Lord is wherever I am and if I let it, that can be the cure to my dismay-ment. We can be strong and of a good courage. What a great message for our youth. What a great message for me. I’m totally stoked to center 2010 around these words. Another cool thing is that the youth have been challenged to read the Book of Mormon between now and youth conference in March (or at least I think that’s right). Jeromy and I are going to try to partake in this challenge as well. While I’ve read it multiple times and have been moved by its testimony of Christ, it has been a long time since I’ve read it cover to cover in a short time period.
That’s about it. I still need to take down my Christmas decorations, but I figure that can wait a bit longer. (I totally meant to do that this weekend.) There are (so far) no commitments this week except for hockey on Friday, so I’m looking forward to catching up on edits and spending time at home. Happy 2010!
Arctic Blast
49 minutes ago
