I'm Hooked

So this is the first year that I've been following the show "religiously" thanks to DVR....and I must say, I'm hooked. How cute is David Archuleta??!!!

Fishy Face Fun Fun

I sure do love this sweet, little girl!  Today we were taking pictures on my iMac having way to much fun...and no photo shoot with Sherry involved is complete without the classic Fishy Face!  My little Jellie Bean (Ellie Rose) has been a pro since she was 11 months old!  We have so much fun together!!

Does Anyone Know Where I Can Find These??!??!!!!

I have searched high and low...near and far and haven't been able to find  one of my top three treats!  Caramel Apple Pops.  If anyone knows where I can get them...let me know because I am having some serious withdrawals!  

Happy Birthday Penny Lynn!

My incredibly fun and amazing Penny Lynn had a Birthday today!  Amy rallied up the troops and we surprised her with a little fun fun Birthday Party tonight complete with cake, ice cream and of course Mayan Treasure!  I am so thankful for this day we had to celebrate her life and her friendship which means so much to me.  Happy Birthday to My Crazy Fun, Diet Coke Lovin, Dallas Cowboy Fanatic, Loyal to the End, Gifthounds owning, Hilarious, Amazing, Talented, Beautiful Penny LYnn!  I Love You Dear Friend!!

Penny and Amy

Kelly and Penny

Francisca Verónica Samol Xicay

Meet Francisca Verónica Samol Xicay who is a beautiful little girl from Guatemala. She is 9 years old and in the 4th grade.

Many of you know about my involvement with The Rose Education Foundation and the big part it has had in my life and in the life of my family. We have been involved with this foundation from day 1 and have been very blessed to be a part of it. I recently received an email from a woman and friend who works full time in our Patzicia School. She shared with me the story of this young girl and her family and I must say it touched me. She wrote:

"In October Francisca's sister was kidnapped and killed. It was amazing to see the response of the community here to this family who live in a tiny house with nothing to their name. It is obvious to see that the family is loved and respected. Everyone turned out to the Stake Center to offer their love. The family had no anger, they just wanted to concentrate on keeping together and expressing their love."

There are so many people not just in Guatemala, but all over the world who are less fortunate then we are. I wish I could help everyone but know that I can not as much as I would like to. I've decided to sponsor this little girl and with $50 a month, this sweet girl will be able to receive an excellent education, school supplies and a better chance in life.

I wish I had unlimited funds to help every single child. Francisca has 5 other siblings who would love to go to school as well. If anyone is interested in sponsoring a child, let me know. There are so many ways to help, and if $10 a month is all you can do....believe me it is something and will help so many little lives!

Did it work Havala?

How Sad.

How easy it is to get wrapped up in all of this these days. I'll admit I find myself letting the media mess with my self esteem on a daily basis and just not letting it affect you is much easier said than done. How do we stop it?

Sister Krissy Ellsworth

My Beautiful sister Krissy who has been serving a mission in Germany will be home so soon! I can't believe how fast time goes by. It really does seem like yesterday we were dropping her off at the MTC in Provo. I am so excited to go and pick her up, to see her and give her a great big hug! I just received a letter from her today and I wanted to share a part of it. What an example she is to me and I love her so much.

We were running to catch a bus one winter night, when I felt this force stopping me in my tracks. After my companion asked me what was wrong, I looked around and the only person in sight was a man standing behind his bike on the corner of the street. I felt strongly impressed to approach him and talk to him. He introduced himself as Herr Herrmann. We talked for a few minutes, I got his phone number and address and we ran off after promising him we would give the information to our colleagues in the neighboring part of the city where he lived.

The sisters in Tiergarten did contact him and started to teach him. He went to church and Institute, and received an answer from God about the truthfulness of the Gospel! I got to meet him a few weeks ago for the first time since I talked to him back in October. It was a cool reunion. He thanked me for giving him the opportunity to have the gospel in his life, which now brings him so much joy. He asked me to play the piano at his baptismal service, which I did.

I know that the Lord led me to find Andre. I was only His instrument. Andre was prepared to accept the Gospel! After talking to Andre for awhile, I found out that he actually had no reason to be there at the corner of the street that night. He had just planned to go on a bike ride throughout the city and had no route or destination planned. He ended up at the corner of our street at the same time that we were running down it. The Spirit prompted me to stop and I did. How grateful I am, and he is, that I followed that prompting and acted on it. Andre told me that He knows now that God led him to that spot.
I am attaching a picture.

What's Next?

I'm finally getting settled, sort of, we'll see how long it lasts!  ANYWAYS!  I just had to share my excitement over my latest purchase.  I feel all grown up now having just yesterday bought myself the coolest bright red couch and the cutest little black table!  It is so weird how such a simple thing can take on a whole new and interesting meaning.  I'm no longer running around in the dorms or "Hale's" at BYU HAWAII, or living with 3 other room mates in zoobie zone PROVO, Utah, nor am I being forced to cram me and my whole life in a room the size of anyone's closet!  It is my second day in my new house and it feels weird but so good.  These past six months living out of a suitcase have been adventurous and tiring.  I've learned a lot, met so many wonderful people, and experienced more than most people do in a lifetime.  So for today, I will take my fabulous splurges and mark them symbols of taking yet another step forward in life and as I sit on my new couch twiddling my thumbs... I can't help but ask myself, What's Next?