Seven Weeks and Counting

June is here---what the junk?!
I thought that I just got done with that 5-month, wintery break...guess not.
I also thought that I just graduated from high school, but here I am a year later, and feeling rather unscathed from those four years. Darn. Thought I'd at least come out with scars.

Now all of a sudden I'm supposed to register for classes in the fall?! As in this coming September? As in it's already been a year since my first semester?!

What is going on here? I mean...where exactly is time going? I'd really like to know so I can catch up with it and then tie it down to a chair. Then maybe duct tape its mouth shut and beat it up. Mebbe? Agree or disagree? That's probably too violent for my personality.

Also--don't you just think missionaries are the BEST?! I recently attended my good friend Elder Hanford Blitch Shuman IV's (haha yes that's his name, I know you did a double take) farewell. I think one of my favorite things in the world is seeing new missionaries leave their families behind, ready to go out into the world on their own, ready to bring the gospel to those who don't have it. All is right with the world when a humble, green lil' missionary enters the MTC. Love it! Adios, Elder! See you in dos años! (P.S. He's goin to Salta Argentina! I know, cool, right?)

One more thing--I love the rain. Spring/summer weather is here, but I do like a good rain. It makes the world green again. It feels like it's taking a breath from all the dry, hot weather. A nice, long, refreshing breath. Ok now this is starting to sound a little on the poetic side. That's a different post for a different time.

All for now! Must sleep (four hours isn't doin it for me I guess)!


Ok, so I never put photos on here....here ya go. You'll notice my face in this one. It's because the headline read "BYU-Idaho Student Has Swine Flu." Say oink! ...then run away.

Devil's Churn...a place I would almost always rather be. Except for when the tide's in, of course (that was for you, mom).

Manti Utah Temple. I don't know why but lately I have been feeling this crazy desire to visit all the old Utah temples. Especially this one because numero uno, my parents got married here, and numero dos, I've never actually seen this one in the flesh. All the others (St. George, Salt Lake, Logan) I've seen. Okay, and I haven't seen Vernal. But this one's at the top of my list.


This is my friend Rachel Doxey. She is getting married in approximately 3 months! Rachel was our adopted roommate last semester. And yes, those are dots on her teeth. Just thought all you guys that read this blog should know...this lady right here is gonna be off the market pretty soon.

P.S. This is Elder Shuman!! Only this picture was taken about 6 months ago...he looks a lot more like a missionary now. Cause missionaries don't ride around in kid strollers with strange girls. Right? Right!

For Grandma Great (1908-2008)

It's been awhile since I've heard your sweet little voice. It's been a long since I got a card from you in the mail telling me that you remembered me in some little way. It's been even longer since I heard your testimony and saw your frail form standing up tall, telling us what you knew and what we should try to learn for ourselves too. I remember hearing the news that you had left us, gone back to be with your eternal companion. The feeling was bittersweet. Grandma Great, the world is less without you around, but I'm grateful for the legacy you left behind. I'm proud to have your name. Love, McKenzie

Here Comes The Son

Yesterday was quite possibly the longest day of my life. I know I've had bad days and days that I felt I couldn't take anymore, but yesterday was what I would call verrrrrry heavy. Have you ever heard the quote, "Don't pray for a lighter load, pray for broader shoulders"? Well I really didn't feel like applying that to myself yesterday, despite the fact that it kept on flashing over and over in my poor, shriveled-up brain. I knew from looking at my To-Do list on Monday night that it was going to be a busy day, but I had no idea that Heavenly Father had some real tests in store for me. You can always tell what your biggest weaknesses are by the things Heavenly Father tests you on the most--patience is obviously one of mine. I started Tuesday with an early early class (Book of Mormon, which is always worth waking up for) and then went to the Taylor Chapel to try and study for a super-hard Spanish test I had to take that day. I ended up having trouble staying awake because first of all, the Taylor Chapel has cushy seats, and second of all, it's very quite and peaceful in there. I started praying for help to get through the day because I could see the storm clouds already forming. Pretty soon I couldn't even focus on Spanish at all and then before I knew it it was time for my next class. All of my classes finished by 12:30 but that was just the end of Round One. P.S. I hope this post doesn't sound whiny. I'm trying to build up to all of the awesomeness that followed all the badical-ness.

After a great devotional by Brother Gardner (former member of the seventy; you should definitely look up that talk!) the madness began. I went home to squeeze in a catnap before I studied for my Spanish test, which ended up taking me an hour to take. I also didn't do as well as I thought I would, but once again I prayed that Heavenly Father would help me to accept my score and also to learn from my mistakes. After the exam I ran up to the math lab in the library to start on the intense load of math homework I had coming. At about this time I got a phone call from the ward secretary telling me that I needed to meet with the Bishop about my calling. I did some homework until 8:30 and then ran over to the Romney to meet with him. Only problem was there were 2 girls in front of me and they took a lot longer than I had anticipated. I started to feel the stress building up again and prayed (like I had been doing allllll day long; I bet Heavenly Father was getting sick of the same ol' prayer: "Help."). I ran back over to the library to get my stuff (by this time it was almost 10) and started doing homework. I could feel myself getting frustrated and blaming other people for all of my problems. I tried to push out all of these feelings but couldn't seem to shake them. That's when Bishop Cramer came out of his office and I finally went in for my interview. That's when the miracles started happening and I know it's no coincidence that it began in his office. As soon as I walked in all of the stress and worries melted away. After asking me a little bit about myself, he asked, "Is there anything special you'd like to talk about?" I had to think about it for a second, and then I realized that he didn't know I was there for a calling. The point is that I was about to start bawling in front of this man I hardly knew and tell him all about my day. Bishops are seriously the coolest guys ever! Instead of breaking down I told him why I was really there, and he was really embarrassed for not knowing about it. After he called me to be ward pianist (which I already knew about..heheh) he told me how much he loved music and how important my calling was. That meant a whole lot! After the interview he told me how grateful he was that I was so patient and kind, waiting a whole hour and half after my appointment. I took that as a "slap on the wrist" from Heavenly Father; it was a compliment I didn't deserve. As I was walking away from his office, I literally looked upward and said, "Okay, Heavenly Father, I learned my lesson. Thank you for teaching me my lesson the hard way." After that my mind was perfectly clear; I rushed back to the library and completed a math assignment in less than an hour that should've taken 2. Then I ran home and wrote a bunch of questions that had to be posted online by midnight in 20 minutes--that should've taken me at least another hour. This gave me an hour to do my Spanish homework (it was 12am by this time) and I got it done! After I finally got in my bed I was able to fall asleep quickly and it was the best night of sleep I've had since I got here. Even though it was only 6 or 7 hours, it felt like 12. I know it was deep sleep because I had three dreams and I didn't feel tired when I got up this morning. I realized that yesterday was literally a day of miracles, and it makes me want to rejoice in the love that Heavenly Father has for me and all of His children! Before writing this post, I read my older brother's letter, who is also experiencing many miracles as he serves. Somehow when we find the time to sacrifice for Heavenly Father, he always returns it to us a hundredfold! I have no doubt that Heavenly Father cares about "silly things" like grades, sleep, and tests. Not after yesterday.

Moroni 7:35-37
35 And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with ^apower and great glory at the last ^bday, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased?

36 Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he ^awithheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved?

37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that ^amiracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of ^bunbelief, and all is vain.

Blown Away

The past few days I haven't really bothered making my hair perfecto before heading out to class; this is because of something I'm going to call the "Rexburg Phenomena." I'll explain: you look at your calendar, and it says that the month is "May." Well then you watch TV, and the weatherman says that it's supposed to be "sunny." All of these things usually have one thing in common: the season most often known as spring. Unfortunately, those of us living in Eastern Idaho during the curious month of May don't really understand this supposed change in the weather that's supposed to take place between March and April. I only wish that I could put a little recording on this post with the sound that my window is making right now; it kinda sounds like a screeching 2 year old. By now you've probably guessed what the sound really is--the Rexburg Phenomena is the constant-hurricane-ish-hair's-worst-enemy called wind. This wind is unlike wind in other states because in Idaho, there are no mountains around to block it out. So if you're standing at the top of campus and if you're not wearing a helmet (most people don't for social reasons), your hair is going to get a bit tousled. You're going to feel like you need anchors on the bottom of your clothes. You're going to wish you had an umbrella...just to see what would happen. You're going to forget about seeing people's faces and just settling for recognizing people by their voice. Which can be embarassing when you guess the wrong person under that flying mane. Today I learned something new about Idaho: spring doesn't start until the wind stops...and, well, so far the forecast isn't so hot. Pardon the pun.

Guess who....

He is an intelligent being, in the Image of God, possessing every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, and affection that is possessed by God Himself. But these are possessed by man, in his rudimental state, in a subordinate sense of the word. Or, in other words, these attributes are in embryo, and are to be gradually developed. They resemble a bud, a germ, which gradually develops into a bloom and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit after its own kind. The Gift of the Holy Ghost adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections and adapts them by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to give health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being. In the presence of such persons (who have been thus affected by It), one feels to enjoy the light of their countenance, as the genial rays of a sunbeam. Their very atmosphere diffuses a thrill, a warm glow of pure gladness and sympathy of Spirit. No matter if the parties are strangers, entirely unknown to each other, each will be apt to remark in his own mind, and perhaps exclaim, when referring to the interview- "Oh, what an atmosphere encircles that stranger! How my heart thrilled with pure and holy feelings in the presence of this person. What confidence and sympathy he inspired. His countenance and spirit gave me more assurance than a thousand written recommendations, or introductory letters." Such is the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and such are it's operations, when received through the lawful channel-the Divine, Eternal Priesthood.

(Parley P. Pratt, Key to Science of Theology, pp. 101- 103)

Because I Feel Like It

1. I'm going to start up the "phantom-poem-leaving" bidnez again. I might even get halfway to famous!
2. Instead of staying silent in the back row as usual, from now on I'm going to speak in Spanish to my Spanish teacher because I can. Just this very day she said (in Spanish of course, bahah) "McKenzie speaks Spanish?! McKenzie stays silent in class but....she speaks Spanish!" Why yes...yes I do! Who'd a thunk?!
   
3. I'm going to beat down the pavement (and/or treadmill depending on the arrival of spring weather) with those brand spankin' new shoes because they are screaming to be abused.
   
4. I am not going to let my fiancee, whoever he is, propose to me over the phone. This happened to one of my roommates this past weekend, and she accepted, but for reals?! Phones are for "Hi, how are you?" not "Hi, will you marry me?"
5. I am going to go to bed before 1am. Yesyesyes I will! My poor body can't take the exhaustion anymore, even though somehow I've been able to stay awake in all of my classes.
   
6. I will continue to read Junie B. Jones to my roommate because it's our end-of-the-day, feel-like-a-kid, laugh-until-we-cry time.
7. I am going to make excuses to serve people.
8. My children will be educated in the following: Arthur, reading Little Critter books, and climbing trees (even if they skin their knees).
   
9. I am going to stay positive and throw that feeling around to others like a virus. That kind of sounded bad, but this is one virus that you don't want to get a shot for! I promise!
10. I am going to end this random post now and get back to mi tarea. Goodnight for now!
    

Girl in the Mask

What a crazy first week of school, gee whiz! I started out on Monday with my English 252 class, which is all about research, writing resumes, and basically finding a job in the English profession besides that of a teacher (no offense to teachers, who I love). Then it was off to Spanish 201, a class in which you must speak the language of love at all times and in all things and in all places. It's good practice, but now I know the fear that accompanies lil' green missionaries trying to learn a language. It's hard when you really don't know what you're saying! I also know, however, that if you put enough effort and desire into a challenge, the Lord will make up the rest.

My other classes are Math 108 (so far I've been doin' A-okay in this class but that's subject to change), English 110 (my professor talks like a muppet but dang is he FUNNY!), Marriage and Family Relations (our professor said that if we showed up in raincoats to class he wouldn't be offended...can ya guess why? Let's just say he's into what he teaches. I've got not problem with that. As long as I'm in the back row.), and Book of Mormon with one of the best religion teachers I've ever had. I've already learned so much about 1st Nephi in two class periods that I never understood or realized before. It's definitely worth the 6am alarm.

Okay, enough with the academic shtuff. I'll get on to the juicy goods, which I know is the whole reason most of you read this blog (wink wink). On Saturday, my roomie Chelsea and I decided we were going to be productive after a laaaate night (I won't say how late but...it was morning). First we walked to the grocery store and got some goods for our apartment. The hard part was walking back because, well, stealing shopping carts is a felony and so we had to make use of our triceps instead. We thought that maybe if we dragged our bags on the sidewalk and looked really flustered some Priesthood holder driving by would stop and offer us a ride. But don't worry mom, I wouldn't have said yes, because I don't ride with strangers. Right? Right. Anywho, we got home from the store super-duper sore and feeling hungry. So we decided to walk to Subway (call me traitor all you want but Quizno's is so much farther from my apartment!) and get some fuel for our weary muscles. We have one of those circular chairs people used in the 70's that sits on a bamboo-ish stand thing... (see pic below) and we decided to drag it onto the porch and eat our sandwiches there. Why not bask in the (temporary) sun of Rexburg? That's what we thought. Don't worry the interesting parts are coming I promise!

After that we started the homework marathon. I started at about 2:30 and finished at 9. That's right, 6 1/2 hours of homework! During our study time, there was a faint knocking on the front door. I thought it was our roomies coming home from Idaho Falls, but then Chelsea said someone was at the door and to go get it. I guess it didn't register in my brain and I kinda just looked at her. She must've really been in a hurry to get the door because she jumped off of her bed, tripped on her computer cord (which proceeded to crash to the floor and be dragged by her across the room), fell across some boxes on our floor, and smashed into the doorframe. We both started to laugh hysterically and panic at the same time because whoever was at the door was probably still there...oh dear. Well Chelsea, all bruised and battered, was laughing still and I was having a hard time breathing, but eventually we got up and got the door. Upon examination of her computer later, she found a big crack in the keyboard and a chip off of the top. Dangitall! She has a good attitude though and just kinda laughed it off. After that whole incident, she called a bunch of people in her family to tell them her sad/funny story and her homework was forgotten until Christina and Niki got home. Finally it was scary movie time! Well the movie we rented (What Lies Beneath) had a crack in the disc and so we took it back to Hollywood. There's only one other place to rent movies in Rexburg besides a Redbox, and that's good ol' Horkley's. I think it's about 50 cents for VHS and maybe a buck for DVD's? Anywho, we found our movie on VHS and we were pretty excited about that. Cheap college kids, I know. Well the whole time we're in the video store I had some facial mask on, but I didn't realize that I was still wearing some. I had put it on a few hours before but never rinsed it off. When I realized this I quickly put my hood over my head and said, "Why didn't anyone tell me I had mask on?! Ahh!" All my roomies just laughed at me and assured me that "you can't really see it." Psh!

Wow that was a lot longer of a post than I wanted it to be... but the point is that us college students really know how to party on the weekends. Homework, food, homework, movies, homework. Rinse. Repeat. And don't forget the rinse part!!! Ugh...

PLUS


PLUS

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= GOOD WEEKEND!!