Happy News.

My mama just mailed me an article out of the church newspaper that made me tear up a bit when i read it.

my mom always sends me news clips if they have anything to do with africa. i love that. it shows that she cares about how much i care about africa.

So here's the good news.

"Dedication Blesses Two African Nations"

"During a historic 16-day tour of Africa on August 16-31, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve dedicated Cameroon and Rwanda for the preaching of the gospel. In so doing, he became the first known apostle to ever set foot in either nation."

From President Holland:

"I want the Saints to know that Africa is one of the bright, beautiful emerging frontiers of the Church. It sounds ominous sometimes just to hear the word 'Africa' because we think of dangers. Like any other place there can be dangers, but for the Church and the members it is one highlight after another, one bright spot after another."

"These people are so given to faith. I've often thought that perhaps the Lord in His justice, mercy and outreach made up for what they don't have in material blessings by giving them an extra measure of spiritual blessing and insight."

Elder Holland referred to some literary references of Africa being "the dark continent." He said he doesn't agree with that description. What is his description of Africa?

"With the gospel of Jesus Christ it's a beautiful bright light to the world."

Thank you Elder Holland. I couldn't agree more.

Africa truly is a special place. One of a kind for sure. The continent is filled with faithful members, even nonmembers who live day by day because of their Savior. Their gratitude for what they have, when they have so little is amazing. What examples they are. What powerful testimonies they hold.

This nation is beyond powerful, it's moving. I think we can all learn something from them.

I love you Africa.

and a special thanks to the elders, for continually bringing them in.

Yeah- You Spray That.

I know, I know... before you freak out let me explain. it's a spray on tan. I know. I can see, and I definitely can smell it. but i ain't going to smell that cancer. word on the street is, you're safer in the sun then you are in the tanning beds. word on the street is, it's safer to smoke than take a cat nap in that bed of yours. and let's state the facts, Lung Cancer is the second leading killer in the united states so if you're safer smoking then tanning...eh then you've got to get your head on straight.

And i am not one to preach without an experience. BELIEVE ME: I've had THE tanning bed experience. it took place in the month of february before my friends ash and casey's wedding. I decided to go in and grab that glow.

instead, I got fully inflamed injected blistered lips. the blister went straight up into my nostrils. i couldn't talk. i couldn't smile. it burned baby it burned.

not only did my lips expand but a hickey-like mark appeared smack in the center of my neck (awesome) as well as all of my knuckles and elbows.

yeah. i was feeling hot.

people glared at me as if i didn't know what was hanging out on my face.

i think i was fully aware.

right when i jetted back to provo ash told my friends to keep it cool because i was a little self conscious. pah ha.

I headed over to my dermatologist dr. stone and got yelled at.

with my hands between my legs and my head hanging low i was told to never go back to that devilish bed.

my "condition" was unnamed. dr. stone was pretty intrigued.

took pictures.

did research.

had my blood tested.

nothing. zip. nada.

strange, i know. so lesson learned. i haven't been to the bed since.

so i tried this spray on some woman was raving about. i was nervous.

all i could think about was that hysterical episode of friends where ross got the spray on. except it didn't go so well... i remember loosing it when i watched that and how bad i felt for him.

then it hit me. that's going to be me.

i feared that machine.

and i came out looking like that. you best believe i was panicking. hours later, I showered and all was golden... it worked! the extra color rubbed off, i was left with no blistered lip, no skin cancer, and a GLOW.

so word to the wise: it's winter time. if you feel sick and pasty just suck it up and get sprayed. better safe than sorry...

Provo Keeps Me Young.

It's true. there are always so many activities, dessert parties, dance parties, you name it parties, that are constantly keeping provo children young and alive. to be honest, it's quite exhausting. thrilling, but exhausting. the older i get here in the valley, the more familiar faces become and we all just take in each others company and have a gay old time.

i'll tell you. provo suites me. FOR NOW. oh my word, just for now.

for now.

provo: you've given me great friends.

provo: you've given me a great start to another year.

provo darling : you keep impressing me...

Behind the Times.

I've been nagged by my dearest friend Becca about slacking in the department of blogging. I admit, I seem to blog about the most random things, at the most random times and forget to blog about WHAT'S ACTUALLY GOING ON IN MY LIFE. Not that all of you care but... my life is pretty fun.

And I would like to give a thumbs up to miss Dani Stolworthy for always being on top of it and constantly keeping us bloggers entertained and laughing on a day to day basis. For those of you who do not know Dani, well get to know her through her blog. In fact, this past weekend, my cousin Ash and I and her soon to be brother-in-law/friend of mine Doug wasted hours upon hours reading her posts and nearly wetting ourselves. she's that entertaining folks. give her a shot.

so with that said. im about to post a load.

so hold on. and enjoy.

maybe comment... so i know im not wasting my time.

wait don't comment, that's embarrassing that i just publicly asked all of my readers.

shoot...

Good Morning.

I woke up this morning and walked into the bathroom and noticed a simple note on my mirror. This is why I could say it over and over and over again. I have one of the best friends in the land. Sara Rae. Why is she so good to me?

This just made my day. And today is a jam packed day with mounds of homework, cleaning and studying and now im looking forward to all of it because of a small and simple thing.

p.s. i just saw sara for the first time five seconds after i posted this. I thanked her for the note and she says, "too bad it was longer and then I erased it." all excited and curious as to what other nice things could she have written she continues..."I wrote,'wake me up if you wake up before me." Shoot... good thing I was the last one to wake up.

Becca Boo.

Born on November 2, 1989 this little feisty cheetah pounced into this world.

and on her birthday she shall shine.

10 reasons why becca boo brightens my day.

1. her laugh. it's a belly laugh and it really makes me smile.

2. her opinion. becca's opinion matters when it comes to the facts of life. she's a wise little critter.

3. her dance moves. she is such a peppy one when you turn on techno or the pop girl musica.

4. her flag routine. becca did flags in high school and let me tell you, it's quite the art.

5. becca was born to be a hostess. she puts together the best parties. maybe because she is the life of the party.

6. i love wasting time with becca while we dig deep for wedding ideas. she's the best when it comes to surfing the internet for our precious future.

7. becca's life lines: "don't mind me" "okay cool."

8. becca is such a great sister.

9. i love becca because she probably loves diet coke more than she loves me. and if that's really the case, then that's okay.

10. becca brightens my day because she is a good friend. and those don't come by so easily. she sticks around too. and those don't sit back and relax for long. did i mention becca is fun? holy cow is she fun. and witty. and she doesn't try too hard to impress people. she doesn't need to. and people recognize this. THANK YOU. she is real. and I just love her oh so much.

happy birthday becca boo.

i think the world of you.