you aren't what you eat, you are what you read.

therefore i want to spend christmas break reading...

the uglies. {anthropologists are calling this one amazing little read.}

crime and punishment.  {because i never have.}

palo alto. {to make my new obsesh complete.}

true grit. {since mom and dad can't stop talking about it.}

but in all reality, i'll probably end up reading...

this.  like i do every year.

but at least i'll think about reading the classics and new faves

like all good future ms. parrishes {my killer high school english teacher who rocked my world and is a big reason behind my changing of my major to english...} should at least think about.

p.s. happy weekend.  i have a small feeling it will be a really really good one coming our way.

the best i can be.

it's sunday.
i am working
while everyone else i know is at church.
they get blessings
while i get money.
but what do you get, my lovely little blogging buddies?
you get this beautiful quote i found in her book by this amazing man.

"all of us have problems.  we face them everyday. 

how grateful i am that we have difficult things to wrestle with. 

they keep us young, if that is possible. 

they keep us alive. 

they keep us going. 

they keep us humble. 

they pull us down to our knees to ask God of heaven for help in solving them. 

be grateful for your problems,

 and know that somehow there will come a solution. 

just do the best you can,

but be sure it is the very best. 

then leave it in the hands of the Lord."

so even though

i hate math

and i miss my sister

and i get homesick

and all i want to do is be sad sometimes

and i don't get straight a's

and i have to work on sundays sometimes

or late at night

i am grateful for these difficulties.

i am grateful that i can go to school.

i am grateful to receive the blessings

of having a missionary out.

i am grateful that i love my family so much

 and love to come home.

i am grateful for my health and the life i have.

i am grateful that i fail sometimes

because i've learned to get up and try again.

i am grateful to have a job

and be able to somewhat support myself.

i am grateful for my problems.

and i am grateful for you, my little lovelies.

sheri dew...you doll you.

i have one sister.  she has one hate.  that one hate is reading.  so you can understand why it took me by surprise when she suggested, long ago, before she left me here to rot, that i read no doubt about it by the one and only, sheri dew.  i decided last night that i would take my sister up on that offer.  and i am so happy that i did.  every sentence is quote book worthy.  she is so eloquent and talented.  she shares a quote that i just adore:

you are good.

but it is not enough just to be good.

you must be good for something.

you must contribute good to the world.

the world must be a better place for your presence.

and that good that is in you

must be spread to others

-gordon b. hinckley

i want to be good for something.  i want my good to rub off of me and onto my surroundings.  just like my sister wightman is doing in the district of columbia.

thanks sheri for this gem.

and thanks courtney for living her words.

17 months to go.

i don't know if this is legal or ethical or right at all

but i absolutely love this book.

and i want to give all of the credit to this book as i can.

anyways.

my sister, sister wightman, has been gone

on a mission

for one whole month today.

and i miss her.

lots.

so when i was in st. george,

wandering around a book store

i found this beautiful gem

by simms taback

called "i miss you everyday"

which i am going to quote from now.

"when you miss someone you love so much--there's only one thing to do:  wrap yourself up, jump in a box, and send yourself for a visit...

please unwrap me from the paper 

i missed you everyday

give me a bath and feed me supper

give me candy so i'll stay

tuck me in and read a story

                                                and everything will be ok "

  that alone makes me tear up a little.  i miss her.     everyday.  but i wouldn't have it any other way.  {hmmm...maybe i'll write a poem too} i am so proud of her and her decision to sacrifice 18 months of her life and serve the Lord, but what a wonderful sacrifice it is.  washington d.c. is so    lucky to have her.  i love you sister wightman!

 *all of my love my dearest friend and sister

always remember that we're never far apart

"i carry your heart, i carry it in my heart"