New Testament

Another semester, another class.

1. Using the following references, fill in the chart below by writing in the second column a brief description of each miracle the Lord performed, then in the third column list those who exercised faith for the miracle to occur.

2. Explain in writing how it affects your faith to know that God has this kind of power.

Reference	Miracles of the Lord	Who Demonstrated Faith
Matthew 8:1-4	cured a man’s leperosy	the leper
Matthew 8:5-13	cured servant of palsy	centurion
Matthew 8:14-15	cured Peter’s mother in law of fever	Peter’s mother in law
Matthew 8:16	cast out devils	many who were possessed
​​Matthew 8:23-27	calmed the sea	disciples
Matthew 8:28-34	cast out devils into swine	the two men with devils
Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34	cured issue of blood	woman with the issue of blood
Matthew 9:27-31	cured blindness	two blind men
Mark 2:1-12	forgave sins and made the man able to walk	man with palsy

Knowing that God has the power to do all these things is amazing, so is knowing that worth men of the priesthood can use that same power tells me that I am loved. Christ isn’t walking around performing miracles like He did during is mortal ministry, but He is still able to perform miracles through people. My grandmother was able to be healed when she was close to death from cancer through the power of the priesthood. I am so grateful that God can heal and does heal. I am also thankful for His power to forgive my sins. That is a greater gift, a gift of eternal healing.

James 2

Faith without works is dead.

Yes, I am doing my homework on my blog. Oh the joys of technology. Every week for my New Testament class I do some sort of project on my choice of 3 topics. As I looked over this week's topics this one jumped out and begged to be a blog post. Here is the prompt:

Your friend, who is investigating the Church, has expressed a question in the letter below.

Dear Christy,

Some of my friends are saying that Mormons are not Christian because you believe that you need to do righteous works along with having faith to be accepted by God. My other friends claim that with the grace of Christ, works are not necessary. They say that if I join the Mormons I would be denying Christ's grace. How should I respond to them?

Your friend

My response would go something like this:

Dear Friend,

Christ's grace brings us up from where we are to His level. After we try as hard as we can to be as righteous as we can, He makes up the rest. I just looked up at my wall and realized I had a picture of Christ up there that I had forgotten about. It's far enough from my bed that I don't normally see it. It's a popular picture, we use it a lot in the Church, but as I look at it now I realize there is no way I am not a Christian. I know Christ is my savior. My heart feels close to bursting now with the love I feel for Him. We believe that we need to prove ourselves before the Lord to be accepted into heaven. We need to work our hardest. Christ lived the perfect life. It was full of examples of kindness and righteousness. Though I could cite scriptures that say how important actions are and even Christ saying keep the commandments and do good, but I'm not going to. Why? Because I believe there is something more important in there. Faith in Christ motivates me to be more like Him. I look up to His example and want that more for me. As my faith grows so does my desire. That I believe is the important part. Faith is a motivator. True faith encourages us to show it through our good works. Faith doesn't sit idly by waiting dormant. It wants to jump out and be shouted from the rooftops. That faith is shown in our actions.

Love,

Christy

Body Image

I've been thinking about body image a lot lately.

It's pretty obvious when you look at me that I am not in shape. Not very close to it either. This is a statement of fact. I've also gained a considerable amount of weight since I've gotten home. However the only reason I really noticed is my clothes stopped fitting as well and I went to the doctors. Now that I've been thinking about it I notice and recognize that I need to take better care of my body.

When I was a freshman in high school I began dieting. I stopped drinking all pop and eating candy. At first I ate diet meal bars for lunch, but then as my sophomore year began I was eating only an apple from breakfast until dinner. During p.e. I ran my heart out, frequently with the goal of pushing myself to the point of throwing up. I did this for a couple reasons. First, the guy I liked only liked skinny girls. I was trying to fit into the mold I perceived he had. Second, all my friends were skinnier than me. Once I started I was on a goal of forever losing weight. I looked in the mirror and only saw how fat I was, how much bigger I was than any of my friends.

Me on the far right October 2006

My friends and I would do things like have formal dress parties where we all got together and put on our dresses and felt pretty. The only one I fit into was mine so I'm behind everyone in the picture to hid the fact that I am in the same dress I was last time.

In January of 2007 I had to have 3 surgeries on my foot leaving me out of my crazy exercise for a while. I never regained the active lifestyle that I had and have basically been gaining weight since.

The real question is why have I been so comfortable with my pretty obvious unhealthy and unflattering weight gain when before, when I looked much better, I was so unhappy with my appearance?

Happy Christmas!

I'm already thinking about what I want to make for my family's Christmas Dinner. Menu planning is one of my favorite things and holiday foods are even better! I was thinking that an international dinner would be fabulous to make things new and different. But now I'm wondering if I should just do an English dinner... hmmmm... so many yummy choices. Any thoughts?

Thinking back

You know what I did on 9/11/01? I went to school. My 1st period teacher kept saying things like she didn't know if we were going to be staying in school all day. I was confused. I could not figure out what was going on. I got sent home from school. I learned what happened when I went home, but it didn't really mean anything to me. I think I went to pizza hut. I mocked my siblings the next day as they went to school and I didn't. I desperately hoped that while I was out of school Mom would not have the baby because a) that would basically ruin my birthday and b) I would be stuck in the hospital. As I have gotten older it has meant more, but at the time I was just glad I didn't have to go to school.

People you make me grumpy

Girl, you are making me crazy angry. When you borrow something and then leave somewhere out of state, please return it or make plans to give it back. And DO NOT blame it on me or tell me that you shouldn't have to because you washed dishes. What a poop head.

Fitness goal number 2

The Teton Dam 10k was about 2 and a half weeks ago. I did well for myself. The course took me about an hour and 20 minutes which is my fastest time. It felt pretty excellent. Except the past 2 and a half weeks I haven't exercised at all and my candy and unhealthy consumption has skyrocketed. Basically, I feel like I have totally regressed. Any weight that I lost I'm going to gain back and then some if I don't stop. Through this whole 10k thing I learned that I am only motivated to exercise when I have to, when something is making me, so I'm doing the triathlon in Ridgecrest this fall. Starting Monday I will work my butt off.

Update on my shoes. I fail. I have some pictures but I lost my camera which was really smart of me. So I have to find that piece of technology. Also, I learned that there is a reason I don't wear some shoes as often as I do. OW! And these things look innocent. I developed a huge blister on the back of my ankle. Then I went to the lake and dirt got into it, so I cut off the skin so I could get the dirt out and not cause and big icky mess in my leg, as much fun as that sounds. I'm wearing my comfiest shoes until this thing is gone or at least away enough that shoes that hit in the exact right spot don't make me want to tear my feet off. In addition I have a gnarly sunburn on my back and I don't give a crap. Not sleeping well does that too a person. So here's to me getting over my back and healing up my foot, or locating enough dollars to buy some bandaids to cover the blistered spot. Oh, and my camera. That too. Where did I put that thing?

Now for the real reason I'm writing this post. None of my favorite cousins are online to talk to me right now to talk to me. And I think my roommates started ignoring me in their efforts to go to bed and do homework. I don't understand. Isn't watching Christy make a sad face so much more important? How does that even make sense? I already talked most of this out to Chelsea and was just sitting around making a sad face, but feel the need to talk about it more. It's still stuck inside of me, no matter how nicely I say, "Dear Feelings, Leave now. Please"

It's story time! One of my very favorite and best friends up here is a guy named Bryce. (and it's totally ok that I'm writing this. We're cousins! 4th cousins but that's another story) The first time that I met him was almost a year and a half ago, now. He texted his sister, Esther, who was and still is my favoritest Esther roommate, a question about his AP lit homework. Fairly fresh from AP myself I helped Esther answer. (Her brain was way too bogged down with college-y English stuff. or something) In an attempt to get around a rather awkward dinner with roommates, a roommate's boy friend, and that boyfriend's friend, I took Esther's phone and proceeded to text Bryce. We ended up texting for about two hours. Pretty impressive according to me. I saw him another time that semester and it was a little awkward. It probably didn't help that he walked in on me and my roommates taking pictures with our superman cardboard cut out. I saw him for about 3 seconds in the fall when I came to visit with my mom and Rachael. Still weird. The first time I saw him this year he was singing Boys, Boys, Boys by Lady Gaga really high and it was hilarious. I laughed at him and still do. That's his ringtone now and he can never live it down, no matter how much he shakes his head at me.

Anyway, back on topic, Bryce is a wonderful, wonderful person who I cherish to pieces. I feel like I can tell him anything. I can be my most ridiculous and my most serious, though that doesn't happen too often. Last week I had a drama with an old friend to deal with and it was stressing me out. The three people that I told it to were Arianne, Rach and Bryce. He was so helpful calming me down. I haven't been his friend that long, but he's quickly moved up the ranks of my closest confidants.

Recently, Bryce got his mission call. He's leaving in August. I'm going to be in Idaho for the couple weeks between school ending and Bryce leaving so I hope I'll be able to see him then. But after that, he'll be gone for two years. At about his year mark I'll be putting my own mission papers in and getting a call. I realized this weekend that after August I won't see him for at least 2 and a half years, but probably somewhere closer to the three year mark. Right now I don't feel like I can handle it. 2.5 to 3 years is a long time to not see one of your best friends and it doesn't help to know that I am an awful letter writer. I hope I can get better. I need to for my own sanity.

The Dam Marathon

In case anyone didn't know I did do the Dam 10K just like I said I would. I'll update with pictures when I get them from my parents.

A shoe a day

I have a challenge for myself. I am going to wear a different pair of shoes everyday until I get though all of the shoes that I have up here. It'll take 30 days. Here's the picture from the beginning of this event. If I can work my computer and it's abilities correctly I should be able to cross off each pair as I wear them. Everyday, I'll try to post a picture of me in my shoes. Some days will definitely look better than others. We'll see how it goes. I'll post the shoes I am wearing now tonight. It works better for me. If anyone feels like joining me I think they should. I'm actually pretty excited to have to put some effort into what I am going to wear. Maybe it'll make me look more put together.

I would also like to say that I got my hair cut yesterday. I love it! I did it today and it looks smashing. Especially since I put make up too. I'm pulling out all the stops!

Books and Movies

Some people are avid "you must read the book before you can see the movie" type people. Last night I realized I am not. I thought I leaned toward this philosophy. Last night I finished reading The Lightening Thief. I saw the movie a couple weeks ago and loved it, so I thought I'd give the books a try. The book and the movie are so different, but I loved both of them. I'm glad I watched the movie first because I think that if I had read the book first and then had gone to see the movie I would have been comparing them the whole time and found the movie coming up very short. They vaguely have the same plot but not hardly at all. So I'm glad I watched the movie first and I don't think that I will grow up and make my children read the book first.

The Honor Code

This might sound a little rude of me and like I'm judging people but whatever. I don't really care.

BYU-Idaho has an honor code, a stricter honor code that BYU. In order to get in you have to sign a paper saying you will follow the Honor Code. That means, dear people, that you should actually follow the blasted Honor Code! Yes, it can be a pain. The fact that you can't wear capris or shorts is irritating once the weather is not butt freezing cold. But honestly, you signed it. You promised to follow it.

Here's the list of things that are not allowed and when I see people on campus or around campus doing it it irritates me:

Thigh length skirts with dotted nylons

Tunic length skirts with legging or jeggings (jeggings are NOT pants)

Being completely shocked when I wouldn't cross the Chastity Line in a guy's apartment (that is just stupid. You don't need to think I'm such a goodie two shoes or think that it's weird. It's what I'm supposed to do!)

Other obvious dress code violation especially when it's ugly

Frequent curfew violation- I've come in a couple minutes late, I have also been half an hour late once when we went to Idaho Falls. It's when roommates are in Rexburg and especially with boyfriends that it irritates me.

And there's it's for right now. It just bothers me that people don't seem to care that they promised to do something and then they completely ignore it.

The Dam Marathon

Let the lame jokes begin! In June the Teton Dam Marathon kinda over takes Rexburg. Last year there was a huge banner that said Dam Marathon stretching over Main Street. Students tell Dam jokes all the time. I decided in my insaneness that I want to run the 10k, like I said in my last post. Why? Well, there's a couple of reasons

1. Becky Trimble is one of my good friends. Before she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes with Merilee she was my size. Watching her loose a lot of weight and then start to run half marathons was inspiring.

2. The people I spent most of my time with this last fall were runners. Charity Call, Erin Andrus, Jeff Andrus and Becky. I did tried to start running in the fall but realized I am way out of shape. I also hated it. I got to the end of the street and decided it was so not worth it.

3. I want to accomplish something. Can you imagine how good I'll feel about myself crossing that finish line? It's going to be so great.

4. This is the really lame one. A runner's diet is basically carbs. What does Christy eat? Carbs. I'll get healthy without having the change my diet too much. (I know it's a bad one)

I'm buying a watch this weekend when I go to Wal-mart so I can start this thing. Training starts next week. First I'm doing a training program to get into running and then when that finishes I'll start the training for the 10k. I can so do this!

Here's the map, and here's the page. Here we go!

A goal

Oh, dear. What am I getting myself into? I have just set a goal to run a 10k. crazy right? I hate running. I liked it for a little while when I was thinner but man, it just makes me want to poke my eyes out. None the less, come when ever this race is I'm going to be running. I've decided it and it's only a 10k. I'll update with more information later but this is good enough for now. I'm tired and want to go to sleep but I can't yet because I have some homework I need to do. I also need to get up and be on campus at 7. I'm going to get no sleep tomorrow. Good thing I can come home and take a nap. So long now.

It's January!

and it's cold. It's been a long while since I've posted. I'm just that awesome.

The most important thing that has happened to me recently is I painted my nails. Hot pink to match my coat. Then I wore my coat today. They do not match at all. Completely different colors. So when I get home I'm taking it off. It's going to drive me crazy. Yep. That's they extent of my worries.

Not really. I made a commitment to exercise 6 days a week for my religion class. Explain to me why a class on families requires me to make an exercising commitment? I don't know. So now I'm stuck exercising. For the rest of the semester. I'd better end up being skinny. It's a goal of mine. I'm using my roommates work out videos. They're The Biggest Loser and one promises that if I do it I'll lose 30 pounds in 6 weeks. We'll see how it goes.

Give away!

There's an awesome give away over at Design Dazzle. Cute clothes! I know a Hopey who might need them! :) anyway go check it out. It's awesome.

And I haven't been updating. I'm failing. sad.

Ooooopppps

I can never figure out how to spell that. Yesterday, I was going to post but then I ended up so crabby that I didn't. The other day my cousin and I did something that we thought would be funny and it was apparently offensive. Who knew that a picture could be so awful? Crabby crabby crabby.

Anyway, I'm better now. Mostly. I'm at work with one very sick little boy. Ben's been trying to give up his morning nap (not very well) but fell asleep at 8:30 today while running a 101.9 fever. He's been a cuddly grump puss. Since all Ben has been wanting to do is cuddle I don't know what to do with Sam. Today might end up being more of a movie day than I would like. We'll see.

In other news, I'm going to learn to pack like Merlin. Sam and I are watching The Sword and the Stone while Ben's asleep. It's just quieter that way. I love The Sword and the Stone. Basically, it's one of my top high number favorites. Getting me and all my stuff up to Rexburg in 7 weeks would be so much easier. I'm going to try. I'll start practicing right away. While I'm working on packing I think I'll also work on my Mary Poppins cleaning. I've tried that before though and it has never worked. I'm hoping that Merlin's packing is more productive for me.

Next week is going to be crazy for me. Carin, Mom and I doing a wedding on Saturday. New Moon is early Friday and I'm working Thursday and Friday! Mom needs me to help her bake on Friday because I'm actually the one getting paid for catering this reception. I'm going to be chugging Mt. Dew and sleeping at weird hours. I was thinking about going to Ronelle's party before New Moon but I might be asleep then. If I come home from work around 5, get to sleep around 6, wake up at 11 get over to the theater, watch the movie, perhaps go out for snacks with friends after, then back to bed- 3 or 4? Then up at 6 so I can get to work. I'm going to ask if the boys can come over to my house for the day (then I can sleep until 6:30! haha) so I can actually help Mom. Then wedding set up and everything is Saturday. Yikes! Hopefully, everything goes well.

Go me!

Except for the whole starting on the wrong day and the skipping one day I think I've done pretty good on this. 5/7 is pretty good! 

um... What to say, what to say... Tomorrow is the primary program. And after church I'm going to take pictures of Emery in all the thrifted things Rachael and I have boughten him. I was going to think about watching a movie but I think I'll go to bed instead. I want to do my hair and look cute tomorrow just because I haven't in a while. I try to sleep to long to get anything done Sunday morning. If I go to sleep now I can get my 9 hours in and still wake up at 6ish. ew. too early. Maybe I'll shoot for later. We will see. 

Until tomorrow!

Stuff that I think I will die without

No, that is not an exaggeration. All I speak is truth. Especially all of them. 

*Most of these were found through blogs that I read. 

For the kid/public bathroom in my future home

For one of my Young Woman Value Projects I started this cross stitch.  Started because I never did finish it. I underestimated how long it takes to cross stitch. I was supposed to be making something for my future home so I decided to have a beach themed bathroom. Now I can complete the dream in the most amazing way I ever thought was possible with...

an Aquarium sink...

...and an aquarium toilet!

Yes they exist. The toilet if from a company called fish and flush and the sink... I haven't quite figured it out. Google them. They amuse me.

Next up on the list of things I need:

A rockin' muppet dress!

Oh Dress! How have I spent my life without you!

I'm now on a quest to figure out how to add sleeves to this beauty. I'm thinking they should be made out of the same stuff (yarn?) as the skirt. Thanks to one of my favorite blogs A Dress a Day

for introducing us.

My Wedding dress (No, I'm not engaged nor do I have a BF.)

I only need to loose about 10 inches off my waist. And get bone reducing surgery so I don't look anorexic being that skinny and so I am short enough to fit. With modern science they should be able to do that right? 

I love those sleeves! For more views of this beauty go here

Shoes!

No one can have enough shoes and these ones are special. I'm liking the face that the heel looks broken. Sadly these Irregular Choice shoes are £ 69.50. I don't even have that many USD to buy new shoes. 

Um... That's it for now. I have to go make dinner.

* I know the muppet dress didn't show up and I'm not clever enough to make it. I  

tried. You'll just have to go to Dress a Day

NO!!!!

I failed! I even remembered I needed to post last night but then promptly forgot. Not surprising. I'm going to try for the rest of the month though.

Yesterday Rachael and I went to the thrift store (we do often) and it was $5 a bag day. Stuff all the clothes you can into a grocery sack and pay 5 bucks for it. My brother Emery also conveniently lets us pick out his clothes. If we buy it he will wear it. And since it was $5 a bag day Rachael was looking for some stuff for her brother. So we're hanging out in the men's section looking at pants when Rachael spy's a tux. We look at it. 34 x 36. Emery's waist! The length might be a little long but hemming! We poke around it more. hmmm needs a cleaning and we see no badness. It's basically perfect! We stuff it in a bag along with a dress for me and 3 other button down shirts for Emery. We took the tux come and waited impatiently for him to arrive. After making him try on the shirts we hand him the tux. He puts it on and it fits! Almost perfectly. The pants are a little short and so are the sleeves. After some inspecting we find that it has been hemmed like no other. 3 or 4 inches in the legs! It can be fixed! So for $1, Emery, who is turning 17 next Wednesday, owns his own tux. Thrift stores have the potential to be rockin'! My dress and his shirts are pretty to. I think I'll take pics of him in all the shirts we have picked up at the thrift store. We have skillz. It also helps that Ridgecrest has no other clothes shopping places and we're dirt poor so we're always at the thrift store but... :)