Today's Devotional

Today I was in training for Seminary & Institute employees to learn about finances. We started with a devotional this morning. Bro. Bowman gave the devotional. He was an institute teacher when the shootings happened at Virginia Tech a few years ago. The gunman shot 32 students and then shot himself. Out of the horror he shared a few things that showed the Lord’s hand in the catastrophe. He said that the shootings happened on a Monday and the next weekend Elder Bednar was scheduled to go out and speak to the area. Before the shootings happened Elder Bednar questioned why the Lord was sending him out there since there wasn’t going to be a new stake presidency called. He knew that there must have been some reason for him to go so he waited to see what the Lord’s purpose was. After the shootings Elder Bednar had a meeting with the students and institute staff it was held in a fairly small space. He asked all those who were not students or staff of the institute to leave the meeting. Brother Bowman said that Elder Bednar shook the hand of everyone who attended that meeting.

He shared another story from the stake president who was a teacher in the same building where the shootings happened. The stake president heard the shootings as he was in his office two floors above them. He heard students screaming and decided that the best things to do was barricade himself in his office and get down under his desk. As the shootings happened, he received a call from the area authority who would also be visiting that weekend. He reached above his desk and answered the phone. He spoke with the area authority and seemed to forget what was happening at the school because he didn’t even mention it. After the shootings the area authority put together the fact that he called at the moment the shootings had happened.

The stake president later shared a scripture from D&C 9:9 that he saw with new eyes, “But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.”

In that moment of chaos, the stake president said that he forgot about the shootings because preparing for the Lord’s work was the most important thing for him to be focused on at that moment.

Brother Bowman said that he had many other stories to share but the time didn’t allow. He said that he would be happy to answer any questions we had and now I am kicking myself for not asking him more questions since this was the last day of training.

Rancho Market

I just feel the need to spread the word about Rancho Market. When I first saw this place I just assumed it was an overpriced convenience store. Boy was I wrong! People talk about how they want to eat more fruits and vegetables but then they complain that fresh produce is too expensive. Well you can’t use that excuse ANY more. Rancho Market has AmAzInG deals. I have seen Oranges 6 lb/99 cents, avocados 6/99 cents, whole pineapple for 99 cents, gala apples, 3 lb/99 cents, mangos 3/99 cents, bananas 5 lb/99 cents. The place is insane! Sure sometimes the produce gets pretty picked over or they run out but what do you expect when the deals are this good?
This place has been especially helpful for me as I purchased a dehydrator and a juicer. I can get the best deals on produce and juice it or dehydrate it for later. I mean what is a single girl like me supposed to do with three pineapples? Here is a link to their ad if you want to check out the latest deals… http://www.ranchomarkets.com/ Oh and I suppose I should mention that it really helps if you speak Spanish.

Fun at Work

So my coworkers decided to spotlight me in the our January newsletter and this is what they had to say about me. I thought it was so funny that I had to share.

According to her co-workers Alicia is “cool, calm, and collected. Triple C –the way to be. The field LOVES that about her.” She is “laid back, even-keeled, and reliable.” Brian said his earliest memory of her was when they were in the hiring process. He said, “As we checked Alicia’s references, before she was hired, we knew she would follow through with assignments and get along with people.” On more of a personal note, “She is a very caring person and does so much for her family.They rely on her opinion, her advice, and they’re a very close family with a lot of love for each other.” She is also “very determined in eating well and running. Don’t race her in a half marathon. She will win!” She came in 1st place in a run from the Draper to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. One thing that Alicia loves is buying townhomes. Ask her about her experience… then you will understand her love for it. One of her co-workers said, “The time I laugh the hardest is when she impersonates her mother. It’s so hilarious –you need to hear it.” She also “enjoys watching documentaries and she checks them out from the library ALL the time.”When asked what song Alicia would be there were several answers. “One of the songs from Runaway Bride. The men just cannot keep up.” “How about There is Sunshine in my Soul Today. That’s a good one forher.”“John Denver’s Rocky Mountain High—because you get the sense that Alicia communes with planet Earth.”

Nice work Alexis! I might just have to find away to pay you back for this. :)

Deep Freeze

I was able to go home to MN for Christmas. Aside from the deep freeze I was able to have some fun times with family and friends. My highlights included seeing these two scamps…
going to The Body Worlds exhibit at the MOA with Marla and going to the Louvre exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. This is my favorite piece that I always try to see at the MIA along with Van Gough’s olive tree painting. One day the temp got down to -15 and my mom’s car didn’t start because the fuel lines were frozen. You know it is cold when your eyes are watering because of the cold and your eyelashes start sticking together because there isn’t enough salt in your tears to keep them from freezing together. I won’t be able to listen to anyone complain about the cold here. In comparison this place is like a tropical paradise.

Christmas Good Will

If you are looking for something good to do for Christmas, you may want to consider sending a Christmas Card to men and women serving in the armed forces. You can mail your cards Until Dec 7th, so you can't procrastinate this one. Check out this link for more details... http://www.redcross.org/holidaymail

Charity Cut-A-Thon

I can’t believe that it is almost that time of year again. But I am going to run my annual special and all money I receive for doing hair till the end of the year will be going to charity. Most likely this will be the food bank, unless I come across another worthwhile charity that I like. If you just want to keep your money and donate it to your favorite charity that is fine as well. Suggested donation is $10 for haircuts. Contact me to set up an appointment.

Halloween 2009

For Halloween this year I decided to go as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. I sort of decided last minute so I was very pleased when I found a hat, purse and gloves Halloween Eve. Many people asked me if I was Audrey Hepburn. I guess there are quite a few similarities between the two. There was another gal dresses up as Audry Hepburn and everyone was asking her if she was Jackie O. Here is a picture of us together.Here are my picks for best costume this year. In fifth place is the breakfast cereal gang, 4th is the Jolly Green Giant 3rd is Marie Antoinette 2nd goes to the bikers and 1st place hands down goes to Kanye and Taylor Swift. It was a good time. I hope you all had a great holiday. Here are some more great costumes...