August 04, 2007

Being a Mummy


Chillin'
Originally uploaded by Munzerr
I didn't know whether to blog about this or not.. but I decided I would.

Sometimes, I find being a full-time Mum really hard.

It's funny, because I think I'm a strong, abled person, and Cara is a beautiful, amazing, sleepy girl. So, really, I should find being a Mum easier than most.

A lot of the time I do think that my being a Mum is easy. I get to stay at home, be with my beautiful baby girl, go out for walks, watch films, shop... there are lots of perks - especially with only one, especially good little girl, but amazingly, sometimes it's still hard. I think hardest, funnily - when I sit down and relax, or try to. I think for me it's the constancy, I'm always listening out for Cara, in case she needs me. There's never been anything so constantly on my mind, maybe there should have been....

I read this blog today, it's what inspired me to write about my feelings.

I love Cara! She's going to change my life for the better! Thank you, Cara! and Thank you Andrew!

July 31, 2007

Selling stuff on ebay

I've never actually sold anything on ebay.. although I have bought a few things.. check out this sale.

July 30, 2007

My Real Age


 

...and I thought I was old. Wonder how old Cara is using this age calculator.

July 23, 2007

Footloose

What a great film!? Apparently they are making a re-make.. with the star from High School Musical - no-one can be as good as Kevin Bacon.. except maybe John Travolta.

July 02, 2007

A game of Chess

For our Family Home Evening activity this week, Andrew and I played a game of Chess. It was a really fun game! Chess is so good - there is so much to think about.

I've been playing a few games of Chess over the internet, a move at a time. It was nice to play a whole game in one go. Steve and Alan recently beat me online, and tonight Andrew beat me too... I'm off to read some books on Chess strategy.

June 14, 2007

Helen Strikes!


Helen Strikes!
Originally uploaded by Munzerr
We went bowling for Alex Tovey's birthday. I like this photo Andrew took of me.. I did get a couple of strikes, but I'm still better at Wii bowling than the real thing. Andrew beat everybody, both lanes - so well done Andrew!

May 25, 2007

Spinning Fast


Park 20.JPG
Originally uploaded by Hedgen
We went to the park with Linda and her girls. It was quite a good park, lots of different things to play on, for all age groups. My favourite was the gerbil wheel, especially when Andrew had a go, and fell off...! and also these little spinny things. I was going so fast, I felt really sick. Can't wait until Cara is old enough to enjoy all the wonderful fun you can have at the park.

May 22, 2007

Running With Angels


Running With Angels 059.JPG
Originally uploaded by Hedgen.
Bristol Stake RS once again hosted a 'Running with Angels'. It was a 5km run/walk for all the women in the Stake (young and old). We raised money for Breast Cancer Research UK, and also raised the bar in our own fitness.

I am so unfit! I ran as much of it as I could, and I really felt it that night and following day. I didn't do a lot of excercise while I was pregnant, and I haven't done a whole lot since. Next year, I'll hopefully be able to run the whole waya again. It was a great event.

May 11, 2007

Mary, Martha and Me

Southmead Ward has a RS book club, and on Wednesday I borrowed this book. Tonight I finished it. It was a really good read. Made me think. She writes in a way that is easy to read and understand, but thought provoking, and is backed up by scripture references and quotes from the apostles and prophets.

I need to 'do' more for the right reasons, and learn to study the Gospel even amongst a busy life. Even if that life is full of good things, God is the most important. All good follows a devotion to Christ.

I would definately recommend this book.

April 24, 2007

Aunty Helen


With Aunty Helen
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.
Not only was is great to see the new addition to the Cook family.. but to see Emily, Naomi and Liesl.. they have all grown up since we last saw them. Liesl is looking so much like her mummy!

New Cousins


New Cousins
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.
Cara is no longer the youngest in the extended family. Martha Heidi Cook was born 23rd April 2007 - Just 12 weeks after Cara. I can't believe how much Cara has grown! Martha was born a little heavier than Cara, and she looks tiny. Her mass of hair is amazing! She is such a cute and with it baby. She would stick her tongue out at any opportunity, and seemed very awake when we saw her. We are just waiting for the next little cousin to arrive now... another girl?

Note: Heidi is closer to the camera than Cara - she is tiny!

March 22, 2007

TopUP 2007

I got a letter this morning, from my employer - UnumProvident. I qualified for TopUP 2007, which is the UnumProvident event for employees who have been given an excellent rating for the past years work. The past couple of years the events have been long weekends abroad.. this years event will be at a luxury 5* hotel in central London, with a gala dinner and a luzury overnight stay, plus a bonus of £1,000. What a wonderful suprise!

March 14, 2007

Thumbs Up


The boys' thumb war
Originally uploaded by mooncici.
My thumbs are only little, especially compared to Andrews. However, we had a thumb war to decide who got to choose the film to watch - and I won! easily I might add.. we wanted to watch the same film anyway, that's the funniest part.

March 13, 2007

The Great Gatsby


I've been reading quite a bit recently, and thought it would be a good idea to keep a record of what I've read.

The latest book was 'The Great Gatsby'. Apparently known as the great book of American Literature. I have to say it captured me. I really wanted to find out what happened next. I'm not sure what I learnt from this book - maybe just that I have a great life. Most of the people in this story couldn't say the same about their lives.

February 19, 2007

New Calling

I was given a new calling today - Enrichment Leader! It was a bit of a suprise to be called into have an interview today. I had no idea what calling would be in store, but this is great! It's something I feel I can really put my heart into. I want to get the RS of Southmead Ward having fun, learning and socialising with each other. What's best is this calling will not be interupted by having a baby whatsoever. I can't wait to get started. Next month, March is RS birthday month, so we have chance to have a really big Enrichment night, one of the 4 official ones, really soon. Working with Rebecca Amery, counsellor for Enrichment, will also be really fun.

Cara is just as beatiful as ever, and such a good little girl. Andrew and I are so blessed!

January 31, 2007

Cara Louise Munzer

We have a little girl! I really can't believe it. She is so cute. It's great to finally be at home as a family. We are so blessed.

I had so much I wanted to say when I came to write this - but it's all gone from my head. I think I'm still a little woozy from the pain relief or something, but motherhood has been really great and our little girl is just so great. When she is asleep and away from my vision for a bit I know that she's cute - but when I get to see her again I realise just how cute.. awwww she is the best!

Cara asleep on her Daddy like that was so cute to see!

More photos here.

January 24, 2007

Baby's Due Date

So.. today is Baby's due date. No signs of him yet, but I guess it could still happen today. Andrew and I went for a walk this morning - we heard it's sometimes good to start things moving. I also took to jumping a little this afternoon.. oh well! Baby knows best when to join us. Tomorrow we have an appointment with the Doctor, we'll see what he says.. although he has always said a week late to be fair, so I guess maybe he's right. The midwife said they'll induce if nothings happened by 12 days overdue.. so in 12 days baby should be with us no matter what. We are so excited and just can't wait to see our little one.

C'mon baby!

January 18, 2007

LibraryThing


I spent most of today beginning to catalog our books. First I set out to find a way to do it. I was hoping to find some nifty website that would help me.. sure enough there is. First I found Shelfari.. this was OK, but I much prefer LibraryThing. Check them out, and let me know if you join too, and I can look at your library of books.

Click here to see my LibraryThing catalog, or here to see my bookshelf on shelfari.

January 14, 2007

Wii


Yesterday, we bought a Wii! Can't believe we found somewhere that had them in stock.. We played on it quite a bit last night, but then had to leave it to go to a Youth Standards Night, where Andrew and I had been asked to speak. We spoke about the 'For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet' our talks were only part of the whole evening, which was really good. I felt the spirit. This afternoon we went to the baptism of Sam Amery, this was also a really lovely meeting filled with the spirit. I am so glad to know that the church is true!

Oh! and by the way - Andrew is addicted to the Wii. We'll have to take video of him playing and post it up - it is hilarious, especially boxing!

January 07, 2007

The world of the internet

I decided to start using Google Reader today, and have ended up adding a lot of feeds. It's been really interesting. Thanks Stevie for introducing me to it.

Just one of the interesting sites I found while adding feeds was this one.

Have a go and see how well you know me, by going here.

And also an interesting article about the church.

December 01, 2006

Are You In There...?


Are You In There...?
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.
That's me looking at baby. It's quite a bump now.. and we are both getting more and more excited. I only have 2 weeks left of work, then its almost Christmas, the New Year and then Baby time. Can't wait. We love baby so much already, and we haven't even really seen him properly. Love you baby!

November 17, 2006

Baby Munzer


Baby, Peeping Out
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.
I can't believe I haven't blogged about our baby yet. This is our scan at 16? weeks.. but I'm 30 weeks along now.. only 10 to go!

Being pregnant is great! Of course there are times when its really uncomfortable and scary (thinking about labour), but it's all for a little baby. My baby - who will learn and grow and be wonderful. I'm so grateful for the many blessings in my life. I feel so blessed with how well everything has gone so far. Just hope I can do as good a jon looking after our little one in his life, as Heavenly Father has done up 'till now.

Can't wait for baby!

August 06, 2006

Nursey


+ Helper!
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.
My new calling is as Nursery Leader.. they are all so cute! But I still find trying to actually teach them a challenge. Any tips greatly appreciated.

More photos of Southmead Nursey.

Honeymoon


DSCF1192.JPG
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.
This is one of my favourite photo's from our honeymoon.. This was at Salzburg Zoo.. we bought these tourist cards that got us entry to loads of stuff in Salzburg, and as we were only really there one full day we rushed around trying to make the most of it. One of my favourite days!

I'm Married!


holding hands
Originally uploaded by SteveCottrell.
OK.. so it happened a while ago now.. but I thought I should really add it to the blog. Our wedding day was the best! It couldn't have been that way without the wonderful friends and family who helped out, and who came to enjoy this wonderful day with us.. seriously I can't imagine it being any better - it was GREAT!

I love being your wife Andrew.. and I'm so grateful that you are my husband!


More photos from our wedding.

January 27, 2006

Ubiquity

...showing Nathan how to blog..

January 24, 2006

Back to work I go..


UP
Originally uploaded by flashofgenius.
It's been a long and eventful break, but next week I'm back to work. I haven't had time to get bored during my time off though.. I got engaged, went to visit family and friends across the UK, found dresses for the wedding, been house hunting, sorting out a mortgage and spending time with my bestest friend in the whole wide world ever and always will be.. Andrew.. plus lots of other great and wonderful friends too.. Life is great!

PS this is a photo of Unum in America not the one I will be at.. the only photo tagged 'unumprovident' on flickr

January 15, 2006

Hiding


DSCF0088.JPG
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.
Yes, it seems as if I have been hiding so far in 2006, just like Andrew in this photo. I haven't been hiding, I've just been busy.

Currently I am trying to find a job (almost done), find a wedding dress (proving difficult), a house (can't buy it without a job), design wedding invitations (Andrew will be a big help!) and I'm sure there is lots and lots more...

December 23, 2005

The Amazingness of Andrew


DSCF0947.JPG
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.
I don't think I can put in words just how amazing Andrew is. I am forever finding more things which I love about him. He is the loveliest, sweetest, kindest most talented guy I know, and I get to have him as my husband.. and he will be father of my children.. and he loves me, respects me, cares for me, trusts me.. I am so blessed, and I do realise it. When we meet people up in York they all tell me how amazing he is, like I wouldn't know.. but I do. I know. Love you always Andrew!

December 05, 2005

Thinking...


DSCF0585.JPG
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.
Played three games of Chess in one afternoon.. and won all 3 times!

I can't believe it! I didn't even think I was that good.. maybe this is my talent. It was a lot of fun though. I really love the Munzer family, can't wait to be properly part of it.

November 25, 2005

My Favourite Day So Far


By the Box Tree
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.
Andrew proposed this morning.. he is the most amazing thing that has ever happened in my life. I love him so much.. and I love him more all the time. I can't wait for us to start our future together as husband and wife.

October 29, 2005

Scrabble


Scrabble
Originally uploaded by Hedgen.
It has been a long time since I've played Scrabble. Andrew was a good opponent.. however I did win :D

It was such a close game. At several points we had the same score.. right up till the end.

October 28, 2005

Ever more excited!

Today I got a letter from the Europe Central Area Presidency. It made me so happy!

My favourite part.. and I loved the whole thing, was where it said;
Come to Europe expecting to see people join the Church. If you do, you will see more people enter the waters of baptism, even a "goodly number." (Mosiah 18:7)
I've wanted to expect that, but felt that maybe I shouldn't.. now I know that I should expect that, and I will! I'm so excited, and just hope that I can be as strong, faithful and prepared as this presidency, the prophet and my mission president have expressed in their letters. I really want to be the best missionary I can be.

As an extra note.. my favourite scripture of the moment in Romans 1:16, it may actually be my favourite for life! At last I have a reason for choosing one above all others.

October 13, 2005

Running with Angels

Tonight we had a Stake Relief Society meeting. It was amazing! I felt the Spirit as we sang, as we listened to presentations and testimonies and spent time with each other.

Our Stake RS Presidency have decided to set us a goal to raise the bar in our physical fitness. Inspiration was taken from the book Running with Angels. There is to be a sponsered run in May 2006 for all the women in the Stake. Everyone was challenged to prepare for that day, and walk, jog or run it better than they could today. I'm sad that I wont be in the Stake to participate but excited for the challange anyway.

I hope Lorna joins in!

October 11, 2005

Enjoying Life


Greek Chef, Helene
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.
It's been a while since I blogged.. I've just been enjoying life! Last night me and Andrew cooked Moussaka (Greek food) for friends. It was really lovely. Food was good, company was better!

Thank you Andrew!

October 01, 2005

Greek Alphabet


Greek Alphabet
Originally uploaded by Hedgen.
I still can't believe I have to learn Greek! Take a look at some...

Greek Church Website

Scary! but also very fun! There are so many good websites to learn from. At the moment I'm using this one, along with others.

Greek! Seriously.. that's all I keep saying in my head...

Oh! and take a look at Romans 1:16 I always liked this scripture,
but now even more than before.


September 26, 2005

Got my call!


Greece Athens 2005 166
Originally uploaded by ourlife.be.
I'm going to Greece! I can't believe it!

I need to learn Greek. Madness!

Wow! I can't wait!

September 21, 2005

Still waiting


Waiting Girl
Originally uploaded by  Smaragd.
...so it didn't come today.. oh well! maybe tomorrow! I'm so excited, I just can't hide it! :D

September 20, 2005

Mission Call

I am sooooo excited!!!! Bishop called today to let me know that Stake President had my mission call.. he knows where and when I will be going. So, Bishop gave me his number to find out too.. but I just got his answer phone. Then.. he called back! But said that he couldn't tell me, I had to wait to get my call myself... so now I'm waiting. Very excitedly waiting :D

September 19, 2005

Lorny Time


Lorny Time
Originally uploaded by Hedgen.
Had a bit of Lorny Time recently. It was really great! It was quite a different holiday for us. Much more relaxed, lots of quiet time, reflecting, enjoying, being amazed by the world around us. It was a needed break.. I'd recommend it.

September 13, 2005

Stars




It is amazing to think about how much we understand about the stars, and yet there is so much more we don't.

Stars are amazing! Our world is amazing!



Oh Lord my God when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
How Great thou Art!

September 12, 2005

Time

It is a strange thing, time. At work an hour can go past so slowly, waiting for the time to leave. At other times it can go so quick, when you have too much to do. Spending time with friends can go by without even noticing quick or slow, just enjoying each moment.

I should spend my time more wisely.

September 10, 2005

What a fantastic weekend!


London Temple
Originally uploaded by Hedgen.
I have had a really busy, but amazingly brilliant weekend. I love the Temple! and I love to talk with friends about the Gospel, who are as excited about it as I am. To round off the day, Tom got baptised! It was just lovely to be there with him. He is such a great guy.

September 08, 2005

My birthday!

Today has been great! There are so many good people in my life right now. I am so thankful for each and every one. I really wasn't expecting too much from my birthday this year.. I hadn't really planned anything, or thought about it too much. I think that made a real difference every small thing just made me feel good. I've loved it!

I also managed to tell work today about my leaving to serve a full-time mission. I had been worrying about what to say, but it went really well, and everyone was really happy for me.

What a great day! Thank you everyone!

September 06, 2005

Mi Amiga Lorna


IMG_1237.JPG
Originally uploaded by Munzerr.
Tengo una amiga que se llama Lorna. Lorna vive en Montacute lejos de Bristol. Yo vivo en Bristol.

Ayer, conseguimos ir y visitar con Lorna. ¡Fantástico!

September 04, 2005

Today was a good day

I had one of those lovely days today.. The sun was shining, the lessons at church made me think, I felt of the Spirit.. and then I got to spend time with friends. It had been a while since I'd seen Nathan, so it was nice to see him again. Ceriss cooked a wonderful roast, and Tom asked me to talk at his baptism. It was just a wonderful day!

In our testimony meeting today I was struck more than ever of the importance of actually sharing a testimony. There were some, as there always are which were lectures or stories, and during those times, even if I did learn a little, I didn't feel of the Spirit as strongly as when someone simply spoke of their beliefs in Christ and His teachings. I love feeling the Spirit so strongly that my heart pounds.. and that happened today! I think it was my heart which really made me feel the difference in peoples testimonies. It was amazing!

September 03, 2005

Collection of quotes...

I'm trying to sort out my room today. I need to decide what to keep, what to give or throw away. I always quite enjoy finding things in my room that I had forgotten about. I've found some scribblings of quotes from books that I have read, or talks I have heard, and thought I would include them in a blog.

Temple and Cosmos - Hugh Nibley

"Without light, matter is inert and helpless."

"matter is to be acted upon. You can't blame it for making you sin, ... matter is inert. We make the matter act; it doesn't make us act."

"without the ordinances, one has no way of controlling matter, for such control begins with the control of one's self."

"Glory is shared intelligence."

"It is better to be ignorant and interested than ignorant and not interested, and there's no 3rd alternative here. We're ignorant in any case, so you might as well be ignorant and interested in these things."

"There is nothing superfluous anywhere."

"When is something proven? When you believe it!"

"...remember it is an act of faith to believe our senses..."

Meek and Lowly - Neal A Maxwell

"...meekness is needed in order to be spiritually successful..."

"...serious disciples are urged not only to do good, but also not to grow weary of doing good."

"We are urged not only to speak the truth, but also to speak the truth in love." [Eph 4:15]

"Righteous sorrow and suffering carve cavities in the soul that will become later reservoirs of joy!"

"The capacity to lead is associated with the capacity to learn..."

"But long before our knees willingly bend, there must be genuine intellectual humity."

"Humbleness of mind is the initiater of expensiveness of mind."

"...the truth will be resented less when the messenger is meek..."

To Draw Closer to God - Henry B Eyring

"...hear the voice of God in words of the weak and the simple..."

"What the sunshine is to the field and to the flowers the Spirit is to the life of man."

"Your problem and mine is not to get God to speak to us... Our problem is to hear."

"Listen with the intent to obey, then obey."

"Rememberance is the seed of gratitude, which is the seed of generousity."

"...the Holy Ghost will come, not because of one great moment, but because of many little moments of submission."

"His faith reassured him that someday, when God told him how it was all done, he would see all truth as perfectly logical, transparently reasonable. In the meantime he was enjoying discovering what he could with the logic he could muster."

"We may be tempted to be too indirect in our bearing of testimony. You do not have to speak loudly or long. But you must be clear."

"...the effect of sincere prayer and of careful scripture study is to always feel an urging to do things... Real spiritual sight comes to the heart softened by obedience."

Spiritual Roots - Stephen R Covey

"True knowledge is a state of being."

"Continually choose highest good over lesser good and evil."

"...admission of our ignorance is often the first step in our education."

"Listening involves patience, openess and the desire to understand."

"Mind versus mattress!"

"He didn't just say this is the truth. He said, 'I am the truth'."

"Spirituality... a consciousness of victory over self."

"...become a light to people, and not their judges."

"...trust is the highest form of human motivation."

"True communication is a two way process... It is not the importance of the subject so much as the depth of interest that matters... meanings are not found in words... (but) people."

"The highest principle in the Gospel is love of God and people, not love of the principles."

Minds, Brains and Science - John Searle

"...perception is a function of expectation."

How to be totally miserable - John Bytheway

"People eventually become what they think about..."

"Happy people know that activity and depression are opposites."

"The righteous rejoice while the miserable murmer."

"Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions"
[Oliver Wendall Holmes]

"Happy people love to learn."

"FEAR - False Expectations Appearing Real"

"He who waits for roast duck to fly into mouth must wait very long time."

"It's hard to keep frowning when you know someone else is smiling because of you."

Zen and the Art of Motorcylce Maintenance - Pirzig

"personality... intuitive sum total of everything you know and feel about it."

"...condemnation of technology is ingratitiude..."

"Familiarity can blind you too."

"Did Einstein really mean to state that truth was a function of time?"

"How amazing it is that everything in the universe can be described by the 26 written characters..." [Or infact by only 2 states, computers use binary.]

"Mental reflection os so much more interesting than TV it's a shame more people don't switch over to it. They probably think what they hear is unimportant but it never is."

"If you got to ask what is it all the time, you'll never get time to know."

"Stuckness shouldn't be avoided. It's the psychic predecessor of all real understanding."

"Enthousiasmos -> enthuasiasm -> 'filled with thoeos', God or Quality"

"It's amazing the number of mistakes a little light can prevent."

An Inventor in the Garden of Eden - Eric Laithwaite

"...although no-one believes a scientific hypothesis except its author, everyone believes an experiment except those who performed it."

"...wisdom, in fact, dwells in the Arts..."

"...we shall never understand why masses are attracted to each other. Calling it 'gravity' only names it. Likewise we shall never understand electromagnetism, not even electric current, in the sense we understand why actions are taken as the result of of jealousy, compassion, greed or almost any of the so-called abstract things."

"For what shall it profit humans, if they know the Origin of the Universe but lose their ability to use it?"

"If a man and an earwig both fall over a cliff, the man falls to his death, the earwig floats down unharmed. But if instead both are soaked with water, the man will suffer little ill effect but the earwig will most certainly drown."

"The force of analogy is this, that it refers what is doubtful to something like it which is not in question."

"Nothing is impossible, but the probability of their happening lies between a googol and a googolplex."

Mathematics - The Science of Patterns - Keith Devlin

"Mathematical symbols are no more mathematics that musical notation is music."

"Three points either lie on a straight line or lie in a circle."


I think I got a little carried away.. and I didn't even type them all out.. there is so much interesting stuff out there to read! WOW!


Salsa!

Fantastic! Great! Loadsa fun!

Learn Salsa online

Dancing is one of the best things ever! I will really miss dancing while on my mission... I still can't decide on my favourite style. Salsa is great though.. but Jive can be done to such a wide variety of music. Jive throws are fun! I just love to dance!

August 31, 2005

Waiting for Godot

This evening I went to see a play. The theatre was amazing! We didn't have the best seats, but I think that led to a more exciting evening.. I really felt part of it all by needing to lean over to peer down at the amazing actors. I don't think I really got the whole idea of the play.. but it definately had some interesting things for me to think about.

In an analysis of the play it said "Time is equivalent to what is announced in the title: the act of waiting", I find that quite an interesting statement. I guess we often spend a lot of time just waiting. However I feel that we shouldn't do this.. let us get on with life.. let us do what in the play they didn't do so well. Get on with doing something useful. I think this links in so well with the advice that Elder Oaks and again this weekend Sister Lund had, especially the Young Women in the church.. don't wait around for marriage, it may be the most important thing to do, but don't just wait for it to happen. Do something, and do it well.

August 29, 2005

Manchester YSA Convention 2005

What a great weekend! Haven't got time to write much more than that right now.. but yeah, it was great!

August 24, 2005

What a great day!

I just feel so blessed to have the Gospel in my life right now, and most especially to have met someone who is so excited to be learning about it. Tom is such a great person, he really wants to learn. It feels like we've known him for ages, but in fact it's been less than a week since we first met him. It's getting me even more excited about serving a mission.. it just feels so great to share such wonderful truths with someone who really wants to know about it.

John Travolta!

I think John Travolta is great! I've loved him in sooo many films.. I bought a DVD today for 97p from Tesco's called The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, I bought it because he was in it.. but I watched it, even though it was late, cos it was actually a really good story. I bought a couple of others too.. wonder what they will be like....

August 22, 2005

Couple at the Temple


Couple at the Temple
Originally uploaded by Hedgen.
Corinne and Ed are married! It was such a lovely day.. I'm so glad that I know the importance and beauty of marriage. Bishop Balloch said wise words at their wedding ceremony and I hope i remember them when it comes the time for me to be married. He talked of covenants, mostly those we make with our Heavenly Father, and then he spoke of the marriage covenant and of the importance of realising that with these promises we make, we can not rely on the other person to be perfect and make up what we don't do, we need to work together. We need to be odedient, and we need to be faithful.

August 20, 2005

Animation

My dad showed me a link to this page this morning.. Thought I would share my favourite on it so far.


Hope you enjoy!

August 18, 2005

Meeting old friends and new

Tonight was really great! Andora taught a beautiful lesson about the Spirit, which was felt by all. It was Tom's first time meeting with the YSA in Bristol and he seemed to really enjoy it, it was a great lesson for him. He is so happy, it was great! Now I'm just waiting for this weekend. It's my friends wedding, so that's quite exciting! Can't believe it has come along so quick! I'm so excited to see all the friends who will be there :D

August 17, 2005

Imaginary Numbers

I was reminded today of a book I read at school, Fermat's Last Theorum by Simon Singh. I love this book.. it reminded me all about the amazingness of maths, just thinking about it today. I was looking forward to going home, and picking out some good bits to re-read.. but I've already packed it, and sent it home. Oh well.. I found lots of cool stuff to be looking at on Simon Singh's website. Why not take a look?

August 16, 2005

Perspective


Bliss
Originally uploaded by  Smaragd.
It's a very interesting thing, the way that we look at life. Everyone sees everything differently. I often see things differently to myself at a later stage.. however we still expect others to understand what we do see.. am I making any sense?

The most amazing thing, is that no matter how we see things.. our Heavenly Father knows.

Woohoo!

My mission papers are completely filled out, and in the morning I get to post them! I'm so excited to find out where I am going to serve!! :D

August 14, 2005

Layde Bay


Layde Bay
Originally uploaded by pjy.
I didn't know what to blog about today.. but I was looking at some flickr photos and this is taken quite nearby to where I live, I've never been there.. but isn't it beautiful! There are so many beautiful places in our world.

It was a lovely evening this evening. We had our Family Home Evening at Andrews place tonight, it was really lovely.

The 4 of us


The 4 of us
Originally uploaded by Hedgen.
OK.. so it isn't the best photo in the world, but we're all in it! Luckily it did stop raining long enough for us to take a few photos before we went home.

What a great day!

August 12, 2005

Off to the Temple


I'm leaving for Preston. It is going to be a great weekend! Next time I post a photo of Preston Temple it will be one of my own :D

I am soooo close to sending off my mission papers now!

Life goes on...


All taking photos
Originally uploaded by Hedgen.
I actually already blogged today before I went out, it was about obedience.. maybe I'll write something about that some other time. It's too late now to really think.. went to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta this evening.. lot of fun.. We were all taking photos! :D

August 09, 2005

Crossing the roads


Crossing the roads
Originally uploaded by Hedgen.
I've been labelling my photos on flickr and I am reminded of how amazing going to General Conference was. Wow! Conference was actually no different. The meanings of the messages, the Spirit, my involvement in Conference, however being amongst all those people, seeing the Temple as I walk out of the Conference Center, the amazingness of the Conference Center.. bumping into people I know. I loved it! This was my second visit, and hopefully I'll make it again someday.

August 08, 2005

The Lighthouse Family

I hadn't listened to The Lighthouse Family in ages. It made me happy to hear it again. I had a good day today! Nothing particularly amazing happened.. Just my ordinary life, but things made me smile more than usual. I love learning Spanish!

August 07, 2005

Cutest photo


Cutest photo
Originally uploaded by Hedgen.
All my neices are cute.. but this photo is great! I am so blessed to have such a great family around me. They are all such great examples to me. My parents, siblings, siblings-in-law, neices, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles.. wow! so many people, and I can learn something from each of them. Family's are the BEST!

“Go Ye into All the World, and Preach My Gospel”

I am teaching the Sunday School lesson in my ward tomorrow. So, this evening I have been finishing off my preparations. I was going to put that it had been a while since I taught a lesson.. but then I realised that what I really meant was it has been a while since I've taught a lesson which wasn't for YSA or seminary. I've really enjoyed preparing it. I've studied a little off topic at times, but hopefully it will all go OK tommorow.

My attempt for an early night has failed miserably again tonight.. however the other morning, even though I was REALLY tired and no-one else was up early in my house, I did get up! And I will continue too.

August 04, 2005

In need of sleep...

I keep promising myself that I will get to bed earlier, so I really need to do that. I was reading the other day about Integrity being the opposite of honesty.. let me explain that one! Honesty is speaking the truth about what has happened. Integrity is speaking and making that be the truth. OK, maybe I didn't word it quite right.. but I know what I mean. We need to make and keep promises! Generally I think I'm quite good at this.. apart from when the promise only involves me. I can quite easily get up in the morning to study my scriptures when I am teaching a seminary class, or when I've arranged to study with a friend, or when I have some lesson or talk to prepare and that's my only time.. but when it's just study for me, I tend to justify that it would be better for me to have a little more sleep now and study later. Then later I'm really annoyed at myself. Maybe now I've recorded this, it may help me to keep to my promises! Goodnight.

August 03, 2005

I was listening to a speech by Elder Neal A Maxwell on my way home from work today.. It was a really good talk. Meekly Drenched in Destiny... I'll have to listen to it again a few times to really remember it all, but one thing stuck out to me.. and it wasn't the most important, but it linked into a blog I was reading the other day. I wanted to link to it.. but I can't find it. It was a poem someone had written called "1 or 3?" Anyway.. here is a quote from the talk;

"In that premortal council, wherein Jesus meekly volunteered to aid the Father's plan, He said, "Here am I, send me" (Abraham 3:27). It was one of those special moments when a few words are preferred to many. Never has one individual offered, in so few words, to do so much for so many as did Jesus when He meekly proffered Himself as ransom for us, billions and billions of us!

In contrast, we see in ourselves, brothers and sisters, the unnecessary multiplication of words--not only a lack of clarity, but vanity. Our verbosity is often a cover for insincerity or uncertainty. Meekness, the subtraction of self, reduces the multiplication of words."

So, after that.. what more have I to say? Goodnight.

August 02, 2005

Tornado

Found out today that yesterday there was actually almost a tornado near Bristol. Check it out. Glad I only got rained on, and not spun around.

It's weird how in life we often don't realise just how great things are compared to how they could be. I was reading today about empathy. Covey talked about how empathy is understanding someone intellectually and emotionally, not just having been through a similar experience. I was trying to think, have I ever really done this? Do I ever actually try to understand someones situation by being them? or do I only try to sympathise.. by linking it to something similar that I have experienced? or by imagining what it would be like if I went through a similar situation? Empathy really is an amazing thing to acheive and I guess we can never do it perfectly.. but we can try.. and we can know that our Saviour has and will empathise with me for every situation that I have or will ever be in. Amazing! That's why such comfort and peace can come from knowing what the atonement really was.

August 01, 2005

Rain


I got wet
Originally uploaded by Hedgen.
I got very wet on my cycle home from work today. It started as a drizzle, quite pleasent actually. I didn't have a coat, but I did have my waterproof trousers, luckily. I was also wearing shoes that let the water straight in.. I was cycling in puddles. Half way home it just poured out of the sky, I haven't been in that much rain in ages!