Christmas Cards

So, somehow I am finally coming up to the surface in regards to holiday things. I'm having a hard time getting into the Christmas mood because I've been trying to get everything else done for school. One of my first and continuous Christmas enterprises is making Christmas cards for everyone in the clarinet studio. I'm technically not in the studio this year, but I know and love everyone in the studio, and I'm in at least one ensemble with just about every one of them. Here's some pictures of my favorite cards. I always take pictures of my cards to give me ideas when I make new ones. Enjoy! Merry Christmas!

I think this one was Hannah's.

The one on the left is one of those slider cards, where the center thing slides off to open it (thanks Sis. Weidmann! =). Don was the recipient of this one, I believe. Thanks to Whitney for the tag punch; I love it!

Well, I was going to spell Merry Christmas with the puzzle pieces, but the words were too long. So, I made ho-hos instead. I think Courtney got this one? I can't 'member. Shoutout to Whitney again for the punch . ..

Ornaments again. I came up with the idea for them today, so I have to document it so I can remember it for next time. DRB got this one.
The classic torn, three layer Rebecca style. I love these. I gave Dr. Hinckley this one.

Random Rambling #4

41. I'm listening to "The Reason" by Hubastank. It reminds me of Spencer and also of the dentist's office. I think I must've heard it on the radio on the way home from the dentist's office once.
42. Out of curiosity, I asked one of my (guy) friends if he was going to the Draper Temple Open House, and I think he thought I was going to ask him to go with me. I wasn't, so it was semi-awkward.
43. I went to devotional today, but I dozed off.
44. I made at least three sandwiches today.
45. I'm working on a research paper on Mozart's clarinet concerto.
46. I know two people entering the Proco MTC today for the Argentina Mendoza Mission.
47. Purple Monkey Dishwasher (in honor of Kevin).
48. Thanks to Heidi for handing me down the shirt I wore today. I got several compliments on it.
49. It's entirely too late for me to be up.
50. I fully intend to fulfill Lisa's Christmas tag . ..eventually.
51. I should not go to concerts on a regular basis with my siblings. We goof off too much.
52. Writing this post was not on my to-do list, so I need your opinion to see if this post was worth the opportunity cost it took me.

It's Mission Time

Do you ever have a feeling of rightness that seems so simple because it's good? The feeling of rightness that makes you just want to celebrate life and its goodness! Lately, I've felt a great feeling of rightness in regards to my upcoming mission, and I thought that I'd share a few of these thoughts with you.
First of all, I've found the timing to leave that works best for me. At some point this summer when I was trying to decide if I should serve a full-time mission, and my answer came in a very distinct way. The answer wasn't a yes or no necessarily, but it was a specific date. In pondering and praying alot about that, I know when I need to go. The biggest things I was concerned about in the timing was my degree program and marching band. So yes, I will be coming back mid-semester, so I'd be two years out of school. And yes, sadly, I am missing two consecutive seasons of Marching Band. But the confirmation and feeling of rightness that comes when I think about leaving next summer far outweighs what I will leave behind.
Secondly, along with that timing thing. If everything goes according to plan, Mom and I will be serving our missions at the same time. I'm convinced that there's no greater blessing we can bring to each other and to our family than having yet two more missionaries representing the Blake family.
Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly in regards to the timing issue is this ever present feeling that I won't be at BYU next year. If I were, I'd still be in marching band, I'd be starting my el-ed sequence, and I'd be roommates with Heidi. All ingredients for a great year, but the oven isn't preheated-it's just not the right time for me to stay at BYU. And yet, it doesn't feel like I'm leaving BYU forever because I'm certainly not. I will be back .. ..just not for a while. And I'm feeling less of a connection with my ward as time gets closer for me to go, reminding me that I will also be leaving them behind as well.
Finally, in many recent experiences in my life, I feel like the Lord is preparing me to serve. In my callings the past year, I've worked with missionary council and with the sisters of the Church, both the type of relationships I will have on the mission. And Nauvoo . . . not enough can be said how He prepared me there! I've learned much from the words of the prophets and my scripture study. I continually receive support from several of my friends who are themselves serving missions or preparing to serve.
So, now I ask you . ...what do you feel right about?

Finally Understanding!

I think I'm finally understanding why I chose and was well suited toward my major. It's not so much the education and music and children part, although those are all definitely a plus.
It's the small but sure group of people that comprise this forever long major. There's some unique experience that each person in my class brings toward our group. Our wide variety of struggles spans from financial, family deaths, raising a family as a single parent, suffering with depression or self-esteem issues, academic struggles, and other little things. I never would've known three years ago when I decided on this major that I would learn so much and become so close to the people within my major. I think I'm just barely scratching the surface of discovering why I was directed to this major. I think back on how much we've grown as educators and as individuals within our classes, but I also ponder on how we've grown quite literaly as a family. Like how Sis. Kenney always made us feel so on the spot, we had to learn self-confidence. Or how Bro. Jaccard constantly reminds us of how education is an eternal goal and process. I think of playing African drums at UMEA, or working out to a Tae-bo video. And visiting schools and music preschools. And Smart Cookie outings. And visits to the hospital and frolicking in the grass . . ..these seem like the tip of the iceburg of how close we really bond. I don't know or care what I end up doing as a career, but there is one thing I know for sure. I am supposed to be in this major. The Lord put us together for this reason; we are the people we need to and can learn from the most. And for that, I give thanks.

Dear Sir or Madam:

To Whom it May Concern:
Our latest records show high levels in productivity for your client, Miss Rebecca Blake. Her grasp of organized study is impeccable, and her time management improves dramatically on a day to day basis. She mastered a particularly stressful week with flying colors, as evidenced by her success in study hours, high productivity in practice sessions, and regular attendance at extra-curricular events. Surely, her hard work and persistence will benefit her greatly in her student examinations next week. We wish her the best of luck.
Regards,
The Boss

My Current Prayer Roll

Among other things, here's what I always remember to pray for: (in no particular order):
United States of America: That we will be united, strong, and righteous. That our leaders will make good choices, and that the citizens will continue to choose right over evil.
Mom: That she will be blessed in making the necessary preparations for her mission.
Missionaries: Namely, Sis. Ferguson, E. Blackham, E. Bean, and E. Anderson (and soon S. Lieber). (and others I remember on occassion). That they might work well with their companions and feel the share the Spirit. That the hearts of those they come in contact with will be softened and prepared to hear the great message.
My teachers and Church leaders: That they will teach with the Spirit those things that I need to learn.
Understanding: That I will know how to apply the scriptures to myself better.
Rachel: That she will be able to pass dictation.
Dustin: That he will discover what he wants out of life and make the necessary decisions to achieve it. That he will learn from and how to overcome whatever is causing him any unsettlement. That he will find happiness.
Jeri and her family: That they will be comforted. That they will learn how to rely more on each other and on the Lord. That they will always feel loved. That they will find the comfort to ease their pains.

Post-test Stress Reliever

I just finished taking a test for my Form and Analysis class. That class meets at the unearthly hour of 8 in the am, and I often sleep in and miss it. When I do go, I often sleep. Needless to say, I spent a very large chunk of time this evening studying for the test. The study guide helped a whole lot, and I think I did really well on the multiple choice. The hardest thing is actually analyzing the stupid piece of music! It takes me forever, and I have to listen to it over and over! Hmm .. . alas, my test is over, and right now, I'm just relieving stress. Whew. Holiday this weekend! That's happy . ..think happy thoughts. And I don't have any more tests for at least another week. That is happiness, right there. Yay!=)