A favorite

A few weeks ago I was introduced to the idea of listening to past BYU Devotionals and Forums and I have been listening and listening since that time.

http://speeches.byu.edu/

You can browse by topic or search for a keyword. It is nice to have some other listening options during the day. Also, these are longer than a conference talk so speakers can get deeper into topics.

I will admit that while attending BYU I didn't appreciate the Devotional/Forum experience as much as I should have; I didn't think about what a rare and wonderful opportunity it was to listen to prophets,  apostles, and scholars speak. Hindsight is 20/20. Now I can't believe that twice a week for years I napped, studied, ate, or sometimes, when attending a devotional, sat distracted and bored instead of appreciating what a gem (for free, mind you) was right at my fingertips.

Lucky for me I can go online and, with much more interest and some more maturity, listen to all the talks I previously rejected. Hooray for technology.

And do not forget to try programs on the Mormon Channel, if you haven't. My favorite programs are Gospel Solutions For Families and Conversations 

Sunday is a Great Day For...

Catching up on episodes of This Old House

Dreaming of someday working on our own house projects

Getting to church early to help set-up

Walking out of church to find everything covered in thick snow

Running to the car and getting immediately covered in what appeared to be Dip N Dots Ice cream. Causing me to again wonder why on earth that stuff is so crazy expensive when it is mostly water and now apparently falling from the sky.

Hurrying home and getting into comfy, warm clothes in record speed. 

And finally, for unexpected couch napping 

Remember the Time We Got Married?

 This is what it looked like:

A few more pictures and lots more words after the jump.

Birdhouse in your Soul

Saturday we hurried out the door to head on a movie and as we walked out a bird flew in. Here is what you need to know about him; he was a little finch, he was pretty nice, and he was unexpectedly polite for a bird in an apartment. We tried to suggest that he leave a few different ways and he stared calmly back at us. It seems that our house is very welcoming to birds. We have some nice perches and a heater making our place ideal for us and as it turns out a tiny little friend in a winter.

He had a round face and kinda chubby checks, just like me. He didn't want to be out in the cold, neither did I. Part of me wanted to invite him to stay. I had a Scrubs style daydream of what it would be like room with a finch. However, birds poop on stuff and things that belong outside should generally stay out there, so we strongly encouraged him to leave and got back to our original plan. But, for just a moment, last Saturday night, we had a tiny bird perched in our apartment and it was charming.  Actually, it was a bit confusing and even a little nerve-racking, but thinking back it is the charming part that sticks with me.

Week Links

Since the transition back to work can make one feel a bit draggy I have listened to many things in the past few days. Here are few that I enjoyed:

The Hard Work of Understanding the Constitution 

Challenges and Opportunities in a Chaotic Economy 

Life's Two Big Questions

and in the spirit of resolutions I listened to these past talks:

Focus and Proprieties

Keeping Life's Demands in Balance


I listened to more than what is listed above and read some enjoyable things as well but I have a cold and it is almost 4:00 PM on a Friday so I am understandably fuzzy headed and antsy.

Cheers