RELIEF SOCIETY (Tribute song)

"When the Relief Society was formally organized on March 17, 1842, the Prophet taught the women about their essential place in the restored Church. He said, 'The Church was never perfectly organized until the women were thus organized'" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 451, as quoted in the February 2011 Ensign).

Productive Stupidity--NOT an Oxymoron

"Stupidity in Research"

...Basically, life should not be about being the smartest, but the one who encounters personal stupidity and figures out a way to solve it.  Genius, really.

Why Learn a Language?

Il faut dire plus? Mais non. :)

A Bit of Heaven on Earth

This Friday, my young single adult (YSA) student ward (church congregation) is putting on a Valentines' Day dance--kind of cheesy, I know, but it's great because everyone who decides to go has a date.  That is, those who don't already have a fiancé(e) or a boyfriend/girlfriend pick their top five people in the ward and are paired up by a machine.  Sounds funny and potentially weird, but I think it'll be fun and the guys are the ones in charge of asking us out once they know who their date is, so it makes us feel good to get asked!  That's beside the point anyway. 

You see, not all the girls have dresses to wear for this formal night, so our leaders put together a dress swap just for the dance.  I went, not expecting to find anything that would fit, but I actually found the perfect dress (and I am ridiculously excited about how well my date and I are going to match with silver and teal!).  Three of my roommates went, too, and it was all just so great to see these wonderful women I know offer to help zip each other up, offer clothes and hair accessories or offer whatever other services and compliments just to help another feel pretty.  One of the ladies heading up the swap sent an email this morning, expressing her gratitude: "So many of you have brought your roomies or neighbors down to the dress swap.  You have lent out ribbon, sewing skills, sleeves, cardigans, offered hair accesories and up-do services.  I have been so delighted to watch you make your friends queens and princesses!  I don't know how to explain that twinkle if everyone's eyes but I am pretty sure it is charity, as a result of each of your efforts to live the gospel of Jesus Christ and then receiving that pure love of Christ."  Like her, in that moment of seeing the excitement in the other girls' faces and seeing their service, I felt like we have our own little Zion here, our own little "heaven on earth".

Our Thoughts - Entertainment and Media Mormon Message

I am a Mormon and these are my friends. I'd say we're pretty normal people. :)

Beautiful Minds: Stephen Wiltshire

"All these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God" (Doctrine and Covenants 46:26)

Les bonnes nouvelles sont réelles

Twice now I've woken up, incredulous that my life is real.  Seriously, I woke up, slightly disoriented and as I gathered my thoughts, quickly summing up who and where I am, I was inclined to think it's too good to be true, that this whole Europe business is a dream.  But then I remember that today I set a departure date and figured out a price estimate for flying into Paris and returning to the States from London, with traveling between France, Spain, Portugal, and England included.

Seriously, for me this is a modern-day miracle, considering all that has come together to bring me to where I am today and what is coming together to bring me to where I will soon be.  :)  And it gets better: I could easily end up by myself on a foreign, faraway continent, but it sounds like a good few of my friends, some family, and I just may be able to meet up and spend time together there!

I told a few of my professors today of my bonnes nouvelles, and their reactions were priceless!  My thesis advisor shook my hand, a committee member gave me a side hug and words of advice and congratulations, the graduate coordinator congratulated me, and my literature prof (who was the one who first put me in contact with the FLAS beca) pounded it with me.  Actually, unbeknownst to me, the graduate coordinator had been waiting to speak with my lit prof when I walked up and "cut in line."  I apologized to the grad coordinator, "Sorry, I didn't realize there was a line!  I just want to share my good news really quick!"

Soon, my lit prof piped up, "Let me guess: You got the scholarship.  You are going to Port-- no, France.  And you'll study in Paris."

"Toulouse, but yes.  How did you know??"

"You have been just so excited and I saw that special glint in your eyes."

When I thanked him for his help in my obtaining the scholarship, he modestly deferred the honor to me, saying that he just gave me information and then my own work and merit earned it for me.  He also highly recommended celebrating.  ;)

I am so grateful for friends who share my excitement, for professors who are wise, and for a Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers and never gives up on us--even when we do.