Friday

Truth confirmed: the power of the priesthood, prayer, and faith is very real. Noteworthy (girls a cappella group at BYU that I am in) performed tonight in the top 25 of the Stadium of fire competition. 4 songs before we were up, my cough had reached its' horrific climax...I was coughing more than I was breathing. This is no bueno for normal life, much less to SING and perform. I asked our director's husband for a blessing. He gave me a simple blessing that my cough could at least subside for the one song we had to do. The prayers and faith that supported that blessing were answered. Guzzling hot chamomile and lemon tea, inbetween cough drops and water, I was still coughing up my lungs up until we ran onto the stage. I sang my heart out (a nice break from my lungs :) without even an urge to cough...until I ran off stage and coughed like there was no tomorrow. Thank you Heavenly Father for this miracle. I'll need it again tomorrow. Let me do my part, and go to sleep. :)

New friend: Bowen. 12 years old. played the ukelele and sang...Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz don't have much on this kid. Be still my heart. I "remet" John Allred and Sammy (yes, the owner of Sammy's. :)


Thursday

Truth confirmed: Today was my last day at the MTC. Officially. I clocked out for the last time. I had my exit interview, sealed with tears of sorrow and gratitude. I was blessed with peace to know that life will be ok. :) I will be given other opportunities to serve and build His kingdom. Now, someone else needs the opportunity that I was blessed with for 2 years: to work at the MTC as a teacher of missionaries. I am forever grateful for this life-changing career. case in point: right after i left the mtc, i went to the boys and girls' club to volunteer and lead improv games with these kids. Armeda greeted me with a hug that I thought would never end...thank you Heavenly Father for giving me these sweet kids who need me more than I need to focus on my sadness...(plus I have the Nauvoo pageant to look forward to, and i am teaching the relief society lesson on sunday on MISSIONARY WORK! coincidence? i think not.)

New friend: saw matt again...not new...but new enough....:)