Bella Katia

My sweet Bella. She was so excited to hold the babies during Christmas time. She is holding Ally and kissing her. The other picture was just before dinner in January. She was not sleeping but rather sulking. I know it's really not funny but somehow with her sulking it is so cute and irristable, at least for the aunt. I'm such a silly aunt.

What if Alma the Elder had never taught his son?

In Institute today we talked about Alma 36. This chapter is an excellent example of a chiasm. In the center of the chiasm is Christ.
My teacher told us how many things are in grained in us even when we don't want to be. Alma the younger, probably didn't sit down for his fathers teachings but still had the knowledge of the Savior he needed when he was ready to make the change for himself.
This shows us how much we are really affected by those people we are around day to day. My teacher also used the example of how he was a teenager and didn't always pay attention to the family home evening lessons but because his mom did it anyway it is now a part of him.
Finally, he shared this which he isn't sure who wrote it:

"The eye, it cannot choose but see,
We cannot bid the ear be still,
Our senses feel where ere we be
Against or with our will."

We may not choose to listen but thankfully we can still obtain the tools necessary for our needs.
This was also supported by his earlier lesson about sometimes life is about being at the right place at the right time. He said even if it is as simple as just being to work everyday that you are supposed to work and doing the simple everyday things.

A Roommate Date

This is Brett Bunderson, a guy in my ward. We were set up for a roommate date. I decided to post the picture because it's fun to see what kind of guys I get set up with. We were on a roommate date with all of my roommates. Seriously it was all but one of the 14 of us and we met at the house of a now married roommate so 30 people played games and ate peach cobbler :) My roommates are so much fun and we love to do stuff together like this! I couldn't ask for better girls to be living with at this point in my life! (oh and they also did my hair which is a new kind of bonding for me too!)

For one of my classes, we are supposed to read the history of our ancestors to get an idea of what they were like. I have done a lot of my thoughts so far on Joseph Bertrand Randall who was Grandpa Randall's father, my Great-Grandfather. I have also delved into the person of his wife. Mary Esmerelda.
I came across this poem written by him or her and thought I should share it.


Then hold me in your arms again
and let me know the bliss
of tender clinging lips that tell
your love is one long kiss

Your kisses tell of love to be
of ecstasy devine
they fill me with a deep desire
to keep you always mine

No need of words have we, my dear
your heart can speak to me
in kisses sweet, I know your mine
throught all eternity.