Amen

And for a cute fun version of the song (thanks Katelyn.) check this one out.

There is a storm a blowin'

"Be assured that there is a safe harbor. You can find peace amidst the storms that threaten you. Your Heavenly Father—who knows when even a sparrow falls—knows of your heartache and suffering. He loves you and wants the best for you. Never doubt this. While He allows all of us to make choices that may not always be for our own or even others’ well-being, and while He does not always intervene in the course of events, He has promised the faithful peace even in their trials and tribulations."

You are stronger than you think. Your Heavenly Father, the Lord and Master of the universe, is your Creator. When I think of it, it makes my heart leap for joy. Our spirits are eternal, and eternal spirits have immeasurable capacity!

Our Father in Heaven does not wish us to cower. He does not want us to wallow in our misery. He expects us to square our shoulders, roll up our sleeves, and overcome our challenges.

As you overcome adversity in your life, you will become stronger. Then you will be better able to help others—those who are working, in their turn, to find a safe harbor from the storms that rage about them.

When you feel tossed by the storms of life and when the waves rise and the winds howl, on those occasions it would be natural for you to cry in your heart, “Master, carest thou not that I perish?” When these times come, think back upon that day when the Savior awakened in the stern of the ship, rose up and rebuked the storm. “Peace, be still,” ¹³ He said

Joseph B Worthlin, LDS Apostle

What is love?

"A happy home is but an early heaven."

President Thomas S. Monson

Love is having a weekend layover in Salt Lake City anytime you go east of the Mississippi. 

Love is buying new placemats and flowers just so it feels more like home.

Love is swinging by my apartment even though it's already midnight and you've been traveling all day.

Love is being willing to fly me home at a moments notice if you thought it would make me feel better.

Love is buying me two bags of Chettos just because you think that I will like them.

Love is leaving me your brand new favorite chunky necklace because you know that I like it.

Love is going through plane delays, cancellations, and rerouting just to see me. 

Love is telling me how proud you are even when there is nothing to be proud of.

I have great parents. They are a little wacky, random, and loud but they are mine. I couldn't be more grateful for them. No matter what day of the week, what situation, or what I've done wrong they love me regardless. Messed up head and all. ;) They go above and beyond to make sure that I have the best opportunities and support the decisions that I make. 

Gosh it's good to be a Rieske. 

A Job Well Done

"A perfect sister-in-law I am not, but thankful for the one I've got."

-Unknown

So I often criticize my brothers for their lack of ability when it comes to women. Somehow through lack of skills, my oldest brother Russ snagged one amazing catch. My sister-in-law Katy. I'm not sure if it's because we both have silly spelled names, enjoy crafting, or because we both are experts at getting the "Debo glare." For whatever reason we are kindred spirits. This is why I love her.

Our FB chat conversation started out talking about how we wanted to be coupon queens. Then moved to...

Katy: WAIT. I will give you 5 dollars if you can tell me your unique nickname.

Me:   From who?

Katy: ME

Me:   Brit Brat? Bratney? 

Katy: Nope

Me:   Molly? If so you are dead to me. (My sister-in-law isn't LDS.)

Katy: Molly? What the heck?? lol

Me:   Molly Mormon.

Katy: You do need your brain checked. <---rude by the way. ;)

         OH. No, hadn't thought of that. That BETTER not be a hint of what is to come. 

         Keep it rad, baby.

         BUTTERBEAN. I'm disappointed!

Me:   Butterbean? That is a horrible nickname. It makes me sound like a fat 8 year old. Can't I be a 

         chickpee?

Katy: Nope. You're butterbean. All day long and twice on Sundays. Butterbean. Butterbean. Butterbean. 

This is a very typical Katy- Britt conversation. I love her so much and can't wait to see her soon. (Soon like August, but better than never right?) 

So to my favorite French Fry. Stay cool. And to my brothers, keep up the good work. We only accept amazing women to carry the "Rieske" last name. 

The Plan

"Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans."

-John Lennon

We make plans all the times. All the time. You plan what to eat, do, be, and want. From what groceries you buy to the career you chose you make a plan to make it happen. 

So what happens when your plans change. That's always been the hardest part for me. Once I get stuck on an idea I always want to see it through. Sometimes, not by choice, that plan has to be changed. So that leaves me where?

Screaming about chocolate ice cream. That's where.

So I'm asking my life to GET WITH THE PLAN and stop making me change it. I like what I had going on. Don't screw with me now. 

I.Q.

Did you know that....

I.Q. stands for intelligence quotient. Studies have found it is a predictor of academic achievement (no explanation needed), occupational attainment (children with higher IQs tend to go into more pretiegous occupations), and psychological adjustment (tend to be better liked by agemates). They start testing babies as early as 1 month to make sure they are developing cognitively. If you want to know how they do that you can ask. I've got the details for my final I need to take tonight.

I'm just full of fun statistics about intelligence. So here is the one questions I have, does that make me intelligent?

In other news it is finals week. They are going very well but I should probably wait until I'm closer to being done to brag about them. Wouldn't want karma to show up right here at the end.

I'm breaking my blog pattern but here is a quote from the LDS Prophet Thomas S. Monson for finals.

“Study and prepare for your life’s work in a field that you enjoy, because you are going to spend a good share of your life in that field. . . .

Have discipline in your preparations. Have checkpoints where you can determine if you’re on course.

I hope that you are not afraid of tough classes. I never did have a ‘cinch’ class. I hope that you are not afraid of lengthy periods of preparation. Burn the midnight oil. Don’t procrastinate like my older sister, who after a late date rationalized, ‘I have a test tomorrow, but I am weary. What is more important, my health or my test? Aha, my health! I need my sleep.’ So she slept. I won’t say what happened to the test.

You simply have to apply yourself. I hope that you want to be so well equipped that you can compete in this competitive world. I hope that you will learn to take responsibility for your decisions, whether they be in your courses of study which you elect to take, or whether they be in the direction of the academic attainments which you strive to achieve.

Should you become discouraged or feel burdened down, remember that others have passed this same way; they have endured and then have achieved. When we have done all that we are able to do, we can then rely on God’s promised help.”

Revamp!

"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. 

 -Mary Engelbreit"

I have started to spring clean my life by...

Going on more adventures. Afton Wymoning was a blast.

Trying new recipes.

Spending more time with friends.

Spending more time on me.

I'm not really sure how I've done all this while working and going to school but I can honestly say that I'm learning and growing. This semester has been eye opening in the fact that I've had personal experiences that have reminded me of who I am and what I need to be doing. The next week and half will be wild with finals, but then Kirsti Ali Teale is coming and my life will once again be whole when she is with me! Ah! I can't wait!