I really did turn 25...

In case it has never been mentioned in passing conversations, I turned 25 on January 29th. I just hadn't gotten around to writing about it. It was overshadowed at work with the passing of President Hinckley. But, I did want to post some pictures and tell you how my birthday went (since now I've been alive a quarter of a century!).

The day began like any other--I was awake by 5 AM, and out the door by 6:15 AM. I went to work. My co-workers were nice enough to take some time for lunch and we went out to lunch. One of my co-workers brought a gift: a scripture case created from a place mat!

Isn't it cool? I think so!

Kevin met me at work and brought me a gift from his family, which consisted of some flowers, a book, and some lotion! I loved it! Here are the flowers with their beautiful pot!

At 4:30 pm, I met up with Bree (one of my roomies) and we drove home together. She had a bouquet of flowers in my seat when I hopped in her car. I felt so special! (I don't have a picture of the flowers because I let them pass away and forgot to take the picture!

I came home, only to discover that my package from Mom and Dad was delivered by UPS, however they got my package mixed up with my other roommate and left her both tracking numbers. She changed it to have it picked up from the location. I had to wait for the package to return to be able to retrieve it.

In the mean time, my friend, Derry and her husband made me a delicious birthday dinner. We also had some cake!

That's Derry (she's expecting a little boy in April) and my cake.

And that's my cake!

After that, I went to UPS and was able to retrieve my package. Thanks, Mom and Dad for those gifts! They're GREAT!

We're still catching up at work and trying to survive. Of course, we're also praying that no one else passes away anytime soon. We've begun preparing for General Conference, so we're not out of the clear just yet. Hopefully soon, though!

Well, I have to go and finish preparing my lesson for tomorrow. Until next time (and I promise to be more concurrent with my news!).

We ever pray for thee, our Prophet Dear

A week ago, about 8:20pm, my roommate came running into my room. I was busy watching a movie, and she said, "Turn it to channel 4!" I quickly turned to channel 4 to hear the message that was being broadcast over the airwaves--at 7pm, President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away. I was in shock. Working at the Church Office Building, I often overhear things--tidbits--and there was no indication to any of us that President Hinckley was at this point. He had been to work through Wednesday of the previous week--and then taken Thursday and Friday off.

Elder Richard G. Hinckley was on assignment in Arizona, and on Saturday the family called to request him to come home. He said that he would not unless President Packer called, for that is who sent him to Arizona. Within 15 minutes, President Packer was on the phone with Elder Hinckley, requesting his return. As we discussed these things at work, my co-workers (who are all much older than I) replied, "he went out with his boots on--quietly and with his family--that's the way I would like to do it."
I was able to go to the funeral yesterday. And I wept the tears I have been holding back since Sunday.

Oh Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling.
From glen to glen and down the mountain side.
The summer's gone, and all the flowers dying.
'Tis you, 'tis you must go, and I must bide.

But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow.
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow.
Oh Danny Boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you so.

But when ye come and all the roses falling,
And I am dead, as dead I well may be,
Go out and find the place where I am lying,
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.

And I will hear tho' soft your tread above me,
And then my grave will warm and sweeter be.
For you shall bend and tell me that you love me,
And I will sleep in peace until you come to me.

(for those who don't know, this was President Hinckley's favorite song. I also found out that it was MY grandfather's favorite song. I also learned that he visited my father's parents often when they lived in the Philippines. He apparently loved Grandma's rolls. I think I need to get her recipe.)

Since last Sunday, work has become a whirlwind of activity as we have tried to change magazines that have been planned for a year, and then were planned page-by-page at least 9 months ago. I overheard discussion regarding the deletion of the First Presidency message for March 2008, as it was by President Hinckley. I urged my editor that I felt it unwise, as it is a Special Issue about the Savior, and the article was simply President Hinckley's testimony of the Savior. A fitting epilogue on his ministry! She conveyed the same feelings to me, and the council, and it was decided to keep the March 2008 Ensign and Liahona as they have been printed.


This is the cover for the March 2008 issue. It was approved by President Hinckley, himself. His testimony of the Savior is as follows from that magazine (yes, I have an advance copy):

"None so great has ever walked the earth. None other has made a comparable sacrifice or grated a comparable blessing. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. I believe in Him. I declare His divinity without equivocation or compromise. I love Him. I speak the name of Jesus Christ in reverence and wonder. He is our King, our Lord, our Master, the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father. He lives, resplendent and wonderful, the living Son of the living God."

I will be forever grateful that I lived in the time of President Hinckley. I am grateful to know that he was a prophet, that he stands today with his wife, and family who have passed on, but also alongside all of the great prophets of this dispensation. I reverence his name and hope to some day completely follow his example.

My Celebrity Look Alikes

Honestly? This was just for fun. I had to laugh.