Tender Mercies Remind Me of The Miracle

"Somedays we forget to look around us.  Somedays we can't see the joy that surrounds us.  So caught up inside ourselves, we take when we should give....It's up to us to be the change. And even though we all can still do more, there's so much to be thankful for."
–Josh Groban, Thankful

I am overwhelmed with how much my Heavenly Father and His Son love me.  As I said in my last post, these few months are truly my favorite time of year.  The more I stay in tune with the Spirit and do what I'm doing, I recognize the tender mercies the Lord places in my life every single day.  Whether it's getting asked out by a boy I like, or nailing a singing performance when I was worried I'd bomb it, or getting A's on assignments on tests and papers when I have been doing a balancing act with three jobs and full-time school, God's hand is in my life every day.  The more we learn to recognize that these aren't merely coincidences, the more love and joy we feel for life around us.  I am surrounded by so much beauty.  I have an amazing mother who I talk to almost every day, sisters, friends, and roommates who care about me, an incredible place in the best choir I have ever sung in, a healthy body that can run and run, and most of all, a membership in the only true Church on this earth, a Gospel of peace and joy that helps me stay on the path that leads me back to my Heavenly Father.

How do I know how to be good?  Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live on earth and be an example to us.  His life was a miracle.  He was perfect.  From birth to death He demonstrated faith, humility, selflessness, and obedience.

He suffered pains and afflictions worse than death so that we would have a way to overcome our "natural man" and become the celestial, exalted beings we were meant to be. I love my Savior. I love my Heavenly Father.   "There's so much to be thankful for," and this Christmas season I won't be forgetting that.

This is Halloween

Ooh, October, my FAVORITE time of year.  I love the changing leaves, the cooler air, and.... Halloween!  

October brings out the artist in me.  My poetic, nostalgic side shows up ("Wait Rycee. Aren't you always emotional?" Yeah yeah...) and I begin spewing deep thoughts and craving contemplation time.  I picked up the piano and guitar again and it feels great.  There has always been one prominent musician that inspired me; the first was Vanessa Carlton, where I learned "A Thousand Miles" and played it everywhere.  Then Taylor Swift came into my life, affecting me so much I learned the guitar hoping to play her songs, and I even named my pink Daisy Rock after her.

I was so obsessed that I performed her song after playing the guitar for only two months.  T-Swift faded fast because I found nothing new, unique, or realistic about her songs.  I started writing a lot of my own music, and now I like Sara Bareilles.  I love her cover of "Single Ladies", which is a lot harder to play and sing than she makes it look!  Last Monday, I discovered "Gravity" for the first time, and I have listened to it at dozens of times since.  I love loaded lyrics.  None of the kissing in the rain, I'm-ugly-and-you-don't-notice-me-at-school stuff.  Maybe I'm growing up.

October is also one of–if not THE–best months for running.  Monday night I hit a new PR: 9 miles, which is more than I did even when I was on a private cross-country team back in my pre-teens.  We just studied addictions in my Motivation class, and there was an entire section on exercise and running addictions.  I certainly know all about a Runner's High (I felt it all day Tuesday).  Almost everyone I ran with that night listened to their iPod, and I just couldn't understand it.  I love running for the chance it gives me to clear my mind, focus on breathing, and listen to my body.  It's my meditation.  What do other people think about while running/biking/exercising?  My New Year's Resolution was to run a half marathon by the end of 2010, and I'm proud to announce that I've run approx. 112 miles since I set that goal.  Slow start but I'm making progress!

Finally, October is fantastic because of The Best Decorating Holiday of the Year, Halloween.  Mom just emailed my sisters and me all the pictures from previous years of Halloween.  They are so fun I'm going to put some favorites up.

About 4 months old (I can't believe how chubby I was)

1992: Clown (And yes, Randi was "Grapes.")

Age 4: Raggedy Ann

The other two Minnie Mouses (Mice?) Ages 5 and 17:

Age 6: Cowgirl

1997: Randi and I were 50s girls (look at those bangs...)

6th grade: Dead Cheerleader. I hated cheerleaders so this made me happy.

7th grade: Pippi Longstocking.  Those braids were dangerous...

8th grade: Cleopatra. When I went to school none of my friends recognized me.

I was always proud to come to school and know that my costume was unique.  Thanks, Mom!  Some other years I was the Statue of Liberty, Cinderella, "Blue," and Dorothy.  What am I going to dress up as this year?  I'm leaning towards something now.  I'll give you a hint, it's a character from one of my favorite movies (there are 20 to choose from, good luck!).  And it's NOT a cartoon character!  Happy guessing!  Is anyone else dressing up?   What are some embarrassing or funny costumes you remember dressing up in?