The Media Fast....

...is so much harder than I thought! I am taking an online class...and everything at work is through email...and most communication for soccer is via email or texting...plus I am moving and trying to make a few purchases online for things I need to move, prepare for Logan, and as thank you gifts for people here...so it's been a tough go of it. On the days where I completely adhered to my media fast, I was more focused, I emotionally and mentally felt better about my life and circumstances. I also found that I slept through the night on the days where I adhered to my fast, and on the days when I didn't, I had a hard time sleeping...I don't know if being online had anything to do with it...maybe the peace of mind helped?? On the days where I slipped a little, I was more anxious and frustrated, I felt like I was rushed or pressed for time which made me feel extremely anxious, I was definitely not at peace. I seemed to worry about trifling things that were of no consequence hours or days later, and things seemed to weigh on my mind more and more than the days when I wasn't going into email or the internet several times. And when I went on once, I felt this need to get on again and again and again....whereas the days where I adhered to the fast, I didn't feel a need to be checking my email or to be on the internet all the time. I have felt the difference. I have not needed facebook. I slipped one day and went on once and realized that it was pointless. But email and texting I'm having a hard time with. I am going to continue for one more week and see how I do.

THE TEST...Removing Unnecessary Things From My Life

“The Internet is a new source of information that offers tremendous opportunities as well as another potential—becoming addicted. … Worldly influences enter our homes in new shapes and forms to challenge our resolve to use our time wisely and for the Lord’s purposes.”

Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “A Year of Jubilee,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 76.

I have realized that I spend WAY too much time on the computer...email, facebook, surfing the web... Then a talk by Elder David A. Bednar has been in the back of my mind for the last few weeks. It is entitled "Things as They Really Are." He talks about the harmful and potential spiritually deadening uses of the internet, video games, online gaming, texting (though texting is not the internet, it can still have the same effects if we allow it to take up much of our time and take us away from things that are important...harmful media, pictures and messages can be sent via text just as easily as they can be via email), etc. He gives apostolic warning if we misuse these things or do not turn away from them. Then, the next Sunday at church, our high councilman talked about the Atonement and challenged us to look at our lives and get rid of anything that prohibits the Spirit from always being with us. The question that comes to my mind after spending a large portion of my time on facebook, email, or texting has been, "how much could have gotten done if I hadn't had my butt on the couch chatting and surfing?" I think the internet can be used for productive and useful means, however, I know it can also make us apathetic, lazy, and addicted if we allow it to take up our time from things that should take priority, such as family time, putting our homes in order, reading and studying the scriptures, etc. I've had some experiences with chatting that caused me to realize how dangerous it can be. I've had people say things to me that immediately took away the Spirit, I've had people tempt me to do things outside of my standards when they know full well what my standards are, people I don't even know who talk to me about things they should not be talking to a complete stranger about that also cause me to turn my thoughts to places where they should not be going at all. Harmful influences are only a click away...they are literally at our fingertips, and if we are not careful, we will be sucked in, we will justify that "it's o.k. to do this and take care of something more important later" only to find ourselves continuing the habit and watching our time slide away so fast that it is gone.

My co-teacher told me that the week before General Conference, her ward took part in a media "fast." They were encouraged to only use media in the home if absolutely necessary. This week, I am doing a media "fast." No facebook, no online chatting, and only email and text when absolutely necessary. I remember being challenged by an institute teacher that if we question a principle, commandment, standard, or doctrine, test it for ourselves...do what is asked of us and see if we notice a difference in our lives...that is what I am doing this week. Though I fully KNOW that the internet can be harmful to our spiritual, emotional and mental well-being if not used wisely, not only because of the content that can be viewed, but because of the time it can take away from things that should take priority; I am going to put this standard we've been given to the test...I WANT to feel the difference, so I can share with others my experience in taking something out of my life that is potentially harmful if I am not careful in how I use it. How will my thoughts change? How different will my treatment of others be? How much will I accomplish of the things that should take precedence over things that are not important? How much more will I feel the Spirit throughout the day? How much more will I recognize the "tender mercies" placed in my path? How will my attitude towards certain circumstances change? How much more knowledge will I gain as I spend my time with good books, music, my family and friends (who are within driving distance), and in the service of others?

Below are some church magazine articles, including Elder Bednar's talk about the harmful effects of the internet, and suggestions on how we can use these things more productively and effeciently to avoid the addiction of "wasting time" and being taken away from things that should take priority. I'll see how it goes and check back in next week! It's going to be tough...I am already tempted to get on facebook, take a few quizzes, chat with friends, post updates, I want to see who I will bump into online...but I need to do this. I want to learn to use my time more wisely, to "grow in Spirit," and I think the time I spend on the computer is something that keeps me from doing so.


Things As They Really Are by David A. Bednar

Tangled in the Web

What's Your Media Diet?

Keep Texting from Taking Over

"If we do not make good choices, the media can devastate our families and pull our children away from the narrow gospel path. In the virtual reality and the perceived reality of large and small screens, family-destructive viewpoints and behavior are regularly portrayed as pleasurable, as stylish, as exciting, and as normal. Often media's most devastating attacks on family are not direct or frontal or openly immoral. Intelligent evil is too cunning for that, knowing that most people still profess belief in family and in traditional values. Rather the attacks are subtle and amoral—issues of right and wrong don't even come up. Immorality and sexual innuendo are everywhere, causing some to believe that because everyone is doing it, it must be all right. This pernicious evil is not out in the street somewhere; it is coming right into our homes, right into the heart of our families"

("Let Our Voices Be Heard," Ensign, Nov. 2003, 16–17).

I'M GOING TO LOGAN!!! I start around August 1st! There's a lot to do, but I am looking forward to it.

My U11 team took part in a service opportunity thanks to my AMAZING team admin! Here is the article link on UYSA's website about them!

UFIT

A Great Opportunity...TO BE OR NOT TO BE...an Aggie....

On Wednesday, the head soccer coach from Utah State University called me. There is a graduate assistant position opening on their coaching staff and she asked if it would be something I would be interested in. Greg Maas, the head of coaching for the state of Utah, recommended me. It is a 9 month position, I would be coaching soccer and going to school to pursue my masters. My tuition, fees and books will be paid for, but other than that, there is no income. It is too late for me to apply for a leave of absence within my school district, so if I go, I risk not having a job after a year. I would give up the two high school teams, and my two club teams and relocate to Logan. It's been emotionally stressful...its hard to think of leaving so many things that have made me so happy, but at the same time, I recognize this is an opportunity I can not pass up.

This is obviously a no brainer, yet the decision has been tough. The head coach will be contacting me again this week to see where I'm at with this decision. Nothing is for sure...they could find someone else in the process who will jump right on it and I'm out of the running. But I have made my decision...if USU officially offers me the position, I am going. Opportunities like this don't just fall in your lap everyday...and I need to take a risk. Ultimately, if I don't get married and have a family, coaching at the college level is my goal...this will give me a really good idea if it's something I truly want to pursue.

I will update this with what is going on as soon as I know. Again, nothing is for sure until the offer is officially made, but it is still exciting to even be considered!

Weekend with Family

The whole family got together at my mom's house last weekend. It was the first time we have all been together for two years!

My Birthday!

My birthday was awesome! I couldn't have asked for a better day! Below are some pics from when I went to my brother's house for dinner, cake and ice cream! Notice the cake..soccer...thanks to my wonderfully, domesticated sister-in-law! The cake is made out of cupcakes and frosting!


Here I am with my nieces and my soccerball cake!


Linnea probably flirting with Eric...like she was ALL evening! :P


Heather putting candles on the cake!


Blowing out the candles!


Linnea enjoying a cupcake!

The Bamboo Lady

I wish I had pictures...I fear words just won't do this justice...

Today I flew back from California. I show up to the airport and know of eight people waiting for my flight who do not have a seat assignment (including me). When they finally announced that there was a problem and needed volunteers...they needed THIRTEEN!!! No joke! They ended up calling volunteers based on check in time, but I wasn't on any sort of time schedule for tonight, so I asked them if they could garuntee me a seat on the last flight out of LAX at 7:25pm. So another passenger and I, his name is Fred, were given the last two seats on a flight out of LAX as well as a $400 voucher! Not bad! My mom and Scott came to pick me up, and we gave Fred a ride since there was no point for him to pay $75 for a cab when we were going to the same place...I got a free dinner outta that one! Thanks Fred!

O.k. So the Bamboo Lady. I'm sitting at the gate doing my homework and all of a sudden, I see this long stick of bamboo pass by me...so of course I have to look up. This lady had her little suitcase on wheels with the bamboo sticking out of it and it was taller than her. My first thought, "What the heck does she have a house plant for? I feel sad for the person who has to sit next to her!" Yeah...well, guess who that person was....ME! Yes, Fred and I got seats in first class..he was behind me. I turned around to talk to him after we had boarded the plane when all of a sudden, this bamboo palm whizzes past my head. Fred told me later she almost speared me with it because she wasn't paying attention to what she was doing. So she sticks the bamboo under the seat...which extended to the seats in front of us and two rows behind us! Oh my gosh...I had to text my friend, who was picking me up, with the following, "I am sitting next to a lady with a 4ft piece of bamboo...not kidding. She slid it under the seat and I fear if I adjust my leg position, I will break it in half-though I must admit, it is very tempting!" Well, apparently, I wasn't the only one feeling that way. I watched that piece of bamboo as it was clearly being stepped on, kicked, nudged, moved, etc throughout the flight. All of a sudden, someone started to pull it! I couldn't believe what was happening! The guys two rows behind us had had it with the bamboo and was trying to get it out from where their feet were! Obviously they had no idea how long it was and that they would have to stand up and walk about four rows back to get the thing safely out from under them! The bamboo lady saw what was happening too, and she grabbed a hold of it. OOOOO....I was SO HOPING for a tug-a-war! But that didn't happened. The bamboo lady slid the bamboo back up so it was now jabbing the people in front of us and that was the end of the bamboo....until we were trying to deplane. The bamboo lady got the bamboo out, and laid it on the arm rest extending, once again, to the seats in front of and behind us, creating a little barrier that was holding me in position in my seat. DOES SHE NOT SEE A PERSON SITTING NEXT TO HER? How about the other three window seat occupiers blocked in by her ridiculous piece of bamboo! Come on lady, your bamboo isn't the only thing that exists on this plane...but apparently she thought it was. Oh and by the way, when she turned on her computer, can you guess what the wall paper on her screen was? You got it...BAMBOO!

Spring Season....

So most of you don't know that I am now coaching the goalkeepers for the boys' soccer team at Lone Peak...that puts me with the girls in the fall and now the boys in the spring! It's actually kinda fun...though coaching boys again will take some getting used to. I am also coaching a U15 girls team for USA (Utah Soccer Alliance) and I am still with my U11s. Our games start the last weekend of March and ALL teams will play through the end of May. Lone Peak started their season last week with a loss to Copper Hills and today we beat the #5 ranked team in the state 1-0!!! It was very exciting. ODP ends at the end of March and there will be some things this summer...though I am busy, I can't see myself doing anything else at this point! It's great! :)