The Power of Heaven

"The Power of Heaven"

Heaven's light flows through the windows
warming even walls of stone.
In the refuge of the temple
I find strength beyond my own.

I can feel the power of heaven as I stand on holy ground
And the Spirit whispers what I long to hear.
Eyes are touched with understanding.
I can see beyond this world.
It's the place I reach for heaven, and it reaches in return.

Filled with purpose, filled with power,
Granted gifts to lift the world.
In God's house and in His presence
I am filled with strength to serve.

I can feel the power of heaven as I stand on holy ground
And the Spirit whispers what I long to hear.
Eyes are touched with understanding.
I can see beyond this world.
It's the place I reach for heaven and it reaches in return.

Tonight I did baptisms for the dead at the temple with a group from my ward. It took me 275 days since the time I arrived in DC to finally go to the temple. Above are the lyrics from one of my favorite songs about the temple. I underlined the phrases I like, but I think my favorite is "Eyes are touched with understanding." This is how I always feel at the temple. I feel a peace and clarity that helps me to understand the Lord's plan and my place in it. The temple is His holy place and He wants it to be a refuge for us.

I also love seeing my friends and the people I love dressed all in white in the temple. As I relished in the image of all whiteness tonight, I was reminded of when my family was sealed in the temple. I can't remember a day in my life when I was more happy. I remember that my mom even asked me if my smile could get any bigger--not likely. I felt pure joy in knowing that me and my family could be together with God for all eternity. This could not be possible without the temple. I look forward to spending more time there.


beck

From Point A to Point B

I like living in Washington, DC, because it is a walking city that thrives on public transportation. It is ironic though because I feel that I have a love and hate relationship with the WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority).

I appreciate that it can save me time getting from Point A to Point B and that I can do most anything I need without a car. However, I don't appreciate that it can be expensive and also terribly unpredictable. And actually since it is on a radial system, it is quite annoying, because it can take a lot longer to get places since you have to go in towards the city just to transfer lines. Oh I miss Paris!

Looking on the bright side--the optimist that I am--I do suppose that the unreliable timing can make for quite the adventure. And so...here's the little travelogue of today's adventure:

Today I got on the phone right after work and talked to my sister until I reached Farragut North Station. Since her and I were still conversing when I reached the station, I decided to walk up to Dupont Circle and get on there. By then we were finished talking and I went down into the station. I found hundreds of people on the platform waiting for a train.

this is just one terrible view (sorry the pics are blurry)

When the train finally arrived, it was already packed. Bah! Only about a third of the people on the platform made it into the cars--if that. I gave up and exited the station. I decided to venture away from the underground system and find my way home by foot and/or bus. I walked and walked and walked up Massachusetts Avenue past a whole lot of embassies until I found a bus on Wisconsin Avenue that could take me up to Friendship Heights. This was a transfer point so I could head towards home on a different bus. From Friendship Heights, I took a bus up to the Bethesda Station. From there, I hopped on the train in a car that was uncrowded and had good air conditioning. I was able to take that train to my station without any trouble and arrived safely at home around 8:15 pm.

The whole adventure lasted about two and a half hours from the time I left work to the time I arrived home. It only took walking about 3.5 miles, three metro stations, two buses and one metrorail car. I had actually never walked up that far on Massachusetts before. I had also never been so lucky to take a random bus that took me to a place where I wanted to go. I tend to be impulsive, so I often find myself hopping on the wrong bus when I'm tired of waiting for mine. This time it worked to my advantage and got me to the right place.

Public transportation is still my friend. But it's a dang annoying one! I miss living in the district and being able to walk to work. Hopefully I'll be back down there soon!

beck

Can't Help But Love this Man

Every girl who wants to get married has made The List. You know the one. It has the qualities of your future spouse. I think they made us create them in more than one Young Women lesson growing up. The List evolved from there so that it could delineate the must-have, would-be-nice and great-if-he-does-but-no-matter-if-he-doesn't categories. Recently I felt I should go over the list to remind myself what or who it is I'm trying to find. For your enjoyment and perhaps my horror, I've included my list below. It's a mix of all the categories, but this would be the ideal guy. It's still pretty broad, but it's helped me narrow down the field. The order has little to no significance. Gimme a holla if you find anyone who fits.

My man:
1. Has a current Temple Recommend
2. Loves God and the Gospel
3. Attends Church meetings
4. Serves faithfully
5. Gives charitably
6. Lives honestly
7. Prays always
8. Hopes for things
9. Loves children and wants to have lots
10. Appreciates music at all times and in all things and in all places
11. Has a strong work ethic and can get his hands dirty
12. Likes to travel and willing to travel with the kids
13. Enjoys going to the theater (movie, ballet, concert, etc.)
14. Enjoys a good read
15. Can shake his groove thing
16. Likes driving and road trip excursions
17. Practices frugality and can manage finances well
18. Engaged in good causes in the community
19. Willing to live abroad
20. Laughs often
21. Listens with the intent to understand
22. Walks for leisure and reflection
23. Honors his priesthood
24. Tries to heed the counsel of the Church leaders
25. Loves me

***I should also note that I don't expect anything from my husband that I wouldn't be trying to do myself.
beck

So Long, Farewell, See You in Two Years

This is the song I think of when I have to tell someone goodbye...like I did today :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzu3Ihyq50c

beck

Babysitting for Ballet

Last night I got an email with a last minute request from a mother for babysitting.

I babysit periodically for her and today she needed some help watching her three-month-old baby and two-year-old monkey (well, he's actually just a crazy boy) while she packed for their trip. I was hesitant to agree to the gig since I had a ticket to the Royal Ballet. After much struggle and research, I agreed to help out and give up my ticket. I was hopeful it would work out since I get paid to babysit and there were tickets available for the ballet tomorrow night (the research).

At the end of the evening I concluded that I made a good choice--despite the lackluster ending when I got to wash out the diarrhea from the baby's pajamas. I made enough money to cover the cost of both tickets, tithing, and a little extra. So I basically broke even AND was able to help a mother in need. I also had the pleasure of playing with a sweet little boy who gave me a hug and a big wet kiss when I left.

After babysitting, I proceeded straight to the Kennedy Center and purchased my ticket for tomorrow's performance with the money I earned. I read online that tomorrow's show will be the last performance in the United States for the ballerina Alexandra Ansanelli due to a shocking early retirement from her brilliant career (see photo). I am looking forward to the evening.

beck

She looks equisite. Read about her here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/22/AR2009062202914.html

Papa John's Day

My Dad gets a dad post the day after Father's Day, because today is his birthday. And that's more meaningful, I think.

People like my dad. He makes fast friends. He's always good company: he's easy to talk to and is very gracious in conversations. It makes him a decent businessman, because people can easily trust him.

I talk to my dad alot. This weekend I'm pretty sure that I talked to him at least twice a day. That is not including text messages. You might wonder if it is healthy for a 22-year-old woman living on her own to talk to her dad so frequently. Perhaps it is not and I should start weening myself off of him. But I would argue that when you know someone who is wise, loving and willing to just listen to you while you talk out the big decisions in your life, you should use the blessing while you have it. I've learned in this last year that life is too precious to take for granted the moments you have with the people you love.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!


beck

P.S. My brother is headed to Utah today to report to the MTC. The day has finally come. Woot woot!

And Today My Thoughts on Russians

Tonight I saw the Bolshoi Ballet from Russia perform Le Corsaire at the Kennedy Center.

I never cease to be amazed at the Kennedy Center. The performance was not what I expected--though it never is at the KC. I was even surprised to be sitting in the Orchestra section. (I got lucky this time with the Attend discount) However, what really surprised me was how entertaining the show was. Of course a show should be entertaining, but this show was different. It was an "aha" moment when you find something that you've loved that's been missing.

Tonight's show was so fun! And so different from the other ballets that I've seen. I wondered why this was true. I'll accept the argument that maybe this show has a less depressing story. But I think there was more to it. I think my Russian ballet friends found a niche that the audience enjoyed: the show wasn't perfect. Who would have thought that imperfection could be so pleasing? Real people were enjoying their time on stage and presenting an exciting show for their audience. Each cast member connected with the audience so well. I could see their love of dancing.

But there were many other surprises during the show.

The men were completely clothed. Every time that I've seen a male solo from this ballet, the pirate men are depicted in loose pants and bare chested--sometimes with a feather or turban. These dancers could have come straight from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean. They wore long pants, manly skirts (not shown in the movie) and long shirts with vests. They also wore long haired wigs. It was so unique from other ballet productions where everyone wears minimal clothing.

Some of the choreography looked like folk dancing. I recognized the Russian styling from my folk dancing days at BYU. The program says the choreography was from Petipa, but that is so vague and any choreography as old as Petipa's is easily changed or adapted.

There was a fantastic shipwreck in the third act. The ship broke in half ON STAGE! It was incredible! I sat through the whole show wondering how they would stage that scene. I was surprised that they had presented a ship on stage and even more surprised when it actually split in half.

I saw American Ballet Theater a couple months ago and was truly impressed, but when I saw this performance, I felt inspired to get on my feet and dance again. Again, I must stress that tonight's show was not perfect. It was nonetheless inspiring.

beck

P.S. I'll be welcoming a group of all female international visitors from Russia in a couple weeks. I can't wait to tell them about my experience at the ballet.

Cool People

So I have a cool job. Some days it can be a little stressful or frustrating, because admin work is tedious. But the reward comes on days like today when I get to meet with cool people.

Today I welcomed a group of political/editorial cartoonists to our office. Since they are cool, they got to meet with people at the Post, including Tom Toles--the editorial cartoonist for the Post. We got to see his studio. I was lucky enough to tag along and tell Tom while shaking his hand, "Thanks for letting me tag along." I don't think he even realized I was tagging along. I don't think he knew who I was at all. It didn't matter; he was fascinating. I don't even agree with a lot of his opinions and I still thought he was cool.

Oh and I got a cool bag that says "INSIDE The Washington Post." Yep, I was inside. Super cool. Hooray for cartoonists!

beck

Kakalina

I'm so proud of my sister, Kakalina!

Not only is she a lovely dancer, a beautiful lady, and lovable as all get out, but now she is also a high school graduate and college bound.

I wish so much that I could be in Clovis with my family right now. It makes my heart hurt. So I'm just passing the time, waiting for the ceremony to finish so I can get on the phone and talk to all of them.

K will never see this so I'm going to list 10 ways that she has impressed me in this last year.

1. K is a lovely dancer. Last summer she decided to go to a ballet intensive instead of going to Europe. She is so dedicated.

2. K has become a good student. She used to use dance as a scapegoat for not doing well in school. She used the excuse that she didn't have time for homework or school-related things because dance was a higher, more worthy priority for her valuable time. She found a way to do both--finally! Except she actually did loosen up on the dancing a bit.

3. K has really good friends. There were times when she struggled to mesh with friends who hold the same values. Even now she isn't very close with girls her age in the Church. She found good Christian friends who have been a good influence on her.

4. K went to EFY--and liked it! Thanks to Kenneth Cope, she has gone two years in a row to our Stake EFY. This year, as a senior, she took more of a leadership role. She participated and enjoyed the experience. She may even like the Church, but this is still to be determined.

5. K is interested in church and is trying to make sense of it. She is taking baby steps, or so it would seem, to understand faith. Not much else I can say about that at present.

6. K is a peacemaker. For most of the last five years, K has been the topic of contention at home. She has a lot of fire in her and is perfectly content stirring the pot. My mom said that in her baby blessing she was blessed to be a peacemaker. This quality seemed out of place until the last year. She tries to find common ground with whomever she's in contact.

7. K is so fashionable! It's been fun to see her develop her own style. She's way past the phase where she has to dress the same as other girls to fit in. She can pretty much where anything, which makes it easy for her to adapt to new styles and trends.

8. K talks to me like a friend. I know she loves me, because I'm family, but I've enjoyed becoming her friend. She talks to me about her plans for the future and gets advice on how to prepare for college. She also listens to me talk about work, boys and even the weather in DC.

9. K is a baker. The concoctions keep coming and yet she is thinner than ever. At Christmastime she is in high demand to provide goodies for our friends and family.

10. K is going to college. She has made a wise decision to stay in Clovis for the next two years and complete general studies at a junior college. Her plans are to transfer to a university after that. Despite her desires to study in SoCal, she has decided to first save money and then spend the money at a school that she really wants to attend.

So, basically I love this girl.

beck

Me and the Big Sis

This post is a little late. These are just a few pictures from Kristen's visit to Washington, DC, which included a weekend in OBX, North Carolina. We like to take pictures and laugh together. Let the good times roll.

beck