Spring Skiing?

Today is April 30th, and today I went skiing in 17 inches of fresh powder at Alta. I could hardly call it "spring skiing," but it was fantastic.

27 Palace Court.

MY LIVING QUARTERS IN THE FALL

I have learned a lot about London through my "London Prep" class this past winter block. We met for two hours a week where we read about the history of England, presented our findings, discussed collaboration of all kinds, welcomed guest speakers, and most importantly… got excited for London. (As if I need any help with that). Kelsie and I already speak in our best British accents, nightly/daily…. always?…

I have also learned a lot about the culture of London and my about-to-be experience. First rule: Never say fanny. Fanny pack, my fanny, Fannie May, fanny fanny fanny… Just don't do it. Second rule of thumb: Clubbing is condoned (by my professor). I didn't know if he was referring to the same clubbing as I was?… He encouraged us to go clubbing for the experience, but to be careful because some clubs could be bad like, "Hippodrome-- if you want to get groped, that's where you go…. So if that's your deal?…" That is never my/anyone else's deal. Rule three: The human body isn't private. But apparently nudity can be enhancing to the play? (I'll do my research before purchasing my tickets). Rule four: British boys are forward. I was a little excited to hear this, because I have a London Bucket List, and of course one of my desires is to go on a date with a British boy. Rule Five: No dating. :) Rule six: It is a pleasurable thing to write on good paper. Rule seven: Weekly markets will be frequented by me, as will Primark (the store that is so cheap I should probably be concerned for little children in China?)

My London class has been such a fun experience, and has prepped me for many more to come. I never thought I'd be old enough for this. And somehow still don't think that I am. In my mind I will forever be sitting on my porch overlooking my playground with squinty eyes and a popsicle. An event that marks my childhood, but not for too long, because that playground was always calling my name. I think there's a new kind of playground calling my name these days, and it will be an adventure.

Immediacy

Today Derek Marquis spoke at the weekly BYU forum/devotional. Derek Marquis is the managing director of BYU Broadcasting and shared some insight regarding our responsibility as a Latter-day Saint living in this connected world. Everything is just a few clicks away on the internet, whether it's looking up your "blind date" (thanks to facebook there is no such thing), sharing pictures, checking your grades, shopping, blogging, or listening to music, the internet can perform it. You name it, the internet does it. This idea of immediacy makes it so easy for Latter-day Saints to share the gospel, and so we should. Today, I read this from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. He relates the difficulties a missionary might face to the Savior's Atonement. I would always like to remember Christ's Atonement throughout any difficulty with I am faced.

“Anyone who does any kind of missionary work will have occasion to ask, Why is this so hard? Why doesn’t it go better? Why can’t our success be more rapid? Why aren’t there more people joining the Church? It is the truth. We believe in angels. We trust in miracles. Why don’t people just flock to the font? Why isn’t the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font?

“You will have occasion to ask those questions. I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? . . .

“. . . When you struggle, when you are rejected, when you are spit upon and cast out and made a hiss and a byword, you are standing with the best life this world has ever known, the only pure and perfect life ever lived. You have reason to stand tall and be grateful that the Living Son of the Living God knows all about your sorrows and afflictions” ( “Missionary Work and the Atonement,” Ensign, Mar. 2001, 14–15 ).