A Talent, Gift, Attribute?

A couple of weeks ago we played football for home evening and Lena is by far the funnest person to play with. She was pretty much off sides the entire time and would throw herself on the ground and play "the hurt player." I about died because it was so funny. It was great. Oh and did I mention my team won! So here is a random picture of us being "tough" with the black under our eyes. We played around 7pm so no need for protecting our eyes from the light.

Anyways, call it what you want but I have a gift. A very special gift and it is called..."marrying boys off." I can count about 5 different times where I will date a guy semi-seriously (3-4 months) to seriously (talking marriage and dates) and then for one reason or another we will break up and then within 6 months...BAM they are engaged. I am not quite sure what it is, but it is becoming really funny and quite humorous. Stacie thinks it is charitable of me so I guess I won't deny that. Haha. But the great thing is, Jeanie Germaine would always tell me that I would just know when the right person comes along. She would say, "Bekah I promise you that you will just know." Well...haven't known yet! In fact, I look back and I thought I knew for a time, but that's where it becomes key to listening to the spirit and I realize I was way off the mark. All awesome, awesome guys but that doesn't mean they are awesome for you. I have always been a picky person but I don't really think I am way too picky. I mean with the important things of course but he has to be able to make me laugh hands down! It is also amazing to see the after effects of breakups and just be so grateful it didn't work out. It's amazing how well Heavenly Father knows us. And obviously it wasn't suppose to work out with any of the guys since they meet their wives right away. What can be more obvious then that? Hello! But anyways...I think I should start a business. Is that illegal or maybe that just sounds illegal...

A Great Buy

I am a major sucker when it comes to LDS artwork. I just can't seem to say no when I find a good deal. But I have been so conscious of my spending habits ever since I started my Personal Finance class this semester. It has really opened up my eyes to money and saving and investing and I even started a budget on Excel to track where all my money goes. I want to get really good at saving and being frugal in my spending habits. So because of that, I am trying to be better at shopping the sales and shopping around to find the best deal. So I want you to go ahead and guess how much I got this picture for. It's a 16x20 and the frame is amazing up close. Go ahead...$50, $75, possibly $100? Um...wrong! I got it for a whole $32.89 cents! I bought the picture at Seagull on sale and then Michaels randomly (I like to think of it as a miracle/tender mercy) is having a huge sale this week and so I got the frame for 60% off! I couldn't believe it! I was so excited when I left Michaels today. I almost put the whole thing together right there in the parking lot but held back my excitement and waited until I got home. And it currently is hanging in our living room in our apartment. I was going to hang it above my bed but decided I better share. Pretty great buy wouldn't you say!:)

Two In A Row!

I was so excited to open up my mailbox today and see a letter from Spencer my brother who left for Guam this morning at 3am! He is doing so good and he sent a couple of pictures and one was a picture of an elder's shirt with a girl on a John Deere logo and underneath it said: "Nothing runs like a girl!" Guess he thought that was funny enough to send to me. But it just made me so happy and then I decided I needed to take a quick power nap before heading off to the library. But then my phone woke me up but it was a number I didn't recognize and I never answer when I don't know the number. So I ignored it and then it rang again and it was Spence at the airport in Hawaii! His plane was leaving in 45 minutes so he wanted to call and say hi and tell me that he is doing good and to tell me all about the MTC. But it was just so fun to talk to him and then he tells me that sending packages will be the same amount as I have been doing through BYU mailing services to Guam. A little side note for me to remember I guess. And then he gets serious and tells me that I need to start praying for the right one to come along because I have basically had enough practice on the wrong ones. HOw funny is that! I guess I should get on that. Advice from the wise missionary. Oh and Jenny he told me to tell you that he wanted to call you but knew that would be inappropriate and that he says HI! I miss him but he is going to be such a good missionary and the kid is already on fire. Good luck Spence!

A Public Apology

My Dearest Kelli and Lindsee,

Since I know you both read my blog on a consistent, perhaps everyday basis, I thought it would be best to publicly apologize for my rude and insensitive behavior tonight. I am very, very, very, very sorry for missing our game night especially since I chose the time. But I am especially sorry because I have been known to miss our get-togethers (3 Christmas parties in row...not just 1 but all 3!). Anyhow, I know you probably don't want to hear my excuses but I have some good ones. My Grandma was late from getting home from the temple which meant I didn't leave Draper until 8:30pm because I had to run to Kohls to buy some socks for Spencer's package and then race home to finish his cookies. I then had to finish my laundry and the visiting teaching assignments to hand out tomorrow. See...legitimate reasons! But please still invite me to the next game night and I will make it up to both of you by not kicking your trash in the games. I love you both will all the capillaries and the arteries of my heart.

Rebekah May Parker

Any Ideas?

So I finally ran my 6.2 miles yesterday morning which means I am ready for a 10K. Halla-freakin-lulah! So Code and I were going to run the Wasatch one but we thought it was at the end of the month but actually it was last Saturday and we all went to St. George for the weekend. Oh and to see the fun time we had go to Kelli's blog. Anyways, I have never been one to actually run in these kinds of races since running has always just been a release for me, but hey...why not? So does anyone know of any 10K happening in Utah County from here til October. Sorry, I refuse to run in the snow so anytime after that is a negative. So let me know if you know of one. You're a peach!

Family Pictures!

Heather Nutall did an incredible job with our family pictures. I highly recommend her so if you live in the Phoenix area her email is plainlytaken@gmail.com Anyways...we have needed family pics for such a long time now and it was perfect timing with all of us home before Spencer left for his mission. It was kind of hot outside and poor baby Jack wasn't too happy towards the end but it all turned out well. Thanks Heather!!

Lessons Learned

This has been a crazy crazy summer, but I am grateful for the lessons I have learned and re-learned. I have had a few curve balls for sure. And one in particular I knew was bound to happen but I am grateful and happy for the way things have turned out. But here they are…

1. A true friend shows their true colors when you need them most. Our relationships are one of the few things we will take with us to heaven. Don’t allow people to slip from your life because it isn’t convenient or in your mind, necessary.

2. NEVER EVER stay in or force a relationship you know is NOT right. It may seem so wonderful and great at times and he is probably a fantastic person, but if you get a No answer and you just know in your gut that it is not right, then it is time to end it. Be with someone who makes you the very best version of yourself. Be with someone who makes you laugh, who makes you feel like anything is possible. Be with someone that can love you the way you need to be loved.

3. Learn to BUDGET!! I will possibly be financially on my own sometime this year and it’s stressful to think about health insurance and car insurance and all that stuff. But luckily I have a really good paying job and I did get a promotion and a raise so what a blessing that is! And I know if I pay my tithing faithfully, it will all work out.

4. Trust your gut! I can always feel when something bad or good is about to happen. I just have this instinct for it now I guess. But the incredible thing is, the spirit always, always gives me the peace I need that everything will be ok. There may be a 100 foot wall standing in front of you, but all that matters is that Heavenly Father is the one that can see past it. My roommate taught me that.

5. Don’t take you or life too seriously. Learn to laugh things off. Humor is an incredible medicine. It’s amazing how you can always find the humor in every bad situation.

6. Read your scriptures and pray at least twice daily. DO NOT MISS!!

7. Go to the temple as often as you can. There are people who need you to go and do their work for them. But you also need to go for yourself and find out what the Lord is trying to tell you.

8. Have good work ethic. Doors are always opened if you have been a good employee. A lot of the time in life, it is WHO you know, not always WHAT you know. Sometimes I have no idea what I am doing at work but I just act like I do, and try to do it with confidence, and my boss always buys it. It’s great!

9. Find an outlet for you to relieve stress and anxiety. Pick up a hobby. I always run really well when I have a lot on my mind. Let me just put it this way…I have been running for almost an hour everyday. It’s amazing what it does for me.

10. Treat people the way they deserve to be treated. You have no idea what anyone is going through so treat them like they are going through a tragedy and you will be surprised how right you are.

11. Do at least one good deed every day!

12.When someone calls for help, GET TO WHERE THEY ARE!

13. FAMILY and FRIENDS are so important! I have the most incredible group of girl friends and I honestly have no idea what I would do without them as corny as that may sound.

14. People will disappoint you. That’s just the way it is. So I have learned to hope for people to do the right thing but if they don’t, then it’s not your problem and that’s too bad for them.

15. TRUST IN THE LORD!!! Have faith that everything will work out, because it does! I look back on my short life and I am amazed at how things have just fallen into place and how my trials make sense. Know that He knows how things will turn out. Put your life in His hands and move forward with faith.