A Recap of Summer

I've decided to try this blog again. Life seems to be a rush of learning and growing right now...and it might be a good idea to write some of it down. I love the lessons and am just trying to keep up!

This summer was FUN-tastic!! The highlights were a trip to Mexico with friends and a trip to Delaware with the fam. For some reason, it was one of my most favorite vacations with my family! I loved both trips so much that I decorated my whole bathroom with a beach theme...especially anything that reminded me of the east coast shoreline. Imagine how excited I got when I came home and met a girl who had just moved here from....REHOBOTH BEACH!!

(Mexico!)

(and how would Mexico pictures be complete without a picture with this cute old woman selling hand-painted art on the beach? :)

~DELAWARE~

(David, Leslie & I enjoying some Delaware waves :)

(Leslie & Mom, Me & David, Mommom & Poppop)

Aww, we <3>

One of my favorite pictures of David during the trip--he's really learned to ham it up!

A highlight of the trip was learning more about my great-great-Grandfather, P.B. Elliott (the original Phillip Benjamin Elliott that both my great-g'father and grandfather are named after). He worked at the Indian River Life Saving Station ( a pre-curser to the Coast Guard at the turn of the century). I had visited the life station before and toured it....but this trip really hit home for me. I felt the connection with a man who spent his life in service to his fellow man....it's a trait that I see in my mom, in one that I hope I can continue to pass on to my kids one day. What really got me was watching the pictures flash by of 19th century CPR being performed on a stormy beach while Kathy Matea sang of the storms they overcame in this old Irish way. I HAVE to find that song, it was soul stirring enough to cement in my heart the awesome-ness of my g-g-grandfather's life :)

(David in front of the I.R. Life Saving Station that P.B. Elliott worked at)

(One of the pictures drawn in the 1800's showing how P.B. Elliott saved men from ships going down in the storm)

I've also had a lot of fun decorating my 1st leased apartment. They've been okay with any colors I splash onto the wall, or any holes I pound in as I constnatly rearrange all the works of art I seem to be obsessed with lately. I found a huge painting of The Creation finger-touch painting by Michaelangelo, and just love staring at it and contemplating the Eternities.....or gazing at a glowing sunset over a Tuscan field full of red poppies and feeling tranquilo :) Having a place feel so homey has let me finally host dinner parties and other gatherings...it's been soo fun!

The Delaware beach memories inspired bathroom :)

Showcasing some of my macro photography. Taking pictures of flowers was a sort of phase I went through earlier this year...it's on the backburner for now. All of these flowers were found right outside of my apartment!

My Tuscan inspired corner...or "The Red Wall" as it's affectionately called ;)

Decorating the top of the kitchen cabinets started as a big challenge! It's been fun finding things on huge discount at different stores and fitting pieces together.

By far, the best part of the summer has been the friendships! 6 months ago I was at a crossroads in my life, not quite knowing where to go. I was offered a job back in my homestate of Texas and seriously considered it for the chance to start something new. Instead, I chose to move to a new part of town...Ahwatukee. Funny how one decision can completely change the course of life! I have appreciated the friendships and loved the people I have met through the Tempe University 1st ward.

26th Birthday Bash!

Roomie & Me

I hope all who read this are doing well! Until next time,

Beth

~La Fotografia~

To fulfill my 2007 New Years Resolution, I enrolled in a photography class January of 2008. :) The class has taught me a lot, but the most enjoyable part of it has been the actual practice. With the miracle of an invention we call the digital camera, I find myself taking over a 100 pictures in half an hour, just practicing and re-practicing different techniques. My favorite subjects so far have been half-willing friends for portrait shots and "macro" or close-up shots of nature. There is so much beauty out there!! I recently saw a quote that rang so true. It said, "The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." (Marcel Proust....whoever he is, he was wise!) Photography has given me those new eyes. And, metaphorically applied to my life, has helped me take new "snapshots" of old surroundings. Instead of running to something new, I am slowly learning to take a second look at that which has grown dull and faded around me. With new eyes, comes the re-birth of the beauty and blessings that surround me.

Conference Weekend

What perfect timing for conference! I have been looking forward to October's conference more so than I had to previous conferences. I'm not sure why, but just greater desirer to hear the talks. It was a perfect time for me though due to some recent events that were a little more emotionally painful than I anticipated. I don't know what it is about the bretheren of the church--the Apostles especially--but they exude such confidence and optimism, that it always puts me at peace. Somehow, whenever I hear them speak, I know all will be well. Or as President Hinckley says, "Everything will work out."
I was thrilled to hear of Elder (President?!) Eyring's new calling! He's always been a favorite. I also loved hearing Sister Julie Beck's talk on motherhood. Her first talk in conference years ago was on motherhood, and it won me over. She told us in the MTC that she had prepared a different talk, but then 6 weeks before conference it came to her very strongly to write on motherhood. She scrambled to change her whole talk around. But then, when Elder Perry stood up that conference to talk about fatherhood, she knew why she'd been prompted to change. The speakers don't know what the others are going to talk about, or the order, so it was really neat to see how much they had been inspired. I also remember her in the MTC taking time out of her Easter Sunday and the family waiting for her at home to shake all of our hands afterwards and meet us. I just like her. She's quality!
This weekend I also remembered some of the joys of being single. I can apply for EFY again...for the entire Summer! I can take a tour to Jerusalem or South America like I've always wanted. I can really pursue my grad studies without distraction. I'm not quite ready to get out there and date, I just really have no interest in it for now. Maybe in a few months or the begining of next year. But for now...I'm just drained and need to heal. It makes me think of that George Strait song, "She let herself go...to New York city, spent a week at the spa, came back knocked out pretty. When he said he didn't love her no more, she let herself go...to Vegas once, Honolulu..."

So here's my crazy plan so far: Double up Grad classes and finish my degree by June. Quit UOP. Then take the trip to Jerusalem with Brother Mcklay's tour for two weeks. Spend the next 4-5 weeks EFY'ing. See the fam. Start....teaching?? Dallas pays really well and I could get certified. I wouldn't mind going into the counseling field actually. LDS services? A school? i'm not sure, but I wouldn't mind one bit. I just need the next big challenge to look forward too! I would like to be ready to switch to teaching by the next school year......hm....food for thought!

Alright, enough blogging for one night! Good night world! :)

Love,
Beth