THE HOLI FESTIVAL OF COLORS!!!!

Went to the Holi of Festival of Colors today. It's a Hindu religious celebration that they had at their temple in Spanish Fork. They had two different times, and my best friend Emily and her roommate Liz and our friend Rafael and myself headed down for the morning party. It was nuts. We ended up parking probably about a mile away and made the trek to the temple. They said there was about 10 thousand people when we were there. When we got there most people were in white shirts and ready to party. They had music playing and all. We went and bought our color powder and was ready to have fun. This was our first year so we didn't know what we were doing. We didn't know they had a count down and that's when everyone tosses their powder in the air. Everyone though was already coloring themselves up. We had a blast. We tossed, sprinkled, and dumped powder all over each other. Needless to say we didn't stay clean for long, which made it even more fun. Finally after watching a few of the Indian girls do their culture dances the real party started. We started counting down from 20 and when we got to one there is no telling what happened, everyone was tossing all their powder in the air. Everyone had at least 3-6 bags of different colors. It was a huge color smoke cloud. You couldn't see anything for a few minutes. The announcer kept telling us to not forget to breath. It was amazing to see the smoke clouds we went from beautiful blue skies to a hazy dust look. My ears were caked inside with half a bag of green powder and down my chest was orange powder, needless to say my garments are no longer white, nor is my bra. The walk back to the car was fun, and the ride home we just laughed and had weird looks on the freeway from people. It was fun to go and celebrate and learn a little about other people's religion and culture. Very nice people and very respectful. I bet more than half the people there were LDS. I guess it's a huge BYU thing to do. I guess it doesn't take much to entertain us. Give us a couple bags of color powder and let us throw it on each other and we are happy. My friend Rafael said, "it's like a food fight, except it isn't edible.  Thanks guys for a fun Saturday afternoon. Oh a side note, I don't think I've ever had purple burgers before, it was cool looking. LOL!!!!

The Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork Ut
The purple powder
Before anything started all clean!!

Just getting started. You can still see white on our shirts
Best Friends
Rafael, Liz, Me, Emily, this was even before it all started
You can barely see it, but there is green powder coming at me.
Just give me a few bags of powder and I'll

be entertained all day.

                   What? I didn't do it.
     Purple powder don't taste to great
      Hand prints everywhere
      No comment
After the dust of powder cleared out a little

    Rafael, Liz, Emily and I, bunch of color people!
       Good Times!!!
       The cloud of powder!
    Liz, Emily and I after the tossing of the powder
My ear full of green powder

Funny how life can be sometimes

What a huge learning experience I've had this week. Life is good. I'm very blessed and happy with where I am in my life. I may not have everything, but what I have I'm so glad I do and couldn't ask for more.

TO BE LIKE A CHILD. . . . . . .

This past weekend my niece Jaquelle got baptized. She was pretty excited because it was on her birthday too. The day was great. All the family was there except for Uncle Mike and Cason. We all had a good time together. I decided to spend the night because Jeanette's family and Aaron's family were sleeping over so I wanted to spend more time with them. The next morning (Sunday) was fast Sunday and we are all slackers and Jaquelle was the only one who fasted. It was her first time to do it. So Mindi was teaching her about fasting and how it is easier and more meaningful when you fast with a purpose. So, Jaquelle asked her mom, "Mom can I fast for Aunt Alli, so that she will get married, and that she will want to have kids?" I thought that was the sweetest thing ever that she would have her first fast to have meaning and that it was for me. Today I called Mindi to ask her how Jaquelle's fast went and she stated that she didn't last long, but she did better than the rest of us, none of us even attempted. She stated that Jaquelle kept telling her she was hungry, so Mindi told her that she wasn't going to force her to fast and that she could eat if she wanted to, and cute Jaquelle said to her mom, "but, I'm fasting for Alli." I thought that was the sweetest thing anyone has done for me. She has so much faith that the Lord will bless her purpose of her fast for me to find someone to marry and want kids. Her faith is much stronger than mine. I pray that I can be like Jaquelle and other small children that have such great faith that the Lord is listening to them and will answer their prayers. I hope the Lord will answer this prayer as well. I guess I better start doing my part so Jaquelle can see how fasting with a purpose can come true. 

I love my nieces and nephews. They drive me crazy at times, but I would do anything for them and they are such a blessing in my life. I'm so grateful to be their Aunt.

It's scary sometimes when life is going so well you wonder when the bad is going to happen. Well I've decided I'm not going to sit around and wait for the bad, I'm going to enjoy the good that is going on. For some reason it has been a really good week, and it feels nice. Tonight I put away my pride and went to a Institute Forum. I have banned institute because when you have graduated like 3 times, it's time to move on. Well when you hang out with young people they are still in that stage. Well I decided tonight since Sister Benard was speaking I would go. I'm really glad I did. I felt the Spirit so strong. As I was sitting there I got thinking this lady is the wife of a twelve apostle, a man called of God to testify of him. And the great experience was the spirit confirmed to me this to me true. She had some great advice and it made me so excited for General Conference. I walked away from the devotional loving the gospel more than I ever have. It is true and I am so blessed to have it in my life. 

Also tonight I went to a Young Women's Activity so that I can get to know the girls since I'm the camp director. I'm really excited about the calling. I just wish I could remember the girls and the leaders name. I'm horrible at it

Life is good, I'm excited for another fun weekend with the family. Jaquelle is getting baptized this weekend on her birthday and we will all be there except for Mike. I have the best family in the world. Love them tons and so grateful for their friendship and support.

I love Monday nights!

Finally the Bachelor is over!!! If I seriously watch it again someone shoot me. But I still have 24! It has been fun hanging out with my roommates and the 2 extra's Trevor and Alex. We get together with our popcorn and orange julius. And have a fun time together. Although 24 has been a little disappointment this year, last season was my first season to watch and I watched it a week before this season started and one night Heather, Trevor and I stayed up until 4 am watching it, because after each episode, we would be like ok, just one more. Heather brought out season one from storage so it will be fun to start from the beginning. Looking forward though for March 22nd when Dancing with the Stars starts one of my favorite, but can't forget Survivor, it is my favorite and one day I would love to be on it, but afraid I wouldn't survive. LOL